“No, no, it’s nothing. I just asked.”Taeui hurriedly replied, then fell silent as his thoughts tangled.He wasn’t sure whether to be startled by the gentle murmurs over the line, or suspicious that they were speaking together so late at night—but either way, all the questions he wanted to ask rose to his throat, yet he lacked the courage.So what happened next…?…No, perhaps there’s no need to ask. If Jaeui suggested they finally clear out the house they’d left vacant all this time.“Sure—selling the place doesn’t bother me. I doubt either of us will live there again soon. Since I’ve got some free time, I’ll fly to Korea and sort the house. I’ve been wanting to go back anyway.”A brief silence followed on the line, then Jaeui responded:“I’ll send Aunt Dango the necessary paperwork. She goes down to the countryside around the end of next month—just get there before then. If you can’t make it, ask someone else to handle it.”“No—that’s fine. I’ll get there in time, I think…”“…”“…”“Alright, please do. Take care until we meet again.”“Yeah. You too. And—give my regards to Raman.”Taeui added that reluctant line, then ended the call. He stared at the handset as though Jaeui were still there.“What’s the matter, Taeui? Anything wrong?”Kyle, sitting on the sofa a few feet away—though he wouldn’t understand the conversation—asked anxiously. Taeui set down the handset and turned with a soft smile.“No—nothing. My aunt collapsed, but she’s fine. I just realized I need to go to Korea for a bit.”“To Korea? Are you sure it’s nothing serious?”“Yes, really. I’m thinking of clearing out the old family home. Neither of us will be going back any time soon.”Kyle nodded in relief.“Then let me book your flight. Tell me the dates and times you want.”“Thank you. But I’ll do it after Ilrey returns.”Kyle gave Taeui a look that said “I get it”—as if seeing a determined youngster triumphing over the world’s troubles. Embarrassed, Taeui scratched his head, when another phone rang behind him. He flinched, startled.Usually, a call right after another means the same person dialing again—but not this time.“Hello?”“It was busy until just now, and you answered the instant the line freed up… Who was that call for?”Right. It wasn’t Jaeui again—he wouldn’t be the type to forget and redial so carelessly. Yet it wasn’t his brother on the line. It was a call from the tiger himself.“He said you’d answer if I name-dropped him…”“Hm?”“No—it’s nothing. I just got ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) a call from Jaeui. When will you be back?”Taeui mouthed “Ilrey?” to Kyle, then back to the phone as there was no reply. “Ilrey?” he called, and at last a voice responded.“Jaeui? Why all of a sudden?”The tone was displeased.“Jaeui asked if we could clear the house in Korea. That’s it.”“Not a bad idea. But how come he’s not going back himself?”“Well… it seems he won’t.”“Hm.”That was pleasantly matter-of-fact. Taeui felt oddly self-conscious.“So when will you be back?” he asked Ilrey.“Ah, right. I called because this job’s dragging on a bit. It won’t be forever, but I won’t make it back this month.”“Really? Because this target turns out to be ‘someone like me’?”“No. The person’s no big deal. It’s just the paperwork that’s a hassle. Anyway, I’ll be back next month.”“Next month, huh…”Taeui scratched his head. Aunt Dango departs for the countryside at the end of next month, so even if he left after Ilrey returned, it’d be fine—if everything went to plan.But he knew things never went exactly to plan. And pinning it to the last minute didn’t feel wise.“Maybe I shouldn’t wait— I should just go first.”“Hm?”“Yeah. I’m selling the house there. The caretaker’s got other commitments, so I’ve got to check it out before next month.”“You?”“Yeah. I’m free, so I offered. I planned to tell you once you got back, but if you’re delayed…”Not running off—just handling my own security, he meant. Taeui’s careful nature dictated he cover every contingency.“Korea… sure. Go ahead.”Ilrey’s cheery permission came through the line.“Great. I’ll finish up here and follow you—go on ahead.”“…Huh?”“I’ll head straight there when I’m done.”“But you said you finish next month. I don’t intend to stay that long.”“Selling a house doesn’t happen overnight. It could, but it might not.”Ah, of course.Taeui blinked, realizing the oversight. The house’s location was decent—so it might not linger—but no guarantee it’d sell right away. He could hire someone to manage it, but…“Take your time. I’ll catch up soon. Korea’s easy enough to reach.”“Where are you now?”“New York.”New York? Well, it did have frequent direct flights.“Right. Do you need my address? I can give you the Korean one.”“No need. I’ll find it.”He wasn’t planning to hunt down Mr. Kim in Seoul, but Taeui felt foolish for offering. A man like Ilrey left nowhere to hide.“See you in Seoul, then.”“Okay.”The line clicked off.Kyle shot a reproachful look at the silent handset—no familial pleasantries given—then asked gently:“When will you fly out?”“Soon as possible, I guess. I don’t know how long it’ll take to sell the house.”“Understood. I’ll tell James. But let’s barbecue again tomorrow night before you go.”“Of course.” Taeui smiled, and Kyle nodded.Taeui finally set down the handset and crossed to the sofa opposite Kyle. On the table, someone—Rita, he supposed—had placed a steaming pot of ginger tea. He picked up a cup and sipped.…So Jaeui isn’t coming back to Korea after all.The evening’s conversation replayed in his mind. True—none of them might ever live there again. Better to sell than leave it empty. They’d moved before; it wasn’t a house of endless memories.It no longer needed to stand.The days when Jaeui and Taeui lived together would not return. They had never been that affectionate; there was no cause for sudden loneliness.But still—Tonight, he would lie awake thinking of his brother.Across from him, Kyle picked up the stereo remote and pressed a few buttons. Soon, a gentle orchestral piece began to fill the room—perfect for ending the day and welcoming a peaceful night.

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