S Chapter 88

Chapter 88

A flower bouquet and perfume could be prepared, but the problem was the kiss. Of course, it would just be a simple peck to celebrate, but it was unknown if Yang U-dam would be happy if Shin Jukyeong did it to him.

That guy, does he really not have a girlfriend? If he did, Shin Jukyeong could ask her. …Too bad.

In the end, the day passed without any answer. From returning home to showering and lying in bed, Shin Jukyeong’s mind was completely filled with the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Where, how, and in what way should it be held for his brother to like it?

He wanted to make that day as special as possible, even if it meant being greedy. A day that would automatically bring a smile to his face, making him think, ‘Ah, that’s how it was back then,’ whenever he suddenly recalled it.

‘Unlike birthdays that come every year, a Coming-of-Age Ceremony happens only once in a lifetime. I want it to be perfect.’

Shin Jukyeong was deep in thought.

As he was lost in thought, the door opened without a knock. Few people in the house could burst into his room like this. At most, his father, Shin Taekyung, or Cha Jae-min?

However, Shin Taekyung appeared with a 0.5% probability, so the more likely one was…

“Hey. If someone’s here, you should get up.”

‘Hmm. As expected.’

Shin Jukyeong smiled lightly and sat up. His affectionate gaze landed on Jae-min, who was wearing his school uniform. Unlike his father, he was a welcome guest. Shin Jukyeong pointed to the table beside his bed.

“Come in.”

“I will.”

Jae-min yawned widely and dragged his feet. The fatigue accumulated under his eyes was visible. He had been staying late at school to study recently, and it seemed he had done so again today.

‘Ever since my stepmother survived, Jae-min has been changing too.’

Jae-min had shown great interest in studying since moving up a grade. When Shin Jukyeong returned from work, he would often come to him as if he had been waiting, asking about problems he didn’t know.

Honestly, Shin Jukyeong was surprised.

About what? His passion for studying?

No. The level of his brother’s intellectual ability.

After all, the problems Jae-min presented were easy enough to solve on his own. To be precise, he shouldn’t be unable to solve them alone. However, after seeing his serious expression, Shin Jukyeong realized.

This kid, he’s not messing around! He really doesn’t know!

Back then, his brother’s future seemed a bit bleak, but perhaps due to gradually getting used to it, the mere fact that he came to ask questions became truly appreciated.

“Do you know this problem? I don’t understand what it’s saying even after looking at the answer. Why is the answer choice 3?”

Sure enough, Jae-min held out a workbook. The paper was tattered from how many times he had rewritten things.

Shin Jukyeong silently took the workbook. In truth, Shin Jukyeong preferred those who were good over those who tried hard. He meant that results mattered more than effort.

Of course. Because it was more efficient.

‘…Isn’t this something taught in the first year of high school?’

“What part is confusing?”

“All of it.”

“…Oh.”

‘Don’t be surprised. Calm down. Who is good from the start? Just be grateful he’s growing up straight and not deviating.’

However, even the usually cold Shin Jukyeong had to be lenient when it came to his younger brothers.

“Sit down. I’ll explain it to you. Let me know if you have any more questions. Oh, right. I got some cookies from the company today, want some? I set aside some for Eun and you separately. Eating sweets makes your brain work better, right? It’ll help.”

“Am I a kid? …If you want to give me one, then give it.”

He’s just not honest, is he?

‘In that regard, he’s just like Yang U-dam.’

Shin Jukyeong took out a beautifully packaged box of cookies from his bag. In fact, saying he got them from the company was a lie; he had reserved and bought them from a pastry shop he had been eyeing for several days.

However, Shin Jukyeong didn’t bother to reveal the truth. If the giver acted casually, the receiver would feel less burdened.

“Eat these. I’ll get you something to drink.”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll just listen to this and leave.”

“…That’s why. Because it seems like it’ll take a long time.”

“What? Hey, what do you mean?”

“Orange? Apple?”

“Coffee.”

“Yes. I’ll make it orange juice.”

“Coffee!”

Aside from loving his brothers, Shin Jukyeong had quite a few firm stances in parenting. For example, keeping them away from caffeine as much as possible until they became adults.

Shin Jukyeong returned with a glass of sweet orange juice and a warm citron tea, then repeated the exact same explanation about fifteen times, thoroughly filling Jae-min’s empty mind.

The surprising thing here was his patience, as he didn’t show any annoyance. Jae-min, perhaps sensing this, subtly glanced at him and offered a cookie.

“Ahem! Let’s eat it together.”

“Me too? Oh… yeah. Thanks.”

Even though Shin Jukyeong had bought it himself, he wore a rather touched expression. The two nibbled on the cookie and exchanged small talk. Of course, 90% of it was Shin Jukyeong unilaterally asking questions and Jae-min answering with an indifferent attitude, but the atmosphere itself wasn’t bad.

