Knowing Brother-Chapter 18

"That's just how it is. Even if you were close, you'd drift apart, and then get close again. It’s like that with human relationships. There’s always a time and season for everything."

"Look at ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) this?"

"......What’s the point of having a friend? Even if you knew everything about each other and were everything to one another, one day you just get married to someone who appears like fate and become the most important person in each other's life. That’s what friendship is. Anyway, once you both start families and your life patterns change, you’ll drift apart. So why hold onto it so much...?"

"You little bastard!"

Mrs. Choi ruthlessly slapped Seolwoo’s back. Seolwoo jumped up and stepped back from the table. How could it hurt this much when he was wearing a suit? How strong must the snap be to hurt this badly!

"How much did that person take care of you for you to say something like that? Did I raise you like this? Did I raise you this way?"

"......"

"Hurry up and make up with him. Get an apology right now! Stop looking at the world all crooked!"

Mrs. Choi couldn’t stand it when it was time to fight, and if it came down to it, she was someone who never lost. And Seolwoo was just like her. On the days he went to pack up his moving stuff, there would always be a tirade.

"I’ll handle it."

He almost said not to take his irritation out on him, but he stopped himself. On Mrs. Choi's working days, Seolwoo would always wake up an hour earlier to have breakfast together. He wanted to sit down with her, eat, do the dishes, and see her off. Since he had no trouble waking up early and was a morning person, it wasn’t hard.

A morning person. It was the same biological rhythm as Won Daeyoung.

‘If that guy were a night owl, he probably would’ve messed up and got married in a rush.’

After work today, Seolwoo would meet Won Daeyoung and settle things. He started getting ready for work a little earlier. He slowly rubbed lotion into his face and sprayed his hair with hairspray after drying it. He checked his outfit thoroughly and dusted it off.

When he checked his messenger chat list, there were more than 300 messages in the high school friends' group chat. Below that, there were messages from colleagues, Executive Director Yoon Ji-hwan, a few friends, Won Daeyoung, and the message from Mrs. Choi that had just arrived. "You should get Daeyoung to apologize while you’re at it!"

"Ugh... Won Daeyoung really is stuck in his palm, isn’t he? How did it end up like this, seriously?"

On his way out to catch the bus, Seolwoo checked Executive Director Yoon's message.

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [Are you working late again today?]

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [I’ll stop by to see you tonight. I didn’t get to see you yesterday, so I want to, please let me know. What do you like?] 7:11 AM

Honestly, it felt more like a burden than a welcome, but he decided to bear it. He’d never really tried to give his heart to someone, so maybe it was time to try.

Even though he’d desperately tried not to give his heart, it had been taken by someone.

Today, there was another new billboard with that person’s face on it. On a large billboard in the street lined with showrooms, Won Daeyoung was shirtless, holding a bottle of perfume.

Seolwoo, staring out the window blankly, turned his attention back to his phone.

[It’s fine. Really fine. But since I think you’ll buy it, I’ll just let you know]

[Just not the energy drink, please]

[Ah, high-caffeine drinks are kind of iffy]

[Too much sugar is a bit much... The bubble tea with 30 sweetness would be perfect] 7:38 AM

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [Seolwoo, your boyfriend’s bubble tea level isn’t right for him, haha]

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [Get him something more expensive.] 7:42 AM

Expensive and good for the body... all Seolwoo could think of was fruit. But asking for herbal medicine or a month's worth of vegetable juice wasn’t weird, was it? ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

After arriving at the company and finishing up his morning routine, he responded to the message.

[Then, how about fruit? Is that okay?] 10:12 AM

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [I know what kind of taste you have now. I’ll get something on my way.]

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director: [Wait a moment, I’m going into a meeting. I won’t be available for about two hours. I’ll contact you after.] 10:15 AM

Was there really a need to mention he wouldn’t be available for two hours? For someone like Seolwoo, who typically took 1-2 hours to respond to messages, this felt like overkill.

Ah, that’s right. This was why relationships had always been a burden. It felt like emotions and attention were being forced.

When he told his friends that he’d broken up with his girlfriend, they’d say, “You thought an immediate reply felt too quick? You don’t like her, do you?” Seolwoo would retort, “How could I like someone I’ve just started dating seriously? I’m still in the phase of getting to know her.” His friends gave all sorts of reasons, saying he didn’t like her enough to put in that much energy, but Seolwoo’s logic was that it didn’t make sense to like someone that much after such a short time.

Won Daeyoung always wrapped up the debate like this:

— I sometimes take a week to reply to friends. Seolwoo, the fair one, is the normal one.

To his girlfriend, an immediate response, but to friends or acquaintances, a week would pass. It was the message from the discriminating one.

