By Zephyria Is this what they call a shuttle?
Ki Jae-eon looked down at the lunch box in his hand as if it were a nuisance.
That’s because, exactly five minutes ago, the Aunt who shouted “Seo-myeong!” got up and ran to the refrigerator, then suddenly took out a lunch box.
Click, check contents.
Whir- 3 minutes in the microwave.
Even in his bewildered state, the lunchbox was already resting neatly in his palm. Hmm, why me? Before he could even question it, he was given instructions to deliver it and promptly kicked out.
‘He could’ve just brought it himself.’
With a pout, he glanced sideways at the kitchen. But no one was listening to his silent protest.
Haa, only a deep sigh escaped.
“……”
Of course, delivering a small plastic container filled with mere side dishes was easy. The recipient was clearly specified, so there was no need to wander around. It meant that even a toddler could handle such a simple task.
However, the problem lay with the recipient.
Of all people… it had to be Ahn Seo-myeong.
‘I’ve lived long enough to be doing meal errands for some young punk.’
And to think it was even someone he felt awkward around!
‘It’s not even my unlucky year, so why is this happening?’
Ki Jae-eon bit his lip, feeling a stomachache coming on.
Ugh, should I just dump it somewhere?
His unwelcome gaze lingered on the lunchbox.
‘What should I do with you?’
Dump it? Or not.
Dump it? Or not.
Dum-.
“Haa.”
The dilemma crumbled away with a short sigh.
“…Whatever.”
Ki Jae-eon reluctantly began to move.
However, unlike his striding steps, he looked utterly displeased. In a way, it was a natural reaction. Delivering a meal to some kid who was several terms below him? Absolutely absurd. Normally, he wouldn’t have even come this far. The game would have been over the moment he received the lunchbox.
So, why make an exception this time? If asked…
Was it because he was a young sprout of the nation who needed to grow?
Was it because sufficient nutrition was essential during the growth phase?
Therefore, was it because he kept having this strange urge to take care of him?
Honestly, Ki Jae-eon himself didn’t know. He couldn’t give a definite answer.
However, he vaguely guessed at the source of this unfamiliar feeling.
Yes, it must be the remnants of the ‘me’ who had lost his memories… the fragments he couldn’t quite shake off.
Ki Jae-eon stared blankly at his long shadow before finally turning his head.
His slow pace gradually picked up speed. It was a wise decision, no longer wanting to waste energy on useless worries.
He found Ahn Seo-myeong at the end of the hallway, in front of his room. The kid was sitting there blankly staring at the door like a lost puppy. White and round, unable to resist his boundless curiosity, he rolled around, getting dirt all over himself.
“Hey.”
“Hello.”
He was polite, at least. The sight made him chuckle in disbelief.
‘Instead of greeting me, why don’t you come and eat?’
The way he casually struck up a conversation was just like a good-natured puppy wagging its tail.
Ki Jae-eon wordlessly held out the lunchbox.
His gesture, urging him to take it, was indifferent and devoid of any warmth.
“……”
“……”
But Ahn Seo-myeong’s reaction was equally lackluster. He just stared blankly at the offered lunchbox, without doing anything else.
“……?”
Ki Jae-eon flicked the lunchbox a few times, but when there was still no response, he placed it on the floor and turned away. He figured he’d eat it on his own. He also felt a bit awkward.
Anyway, he was just about to turn his back when.
“Do it again.”
A meaningful voice rang out clearly.
“What?”
“It was my first time.”
Without using his hands to support himself, his sturdy knees sprang him up, straightening his body. Ahn Seo-myeong had already closed the distance. The childishness in his unwavering gaze was strongly present and shining brightly.
It was a passion that was so contrary to his indifferent exterior.
“Let’s do it once with me.”
“What?”
“I learn fast. I was just getting the hang of it when it was taken away.”
Then, he pointed to his door.
Following the increasingly reddened fingertip, Ki Jae-eon’s gaze also moved.
“I wanted to be the one opening the door.”
Finally, an outrageously bold statement followed.
