“……They said one of those brothers died. Could the construction company have taken care of it?”
“No way.”
“The police still suspect us? If we’re not careful, we might end up taking the fall for it.”
It was more dangerous because it wasn’t just money they received. While Eunchan and the boss were deeply worried about the future, only Hyungsik came into the office with a cheerful face.
“Food’s here!”
“……Right, let’s eat. What can we do now? We can’t back out.”
The boss took out Han Inju’s business card from his wallet and handed it over. Eunchan received the business card with an uncomfortable face. They say there’s no easy work in the world, but how did only such difficult work come to him?
Following Hyungsik who grabbed his arm and led him, Eunchan left the office. He wanted to finish all the work within this month if possible. To do that…… first, he had to go back down to Muan alone.
“Hyungsik, are you busy these days?”
“No? Why?”
Hyungsik, who set up the folding table and arranged food on it, held out wooden chopsticks to Eunchan.
“Can you watch someone for me? You just need to check who they meet and where they go.”
“It’s not difficult, but who?”
“Miro-ssi’s younger brother.”
He needed to catch evidence. Eunchan planned to leave Jang Heewoo to Hyungsik for now and go to Muan before Han Inju caused more trouble.
“And do you have the boss’s car keys?”
“Yes, should I give them to hyung?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
It seemed like he might go down tomorrow right away.
Because of the constantly vibrating phone, Eunchan had to finish his meal quickly and return home. Even though it was still daytime before the sun set, it was thanks to Miro urging Eunchan’s return home so much. Eunchan, who was worrying about whether to buy something on the way home, picked out ice cream at the convenience store in the complex.
Should I tell Miro I met his younger brother? Then he’ll ask why I met him……. Can I say he seems like a stalker?
Asking about the adoption was also quite awkward. He didn’t want to go home so his feet dragged, but since he bought ice cream, he had no choice but to walk quickly. Eunchan, who arrived in front of the house located in a corner of the complex where sunlight didn’t shine well, pressed the doorbell with a deep breath.
Ding-dong-.
“I’m here.”
As soon as he pressed the bell, the front gate opened. Eunchan slowly crossed the garden toward the entrance. He could see Miro standing blankly in front of the quiet and silent house. Did he come out to greet me? Eunchan hurried closer.
“Why are you outside?”
“Eunchan, where did you go?”
“The office.”
“Not there.”
Eunchan froze at Miro’s cold expression. Why is he suddenly like this? Eunchan opened his mouth that wouldn’t move and answered again.
“……The hospital?”
It was ridiculous to do this in front of the entrance, and it was embarrassing because Miro acted exactly like scolding a child who ran away from home. Miro breathed heavily and soon hugged Eunchan. The bag with ice cream fell to the ground with a thud. Since Miro seemed about to forcibly stuff him into his arms, Eunchan patted Miro’s back.
“Miro-ssi, wait a minute.”
“I asked where Eunchan was but you didn’t answer at all. You went to the hospital and went to meet Heewoo. Eunchan, why did you do that? Why did you leave me behind? You left only me here and what did you do with Hyungsik?”
As if he’d been monitoring, Miro knew every detail of Eunchan’s movements. Eunchan was flustered but thought he should calm him down first.
“Nothing happened, Miro-ssi, look at me.”
He heard sniffling sounds from above his head. Eunchan kept soothing the trembling Miro and helped him organize his breathing on his own. Miro’s heart pounded violently as if anxious.
“Don’t cry.”
His body hurt as if it would break from the strong grip, but he was more worried about Miro who was shedding tears silently. Eunchan endured his neck getting wet and led Miro inside the house.
Only after letting him hold his hand and even link arms could Eunchan take off his shoes and enter the living room. The living room that had definitely been cluttered with boxes until morning was now miserable as if a storm had swept through. The display cabinet was shattered to pieces, and the lighting was broken with glass shards scattered all over the floor.
“Miro-ssi, did something happen?”
Did someone else break into the house? Eunchan looked around the messy house and asked Miro.
“L-let’s go to Eunchan’s room. It’s too dangerous here…….”
Worried that Eunchan might step on glass shards, Miro fretted and worried. Since he seemed about to carry Eunchan, Eunchan barely stopped him by promising he’d be careful on his own since he was wearing indoor shoes.
Fortunately, the room was safe. More than safe, it was well decorated. The first thing that caught his eye was a desk and wardrobe made of thick wood. A small sofa was placed by the window, and a piano was brought in nearby. Bright sunlight shone through the semi-transparent curtains. It was a neat and simple room. Eunchan gave a glance to the rabbit doll sitting obediently on the bed, then looked at Miro again.
