Love between two hearts

Chapter 8: Summer With You

The quiet atmosphere inside the house was warmer than usual that evening.

Outside, the wind moved softly through the trees, carrying the faint feeling of the coming summer season. The lights inside the living room glowed gently, giving the entire place a peaceful feeling that made everything seem slower and calmer.

Min-jae sat on the couch with a document in his hand while So-jung lazily stretched himself across the other side, scrolling through his phone without paying much attention to anything.

Yevin sat nearby, occasionally glancing at the two brothers while pretending to focus on the television.

“You know summer is almost here,” So-jung suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Yevin looked at him. “You say that like it’s some special announcement.”

“It is special,” he replied dramatically. “Summer means freedom.”

Min-jae didn’t even look up from his document. “For you, maybe.”

So-jung clicked his tongue. “You always ruin the mood.”

A faint smile appeared on Yevin’s lips before she looked toward Min-jae again.

“Are you staying here for summer?” she asked casually.

Min-jae finally lifted his gaze from the papers in his hand. “No. I have to go back.”

The room became quiet for a second.

So-jung immediately frowned. “What? I thought you said you were staying.”

“I changed my schedule,” Min-jae replied calmly. “There’s business I need to handle at the company.”

“But summer just started.”

“And work doesn’t stop because of summer.”

So-jung leaned back against the couch dramatically. “See? This is why nobody likes businessmen.”

Min-jae ignored him completely.

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning,” he said instead. “First flight.”

Yevin blinked slightly. “That early?”

Min-jae nodded once. “It’s better that way.”

For a moment, the atmosphere became strangely quiet again before Yevin spoke softly.

“Should I help you pack?”

The question was simple and innocent, but the moment the words left her mouth, So-jung’s eyes immediately shifted toward her.

He didn’t say anything.

Didn’t react loudly.

But something in his expression changed for just a second.

A quiet irritation.

A small jealousy he tried hard not to show.

Min-jae noticed it immediately.

Yevin didn’t.

“That won’t be necessary,” Min-jae replied calmly. “I can handle it.”

So-jung suddenly stood up from the couch. “Yeah, he’s not helpless.”

Yevin frowned slightly at him. “I was only asking.”

“I know,” So-jung replied quickly before walking away toward the kitchen.

Min-jae watched him leave silently before looking back at Yevin.

“…He’s in a strange mood lately.”

Yevin let out a small laugh. “Lately? He’s always strange.”

For the first time that evening, Min-jae smiled faintly.

---

The next morning arrived quietly.

Before sunrise, Min-jae was already prepared to leave. The servants carried his luggage while the sound of the car engine echoed softly outside the house.

Yevin stood near the doorway while So-jung leaned lazily against the wall beside her, though his sleepy appearance disappeared the moment Min-jae turned toward them.

“I’ll be back after summer,” Min-jae said calmly.

“Try not to work yourself to death,” So-jung replied.

Min-jae adjusted his coat before looking at him. “Try not to create problems while I’m gone.”

“No promises.”

Yevin smiled softly at the exchange.

After a few final words, Min-jae entered the car and drove away toward the airport.

The moment the car disappeared, the entire house suddenly felt quieter.

So-jung shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed dramatically.

“Well,” he said, “now I’m alone for summer.”

“You’re not alone,” Yevin replied.

“I practically am.”

She crossed her arms lightly. “You still have your friends.”

“They’re annoying.”

“And what about me?”

So-jung looked at her for a second before smiling slightly.

“You’re also annoying.”

Yevin immediately hit his arm. “Then stay alone.”

He laughed softly before following her back inside the house.

---

Later that afternoon, the boredom began settling in almost immediately.

So-jung was sprawled across the couch while Yevin sat nearby reading through something on her phone.

“This is boring,” he complained.

“You’ve said that five times already.”

“Because it’s true.”

Yevin finally looked up at him properly. “Then let’s go somewhere.”

So-jung raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

She suddenly smiled.

“The amusement park.”

---

An hour later, bright lights surrounded them.

The amusement park was crowded with people, music, laughter, and the sound of rides moving endlessly through the evening air. Everywhere they looked, colorful lights flashed while excited screams echoed around them.

Yevin looked around excitedly while So-jung walked beside her with both hands in his pockets.

“You’re surprisingly excited,” he said.

“Because this place is fun.”

“You sound like a child.”

“You sound boring.”

He laughed quietly. “Fair enough.”

The first ride Yevin dragged him toward was the giant roller coaster towering high above the park.

The moment So-jung looked up at it, he frowned slightly. “Absolutely not.”

Yevin stared at him in disbelief. “You’re scared?”

“I’m not scared.”

“Then come.”

Before he could argue further, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the line.

Minutes later, they were seated side by side as the ride slowly climbed higher and higher into the sky.

The city lights below looked beautiful from above.

Then—

The ride dropped.

Fast.

Yevin screamed instantly, grabbing onto So-jung’s arm tightly while the wind rushed violently past them. Around them, people shouted loudly as the roller coaster twisted through sharp turns at terrifying speed.

So-jung burst into laughter despite himself.

“You’re screaming too much!”

“You’re laughing too much!” Yevin shouted back.

Another sharp drop came suddenly.

Without thinking, So-jung grabbed her tightly, pulling her closer instinctively as the ride sped downward again.

For a brief second, Yevin froze.

Not because of the ride.

Because of him.

His arm around her felt steady.

Warm.

Protective.

---

When the ride finally stopped, both of them stepped out breathless.

Yevin immediately hit his shoulder lightly. “You said this wasn’t scary!”

“It wasn’t.”

“You literally grabbed me!”

“You grabbed me first.”

“That’s different!”

He laughed again, the sound softer this time.

And for a moment, standing beneath the bright summer lights while laughter and music filled the air around them, neither of them noticed how naturally they had grown closer.

Not as enemies.

Not completely.

But something else.

Something slowly changing between them.