Good Night, Brother! - Chapter 7.1

Work had gotten busy again. The overwhelming busyness, leaving Eunhyun with no time to think, actually proved beneficial for his mental health. He spent both weekdays and weekends crashing at home, sleeping as though lifeless. With Yi Hyeon’s midterm exams coinciding, the two barely crossed paths despite living under the same roof.

Eunhyun had been so buried in work that even Labor Day was forfeited for a full day at the office. However, starting two days ago, things began to ease up a little. Instead of subsisting on sandwiches and bread, he managed to grab proper meals at the company cafeteria, and his work hours gradually shortened.

Today, Eunhyun finally wrapped up the most urgent tasks and was able to head home early. To top it off, tomorrow was the company’s founding anniversary, a holiday that happened to fall on a Friday. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Having spent recent days rushing through life, Eunhyun relished a long, warm shower for the first time in what felt like ages.

The hands of the wall clock already pointed to 7:30 PM. He had hoped to have dinner with Yi Hyeon and catch up, but his brother hadn’t returned home yet and hadn’t sent any messages either.

“Wasn’t today the last day of the school festival?” Eunhyun muttered, pulling out his phone to check his messenger app. He tapped on his chat with Yi Hyeon.

Younger Brother: Working late again today?

Eunhyun: I should be home around 8. What about you?

Younger Brother: I’m on bar duty today and tomorrow, so I’ll be late. (Sad puppy emoji)

Eunhyun: Bar duty? Sounds fun.

Younger Brother: Not fun at all.

I miss you. (Crying puppy emoji) (Bear shaking its head emoji)

Thursday, May XX, 20XX

Younger Brother: Did you get to work okay?

Eunhyun: Yeah.

Younger Brother: Had lunch?

Eunhyun: Yeah.

Younger Brother: Working late again?

Eunhyun: Nah, leaving on time.

Younger Brother: That’s good to hear. (Smiling puppy emoji)

Eunhyun: What time will you be home today?

Eunhyun: Are you busy?

Eunhyun figured Yi Hyeon was too tied up with bar duty to reply further.

“Man, I’m starving. Is there anything to eat?”

After rummaging through the fridge and cupboards a few times, Eunhyun decided to boil some water for instant ramen. While breaking the noodles into the bubbling pot, he reflected on how their eating habits had improved since they started living together. He rarely resorted to bread, instant meals, or delivery food anymore.

Despite the tempting aroma, the ramen didn’t taste as good as he had imagined. Eating alone seemed to dull the flavor. When did he start realizing how unsatisfying solitary meals were?

Feeling hollow after the meager dinner, Eunhyun turned on the TV to break the silence in the house and flopped onto the couch. The plush fabric seemed to embrace him, and he found himself dozing off, unable to resist the pull of sleep. The combination of carb overload and accumulated fatigue drew him into slumber.

Buzzzzzz, buzzzzzz!

The vibrations from his phone in his hand jolted Eunhyun awake. Smacking his lips groggily, he answered the call without checking the caller ID.

“Yes, Hello?”

“Hi, is this Yi Hyeon’s older brother?”

The unfamiliar male voice and the mention of Yi Hyeon’s name snapped Eunhyun fully awake. He straightened his back against the couch and responded.

“Yes? Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m a friend from Yi Hyeon’s department. He’s had too much to drink while working at the bar.”

“Ah, yeah!”

Selling alcohol and drinking too much while doing it? Is that even possible? Eunhyun’s lips twisted in dissatisfaction even as he replied.

“Could you put him in a taxi and send him home instead? The address is…”

“I’d love to, but Yi Hyeon keeps saying he won’t go home unless you come to pick him up.”

Eunhyun frowned, recalling an image of Yi Hyeon getting drunk and causing chaos, demanding things like having his whims indulged. He had been a handful when drunk. It seemed better to just go in person.

“Ah!  Fine, I’ll come get him. Where exactly are you?”

“There’s a business school bar right in front of the management department building. You’ll find us there.”

“Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

Eunhyun sighed softly as the call ended, watching the phone screen dim to black.

That brat, Jeong Yi Hyeon. Sure, he’s a free-spirited 20-year-old, but drinking to the point of losing control? He doesn’t even handle alcohol well, why did he drink so much? Thinking back to their conversations during orientation, he didn’t seem like the type who couldn’t say no to drinks. From now on, no alcohol for him, period.

Feeling an uncharacteristic sense of responsibility, Eunhyun hurried to prepare for his outing.

Meanwhile, at the school, after the call ended, a friend handed the phone back to Yi Hyeon.

“He said he’s coming to get you.”

“Thanks.”

Flashing a sweet smile at his friend, Yi Hyeon nonchalantly disappeared with a flick of his hair. Another friend muttered under his breath, lowering his voice.

“Jeong Yi Hyeon. He’s kind of strange, don’t you think? He’s not even drunk, why is he acting like this?”

“How would I know? Maybe extreme alphas have different brain wiring or something.”

“And you still made that call for him?”

“Of course! He offered me fifty thousand won. I’d do it for ten. Besides, it’s kind of funny.”

Eunhyun arrived at Korea University by taxi.

When Eunhyun told the driver his destination, the main gate of Korea University, the driver started bragging about his daughter, who also attended the school. Eunhyun awkwardly smiled and nodded, but when the driver pressed for more details, Eunhyun admitted he was heading to the business school. The driver graciously drove him as close as possible to the building. Considering how deep inside the campus the business school was, Eunhyun felt lucky. If he had been dropped off at the gate, he would’ve had to walk quite a distance.

The campus was alive with energy, seemingly intent on burning through the final night of the festival. Yellow-lit tents reminiscent of a bustling night market were scattered everywhere. Somewhere in the distance, the lively sound of an invited singer’s performance mingled with enthusiastic cheers.

Eunhyun remembered reading an article recently titled, “Are College Festivals for Students or Celebrities?” The article had exposed the exorbitant fees for guest performers, with Korea University’s festival line-up used as an example. Comments online had praised the line-up, joking, “Guess I’ll swing by Korea University to see the show!” The expense seemed to have paid off, judging by the electrifying atmosphere.

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