Chapter 411 Must Be Nice
June shook his head as he rewatched the latest exclusive video SBC had put out. As expected, they had released the clip of SPADES' and EVE's tension-filled practice, and it quickly rose to the trends list just minutes after its release. Everything seemed to be going well—with the members practicing the dance routine as usual. Then, the camera zoomed in on June, accompanied by a thrilling sound. His sigh was exaggerated by slowing the video as much as possible. Then, it was repeated multiple times from different angles. "We look separated," he said. The jolly music turned silent, and then intense music started playing. Y slowly turned around, a subtle glare in his eyes. "June's right," Chan said, a slight echo in his voice. "There's only so much our talent can take us," Eric chimed. Just then, a series of clips were shown at a quick pace, all cutting off in climatic events. Then, at the very end of the video was the clip where Y asked June to speak with him outside the practice room. - Damn, this is one of the best dramas SBC has put out since 2023. - So, June still hasn't learned his lesson? - June just told Y they looked separated. What do you mean by learning his lesson? - He's disrespecting his seniors. - Fuck June. June shook his head with a small smile as he read their assumptions. Truly, everyone on the internet was somewhat insane. "You're talking to your girlfriend again?" Magic Mama asked, opening the gate. June placed his phone back in his pocket. "I told you—I don't have a girlfriend." "Well, you should get one," Magic Mama said. "Your genes would be a waste if you don't have children in the future." "You sound like a conservative aunt," June pointed out. "Gross," Magic Mama said. "I take back what I said then." "You booked another lesson quite quickly," she said, changing the subject. "It's only been a day since our last lesson. Do you have any events to go to?" "Nothing in particular," June said, making his way inside along with Magic Mama. "I just want to see your face when you see my surprise for you." "Surprise?" Magic Mama asked, closing the door. Just then, the doorbell rang, causing the two of them to halt.
Magic Mama's frown deepened, and she held out her hand to open the door and tend to the surprise visitor.
However, June stopped her before she could open the door. "I'll do it," June said. "Sit down first and prepare your heart." "Prepare my heart?" Magic Mama asked. "You didn't hire anyone to kill me, didn't you? I mean, I thought we got along well." June chuckled and shook his head. "It's not any of that sort," he explained. With that, June left the house to open the gate. There, he saw Y, or Jang Yang-jin, as he had previously discovered. June smugly looked at the senior idol. "So, you really did come?" he asked. Y sneered. "You better not be messing around. This place was damn hard to find. I almost got chased by a squirrel."
"Getting chased by a squirrel? That's on you," June said. Y sighed. "I came here for a reason." "I know," June smirked. "Come in." June opened the gate wider for Y to enter, and the older idol was instantly fascinated by the lush greenery in Magic Mama's garden. However, his fascination was quickly replaced with nervousness when he saw the ajar door of the small house. "Is…she inside?" he slowly asked. "Find out for yourself," June said, leading him the way. Y took small steps as if afraid to venture into an unknown realm. Since Y was taking too long, June entered before him, sighing impatiently. "Make it fast," June snapped. Y glared at him despite his nervousness. "June? Who is that?" Magic Mama asked from the living room, sensing another person's footsteps. Y froze as soon as he heard the woman's voice, feeling like the one thing he had always longed for was now within arm's reach. Just then, slow, deliberate footsteps could be heard, and Magic Mama revealed herself to the two idols. "You're acting really suspicious—" Magic Mama paused when she saw the familiar yet unfamiliar man before her. She couldn't even finish her sentence, and the teacup from her hand fell mercilessly to the ground. He was familiar since she had seen him plenty of times on the internet and on the television. However, the last time she had seen her face in person was when he was a child, making him unfamiliar.
"Yang-jin," she whispered. Without any hesitation, Y ran to where his mother was and engulfed her in a warm hug. "Mom," he sobbed, a stark contrast to his cold and uptight personality. "Son," Magic Mama cried, resting her head on her adult son's shoulder. June watched them for a few moments, then he decided to give them some time alone. 'There goes one of my vocal lessons,' June thought. He walked away from the living room to give them some privacy. However, he couldn't help but overhear their conversation as he stood in the hallway. "It really is you," Magic Mama said, catching up to her breath. "I've been looking for you for such a long time," Y said, sounding like a little kid.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, my son. I thought you didn't want to see me anymore," she apologized.
"How could you say that? I looked for you as soon as I learned about your identity from Dad. How could you leave us? How could you leave me?"
"Sorry," Magic Mama apologized again. "I thought it was the best decision back then. Your father was the one who can give you a good life." "I didn't want a good life," Y countered. "I needed you—my mom."
Magic Mama sobbed louder, feeling her son's pain. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Forgive me, please," she continued to mutter, not finding the right words to say. "I thought I wouldn't be able to forgive you once we met," Y continued. "But I think I wouldn't want to live another day resenting you when all I've been longing for is your love." "I forgive you, Mom," Y muttered. "Please don't leave me from now on. I can take care of myself now. I don't need dad's money. I don't need his support now." "I understand," Magic Mama said. "I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you." Y let out a shaky breath. "You don't have to do that. All you have to do is be present when I need you." June leaned against the cold wall outside of the house with a bittersweet smile. He stared up into the sky, the sun bright and the birds freely flying. Then, he looked down at his own hands. "It must be nice," he whispered.
