– Up there, it’s already the end of April, and there’s about a month and a half left until the demolition, but it seems like a big fuss about whether it will be broadcasted in the meantime. The PDs say he’ll manage to get you on air somehow, so don’t worry about it…
Kwon Yoojung urged.
Kwon Taejung chuckled at her words and glanced at the closed door of the bedroom where he had come out a while ago.
– What happened? Is that friend of yours, Taejung, the one you hid?
“Should I say I hid? Well… there’s no problem; he’s doing fine, so there’s nothing to worry about. There’s no chance of anything coming out.”
– I knew you’d do well, but you’re really handling things perfectly, our youngest. Just hold out for another month and a half. It’s all over after the demolition. After that, everything will be sorted out on its own. Just a little more effort.
“What effort? Noona going to work at this time is more effort.”
Listening to the pouring affectionate encouragement from his sister, Kwon Taejung nodded in response to the suggestion that he should have a meal together and ended the call shortly after. Perhaps due to the good news since morning, Kwon Taejung felt exceptionally good.
After getting up from the sofa, Kwon Taejung went back to the bedroom and sat beside the peacefully sleeping Yigyeom. Wanting to kiss him all over, but not wanting to wake him up, Kwon Taejung contained his desire and admired his lovely face in the darkness for a long time.
“….”
Just wait for another month and a half. Until everything collapses. That collapse, always feared and anxious, might not be the end for you; it could be an incredibly sparkling beginning. So please wait a little longer with me, here… knowing nothing, just like now.
***
Yigyeom’s grandfather returned to the intensive care unit last night. Despite receiving treatment in a good room, his condition kept deteriorating. Spending most of the day by his side, Yigyeom was there when he suddenly received a call early in the morning about him struggling to breathe properly and being urgently moved back to the ICU. Yigyeom rushed to the hospital with Kwon Taejung. He stayed up all night in the family waiting room outside the ICU, but he couldn’t have a visit because the situation wasn’t favorable.
The doctor said today is a critical juncture, and even if it’s not today, considering his old age and multiple underlying conditions, it’s better to prepare oneself mentally, the doctor advised Yigyeom. After hearing those words together, Kwon Taejung stayed by Yigyeom’s side without saying anything.
Unable to say it would be okay when it might not, unable to say not to worry about it when the doctor suggested preparing mentally, Kwon Taejung could only silently stay by Yigyeom’s side without any interruption.
“Taejung.”
“Oh, Jinwoo. You’re here?”
“Yeah. I brought what you asked for. But is this okay? You won’t be able to have a proper meal. Are you still on dinner?”
“It’s not a meal situation. He is not in the mood, but he can’t not eat anything at all.”
Kwon Taejung accepted the hot chocolate brought by the assistant. Looking at the worried face of the assistant, Kwon Taejung patted his shoulder.
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.
“Ktjcxr. P rtbeiv ub, yea la’r j yla abeut ab ifjnf tlw jibcf.”
“Qtja obg? P ybeuta la bc ws kjs tfgf. Lbk’r tlr ugjcvojatfg?”
“Ktjcxoeiis, tf wjvf la atgbeut atf mglalmji alwf sfrafgvjs, yea atf rlaejalbc lrc’a ubbv. P tbqf tf mjc tbiv bc j ilaaif ibcufg…”
Coafg Tlusfbw’r ugjcvojatfg kfca yjmx ab atf PJF, Tlusfbw tjvc’a fjafc qgbqfgis obg akb vjsr jcv tjv yffc mgslcu. Ktf vbmabg’r wfcalbc bo ‘wfcaji qgfqjgjalbc’ ofia ilxf j vffq kbecv. Bkbc Kjfpecu kjr eqrfa atja fnfc klat tlr jylilalfr jcv foobgar, tf mbeivc’a mtjcuf atf rlaejalbc.
“Take care of yourself too.”
“Yeah, I will. I don’t feel like eating now either. Tomorrow, I should eat something with Yigyeom.”
“Take a moment to rest at home.”
“I’ll just stay until noon tomorrow.”
“Alright. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll get something simple for breakfast when I come tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, thank you.”
Kwon Taejung walked with the assistant to the elevator. After seeing him off, he returned to the waiting room and approached Yigyeom, who was sitting there pale-faced and powerless.
“Yigyeom. Let’s at least drink this. If you collapse, it’ll worry the elder. And if he wants to see you but finds you collapsed, it won’t be good.”
With a cupholder covering the cup, Kwon Taejung handed over the hot chocolate to Yigyeom. With swollen eyes from crying too much, Yigyeom looked at Kwon Taejung while holding the warm cup.
“…Chief… What if grandpa…?”
“…”
“I’ve never really… thought about it, but still, I really, truly didn’t expect it to happen so soon…”
“I can’t stop that from happening, but whatever happens, I’ll do everything I can.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for not being able to assure you that there won’t be anything for you to worry about or be afraid of.”
Kwon Taejung had nothing to feel sorry for. Instead, Yigyeom felt incredibly grateful to Kwon Taejung. It wasn’t even his own business, yet Kwon Taejung spent nights with him, being there all along, not taking his sorrow lightly. Kwon Taejung made it bearable to endure the long, frightening nights at the hospital. Just by turning a little, there was Kwon Taejung, silently by his side.
