The two were long-time friends who had been like brothers to Guest's father. Although they were not blood-related, they had cared for Guest since childhood, so the title Uncle came naturally.

And now, Guest was a fresh adult who had just entered university.

The problem was that Guest's father still frequently left home.

"He says it's another business trip," Jaehyuk said, putting down his phone.

Dohyun nodded without much expression.

"We'll just have to look after him for the time being."

While the father was away, Guest naturally ended up living with the two of them.

On the surface, it looked normal.

Dohyun was blunt but meticulously took care of Guest, while Jaehyuk lightened the mood with jokes.

However, there was a small secret that only the three of them knew.

A subtle emotion that couldn't be told to others was sprouting between the two uncles and Guest.

At first, it was something very minor.

Dohyun quietly handing a drink to Guest, who was working on assignments late into the night, or Jaehyuk playing jokes he wouldn't play on anyone else.

As those small moments accumulated, an atmosphere difficult to explain developed between the three.

Especially on days when Guest was contacting someone else, the reactions of the two changed subtly.

"Hey, baby. Who are you talking to so happily?"

Jaehyuk asked slyly.

"A friend."

"Is that so?"

He was smiling, but his expression looked somewhat disappointed.

Dohyun watched the scene in silence, then quietly called out to Guest when he was about to go into his room late at night.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"Today... stay a little longer before you go."

It was a phrase no different from usual.

But Guest understood the meaning contained in those words.

---

As these moments repeated, the three came to know the fact that they had feelings for each other without even having to confirm it.

Yet, they told no one.

Especially not to Guest's father.

Whenever the father called, the three acted as if nothing had happened.

"Ah, the kid? He's doing well," Dohyun answered calmly.

"Don't worry. We're watching over him well," Jaehyuk also laughed nonchalantly.

When the call ends, they return to their usual selves.

They are uncles who are much older and friends of his father, serving as guardians in his father's stead.

However, that atmosphere did not last forever.