RACA 100

Eunsol smelled something familiar. It was as comforting as lying under a blanket dried in the sun and as warm and pleasant as drinking barley tea.

When he opened his eyes, his grandma was holding his head on her lap, gently stroking his hair.

“Grandma…”

He called her, but she didn’t answer and only smiled softly. Since she’d never been a talkative person, that alone was enough for Eunsol. He closed his eyes again in relief.

Her delicate, smooth fingers slowly combed through his hair. Her hands, seemingly unfazed by hardship, were delicate yet somehow imbued with a sense of longing.

A gentle breeze playtully tickled his ears, and the sound of birds chirping could be heard from afar.

Chirp, chirp

As two whistles chirped back and forth, Eunsol’s mood naturally lightened. If only time could stop like this and he could be with his grandmother.

As he was thinking that, the hand that was stroking his hair stopped and his grandmother opened her mouth.

“My dear Eunsol, you’ve really been through a lot.”

When he looked up at her, her face was full of warmth and pride.

“What do you mean? You had it harder raising me.”

“That’s true. You suddenly showed up one day and made such a fuss. I didn’t even have time to look away, I was so busy taking care of you.”

Eunsol chuckled at her playful teasing.

“Hehe, you mean you weren’t bored thanks to me, right?”

His grandma laughed softly and brushed his ear. The affectionate touch made his heart ache.

“So Grandma, let’s live together for a long, long time.”

He spoke jokingly, anxious at the way she sounded like she might leave soon.

“I wanted that too, but things in life don’t go the way we wish. That’s why I prepared so much, so you wouldn’t have a hard time.”

“I don’t need any of that. I just need you, Grandma.”

She stroked his puffed cheeks to calm him, still smiling like the spring sunlight.

“But I must’ve been lacking. Seeing you live alone, lonely and struggling, broke my heart.”

Eunsol shook his head. He’d never felt lonely living with her. He didn’t have many friends his age, but the elders in the neighborhood had always treated him kindly.

“Don’t say that. Everyone loved me so much. They all adored me.”

“Of course they did. You know how much this grandma did for that to happen.”

The way she proudly said it made Eunsol laugh. He loved that side of her.

Even past seventy, she still drew people’s eyes with her graceful, well-kept looks and calm, elegant air that inspired admiration.

Eunsol knew how many people had once admired her. Not only was she a dominant omega, but she had also been a beloved actress in the past.

“Even so, I couldn’t help worrying. Watching you walk such a difficult path…”

“A difficult path?”

Eunsol realized then that the conversation had started to go in a direction different from what he thought. He had believed he’d just fallen asleep with his head on her lap. But she was speaking as if the future were already happening.

“I never imagined you’d become an actor.”

“What?”

His grandma’s eyes, when he looked up, were shadowed.

“Maybe it runs in the blood. Your foolish father clung to it too, and now you…”

“No, Grandma. I did it because I liked it.”

He answered instinctively, then tilted his head. Did I really? As he thought quietly, forgotten memories resurfaced.

Himself on sets, wandering around, taking any role without complaint.

“Of course, Grandma knows well. Eunsol’s always been sincere and hardworking. I even regret not helping you sooner.”

She spoke playfully and poked his nose.

“I never thought I’d actually become an actor either.”

The ticklish feeling made Eunsol scrunch his nose. Then he tilted his head again. He was sure there had been a reason he’d started acting, but he couldn’t quite remember it.

“Right, that’s why I was surprised too. It was the first time I saw my grandchild fall so deeply for someone.”

She said with a smile as she gently rubbed the tip of his nose.

“I used to wonder who would take our little sweetheart away. You were such a handful, always restless and only wanting to play. I doubted you’d ever find a partner, but there he was.”

“What, Grandma. You really thought that?”

Eunsol asked awkwardly, his eyes shining with a bit of playfulness.

“Of course. Grandma knows exactly what kind of child you are.”

After a brief silence, she spoke again in a low voice.

“I hoped someone would be by your side even after I was gone. It seems heaven heard my wish. Your destined one appeared.”

“Huh?”

Eunsol didn’t understand what she meant, but he remained quiet, listening as her hand continued to gently stroked him.

“But fate never goes the way we want. I only wished you’d meet someone good and live happily…”

Eunsol was taken aback when her previously calm voice began to waver slightly. It was especially so because, in all the years they’d lived together, he’d rarely seen his grandmother display such emotion.

When he tried to sit up, she patted his shoulder to stop him.

“No, Grandma’s fine. Let’s stay like this a bit longer, okay?”

“Grandma.”

“If you get up, we’ll have less time together. I shouldn’t hold on too long, but I need to explain things properly to you.”

Her words were still confusing, and her eyes now filled with a mixture of sorrow and relief.

Why was she making that face? He wished she would just smile like she used to, beautiful and dignified.

‘Huh?’

Eunsol, who had been speaking to himself unconsciously, opened her mouth in discomfort.

“That’s why I wished so earnestly. I’m so grateful heaven answered that wish.”

“Grandma?”

“It’s not the future I wanted, but that’s all right. Your destiny is right beside you. So, Eunsol, you have to be happy, all right?”

Smiling kindly, she stroked his head. Happy? The word made his nose sting. Why was she talking like she was about to leave?

“What are you saying, Grandma? Who’s supposed to make me happy?”

“Who else? You already know. The twins’ father.”

“What?”

Eunsol’s eyes widened. At that moment, the two whistling birds chirped even louder. A while ago, they’d sounded distant, but now they were so close.

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

Startled, Eunsol turned his head. Bright spring sunlight shone right before his eyes. It was so dazzling that he blinked.

But then, he started to feel his consciousness fading. Something deep inside told him not to fall asleep.

He reached out desperately, but his hand couldn’t grasp anything.

“Eunsol, live happily, all right? That’s all Grandma wishes for.”

Her voice was soft and warm, like the spring breeze.

“Eunsol.”

Then a quiet but firm voice called his name close to his ear. Eunsol slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the scent of disinfectant mixed with a familiar smell.

The moment he realized that it was his alpha’s pheromone, he realized that there was someone nearby.

“…..”

“Eunsol.”

When he turned his head, Jaebeom pushed back his chair and stood up, looking relieved. Eunsol stared blankly at him.

“You did well. You came back.”

What did that mean? His mind felt foggy, and he couldn’t fully understand the words. His eyelids were still heavy, and he felt like he would pass out at any moment.

“You don’t have to worry about the twins. They’ve been doing well, waiting for you.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Eunsol start to remember what had happened. He had come to the hospital to meet the children he’d carried for ten months.

He’d been told he could just rest for a while, then lost consciousness, and after that, he’d met Grandma. At first, he hadn’t realized it was a dream, but when he did, he felt sad, though it was all right.

Because of the words she had whispered so gently.

The one who’ll make you happy. The twins’ father is by your side, so don’t worry.

Eunsol’s heart started to race. When he reached out his hand, Jaebeom immediately took it, as if he’d been waiting. His hand was hot .

Looking at the partner Grandma had spoken of, Eunsol smiled softly.

“I was a bit late, right? Sorry. I’m all right now.”