Thep

regnan
tmal
ealr
eadywenti
nsi
detheki
tch
en,th
eo l
derg
aveh
imawe
irdl
ookbuts
til
lfo
ll
owe
d
hi
mrais
inghi
sbr
owsonc
ethe
y'real
readyf
acetoface.

"
What
'st
hemat
ter
,Jun
gwo
o?"h
eas
ked.

Theyoun
gbo
yswal
l
owe
dhar
d,h
eli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
psf
orac
oup
leo
fti
mes
,br
eat
hin
ginan
dbr
eat
hin
g
out.

"I
msorr
ybutI.
.Ido
n'tme
antoq
uesti
onSeo
kjin
'sp
are
nti
ngo
ryo
ursbut
,"J
ung
wool
ook
sar
oun
d,"
I
wash
elp
ingJ
enotak
eabathe
arl
ier
."hes
ighe
d.

"
Okayt
han
ks?
"

"No,no,Tae
hyun
g.Isaw.
.Isawlot
sofpurp
lebrui
seso
nhi
sar
ms,s
crat
che
sfr
omh
isbac
kan
dli
ttl
e
woundsinhi
sthi
ghs
."hesai
d,hi
svoic
ecracki
ng.
11

Jungwoo'
she
arti
sth
ump
ings
olo
udag
ain
sth
isc
hes
t,h
ecl
enc
hedh
isf
istash
ele
toutav
eryde
ep
bre
at h
e.+

Hecanc
lear
lyre
me mberhowJe
n of
li
nch
esinpai
neve
ryt
imet
hewaterwi
llh
itt
hoseaf
fecte
dar
ea,h
e
can
thel
pbuttopit
ytheli
ttl
eboywhoke
epsonscr
unc
hin
guphi
snos
ebe c
auseoft
hepain
.

Andeve
nt ho
ugh,J
ungwo
obadlywant
stoaskast
owh yheh
aveth
osebr
uis
es,h
est
opp
edh
ims
elf
.He
fi
gur
edo utt
hathesh
oul
dntbetheo
nedoin
gitbutTaeh
yung.

Taehy
ungbi
thi
slo
we rl
i
psl
ooki
ngatJ
ungwoo
'ssh
aki
nghan
ds.Hel
etoutadee
psighasher
eache
dout
fort
heyoun
ger
'shan
dscar
ess
ingi
tali
ttl
ewhi
chmadeJ
ungwoost
opp
e dbr
eat
hin
gf oramome
nt.

"
Sor
ryf
oral
lth
iss
tre
ss,J
ung
woo
."h
esai
d,l
ook
ings
oap
olo
get
ic.
Hewasj
ustabo
utt
osays
ome
thi
ngi
nre
tur
nbutTae
hyun
gal
readywal
kedo
uts
ideo
fth
eki
tch
en.

I
fit
saboutt
heki
ds,h
ene
edst
oso
rtt
hin
gso
utf
irs
tbe
for
ean
yth
ingg
etswo
rst
,heh
avet
omak
e
e
veryt
hin
gcl
ear
.

Hegent
lyo
pen
edh
iss
har
edr
oomwi
thS
eok
jin
,hes
awt
hey
oun
gerl
yi
ngo
nth
eirbe
dfac
ingt
hebo
rin
g
cei
l
li
ng.

"
Seo
kji
n..
."

Th
eyoun
gers
atupasso
onash
ehe
ardt
heo
lde
r'sv
oic
e,Tae
hyun
gsatn
extt
ohi
m,t
hei
rbac
kpr
ess
ed
ag
ain
stt
heheadr
est
.

"Tel
lmeth
etr
uth
,"Taehy
ungst
aredatt
heyoun
ger
,"Is
awl
otso
fbr
uis
eso
nJe
no.Wh
ati
sit
?"h
e
ask
ed,t
ryi
ngs
ohardno
ttosoundt
ootens
ed.

S
eok
jin
'se
yeswi
den
edan
dth
eol
ders
awi
t.Th
oug
h,t
hey
oun
gers
li
ght
lys
hoo
khi
she
ad.

"I
ms o
rryyouh
avetos
eethat
,Tae
hyung
-ah
,"S
eokji
ncup
pedth
eo l
der
'sc
hee
ks,"
It'
sJun
gko
ok.Th
at'
s
whyIdon'
twanth
imaroun
dthemri
ghtn
ow.
"hesai
dashelo
okeddown
.14

"
Real
l
y?"Tae
hyun
ggas
ped,"
Thatbas
tar
d."h
ecur
sedun
derh
isbr
eat
he.
1

Hedi
dn'
tkn
owt
hatJ
ung
koo
kist
hiswo
rst
.

"
That
'swhywes
houl
dtr
yourbe
stt
oav
oidJ
ung
koo
k,Tae
hyun
g."S
eok
jins
aid,c
are
ssi
ngt
heo
lde
r's
c
heek
s.1
0

"
You'
rer
igh
t..
."
C
hap
terTh
irt
y+

F
LAS
HBAC
K1

S
eok
jinwe
nth
omec
ryi
ngh
ish
ear
tout
.

Ass
oonash
est
epp
edi
nsi
det
hei
rli
vi
ngr
oom,h
ele
thi
mse
lfc
oll
aps
edo
nth
efl
oor
.

Hi
smo
the
rrus
hedt
owar
dsh
im,k
nee
li
ngdo
wnan
dpul
l
ingh
imc
los
ert
hee
xac
twayh
ebadl
ywan
tst
o.

"
Whyar
eyo
ucr
yin
g,h
m?"h
ismo
the
rwo
rri
edl
yas
ked.

S
eok
jinsobbe
d,hel
ook
eddi
rec
tlyath
ismo
the
rbe
for
esn
ugg
li
ngc
los
ert
ohe
rbur
yin
ghi
scr
yin
gfac
e
o
nhissh
oulde
r.

"
Myc l
assmate
s,"hesni
ffe
d,"
The
ycal
l
edmel
otso
fth
ing
s.Th
eys
aidi
mcr
azy
,sl
utan
dal
otmo
re.
"he
c
rie
d,hisl
ipsq
uive
rin
g.1

Hi
smoth
erkis
sedhi
stemp
lesf
oraloto
ftimes,h
erembr
ace
dge
tti
nge
venmo
ret
igh
terwan
tin
gto
gi
veh
isonl
ysonno
thin
gbutcomf
ortandass
urance
.

"
You'
rei
nhi
ghs
cho
ol,y
ou'
ref
reet
odoe
ver
yth
ingy
ouwan
t."h
ismo
the
rsai
d.1
0

Andt
hat'
sexac
tlywhatSe
okj
in'
sth
oug
htsar
eabo
ut.Buth
eal
sodi
dth
oset
hin
gsbe
caus
eoft
hes
ame
re
ason
,he'
ssti
l
linhi
ghsc
hool
.

Hen
eve
rth
oug
htt
hath
ewo
uldg
ets
uchal
owg
radei
nhi
sto
ryan
dth
osewh
odi
dn'
tpas
sth
esubj
ect
n
eedst
ore
tak
eitan
dofc
our
se,S
eok
jindo
esn
twan
tto
.

That'
swhyhet
alk
edt ohi
sPr
ofe
sso
raski
ngwh
athes
houl
ddot
oat
leas
tge
tap
ass
ingg
rade
.Th
e
Pr
o f
esso
rsh
ameles
slyto
ldhi
mtosl
eepwit
hhi
m,t
hat
'sal
l
.

Th
eyhadsexi
nex
changeofamo
rethanapas
sin
ggradewhi
chmadeSe
okj
inv
eryh
app
y.Al
so,h
e's
bee
neyei
ngth
atPr
ofe
ssorfo
ramon
th ,t
hegr
adewasjus
tan i
cebo
nus
.

"
Tho
sep
eop
leh
asr
ott
enat
tit
ude
."h
esp
ato
ut.

S
eokj
inhat
eseverysi
ngl
eon
ein
sidehi
scurr
entscho
ol.Heal
way
swi
shf
ort
hemt
odi
eon
ebyo
nes
o
t
hathewontbeablet
oseet
heme v
ery
day,the
y'r
esot i
ri
ng.

Th
egir
lshat
eshi
m,it'
sfi
nes
inc
ehedo
esn
tcar
eabo
utt
hem.Heh
ate
sth
emt
oo,t
hey
'reug
ly,
un
pop
ularandus
ele
ss.

Th
ebo
ys,t
hey
'redi
ffe
ren
t.We
ll
,so
meo
fth
emar
e.

So
meh at
eshisgut
sbutall
ofthatfadeswi
thhi
stouc
h,th
ey'
recr
azyforhi
m.The
ywan
thi
mont
hei
r
bedan
dS eo
kjini
snotev
enc o
mp l
aini
ngabouti
t,h
eli
kest
obeinthatwayt
oo.

