Ilay casually threw his passport into the bag and zipped it up.
"What do you mean, everything? Clothes, toothbrush, towel..."
"I can buy those. Besides, I won't be able to see you for at least a few days from tomorrow, so I think it's better if we have a slow conversation tonight."
He sat down beside Jeong Taeui, who was leaning against the bed, holding onto a beer can.
As Ilay pressed his waist a bit closer to Jeong Taeui's thigh, Jeong Taeui mumbled with the beer can still at his mouth,
No, I definitely don't know what kind of person you are. Look at this; if I had known what kind of person you were, I wouldn't have made such a careless remark and ended up in this situation...
He always had a way of dragging these things out...
"You finished that beer, didn't you?"
Jeong Taeui regretfully watched as a pale hand took away the beer can he'd been holding.
Ilay drained the last two sips and then looked back at Jeong Taeui.
"So, what kind of person am I?"
Feeling that this topic wouldn't pass easily, Jeong Taeui sighed and muttered after a brief pause,
"Fickle, or rather, an unpredictable person. Without a plan."
He emphasized, "Without a plan."
He was a man who, without any good or bad connotations, was as inscrutable as his meaning itself. This man named Ilay Riegrow.
They had been together for a long time. As Kyle had jokingly but truthfully called him the
"Ilay Professional," Jeong Taeui likely understood him better than most people.
Yet, even so, there were still parts of him that were unknown. It was not just about not
knowing; it was about being truly unpredictable. For example, why he had persistently clung to him was an unknown part, and the obsession was something that could not be gauged even until the last second-whether it would end in one second or after death. Also, what form this
obsession would end in was also unpredictable.
...This guy might actually eat me up...
Doubting whether this man even had taboos-though it had long been judged that he did not―Jeong Taeui faced Ilay, who was staring down at him.
It seemed unlikely, but as if peering directly into Jeong Taeui's mind, his narrow eyes had an unpleasant glint. "Oh, that's not good. If this guy gets in a bad mood, my body will be in trouble."
"Why don't you tell me? What kind of person am I?"
Jeong Taeui quickly rubbed Ilay's eyelids to blur his gaze and asked. Fortunately, it seemed he would not cling on any longer and would passively accept.
"... I'd like to return the favor and say the same thing."
"What, that I'm capricious?"
"That part."
"You're also truly an unpredictable type, it's strange no matter how many times I see it,"
Ilay mumbled to himself, then grasped Jeong Taeui's hand and pushed it aside. He applied gentle pressure with the hand that was holding, sliding his body away from Jeong Taeui.
"But it's fine. At least one thing is certain."
The sound of breath came closer.
"Ugh, it's heavy," Jeong Taeui muttered, then cut off his words the next moment.
The conversation paused briefly.
"You're a person who tastes like beer."
"...When did you eat barbecue without me knowing?"
Jeong Taeui looked up at Ilay's face, which was not even an inch away, and licked his lips, which had become slick with saliva during the brief interval. The breath that laughed lightly touched his lips.
"You're wrong. It was barbecue-flavored jerky. Check again."
He had no time to comment on who had eaten the last of the snacks, whether it was barbecue—flavored jerky or barbecue-flavored potato chips, which didn't really matter to him.
Whatever thoughts they had in their heads, they likely pierced each other's essence quite accurately.
And apart from that, whether it was barbecue-flavored jerky or barbecue-flavored potato chips didn't matter to him for the following reason:
"Anyway, I smelled like barbecue all over after the shower..."
"What? Barbecue? Was the dinner menu barbecue tonight?"
Not realizing it, Kyle said it must have been delicious, smacking his lips. Only then did Jeong Taeui quickly shake his head.
"No, that's not it...um...I just suddenly thought of barbecue."
"Really? Then let's have barbecue for dinner tomorrow. How about we even invite friends
and have a garden party?"
Kyle, who accepted Jeong Taeui's flimsy excuse straightforwardly, soon began listing friends with a cheerful face. Jeong Taeui, who had not wanted to smell barbecue for a while, could no longer refuse and kept mulling over, 'This is all Ilay's fault.'
At that moment, Rita appeared as if to set the menu for the next evening right on time.
"So you were here."
Rita, who appeared with her usual stern expression, stood upright and paused.
"Rita, you came at just the right time. I was thinking of inviting a few people for a barbecue in the yard tomorrow evening."
"Tomorrow evening? I should check with Peter to see if we have enough charcoal. I'll make sure to prepare. By the way, Jeong Taeui, there was a phone call for you."
Rita, who had nodded to Kyle and replied, quickly turned her attention to Jeong Taeui.
Jeong Taeui, who had been sipping his beer while only half-listening to their conversation, looked up with widened eyes, pointing to himself with his finger. It wasn't until Rita nodded and said, "Yes, I'm talking about you," that he understood.
