The room I used to stay in at the main house was a small one near the front entrance. As soon as I’d been sent away, it had been remodeled, and now it was apparently used by the staff. It even had a small bathroom attached, so it wouldn’t be too bad for staying in.

I spent the time in silence in the parlor until dinner. Father never came out of the study, and Mother didn’t come down from the second floor either. Unless the house caught fire, neither of them had any reason to come to where I was.

Two hours passed as I sat there alone. It began to rain outside the window. The sunless sky was overtaken by black clouds, and a steady drizzle poured into the dimming space.

“I’m not asking you to steal it. I’m just saying you should take a look a little early.”

I stared blankly—blankly and endlessly—at the rain. As I mulled over Father’s words, I tried to weigh what I should and shouldn’t do.

“You’re the hero of our company, Sejin.”

I never wanted to be a hero—I just wanted to be a son. But the father who couldn’t grant me even that one simple wish now expects something so grand. Without ever asking what I want, he demands duty without granting any rights.

“...If Mr. Kwon finds out, he’ll call off the engagement without question.”

I’d mustered up the courage to say it, but Father hadn’t budged. As if I’d said something completely obvious, he simply patted my shoulder.

“Engagement? You two were never married.”

Yeah, that was true. We weren’t married. Just a promise with no date set.

“Think carefully. Do you really think this engagement will go through smoothly if you don’t bring that back?”

...

“No. That bastard’s going to toss you aside.”

The ground kept pulling me down. Like I’d fallen into a deep pit, I was sinking slowly—slowly from the ankles down. The hand on my shoulder felt like it had weights attached to it.

“Family is all you can count on.”

I wanted to ask. Was I included in that family? Did a son who wasn’t a hero still have a place there?

“Now that you’re no longer a director, what do you even have left when you’re thrown away?”

I’d always lived solving the problems right in front of me. I didn’t worry about the distant future—I just dealt with whatever conflict was immediate. But this time, I couldn’t help thinking about what came next. My heart, which floated like a buoy at sea, started to flip without any anchor.

“All you need to do is play your part. Even if that bastard discards you, you’ll still have a place to come back to.”

Would I really have somewhere to return to? Even if I were discarded by Kwon Yido, even if the engagement were called off—would Father not be disappointed in me? Would he really not cast me aside, claiming I’d outlived my usefulness?

“You know who raised you, even with all your shortcomings, right?”

“...Of course I do.”

How could I not know. If it weren’t for Father, no one would’ve taken in someone like me.

“Good. As long as you understand. You’re my son—you ought to be wise.”

It was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words. I wasn’t sick, nothing was physically wrong, and yet it felt like something heavy was crashing down inside me, making me nauseous. If I wasn’t careful, something I’d kept suppressed for years might explode.

“Let’s say Mr. Jung has someone he loves.”

I should’ve asked Kwon Yido. What would he do if he were made to steal from the person he loved? Maybe then I could’ve made a better decision.

How much time had passed? The drizzle turned into a soft mist, and my churning stomach finally began to settle. That was when Minjae returned home.

He stepped into the house casually, then froze solid the moment he saw me waiting. From head to toe, he was all dressed up—so much like Mother it was uncanny.

“You’re here? You’re home early.”

“...You, you!”

He pointed at me and gaped like he was about to fall over. His face looked utterly appalled—he hadn’t expected me to be here in the slightest. Father, of course, hadn’t told Minjae or Seoyoung about my visit.

“Why are you in the house...?”

As Minjae stepped closer, I caught a faint hint of aromatic cologne. His face was stiff, but his eyes flickered with some new emotion. Then, for some reason, he asked with a hopeful expression—

“Did you get dumped?”

“...”

If I had, I wouldn’t have even been able to come into this house. Although... maybe it’s about to happen soon.

“Father called me. I’m here for dinner.”

With just that line, the hope on Minjae’s face vanished. If he can’t hide his expression that badly, how’s he ever going to survive in the real world? Of course, the ones who’d suffer would be his subordinates, not him.

“You dyed your hair.”

I noticed his hair had been changed to a darker color and gave him a faint smile. The so-called “punk” look was gone. His arrogant impression had softened quite a bit. Still, he looked good—that much he inherited from Mother.

“It suits you.”

“...”

At the casual compliment, Minjae sharply turned his head. He covered his mouth with one hand and gave a fake cough. Watching his ears turn red wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“...What’s that outfit? I’ve never seen it before.”

