Chapter 23: Ahjussi Dad

⚠ Mature Content Warning ⚠

This story contains mature themes, including strong language, violence, and sensitive topics that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised.

Jin Yu-jin sat at the edge of the bed, his fingers wrapped tightly around the stem of his wine glass. The deep red liquid swirled as he took another eager sip, his lips curling into a bitter smirk. The soft glow of the hotel lamp cast a golden hue over his skin, highlighting the sharp glint in his eyes.

Just as he was about to drown himself further in the intoxicating warmth of the drink, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind.

Yu-jin didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The scent of expensive cologne and a subtle musk filled the air—Kwon Si-hyuk.

"Stop drinking," Si-hyuk murmured against Yu-jin's ear. His voice was deep, almost coaxing. "There's a better way to distract yourself, you know." His lips ghosted over Yu-jin's neck suggestively.

Yu-jin didn't move but let out an exasperated sigh. "I was this close to making Woo-seok mine," he said, irritation lacing his voice. "And then, of course, something had to interrupt me."

Si-hyuk smirked, nuzzling into Yu-jin's shoulder. "Woo-seok, huh?" he mused, tracing his fingers lightly against Yu-jin's stomach. "You're convinced he'll replace you with someone else?"

Yu-jin set his wine glass down on the nightstand with an audible clink. His voice turned sharp. "He will replace me. And I already know with who." His fingers tightened into fists as he spat out the name, "Bi-yong."

Si-hyuk froze. His smirk dropped.

Yu-jin caught the reaction instantly and turned his head slightly. "What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Si-hyuk hesitated, then sighed. "That brat..." he muttered. "My CEO tried to poach him, but that bastard Hye-sung got to him first." His tone was filled with irritation. "He's got talent, I'll give him that."

Yu-jin smirked slightly. "So, you've got an interest in him too?"

Si-hyuk scoffed. "Hardly."

He kissed Yu-jin's back, his lips trailing down slowly, but just as he was about to deepen his touch, his phone rang.

Si-hyuk groaned in frustration, pulling back just enough to glance at the screen. His face darkened.

It was his wife.

For a split second, he looked torn, but before he could reach for the phone, Yu-jin turned and pushed him down onto the bed, climbing on top of him with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Forget about that," Yu-jin whispered, leaning in closer until their lips brushed.

Si-hyuk barely had a moment to react before Yu-jin kissed him deeply, stealing away any chance of answering the call. The phone continued ringing, but neither of them cared anymore.

Between kisses, Yu-jin whispered, "Help me investigate Bi-yong."

Si-hyuk chuckled, tracing a hand along Yu-jin's back. "Before you ask, I'm already investigating him."

The phone kept ringing.

Neither of them reached for it.

---

Seo-woo's days had been blissfully peaceful—well, mostly. He loved spending time at home with his triplets, composing music, and avoiding unnecessary social interactions. Life was good.

Until he showed up.

"Why are you still here?" Seo-woo crossed his arms, glaring at Kim Ye-joon, who stood in front of his house like an annoying stray cat that refused to leave.

Ye-joon, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, gave him a lopsided grin. "Why do you sound like I've committed a crime by existing?"

Seo-woo scoffed. "Because you're starting to feel like a stalker."

Ye-joon held up his hands in mock innocence. "Coincidence," he said. "I'm here to see a miracle doctor who can treat my grandfather. Turns out, the rental house I got is near yours."

Seo-woo raised an eyebrow. He knew who Ye-joon's grandfather was—a powerful figure in the business world. But he had never actually met him.

"Your grandfather, huh?" Seo-woo muttered. "I thought he was still in the U.S."

Ye-joon nodded. "He was. But he wanted treatment from this doctor."

Seo-woo didn't reply. Instead, he eyed Ye-joon suspiciously.

Seo-jun asked expressionlessly, "Are you not busy with your work?"

Ye-joon replied earnestly, "Oh I am on vacation for half of the year to take good care of my grandpa."

After a moment, a thought crossed his mind, and a wicked smirk curled his lips. "What about your white moonlight? How's your relationship with Yu-jin these days?"

Ye-joon flinched.

Seo-woo caught it immediately.

"...We don't have a special relationship," Ye-joon said stiffly. "He's just a colleague."

Seo-woo tilted his head. "Just a colleague?"

