Vol 6 Ch 7

At the sound of the doorbell, the two people eating simultaneously stopped.

 

“…Who could it be?”

 

Inseop asked with a slightly anxious look. Since they had been staying there, no one had ever visited. Wooyeon sighed and got up from his seat.

 

“Stay here.”

 

He walked briskly and, without even asking who it was, flung open the front door.

 

“Oh! Ha ha ha. Hello.”

 

“Hey, why did you suddenly open the door?”

 

The two men standing outside the front door looked visibly surprised. Inseop quickly got up from his seat and ran to the entrance.

 

“Hello.”

 

When Inseop greeted them, Manager Cha and CEO Kim acknowledged him with a nod.

 

“Long time no see. How have you been? Do I need to speak in English?”

 

“No, Korean is fine. Thank you. I’ve been well.”

 

Manager Cha sighed and sympathetically grabbed Inseop’s hand.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

Wooyeon asked nonchalantly, shaking off Manager Cha’s hand.

 

“Oh, well, you see, I have some stuff in the storage here. It’s quite important, so I came to get it.”

 

CEO Kim stammered, making a flimsy excuse. A faint annoyance crossed Wooyeon’s face. It was clear these nosy men had come to check if he had done anything bad to Inseop.

 

“And what is that?”

 

“Well, it’s something important. Fishing gear, actually. But you wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

 

“Looking for such an important fishing gear years after selling the villa? What would you do with such a poor memory?”

 

Wooyeon looked at CEO Kim as if genuinely concerned.

 

“My memory is good! Right? Manager Cha, my memory is good, isn’t it?”

 

“Of course. CEO, your memory is excellent. Known in the industry for it.”

 

Wooyeon clicked his tongue in mock sympathy.

 

“That great memory is deteriorating with age, I see.”

 

“…”

 

CEO Kim bit his lip, unable to hurl curses in front of Inseop, trembling with anger.

 

“Should I get the storage key for you?”

 

Wooyeon asked, implying they should leave once they got it.

 

“Give it. We were on our way to go fishing anyway.”

 

CEO Kim replied gruffly. Wooyeon disappeared inside to fetch the key. Taking advantage of this, Manager Cha turned to Inseop and fired a series of questions.

 

“Are you feeling okay? Has your memory come back? Are you in any pain?”

 

“Ah, yes. I’m okay. …My memory hasn’t returned yet.”

 

Inseop answered haltingly.

 

“Wooyeon isn’t mistreating you, is he?”

 

Even as he spoke, Manager Cha scrutinized Inseop’s body.

 

“Huh? Wooyeonnie?”

 

“…Wooyeonnie?”

 

“…did you say Wooyeonnie?”

 

The two men repeated the name, looking as if they had heard wrong.

 

“Ah, yes. Wooyeonnie…”

 

Inseop hesitated, wondering if it was impolite to call even a younger brother by name. He glanced at the two men for a moment.

 

“Well, of course you’d call your younger brother by name. Here’s the key.”

 

Wooyeon appeared out of nowhere and handed the key to CEO Kim.

 

“Come along.”

 

“Why should I?”

 

“There are a lot of things piled up in the storage. You probably haven’t even opened it before.”

 

“Since I’ve never opened it, wouldn’t it be better for you to look for it yourself, CEO?”

 

“I’ll help. I’m good at finding things, so I’ll…”

 

Inseop stepped in. Lee Wooyeon, standing beside him, sighed.

 

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

 

Lee Wooyeon said to Inseop.

 

“But I want to…”

 

“It’s cold, where do you think you’re going? I’ll be quick. Just stay here.”

 

Lee Wooyeon gave CEO Kim a firm push out the door. As soon as the two closed the front door behind them, Manager Cha started inspecting Inseop again.

 

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

 

“No, I’m fine.”

 

Even though it was the same question as before, Inseop didn’t feel annoyed or bothered. Instead, he could sense how much the other person was genuinely concerned for him.

 

“Thank you for worrying about me.”

 

Inseop’s polite response brought tears to Manager Cha’s eyes. How could someone remain so kind-hearted even after losing their memory?

 

“Have you been to the hospital?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Nothing out of the ordinary?”

 

“No. They said it’s the same as before.”

 

“…Lee Wooyeon hasn’t said anything unusual?”

