154 The Beast Turns Green (2/2)

Angel Smile ihateyounot 18690K 2022-07-24

”You motherf*cker—” Hyuk glared at In Guk angrily. What? He asked Yeo Ri out? Was this b*tch crazy? Anger and jealousy swirled in his mind. 'He asked Yeo Ri out and she agreed! She f*cking agreed!' His fists balled up at the thought. He didn't like the feeling but he couldn't stop himself.

In Guk noticed his brewing fury and quickly added, ”She only came because I said I'd drop your charges if she did.”

”...What?” Hyuk's balled-up fists slackened as he immediately cooled down. In Guk's words took him by surprise. A complex feeling invaded him. He was happy yet sad. Guilt and self-mockery was also mixed in inside his chest; it felt heavy and stuffy as if he had eaten one-too-many sweet potatoes.

Of course... how could he forget? In Yeo Ri's world, family mattered the most. And he was her brother. Naturally, she would do anything for his sake... Hyuk's ears reddened and he looked away. His emotions were a mess and he needed some time to sort things out.

”Let's go home,” he finally said after a long silence. ”Yeo Ri, come on. I'll take you home.” His voice was still rigid but it no longer contain any anger or hostility.

”Okay,” Yeo Ri obediently got up and grabbed the hem of his sleeve. She turned back to the duo, ”In Guk-oppa, Jin Goo-oppa, thank you for today. It was fun,” she said with a small smile.

”Ah... it's no problem, Yeo Ri-ah.” In Guk smiled foolishly at Yeo Ri, smitten by her demure expression. ”Take care.”

Hyuk's face darkened. Oppa? Oppa?! When did they became so close?! Hyuk felt as if he had eaten vinegar, even though Yeo Ri also calls him that. But the nuance was different; Hyuk thought that when Yeo Ri called him 'Oppa', she meant it platonically since they were family. He wondered if it was possible for him to hear her call him 'Oppa' with a romantic connotation. That would be a dream-come-true.

He tugged his arm that Yeo Ri was holding with an unhappy frown on his face, ”Let's go!”

”Ah, wait, Oppa,” Yeo Ri suddenly halted.

”What now?!”

”W-we need to go to the mart and buy soy sauce first before going home,” she squeaked. The part about running out of soy sauce at home was true, alright? She really planned to go out and get some... after the date.

”...”

When they got home, Hyuk shouted out some profanities and insults at Gun for not looking after Yeo Ri properly, then stormed off elsewhere.