Hi
m.Be
d.Bo
ys.
1

Hewoul
dt o
tal
lyenjo
yitifth
ere'
snoon
ewh o'
sal
way
sj udg
inghi
mfo
rit
.Wh
ydot
heye
venc
ares
o
muchabouthi
sli
fe?Theycangofuc
karoun
dtooi
ftheywant.

"Mom,
"Seo
kji
ngl
are
dath
ismo
the
r,"
AmIabadp
ers
on,doy
out
hin
kIamh
orr
ibl
e?"h
eas
ked,
des
per
atef
orans
wer.
4
Hi
smo t
herlo
okedath
iml
ett
ingo
utat
igh
t-l
i
ppe
dsmi
l
e,"
No.Yo
uar
eki
nd,S
eok
jin
.Yo
uar
edo
ingj
ust
fi
ne.
"shesai
d.3

"Though,evenifyo
uarenot
,yo
uh av
et obe
,"sh
ewin
kedathe
rson,"P
eop
lemos
tespe
cial
lyboysli
kes
kin
dp e
op l
e.That'
swhyev
enifyoudon
'twantt
obe,yo
uhavetoat
leas
tpr
ete
ndto.
"shesaid,f
las
hing
awidesmi l
eafter
.10

S
eokji
nsl
owlywi
pedh
istear
sawaybef
orenoddin
ghish
eadathismo
the
r.Heh
eldh
ismo
the
r'sh
and
t
igh
tlook
ingath
imbefo
resmil
i
ngsque
ezin
gh erhan
dalit
tle
.1

"Iamsog
ladthaty
ou'r
ehe
rewit
hme
,Mo
m,"h
esai
d,"
Youan
dDadar
eth
eon
lyo
newh
oun
der
stan
ds
me."h
esnugg
ledcl
ose
rtoher
.

Th
ene
xtday
,th
ePr
inc
ipal
ask
edf
orS
eok
jin
.

Theyo
ungerwe
n tin
sidetheoff
ice.TheP
r i
nci
pal
iski
ndofy
oungtoo
,probabl
yinh
ise
arl
yth
irt
ies
,he
l
ookshot
.Hewouldlooke
ve nmoreg o
odifhe'
snotal
way
swithhi
swife
.

"
Ple
ases
itdo
wn,Ki
mSe
okj
in.
"th
ePr
inc
ipal
sai
d.

S
eokji
nlook
edath
im,s
li
ght
lyr
ais
ingh
isbr
ows
,hes
atac
ros
sofh
imj
ustwai
ti
ngf
ort
heP
rin
cip
alt
o
s
peakup.

"
Iwanty
outotel
lthetr
uth,Se
okji
n.Ther
umori
sgo
ingaroun
d,i
t'
ssp
readi
ng,
"th
ePr
inc
ipal
mas
sag
ed
h
ist
empl
es,"
Didyousl
eepwit
hP r
ofes
sorS
hin
?"h
easked.
5

Th
est
ude
nts
nap
pedh
ish
eadbac
katt
heP
rin
cip
al,t
hat
'sn
otaq
ues
tio
n,h
e'sal
readyac
cus
ingh
im.

"
Whyar
eyo
uas
kin
gme
?Doy
ouh
avean
ypr
oof
?"h
eas
kedi
nac
hal
l
eng
ingv
oic
e.
"
Yes
,Idohaveapr
oof.Th
ere'
sal
otofpi
cture
sse
nttomebyyoursch
ool
mat
es,S
eok
jin
.No
tjus
twi
th
P
rof
ess
orS
h i
nbutwit
hdiff
ere
ntP
rof
e s
sor
s."hes
aidi
nast
ric
tvoic
e.

"
"Wecantt
ole
ratet
hisunr
ulybehav
ior
,Se
okj
in.Wewar
nedyo
uf oral
oto
fti
mesbuty
ou'
ren
ot
l
i
ste
nin
g.Imsorr
ybutthi
sschoo
lisgoi
ngt
ocl
oseit
sdoorf
oryou.
"2

S
eokji
n'
seye
swi
den
edi
nsur
pri
sed,h
ero
seupt
ohi
sfe
etan
gri
l
y,h
ecl
enc
hedh
isf
istan
dgl
are
datt
he
P
rin
cip
al.

"
WhatdoIh
avet
odo
?DoIn
eedt
osl
eepwi
thy
out
oo?I
t'
sok
ay!
"hee
xcl
aime
d.2

Th
eP ri
nci
pal
scr
unc
heduph
isn
osei
ndi
sgus
t,h
eco
uldn
'tbe
li
evet
hath
e'sh
ear
ingi
tfr
omav
eryy
oun
g
boy.

Al
so,he'
sbe
eno bse
rvingS
eokj
int
ooandhet
alkst
oh i
mever
yoncei
nawh i
l
e,t
her
e'sn
oth
ingtosay
abouthi
sat
tit
udesincehe'
sve
rypol
i
tean
dkindtowar
dso
therp
eopl
e.Th
at'
swhythec
onf
irmati
onof
thi
srumors
hockedhim.

"
Youaresodi
sre
spe
ctf
ul,S
eok
jin
!"h
esai
dri
si
ngh
isv
oic
e,"
Goo
uto
fth
isr
oomr
igh
tno
w."h
esai
dina
v
erys
ternvoi
ce.

Th
eyounge
rr o
ll
edhi
sey
esatt
heP
rin
cip
al,"
Iamg
oin
gtot
ell
myDadabo
utt
his
,fuc
ker
!"h
esai
d
un
derhi
sbreathe
.

Hetur
nedhi
sbackag
ain
stth
eP r
inc
ipal
.Hehas
til
ywalk
edpus
hin
gever
ysi
ngl
epers
onth
atisbl
ocki
ng
hi
sway.Hewen
ttothesc
hool
'sg
arden,s
cre
amingfr
omt h
etopofh
isl
ung
sbecaus
eofi
rri
tat
ion
.

Heg
rabbe
daf
ist
ful
ofh
iso
wnh
airt
ugg
ingi
tupi
nsomuc
hfr
ust
rat
ion
.

Wh
ycan
tjus
tpe
opl
eli
keh
im?Het
rie
dtobet
hiso
rth
atp
ers
onbutn
oneo
fitwo
rke
dfo
rhi
mtobe
l
i
kedbyt
hos
epe
opl
e.
4

Th
eyaresohe
ar t
les
sandv
eryhar
dtopl
eas
e.Hejus
th op
ethatal
lofthe
mro
tinh
ell
forh
avi
ngs
uch
at
tit
ude
.Whatissowro
ngabouth
im?Th
ey'
rejus
tprobabl
yins
ecur
e.1

S
eok
jinwasst
opp
edinhi
stho
ughtswh
enherec
eivedatextf
romamant
hath
eme
tinar
est
aur
anta
f
ewdaysago
.Agoodcat
ch,hef
oundoutt
hathe'
sactual
l
yadoct
or.

Dr
.Le
e:

To
nig
htatmyp
lac
e?

Se
okjinrol
l
edhi
se y
es.Tho
ug h
,it
'sagoodide
asinc
eh edo
esnthav
ean y
thingt
odobutheal
sonee
dsto
meet-upwit
hthi
sguy,heheardt
h ath
e'sanown
ero facl
ub.Hereal
l
yn ee
dsthatg
uysohecanf
inal
l
y
ent
erac l
ubwit
houtanyprobl
em.

S
eok
jin
:

Ho
wmuc
hcany
oug
ive
?

I
tdi
dn'
tev
ent
akeami
nut
efo
rhi
mtog
etar
epl
y,h
isp
hon
ebe
epe
d.

Dr
.Le
e:

Namey
ourp
ric
e.:
)

Th
eyo
ung
ers
mir
keds
hak
ingh
ish
eadh
eadi
ngt
owar
dsh
ish
omet
oge
tch
ang
edan
dst
artav
ery
t
hri
l
li
ngday
.

C
hap
terTh
irt
yOn
e+

J
ung
woo
:

Taehy
un g
,sor
ryfornots
ayi
ngbyetoyoui
nper
son
.Th
an kyousomuchforever
yth
ingt
hatyou'
vedo
ne
for
,I'
llmakesur
ethatmybabywil
lkn
owyou.L
et'
smeetso
on !Do
n'two
rry,Ip
romis
e,I
'l
ltr
ytobe
res
ponsi
bleno
w.:)

Th
emanbi
thi
slo
werl
i
ps,r
unn
ingh
isf
ing
erst
hro
ughh
ish
airash
ere
adJ
ung
woo
'st
extag
ain
.

Hejusth
adbre
akfas
twithS
eok
jinandwasabouttoc
allJ
ungwo
oashemadeasaladforhi
ms i
nceh
e's
cr
avin
gfori
tever
ydaybutt
ohissur
pri
se,h
e'sno
tinhi
sroomandal
lofh
isbe
lon
gingsaregon
etoo.

