S Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“I see.”

Shin Jukyeong replied, feigning indifference. However, his back was already drenched in cold sweat. Of course, their own image must have taken quite a hit. The scathing comments from his memories flashed through his mind. Tax thieves…

Actually, that was mild enough. There was also an incident where a peer ran out crying from being ridiculed for their alopecia, and a senior, 50 days into forced abstinence from clubbing due to overtime, frothed at the mouth and fainted after hearing “I’ll be a club regular, you be a Dungeon regular, haha.”

These are people who dedicate themselves to the Association to such an extent, so if there’s someone who ruined their idol and sullied their honor? They’d probably want to tear them to shreds. Hmm… No, the Association people are quite persistent. They must already be preparing something.

‘…I need to be careful.’

“If only we had found out his identity first, we could have put the Hunter Association in our debt… Shin Jukyeong, you’re disappointing me in many ways.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it was right in front of his father’s eyes.

After that, he was kicked out with a warning not to cause any trouble. In particular, his father explicitly stated that he shouldn’t even think about taking Eun out. He wondered if his father was worried because Eun was too young, but knowing his father’s personality, a question arose. Why Eun? He pondered, but no answer came to him.

‘For now, let’s focus on getting the kids to manifest their abilities.’

Limping, he entered his room and saw Kang Seo-oh. He looked like he was about to faint. No, he was always the one getting hit, so why…

“A-Are you okay, Young Master…? Does it hurt? Where, where did you get hit?”

“Calm down.”

Kang Seo-oh circled Shin Jukyeong. Then, seeing the dark red stained pant leg, he finally burst into tears.

“Heeuk… He’s a real psychopath…”

‘Can you really curse your employer, the one who hired you, in front of his son?’ …But he pressed the empathy button hard.

“Tsk! Stop that. I’m not wiping a man’s tears.”

“Heeueueuk… You’re such a manly man…”

Sobbing, Kang Seo-oh brought bandages and disinfectant. Oh, shit? Is that alcohol wipes? This guy, trying to assassinate me? Shin Jukyeong ran, and Kang Seo-oh chased. In the end, after 30 minutes of tag, they settled on children’s ointment.

“Here, swallow this with water and a honey rice cake.”

After treating him, Kang Seo-oh handed him a pill.

“I already put on the medicine.”

“You need to take anti-inflammatory medicine too! Hurry!”

Shin Jukyeong reluctantly took the pill. ‘Why is this pill so huge?’

“…It’s too big.”

“Open your mouth wider.”

“I can’t swallow it. It’s too big.”

“Don’t spit it out. Swallow it all.”

“…?”

“…?”

The two made eye contact simultaneously.

“Aren’t we saying something weird?”

“Hmm~! It does feel a little weird…?”

Shin Jukyeong and Seo-oh tilted their heads. Their silly expressions were identical, like stretched-out cheese bread.

“Is it just my imagination?”

“It must be, right?”

“Hmm…”

“Aha! Trying to change the subject and not take it! Hurry up and take it!”

“Tsk!”

“You just clicked your tongue!”

As the two bickered, knock-knock — a knock was heard. ‘Who could it be? There’s no one expected.’ Shin Jukyeong and Seo-oh had question marks on their faces.

“Surely not the elder master…?”

“Don’t say terrible things. Quickly, ptui ptui ptui. Do it three times.”

“Ptui ptui ptui! …Huk. I’m afraid to open the door.”

“I’m scared too. You open it.”

The two stuck together. It was like a scene from a horror movie. Creak. The door opened.

“…!”

The person who appeared was unexpected.

“…What are you two doing?”

It was Jae-min. He made a disgusted sound, seeing Shin Jukyeong and Seo-oh clinging to each other.

“Gross.”

“Jae-min?”

Shin Jukyeong sprang up. He looked as surprised as if he had received an unexpected gift. Seo-oh, perhaps not expecting Jae-min’s visit either, was late to greet him. Then, sensing the situation, he excused himself from the room to get something to drink.

“…Well, the reason I came is.”

Jae-min scratched his neck and lowered his gaze. His earlobes were faintly red. But Shin Jukyeong didn’t notice. He was simply touched that his younger brother had come to see him ‘first’.

“Do you want to sit? Hmm, no. Games? Want to play a game? You said you didn’t like Go, so chess? Mahjong is fine too. If you’re hungry, should we eat something before we start? Is there anything you want to eat?”

“No… I mean-”

“Trouble at school? Alright, ask me anything. Math? Science? English? Or, ahem, relationship advice…?”

“Listen!”

“…Yeah.”

In the end, he got scolded. Jae-min, with his arms crossed, angrily said, “Isn’t it basic manners to listen when someone is speaking?” Shin Jukyeong placed both hands on his knees and nodded. His younger brother was cute, but he couldn’t utter a word. He knew that adding anything would only double the reprimand.

