Chapter 100: Airport Pickups and Suspicious Strangers

A bicycle whizzed past me just as Doyoon let go of my waist, looking puzzled.

“What’re you thinking about so hard?”

“…Nothing.”

The park near home was, as always, fresh and quiet. Doyoon now came and went from my place without needing an excuse. If it had been about Han Won-ju, the ICU ending should’ve ended his visits—yet he kept coming. It made my heart feel… strange.

“…Just wondering if I’ve been stealing too much of your time lately.”

“Huh? You stealing my time? What nonsense…”

Doyoon laughed like I’d said something absurd. I stared at him briefly, then looked away.

Han Won-ju was always a bad guy—not just to me, but many. No need to pity him.

Should be glad.

But my heart felt wrong…

Unaware Doyoon was staring, I walked stiffly like a toy soldier. He grabbed my hand, stopping us.

“Hyung… something going on lately?”

“No? No. Nothing. Everything’s great.”

I jolted, answering too fast.

Doyoon rolled his eyes thoughtfully, muttering, “Lately, with me…”

“Hm?”

“Nothing.”

His lowered lashes were impossibly long. Watching him sigh, frustrated, I thought:

What if I asked about Han Won-ju?

In the original, right after Choi Seunghyun’s birth secret exploded nationwide, Bae Jian asked Doyoon about him.

“So… what happened to Doyoon-ssi’s hyung-nim?”

Even for Jian, Seunghyun was uncomfortable—not just awkward, but the criminal who kidnapped her. Dating someone whose brother did that? Normal people couldn’t. (Thinking back, Jian deciding to marry Doyoon was not normal.)

Doyoon had answered her, worried:

“Dunno… shock made him run away, I guess. Embarrassed with all the articles about him. He’ll be back soon. Don’t worry too much, Jian-ssi. Hyung’s always been like that.”

But Seunghyun never returned. So if I asked about Han Won-ju, Doyoon would probably say:

“Heard he’s conscious—good thing. You were so worried, hyung.”

Predictable. He’d never tell me the truth anyway—he never revealed what he decided to keep secret.

Like why he left back then—still silent.

Then Doyoon looked at me, a little sad.

“…Did I do something wrong?”

His patented pitiful-puppy face appeared. I waved it off.

“No, just… overthinking lately.”

“Han Won-ju?”

I nearly screamed. Mind reader?!

“Why so shocked? You’ve been spaced out since that day.”

“…That obvious? Just… life feels so fragile.”

I ended up saying it. Doyoon looked at me like I was weird.

“Huh? He’s alive.”

“Uh… right.”

Alive = problem solved?

“I mean… life’s futile. All that money, can’t even live normally now…”

“Mmm, true. Money’s not everything.”

Doyoon nodded lightly, agreeing.

“By the way, hyung—you went through so much with him, yet keep worrying. He tried forcing drugs on you, right?”

“I just… pity his pathetic life. But… did you ever have issues with him?”

The question slipped out. Doyoon looked at me, then answered.

“Yeah.”

Gasp.

Motive confirmed. How did Han Won-ju… I briefly thought of Jian, but thankfully it wasn’t her—she was fine at work, no family issues.

Maybe because it wasn’t Jian, Han Won-ju survived.

“All resolved now?”

“Yes.”

Doyoon smiled. His phone buzzed. His face stiffened slightly; he turned to take the call. Tone friendly, but voice dead serious.

After, he told me, “Hyung-ju’s coming back this Saturday.”

“That was him? Why so serious?”

“Just business.”

A thought flashed—Yoo Hyung-ju returning meant at least he wasn’t involved in Han Won-ju’s incident, right? I exhaled in subtle relief. Doyoon asked, “Wanna meet him that evening? Been a while.”

I checked my schedule, shook my head.

“No, Mother’s flying in Friday evening. Lots of luggage—need to pick her up. Staying at the main house a few days. Another time.”

“Ah.”

Doyoon nodded, flustered. Mother had been at Aunt’s in Italy for two months—mainly for an international exhibition, partly vacation.

He seemed embarrassed for forgetting Shin Mi-sun’s return in front of me.

Before he could overthink, I said, “I can handle the bags alone—you don’t need to come.”

“…Okay.”

Real reason: Mother didn’t like Doyoon—we both knew, but pretended otherwise. Uncharacteristically, he fidgeted, then grabbed my hand.

“Can I ask a childish question?”

“What?”

“If it was me and Mother returning at the same time… who would you pick up?”

“…So childish.”

“Right. So say me?”

He knew it wasn’t him—just wanted to hear it. I laughed weakly.

“Fine—you, you.”

Doyoon beamed. I felt a pang—how could this peach-blossom boy be tied to something as terrifying as yakuza?

Friday came. To pick up Mother, I requested afternoon external duties—sneaky early-quit trick without using leave. Heading home early, someone chased me down near the complex. Mid-30s man, but his behavior felt… off.

“Sorry—know how to get to Haewon E&M? Phone died.”

“Go to that church ahead, turn right, straight.”

He looked so apologetic. “First time here… mind walking me to the light? Too confusing.”

I eyed him. Cult? Scanning, he made a pitiful face.

“I’m from the countryside… don’t know the area…”

Eye scar made him look scary, not pitiful, but I nodded reluctantly. Church was close—I could take him if needed.

“Follow me.”

“T-thank you!”

He trailed half a step behind, launching into unasked life stories. Recently moved to Seoul, struggling, unemployed for years, started a business—failing, exhausted. Almost gave up, but met a “hyung-nim” with a huge idea. Sharing a tiny room now.

“But his item’s a jackpot. One hit and we’re set. Life’s one big break.”

So chatty—soon at the crosswalk. Lonely guy, I guess. Needed someone to talk to. I half-heartedly nodded.

“Hope it works out. That jackpot item.”

His eyes lit up. “Gotta. You got a roommate?”

“…Younger brother visits sometimes. Not living together.”

“Ah.”

I pointed again. “See the church? Turn right there.”

“Thanks.”

He bowed, crossed, vanished. Sorry, but he creeped me out—braced for “Do you believe?”—but nothing happened.

Too paranoid lately.

I hailed a cab. No need for my car—Mother’s staff would handle luggage at the main house. Pre-rush hour—smooth to the airport. I stood at arrivals, waving as Mother elegantly pulled her suitcase.

“Over here!”

She spotted me, faint smile.

“Told you not to come.”

She said it, but looked pleased.