I Picked Up the Greatest Villain in the Story

53.

To Hyunsu’s eyes, Sehun was someone whose inner thoughts he didn’t want to imagine.

It wasn’t that Sehun was violent or bullied anyone in particular.

However, seeing how those who used to bother Jian would suddenly disappear without a trace, Hyunsu could only guess that Sehun had done something. There were even a few times when he was swept up in Sehun’s mischievous pranks.

When it came to matters unrelated to Jian, Sehun lived as if he had no attachments to the world.

While Jian thought he was Sehun’s best friend, Hyunsu believed that even if he occupied 1/100th of the space Jian held in Sehun’s heart, it would be a miracle.

When they were younger, he was fooled by Sehun’s angelic appearance. He believed, as Jian said, that Sehun was just awkward with people. So he tried to give up a lot of his own things and take care of Sehun like a younger brother.

‘It was all for nothing. This guy could be a great actor if he tried.’

How many times had he seen Sehun act like the most pitiful creature in the world in front of Jian, right after looking at him with annoyance?

Every time, Jian would fall for Sehun’s act, cradling the black-hearted boy in his arms and cooing over him.

“I think Jian hyung thinks you’re like Hyunwoo hyung.”

Look at him now. His words were so disrespectful it made Hyunsu’s head hurt.

“What about our hyung? He believes everything I say too.”

The emotions welled up at the silent, piercing gaze. Sehun’s eyes were saying it all. That he didn’t believe a word Hyunsu said.

“What are you up to behind Jian hyung’s back?”

A soft humming could be heard from the kitchen. The sound of chopping indicated that he was preparing something to go with the steamed dumplings.

When Hyunsu whispered with his hand to his mouth, Sehun just raised an eyebrow. The cool gaze that swept over Hyunsu’s face was chilling.

What’s going on? This is really unsettling.

For starters, it was strange that Sehun had been upsetting Jian lately. Sehun was the type who would act like it was the end of the world if even a small wrinkle appeared between Jian’s brows. He had been like that since childhood.

While he never showed even a hint of a smile to others, if Jian showed any sign of depression, Sehun would snuggle up to him and act cute in every way possible.

Yet such a person had been causing Jian distress for quite some time now. It wasn’t a big deal, but seeing Jian’s face grow darker day by day, Hyunsu was reminded once again that Sehun had only ever acted like a gentle lamb towards Jian.

“Hey, just tell me. Illegal stuff is absolutely off-limits. Do you know how upset Jian hyung would be if you became a criminal?”

Hyunsu had secretly been preparing himself not to be surprised if Sehun ever did something that would land him in jail.

So far, either Sehun hadn’t committed any crimes or he hadn’t been caught, as nothing had happened. But recently, Hyunsu had been feeling a strange sense of unease. It was like an instinctive feeling.

“That won’t happen.”

Hyunsu clenched his fist at Sehun’s words, accompanied by a sigh as if he was looking at the most pathetic person in the world. If he could just punch Sehun’s head once, maybe it would relieve some of the frustration he’d been holding onto for ten years.

“Boys, let’s eat dumplings.”

As if sensing the strange atmosphere in the living room, Jian appeared carrying a steaming tray. A delicious aroma wafted from the translucent dumplings.

In the end, Hyunsu postponed confronting Sehun in front of the dumplings. If he had known what was about to happen soon after, he wouldn’t have done so.

It was a mistake to carelessly let it slide, unable to foresee the future.

* * *

“How do you feel?”

Jian turned to look at Sehun with an expression that seemed even more excited than Sehun’s. On the TV screen, countless people had gathered around Bosingak Pavilion, waiting for the New Year’s bell to ring.

The street was so packed with all sorts of people that it was barely visible. From elderly folks to parents with children, and students who had dressed up but still couldn’t hide their youthful appearance.

The excitement of the people waiting for the New Year seemed to penetrate through the screen and reach Jian.

Since they disliked crowded places, Jian and Sehun were waiting for the bell to ring while watching the live broadcast at home.

It was already 11:58 PM. In just two minutes, the New Year would dawn and Sehun would be a year older. It was just another year passing, but it was different in that he would become an adult.

Jian felt excited but also conflicted. The time had come when he truly had to respect whatever choices Sehun made.

Although things had returned to normal, Sehun’s recent deviations had planted a deep-rooted anxiety in Jian’s heart.

