IBS - Chapter 7

#7

“Protect him from me?”

“Yes. I was afraid you might end up burying a child if things went wrong.”

“……”

“I’m trying to make sure the Han family doesn’t hear any more funeral wails.”

Han Dongsik was momentarily speechless.

He was always troubled whenever his son occasionally brought up his mother in this way, applying gentle pressure. It would have been one thing if he’d shown his resentment by blaming him or fuming that he wouldn’t forgive him. 

But since he hid his emotions, Han Dongsik never knew when the topic would come up and always had to be on edge.

"There’s no need to coddle the second son like that. Keeping him around will just drain money and cause trouble, it's obvious…. Speaking of which, this is a good opportunity. Retrieve all the money the second son has.”

After a long pause, the voice that emerged from Han Dongsik was somewhat softer than before, but his eyes, as they scanned his son, still held a troubled look.

“Understood.”

Han Jinheon readily nodded. This wasn't a bad proposal coming from Chairman Han. Looking at the troubles Han Sol had caused, eight out of ten was money-related, the other two was related to men.

He could handle the men, so that was fine, and the funds could be recovered this time. And it would be easier to persuade him about the omega manifestation if he had no funds. 

Han Sol was used to spending money, so he'd feel anxious if he suddenly had none. It might be cowardly, but it would be good to exploit that anxiety.

Still, he wondered. Surely, he wouldn't agree to become an Omega just because he had no money.

Han Jinheon checked the time on his watch. It was time to leave. He lifted his teacup, drained the remaining amount, and before getting up, decided to make a somewhat insincere request to his father.

“Anyway, please give him a chance. I’ll take responsibility and make him a new person.”

“A new person?”

“Yes.”

Because the child you hate so much is an unmanifested one.

What kind of reaction would he have if someone who hadn't manifested as an Omega appeared as one?

No matter how much of a person who categorizes people by their traits, he wouldn’t dramatically welcome Han Sol by saying, “Our son!” as he had told Han Sol.

Han Dongsik wasn't the positive, naive type. He was closer to the stubborn type who would stubbornly hold onto his hateful feelings.

Han Jinheon narrowed his eyes, casually dodging Han Dongsik who was trying to grasp his true intentions.

“It might be hard to believe, but Sol himself is also reflecting a lot.”

“What’s the second one doing? Reflecting? Reflecting? Ha!”

Who was Han Sol? Though he held the position of second son, his personality was so troublesome that he acted recklessly without gratitude.

Even though he was just an insignificant beta, he didn’t appreciate the kindness of being accepted alongside his mother, and whenever they nagged him to live quietly, he’d stubbornly raise his head and ended up causing an incident that nearly shook the company.

"At least, I'll make sure he doesn't do anything to displease you for now, Chairman. So, please just watch for a while. I’ll show you the bond between brothers.”

Han Dongsik snorted, saying it was absurd. Still, seeing that meticulous guy say such things, he must have some trick up his sleeve.

Watching his son's back as he left with a nod, Han Dongsik pressed his head again. Matters related to Han Sol always made him ache deep in his bones.

You’ll regret keeping him. You’ll regret keeping that troublesome guy for no reason.

***

About a week had passed since Chairman Han sent people.

Since that day, Chairman Han hadn't sent anyone, and Han Jinheon also hadn't mentioned the omega manifestation either. 

It was good that time was passing somewhat peacefully. But I couldn't stand being restless anymore, so I kept coaxing Han Jinheon.

If "coaxing" meant seducing him to satisfy a personal desire, how thrilling would that be? Such an absurd thing that couldn't happen between brothers was only limited to imagination.

I wanted to leave this house, even for a short while. If I was going to get some sun, I wanted to do it outside the main gate, not in the courtyard. 

If I was going to eat, I wanted to dine out, not at home. I didn’t want to cook, or order in. I didn’t want to ask someone to get takeout or delivery either.

When I earnestly pleaded that even if it was just a sip of water, I wanted to drink it outside and come back, Han Jinheon, while stubbornly pretending not to listen, eventually gave in.

‘I'll send someone around lunchtime, so come to the company.’

As they say, "there's no tree that won't fall if you chop it ten times". after asking ten times, freedom was granted. even if it was heavily restricted.

The dining out I had in mind meant me, alone, at any restaurant outside, eating freely for not just an hour, but several hours. Not nibbling nervously in the HanQ Group executive director’s office with Han Jinheon.

I stared blankly at the high-end sushi bento box that Song Hyeon-oh, Han Jinheon’s personal secretary, had brought. It made sense now why he had asked if I liked sushi on the phone earlier; it was for lunch today.

