DP Episode 74

Deep Pivot Episode 74

Traveling on unpaved roads often leads to these kinds of things.

Pretending to make calls, Seo-joon fiddled with his phone while inspecting the flat tire. A screw was lodged prominently in the front tire.

“You have to be careful around here because there’s so much stuff on the roads… I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect this.”

Yeon-woo peered at the tire over Seo-joon’s shoulder, his expression troubled.

“This won’t work. The insurance agents are off work at this hour.”

Seo-joon lied without flinching in front of the 20-year-old who didn’t even have a driver’s license.

“We might have to call a taxi.”

He placed the last bite of his ice bar in Yeon-woo’s mouth. Yeon-woo ate it without a second thought and shook his head innocently.

“It’s hard to get taxis in this neighborhood…”

Yeon-woo’s lips grazed the ice bar stick, still stained red, then hesitated.

“I’ll try to find a taxi somehow, but would you like to wait at my place for now? Or, if nothing works…”

Seo-joon watched those lips intently.

“…you can sleep over.”

If you don’t mind, Lieutenant… The cautious words trickled out between Yeon-woo’s red-stained lips. Seo-joon stood up without answering.

He opened the taxi app but found no nearby taxis.

In reality, it wouldn’t be too much trouble to get a taxi from the city center or to keep checking the app from the car.

But it seemed that Yeon-woo couldn’t bear the thought of putting Seo-joon through that much trouble.

“Well, in that case…”

Seo-joon glanced down the alley leading to Yeon-woo’s home after intentionally pausing for a while. If he hesitated too long, the smart Yeon-woo would start searching online and realize that insurance agents frequently respond at this hour.

“Let’s head inside somewhere. It’s getting cold now that the sun’s gone down.”

At Seo-joon’s words, Yeon-woo quickly took off his hooded zip-up and draped it over his shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I really didn’t expect this…”

Feigning reluctance, Seo-joon let Yeon-woo lead him.

“Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

He casually asked at the right moment.

“If I stay over at your place.”

“Not at all.”

The immediate answer came before he could even finish his question. Yeon-woo continued with a guilty expression.

“But my place is small, so you might find it uncomfortable…”

The hand tugging on his sleeve was very cautious.

“…but still, I like being with you, Lieutenant.”

Seo-joon pretended not to notice the gentle tug as he turned away. He felt Yeon-woo’s nervous gaze on him. After a few seconds, Seo-joon nodded slowly.

“Well, I should think about it. I’d feel uneasy leaving you alone after today.”

“…”

“And I want to be with you, too.”

Yeon-woo bowed his head silently, ruffling his hair. Seo-joon glanced at him. He wondered how long it would take for Yeon-woo to realize that some things can’t be hidden even under his hair.

A silence settled between them as they walked side by side. Seo-joon didn’t mind this quiet; he found it pleasantly soothing.

It was an emotion that seemed familiar from long ago and yet felt entirely new.

“Your fingertips…”

At that moment, Yeon-woo gently took his fingers.

“…are cold, Lieutenant.”

Seo-joon thought to himself that this was the kind of moment that made him realize his feelings for Cha Yeon-woo. 

✽✽✽

After they entered the house, neither of them touched their phones. They had previously mentioned finding a solution or waiting for a taxi, but no one brought it up again.

Yeon-woo handed Seo-joon a neatly folded towel and some clothes. 

“The size probably won’t fit well, but it’s all I have.”

“Thank you.”

Seo-joon accepted them with a brief nod of gratitude.

“The water should be heated by now. You should shower first.”

They knew what the other wanted without saying it aloud—a desire to simply be together. They didn’t have to, yet they wanted to remain close, leading to this unspoken understanding.

‘…This feels awkward.’ 

Seo-joon chuckled, looking around the small bathroom. The towel and clothes from Yeon-woo carried his familiar scent. Wasn’t it soap he had mentioned before?

But it wasn’t just any soap—it was the unique scent only Yeon-woo had. It smelled clean and orderly but with a faint sweetness like bubbling milk. If it were a limited-edition perfume, Seo-joon would have bought out the entire stock.

After brushing his teeth, he placed the new toothbrush next to Yeon-woo’s. Seeing the two toothbrushes in a cup side by side made his heart flutter.

After showering in the bathroom filled with traces of Yeon-woo, Seo-joon stepped out, pulling up loose-fitting pants.

“…Ah.”

Yeon-woo’s mouth opened slightly when he saw Seo-joon. Seo-joon awkwardly smiled and rolled up his sleeves.

“I didn’t realize it would be this big. Do I look silly right now?”

“No.”

Yeon-woo shook his head firmly.

“Not silly at all.”

Their gazes met for a moment before Yeon-woo looked away.

“You seemed cold on the way here, so I’ve put on the kettle. All we have is barley tea, but please have some while I shower.”

With that, Yeon-woo went to the bathroom. The kettle started bubbling. Seo-joon opened the cupboard above and took out a box of barley tea bags, likely a gift. He put a single-use tea bag in a cup, filled it with boiling water, and turned off the gas. Holding the steaming cup, he finally took a moment to look around Yeon-woo’s house.

The yellow linoleum floor and the mold stains on the walls made the house seem old, but the clean and modest decor reflected its owner’s personality.

On the small desk, several untouched study books were neatly arranged. Seo-joon opened a spiral notebook wedged between them.

A Polaroid photo of Yeon-woo and Jeong-woo fell out from the pages. Taken in the hospital, both of them, younger than now, were smiling and holding each other warmly. They weren’t blood-related brothers, but their smiling faces seemed similar as they stood close.

Before awakening as a guide, Yeon-woo had black hair, highlighting his fair skin. He looked around 17 or 18 years old, with round, youthful features and a slender jawline.

Cute. Seo-joon traced Yeon-woo’s face in the photo and turned the page, revealing study notes. He had diligently studied, writing English words and math formulas, though some words trailed off as if he’d fallen asleep.

“Everything about him is adorable,” Seo-joon muttered.

Half doodles, half notes, the pages were chaotic. But then something made him pause.

Ji Seo-joon. Ji Seo-joon. Ji Seo-joon. Ji Seo-joon. Ji Seo-joon.

The corner of one page was filled with his name, written in various styles—serif, cursive, and rounded.

His heart grew restless, realizing how much Yeon-woo adored him and how he reciprocated those feelings. It made him feel ticklish.

It felt like reading a secret diary he shouldn’t have. He carefully closed the notebook, put it back, and laid out the single-sized futon. The size tempted impure thoughts, and he brushed the back of his neck as he held the warm teacup.

“…”

A long-forgotten desire stirred deep in his belly.

Since realizing his feelings, his affection had rapidly swelled, along with his intense desire.

Ji Seo-joon wasn’t the kind of person who could lie down calmly next to someone he liked.

…He’s not as innocent as Cha Yeon-woo, and that’s a problem.