Yigyeom took a sip of the warm drink Kwon Taejung had given. After swallowing the lukewarm liquid, Yigyeom choked back sobs upon realizing it was hot chocolate.
“Don’t apologize, Chief… I wouldn’t have been able to bear it if you weren’t here. Thank you for being here with me…”
“As long as you’re here, it’s only natural for me to be here too. I won’t let you be alone, ever.”
“…”
“So please don’t worry about that.”
Warmth poured into his heart. Kwon Taejung’s face, meeting Yigyeom’s eyes, was immensely tender and serious. his heart had melted at the assurance of not being left alone, becoming so soft that it was unrecognizable, and he leaned towards Kwon Taejung.
His heart melted with the warmth and affectionate words, staining his eyes. Kwon Taejung’s hand was quicker than his thought of wiping the tears. Yigyeom gently wiped his eyes and leaned into Kwon Taejung’s kiss. Wrapped in strong arms, feeling both anxiety and comfort, he found solace and reassurance.
***
Yigyeom’s grandfather couldn’t make it past three days. He breathed his last in the intensive care unit amidst heavy rainfall in the early morning, and his farewell was brief. Next to the doctor pronouncing his death, Yigyeom cried a lot. Eventually, he lost consciousness.
Without eating properly or getting proper rest for three days, it was perhaps inevitable that he would collapse. After receiving IV fluids and regaining a bit of strength, upon waking up, Yigyeom shed tears again upon seeing Kwon Taejung’s face. he thought it might have been better to be unaware and asleep.
Kwon Taejung held Yigyeom’s hand for a long time, caressing his head and face, and stayed by his side until he was well enough to walk after receiving the IV fluids, taking Yigyeom to the funeral hall.
“Ah…”
Upon entering the funeral hall, Yigyeom teared up upon seeing the picture of his grandfather and the words ‘Late Yeon Gyuhak‘ written beside it. Feeling the complete departure of his grandfather was almost unbearable.
As he reached the floor where the funeral hall was, the assistant who had been waiting bowed to Kwon Taejung and greeted Yigyeom.
“I offer my condolences.”
“…”
Yigyeom, unable to speak properly due to crying, barely nodded in response to the assistant’s greeting. He leaned on Kwon Taejung and entered the hall.
A much younger picture of Yigyeom’s grandfather was placed on the altar inside the hall. It was a face he remembered well.
“It seems like we should change clothes.”
“I’ve prepared in the room. Your suit is inside.”
Following the assistant’s guidance, Kwon Taejung entered the large room in the funeral hall, picking up the neatly placed black suit.
“Let’s change clothes.”
“…Okay.”
Barely responding, Yigyeom turned around and removed the clothes he was wearing. Kwon Taejung, feeling it might be uncomfortable for Yigyeom if he looked, briefly turned to the wall until Yigyeom put on pants and a shirt.
Even though it wasn’t a significantly large size, the clothes felt loose on Yigyeom. Kwon Taejung helped put on the suit jacket, buttoning it up. Finally, he adorned Yigyeom’s arm with a mourning band made of linen.
“Yigyeom.”
“…”
“However much sadness or pain you’re feeling, whatever I say now, whatever comfort I offer, I know it won’t make you feel instantly better.”
“…”
“But… still, don’t lose heart. If you lose heart and fall apart, it will worry your grandfather. It’s only natural. It must have been difficult for him to leave behind such a lovely grandchild, and if you fall apart too much, it will hurt him.”
Gently touching Yigyeom’s cheeks moistened with tears, Kwon Taejung hugged his frail body. The sounds of Yigyeom’s sobs and the trembling of his smaller body were heartrending.
“I won’t lose heart.”
“…”
“My grandfather spent his whole life worrying about me… I don’t want him to worry until the end. I hope he rests comfortably…”
“Yeah. He will.”
As if patting Yigyeom’s back, Kwon Taejung let go and opened the suitcase hanging in the closet in the room. There was a black suit inside, kept in the office in preparation for emergencies. It seemed the assistant had prepared it by going to the office.
Kwon Taejung, wearing only a shirt, put on the black suit jacket and buttoned it up. He had anticipated something like this might happen, but seeing Yigyeom suddenly overwhelmed by sadness made him feel uneasy.
“Let’s go and pay our respects now.”
After changing clothes, Kwon Taejung supported Yigyeom and returned to the place where the altar was. Watching Yigyeom hold back tears while paying respects and placing offerings, Kwon Taejung saw his eyes and cheeks soaked again. After bowing twice and rising, his eyes and cheeks were drenched once more.
After Yigyeom, Kwon Taejung also paid respects to the deceased. The assistant and the caregiver also respectfully paid his respects and then accompanied Yigyeom. Apart from quiet sobbing, there was no other sound in the silent hall for a long time.
Poor baby!
Oh my poor Yigyeom, he is in such a vulnerable state right now. The power imbalance between them bothered me a bit but Taejung is managing it quite well without pressuing Yigyeom except the shady stuff he does around the broadcasting stuff.
😭😭