Chapter Text
Two days ago, Hyunsuk was still in Seoul, living his life peacefully until one call changed his life.
A lawyer called him. A lawyer. Hyunsuk doesn't even have friends who go to law school, so he certainly does not know any lawyer.
The lawyer called with sadly a bad news. He called to tell Hyunsuk that Dana, his childhood friend, and her kid Junghwan got into a car accident. Junghwan got injured and currently getting treatment in the hospital but unfortunately Dana didn't make it.
Hyunsuk cried when he heard the news and immediately hop on a train to Busan to attend the friend's funeral. He tried to remember when was the last time he met his friend and realize that it was 6 months ago when the single mother and her kid, Junghwan, had a short trip to Seoul so Hyunsuk ate lunch with the two of them. Hyunsuk feels sorry that he didn't call Dana more often. Hyunsuk feels like there's a big hole in his heart know that one of his closest friend gone and he can't turn back time to see her one more time.
When he arrived, he felt relieve that the neighbors already taking care of funeral process since Dana didn't have any family left. She only had Junghwan in her life but Hyunsuk remembers Dana said the old people, her neighbors in Busan, always help her and take care of Junghwan like their own grandkids. So he guessed Dana's story was true. At least she had people who cares for her here.
After the funeral, a middle aged man approached Hyunsuk and handed him a business card. "Good afternoon, Mr. Choi, I am sorry for your loss. I am Mr. Lee and I am Dana's Lawyer. Can we have talk tomorrow at my office?"
"Talk? You need to talk to me? About what?" Hyunsuk is confused.
"About Dana's will. It's very important. I really need you to make time for this." Mr. Lee's face were dead serious.
"Oo...Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Hyunsuk answered. "By the way, do you know where I can find Junghwan?" Hyunsuk is worried about the kid but almost forget about it because he was busy mourning the death of his friend all day and feels bad now.
"Junghwan is still in the hospital and being taken care of by the doctor and nurses there. Don't worry. He's in good hand and will recover soon. I need you to take rest for tonight because tomorrow will be a long day for you." Mr. Lee smiled making Hyunsuk more confused.
"Well...Okay if you say so..." Hyunsuk is too tired to even ask more question to Mr. Lee so he just went back to his hotel for tonight.
Hyunsuk wakes up with tired face. He can't sleep at all. He keeps thinking about Dana and what he could have done more for her. He can't believe he lost his friend this early in life. Dana and Hyunsuk was childhood friend. They both lost their parents when they were teenagers so the two of them grew closer than ever. They both need to work part time since they were in highschool and shared hardship together. Until one day Dana dated this jerk and got pregnant with Junghwan. The jerk of course couldn't care less and abandoned Dana who were pregnant at that time. Hyunsuk tried his best to help his best friend but they were so young at that time so Hyunsuk was also struggling with money. Not that he doesn't struggle now, but back then it was the worst. So Dana decided to move to Busan, where her parents were from. She said some of her parents' old friends are still living there and willing to help to take care of the baby while Dana working. And that was 7 years ago, when Junghwan basically just born.
After that, Dana and Hyunsuk didn't stop being friends. They still call and text each other. Hyunsuk also watched Junghwan growth from photos and videos Dana often send him. He also always send gift every year for Junghwan's birthday and he usually talk to the kid in video call. Dana sometimes visit him in Seoul for work with or without Junghwan but he didn't really meet Dana that often during the last seven years so Hyunsuk feels a little bit sorry. He regrets it so much that he never go to Busan before to visit Dana. He feels like a bad friend and can't stop crying.
But now Hyunsuk is in the lawyer's office so he tried his best to gain composure and shows his best face. He enters Mr. Lee's office and he sees that Mr. Lee is not alone. Sitting in front of Mr. Lee is unfamiliar guy, probably the same age as Hyunsuk, wearing a white shirt and black pants. His facial feature is so strong and he has nice body that makes Hyunsuk can't stop staring at him.
"Good morning, Mr. Choi. Please sit." Mr. Lee instructed Hyunsuk to sit next to the stranger. Hyunsuk is not sure why Mr. Lee needs to talk with him and why is this guy here.
