* * *
A month had passed since Jingyeom had regained consciousness.
Thanks to consistent rehabilitation, he could now move around the hospital room without any assistive devices.
Today, after lunch, he wandered slowly around his room, stopping by the window to look outside.
The view was the same as always, but whenever he longed to go outside, this sight seemed to help ease that desire.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a moment to myself like this.”
Since that day they’d gone to get coffee, Jinwoo could go outside anytime, as long as he was with the bodyguard.
But he rarely took advantage of it, sticking by Jingyeom’s side almost all the time, save for the occasional phone call.
Today, however, Jinwoo had stepped out to prepare the house for Jingyeom’s upcoming discharge, leaving him alone for a while.
“I wish I could go outside too.”
As Jingyeom gazed absently out the window, he heard the door open and turned his head.
“Just standing there, staring?”
“Oh? Hyung!”
The visitor was Soohyuk.
Jingyeom stared at him with wide eyes as Soohyuk walked in with a smile.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“You should be glad to see me, not questioning why I came.”
He was indeed glad, but seeing Soohyuk here in the middle of the day, when he was usually at work, made him wonder if he was slacking off again.
Behind Soohyuk stood a bodyguard carrying a large box, which made Jingyeom wonder what he’d brought this time.
As Soohyuk strode over to stand next to Jingyeom, the guard placed the box on the floor, greeted them, and left.
“What’s that?”
“You said you wanted to learn the piano, right? I wanted to bring you a grand piano, but they wouldn’t let me. So, I got you this mini piano instead.”
“That’s a piano? It’s so small…”
Soohyuk took Jingyeom by the hand and gently guided him to the sofa, concerned he might stumble.
Seated, Jingyeom watched as Soohyuk opened the box.
Still dressed in his business suit, Soohyuk knelt on the floor to unpack the box, looking both funny and endearing to Jingyeom.
“When you’re discharged, I’ll get you a proper one. But for now, let’s settle for this.”
Inside the box was a mini grand piano designed for children.
Seeing the box’s size, Jingyeom had somewhat expected it, but still, he looked at Soohyuk in disbelief.
Oblivious to the skeptical look, Soohyuk assembled the piano and set it in front of Jingyeom.
With the small piano sitting atop the table, it looked even more adorable.
“How is it?”
“I… appreciate it. But isn’t this a child’s piano?”
“It is. Recommended for ages three to six.”
“I’m twenty-five.”
Jingyeom looked up with a scrunched nose.
He was genuinely thankful that Soohyuk had remembered his interest in learning piano, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Soohyuk had brought this tiny piano mostly to tease him.
“Like I don’t know that?”
But Soohyuk replied casually and sat beside him, explaining the piano’s features one by one.
“I listened to a demonstration at the store. It’s got a guided song feature where the keys light up. All you have to do is follow the lights.”
“…”
“See those buttons? Each one plays a different instrument sound. You can’t perform any grand compositions, but simple melodies are doable.”
Watching Soohyuk’s earnest expression as he explained, Jingyeom realized that Soohyuk genuinely wanted him to practice.
“They also had ones with headphone jacks, but they were too big.”
“This one’s a bit too small, don’t you think?”
“Since I thought it might fit your hands better, I got this one. Is it too small?”
Soohyuk looked between Jingyeom’s hands and the tiny piano keys, then nodded in understanding. The mini piano’s keys were indeed quite small.
If Soohyuk pressed down, his finger would cover two keys, while Jingyeom’s fingers fit perfectly on one.
“Well, just play around with it when you’re bored. I’ll get you a different one.”
“It’s fine; I don’t even know how to read music. I’ll learn properly someday.”
“Then, I’ll get you a proper one when that day comes.”
“If I need it, sure… though I’m not sure I’ll be any good. But thank you.”
Jingyeom pressed a white key lightly, then covered his mouth with his fist, chuckling as he pictured Soohyuk, in his suit, patiently asking the store staff for all the details.
As Jingyeom kept laughing, Soohyuk reached out and gently patted his small head.
“What’s so funny? Let me in on it.”
“Just… nothing.”
Watching Jingyeom’s smile, which reached his eyes, Soohyuk couldn’t help but smile too.
“Did you replace your phone?”
“No, not yet.”
