Chick SS8
by CristaeThe Chick Class Hunter Is Making Amends! Side Story 8
“Does this make me a bad person?”
“…?”
Sergey slowly turned his head, and On Groo’s mouth fell open.
Was this that thing? Like in dramas, the bad relatives who always show up when you succeed, asking to borrow money?
In both Sergey and On Groo’s minds appeared the face of a man pleading, “Please, just lend me some money,” and then, shamelessly, shouting, “Who raised you, anyway!”
Gidan looked at the two, whose expressions had hardened, and chuckled.
“There’s no reason I can’t lend him money. It’s not like I don’t have any.”
“N-no…”
On Groo shuffled his feet anxiously.
At that moment, Gidan picked up his phone to answer a call.
As On Groo grabbed at Gidan’s pant leg to stop him, Sergey swiftly snatched the phone from Gidan’s hand.
—Hello? Dana, why haven’t you been picking up?
A deep man’s voice rang so loud it could be heard even outside the phone.
—Is this because I asked to borrow money? Come on, that’s not right. After what happened to your parents, we took you in and raised you with such care. You know that, don’t you? And besides, this isn’t even a big sum for you.
Hearing those words so bluntly, Gidan looked down in shame and bit his lip.
He hadn’t planned on exposing his brother wielding his weakness for all to hear, not this much.
“…Give it back.”
When Gidan reached out his hand, On Groo hugged his leg even tighter.
While Gidan’s eyes were on On Groo, Sergey spoke quickly.
“There’s no one named Gidan here, so don’t call again.”
—What?
Click.
He promptly hung up.
“….”
“….”
Sergey glanced sidelong at Gidan, a look on his face as if he knew he’d gone too far. On Groo, still clinging to Gidan’s pant leg, gave a big thumbs up.
“Nice one.”
“There’s nothing ‘nice’ about it! Hand over the phone. Why are you answering other people’s calls without permission?”
As Gidan tried to snatch back his phone, Sergey hid it behind his back.
“Don’t give money to people like that.”
“Don’t give money!”
On Groo clung even tighter to Gidan’s leg.
“Hey, Gidan. How much have you given that idiot so far?”
“…Not much.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Yeah, right!”
“Stop copying me.”
“Mmm.”
On Groo stuck out his lower lip. He only wanted to help.
Taking advantage of Sergey’s attention on On Groo, Gidan quickly managed to snatch back his phone.
“Ah…!”
“You don’t need to worry about things like this. I can take care of it myself.”
“You can’t, and that’s the problem.”
“This is a family matter. Why do you have to interfere like this?”
“What? Are you kidding me… When have you ever not meddled in my business first…?”
“That’s different.”
“How is it different!”
The intensity in their eyes deepened. As their argument threatened to escalate, On Groo raised both hands.
“Stop, stop!”
“So if Siwon ever asks you for money, you’re not going to give it to him? That’s what this is like for me.”
“Why are you bringing Jin Siwon into this?”
“Stop it!”
As the two growled at each other, On Groo jumped up and down between them.
When he still got no attention, On Groo took out his duck toy.
“Quaaack—!”
At the bizarre screech, both their gazes dropped to the floor.
Eyebrows raised fiercely, On Groo pressed the duck sharply into Gidan’s knee.
“Gidan oppa, say you’re sorry.”
Gidan raked his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Why are you trying so hard to meddle in my private life?”
Lifting his sulky face, On Groo replied,
“We’re doing this because we care about you, Gidan oppa. Both Sergey and I.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. It’ll all be over once I give him the money…”
At that, Sergey cut him off.
“After he has the nerve to say he raised you with such care?”
Sergey scoffed.
“You awakened and went straight into Orchestra. Did they ever really do anything for you?”
“….”
Speechless, Gidan pressed his lips together.
It was true. The only thing his aunt’s family had done was sign as his guardian when he entered Orchestra. If you could even call that care.
“…Even so, he’s still family.”
When Gidan mumbled, On Groo cried out.
“But we care about you more! We love you more!”
With that, On Groo hugged Gidan tightly. Then he shot Sergey a meaningful look, as if asking, Why aren’t you hugging him too?
Pushed by On Groo’s silent urging, Sergey awkwardly patted Gidan on the shoulder.
“Well… Whatever. I just worry about you, that’s all.”
Gidan couldn’t help but smile at Sergey’s strained attempt, never even meeting his gaze.
It was funny, and a little touching, to see someone who’d always seemed to care for nothing but himself now say he worried about him.
Almost like a proud father, Gidan tousled Sergey’s hair without restraint.
“Were you that worried about your big brother?”
“Ugh, this is so damn annoying.”
Letting Sergey go, Gidan lifted On Groo into his arms.
On Groo immediately wrapped his arms around Gidan’s neck.
“I don’t know why, but whether I give him the money or not, I still feel uncomfortable.”
“Groo knows why. Because your ‘big brother’ is bad, but you’re good. The bad brother keeps burdening your heart, oppa.”
“…Is that so.”
“Yeah. That’s not family, that’s just a load you have to carry.”
Sergey answered.
“So get rid of it.”
Just then, the phone rang again.
The familiar name flashed on the screen. It was his cousin.
After losing all his family, bonds of blood held a certain affection.
But—
Gidan ended the call and blocked the number.
Then he hugged the beaming On Groo tightly.
The ones who love and worry about me are here.
To keep from worrying my real family, I should stop letting myself be weighed down by pointless burdens.
Mom, they say we’re Gidan oppa’s family now.
Groo is so, so happy to have such a big family.
Mom, I miss you very much. I love you.