By Zephyria The moment I was mindlessly flipping through the photos, there was a section where my hand stopped.
The buzzing sound in my ears disappeared and everything became quiet. I stared at a single photo in my hand.
Lee Tae-kyung, looking a little awkward in his new school uniform, entering the school auditorium as a young boy.
It contained my appearance that day, when I was looking around countless times, looking for someone, anxiously biting my fingernails.
It was the day of my middle school entrance ceremony.
“Se-han…”
The moment the voice came out, I shut my mouth tightly.
My throat was choked up, and I could only exhale rough breaths.
I had been holding on so hard until now, but a single photo in my hand was trying to break me down.
I was confident that I could do anything for Sung Se-han. So, I was able to go back in time with great fanfare.
But I didn’t know.
What meaning would be left in my time without the anchor called Sung Se-han?
How lonely it is to drift aimlessly through time like a floating sailboat.
How deeply loneliness affects a person.
I didn’t know anything. Even if I didn’t know, I couldn’t even regret it. Because even if I went back, I would have no choice but to make a choice that would repeat the regret.
“Sung Se-han, why did you…”
A heavy lump seemed to be blocking my throat, and my voice didn’t come out well. It was so painful and agonizing that my eyes became hot.
The day I entered middle school. How could I ever forget this day?
Sung Se-han never showed up on that day, which I had waited for while tossing and turning in bed, thinking that I would finally be able to see him, even from afar.
Even after the entrance ceremony was over, I couldn’t get up from my chair as if I had lost my mind.
If I had to choose one of the loneliest and most painful moments since coming here, I would think of this young-faced Lee Tae-kyung in my hand first.
“Why did you do this…?”
I was holding the photo too tightly, and the tip of my thumb turned white. I couldn’t look at Sung Se-han because I was looking at it.
Sung Se-han.
You had the moment when I was the loneliest.
“What are you going to do with my photos…?”
I felt the vibration of the soft sofa as Sung Se-han straightened his upper body.
“I collected them because I wanted to have them.”
I couldn’t help but raise my head at the low voice. Sung Se-han’s coldly rippling eyes lingered on me for a moment before quickly changing direction.
“I can’t understand what Councilor is thinking.”
Even though he wasn’t taking a very polite posture, Sung Se-han’s attitude was unwavering.
“Why are you stealing and keeping this friend’s photos?”
I was the only one who was on edge at the rude and direct question. Councilor Choi In-taek was still looking at Sung Se-han with a smiling face.
“Since I’ve found something interesting, wouldn’t it be possible to use it for a purpose that suits it?”
The finger that had been tapping on the armrest of the sofa pointed at Sung Se-han again.
“Not a day goes by without articles about your every move.”
When I discovered the cruelly gleaming eyes in the benevolent smile, I swallowed hard without realizing it.
“Then, how about an article saying that Sung Se-han has been stalking a friend of his age?”
Even after Councilor Choi In-taek finished speaking, I couldn’t understand what I had just heard.
However, I didn’t dare to look back on it.
“Now…”
Still, I have to ask. My mouth opened first with a hasty heart.
Do you know what you’re saying, Councilor?
Knowing that Sung Se-han’s every move is reported in the news.
Even so, you’re going to spread an article about Sung Se-han stalking a friend?
“Councilor.”
What right do you have to do that to this guy?
Holding the photo in my hand tightly, I got up from my seat. Because of that, the photos that were on my lap fell to the floor.
“Be careful.”
Sung Se-han, who got up following me, grabbed my shoulder. I put strength in my eyes, but I couldn’t glare at Councilor Choi In-taek because his broad shoulders were blocking my view.
“Don’t lose a single one.”
What on earth, what are you saying not to lose? My head is burning white, but I don’t know where to vent my anger. The moment I gritted my teeth and looked up, I inhaled roughly without realizing it.
“Calm down and sit down.”
The eye smile with a slight lift of the corner of his mouth disarmed me in an instant. The strength drained from my body, and I had no choice but to sit down again obediently, following the hand pressing down on my shoulder.
“Because I only picked out my favorite ones.”
Sung Se-han, who bent his knees, began to pick up the photos scattered on the floor.
