The brothers froze as they took in the man standing in front of them. He was a towering presence, his broad shoulders and straight posture making him seem even more imposing.
A casual sweatshirt hung loosely on his frame, paired with matching trousers. His face was partially hidden by long, unkempt strands of hair, with deep-set eyes peeking through the gaps.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jihoon swallowed nervously before extending his hands, offering the neatly wrapped packet of rice cake.
"Umm… we just moved into unit 128. We wanted to say hello."
The man remained silent. His eyes dropped to the outstretched pale hands before settling on the young man, the shadows from his bangs making it impossible to read his expression.
"….."
Jihoon felt his nerves tighten under the weight of the prolonged silence. Just as he began to wonder if the man would refuse the gift, a large, calloused hand finally reached out and took the packet from his grasp.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, a sudden wail pierced the air.
"Hic-- ngh-- hic!"
Jihoon looked down in surprise to see his younger brother burst into tears, his tiny frame trembling as hiccups wracked his body.
"Shh… shh… what happened?"
He crouched down immediately, rubbing slow circles over the boy's back, but Haneul's cries only grew louder.
The child clung to Jihoon desperately, his fingers twisting into the fabric of his shirt. His head remained tucked low, as if too afraid to look up.
Even with his long, overgrown bangs shrouding his face in shadows, the man's scars were clearly visible. Half of his face was marred by deep, jagged marks that ran across his skin, distorting its texture. It was as if melted wax had hardened into grotesque patterns.
Haneul had seen them. And he was terrified.
"I'm really sorry. Please don't mind the child," Jihoon apologized, bowing his head nervously.
"….."
The man remained silent, watching them like a statue carved from stone.
"We'll be going. Please enjoy the snack," Jihoon muttered quickly before carrying his sobbing brother back to their apartment.
Once inside, Jihoon finally let out the breath he had been holding. He gently lowered Haneul onto the floor and crouched beside him as the child instantly latched onto his neck, burying his tear-streaked face into his shoulder. His tiny body trembled like a leaf caught in a storm.
Jihoon sighed and rubbed his back soothingly. "What's wrong?" he murmured, running a hand through his brother's soft hair.
But the child only clung tighter.
"The s-scary… ngh… mister will come and t-take me… hic… away to feed me to the monster…" Haneul choked out between sniffles.
Jihoon blinked. "Hmm? Why would he do that?"
Haneul hiccupped again, struggling to form words. "He wouulld… that's what… Miss Kim said… hic…"
"Miss Kim?" Jihoon repeated, confused. "Your teacher?"
Haneul gave a tiny nod, his face still buried in Jihoon's arm, dampening the fabric with fresh tears.
Jihoon exhaled slowly. He had a feeling he understood now.
Perhaps Miss Kim had warned the children about the dangers of strangers, and Haneul had found the man just as terrifying.
To a small child, it must have been an unsettling sight. Moreover, the man had stood there in complete silence, merely watching them. His lack of expression or response had likely only added to Haneul's unease.
"Don't be scared. Big brother is always here to protect you," Jihoon murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his brother's head.
Haneul's grip on his shirt tightened, but his sniffles started to slow.
After a moment, Jihoon gently pulled back, cupping the boy's tear-streaked cheeks. "And who knows?" he said lightly, brushing away the wet trails with his thumbs. "Maybe he's actually a nice mister."
Haneul wasn't convinced, his lips wobbling. "W-what if he's not?"
Jihoon chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Then I'll beat him up for you so he won't trouble you." He playfully pumped his fist in the air.
Haneul blinked, then let out a small, shaky giggle. Jihoon, however, knew that was a bold-faced lie. That man could probably lift him with one hand and throw him down anywhere if he wanted to. If anything, Jihoon just hoped they could live peacefully without any drama.
But for now, Haneul seemed comforted by the promise.
The boy wiped at his puffy eyes and sniffled. "Hh-hyung… I'm hungry."
Jihoon checked his watch and realised that it was already past 12:30.
"Oh no! Let me cook up something quick."
Jihoon stood up, scooping his little brother into his arms and carrying him over to the dining chair.
"Here, have this while I cook." He handed him the last packet of rice cakes from the basket before heading toward the kitchen.
The little boy eagerly unwrapped the treat and nibbled at it with gusto, his small legs swinging back and forth beneath the chair.
As Jihoon set to chopping vegetables, he stole a glance at his younger brother.
He had already calmed down, now fully absorbed in his snack, his cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk.
"Hey, Haneul," Jihoon called, turning back to the cutting board. "If we see that mister again, we should say sorry, okay?"
Haneul looked up, brows knitting together uneasily. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat but eventually nodded. "O-okay…"
Jihoon met his gaze with a gentle smile and didn't push further.
He worked quickly, the rhythmic sound of his knife against the board filling the kitchen as he focused on finishing their meal.
Before long, he had a steaming spread laid out on the table.
"Come on, let's eat."
The child's eyes lit up as he reached for his chopsticks, digging in with a satisfied hum. Jihoon chuckled, finally taking his own seat.
Their first Sunday in their new home had been unexpectedly eventful, but as the warmth of the meal filled their bellies and the tension from earlier faded into a distant memory, Jihoon couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth settle in his chest.
It was a fresh start.
And maybe, just maybe, things would turn out alright here.