The call had been from his older brother, whom he had completely forgotten about for a couple of months. The matter the call was about had been forgotten for an even longer time.
"Jeong Taeui, it seems that Aunt Dango has collapsed."
Only after hearing those words from Jeong Jaeui did Jeong Taeui recall his aunt, whom he hadn't thought about for years. Aunt Dango was one of the few relatives still in Korea with whom they had occasional contact. She was also the one managing the empty house of Jeong Jaeui and Jeong Taeui.
However, since they weren't particularly close and she was already nearing eighty before they left Korea, the news of her collapse only brought a brief sense of regret, without overwhelming sadness or worry. Fortunately, they soon heard that she had recovered without major issues.
What actually confused Jeong Taeui was Jeong Jaeui's next statement.
"By the way, it looks like she might be moving to the countryside. So, I was thinking, how about we tidy up the house she was looking after for us?"
That statement implied that there was no immediate plan for them to return to Korea.
Although it seemed realistic that neither he nor Jeong Jaeui would return to Korea for a
while, Jeong Taeui found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
"Uh...yeah, that's fine...But, brother, are you not coming back to Korea after the contract
ends? I mean, not right after, but in any case."
"Hmm...probably. Unless something unexpected happens, I think I'll be staying here."
Jeong Jaeui's hesitating answer made Jeong Taeui feel a sudden heaviness in his chest.
Well, there is a reason.
"Um, well, how's the employer? Are they doing well?"
"Rahman? Yeah, doing well. He's here with me now. Why, is there something you need?"
Jeong Taeui asked cautiously, almost afraid to mention the name. The immediate response from Jeong Jaeui was followed by the faint sound of a familiar voice speaking in an unfamiliar language. It was unclear whether he should be surprised by the gentle conversation or suspicious about their late-night company, but regardless, he lacked the courage to ask.
So what happened afterward?
...Or maybe there was no need to ask. If he were to say that it might be a good idea to finally tidy up the house he had left empty all this time.
"Well, I don't mind selling the house. It doesn't seem likely that I'll need to live there again anytime soon....Since I have some free time anyway, I'll go to Korea and take care of it. I've been meaning to visit anyway."
Jeong Taeui's response was met with a brief silence from the other end of the line. Soon after, Jeong Jaeui replied.
"Then I'll send the necessary documents to Aunt Dango. You should be able to go before she arrives at the end of next month. If it becomes inconvenient, you can ask someone else in the meantime."
"Uh, no. I should be able to go right away. Probably..."
"..."
"..."
"Well, then, I'll leave it to you. Take care until we meet again."
"Yeah, take care too....And,...say hello to Rahman for me."
After adding a line he wasn't particularly comfortable with, Jeong Taeui hung up. He stared
at the receiver for a while, as if Jeong Jaeui was still on the line.
"What's wrong, Jeong Taeui? Is something the matter?"
Kyle, who had been sitting a little distance away, having listened to their conversation-
which he probably didn't understand asked with concern. Jeong Taeui put down the
receiver and turned with a smile.
"No, it's nothing major. It seems that my aunt had a collapse, but it's not a serious matter... I
just think I need to go to Korea for a short while."
"Korea? Are you sure it's nothing serious?"
"Yes, really. It's just...I'm thinking of tidying up the house where I used to live with my
brother. Since neither my brother nor I will be going back there for the time being."
Only then did Kyle nod with a relieved expression.
"Okay, then I'll need to prepare the flight tickets. Let me know when would be a good date and time. I'll arrange it."
"Yes, thank you. For now, it will be after Ilay returns."
Saying something like, "I should at least let him know: I don't know what kind of trouble I
might get into if I just leave while he's not around," Jeong Taeui's smile looked very
plausible, and Kyle gave him a gaze that was hard to describe. It was as if he were looking at a noble youth growing steadfastly amidst the hardships of the world.
Fecling somewhat awkward, Jeong Taeui scratched his head when suddenly a rumbling phone call sounded from behind him, causing him to flinch without realizing it.
Usually, if a phone rings again immediately after the previous call ends, it is likely from the same person—
"Hello."
[You were on the phone until just a moment ago, and as soon as the signal dropped, you
answered. Who was the call from?]
That's right. I knew it wasn't my brother. He wasn't the type to forget the purpose of the call and make a careless redial. But even though I knew it wasn't him, I didn't expect a call from a tiger.
"You said you'd come when I mentioned it.."
[Hmm?]
"No, never mind. My brother Jeong Jacui just called for a moment. By the way, when will you be back?"
Jeong Taeui's lips mouthed 'Ilay' to Kyle, who tilted his head in confusion. When no sound came from the receiver for a moment, Jeong Taeui wondered if the call had ended and called out, "Ilay?" only to receive a delayed response.
