𝗦𝗨𝗡 & 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡 | ᴬᶰ ˢᵒᵒᴴᵒ 『English Version』

Chapter 32

Hyeori was hugging Sieun's body, her cheek resting against his chest as he chatted with Juntae. Her mind kept drifting back to Humin—he had seemed so different that it left her feeling guilty.

He tries to protect us, but at the cost of his own life.

"Hyeori, you're gonna get stuck to me..."

"Uhm." She nodded, moving her head a little, which made him chuckle softly from the ticklish sensation.

He didn't mind. Actually, he liked it. Feeling her so close reminded him of her words: "It's not your fault. I never blamed you for what happened." She had been clinging to him since lunchtime. She came running up with Juntae and hugged him tight—and never let go.

Suddenly, Gotak appeared in the room, grinning as he ran toward Sieun. "Is it true? You're not leaving?"

Sieun gave a small nod, and Gotak smiled even wider, grabbing Juntae's hands and bouncing excitedly. Hyeori smiled at the scene—Gotak may not show it much, but he clearly cared about the shorter boy.

"I heard Humin's part of the Union now."

That wiped the smile right off Gotak's face. Hyeori glanced at him with a frown as she pulled away from Sieun, letting out a soft sigh.

"For us, right? He thought we'd suffer because of him." Hyeori shared a look with Juntae, who looked sad over Humin's decision. "But even so... we have to make him come back."

"What?"

"He tried to protect us by doing something he avoided for so long." Hyeori said, locking eyes with Gotak—those orange eyes he found so striking. "I think it's only fair that we each deal with our own problems... Humin-i doesn't have to carry everything."

* * *

Hyeori walked up the steep street, visibly tired. They'd been walking for nearly half an hour, and she was about ready to give up.

Why do these kinds of streets even exist?

She almost decided to sit and wait, but when she saw Gotak crossing toward a house, she felt relieved to know the walking part was done—at least for now.

The boy in the blue hoodie knocked several times, trying to get a response from the guy they were looking for, but when none came, Hyeori's hope dimmed. Even though she'd gotten his number that night, he never answered.

"Hey, brats."

Hyeori looked past Sieun's shoulder and spotted a man standing at the gate, watching them with suspicion. After a quick greeting, he invited them inside. She didn't want to go in, but Sieun dragged her with him and sat her down next to him as they watched the man pour himself a shot of soju.

Great. A drunk.

Hyeori glanced left at the two boys. Juntae looked absolutely terrified, while Gotak seemed ready to bolt—super uncomfortable. "Sir." Hyeori was the first to speak, catching the man's attention. He stared into her eyes, visibly thrown off by their unique color. "How long has it been since Humin came home?"

"Ah, that idiot." She frowned, glancing at Sieun, who looked equally irritated. "Should've hit him more when he was a kid. He's just like his mom—never know what the hell he's thinking." Her jaw clenched, glaring at the man, who was quickly becoming very unlikeable. "If you see him, tell him to die or come back and learn to fry chicken. That useless piece of shit..."

Sieun tried to stop Hyeori—he saw the tension rising in her shoulders. "Mr. Park," she began, "has Humin ever done anything to you?"

"Hyeori..." Sieun muttered. He wanted to stop her, but honestly, he wanted to say something too.