"
Seo
kji
n,di
dyo
usays
ome
thi
ngt
oJun
gwo
o?"Tae
hyun
gas
ked.

Theyoun
gerl
ook
edath
ims
qui
nti
ngh
ise
yes
.Ofc
our
se,h
edo
n'tl
i
ket
hewayTae
hyun
gisas
kin
ghi
m
aboutan
othe
rman.

"
Why
?Ish
ego
ne?Idi
dn'
tsayan
yth
ing
,we
'ren
ote
vent
alk
ing
."

Tae
hyun
gsh
uth
ise
yesc
los
ed,h
ebi
thi
slo
werl
i
psash
etr
iedt
ocal
mhi
mse
lf.

I
t'
snotase
c r
ettohi
m,hekno
wsthate
vent
houg
hSe
okj
ini
sno
tsay
ingat
hin
gabo
utJ
ung
woo
,he
c
oul
dtel
lthathedo
esntl
ik
ehim.

J
ungwooisaki
ndheart
edpe
rso
n,heli
kestheki
dstooandeasyt
obewit
h.Al
so,he'
spre
gnan
t.Th
e
r
eas
o nastowhyTaeh
yungi
sworr
iedabouthi
me v
eng o
ingtoth
eext
entofl
etti
nghimli
vei
nthi
s
h
ous
e.

Moret
hananyon
e,Taeh
yun
gthough
tthatSeok
jini
stheonewhowi
l
l un
der
stan
dJung
woomo
reash
e
ki
ndofexp
eri
enceth
esameth
ingbefo
re.No
ttome nt
ion
,wit
hthesamemantoo.

"
Seo
kji
n,t
hatbo
yisav
eryg
oodp
ers
on.Yo
u'r
ehe
re,Iams
urey
ouk
now-"

"
No,Ido
n'tkno
wt hat
.Be
side
s,hele
fto
nh i
sown
.Wait
,"t
heyoung
ert
ookas
tept
owar
dst
heo
lde
r,"
Do
y
ouli
kethatboy,h
uh?"h
easkedinaver
ymuchacc
usi
ngton
e.2

Tae
hyun
gle
toutamo
cki
ngl
aug
hash
elo
oke
dath
isp
art
neri
ndi
sbe
li
ef.

"
Whatar
eyo
utal
ki
ngabo
ut?Ofc
our
sen
ot!
"hee
xcl
aime
d.

Theyoun
gersh
uth
ise
yesc
los
ed,t
ryi
ngt
ocal
mhi
mse
lf,br
ing
ingbac
kth
eSe
okj
inwh
olo
vesn
oon
ebut
Taeh
yung.1

S
eokj
inth
e nsai
dnoth
ing,c
rash
inghi
sli
psagai
nstTaehy
ungwhi
chtoo
ktheolde
rbysur
pri
sedbuts
aid
n
oth
ingagain
stit
,hewrappedhi
sar
msar o
undSeokji
n'
swais
tpul
li
nghi
me v
enmo r
eclo
ser
.

Theyoungerti
lt
edhish
eadtodee
penth
ek i
ss,l
ick
ingt
heolder
'sl
owerl
ipsbefo
resl
i
din
ghi
sto
ngue
i
nsideTae
hy un
g,th
eo l
dert
hendi
dthesamee x
plor
eever
yc o
rnerofSe
okjin
'smout
h.

"
C'mo
n,J
ana!L
et'
sgop
layh
ere
."

Th
ebo
tho
fth
emj
ump
edawayf
rome
acho
the
rwh
ent
heyh
ear
dth
evo
iceo
fth
etwi
nsal
ready
.
Tae
hyun
gli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
ps,h
ele
toutat
igh
t-l
i
ppe
dsmi
l
eatt
hey
oun
ger
.

"
Tae
,baby
,Ih
avet
ogos
eemyDadt
oday
."S
eok
jins
aid.
1

"
Sho
uldIdr
opy
ouo
ff?
"

"
No,i
mfi
ne,t
han
ks.
"

Theo
lderj
ustno
dsh
ish
eadan
dwal
kedt
owar
dst
hel
i
vin
gro
omal
readyt
ojo
int
het
win
swi
thwh
ate
ver
th
ey'
redoi
ng.

I
tdi
dn'
tto
okS
eok
jine
noug
htos
tep
pedo
uts
idet
heh
ous
etog
ovi
si
thi
spar
ent
sag
ain

Ofcours
e,Tae
hyungl
eth
img o.Hekno
wsth
athepr
obablymi
sse
dhisp
are
ntss
inc
eth
epas
tye
arst
hat
the
y'vebeent
oget
her
,Seok
jindidn
'tev
enge
tth
echancetov
isi
tth
em.

I
t'
snotasec
rettoh
imhowS
eokj
inissoc
los
etoh i
spar
ent
s,healwaystal
kaboutt
hem.Heal
way
sle
t
o
utth
ep r
oudes
tsmil
ewh
enev
erthe
y '
ret
alk
ingabouth
imesp
e c
iall
yhismoth
er.

"
Pap
a,wh
ere
'sMamag
oin
g?"

Tae
h y
ungwarmlys
mile
datth
eli
ttl
egi
rl
,"He
'sg
oin
gtov
isi
thi
sownMamaan
dDada,l
ove
ly.
"hes
aid,a
smi
lefor
mingonhi
sface.

J
anaj
usts
hrug
gedh
ers
houl
der
san
djus
tfo
cus
edo
nwh
ats
he'
sdo
ingwi
thJ
eno
.

"
Imi
ssDadaal
ready
,wi
shh
eco
uldv
isi
tus
."t
hel
i
ttl
ebo
ysai
d.
Taehyun
gbitt
hei
nsi
deso
fhi
sch
eek
s,t
ryi
ngt
opr
eve
nth
ims
elff
roms
ayi
ngs
ome
thi
ngag
ain
stt
he
l
itt
leboy'
swor
ds.

J
enoi
ssof
org
ivi
ng,mi
ssi
ngh
isf
ath
erwh
ohi
tsh
im.No
ttome
nti
ont
hath
isbr
uis
esar
est
il
lpr
ese
nt.
5

Th
eo l
derj
ustst
are
datthetwi
ns,c
omp
let
elyadmi
ri
ngt
hem.Th
ey'
res
ure
lyh
isf
avo
rit
eki
ds,t
hey
makehi
mh ap
pyasift
hey
'rehi
s.

Taehy
unglo
okedatth
edoo
rwh e
nhehear
dth
eirdoo
rbe
llc
ont
inuo
usl
yri
ngi
ng.Her
oll
edh
ise
yesas
he'
stool
azytoeve
ngoout
sidet
oche
ckwhoi
tis.
+

"
Stayh
ere
,ok
ay?
"Tae
hyun
gsai
d.

Hethe
no p
enedth
edooran
dwalke
dtowardst
heg
ate
,hi
sbr
owsk
nit
tedi
nco
nfus
ionwh
enh
esaw
Jun
gkookwai
ti
ngfors
omeonet
oopenup.

Tae
hyun
gst
opp
edi
nfr
onto
fth
eyo
ung
er,"
What
?Se
okj
in'
sno
the
re.
"hemumbl
ed.

J
ung
koo
khan
dedh
imabr
owne
nve
lop
ewh
ichTae
hyun
gac
cep
tedwi
thac
onf
use
dlo
oko
nhi
sfac
e.

"Iamn o
tthebestfathe
r,Ik now.Iamobv
ious
lyl
acki
ngbutIl
oveth
emv e
rymuch,
"Jung
koo
ks i
ghed,
"It
'st
rue,It
ric
kedS e
okji
n .Ibrai
nwash
edhimtogethi
m,weneedmone
yf orJ
ana'
str
eat
mentsthat
's
whyItoldhi
mt ost
ickwithy o
u."

Taehy
ungdidn
'tev
enbudg
e,h
e'ss
tar
ingatJ
ung
koo
kde
adi
nth
eey
esasi
fhe
'sal
readyac
cep
tin
g
tho
sebit
tertr
uth
.

"
Seok
jint
oldmehelo
vesyou,t
hat
'swhathealwayst
ell
sme.He'
sjustwait
ingf
oryout
och
angeand
h
e'sg
enui
nelywi
l
li
ngtost
aywithyou,
"theyounge
rmanbithi
slowerli
ps,"
That
'swh
yIamsur
pri
sed
t
hath
ecamewi
thme
,ac
cep
tedo
urde
al.
"hes
aid.

"F
irs
t,Itho
ughtthatiti
sjustfo
rth
et wi
nsbutnowIdon
'tk
nowan
ymo
re,h
edo
n'tf
uck
ingn
eedy
our
money,Tae
hyung
."J ung
kooksai
dthr
oughgri
tte
dteet
h.

"
Hef
uck
sar
oun
d,h
e'sas
lut
-"

"
Howc
any
ouf
uck
ings
ayt
hat
,Jun
gko
ok?
"Tae
hyun
gas
kedi
ndi
sbe
li
ef.