“Sunbae, let me be your first.”
“……”
He was speechless with bewilderment.
‘This kid, why is he talking like that.’
Once a weirdo, always a weirdo, it seemed.
After a brief silence, Ki Jae-eon shook his head with a weary expression.
“Don’t say useless things and just eat. And don’t order delivery again.”
“Won’t you do it? I’m telling you, let’s do it together! I can do well.”
“Enough already!”
Ki Jae-eon finally lost his temper and shouted. At his sudden outburst, Ahn Seo-myeong widened his already round eyes in surprise. He was the one saying strange things, yet he was acting surprised; it was utterly hypocritical.
‘Is this bastard doing this on purpose?’
Ki Jae-eon glared at him, his lips pursed. His narrowly opened eyes were filled with raw displeasure. In fact, he couldn’t tell if Ahn Seo-myeong was really saying strange things on purpose, or if he was just being overly conscious.
If it was the former, it was sexual harassment, and if it was the latter…
[I like you]
32, crossed out, 100.
“……”
Ki Jae-eon held his breath for a moment.
‘It’s not like I have to worry about this problem or feeling anyway.’
Because the cocky brat liked the ‘me’ who wasn’t him.
‘Right, why am I bothering with something that has nothing to do with me.’
As his agitation subsided, his reason returned.
Ki Jae-eon threw out the words, “Just eat,” in a tone that suggested he didn’t want to be swayed any further. He figured the other party would understand and filter it out.
But.
“Aren’t you curious?”
The guy was like a leech who didn’t know how to give up.
“How much I’ve grown in just a few hours, I mean.”
Ahn Seo-myeong swept back his messy hair with his hand and smiled faintly. His white hand was larger than expected. Seeing that hand, he suddenly remembered the saying that animals with great appetites grow up to be big. For some reason, he seemed to vaguely see Ahn Seo-myeong’s future self. He didn’t know why he was thinking about this in this situation, but…
“I grow up fast. It’s my peak time.”
A confident voice cut through his thoughts.
Ki Jae-eon hurriedly opened his mouth.
“I don’t do retakes.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
“If that’s your principle, Sunbae, then I can’t help it.”
“……”
“But seizing opportunities is my personal ability, right?”
“Go ahead.”
He gave a mocking smirk.
After all, no matter what nonsense he spouted, there would be no retake, no, no chance of getting involved with him.
Firmly resolving that this would be the end, he thought it was over.
“Twenty minutes. If I can’t solve it, I won’t talk to you again.”
A tempting offer that stopped him in his tracks.
That meant a complete severing of ties.
In other words, it was the condition Ki Jae-eon had been hoping for.
“Not even an hour, just twenty minutes.”
In Ki Jae-eon’s gaze, the cocky brat was smiling messily.
‘Twenty minutes.’
After that, he would be permanently cut off from the person who disturbed his mind.
[I like you]
32, crossed out, 100.
Everything would be goodbye.
‘A landmine is offering to self-destruct…’
Ki Jae-eon tilted his head to the side and grabbed the doorknob without hesitation.
“Keep your promise. If you can’t solve it in twenty minutes, don’t act like you know me.”
With a creak, the door opened. Ki Jae-eon slowly entered the room.
And in an instant, a solid Barrier was created.
It was his second visit to a place he thought he would never enter again.
“Tired…”
Ki Jae-eon instinctively glanced at the desk before plopping down on the bed. At the same time, he faintly heard the sounds of effort from beyond the door. He wasn’t particularly worried. With the main office’s only hope, Kim Ju-won, out of the picture, the result was as good as decided.
‘If I just put up with this one annoyance, I won’t have to worry about it anymore.’
Ki Jae-eon tapped his fingers, keeping track of the time.
The second hand moved without stopping. Before he knew it, the faint sounds from outside the door gradually faded.
‘Five minutes left.’
Just when he thought he was about to give up.
“Sunbae.”
A clear voice, different from the groans of effort, struck his ear.
“You saw my diary, didn’t you.”