Chapter 57
The hand gripping his neck was gradually tightening. From the atmosphere alone, Hahyun knew he should agree right away, but he couldn’t answer easily—he was afraid the favor might involve Yoon Juwon.
“…No. If you’re asking me to give up Juwon-hyung, you know I’d rather die than do that.”
Hajin smiled and shook his head.
“Would I really ask you to give him up? I’m going to win Yoon Juwon fair and square, so don’t worry about that. I’m talking about other things. I might ask for money, or for you to strengthen my position at the company—we’ll see when the time comes.”
Hahyun answered happily.
“Anything you want. I’d give you whatever you asked for without conditions anyway. When have I ever held anything back from you…”
“That’s right. That’s the kind of brother I have.”
While Hahyun was relieved that Hajin had let it slide so easily, he still felt uneasy—things seemed to be resolved too smoothly considering what he’d done.
‘If only I could see what he’s thinking, I could at least fight back.’
To Hahyun, Hajin had always been this frustratingly unreadable person.
***
I was sprawled on the sofa when I heard someone entering the door code. The clock showed it was already past midnight. I got up and walked toward the entrance. Hajin and Hahyun were already heading my way.
“You’re late.”
“Yeah. Fortunately, everything’s been resolved. What have you been up to?”
“Just watching a movie, then sleeping. That kind of thing.”
“You must be tired. Go to bed.”
I was about to walk past without even glancing at Hahyun, but a tearful voice stopped me.
“Hyuuung, it’s my turn today.”
“You two work it out yourselves. I’m going to bed first—I’m tired. Good night, Hajin.”
“Yeah. Good night, Juwon.”
I deliberately greeted Hajin warmly, loud enough for Hahyun to hear, then turned to leave. Immediately, Hahyun rushed over and grabbed my hand.
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“I told you earlier. Let’s take some time.”
Hahyun’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“So I immediately broke off the engagement and came back. What’s the problem?”
I was shocked to hear the engagement was already canceled. I’d definitely heard it was a contractual engagement…
“Because you called it adultery and said it was disgusting, I stayed there until they agreed to cancel it. Of course, Hajin-hyung helped get it resolved, but…”
Inwardly, I was impressed by the brothers’ solidarity, but outwardly, I frowned at Hahyun.
“Why are you looking at me like that? What exactly do you want me to do…”
“It’s not about what I want you to do. It’s just how I feel.”
Hahyun’s eyes welled up with tears.
“What does that even mean? I really don’t understand.”
“I trusted you. That’s why I think I’m so shocked.”
“Why? Why? I’ve never betrayed you. Hah… Is it because of Eunji? You know there’s nothing between us. I don’t have even the slightest feeling for her…”
“No, it’s not because of Eunji. It’s because of you.”
I felt guilty for deceiving someone so earnest, but I needed to look out for myself first.
Hahyun beat his chest with his fist in frustration. I frowned deeply, then took a breath as if trying to calm myself down.
“So… what exactly did I do wrong?”
“You didn’t tell me. That you were engaged for whatever reasons… I believe people who love each other shouldn’t keep secrets. But you hid your engagement from me.”
“T-that’s… that’s not it, um… it’s not like that.”
Hahyun kept insisting it wasn’t true, blurting out whatever came to mind. Even though denying the hidden engagement wouldn’t change anything, watching him desperately try to salvage the situation was almost pitiful.
“What’s not true? That you’re not someone who loves me?”
“Oh, fuck! Seriously. Hyung, are you trying to piss me off? You know everything, so why are you playing dumb? You’re all I have. What do you want me to do to prove it?”
Hahyun jumped up and down on the spot. Only then did I start to doubt whether what I was doing was right. Neither firmly cutting him off nor accepting him—was it okay to be acting like this? But I couldn’t take back what I’d already done.
“I’m just saying I need time. You need to develop some patience too. How long are you going to cry and beg when things don’t go your way? Find a way to rebuild trust.”
***
After forcibly sending Hahyun to his room despite his absolute refusal, I went to mine. As I lay down, the bed felt unusually spacious tonight.
While I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, I heard someone pounding on the door. Obviously Seo Hahyun. I considered opening it, but thought I’d look too easy if I changed my mind in less than a day, so I covered my ears.
