S Chapter 25

“……Hmm.”

He remained silent. For some reason, the nightmare at the Villa came to mind. Is this brat causing trouble again? Last time it was the Fight Club, this time a Dungeon. What’s next then?

……Hmm. The madness was triggered.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

“U-dam.”

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

“U-dam!”

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

“U-dam?”

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

“U-dam…… Hmph?!”

Bang, the door flew open and a white hand suddenly shot out, grabbing his forearm. It was a strong grip. Caught off guard, he was easily pulled inside.

Slam!

“……Uh…….”

“…….”

He found himself trapped between the closed door and his younger brother. A strange silence settled between them. Gulp, the sound of him swallowing was exceptionally loud.

‘He didn’t even turn on the light in the room…….’

The only light was the moonlight streaming in from outside the window. The bluish room felt unusually cold. He always felt it, but this child had a very short sense of personal space. Shin Jukyeong subtly raised his gaze. Yang U-dam’s hair was wet, as if he had just showered. A pleasant scent also wafted from him.

‘But it’s a bit much.’

Shin Jukyeong turned his head, avoiding the blatant display of skin.

“Wait a moment. It’s a little, too close…….”

“…….”

At his careful words, Yang U-dam also flinched. At that moment, a drop of water from his wet hair landed on Shin Jukyeong’s cheek. The problem was…… that the water droplet was instantly overlaid with red blood.

“……Oh, ugh…….”

Shin Jukyeong’s pupils dilated. It was because terrible memories resurfaced and intertwined. A flashback had occurred. The present and past began to blend.

Huk……! His breath caught in his throat. It felt as if countless sharp thorns had been embedded there.

‘……It’s been a while, hyung.’

-Crackle!

His younger brother’s death replayed repeatedly.

‘……It’s been a-’

‘It’s been a while…… hyung.’

‘……Hyung.’

-Crackle, crackle!

It was a grotesque sound, like a broken radio. The knife pulled from his heart, the spreading blood. With a pale face, he lowered his gaze. His hands were trembling violently. It was a bad omen.

‘……Damn it, I feel like throwing up.’

His body swayed violently. But there was no particular solution. As soon as he sat down to prevent himself from collapsing, an intuition struck him. If he stayed like this, he would die.

‘No. I haven’t achieved my goals yet…….’

He had to live, if only for his family’s happiness.

“Haa, cough! Choke!”

Shin Jukyeong frantically scratched his neck with urgent gestures. His rough movements caused his skin to redden and swell. Yet, he didn’t stop. One might mistake it for self-harm, but don’t misunderstand, it was merely a struggle to survive.

“Cough, choke…… Heu, haa……!”

Saliva dripped down his chin. His breathing was erratic. If left alone, he looked dangerously close to losing his breath soon.

“Stop it.”

Yang U-dam also moved around that time. He grabbed Shin Jukyeong’s wrist and firmly pulled it away. It was a clean motion, like that of a skilled trainer.

“……Haa, ha!”

Shin Jukyeong lifted his head. Accumulated tears streamed down. Yang U-dam also stared at Shin Jukyeong. Their gazes intertwined. Shin Jukyeong looked utterly exhausted.

It was understandable. Through this experience, he realized how utterly devastated a person could become in a short amount of time. Hadn’t someone said there was no such thing as useless learning in the world? No, he would speak his mind. There was. And he was currently learning it.

“……Heu, cough!”

His thoughts were forcibly cut off. He had no room for sarcasm. Shin Jukyeong clutched his heart. The pain wouldn’t stop. Just then, Yang U-dam’s expressionless face also broke. However…… it wasn’t in a positive way. He clicked his tongue briefly and even muttered an annoyed remark.

“Good heavens……”

Without warning, Shin Jukyeong’s body was pulled. His weakened body was easily dragged. Thump! He felt warmth against his back. In his dazed state, Shin Jukyeong realized he was being held in his younger brother’s arms. It was embarrassing. Normally, he would have screamed and gotten up.

“Ugh……”

“Now, exhale-”

“Inhale……!”

Yang U-dam then covered Shin Jukyeong’s nose and mouth. He wasn’t trying to torment him. It was just a motion to calm his breathing. He cupped his large, firm hand to guide Shin Jukyeong to breathe.

“Follow along. Exhale. Inhale…….”

Exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale……. Shin Jukyeong followed him as if entranced. The chest he felt against his back rose and fell with his own. Thanks to this, he could adjust his breathing as instructed without losing his way. It had some effect, but it was too early to be relieved.

“Heu…… choke, choke!”

“You’re a lot of work. Are you a child?”

Yang U-dam’s lips curved into a smirk as he changed the position of his hand. His actions were as light as a fleeting laugh. He grabbed Shin Jukyeong’s chin and lifted it.

