Around the time I was subtly avoiding Taeyun’s gaze, Joohwan spoke up.
“It is nice meeting up outside like this. Make some time, Taeyun. Let’s go on a trip.”
“It’s difficult for the time being. I have a lot to focus on with the issue of separating the subsidiaries.”
“That’s why I asked why you’re taking all that on. A student should enjoy their youth like a student.”
Even though he knew the reason, Joohwan grumbled disapprovingly.
He didn’t seem to like the fact that Taeyun was wasting his twenties without being able to enjoy his youth, a time he could never get back.
When Taeyun stared at him intensely because of his dissatisfaction, Joohwan uncrossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.
“Fine. I get it. I can’t even bring it up because you’re so scary.”
Between being in a public place and the nature of the topic, it wasn’t something to be discussed in front of everyone.
As the quick-witted Joohwan backed off, Moon Domin approached, having finished his preparations.
“Did you wait long?”
It seemed there were many things he wanted us to taste; the tray Moon Domin held was filled with various types of ice cream and different desserts.
Judging by the sheer amount, which was far too much for four adults, his generosity was overflowing.
“Our shop’s most popular menu items.”
Moon Domin laughed gallantly as he set the desserts and ice cream from the tray onto the table.
The plates held various flavors of ice cream shaped like different animals, such as bears and rabbits.
The desserts gave off a sweet aroma, as if they had just been baked.
The visuals were so beautiful that my appetite returned despite having just eaten porridge.
Unable to hide my admiration, I spoke up.
“…Wow. I’ve never seen ice cream like this before.”
“Of course. It’s a menu you can only taste at our shop. I suppose that’s why it’s so popular.”
At the compliment, I had the illusion that Moon Domin’s nose grew so long it could touch the sky.
Seeing him laugh with his hands on his hips triumphantly, I figured that strong self-love must be a family trait.
I looked down at the bear-shaped ice cream Moon Domin had personally placed in front of me.
The bear, which was mostly mint chocolate flavored, had its eyes and mouth decorated with chocolate.
‘How did he know I like mint flavor?’
When my eyes sparkled with a look of pure joy, Moon Domin let out a light cough.
“Can I join you guys?”
“Absolutely not. Where do you think you’re joining?”
“Still, I’m your older brother, isn’t that a bit much?”
Moon Domin looked dejected and showed his disappointment.
He made a face intended to trigger sympathy, asking how he could be so cold when they didn’t see each other often.
Even at that sight, Moon Dowon only twitched an eyebrow, so Moon Domin shifted gears and looked at me intently.
“Does my joining the table make you uncomfortable?”
“Huh? Oh, no.”
“Then I’ll stay for just a moment and then go.”
As if seizing the opportunity, Moon Domin hurried to bring a chair and squeezed in to sit between Joohwan and Taeyun.
I felt gazes that seemed to ask why I had given Moon Domin permission, but I couldn’t cast out Moon Domin, who had prepared this delicious food with such care.
Most of all, he was Moon Dowon’s brother and family.
On the other hand, seeing the atmosphere where the three of them were reluctant, Moon Domin crossed his arms and tilted his head back.
“Why are you all acting like this? Didn’t you come to the shop to see me? If not, why bother coming all the way here?”
His expression suggested there was no way the three of them would visit this place simply for ice cream.
Moon Domin laughed heartily and affably, as if his desire to hang out was strong.
His cool personality was good enough not to be a burden.
“I’m sorry for interrupting your date, but I was curious too. Who the only man was that you three are dating. Since I heard he’s a beta like me, I was so glad. Nice to meet you, Siho.”
“Who are you calling Siho? I never gave you permission to use his name.”
“Why do I need your permission for that? I should get permission from the person himself.”
Despite Joohwan’s correction, Moon Domin didn’t care and smiled brightly at me.
Looking at him again, he really did have a great personality.
“Yes, nice to meet you too.”
