Chapter 8 The single one

Hyukjae had a loving family, even though his older sister sometimes seemed to be out of her mind. Like most siblings they fought, but when they needed to nothing nor anyone could come between them. Their parents said that they had a strong love for each other. The response was always gaging noises and mean side eyes at such oblivious lies.

When the other three family members had found out that their youngest member wasn’t only interested in girls, like most of his peers was, they had reacted oddly- but thankfully- positive. His father had been taken aback. Not in a way where he kicked his son out of the house or told him that he was a disgrace to the family. He had just been surprised about the new (or was it really that new) information. He didn´t know how to react. And that was exactly what he told his teenage son.

Hyukjae had been so grateful that his father didn’t hate him or thought he was totally disgusting, just at a loss of what to do with the new information about the boy he had raised. After reassuring his dad that the younger wouldn’t ask his father to check out guys together (as if that would ever happen if Hyukjae had a say in it), the older was okay with his son´s ual orientation.

His mother had reacted way to happy about the fact that he liked both es. Which resulted in freaking him out and not the other way around like it usually went with stuff like this. Within a week of knowing about it she had told every relative and all their neighbors. As if any of them wanted to know this. The teenager doubted it. But Hyukjae knew that he should feel grateful for his parents’ support. Way too many people didn’t experience that.

The oldest child in the Lee household was just as supportive as always. Which was not that supportive at all. She had said in a bored tone that it wouldn’t really change a thing. No one wanted to date the youngest in the family anyway, be it a girl or a boy. Sadly, Hyukjae had to agree with her statement.

But every time the little brother had been dumped- be it before or during a date or a relationship- his sister was always there to support him. And sometimes doing nasty things to the people who dared to hurt her baby brother. Most of those things are best off not taking about for everyone´s sake.

Once every month the whole family had dinner during the weekend and no matter how much the kindergarten teacher loved his parents and older sister, he dreaded going. He knew that one subject always got brought up at the dinner table. His (lack of) love life.

“Honey can you come to the kitchen please. Your father is too lazy to leave his dear football game to help me.”

The younger male rose from his seat in the couch, making his way to his mother busy cooking in the kitchen. “Sure mom.”

When he set his foot inside the bright room he was met with a delicious smell of meat cooking and vegetables sizzling in a pan. The rice cooker stood on the counter next to his mother beeping, signalizing that it was done. He stopped when he was standing next to the shorter woman.

“It smells really good mom. What did you want to have help with?”

The older lady gave her youngest child a smile and asked him to set the table, the dinner would be done in just a few minutes. Without a second thought he agreed and started with his mission in taking out cutlery and wine glasses. Placing them all nicely on the dinner table. Having done this all his childhood and even now as an adult he set it all out with ease.

Ten minutes later all four family members and his sister´s boyfriend had taken their seats around the food, and began to dig in.

They updated each other about their lives, Sora- his sister- told them the good news that she had gotten promoted and was now the department boss. They all congratulated her and wished her the best of luck.

Hyukjae felt sorry for everyone now working under her. They must all be terrified.

“And how´s it going for you son? Is it all good with the children at the kindergarten?” His father directed the attention to Hyukjae and he wish that his sister had managed to succeed in something else to steal his thunder. But as usual he had no such luck.

He turned towards his father sitting at the far end of the table. “They´re all good. Everything at the center is as usual. And the students are super happy about being able to spend most of the days outside. So, yeah.”

Please move on from me now.

“That´s nice to hear, honey. And have you found anyone to spend your free time with? Someone special maybe?” The hope in his mother voice was hard to miss. She had always been trying to find someone for him. And always encouraged her son to date anyone he wanted, be it a boy or a girl. Hyukjae knew he should be happy about it, and he was to some extent. But when it came to Mrs. Lee finding out that her son swung both ways, she decided that there where double the amount of people she could set him up with. Making his dating life even tougher.

“No mom. I´m still as single as I was last month. And that won´t change next month when you will ask this once again. Like it would be any different. I don’t have anyone I want to be with. When the time comes- who are we kidding. Just give up. I have enough trying to stop my friends from setting me up on lousy blind dates. I don’t need you to join them, okay mom?!” The stern tone in his voice was out of the ordinary.

The lady of the household became silent, looking towards her daughter for help.

“Hyuk, mom is just trying to find some blind poor soul, who have given up on their life, to maybe wanting to be with you out of the kindness of their heart. It would probably get them further ahead in line when they get to heaven.”

“Sora!! There is nothing wrong with your brother. He just has bad luck in partners.” Their father gave her a pointed look and shook his head. “He´s kind and got a stable job. Anyone should be happy to be with him.”

Sora in turn wrinkled her nose and mumble under her breath something about all his exes apparently managing to find something wrong with her brother.

She had a point, Hyukjae reminded himself. According to what his own father had said the only good thing about him was his kindness and that he had a place to work full time.

The dinner continued on in a slightly quieter and less happy manner. After dessert had been eaten and it was time to part ways, Hyukjae´s mother pulled him away from the doorway where the other four where standing, saying their goodbyes.

“You know we all love you sweetheart. Even Sora, she doesn’t mean everything she says. Your father knows that you have a lot of good qualities. You´ll find someone who loves you as much as you love them. And if you want help finding that special someone then I´m always here. Don´t forget it.”

Hyukjae nodded his head and pulled her into a tight hug. Telling her thank you and promising to not take his sister´s words to heart.

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Unl