“……Ugh, ugh…….”

“Because I called you a child, do you want to be treated like a baby? Even though you’re the older brother?”

“Cough!”

Shin Jukyeong blinked. It was strange. Every time he closed and opened his eyes, his younger brother’s face grew closer.

It was then, while he was blankly lost in his bewilderment. Something soft touched his chapped lips. It was warm and gentle. Surprisingly, his breathing began to become much easier. The breath being blown into him was sweet.

Shin Jukyeong instinctively clung to it. Wanting to live, he desperately held on, taking in the breath the other person offered.

‘……Wait a minute, the other person?’

The situation dawned on him belatedly.

‘What, what is this……. Am I, right now…… with U-dam……?’

Shin Jukyeong froze in place. ……Crazy.

Thwack!

“Ouch.”

“Huuah…… huk, haa……? Ha……?”

He was surprised by his own hit. Shin Jukyeong gasped for breath, covering his lips with the back of his hand. His eyes darted around. His dumbfounded expression was truly a work of art.

‘U-dam……. Yang U-dam……. Damn it, U-dam again!’

Even rubbing his eyes didn’t change anything. The situation hadn’t changed. In front of him was still just Yang U-dam, his younger brother.

That couldn’t be. No, it shouldn’t be. He knew it was just artificial respiration, but they had still touched lips, and the person he saw was Yang U-dam! While Shin Jukyeong groaned in self-reproach, Yang U-dam yawned as if bored.

“Haaam, hitting the person who helped you. Is kissing that surprising-”

“Artificial respiration.”

Shin Jukyeong cut him off urgently. It was practically at the speed of light.

“……Rescue efforts.”

He emphasized it once more, eyes cast down. He couldn’t be more resolute. Was he human, or a firm pumpkin!

“Kiss-”

“Emergency procedure.”

Yang U-dam stared at Shin Jukyeong with wide eyes, then snorted, “Huh!” He twisted the corner of his mouth with an incredulous look. The displeasure was palpable. Shin Jukyeong stealthily avoided his gaze. Don’t call him a coward. There’s no adult in society who isn’t a little cowardly.

“Stop the show and tell me why you came. I don’t care about kissing or whatever.”

Yang U-dam muttered, forcefully throwing the towel he had around his neck. He seemed quite annoyed.

“Ah…… right. I have something to give you.”

Only then did Shin Jukyeong hand over the gift he had prepared. It was a charming Keyring made with the Dreamland mascot.

“It got a little dirty, but……”

He continued in an awkward voice.

“It was clean originally, but it got caught up in an incident, and, well…… sorry. Next time, I’ll get you a perfect one. Or let’s go together.”

Yang U-dam didn’t hear Shin Jukyeong’s words. His gaze was entirely fixed on the Keyring. Small and dirty. Neither an eagle nor a dove, it was more grotesque than cute. Nevertheless, his gaze was captivated. It wasn’t the first time he’d received a gift, yet it felt like it.

Why? He asked himself, but there was no answer. Just an endless monologue.

When Yang U-dam showed no reaction, Shin Jukyeong hurriedly added more to his words, like a swindler selling jade floor mats. He was anxious, worrying Yang U-dam might not accept it. It was just a small Keyring, yet he acted as if he were handing over his heart.

“Was a handkerchief better after all? Sorry. I’ve never bought anything like this.”

Exactly. My point. Why do something you’ve never done before? Why did you think of me there?

Dry saliva was swallowed. A cold wind blew through the open window. For some reason, he didn’t feel cold. Yang U-dam’s lips twitched. It was strange. The words “I don’t need it” wouldn’t come out. He tried to pull out an insult like “take it and get lost,” but it refused to come. Why on earth?

The current Shin Jukyeong was unsettling. He had changed into a code Yang U-dam couldn’t decipher. He wasn’t simple like before. Yang U-dam disliked that. No, actually, it didn’t matter.

……F, it shouldn’t matter, should it?

‘……Precious.’

The patting hand came to mind, driving him crazy. He swore he had never asked for it, but his damned mind arbitrarily replayed that dawn.

‘Thank goodness. That you’re safe.’

Yang U-dam clenched his fist tightly. His heart fluttered. ……His carefully hoarded emotions were overflowing on their own. This wasn’t part of the plan. He had hidden them away, intending to be compensated when he met his biological parents far in the future. Why was he feeling all this for Shin Jukyeong, of all people?

Get a grip. You shouldn’t. Everything that comes from Shin Jukyeong must be rejected. These are emotions, warmth, and affection that shouldn’t be accepted. This isn’t some crazy melodramatic show. No one would use such material unless they were obsessed with ratings. Hate him, push him away, be disgusted, I tell you!

‘What am I doing……?’

Yang U-dam slowly felt like crying. Shin Jukyeong, what was he anyway?