82 The Beast Caves (1/2)

The atmosphere during dinner was somewhat awkward. Only the clinking of the utensils could be heard as they ate.

The sound of the doorbell broke the silence.

”I'll go get it,” Yeo Ri volunteered. She wondered if the three friends had a fight. In Guk was unnaturally silent and no one bothered to initiate a conversation over dinner.

”Oppa, welcome back,” Yeo Ri brightened up as Gun entered the house.

”I'm back.”

”Hm? What are you carrying, Oppa?” Yeo Ri took a peek at the paper bags he was carrying curiously.

”These? Here,” Gun handed the bag containing Yeo Ri's clothes to her. ”New clothes. I thought you'd need some since we left a lot of stuff back at the house.”

”Really?! Thank you, Oppa,” Yeo Ri excitedly accepted the bag. She ran to the sofa, taking out the contents. ”How pretty,” she smiled, her eyes glittering happily at the new clothes.

”Oi, since when do you have money to afford those?” Hyuk scowled. ”Don't tell me that you stole them?!”

”I get money prizes for placing first in the exams,” Gun says matter-of-factly, rather annoyed at his brother's assumption. ”How do you think I've survived this long without any of that person's or your support?” Before he entered high school, Gun used to tutor other students and made extra money for doing their homework or writing essays. It didn't pay much, but it was good enough for survival.  Now, he could make just as much money just by being the top student. It was also one of the reasons why he chose to go to his current high school despite the distance.

”...” Hyuk clamped his mouth shut. It wasn't that he didn't want to support his younger siblings, but he was also tight on money. Though he occasionally gave pocket money to Yeo Ri, he never thought about whether Gun would need it. Besides, Yeo Ri rarely spent the money for herself, since she usually shared it with Gun.

Gun turned towards Yeo Ri, ”They're just secondhand clothes from the thrift store, though. Later, when Oppa has a job, Oppa will buy you a lot of pretty new clothes,” he says with a gentle smile.

”Thanks, Oppa,” Yeo Ri beamed at him.

Gun felt relaxed after seeing Yeo Ri's joy-filled face. He stroked her head affectionately, smiling indulgently.

”Hyung, too. You can pick something out from this one,” Gun says blandly, glancing at Hyuk. He pointed towards the other bag that he had brought with him.

”I don't need it,” Hyuk frowned.

”Suit yourself,” Gun replied indifferently.

Jin Goo observed their interactions. When he saw that neither of the brothers were going to speak up again, he nudged Hyuk.

”Hey, let's have a talk later.”

Hyuk looked at Jin Goo quizzically, ”Sure.”

Everyone finished up with their dinners and went off to do their own things.

Hyuk followed Jin Goo and In Guk to Jin Goo's bedroom.

Since the three looked like they were preoccupied with something, Gun tactfully stayed downstairs and accompanied Yeo Ri even though his body was screaming for rest.

”...”

The three sat in silence.

”...So? What is it that you guys want to talk about?” Hyuk started.