J
ungk
ook'
smo ut
hsli
ght
lywentagap
ed,he'sact
ual
lysur
pri
sedth
athedi
dn'tr
ece
iveas
ing
lep
unc
h
f
romtheol
derdesp
iteo
fhisc
o nf
ess
ionsabouthi
srel
ati
onshi
pwit
hSeok
jin
.

"
Loo
katt
hat
,op
eni
t.
"Jun
gko
oks
aid.

Tae
hyun
gsi
ghe
d,h
eth
eno
pen
edt
hebr
owne
nve
lop
ese
ein
gap
ape
rth
ath
asal
oto
fwo
rdsp
rin
tedo
nit
.

"
Iamn
ott
hef
ath
ero
fth
eki
ds.
"9

Taeh
yung'
sey
eswide
n e
dins
urp
ris
edash
esawt
her
esul
toft
heDNAt
est
,hec
hec
kedt
hen
amef
irs
t
andthe
nthefi
nal
resul
t.
6

"
Neg
ati
ve.
..
"

C
hap
terTh
irt
yTwo

F
LAS
HBAC
K+

S
eokji
nste
ppedi
nsi
det
hebui
l
din
g,h
ejo
gge
dto
war
dst
hef
irs
tbe
ncht
hath
esawan
dle
thi
mse
lf
c
oll
apse
dther
e.
Hebi
thisl
owe
rli
psash
est
are
dath
iss
hak
ingh
ands
,hes
huth
ise
yesc
los
ed,t
ryi
ngs
ohar
dtoc
alm
hi
msel
f.

"
No,n
o,"h
evi
gor
ous
lys
hoo
khi
she
ad,"
Ican
tbef
uck
ingp
reg
nan
t."h
esai
dinal
mos
tawh
isp
er.

Hi
shear
tist
hump
ingsol
oudagai
nsth
ische
stouto
fner
vous
ness.Noway
,hes
houl
dntbep
reg
nan
tat
th
ist
ime.No
twhe
nh i
sre
lat
ion
shi
pwithTaehy
ungi
sdo
ingwel
l.

Heros
euptoh
isfe
etandimmediat
elyh
ail
edac
ab.Wh
enh
ear
riv
edatade
sti
nat
ion
,al
uxur
iousn
ewl
y
bui
l
tcondo
mini
uminGang
n am.

Seok
jins
li
ghtl
ybowedatthes
e c
uri
tyg
uardwh odi
dn'
tevenas
kedf
orhisnameashe'
sseengoi
ngin
andoutofth
ebuil
din
gf o
ralotoft
imesal
ready,t
heyoun
geri
mmediat
elywenti
nsi
deth
ee l
evato
r
pr
essi
ngtheri
ghtf
loor
.

Asthedooroft
heel
evato
ro p
ened,hewalk
eddownunt
ilt
helas
tdo
oro
fth
efl
oorp
res
sin
gint
hec
ode
,
thedooro
p e
nedan
dh ewentins
idewit
houtno
tif
yin
gtheown
e r
.

"
Seo
kji
n..
."

Th
eman
'sbr
owsk
nit
tedi
nco
nfus
ions
inc
eSe
okj
inbar
elyc
ome
sse
ehi
mwh
eni
t'
sday
li
ght
.

Tho
ugh,th
ey oun
gerexpr
ess
edhowhelo
veshisne
wc o
ndomi
niumnowthatitlo
oksmuchbi
gge
rand
l
uxuri
ousthanhi
spre
vio
usones
,ther
easonastowhyheo
fte
ns pe
ndth
en ig
h ther
edoi
ngst
uffst
oo.

"
Min
dte
ll
in
gmewh
yar
eyo
uhe
re,babe
?"t
hemanas
ked,r
ais
ingh
isbr
ows
.

S
eok
jinr
oll
edhi
seye
sandj
ustmot
ion
e dth
emant of
oll
owh
imash
ewal
kedi
nsi
det
hel
i
vin
gro
om,h
e
s
atonth
esofaandr
anh
isfi
nge
rst
hroughhish
air
.
"
Weh
aves
ome
thi
ngs
eri
oust
otal
kabo
ut,Ho
seo
k."
43

Th
emans
atac
ros
soft
hey
oun
ger
,hel
ook
edath
ims
trai
ghti
nth
eey
een
cour
agi
ngh
imt
ojus
ttal
k.

"
Whati
sit
?Ar
eyo
ubac
kin
gout
?"Ho
seo
krai
sedh
isbr
ows
,"Wh
ati
sit
?"h
eas
ked.

Histh
ingwi
thHose
oki
sactual
l
ys e
rious
,heist
heonewho'
salwayswi
thSeo
kji
nwh
ene
verTae
hyun
g
cantevent
houg
htheol
derconf
essedthath
edoes
ntreal
l
ylik
eh i
matfir
st.

S
eokj
inact
ual
l
yforg
othowdi
dthe
ywentt
hisfarbuth
ejus
tcan
tst
op,Ho
seo
kisv
eryaddi
cti
ngan
dhe
c
anteveng
ooninadaywi
tho
utbei
ngt
ouchedbyhim.
1

"
Im.
.imp
reg
nan
t..
."

Hose
okg as
ped,h
elook
sstunne
d.Heshuth
iseye
scl
ose
dtr
yin
gtoc
almh
ims
elfash
edo
n'twan
ttos
ay
so
me th
ingthathewi
l
lsur
e l
yregr
etl
ateron.

"
Idon'
twan
ttos
oun
drude
,babe
,"Ho
seo
kli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
ps,"
Arey
ous
urei
t'
smi
ne?
"heas
ked,
c
are
ful.

S
eok
jin
'st
ear
sst
reame
ddo
wnh
isf
ace
.Hel
ook
eddo
wne
dbe
for
eno
ddi
ngh
ish
ead.

"
Ico
unt
edt
heday
s,Iamp
reg
nan
tev
enbe
for
eJun
gko
okan
dIh
ads
ex!
"hee
xcl
aime
d.2

Th
eol
derr
anh
isf
ing
erst
hro
ughh
ish
air
.Fuc
k!Th
isc
antbeh
app
eni
ng.

Hi
spar
ent
swo
uldp
robabl
yfl
i
ppe
doutan
dev
ery
thi
ngt
hath
ehav
eri
ghtn
owwi
l
lsur
elyg
ott
ake
naway
on
cet h
eyfoun
doutt
hath
ego
tso
meo
nep
reg
nan
tth
ise
arl
y,n
ott
ome
nti
ont
hath
e'sn
ote
venh
is
boyf
rie
nd.

"
Tae
hyun
g,o
hgo
sh!
"Se
okj
inc
rie
dev
enmo
re,"
He'
l
lge
tmadatme
."h
esai
d.

Hos
eoki
mmedi
ate
lycro
uch
eddo
wni
nfr
onto
fth
eyo
ung
err
eac
hin
goutf
orh
ish
andsan
dcar
ess
ingi
t
ev
eryon
cei
nawhil
e.

"L
ist
en,babe
,wecantl
etTae
hyungk
nowabo
utt
his
,hm?
"Ho
seo
kwi
pedh
ist
ear
saway
,"Wec
antl
et
anyo
neknowaboutt
his
."hes
aid.
2

S
eok
jing
ulp
sdo
wn,h
ist
hro
atc
ons
tri
cti
ngash
elo
oke
datt
heo
lde
rin
ten
tly
.

"
Arey
ou.
.ar
eyo
ute
ll
in
gmet
oabo
rtt
hebaby
?"

Ho
seo
k'se
yeswi
den
edan
dhev
igo
rous
lys
hoo
khi
she
adg
ivi
ngt
hey
oun
ger
'sh
andal
i
ghts
que
eze
.

"
No,n
o,o
fco
urs
eno
t.Th
ati
smi
ne,h
owc
anI
?"Ho
seo
ksh
uth
ise
yesc
los
ed,l
osi
ngh
ismi
ndal
ready
.

Hesti
ll
h av
ealongwaytogoandhi
sp arent
swonth
esi
tat
etop
assd
ownt
hei
rco
mpan
ytoh
ise
lde
st
cous
inifeverh
emessedupes
peci
all
yt h
eirname
.

I
t'
smakin
gh i
mshiv
erj
ustbythi
nki
ngaboutmedi
afi
nd i
ngoutt
hathe
,th
eheiroft
heJung'
sgot
s
omeonepre
gnan
tatthi
sage.Th
eirnamewil
lbeatr
iskandhi
spar
ent
swoul
dn e
verfo
rgi
vehimfor
t
hat.

"
Whatdoy
ouwan
nado
,babe
,hm?
"+

S
eok
jinl
ook
edath
im,"
Youk
nowt
hatIs
til
ll
oveTae
hyun
g."h
emumbl
ed.
1
Ho
seo
ksh
uth
ise
yesc
los
ed.Ofc
our
se,h
eve
rymuc
hkn
owabo
utt
hat
.

