RACA 106

“You’re letting Chairman Jang into the house?”

Jaebeom frowned like he’d heard something he shouldn’t have. But Eunsol remained perfectly calm.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I heard he’s been coming by every day to see the babies while I was asleep.”

Chairman Jang had done that purely because he missed the twins. Jaebeom was about to say it wasn’t something Eunsol needed to take responsibility for, but a soft whimper came from the stroller, and he quietly opened the back door.

“I just want the kids to know they’ve got more than just their parents to rely on,” Eunsol said as he watched Jaebeom detach the stroller and secure it in the back seat. “I grew up with just my grandma, but I was never lonely because there were always kind adults in the neighborhood. I want the twins to have that too.”

“Alright.”

If that was what his spouse wanted, then Jaebeom’s answer was already decided. He looked down at the twins lying in their seats, smiled, and thought,

‘He really knows how to keep me off balance.’

It wasn’t something just anyone could do, shaking someone’s heart with one word, one look. Jaebeom thought Eunsol already had that kind of gift. All he needed was a solid foundation behind him.

Straightening up, Jaebeom looked at the car still idling behind them.

‘Not that I like the idea.’

He could support everything on his own, but if he wanted something more secure, there was no safer wall than Chairman Jang.

“I’ll sit in the back.”

“Alright.”

Jaebeom helped Eunsol into the seat beside the twins, fastened his belt, then moved to the passenger seat. Only then did the car leave the hospital and head home.

It had only been a week since he’d last gone outside, but to Eunsol, the scenery somehow looked different. Maybe it was because the spring flowers were in full bloom now, flowers that hadn’t been there before. Naturally, he remembered his talk with Jaebeom, how spring was the perfect season to start something new.

‘Could I really do it?’

When he looked ahead, he saw Jaebeom talking on the phone. He must’ve had a lot piled up from handling work remotely at the hospital.

“There’s no need to push for higher numbers. We play it safe. We’re not a loan shark company anymore, right? Keep lending balanced and based on credit.”

His calm yet decisive tone made it hard to picture the same man who’d been fumbling with diapers and formula just a week ago.

‘Jaebeom’s probably better off working than doing childcare anyway.’

The twins would ultimately be his responsibility. However, there were already five helpers waiting at the house, so there wasn’t much Eunsol needed to do himself.

“Lower the targets too. Focus on small business and personal loans, not big corporate ones. We’ve already got enough there. Protecting the smaller borrowers now will pay off later.”

The way he analyzed the situation and laid out a plan so clearly was pure businessman.

‘Right, he did say he was born into a chaebol family.’

No wonder it suited him so naturally. Some things just didn’t disappear.

“Eunsol, do you want anything to eat?”

“Huh? Oh, no, not really. Why?”

Eunsol, lost in thought, blinked in surprise.

“It’ll be lunchtime by the time we get there.”

“Ah…”

“Please tell us what you’d like, I’ll have it ready right away!” Bulgom, who was driving, chimed in cheerfully.

“I can’t think of anything…”

Eunsol turned to look behind them. Chairman Jang’s car was following at a distance, neither too close nor trying to pass.

After a moment of thought, he picked up his phone. The call connected quickly.

–Eunsol? What’s wrong? Is that car uncomfortable after all?

“No, not at all.”

–Really? Then what’s this about?

“Well…”

The car stopped at a red light. Jaebeom immediately looked back. From his expression, it was obvious he knew exactly who Eunsol was talking to, and he didn’t like it. His look said he’d let it slide only because Eunsol wanted it.

“I was wondering if there’s anything you’d like for lunch when we arrive.”

–Oh…!

Chairman Jang exclaimed in delight. Loud enough that Jaebeom must’ve heard it too, because he frowned even more.

“I’m not the one cooking,” Eunsol mumbled awkwardly, waiting for the chairman’s answer.

Then Jaebeom interrupted.

“Eunsol, you said you wanted a hamburger. Order that.”

–A hamburger?

Chairman Jang must have heard, because his voice came back louder through the phone.

“What, a hamburger?”

Eunsol winced. He’d mentioned it earlier, but why bring it up now, of all times?

“Yes. There’s a famous homemade burger place on the way home. If you order ahead, they’ll have it ready for takeout, so you can pick it up on your way.”

So that’s why he’d brought it up. Eunsol sighed inwardly at Jaebeom’s sly smile, which looked almost wicked. As expected, Chairman Jang fell right into his trap and readily agreed.

–Alright, got it! See you later.

As soon as the call ended, Chairman Jang’s car pulled off to the side, turning in the direction of the burger shop. Eunsol looked apologetic, but Jaebeom only smiled, pretending not to notice. When the light changed, their car left the chairman far behind and drove straight on.

•••

Three months passed in a blink since Eunsol’s discharge. The time spent with the babies had been full of joy and warmth.

When he called their names, their tiny fingers wriggled in response, and when he smiled, their little mouths curled up too.

Watching those small changes fill his days with emotion that nothing else could replace. And after holding a modest hundred-day celebration yesterday, his heart had never felt fuller.

It was all wonderful, but…

“Mm… mmm…”

“Yeah? Does it taste good?”

Pulled out of his thoughts by the baby’s soft cry, Eunsol looked down at the tiny body in his arms.

Most of the twins’ care rotated among several helpers, but when it came to feeding them or playing, Eunsol always did it himself. Jaebeom had insisted they let the staff handle everything, but Eunsol disagreed.

He believed that to bond with the babies, he needed to spend time with them directly, so twice a day, without fail, he held them in his arms.

“You’re drinking so well, Eunwoo.”

He smiled, watching the baby’s small lips wrap around the bottle. Moments like this made him want to see them grow up every single day.

But when childcare ended and he watched a movie or drama in his free time, something in him wavered. Maybe it was because Jaebeom’s words kept echoing in his mind.

A drama he’d been following lately played on the screen. Despite its absurd plot and almost trashy story, the actors’ performances were good. The current scene showed two people exchanging desperate lines.

‘I’ll protect you, so please don’t say you’re leaving!’

The alpha lead clutched the trembling omega’s shoulders.

‘When I’m by your side, it feels like I’m disappearing!’

‘Don’t say that! I have no reason to exist without you!’

‘Don’t you see? That’s exactly what makes me feel worthless!’

The omega pushed the alpha away. The lines were cliché, but the raw emotion in their eyes and voices lingered.

That sense of desperation between them—like they could only see each other—passed through the screen and resonated with him. It wasn’t something words could fully express, but he felt it all the same.

“Could I ever act that desperately?”

Eunsol thought back to his own performances. He’d rarely had the chance to express such emotions. Most of his roles were small, an office worker who bumped into the main character in a hallway, apologized, and hurried off-screen.

But if he ever got a role like that…

“What are you doing just sitting here?”

He felt something soft warmth on his forehead, followed by a familiar scent. Then his body was gently pulled closer. Eunsol looked away from the TV and met Jaebeom’s eyes.

“Is that offer you made me before still open?”

“Yeah. So, you’ve finally decided?”

Eunsol nodded. Seeing the way Jaebeom’s face brightened instantly confirmed it for him.

Yes, this was it.

He’d never really let go of acting. That lingering attachment was why he repeatedly thought about it.

“Yes. I want to act.”

Eunsol nodded again. Jaebeom looked at him for a moment, then smiled gently.

“Alright. Then you should.”