We had agreed to go to school together because my first class was his. Stepping out of my room, I found the place devoid of any signs of life—no breakfast on the table, no familiar presence in sight. Did he leave already, or was he still asleep? Since the last time I impulsively barged in, entering his room didn't require much formality anymore. It was simply a matter of turning the knob and walking in. Occasionally, I'd remind myself to knock, but more often than not, I'd forget in my eagerness to see him.I pushed the door open, stepping into his room to find him still nestled in his bed. Contemplating whether to play a little prank on him—maybe a gentle morning kiss to rouse him—I reached out and brushed his cheek. But as my fingers made contact, a wave of unexpected heat emanated from his skin, instantly knotting my stomach with worry. Gripping his shoulder, I gave him a gentle shake, urging him to wake up."Neil, why are you burning up like this? Are you feeling unwell?" My voice
Neil had an evening class, so I suggested he wait for me at the school after it ended, and I would come to pick him up. After a few rounds of his resistance and my persistence, I emerged victorious; he relented. With nothing pressing to attend to at home, I decided to head to the school early. Little did I know, I would encounter a disconcerting sight.I spotted a group of familiar faces waiting outside the door. These were the thugs who had previously bullied Neil at the supermarket, accompanied by a few unfamiliar ones who seemed to be waiting for Neil to finish class. A sinking feeling gripped my heart; this was not a good sign. Without hesitation, I made a swift decision to intervene personally, determined to prevent the situation from escalating further.As I approached the door, I could feel the tension in the air thickening, a palpable sense of apprehension mingling with my determination. My steps were resolute as I approached the group, my mind racing with strategies to defuse
Returning home alone, I found myself enveloped in an endless wave of anxiety and unease. The memory of Neil witnessing my transformation into a white wolf and then fleeing haunted me relentlessly. The panic and turmoil I felt were indescribable, like a storm raging within me. Normally, I would wait for Neil to return before retiring to our room, seeking comfort in his presence. But this time was different. This time, I chose to retreat into the solitude of my own space, seeking refuge from the tumult of my emotions.As I entered the room, a suffocating silence greeted me, thick with the weight of my apprehensions. I sank into a chair, my mind swirling with thoughts, each one a thread in the tapestry of fear and worry that consumed me. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside, seemed to magnify my sense of isolation. The room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison, its walls closing in around me.I sat there, lost in a maze of doubts and insecurities, unable
As Neil's birthday approached, I found myself engulfed in a whirlwind of secret planning, determined to orchestrate a celebration unlike any other. With the day falling on a Saturday and neither of us having any classes, I resolved to whisk Neil away on a two-day, one-night adventure to a serene hot spring retreat. Every detail meticulously plotted, I labored over each element, striving to tailor the experience to his tastes and ensure that this trip would become a cherished memory between us.On the Saturday morning of Neil's birthday, I eagerly delved into the final and most crucial stage of my preparations. Sneaking into his room while he slumbered peacefully, I carefully selected a few of his favorite outfits from his closet, envisioning his delighted expression when he discovered them neatly packed for our journey. With quiet determination, I gathered some of his go-to skincare products and facial cleansers from his bathroom, ensuring that his grooming routine wouldn't be disrupt
The moment he nodded his head, it was as if my composure, which I had been working so hard to maintain, vanished.I moved closer to him, gently holding his face with both hands and leaned in for a warm, affectionate kiss. As I felt him becoming more comfortable, I explored his face with tender kisses on his cheeks, eyes, and lips before returning to a gentle embrace. I paused periodically to share smiles and infuse positivity into the experience.As we shared this moment, I removed my jacket and brought my hands to his face, deepening our connection with more caring kisses. I felt his hands on my waist, holding onto my tank top, and I was delighted by his growing comfort. I gently caressed his chin and covered his face with tender kisses, even playfully rubbing our noses together before returning to a close, intimate kiss. I embraced him by holding his neck and letting him wrap his arms around my waist, our bodies drawing closer as we continued to share this special moment.I gently l
Waking up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, I found myself lost in the warmth of the previous night's memories. As I lay there, eyes closed, I couldn't help but replay the events of yesterday, each moment etched vividly in my mind. It was one of those rare, perfect days that you wish could last forever.With a contented smile playing on my lips, I slowly opened my eyes, eager to start the day by stealing a glance at the man who had filled my heart with joy. But as my gaze fell upon him, nestled in the embrace of slumber, something caught my attention. Instead of being wrapped in my arms, he held a small grey wolf plushie close to his chest.Instantly, a twinge of jealousy stirred within me. How could he choose a stuffed toy over me? Suppressing the feeling, I gently extracted myself from his embrace and reached for the plushie, my mind already concocting playful scenarios of reclaiming my place as the sole object of his affection.With the plushie in hand, I ti
On the day of departure, both of us were filled with anticipation, and our smiles never left us, except for a small incident — because I unilaterally upgraded to business class, he felt that economy class was just fine and there was no need to spend money on an upgrade, especially for a relatively short flight. I confidently reassured him that I had the means and there was no need to worry about money. After that, he didn't say much more. Perhaps he might have felt slightly disappointed, but for me, it was truly inconsequential, hardly even worth mentioning.I sat by the window, reclined, and closed my eyes. Just before I drifted off, Neil was still seated beside me. After a while, I felt something brushing against my legs through my jeans. Opening my eyes, I saw a child attempting to get closer to the window to see the view outside.Why was there a child beside me? In my drowsiness, I had a ridiculous thought — when did Neil turn into a child? I shook off the drowsiness and tried to
During the remainder of the flight, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease knowing that a dangerous individual was seated behind us. I sensed his gaze lingering on Neil. Even when I tried to block his view, he persisted in staring in our direction, as if he could see straight through me to Neil. There were moments when I genuinely wanted to turn around and give him a piece of my mind, but I knew that would only end up putting me in the wrong.Upon disembarking, all I could think about was getting Neil away as quickly as possible, but we had to wait for our luggage. So, I clung tightly to Neil, escorting him wherever he needed to go. If he needed the restroom, I went with him; if I wanted to buy a bottle of water, I dragged him along. As it turned out, this approach was the right one, because no matter where we went, I kept catching sight of that man, his eyes fixed on us, especially on Neil. If it was merely coincidental, our actions certainly didn't seem to justify his scrutiny.
