DS Ch19

Hand?

Joo Taehyun had been staring blankly at Seo Baekhan, who let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“We shake hands. It’s our first time meeting, isn’t it?”

“Oh… Sorry.”

Joo Taehyun belatedly extended his hand, briefly grazing Seo Baekhan’s fingertips before pulling away. Though their hands only brushed for a moment, Seo Baekhan’s were surprisingly large and his knuckles thick, startling Joo Taehyun.

It was a wholly unfamiliar sensation. He was used to his family, his doctor, his tutors, and the house staff exclaiming how tall he was for his age, how lanky he’d become. This brief contact left him slightly shaken.

The world was vast, and, of course, there were plenty of people bigger than him.

“And about your expression earlier… Hmm. When you were walking around, you seemed a little tense.”

“I wasn’t!”

“Haha, really? Then let’s say you weren’t.”

Joo Taehyun had retorted impulsively, but Seo Baekhan simply laughed heartily, seemingly unfazed.

What was that about? He’d mentioned something about Joo Taehyun’s striking face, so Joo Taehyun had wondered if there was a problem. It seemed he was just teasing.

Joo Taehyun was well aware of how stiff he’d been acting. He’d stumbled over his words and given inappropriate responses. His facial muscles, as jerky and uncoordinated as a rusty robot, were even worse. When Seo Baekhan complimented his composure, Joo Taehyun had worried it was sarcasm. He’d been anxious, wondering how strange he must have looked, but if it wasn’t that bad, then it was fine.

“That kind of demeanor is good, too.”

“…”

“I’m not kidding. I genuinely mean it.”

Seo Baekhan then asked a passing attendant if they had any sweet sikhye or sujeonggwa that a youngster might enjoy.

Thanks to his older brothers stuffing him with treats earlier, Joo Taehyun was so full he could barely manage another sip of water. However, it seemed rude to refuse the kind gesture of someone he’d just met, so he decided to stay quiet.

“The moment you open your mouth, it’s obvious you’re frozen up. But the funny thing is, when you’re just standing there quietly, it’s hard to tell. You look bored, maybe sleepy.”

“…Isn’t that a bad thing?”

“It means people can’t easily read your thoughts. What’s bad about that?”

“Well…”

Was that so…?

He’d never considered it from that perspective.

He’d never had reason to. Joo Taehyun had always assumed he should act like his older brothers or his sister in these situations—appropriately affable, with a ready smile. As he got older, he thought he should emulate the gravitas of his father or mother.

But the idea that being unreadable could be advantageous…

Looking back, Joo Taehyun realized he hadn’t prepared for this at all. He’d memorized the faces and names of the guests and practiced his greetings, but he’d never considered what aspects of himself he wanted to present or conceal.

The world around Joo Taehyun had always been incredibly comfortable. He’d never encountered hostility or misunderstanding directed at him. The medical staff, his tutors, even those he met only occasionally, all remarked on how gentle he was.

From Joo Taehyun’s perspective, it was only natural. He could have anything he desired with the slightest effort, long before he’d ever need to resort to tantrums like other children.

So, he rarely had reason to be upset. Everyone around him worked tirelessly to prevent such situations from arising. And even if an unexpected mistake or accident did occur, his family and everyone around him constantly showered him with affection. How could he find time to feel hurt when every moment was cushioned against even the slightest scratch?

Living in such a protective bubble, Joo Taehyun had no reason to be sensitive or prickly.

Effectively concealing his thoughts? He’d never given it a second thought. If anything, he’d tried to express himself quickly so his nanny and butler wouldn’t get frustrated.

The world outside his family’s protective embrace was more nuanced than he’d imagined. It seemed to be constructed with incredibly fine, almost invisible lines, yet each one held meaning.

“Don’t overthink it. Kids like you go home and beat themselves up over these things. ‘Oh, I should have smiled more naturally next time.’ And then the next time, they’re practically convulsing.”

Joo Taehyun’s shoulders twitched involuntarily. Seo Baekhan’s words perfectly mirrored his own internal resolutions.

“Haha. See? I told you. But you know, sometimes appearing aloof can come across as endearing, and constantly smiling can make you seem insecure. In settings like these, just be yourself, your most comfortable and confident self. It’s a battlefield out there.”

Joo Taehyun awkwardly touched his lips. Perhaps he was right. Put that way, it made sense.

Expression management… Hmm. He’d have to take a good look in the mirror when he got home.

“Excuse me. I’ve brought sikhye and dried persimmons. I noticed you enjoyed them earlier.”

An attendant appeared with impeccable timing, presenting a small table. Flustered, Joo Taehyun stammered, “Oh, no, th-that wasn’t me, my, my b-brothers l-like those.”

“…Don’t laugh.”

“Pfft. Hahaha.”

“I said don’t laugh!”

“Hey, a kid can like dried persimmons. What’s so embarrassing about that?”

Saying that eating well was the key to growing tall, Seo Baekhan picked up a slice of persimmon from a skewer and offered it to Joo Taehyun. Seeing the cream cheese oozing out from between the studded nuts, Joo Taehyun couldn’t help but salivate. He opened his mouth and readily accepted the treat.

“…Your brothers and sister have really spoiled you, haven’t they?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind, eat up.”

Brushing sugar powder from his lips, Joo Taehyun shook his head belatedly. Hearing Seo Baekhan mention his brothers reminded him of a possible reason why Seo Baekhan had approached him.

“…My brothers put you up to this, didn’t they?”

“To what?”

“They told you to come and keep me entertained… Didn’t my oldest brother send you?”

“No? Do I look like someone who’d obediently listen to that kind of request?”

“Well… no.”

“Exactly.”

Despite his words, Seo Baekhan stayed by Joo Taehyun’s side for quite a while longer.