"
Tae
hyungwil
lge
te v
enmoremadaboutyouonceh
efi
ndo
utt
hatt
her
e'ss
ome
thi
ngg
oin
gonbe
twe
en
y
ouandme,babe.We'
rebe
stf
rie
ndsaf
ter
all!
"3

Ev
enHo
seo
kco
uldn
'tbe
li
eveh
ish
ypo
cri
sy.

Heeve
nwarnedTaehy
ungaboutSe
okj
inbe
c aus
eofall
therumor
sth
ath
ehe
ardabo
uth
imwh
ich
act
ual
lyt
urn
so utt
obeallt
ruebutdi
dhecare?Ofc
oursen
o t
.

"
Wecanthi
deitf
orev
er,Se
o k
jin
.He'
ll
findoutso
o n
erorlat
er,
"Hos
eokbi
tth
eins
idesofh
isc
hee
ks,
"
Howaboutyo
ujustmakeitseeml
i
keJ ung
kookisthef
athero
fth
ebaby.
"hesugge
ste
d.

That'
stheonl
yreaso
nthatwi
l
lbeac
cep
table
.Hec
anth
aveh
isn
ames
tai
nede
spe
cial
l
yth
ath
e's
carr
yingth
eircl
an,i
two
uldbeabi
gmess.

"
What
!?Ar
eyo
uin
san
e,Ho
seo
k?"

"
Iknow,Ikn
ow.Butweh
avet
obesmartaboutth
is,babe.Doyouthi
nkyo
u'l
lhavet
hisl
uxuryi
fmy
p
are
ntsfoundoutIg
ots
omeo
nepr
egnant?No,
"hes i
ghed,"Th
ey'
ll
takeal
lofthi
sawayfromme."

"S
eokj
in,thi
nkabouti
t,ok
ay?At
leastl
iket
his
,wec ankee
pall
ofthi
sorhavee
venmo r
eespe
cial
l
y
whenourbusi
nessi
shande
donme .Ipr
omiseyou,I
'l
lgi
veyoueve
ryt
hin
go n
cethath
appen
s."

Th
eyo
ung
ers
wal
l
owe
d,h
ard.

Hel
ook
edatHo
seo
kst
rai
ghti
nth
eey
e,h
iso
ffe
risv
erymuc
hte
mpt
ingan
dit
'sv
eryr
eas
onabl
e.

Hek
nowst
hatTae
hyun
gwo
uldn
tbeabl
etos
ust
aint
hel
i
fes
tyl
eth
ath
ewan
teds
obadun
li
keHo
seo
k
wh
ogo
tal
lth
emo
neyt
odos
o,h
ecank
eept
hebo
tho
fth
em,h
ejus
thav
etobec
are
ful
.

"
Okay
...
"

Ho
seo
kle
toutas
mal
lsmi
l
e,h
ele
ansi
ngi
vi
ngS
eok
jinaq
uic
kpe
cko
nth
eli
ps.

"
WhatdoIh
avet
odon
ow,t
hen
?"h
eas
ked.

Th
eol
ders
atn
extt
oSe
okj
inal
readyl
i
fti
ngh
imupan
dmak
ingh
ims
traddl
edh
isl
ap.

Healwaysl
i
kesS
eok
jinl
iket
his
,st
raddl
i
ngh
imwh
il
elo
oki
ngdo
wn.Th
oug
h,i
tismuc
hbe
tte
rift
he
youn
g e
rwasben
eat
hh i
m.

"
Tel
lJun
gko
okt
haty
ou'
rep
reg
nan
t,t
hat
'swh
aty
ouh
avet
odo
."

S
eokji
nnod
shi
sheadbe
for
eleani
ngdown,heteas
ing
lyl
ic
kedHo
seo
k'sl
i
ps,h
esl
i
dhi
sto
nguei
nsi
dean
d
j
ustwhent
heo
lde
rwasabouttobi
tit
,hepull
edaway.

They
oung
e rwi
nke
dath i
mbefor
efi
nal
lyki
ssi
ngtheolderful
l
yo nt
heli
ps,i
tisanop
en-mout
hedk
iss
,
th
ebothofthe
mh un
gryfore
achot
herasSeok
jinst
artstogri
ndonto
po ftheol
der
'sco
ck.
1

"
Img
oodatac
tin
g,babe
.Do
n'two
rry
."S
eok
jinwh
isp
ere
d.

C
hap
terTh
irt
yTh
ree
+

F
LAS
HBAC
K

S
eok
jinh
ash
ish
eaddo
wn,n
otwan
tin
gtome
etHo
seo
k'se
yes
.
"
Whydidy
oudoit
?Wh y?
"hescreamedt
ugg
ingh
ish
airup
,"I
tcanc
aus
eabade
ffe
ctt
oth
ebaby
,
S
eok
jin
!"hes
aidouto
ffrus
trat
ion.

I
t'sbee
nawe eksi
nceSeo
kji
ngotdis
charg
edfro
mt h
eh os
pit
alandh
e '
ssl
owl
yre
cov
eri
ng.Th
edo
cto
r
wassur
pri
sedbutofco
ursegl
adthathedi
dn'
twentthr
oughmisc
arr
iage.

No
w,h
e'sc
urr
ent
lys
tay
ingwi
thTae
hyun
g.

Hi
snowandon
ceag ai
nboyf
rie
nd,Ki
mTaehy
ung,t
hin
ksthati
twoul
dntbes
afefo
rS e
okj
inan
dmo s
t
es
pec
ial
l
yforthebabytobele
ftalo
newi
thSeo
kji
n'
ssui
ci
daltho
ughts
,hen
eedstobewi
thsome
one.

Hos
eokwass
urp
ris
edwh
enh
efo
undo
utt
hatS
eok
jinat
temp
tedt
oge
tri
doft
hei
rbabymuc
hmo
rek
il
l
hi
msel
f.

Het
houg
htt
hatt
hey
'real
readyc
learf
ort
hismat
teran
dth
ere
'sn
opr
obl
emal
ready
,het
houg
htwr
ong
.

Hebadl
ywant
stogovi
si
tSeok
jint
omakesuret
hath
e'sokayaswel
lasth
ebabybuth
edo
esn
twan
t
hi
sfri
endt
ogets
uspi
ci
ousast
owh yh
eisv
e r
ymuchconc
ernedwit
hhisboyf
rie
nd.

Now,hedec
idedtogotoTae
h yun
g'sh
ousewhenhef
oundoutth
attheyo
ung
e ri
sstay
ingt
her
ewithhi
s
fr
iend.L
uck
il
y,Taeh
y un
gisouttodosomet
hin
gimpor
tantan
dh ec
antal
kcomfor
tabl
ywithS
eok
jin.

"
Bec
aus
eimh
avi
ngt
oomuc
h!"S
eok
jins
cre
ame
d.

Hescrunc
h e
duphi
sno
se.Hi
she
artf
eel
i
ngs
ohe
avyan
dit
'sasi
fso
meo
ne'
sco
nti
nuo
usl
yri
ppi
ngi
t
apar
t,ithurt
s.

"I
mp re
gnan
t,whatdi
dyoudo?LetJung
kookbet
hef
athe
r,"heh
arsh
lywip
edhiste
arsaway
,"Heal
so
don'
twantt
hebabyandTaeh
y un
g'spus
hin
gmeaway!
"hescr
eamedfro
mt het
o po
fhisl
ungs
.
Heh
ate
sHo
seo
k.2

ThefactthatJ
ung
kookr
eje
ctedhi
mtoohur
ts.I
t'
sasifn
oonewant
stobewi
thhi
mth
efac
tth
at
Taeh
y ung
,themanth
athelov
es,i
sal
sop
ushi
nghimawayse
nthi
mo v
erth
eedge
.

Hose
o kst
opped,helo
okeddownatSe
okjinwhos
eeyescont
inuo
us l
ystr
eami
ngdo
wnh
isf
acean
dhi
s
sh
ouldershak
ing,hecan
te v
enseeanyt
hingo
nh i
sfacebutexhaust
ion
.

Hesudden
lyfeel
sbad,t
hisi
spr
obabl
ytoomuc
hfo
rth
eyo
ung
er.He
'sp
reg
nan
tye
thec
ante
venbe
th
ereforhim,h
e'sthef
athe
rofthebaby
.

Hos
eokthe
nreache
do utf
orSeokj
in'
shan
dsk
iss
ingt
hebac
kofi
tfo
rac
oup
leo
fti
mes
.Heme
tth
e
yo
unger
'seye
slo
okingsoapo
log
etic
.

"
Whatdoy
ouwan
t,t
hen
?Doy
ouwan
ttos
taywi
thme
?"Ho
seo
kas
ked.

S
eokj
inst
aredatHos
eokf
oramo
men
t,s
crun
chi
nguph
isn
ose
,heh
ars
hlywi
pedh
ist
ear
sawayan
d
s
hrug
gedhiss
houl
der
.

