JADE 68

Jin Sejun stopped trying to be cheeky because he wasn’t in the mood for it. Also, even though Kwon Joowan thought Jin Sejun was an Omega, Jin Sejun didn’t actively want to lie, so he decided to let it pass vaguely.

After all, this wasn’t the first or second time Jin Sejun had let something slide, so there was nothing to lose by conceding one more time.

But what on earth was it? He wanted to separate Eun Garam and Jin Sejun, and Ahn Saeha and Jin Sejun, yet he himself said he couldn’t date a ranked individual…. Was what he said back then just to reject Jin Sejun?

Does he still have feelings for Ahn Saeha?

‘Let’s just get rid of it.’

The time they had together was too precious to dwell on something that yielded no answers. When Jin Sejun flicked Kwon Joowan’s furrowed brow, Kwon Joowan startled and returned to the store.

He thought Kwon Joowan had gone to pick up the children, but when Kwon Joowan reappeared, he was holding wet wipes. He used them to delicately wipe Jin Sejun’s fingers. He even offered his hand, cautioning him about the height difference of the deck where the bench was.

At that moment, Jin Sejun, who had goosebumps all the way to the top of his head, completely forgot his momentary disappointment while refusing the gesture.

‘He must think I’m an Omega, right?’

It was ticklish, but not just in a good way; he felt disgusted with himself, almost going crazy.

After finishing the snacks, Jin Sejun watched Kwon Joowan herd the children onto the shuttle. But Kwon Joowan kept looking back as if he had left a honey pot behind him. Jin Sejun waved his hand, telling him to shoo, and only then did Kwon Joowan smile awkwardly and focus on the children.

Even after being left alone with his nephew, the strange feeling lingered.

“Uncle, what makes you so happy?”

“Huh?”

What makes me happy? Jin Sejun asked back in surprise, and Jin Yiseo calmly replied as he fastened his seatbelt.

“You’re beaming.”

“No, it’s because what I just ate was delicious.”

No wonder his cheeks hurt. As Jin Sejun smiled awkwardly, Jin Yiseo nodded as if he understood everything.

“Hmm, right. That’s life, finding joy in small things like that.”

“Whose words are you replaying now… you smart parrot.”

As he saw Jin Yiseo off, Jin Yiseo suddenly asked at the entrance of his apartment building.

“Are you busy this weekend, Uncle?”

“No? Uncle is a jobless bum, so I’m not busy. I play every day.”

“Then be a guardian for me and the kids.”

“Who? What are your parents doing?”

“They said they’re busy. And Dad said your level matches ours, Uncle.”

I’ll remember that. I’ll get revenge. Although it wasn’t exactly something to get revenge over.

Jin Yiseo’s companions were his close friend Yang Sua, who had almost lived with him like a lodger before, and Jang Doha, the goalkeeper who had recently started cheerleading. Jin Sejun took the former for granted, but it was amazing and admirable that he didn’t know when Jin Yiseo had become friends with the latter.

As soon as Jin Sejun nodded, Jin Yiseo plopped down on the garden wall and briefed him on the places he wanted to visit. Jin Sejun hurriedly handled the ones that seemed to require reservations, and fortunately, there was availability.

But…

Even on his way home, Jin Sejun alternated between the reservation details screen and his messenger. He had booked tickets for Kwon Joowan as well when booking his own, without much thought.

However, while Jin Sejun no longer worked at the academy, he thought it might put Kwon Joowan in an awkward position. It could look like he was showing favoritism to specific students.

In that way, Jin Sejun never canceled the reservations, even though he thought Kwon Joowan wouldn’t be able to go.

On the day of, the enthusiastic cheerleaders went to the academy for morning practice despite it being a holiday. This arrangement was made possible because Kwon Joowan also had an errand and could open the door early in the morning.

It had been less than a week since he last saw him, but perhaps because they couldn’t have a proper date or any physical contact, it felt as if a very long time had passed. Of course, he also wore the glasses Kwon Joowan liked today, wanting to look good.

Jin Sejun tried not to be conscious of Kwon Joowan, pretending to watch the children practice. Soon, Kwon Joowan approached and subtly offered him coffee.

“What brings you, Mr. Sejun, bringing these three?”

“Ah, the kids wanted to play today, so I came along as their guardian. Would Mr. John like to come too?”

“I’m afraid I can’t, a little.”

He had expected him to refuse, and he hadn’t asked with much expectation, yet he felt a little disappointed. Kwon Joowan, noticing Jin Sejun’s expression, asked with a slight hint of embarrassment.

“Is it some special day?”

“…It was the goalkeeper’s birthday yesterday, but no one at home knew about it.”

Kwon Joowan remained silent for a long time, his expression troubled, until the children finished practice and came out. Then, just as Jin Sejun thought he should give up and just accept a send-off.

Kwon Joowan, who had stepped out the entrance with him, locked the door.

“Let’s go together. I have a seat, right?”

“Haha, yes. There’s exactly one more seat.”

Actually, Jin Sejun only found out about Jang Doha’s birthday today when Jin Yiseo told him. It sounded like it was for Jang Doha’s sake, but ultimately it was an attempt to manipulate Kwon Joowan, so Jin Sejun inwardly let out a delighted, self-deprecating cheer.

It had been a long time since Kwon Joowan sat in the passenger seat, but the situation felt very natural. With three children in the back, he suddenly realized that this was the first time five people had ridden in this car. It wasn’t anything special, but he was happy, perhaps because he was in a good mood.

