Chapter 10. Let’s Finish What We Started (2)

Translator: Lili

After a short nap, Gyuha came down just in time for dinner.

“Don’t you have an appetite?”

His mother asked worriedly.

“No, I’m fine.”

He lied, moving his chopsticks.

In truth, he’d been in a foul mood ever since waking up. It wasn’t every day he had a wet dream, much less one involving that.

“Eat up. I had this made just for you.”

She placed a dish of beautifully prepared side dishes in front of him. But his lack of appetite didn’t magically improve, so he picked at his food half-heartedly.

His father, clearly displeased, managed to suppress his urge to comment. After all, it was rare for the entire family to gather, and he didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere. Besides, even if begrudgingly, the fact that his youngest son had shown up early for his birthday was commendable in itself.

Glancing at the far end of the table, he noticed that Gyuha’s expression still hadn’t improved. Realizing they hadn’t spoken much, Seo Changsik cleared his throat and addressed him.

“So, are you seeing anyone?”

“No.”

Plenty of weekend flings, but no steady partner. He kept the answer short, knowing the truth would earn him a spoon to the head.

“You should start looking for someone. Do you want me to arrange a date for you?”

Without looking up, he replied dryly.

“Beta or Alpha?”

“Alpha, of course.”

“Then don’t bother.”

“What?!”

Changsik’s voice rose instantly. Unfazed, Gyuha shoved a piece of pine mushroom pancake into his mouth and responded flatly.

“I already told you, I’m not having kids.”

“Who said anything about kids? I’m saying you should find a decent person to lean on and build a happy life together. You’re almost thirty! Do you plan to keep living like this forever…?”

He trailed off, catching himself mid-rant. Clearing his throat, he softened his tone,

“Maybe your mother can help you look into it.”

“No need. If that was the plan, you should’ve raised me as an omega from the start.”

“You little—!”

“Calm down, Father.”

His eldest brother intervened, grabbing their father’s arm. His second brother jabbed him in the ribs, but Gyuha pretended not to notice and continued eating. He hadn’t started the fight, after all. His father always insisted on bringing up topics he hated.

At that moment, the housekeeper approached cautiously,

“You have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes. A man named Lee Chayoung.”

Gyuha froze. His family looked equally puzzled.

“Well, show him in.”

His mother said, rising to greet the guest.

‘That bastard? Why is he here?’

He stared toward the living room in disbelief. Moments later, a man entered carrying a large fruit basket and shopping bag. It was indeed Lee Chayoung.

“Oh my, Chayoung, come in!”

Eunhee smiled brightly and her face lit up as she welcomed him. Despite the unannounced visit, her expression was full of warmth. Even Changsik seemed pleased,

“What brings you here?”

“I was nearby and remembered that Gyuha had mentioned it was your birthday, so I thought I’d stop by. Here, this is for you.”

“You didn’t have to bring anything. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Then join us! We just started.”

Before he knew it, a seat had been made for Chayoung. Both of his brothers seemed delighted to see him.

‘I’m the youngest in the family, but they treat him better than me.’

Gyuha grumbled internally. Ignoring the interaction, he focused on his meal.

“Not going to say hello to Chayoung?”

His mother asked.

“I already did.”

Giving a short reply, he resumed eating. The conversation quickly shifted to topics about work, led by his father’s enthusiastic questions to Chayoung.

At least the discomfort had ceased. Finished with his meal, he stood to leave, but his mother stopped him.

“Stay a little longer. Chayoung’s here, too.”

“I’ll be right back. Just stepping out for a smoke.”

Ignoring his father’s disapproving scowl, he made his way to his room.

***

Opening the door, he paused. The sight of the rumpled bedspread brought back memories of his dream. Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, he walked to the window.

“Phew.”

Exhaling a puff of smoke, he watched it drift skyward. Stubbing out the cigarette, he collapsed onto the bed and pulled out his phone.

He had no intention of returning downstairs. The conversations between his father and brothers were incomprehensible at best. With Chayoung joining in, there was even less reason to stay.

*Boom! Boom! Ka-pow!*

The sound effects of his mobile game echoed as he passed the time. Just as he caught a stray dragon, a knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

He called out, assuming it was his mother with a plate of fruit.

However, it wasn’t her.

To his surprise, it was Chayoung who entered. Half-rising, he quickly settled back down, feigning indifference.

“What are you doing here?”

“As I said, I stopped by because I remembered it was your dad’s birthday.”

“No, I mean, why are you in my room?”

“Oh.”

Chayoung ran a hand over his chin and smiled,

“Escaping from your dad.”

A laugh escaped before he could stop it. All that dutiful charm at the table, and now this? It turned out, he wasn’t the only one plotting an escape.

Laughter didn’t last long. Lee Chayoung’s blatant curiosity as he scanned the room made Seo Gyuha frown.

“What are you looking at?”

“Just checking. It’s been a while. What, 15 years?”

There was a time when they saw each other almost daily. Their mothers were best friends, so they often visited each other’s homes. Seo Gyuha was even forced to attend the same Taekwondo academy because of his mother, where Lee Chayoung happened to go too. But that was all in the past. Around late elementary or early middle school, Lee Chayoung went overseas for his studies, and contact was completely cut off. Then, a few months ago, they unexpectedly crossed paths at their usual club. A coincidence as irritating as it was surreal.

“If you’ve got nothing to do, go home.”

Resuming his attention on his phone, Gyuha brusquely suggested he leave. But instead of leaving, Chayoung turned his attention to something else entirely.

“Hey, is that a photo album? Mind if I look?”

“What are you, pathetic? Why would you?”

“Why not? It’s nostalgic.”

“Nostalgic, my ass.”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Chayoung asked again for permission before picking up the album. He sat down on the edge of the bed, completely uninvited.

“Sit somewhere else. Can’t you see you’re sinking the mattress?”

“Then I’ll just scoot up.”

With a casual motion, he leaned back against the headboard and stretched out his legs. He began flipping through the pages. After a moment, he spoke with a tone of curiosity.

“There are quite a few pictures of me in here.”

The reason was obvious. Gyuha’s mother, who loved taking pictures despite her lack of skill, was always shoving a camera in their faces. Given the past interactions between their families, it wasn’t surprising to find photos of them together.

“Did it start then?”

“What started?”

Caught off guard by the cryptic question, Gyuha finally looked up. Chayoung was grinning.

“When you fell for me.”

“…!”