His sharp eyes scanned my suit from top to bottom. True to someone who was obsessed with clothes, he immediately noticed it wasn’t mine. A kind of talent, I suppose.

“That’s not off-the-rack...”

I’d thought the same when I put it on. The dark brown suit with subtle stripes fit me perfectly—not like something store-bought. The sleeves were generous, but the waist was snug.

“I got it as a gift.”

“A gift? From who...”

Minjae furrowed his brows, then clamped his mouth shut with a sour look. He must’ve figured it out. I didn’t bother confirming—I just shrugged lightly.

Instead of going to his room, Minjae followed me into the parlor. When I told him to go wash his hands first, he snapped at me for treating him like a kid. I’d said it half to tease him, but he grumbled all the way to the bathroom anyway.

“...”

“...”

Naturally, even though we were in the same room, no conversation passed between us. It felt too bothersome to ask how he’d been, and I didn’t have the energy to force a different topic.

“Jung Sejin.”

The one who broke the silence was Minjae. He shook his crossed leg nervously and asked, hesitantly—

“...Is that bastard treating you right?”

Ugh. Not this topic.

“Kwon Yido’s supposed to be a complete asshole. It’s all over the industry—you must’ve heard.”

“Mm...”

I let out a soft hum and furrowed my brow. I had heard the rumors. But the Kwon Yido I’d actually met... was nothing like them.

“He doesn’t yell at you or anything, right?”

“He’s nice. He even uses honorifics.”

“...That bastard talks formally?”

Minjae’s eyes went wide in disbelief. He clearly ignored the “nice” part and latched onto the honorifics.

“He used them at the engagement dinner too.”

“That’s only ‘cause the elders were there.”

I wasn’t sure who Minjae meant by “elders,” but I doubted that was the reason. If Kwon Yido had really respected the elders, he wouldn’t have spoken to Father the way he did.

“He’s really kind. Even the way he talks is gentle.”

“Bullshit.”

Kwon Yido always said I was the kind one, but really, it was him. He spoke gently, treated me as an equal. His occasional high-handedness was just part of his nature. For someone who’s always lived at the top, anything else would’ve been strange.

“...So are you happy? With this marriage?”

Minjae uncrossed his legs with an anxious look. They trembled slightly—he was clearly nervous. He looked like Mother, but this fidgety habit was all Father.

“Hey. I’m asking if you’re happy.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even a marriage—it was just an engagement. And even that, it wasn’t clear if we were actually living like engaged partners. But instead of correcting him, I decided to steer the topic somewhere else.

“You’re the only one who worries about your older brother, huh.”

“...”

Minjae’s face hardened. Like someone had dumped filth on him, his expression turned cold in an instant. His lips twisted sideways, and a crease formed at the bridge of his nose.

“Fuck you. ‘Older brother,’ my ass.”

And with that, he shot up from his seat and stormed out of the parlor. Anyone could see he was angry, but I didn’t bother stopping him.

***

Originally, I’d planned to stay overnight. But as soon as dinner ended, I left the main house. Father urged me to leave quickly. Only Minjae bit his lip with a complicated expression. I guess he couldn’t bring himself to stop me—maybe our earlier conversation still lingered.

Since the driver had already gone home, Mr. Kim handled the driving himself. He said he’d brought me, so of course he’d take me back too. I didn’t refuse—I got in the car without a word.

“Ah, not Mr. Kwon’s house. Please take me to the officetel.”

“...You mean where you used to live?”

Mr. Kim had been about to shift gears, but paused with his hand on the lever. Then he turned to look at me. He seemed unsure whether he’d heard correctly.

“If you don’t know the address, I’ll drive.”

“...”

I said it like a joke, and he started the car without another word. Maybe because he used to be Father’s driver, his driving was excellent. Honestly, better than the regular one.

“Good thing I had someone clean the place.”

Before moving into Kwon Yido’s house, I hadn’t given up my officetel. Not because I felt too attached to it—but because I’d always known I’d return. It’d be awkward if I ended up sitting on the floor somewhere.

“Director.”

“I’m not Director anymore.”

I finally said the thing I’d been putting off. Every time I’d gotten promoted, he’d updated the title accordingly. But after I became unemployed, he hadn’t changed it. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, then corrected himself immediately.

“Young master.”

“...Go ahead.”

Pfft. I let out a deflated breath. Young master. Every time I heard it, it tickled and felt weird. It was also something Lee Taeseong would never say.

“May I ask why you’re ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) going to the officetel?”

Mr. Kim sounded genuinely worried. He must’ve thought I didn’t want to return to Kwon Yido. The idea made me laugh without meaning to.

