Chapter 217: Should I Run Away?
It wasn’t a story from long ago.
Not far from the main house.
Do Seojun used to visit the amusement park often with his younger brother.
On days without evening self-study, he would carry his heavy backpack, buy two afternoon tickets, and step through the amusement park gates.
Passing by flower beds beautifully decorated with roses in vivid colors, they made their way to the zoo, Seohan’s favorite spot.
Since he was young, Seohan always liked the safari more than the roller coaster.
Inside the safari bus, Seohan sat glued to the window, his bright eyes rolling around curiously.
For a five-year-old, the world was full of wonders.
“Wow!”
As the colorful parade continued, Seohan stood on his tiptoes, looking around.
In the midst of the crowd, his small figure was easily swallowed up.
Do Seojun grabbed Seohan by the waist as he bounced in place and lifted him up.
“…You're heavy.”
“Huh?”
—And then put him down again.
Seohan looked up at Do Seojun with a puzzled expression, then quickly urged him again.
He seemed to be saying he couldn’t see the parade well.
“Again, again.”
“Nope. You’re way too heavy. I’m not lifting you again.”
Honestly, Do Seojun himself wasn’t that old when he brought his little brother to the amusement park like this.
That’s why he always realized too late when he said something wrong.
“I’m way too heavy, so you’re not lifting me?”
“Damn.”
“Damn?”
“Hey, no. You’re not supposed to say things like that.”
Do Seojun hurriedly waved his hands and pulled the innocent Seohan by the arm.
He had a feeling Seohan learned even worse words from his kindergarten friends, but still, he didn’t want to be the one to teach him.
“Hyung, look at that. That’s so damn cool!”
Especially because he was so quick to apply things like this... it made it worse.
Uselessly quick-witted—just like him.
“Ha… Do Seohan….”
Do Seojun let out a sigh and shook his head.
As with any youngest child, the youngest always grows up receiving plenty of love from the family.
Even between siblings, that was true. You only really fight if you’re close in age. With a ten-year age gap, it was always care and affection.
Just looking at those thin arms and legs made him nervous, wondering if something might break.
And of course, Do Seohan actually did….
“Hey, don’t cause any trouble!”
“Ahh!”
Often break bones and come back injured.
Do Seojun grabbed Seohan by the scruff of his neck as he charged forward without brakes and dragged him back.
“Ha….”
Wriggle wriggle—
Maybe he was a hamster in a past life, one that got anxious if he wasn’t running in a wheel, because Seohan just couldn’t stay still.
As always, today he looked like he wanted to jump into the parade.
“I! I’m going to go out front and dance!”
“What are you going to be when you grow up…?”
“A firetruck!”
For Do Seojun, it was a vivid, crystal-clear memory,
But for Seohan, it was a distant event that felt like a past life.
.
.
.
“You said you wanted to come to the amusement park together?”
“I remembered coming here before.”
<Met Through the Family Register>. Since it was a family variety show, I had thought long and hard about it.
Even though I was used to being on camera, there was a difference between a PD and a celebrity, and after all, my brother was a civilian.
I didn’t think being known to the public was always a good thing.
He had strong mental fortitude, so I wasn’t really worried about him getting hurt, but still, malicious comments are never pleasant.
In the end, he accepted.
It was surprising that Do Seojun agreed to appear on the show, and I didn’t really have a special reason to say no.
If I had to pick one, I guess… it just felt a bit awkward being in such a cozy situation.
“You had an annual pass when I was a kid, and we came here almost every week.”
“Oh.”
“So I really wanted to come back once.”
He was saying such warm words because we were on camera, but honestly, I had goosebumps all over.
“…….”
It was obvious that he had chosen a location that would look nice on screen, from a variety PD’s perspective.
Even that gentle tone.
Who are you?
But hey, I’m a professional too.
“Ha ha.”
“Ha ha ha….”
I smiled naturally and brushed off my brother’s words.
With that, the scene on the outside looked perfectly heartwarming.
That was when it happened.
Probably to get some footage for insert interviews, one of the youngest writers started following behind us.
“Are you two usually close?”
We’re brothers with a ten-year age gap.
That was why I hesitated briefly at the writer’s question.
“Us?”
Looking back on our childhood, we were definitely close.
But after I decided to become a trainee, honestly, we were pretty awkward with each other for a while.
He didn’t understand me, and I couldn’t understand why he opposed my dream.
In my past life, that rift deepened as I failed to debut, and our relationship grew more distant.
That’s why the video letter during the finals had come as a surprise.
He was someone I thought would never support me.
While I was lost in thought for a moment, Do Seojun spoke up.
