I’m Not That Obsessive

Chapter 22

Mitchell suddenly looked up. Resting his chin on his hand, he quietly stared at Geon-woo. His lips twisted at the words that had just come out of Geon-woo’s mouth.

“Don’t be sad that you can’t receive my obsession anymore.”

Until now, Mitchell hadn’t understood a word of the conversation between the two. But suddenly, Geon-woo used English.

‘This is meant for me to hear, right?’

Geon-woo was still staring intently at Junman. Yet Mitchell was certain it was meant for him.

Obsession, obsession, huh.

It was a strangely significant statement for Mitchell to just ignore. Many thoughts flashed through his mind.

“Geon-woo. I understand. I heard it all. Yeah. What can I say? I know everything…”

Conversely, Junman was surprised and confused for a different reason. Had Geon-woo ever used the word ‘obsession’ to describe himself before? Geon-woo never expressed his behavior as obsession.

He called it clear interest, detailed affection. He neatly packaged his actions as familial love.

There was even a time when all hell broke loose after suggesting Geon-woo had an obsessive disorder. Just thinking about how scared he was trying to calm down his raging brother still made his teeth chatter. But now, Geon-woo had used the word ‘obsession’ himself.

His brother had changed so much while they were apart. How could he win back Bae Geon-woo, who had completely slipped from his grasp?

Junman clenched his fists tightly. This level of humiliation was fine. Regaining his brother’s heart was more important. Only now, as his money was rapidly dwindling, did Junman realize how precious his brother was.

“Geon-woo. Little brother. Give me just a few days. I’m not asking you to change your mind. Just let me stay here for a few days. Just two weeks, really just two weeks!”

“Why?”

“Ah… the plane ticket! The ticket back to Korea is for two weeks from now. I can’t go right away.”

“Cancel it and book a new one.”

“No! Even though seeing you was the main purpose, since I’ve come all this way… shouldn’t I do some sightseeing before I go? Apart from that one time I followed you to Seattle, I haven’t been anywhere. This is my first time in LA…”

He was talking about sightseeing in front of his brother who was about to become a complete stranger. Junman’s face burned with embarrassment at his pathetic excuse.

“You can do that much for me, can’t you? And, I want to end things properly with you. I may be a worthless person, but I’m still your brother. Mom has passed away, Dad is a scammer we can’t even contact, you’re all I have left…”

Junman bowed his head deeply and sniffled. He covered his eyes with his hands as if to wipe away tears. But he was in trouble because no tears came out. Even with his eyes wide open, moisture refused to form in his dry eyes.

“I feel like I’m going to die thinking that our family is falling apart because of my mistakes, really.”

He kept sniffling his perfectly fine nose while shaking his shoulders. Still covering his face with both hands, he kept spouting proper-sounding words non-stop. Would this work? If not, he was prepared to get on his knees.

It was embarrassing that Mitchell was watching from behind, but that would maximize the effect. He thought Geon-woo might tolerate it, if only because of Mitchell.

“Okay. Do that.”

The words Junman had been so desperate to hear spread to his ears as he was trying to gauge the situation.

“Huh? Oh! Really? Wow! Thank you, little brother. Really, thank you!”

Junman replied while still covering his eyes, pretending to cry.

“But stay only here. Don’t even go near Mitchell’s house. Don’t even set foot on that land.”

“Ah… I won’t.”

He nodded awkwardly, pretending to wipe away tears that hadn’t even fallen. He didn’t understand why Mitchell’s house was suddenly mentioned, but gaining two weeks was enough.

“I need to wash up.”

Junman, his face covered, headed straight for the bathroom. He did this thinking he shouldn’t show his dry face, but it was unnecessary.

“You don’t have to pretend to cry anymore. I’ve never been fooled, but you sure are persistent, brother.”

Junman, who had reached the bathroom, flinched at the sudden voice. In fact, this was a behavior he had used whenever he was at a disadvantage in the past. He thought he had fooled them perfectly all this time.

Shame enveloped his entire body. Junman deliberately pretended not to hear and entered the bathroom, closing the door. As he splashed water on his flushed face, he muttered to himself while looking at his reflection in the mirror.

“This bastard. There’s a limit to how much you can disrespect someone.”

He gritted his teeth. He had already reached the final stage.

What would be good?