"Thank you for both of you for coming here. Once again, I want to express my condolences. Dana was a kind-hearted girl and we all feel sad that we lost her this early." Mr. Lee opens the conversation and starts to open his documents. "I am here as Dana's Lawyer and there are few things I need to talk to both of you. Mr. Park, Mr. Choi, do you guys know each other?"
"No." The other guy who turns out to be 'Mr. Park' answered.
"As I expected. So, before going any further let me introduce both of you. Mr. Park, this is Mr. Choi Hyunsuk, Dana's childhood friends. He lives in Seoul. Mr. Choi, this is Mr. Park Jihoon, Dana's boss and also her close friends here in Busan." Hyunsuk steals a glance to a guy next to him. His face is not friendly at all. He can even say he looks scary. The other guys just nod to Hyunsuk so Hyunsuk nods back.
Dana's boss he said? Hyunsuk feels like he heard that name before. He thinks Dana told him about the Park Jihoon before. But Hyunsuk never really know that he is this close with her. Could it be that this guy is Dana's lover? But Dana should tell him if she had relationship with this guy, right? Dana only ever mentioned him as her boss. So maybe not?
"I am here to read Dana's will to both of you. She mentioned the two of you in her will and it's my duty to deliver her last message. I want you two to listen to it first without interrupting me. Questions are allowed after." Mr. Lee starts to read what about to be the biggest life-changing sentence that Hyunsuk ever heard.
"Any question?" Mr. Lee closed the document in front of him and staring at the two youngsters in front of him.
"ARE YOU CRAZY??? ARE YOU SURE THAT'S MY NAME ON THERE???" Before Hyunsuk even say anything the other guy is standing up from his seat and yelling to Mr. Lee. "MAYBE SHE KNEW ANOTHER PARK JIHOON."
Hyunsuk also shocked about what he just heard and he can only slouch in his sit don't have any energy to yell.
"I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT! DO YOU KNOW HOW CRAZY THAT SOUNDS? BEING A FATHER TO A KID THAT'S NOT MINE?" The other guy keep yelling not making Hyunsuk feels any better.
"Mr. Park, Calm down...This is just something that Dana thinks the best for her kid but she didn't force you to. If you denied Dana's will then Junghwan can stay with Mr. Choi..." Mr. Lee tries to calm Jihoon.
"Wait...What if I also reject it?" Hyunsuk immediately opens his mouth.
"Then, Junghwan will go to the social service center and transfer to orphanage later." Mr. Lee explained the situation.
"Can I visit the orphanage once in a month?" Hyunsuk asked.
"Mr. Choi, once Junghwan in the hand of social service, we don't know which orphanage he will transfer to. It could be in any city or province. And he probably moves from one orphanage to another until he is an adult. So I am not sure about that." Mr. Lee answers make Hyunsuk feels sad. He loves Junghwan, he really does. But to know that her friend appointed him to be her kid's legal guardian and expect him to take care of a kid suddenly like this of course makes Hyunsuk confused and lost. He barely has money for himself, since he is only a freelance worker. So how could he takes care of an extra mouth to feed?
"I reject Dana's request. I am so sorry Mr. Lee, I also feel sad that I lost one of my closest friend. Dana was so kind to me but I can't suddenly be a father for a kid." Jihoon finally speaks again after calm himself.
"I understand Mr. Park, I know this is not the easiest thing to be agree on but I still need to convey Dana's last wish to both of you. What about you, Mr. Choi?" Mr. Lee asked Hyunsuk this time.
"Mr. Lee, Can I go back to my hotel and think about it first? I will extend my stay in Busan for the week and let you know again. I can't give my decision now." Hyunsuk is still shocked but he tries not to make a rush judgement.
"Of course, Mr. Choi. We meet again in 3 days so we can settle everything." Mr. Lee nods his head understands.
It's another day and Hyunsuk still can't believe that her friend put his name in the will as the next of kin without consulting him first. Well, he knows that Dana didn't have any family left and Hyunsuk probably the person Dana knew the closest and longest. But he wished at least she talked to him about it first so he didn't look like a stupid person now in front of her lawyer.
Today Hyunsuk decides to go visit Junghwan at the hospital. The poor kid must feel very scared and lonely. How is he even trying to comfort a kid who just lost his mother? He can't barely wakes up due to sadness he felt. But at least for today Hyunsuk needs to put a strong face in front of the kid. And maybe meeting Junghwan will makes it easier for him to decide what to do with Dana's will.
