Chapter 61: A Stranger Called Familiar

As time passed, did our personalities naturally change.

Or was Jaeyul still the same, and only I had changed.

Ever since I met Jaeyul again, emotions I can’t easily explain keep surging up without warning.

It feels unfamiliar.

His appearance is undoubtedly the Jaeyul I remember.

My precious younger brother, someone I cherish more than my own eyes.

The younger brother I always felt sorry toward, like a constantly aching finger — Sun Jaeyul.

Yet the emotions I feel are completely different.

Just like Jaeyul said earlier, it’s different from before.

Physical contact like this used to mean nothing to us.

We would casually hold hands and hug.

Jaeyul had always been affectionate since childhood, so it never felt strange.

Then why does it feel so uncomfortable now.

I’m overly conscious of Jaeyul holding my hand.

His hand is large compared to mine, with thick wrists, and warmth blooming from where our skin touches.

That heat spreading through every corner of my body feels… excessive.

So much so that my heart pounds roughly.

“…You really feel like a different person now.”

In the end, unable to endure that discomfort, I twisted my hand free from Jaeyul’s as naturally as possible.

Instead, I grabbed my wine glass and downed the remaining drink in one gulp.

I hadn’t realized how dry my throat was — the wine tasted surprisingly sweet as it went down.

“What kind of person.”

“Huh.”

“What kind of person do I look like right now.”

Jaeyul was now holding a wine glass in the hand that had been holding mine.

He gently grasped the thin stem and slowly swirled the glass.

Then he tilted it, letting the red liquid flow through slightly parted lips.

After swallowing the sip, his vivid red tongue briefly swept across his lips.

I watched up to that point — and then abruptly stood up.

“The dishes.”

“You do them…!”

“I’m really, really tired…”

“I’m going to sleep.”

Without looking back, I went straight to my room, collapsed onto the bed, and buried my face into the blanket.

What kind of person.

What kind of person, indeed.

He’s just… Sun Jaeyul.

A kind and cute younger brother.

But is there really a brother who can’t take his eyes off his sibling’s body and feels uncomfortable with physical contact.

I’m not some puberty-struck teenage boy.

“Haah… I’m seriously starved…”

Thump, thump.

I punched the innocent blanket.

It felt unfair.

From my previous life until now, did I really live such a remarkable life that I never once had a proper relationship.

That must be why my hormones are running wild and I’m having strange thoughts about anyone I see.

No.

Strictly speaking, it’s not my fault.

Honestly, it’s entirely Sun Jaeyul’s fault.

Anyone would be captivated by him — an alpha who’s flawless in every way.

So what choice do I have.

Of course my eyes would wander.

But absolutely, absolutely not beyond that.

I was just naturally drawn to something beautiful.

Damn brat…

He really grew up well.

“Ugh… ngh…”

It’s hot.

Did I fall asleep with the boiler on or something.

My body isn’t just warm — it’s burning.

Half-asleep, I tried to push away the blanket clinging tightly to me, but for some reason, I couldn’t move at all.

The blanket felt strangely heavy… and soft, and hard…

Wait.

What is this.

I absentmindedly touched what I thought was the blanket — and instantly snapped awake.

“Sun Jaeyul!”

No wonder the warmth felt familiar.

At some point, Jaeyul had climbed into bed and fallen asleep while hugging me.

Like a body pillow, tightly wrapped around me.

No wonder I couldn’t breathe properly.

“…Hyung…”

“I had nightmares all night, I couldn’t sleep at all…”

Jaeyul mumbled in a sleepy, whiny voice.

He couldn’t even open his eyes as he spoke, and that made me feel a little sorry for him.

The sleeping pills I’d seen while cleaning, and the fact that he often suffered from nightmares — he’d never slept well to begin with.

And after coming home late last night, he must have been even more exhausted.

“Haah…”

“Come here…”

Like old times, I slid my arm under his neck and wrapped it around his back.

He buried his face into my chest and quickly fell back into deep sleep.

Listening to his steady breathing, I gently patted his back.

Pat.

Pat.

It was like a spell to send a nightmare-ridden Jaeyul back to dreamland.

Even as I patted a back that barely fit in my arms anymore, not a single strange thought crossed my mind.

At least in this moment, he felt just like the Jaeyul from before.

Right.

Maybe I was just feeling strange because reuniting after so long made him seem unfamiliar yesterday.

Man, my ass.

His gaze might be sharper and his body bigger, but he’s still just a pure kid.

Twitch.

Then suddenly, something shifted beneath the blanket.

Between Jaeyul and me… around the thigh area.

An unfamiliar sensation.

Which meant the location was… his… that.

N-no way.

Startled, I threw off the blanket.

In that brief instant, countless delusions flashed through my mind.

Even if he’s an alpha… this size makes no sense.

The sheer volume is ridiculous…!

“…What’s wrong all of a sudden…?”

Jaeyul seemed to have woken up from the sudden movement.

“Uh… n-no…”

Then, from beneath the blanket, Poppy popped out between us.

The moment I saw the ball of fur, all the strength drained from me.

What the hell was I even thinking.

I’m insane.

But… did this one have a nightmare too.

Why does everyone end up sleeping in my bed.

“Since you’re up anyway, let’s eat breakfast!”

Poppy completely chased away my drowsiness.

Embarrassed by my ridiculous misunderstanding, I quickly got out of bed.

“Hyung, you go first.”

“I have something to discuss with Poppy.”

What.

I thought I was the only one who could talk to Poppy.

Looks like they’ve gotten pretty close.

“Okay.”

“Come out slowly.”

In many ways, thank goodness.

Seriously.