“Miro-ssi, sit down.”
“Mm,”
Miro’s hands were still trembling. What is he so anxious about? Eunchan gripped Miro’s hand firmly. The two sitting side by side on the sofa maintained silence for a moment.
“Are you calm now?”
“…….”
“How did you know I met Miro-ssi’s younger brother?”
“Why did you meet him?”
A question returned with a question. Eunchan carefully swept Miro’s reddened eyes. His moisture-filled pupils looked pitiful.
“This is just my speculation, so listen without misunderstanding.”
How should I say this? Eunchan blamed his poor speaking skills for a moment.
“Miro-ssi’s younger brother…… I suspected he might be the stalker.”
And I’m still suspecting. Eunchan continued speaking while carefully examining Miro’s expression.
“So, so what?”
“What do you mean ‘so what’? Miro-ssi’s younger brother is kind of strange, you know? Haven’t you ever felt that way?”
Jang Heewoo had eyes that not only hated Miro but wanted to kill him. However, Miro tilted his head and grabbed Eunchan’s shoulder.
“What did you two ta-talk about?”
“Just, well……. He asked for Miro-ssi’s blood. That person has the same blood type as Miro-ssi, right?”
At the words that only Miro could save him, Eunchan sneered at Jang Heewoo. He’s just trying to make people feel guilty. No matter how rare it is, it’s not like Miro is the only MkMk in the world. Eunchan moistened his dry lips and asked Miro.
“Yes. Did Hee-Heewoo only say that?”
“Yes. If you give him blood, he won’t ask for other things, or something? I think he said something like that.”
Eunchan wiped Miro’s forehead wet with cold sweat with his sleeve. Miro’s pupils shone amber in the sunlight. With such a pretty person, where is there a place to hit? Eunchan frowned and cursed Jang Heewoo inwardly.
“Heewoo is…… me-mean. He hits me and,”
Miro began to make excuses desperately. It seemed he was afraid Eunchan would misunderstand him as a bad person.
“I know. I heard.”
“Eunchan is on my side, right?”
In this matter, where would there be your side or my side, but Eunchan had long been on Miro’s side.
“By any chance, I’m asking just in case, and I really have no other intention……. Miro-ssi, were you adopted?”
It felt like if not now, he’d never be able to ask. Eunchan tightly closed both eyes and waited for Miro’s answer. Strictly speaking, it was also information Eunchan didn’t need to know.
However, Eunchan was curious. What kind of life Miro had lived and how he was living now. Why he was sick, and whether he could get better. And if possible, he wanted to eliminate the things that tormented Miro.
Was it petty sympathy or was it favorable feelings? Since he’d never been like this before, even Eunchan didn’t know his own heart.
“Yeah, I was adopted. When I was young.”
Contrary to expectations, a calm answer returned. Eunchan opened his eyes and checked Miro’s mood. It was pointless how worried he’d been about what if he didn’t like it. Miro somehow looked happy. The smile hanging on his lips was so fresh it was cheerful.
“So you’re not real brothers?”
“Yeah.”
He said the reason for his existence was because of blood. The purpose of adoption was probably also because of blood. Eunchan hugged Miro while suppressing his rising anger.
“Don’t listen to your younger brother. The stalker is definitely that bastard. If he contacts you, tell me.”
He almost cried feeling sorry for Miro who must have been lonely alone. He too definitely had an unfortunate fate, but Miro seemed worse. Miro wrapped his arms around Eunchan’s waist. Under Eunchan’s affection and understanding, Miro took in a peaceful breath. It was sweet and warm.
“I’m really, really a bad person.”
“I know. That bastard is a son of a bitch.”
The so-called parents were the same. It would be better if they died—if they were still alive, Miro would have only suffered more.
This person needs me. So I can be by his side for Miro to get better, maybe even after this work ends……. Eunchan hugged the fragile Miro and imagined a vague future. A future together didn’t look so bad.
He tried to clean up the living room, but Eunchan had to stay obediently locked in the room because Miro clung to him and stopped him. Miro went out of the room briefly, saying he’d call someone to clean up, and in the meantime Eunchan looked around the room that he couldn’t do because he was too distracted.
First, when he opened the wardrobe thinking to organize the clothes, he discovered clothes densely hung inside. Eunchan closed the wardrobe door again and moved his feet elsewhere. The piano placed in the room was unfamiliar. The solid wood piano matched well with the overall room atmosphere.
Eunchan had learned piano too, but when he was really young, during his little kid days living with his mom, he barely finished Beyer. Even that, he’d forgotten it all now, so even pressing the keys felt awkward. Did he bring it in as interior decoration? Eunchan thought while randomly tapping the keys.
