Knowing Brother-Chapter 6

...The excuse about Ha Young-seo’s unauthorized departure was probably because she was worried about rumors of a love affair. Seolwoo, quickly scrolling through his phone, briefly paused in front of a wristwatch that seemed like something Won Daeyoung would wear.

2.86 million won. 3.8 million won. 9.75 million won.

The price was a few dozen times higher than the gift Seolwoo had in his bag. It was the 370,000-won wallet he had bought to give to Daeyoung when he returned home, whether he won a gold medal or not.

When Seolwoo thought about the difference in the feelings he had for Daeyoung’s happiness, it didn’t seem like the price gap was the issue. He was sure his feelings were much more intense. However, when imagining both gifts sitting side by side on Daeyoung’s desk, he felt a little uneasy.

Forget it. The heart matters, not the price, he thought, and clicked on the detailed page. Young-seo, with a grim expression, lowered her voice significantly.

“Haah... Seolwoo, I’ve been seriously worrying lately. About Daeyoung.”

“Why?”

“I should have taken better care of him when he was injured, but now I’m wondering if it’s too late. Two years ago, I made so many mistakes... I was struggling too... Do you think his feelings have already moved on? I’m also worried he’d feel burdened because he’s a celebrity.”

Seolwoo answered clearly.

“Hey. Don’t jump to conclusions. He didn’t have a girlfriend all this time.”

“Really? Not even one?”

“Yeah.”

“Not even one? Didn’t he have any ‘thing’ with anyone?”

“Nope. And do you think he’d feel burdened being a celebrity? That guy? No need to worry about that.”

“You’re really something. I feel so relieved hearing you say that. Do you know how grateful I am?”

Ha Young-seo, who had tears in her eyes, laughed with a husky voice. She and Seolwoo were the type who ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ preferred sharp, straightforward conversations like this.

“What should I say? I still have lingering feelings. I never properly dated Daeyoung or loved him as I should have, and I never held on to him long enough. I feel like if I just saw all the ugly sides of him and it ended, I’d feel better, you know?”

I know. Seolwoo hid his brief reply deep inside his chest.

“I want to try again. I still like him.”

“...Still?”

When Seolwoo asked again, Young-seo nodded vigorously. Seolwoo picked out two wristwatches that seemed perfect for Won Daeyoung.

Young-seo offered to drop Seolwoo off at his place, but he refused. For some reason, he wanted to be alone. He waved goodbye, saying they’d see each other at the next gathering, and got on the bus.

The words he had just heard kept ringing in his ears.

I still like him.

Still.

His mind was a mess. Back when Daeyoung won the medal, that bright green light he had seen was nowhere to be found now.

Leaning his forehead against the window, he gazed at the night view of the lanes passing by Sungnyemun, but his phone vibrated.

Yoon Ji-hwan, Senior Manager: [Seolwoo, where are you?] 9:02 PM

It was a message from Yoon Ji-hwan. When Seolwoo was about to close the app, another message arrived immediately.

Yoon Ji-hwan, Senior Manager: [Won is really drunk. I’ll pick him up.]

“What is this guy talking about?”

He frowned and called immediately. Senior Manager Yoon answered the call quickly. The noise around him was quite loud.

“Senior Manager, what are you talking about? You said Daeyoung’s drunk?”

...Ah, Seolwoo, didn’t you come to the party? I was looking for you, thinking you’d be there to congratulate him on his gold medal. It’s late, so I was going to pick him up.

Seolwoo hadn’t heard anything about a party. It seemed like the people in charge were having a celebration, staying out late to party. After all, they had surpassed the Olympic record for the first time, so even a month of celebration wouldn’t be enough.

“Is he really drunk?”

I came late to show my face, but he couldn’t hold himself up and had to be carried out by the coaching staff.

“Phew... Where are you?”

I’m at Hapjeong. I’ll come to pick you up if you’re coming.

“No, just send me the address.”

Seolwoo pressed the ‘exit’ button hard.