[Jeong Jaeui, huh. Why all of a sudden?]
This was an annoyed voice.
"No. He was asking if it would be alright to tidy up the house in Korea. That's all."
[Not a bad idea. But why, did Jeong Jaeui decide not to return to Korea?]
"Well, it seems that way."
[Hmm.]
This was a rather pleased voice.
Feeling as though he could see the thought process, Jeong Tacui awkwardly asked,
"So, when are you coming back?"
[Ah, right. I called because the work is taking a bit longer than expected. It won't take that
long, but it seems like I won't be able to return within this month.]
"Huh?" Jeong Taeui asked jokingly.
"Why? Did you find out that the target is 'someone like me'?"
[No. The person itself isn't a big deal, but the procedures are cumbersome. Anyway, I'll
return next month.]
"Next month..."
Jeong Taeui scratched his head.
Since Auntie said she would go to the countryside at the end of next month, leaving for Korea after Ilay returns shouldn't cause any major problems, if everything goes as expected.
However, Jeong Taeui already knew that things don't always go as planned. Besides, it didn't seem very good to wait until the deadline.
"Then maybe it's better to just go ahead and not wait."
[Hmm?]
"Ah, I'm trying to sell the house left in Korea. The person who is taking care of it now has
some issues, so it seems I need to go by next month."
[You?]
"Yeah. There's nothing particularly pressing, so I said I'd go. Originally, I was planning to
wait until you returned to talk face-to-face before going, but if you're delayed..."
I'm not running away. I'm not sneaking away while you're not around.
Jeong Taeui trailed off, filled with such meaning. Though it was somewhat unnecessary, Jeong Taeui was always thorough in security preparations.
[Going to Korea...I guess it wouldn't be bad. Go ahead.]
The response from the other end of the line was more agreeable than expected.
Oh, alright, I'll finish my business quickly and come back, Jeong Taeui was about to respond cheerfully when—
[I'll follow after finishing my work, so go ahead first.]
"....Huh?"
[I'll go there right after I finish my work.]
"But you said you'd finish next month. I'm not planning to stay there that long."
[The house sale probably won't be so easy. It might sell in a day or two, but it's not
guaranteed to be quick.]
Ah, I see.
Jeong Taeui then realized the problem he had overlooked and blinked blankly.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Since the location of the house wasn't too bad, it shouldn't become a persistent headache, but there was no guarantee it would be sorted out quickly.
Well, if worse comes to worst, I could hire someone to take care of it...
[It's been a while, so go rest for now. I'll follow soon...Since it's Korea, it'll be convenient to visit."]
".....? Where are you now?"
[New York.]
Why would Korea be convenient to get to from New York? Oh, well, there are frequent direct flights.
Jeong Taeui replied somewhat absentmindedly, "Oh, right. Address. Is there anything you need me to write down? I can give you the Korean address."
[No need. I can find it well enough.]
Although he had no intention of searching for Mr. Kim in Seoul, it was foolish of him to have brought it up in the first place. Even if he hid away in some remote village, he was a man who would be afraid of even a glimpse of his hair.
"Okay, then. See you in Seoul."
[Okay.]
With that, the phone call ended abruptly.
Kyle, displeased with his younger brother's cold and impersonal response, stared at the receiver.
He then opened his mouth as if he had a good guess about what would come next.
"When are you planning to fly out?"
"Well...the sooner, the better. As Ilay said, we don't know how long it will take to sell the
house."
"Got it. I'll let James know....But let's have the barbecue together tomorrow evening before you leave."
Of course, Jeong Taeui smiled brightly. Kyle nodded and smiled as well.
This time, Jeong Taeui finally put down the receiver and sat on the sofa opposite Kyle.
On the table was a steaming cup of ginger tea, which Rita must have brought over.
Jeong Taeui picked up the teacup and blew on the hot tea, following Kyle, who was silently sipping his tea.
...So, it seems my brother won't be returning to Korea anymore.
Slowly, the conversation he had shared with Jeong Jaeui drifted back into his mind, line by line.
In fact, it was the same for him. Although the future is uncertain, he probably wouldn't be
living in Korea unless something unexpected happened. In that case, there's no point in leaving the house empty for a long time.
After all, he had moved several times before, and the house wasn't filled with particularly significant memories.
The house no longer needs to be there.
The days of living together with Jeong Jaeui would no longer come. They weren't
particularly affectionate or close siblings, so there was no need to feel unusually lonely or
regretful.
But.
For some reason, it seemed he would spend this night solely thinking of his brother.
On the opposite side of Jeong Taeui, who was blowing on his hot tea and sipping it slowly while keeping his gaze on his teacup, Kyle picked up the remote for the components and pressed a few buttons.
Soon, a symphony began to play softly. It was the perfect tone for ending the day and welcoming a peaceful night.