What would be best?

What method could tear apart that arrogant Bae Geon-woo?

A way to make his brother go crazy, struggle, and suffer.

“Ah!”

He found it. It wasn’t particularly difficult.

“You think I can’t do it? I’m an expert at tormenting you. Me!”

Junman turned his head and glared at the closed door. He imagined the person who would be beyond that door. The target wasn’t his brother Geon-woo, whom he hated so much.

The person filling Junman’s mind was none other than Mitchell.

***

“Is it resolved?”

Mitchell, leaning comfortably back in his chair, asked Geon-woo. His expression was utterly languid, and his movements were relaxed. He seemed completely unaffected by the brothers’ fight.

“Yeah. Halfway.”

Geon-woo, frowning and rubbing his forehead, suddenly called out to Mitchell.

“Mitchell. Can I keep living at your place? I won’t be coming here for the next two weeks.”

“…I guess your brother will be using this place? For two weeks?”

The perceptive Mitchell immediately grasped the situation.

“Yeah. That’s how it turned out.”

“You seem to be misunderstanding something…”

“Huh?”

“Whether your brother is here or not, you were going to stay at my house anyway. Right?”

“Ah.”

Geon-woo laughed with a deflated voice. Thanks to Mitchell’s proactive attitude, his minor worries disappeared.

As expected, Mitchell was the perfect target for him, an exceptionally good one. A person who constantly craves others due to some misaligned deficiency of affection. Where else could he find a better target to control?

Geon-woo, who was used to being the only one rushing in, couldn’t help but be moved by Mitchell, who was coming at him at the same speed. After always trying so hard alone, having help from the other side was more than welcome.

It felt like finding a flashlight in a pitch-black solitary cell. No, it felt like encountering Mitchell holding a flashlight. Just sticking close to him brought a sense of peace.

“That’s right. I was going to keep sticking to you.”

Geon-woo approached Mitchell, trying to calm his swelling heart. Mitchell’s green eyes were a signpost for the disoriented Geon-woo. He just had to follow that shining beacon. Even if it was far, there was no worry of losing it.

“Move all your stuff.”

Geon-woo, looking down at Mitchell, nodded instead of answering. Then, without realizing it, he leaned in closer.

“I’m glad I met you.”

Before they knew it, the two had become close enough to be acutely aware of each other. Closer and closer.

Seeing Mitchell’s pupils dilate, another fierce wave surged in Geon-woo’s chest.

‘Yes. Keep being aware of me. Keep thinking about me.’

Even Geon-woo was running blindly, not knowing where the end was. He moved his body first, without deciding what he wanted to do. Just as he was approaching as if entranced, about to lose consciousness,

Click.

A sound that awakened Geon-woo’s senses was heard. The bathroom door was opening, and Junman was coming out.

Naturally straightening up, Geon-woo immediately went into the bedroom. He started packing. He put frequently worn clothes and some necessities into a suitcase. It took less than 5 minutes to pack everything.

“Where are you going?”

Junman asked. At the same time, he realized it was a foolish question. Despite telling him not to go near Mitchell’s house, it seemed his brother was heading there.

“Live your own life. Don’t look for me.”

That was the final word. With that, Geon-woo walked towards the entrance. The sound of the dragging suitcase was loud. Mitchell raised his hand to give Junman a light farewell, and the two immediately disappeared.

***

“Hey Mitchell… Don’t you have a lot of spare rooms?”

Having boldly left the house, I was planning to settle in Mitchell’s home.

No matter how much I intended to control Mitchell’s private life, shouldn’t there be at least a minimum of personal space guaranteed?

“Are you saying you don’t have a room to give me?”

An incredulous laugh escaped. It doesn’t make sense that there’s no spare room in this spacious mansion.

“Just share with me. The room is big enough for two. Look, the bed is wide too, right?”

Yeah, I understand. I clearly understood, knowing Mitchell’s condition.

So, couldn’t he just give me a room near Mitchell’s bedroom? If we leave the door wide open, it would be the same as being in the same space. It would be easier for me to monitor too.

Right?

Isn’t this right?

Seeing Mitchell’s determined gaze, I realized I would never be able to persuade him. Anyway, I didn’t intend to insist till the end. It would be nice to stay close constantly. Even while groaning, I eventually agreed.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”