To Byul (Omegaverse)-Chapter 26: It’s a win-win

The dinner table was filled and quite bustling as well. Everyone had something to talk about, and most times, while asking Chin-Hwa how the food was or if there was anything he wanted, they would turn to Kang-woo just before Chin-hwa answered and encourage him to pass more fish, shrimp, or meat to Hwa, which he would silently do.

It was almost like they were making it a thing that Kang-woo had to be the one to pass on the food.

Chin-hwa did not complain though. He took it with a smile pretending to be alright and hoping they would just drop it already and leave him alone, but that made them even more worried.

"Ah, it's been so long since all of us sat down to eat like this." Hae-won said. "Why don't we do something after dinner? Just like good ol times."

Ga-ram laughed and said,

"Sure, why don't we play a family game? The kids aren't kids anymore so it'll be even more interesting."

Yun-Tae listened in and, all the while, thought that both families were close and fun to be around. It made him realize why Chin-hwa and Kang-woo were so close growing up.

"Hey, Hwa," he called and Chin-hwa lifted his head to look at him.

"What is it?"

"Do your families often hang around each other like this?" Yun-Tae asked and Chin-hwa lazily glanced around.

"Hm, yeah. For as long as I can remember." He answered, returning his gaze to Yun-Tae. "Why? Does it seem strange?"

"Nope." Yun-Tae smiled. "You grew up in such a lively and loving environment. I'm so envious."

As soon as Yun-Tae said that, Chin-hwa paused. He stopped moving his chopsticks and just paused.

Just as he had never talked about his family, he realized Yun-Tae never spoke about his too. He had always paid attention when everyone in their friend group talked. Yeah, he was just the type to listen and not ask questions or speak about his own, so he knew for sure that Yun-Tae had never spoken about his family.

Was there a reason?

He was asking himself this, even though it wouldn't have mattered in the past.

"Yun-Tae," Chin-hwa called as he resumed eating. "Do you visit your family often?"

Yun-Tae froze for a second and then turned to him, smiling and acting like it was fine.

"Well, I don't visit them often but once in a while." Yun-Tae answered. "They're very busy and live very far so I don't bother with making long trips and worrying them."

Chin-hwa glanced at him and looked away. With a single glance, he could tell.

'He's lying.' he thought and stopped eating.

Whatever reason Yun-Tae had, it wasn't his business. Just as he had his circumstances that made him silent about his family, Yun-Tae must also have his reasons.

'Then, that means he's not familiar with this friendly atmosphere but he seems to enjoy it.' Chin-hwa glanced around. 'He gets along well with everyone as well. The warmth of a family, hm?' he twisted his lips a bit in contemplation and then came up with an idea.

Since Yun-Tae already said something like this before, he could just put it this way,

"Ah, then since you don't visit your family often, you can come with me every time I come back home." He leaned in and whispered in Yun-Tae's ear. "I'm sure we'll be having a lot of these family gatherings, so Kang-woo will be here lots of times. You two can spend time together and you can also enjoy the warmth my family has to give."

He moved back and added with a little smile,

"It's a win-win."

Yun-Tae's eyes glinted. This was Chin-hwa getting closer to him, wasn't it? He felt so happy that his insides might burst but before that, they heard a camera shuttle and looked up to find Deok-Ryu taking pictures of them.

"That's a keeper." He said. "I'm so glad to see Little Hwa getting along with his friends. They're even sharing secrets and giggling at each other at the dining table."

"I wasn't giggling." Chin-hwa said, brushing his hair aside softly.

"Oh, but the camera says otherwise." Deok-Ryu grinned. "Just wait till I wash out the pictures. You'll look so adorable. And your friend too. I guess you attract a lot of adorable people since you're so cute."

Once again, he was fawning over his brother and Chin-hwa laughed, shining Yun-Tae. This kind of laugh... He had never seen it before.

And when Chin-hwa laughed like that, it looked like there was a light shining around his head like a halo.

He was so pretty.

"They aren't all adorable and pretty like Yun-Tae," Chin-hwa said, turning his head to Yun-Tae, who inevitably threw his gaze away since he realized he had been staring too deeply. "Tell them, Yun. Tell them about Dong-cha."

"Oh, you want me to tell them about Dong-cha?" Yun-Tae asked and Chin-hwa nodded. "Well, she's loud, that's one thing." He said and they both laughed. "She's an Alpha but very chill to be around. She takes care of all of us so well."

"What?!" Si-woo suddenly exclaimed. "There's another female Alpha in your life besides this Noona of yours?" She asked, showing her overbearing jealousy. "How dare she?"

"She's a friend," Chin-hwa said. "And don't worry, no one can take your place. You have a special place in my heart, after all."

This calmed Si-woo who raised her head in pride. But that just awoke the jealousy in Deok-Ryu.

"What?! She has a special place in your heart? What about me?"

"Well, your place is right next to hers." Chin-hwa answered over a light chuckle. "And there's a special place for Mom as well; Daddy has a place to the left, and Dad has a place to the right so Mom can be in between them." After saying that, he laughed.

He turned to Yun-Tae and patted his head, saying,

"There's space for everyone I care about, so don't worry. I have a big heart."

His words were touching but at that moment, the one who had not said anything all along, spoke up,

"Then," he was speaking with a soft and affectionate tone, and then came three words filled with such heaviness that Chin-hwa got lost in their debt.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

"What about me?" Kang-woo asked, looking deep into Chin-hwa's eyes with such an affectionate gaze.

Chin-hwa's heart skipped a beat, but more than that, it quaked like it was about to move from its spot.

"Do I have a place in your heart?" Kang-woo asked.