“Hey, now…”
Is the photo the problem now? I felt like my heart was breaking as I tried to swallow the words that were bursting out. I want to take Sung Se-han out of here right now and make sure he never meets that person again. Why don’t I have that ability? I was so upset and frustrated that it was hard to sit still.
However, Sung Se-han, who was picking up the photos, was just calm, as if he was in his own quiet world.
Watching him pick up the photos one by one and put them back into the gray envelope, only my insides were boiling.
“Sung Se-han.”
Sung Se-han raised his gaze while kneeling. It wasn’t easy to see him looking up at me from a lower height than me, but now I was just furious at this situation.
“You can just say that any photo was taken with my consent. I’ll take care of everything, so don’t worry about anything.”
“Wow.”
Sung Se-han, who exclaimed as if he was very surprised, even collected the last photo I was holding.
“I feel reassured.”
Because of him, who was smiling and even winking at me, a big sigh leaked out. Sigh, please, Sung Se-han. I wish you would think about the fact that this is not the time to joke around.
I’m not stupid. If Councilor Choi In-taek decides to inflict damage on Sung Se-han, there will probably be no way out.
Sung Se-han can’t not know that. I don’t know why he’s smiling so happily.
“Councilor doesn’t like wasting time.”
Sung Se-han sat down next to me again, but I only stared at the floor.
“So, I’ll summarize it simply.”
Even though I was looking down at the floor, Sung Se-han’s knees came into view. Suddenly, I had the urge to grab Sung Se-han’s hand that was placed on my knee, so I closed my eyes tightly.
“Robin Hyung is doing things that are getting on Councilor’s nerves, so you’re saying to clean things up in the middle, right?”
The moment Kang Robin Sunbae’s name came out, I couldn’t help but look at Sung Se-han. Sung Se-han’s resolute profile still had a smile on his lips.
“Yes. I’m saying to make sure I don’t hear the buzzing of gnats.”
Councilor Choi In-taek and Sung Se-han. The two of them looked comfortable, like people having a very ordinary conversation. But somehow, my shoulders were getting stiffer with tension. How did I end up in this place listening to their conversation? Is it really okay for me to hear it? Only now did I start to think about the complicated questions.
“First, I’ll tell Robin Hyung what Councilor said.”
Sung Se-han, who turned to look at me, nudged my shoulder slightly. As if to say don’t worry.
“Then, if you’re done talking, I’ll get up now.”
“And, Se-han.”
Councilor Choi In-taek stopped Sung Se-han, who was about to get up from the sofa.
“It’s time to start preparing.”
“Preparing for what?”
At Sung Se-han’s question, Councilor Choi In-taek smiled kindly first. But because of the councilor’s cold eyes, that smile didn’t feel warm at all.
“How long are you going to use your Grandmother’s surname?”
As soon as Councilor Choi In-taek finished speaking, the reception room was filled with silence. I felt a dizzy feeling in my head and blinked my eyes several times.
“I’ve decided to register you before it’s too late. Keep that in mind.”
This time, he’s talking about registering Sung Se-han. What… what does that mean?
It took me a little time to turn my creaking head and look at Sung Se-han.
“Registration?”
I couldn’t see his expression because Sung Se-han, sitting in a relaxed posture, was looking at the councilor. Councilor Choi In-taek leaned forward and pointed at Sung Se-han with his finger.
“Then, did you think I would let you keep the Kang surname?”
When Councilor Choi In-taek completely removed the remaining smile, a fierce aura of coldness was emitted from his sharp eyes.
“I’m going to register you under me, so keep that in mind. And make sure to keep Kang Robin from doing anything foolish.”
There was an authority in Councilor Choi In-taek’s voice, which was giving orders sternly, that no one could object to.
The person who locked up and raised the young Sung Se-han for seven years is now saying that he will hold this guy and control him, but I can’t respond at all.
I felt like my mind was sinking to the bottom from the shock of being thrown into the horrific reality. It was hard to keep my limp body upright as if all my will had been drained away.
“Councilor, have you been drinking during the day?”
A cold voice swept away the turbid air. Suddenly, I felt like my vision was clearing, so I raised my head and looked at Sung Se-han.
Sung Se-han, shaking his head as if he was dumbfounded, picked up the gray envelope that had been placed on the table.