BHB 124

As Yeowon and Taegang sat side by side, Taejoo, seated at the head of the table, suddenly threw something onto the table with a thud.

“Both of you leave for a while.”

They were passports and plane tickets. Yeowon looked at Taejoo with a somewhat stupefied expression.

“…All of a sudden?”

“Is there any other way?”

In truth, Taejoo was right. The only way to pacify their angry parents was to disappear from sight for a while.

“Originally, Taegang was going to go alone.”

Taegang didn’t seem surprised, as if this was what he had expected.

“When?”

Seeing him ask so indifferently, Yeowon blinked quickly as if shocked.

“I set the date with plenty of time. You’ll need to be discharged first.”

“…Will that man just sit still?”

“He needs to be cautious after this incident anyway. Do you think no one noticed when he brought actual thugs and caused trouble?”

“He’s not the type to care about public opinion.”

“You were taken to the emergency room. After he took out those gangsters, suddenly the candidate’s son was beaten and hospitalized, do you think there are journalists who couldn’t put that story together? And it’s not just journalists who look for opportunities like this.”

The brothers exchanged conversation in equally calm tones.

Taegang’s serious injury had become something that held his father back. Separately from that, Yeowon urgently grabbed Taegang’s arm.

“What about your school?”

“What does it matter? You quit too.” He answered dismissively.

“What a couple of fools.” Taejoo let out a derisive laugh, looking sidelong at the two of them.

Taegang quietly looked down at the two plane tickets, twisting one eye. Then he glanced at Yeowon, who might have to go abroad with him to a place where he had no connections, without knowing why.

“…Is there no other way?”

In response to his request for another solution, Taejoo’s brow furrowed.

“That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“The situation has changed.”

That was when Taegang was alone. Not anymore. Taegang gripped Yeowon’s hand tightly. Yeowon flinched at the rough grip.

“There’s only one other option.”

“…”

“You go under our father.”

Yeowon looked up at Taegang anxiously at Taejoo’s words.

“Obediently doing everything he says like a dog.”

“…”

“If you failed at being the smart son, at least use your body to show filial piety.” Taejoo stroked his chin, crossing and uncrossing his legs. His gaze swept over his brother’s reaction. 

Taegang seemed to be considering it more than expected.

“What are you thinking about?”

Seeing Taegang’s reaction, Yeowon immediately glared at him with peculiar anxiety in his eyes.

“He should think about it. Do you know how hard it is to live without anything?” It was Taejoo who retorted. He looked at the young men before him with disdain and voiced practical advice, “And you think it would be easy?”

“…”

“I hope you’re not thinking this is just a temporary vacation.” Taejoo let out an incredulous laugh and looked directly at Yeowon. 

Yeowon wanted to retort but hesitated because there was nothing incorrect in what he said. It was true. It was something he had never even thought about.

“Start acting smart now.”

“…”

“Don’t clumsily charge in just because your weakness was exposed. Negotiate.”

He shook his head, not hiding his disdain. Knowing it was sound advice, Taegang couldn’t bring himself to get angry and just looked at his brother with dissatisfaction.

Soon, Taejoo stood up. As if his business was finished, he straightened his clothes and nodded toward Yeowon, who was sitting next to Taegang.

“And you.”

“…Yes?”

“Those strange guys outside, they’re your friends?”

“…Yes.”

At Yeowon’s quiet answer, Taejoo rubbed his brow as if tired.

“If I hadn’t come, those people would have heard about this already.”

“…I was planning to leave shortly.”

“I’m sure I told you to stay put quietly.”

“…Yes.” Since it was true, Yeowon had nothing to say. 

Then Taegang narrowed his eyes and shot back, “Why are you being so harsh to him?”

“Ha.”

Taejoo let out an incredulous sigh, as if amazed that Taegang was talking back after all the help he’d given.

“Hey, stay quiet.”

Yeowon hurriedly grabbed his arm to stop him. Perhaps if he had contacted Lee Taejoo from the beginning as he had advised, the situation might have been easier. And it was only natural for him to be scolded when he had asked for help but then didn’t listen and caused trouble on his own.

“Keep that guy in check, you.”

When he gestured with his chin toward the troublesome younger brother, Yeowon nodded vigorously. 

As Lee Taejoo was about to leave as if his business was done, he suddenly seemed to remember something and asked curiously, “By the way, where were you hiding?”

At this unexpected question, Yeowon, who had been checking his plane ticket, answered with a somewhat blank expression.

“That cousin’s place? The villa, they said. Right?”

When he asked Lee Taegang to confirm, he simply nodded.

“Don’t tell me it was Lee Taerim’s villa?”

“…Yeah. Why?”

“Of all places, that guy’s…”

“The adults don’t touch that hyung the most.”

“It must have become a mess. It would be interesting to see his reaction when he finds out.”

“…He’ll probably make a fuss when we meet later.”

“Make sure you don’t run into him.”

Lee Taejoo frowned as if the mere thought was unpleasant. Seeing someone who usually maintained composure react that way made Yeowon curious about who this Lee Taerim person was.

That moment passed quickly as Lee Taejoo continued with another message, “The security guards will be withdrawn by tomorrow. The media has caught wind of this, so we can’t be conspicuous.”

