Chapter 5

"How long do you plan on using fishing as an excuse to come here?" Yeon-Su asked, his eyes narrowed in curiosity as he squeezed the damp rag and meticulously wiped down the streaked windows, letting in the soft afternoon light. "As long as you're willing to keep it a secret," Sung-Hoon replied, balancing precariously on a ladder as he searched for the perfect spot to hang the delicate fairy lights draping from the shade above. "I wanted to tell him directly, but he never seemed to come around. I want him to discover it himself, you know? Like a surprise. I don't want to blatantly tell him."

"The plumber says it'll take at least a whole day to fix," Joong-Ho interjected, his expression serious as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "They found one of the pipes rusting, and if we leave it unattended, it's only a matter of time before it bursts." The unsaid urgency hung in the air— a day of oversight was essential, or the entire plumbing system could fail, leading to potential water damage that would be a financial nightmare to rectify; and that meant an overnight stay as well.

"Yeon-Su has classes, and Joong-Ho has work commitments," Sung-Hoon murmured, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior as he tossed the fairy lights aside and carefully climbed down the ladder. "I can't leave Yeon-Jun alone for another day; he needs someone with him."

"I could skip my classes," Yeon-Su piped up suddenly, his voice filled with exasperation as he tossed the rag into the bucket. "But I'm not sure I could manage all the work here since I really don't know much about plumbing or anything else for that matter." They found themselves caught in a difficult predicament. Each of their obligations was significant, yet those responsibilities clashed with the urgency of the repairs needed.

"Let's do this," Yeon-Su said decisively. "Boss, you stay here to oversee the repairs. I'll head back with Mr. Joong-Ho and help Hyung in the morning. He texted me that he closed the cafe early, so I'm sure he'll be awake enough to handle tomorrow's work."

"That sounds like a plan," Sung-Hoon replied, pulling out his phone to inform Yeon-Jun of his decision. He texted quickly, mentioning he was waiting for a delivery of coffee beans to bring back with him, making a believable excuse for his overnight stay. He watched as Yeon-Su and Joong-Ho prepared to leave, while he prepared to find a place to sleep.

Indeed, transforming an old, neglected house into a sanctuary for orphans and a learning center for children with disabilities was no small feat. Sung-Hoon soon realized that undertaking such a massive project alone was nearly impossible. He needed help and, more crucially, assistance from someone he could trust. This endeavor meant everything to him; it was a heartfelt gift for Yeon-Jun, who had endured the trauma of a foster family that struggled to understand his selective mutism.

As he stood in the house where he and Yeon-Jun had grown up, nostalgia enveloped him like a warm blanket. He found himself cleaning the same floors where they had once played hide and seek, swirling memories of laughter and carefree afternoons. Sung-Hoon felt a bittersweet ache in his chest; his own joyful recollections felt like distant dreams for Yeon-Jun, who had faced his own set of challenges.

The memories flooded back to that pivotal day when his father first introduced Yeon-Jun to him. "This is your brother," his father had said, a proud smile on his face. Sung-Hoon observed as Yeon-Jun shyly raised his hand, communicating in sign language—a gesture of greeting that was sincere and sweet. Sung-Hoon mirrored the sentiment, eagerly signing back, "Nice to meet you." His mother had been mute as well, instilling in him the language of signs, which had forged a bond between the three of them. However, she had passed away before Sung-Hoon could deeply explore that connection, leaving a longing in his heart. In many ways, Yeon-Jun became the companion he had yearned for—a chance for him to practice the communication skills he had developed with their mother, remembering fondly how he had learned to express himself so freely in her presence, even when his verbal skills were still finding their footing.

"Here we are," Joong-Ho said, his voice slicing through the early evening stillness as he guided the car into the designated parking space of the modest apartment complex where Yeon-Su lived. Yeon-Su, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle on his shoulders, gathered his belongings and stepped out. He offered a gracious bow and a weary smile, waving off Joong-Ho.

Yeon-Su had spent hours cleaning, scrubbing away the remnants of grime, and by now, fatigue clung to him like a heavy blanket. As he stretched his neck to release some tension, he let out a long sigh. The thought of collapsing into the comfort of his bed and surrendering to sleep was incredibly enticing—he knew tomorrow would bring another grueling day filled with work and toil.

Climbing the flight of stairs, he found himself stretching his back as he ascended each step. The familiar creaking of the flimsy stair railing echoed softly in the silence, blending with the faint sounds of the city outside. At the landing, he moved slowly, yawning widely as he scratched the back of his neck. His eyes began to water from the force of his yawn, and just as he was about to open his apartment door, something caught his attention.

Squinting through the dusky light, he noticed a shadow lurking at the far end of the corridor. Time seemed to freeze; his heart raced as he felt dread wash over him. Unable to comprehend the danger, he instinctively froze, his breath catching in his throat. The crippling fear surged through him as he recalled whispers he had heard around the complex—talk of a murder that had rattled the residents recently.

