Chapter 165
I couldn’t sleep at all last night, worried about whether I should really go. Consequently, sleepiness washed over me.
Forcing my body to recover, I thought it would be unbearable to remain restless in the car, so I decided to take a nap. When I woke up, the taxi had already stopped in front of a detached house.
‘It doesn’t seem like we came too far….’
Looking at the navigation, it was still Seoul, even if it was on the outskirts.
While I was asleep, Kang Ji-woo seemed to have gotten quite close to the taxi driver. He paid the fare.
“I’ll definitely buy an album when it comes out. What was the name again? Orza?”
“Haha, it’s Orca.”
“Oh, Orca! Right, hahaha!”
After confirming the amount of change he received, Kang Ji-woo bowed slightly.
“We’ll get going. Have a happy New Year.”
“Alright. You too, handsome student.”
“Yes. Have a happy New Year.”
We each grabbed our luggage from the trunk and stood in front of the gate.
‘Now there’s no turning back….’
Accepting the reality, I hastily tidied my hair, which had been flattened from sleeping, while Kang Ji-woo spoke into the intercom, “Open the door! The eldest is here!”
“What if they ask why someone else’s kid is here during the holidays?”
“If there was anyone like that, I wouldn’t have brought you.”
Soon, there was a clanking sound, followed by several dogs barking as the gate opened.
As we entered the not-so-large but well-maintained yard, I noticed a small vegetable garden and various shapes of earthenware jars. These elements were arranged quite aesthetically, making me think that someone in the family must have a hobby of gardening.
While I was admiring the well-managed plants, the front door opened from the inside.
And then….
“What, what is this.”
“Hoho….”
“H-how can such a thing….”
“You’ll never be able to leave this place now that you’ve seen that creature.”
“An unbelievably cute creature…!”
A little black dog, like a piece of black sesame cake with a propeller-like tail, leaped towards Kang Ji-woo, who had his arms wide open, making a sound as if it was going to fly.
“Good boy. Did you miss your big brother?”
Woof!
“So cute. So pretty.”
The black dog, wearing a mulberry-colored collar with a name tag, was so adorable.
Even the baby talk from Kang Ji-woo, which would normally make me cringe, was bearable.
Did I ever mention that my childhood dream was to raise five small and large dogs?
Because of a family member’s allergy, I couldn’t even think of raising one dog, let alone five.
The dog had already come over to me and was rubbing its muzzle against me enthusiastically.
“Oh… my palms are ticklish…. Why is it wagging its tail like that….”
With the dog showering me with affection, I melted into the cold ground.
“There’s another one inside. If I knew you’d like them this much, I would have shown you their pictures sooner to entice you….”
Kang Ji-woo, who had been forgotten for a moment by the dog and me, murmured regretfully.
“Yeah. How could you not show me a picture of such a cute thing? You’re an idiot, not understanding my feelings!”
“Yes, this brother is an idiot. An idiot who only knows you…!”
And then TP rose.
Damn Larry.
“Big brother, why are you still outside in the cold… ugh.”
A girl, who looked quite annoyed, came out of the house in slippers and froze when she saw me playing with the dog.
I understood. Anyone would be surprised to see a handsome stranger playing excitedly with their family dog.
“Um, hello.”
Holding the dog trying to lick my face with both hands and keeping it away from me, I greeted the girl, who I assumed was Kang Ji-woo’s sister, with as much politeness as possible.
“Hic.”
“See, Kang Bo-ram! I told you I’d bring the most handsome guy in the world!”
Kang Ji-woo, who had been trying to catch the dog’s attention with a few pieces of food, stood up excitedly and shouted alone.
The girl, who seemed to be a middle school student and was called Kang Bo-ram, just kept hiccupping silently.
[Kang Bo-ram, who is going through a rebellious phase, thinks she needs to smash all the camera lenses that fail to capture your beauty. Kang Bo-ram’s favorability +10, current favorability +78]
…Could this be the sister who said she’d die if I didn’t come?
Why is her favorability so high?
Despite her aggressive thoughts, Kang Bo-ram’s tearful eyes looked like she was about to cry.
‘I might really have a talent for making people cry….’
At that moment.
“Ji-woo, are you here? …Oh!”
A man who looked just like Kang Ji-woo came out, holding a large white dog.
“Dad!”
Kang Ji-woo shouted cheerfully at the man who had a somewhat lenient impression.
If that was Kang Ji-woo’s father, he had to be at least in his mid-40s….