Hyunsuk quietly open the door of hospital room where Junghwan is. He sees Junghwan is sleeping but he is not alone. There is an adult near him. Is it one of doctor or nurse. Wait, no, he wears black suit, of course he is not someone from the hospital. And then Hyunsuk realize it is Park Jihoon. The guy from yesterday. The guy who screams his lungs out that he didn't want anything to do with the kid but now why is he here?
"Junghwan-a...you know I love you, right? But I don't have any experience to take care of a kid. I don't even know how to cook decent food for you if you live with me. You remember that one time when I tried to make fried egg for you, right? It was disaster. You even cried when you see I ruined your food. You can't eat ramen everyday, right? Can you?" Hyunsuk smiles a little overhearing the guy talking to sleeping kid.
"Junghwan...I am sorry...I let your mom down...I miss your mom...I know you miss her more. I am sorry. But it's probably the best if you live with someone who knows how to take care of you, right?" Hyunsuk holds back his tears, he doesn't want Jihoon to find out he was eaves-dropping listening to the conversation. He actually can relate with the guy because he feels scared about taking care of Junghwan.
Hyunsuk finally decides to leave Junghwan's room and go to the bathroom first to fix himself that's about to cry. He probably just comeback later when the other guy already left Junghwan's room so he doesn't need to do small talk with him.
"I am sorry I am late, Mr. Lee..." Hyunsuk enters Mr. Lee's room trying to catch his breath after running from the bus stop.
"What is he doing here..." Hyunsuk can't help to ask when he realizes there is another person in the room and not only Mr. Lee.
"Good news, Mr. Choi, Mr. Park decides he will be the legal guardian for Junghwan. So you are off from the responsibility now." Mr. Lee shows his biggest smile.
"Wait...what??? Hold on. No. Wait a second. No." Hyunsuk can't stop to blabbers at sudden news Mr. Lee just gave him.
"What's wrong, Mr. Choi?" Mr. Lee sounds confused.
"I am here to tell you I am willing to be a legal guardian to Junghwan. You can't just give the right to Mr. Park here. I will be the one who takes care of Junghwan!" Hyunsuk sounds angry.
"Well..." Mr. Lee scratches his head.
"Mr. Lee, I was here first to tell you I will be the one who takes care of Junghwan. Let's proceed with that." The other guy coldly ignores Hyunsuk's existence and it makes Hyunsuk gets angrier.
"You can't be like that! Dana also asks me to take care of Junghwan. And you were the one who immediately saying no that day! Why do you come back here now???" Hyunsuk can't hold his emotions.
"People can have a change of heart, you know?" Jihoon answered in unfriendly tone and glaring at Hyunsuk.
"Mr. Lee, do you want to hand in a kid to people like this? What if one day his heart changes again? He will probably abandon Junghwan." Hyunsuk raises his voice.
"Watch your mouth! Do you think I am an evil??" Jihoon gets insulted to hear Hyunsuk's word.
"Mr. Lee, I am the one who takes my time to thinking about this. Obviously I am ready for this more than this guy." Hyunsuk won't give up. He spends nights thinking about it until he came to decision to let Junghwan enters his life. He loved Dana and he loves Junghwan. He is ready to open a new page of his life with the kid and now some strangers try to take him away.
"Who are you even? You barely meet the kid. I am the one who meets him here almost every week! If he's with you, where is he gonna live? Do you want to take him to Seoul? Mr. Lee, Do you even think it's the best to make a traumatized kid moves to another city? It's better if he stays here in a neighborhood he's familiar with so he can heal faster." Jihoon also don't want to lose.
"I know her mother longer than you ever know her. I also talk with Junghwan more than you think. You can't even take care of a kid. You can't even cook a fried egg. Mr. Lee, how do you think a person like this can take care of kid?" Hyunsuk boils in anger and slips out an information he got secretly the other day.
"How do you know...what the...Mr. Lee, From Dana's story, I know this person is only work as freelancer. How do you think he can pay for Junghwan's foods and schools later? He obviously only wants the money Dana left for Junghwan. That’s why He wants to be Junghwan's..."
Before he can finish his sentence Jihoon can feel his cheek is in pain and became red. It happened so fast but Jihoon sure that this guy just slap him.
