TFIU 40

Chapter – 40

[Eon (25, Fake Uncle 2): …Bora.]

Eon lowered his gaze to the script and began calmly.

In an instant, the playful atmosphere settled into something heavy and subdued.

[Yewon (as Bora): Oh? It’s Uncle! Uncle, you’re sleeping over at our house today, right? Dad even cleaned up your room!]

Caption: Innocent Bora

[Eon (25, Fake Uncle 2): No. Uncle has to go.]

[Yewon (Bora): Huh? Why? You’re not even going to eat? Dad said you’re going to live with us now!]

It was just a line from the script, but strangely, it overlapped with reality.

The members’ gazes subtly shifted toward Eon.

Especially Doha, who stared at him with his lips pressed tight.

[Eon (25, Fake Uncle 2): …Uncle can’t live with you.]

Eon delivered the line flatly. No emotion. Completely dry.

As if drawing a line—like it had nothing to do with him.

**[Yewon (Bora): That’s a lie! Uncle, you said before that family lives together!]

[Eon (Uncle): …I just said that.]**

Eon tried to move on quickly. His hand flipped the script faster.

But then—

[Yewon (Bora): …Is it because you don’t like Bora?]

Yewon added a line that wasn’t in the script.

Eon’s hand froze.

**[Eon: …What?]

[Yewon: We cleaned your room… Dad doesn’t let anyone go inside and cleans it every day. So why won’t you come home?]**

Yewon’s eyes were no longer “Bora’s” from the drama.

They were Yewon’s—staring straight at Eon.

At that steady, unwavering gaze, Eon bit his lip.

…Was this acting too?

**[Eon: …That’s not in the script.]

[Yewon: Uncle, can’t you come home? Please?]**

Eon’s expression hardened.

**[Eon: …Wait. Just a second. Can we cut here?]

[Eon: I’m a little dizzy. I think I need a break.]**

* * *

“Cut, cut! Let’s take a short break!”

With Producer Hwang’s shout, filming stopped.

The moment the red camera light turned off, Eon shot to his feet.

“Sorry. I need some air.”

“!”

Without looking back, Eon headed for the door.

“Hey, hey! Where are you going? I’ll come with you. Don’t tell me you’re—”

“Lee Eon.”

Wooyeon and Yeonho tried to grab him, but Eon brushed their hands off and left.

As the atmosphere turned icy—

“…I’ll go with him.”

Doha let out a quiet sigh and stood.

“Yewon. Uncle’s going to step out for a bit. You can stay with the other uncles, right?”

“Okay, Uncle. Come back safely.”

Doha was slightly surprised at how calmly Yewon let him go.

“…Yeah.”

He said no more and followed after Eon.

* * *

Doha found Eon where he always did—the rooftop.

Whenever they fought, Eon would come up here.

And Doha would follow.

Eon was leaning against the railing, staring into empty space.

“Lee Eon.”

Thinking how long it had been since they’d done this, Doha walked up beside him.

“Why are you following me? If you leave me alone, I’ll cool off and come back.”

Ignoring the harsh tone, Doha took off his coat and draped it over Eon’s shoulders.

“You should wear it properly. It’s cold.”

“Mind your own business.”

“What suffocated you this time?”

“I said mind your own business.”

“Having hyperventilation isn’t something to be ashamed of. You can just say you need a minute—”

“Can’t you just stop caring if I tell you to?”

The moment the word “hyperventilation” left Doha’s mouth, Eon snapped.

After Taeyoung left the group, Eon had occasionally suffered from hyperventilation when he felt overwhelmed or enraged.

The hospital suspected hyperventilation syndrome, but Eon stubbornly denied it.

Whenever it happened, he would run off to hide it.

It had never occurred during a schedule before.

This was the first time it happened during filming.

“…Is it because they mentioned home?”

For both of them, “home” was a sensitive topic.

Eon had left home at a young age.

Doha had never had a place to call his own.

They both carried different forms of longing for “home,” which was why building a new one together had felt natural.

So when Eon left that house—

It had been devastating for both of them.

“What did you tell that kid about me for her to say something like that?”

“….”

“You told her to tell me to come back, didn’t you?”

Doha closed his mouth.

Of course he hadn’t.

“…Yewon just said it because she likes you. She wants you to come home.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She hates me.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Why would she like me?”

At that, Doha couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Eon’s face twisted instantly.

“You’re laughing?”

“No. It’s just… I didn’t know you were capable of that kind of self-awareness. Surprising.”

“What did you just—”

“Eon. How could Yewon possibly hate you?”

“….”

“There isn’t a person in this world who could hate you. Yewon likes you too. She just…”

Doha hesitated, then added quietly.

“She’s a little scared of you.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m serious.”

“There are plenty of people who hate me.”

Ah. So he was the one in denial?

Doha looked at him, momentarily confused.

“I hate you, Lee Doha.”

“….”

“I resent you. I hate this house you’re in.”

The coat that had barely hung on Eon’s shoulders slipped to the ground.

“That house is your home, but it’s mine too. You brought someone into my home without a single word to me. No call. Nothing.”

“That was—”

“So now I’m the one living in a hotel, out of my own house, and you pretend you don’t know.”

Doha’s mouth closed again.

Because everything Eon said was true.

“You invade my house on your own terms, and not once have you asked for forgiveness. And of all people, the one you brought in had to be your little niece. So if I say even one word to you, I’m automatically the bad guy.”

“…Eon…”

“It’s all disgusting to me.”

Eon turned his back on Doha.

“You’re best at that, Lee Doha. Making me the villain.”

* * *

Meanwhile, things weren’t calm in the penthouse below either.

“Ah, damn it. What do we do? Should we go up? Not go up? What if I go up and Lee Eon punches me? But what if I don’t and Lee Doha comes back beaten half to death?!”

In the living room, Wooyeon paced nervously near the door.

Biting his nails and walking back and forth like a dog with its tail stepped on.

“Shut up. You’re making it worse.”

Yeonho looked at him like he was pathetic.

“You’re not worried? There could literally be a murder happening up there!”

“This is daily life for them. If you panic every time they fight, you’re the weird one. It’s not like this is new.”

“…Why are you only articulate at times like this? Can’t you talk like that when you’re stopping them from fighting? Help out!”

Yeonho shut his eyes and turned away as if it wasn’t worth responding.

Then he sensed movement.

When he opened his eyes—

Yewon was sitting quietly beside him on the sofa.

“….”

It was strange.

Yewon, the very starting point of this conflict, seemed far too calm.

As if—

…she had wanted this conflict.