AAGULT Ch 87

Chapter 87

They were far too different to be called brothers sharing the same blood. Ye Kanghyun let out a deep sigh.

Yes, his life began to unravel at age twenty-two—ever since this brat was born.

“Isn’t it strange? Usually, when the youngest shows some affection, it melts the older brother’s heart a little, doesn’t it? And come on, hyung, it’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“Haa…”

Just when his unpleasant feelings toward his younger brother seemed to die down, the brat always had a knack for stirring them up again. Perhaps that, too, was a kind of genius.

Ye Aiden tilted his head and let out a short laugh.

“If you hate seeing my face so much, why do you care so much about the Association’s affairs? Hm? You only used to run those old-fashioned businesses, didn’t you?”

Already stressed out lately due to issues regarding the Association’s support fund operations, Kanghyun felt a surge of irritation. But, as always, he maintained a calm demeanor as he rebuked him.

“That’s none of your concern. Stop rebelling and return to the family.”

“What am I supposed to do back home? Lounge around and play?”

“Do as you like.”

That was the ideal scenario. For Aiden to want nothing, understand his place, and obediently hole up in a corner. To not attract the attention of the world. That was the version of his younger brother that Kanghyun wished for.

But Aiden was doing the exact opposite—drawing the world’s attention. The youngest S-rank guide in history, a genius in his field, exceptional leadership, a kind and ideal personality beloved by the public. He had hidden his crazy, self-indulgent nature so well that his public image remained pristine.

Ever since Aiden was born, everything had begun to move in a direction Kanghyun never wanted. Each time his brother’s name appeared in the media, it put him on edge.

It was Kanghyun who, under the pretext of protecting Aiden, concealed from the world that he was the second son of the Halla Group. Thanks to that, even though people knew there was a second son, no one knew who he really was. Lately, those efforts had been steadily unraveling.

Whether Aiden knew about his inner turmoil or not, he chuckled playfully.

“Actually, living like a rich slacker doesn’t sound too bad…”

“……”

“But you know, hyung—these days, responsible men are considered attractive. Just wait a bit longer. I’ll bring home the most beautiful and adorable sister-in-law you’ve ever seen.”

Kanghyun didn’t even have the energy to refute the silly joke and tried to walk past him. But Aiden turned his body slightly and threw in one more remark.

“Did you owe the Association a debt or something?”

“……”

“Oh, right. You did, didn’t you? The ruthless older brother who paid under the table to throw a seven-year-old guide into a gate with the intent to kill him—and then failed. Hard not to use that as leverage.”

“……”

The words brought back a familiar wave of exhaustion and discomfort.

For the record, that seven-year-old guide had been none other than Aiden himself.

It was true. Kanghyun did owe a debt to the Association, just as Aiden said, and as a result, had occasionally been forced to provide support that left him at a loss.

It was strange and chilling that the younger brother he once tried so hard to eliminate was still standing so casually in front of him. It had been a double gate with an extremely low survival rate. In fact, fewer than half of those who entered had made it back. Yet his brother, still just a child at the time, had returned alive—and even smiling.

What was more chilling was that Aiden, who knew better than anyone that Kanghyun was the one who had put him in that gate, had never made the matter public, nor did he seem to carry any trauma from it—he simply went on living as if nothing had happened.

Outwardly, people claimed he hadn’t entered a gate in a long time due to trauma, but that had to be a lie. In truth, he was probably just too lazy and used it as an excuse.

How could someone act so nonchalant, as though all that had happened was having his favorite side dish taken away, even when his own brother had tried to kill him? Kanghyun couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Of course, knowing how cunning his younger brother was, he had likely long realized that he could easily win public sympathy. That was why Kanghyun had been wary for a long time about how Aiden might choose to retaliate.

He feared that Aiden would target the Halla Group, feared he’d ruin the carefully paved path he’d laid. Kanghyun had constantly tried to trip up his brother’s impeccable career. But Aiden always soared right over with ease and a mocking smile. He moved freely like the wind and handled the obstacles Kanghyun placed with complete indifference.

The former Association president who had once sided with Kanghyun had long since fallen into Aiden’s trap and been discarded. One by one, his allies had disappeared—now only he remained.

It had always been this way since they were young. Cunning, snake-like devil. He had a knack for subtly manipulating people’s emotions without ever getting caught.