"How dare you...PARK JIHOON!!!" Hyunsuk throws anything he can find from Mr. Lee's desk to Jihoon. From pens to calculator and even some books. Jihoon screams back at him telling him to stop and calling him crazy. Mr. Lee's room becomes a mess.
"ENOUGH!!!!" Mr. Lee finally raised his voice and yelled at the two who's fighting. Hyunsuk and Jihoon finally stops because they are afraid of Mr. Lee. "You two!! SIT DOWN!"
They are hesitant a little bit but both of them don't have a choice but follow Mr. Lee's instruction.
"Okay, I didn't expect that it will turns out this way. Dana didn't have any other family which means Junghwan also doesn't have anyone but you two here. I am glad that you two are willingly to take care of the kid which means Junghwan still have people who loves him but I don't want to watch you two fight." Mr. Lee tries to calm the tension between his two clients.
"So how we decide this thing?" Jihoon asks the question.
"We can always go to court of course. Let the judge decides who gets to keep the kid." Mr. Lee explains.
"Okay, let's go then..." Jihoon doesn't hesitate.
"What...?" Hyunsuk glared at Jihoon can't believe what he just heard.
"Wait a minute, I am not finished yet." Mr. Lee speaks again before the two ready to fight again. "Going to court and have dispute will obviously put Junghwan in uncomfortable place. He still traumatize from the car accident, and if you put him in a place where he needs to watch people fighting over his custody, I don't think that's a wise choice..."
”Maybe we just let Junghwan choose.” Jihoon suggests an option that he thinks will benefit him since he meet Junghwan more often.
”Junghwan can’t make a right choice for now. He doesn’t even know yet how it’s gonna be to live with one of you. He will be confuse.” Mr. Lee reject Jihoon’s suggestion.
"So what do you think we should do, Mr. Lee?" Hyunsuk asks this time.
"What if...You two takes care of the kid together?" Mr. Lee suggests.
"What do you mean by 'together'?" Jihoon doesn't understand what the lawyer talking about.
"It's best for Junghwan to stay at familiar environment so he doesn't feel his life changing drastically. So instead of Junghwan moves to your house or your house, how about you two moves to Dana's House to take care of the kid?" Mr. Lee explains his suggestion.
"What??? Do you mean I have to live with this jerk?" Hyunsuk shivers to even think about it.
"Do you think I want to live with you???" Jihoon also can't believe what he just heard.
"Hey, hey, hey, we want the best for the kid, right?" Asks Mr. Lee. Just stay at Dana's house for about 3 months until Junghwan feels better. After that you two can decide who's better to take care of Junghwan and by that time Junghwan also knows about you guys better so he probably can decide which one of you he wants to stay with."
Hyunsuk and Jihoon still think the suggestion is ridiculous but at the same time start thinking that's probably the best thing for Junghwan for now.
"Dana told everything about you two to me before writing her will. Jihoon...I know you love Junghwan but you are working from 9-5 and often until night. Who do you think will take care of Junghwan when you are at work and you also don’t really have experience with a kid. You will feel overwhelmed. Hyunsuk, I know you are experience taking care of kid but you live in a small studio in Seoul. I don’t think that’s the best living arrangement for Junghwan. And I know you can’t just move to a bigger apartment since you kinda struggle financially.” Hyunsuk and Jihoon kinda pissed because everything that Mr. Lee said is correct.
”Originally Dana wants both of you to take care of Junghwan together. I was the one who suggests to just offer you guys individually to take care of the kid because I thought the chance of two people want to take care of someone else’s kid is very slim. But here it is, you two shows that you are a good friend to Dana and love Junghwan. So like Dana’s original wish, it’s probably the best you two take care of the kid together for now. As a dad myself, I know taking care of a kid can be very tiring. I don’t think it’s bad to share the hardship together. After spending more time together with Junghwan, hopefully you two can reach a new agreement. Also our focus now is Junghwan’s recovery and health. I hope you two can work together.” Mr. Lee gives his longest speech that makes Hyunsuk and Jihoon thinks about a lot of things.
”You two doesn’t have to decide everything now. Let’s sleep on this first and we meet again here when you two already have the answer.” Mr. Lee smiled while Hyunsuk and Jihoon still stay silent having so many thoughts in their heads.