S Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Shin Jukyeong recalled the time before they left.

‘Eun can’t go?’

‘Yes. Young Master Eun has a very weak immune system. He’s still a baby.’

‘Then who will play with me?’

‘……?’

‘……?’

‘Young Master, are you in your right mind?’

‘Speak like an employee.’

‘Is there something wrong with your head?’

‘……Hmph…….’

Thus, this trip became for those aged 15 and over.

“I’ll unload the luggage.”

After a long drive, they arrived at the Villa in Gangwon Province. The air was certainly clean, and… the atmosphere was screwed.

‘This is a disaster.’

As soon as they got out, the children disappeared without a single glance back. Their cold attitude was blatantly obvious. They each went into their rooms and locked the doors. Only Shin Jukyeong was left with an awkward expression.

Naturally, his younger brothers weren’t particularly eager to come. He understood. At that age, who would want to come to a Villa with a brother they weren’t close to, when they could be playing with their friends? Especially for a whole week.

However, the powerless brothers had to silently follow their father’s arbitrary decision. Of course, Shin Jukyeong was no exception.

‘It feels like it’ll be like this all week…….’

His prediction became reality. It was as if he should lay out a mat and beg. For the first time in his life, Shin Jukyeong became more insignificant than an acorn on the roadside.

‘You guys don’t know this, but it’s the first time your brother has been treated like this. Seriously. I swear.’

But there was no one to listen. The house was not just quiet but desolate, as if he had come alone. Not even footsteps were heard. Were these guys walking on tiptoes?

It wasn’t that he hadn’t tried. He had. Every morning, he tried to entice them to go hiking, and he pleaded to play a game of Janggi, but there was no response. He even prepared meals, but there was no reaction. Of course, the menu of chicken breast and protein already made it a failure, but let’s just gloss over that.

Anyway, he consistently tried to strike up conversations. …The problem was that it didn’t work.

‘In the end, it’s separate rooms for 5 days straight.’

He wished he could just rest comfortably, but he couldn’t relax well, worrying about his brothers. His efficiency hit rock bottom. He seemed to look more haggard day by day.

‘Eun must be waiting for Kkuku too…….’

Shin Jukyeong, sighing deeply with worry for his youngest brother, shook his head and headed to the kitchen. He had gone down hoping for a cup of coffee, but he discovered an unexpected gain. He encountered Yang U-dam for the first time in 5 days at the Villa!

Shin Jukyeong’s face brightened. Yang U-dam held a cup, apparently having come out for water.

‘Will he run away if I talk to him…….’

Shin Jukyeong furtively observed him. Should he just choose the right moment and say ‘Good morning’? Or should he be a little more ambitious and suggest they eat together?

‘There’s so much I want to ask…….’

It was the moment he was timing. For some reason, Yang U-dam spoke first.

“Brother.”

…Huh? He was the only brother here… Shin Jukyeong looked around. Yang U-dam was staring at him. It must be him.

“Oh, yeah… Why?”

He was so flustered that he stammered. However, Shin Jukyeong was a professional Hunter. He wouldn’t miss an opportunity that presented itself. He would open the long-awaited forum for brotherly dialogue!

“I’ve wanted to ask you something for a while.”

Yang U-dam fiddled with the rim of his water cup. His fingers were long and white. His face was smooth, as if all the bruises had disappeared. Shin Jukyeong was relieved that he didn’t seem to be in any pain. He nodded, signaling him to speak.

‘He looks especially handsome today.’

He observed his brother while waiting for him to speak.

Yang U-dam was like a child embodying winter. His pigmentation was light, but more than that, his aura was like that. For example, snow piled high on trees, warm cocoa, clear, crisp air… He was the opposite of Jae-min, who brought summer to mind.

“Cha Jae-min said that you…”

Yang U-dam put down the cup and relaxed his body. The speed at which he spoke was slower than usual. However, it didn’t feel frustrating. Rather, his soft baritone was very pleasant to listen to.

For a brief moment, Shin Jukyeong wondered if it wouldn’t be for the public good if his brother pursued a career as an entertainer instead of a Hunter.

“Said you liked me?”

His contemplation stopped.

“……Huh?”

“No?”

Hmm… Well, it was true. But, hearing it so directly was a bit embarrassing. Shin Jukyeong slowly nodded, signifying affirmation. Then, a short laugh escaped from the opposite side.

“Ah…”

Yang U-dam’s throat rumbled. He slightly shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. It was an action that made it hard to tell if he was in a good mood or a bad one.