When I crinkled my eyes and smiled out of politeness, I felt the surrounding gazes.
My face stung under the heat of those jealousy-filled stares.
It was as if I shouldn’t even smile.
I remembered the warning not to look at anyone for more than three seconds, and I lowered my gaze as if embarrassed, picking up an ice cream spoon.
I thought it would be better to just eat ice cream.
Perhaps feeling sorry for me, Moon Domin spoke up as if on my behalf.
“Are you guys really… jealous even of me? I’m family.”
“Even if you’re family, you have to be careful. You two are twins.”
Moon Domin jumped at Joohwan’s words, asking what on earth that meant.
He started to say that even twins have different ideal types, but I saw him check my expression.
When I indicated it was okay, Moon Domin let out a short sigh.
“You guys know how much I love my younger brother. Why would someone like me covet my brother’s lover?”
“It’s because it’ll be a problem if Siho falls for you instead. You and Moon Dowon look alike.”
Moon Domin expressed his disappointment while looking at Joohwan, who was drawing a line by saying there was no harm in being careful.
Meanwhile, he shook his head as he looked at me, since I was eating ice cream without giving them a glance.
“I know this is a relationship that started because Siho liked you guys. But if I were to give one piece of advice as a beta, I don’t think a relationship like this will last long. I don’t understand this relationship right now. Of course, you don’t need to make me understand, but is it right for him to just eat ice cream like that?”
“…….”
“I know that all I have to do is get up. But a relationship that doesn’t respect the other person’s will won’t last long. Since this is advice I’m giving as my brother’s friends, I hope you listen even if you don’t want to. Because if you only try to bind someone, they’re bound to get tired.”
Speaking seriously, Moon Domin looked at Moon Dowon, who was listening silently.
Since it was a matter involving his brother, he seemed to want to give a proper lecture as a family member.
Because there had been no one to speak up for my suffocated heart until now, Moon Domin’s statement resonated with me.
I lifted my head with a choked-up face and met Taeyun’s eyes.
He seemed to have remained silent to roughly gauge the situation.
“Siho.”
I nodded at the name he called affectionately.
Like laundry dried well in the sun, it felt like there was a scent of soap on the tip of my chin where Taeyun had touched it before sitting down, following his refreshing smile.
“It’s okay.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s okay for you to do whatever you want.”
As if agreeing with Moon Domin’s words, Taeyun smiled warmly and met my eyes.
Until a moment ago, I hadn’t thought much of it, but I suddenly felt sorry for how pathetic I must have seemed.
“As expected of Taeyun. I knew you would be reasonable.”
“Then could you leave us for a moment? I have a few things left to say to these two.”
Taeyun made the request to Moon Domin with a polite face. His gentle tone held a weight to it, as if ahead of the eye of a storm.
At Taeyun’s request, which was difficult to refuse, Moon Domin let out a sigh of disappointment.
“Fine. Let’s meet properly next time. What is this? The atmosphere.”
Moon Domin stood up with a regretful face, saying we should have eaten somewhere else if it was going to be like this.
I stood up as well, intending to at least offer a greeting in this cold atmosphere that made me feel more embarrassed than sorry.
“Um…. Thank you so much for today. Even though the atmosphere turned out like this, I hope we can meet happily next time. I’ll enjoy what you gave me.”
He must have prepared the desserts with care, wanting to be kind to his brother’s lover and friends.
But since he had to get up as if being kicked out, he must have felt uncomfortable even though he hadn’t done anything wrong.
I spoke with a heart full of apology, wanting to comfort those feelings even a little.
Perhaps the sentiment was conveyed, as a smile bloomed on Moon Domin’s stiff face.
“Actually, I misunderstood a bit. I didn’t look at you in a good light because I heard you stalked…, no, followed Dowon and his friends. But looking at you now, I think I see that my thoughts were wrong.”
“…….”
“Have a good time. I don’t know if there will be an opportunity, but I hope to see you again. Sincerely.”
