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The day Junjae manifested as dominant at age 10 was April 10th. Jeonggwan’s birthday, when he was 9 years younger, was April 9th. Given that Junjae’s dominant manifestation was said to be related to him, anyone who wasn’t a fool could immediately understand the situation.
“…So that’s why you’re giving me a building worth 12 billion won?”
“Well, do you think we’d give you 12 billion won just for some kids’ love affair? It’s a relationship that will end soon anyway. That’s payment for making him manifest as dominant, for keeping the secret, and for staying away from Junjae’s sight if you break up. If I try to stop you now, it’ll only make you more attached. Date all you want. Date, and when you break up, don’t cling to our child using money as an excuse. That’s why we’re giving it to you in advance.”
So the reason for giving him a building worth 12 billion won was to pay for enabling their son to manifest as dominant, to keep that fact a secret, and to cleanly break away if they break up. It was a very practical deal. With no loss to him at all. Of course, he would take it. When else in his life would he get a 12 billion won building in Cheongdam-dong?
Just looking at the building would make him laugh. He’d want to shout to the whole neighborhood, “Everyone, I’ve won not just the lottery, but the Power Golden Ball!” He should be happy, saying he’s a winner, that it’s like advance alimony without being forced to break up.
“…”
But why did he feel so angry?
‘When I was severely depressed, there were times I wanted to die. Why was I born this way? I should have either been dominant from the start or remained recessive until the end… Then it wouldn’t have been so hard…’
‘But now, after meeting you, everything is okay.’
‘You’re like a prince who came to rescue me, no, to save my life.’
Haa… Jeonggwan sighed and furrowed his brow. Junjae’s parents seemed slightly flustered at first when they realized Jeonggwan didn’t know, but soon started eating calmly as if he would have found out eventually anyway. Jeonggwan, who had been staring blankly at them, also picked up his knife and fork.
“I’ll gladly accept the building.”
“…You seem to have good judgment.”
“I’ll enjoy the meal too.”
“…Alright.”
A steak with excellent meat quality and perfectly grilled was smoothly cut by Jeonggwan. It was even cooked medium-rare, just as he liked. From the plating to the smell and cooking, it was a perfect dish with nothing out of place. The taste would probably be the best of any steak he had ever eaten.
However, Jeonggwan couldn’t taste anything right now.
The sound of hurried footsteps approaching the dining room was heard. All three people in the room greeted the newcomer without surprise, as if they knew who it was without looking.
“Jeonggwan!”
“…What kind of manners are those in front of your parents?”
“…Father.”
Junjae, slightly out of breath as if he had been running since getting out of the car, nodded slightly to greet his father and then approached Jeonggwan, who was sitting quietly at the table.
“Hyung, you’re here?”
“…Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
As soon as he received a report from Secretary Oh that Jeonggwan had entered the main house, Junjae had rushed out of the company as if propelled. He had been worried sick on his way to the main house. He wondered if Jeonggwan might be crying from his father’s harsh words, or if he might actually agree to break up if his father offered him money. He didn’t know how he had driven here, consumed by anxiety, impatience, and worry.
However, the Jeonggwan he encountered was just like his usual self. Moreover, he had finished his meal and was neatly eating fruit, which reassured Junjae so much that he forgot he was in front of his parents and grabbed Jeonggwan’s hand. Then, as if surprised, he examined Jeonggwan’s face.
“…”
He had seen Jeonggwan angry only once before. At that time, Jeonggwan had been surprisingly calm and cold, and that’s exactly how he felt now. Although he appeared fine and okay, Jeonggwan was actually very angry. Sure enough, Jeonggwan was the first to stand up.
“Since hyung is here, I’ll be going now.”
“…Alright.”
“Then, I’ll see you next time.”
Jeonggwan, who had bowed politely, left the dining room pulling Junjae’s arm with a smile. They looked like a couple overjoyed with happiness, to the extent that no one except Junjae could notice that Jeonggwan was angry.
And watching their retreating figures, Won Youngjae let out a short, mirthless laugh.
“He’s no ordinary guy.”
* * *
The two who had left the main house quietly got into the car Junjae had brought. Jeonggwan’s expression, which had seemed fine just moments ago, was now distorted. As soon as he saw this, Junjae immediately took Jeonggwan’s hand again.
“Did my father threaten you…?”