A hint of tension began to creep into Jian’s gaze as he looked at Sehun. Surely he wouldn’t say he wanted to live independently as soon as he became an adult? Unless he was going to a university in another region, the distance from home to school was easily commutable.

Although Jian had been giving Sehun plenty of pocket money, it would be difficult for Sehun to rent a place near the school on his own. It might be possible if he started working part-time jobs without Jian knowing from now on.

While waiting for Sehun’s answer, numerous thoughts flooded Jian’s mind. He was aware that he might be overprotecting Sehun, but he couldn’t help it.

The people threatening Sehun might still be alive, and if Sehun were to be kidnapped again due to carelessness, Jian would never forgive himself.

The ten years spent with Sehun had been the happiest time in Jian’s life. He gave love and received love. The wounds in his heart had healed under the blind adoration in the eyes of the child who only looked at him.

Moreover, Sehun hadn’t yet become entangled with Hyunsu, and the tower hadn’t appeared. After the tower’s appearance, Korea had gone through another crisis.

The tower, with no visible end, became an object of fear for people, and Jian remembered that hunters had struggled with the strong monsters that emerged from the very first floor.

Even Sehun, who had been keeping Hyunsu confined, eventually had no choice but to climb the tower, as conquering it was directly linked to South Korea’s safety. Even Sehun, who had been a vicious villain, was living with South Korea as his base.

“What about you, hyung?”

“Me?”

The awaited answer was different from what Jian had expected. Sehun looked at Jian’s face for a while before asking back.

“I’m incredibly excited. It’s hard to believe our Sehun has grown up so much.”

Setting aside his complicated feelings, Jian expressed the emotion he felt most strongly at the moment. Despite all his worries and imagining worst-case scenarios, Sehun hadn’t fallen seriously ill or caused any unmanageable trouble as he grew up.

Sometimes he did things that made Jian wonder where he had been hiding such mischievousness, causing headaches, but looking back now, they were memories he could laugh about.

“That’s right. I’ve grown up. I’m an adult now.”

Jian’s fingertips trembled at the sight of Sehun smiling with his eyes curved beautifully. His looks, which had been perfect since childhood, shone even more as he grew.

Feeling the emotions he had experienced not too long ago resurface, Jian hid his true feelings behind a smile. Once Sehun’s situation was somewhat settled, he would have to seriously consider meeting someone.

The longer he stayed single, the more these feelings that he shouldn’t have were growing.

“They’re starting the countdown now.”

Time had flown by as they talked. Jian swallowed hard as he watched people shouting numbers in unison.

Sehun becoming an adult meant that the moment of his ability awakening was also approaching. Jian had been working tirelessly for that day.

He had done his best to give as much love as he could, albeit inadequately, to ensure that any lingering deficiencies in Sehun’s heart wouldn’t lead him down a path of destruction.

The sound of the New Year’s bell ringing – dong, dong – echoed through the living room. At the same time, Jian’s heart pounded loudly in sync with the bell.

A tension that made his back damp arrived like an uninvited guest.

* * *

‘Surely he won’t awaken while I’m away in the US.’

Jian glanced at Sehun, who was sitting at a table in the cafe, while wiping a cup in his hand. A day had passed since the New Year.

Tomorrow, he would have to leave for the US. He hadn’t told Sehun yet. He was planning to tell him over lunch later.

“Manager, it’s been a while.”

“Ah, welcome.”

The cafe door opened, and a familiar regular customer walked to the counter. Jian remembered him because he uniquely ordered an iced Americano with added whipped cream.

“Your brother could really be a model. Can you see outside? It looks like everyone’s here to see your brother.”

Outside the cafe, as the customer pointed out, a group of middle school students had been gathering for the past 10 minutes, waiting for Sehun to come out.

Unable to come into the cafe, they were stamping their feet in the cold weather, which had already caught Jian’s attention.

“He’s good at studying too. He got a perfect score on the college entrance exam this time.”

Jian casually mentioned Sehun. Sehun’s exam score had become a point of pride for Jian at some point.

“I’m really envious. Just looking at your brother’s face must never get tiring.”

Thanks to the customer’s agreement, Jian’s mood improved, and he handed over the drink with a mountain of whipped cream. As he smiled brightly at the customer leaving with the takeout cup, Jian felt a strange gaze.

Sehun, who had been doing something on his phone until just now, was staring intently at Jian with his chin resting on the back of his hand.

His expressionless face felt a bit chilling. Jian touched his nape and smiled at Sehun as well.