Sunlight crept through the cracks between the curtains of a quaint apartment, and on the living room floor were all sorts of children's toys and books.
The sofa was left to its bare bones, cushions and pillows stacked against each other, forming a rectangular tower. Its opening closed off with a thin blanket serving as its makeshift door.
The soft buzz of the morning radio accompanied a middle-aged woman working her magic in the kitchen. Filling the space with not only the melodic sound of chopping vegetables but also the smell of seared sausages.
Her gentle hum completed the cozy scene until she cleared her throat, "Kim Daniel! I swear if you don't get your ass in here right now, I'll douse you in ice water!"- she bellowed, her words piercing through each room of their apartment.
Her startled neighbors- though not one to be easily spooked- were somewhat surprised to learn such a strong, full voice came from someone of her tiny stature.
Twisting in his covers, Daniel further buried his head under the pillow. He replied hoarse and groggy, "Mama, I already told you yesterday… I don't have work today-"
"Then get your bum out of bed and send Sasha to school."
Furrowing his brows, Daniel thought he had his mother's voice much louder and closer - wait a minute!
Feeling an impending sense of dread, Daniel shot up, lifting his hands in panic, "Mama, mama. I'm awake, awake!"
His emerald green eyes darted between the not-so-gentle expression of the petite woman and her raised hand, the cup of water just a second away from splashing his face.
Clicking her tongue. Mother Natalia shoved the cup to his chest. She narrowed her eyes before turning away in a huff.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Daniel drank his water in peace, placing the empty cup on the nightstand before he grabbed onto his blanket, planning to catch a few more minutes of shut-eye.
"Three minutes, Danny! And wake your brother, while you're at it."
Or not.
Dragging his sleepy body to the wash, Danny yelped, bouncing back as he immediately regretted splashing his face with water.
Shivering, Daniel scrambled to get a towel, hurriedly rubbing his face dry. Muttering curses to himself while he checked the heater, the lack of glowing lights made him groan.
"Of course, Mama turned it off."
Turning it on, he walked back to the sink, washing his face properly this time.
In front of him was a smooth face without blemish, thick brows, down-turned double-lidded eyes, a tall nose, and round puffed-out cheeks that even grandmas in supermarkets kept helping but pinched whenever he went out to buy groceries.
His clear gaze and upturned thick lips did little to dampen his youthful image; if anything, his workers gave him 'baby face' as a nickname.
Zooming in closer, seeing the smallest stubble, a toothy grin was plastered on his face.
Running to the living room, Daniel yanked off the top cushion of the pillow fort.
The poor 6-year-old stirred when bright overhead lights assaulted his now roofless shelter. Worse, he had to hold on to his older brother for dear life as he was lifted and bounced around the living room like a dog's toy made to brace its owner's zoomies.
But perhaps used to his brother's weird antics, the child, though initially surprised, laughed with him.
"Now, boys, stop roughhousing and eat."
Breakfast was bountiful in the Gusev household, dearest Sasha. Despite not being the best with foreign textures ate his meal with much gusto.
Mother Natalia would then enjoy her cup of coffee, enjoying how her two boys would look heartily eating in sync-
"Ow! Mama!" he looked on, exasperated.
He was in the middle of admiring his luscious beard while using his spoon. When a hand pinched and pulled at his facial hair.
"Eat, focus on your food."
"I was, I just got distracted on how I'd goad over the other officers. You know how they liked to tease me, saying 'I can't grow a beard."
He reasoned, leaning back into his seat, scooting closer to his younger brother to prevent another attack.
"No son of mine will be sporting a 2 strand goatie."
"Ugh, I was going to grow it out."
"With your father's smooth face, Korean genes? Baby, you ain't growing shit."
Looking back and forth between the two, Sasha, having finished his food, eyed the last vulnerable hair on his brother's chin with a mischievous glint.
The plucking motion swift that Daniel had to feel his own skin. Feeling the skin underneath to be as smooth as his baby brother's, a small tear welled up in his eye.