 

“Huh? Oh…”

 

They had visited a hospital in Seoul two days ago. The results were the same. The doctor just repeated that they should keep an eye on things. On the way back, Inseop had apologized to Lee Wooyeon.

 

‘Why are you apologizing?’

 

‘…Because of me, it’s inconvenient and… it’s hard.’

 

Inseop knew that every time they went to the hospital, Lee Wooyeon talked less. Initially, he was scared and wanted his memory to return, but these days, he often wished he could remember just to ease the burden on the man beside him.

 

‘It’s not hard at all. It’s not inconvenient.’

 

Lee Wooyeon continued while holding the steering wheel.

 

‘…Just…’

 

Inseop waited for Lee Wooyeon’s next words. Lee Wooyeon frowned, as if swallowing painful words, and closed his lips. Lately, he often seemed like he had something to say but held back. Every time that happened, Inseop felt his chest tighten and his fingertips grow cold.

 

‘…You know, I just…’

 

‘If you’re going to talk about going to America, just keep your mouth shut.’

 

‘…’

 

Inseop looked down, scared. Lee Wooyeon pulled the car over to the side of the road. F**k. A low curse was heard above his head.

 

‘I was too harsh. I’m sorry. Look at me. Okay?’

 

Lee Wooyeon tilted Inseop’s chin up to make him face him.

 

‘I was upset because you said you were going to leave me and go to America. I’m sorry.’

 

‘It’s not that I’m leaving you…’

 

Inseop hurriedly continued, flustered.

 

‘I just feel like you can’t work because of me… and I keep being a burden…’

 

Inseop asked Lee Wooyeon, who didn’t even go outside, if he didn’t need to go to the company. Lee Wooyeon replied that he had decided to take some time off. Even though they were blood relatives, Lee Wooyeon was younger than him. Depending on someone for everything from A to Z didn’t sit well with him.

 

And above all else…

 

‘Can’t I cause a little trouble for my only family?’

 

Lee Wooyeon said as he looked at Inseop. Inseop quickly lowered his head. Every time he made eye contact with his handsome younger brother, his heart pounded, and his fingertips trembled to a bewildering degree.

 

Was he scared? …Sometimes, but it wasn’t just that. Why was his heart pounding so much? Could there be a small hole in his heart that he didn’t know about?

 

‘Do you still not like me?’

 

‘What?’

 

Startled, Inseop quickly looked up. Beautiful eyes were looking down at him. His throat tightened. Every time he made eye contact with him, he felt an indescribable impulse.

 

‘I… I want you to…’

 

Lee Wooyeon frowned as if in pain. His large, gentle fingers cupped Inseop’s cheek. His heart began to pound again. Should he take some medicine now? Or should he suggest going back to the hospital?

 

Hyung came to me.’

 

Inseop had asked Lee Wooyeon if he had any other family in Korea. Lee Wooyeon silently shook his head. He couldn’t ask anything beyond that. Even then, Lee Wooyeon had said the same thing.

 

You’re the only one I have. So please don’t leave me. I’m begging you.

 

The man pleaded in a polite and gentle voice. Inseop nodded. He felt like he was abandoning the man alone in this world, so he couldn’t help but agree.

 

‘…Don’t talk about going to America.’

 

‘Okay.’

 

Only after hearing Inseop’s answer did the man let go of his cheek. A faint warmth remained. Inseop rubbed his face a couple of times with his sleeve for no reason.

 

Lee Wooyeon started the car again. That was the end of their conversation that day.

 

“Why? Does Lee Wooyeon give you a hard time?”

 

When Inseop hesitated, Manager Cha misunderstood and asked in surprise.

 

“No, he doesn’t. He’s never done that.”

 

Inseop shook his head and added an explanation.

 

“He treats me well. He’s very kind to me, so much so that… I feel sorry.”

 

Inseop often wondered if it was okay to receive such kindness from someone who didn’t remain in his memory.

 

“Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry about. You can make Lee Wooyeon work for you. If there’s anything you want, ask him to do it. If there’s anything you want to eat, ask him to buy it. That guy has a lot of money.”

 

Inseop awkwardly smiled. It was good news that his younger brother was doing well, but it was a different matter to ride along with that without any qualms.

 

“Um, Inseop…”

 

Manager Cha looked around and quickly handed him a business card.

