Delusive Fate

#101

[(Photo)]

[Everyone, be happy seeing our Ppomi today too]

Mom

[Is Ppomi’s leg okay?]

[(Video)]

[The surgery went well, we’ll need to do rehabilitation from now on. Our poor Ppomitㅜ.ㅜ]

Mom

[Send more videos. Did you contact the broadcasting station?]

[(Video)]

Youngest

[Why the broadcasting station?]

Mom

[Ppomi is so pretty, I said to send photos to the broadcasting station to film a CF]

Youngest

[?? The madam is getting ridiculously sentimental]

[Lol mom is cute]

[What’s cute about it? Because you and dad keep saying she’s cute, our madam is getting more sentimental by the day], the younger sibling’s message arrived.

[You’re cute too lol Mom is cute, little sibling is cute, and Ppomi is cute. Maybe I have a taste for cute things], Choi Tae-hyuk replied, then put down his phone for a moment and glanced to the side.

There was a man sitting cross-legged, holding a dog tightly on his lap.

The dog was covered in fluffy fur that looked more pitiful than cute, a white mixed breed with yellowish ears and around its muzzle. The dog’s name was Ppomi, with one leg in a cast. Choi Tae-hyuk had found Ppomi in the neighborhood park.

Choi Tae-hyuk would go running in the neighborhood park every day if he had no special plans. The park was fairly large, with a well-equipped running track around the soccer field, and that’s where he met Ppomi. Ppomi was a funny dog. Whether someone had abandoned it or it was born on the streets, anyway, seeing the dog that suddenly appeared one day, Choi Tae-hyuk simply thought:

‘It’s a dog I haven’t seen before.’

The white dog standing at a distance stared intently at Choi Tae-hyuk, who was doing warm-up exercises in front of the running track wearing light workout clothes. Whatever. Choi Tae-hyuk didn’t pay much attention to unfamiliar animals, and soon stepped onto the track to start running. Little did he know that the dog would suddenly invade the next lane and start a frenzied run as if competing with him… As if it was provoking him…

‘What a strange dog.’

To suddenly treat a human it just met as a playmate for a race. And then to run away far without looking back as soon as the race was over.

Watching the stray dog trotting away as if it had no lingering attachment now that it had run enough, Choi Tae-hyuk laughed in bewilderment. He also thought, I should remember this well, when will I ever experience something like this again in my life?

But contrary to his expectation that it would be a one-time event, it happened quite frequently. The dog appeared almost every day, always provoking him and running freely. In the meantime, Choi Tae-hyuk became attached to the dog. Unlike his initial thought that it was a really strange, crazy dog, Ppomi was actually a very cute dog.

A dandelion fluff-like dog covered in pitifully messy fur, perhaps mixed with Jindo or terrier blood. The sight of Ppomi sprinting at full speed like a wild horse with three black beans placed on its face was truly addictive. Captivated by such a Ppomi, Choi Tae-hyuk found himself taking care of it at some point, bringing dog food and treats.

To tell the truth, until then he hadn’t thought about taking this dog home and raising it. What encouraged his feelings was a casual remark from a neighborhood resident passing by one day.

‘Handsome young man, do you know that dog?’

‘Um… yes, we’re running buddies. Do you know this puppy too, mister?’

‘If you like dogs, take that one home. You know, it’s the puppy of that white dog called Sundol that used to wander around behind the village? This little dog gave birth to four puppies on the street, but three died and only this one survived. Seeing that Sundol isn’t around anymore, she probably went somewhere and died, I guess. Since then, this little one has been wandering alone, and lately I’ve seen the neighborhood kids throwing stones and bullying it. But I can’t do anything about other people’s children… Tsk. Anyway, it’s pitiful, so take it home if you can.’

I have a dog hair allergy so I can’t even touch that one. And our house recently… The old man who had suddenly spoken up mumbled some unsolicited information before walking away. Left alone, Choi Tae-hyuk pondered for a moment before picking up the dog.

