[Book III] The price of happiness [ENGLISH]

Chapter 4: Turning a new page

TW suggestion of death of a character

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Seungmin walked through the snowy streets of the city, looking at the interior of the windows distractingly. He quickly turned his head towards Jeongin, who was walking behind him, to make sure he was still following him.

They were the day after their little outing in the snow, and as Seungmin had said, they were going to make a grave to Jeongin's mom. The first step was to order a tombstone, or whatever Jeongin would want to mark his mother's name. That's why they were currently in town, heading to a funeral home that the beta had found on the internet.

"Hey hyung."

"Hm?"

"You... don't consider this a date, do you?"

The question surprised Seungmin.

"Uh... No. Not really... Do you consider this a date?"

"No." Jeongin sighed, relieved. "I would have found it creepy if it had been... I don't want it to be our first date."

Oh. So Jeongin didn't give up on the idea of wooing him?

"You know, you don't have to woo me." Seungmin whispered, looking where he was going.

"Why?"

"Well, why do you have to do it?"

"Because that's what you have to do, right? Well... That's what I was taught..."

Seungmin laughed a little, giving him a little elbow.

"You don't have to, don't worry. The drawings and the book were enough as gifts."

"The drawings were really ugly..."

"Don't say that... You just lack practice..."

Jeongin pouted.

"I'm going to ask Hyunjin to teach me how to draw."

"And I am sure he will gladly accept."

"Would you teach me how to take photo?"

Surprised, the beta glanced at him. He didn't know that he was interested in the photo.

"Well, if you're interested... Yes, I can. When the weather gets a little warmer and we don't risk losing our fingers after ten minutes. We can go with Jinnie. He likes to take pictures too."

Jeongin nodded, happy that Seungmin accepted. It was already more like a date idea than going to the funeral home.

Too fast to Jeongin's taste, they arrived in front of the window full of flowers and engraved plates. Seungmin pushed the door, bringing them both in. They were greeted by a warm wind, much more pleasant than the icy outside air. Immediately warmed, the youngest took off his coat, while they were welcomed by a woman who was approaching her forties.

"Hello, can I help you?"

The two boys greeted her. Seungmin quickly glanced at Jeongin, who seemed uncomfortable. He stepped forward a little, deciding to speak for himself.

"We're looking to replace a headstone... It's too degraded to be recovered, and we just decided to buy a new one."

"I see, follow me."

She guided them through the shop, showing them different models of tombstones, both in person and in the catalogue. Jeongin flipped through the booklet, widening his eyes at the prices displayed. There was nothing under 2,550,000 won... These were exorbitant prices. A sense of guilt rose in him knowing that Seungmin was going to spend that money just because he was a child unable to grieve.