Owen headed inside the house to grab a few things, unaware that his father was home. As he climbed the stairs, the air shifted so heavily, thick with silence,until his father appeared at the second floor, about to go down stairs. Their eyes met, and the tension between theem tightened like a drawn wire.
"You're here? How was your field trip?" Mr. Kwon asked, his tone firm but cold.
Owen's jaw tightened. Without a word, he brushed past his father and continued up the stairs, his footsteps steady and with clenched fists.
"You ungrateful brat!" his father snapped, voice rising like a whip. "You better learn to respect me, or you'll never get into the company!"
Owen stopped halfway up. His shoulders were tense, unmoving. Then, with a flat tone, he replied, "I was never interested in your damn company."
He turned, walked to the second floor, and slammed the door behind him. The echo rattled through the hallway.
ৎ────
An hour later, the low rumble of an engine drifted through the window. Mr. Kwon glanced outside, it was Owen's car. He knew his son was heading back to his apartment again.
He exhaled sharply, pouring himself a glass of wine. "Don't make this harder, Owen," he muttered inside the room. His eyes fell on the paper his daughter had given him earlier. The results on it made his jaw clench. He crushed the paper in his fist, then threw the wine glass against the wall. It shattered, red streaks sliding down the wallpaper like blood.
"Damn it."
ৎ────
Inside his car, Owen gripped the wheel with one hand while his phone buzzed on the dashboard. He picked it up. A familiar soft voice greeted him, it was Haneul.
"What is it?" Owen's tone was calm but cold.
"Are you heading to your apartment now?" Haneul asked, voice light, almost hopeful.
"I'm on my way there right now."
"Can I come?"
"I'm not in the mood. Maybe next time."
The call ended. The silence that followed was heavy. On the other line, Haneul lowered the phone slowly, his expression tightening.
'He has become colder now…' His teeth pressed together. 'Is it because of that Jungtae guy? I need to keep an eye on him.'
He gripped the phone until his fingers hurt, his breaths heaving but soon relaxed.
ৎ────
"Have a good day," Jungtae said with a polite smile as the customer left the store.
It was Saturday morning, and the faint hum of the air conditioner mixed with the sound of distant chatter. Jungtae stretched his arms, rolling his stiff shoulders. Hanna appeared from the back, smiling as she saw him take off his vest and hand it over.
"You look tired, Jungtae. Guess that field trip didn't help you relax," Hanna teased, grinning.
"You're right, Noona. It didn't," he replied lazily, the memory flickering in his mind. "It was terrible."
"Haha, poor Jungtae. Go home and rest. I'll take care of the shelves."
"Really? Thanks, Noona." Relief softened his expression, then someone approached from outside, until the bell above the door rang.
Cling.
"Woojin?"
"Hey, Tae." Woojin's voice was soft, familiar.
Hanna smirked. "Looks like your boyfriend's here to fetch you."
Jungtae rolled his eyes but ignored her teasing. "What brings you here? Buying something?"
"No," Woojin said, holding up a camera, "I'm here to invite you. There's a new aquarium downtown. I heard great things about it. Shall we?"
"Aquarium?" Jungtae's eyes brightened. "That sounds fun. Let's go check it out."
Hanna caught the exchange with a glint in her eyes and smiled knowingly. "Go enjoy yourselves, kids."
Woojin and Jungtae left the store, sunlight filtered through the glass doors as they stepped outside.
"Glad you're smiling," Woojin said as they walked across the street. "Since we left Seorim Mountain Base Camp, you've been quiet."
"I know. Because getting lost was scary," Jungtae chuckled, brushing it off.
ৎ────
A short cab ride later, they arrived at the aquarium. The entrance shimmered with aquatic murals and light reflections from the water displays.
"Shall we?" Woojin asked, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Woah." Jungtae nodded eagerly. They walked side by side into the dimly lit lobby, where soft music and the sound of water surrounded them.
Woojin paid for their tickets and led the way. The faint blue glow of tanks lit their faces as they wandered through.
