Chapter 38
38. I'll Say It First
Kangwoo continued calmly.
"That's why my brother seems deeply hurt. Minho's mom remarried right after the divorce and had another child soon after with her new man."
Hearing that, Naeun thought of Hayoung. Hayoung had no affection for Jiho, her own son. But Naeun replied,
"Still, wouldn't they have married because they loved each other?"
"We thought so too. They married despite Mother's strong opposition at first, so we figured they must have loved each other deeply. But it seems not. Minho's mom appears satisfied with the alimony from the divorce. Her current husband is much better off in every way."
Naeun turned her head slightly. She couldn't bear to send her sister's child to an orphanage, so she was raising him as her own.
"So Minho must have been hurt by that. That's how it is. When my brother returns to Korea, he'll naturally meet him. I'm curious how Minho will react to him too. Our relationship has gotten pretty good lately."
"Right. Shall I show you the picture Minho drew today?"
Naeun carefully unfolded the drawing Minho had made. It lacked the pure innocence typical of children's drawings.
Kangwoo tilted his head and peered into the drawing.
"This is the four of us. Uncle, Teacher, Jiho, and himself."
Naeun explained with a gentle smile.
Kangwoo pointed to the human figures in the drawing.
"The sizes are a bit different, but the eyes, nose, and mouth seem roughly drawn."
Then, examining the hands closely, he tilted his head again. Naeun explained,
"But the hands... no fingers, right?"
Kangwoo looked at the drawing, furrowing his brows and sighing.
"Yeah. The hands are just circles."
After a moment of thought, Naeun pulled out Jiho's drawing and said,
"This is what Jiho drew. He said it's himself."
Kangwoo peered into it and chuckled.
"Looks like a girl."
Jiho's self-portrait had a slightly round face, big clear eyes, and pointed lips.
"Look at the hands."
Naeun guided Kangwoo's gaze to the hands in the drawing.
"The fingers are definitely big and clear. With hands this prominent, they really stand out."
Naeun continued cautiously.
"I wonder what the difference means. Minho drew the hands simply as circles, while Jiho expressed the fingers clearly."
Kangwoo slowly nodded, lips pressed tight in thought. Naeun said,
"It's probably a psychological difference. I've learned that a child's drawing reveals a lack of confidence. Maybe Minho lacks confidence right now. He hasn't realized yet how much he can do."
Hearing Naeun, Kangwoo looked back at Minho's drawing with a wistful expression.
"I see."
Kangwoo spoke calmly, but Naeun looked regretful and said,
"I keep wondering how to help Minho regain his confidence... what I can do to assist."
Naeun's gaze lingered on the small figure of Minho in the drawing. Kangwoo lightly placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke in his usual even tone.
"With you helping by his side, Minho will improve gradually. Small changes will accumulate, and he'll gain great confidence eventually. Time will take care of it."
Naeun shook her head at Kangwoo's words.
"But I wish there were a bit more attention from his family. Just letting time pass doesn't guarantee improvement. That's why I'm here, but it would be good if Minho's dad spent time with him after returning to Korea."
Kangwoo shook his head at that.
"I don't know when my brother will come back."
"Yes. It would be good if he lived together with Minho then."
Kangwoo propped his chin on his hand and said,
"You don't mean living together here, do you? That's out of the question. He can stay in the main house. We can see each other every day and eat meals together as much as possible."
Even as he spoke, imagining his brother eating with Naeun, Jiho, and Minho felt off somehow. But his brother had no plans to return to Korea soon, and getting worked up over it didn't seem right.▲
Kangwoo changed the subject.
"That was delicious. Want to come up to the second floor tonight?"
Naeun blushed and nodded. They cleaned the kitchen and headed upstairs. As soon as they reached the second floor, a deep kiss followed. They now sought each other so familiarly. Yet Naeun always tried to stay cautious and guarded. But such resolve was uprooted effortlessly before Kangwoo.
Kangwoo pressed his lips to Naeun's shoulder.
"How can you be this soft? I can't believe we're the same species."
Naeun laughed out loud.
"I can't believe it either. How can you be this firm? Has your weight kept going up lately?"
Kangwoo laughed. Seeing him shake his head, it seemed he managed his diet much better outside. Of course, even the small amounts eaten at home probably didn't affect him much.
As Kangwoo tightly embraced her slim waist, a small moan escaped Naeun's lips. The room was filled with warm, soft light under the dim lamp. Shadows on the wall flickered slightly in the faint glow, subtly illuminating their faces.
Kangwoo faced Naeun, catching his breath lightly. Her eyes sparkled in the light, and each time their gazes met, a sweet tension flowed between them.
Naeun slowly brought her face close to Kangwoo's ear and whispered.
- 3 -
As Naeun's breath brushed his ear, his heart pounded hotly at those words.
Kangwoo gazed at her face with a faint smile and replied in a low voice.
"If I don't get used to it, I'll end up scared of you."
His calm voice brimmed with heat, making the air between them even hotter. Kangwoo took a deep breath and continued.
"You always leave an escape door open on one side. Isn't that not right while dating?"
Naeun paused, gazing steadily into Kangwoo's eyes. Emotions filled her gaze, but a hint of uncertainty passed through. Slowly, she spoke.
"That's how dating is. If I give my all and we break up, I'll be left as an empty shell."
Kangwoo furrowed his brow slightly and asked,
"So 30% is the most appropriate?"
Naeun nodded and explained quietly.
"Me 70, you 30. That's the right balance to keep myself standing, both while dating and after breaking up."
Her voice tried to stay composed, but it trembled slightly at the end. Kangwoo gently took her hand and held it warmly. That tender touch made Naeun's heart ache sweetly.
Kangwoo lowered his head and murmured softly.
"Too calculating. I feel like I've already given everything."
At his words, Naeun smiled faintly. Feeling a fullness rise from within, she gripped his hand tighter. As their eyes met, a languid warmth enveloped them under the soft light, as if their worlds merged.
Kangwoo whispered quietly.
"I want to do anything you desire. Is there nothing you want from me?"
Naeun smiled slightly and shook her head.
"No."
Kangwoo chuckled lightly.
"I doubt that."
His gaze held a longing to draw closer, and wherever it touched, Naeun's heart raced.