"
No,i
mfi
newi
thTae
hyun
g,"h
ebi
thi
slo
werl
i
ps,"
Ito
ldy
ouIl
oveh
ims
omuc
h."h
emumbl
ed.
1

That
'st
hetrut
h,Tae
hyun
gistheo
nlyp
ers
onthatmake
shimwantstoc
h ang
e.Hewantst
obeloy
alt
o
hi
m,tospe
ndtheres
tofhi
sli
fewi
thandhedo
esntwantt
hebabytogetinthewaywi
thhi
sgo
al.
3

Ho
seo
kle
toutat
igh
t-l
i
ppe
dsmi
l
e,h
esl
owl
yno
dsh
ish
eadatt
hey
oun
ger
,ac
kno
wle
dgi
ngh
isf
eel
i
ngs
.

Hel
ean
sinan
dpr
ess
eds
oftk
iss
esal
lov
ert
hey
oun
ger
'sc
hee
kswh
ichmadet
hey
oun
gerc
los
edh
ise
yes
,
h
isbr
eat
hin
gwe
ntr
igi
d.

Seok
jinbi
th i
slo
we rl
i
pswrap
pinghi
sarmsaro
undtheolder
'snec
k.Helo
okedathimstr
aig
htinth
ee y
e
whenHoseokcuppe
dh i
sch
eeks,t
heolde
rin
chedcl
oserandpre
ssedhi
sli
psagai
nstth
eyounge
r'spi
nk
pl
umpo ne
s.

Thek
isswassl
owatfi
rstbutSeo
kjint
easi
ngl
ybi
tth
eol
der
'sl
i
pswh
ichmadeHo
seo
kgr
oan
ed,h
eth
en
sl
i
dhistong
ueins
idet
hey oun
ger'
smouth
.

Th
eyo
ung
erar
che
dhi
sbac
kpr
ess
ingh
isbo
dyag
ain
stHo
seo
k.Go
sh!Hemi
sse
dHo
seo
ksomuc
h.

"
T..t
akeme
,Ho
bi,p
leas
e."S
eok
jinde
spe
rat
elyc
lut
che
don
toHo
seo
k'ss
hir
t.5

Theo
ldersuck
edonth
eyoun
ger
'sn
eckbei
ngcar
eful
nott
ole
avemar
ksash
edo
n'twan
ttop
utt
he
yo
ungerintr
oubl
ejus
tin
cas
ehi
sfri
endwoul
dse
eit.

Hos
eoks
li
dhish
andsin
sidetheyounge
r'ss
hir
tcar
ess
inghi
sst
il
lfl
ats
tomachbe
f o
resen
sual
l
ymo
vin
g
i
tupcar
ess
ingt
heyounger'
snip
pleswhi
chmadeSeok
jinun
cons
cio
usl
ybuck
edhiship
sup.

"
B..babe
,pl
eas
e,"S
eok
jinbr
eat
hedo
ut,"
Iwan
..Iwan
tyo
u."h
ebe
gge
d.4

Theol
derh
one
stl
ywan
tsn
oth
ingbutt
otak
eSe
okj
inr
igh
the
rean
dth
erebuth
edo
n'twan
ttot
aket
he
ri
sk.

"
Her
e?"Hos
eoks
mir
ked,"
Thi
sisTae
hyun
g'sh
ous
e,J
in-ah
."h
isl
i
psbr
ush
ingag
ain
stt
hey
oun
ger
's
e
arl
obe.

Thebot
hofth
ems to
ppedwh
ent
heyh
ear
dac
aro
uts
ide
,Ho
seo
kimme
diat
elyr
oseupt
ohi
sfe
etaf
ter
fi
xin
gthey
ounge
r'shai
r.
Mi
nut
esaf
ter
,th
edo
oro
pen
edr
eve
ali
ngTae
hyun
gst
rug
gli
ngt
oho
ldt
hre
epap
erbag
sinh
ish
ands
.

Hose
okimmedi
atel
ywalke
dtowardsh
isfri
endandgrabbedt
hetwop
ape
rbag
squi
ckl
ygo
ingi
nsi
det
he
ki
tchent
oputal
lofitt
herewi
thTaehyun
gf o
ll
owin
gbe hi
ndhi
m.

"
Whatar
eyo
udo
ingh
ere
?"Tae
hyun
gas
ked.

Ho
seo
kth
ens
hrug
gedh
iss
houl
der
s,"
Not
hin
gjus
tch
eck
ingupo
nyo
u."h
esmi
l
ed.

Tae
hyun
gle
toutade
eps
ighp
utt
ingal
lth
efr
uit
sth
ath
ebo
ugh
tfo
rSe
okj
ini
nsi
det
hef
ridg
e.

He'
sg l
adtohav
eaf ri
endli
keHos
eok,hi
sfri
endke
epsonch
ecki
nguponhi
mg i
vin
ghimalo
to fadv
ice
aboutwhath
es ho
ulddo.Ther
easonastowhyhedeci
dedt
ojustac
ceptS
eok
jinonc
eagai
n.1

"
Ithi
nk,yo
ushoul
dgoeas
yonSeok
jin,Tae
,"Ho
seokbi
thisl
owerl
ips
,"J
ustbyl
ook
ingath
im,Ik
now
t
hathe'
shavi
ngaroug
hti
me.Yo
us ho
uldbether
eforhi
m,always
."hes
aid.
1

"
Yout
hin
kso
?"

Tae
hyun
gli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
ps,r
unn
ingh
isf
ing
erst
hro
ughh
ish
air
,hel
eto
utav
eryde
eps
igh
.

Thet
hin
gis,h
eh o
nestl
ywantstobethe
refo
rSeok
jinal
thr
oug
ho ut
,helo
vesh
im.Het
rie
dtoc
onv
inc
e
hi
msel
fthathi
sfeel
i
ngsal
readychan
gedbutno
,he'
sjustf
ool
inghims
elf
.

Hej
ustl
ove
sSe
okj
ins
omuc
h.

Thoug
h,ev
eryti
met h
ath el
ook
satthey
ounge
rinth
eeye,al
lhec
o ul
dreme
mberwashowhebet
rayed
hi
m.Ho wh
ec h
e at
edandg o
tpreg
nan
twitharan
domguyjus
tbecauseo
fapro
ble
mt h
atth
e yc
ould
ac
tuall
ysol
veinaninst
ant.
"
Yous
houl
dtak
ecar
eofh
im,h
e'st
oos
tre
sse
d."

Tae
hyungsmi
led,h
e'sve
rymucht
han
kful
forHo
seo
k,n
otk
nowi
ngt
her
eal
reas
onast
owh
yhe
'sv
ery
muchco
n c
ern
edabo utt
hem.

"
Than
ks,Ho
bi.Yo
u'r
esuc
hag
oodf
rie
nd.
..
"

C
hap
terTh
irt
yFo
ur+

Tae
hyungsendJ
ung
koo
kho
meal
ready
,het
oldt
hey
oun
gert
hath
ewan
tst
otal
ktoS
eok
jinabo
utt
his
matte
rfi
rst
.

Go
odthi
ng,J
un g
kookt
oldhi
mt h
ath eactuall
ywant
stos
pen
dso
met
imewi
tht
hek
ids
,Tae
hyun
g
ag
ree
dwithouteve
naski
ngforSeo
kjin'
so p
ini
on.

Heranhi
sfi
ngersthr
o ug
hh i
shai
rjustwai
tin
gfo
rSe
okj
int
ofi
nal
l
yco
mebac
k,h
ish
ear
tth
ump
ings
o
l
oudagai
nsthi
sc h
est,he'
ssofuc
kingangr
y.

Helos
tcoun
tastohowmanyt
imesSeok
jinf
ool
edhi
m.Whoi
sth
efucki
ngfat
hero
fth
eki
ds?Wh
at'
shi
s
deal
withHos
eok
,hi
sfuc
kin
gbest
fri
end?He'
sbet
ray
edfo
rsomanyt
imes.

Taehy
ungquic
klyr
oseupt
oh i
sfe
etassoo
nasth
edo
oro
pen
ed,h
ehar
shl
ygr
abbe
dSe
okj
inbyt
he
armsands
lig
htlyp
ushi
nghi
minthel
ivi
ngroo
m.

Hebith
islowe
rli
psbac
kin
gaway.Onewron
gmove,hekno
wst
hathei
sgoi
ngt
ohur
tSe
okj
ino
nce
agai
n,hebadl
ywantst
oslapt
heyoung
er,hi
smi
ndisve
rymuc
hclo
uded.