“So, in the Infirmary…”

He mumbled something unintelligible, then abruptly closed the distance between them. Shin Jukyeong had noticed this before, but this guy’s legs were too long. Shin Jukyeong flinched. Anyone could easily push him, and his chest, no, even his lips might touch Yang U-dam.

‘Indeed, this is a bit much.’

Shin Jukyeong tilted his head diagonally downward. An awkwardness hung heavy in the air. He wanted to talk with his brother, but not like this. Shin Jukyeong simply wished to have a modest conversation about ‘how he started attending the fight club,’ maintaining proper manners from a slightly more distant spot.

A little, um, distance… It was precisely then.

“Dodging me?”

“……!”

Yang U-dam grabbed Shin Jukyeong’s chin and turned it. Soon, their gazes met. A stunningly handsome face aggressively moved closer. His stare was persistent. Shin Jukyeong had no hobby of exchanging gazes with other men, but perhaps because it was his brother, his aversion was less. No, maybe it was just because he was handsome, regardless of gender? …Anyway.

“Listen.”

“……Huh? Yeah, yeah.”

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but I’ll ask just in case.”

“……?”

“Is the ‘like’ you’re talking about, love?”

Love? Shin Jukyeong blinked.

‘Why is he asking something so obvious? If I didn’t love you guys, why would I…’

Hmm… No. He vaguely understood. He had always said he’d do well, but looking back, he had never properly expressed his love. Because Jae-min felt uncomfortable, because Yang U-dam felt awkward, and so on. He had only made excuses, claiming it was for his brothers’ sake. He should have been bolder and more proactive.

Is that why Yang U-dam was asking? Because he was uncertain whether he could trust such an unreliable older brother.

‘I’m sorry. I’ll express it more from now on.’

Therefore, Shin Jukyeong answered without hesitation.

“Why wouldn’t it make sense?”

“…….”

“It’s certain. It’s love.”

Ugh… Damn it. Shin Jukyeong~! Please, stop it already! He almost smacked Shin Jukyeong’s head hard for spouting such nonsense. It was a good thing he had put the cup down beforehand. His barely upturned lips trembled.

Now, instead of dislike, he felt fear. A natural aversion welled up, along with a firm resolution to never drop the soap in front of that bastard.

Yang U-dam released Shin Jukyeong and took two steps back. This wasn’t the scene he had wanted. He had wanted Shin Jukyeong, hit where it hurt, to stammer in shame. He had planned to mock him until he puked with the most disgusted expression…

‘Ugh~ Damn it!’

He tried to tease him but was ambushed instead. Even though they weren’t biological brothers, his brother, who had lived under the same roof, suddenly blurted out a confession? Is such a crazy story even possible? Hadn’t they agreed by social contract to call such a person a psychopath?

‘Is this really an appropriate level of life experience for an eighteen-year-old to handle?’

Yang U-dam inwardly laughed ‘screwedㅋㅋㅋㅋ’ and subtly covered his backside. What’s more, the guy he thought was just a total mess supposedly harbored pure love. How terrifyingly profound was this truth? Was it now time for a famous line like ‘Let us two become one’? Damn it, he got goosebumps all over.

“Do you see me as a man?”

When Yang U-dam asked with a wry smile—

“……Uh, yeah. Wouldn’t most people?”

Shin Jukyeong replied with a confused expression.

‘He knows he’s handsome. Shin Jukyeong, you’ve gone too far.’

There was no shame, only confidence.

Yang U-dam snorted. For some reason, his eyes had a look that made him want to sue. How could a person be so shameless? Did this mean he had no intention of treating him as family at all? Okay, he understood perfectly. Fortunately, he had no lingering attachments either.

“Are you saying this because you think we could actually work out?”

His bluntness was evident. Although he was more accustomed to hiding his emotions than others his age, he was still only eighteen. There were some things he couldn’t hide.

“…….”

Shin Jukyeong lowered his head. He must have known himself that it didn’t make sense. Just as Yang U-dam was about to curse him inwardly for his impudence and drive the nail in further, Shin Jukyeong suddenly lifted his head and replied with an even firmer expression.

“I’ll try.”

…What? Yang U-dam was stunned. Try what? To sleep with him again? Or to show him what he couldn’t show him before? Hahaha. He was truly a damn bastard.

“Give me a chance. I won’t disappoint you.”

Such crazy directness. Damn it. Why did he look so refreshingly manly? How much pride could he possibly have in his…

‘I’m not curious at all, but damn it, I’m curious again.’