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [I’ll head to the company. Let me know when you finish work.] 11:25 AM

[When is training done?] 11:28 AM

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Training ends early. I have a magazine interview, so I’ll be done by 6.] 11:35 AM

Yoon Ji-hwan Executive Director said he’d stop by for a quick visit in the evening, so it seemed fine after work. Eager to settle things, Seolwoo arranged the meeting.

[Then, let’s meet at a nearby cafe. If I meet you somewhere else, it’ll be too late.]

[Since you’re coming, I’ll buy the coffee.] 11:45 AM

[Fairly.] 11:46 AM

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Seolwoo]

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Of course.]

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Did the person who's going to buy coffee for me get bigger?]

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Here.] 11:55 AM

Big Brother Daeyoung in the Sky: [Location shared: Yeongdeungpo-gu 0000-ro 00...] 11:56 AM

The place Daeyoung sent was a hotel lobby lounge café where a slice of cake costs over 60,000 KRW.

‘What... Anyway, damn it...’

Seolwoo sighed again. He knew he’d end up paying in the end. ‘He’s doing well, right?’ That phrase had once relieved the guilt, but now it felt like an easy sympathy.

Still, he accepted. Scrolling through the chat, Seolwoo sighed once more.

Today, and yesterday, and even before. The response times to messages from Won Daeyoung had never been 1-2 hours. They were never longer than 20 or 30 minutes.

When he gave up trying to go back, they were all the same.

Before overtime, Seolwoo had dinner and, during a break, Executive Director Yoon Ji-hwan visited the company. They met briefly in the alley next door. He brought fresh fruit yogurt for the team as well. Judging by the brand name, it seemed to be a fancy, handmade product, perhaps something crafted by a renowned pâtissier, paired with unsweetened Greek yogurt...

"Seolwoo, your parents must have brought this, right?"

"Ah... I suppose so. But, we’ve only been dating for 3 days. Isn’t that a bit much to spend?"

"What money are you talking about?"

Seolwoo burst out laughing, and Yoon Ji-hwan awkwardly coughed.

"What time do you finish today? It seems like you never leave on time. I’m dying to see you."

"Probably around 9 PM today."

"Would you like to ride with me, then? I’ll pick you up."

Seolwoo had plans to meet Daeyoung tonight. While that was one reason, he felt it was burdensome to think about going home. They weren't close enough to go to the villa alley together. Noticing Seolwoo’s negative expression, Yoon Ji-hwan said,

"Is it still uncomfortable for you to share your address? I’ll drop you off near your place."

Seolwoo decided there was no need to lie.

"I'm meeting Won Daeyoung after work. It’s not like I’m secretly meeting him. I want to finalize things with him."

Yoon Ji-hwan briefly put on a business-like expression but quickly softened.

"I guess everything didn’t get resolved then."

"Yeah. He said it seemed like something I said in haste, so he wanted to talk again. But my feelings are the same. I’ll definitely settle it... uh... is this also a mistake?"

"No, if you were lying and going to meet him, that’d be a mistake. But this isn’t a mistake. It’s fine. Go ahead and talk with him."

Yoon Ji-hwan didn’t rush Seolwoo, nor did he push him. He didn’t mind the late replies, not making time during the weekdays, or not suggesting a date on weekends.

He waited while maintaining an appropriate distance. That was Yoon Ji-hwan's way.

"Just give me a call when you’re done."

Yoon Ji-hwan’s car smoothly exited the alley.

The whole team was working late. Even the tax team next to the accounting team was no exception due to heavy workload. The atmosphere here was like an endless track race. One slight misstep and you’d be out of the race.

If it were Daeyoung, he would probably easily survive here, continuing to run ahead. As the time they had discussed earlier neared, Seolwoo checked his messages, but there was nothing from Daeyoung.

Looking at the clock, Seolwoo tapped the keyboard. Around dinner time, the suit and tie felt tight. Even someone who wasn’t sensitive would get an itch after sitting for hours in a suit. For Seolwoo, whose body was extremely sensitive, the discomfort was worse. His whole body felt stiff, and his breathing became uncomfortable.

"Shall we finish up here?"

At the team leader’s words, everyone sighed and started packing up. Seolwoo also stretched his back, as if he hadn’t realized how late it had gotten.

From outside, whispers were heard, and people gathered in front of the elevator. Was the other team leaving at this time too? He grabbed his briefcase and thought about it.

He hesitated before leaving. After his seniors had left, he was about to head out with the interns when the team leader rushed in and stood in front of Seolwoo.

"Seolwoo, do you know Won Daeyoung?"

"Yes?"

"Something’s happening outside right now!"