Chapter 286: First Full Album (22)

‘He's acting a bit strange.’

Goh Yoo-Joon glanced at Suh Hyun-Woo, who was looking out the window, and frowned. They were almost at Hyun-Woo's house and would reach the destination in less than five minutes after crossing the last signal and entering the complex.

However, the problem was, why did Suh Hyun-Woo look so worried? It wasn’t because he had fought with his family or because there was discord at home. Suh Hyun-Woo's parents and sister were so warm and affectionate that even Goh Yoo-Joon was treated like family whenever he visited them once in a while. So why? Why did he look so concerned?

“Hey, we’re here. Get your stuff and call your mom to tell her we’ve arrived."

“Okay."

Goh Yoo-Joon turned the steering wheel into the parking lot and dismissed his suspicions.

‘I will keep it to myself.’

He decided to just bury all the questions he had about Suh Hyun-Woo since his friend had been very unstable lately. Joo-Han had said that it wouldn't help Suh Hyun-Woo at all to question everything and probe for details.

‘He will talk about it when he's ready. He will overcome it.’

Thinking this, Goh Yoo-Joon forcibly got rid of his curiosity and concerns for today.

“...Mom, yes, we just arrived. We are coming up now. I came with Goh Yoo-Joon."

Due to either the guilt of not having visited for a long time after his debut or for some other reason, Suh Hyun-Woo sounded very awkward and uncomfortable while on the phone with his mom. Goh Yoo-Joon unconsciously frowned and then chuckled as he got out of the car to check his phone.

- Sent you some pocket money – Joo-Han

Joo-Han had sent some money for Suh Hyun-Woo, who hadn’t received any payments yet, and for Goh Yoo-Joon, whose royalty earnings were minimal. It was probably pocket money meant for them to buy something nice for Suh Hyun-Woo’s parents since they were visiting.

- Thank you, hyung. We will spend it on good stuff <3 Just my face in the proof shot after eating, right? LOL

- If you are grateful, don’t send me photos. Just bring some iced Americano on your way back to the dorm.

- Okie

Goh Yoo-Joon casually replied and started to gather his things. He looked expressionlessly at Suh Hyun-Woo, who left with his luggage.

‘

Ah, whatever.’

He didn't understand Suh Hyun-Woo's behavior, but he decided to stand by him today. At least now, he knew more about Suh Hyun-Woo's situation than his family did. He guessed that Suh Hyun-Woo was acting this way because he felt sorry for having worried them. That was what he chose to believe.

***

I swallowed another sigh. It wasn’t easy to casually walk in and greet my family without showing any disturbance or hesitation.

‘It’s okay. I am here now, more stable and better than ever.’

I wasn’t sick or in pain. But after not properly facing my family for six years, I had no clue how to look at them. What conversations did we used to have? What did I use to do with them before?

“What are you doing?"

As I stood at the front door pondering these things, Goh Yoo-Joon abruptly asked me before pressing the doorbell.

“Uh... right." I got startled and stepped back but then stood still. I had no reason to back away now.

- Oh my gosh, long time no see, my sons~

“Mom~." Goh Yoo-Joon pushed me to the side and leaned into the doorbell. I naturally moved back, and so the first person my mom saw when she opened the door was not me, but him.

“Oh~ our Chronos member is here?"

“How have you been?" Instead of me, Goh Yoo-Joon engaged in a pleasant conversation with my mom. She welcomed him warmly and simply flashed me a quick glance. Thanks to his continuous chatter, the focus was on him.

I awkwardly stood there and nodded briefly to my mom.

“How did you find time to come here with such a busy schedule?"

“Eh, I had to come. I haven't been here since my debut."

“I made some delicious food. Come in, quickly. Hyun-Woo, you too." My mom took Goh Yoo-Joon by the hand and led him inside. I didn’t know if he did all of this on purpose to make things easier for me, but leading the way made the first greeting effortless.

I closed the door and entered the house. The smell of food filled the house since my family knew we were coming. The interior was just as I remembered it, and my room was visible through the open door.

A smile formed on my lips, though it was a bit forced and tinged with bitterness. I went into my room and sat on the neatly made bed. Had they cleaned my room because they knew I was coming?

The floor and desk were spotlessly clean. The evening breeze came in through the window they had left open for ventilation. I calmed the emotions that were welling up inside me. I had missed this place so much.

“Are you staying over tonight?"

“Can I stay over? If so, I will stay tonight and buy you something delicious tomorrow. Joo-Han hyung gave me some money to treat you to a meal."

“Do you guys have the time to sit around?"

“Oh, of course. Heh, Mom, are these braised short ribs?"

