S Chapter 40

“The kids came to nurse me?”

“No. Just for a moment outside the door—”

“I’ve lived long enough to see everything.”

“You’re 19 years old this year, correct?”

“Washed my hair, cleaned my feet? Even a Flower Bouquet?”

“I never said that much.”

“Be quiet.”

He’s only decisive like this at times like these. Kang Seo-oh subtly averts his gaze. This is because Shin Jukyeong, with his deeply etched eye wrinkles, is glaring fiercely.

“Isn’t dreaming what teenagers do? Don’t you know it’s frustrating to hear the truth? I’d appreciate it if you’d be more careful in the future.”

“Oh dear.”

Oh, what? Is that it, even at the very end?

As he was bickering with Kang Seo-oh, a knock sounded. Exactly, knock, knock, knock. Three times. Oh, goodness~ Whoever’s younger brother that is, is certainly polite. Shin Jukyeong quickly lay down and feigned illness with groans. Ready to be nursed. Come quickly, secret visitor!

“Ah, Master. But right now—”

“Shh! Later.”

He was twelve times more excited than hearing the news that a delivery man had arrived. His heart pounded more than when he encountered kimchi stew after returning from a week of foreign support. Shin Jukyeong pulled the blanket up to his nose and took a deep breath.

Option 1. Yang U-dam, like a rabbit (Characteristics: oblivious to danger, but cute).

Option 2. Cha Jae-min, like a puppy (Characteristics: emotionally sensitive, but irritable).

Option 3. Gong Eun, like a chick (Characteristics: adorable and adorable).

Option 4. Shin Taekyung, please leave.

Who could it be? Our cute youngest? Sensitive Cha Jae-min? Yang U-dam, with whom he recently grew closer? Anything but Option 4 is okay. It would be even better if all three came together.

‘Brother is ready to hug all three of you. I guess I worked out my chest for this.’

His cheeks were puffed up, and he stared intently at the door. So happy, he hummed a nonsensical song to himself. Thirty years old, so excited~ Thirty years old, so happy. And then the countdown began: 1! 2! 3!

Shhhht!

“Excuse me.”

……Eh? Creak. Shin Jukyeong’s face froze. His facial features were twisted like a puzzle abandoned by children under six. Even Picasso couldn’t draw it this way.

Oh, our Master, what happened? Kang Seo-oh sniffled and hurriedly tried to fix his contorted expression. But Shin Jukyeong wasn’t in a state to care about such things. Where had the rabbit, puppy, and chick gone, when a bear had suddenly intruded illegally? What is it, there’s no honey pot here.

“Shin Jukyeong. How are you feeling?”

Won Go-yu. Why are you showing up again? Caw… caw… Crows flapped their wings and flew over Shin Jukyeong’s head. His soulless eyes were like frogs deprived of moisture. Shin Jukyeong weakly rubbed his eyes. Looking again, it was indeed a bear.

Ah… The mental shock was too great for a patient to bear.

‘You’ve ruined all my fun, so please leave without taking responsibility.’

Shin Jukyeong quietly pulled the blanket over his head. He had decided to ignore reality.

“Tell them I’m dead.”

“Cause of death?”

“Heart-injury-injury disease due to shock.”

“I’ll bring tea. Two cups.”

Kang Seo-oh quickly stood up and disappeared out of the door. The diagnosis must not have been amusing.

“Damn it.”

He had no choice but to get up.

‘I said if I hung out with that guy again, I wouldn’t be Shin Jukyeong, but Dog Jukyeong.’

Except for his rookie days, this was the first time he’d mimicked dog sounds. Should he bark like a small dog, a medium dog, or a large dog? Shin Jukyeong had thoughts as twisted as his crumpled face. Won Go-yu sat down, perhaps unaware of this. The nerve of him. An adult hadn’t even told him to sit yet… Tsk.

“How’s your body?”

Did he really come all this way just to ask that?

“I just finished coughing up blood and having bloody diarrhea.”

His words weren’t kind. When expectations are high, so is disappointment. It wasn’t Won Go-yu’s fault, but Shin Jukyeong resented him nonetheless. He really wanted to see his younger brothers. Shin Jukyeong clicked his tongue in regret.

Then he suddenly felt a moment of self-reflection about doing this to a child. He had, after all, come to visit, so his attitude was too poor. Come to think of it, it wasn’t really that guy’s fault. He was the one who caused all the trouble. The matter with his uncle, and, well.

‘Let’s not take out my anger for nothing.’

In the end, Shin Jukyeong compromised with reality.

“How about you?”

Won Go-yu replied with a more relaxed expression.

“No problem.”

And then silence.