His mother was one thing, but his own living, breathing one and only brother???
"Sasha… How could you?"
"Because hyung looked chopped."
"Ch- Pardon?"
Shot twice, Daniel ate his meal, the comment replaying on his mind.
Hyung looked chopped, chopped….
He finished the meal. Got Sasha washed and dressed. Kissed his mother goodbye. Drove Sasha to school.
"What does 'chopped' suppose to mean?"
Clasping her hands together, Captain Popov licked her lips as she leaned forward on her desk, "Why are you even here?"
Shaking her head at the very sight of him. The mere thought of how he even got in after sending special instructions not to was already giving her a headache.
"Because as part of the team, I believe it's only right I should be present in your meeting with the senator this afternoon."
Popov's brow twitched; she didn't even ask herself anymore how Daniel knew about it. Instead, she refused to look at him, focusing on looking at reports, she grumbled under her breath about how her wife had found 5 more grey hairs last night.
"Leave"
"Cap, listen, if we could get the senator on board, then the Sokolovs-"
Slamming her pen down, the captain glared daggers at him, instantly shutting him up.
"That's exactly why I don't want you here. It's your day off, please, for the love of- use it like a normal person!"
Kicked out of the police station, Daniel sat at a nearby bench. Kicking the pebbles under his feet.
Getting to meet the senator through legal means wasn't an option. Well, if he couldn't get in that way, he'll just make a way.
But with the meeting still at 3 pm, how should he kill the time in the meantime?
His friends? All of them are in the capital.
His colleagues? And have his ass laughed at for getting kicked out of Popov's office twice… consecutively? Yeah, not a chance
His mom? The thought of disturbing her while reading her books made him shiver.
After giving a short thought, he hopped on his motorcycle to visit a familiar school.
Disembarking from his bike, Daniel gave a wave to the security.
The other nodded back in acknowledgement, lifting his brows in surprise at the sight of him. The hunched man massaging his greying beard couldn't help commenting, "You're back again so soon, Danny? Did the boy leave anything at home?"
"No, I just brought some packed lunch." Shaking the paper bag he quickly added "Ought to eat with my younger brother since I have time."
"Alright then, just logged in the system and wear the visitor's badge."
"Got it"
Walking towards the school courtyard, Daniel found himself gazing through the classrooms as he passed, his gaze lingering over the tiny desks and chairs, then to the children's drawings plastered on display boards.
His steps were steady until they paused at a distinct picture.
Made with crayon, it was a family picture of 4 holding hands, smiling with a brick house at the back. The strokes were familiar, the squiggly lines bringing him back to the night he helped procure paper and crayons.
He thought his younger brother only drew the three of them at home. Bringing his hand to the 4th person, Daniel's hand brushed against the yellow mark of a character's halo.
"Miss you dad… I guess Sasha did too."
Heaving a sigh, he stepped back to admire the scene one last time before continuing on his way.
A lingering feeling settled on his heart, each step were heavier compared to when he first came.
After the war, School #66 of the Western District was on the larger side when it came to size. Its courtyard was even converted to a soccer field from time to time during the school's sports fest.
The thought made him promise himself how he'd take Sasha out to play tomorrow. But just as he cheered himself up, his smile dropped.
Standing by the trees, a figure stood hidden in the shadows. Tall and broad, leaning on a nearby tree, dressed in all black. With a lowered cap, his face hidden.
Daniel furrowed his brows, steps quickening, before breaking out in a sprint. A child was crouching in front of that hulking man. A child with golden curls. Sasha!
Daniel felt his blood run cold when he saw that very man reach into his coat.
Grabbing onto the man's shoulder, pulling his entire weight to the grip, his veins bulging out, nails digging into skin despite the leather coat.
"Hands off the child, now!"
Cold emerald eyes glared at crystal blue ones. Anger vs mild bemusement.
Haa... What a shitty first meeting.
And an even more horrible first impression for a villain that should be winning the favor of the male lead and his brother.