I didn’t mean to take on this much responsibility, but… I can’t leave a bullied animal behind. It’s so cute, and since it’s come to this, I should take it home and make it happy. Its name is now Ppomi. He nodded to himself as he thought. Rather than not knowing, Choi Tae-hyuk had a meddlesome personality that couldn’t leave things alone once he felt sorry for them.

Anyway, Choi Tae-hyuk became completely smitten with Ppomi, which he had brought home and made part of his family like that. Ppomi, coming from the streets, initially didn’t adapt well to indoor life and acted aggressively. Perhaps due to the unfamiliar changed environment, it bit him quite a lot at first. But Choi Tae-hyuk was an easy-going young master who saw the whole world as bright, and he wasn’t a sensitive person who would get angry over something like this.

He understood that Ppomi was acting this way because it was scared. He also knew well that all a small, slightly dog could do against a large human male over 180cm tall was to bare its teeth. Choi Tae-hyuk wanted to give Ppomi time to accept the situation that it would have to be with him from now on. There was no particular reason to rush, so he left Ppomi alone without touching it until it felt comfortable.

For a while, Ppomi whined in the corner of the entrance as if it wanted to leave Choi Tae-hyuk and return to where it used to live. But whenever it sensed some movement outside, it would quickly approach Choi Tae-hyuk and curl up near him. It would bite Choi Tae-hyuk’s hand when he tried to put on a leash to take it for a walk, but at night it would curl up where it could see Choi Tae-hyuk’s bed and sleep fitfully. It seemed unsure whether it liked being with Choi Tae-hyuk or not, fidgeting restlessly.

Choi Tae-hyuk just waited. I won’t hurt you, I like you. I really like you. Hoping that Ppomi would feel his sincerity, he didn’t act impatiently. Soon enough, Ppomi regained stability. Once it opened its heart, it became like a piece of gum sticking around Choi Tae-hyuk wherever and whenever. About a year after taking in Ppomi, it had long since become one of the most important things in Choi Tae-hyuk’s life.

So, the reason for talking about someone else’s pet dog at such length is this:

The reason Choi Tae-hyuk started to understand and grow fond of Lee Han-sol, who had appeared like a disaster, was largely due to Ppomi’s role.

Choi Tae-hyuk had become quite close to Lee Han-sol in just a few days. Really quite close. Seeing Ppomi, who had seemed weak after being discharged from the hospital, immediately brighten up and snuggle into Lee Han-sol’s arms was the catalyst for Choi Tae-hyuk’s heart to open wide. Whether it was Ppomi’s taste or what, anyway, Ppomi acted as if it had fallen in love at first sight with Lee Han-sol.

“Are the two… similar?”

Choi Tae-hyuk had started to feel so familiar with Lee Han-sol that the once scary Lee Han-sol now began to look like a human version of Ppomi. Choi Tae-hyuk looked up from watching Ppomi, who was busy wagging its duster-like tail while sitting between Lee Han-sol’s legs. Lee Han-sol’s furrowed brow, focused intently on what he was holding in his hands, was amusing. He looked just like Ppomi getting irritated while doing nose work. To be honest, it was a bit cute.

“Hmm.”

At first I thought he was a crazy person, but why is he getting cuter as time goes on? Even this is like Ppomi.

Choi Tae-hyuk unconsciously had such thoughts, then felt somewhat embarrassed and stroked the back of his neck. Then, pretending not to be affected, he called out in a calm voice.

“Han-sol.”

“Mmm.”

Slightly moved by that response, Choi Tae-hyuk unnecessarily adjusted his posture on the sofa. Lee Han-sol used to just grunt ‘Eh’ in response, but now he clearly pronounced ‘Mm,’ which was enough to make Choi Tae-hyuk feel elated. To draw a comparison, it was somewhat similar to how he felt when Ppomi, who had been living on the streets, first approached him (although it was for treats). Providing various services like giving tasty food or playing together… The way Lee Han-sol’s sharp attitude softened was also similar to Ppomi. Anyway, Choi Tae-hyuk turned on his phone camera and asked.

“Can I take some videos and photos of Ppomi? It’s super cute right now. Ppomi’s eyes are sparkling.”

