Afraid that Kwon Taejung might wake up, Yigyeom wiped his tears with the back of his hand, unable to sob outright. He cautiously glanced at the tempting peach displayed on the phone screen again. He was so absorbed in looking at the peaches that he didn’t notice Kwon Taejung waking up and sitting halfway.
“….”
Seeing Yigyeom, who couldn’t take his eyes off the phone screen, Kwon Taejung, who had half-risen from the bed, looked up and stared at the brightly lit screen. The screen was filled with pictures of peaches.
Quick-witted Kwon Taejung immediately realized that Yigyeom wanted to eat peaches. Moreover, there were two boxes of peaches that Yigyeom’s sister had brought while he was asleep. They were incredibly expensive and delicious peaches that he had personally obtained after hearing that people with babies tend to crave sweet and tangy things.
As Yigyeom was unaware of the presence of peaches at home, he might be crying over his desire while looking at the screen. Feeling sorry for waking up a sleeping person, Kwon Taejung quietly lay down again, closing his eyes as if he was still asleep.
Although he could call out to Yigyeom, he was too engrossed in looking at the screen, so he refrained from startling him by suddenly calling his name.
“Um….”
Intentionally rustling the blanket a bit loudly and reaching out his hand, Kwon Taejung heard the sound, and Yigyeom’s head turned in his direction. After confirming that Yigyeom wouldn’t be startled if he got up, Kwon Taejung rose again, wrapped his arm around Yigyeom’s waist from behind, and rested his chin on his shoulder.
“Can’t sleep?”
“I woke up from a dream….”
“What dream? A scary one?”
“A peach dream….”
Ah, so he wants to eat peaches. The reason for his craving was too cute, like Yigyeom himself.
“You were dreaming about peaches and looking at pictures of peaches on your phone? You want to eat them.”
“…A little. But it’s okay. I can endure.”
“You should eat when you want to. Let’s go eat.”
“…Now?”
“Yeah, now. It’s nearby.”
Even after waking up, Kwon Taejung, who made a kissing sound on Yigyeom’s cheek, got up from the bed and put on the t-shirt he had taken off before, taking Yigyeom’s hand as they left the room.
Kwon Taejung sat Yigyeom not on a hard dining chair but on the living room sofa. He went to the kitchen alone, took out two peaches from the refrigerator, washed them thoroughly, and returned to the living room with a tray, a plate, a fork, and a napkin.
“Let’s eat peaches.”
Yigyeom, who had been staring blankly at the peaches in front of him, turned his body to face Kwon Taejung and sat up.
“We didn’t have peaches at home….”
“Yesterday, when you were sleeping, Noona gave this. Mare Peach Mousse and this. I was worried because you said you can’t eat things with a strong scent.”
“Ah… I should express my thanks tomorrow.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Tfr, P’ii vb atja.”
Qtlif cbvvlcu, Tlusfbw’r ujhf kjr olzfv bc atf qfjmt lc Bkbc Kjfpecu’r tjcv. Ciatbeut la rffwfv ilxf Bkbc Kjfpecu wluta tjnf cfnfg mea ogela yfobgf, tf rxliioeiis tfiv atf ogela jcv qffifv la atlcis klat j xclof.
“…Chief, have you cut a lot of fruit before?”
“Oh, um, I’ve cut a lot, you know? Why, do you think I can’t do this?”
“Yes…. I thought you might have never tried it before.”
“Am I not a prepared groom?”
Smiling at Kwon Taejung’s teasing words, Yigyeom nodded, and then quickly took a bite of the peach that Kwon Taejung cut and offered with a fork. With a crisp sound, the sour and sweet taste filled his mouth.
“Is it delicious?”
“Yes, very… really, really delicious….”
His stomach had been uneasy, and he couldn’t eat properly during dinner, so he was worried. Still, he was relieved that he could enjoy the peach. Kwon Taejung, watching Yigyeom eat eagerly, felt satisfied and neatly arranged peach slices on the plate.
“Piyak, make sure Yigyeom eats a lot of delicious things.”
Gently stroking Yigyeom’s hair as if making a request, Kwon Taejung smiled.
“Eat slowly. Digest this too.”
“Yes, slowly….”
Smiling at Yigyeom, who seemed to be listening well, Kwon Taejung reminisced about his childhood while looking at the well-cut peach.
“It was in middle school, I think. The ladies who took turns taking care of the house went on vacation simultaneously. My mom and dad were busy at that time, so when I came home after school, no one was there. There was a time when I said I was hungry, so Kijung hyung cut an apple for me.”
Yigyeom, picking up another piece of peach with a fork and chewing while listening to Kwon Taejung’s story, nodded.
“Of course, it was the first time, so he peeled the skin very thickly. My dad saw that and, thinking it was better to waste more, made us take turns cutting fruit for two months. We had to do it every day, and even after a long time, my skills are still alive.”
Smiling at Yigyeom, who listened with puffed cheeks, Kwon Taejung, without realizing it, took an empty fork and picked up another piece of peach for him.
“It was good to learn back then. If I couldn’t do this now, I would probably be struggling a lot.”
Feeling good, Yigyeom sat on the sofa, swaying his legs. Kwon Taejung watched those swinging legs with a sinking feeling. He felt like he wanted to be the peach piece hanging on Yigyeom’s fork and entering his mouth.
“I’m so happy that you’re eating this well.”
“It’s my first time eating such delicious peaches.”
“Eat a lot. You seem to have lost weight recently because you can’t eat well.”
“…Chief, you seem to have lost weight recently too. It’s because of me that you can’t have proper meals.”
“It’s strange. I also feel a bit averse to the smell of food. Maybe it’s my imagination. I should ask Hyunjoon about this later.”
