By Zephyria 
“There are paintings on the wall, so be careful, I said be careful!”
The painting studio was unusually noisy from early morning. While heading to work, Han Seung-jae had personally given orders to move the display case from the study back to the studio.
Because of that, people had been putting in their utmost effort since dawn. Watching the glass display case finally being pulled out of the study and moved into the studio, Seo Yi-kyung stared blankly down at the hat and the pocket watch necklace in his hand. Maybe he should have just left them alone yesterday. He felt as though he had caused unnecessary trouble for everyone.
“Installation is complete.”
People let out long sighs from all directions, wiping the beads of sweat from their foreheads. They bowed to Seo Yi-kyung and exited the studio. It likely wasn’t because the glass case was heavy, but rather because they had been anxious that the collection in the study or the paintings in the studio might get damaged.
Seo Yi-kyung stepped forward slowly. He slid the hat into the display case. Soon, the pocket watch necklace was added beside it.
Accordingly, Butler Do carefully lowered the glass cover. He then began to wipe away the fingerprints on the surface using a cloth. Watching him handle the items as if they were incredibly precious, Seo Yi-kyung maintained a stoic expression.
‘If I take these back and put them up for auction, would I be able to get that money?’
One never knew if it might be helpful later. The face of Director Im Jeong-yun of Atelier Art, whom he had met a few times, flickered before his eyes. She acted as if she would grant any request without hesitation, both materially and spiritually. It was likely to get on Han Seung-jae’s good side, but for Seo Yi-kyung, who had few places to turn for help, it wasn’t a bad option.
While Seo Yi-kyung lacked nothing in terms of food and shelter, he had no money in hand. Thus, the pocket watch necklace and the hat might be more useful than canvases that were ruined due to poor management. However, even for that, he would need Han Seung-jae’s permission.
“It is finished. How is it, Young Master?”
At Butler Do’s words, Seo Yi-kyung, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention. The glass, displayed against a backdrop of a painting depicting a languid afternoon, sparkled. The pocket watch necklace and the hat inside seemed to radiate a vivid light along with it.
“Now that it’s placed here, it seems to suit this studio well.”
A sense of pride settled on the face of Butler Do, who had worked hard to polish the glass case. In response, Seo Yi-kyung wore a faint smile instead of answering. Right, if he left them, they might come in handy someday. Regardless, since he had very little, it was as if he had gained one more possession.
As Seo Yi-kyung stepped out of the studio, a helper descending the stairs approached him. She politely held out a mobile phone. She mentioned that she had brought the phone he left in his room and added that there had been several calls. It seemed she had brought it while she was cleaning.
“Thank you.”
Seo Yi-kyung took the phone. Since there was no one to contact him, he didn’t usually carry it around. He was about to dismiss it, assuming the calls were from Seo Dong-hu, when the phone vibrated in his palm. Seo Yi-kyung’s gaze lingered on the screen. The caller was Jin Seon-yu.
Step, step. Holding the phone to his ear, Seo Yi-kyung turned toward the sofa. Butler Do passed by him. Having moved the display case to the studio since morning, he likely had a mountain of work piled up.
[…….]
Seo Yi-kyung sat on the sofa with the phone to his ear, leaning his back against it. He listened closely to the faint sound of breathing coming through the phone. The call hadn’t been disconnected, but there was no speech.
“Is something wrong?”
He asked because he heard a very small sobbing sound. Then, Jin Seon-yu’s voice, sounding as sunken as water-logged cotton, came through.
[Yi-kyung. Can you come see me?]
“Now?”
[Yeah. I want to go, but I can’t leave. My eldest brother said he’d kill me if I left the room.]
Seo Yi-kyung scratched his forehead. Did something go wrong? Jin Tae-won’s face unfolded before his eyes. The look in his eyes as he ruthlessly grabbed Jin Seon-yu’s throat and forced him into the car without hesitation.
Still, from the depiction of the Ivory Pavilion in the original work, he felt like someone who cared for his younger brother in his own way… it was just that his method of expression was extremely flawed.
“Did you eat breakfast?”
Compared to the bustling people, Seo Yi-kyung had nothing in particular to do, so he slowly crossed his legs. He asked this while thinking of how Jin Seon-yu used to eat with a great appetite while staying at this house.
[No. Actually, I’m hungry…]
The answer was as expected. It wasn’t because there was no food in the house. In the past, he too often starved himself out of pride. Of course, unlike Jin Seon-yu, the more Seo Yi-kyung did that, the only thing that suffered was his own body, and no one cared.
“I’ll go. Send me the address via message.”
As Seo Yi-kyung finished the call and entered the kitchen, Butler Do, who had been talking to the helper, turned his head and approached. Seo Yi-kyung spoke.
“I’m going to visit Seon-yu for a bit, so please make some pancakes.”
“Pancakes? Understood.”