I could hear Hahyun crying miserably outside.
“Hyung, I’m anxious. I can’t do anything. What if you keep hating me even after I give you time? If you never even look at me and only sleep with Hajin-hyung, what am I supposed to do?”
That’s exactly what I want to say. If at least one of you were less obsessive, I could choose one person, but with both of you like this, what am I supposed to do? This isn’t some harem—I can’t live with both of you forever.
“Hyung… if you just open the door… I really won’t do anything today. No, I won’t even get on the bed. I’ll stay against the wall and not move. So please open the door. Please.”
Hahyun’s voice was like sandpaper scraping against my heart. Hahyun was cute and nice to look at, but what I needed right now was someone I could rely on, like Hajin. So it made sense to keep some distance from Hahyun… but that wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
I knew my wavering was having a negative impact on all of us, but still.
While I was deliberating, it suddenly went quiet outside. After all that incessant muttering, his sudden silence made me uneasy.
I went to the door and pressed my ear against it. I thought if he was still there, I’d at least hear sniffling. But there was nothing.
Wondering if he’d left, I cracked the door open—only to find Hahyun standing there like a statue, staring right at me. I jumped.
“Ah!”
“Hyuuung, I…”
Hahyun couldn’t even finish his sentence before he wrapped his arms around me tight. Then he whispered in my ear.
“I believed you would open the door. This proves everything about our relationship. Nothing else is needed.”
What the…!
I was speechless at Hahyun’s words.
“Ah, so this is what trust means. Now that I understand it properly, I’ll do better from now on.”
What could I say to someone who wasn’t angry, wasn’t blaming me, but was smiling generously and promising to do better?
In the end, I let Hahyun into the room without pushing him away.
“We’re not completely made up yet, so keep your promise.”
“Yesss. I’ll sleep on the floor. Just you opening the door is enough for me.”
It was almost frightening how this usually immature person was suddenly acting so mature. Normally, he’d be demanding to know why I did that and whether I really wasn’t going to open the door… No, before that, the Hahyun I knew would’ve broken down the door and barged in.
From my bed, I watched Hahyun curl up on the floor, his large body folded up like a shrimp. It felt strange seeing him lying with his back to me, facing the opposite direction.
Did something change his mind while he was waiting outside? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out.
***
“Yoon Juwon, wake up.”
I woke to a deep voice. Even though it was Hahyun who’d slept in my room last night, when I opened my eyes, I found Hajin’s gaze looking down at me.
“Where’s Hahyun?”
“The moment you wake up, that’s what you want to know? Right in front of me, too.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“At this point, you must be trying to make me jealous on purpose.”
Come to think of it, yesterday and today, I’d asked about Hahyun every time I saw Hajin. It wasn’t intentional—I was just curious since Hahyun kept disappearing.
“Your confused look is cute, but we don’t have time, so hurry up and come out.”
Hajin left the room first. I stuck close behind him.
“What’s for breakfast today?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
I was about to naturally walk into the dining room, but Hajin grabbed my wrist and led me to the shoe rack instead. He pulled out a pair of sneakers. Huh? Sneakers all of a sudden?
Confused, I looked back and forth between the sneakers and his face.
“Put them on.”
“Why? Are we going out?”
“No, just put them on. They’re new, so it’s fine to wear them inside.”
Hajin knelt in front of me, undid the laces, and placed them in front of my feet. I was about to slip my foot in without thinking, but then hesitated. I’d been taking advantage of Hajin too naturally.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, I’ll put them on myself. Why are you trying to do even this for me… haha.”
“It’s easier when someone helps, right? Why make a fuss over this? We don’t have time, so just let me put them on you.”
“It’s not a big deal—I can put them on myself.”
Hajin frowned deeply. Like he said, maybe it wasn’t a big deal, but to me—a straight guy—the reality of receiving something I used to do for my girlfriends hit hard. I couldn’t help it.
Hajin held a sneaker in one hand and my ankle in the other, looking up at me. His sharp gaze gave me goosebumps.
Hajin’s need for control was flaring up again.
I quietly slipped my foot into the sneaker. Only then did his intimidating expression return to normal.
