UNEXPECTED VISITOR

"YOU'RE HERE, Nero?" Nikolai asked in surprise while talking to Nero on the phone. "Alone?"

He did tell his son that Neoma was hospitalized and where Neoma was admitted in.

But he didn't expect Nero to come and visit.

<"Am I not allowed to visit Neoma, Abeoji?">

Nero's question snapped him out of his trance.

"No, it's not like that, son…"

He trailed off when he met Mona's gaze.

Ah.

His wife, who was sitting on the chair next to Neoma's bed, looked hopeful after hearing that their son had come to visit.

"Nero, let me ask them first."

"It's alright, Appa."

Nikolai wasn't just shocked that Neoma called him 'Appa' again– he was also pleasantly surprised that his daughter allowed Nero's visit.

[But I didn't notice that Neoma was already awake.]

He thought his daughter was asleep when he picked up Nero's call earlier.

"You can tell Nero to come," Neoma said, getting up while being assisted by Mona. "It's time for us to settle the bill."

Right.

Mona told him that Neoma resented Nero.

[I wonder what the beef is between the twins…]

"Alright. Thank you for allowing your brother to visit, Neoma," Nikolai said, smiling at his daughter. Then he cleared his throat before talking to Nero again. "Did you hear that, son?"

<"I'll be there in a minute, Abeoji.">

"Alright. We're in the VIP Room 1."

After hanging up the call, he stood up.

"Can I come with you, Nikolai?" Mona asked nervously. "I'd like to meet our son."

"It's alright, but…"

"I'll be fine alone for a few minutes, Appa," Neoma said. "I'm feeling better now."

Nikolai was still worried. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Appa," Neoma said, flexing her arms that looked like twigs. "I'm totally okay now."

Nikolai sighed while shaking his head. "No, you're not 'totally' okay yet, Neoma. Wait here. Your mother and I will be quick."

Mona then kissed Neoma on the top of her head. "Call us if anything happens, baby."

***

NIKOLAI had never considered himself a crybaby before.

Not until that moment.

He had just cried earlier, but he was on the verge of crying again while watching Mona and Nero reunite.

They met their son in front of the room as Nero already arrived by then.

Mona immediately burst out crying.

[That's also how I felt when I saw Neoma for the first time.]

"Nero, baby, you're all grown up now," Mona said in a cracked voice while touching Nero's face. "When did you grow this tall?"

Mona was already considered tall at 173cm as a Korean.

But Nero stood 183cm in height and was already taller than Mona.

[And our son is still growing.]

"Eomma, I'm not that tall," Nero said, sulking. "I haven't hit the 185cm mark yet and I'll be a high school student in a few months."

"Is your goal to hit the 185cm mark before you enter high school?"

"Yes, Eomma," Nero said determinedly. "I want to be taller than Abeoji, after all."

Pfft.

Nikolai crossed his arms over his chest, proudly standing at 189cm. "I'm afraid it might be a difficult goal, son. You're already at the age where you stop growing."

Nero glared at him.

He was having a good time teasing his son until Mona glared at him.

[Oops.]

"Why are you discouraging our son, Nikolai-ssi?" Mona scolded Nikolai before she turned to their son, cupping Nero's face between her hands and squeezing his cheeks. "Don't listen to your father, Nero. I'll cheer you on."

Nero fell silent for a moment.

Then, much to Nikolai and Mona's surprise, their son suddenly burst out crying.

"I'm sorry, Eomma," Nero said in a cracked voice while crying like the child that he was. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for you and Neoma back then."

***

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