Page 59 of Scarbound

The thought stayed with him all week. He caught himself imagining Ji-Woo laughing, playing games with him like they used to, talking without anger. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to imagine what it might feel like to be his brother again.

Sometimes, though, depression crept back in and poisoned every hopeful thought.

He won’t come.

He’ll leave after five minutes.

He’ll never forgive you.

Whenever the darkness became too loud, Mr. Choi was there to quietly pull him back.

By Saturday evening, Noeul could barely contain his excitement… or the anxiety beneath it.

“Mr. Choi!” he called from the bathroom. “Can you help me order food for Ji-Woo and me? Is the apartment clean? Did you check the console again? What if he doesn’t like it? I didn’t even think of a backup activity!”

His voice echoed through the apartment, tighter and slightly higher than usual. Standing in front of the mirror, he tried to fix his hair using only his right hand, one of the few movements he could manage after the surgery.

Mr. Choi’s laughter carried through the living room as he prepared coffee and arranged a plate of sweets: red bean buns, injeolmi, and slices of castella.

“Relax, Mr. Jung. The apartment is spotless. We already tested the console, remember? It works perfectly. And if your brother doesn’t like the games you bought, you can always watch a movie, listen to music, or, if the rain stops, go for a walk.”

Noeul joined him in the living room and sank onto the couch.

“It’s amazing how different a room feels when someone wants to live in it,” Mr. Choi said lightly. “Don’t worry. Tonight will go smoothly.” He smiled. “So, what should we order? Korean fried chicken? Pizza? Chinese? Burgers and fries?”

Noeul’s expression dimmed. “I… I don’t know.” He looked down at his hands. “He used to love Western food, but now…”

Mr. Choi didn’t press. “No problem. We’ll decide when he gets here. All right?”

Noeul nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. Just then, the doorbell rang. His heart skipped. He hurried to the entrance with trembling hands. He had been expecting one person. Instead, two familiar faces stood outside.

His eyes widened. “Duri…” A smile escaped him. “You came too?”

Duri lifted a bag filled with beer and snacks. “What?” He grinned. “Disappointed?”

Noeul laughed. “Of course not. The more people there are, the better. I was just surprised.” He stepped aside. “Come in. The slippers are by the door.”

His eyes drifted toward the shopping bag. “Beer, right?” He looked at Ji-Woo. “And you?”

“Beer for both of us,” Ji-Woo replied quietly.

Noeul froze for a second. It was the first time he had ever seen his younger brother drink. He noticed it. Felt it. But he said nothing. He didn’t want to ruin the evening before it had even begun.

“Of course.” He turned toward the kitchen. “Mr. Choi, I’m sorry to trouble you. Could you help us with the preparations?”

The two young men bowed politely to Mr. Choi. Noeul introduced them briefly before turning his attention back to his guests.

Ji-Woo settled onto the couch, picked up a controller, and switched on the console. Duri stepped closer to Noeul.

“I can help you.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “It’s getting late, and Mr. Choi probably wants to go home and rest.”

Noeul looked at him, slightly caught off guard. Duri’s eyes held the same familiar warmth he remembered, but there was something new beneath it. Confidence. Playfulness. A quiet steadiness.

Something familiar stirred inside Noeul. The same feeling he had dismissed in New York before it could become anything more.

Without letting it show, he turned to Mr. Choi. “Then thank you very much for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some rest.”

Mr. Choi wished everyone good night. Before leaving, he stepped closer to Noeul and lowered his voice.