S Chapter 64

Shin Jukyeong took a deep breath. It was because he felt sorry for his brother. The sight of him unable to fully embrace the affection he received stabbed at his heart. And with it, a sense of guilt. Every time he saw traces of his brothers’ lonely past, he felt suffocated.

But he had no time for self-pity. Shin Jukyeong had vowed to live solely for his brothers. Therefore, he had to let him know. The fact that his love would never change.

Shin Jukyeong cupped his cheek with his free hand and turned his face back. Their gazes met and intertwined.

“Forever.”

Shin Jukyeong opened his mouth, his voice firm.

“…What?”

“I’ll cherish you forever. Just trust me once.”

“…”

“You won’t regret it.”

I promise.

Having finished his words, Shin Jukyeong’s lips curved into a refreshing smile. Unlike his usual quiet smiles, this wide, blossoming grin instilled an inexplicable sense of conviction in those who saw it. His genuine sincerity had been conveyed.

Yang U-dam’s pupils slowly dilated. He stared intently at Shin Jukyeong, as if trying to capture every tiny moment in his eyes. His light-colored eyes moved rapidly, following Shin Jukyeong. Then, finally, he opened his mouth like someone who had made a decision.

“Even if I can’t return your feelings? You’ll still stay by my side? …You’ll get hurt.”

He tried to act calm, but his trembling voice could not be hidden. Yang U-dam repeatedly licked his parched lips. His unconscious nervousness was evident. However, Shin Jukyeong, who was completely oblivious to his true feelings, interpreted his anxiety entirely differently.

‘My feelings?’

Haven’t we gotten pretty close by now? Shin Jukyeong was puzzled, but then he thought that from his brother’s perspective, it might not be the case. The standard for closeness is very subjective, after all.

‘Is he being cautious because he’s not used to giving his heart?’

But this is simple enough.

‘I just need to try harder.’

So he replied with a light heart.

“Yes. I’m okay with that.”

Truly… until this moment, Shin Jukyeong didn’t know.

That he had shown such an uncontrollably blind, pure love. What kind of butterfly effect it would bring, he currently had no idea.

A week passed since then.

“Our Chairman Shin was born with good fortune. Oh? Born with it! Hahaha.”

“Hey, man. Is this just ordinary luck that rolled in? He’s a goose that lays golden eggs.”

“Isn’t it because he does good deeds that it comes back to him? Taking in children with nowhere to go, feeding and sheltering them. People like us could never do that. I thought he was such a stoic old man, but if you look closely, he’s the most affectionate. Hmm? Isn’t that right?”

Ahahaha. The endless relay of compliments continued. Those surrounding his father were flattering him profusely, their faces adorned with smiles. They were so sycophantic, it made him reasonably suspect if they had been servants in a past life.

‘Isn’t the real protagonist someone else?’

Shin Jukyeong picked at a finger food and looked around. It didn’t take long to find the party’s star amidst the bustling crowd. It was like finding a pearl among squids, he thought. Neatly styled hair and a sophisticated suit. Yang U-dam, whose handsomeness was beyond mere words, was the owner of that beauty.

‘He finally made it this far.’

Suddenly, Shin Jukyeong’s eyes brimmed with emotion.

That’s right. This party was solely to celebrate Yang U-dam’s Ability Manifestation. The very celebration that Shin Jukyeong should have received in the past.

Currently, Yang U-dam was being welcomed just as much as Shin Jukyeong had been in the past. It was truly an onslaught of attention. Well, the person himself didn’t seem too thrilled… but what did it matter?

‘I’m having fun!’

Shin Jukyeong secretly grinned widely. He felt like he could float away any moment. Finally, he had steered his brother away from Aolluseu! If no one were watching, he would have danced with joy.

‘But speaking of that…’

Shin Jukyeong, who had been reveling in his joy, wiped the smile from his face and calmly scanned the people surrounding his brother.

“If you have time this weekend-”

“No. Come play golf with me.”

“Excuse me, I also go to Hanguk High School.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

‘Hmm. They’re swarming like a pack of dogs.’

They were all faces Shin Jukyeong knew. The son of XX Electronics, the granddaughter of LL Group, and so on. Several of them used to cling to Shin Jukyeong and flaunt their friendship whenever a party was held. Of course, they didn’t even glance his way now.

‘Their change of stance is quite fast.’

Shin Jukyeong was completely isolated, like a duck’s egg on the Nakdong River. But it wasn’t bad. Rather, he considered it a wise choice. It’s better to cut ties with relationships from which you can’t gain anything. They weren’t emotionally close to begin with. Shin Jukyeong nonchalantly snorted, then picked up another finger food.

Just then, Eve spoke in an excited voice.

