Chapter 18

The unguarded Gyuyeon couldn’t avoid Naru when he lunged at him with all his strength.

Climbing onto Gyuyeon deliberately, Naru flailed wildly—hands clawing as if to grab his neck or yank his hair, it was impossible to tell which.

He even grunted between his teeth with the effort, and Gyuyeon marveled at how such a small body could summon that kind of strength.

“Hey—calm down! Stop!”

No matter how loudly Gyuyeon shouted, Naru didn’t stop. He moved quickly, darting away every time Gyuyeon tried to catch him.

‘Did this little brat learn boxing or what?’

Panting, Naru suddenly rammed his shoulder into Gyuyeon, sending him crashing into the display cabinet.

Clatter!

The cabinet housed expensive ornaments and plates gifted by his brother and father, and perched at the top was a delicate glass sculpture that Gyuyeon cherished. The impact made it wobble precariously.

Naru hadn’t noticed; he was still focused on striking at Gyuyeon.

Uneasy, Gyuyeon glanced up—just in time to see the sculpture tip. With a marble floor beneath it, there would be no saving it.

Crash!

The sculpture fell and shattered.

“Damn it—”

Gyuyeon shoved Naru away instinctively.

“Gyuyeon…”

Startled, Naru froze. His mouth clamped shut, his hands trembled. Transparent shards of glass scattered across the floor, and among them, Gyuyeon was bleeding. Fortunately, only his hand was cut, but blood dripped steadily.

As though he had expected this, Gyuyeon sighed. Naru could only stare at the sight with wide, frightened eyes.

“I—I’m okay. No, I’m sorry…”

“Don’t come near me.”

“B-but—”

“If I say don’t come, then don’t. Do you want to get hurt too?”

Carefully stepping away from the shards, Gyuyeon tried to focus on cleaning up and treating his hand. But Naru, guilt-ridden, darted into the kitchen.

‘I didn’t mean for this to happen. Really, I didn’t.’

He came back with rubber gloves and a plastic bag. Having broken a statue once before, he’d learned how to clean it up. Now, with Gyuyeon injured, it was his responsibility.

“Let me clean it up.”

“No. My hand—”

“You’re hurt. I’ll do it.”

Pushing him aside, Naru pulled on the gloves and crouched to pick up the shards. Gyuyeon frowned, trying to take the bag, but Naru stubbornly refused, leaving him no choice but to lean against the wall and watch.

The sight of Naru hunched on the floor, fragile body bent as he collected glass, didn’t sit right. He was just cleaning his own mess, yet he looked pitiful.

In that moment, the loss of the sculpture didn’t even matter.

Gyuyeon studied him closely: his messy hair hung into his eyes, his clothes hung awkwardly from his thin frame. He looked exactly as he had the day they first met—unkempt and abandoned.

He had tried to avoid Naru for days, but watching him now made his chest tighten. He couldn’t let him live like this anymore.

“Why haven’t you changed your clothes?”

“Because I was told to ask permission for even small things.”

“…What?”

“Why? Did I do something wrong?”

‘…I’m the guilty one here, aren’t I.’

Gyuyeon fell silent, dumbfounded by the innocent answer. Who lived like this—waiting for permission even to wash, eat, or change clothes? He wasn’t some obedient dog. And yet, in a strange way, the loyalty was impressive.

“But I don’t want you to like me—”

“Enough. We’ll talk about that later.”

Cutting him off, Gyuyeon snatched the bag of shards and tossed it in the trash. Naru blinked, bewildered.

‘Talk about it later… Does that mean the “don’t like me” order is postponed too?’

Pretending to sweep, he hovered nearby, sneaking glances at Gyuyeon. He wanted to treat the cut himself, but seeing him bandage it quietly, Naru hesitated.

“Why are you acting so cautious?”

“Because… I hurt you. I’m sorry.”

“Instead of worrying about me, go look in the mirror.”

“Why?”

“You look like a mess.”

Nodding toward the mirror, Gyuyeon wrapped the bandage tightly. Dropping the broom, Naru rushed over and checked his reflection.

‘…He’s right. I look scruffier than before.’

Embarrassed, he scratched his head. Clothes he could fix, but his overgrown hair was hopeless.