“We didn’t spend that much time together. And with the big age gap, we didn’t really fight when we were little.”
“That’s right. Because I let him win a lot.”
“…Seohan?”
Do Seojun blinked and turned to look at me.
What, why.
I had something to say too.
“It’s true you let me win. Thinking back to your attitude during job hunting—mmph.”
This part would probably get edited out.
Ah, this is why it’s tricky working with PDs. They only keep the parts that make them look good.
“Mm. Seohan, so what should we do today?”
“Don’t force an edit point….”
The sharp youngest writer cut in at just the right moment.
“Oh! You both brought your wish lists, right?”
“Yes.”
Before the real filming started, the production team had given us a sheet of paper.
Today’s shoot concept was the Wish Tour.
Since we’d both been busy, it was a time set aside to do things we hadn’t had the chance to do together.
‘Please write down three things you’d like to do today.’
We handed our written wish lists to the production team.
The youngest writer cheerfully confirmed.
“Yes, got it!”
Then she handed us each a sheet again and stepped away.
It meant we were to reveal them ourselves on camera.
Do Seojun asked in a subtle tone.
“You’re going first?”
“Should I?”
Honestly, it wasn’t much.
I just added a touch of personal desire.
I unfolded the paper and revealed the safest wish first.
[Go watch fireworks]
Ah.
“Nice and romantic, right?”
“…What the? Why’d you write something so normal?”
“Huh?”
As soon as he saw my wish list, Do Seojun blinked in surprise.
That reaction… made me nervous.
“What did you write?”
“It’s kind of an occupational hazard. Comes with working in variety.”
Apparently, he’d pulled a prank on his list.
Tsk.
I pressed my lower lip together and swallowed hard, while Do Seojun gave an awkward smile and added,
“You’re supposed to have fun with things like this. Like… childhood innocence?”
“Think about your age.”
“Hey.”
Do Seojun ground his teeth quietly.
I smiled beside him and revealed my second wish list item.
[Play the 'Yes or No' game (Yaja Game)]
“……”
Honestly, from this point on, it was all real.
I could see PD Yoo in the distance struggling to hold back laughter.
“I kind of expected this.”
Do Seojun nodded calmly, but his eyelids trembled visibly.
“Pfft.”
Some of the staff who seemed to know him personally burst out laughing.
“Wait. How long are we supposed to do this for?”
“All day.”
“…What kind of nonsense is that?”
He frowned and snatched my wish list out of my hand.
“Let’s set a time limit.”
“One hour.”
“Thirty minutes.”
“Fifty minutes.”
“…Make it forty.”
The camera director holding the camera chuckled at the skillful negotiation, like we were haggling at a market.
The youngest writer, watching the scene, said in genuine amazement,
“Wow, neither of you backs down.”
“We’re pretty wholesome that way.”
The last wish list item was fairly tame.
I held the paper up in front of the camera.
[Eat churros and ice cream beads]
“This is it!”
“Seriously?”
“Yup.”
“Ah. Now I feel kind of bad….”
My brother looked a bit flustered at my unexpectedly innocent wish list and swallowed dryly.
What the hell did he write?
“You didn’t write anything weird, right?”
“It’s something I really wanted to do.”
“With pure intentions, right?”
“Well….”
Do Seojun tilted his head slightly and cautiously opened his mouth.
“Technically, it was something I wanted to do when you were older….”
“And?”
“I didn’t think you’d grow up and still not be able to do it.”
Wait a minute.
A bad feeling hit me, and I snatched the wish list from Do Seojun’s hand.
And then—
“……!”
[Go to a haunted house with Do Seohan]
[Ride a roller coaster with Do Seohan]
[Ride the Gyro Drop with Do Seohan]
These scary broadcast people.
I should never have forgotten that this guy was one of those terrifying broadcast people—specifically, a notorious variety show PD.
The words slipped out without thinking.
“Hey.”
The 'Yes or No' game had begun.
“Seohan hyung.”
The most awkward phrase in the world.
Hearing that from Do Seojun, who was ten years older, made my head spin.
“Hyung.”
But honestly, that’s not why I was spinning.
To be exact….
“Seohan hyung, shall we go ride the roller coaster?”
“…….”
“Hey, I even changed the other two for you, didn’t I?”
“Hey?”
“I’m sorry, hyung.”
Aaaagh!
Right above my head came a sharp scream. It was from the roller coaster rail.
“Uwaaaaah!”
“Kyaaaah!”
Whether they were enjoying the thrill or screaming out of real fear—who could say?
All I knew was—
My legs were trembling as I looked up at it.
My mouth was completely dry.
“This is insane….”
Should I just run for it?