Mischievous Kiss: Love in Seoul ( Yeonbin )

Chapter 28

( the longest chapter I have ever written in my life. Behold.... for 4200 words chapter ** dramatic drum roll* ) 

After their quiet evening at Namsan Park, Soobin and Yeonjun returned home, their minds lingering on the evening's moments. Yeonjun, trying to process Soobin's words and actions, decided to grab a water bottle from the kitchen before heading to bed. As he descended the stairs, faint voices from the living room reached his ears. Curious, he slowed his steps, quickly realizing it was Soobin speaking with his parents.

Soobin's father's voice was the first he could make out, tinged with surprise. "What? You want to start working a part-time job?"

"Yes, Dad. I want to try working part-time," Soobin replied, his voice calm but resolute.

Mrs. Choi's worry was immediately apparent as she reached for her phone, her instinctive response to fix the situation taking over. "Son, why do you suddenly want to work part-time? Where will you work? Should I find one for you?"

Yeonjun could see Soobin's silhouette as he gently took his mother's hand, stopping her. "No, Mom. I need to do this on my own. I've always relied on you and Dad, but now I want to learn to depend on myself. I want to meet new people and experience working firsthand."

His tone was soft yet filled with quiet determination.

Mr. Choi, watching his son, smiled faintly, a mix of pride and understanding in his expression. He patted Soobin's shoulder encouragingly. "You've excelled at most of the things you've taken on. I'm confident you'll do great in this, too."

Mrs. Choi, however, still appeared uneasy. Her eyes darted to Soobin with motherly concern. "But at least tell us where you'll be working and your shift, hmm? I need to know you're safe."

Soobin shook his head gently, his voice unwavering but kind. "If I tell you, then it won't feel like I'm doing it entirely on my own. Please trust me. I'll be working until 11 PM, but you don't need to worry about me. I'll manage everything responsibly."

In the shadowy stairwell, Yeonjun clutched the railing tightly, feeling a strange heaviness settle in his chest. Soobin's words stirred an ache deep within him. While he admired Soobin's independence and the maturity behind his decision, the idea of Soobin dedicating his evenings to a job instead of their shared moments left Yeonjun with a sense of quiet loneliness.

He could picture Soobin coming home late, exhausted from work, and their fleeting interactions reduced to passing words and rare glimpses. The thought gnawed at him, a mix of pride for Soobin's growth and a selfish yearning to hold on to their shared closeness.

As Soobin continued to reassure his parents, Yeonjun turned back toward the stairs, the water bottle forgotten. His heart wrestled with the bittersweet truth—Soobin was growing in ways that demanded space, and Yeonjun needed to find a way to support him without holding him back.

Standing in the quiet of his room later, Yeonjun stared out the window at the dimly lit street below, the night air cool against his skin. He whispered to himself, as though making a promise only he could hear, "I'll find a way to keep us close, no matter what."

As winter settled in, its chill penetrating the air, Yeonjun felt Soobin's absence more keenly than ever. Soobin's part-time job in the bustling Gangnam area had drawn him away, leaving their once-frequent interactions reduced to fleeting moments. Yeonjun found himself clinging to the snippets of conversation he overheard about Soobin's work, savoring even the smallest details.

This evening, the house felt especially quiet. Mr. and Mrs. Choi, along with Yeonjun's father, were preparing for an overnight trip to Ansan to attend a family wedding.