Yigyeom quickly put the peach he was eating into his mouth, grabbed another one, and brought it to Kwon Taejung’s mouth. It was a wish that Kwon Taejung could also feel the happy emotion of the delicious peach.
He could say it’s okay, but he wanted to make Yigyeom feel comfortable, so Kwon Taejung accepted the peach halfway bitten by Yigyeom. He looked at Yigyeom with surprise, as if the peach was so delicious.
“Is it really delicious?”
“Chief, have some more. Let’s eat together.”
“Alright. I’ll eat too, so you can finish eating, Yigyeom.”
Kwon Taejung took a small piece of peach into his mouth so that Yigyeom wouldn’t be disappointed. He guarded Yigyeom so that he could comfortably eat the remaining peach.
“Want more?”
“I’m full now. I’ll eat more tomorrow.”
“Yeah, let’s eat more tomorrow. Should we go in and sleep now?”
“Yes, I want to brush my teeth quickly and go to sleep.”
As his stomach became full, drowsiness quickly overcame him. Yigyeom went to the bathroom inside the room with Kwon Taejung and brushed their teeth together. Then, he climbed onto the bed. Even though he felt like a child eating and sleeping without worrying about anything, there was no way to resist the hormonal changes.
“Sleep well, my babe.”
Kwon Taejung’s warm voice echoed in his hazy mind. Something warm touched his cheek and then touched his stomach. Piyak, sleep well too. Yigyeom smiled at the continued affectionate words. And with a feeling of warmth, he fell deeply into sleep.
* * *
Yigyeom stood behind Kwon Taejung with a slightly tense face. When Kwon Taejung told the staff his name, the staff smiled and guided them to the room. Passing through a clean corridor with a pleasant fragrance, Yigyeom stood in front of the closed door and took a deep breath. Between the soon-to-be-opened doors, Kwon Taejung’s mother appeared, smiling widely.
“Mom, why did you come so early? We rushed here saying we would come quickly.”
“I had some business, so I stopped by the gallery for a moment, but it finished sooner than I thought.”
Kwon Taejung’s mother tilted her head and looked at Yigyeom standing next to her. Then, she stood up, approached Yigyeom, and firmly held his hand.
“Hello….”
“Yeah, hello. It might have been sudden, but thanks for coming, sweetheart. I heard you can’t eat much lately.”
“Ah… My stomach feels really unsettled, so I can’t eat various types of food.”
“I felt the same when Taejung was pregnant. Couldn’t stand the smell of rice at all, and only managed with bread and fruits. Having an upset stomach is not normal, so take care.”
Kwon Taejung’s mother, who seated Yigyeom first, sat not across from him but beside him, patting his back.
“Taejung only ate lunch and went to the office?”
“Yes. Dad asked him to come. Ah, I want to take more days off.”
“You left the company for quite a while.”
“I didn’t leave just to take a break. And those three months away from work were truly the best three months of my life. Even if I go back, I’ll engage in road rage again.”
“Taejung, you shouldn’t do such dangerous things. Eventually, everyone meets their match.”
To keep his sensitive mother from getting upset, Kwon Taejung nodded with a smile and ordered a brunch set filled with things Yigyeom liked. It was a relief that his mother, thinking of Yigyeom first, took care of him, considering he couldn’t eat much beyond peaches, ice cream, and clean tea.
“I heard that Taejung’s dad is calling him back to work now. That means the baby will be alone at home. I’m really worried about that. It’s hard enough to be alone all day, from morning to evening, even if someone takes care of you.”
After taking a sip of water, Kwon Taejung nodded quietly. He had been worried about it as well. Once I go to work, Yigyeom will be alone at home, and during his absence, he might feel like eating something or become too upset to eat anything and end up crying.
“So, what do you think about staying with us until the baby is born? We have people who can help with household chores, and I’m at home when I don’t have work, so I can check on him anytime.”
A silent nod from Kwon Taejung followed after taking a sip of water. He couldn’t help but worry about the same things. Not long ago, he had visited the demolition village…
“Yeah, that’s right. Living nearby, we have people who can help with household chores, and I’m at home when I don’t have work, so I can check on him anytime.”
In response to the unexpected suggestion, Yigyeom, with parted lips, gazed at Kwon Taejung’s mother for a moment. The idea of entering Kwon Taejung’s house when he went there had not vividly crossed his mind. Never having experienced a proper family before made it even more challenging.
Laughter echoed, and people gathered around the dining table, sharing dinner, talking anytime they wanted… Being in that precious home, would it be okay for me?
“……”
However, there was only one dominating thought in his mind. Yes, he wanted to see. He wanted to stay in that warm atmosphere. Although it might not suit him, and adapting might not be easy… still, just…
“Living together might make us closer faster, but I also think it could be burdensome for the baby.”
“……”
Yigyeom looked at Kwon Taejung, who sat opposite him. Kwon Taejung, lost in thought, eventually looked back at Yigyeom.
“Mom, I’ll talk separately with Yigyeom. It’s not an easy decision. Mom, Dad understands everything, but for us, Yigyeom has to get along with Mom, Dad, Noona, and Hyung… and even with the caretakers who take care of us. It might be challenging.”
“Oh my, I hadn’t thought that far. I must have been too eager to become friends quickly. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Watching Kwon Taejung’s mother, who looked apologetic, Yigyeom gathered the courage that had formed in his heart. Sensing that Kwon Taejung had something to say, he kindly initiated the conversation.
“How do you feel about it, Yigyeom? You don’t have to feel any pressure at all.”
“Well, if it’s okay with you… I want to do as you suggested…”