"What do you want to see first?" Woojin asked.
"I want to see the sharks," Jungtae said, eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, me too."
They followed the path to the shark tank, where massive shadows glided behind the glass.
"They look so cool," Jungtae whispered, stepping closer until his reflection mingled with the creatures on the other side.
A sudden flash lit the glass. Jungtae turned.
"Did you just take a photo of me?" he asked, half-smiling. "Let me see it, Woojin."
"Not now. Come on, let's check the other tanks." Woojin's voice held a teasing edge.
"Then let me take a photo of you too," Jungtae said, catching up.
Woojin laughed quietly and handed him the camera. "Here, take my photo in front of this one."
Jungtae looked at the lionfish swimming gracefully behind the glass. "Woah, do you like that fish?"
"Well, it's lovely. Those patterns are unique. But don't touch it , I heard those spines hurt like hell," Woojin said with a grin.
Jungtae raised the camera. "You sure know a lot. Now, pose."
Click.
After nearly an hour of exploring, they stepped out of the aquarium, the afternoon light warm against their faces.
"That was great. I got to see sharks up close. Thanks, Woojin," Jungtae said, patting his back.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Seems like you relieved some stress," Woojin replied with a smile.
ৎ────
As soon as they stepped out of the cab, Jungtae noticed a pharmacy across the road.
"Oh, gotta buy some meds. Wait for me here."
"S-sure," Woojin said, watching him jog across the street.
A few minutes later, Jungtae returned, holding two bottles. "Got only two. Haha, I was short on money."
"You could've asked me to lend you money." Woojin frowned.
"You've already treated me so many times. I don't want to rely on you every time. Don't worry, I got this," Jungtae said with a confident grin, nudging his arm.
Woojin's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Fine. Let's head home. I'll send you the pics later. Goodbye, Tae. See you on Monday."
"Ehh…?" Jungtae's cheerful expression faltered as Woojin turned and walked away. "Did I say something wrong?"
He shrugged and called out, "See you around!" before taking the other path.
The road was noisy, the warm glow of the setting sun cast a golden light on the street. Jungtae stared at the medicine bottles in his hand, thinking about how long they'd last for his grandfather. His thoughts wandered, too deep to notice the growing sound of a car horn.
Beep!
He stumbled back, the sudden shock sending him to the ground. The bottles slipped from his hands and rolled onto the street…right before another car ran over them.
Crack.
"No!"
Jungtae's voice broke. He sat frozen, staring at the crushed medicine, eyes stinging with tears.
A car door slammed shut. Footsteps approached.
"What the?" The man slid his shades up his forehead, revealing sharp purple eyes. His gaze locked on Jungtae.
"You? What are you doing? I almost hit you."
Jungtae blinked through the blur of tears. "Owen…"
Owen extended a hand, but Jungtae ignored it, pushing himself up.
"Hey, hey. It wasn't my fault. Don't get mad at me again," Owen said with a smirk.
"Hah. I know. I was just…" Jungtae's voice trailed off as he looked at the crushed pills on the ground.
Owen followed his gaze. "Is that for your mother?"
"No."
"For you?"
"No."
"Oh, come on, Jungtae. I'll buy you new ones."
"I don't need it." His voice cracked slightly as he crouched down to pick up the broken bottles and clattered pills.
Owen sighed, pulling out his wallet. "Here, go buy new bottles of medicines."
"I said I don't need it." Jungtae shoved his hand away and stood, his palms trembling.
Owen's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at it, impatient. "Jungtae, take it. I'm in a hurry." He caught Jungtae's hand and pressed the bills into it with a grin.
Jungtae's pride screamed to refuse, but the thought of his grandfather waiting for the medicine weighed heavier. He took the money silently.
Owen stepped back into his car and waved. "See you around."
The car drove off, fading into the distance. Jungtae stood there for a while, staring at the money in his hand and clenched it.
"Sigh…"
ৎ────
Humming softly, Owen tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. The image of Jungtae's teary eyes flashed in his mind, and for some reason, it made him laugh quietly.