"Please… don't hurt me…" The words slipped from his lips, barely a whisper, a desperate plea for mercy. "My Hyung will be waiting for me tomorrow…" Just as he braced himself for the worst, a familiar voice emerged from the enveloping darkness, a voice that stirred unexpected emotions within him. In that moment of relief, he felt gratitude towards it, yet soon he realized that the confrontation with that voice might have been far worse than any physical harm he could have faced.

"Why didn't you ask me to meet at the café?" a young woman inquired, her voice barely rising above the melodic clinking of dishes and the animated chatter of patrons filling the bustling restaurant. Across from her, Yixan sat poised and unwavering, her commanding presence gleaming bright amidst the chaos, as she was there to conduct an interview with the hopeful new part-timer for Strawberry Hanok, So-Min Jung.

So-Min, a compassionate nurse by trade, had chosen to step away from the demanding hospital environment to dedicate her time to volunteering at a local shelter. It was during her volunteer efforts that Yixan had first encountered her. Yixan recalled So-Min's genuine connection with the disabled individuals at the shelter, notably her proficiency in sign language, which allowed her to communicate effectively and foster an inclusive atmosphere. However, Yixan also knew of the financial struggles So-Min faced; her passion for helping others came at a price. Despite her professional qualifications and academic achievements, she found herself shunned by potential employers, who presumed her commitment was temporary and feared she would leave for another opportunity at any moment. This made the search for part-time work increasingly daunting for her.

"It won't be hard," Yixan mused, recalling her extensive knowledge about So-Min's background. In truth, she didn't need to delve into a conventional interview with her; what mattered most was crafting So-Min into the ideal candidate in the eyes of Yeon-Jun, the final arbiter of hiring decisions at Strawberry Hanok. Yixan understood that if given the final say, Yeon-Jun would have likely passed over Yeon-Su for the position in light of his past clumsiness, a trait he ultimately worked through with great dedication and effort. Thus, for So-Min to secure this position, Yixan was determined to present her as the quintessential candidate who would impress Yeon-Jun and shatter any preconceived notions he may have.

"He's not a difficult person to work with. He possesses a remarkable balance of friendliness and professionalism. Off duty, he treats you like family, but on the job, he won't hesitate to let you go if needed. While he may not be keen on written or sign language communication, he excels at listening and observing. This trait may be noticeable to some, but he also has a strong inclination towards drama. He's been known to eavesdrop on a couple's argument, yet he never invades their privacy. Although he may scold you if you try to share personal gossip, he's not one to pry. He simply finds ways to express himself through the experiences of others. Despite never being in a relationship, he has a profound understanding of love. Despite having only three close friends, he has a deep understanding of friendship. His presence is exciting and he'll keep you entertained once you gain his approval. However, he can be quite particular and adorably quirky when frustrated."

After ten minutes of Yixan's endless chatter, the waiter finally interrupted them. So-Min couldn't help but comment on how much Yixan seemed to know about the person they were discussing. Yixan simply smiled and revealed that she had learned all of this from the cafe owner. She also added that to an outsider, it may seem like the two were dating, but they were too oblivious to realize it. So, it was best to just ignore the situation.

Cleaning the kitchen was a task that Yeon-Jun usually approached with enthusiasm, but deep cleaning was an entirely different challenge. While he took pride in keeping everything tidy, the very thought of tackling areas that might harbor mold or, even more terrifying, insects sent a shiver down his spine. Yeon-Jun firmly believed that if he ever encountered a cockroach again, he would simply perish on the spot. Remarkably, he had only faced this nightmare once in his life, and since then, he had devoted himself to the principle of avoiding anything that resembled that dreadful creature.

On this particular day, Yeon-Jun managed to navigate through the kitchen duties with relative ease. Every surface gleamed under his meticulous touch until he reached the sink. Just the sight of it made his stomach churn, brimming with anxiety about the possibilities lurking beneath. In a moment of distraction, he accidentally knocked over the drainage pipe while attempting to assess the extent of grime that needed to be scrubbed away.

Sighing in exasperation, Yeon-Jun pulled his head back and hesitantly grasped the old, tarnished pipe. Just as he was about to replace it, a viscous liquid accompanied by large, ominous chunks of a black, gelatinous substance oozed out. Before it could come into contact with him or the cold, concrete floor, Yeon-Jun let out a muffled shriek—an abrupt, strangled sound akin to a forced hiccup, reminiscent of a distressed red panda. Despite the absence of buzzing insects around him, Yeon-Jun's panic transformed him into something akin to a startled creature; he felt himself instinctively lift off the ground, only to collide sharply with the unforgiving metal countertop. The impact sent him spiraling into unconsciousness, his world fading to black.

His frantic shriek, intended to remain unheard, was meant to ensure that no one, especially not a potential thief, stumbled upon him in his vulnerable state. Yeon-Jun was meant to remain hidden until the first light of dawn, when Yeon-Su would finally discover him. However, fate had other plans. Just outside the doorway stood a stranger—an unassuming figure destined to play a pivotal role in Yeon-Jun's story. This mysterious individual was none other than Woo-San. And this man was about to become the next best thing that ever happened to Yeon-Jun, but that through, of course, a series of constant tears and unwanted scenarios, enough to ruin the confidence of a person for the entirety of their life.