“Villainous lady…!”

‘What?’

“Jukyeong’s situation is totally ‘villainous lady’!”

‘Vil… what? What lady? What is that?’

“Struggling to be loved by an indifferent father… But then the appearance of a new child, blood-related. Losing one’s position. Hehehehe!”

‘I have no idea what it’s saying.’

But since it’s having fun, maybe it doesn’t matter. Shin Jukyeong shrugged, then picked up a glass of champagne placed throughout the party hall. Another enjoyment.

‘Wow, the color is absolutely stunning.’

His heart reacted wildly, and his cheekbones rose. He felt like all the hardships he had endured until now were being rewarded. He didn’t know about anything else, but being able to legally drink alcohol right now was paradise.

‘On a day like today, it’d be a shame to miss out on drinks.’

One gulp.

‘…?!’

Another gulp.

He heard angels blowing trumpets above his head.

‘Jukyeong, isn’t it delicious?’

‘It’s driving me crazy.’

Children who first tasted cola in their youth must have felt exactly like this.

A powerful, tingling pleasure in his mouth!

Dopamine making him feel like he was flying!

An addictive taste he couldn’t let go of!

‘Good.’

A blush rose on his stoic face. His eyebrows made a satisfied wave.

In truth, Shin Jukyeong was a staunch soju drinker, but with forced abstinence from alcohol and tobacco, he wasn’t in a position to be picky. He was simply glad for any alcohol entering his body. If there was one regret, it was just one thing… cigarettes. Yes. He craved cigarettes intensely. Especially after drinking alcohol, it was even worse.

‘If I could just smoke one cigarette now, it would be sheer perfection.’

But it was an impossible dream.

“Give up. Giving up makes it easier. ԅ( ˘ ω ˘ ԅ)”

‘In my dictionary, ‘give up’ is a word only used when counting cabbages.’

But he couldn’t commit a crime. Shin Jukyeong dropped his head. His shoulders sagged.

‘Alright. Yes… Anyway, in a little while, I’ll be old enough to enjoy it legally. I’ll just bear with it until then.’

He was smacking his lips and reaching for another champagne glass when suddenly, his wrist was grabbed.

“Stop drinking.”

“…?”

Wondering what it was, he saw Won Go-yu. With his hair swept back and wearing a suit, he stood out in a different way than Yang U-dam. How should he describe it? Like a smart mobster? Anyway, he didn’t have a high school student’s physique.

‘Looks like this guy was invited too? Well, if the Association Chairman came, it’s only natural.’

But setting that aside, why was he ordering someone else to drink or not to drink? Especially on such a happy day? Shin Jukyeong frowned and pulled his hand away sharply.

“Let go.”

“Do you know how many glasses that is?”

“I haven’t had much.”

At Shin Jukyeong’s words, Won Go-yu gestured with his chin towards where the champagne had been placed. Following his gaze, Shin Jukyeong saw only empty glasses. They were completely wiped out.

‘When did I drink all this?’

He hadn’t noticed while drinking distractedly. Shin Jukyeong coughed awkwardly out of embarrassment.

‘Ah, no way. Did this guy want to drink too, and I unthinkingly drank it all?’

Then it’s understandable he’d tell me to stop drinking.

…He’d suddenly acted gluttonous.

Shin Jukyeong looked around. Just then, he saw a server placing champagne on the opposite table. Perfect. Out of apology, he was just about to take a step to get a glass when… what the? This time, his shoulder was grabbed. Why did this guy, with such a strong grip, keep grabbing others so abruptly? Let go, you brat. Shin Jukyeong shook his shoulder away.

“Shin Jukyeong.”

“I’m not drinking.”

“I can see where you’re going, so don’t even try.”

I was going to get it for you, you. Shin Jukyeong pursed his lips in annoyance, and Won Go-yu lowered his voice, seemingly aware of their surroundings. Then he suddenly blurted out something unexpected.

“I know you’re upset, but it’s not good to drown your sorrows in alcohol.”

“…What?”

Why would I be upset? Shin Jukyeong blinked.

‘On such a great day? Why would I be?’

For the first time in a while, his father had publicly stated his support for his brother, and his brother had completely put an end to the future of becoming Aolluseu. On such a fortunate day, what was there to be upset about? It seemed he had completely misunderstood something.

“Hey, it’s not that-”

“Shin Jukyeong.”

He was about to clear up the misunderstanding when the impudent guy cut him off. An adult is speaking, how rude?

“Don’t give up hope.”

And then, useless comfort.

“No-”

“Especially at times like this, you should pay more attention to your clothes.”

“…!”

Even a fashion critique…?! Shin Jukyeong felt intensely insulted. Because, in his own way, he had dressed up.