Chapter 33
“Wait, no!”
But I could only enjoy the breeze for a moment. A startled Hahyun closed the window he’d just opened himself.
“I think I’ve gotten too careless lately.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I let you look out the window, you’ll be able to see the route home in detail.”
Was he afraid I might memorize the way and escape? I couldn’t help but laugh quietly at the absurdity.
“Why are you laughing? Does what I said sound like a joke?”
“Are you worried I might try to run away?”
Hahyun bit his lip and nodded slightly.
“You know that’s a ridiculous thought, right?”
“What’s ridiculous about it! You’re not tied up anymore, and your health has improved—you could escape anytime you wanted to.”
I gently placed my hand on top of Hahyun’s. It was amusing how he pouted but didn’t pull his hand away.
“Where would I go with my lost memories? And even if I went somewhere, how would I make a living? I can’t even appear in public…”
Hahyun was staring at me with narrowed eyes. I wanted to turn away and look at the closed window, but I held back, afraid it might upset him more.
“Honestly, I’m really anxious. I didn’t realize it when we weren’t going out, but now that we’re outside, everyone’s looking at you, and you seemed to be enjoying it… I was scared you might abandon us and run away. And you don’t even understand…”
I wasn’t sure if being honest with a madman would work, but I decided to try.
“I wasn’t feeling good. I was irritated about possibly being discovered, and also…”
Hahyun’s eyes widened. He even swallowed hard in anticipation of what I’d say next.
“I was secretly annoyed that people seemed to only look at Hajin-ssi and Hahyun-ssi.”
“Eek!”
“I was worried about what would happen to me if someone came along and stole your hearts.”
Hahyun was too shocked to say anything, but I was surprised at myself for being able to casually express anxiety about people of the same gender losing interest in me.
And what’s more, I meant it.
If I weren’t a wanted person, I would’ve tried to escape from these brothers and survive on my own somehow. But in my current situation, escaping wouldn’t get me anywhere.
So the best choice I could make now was to find the source of their obsession and resolve it, while also using the brothers to find a way to clear my name.
“Hyung, what are you thinking about so deeply?”
“I really did imagine it. Whether I could run away and live on my own…”
At these words, Hajin, who’d been quietly driving from the driver’s seat, interjected.
“So? What was your conclusion?”
“There wasn’t one. So you two, don’t get tired of me. Even if I struggle with physical affection and act frustratingly because I’ve lost my memory, you have to like me the way you used to.”
Hajin burst into laughter as if pleased, and Hahyun clung to my arm and nuzzled his forehead against me.
“I told you. I like the changed hyung so much better. So much, so much, so much. Really.”
“…”
The changed hyung…
“I like the current you better too.”
The current you…
My heart stung at their confessions that weren’t really confessions, but I decided to pretend I didn’t understand. After all, whether I was Kim Sojin or Yoon Juwon, the fact that the brothers liked me remained unchanged.
***
Finally, we’re home.
I couldn’t help but smile at the natural sense of relief I felt upon arriving. How ironic to feel relief while walking into a prison of my own accord…
“Hyung, get out.”
Hahyun, who’d already gotten out, held the car door open as he spoke. Just then, a phone rang in the driver’s seat. Hajin answered.
“Yes, this is Seo Hajin. …What nonsense is this? Do you think that makes any sense? A perfectly fine show… Why…”
Although I was led outside by Hahyun’s hand, all my attention was on Hajin’s phone conversation. From outside, I could see Hajin’s expression was completely twisted.
“Team Leader Han has been managing me since I was a model. Are you contacting me because you can’t even handle something so trivial properly? It seems your instincts have dulled considerably.”
Hajin was mixing criticism into his polite tone. I felt like I was being scolded even though it had nothing to do with me. Then Hahyun whispered in my ear.
“Hyuuung, manage your expression. I told you, right? Hajin hyung’s personality is no joke. Several people have quit the company because of him.”
Hahyun’s voice was full of giggles.
“Fuck!”
Hajin seemed thoroughly angry as he threw his phone.
“What’s wrong?”
“These bastards keep ordering me around over trivial matters. I think Secretary Kim is deliberately trying to make me suffer.”