“You said you wanted to die, hyung. That it was harder after becoming dominant.”
However, at Jeonggwan’s sharp words, Junjae blinked rapidly. He had thought his father might have threatened him with money or buildings to break up, but he had brought up that story… Junjae’s hand holding Jeonggwan tightened.
“But everything’s okay now that you’ve met me? Even though it happened because of me?”
“…It’s okay.”
Junjae regretted telling such personal stories yesterday, thinking if he had known Jeonggwan would find out so soon, he wouldn’t have said those things. He had planned to tell him much, much later.
“Are you really stupid, hyung?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Damn it, how were you raised… Even now you’re watching my reaction. What on earth are you sorry for?”
“…”
“Get angry. Resent me, or at least get irritated.”
He knew that to others, or even to Jeonggwan right now, he might seem foolish or idiotic. How could he not resent him even once after going through such hardship, even thinking he wanted to die after becoming dominant? He clearly knew in his head too. If he hadn’t become dominant then, wouldn’t his childhood have been a little happier?
But compared to the 30-some years of hardship, these approximately three months had been so unbelievably good that, foolishly enough, he had no time to resent or get irritated. There was no time to get annoyed, and you were too precious for him to get angry at.
He had certainly been breathing and living before, but these days he really felt like this was what living was about. In the mornings, he woke up smiling, wondering if you had woken up. The excessive work he used to do as a matter of course became quite enjoyable with the thought of buying you something more delicious to eat. This is what living is. You make me live. He knew that this affection, which he had never received or experienced before, hit him even harder. And he knew that made him even more foolishly blind.
“…I’m really okay.”
“I’m not okay, that’s why! I’m upset, that’s why!”
Seeing Jeonggwan getting angry with tears welling up in his eyes, Junjae stroked Jeonggwan’s hand with his thumb as if trying to soothe his anger.
“Jeonggwan, I’m really not angry and I don’t resent you. Of course, in the past, I resented my mother thinking she had made me manifest as dominant. But even then, I thought it was inevitable, and that it wasn’t my mother’s fault. Now, it’s all in the past anyway… I’m really okay.”
Don’t cry. Junjae wiped Jeonggwan’s cheeks with both hands as tears rolled down. However, despite Junjae’s assurances, Jeonggwan’s anger didn’t subside.
“How is it inevitable… I can’t stand how unfair it is. I’m so frustrated it makes me angry.”
In fact, it wasn’t anger directed at anyone in particular. He was just upset. How could they abuse and neglect a child just for the sake of superior traits? That’s why he found it so heartbreaking to see Junjae, in his thirties, helplessly falling for and dedicating himself to the affection they were sharing. Of course, that’s why Junjae loved him more, but that kind of love made him even more upset.
“Let’s just get married.”
“…”
“How can I live with this unfairness? Hyung, let’s just get married now.”
So he acted even more boldly. He ate all the food he couldn’t taste, even the dessert, smiling as if to show off. To take revenge on behalf of Junjae, who wouldn’t resent him even once despite knowing everything. He vowed to give a taste of his own medicine to that unpleasant father who thought his son was his possession and would do everything according to his will until the end.
“…No.”
“…Huh?”
So he wanted to take revenge on Junjae’s behalf by getting married right away and saying, “I’ll take good care of your son!” But an unexpected answer came from Junjae, who he thought would be overjoyed and agree immediately.
“…I said I would wait, didn’t I?”
“No, you don’t have to wait, let’s just do it now…!”
“No.”
What’s this? Jeonggwan looked up at Junjae with a dumbfounded and confused expression. Junjae, unusually, had a firm expression without even adding ‘…’, but even in that moment, he gently wiped Jeonggwan’s running nose with his hand.
Hyung, why are you wiping that with your hand… Jeonggwan, feeling embarrassed, naturally opened the glove compartment and took out a wet wipe to clean Junjae’s hand. Then, as if checking his reaction, he glanced at Junjae and mumbled again.
“But it’s unfair…”
“It’s not unfair. So,”
“Let’s just get married now…”
“Don’t ask to get married now.”
Uh… This isn’t right. Once again, Junjae firmly refused, and Jeonggwan, who had been muttering about his misaligned revenge plan, blinked blankly while sniffling. But wait, forget about revenge for a moment, right now…
“…Did I just get rejected?”