Ye-joon hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. "...Yeah."

Seo-woo wasn't convinced.

But before Ye-joon could dig himself into a deeper hole, he sighed and waved a hand dismissively.

"If there's no special relationship between you two, why did you slap me in the past?"

Ye-joon said stiffly, "...Actually, one of the reasons why I am here is to apol--"

"Whatever. If you're here to apologize for being a jerk in the past, don't bother," Seo-woo said, cutting him off before he could even start. "I don't care about your excuses. I don't want your apology."

Ye-joon looked like he had more to say, but the air between them had turned awkwardly heavy.

Just then—

"AHJUSSI DAD!!"

"Oh, look, it's the cake guy," Seo-min said while pointing his finger at Ye-joon.

Three small figures came running toward Seo-woo, their tiny feet pattering against the pavement. Seo-woo turned to them with a soft smile, kneeling down as they rushed into his arms.

"Seo-min, pointing at someone is rude, and also, don't address him that way."

Seo-min sincerely said, "Sorry," and bowed to Ye-joon.

Ye-joon blinked. "Ahjussi dad?"

Seo-woo quickly stood up, schooling his expression into neutrality. "Oh, these? Just some neighborhood kids."

Ye-joon raised an eyebrow. "They're really attached to you."

"Their parents are volunteers in Africa," Seo-woo lied smoothly. "They left them in my care for a while."

The triplets' eyes flickered with sadness at the lie, but they understood why Seo-woo did it. They knew there were people out there who hated their father, and Seo-woo was only trying to protect them.

Seo-jun asked, "Why didn't you come to pick us up from kindergarten?"

Seo-woo apologized and told them that an uninvited guest had blocked his way, making him forget why he was going outside. He then comforted his sulky children.

Ye-joon glanced between Seo-woo and the kids, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. But in the end, he said nothing.

For now.

Then, Seo-jun turned and looked at Ye-joon fiercely.

Ye-joon just smiled at him.

Seo-woo said, "Let's get inside, kids,"  and turned to Ye-joon who was about to walk away.

The soft glow of the living room's light bulb cast a warm light over Seo-woo and his triplets as they sat together on the sofa, their tiny arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. Their small faces pressed against his chest as they called out to him in unison—

"Dad!"

Seo-woo felt his heart clench at the pure affection in their voices. He tightened his arms around them, his chin resting atop Seo-jun's small head.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry for keeping our relationship a secret. I just... I want to protect you. There are people who don't like me. And if they knew about you three, they might try to hurt you too."

Seo-jun, the eldest, frowned but nodded in understanding. "We get it, Dad," he said with a maturity far beyond his years. "We don't want to make things hard for you."

Seo-woo's chest tightened at his son's words. He's just a child. He shouldn't have to worry about things like this.

He was about to say something when Seo-jun suddenly spoke up again, his tone hesitant. "Dad... there's a parent-child talent show at kindergarten next week."

Seo-woo blinked. "A talent show?"

Seo-jun nodded, playing with the hem of his shirt. "The teachers said we need to participate with our parents."

Seo-min and Seo-jin, the youngest, nodded eagerly. "Everyone's bringing their moms or dads!" Seo-jin chirped.

Seo-woo could already see where this was going. He exhaled slowly. "And... you want me to go?"

Seo-jun bit his lip and shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "I know you don't want to be seen by a lot of people. I won't participate for your sake."

Seo-woo's heart squeezed painfully.

His eldest son—just a kindergartener—was willing to give up something he wanted just to protect him.

Seo-woo ruffled Seo-jun's hair with a smile, even though he felt like crying. "Who said I wouldn't go?"

The triplets' eyes widened.

"You don't have to worry," Seo-woo continued. "I can disguise myself. No one will recognize me."

Seo-min gasped. "Really?! You'll come?"

Seo-jin bounced excitedly. "Dad's gonna be like a secret agent! Like in the movies!"

Seo-jun stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable—before a big, relieved smile spread across his face.

The triplets cheered and tackled him with another tight hug, their giggles filling the room.

Seo-woo hugged them back, his heart swelling with love.

No matter what happened, he would always protect them. Even if he had to wear the most ridiculous disguise in the world.

"Little Theatre"

Ryu Seo-jun: (¬_¬")

Kim Ye-joon: (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)