Pheromone Off Chapter 30

Kwon Sahui eyed her youngest sibling suspiciously. Then again, it was understandable. Kwon Sabin was a case where he became even more popular the moment he turned twenty. As his boyish face matured rapidly, people everywhere were anxious to call him in. Frankly, if that brilliant and flashy face didn’t sell, that would be even more surprising.

Since it was the fashion week season, Hajin had seen article photos of him flying off to Paris not long ago. He received even grander attention as the first Asian to be selected as an ambassador. In the article photos, he was striking a pose, and he looked quite splendid. Of course, in Hajin’s eyes, it looked somewhat funny. Because he had watched him since they were young, he knew better than anyone what a childish fellow that posing guy was, so that appearance felt awkward.

“Right. He wouldn’t even show his face at family gatherings unless someone scolded him.”

An indifferent voice drifted from the opposite side. It was a remark tossed lightly by Kwon Sayoung, who had been looking only at his phone without interest. At that moment, Kwon Sabin’s dangling leg hitched.

“Come to think of it, that act of singing a song about wanting to independent until not long ago has cleanly snapped off, too.”

Only then did Kwon Sayoung detach his gaze from his phone, tilt his head, and look askance with a crooked posture at Kwon Sabin, who was seated in the opposite side seat next to Hajin.

“What, am I not allowed to?”

Kwon Sabin also looked back crookedly and countered insolently.

“Keep keeping your way of speaking to hyung like that.”

“What about it. Why pick a fight for no reason?”

“I’ve felt it since a few days ago, you see.”

“…”

“It seems you keep riding a crooked line against me, so if you have a complaint, speak clearly. Don’t act ill-mannered like that.”

In the atmosphere where a subtle war of nerves went back and forth, Hajin, who was seated in the middle, sat with a tense posture and looked alternately at both sides. He couldn’t comprehend why the atmosphere was flowing like this all of a sudden. Kwon Sabin, whether he was resentful about something, gasped invisibly and pressed his mouth tightly. While Kwon Sayoung looked as though his sibling, who was a whole ten years younger, acting insolently made his mind uncomfortable.

“What are you two doing, putting a person in the middle.”

The one who harvested the sharp war of nerves was Kwon Sahui, who was seated on the opposite side.

“No, it’s true that hyung picked a fight first.”

“Is speaking the truth picking a fight?”

“Who is the one who gave me a hard time while pointing out my way of speaking for no reason.”

“Who talks to a hyung ten years older like that. Because I look after you since you’re young, you crawl up more and more.”

The two tossed words quite bloodcurdlingly, but looking at it one way, it was extremely childish. Since they acted so childishly with those serious faces, a faint laugh leaked from Hajin without his knowledge.

Pfft. At the sound of laughter that burst out inadvertently, Hajin covered his mouth with a surprised face. And the moment he cautiously turned his gaze to the surrounding sound that had become quiet, two pairs of gazes that had been glaring at each other poured onto himself in the middle.

“Is this amusing?”

“Is this funny?”

At the questions that flew simultaneously, Hajin blinked his widely opened eyes blankly. …Lest anyone say they weren’t brothers. Hajin tightly endured the breathy laughter that was trying to come out. However, fortunately, the elders stepped into the dining room at that time, and the attention was dispersed. It was Mother and Grandfather. The Kwon brothers, as well as Hajin, simultaneously raised their bodies to show manners. The moment the elders appeared, Kwon Sayoung and Kwon Sabin pressed their mouths tightly as if they had never done so.

Looking at that appearance, his mood was somewhat peculiar. Looking at it one way, it was the appearance of common brothers, but seeing that appearance from them, just a very little, a very little, they looked ordinary. And in that ordinary appearance, he felt a sensation that he belonged. It must be an illusion, but a very little. Floating by for a moment.

࣪˖ ִֶָ🍇་༘

“The inauguration date has been set.”

Around the time the meal was almost finishing and dessert was coming out, Chairman Kwon, who was seated in the seat of honor, opened his mouth. Here, everyone except Kwon Iwhon, who was Kwon Sayoung’s father and Vice Chairman out at an overseas branch, was present.

Taking a sip of warm tea, he brought out the words detachedly.

“Next week. Since the secretary team and general affairs team will take care of the preparations on their own, there’s nothing to care about.”

At Chairman Kwon’s notification, the atmosphere sank peculiarly. Hajin unconsciously cast a glance at him. Without a single change in expression, he was listening intently to Chairman Kwon’s words. Still, since it was a matter he wished for while even doing unwanted acting, he thought he would like it a bit more, but it was merely no response.

“Congratulations, son.”

In the somehow heavy air, Madam Shim smiled lightly and delivered a word to her son. He merely gave a silent bow out of courtesy, and again, there was no other particular reaction.

“The engagement ceremony will be two weeks after the inauguration. Adjust your respective schedules on your own. Since everyone must attend on that day. Especially you, Sahui, make sure there is no event of dropping out because you’re busy. And the youngest. Don’t slip away like an old snake again.”

“…Why is everyone like this to only me.”

Whether it was unfair that everyone was delivering a scolding word, Kwon Sabin mumbled grumpily.