“Okay, yes, I’m sorry, brother.” He diligently replied, deliberately looking troubled.

“…As long as you understand.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

“But why is your leg… Ah. Shit.”

Jae-min let out a hollow laugh and swept his hair back. ‘Still, “shit” in front of your older brother isn’t quite right, is it?’ The Confucian boy in his heart cried out “You rascal!” but he bit his tongue and pretended not to notice, not wanting to ruin the atmosphere.

Right, the three essential words for Korean citizens: ‘No,’ ‘I don’t know,’ and ‘Shit.’ Teenagers have every right to use them too.

“Tell me honestly. Shin Taekyung did that, didn’t he?”

Jae-min gestured towards Shin Jukyeong’s leg with his chin.

“Don’t just call father by his name-”

“What?”

“Yeah. Shin Taekyung did it.”

From today, it’s the American style. Where was it, in LA they say you can call your parents by their names. Honestly, after seeing this much, isn’t it okay to drop honorifics?

That’s right. Shin Jukyeong, obsessed with bonding with his younger brother, sold his conscience!

“…Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Jae-min nodded, as if to say, ‘Is that so?’ Then he subtly asked again.

“Does it really not hurt?”

He must be worried in his own way. That was cute enough to make him let out a laugh.

“I thought you cared about me in your own way, but I guess not.”

Jae-min flopped onto a chair and continued, sighing. His face looked deep in thought. Shin Jukyeong waited patiently until his younger brother had gathered all his thoughts.

“…I…”

He was ready to hear anything. Come, come, troubles.

“I really hate you.”

…Stop. Don’t come. What should he do if he earns hatred just by breathing? Shin Jukyeong became a crushed songpyeon. His heart, in particular, died. This was clear murder.

‘I feel terribly lonely…’

He blinked his pea-sized eyes blankly. Jae-min snorted at his suddenly pathetic appearance.

“You didn’t actually think I didn’t hate you, did you?”

Confirmation kill, even! Three skull bombs exploded, bang, bang, bang, right next to Shin Jukyeong’s face.

‘I knew he hated me… But still…’

He became depressed. ‘Folks, a seventeen-year-old is making a thirty-year-old cry.’

“Your sudden attempts at closeness are disgusting and uncomfortable.”

First hit!

“It’s much better to be distant, like before.”

Second hit!

“I want to become an adult quickly and leave this house. I’ll take responsibility and make our mom happy. I’m confident I can do that.”

Third hit!

‘…Ugh. The impact is no joke.’

Every word pierced his heart. Yet, he didn’t think it was too harsh. Perhaps it was a natural hatred. He only felt grateful that Jae-min had even said it.

Shin Jukyeong listened silently to Jae-min’s words. His expression was quite serious. Jae-min, pretending not to look, glanced at Shin Jukyeong. He calmly observed Jukyeong’s occasional nods with his head bowed. His scathing tone softened slightly at Jukyeong’s docile attitude.

“Well, I was going to abandon everything and leave. But then…”

“…But then?”

“Later, after leaving this house… that, whatcha-ma-call-it.”

He hesitated for a long time, scratching his cheek. Shin Jukyeong waited patiently, and after a brief silence, Jae-min’s lips parted, and he spoke in a very small voice.

“I’ll… I’ll accept your calls, at least.”

“…!”

“As a ‘brother’, of course. Other, uh… feelings are a no-go.”

Jae-min mumbled, “I don’t want a homosexual frenzy train,” but Shin Jukyeong was too caught up in his emotions to hear it.

“Ahem, I’m done talking. I’m leaving. Take care of your injuries.”

Before Shin Jukyeong could reply, Jae-min stood up.

“Jae-min.”

“Don’t call my name.”

“…Thank you.”

“Whatever. I still haven’t said I like you. Apologize to our mom later too. For ignoring her all this time.”

“Cha Hee-yeon… I mean, I never ignored my stepmother.”

“I’m leaving.”

He gave Shin Jukyeong one cold glare, as if telling him not to be conceited, and then disappeared with a swish. …What a cat-like fellow. Shin Jukyeong smiled brightly at the closed door. His clean, silent smile was so characteristic of him.

Night had fallen. Shin Jukyeong walked down the corridor with light steps. His destination was U-dam’s room. In his right hand, he held a keyring purchased from Dreamland. He didn’t know if U-dam would be happy, but he really wanted to give it to him today.

‘Let’s do it while luck is on my side.’

Perhaps a chance to open up and talk, like with Jae-min, would come. The brave one wins the beauty, no, the younger brother!

‘If I had to be precise, U-dam falls into the beauty category, so in the end, doesn’t it apply to both?’

He thought he was quite sharp just now. Feeling proud, Shin Jukyeong knocked on the door. “U-dam, it’s your brother. Are you asleep?”