“Why not? If transferring your data is a hassle, I can do it for you.”
“…No, I’ll just transfer the SIM card myself later. I was told it’d be fine that way.”
“True enough.”
Jingyeom, enjoying Soohyuk’s gentle patting, pursed his lips and glanced at him repeatedly.
Sensing the look, Soohyuk tilted his head and asked, “What is it?”
“Would it be alright if… if I asked you for a really big favor?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you… wait, what?”
Jingyeom looked up, surprised.
He hadn’t even told Soohyuk what the favor was, yet he was already agreeing, leaving him baffled.
Had he unknowingly hinted at it before? But he couldn’t remember ever mentioning it.
Seeing Jingyeom’s parted red lips, Soohyuk quickly looked away, smiling.
“Look at that expression. Why such a reaction when I say I’ll help you out?”
“No, it’s just… I haven’t even told you what it is!”
“I don’t mind what it is. I’ll do it. What do you need? Money?”
“Yes! I mean—wait!” Realizing he’d answered too quickly, Jingyeom flailed his hands in denial.
Then, putting on a determined expression, he stared firmly at Soohyuk.
“You do need money. How much?”
“And how would you know how much I need?”
“No matter how much, I’ll do my best to cover it. If it’s not enough, I’ll dip into the inheritance.”
Jingyeom’s mouth fell open.
“Has Soohyuk always been like this? I thought he was so calculating…”
Seeing how easily he’d spend money on him, it seemed like Soohyuk was almost reckless.
But Jingyeom knew that, for someone like Soohyuk, spending on him was nothing more than pocket change.
For people like Soohyuk and Wonbeom, money flowed into their accounts without them lifting a finger.
Still, the way Soohyuk agreed so readily made him worry.
“Please, don’t just give it away like that. What if someone takes advantage of you?”
His serious tone made Soohyuk laugh under his breath.
“Who’s worrying about whom?”
It was amusing that Jingyeom was worrying over his money.
“Didn’t you once think that the former manager had lost all his savings to a pyramid scheme? You really don’t trust people, Baek Jingyeom.”
But it was precisely these quirks that made Soohyuk’s faint laughter soften into a smile.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh of a judgment on me? Do I look like the type to get scammed?”
“…Honestly, no.”
“Good. I appreciate your concern, but worry about something else. For example…”
As Jingyeom blinked those wide eyes, Soohyuk smirked playfully and tugged at his cheek.
“…like when my patience will finally run out, maybe?”
“…”
“Oh, look at that. Now you’re quiet.”
He poked the cheek he’d pulled, causing Jingyeom’s lips to pout like a fish.
Watching those red lips made Soohyuk’s chest tighten with desire.
Yet he resisted, knowing that if he acted on impulse now, he might ruin the moment.
“So, tell me. What’s the favor?”
“You know about the debt my family has, right?”
Jingyeom’s cheek was still red as he pulled back, escaping Soohyuk’s hand.
Soohyuk seemed disappointed but didn’t reach out again.
“I know.”
“To be honest… I don’t even know how much it is. Jinwoo’s been paying it off…”
Soohyuk nodded, urging him to go on.
“I know it’s shameless to ask, but… could you lend me some money? Not a gift—I swear I’ll pay it back!”
“How much?”
Jingyeom glanced sideways, then carefully spoke.
“Enough to… clear it all?”
“Alright.”
Once again, Soohyuk’s easy answer made Jingyeom frown.
“At least think it over first! You don’t even know how much it is!”
“It’s been less than five minutes since I told you not to worry about money.”
“…Still.”
“423,672,412 won.”
At the oddly specific number, Jingyeom blinked slowly.
Was he actually going to lend that exact amount?
The figure sounded strange, too.
If you’re going to lend, isn’t it usually a rounded amount?
Seeing Jingyeom’s confused look, Soohyuk chuckled, then reached over to pinch his cheek again.
“You were curious about the amount, right?”
“…Huh?”
Jingyeom’s cheeks flushed as he stared blankly at Soohyuk, the sensation distracting him from the pinch.
When Jinwoo had last told him, he thought it was around 200 million won, so why was it now 400 million?
Hadn’t they been repaying the principal and interest regularly?
* * *
👍
I love soohyuk brooo