With a sigh, Gyuyeon told him to change into fresh clothes. Even so, the oversized shirts and jackets sagged off his shoulders, making him look sloppier than ever.

Naru chose the smallest clothes available, rolled up the sleeves neatly, then looked at Gyuyeon expectantly, waiting for praise.

Instead, Gyuyeon stood. He would take him to a department store.

‘I said I wouldn’t let him get attached… but I can’t just leave him like this.’

“Are you going out again? Uh… what time will you be back?”

“…”

When he didn’t answer, Naru panicked, grabbing his arm. The thought of being left alone in the cavernous house terrified him.

Gyuyeon grimaced, his resolve weakening under those pleading eyes.

“You come with me.”

At those words, Naru’s face lit up. His joy was almost pitiful. Gyuyeon turned away and opened the door.

Roughly smoothing his messy hair, Naru scrambled to keep up, thrilled at the chance to go outside again—and even more, because Gyuyeon was beside him.

He was placed in the passenger seat, and Gyuyeon set the GPS to a department store. Glancing sideways, Naru’s expression brimmed with unspoken meaning.

His radiant, hopeful face weighed strangely heavy on Gyuyeon’s chest.

They arrived in less than twenty minutes. Gyuyeon had deliberately chosen a rival’s department store, not the one run by the YK family. If his brother’s store caught sight of him, rumors would spread, and he’d be summoned back home.

Naru stepped out and gawked at the sheer size of the building. It was his first time in such a massive place. He hadn’t even entered yet, but excitement had already spread across his face.

Guiding him inside, Gyuyeon led him through the dazzling first floor, lined with international brands and cosmetics counters. His destination was a shop on the twelfth floor.

“What’s that? A jewel?”

“Perfume.”

“Ah… the one Gyuyeon always wears.”

Naru pointed at a perfume bottle gleaming under the lights. To his eyes, the faceted emerald glass looked like a jewel. He remembered Gyuyeon’s dresser, lined with rows of dark, sleek bottles, but the variety here sparkled in every color.

As the escalator carried them higher, Naru leaned over the rail to stare back down at the perfumes. Only a carefree kid would do something like that.

Receiving strange looks from people on the opposite escalator, Gyuyeon quickly pulled him back.

“Stand still.”

“I wanted to see more…”

“Fix your hair before worrying about that.”

They left the escalator at the third floor and caught an elevator instead—better than attracting more attention.

Inside, Naru’s curiosity returned. He tapped at the polished golden wall.

Thump! Thud!

Startled by the noise, Gyuyeon turned sharply.

“This is real,” Naru muttered, eyes gleaming.

“Ah, why—”

“Are you annoyed with me right now?”

“No…?”

He snapped without meaning to, then immediately looked away, pretending to fiddle with his fingers. Gyuyeon let out a wry laugh and shook his head.

“Lucky no one’s in here. Imagine if there were… sigh.”

The elevator chimed, doors sliding open to reveal the twelfth floor. As soon as it opened, Naru stamped his foot eagerly, but Gyuyeon grabbed him by the collar.

“Don’t bolt off.”

“Yes.”

“Look at me when you answer.”

“Yes.”

“No—look me in the eyes when you say it.”

The twelfth floor buzzed with life, restaurants and shops blending together in the crowd. Naru’s eyes sparkled, darting everywhere.

Even with Gyuyeon’s hand on his neck, he barely listened. Finally, with a resigned sigh, Gyuyeon laced their hands together instead.

Naru blinked at the warmth.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m holding you so you don’t run off.”

“…”

Even with the sharp tone, Naru’s smile couldn’t be erased. He simply liked holding Gyuyeon’s hand.

The spotless automatic doors of the shop slid open, revealing a sparse interior.

“Welcome. It’s been a long time. Shall we begin with a consultation?”

“No, just a simple cut today.”

As Gyuyeon spoke to the stylist, Naru’s grin faltered. His gaze fixed on the scissors in another designer’s hand, flashing as they sliced through hair. The metallic gleam chilled him.

When Gyuyeon tried to pull him inside, Naru resisted at the entrance, planting his feet.

“Why are you acting like this? Don’t embarrass me—come in.”

“I don’t like it. I won’t. I won’t do it.”

Gyuyeon’s patience snapped at Naru’s unexpected defiance.