"
You'
refuc
k i
ngHos
eoktoo
?"Taehy
ungsn
apped,"
Forho
wlo
ng?Go
sh,S
eok
jin
!Ar
eyo
ure
all
yth
esl
ut
t
hey'
real
ltal
kin
gabout
?"hesai
doutoffr
ust
rati
on.
6
Taehy
ungf e
elsli
kehecoul
dcryanymo men
tbutnotbe
causeheiss
adorhur
tmoret
hanthosetwo
,
he'
sfrus
tratedandver
ymuc hangryashel
ook
sli
keatotal
foo
l.Hedoe
sn'
tknowt
hathi
sli
ve-in
par
tnerhasak i
dwit
hh i
sbestf
rie
nd.

S
eok
jing
ulp
sdo
wn,h
ecl
enc
hedbo
tho
fhi
sfi
st,h
eli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
psash
ewal
kedc
los
ert
oth
eol
der
.

"
Tae
,baby
,"h
esi
ghe
d,"
Whatar
eyo
usay
ing
?"h
eas
ked,h
ise
xpr
ess
ions
oft
.1

Tae
hyun
gle
toutamo
cki
ngbutv
eryi
nsul
tedl
aug
h,h
eco
uldn
'tbe
li
eveh
im!I
sth
ist
her
eal
Seo
kji
n?

"
Iknowi
t,J
in!St
opl
yi
ngtome!Thefat
hero
fth
etwi
nswas
n'tJ
ung
koo
k,i
t'
sHo
seo
k,"Tae
hyun
g
s
cre
amed,"
It'
smyfuck
ingbe
stf
rie
nd!"

S
eok
jinbi
thi
slo
werl
i
ps,h
ere
ach
edo
utf
ort
heo
lde
r'sh
andsan
dhede
spe
rat
elys
hoo
khi
she
ad.

No
,no,no.Ever
ythi
ng'
sdoin
gwe l
lal
readyandJ
ungko
okme
sse
ditup
,heal
readyde
cide
dtoj
usts
tic
k
wi
thTae
hy un
gan dthi
siswhath
appened?Th
atfuc
ker!

"Whatarey
oudoingwi
thy
ours
elf,S
eokji
n?"Tae
h y
ungyel
led,"
Wh ydoyouk
eepo
nsl
eep
ingar
oun
dli
ke
afucki
ngsl
ut?It
hough
tyouwerebett
erthanthat
!"hes
aid,sc
reaming
.

Theyounge
rli
cke
dhi
slo
werl
i
ps,t
hede
spe
rat
ionn
olo
nge
rinh
ise
yesasi
tisal
readyf
il
le
dwi
thmo
ck
co
n f
usio
n.

"
Yah
,don'
tactal
lcl
ean
,Taehy
ung-ah
.You'
rej
ustli
keth
em,
"Se
okj
ins
mir
ked,"
Lik
ingmef
romwh
atI
c
anphy
sic
all
yoff
er.
"Hesai
dsl
igh
tlys
hak
inghi
shead.

Taeh
yun
g'sey
eswide
ne dins
urpr
ise
d,h
erai
sedh
ish
andsupwan
tin
gno
thi
ngbutt
ogi
veS
eok
jinah
ard
sl
apont
hefacet
oatleastwakehi
mup.

"
You'
reg
onn
ahi
tme
?"t
hey
oun
gerwi
den
edh
ise
yes
,"Go
,hi
tme
.Yo
u'r
eaf
uck
ingc
owar
d,Tae
hyun
g.
Yo
ucantev
enfacewhatyo
ufee
lan
dkn
owsn
oth
ingbutt
ohi
tmee
ver
yti
mey
ou'
rean
gry
."Hei
nch
eda
bi
tcl
ose
rtowar
dstheol
der
.1

Tae
hyungi
sshoc
kedwi
tht
hes
udde
nbr
ave
ry,h
edo
esn
'tk
nowi
fit
sjus
tno
worS
eok
jinh
asal
way
s
bee
nli
kethi
s.

Wh
at'
shap
pen
ingt
ohi
m,r
eal
l
y?

Theol
de rs
qui
nte
dh i
seye
sashemettheyounge
r'schal
l
engi
ngones
,it
'sasi
fSe
okji
nfear
snoth
ing
.It
gavetheol
dergoos
ebumpsj
ustbyme
etin
gt h
es t
o i
cexpr
ess
iono
fSeokji
n,h
eseemsl
ik
eat o
tal
dif
fer
entpers
on.

"
Ilo
vedyou,Imaynotbet
hebes
tpers
onbutIt
rie
dever
ythi
ngtolo
v ey
outhewayIonl
yknew,"
S
eokji
n'
seyeswi
den
ed,"Yo
uthi
nklo
vin
gyouwaseasy
?Ha!?
"h es
creamedf
romtheto
po fh
islungs
.

Tae
hyun
gcl
enc
hedbo
tho
fhi
sfi
st.Her
ais
edh
isbr
owswh
enS
eok
jint
urn
edh
isbac
kag
ain
sth
im.

"
Whe
ret
heh
ell
arey
oug
oin
g?"h
eye
ll
ed.

Se
okji
ndi
dn'
tev
enl
ooke
dbackatt
heolderashemadehi
swayout
sideofth
eh ous
e,Taeh
yun
gto
oki
n
adee
pbreat
her
unn
inghi
sfi
nge
rst
hro
ug hhish
airan
dtuggi
ngi
tupo uto
ffrus
trat
ion.

"
Hos
eok
,Ho
seo
k..
."

Theolde
rcur
sedun derhi
sbreatheashej
oggedo
utsi
dethehousemaki
ngsureit
'sl
ockedbe
forehe
hai
ledacabtell
in
gt h
edrive
rt odropp
edhi
mbyHo s
eok'
shous
e ,t
heguar
do fth
ee x
clus
ivev
il
lage
knowshi
malreadysoit'
saloteasie
rtoen
ter.
+

I
twasr
igh
tont
imeast
heme
tal
gat
eop
ene
dan
dth
ebl
ackme
rce
desmadei
tswayo
uts
ide
,Tae
hyun
g
i
mme
diat
elyk
noc
kedo
nth
ewi
ndo
wno
tev
enc
ari
ngi
fhel
ook
spat
het
ic.

At
leas
t,i
tcaug
htHo
seo
k'sat
ten
tio
nwh
ichmadeh
imwe
nto
uts
ideh
isf
uck
ingc
ar.

AssoonasHoseoks
too
dac r
ossofh
im,hegavehi
mahardpun
chri
ghtont
hefac
e.Th
epoormanstar
ts
tocoughnon
stopbutt
hatdidn'
tmadeTae
h y
unggoe
asyonhimasheg
rabbe
dhimbyth
ec o
ll
arst
o
gav
eh imanoth
erpunch.
2

"
Fuck,Tae
hyun
g!"Ho
seo
kwi
pedt
hebl
oodo
ffo
fth
esi
deo
fhi
sli
ps,"
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyo
uon
?"h
e
h
iss
ed.

Taeh
yungtookas t
epbac
kkn
owi
ngt
hati
fhewo
uldn
'tc
ont
rol
hims
elf
,Ho
seo
kwo
uldp
robabl
yen
dupi
n
thehos
pit
alf
o rdays.

"
Ikn
owal
lofi
tkn
ow,Ho
seo
k!H.
.ho
w..h
owc
any
ouf
ool
mel
i
ket
his
?"h
eas
kedi
naf
ain
tvo
ice
.

Heli
cke
dh i
slo
werl
ipsan
dk i
cke
dthero
ckonhi
sfe
etoutofi
rri
tat
ion
.Hebreat
hedi
nan
doutash
ebi
t
th
einsi
desofhi
sch
eekstr
yings
ohardnott
ole
thi
sun
s h
edtearsf
allf
ree
ly.

Thep
ainwasdoubl
ed,t
hep
aint
hath
efe
ltwh
enh
efo
undo
utabo
utJ
ung
koo
kan
dSe
okj
ini
sno
thi
ng
co
mparedtoth
is.

Hiso
wnfri
end,
hisbes
tfr
ien
dwhoknowsalo
tofthi
ngsabouthim,h
isfri
endwhokno
wshowmuc
hh e
hadahar
dtimeacce
ptin
gSeok
jino
nceagai
n.Hewantst
of uc
kingki
ll
Hoseokr
igh
tinth
ismo
ment.

"
Soth
at '
sther
eas
onwhyyouneve
rle
tmepayyo
ubac
kwhenitc
o me
stotheki
ds?"Tae
hyun
gsmi
rke
d,
"
Thereasonwh
yyou'
real
waysdy
ingt
ose
ethem.
"Hes
hoo
kh i
sheadi
ndis
beli
ef.

He
'ss
uchaf
ool
,het
houg
htt
hatHo
seo
kwasj
ustv
eryf
ondo
fth
etwi
ns.

Oh
,ofc
our
se,h
ewo
uldbev
eryf
ondo
fth
em.Th
ey'
reh
isk
idsaf
ter
all
!
"
Taeh
yung,l
i
ste
n,"Ho
seokr
anhisf
ing
ersth
roug
hhi
shai
r,"
Youc
ang
etmadatmeal
lyo
uwan
tbutwe
h
avetoh
elpSeo
kji
nfi
rst
,hene
edshel
p."