“Do you think Mr. Kwon is mistreating me?”

Housekeeper Moon said I looked healthier. So why did Minjae and Mr. Kim keep doubting him? Even Seoyoung, who never cared, had looked at me with pity when I left. Had I failed that badly at hiding my expression? Or were they just worrying too much?

“No... Honestly, you seem better.”

Unable to lie, Mr. Kim admitted it. He even mentioned I hadn’t needed sleeping pills lately—that he’d been worried because I hadn’t said a word about them.

“...I still have a lot left.”

“...”

“I haven’t needed them lately.”

The rain started coming down harder outside the window. Raindrops streaked down the glass in long trails. Mr. Kim turned on the wipers and asked quietly:

“Are you keeping the officetel just to drop by from time to time?”

“Well, that too...”

I kind of wanted to get rained on. But not in these clothes.

“I should at least have a place to come back to.”

The words slipped out before I realized. Mr. Kim didn’t respond. Maybe he didn’t have anything to say. But the fact that he didn’t force any comforting words—that was why I felt comfortable with him.

For the rest of the ride, he didn’t ask me anything else. Just one suggestion—“If you’re tired, you should get some rest.” I wasn’t sleepy, but I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes anyway.

“We’ve arrived.”

When I opened my eyes at his words, it was still raining outside. Mr. Kim knew I liked the rain, so he’d parked in the outdoor lot. He got out first, opened an umbrella, and came around to open my door.

“How cruel. I can’t get wet, but I can look?”

“You’ll catch a cold.”

I said it teasingly, but he was firm. Even though he was the one getting wet.

“You’re the one catching the cold, Mr. Kim.”

I stepped out of the car and took the umbrella from him. He’d probably planned to escort me to the entrance, but I didn’t feel like being fussed over that much. As I handed the umbrella over him, I nodded toward the driver’s seat. He frowned.

“Go ahead. Thanks for the ride.”

“...Then I’ll take my leave.”

Yeah, he always knew when to back off. No point in arguing when he knew I wouldn’t budge. I turned slowly toward the entrance after watching him get back into the car.

I’d returned, in the end. Just like when I was still Director. Everything that had happened felt like a dream. Even the comfort I’d started to feel had quietly faded without me noticing.

If I was going to come back anyway, maybe I shouldn’t have left in the first place. I shouldn’t have let myself believe I could settle somewhere else so naively.

With each step I took, the smell of rain filled the air. The earthy scent of soaked ground, the freshness of wet grass, the humidity, and the faint scent of trees.

“...”

I stopped walking. Beneath the dark night sky, someone was standing in front of the building entrance. Holding an umbrella in one hand, looking at the watch on his left wrist.

“...Kwon Yido?”

My voice was so quiet it barely rose above the rain, yet he lifted his head immediately. Our eyes met across the distance and held me in place, like my ankles were rooted to the ground.

“...”

“...”

“Why... why are you here?”

Kwon Yido looked at me calmly, his gaze unwavering. Even in the dark, every line of his face burned into memory—those delicately drawn eyes, the high nose, the tightly closed lips. He slowly blinked and answered quietly.

“Just... by chance.”

Raindrops pattered against his umbrella. They say repeated coincidence becomes inevitability. But his coincidences always felt too intentional. Could you really call something engineered by will a coincidence?

“I just happened to be passing by.”

Nonsense. What possible reason could he have to pass by my officetel? Especially alone, in the pouring rain.

“I was wondering when Mr. Jung might come back.”

“...”

Strangely, hearing that made me feel like I had come back. Not to the main house where I’d grown up, not to the officetel that had once been my refuge, but simply... to that single sentence from Kwon Yido.

“You’re a bit late.”

His gentle greeting was laced with the regret of having missed me. That longing I hadn’t seen all day in my family’s eyes was now overflowing from a single line.

“...Do you like getting rained on?”

The question slipped out. I lowered the umbrella in my hand. It fell, flipping upside down onto the rain-soaked ground. As I took a step toward him, Kwon Yido tilted his umbrella toward me.

“From now on... I think I will.”

Maybe it was just the timing. Or maybe we were finally on the same wavelength.

My eyelids fell shut. With vision cut off, his breath came close. The scent of rain faded, overtaken by the fragrant rush of pheromones.

Our lips met carefully, gently. Under that shared umbrella, the kiss trembled—not sure whose trembling it was. The rain slowly lightened, but we didn’t leave the shelter of that umbrella for a long time.