A shadow fell across Seo-jun's back."Seo-jun?"
He whipped around, his stomach dropping. Min-jae. Of course.Seo-jun straightened in a rush. "H-Hello… boss."
Daniel and Mira froze too. Their eyes went wide—too wide—like they'd never seen someone like him before. Min-jae's gaze dropped to them, and the corner of his mouth curved. A soft smile, warm but still carrying that… weight.
"These are the kids?"
"Yeah. My brother's," Seo-jun answered, stiff as a board.
Min-jae crouched, brushed a hand through their hair. Daniel giggled right away. Mira went pink, twisting her fingers behind her back. Seo-jun sighed inwardly. Kids. They blush over the tiniest thing…
Min-jae straightened, his expression even. "So, you live around here?"
Seo-jun nodded. "Mm. Yeah."
"My father lives close too," Min-jae added, almost offhand.
Seo-jun blinked. "Your father… Mr. Cha?"
His phone rang before the moment could stretch. Hye-mi. Seo-jun stepped aside fast.
"Seo-jun! Don't let Daniel or Mira have ice cream or cold drinks, do you hear me? They'll get sick!" her voice snapped down the line.
"I know, I know!" He hissed back, glancing at the kids. Cups already gone in the trash. Too late.
He muttered under his breath, "Great. That's on me later." Then, louder, to the kids, "Alright, listen. Not a word about this to your dad, got it?"
They grinned, thumbs up, cheeky little monsters.
Seo-jun groaned. "Yeah… you'll spill it anyway."
Min-jae's low laugh slipped out. "It's fine. A little won't hurt them."
"Maybe not, but my brother—he doesn't let this go," Seo-jun said.
Min-jae tilted his head. "Then come by my father's place."
Seo-jun nearly choked. "What? No—we should just go home—"
That calm, steady look shut him up. Seo-jun let out a heavy sigh. "...Fine."
The walk over was quiet except for the kids whispering into Seo-jun's sleeves. They clung to him, happy as could be. Min-jae walked beside them, throwing small glances at the two, a smile here and there. Seo-jun's chest tightened—relief mixed with something heavier.
At the house, the smell of food hit first. Tae-hyun stood in the kitchen, apron on, ladling something into bowls. He looked up."Oh? Guests."
He slipped the apron off, shook Seo-jun's hand, then ruffled both kids' hair with easy affection. "Adorable."
"Come, sit," he said.
"Dining hall's ready," Min-jae added.
Seo-jun tried weakly, "We're not hungry—" but Min-jae's hand was already on his arm, pulling him along. The kids were gone ahead of them anyway.
Soon the table filled with dishes, maids setting them one after another. Seo-jun stared, then back at Tae-hyun. "You have staff everywhere. Why cook yourself?"
Tae-hyun chuckled. "Old habit. I enjoy it."
The kids could hardly sit still. Min-jae and Tae-hyun both served them. Tae-hyun even fed them little bites, and their giggles carried across the room.
Halfway through, Min-jae asked, almost casually, "Seo-jun. Did you finish the document I gave you?"
Seo-jun froze. His chest went cold. Damn it. I forgot completely."I… didn't," he admitted.
Tae-hyun stepped in before the silence stretched. "We'll send the kids home. You stay here tonight and finish it. That document matters."
Seo-jun's head bobbed quickly. "Yes. Understood."
The meal carried on until Tae-hyun glanced up again, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Your father was very handsome when he was young, you know."
Seo-jun blinked. "Oh… really?"
Tae-hyun chuckled. "Handsome. Popular. Plenty of admirers."
Seo-jun let out a small, awkward laugh. "Haha, well… I guess everyone has stories from their youth."
"Stories he probably never told you," Tae-hyun teased, eyes sharp with mischief.
Seo-jun rubbed his cheek, embarrassed. "No. And maybe it's better that way."
Daniel and Mira giggled without understanding. Min-jae sighed, shaking his head faintly. "Father, you're teasing him too much."
Tae-hyun laughed, light and unbothered. The kids chattered again, spoons clinking against bowls. And though Seo-jun smiled with them, a knot of unease stayed curled in his chest.