Butler Do asked briefly for confirmation and then quickly turned to approach the chef in the kitchen.
Seo Yi-kyung entered the dressing room and placed his phone on the shelf. Without hesitation, he took out a comfortable shirt he wore often, changed into it, and fastened the buttons. Suddenly, the photos he had seen in the study flickered in his mind. The previous day, Han Seung-jae had watched without further questioning as Seo Yi-kyung looked at the hat and pocket watch necklace as if pretending to be indifferent.
What were those photos? There was even a photo of ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ wearing a school uniform in a faded envelope.
Buzz— the phone screen lit up, and a message containing the address arrived from Jin Seon-yu.
When Seo Yi-kyung came out after changing, Butler Do was walking toward him, holding a box in one hand and a fruit basket in the other.
“I have the car waiting outside. But is your friend’s health very poor?”
Worry spread across Butler Do’s face. Seo Yi-kyung answered lightly.
“I don’t think it’s a serious illness, but I think I’ll know once I go. I’ll just see his face and come back soon.”
The two crossed the garden. The driver took the box and fruit basket, placed them in the passenger seat, and then sat in the driver’s seat. Seo Yi-kyung looked at his phone and recited the address. Then, he leaned back against the rear seat.
“…….”
Seo Yi-kyung toyed with the phone screen with his fingertips.
[I’m leaving now.]
[Got it.]
The message sent by Seon-yu lit up and disappeared repeatedly. In the original work, ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ asked Han Seung-jae before doing anything. He hadn’t known at all that even just leaving the house would be reported to Han Seung-jae.
‘Still, would it be better to let him know?’
But he wondered if it was necessary. He glanced at the back of the driver. It might have already reached his ears anyway.
* * *
How long had they driven past the large downtown area? Seo Yi-kyung stared blankly out the car window the entire time. Eventually, the sedan slowed down and stopped, and the driver announced their arrival.
“We are here.”
The driver got out of the car and took out the box and fruit basket from the passenger seat. Meanwhile, Seo Yi-kyung stepped out, his hair fluttering in the lukewarm breeze. He looked around.
The wall was not as high as he had thought. It was to the point where one could see if someone inside the house was looking out.
As the driver approached the gate, the iron gate opened before he could even ring the bell. The driver looked back in surprise. However, Seo Yi-kyung knew who would have opened it.
“Let’s go in.”
Seo Yi-kyung reached out and took the box from the driver’s hand.
“I will carry it.”
“I want to deliver this personally.”
Despite the driver’s protest, Seo Yi-kyung shook his head. Since he was likely very hungry by now, it seemed better to carry it in. Seo Yi-kyung pushed through the already open door.
The driver followed behind. He handed the fruit basket he was holding to a member of the household who had come to greet them. Then, he bowed to Seo Yi-kyung. He said he would be waiting in the car, and Seo Yi-kyung nodded.
A helper who approached spoke apologetically.
“I heard your friend was coming. Please follow me. I will guide you to the room. He is currently in a room on the 3rd floor, but due to certain circumstances, he cannot come down…”
Her voice trailed off. It was likely Jin Tae-won’s order. Since Seo Yi-kyung had already heard about it from Seon-yu, he told her it was fine.
“Then, this way.”
She turned and led the way. Walking behind her, Seo Yi-kyung scanned the family photos hanging on the wall. With the three brothers, including Seon-yu, standing behind their parents, it felt almost crowded.
Throughout the journey to the 3rd floor, a heavy silence filled the house. Quietness overflowed everywhere. It felt like a temple, or perhaps like a funeral home.
Seo Yi-kyung walked leisurely through the house. Although he encountered people passing by, there weren’t many residents compared to the townhouse where Han Seung-jae lived.
“It is this room.”
Knock, knock. The helper knocked on the door to signal her presence. Then, the door slowly opened. Jin Seon-yu, with a deeply gloomy expression, had eyes that were swollen and half-closed. It seemed he had been crying.
“……Welcome.”
As Seo Yi-kyung entered with the box, Jin Seon-yu closed the door behind him. A bed positioned in front of the window came into Seo Yi-kyung’s view. Crumpled sheets and a slipped blanket touched the floor.
Perhaps he painted here as well, as a canvas was placed on one side, and a painting of a mountain ridge was of a high standard.
Seo Yi-kyung couldn’t take his eyes off the canvas for a while. Jin Seon-yu’s painting skills were top-notch. The mountain ridge painting was one of the things Seo Yi-kyung had tried to challenge himself with in the studio. In the past, he wouldn’t have known how difficult it was. That’s why he had blabbered to Han Seung-jae that he could complete it in six months or a year. However, as he was now, he wouldn’t be able to paint it even if he spent that much time.
Seo Yi-kyung lowered his gaze. In front of the canvas, art tools were scattered here and there, looking cluttered as if a commotion had occurred.