“Doesn’t it taste good?”

I turned my head at his indifferent voice.

Han Jinheon approached from behind me, as I was still mulling over a single piece of salmon sushi. He gave my shoulder a firm squeeze with his hand and then settled his large frame into the single-person sofa beside me.

“No. It's delicious, but….”

I was just thinking how much more delicious it would be if I were eating this alone at a real Japanese restaurant.

“Hyung, aren't you busy? I feel like I'm disturbing your work.”

Han Jinheon had called me to his office but was only working, not even looking at the bento. Was it okay for me to eat alone? Watching him engrossed in work automatically made me feel on pins and needles.

“It took a while to finish, but it’s fine now.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Tell me if the sushi doesn’t taste good or spoiled.”

“The sushi is fine, it’s just suddenly…”

It’s just that you look so handsome, Hyung.

Seeing him today, Han Jinheon had a different vibe at the company compared to when I saw him comfortably at home.

If I had to pick the coolest moment I've seen of Han Jinheon so far, it was definitely his appearance in Jeju Island. 

He appeared out of nowhere and captivated my mind with a heavy blow.

The best part was when he took off his leather gloves and revealed his tattoos. I still haven't forgotten that moment. The peculiar feeling and emotion of recognizing him as ‘Han Jinheon’ at that instant remained vivid.

Anyway, I would have chosen the Jeju Island moment as the coolest, but today, that ranking changed.

Until today, I hadn’t known. That a shirt and vest tailored to his solid, well-built body could be so sexy, making me want to peel them off one by one. That the finger tattoos, incongruously harmonizing with his neat three-piece suit, could be so sensual, stimulating my lower abdomen.

Most of all, I truly hadn’t known I liked sexy men this much. Why are you my brother, though? Why are you the second male lead? How great would it have been if you were some random person Han Sol hooked up with?

Han Jinheon picked up his chopsticks. I quietly watched him. Perhaps conscious of my lingering gaze, he stopped picking up sushi and looked at me.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

“Huh? Ah, no, it's just….”

“Just what.”

“Hyung, you look particularly cool today….”

“Instead of saying strange things, just eat.”

“But can't I walk around a nearby park for a bit before going home?”

“I wondered why you said I looked cool and it was for this, wasn't it.”

"Huh? Ah, no! I meant that sincerely…! Okay, fine, let's say I said it with an ulterior motive. Can't I?”

“No. Go straight home.”

“Don't be like that…! Then how about inside instead of outside? Just some shopping.”

“It'll be meaningless even if you go.”

Mr. Han Jinheon, you might not know this, but listen. After I possessed this body, for a week, ever since I tasted freedom in Jeju Island, I've been stuck in your house. Cooped up in that house, and now, finally, I got out for lunch. 

I can't tell if I possessed Han Sol or a house-guarding dog. So, whether it's meaningful or not is for me to decide.

Undeterred by Han Jinheon's reaction of not even looking my way, I begged. I wondered if he'd give in if I "struck the tree" ten times again.

“Huh? Huuh?”

I couldn't cling to his arm or trip over his feet here, so I decided to try something a bit stronger. I had my own special move. 

It seemed like Han Sol had never tried it. So, I hesitated whether I, occupying this body, should do it, but there was no other way.

Was this how it was done? I cupped my hands near my lips as if holding an egg, let my eyes droop but then looked up forcefully. It wouldn't do to look just pitiful, so I had to blink my eyes a little to look cute.

Actually, the point wasn't the expression or the hand gestures. It was the aegyo whispered through the lips hidden behind my two hands.

"Hyuung~, it's Han Sol's wish…. Uhng? Hyung….”

This was a trick I used once or twice on people around me before I was possessed. 

It used to work well on the boss at my part-time job or seniors I worked with, who pitied my difficult life.

Even though I myself knew it was cringey, I boldly tried the aegyo wondering if Han Jinheon might be weak to it. 

But I immediately realized it was a mistake. A miscalculation. His handsome face froze coldly, and even his gaze turned strange.

“……”

“……”

Since I knew it didn't work, I wished he'd show some reaction. It would be fine if he got angry or cursed. It would be fine if he liked it or found it cute. It would be fine if he genuinely wondered what I was doing or got flustered telling me not to.

However, embarrassingly, Han Jinheon only showed a slight change in expression and had no other reaction. Absolutely none.

Defeated by Han Jinheon's indifferent reaction, I lowered my flushing face. 

No matter how desperate I was, I should have considered the other person before trying aegyo. 

I felt pathetic and foolish for thinking this would work on Han Jinheon, even for a moment.

Ah, this is so freaking embarrassing…….​