Lee Han-sol, who had been furrowing his brow and moving his hands busily, suddenly glared at Choi Tae-hyuk.

“Why do you keep asking?”

“Pardon?”

“Just take the pictures. Ppomi is your dog, so why do you keep asking me about such things?”

“Well… because Ppomi is always with you… You might be in the shot too. I thought you might not like that.”

“You worry about the strangest things. I’m not important enough for anyone to buy my photos, you know? I don’t care whether you take pictures or not, so stop asking from now on.”

It’s annoying to keep saying the same thing. Lee Han-sol snapped grumpily before turning his head back to look at the coffee table. Then he busily moved his hands holding the needle. As if he was performing a curse ritual by stabbing a doll with something sharp. In fact, what he was doing was neither a curse nor venting, but a cute wool felt craft that Choi Tae-hyuk had given him to do when bored….

‘Why is he doing it like that? We’ve gotten somewhat close, so he’s trying to speak nicely too…. Han-sol is really a unique person. A bit cute.’

Choi Tae-hyuk pursed his clearly defined lips and had useless thoughts, then remembered his original purpose when he felt a vibration in his hand. He turned on his phone camera again and took a video of Ppomi wagging its tail cutely.

‘The composition is a bit… lacking….’

Choi Tae-hyuk mumbled to himself inwardly, then hesitantly took a few more photos. Lee Han-sol’s profile, looking as if it had been drawn, was caught at the edge of the photo. Just then, a preview notification popped up on the phone screen indicating a new message had arrived.

chat

[Youngest: Having a high rank doesn’t mean they’re all useful. Do you know how busy I’ve been for a while trying to fill in for that conscienceless guy….] Now

Even though the “conscienceless guy” wasn’t referring to himself, Choi Tae-hyuk somehow felt a twinge in his foot and hurriedly sent a video to the family message group.

[(Video)]

[Ppomi real-time haha]

Mom

[Is this now? But Ppomi keeps sticking to someone, not leaving their side]

Youngest

[Yeah, isn’t that the same guy in all the videos? Who is it that’s always there?]

[Haha just a friend]

[(Photo)]

“Ah!”

I accidentally sent Han-sol’s photo…! Choi Tae-hyuk jumped up. Lee Han-sol’s arms or legs were always in frame in the videos of Ppomi. Trying to divert his family’s attention from asking about him, he meant to send a new video, but ended up sending the photo of Lee Han-sol he had just taken. Ppomi, startled, barked “Woof.”

“What is it? Don’t make a fuss. You scared Ppomi.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Choi Tae-hyuk quickly deleted the photo and laughed awkwardly. For some reason, his heart was pounding as if a secret had been discovered. Although Lee Han-sol had clearly given permission to film freely whether he was in the shot or not, and the photo only had a small part of Lee Han-sol’s profile in it, and there was no reason to hide Lee Han-sol, Choi Tae-hyuk somehow felt embarrassed. It felt similar to when he was young, before the apocalypse, when he was teased for something trivial like “Choi Tae-hyuk held hands with Park Yu-jung.”

[This message has been deleted.]

[(Video)]

Youngest

[What was that photo just now?]

[It’s nothing, I sent it by mistake]

Youngest

[The face looked familiar]

[What are you talking about haha But who were you saying you’ve been busy filling in for lately? Who are you talking about? There shouldn’t be many hunters with a rank as high as yours]

Youngest

[What are you changing the subject for, hyung? Don’t try to pull a fast one]

Choi Tae-hyuk’s younger sibling and Lee Han-sol worked in different areas due to their hunter rank difference, so they shouldn’t know each other. Choi Tae-hyuk thought his mischievous sibling was teasing him and quickly closed the message window. In fact, even if the two knew each other, it wouldn’t have been a problem at all… But Choi Tae-hyuk, knowing he was making a fuss, spoke up in an unnecessarily cheerful voice.

“Aren’t you getting hungry? I want to eat something delicious. Is there anything you want to eat, Han-sol? I’ll make it for you!”