 

“This is my phone number. It’s my personal number, so call me anytime if anything happens…”

 

A hand reached out from behind and snatched the business card.

 

“You got new business cards, Manager.”

 

“……”

 

“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”

 

Lee Wooyeon casually put the card in his pocket. Manager Cha swallowed a slew of curses and glared at Lee Wooyeon.

 

“It seems you’ve found that important item. You should go now.”

 

Lee Wooyeon said, pointing to CEO Kim holding a landing net.

 

“Ha, have you already found it?”

 

“…Well. It was right there in front when I opened the shed door.”

 

Manager Cha sighed deeply. He hadn’t had a proper conversation with Inseop. He poked CEO Kim in the ribs a couple of times.

 

“Hey. Lee Wooyeon, if there’s an empty room, can we stay here tonight?”

 

CEO Kim quickly asked.

 

“Why do you even ask such an obvious question?”

 

Lee Wooyeon replied with a long laugh.

 

“Of course not.”

 

“What? Why not!”

 

“There are no empty rooms.”

 

“What nonsense is that? I know better than anyone how many rooms this house has.”

 

“They’re all filled with stuff, so there are no empty rooms.”

 

…But there are plenty of empty rooms upstairs. No, even on the first floor, there’s an empty room.

 

Inseop anxiously looked between Lee Wooyeon and CEO Kim.

 

“The nearby lodgings are fully booked. If there’s a lot of stuff, we can just clear a room and sleep there. Just give us one room.”

 

“Then take my room!”

 

Inseop quickly stepped forward. Lee Wooyeon’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“I can sleep in the living room, so the two of you can take my room…”

 

He met Lee Wooyeon’s gaze looking down at him. Instinctively sensing danger, Inseop closed his mouth.

 

“What are you talking about? Who’s sleeping in the living room?”

 

“……”

 

“Or do you want to sleep in my room with me?”

 

“Enough! We’re leaving! We won’t stay!”

 

“No way! We’ll sleep separately! We’re leaving!”

 

The two men shouted in surrender. Not understanding the situation, Inseop cautiously observed the three.

 

“…Then at least let us use the bathroom later. After fishing, we’ll clean up and head back to Seoul.”

 

CEO Kim said through gritted teeth. As if it didn’t matter, Lee Wooyeon agreed, saying, “Do as you please.”

 

“You’re going fishing?”

 

Inseop asked.

 

“Yes. We’re going to the lake out front for a fishing competition. We were supposed to go sea fishing, but this old man got such bad seasickness last time that now he can’t even get on a boat.”

 

“I wasn’t the only one! You got seasick too!”

 

“That’s because I got nauseous from patting you on the back while you were throwing up.”

 

“Anyway, you also threw up! You said you’d never get on a boat again!”

 

“I said I wouldn’t get on a boat with you, but I can get on one by myself anytime!”

 

“Hey! Do you know how much it costs to launch a boat? I always let you ride for free!”

 

“Then ride it by yourself.”

 

Watching the two bicker, Inseop burst into laughter. Lee Wooyeon looked at Inseop with a peculiar feeling. It was the first time he had seen him laugh so childishly since they arrived here.

 

“Touch my fishing rod, and you’ll find yourself in the trunk on the way back to Seoul.”

 

“I actually emptied my trunk to bring you along, you know? And who’d touch your fishing rod? Me or you?”

 

“If someone heard, they’d think I’m a thug who messes with fishing rods. Inseop, who do you think would do that? Look at the two of us and tell me who looks like they’d use such underhanded tactics.”

 

“Huh? Uh…”

 

“Yeah, that’s right. Inseop, you decide. Who’d do it?”

 

“Well, I… uh…”

 

“Stop it. How about Inseop joins us for fishing as a referee?”

 

“Me?”

 

Inseop asked in surprise.

 

“Yes. The lake is just out front, so just for a while, ugh.”

 

CEO Kim quickly closed his mouth as he noticed Lee Wooyeon’s dark eyes staring at him.

 

“…Heh heh. Or we could just set up a surveillance camera.”

 

CEO Kim muttered, averting his eyes.

 

“How can I help?”

 

Inseop asked, and Lee Wooyeon frowned.

 

“Help with what? It’s cold out, and you might catch a cold…”

 

Inseop nodded and lowered his head. Seeing him visibly downcast, Lee Wooyeon nervously brushed his disheveled bangs back.