* * *
“They’re prepared in various sizes. One of them should fit you.”
“H-how do you even know my size?”
“You know the shower rooms next to the training hall in the Bureau?”
Ah.
I understand, but that’s not what I’m really curious about. It’s not about how Eunsoo knows my size…
“Why are you giving me this…?”
“Well, imprinting requires both physical and emotional connection. But, hyung, you tend to… let your guard down easily, so I thought it’d be better to be cautious. Once you’re imprinted, there’s no undoing it.”
“I have no intention of doing anything like that! I just want to talk at the party…”
“Was that the case when you were clinging to Rex like you wanted to?”
“…”
“You tend to get swept up in the mood, hyung. Who knows what might happen? You’re going to drink, and the atmosphere could take a turn.”
This is why you shouldn’t live your life doing things you’d regret.
Everything comes back to haunt you all at once, and it’s unbearable.
Is Eunsoo also embarrassed by this topic?
He turns his back to me, avoiding my gaze.
“Oh, and no matter how good or urgent it gets, don’t do it in our house. Go somewhere else.”
“…”
I felt like my throat was blocked.
I barely had time to process this unexpected situation before my body and mind turned ice-cold.
Why am I even having this kind of conversation with Eunsoo?
The person I love is Ye Eunsoo.
I don’t want to marry or spend the night with anyone else. If possible, I want to stay by his side forever.
But does Eunsoo want to get rid of me?
Despite saying I shouldn’t feel burdened, his actions suggest he wants me to find a partner or get married and leave.
Is it because of my age?
Or… am I actually a burden to him?
He found my body, but now that I’m alive, does he not know what to do with me?
Has he grown tired of me?
Sure, feeling pity and taking responsibility are two different things.
People might sympathize with an orphan who lost their parents but hesitate to help.
Sometimes, they even tell their own kids not to associate with them.
Maybe it’s something similar.
‘I don’t want to think badly of him…’
I want to remember only Eunsoo’s mature side and his kindness toward me.
But the more walls I encounter, the more my thoughts veer toward the negative.
I’ve jumped through time and am still unfamiliar with everything.
These feelings for Eunsoo are new to me—so overwhelming they’re painful.
I haven’t even had time to adjust.
Can’t he give me just a little time?
“Why… are you crying?”
“Ah.”
It was only then that I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks.
I hastily wiped them away and stepped back to avoid Eunsoo, who was approaching me.
“It’s nothing.”
“If it’s nothing, why are you crying?”
“I… I just need to step out for a bit. I’m going to the convenience store.”
“Hyung… wait…!”
If I stayed, Eunsoo would keep asking why I was crying.
I hurriedly opened the front door and left.
He raised his voice as if to stop me, but he didn’t follow.
Afraid he might change his mind, I quickly walked out the gate.
But as soon as the gate closed behind me, an overwhelming sense of despair hit.
Everything before me—my future—felt cloaked in darkness.
Though I haven’t packed or fully left the house yet, I feel like I’ve been abandoned to face the world alone.
‘Can I live without Eunsoo?’
Eunsoo said I was everything to him, but… maybe it’s the opposite.
For me, Eunsoo is everything.
Every action, every goal I’ve had since coming to this world has been for Eunsoo.
I wanted him to be happy, to help him, to not hold him back, to not be someone he’d be ashamed of.
I’ve always leaned on him to live.
But Eunsoo is an adult now.
He doesn’t need a guardian anymore.
I shouldn’t depend on him for my self-worth or direction in life.
I’d only be a burden to him.
If I were genuinely old enough to be his parent, it might be different.
But because of the five-year distortion, we’re nearly the same age.
It’s inappropriate to cling to him like family.
And on top of that, we’re each other’s first love.
I need to step back on my own.
It’s the right thing to do.
‘I should apply for reassignment at a regional center as soon as possible.’
I headed toward the convenience store.
Each step felt heavy.
My whole body seemed to sink, as if I were being pulled into a dark abyss.
My idol.
The first family I found.
The person who saved my life. My first love.