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I
"Yes, every day." Neil nodded firmly, his tone pure, almost childlike."Then, is this kind of missing me something unique?" I pressed on, as though I were hoping to hear a one-of-a-kind answer from him."Unique?" He blinked, looking as though he didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word.I patiently explained, "What I mean is... is this something that only I experience? Like, the way you miss your dad—does it feel the same as the way I miss mine?"Neil shook his head slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It's different. I miss Ryan more."A flicker of delight stirred within me, but I kept my expression neutral and asked, "What about compared to your elder brother and your little brother? Is it different with them too?"Neil thought for a moment before nodding with certainty. "Yeah, I miss Ryan the most.""So, only I,
As I processed Harry's bombshell, I turned to Ethan and asked, "Have you checked if Fred Yimo is really Ken Yimo's biological son?"Ethan's expression turned serious as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone look into it now."Peter furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical. "You suspect Fred Yimo might be adopted too?""I actually hope so," I replied firmly. "It's a lot less messy than the unethical theory.""Ken Yimo really isn't simple," Harry remarked on the phone, sounding almost impressed. "When I was around, Fred was a bit more relaxed. But the moment I left, he turned into a mouse—didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, but a little bit “sticky” though."I let out a cold laugh. "Doesn't that completely clash with the surveillance cameras he set up at home?"Peter nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Which of these sides is the r
As Peter and I sat off to the side, watching them laugh and chat, a tangle of emotions stirred within us. The scene was heartwarming, yet there was an undeniable sense of loss. Here we were, two grown men, holding our glasses, sitting on the fringes of this cozy gathering, as if the world had forgotten about us.Peter let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it feel like I'm drifting further away from my own precious one?" His gaze lingered on Nick and Neil, a hint of sadness in his eyes.I took a sip of my drink, my voice low. "It feels like everyone else is getting closer to Neil than I am." The words left a sting in my chest, as though something inside me had been pierced.Ethan, overhearing our conversation, smiled softly and leaned in to offer a quiet word of reassurance. "Don’t rush," he said gently. "You’ll grow closer in time." He set down his soup spoon, his demeanor calm and wise. "When the bond is strong, n
I paused, surprised that Ken Yimo had informed Neil so quickly. I had been ready to carefully persuade him to come along, but it turned out I didn’t need to—the door was already open, and Neil knew he’d have some freedom. My plan could move forward seamlessly.I smiled, leaning down with a hint of excitement in my voice. "Neil, how about a trip to the amusement park?" My gaze held a playful glint, eager to see his reaction.As expected, Neil’s face instantly lit up with an incredible smile, like sunshine breaking into the depths of his heart. "Really?" His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, his voice brimming with barely-contained excitement."Yes!" I nodded, continuing to paint an exciting picture for him. "We can even go see a movie, and then camp out to watch the stars. How does that sound?"Neil’s face flushed with excitement, and he practically burst out, "Y
He helped Neil over to a nearby tatami mat, his expression so gentle that it seemed impossible he’d been the same man furiously smashing things just moments earlier. Watching him carefully tend to Neil with such tenderness, I couldn't help but marvel at how masterfully this man could wear different masks. One moment, he was consumed by rage; the next, he’d transformed into the image of a devoted father. No wonder Neil felt uneasy around someone like him—such volatility would be terrifying for anyone.Ken Yimo picked up his phone and answered in a low voice. The moment he murmured, "Ah, Harry," I instantly understood—the next phase of the plan was in motion. Harry had successfully intervened to stop Fred Yimo from causing more trouble at the hospital, and this call was to inform Ken Yimo, urging him to hurry over and manage the aftermath.After hanging up, Ken Yimo returned to Neil's side, gently stroking his hair. In