“Jae-min. About Yang U-dam.”

They were in the middle of talking about grades. Shin Jukyeong brought up a new topic with an awkward expression. He seemed rather embarrassed to say these words himself, his earlobes slightly reddened.

“I want to hold a Coming-of-Age Ceremony for him.”

“What kind of ceremony?”

Jae-min asked back as if he had misheard.

“That, um, I used to make excuses about being busy and couldn’t… didn’t celebrate your birthdays. It’s late, but I want to start celebrating everything for you guys, one by one, starting now.”

“Birthdays?”

“Yeah. Birthdays and everything. Don’t be too disappointed. It’s not just for Yang U-dam. For your Coming-of-Age Ceremony next year, Jae-min, I’ll—”

“Just try to do any ridiculous event like that for me. I’ll get my bloody revenge.”

Jae-min refused sharply with a serious face. He must be embarrassed. Shin Jukyeong wore a pleased expression.

Next year, should I put a giant ribbon on the car and take him for a drive? Yes, that’s a good idea. Yang U-dam graduated early, so I regret not being able to give him a proper graduation ceremony, so for Jae-min’s time…

“Hey. Don’t imagine weird things! Didn’t you hear me? Don’t do anything. Absolutely, never, don’t do anything!”

Whether he read his thoughts, or just had a good gut feeling. Or perhaps Shin Jukyeong just looked like someone capable of doing crazy things, Jae-min shook Shin Jukyeong’s shoulder frantically, his face pale.

“Hahaha, alright. I won’t. I won’t.”

In the end, Shin Jukyeong burst into laughter. His clear, low voice had a suitable rhythm.

Is he messing with me? Jae-min’s face flushed. He narrowed his eyes and glared at Shin Jukyeong. His gaze looked like it could shoot lasers, but he didn’t hurl insults like before. Instead, he just crunched on the innocent cookie.

Shin Jukyeong stopped laughing, picked up the glass of citron tea, and asked.

“I wanted to help with Yang U-dam’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, but is that also a no?”

“Me?”

“Because I can’t think of anything right now. Help me out a bit.”

“That’s fine. It’ll be a sight to see that guy’s face.”

Jae-min’s attitude changed in an instant. His face seemed to scream, ‘As long as it’s not me!’ He smoothed out his deeply furrowed brow and listed off a string of embarrassing celebratory ideas. Singing a song with his name in the lyrics, coercing his friends to send him congratulatory video messages, and so on.

“Tsk, I don’t think that’ll have much impact. For that guy, something stronger is needed. How about this? Take a microphone and…”

The ideas were endless. Creativity is a good thing. It’s just that the intentions were all impure.

‘Does he hold a big grudge against Yang U-dam?’

He wasn’t asking for ways to screw with him.

“Uh, um. Jae-min? Thanks for telling me, but I don’t think Yang U-dam would like any of that much.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Jae-min, who had been chattering away, pressed his lips together and rested his chin on his hand. A long silence settled in the room. When no answer came from Shin Jukyeong, Jae-min blew air through his lips, fluttering his bangs, as if to say ‘I knew it.’

“Honestly, no matter what you do, that guy won’t like it much. He’s the type who stays cooped up in the dorm even on weekends. It’s like he doesn’t even want to look at this place. Even if you give him a gift, would he be happy? Well, I don’t not understand. If I went outside, I wouldn’t want to come back to a place like this again…”

His lips, which had been sharply chattering with a sneer, suddenly pressed together in a straight line. Jae-min looked at Shin Jukyeong with a ‘whoops’ expression. His lips parted slightly. All traces of his usual prickly demeanor were gone, and he even subtly glanced around.

Shin Jukyeong knew this, so he tried to lighten the mood with a smile. In truth, unlike Jae-min’s assumption, he wasn’t particularly upset. It was a fact that their father made the children uncomfortable.

More important than that was Jae-min’s attitude. In the past, he wouldn’t have cared less, asking if he said anything wrong and lashing out even worse. But now he at least showed some awareness. This much could be called a huge development in their relationship.

So, just as Shin Jukyeong was about to tell him it was okay again, Jae-min spoke first.

“Just call him out separately and buy him a meal. Even if Shin Taekyung is annoying, you… wouldn’t be annoying. Like me.”

The ‘like me’ at the end was a small, almost swallowed whisper, but Shin Jukyeong clearly heard it. His shoulders flinched at the unexpected display of affection. He looked surprised, as if he had received a surprise gift. To think Jae-min would say something like that.

As he stared at Jae-min with a dazed feeling, Jae-min quickly turned his head as if telling him not to look. His earlobes, briefly visible, were red.

“Yes, I will.”

Shin Jukyeong smiled brightly. His clean smile perfectly resembled him.

A Coming-of-Age Ceremony that happens only once in a lifetime. He wanted to give a meaningful and precious gift befitting it… and he had just found the answer.