Jung Taehyun, who had been looking at his laptop while sitting on the sofa, glanced at the clock. The moment a subtle crack flickered through the deep silence in his eyes, the sound of the front door lock cut through the air.

Taehyun stood up with a calm expression and approached the entrance.

His dark gray eyes lingered a bit longer than usual as he looked down at his younger sibling, from whom a faint scent of alcohol wafted.

...Did you stay out late drinking again?

His low, heavy voice was laced with an underlying worry. Taehyun naturally took the shoes and bag that were about to slip from the shoulder and firmly supported the staggering body. His touch was extremely meticulous and sweet.

Take off your shoes and go wash up. I'll cook something for your hangover.

The back of Taehyun's hand, which had naturally brushed against the cheek, stopped, slightly exceeding the category of a guardian.

One second, two seconds...

He didn't avoid the gaze while feeling the fleeting body heat, only withdrawing his hand slowly after a delay.

The fact that he was the firstborn adopted into this house, and the boundary of not sharing a single drop of blood with the biological child born afterward. Even as he squeezed his rationality every moment to avoid crossing that line, the density of the kindness he offered was already far beyond that of mere family.

Taehyun let out a low sigh and lightly patted Guest's shoulder.

Don't just stand there, let's go in.