Chapter 6

The younger boy stood under the warm shower, feeling the hot water cascade over his delicate body, providing a refreshing sensation after the bath.

As he stepped out, clad only in a towel, he was startled by the presence of his so-called "dimple" brother. He couldn't bring himself to talk to him. It wasn't fear that held him back; he simply couldn't explain why he felt hesitant around his dragon-eyed brother.

His damp hair glistened, framing his face beautifully, while he remained unaware of being watched by his Hyung since stepping out of the shower.

“Hyung...” Ederic's voice trembled.

“Such a fragile body... Damn... what am I thinking?” Aaron's mind raced with conflicting thoughts.

“Ahem.” Aaron cleared his throat and looked at his younger brother again. He didn't want to admit the truth that he was already attracted to his little tiger cub.

“Hyung...” Ederic called out again.

“What do you think of yourself, huh? If you dare to skip class and stay outside again... I will have serious words with you,” Aaron said, startling the younger one.

“I'm sorry, Hyung.” Ederic bowed politely, and Aaron's face flushed as he noticed the soft and silky body before him.

“It would be great if you listened to me. Otherwise, the consequences will be beyond your imagination. Keep that in mind.” After saying that, Aaron walked out of the room, running his fingers through his hair.

“Why is he always hating me? I didn't do anything wrong. How unreasonable,” Ederic pouted before slipping into his T-shirt and joggers, and walking out of his room.

He needed to stay with his mom since he wasn't familiar with this house. When he reached his mother's room, she wasn't there. He found her in the garden and called out to her with a high pitch, “Eomma.”

“Come and help me hang the wet clothes here after you freshen up,” she said, and he gladly assisted his mom.

“Once we're done, I'll get you some snacks.”

“Eomma, don't overdo your work. You have poor health, remember?” Ederic pouted with concern. His mother's dedication to work even in her poor health angered him, though he still looked cute even in anger.

“Come on, Ed, I just can't sit and watch. I hate it, you know, right?” His mom ruffled his hair.

“Eomma, why won't you listen to me?” he whined like a baby, not realizing he was being observed.

It was Aaron on the balcony, watching the little one whining to his mother. Something in his heart felt uneasy.

After helping his mother, Ederic returned to his room. As he walked down the hallway, he spotted Mrs. Alit, and in a hurry, he rushed into his room and locked the door. He was still struggling to adapt to them. It felt like déjà vu; whenever he saw her, he couldn't help but run away. Mrs. Alit sighed, understanding the young boy's feelings.

IN EDERIC'S ROOM

He sat, breathing heavily, muttering, “It's frightening, I don't know how to face her... It's really hard... I don't know how to greet her at all.” Confusion filled the little one's mind, and the day ended like that.

IN SCHOOL

The whole school seemed to be on the verge of shouting with excitement, all because of the elder brother, Aaron, who was participating in a basketball match.

Who wouldn't be tempted by his skills? He had a high IQ, and excelled in studies and sports—he was a true character straight out of a comic book.

The stadium was filled with students eager to see their prince in action. Ederic was also there, standing alone, as no one wanted to be his friend. He came to the stadium alone to watch his Hyung's match.

“I heard that Hyung is going to play basketball... I am so excited to see him play,” Ederic thought, smiling like an idiot as he thought of his amazing Hyung.

Unbeknownst to him, many eyes were watching him. Soon, their attention shifted to their prince charming, Aaron, entering the stadium while engaged in conversation with someone. Ederic's smile faded, and a gloomy expression took over his face.

Ederic couldn't bear to stay there any longer, especially with his classmates present. The day had been irritating for the younger boy, even though he was excited about his Hyung's upcoming match.

No matter what he did, his Hyung always held a grudge against him, leaving him perplexed about what he might have done wrong.

As Aaron confidently stepped onto the court, he winked at the opposing team. His presence alone made it evident that they were in for a defeat, and the resounding cheers from all directions welcomed their king.

The younger one was amused by how influential his Hyung was, a faint smile gracing his face.