The children were chattering like they were on a field trip bus the whole time. Jin Yiseo, who Jin Sejun thought spoke like a robot even when playing with kids, seemed perfectly normal.

Stepping out into the clear spring weather made him feel good, even as a guardian. The first stop was a pop-up store for the popular program ‘Cheer Cheer Pam Pam,’ which Jin Sejun had also seen.

From the moment he entered, Jin Sejun was overwhelmed by a person in a giant mascot costume waddling and welcoming them, so he tried to step aside. But Kwon Joowan, who was leading the children, quickly walked over and pressed Jin Sejun tightly in between himself and the mascot, giving the mascot a strong hug, like a pressed pancake.

He alone was conscious of Kwon Joowan’s scent and body heat, and by the time he tried to quickly pull away, the three children had already clung to them, making it impossible to escape.

‘It’s intense right from the start.’

It was so hard not to show he was happy. Anyway, while he wasn’t as enthusiastic as the kids, it was fun to explore the pop-up store for a program he had somewhat enjoyed.

Jin Sejun freely admired the merchandise, which boasted excellent quality unlike anything from his childhood. Then, whenever he saw a photo spot, he would call the three over, pose them, and take group shots to individual shots until he was satisfied.

“Anyone would think you’re a photographer. Why are you taking so many pictures?”

“I can take pictures now; they’ll be too big to take pictures of later.”

Kwon Joowan nodded in agreement, then, when a photo spot cleared, he suddenly grabbed another guardian passing by.

“…Excuse me. Could you please take a picture for us?”

“What?”

The person who was stopped readily agreed, and it was Jin Sejun who was surprised. A picture of just the two of them at a ‘Cheer Cheer Pam Pam’ pop-up store photo spot? And two grown Alpha men over thirty?

Jin Sejun went in, grumbling pointlessly, then froze the moment Kwon Joowan put his arm around his shoulder. He tried to escape as soon as two or three shots were taken, but the children he brought swarmed them, asking why they weren’t taking pictures together, trapping him helplessly with a smile.

The next place they went was an indoor laser tag survival arena. Jin Sejun whispered to Kwon Joowan as he put on the sensor-equipped vest.

“Someone from a family like yours couldn’t possibly have served active duty. I’ll beat you easily.”

“……”

Despite winking and acting all dramatic while holding the laser gun, Jin Sejun lost one life within a minute of the game starting, shot in the back by Kwon Joowan, who appeared from somewhere.

Kwon Joowan, who seemed like he would dominate the game in that manner, then deliberately let Jang Doha get behind him, clearly doing it on purpose.

The survival game, played in the dark relying on light, was fun. But perhaps sharing the thought that it wasn’t cool to be too serious when acting as a guardian for kids, Jin Sejun and Kwon Joowan were the first to exhaust their lives and come out to the waiting room.

“…Mr. Joowan, you were good.”

“If I were to answer about military service now, honestly, I wasn’t active duty. It wasn’t corruption or anything, I had surgery…”

“What surgery?”

“I’ll tell you if there’s a chance later. I originally wanted to go into the Air Force, but I ended up as public service, only sharing the first letter.”

“Why the Air Force?”

“It’s cool.”

“Ha…”

Why? Thinking about it, it wasn’t a big deal, but it was incredibly funny for a moment. Kwon Joowan, who yearned for the Air Force…

“You probably wouldn’t suit a buzz cut.”

“I’m curious about your sports cut, Mr. Sejun.”

“There’s nothing to be curious about, of course I’d look damn handsome.”

The game completely ended around the time Jin Sejun, who had been laughing, clutching his stomach, caught his breath. Everyone was drenched in sweat as they headed to the dining place, but it was simply fun.

Adults and children, five of them, gathered, pulling out what they bought from the pop-up store, and laughter never ceased as they talked about the survival game.

It was when Jin Sejun and Kwon Joowan were at the cashier, arguing over who would pay, after finishing lunch. A woman from the next table, who had stood up first to pay, spoke to them.

“It’s truly lovely to see you laughing so brightly with the children.”

“Haha, thank you…”

“These days, three children really make you a patriot.”

“Ah… pardon?”

Jin Sejun’s smoothly smiling face turned scarlet in an instant. Kwon Joowan, who had recovered his wits a step behind him, naturally chimed in.

“We’re an Alpha and a Beta.”

“These days, many people meet that way too. Adopting makes a family even more blessed.”

They were truly kind words, but the misunderstanding was huge! Jin Sejun tried to say they were a teacher and students, but the woman left with a benevolent smile.

While Jin Sejun stared foolishly at her retreating back, Kwon Joowan cleverly managed to hand over his card. Jin Sejun mumbled, looking at the receipt that kept printing.

“Strangely… when I’m with you, I often get suspected of being a couple. At a glance, we just look like an Alpha and an Alpha.”

Kwon Joowan thought for a moment, then answered casually.

“Perhaps we look at each other lovingly.”

“……”

The time limit for casually dismissing a joke had passed. Jin Sejun, thinking he was screwed, reached for the parking ticket, but Kwon Joowan even recited Jin Sejun’s car number for him.

He felt good for a moment, then inexplicably unsettled. Jin Sejun narrowed his eyes, escorting the children, and suddenly whispered to Kwon Joowan.

“Well, you are my hook-up partner, so I’m always watching with red eyes, wondering when the next time will be.”

“…Are you looking forward to it?”

“……”

He had forgotten. The fact that Kwon Joowan wasn’t someone who would just foolishly take it. Moreover, a large hand slowly crept up to his waist, making Jin Sejun almost jump.