“Then I’ll be discharged from the hospital.”

“…You’re saying that knowing you have a crack in your skull?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s for the doctors to decide. Discharge according to the scheduled date.” Lee Taejoo cut him off immediately as if to say don’t talk nonsense.

“Tch. Such interference.”

“Your foul-mouthed attitude never changes.” Lee Taejoo shook his head with a serious face and muttered as if to himself.

Seeing them bickering, Yeowon let out a silent laugh. They seemed like siblings despite not being close. Both Lee Taejoo pretending not to care while looking after his younger brother, and Lee Taegang pretending not to accept what Lee Taejoo was saying.

When they had met at the hotel, he thought Lee Taejoo was just another member of that family, but it seemed that wasn’t all there was to it.

“Thank you.” Yeowon stood up and bowed. 

He was the only adult who helped when he couldn’t do anything. 

When he respectfully bowed, which seemed out of character, Lee Taejoo nodded slightly without showing surprise. Then he gave his unresponsive brother one more disapproving look before leaving the hospital room.

“How can you talk like that to your hyung who’s helping you?”

As soon as he left, Yeowon scolded, and Lee Taegang’s brow furrowed slightly.

“I don’t care if he doesn’t help.”

“That’s not true. Both you and I would be penniless if we got kicked out.”

That was the reality of their situation. They were just college students who lived extravagantly, but if their parents cut them off, they wouldn’t have a penny to their names. Even though Yeowon claimed to have no affection for his parents, he was still financially dependent on them.

“Who said I have nothing?”

At his unexpected response, Yeowon frowned in confusion.

“I’ve been preparing to be abandoned for over ten years.”

“…”

“You think I wouldn’t have made any preparations?” Lee Taegang tilted his head cockily and replied triumphantly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve earned enough for you to spend lavishly.”

“…Ha.”

“Diverted would be more accurate.”

Whatever method he had used, Lee Taegang quietly brushed back his bangs that had grown long enough to poke his eyes, and calmly looked at Yeowon’s dumbfounded face.

“So don’t think about getting a part-time job or anything.”

He remembered their chance encounter at the club. At that time, he had taken the job thinking he needed to do something to keep his mind straight, but he recalled how Lee Taegang had panicked at the sight.

“…Did you hate it that much?”

“Yes.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I know.”

He acknowledged his overreaction with a calm face. Even at that, he couldn’t help but smile. His blatant affection was pouring out constantly.

“…I’ll stay at your place for a while.”

“Okay.”

“Be good. Don’t talk about discharging early like you did earlier.”

“…I got it.”

He responded with discontent, seemingly eager to leave the hospital soon. Just as he was about to leave, suddenly Lee Taegang grabbed Yeowon again. He wasn’t sure how many times it had been now. He abruptly turned him around and once more embraced him tightly, as if constricting his breathing.

“…Do you know how many times this is now?”

When he spoke in a dejected voice, the guy who firmly held the back of his head choked out his words.

“It’s like… constantly…”

“…”

“Like a dream. Shit.”

He was still ruminating as if he couldn’t believe this reality. Perhaps out of anxiety, just in case.

“What am I going to do with you?” He suddenly blurted out with a voice that sounded like a hollow laugh. “I’m really screwed.”

“…”

“Now you really can’t escape from me.” Lee Taegang delivered what sounded like a joke but was a sincere warning. As if telling him to be prepared for what was to come.

At his quite serious warning, Yeowon pushed him away saying to stop acting crazy, but he didn’t dislike his desperate behavior. Though it might seem threatening on the surface, to Yeowon’s eyes, it felt like he was afraid he might get scared and run away later.

Suddenly he felt strange. It was an unfamiliar feeling that he was finally getting to know Lee Taegang bit by bit. In moments like this, previously he would have felt only displeasure, but now his heart was pounding so much it made his stomach flutter. Perhaps he too was different from before. No, they were different. No longer just friends or family-like… but something else.

***

Before they knew it, Lee Taegang’s discharge date was approaching. The entire country was noisy with news and articles about the upcoming presidential election. As this happened, the family’s vigilance toward Lee Taegang was gradually easing. Lee Taejoo had been right about the media catching wind; there had indeed been an article describing a similar incident at that villa, but it was quickly deleted.

The article was briefly mentioned during a debate between presidential candidates, but Lee Seungkwon cut it off from the root with a statement asking to refrain from groundless talk while maintaining a benevolent expression. The characteristic of his supporters was that they were blind followers. They didn’t budge at most rumors.

The more society was noisy with the presidential election, the more relieved Yeowon felt. He still couldn’t freely go in and out of the hospital, but it was easier than before, and he could physically feel that the attention directed toward them was decreasing.

While Lee Taegang was in the hospital, Yeowon went to see Do Youngjae. He explained everything to him from beginning to end. It seemed okay to do so, and he wanted to because of all the help he had provided thus far. He didn’t go into detail about whether they liked each other or not, but Do Youngjae seemed to have figured it out after just hearing the situation. However, after a brief moment of surprise, he didn’t say much. He only asked a few questions about the injured Lee Taegang’s well-being, and that was it.