How am I supposed to let go of someone who means so much to me?
I don’t know how I’ll face Eunsoo.
My head was such a mess that I wandered aimlessly through a nearby park instead of going home.
As the appointed time approached, I reluctantly made my way back.
When I arrived, there was already a car parked in front of the house.
“Ah.”
Whose car was it?
Just as I peered closer, the car door opened, and a small figure hopped out.
She had a large ribbon headband and neatly braided short hair.
Her round eyes sparkled with excitement.
Even though five years had passed, I recognized her instantly. It was Heesoo.
“Uncle Eunsoo!”
It seems Elliott has been raising her.
Her bright smile was as adorable as a tiny flower in bloom.
She ran up to the gate, which Eunsoo opened, and threw herself into his arms.
My heart clenched at the sight.
The combination of someone you love and a precious little one is absolutely lethal.
“Have you been well?”
“Yep! Uncle, why haven’t you visited me lately?”
“I’ve been busy.”
“My teacher asked when you’d come. When are you coming?”
“Why would your teacher ask about me? Why not Elliott? Isn’t that unprofessional?”
“No! My teacher’s a good teacher! It’s not a crime for them to like you!”
“…Where do you even pick up things like that?”
“Huh? What things?”
“That liking someone isn’t a crime.”
“Oh! That was in a drama! I’ve been watching a lot with Grandma. She loves Korean dramas.”
“…I should have a word with Elliott about watching weird things with you.”
“It’s not weird! It’s a love story! Love is warm and wonderful, just like Elliott said, and you said so too before…!”
As they chatted easily, Eunsoo naturally lifted Heesoo in one arm.
His movements were practiced, and Heesoo nestled into his arms without hesitation, clinging to his neck.
It was unexpected.
‘I thought he’d be annoyed by kids…’
Even I, an adult, had been openly ignored by Eunsoo sometimes.
It’s surprising to see him handle a child so well.
The car sped off after dropping Heesoo off, clearly not driven by Elliott.
Eunsoo answered Heesoo’s excited chatter absentmindedly as they made their way inside.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and turned around.
His gaze landed directly on me.
“…”
“…”
“…Hyung, did you get everything you needed?”
“Uh, yeah…”
Not really.
I just grabbed whatever I could reach—drinks, snacks, some random side dishes…
I have no idea how to face Eunsoo or Heesoo.
While I stood awkwardly, Heesoo’s eyes widened in surprise.
She started tapping Eunsoo excitedly.
“Is… is that Uncle Heewoon?”
“Yeah, it’s Uncle Heewoon.”
“Wowww! Really? Is it really Uncle Heewoon?”
“Yeah, really.”
Heesoo’s fist, which had been lightly hitting Eunsoo’s shoulder, landed harder this time at his words.
He even started squirming, demanding to be put down, prompting a sigh to escape Eunsoo’s lips.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Heesoo darted toward me, his little legs moving quickly.
I almost took a step back but managed to steady myself just in time.
Carefully, I crouched down to meet his gaze.
“Ah, hello…”
“Nice to meet you! My name is Yang Heesoo! Uncle Heewoon, thank you for sending me gifts for my birthday every year!”
“Gifts…?”
With a clear, childlike voice, he introduced himself and expressed his gratitude, saying something he must have been eager to share upon meeting “Uncle Heewoon.”
He even clasped his hands neatly and bowed politely.
However, his words were unexpected.
I hadn’t celebrated Heesoo’s birthday in the past five years.
While I stood there, confused, Eunsoo approached me and whispered under his breath before retreating.
“Just go along with it.”
…No way.
When I glanced up at Eunsoo, he averted his gaze, his expression sheepish.
“…”
My chest felt warm and heavy, as though it were filling with steam.
Liking Eunsoo was hard enough already, but this made me… like him even more.
“Uncle Heewoon!”
“…Huh? Yeah? Why are you calling me?”
“Ellie and Uncle Eunsoo talk about you all the time! Especially Uncle Eunsoo—he really, really likes you!”
* * *
