By Zephyria 
“Yes, so please let me go buy some.”
Haon quickened his pace to reach the front door before the man. Although Haon was on the slower side, the man walked incredibly fast. Perhaps it was because of his long legs.
“I’ll be back quickly.”
“It’s alright.”
As Haon tried to step past him, a long arm reached out. Instead of grabbing him, the man simply extended his arm to block the way.
“If it’s not something you want to eat, you don’t have to buy it.”
He spoke with a faint smile. His expression seemed a bit better than before. Still, he would feel even better if he drank some honey water.
“I don’t usually get hangovers, and I don’t like sweet things.”
Ah, so he doesn’t get hangovers.
The man had been touching his forehead, so Haon thought he was dizzy. Having seen him quite drunk last night, he naturally assumed the hangover would be severe. It was a relief if it wasn’t.
“Is there anything you want to eat, Haon?”
While Haon was peering closely at his face to check his complexion, the man, meeting his gaze steadily, asked. The corners of his mouth remained softly upturned, as if he had never been serious. Seeing that bright expression, Haon felt his own mood begin to lift.
“Not particularly…”
He couldn’t think of anything he specifically craved.
“What is your favorite food?”
Haon furrowed his brows as if he had been asked a cryptic question. Favorite food… For Haon, this was the most difficult question of all.
Water probably doesn’t count as food.
Since nothing else came to mind besides water, a long silence followed. After water, the only things that occurred to him were energy bars and the sugar-free cider in a blue bottle. They didn’t taste great, but they were memorable, so they came to mind.
“Then, what do you dislike?”
The man changed the question. After thinking carefully, Haon found it a bit easier to answer this time.
“I eat almost everything.”
It wasn’t that he liked food; he just didn’t seek it out because he didn’t eat much. He wasn’t a picky eater and ate both meat and vegetables without preference.
In truth, Haon didn’t particularly like or dislike anything. This applied not only to food, but to places, work, and people as well.
Seeing this, his grandmother used to praise him, saying he was precious, while Seong-gu hyung would nag him, asking if he was just living life because he happened to be born.
While other children usually had things they wanted, Haon always said everything was fine. He was a child who was simply happy whenever he received hand-me-down clothes or school supplies from the older boys and girls in the village every year. He had never once wanted something brand new. Not even once.
“You’re sleepy right now, aren’t you, Haon?”
The man, who had been watching the blankly standing Haon, let out a small chuckle. He brought a plate of fruit from the dining table and handed it to Haon.
“Eat some if you get hungry after waking up.”
It was a plate filled with large blueberries, Shine Muscat grapes, melon, and bananas. He didn’t particularly want to eat them, but they were so pretty that he couldn’t stop looking at them. Perhaps because the plate was luxurious, it looked like a painting.
“There’s more in the fridge, so feel free to take some whenever you want.”
The man told him to eat and drink whatever was in the house to his heart’s content. Haon had noticed it on the first day, but the man seemed to talk about eating quite often. Did he think eating was that important? In that regard, he was similar to Seong-gu hyung.
I wonder if he eats a lot, too. The man, slender yet broad-shouldered, was taller than Seong-gu hyung. So, he probably didn’t eat small portions. Recalling Seong-gu hyung, who used to eat three heaping bowls of rice, Haon guessed the man likely ate just as much.
“Haon.”
In-ho called his name, then simply smiled and swallowed his words. He wanted to ask Haon what he was thinking, but he decided against it. Zoning out in the middle of a conversation seemed to be one of Haon’s habits.
The more he looked, the more he noticed many small behaviors and habits that caught his attention. Because of that, he kept finding himself concerned.
Perhaps because his name was called, Haon’s round face tilted to the side. Seeing this, In-ho set aside what he had intended to say and expressed his wish instead.
“I hope you feel comfortable staying here.”
He wasn’t just saying it. He sincerely wanted Haon to use this house as if it were his own space. He hoped Haon would feel free to mention any food he wanted to eat and take a break from work until he put on some weight. As for the money, In-ho could provide it.
In-ho was even willing to lend Haon money if he asked. That was how strong his desire to help was. The only thing he knew for sure about Haon was his name, but he could clearly see what kind of life the boy must have led.
“I like having people in the house. So please don’t feel uncomfortable.”
Wondering if he had forced his opinion too much, In-ho trailed off and checked Haon’s expression. Having dealt only with people who asked for ten things the moment you gave them one, he felt a bit awkward encountering the exact opposite personality. Though, of course, he didn’t dislike it.
“If you’re really uncomfortable… would you do me one favor?”
“Please tell me!”
Haon’s eyes widened as if he had been waiting for the request. A small sigh escaped In-ho at the attitude of being ready to do anything. I wonder if he’s like this with other people, too. Shaking off the intrusive thought, he continued the conversation.
“Just have one meal a day with me.”
After pondering what would be an easy task, he made the simplest request. He thought that sharing just one meal out of the three they ate every day would be no burden at all.
“…….”
However, it seemed that was only his own thought. Seeing the heavy expression that quickly clouded the white face.
“I’ll do the cooking.”
Watching the small face that revealed emotions so clearly, In-ho immediately added a condition.
“Haon, you just have to eat.”
Surely this is acceptable.
Despite the added condition, Haon’s expression didn’t soften. Eventually, In-ho wondered if the act of eating with him was itself uncomfortable and considered changing the request.
But he wanted to eat with Haon. He had developed a greed to personally feed the scrawny Haon plenty of delicious food. So, he waited for an answer.
“I just… have to eat with you…?”
