Doyeon lightly patted Wonho's back before giving him a small smile.
"I… I'm going somewhere for now, Uncle," he said. "You can wait for me… or just start the search without me tonight."
Wonho glanced at him, then nodded without much thought. "Yeah, sure. Good luck with whatever you're planning."
Doyeon gave a short nod in return before turning away and heading out of the alley. The noise of the scene faded behind him as he walked farther down the street, hands in his pockets, his thoughts already drifting elsewhere.
A few steps later, his eyes landed on his bike parked near the sidewalk.
He let out a quiet breath and walked over, checking it briefly before hopping on.
"I should go to Ha-eun's family first…" he muttered to himself. "Ask them if there's anything we missed, and they'll probably believe me this time."
For a second, he stayed still.
Then he sighed.
"After I go home."
With that, he started pedaling.
***
(Pedaling)
It didn't take long before the familiar streets came into view.
The quiet neighborhood. The same path he had taken countless times before.
A few minutes later, he stopped in front of a house he knew too well.
His house.
He parked the bike just outside the fence and stepped inside without making much noise.
The moment he entered, he spotted her.
Hyuna.
She was sprawled across the couch in the living room, completely passed out. One arm hung off the side, her posture messy, like she had fallen asleep mid-thought.
Doyeon walked closer, stopping just beside her, then looked down.
She was drooling. And muttering. "What is she even saying…" he murmured under his breath, a faint hint of amusement slipping through despite everything that had happened earlier.
And… somehow curiosity got the better of him. He leaned down slightly, bringing his ear closer to her lips, trying to catch the words properly.
"Doyeon~… my baby… sweetheart… I wuv you… whehehe…"
Doyeon's eye twitched.
"What…"
He slowly began to pull back, his expression flattening— But suddenly…
Hyuna's arms shot forward.
"!?"
Before he could react, she grabbed his head and pulled him straight into her embrace. His face— buried. Completely. Right into her chest.
Doyeon froze.
"ಠ_ಠ… you've got to be kidding me."
"Hehe… Doyeon…" she mumbled softly in her sleep, tightening her hold just a little more as if she was hugging a pillow instead of a full grown man… and somehow her son too!
Doyeon tried to pull back instinctively, shifting his shoulders, pushing slightly against her arms.
Nothing.
He tried again, this time with more force.
Still nothing.
"W-why are you this strong when you're asleep?!" he whispered under his breath, struggling carefully, trying not to wake her while also trying not to suffocate in the process.
His movements slowed after a few seconds, realizing it was completely useless.
After a few failed attempts, he stopped altogether.
"Great."
He went still, his voice flattening into quiet resignation. "Well… I can't wake her up," he muttered, glancing up at the ceiling as if questioning his life choices. "She actually looks like she's having a good dream."
So he waited.
And waited.
Staying completely still, watching for even the smallest change, any sign that her grip might loosen. Seconds passed. Then more. The room was quiet except for her soft breathing and the occasional incoherent mumble slipping from her lips.
Then—
He felt it.
Her arms shifted slightly, the pressure easing just a little.
Doyeon's eyes sharpened instantly.
Now.
In one quick motion, he grabbed both of her wrists and lifted them just enough to slip his head out of her hold.
Freedom.
He immediately stepped back, putting a safe distance between them.
"Finally," he exhaled.
Hyuna stirred slightly but didn't wake up, still mumbling nonsense under her breath.
Doyeon stared at her for a moment.
Then shook his head.
"Unbelievable."
With that, he stepped out of the living room and headed upstairs. His footsteps were light against the wooden floor as he moved down the hallway, eventually stopping in front of his room.
He pushed the door open.
And inside—
It was clean.
Once again.
His bed was neatly made, the blanket folded perfectly at the edge. The mess he had left earlier was completely gone. Even the clothes he had tossed carelessly onto the bed were now folded properly and placed on his desk like nothing had ever happened.
Doyeon stood there for a moment.
Then a small smile formed on his lips. "She really has nothing better to do, huh…"
He walked over to the desk and picked up the folded clothes, checking the pockets until his fingers found what he was looking for.
His car key.
He pulled it out and held it loosely in his hand.
Then—
His eyes drifted toward the neatly folded blanket on his bed.
There was a brief pause.
"Right."
***
(Downstairs — think of a Goofy background noise lol)
In front of the couch, Hyuna was still sprawled out in the exact same messy position. One arm hung off the edge, her head tilted awkwardly to the side, and her loose dress had ridden up slightly without her noticing.
Doyeon's eye twitched.
"This woman…" he muttered under his breath, letting out a tired sigh. "(￣_￣;)"
He walked over, grabbing the folded blanket he brought with him, and gently placed it over her.
The moment it touched her—
Hyuna instantly clutched it.
Doyeon flinched.
"(￣□￣;)… why is she so fast…" He took a small step back, eyeing her cautiously. "good thing I kept my distance."
After a second, he let out another quiet sigh and leaned down again, this time more carefully. He adjusted her position slightly, supporting her back and head so she wouldn't wake up with a sore neck.
Her expression softened almost immediately.
Then, without thinking too much about it, Doyeon leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
Hyuna let out a small, content sigh in her sleep, a faint smile forming on her lips.
Doyeon paused for a brief second.
Then straightened.
"Sleep well, Mom," he muttered quietly.
Without lingering any longer, he turned and walked toward the door, stepping outside into the warm evening air.
A few steps later, he reached his car.
He unlocked it, got in, and started the engine.
The low hum filled the silence.
Doyeon rested his hand on the steering wheel, his expression slowly shifting back to something more focused.
Serious.
"To her family I guess.," he muttered under his breath.
Then—
He stepped on the gas.