"Riki, hey, that's not quite fair!" The boy with feline-like features playfully tossed the stack of uno cards onto the coffee table before getting up abruptly. He wasn't really upset, no way, he could never be mad at the younger one. The Japanese boy chuckled at his older friend. "Jungwon-hyung, a little bit of cheating isn't all that bad!"
"So, are you confessing to cheating?" A female voice unexpectedly chimed in, grabbing the boys' attention out of nowhere. Riki turned around. "Ya! Whose team are you on, his or mine?" Sam shrugged. "Neither. I'm just pointing out that it's not fair."
She settled down next to Jungwon on the couch, her expression neutral but her mind racing with thoughts because of the space between them. Jungwon grinned, "You're right. It's not fair." Sam shrugged again and reached out to tidy up the pile of uno cards. "Want to play another round? This time, I'll join in too."
―
Sunghoon rang the bell. He wasn't late today, thankfully. When Jay opened the door, he looked like he was staying home today. "Are you not going to work?"
Sunghoon questioned while getting in. Jay shook his head casually and went back to his seat on the couch and resumed watching news.
"Is Jungmi in her room?"
Jay curtly nodded. TThe tension in the air was palpable. Dismissing it, Sunghoon made his way to the little girl's room. Meanwhile, Jay sat in silence, the television's hum creating a serene atmosphere. His thoughts were not on the TV but rather on the boy upstairs with his sister. The curiosity that had piqued his interest last week remained unabated. He wanted to know where the boy's parents were, which was, truly odd of the Park Jay considering his usual reluctance to meddle in others' affairs unless necessary.
Perhaps it was the hint of bitterness in the younger boy's eyes that drew his attention.
Perhaps he simply wanted to offer comfort. Perhaps it was empathy.
Perhaps it was merely curiosity.
Shaking his head, Jay refocused on the newsreader's chatter about rising stocks.
the stocks of blah blah blah seems to be high, blah blah blah. . .
Suddenly there was thudding sound from upstairs. Worried and startled, Jay immediately bolted there. Upon opening the door he saw his twelve year old sister sitting on Sunghoon's stomach. Both of their faces adorned with joy as laughters erupted from their mouths.
"What's going on?" His voice seemed to have startled both of them.
Jungmi got off Sunghoon and Sunghoon rose to his feet. "Oh nothing, Jay, we're just playing around."
"Be careful." Was all he said before leaving the two and heading downstairs again.
It was surprising how he trusted Jungmi with Sunghoon. How could he have gained so much trust, empathy and vulnerability for a boy he knew only for two-three weeks. How peculiar, indeed.
―
Konon and Sam sat on Konon's bed, playing the game of truth or dare. The clock read 1:30am but none of the girls had a hint of sleep in their eyes.
"So, truth or dare?" Konon asked Sam with a playful tone. After a quick pause, Sam chose truth. Konon, with a mischievous smile on her face, teased, "Samie-san, who's your crush?"
YOU ARE READING
「 baby sitter 」― jayhoon↻
Fanfiction↔ "how much are you paying?" "how much do you need?" ✘ it was hard ― managing an elementary kid and work. you never know what they're upto when you're not home. as her only family, jay had to take care of his sister as her fa...