Lively conversation could be heard from the kitchen.

“Goh Yoo-Joon, you’re so funny."

Ever since we were trainees, he had acted more like a son around my mom and stuck close to her by chatting affectionately. Because of this, my mom had wanted to see him more than me.

I chuckled and lay down on the bed. If my sister had seen me, she would have scolded me for lying on the bed in my outdoor clothes. But she wasn't here, so I didn't care.

“Where did Hyun-Woo go? Is he in his room?"

“Should I go get him?"

“No, I’ll go. Yoo-Joon, just relax. Should I get you some yogurt? Oh, but you don't like sweet stuff, right?"

“Uh, wow, yogurt? I will get it myself~" He was pretending to like it even though he didn’t. Even now, Goh Yoo-Joon still tried to say only positive things.

I sighed heavily as I looked at the ceiling and got up from the bed. My mom was about to enter the room. Now that I thought about it, I had not really looked at anyone's face properly since I arrived home.

“Hyun-Woo, oh, hey! Did you climb in bed with your outdoor clothes?"

“Oh, Mom. No......"

As soon as my mom entered the room, she saw me sitting on the bed and rushed over to lift me up. She was as sensitive about bed cleanliness as my sister. I was forcibly lifted and found myself looking down into my mom's clear eyes.

Badump.

How long had it been since I'd seen her face this close? My heart sank and I suddenly felt cold. But my lips reflexively curled into a smile. I tried hard to appear nonchalant.

“I’m sorry......"

Just as I averted my gaze and was about to step back...

“My baby. You've worked hard. Whatever you have done, I support you."

My mom hugged me. She had a smaller frame than me. She spoke in an endlessly affectionate voice, as if comforting a baby. The warmth of her hand patting my back was so unfamiliar because it had been so long since I'd felt it.

My emotions surged as I was unable to remain composed. She didn’t say anything depressing or looked devastated like in the past. She truly acknowledged the hardships I had gone through and my efforts of the past ten years.

I freed my arms trapped between our bodies and embraced my mom. I never thought I'd see the day when she would be proud of her son.

“Mom, I've missed you."

This was a scene I had longed to see but hadn't been able to.

***

Soon, my dad and sister came home from work. My sister immediately ran up to me and kicked me while my dad just stared at me and silently brought out some alcohol.

Goh Yoo-Joon watched me getting knocked around and then sat down on the couch, chuckling before he fought with me.

“You are still the same, huh?” my sister asked. “Can't you guys stop fighting?"

Despite my sister's shouts, Goh Yoo-Joon's armlock didn't loosen, so I ended up biting his hand again today.

“Why don't you two take it to your room if you are going to make such a mess?"

“Are you grown-ups still playing like you did in middle school? Have a drink each. I always wished I could share a drink with you once you were grown."

“Alright, enough, sit down. You learn how to drink from adults..." My sister shook her head and turned on her phone to show something to my mom. “Ah, Mom, Dad, they've already been drinking. Have you seen the video of them drunk on

BlueBird?

"

“Ahh! Suh Hyun-Woo, don’t hit me, I’m bleeding!"

“Relax your grip before I kick you!"

“Oh my gosh, how can they post something so rowdy? Don't post your drunk moments~"

As my family continued their lively conversation, they watched the drunk video of Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and me on the phone. I eventually kicked Goh Yoo-Joon's buttocks and managed to escape to sit down.

Dad then poured me a drink and filled Goh Yoo-Joon's glass as well. “Now, both of you, sit down and have a drink."

Everyone raised their glasses, following Dad. “Our proud sons—"

“Ah, Dad. Are you so excited because your son was on TV?"

“Hyun-Ji, that's how you make a toast."

“...Our proud sons, Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon." Despite my sister's teasing, Dad continued with his toast. “Though it's a bit late, congratulations on your debut. Now that you've achieved your goal, the most important thing is to be healthy."

Healthy... Dad looked at me intently, and I nodded awkwardly with a forced smile. After all, they must have read about my poor condition, back injury, fainting, and other issues in the news.

“You must take care of your health. Go to the hospital without fail if you are sick. Now that you've debuted, I hope you will continue to grow and strive to be the best. You've both worked so hard. Yoo-Joon for four years and Hyun-Woo for ten years. Cheers!"

We clinked our glasses together. Everyone took a hearty shot and then put some food into their mouths.

While the warm conversation continued, Mom exchanged a look with Dad. They suddenly coughed and nudged my sister, giving her a hint.

'What's going on?'

Just as I was about to speak out of curiosity...

“Hey, how are you feeling? Do you feel better now?" my sister asked abruptly.