NJ... NJ... NJ...

The crowd erupted with chants of Aaron's stage name, celebrating their champion. But before he could enjoy the moment, he was unexpectedly pushed by someone, causing him to slip and fall to the ground. The student who had previously insulted Aaron at school was the one who pushed Ederic to the ground. His hand was scratched and bleeding, the soft skin unable to withstand the abrasions.

“You...” Ederic couldn't speak any further and fled from the scene. Unbeknownst to him, someone was watching.

"I feel sorry for that cutie. The boy deliberately pushed him to the ground," Dallin growled low-key to his Hyung, Lyan, who sat next to him.

"It's none of our business, Dallin. His brother should handle the situation. Let's not interfere with them. They aren't nice people," Lyan replied bluntly.

"You're right. Rich people are always scary, Hyung. By the way, I wanted to ask you something," Dallin pouted cutely.

"What is it?"

"You play basketball so well, then why didn't you join the team? I want my Hyung to play too," Dallin asked.

"I've already told you. I don't want to associate with those jerks. I don't like arrogant rich people," Lyan sighed heavily.

Dallin fell silent after that.

Meanwhile, Ederic couldn't control his tears due to the pain from his injury. He went to the school pharmacy and treated his wound, resenting everything around him.

He missed the match because of the detour to the pharmacy. When he returned, everyone was huddled around Aaron, who was the star of the match. Everyone admired him for his dimple smile. Ederic, too, blushed upon seeing that charming smile.

IN THE EVENING

As usual, they returned home after finishing their sessions. Exhausted from the match, Aaron went straight to his room.

Ederic walked slowly, searching for his mom at the entrance, but she wasn't there, nor was Mrs. Alit. Panicked, he searched all over the mansion.

“Eomma... where are you? Eomma,” Ederic shouted, looking for his mother everywhere. The elder brother grew irritated by the loud shouting.

Ederic ran out to the backside of the mansion to find his mom. Aaron went outside to scold the younger one but was interrupted by the sound of a car.

Mrs. Alit and Ederic's mom got off the car. Ederic's mom was holding a bunch of tablets, her face looking pale. When she saw Aaron, she hid the tablets behind her and walked towards the entrance.

“Something feels wrong here,” Aaron thought.

“Baby, what are you doing here?” Mrs. Alit asked gently as she noticed Aaron at the entrance.

“What am I doing here? Ask her precious son. He was shouting like crazy. I can't even rest,” Aaron replied annoyingly and went inside.

Ederic's mom was taken aback by his words. She knew that Aaron didn't like them, but there was nothing she could do. Mr. Alit wouldn't allow them to leave.

“Don't take it to heart. I will talk to him,” Mrs. Alit said, her gaze softening.

“It's okay, he's still a kid. I understand why he's like that,” she said, taking the medicine and heading to her room. Mrs. Alit sighed heavily.

Ederic returned to his room with disappointment, but when he saw his mother, he jumped into her arms and hugged her tightly.

“Where did you go? You scared me, Eomma,” Ederic said, on the verge of tears, but holding back.

“Sorry, dear. I went outside with Mrs. Alit.”

“Don't leave me alone again, Eomma,” the younger one pouted cutely.

“Okay, okay. I won't leave you,” she promised, pinching his nose as he giggled a little.

“I'm scared, Eomma... I don't have much time,” she accidentally touched his wound, and he hissed in pain.

“What happened, Ed?” Ederic's mom asked, concerned, as he turned away, avoiding her gaze.

“Don't lie to me, Ed. Show me your wound.” He reluctantly showed her his injury.

“I... I slipped, Eomma. It's true. I'm not lying. When I went to the ground, I slipped,” Ederic confessed, pulling his hand away from her grip. His mother sighed, seeing her clumsy son.

“Be careful next time,” she caressed his cheeks, and Ederic nodded cutely, saying, “Then I'm going to do my homework.”

She nodded, and as soon as he left, her face darkened with pain.