“Since it’s the day to officially announce your relationship, make sure there is no noise before then. It’ll be noisy for a few days, so make sure not to be swept away.”

As Chairman Kwon brought out the words solemnly, everyone stopped their movements as if following without a complaint. Only Kwon Sabin, who was uninterested, was tapping the teacup with a spoon while resting his chin. Hajin, who cared about the noise heard in the silence, turned his head slightly and brought a finger to his mouth.

“Shh.”

As he whispered to be quiet, Kwon Sabin’s lips twitched, but soon after, letting out an absurd laugh, he stopped his movement. As it became quiet, Hajin was relieved and turned his gaze toward Chairman Kwon again. While doing so, at the same time, he subtly watched the reaction of Kwon Sayoung who was seated next to him. Kwon Sabin quietly stared at Hajin, who was watching Kwon Sayoung’s reaction again. Through that gap, Chairman Kwon’s words continued again.

“After that, let’s have the ceremony once Sayoung is inaugurated and adapts a bit.”

Hajin inhaled a breath soundlessly. Not to mention the schedule flowing faster than thought, at the appearance of Chairman Kwon who seemed more genuine than expected, Hajin could not help but be tense. This contract lasted until before holding the ceremony. But that premise was that before then, Chairman Kwon, namely Grandfather, would pass away.

Hajin was frustrated either way. Holding the ceremony was a problem, and Grandfather passing away was a problem. However, the fact that Grandfather’s health was not good was visible fully through his complexion. He looked to have less energy than a few days ago, but still, fortunately, at least his spirit was hale and hearty.

“Understood.”

Unlike the worried Hajin, Kwon Sayoung answered tolerably. At that, Chairman Kwon’s gaze headed toward Hajin. It was an inkling that he was waiting for his answer. Pressing down firmly on his fingertips beneath the dining table, Hajin answered reluctantly.

“…Yes.”

Only after hearing down to Hajin’s answer did Chairman Kwon rise from his seat. As he rose, all the family members raised their bodies abruptly as if promised.

“Mother. Make sure you prepare the engagement ceremony well, too.”

“Yes, Father.”

Chairman Kwon gave firm instructions and left the spot while receiving the support of the attendant secretary, who was no different from his right arm. Before leaving the spot, as his eyes met with Hajin’s, at Chairman Kwon’s gentle face that smiled subtly for him, Hajin could at least ease the tension that had risen fully a little bit.

As Chairman Kwon left the spot first, everyone sat down in their seats again. Madam Shim Mira straight away raised her hand and ordered the servant to bring out wine. Then she brought out her business toward Hajin, who was seated diagonally on the opposite side.

“Hajin, do you have time tomorrow?”

At the question flying suddenly, Hajin rapidly put down the water he was about to drink and asked back with surprised eyes.

“Pardon? Me?”

“Yes. Sweetheart, you.”

“…Ah, yes, yes. I do.”

Hajin answered while nodding his head repeatedly with a face where tension was still stark. The most uncomfortable person in this house was Kwon Sayoung’s mother. Madam Shim Mira acted like a daughter-in-law more polite than anyone in front of Chairman Kwon, but if Chairman Kwon was absent, her words and actions were peculiarly light. A languid, light, yet elegant woman. If one possessed money and authority, one looked dignified even without keeping formalities.

“Then let’s go see some outfits tomorrow. Sayoung, you drop by for a short moment during lunchtime, too.”

“Me too, you mean?”

“You have to pick your tuxedo yourself.”

“It is fine even if Mother takes care of it on her own.”

“It’s near the company anyway. You know, Yoo-jung’s boutique. Since you’re coming, buy your mom lunch, too.”

Whether he had a starkly bothersome inkling, he answered indifferently, as if he couldn’t reject his mother’s request in a single stroke.

“…I will.”

As soon as his answer finished, Kwon Sabin, who was looking down toward Hajin’s side while resting his chin, tossed a word.

“Don’t you have filming tomorrow?”

At that question, Hajin opened his eyes wide, then nodded his head slowly with a bewildered face. It was a face that seemed to say he didn’t know he would ask a private question comfortably in a spot where the elders were present.

“…Ah…. Yeah. I don’t have it tomorrow….”

“Your lot is good, hey. Fellows who have no weight like you should go out to the filming set and keep the seat even if there isn’t any.”

“…Uh?”

“You have to keep the seat a bit to enter the directors’ eyes so that one more scene comes out and all. With that kind of mindset, you can’t do this work, you know?”

At the words Kwon Sabin laid out comfortably, everyone’s attention gravitated toward this side. Why he went out of his way to say such words in a place where all the family was present. When they didn’t even fully know he did that work yet.

“What kind of talk is that? Does Hajin do filming together with you?”

“Yeah. You don’t know? He’s an aspiring actor.”

“An aspiring actor…?”

Madam Shim Mira caught a frown slightly and repeated the words Kwon Sabin brought out once more.

“He said he’s doing acting. Like me.”

“…It’s not like you…”

Hajin counterargued small and looked at Kwon Sabin strangely.

“Do you do that kind of thing?”

“Pardon?”

“Why go out of your way?”

At Madam Shim’s two eyes that showed it couldn’t be comprehended, Hajin was intentionally stuck for words.