"
Whatdoy
oume
anh
elp
?"

"
I..Ir
eal
l
yth
inkh
ehasp
robl
ems
,li
keh
e'si
nsan
eors
ome
thi
ng.
..
"

Taehy
ungcurs
edunde
rh i
sbr
eat
he,"Oh!Ofc
our
se,h
emus
tbei
nsan
e.Hej
ustf
uck
edy
ou,mean
d
Jun
gkookandthel
i
stpro
babl
ygoeso
n .
..
"5

Hose
okvi
gor
ousl
ysh
o o
khisheadlo
okings
odesp
erat
e.Hes
tep
pedc
los
eran
dme
thi
sfr
ien
d'se
yes
,he
's
re
all
yco
ncerne
daboutSe
o k
jin'
swell
-bei
ng.

"I
..If
oll
owedh
imwh enh
es ai
dhe'
sgoi
ngt
oseehi
spar
e n
t s
,"Ho
seok
'shan
dstr
embled,"
Hewe
nti
nto
anabandon
edhous
e,Taehy
ung-ah
."Hi
svo
ices
haki
ngjustremembe
rin
gever
ythi
ng.

"
He'
stalk
ingt
onoo n
e .He
'sacti
ngli
kehe'
stal
kin
gtohismoth
ero rf
ath
ereve
nh ug
gin
gt h
emo
r
s
omethi
ngbutth
ereisnone,Tae
hyung!S
eokji
ngrewupinanorp
hanage
!"h
ee xc
lai
med.48

Taehy
ung'
sshoul
ders
udde
nlys
lump
ed,h
ise
yeswi
den
edi
nsur
pri
sed.Heg
ulp
sdo
wnf
eel
i
ngh
ish
ands
run
ningc
old.

"
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyo
utal
ki
ngabo
ut?
"

C
hap
terTh
irt
yFi
ve+

Tae
hyun
gwasi
nde
eds
urp
ris
ed,s
hoc
kedan
dte
rri
fi
ed,n
amei
t.

Hedo
n'tk
nowwh
att
ofe
elwh
enHo
seo
kex
plai
nedt
ohi
mwh
ath
esawt
hedayh
ede
cide
dtof
oll
ow
S
eok
jini
nwh
ath
esay
s,t
hei
rho
use
.

Hejus
tcoul
dn'
tbel
ie
vei
t.Al
lth
ist
imewhen
ev e
rSeokj
intal
ksabo
uthi
spar
ent
s,i
tso
unde
dsor
eal
,i
t'
s
asi
fthebondi
ngr
eal
lyh
appe
ned,t
hecon
versat
ionwasre
all
yther
e.

Tae
hyun
gas
kedf
ort
headdr
esso
fth
eho
uset
hatS
eok
jink
eep
song
oin
g,Ho
seo
kdr
opp
edh
imt
her
e.

Now,he'
sstandi
nginf
rontofanaban
done
dhouse,i
tseemsver
yli
fel
essandol
d.Theg
atesar
erus
ty,
th
eg r
assesfr
o mth
es i
deswerel
ongandt
her
e'saloto
ft r
ash
esthatcaus
esafoul
small
.

I
tisv
erydi
ffe
rentf
romwhatSeo
kji
nist
alk
ingabout
,asimp
lebutc
leanan
dve
ryc
ozyh
ome
.Hes
aid
t
hatthe
re'
sevenal
otofp
lant
sashi
smotherl
ike
sitver
ymuch.

Themanbithi
slo
we rl
i
p scl
enc
hingh
isf
istashefi
nal
l
ydecide
dtogoi
nsi
de.Thedo
orwassl
ig
htl
y
open
ed,h
ec o
uldhearfain
tnoi
sesandt
heg i
ggl
esofS
eok
jincanbehe
ardfromout
side
,hes
ounded
happ
y.

Taehy
ungcar
eful
l
ywe nti
nsi
den
o twan
tin
gtomak
ean o
ise
.Hest
oodth
erel
ook
ingatSe
okji
n,i
t'
sasi
f
theyoun
gmanissi
tti
nginth
emiddl
eofsomep
eop
leashi
seye
skeep
songoi
ngl
eftandr
igh
twhil
e
tal
ki
ng.

Theol
dertoo
kinadeepbr
eat
he,h
isl
i
psq
uev
eri
ngasat
earf
ell
fro
mhi
sey
es,h
ish
ear
thur
tsf
rom
se
ein
gS eo
kji
nli
keth
is.

"
Mom,o
fco
urs
e.Ik
nowy
ou'
ren
otg
oin
gtol
eav
e."S
eok
jins
aid,ap
rouds
mil
eonh
isf
ace
.

Seo
kjins
top
pedandle
ansfr
omh i
sri
ghtdi
rec
t i
ondoin
gag es
t ur
easifhe
'scar
ess
ingsomeon
e,i
tmade
Taehy
ungwhimp
eredashecov
eredh
ismouth,tear
scont
inuousl
yst
reamingdo
wnh i
sface
.
"
Seo
kji
n..
."

Theyoun
gersnapp
e dhi
sheadbackatTae
hyun
g'sdi
rec
tio
n.Her
oseupt
ohi
sfe
et,h
ise
yeswi
den
ingas
hesawtheol
der,heimmediat
elywal
kedt
owar
dsh i
m.

"
Whatar
eyoudo
ingher
e?"Seok
jinas
kedi
nawh
isp
er,"
Myp
are
ntsh
ate
svi
si
tor
s.P
lus
,yo
udi
dn'
tev
en
g
ree
tthem.
"Hesai
d,o
ffende
d.

Taehyun
gs wal
lowedhard,h
elook
edatt
hedir
ect
ionofwhereSeo
kji
nissi
tti
ngear
li
er,awo
rn-o
utsof
a.
Thewallhasco
ck r
oac
h e
san dt
here'
sal
oto
fusedute
n s
ilo
nt h
efarcorn
erwh e
rethe
re'
sasmal
lro
und
tabl
e.

"
Ist
hiswh
ere
..wh
eret
heyl
i
ve,J
in-ah
?Ar
eyo
ual
way
she
re?
"Tae
hyun
gas
ked,h
isv
oic
ecr
ack
ing
.

S
eok
jinbi
thi
slo
werl
i
psash
ele
ansc
los
erasi
fhe
'saf
rai
dth
ath
isp
are
ntswo
uldh
eart
hemt
alk
ing
.

"Ye
s,i
malway
sh er
e.Th
isi
sourho
use,
"hes
ighed,"Tae
hyung
,Ik
nowy
ou'
remadatmebutp
leas
e,n
ot
whenmyp
arentsar
earoun
d."Hes
aidi
nadesp
er at
eman n
er.
4

Taehy
ungcoul
dn'
the
lpitan
ymo
reh
ebur
ste
doutc
ryi
ngwh
il
esh
aki
ngh
ish
ead,h
edo
esn
'twan
tto
acc
eptwhat
'shap
peni
ng.

Hehars
hlywi
pedhi
stear
sawayandcupp
edtheyoun
ger
'sc
hee
ksc
are
ssi
ngi
ton
cei
nawh
il
eash
e
st
aredathi
minte
ntl
y,hi
stear
sjus
tcoul
dn'
tsto
p.

"
Mymo
m..mymo
m'sc
all
i
ngme
."

J
ustwhenS
eokj
inwasaboutt
ogobacktowher
eh i
smo t
herat,Taeh
yungpul
l
edhimcl
osee
nve
lop
ing
h
imint
oav e
ryti
ghthug
,heburi
edhi
sfaceo
nS eo
kjin
'sneckwhil
ecryi
ngh
ishear
tout
.
"
No,n
o,S
eok
jin
,baby
.Ims
orr
y,s
orr
y,"h
eso
bbe
d,"
Let
'sg
oho
me,p
leas
e."Hebe
gge
d.

S
eokj
insl
ig
htl
ypus
hedtheol
derawayf
romh
im,h
esh
ookh
ish
eadash
elo
oke
dbe
hin
dhi
m,"
Iwan
tto
s
tayher
ewitht
hem."Hesai
d.

"
Wit
hwh
o,S
eok
jin
?Wi
thwh
o?"Tae
hyun
gex
clai
medi
nfr
ust
rat
ion
.

Ther
eisn
owayh
e'sg
oin
gtol
etS
eok
jinbeh
ereo
nceag
ain
,he
'sg
oin
gtobeo
kay
.He
'l
lmak
esur
eof
th
at.

Taehy
ungreac
hedoutf
orhi
shandsandk
iss
ede acho
fhi
sfi
nge
rti
psast
ear
sst
il
lst
reami
ngdo
wnh
is
fac
e.Hejus
tcoul
dn'
tsto
p,h
e'ss
oh ur
tforSeo
kjin
.