Unbelievable. With that face? In his 40s?
I was very surprised by the youthful appearance that didn’t match his presumed age. I put down the adorable dog and greeted a beat late.
“Hello. I’m On Raon, from the same team as Ji-woo hyung. I hope I’m not a burden during the holiday….”
Before I could finish speaking, Kang Ji-woo’s father smiled gently and shook his head.
Seeing him smile like that made him look even more like Kang Ji-woo.
“We invited you. It’s no trouble. It’s cold, so you can greet us later. Come in, come in.”
“Yes, sir.”
“But our Raon looks even more handsome than when I saw you at the debut showcase. That white hair was nice, but I think you look much better now with your black hair.”
“Thank you. Um….”
What should I call a member’s father?
Father? Mister? Teacher? Sir?
I rarely had to address a friend or colleague’s parents, so I hesitated awkwardly.
Fortunately, Kang Ji-woo’s father seemed to understand that I was a foreigner unfamiliar with such titles and kindly provided an answer.
“Just call me Mister.”
“Yes, Mister. Out of all the people I know, you are the most handsome. A total flower boy.”
I gave a thumbs-up with the hand not holding my luggage.
Kang Ji-woo’s father, who had just released the large, gentle dog he had been holding in the yard, laughed heartily, seeming to appreciate my sincere compliment.
“Oh, I told you to go in, but I kept you here. I’ll feed these guys and come inside, so you go ahead first.”
“Yes.”
Thankfully, it seemed I wouldn’t be treated like an uninvited guest.
I sighed inwardly with relief and started walking inside.
When I glanced back, I saw Kang Bo-ram, who was still disoriented, being guided in by Kang Ji-woo, who was half-teasing her.
“Excuse me….”
Taking off my shoes and stepping inside, I immediately saw the living room, which had an old-fashioned TV. Several layers of newspapers were spread out on the floor.
In the center, there were two gas burners with grills on top, and Kang Ji-woo’s family was busy bringing in leafy vegetables, chopsticks, spoons, small plates, and kimchi.
Judging by the time, they seemed to be preparing dinner.
The already limited space felt even more cramped with so many people bustling around.
“Min-seo, bring the sesame oil sauce and ssamjang!”
“Just a second!”
“Mom! Big brother is here!”
“Who did you say? Ji-woo?”
“Yeah! But someone else is here too…!”
“Haerim, Mom can’t hear you well! Come here and talk!”
Although some people noticed the unfamiliar face and glanced at me every two seconds, nobody stopped what they were doing.
Feeling too out of place to join in their busyness, I stood awkwardly near the entrance. Kang Ji-woo’s father, who had just come back from feeding the two dogs, spoke to me.
“Sorry about that. Everyone’s a bit distracted since it’s mealtime.”
“No, it’s fine. I can help with….”
“Just put your stuff down anywhere and sit. Oh, but you should wash your hands first. The bathroom is over there, so wash your hands and then have some of these sliced fruits.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
‘This feels like déjà vu….’
Didn’t Kang Ji-woo say something similar when I first arrived at the Seed dorm?
Just wash your hands and sit.
Must be a family trait.
In truth, back then, I thought I should help with something, but here, it felt like if I did anything, it would only get in the way.
So, I’d better stay put.
The washing machine, which took up a third of the bathroom, didn’t have a separate sink.
After one failed attempt, I turned the faucet in the right direction, and shockingly cold water gushed out, nearly soaking my feet.
‘Hot water… doesn’t come out, huh.’
Knowing it would be awkward to go outside too soon, I washed my hands more thoroughly than usual, soaping up diligently.
When I came out, clenching and unclenching my cold hands, the situation had calmed down a bit.
Several children, including Kang Bo-ram, were already sitting around the newspaper-strewn floor.
Following Kang Ji-woo’s father’s instructions, I crouched in a corner away from everyone and nibbled on one of the many sliced apples on a large plate.
I could feel the curious gazes of the children without any adults around.
‘Where did Kang Ji-woo go….’
I inwardly cursed Kang Ji-woo, who had brought me to his house but was nowhere to be seen.
Just then, I felt someone quietly sit down beside me.
Turning around, I saw a girl much, much smaller than Kang Bo-ram, who had been shocked upon seeing me earlier. She rolled her round eyes and stared at me.
‘Oh my. She looks like a squirrel…!’
Indeed.
I have a weakness for small, cute creatures that awaken my protective instincts!