As Bora led Haru inside, the little girl's bright eyes wandered until they fell on a familiar figure standing near the basement door.
Haneul.
He stood there quietly, almost startled when Haru's gaze met his.
Bora followed Haru's line of sight and frowned..
"Haneul," she said firmly,
"I told you to stay in your room.
Why did you come out?"
Haneul froze, his lips parting slightly as if to explain, but before he could speak,
Haru wriggled out of Bora's grip.
Her small shoes tapped against the floor as she ran straight toward him.
"Haru!"
Bora called, but the girl didn't stop.
She threw her arms around Haneul's waist, hugging him tightly.
Her smile bloomed wide, pure and warm, the kind that could melt anyone's heart.
Haneul blinked rapidly, startled by the sudden affection.
His hands hovered in the air before slowly resting on her back, as if he was afraid she might disappear.
Bora stood frozen, torn between stepping in and staying still.
When a few servants moved forward to separate them, Bora raised her hand and stopped them.
Something about the sight a child clinging to that fragile-looking boy made her heart tighten.
It was nearly ten at night when
Taekyun returned home.
The house was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock.
He handed his coat to a servant as the cook approached.
"Sir, would you like dinner?"
Taekyun shook his head.
"Just coffee."
He started upstairs. Bora was sitting on a chair outside Haru's room.
As soon as she saw him, she stood up.
"She's asleep?" he asked quietly.
Bora nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Taekyun handed her a small box
Haru's favorite chocolates.
"Give it to her tomorrow."
"Yes, sir,"
She replied, walking beside him as he moved down the hall.
"Where is he?"
Taekyun asked, his tone unreadable.
"Haneul is in room,"
Bora said quickly, then hesitated.
Her eyes flickered nervously.
"Actually… he's in Haru's room."
Taekyun stopped mid-step.
"He's what?"
Bora lowered her gaze.
"Haru wouldn't let him go."
Without another word, Taekyun turned and headed for the room.
Bora followed silently.
When he opened the door, the sight before him made him pause.
Haneul was half sitting, half lying beside Haru on the bed.
The little girl was fast asleep, one small hand clutching Haneul's sleeve.
Haneul looked up immediately, his wide eyes locking on Taekyun's face.
His heartbeat quickened; he slowly sat up, lowering his head in apology.
Bora stood behind Taekyun, tense.
She quickly spoke before he could.
"Sir, it wasn't his fault. Haru didn't let him go."
Haneul stayed silent, gripping his sleeves tightly.
He remembered the morning clearly Taekyun's warning not to appear in front of Haru.
He hadn't meant to disobey. He only wanted to see the girl from afar, never expecting she'd still remember him.
Taekyun's gaze lingered on his face for a long moment no anger, just quiet confusion.
Then, in a calm, low voice, he said,
"Go to your room."
Haneul nodded, head bowed.
He took one hesitant step forward, then murmured to bora,
"I'm… hungry."
Bora glanced between them before saying gently,
"I'll bring something for you. Go on now."
As Haneul walked away, Bora felt an odd ache in her chest.
How can someone be this innocent?
She thought. Was he really that naïve.
Later that night,
Taekyun sat in his study.
Steam rose from the untouched cup of coffee beside him as he stared blankly at his laptop screen.
No matter how hard he tried to focus, his thoughts kept circling back to Haneul.
To his words.
To the strange, unguarded look in his eyes.
Is he really that simple-minded?
Or is it all just an act?
But then, Haru's smile came to mind the pure happiness she'd shown when hugging him.
Taekyun exhaled slowly, pressing his fingers against his temple.
If Haneul made Haru smile like that…
Could he really send him away?
He didn't know.
Meanwhile, in another room,
Haneul sat quietly at the small dining table.
Bora placed a tray in front of him a bowl of rice and some soup.
She sat beside him, arms crossed lightly.
"I told you this morning not to come out when Haru's around,"
She said.
"So why did you?"
Haneul lowered his spoon, looking down.
"I didn't mean to… I just wanted to see her. I don't know how I ended up there."
Bora sighed, studying his face.
The innocence in his expression made it hard to stay mad.
"Alright. Just be careful next time. While you're here, try not to go near her when she's home. She leaves for kindergarten around nine and comes back at two understand?"
Haneul nodded slowly, chewing quietly