IRLPLBIO Chapter 5 Part 2

However, Jae-gu had never once thought Kwang-cheol’s appearance was strange. Kwang-cheol was always just Kwang-cheol, a kind younger brother, and one of the few people who could genuinely smile in front of him.

Even though only half of Kwang-cheol’s face was intact, he was very handsome. Perhaps an aura that draws people flowed from kind individuals, as many wanted to be close to Kwang-cheol. He was completely unlike Han Seong-cheol, who, despite maintaining a pristine appearance and feigning kindness, always felt somewhat unsettling.

From Kwang-cheol’s voice calling out ‘Hyung-nim,’ and from the face that subtly moved a cheek to smile, Jae-gu would sometimes feel a slight tingle. There was also a small sense of superiority in knowing a Kwang-cheol that others did not.

How should he describe the feelings he had for Kwang-cheol back then? Friendship? Brotherly love?

If he had been more educated, would he have known the words to clearly express those deeper, more intense feelings…?

“Hyung, just a moment, this is a bit…”

Kwang-cheol called Jae-gu again. His voice was mixed with a touch of shyness and embarrassment.

Ah, Jae-gu let out a short sound and quickly removed his hand. He had been unconsciously caressing Kwang-cheol’s face.

He hadn’t been caught doing anything bad, but his face somehow flushed. Even though this Kwang-cheol wasn’t the Kwang-cheol who had stuck by him day and night through thick and thin, he felt embarrassed for acting so unreservedly, just like back then.

“S-sorry. I didn’t mean to, I was just so glad to see you.”

“You just saw me a moment ago, but you keep saying you’re glad to see me… Anyway, isn’t it about time you had your manifestation, Hyung? They say most people manifest during high school.”

“Huh?”

Jae-gu’s eyes widened. He didn’t quite understand. He felt like he’d heard something about ‘manifestation’ earlier, but he couldn’t grasp what it meant.

This is what happens when you neglect your schoolwork. Getting embarrassed in front of his younger brother for not knowing anything. Ugh, Jae-gu groaned and tugged at his hair, not noticing the change in Kwang-cheol’s expression.

Kwang-cheol, who had been subtly narrowing his eyes and silently watching Jae-gu’s struggles, only returned to his casual smiling face after hearing his mother’s voice.

“Jae-gu, are you here? If you are, come on in, why are you standing at the entrance like that?”

“Auntie!”

Jae-gu’s face, as he suddenly lifted his head, was full of joy. Even Mrs. Han Ga-yeon was startled for a moment.

“Auntie, it’s been a long time…”

Jae-gu even got teary-eyed.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

Han Ga-yeon asked her son, Kwang-cheol, with a glance, but Kwang-cheol also shrugged as if he knew nothing. It was rather strange for Jae-gu, who had left for school that morning, to return in the evening and say “long time no see” and “glad to see you.”

Regardless, Jae-gu held Han Ga-yeon’s hand, meeting her as if it had been decades. He even shed a few tears.

Han Ga-yeon was not Jae-gu’s real aunt. However, ever since Jae-gu could remember, she had been as close as sisters with Jae-gu’s mother, and later, they visited each other day and night as if they almost lived together. The title ‘Auntie’ was established early on.

After Jae-gu’s mother passed away, taking in the orphaned Jae-gu was natural for Han Ga-yeon, but not for Jae-gu. It couldn’t have been easy to take in and care for another grown boy in their modest household with little to spare. Especially since he wasn’t a good, model student, but a troublemaker.

Even though he wasn’t good at expressing it, Jae-gu was always grateful to Han Ga-yeon.

After moving to Seoul, when he heard that Han Ga-yeon had died in a sudden fire, he sent a substantial condolence gift. He also accepted Kwang-cheol, who was severely injured, entrusting himself to Jae-gu. Later, he realized it was Jae-gu himself who had been leaning on Kwang-cheol…

“Jae-gu, did you do something wrong? Did you hit someone again?”

“No.”

“Is there a reason the homeroom teacher would call…?”

“No.”

As he repeatedly said no, Han Ga-yeon’s expression became puzzled. The thought, “Why is Jae-gu acting like this when he hasn’t caused any trouble?”, was clearly visible on her face.