“Yes, that’s all you have to do.”
Fortunately, Haon did not refuse the request. He seemed to scratch his already reddened cheek again, then pursed his lips with determination and slowly nodded.
“Yes, I’ll eat.”
Does it require that much resolve? Not knowing Haon’s inner circumstances, In-ho felt a slight sense of disappointment.
* * *
Returning to his room, Haon spent the rest of the day sleeping, just as he wanted.
He slept soundly without waking once until noon passed and it was time for others to finish their daily routines. He made up for his lack of sleep to his heart’s content.
Vrrr—.
Around the time the sunset began, Haon’s phone on the nightstand disturbed his sleep. At the long vibration, Haon blinked his heavy eyes and fumbled around the nightstand.
“Uh…”
The moment he saw the phone screen, his eyes snapped open and curved into circles. It was a call from Seong-gu hyung.
“Hyung!”
His voice, answering the call happily, was full of affection. Although there was a three-year age gap, Seong-gu was like both an older brother and a father to Haon.
What, are you sick?
Seong-gu also treated Haon like a younger brother and an only son. He could discern Haon’s physical condition and mood just by hearing his voice. It had been that way since they were children.
“No, I just woke up.”
What about work? Shouldn’t you be working right now?
Seong-gu knew that Haon had done nothing but work since moving to Seoul. He had intentionally called during working hours because he was curious if Haon was doing well.
You are sick.
Seong-gu’s voice, filled with worry, grew even deeper. His voice was as thick as his large frame, giving him a strong presence wherever he was. He was the complete opposite of Haon in both appearance and personality.
Just tell me. I already know.
“I’m not sick. I’m fine.”
Haon bolted upright and quickly racked his brain. What excuse should I make? He felt that if he said he quit, Seong-gu would worry about what happened, so he looked for a plausible excuse.
Did you get fired again?
“Ah, uh… that’s how it happened.”
Haon, quickly biting onto his brother’s words, laughed awkwardly. Perhaps because he knew Haon’s jobs changed frequently, he didn’t even ask why he was fired. He seemed to think it was just because people in Seoul were picky.
Why do they keep firing a kid who’s good at his job and so kind? They’re all blind.
Haon laughed at his brother’s reaction, who took his side unconditionally without even asking for the reason. Seong-gu did not yet know about Haon’s heat issues—or rather, the fact that he had manifested as an Omega. Haon had intentionally explained to his brother that he was fired often because he wasn’t good at his job.
It’s all dirty and petty, so just come back. Why bother staying there?
“I still have a year and a half left.”
That’s why I’m asking why you’re bothering to finish it. Just do a mediocre job and come home.
Through Seong-gu hyung’s deep, grumbling voice, the sound of a cow’s “moo” could be heard. He helped his father manage the largest livestock farm in the village and raised cows.
“Are you feeding them?”
No, just cleaning.
“Let me hear more.”
Haon lay back down on the plush bed and smiled languidly. Hearing Haon’s voice after waking up, Seong-gu decided he wasn’t sick and chuckled. Since moving to the city, Haon would ask to hear the cows whenever they spoke on the phone. It was a sound that could only be heard in his hometown.
As if he had pushed the phone closer to the cows, the “moo” sounded more clearly. This added a sense of comfort to Haon’s smile.
Have you eaten?
“I have. How about you, hyung?”
Haon lied smoothly. Since it was a frequent lie, it came out naturally.
The seasoned vegetables were about to spoil, so I scraped them all and mixed them in rice. You?
“Bibimbap for me too.”
Do you have any side dishes at home?
“I don’t cook. I buy everything.”
When Haon emphasized that people who live alone in Seoul don’t cook and buy everything, Seong-gu hyung clicked his tongue, saying everyone there must have so much money. Still, he sounded relieved that Haon was eating well.
You shouldn’t eat things like bread; you have to eat rice. If you’re buying food, go to a baekban place. Korean food is healthy.
Haon listened intently to the pleasant nagging and said he understood. Just hearing Seong-gu hyung’s voice made him feel secure. His very existence was a great source of strength.
He wanted to talk a bit longer, but unfortunately, Mr. Jin was looking for Seong-gu hyung. Mr. Jin was Seong-gu’s father.
I’m hanging up. Call more often. We agreed to talk at least once a week.
“I couldn’t because I was busy. I’m sorry.”
Even if it’s short, just let me hear your voice.
From a distance, the shouting of the older man telling him to hurry up could be heard. Haon told him to go quickly and hung up first. The older man was truly terrifying when he was angry.
Sighing in relief as if he were the one who had been scolded, Haon held his phone and looked at the nightstand. On it sat the black mug he had received from the man early in the morning. Half of the chamomile tea still remained.
Haon finished the tea, which had cooled and become easier to drink. Then, remembering the fruit plate he had put in his room’s refrigerator, he got out of bed.
As he opened the small refrigerator, a chill leaked out. Looking closely at the fruit plate, which was still as beautiful as a painting, he picked up the smallest blueberry. He didn’t particularly want to eat it, but he figured it would rot if he left it, so he tried to eat at least a little.
Kneeling on the floor, he rolled the round blueberry in his hand before very slowly crushing it with his tongue. As the sweet juice spread in his mouth, he felt strangely happy. He hadn’t eaten anything warm, yet he felt as if his insides were warming up.
How strange. Even the cold fruit felt warm just by being in this house.
“It tastes good.”
Everything the man gave him was warm and infinitely sweet. It was so sweet that it made him momentarily forget the cold and the bitter things.