Payback AU: What If

Act 2.4 - Within Fallen Leaves

"Hyung, you're home?" a cheerful teenage voice greeted Yoohan, something that he had never thought would ever happen, but had been almost like a ritual now.

Yoohan looked at his younger brother that sat crouched in front of the television, then glanced at the clock, frowning. "Why are you still up?" it was almost midnight. Yoohan had been too engrossed with his study tonight after finishing his work report—what with the cozy space and free competent tutor available—that he only got back from Alice's past eleven. Lee Hansoo should've been in bed at this point. But Yoohan also realized that the house was quieter. "Where's Mom?'

Hansoo tilted his head. "You don't know Hyung? Mom's been working closing shift these days."

"What?" Yoohan raised his brows, then furrowed them. "Since when?"

"Late summer, I think?" Hansoo pursed his lips, trying to remember. "I think it's around the time you work at the new place, Hyung."

Yoohan blinked, confused at how he didn't even perceive this change. But then, he'd been busy with work and study all summer that he practically only come home to sleep. It was almost like those time in middle school when he was rarely at home, but somehow, the vibe and atmosphere was completely different. Perhaps because his mother and brother knew Yoohan was doing productive and helpful things for them, rather than getting in trouble. But still, to not even realized his mother had been working late...

Just then, the door opened and brought about chill autumn wind into the house. Their mother was trying to come inside quietly, but was startled at two pairs of eyes looking at her. "Oh, you haven't slept yet?" she smiled gently.

"Hyung just got home." Hansoo yawned, finally feeling sleepy after his family members were all accounted for. His mother widened her eyes at that, looking at Yoohan worriedly. "So late? You're not being forced to work overtime, aren't you?"

You're one to talk, Yoohan sighed inwardly. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Rather, why are you doing the closing shifts? It's dangerous walking around so late."

"But I thought you take that job so you could study better? Why are you out so late?" Yoohan's question was being ignored perfectly.

"I studied there already. Don't you know kids attending the academy can do it until past midnight?" Yoohan shrugged, putting a glass of water in front of his mother whilst taking a sip from his own.

"Really? Can you still do it with all your other job? Don't you think you should stop some of them? Like those you do during the weekend?" his mother threw him a worried look. But Yoohan was already used to it, since the same concern had been expressed for months already. Well, she was a mother of a cSAT-taker, so such a thing was expected of her.

"I'm fine."

"I can take a few more shifts for a while—"

"I'm fine."

The mother looked at his son carefully. Yoohan was firm, but his face was easy, relaxed. There was exhaustion from work and studying, but that was normal for someone that had been up and about all day. For quite some time after entering high school, Yoohan had shown haggard faces like those adults tired with life. But nowadays, he was more at ease.

Right, it was like that time when Yoohan started to carry himself together and started to get better grades. That short few months before the boy suddenly became gloomy before turning more reserved and even more mature. Well, this is better. He looked quite...contented, for a lack of better words.

"Alright," his mother finally responded with a smile.

"Should I work part-time too?"

"No!" Yoohan glared at his younger brother sternly, making the teenager shrank in his corner. Yoohan was way more amiable than in the past, but at times like this, he was still really scary. His Hyung was as scary as his friend's father. "You're smarter than me, so just stick to studying."