‘Why are you so cruel to your baby brother? The Halla Group is already yours—without needing to go that far.’

‘……’

Even their parents didn’t know the truth hidden behind that smiling face. Aiden could become a gentle lamb whenever it suited his interests.

But Kanghyun knew. He knew exactly how much malice was hidden behind that thick mask.

And that was why it was so uncomfortable. If that child had never been born, how peaceful would his life have been?

He swallowed a sigh and closed his eyes. Yet no matter what, Aiden still stood before him. The young man leaned in and whispered kindly.

“Hyung, stop it already. Cut off contact with Baek Beomwoo.”

“You…”

“Our nephew has to prepare for college soon, right? What if Mom and Dad get too shocked and hurt their hearts?”

“……”

He’d been wary ever since the Baek Beomwoo case began, but of course Aiden knew. And since he even mentioned his son, maybe he also knew about the Esper enhancement drugs… Kanghyun couldn’t tell what his brother knew or didn’t know, and fell silent.

Then the youngest, ever so kind, adjusted his tie and whispered softly. His fox-like eyes held not a glimmer of light.

“Because if I get too sad… I might feel like climbing to the top of Halla and screaming, you know?”

It sent shivers down his spine.

“Aiden!”

He shouted, but Aiden only stepped back with a relaxed smile, as if everything were unfolding in the palm of his hand.

The man, younger yet bolder, patted the shoulder of his elder—old enough to be his father—and smiled sheepishly. This time, he made no effort to lower his voice, as if it didn’t matter whether someone overheard. In an incredibly sweet and gentle tone, he spoke with fake politeness.

“See you next time, hyung. I’ll stop by the main house soon and greet everyone properly.”

“……”

The sound of confident footsteps passed him by. The hospital room door opened and shut, indicating he had gone to that little fish—Song Jaeha, or whatever his name was. Only then did Kanghyun’s face twitch slightly as he pulled out his phone to make a call.

“Get in touch with them immediately. I have no idea when ‘that’ will be completed. Push them harder.”

—Understood.

He hung up before his secretary’s crisp reply had even ended. Suppressing his discontent, he inhaled and exhaled lightly before continuing to walk.

He had to finish what needed to be done before it was too late.

“Jaeha-ssi. Are you feeling okay?”

“Huh, Aiden-ssi?”

“Where did you go? You’re not even well.”

After completing a blood draw and having his esper rank reassessed, Jaeha returned to the hospital room that now felt almost like home—only to find someone already sitting on his bed. It was Aiden. Glad to see him, he approached, and Aiden reached out and pulled him into a tight hug. His face pressed into Jaeha’s stomach, his features tickling against his upper abdomen or solar plexus, and Jaeha let out a helpless laugh as he gently returned the embrace.

“I went to get my esper rank reassessed.”

“What’s the result?”

“They said I might reach C-rank within a few days.”

“That’s fast.”

Hearing his noticeably brightened tone made Jaeha’s chest ache slightly. He was happy, but at the same time, a vague sense of disappointment that had been quietly growing inside him settled in one corner of his heart. Still, knowing that even feeling such emotions in his situation was a luxury, Jaeha quickly hid them with his usual awkward smile.

“Did you come to guide me?”

“Of course. You don’t have a support guide anymore.”

Technically, even though they were only prospective partners, the existence of a pair guide made it difficult under the rules for him to receive support guiding. Aiden seemed quite pleased with that arrangement.

“Alright, give me a kiss.”

Before Jaeha could even thank him for coming all the way to the hospital to guide him, Aiden boldly demanded a kiss. Jaeha had to shyly lower his head and carefully press his lips to Aiden’s. On a normal day, he might have hesitated out of embarrassment, but today he was somehow worried—somehow more conscious of him.

“You’re acting cute today…”

As he murmured against his lips, his ticklish breath brushed against Jaeha’s skin. To hide his feelings, Jaeha rubbed their lips together a little more. The man, giggling like a child, tightened the arms wrapped around his waist and sat Jaeha squarely on his lap.

“I must be heavy…”

“If I whine that you’re heavy, will you pamper me?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure…”

“That’s a shame.”

What on earth does he mean by ‘pamper’? Jaeha gave a reluctant reply, and Aiden, disappointed, pressed another kiss to his lips. As his strong fingers gently kneaded the back of his neck, Jaeha let out a soft moan.