“Of course he would. But control your temper a bit. What if they use it against you?”
I felt uncomfortable listening to their conversation. It seemed strange that Hajin, who’d been normal, was now acting crazy, while Hahyun, who usually spouted nonsense, was now speaking reasonably.
Their relationship was quite peculiar. On the surface, they were brothers who relied on each other, yet simultaneously, they were romantic rivals. Was it possible to have a relationship where they fought over a loved one while cooperating and agreeing on other matters? I understood that they’d developed a deep bond by creating a common enemy under an abusive father, but there seemed to be other backstories.
Hajin, who looked like he might start the car again and head to the company, approached me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, what should I do? I was supposed to pick out a DVD for you, but it looks like I’ll have to go in. I might not be able to come back until late at night if things go badly.”
Well, it’s better if one of them is gone—then I only have to deal with one person.
While I was momentarily distracted, Hajin’s lips pressed against my cheek, making a smacking sound as they pulled away.
“Eat well, don’t get too close to Hahyun—you know what I mean?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. I’ll be back.”
“Take care.”
Hajin’s voice as he said he’d return was completely different from when he was on the phone. Just a moment ago, I’d thought it would be more comfortable if one person was gone, but watching Hajin’s back, I felt strange.
Was it anxiety? I was curious about what had suddenly happened to Hajin and wished I could be with him.
Hajin’s car roared as it left the garage.
“I’m seriously dying of jealousy. Why are you giving him that look again? I should’ve gone to the company too! Then you would’ve looked at me like that, wouldn’t you?”
“If Hahyun-ssi leaves, who would look at my expressions?”
To appease the grumbling Hahyun, I took his hand and said something cheesy. His sharp gaze subsided quickly.
“Damn… I know I’m being played, but I keep letting it slide. I shouldn’t be softening like this…”
The one who kept letting things slide wasn’t Hahyun, but me. On the night we slept together, I’d unwittingly lowered my guard against Hahyun because he didn’t touch me. I thought his obsession would diminish if I did that, but it only grew stronger. Once I started making concessions, his demands became endless.
“Hahyun-ssi.”
“Don’t call me like that. When you call me so… affectionately…”
I firmly held Hahyun’s cheeks. When our eyes met, he rolled his pupils as if he didn’t know what to do.
“I think I keep making Hahyun-ssi angry. That’s not my intention, but I’m not good at expressing myself, so please understand. Even today—I was so grateful when you agreed to go home after I said I wanted to.”
“Huh?”
Hahyun looked surprised, as if he didn’t understand.
“W-why are you apologizing, hyung?”
“Just because I keep making Hahyun-ssi angry.”
Hahyun’s pupils darted around quickly. Then he soon made a tearful face. It wasn’t a sad expression, but one that seemed moved.
Ah… he shouldn’t be too moved…
I briefly savored the feeling of victory, anticipating the madman’s reaction.
Even when Hahyun was shedding tears and wetting the back of my hand, I was filled with hope that I could tame this madman. However, Hahyun was beyond my imagination.
“That’s right. Hyung, you should be sorry for looking at Hajin hyung with that kind of gaze instead of me. Though I think you’re lying to comfort me, since your heart is so pretty, I’ll pretend to be fooled again. Really. How can even your thoughts be so cute?”
The madman took my hand and kissed my fingers as if he was about to bite them off. I looked around and tensed my hand. If people passing by caught us like this, rumors would spread that gay people lived in this house…
It was already frustrating that my efforts to appease Hahyun had gone to waste, but having gay rumors spread would be the worst.
“Um, what about the pasta?”
“Ah, hyung, are you hungry? Let’s go eat quickly.”
Hahyun held my hand and headed into the house. Soon after, the doorbell rang. I flinched involuntarily. I remembered that I’d never had a good experience hearing that sound since coming to this house. If someone came and provoked Hahyun again, my plan to use the brothers’ feelings to untangle this mess and clear my name would be disrupted.
“W-who is it?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you just hear the doorbell?”
“Why? Are you scared?”
“No—do I not look scared? I came home early because I was afraid to meet people outside…”
Hahyun hugged me tightly and patted my back.
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing. I’ll just go out for a moment and come back.”