Truthfully, it was strange for him to be sitting amicably with this guy. There was no topic of conversation to discuss. What would the two of them do sitting there? Their relationship was merely that. Too ambiguous to call a friend… Just a classmate he knew vaguely. Furthermore, in the future, they would be enemies.

It was probably not much different for the other side. The reason he bothered to come here was probably a prick of conscience because he was the one who dragged Shin Jukyeong along and caused trouble. Well, anyway, since he came with good intentions in his own way, it seemed right to adopt an older brother’s demeanor.

‘It would be appropriate to respond suitably.’

Shin Jukyeong completely erased from his memory the petty behavior he had just exhibited.

“By the way…”

Yes, go ahead and say as much as you want.

Just as Shin Jukyeong was about to embrace Won Go-yu with a big brother’s generous heart, Won Go-yu spoke with his characteristic poker face.

“You’re grubby.”

“…?!”

Gr… grubby, what? Shin Jukyeong’s mouth dropped open in shock. Wasn’t he here for a hospital visit? Why the sudden attack? His heart dried up from the dry conversational style. Don’t you know you need to live a more ‘moist’ life as you get older?

“Gr- Huh, really, gr… grubby…?”

No. This was the first time he’d heard such insulting language. Truly the first time. For the first time in his life! Of course, his hair was a bit messy, his eyes were probably hollow from fatigue, and his clothes were wrinkled, but… even so, there’s a law of fundamental unchanging beauty!

‘My appearance shouldn’t be enough to warrant such insults. I’m quite perplexed.’

Shin Jukyeong was generally good at self-objectification. Therefore, he was well aware that his appearance was appealing to the opposite sex. The problem was that he was too confident even when it wasn’t the case, but anyway.

‘Is my face a little puffy? Still, it shouldn’t be unpleasant to look at. Hmm…’

He was thinking all sorts of things, but Won Go-yu, oblivious, continued his barrage of harsh words.

“You smell of toasted sesame.”

“…!”

Toasted sesame smell after grubby…! Is that something you say to someone’s face? Shin Jukyeong repeatedly opened and closed his mouth. He should be angry or questioning, but honestly, he had never heard “you smell of toasted sesame” before, so he couldn’t think of a retort right away. For Shin Jukyeong, who always had high-level conversations (e.g., new soju tasting reviews), such direct and simple dialogue was difficult.

Shin Jukyeong’s expression gradually sharpened. Showing that he was quite displeased, he fumbled around the bedside table. And he picked up the mirror, which he rarely looked into, to check his appearance.

“….”

Hmm. He probably didn’t need to check any further. Shin Jukyeong hurriedly wiped away his eye boogers. Goodness, he must have had an amazing sleep, huh? Honestly, he didn’t want to admit it, but he did look like a country stray dog. Damn it.

“If you’ve said all you want to say, leave. I need to wash up.”

What kind of disgrace was this for an adult? Late-onset embarrassment washed over him.

“It’s fine. It doesn’t smell unpleasant.”

“You just said it smelled like…!”

You said it smelled like toasted sesame!

Shin Jukyeong deliberately slurred his pronunciation. He felt his pride would be hurt if he said it properly. Meanwhile, Won Go-yu quirked the corner of his lips, seemingly amused.

‘So, you’re not holding back on the mockery until the end?’

“Just get your face ready and come out. Grandfather is waiting.”

Grandfather? If it’s that guy’s grandfather, it can only be Won Chung-bae. …He’s here? Why? A ominous feeling suddenly struck him.

‘That old man. Why is he suddenly visiting?’

He wondered if he had been caught, but that couldn’t be it. If so, he wouldn’t be so relaxed. He would have already been dragged away. The Hunter Association guys are tenacious.

‘Ah, damn it. My head hurts.’

He didn’t want to go, but he had to check, so he reluctantly got up.

Oh dear, my head. What is this now? He had just woken up, but the content of his life never ceased. Is there some kind of subscription service? Is this a life chosen by the gods or something? He was afraid that he might even have to decide on a nickname for his subscribers later. Why do events keep happening…? He grumbled inwardly with all sorts of annoyance.

‘Can’t I just enjoy a peaceful daily life?’

He subtly questioned the heavens, but the answer was, ‘No way, here’s a curveball.’ Damn it. Shin Jukyeong glared fiercely at the ceiling.

‘Just you wait until we meet after I die. If I’m going to hell, I’ll demand a hell like heaven, like a warm iced americano. You guys taste some difficult customers too. I’ll lie down and throw a tantrum until you give in.’

While others proclaimed themselves to the world, Shin Jukyeong raised his middle finger. This was an adult’s “fuck you.” You bastards.

As he slowly walked ahead of Won Go-yu, the house was unusually quiet. It must be because of his father. His father’s unique reclusive personality shone even in places like this.