DI Ch 97

“Actually, I don’t have an eye for art, that’s why.”

“It’s not like I sell paintings to someone who doesn’t know how to appreciate art.”

I thought it wouldn’t be easy to get what I wanted from him, but it was clear that getting it in one go would be difficult.

“Hmm. Looking at it again, it’s fascinating because it looks like a modern abstract drawing.”

“Still, no.”

“Can’t you just draw it for me?”

“For free? No, portraits come with a fee.”

Tae Seong-je smiled slyly and grinned.

“And my price is high.”

He nonchalantly shook the pen, signaling for the appropriate compensation. It’s tricky. After thinking for a moment about what to do, I kissed Tae Seong-je’s cheek. In response, he chuckled lightly and said something with a teasing tone.

“Just with that? No, but you’ll have to do it about three hundred times to match the market rate.”

Despite the mocking tone, his lips were drawing a pleasant curve. I thought he wouldn’t negotiate with a lover discount, but I think he will do it if I bargain well. I climbed on top of Tae Seong-je’s body and chuckled. Since he had been arrogantly demanding, it seemed appropriate for me to act arrogantly as well.

“The price of an unknown artist is ridiculously high.”

“I only accept orders from one customer.”

“Hmm.”

It was a moment of victory, and I couldn’t hide my satisfied expression.

“There’s a reason it’s expensive.”

He took one look at my face and pecked my lips again as I smiled and kissed him. Then he leaned in and kissed me deeply. My entire focus was on his moist lips. I wondered when I’d stop stiffening at every kiss.

“Here.”

A drawing was quickly brought in front of my eyes. As soon as I saw it, I unintentionally made a surprised sound. Well, unless it was intentionally drawn to be funny, it was a truly bizarre portrait. Why was the face so big, and why was the body so stiff and small? The expression was a laughing face like a fool, so it was impossible not to burst into laughter. Wait, did I really look like this in his eyes?

While I was looking at the drawing, he casually took a quick shower and started changing clothes. While drying his wet hair, I applied for air conditioner maintenance. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed when I was told that the air conditioners in the whole neighborhood were out of order and the technician could only come next week.

Even though I got the drawing I wanted, I felt drained as my enthusiasm for life faded. I can’t believe the air conditioner broke down just as summer was getting started. I absentmindedly flicked my fingers toward Tae Seong-je as I watched his fingers button up the shirt with a drained expression.

There wasn’t a single wrinkle in his clothes, but I wanted to touch him so I smoothed them out when he approached me. I felt a hardness like touching a stone every time my hand touched his body. I wanted to touch him more, but there was nowhere to touch him because he was neat from the start.

Despite being lovers, I kept finding feeble excuses and hesitated to touch him deliberately. The only excuse I had for touching him was to pretend to dust him, I deliberately spoke slowly and initiated a conversation.

“Wouldn’t it be hot if you dressed like that?”

“What.”

“Try wearing something other than black.”

He may be someone who only wears expensive and good clothes, but I found it very disappointing, and I couldn’t help but think it must be hot for him. Bright colors would also look good on him… I know his size, should I buy one for him? If he can’t wear it because of the tattoo, he can wear it only in front of me.

I lazily rolled on the bed, leaving behind the person who was starting to pack his luggage. There was no reason to stay in a house without Tae Seong-je and a broken air conditioner. I should go to the library.

“I’m going.”

I poked my head out of bed and saw him getting ready to leave. He looked splendid enough to elicit admiration today as well. It completely obscured the hot weather and humanity’s flaws, making it a pleasure for both the eyes, mind, and body.

“Call me when you arrive.”

I said with the intention of conveying my desire to see him again. In response, Tae Seong-je, who was going to make a call, smiled silently. He pressed his lips against mine, kissed my cheek, and then walked away.

Due to his random caresses every time we kissed, my hair and clothes were in a mess. Even though I wanted to go out for a bit, this was ridiculous. Muttering to myself… I looked at the back of the man who was moving away from the warm room, sitting alone on the bed.

His familiar back was still straight and sturdy. I couldn’t help but feel the desire to hug and hold onto him. Why do I feel this way? The floating dust sparkled insignificantly in the sunlight. I watched Tae Seong-je leave with an absent-minded gaze. So I blurted out just as he closed the door.

“I’ll miss you.”

It wasn’t an impulsive statement, so my expression would probably appear as calm as usual. I just smiled, unable to express my longing eyes as I looked at the person right in front of me.

“Me too.”

Even after he had left, I looked out the window for a few moments before getting up from my seat. As I came out of the shared entrance, I noticed a black sedan waiting for me. Sitting in the driver’s seat was Mr. Shoulders, who had grown thicker than he had yesterday.

“Are you going to school?”

“Yes.”

Enjoying the amazing ride, I twitched my fingers holding the notebook. I had brought along the notebook where Tae Seong-je had drawn the picture, and as I was about to put it back in my bag, I felt like I wanted to look at it again. I looked at the picture and rubbed the slightly crumpled edges. I should cut it up nicely and put it in my wallet.

But what’s this…  I tilted my head with a sense of déjà vu. Weird. Have I ever worn this kind of clothes in front of him? A school uniform…? It seems.

Even if it was drawn intentionally in a comical way, it was quite detailed and legible. I looked at it blankly and narrowed my eyes. Does Tae Seong-je like this kind of thing? What do you call it? Costume? No. Maybe just drawn without any special meaning.

But somehow, the image of the school uniform didn’t easily fade from my mind. It could be an unconscious desire. I hoped it was just a desire.

Just this morning, my heart kept fluttering, and Tae Seong-je didn’t even show a sexual reaction, so why do I keep feeling uneasy? Still, buying a costume just for the sake of having sex was really stupid.

…I wore something like that before, so let’s bring that. I was a little concerned because the school uniform was at Seo Seung-won’s house, but it would be fine if I went there when no one was around. On weekday mornings, most people would be at work or on their way to school. Let’s go then.

“We’re here.”

Startled by the sudden voice, I clenched the fingers that were tapping on my thigh. That person probably wouldn’t know what I was thinking, but it was awkward and embarrassing.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll wait here.”

Ah. This is a bit burdensome. After scratching my head, I bowed. My steps naturally led to a small hideout behind the library. Even without explicitly making contact, it seemed like there would be someone, and indeed there was.

“Sunbae.”

“Oh, you came? It’s been a while.”

His face is bright. When I first met him back in March, there was a mixture of a pitiful and sharp sensitivity on Woo Ji-min’s face, as if he could collapse at any moment, but now he looked good with those signs somewhat faded. After exchanging casual greetings about how long it’s been, we enjoyed a brief moment of leisure.

The wind was quite refreshing, and there were many clouds, so the sunlight wasn’t too hot… The green leaves were swaying in the wind, creating a refreshing scene. As I lifted my head, I noticed a few cats that had gathered, their tails brushing against Woo Ji-min as they passed by.

“What is its name?”

As I plucked a long blade of grass and shook it, the cat that had been lying down stretched and rolled on the ground, making a ‘meow’ sound. Woo Jimin, who had been silently watching, casually said,

“We’re not close enough for me to name it.”

Aren’t they the kids you looked after as if you were raising them when you were at school?

“Then how do you call it?”

“Just shake the feed at this time and it will come out on its own.”

“Sunbae. Whether animals have a name or not.”

“Hmm?”

“You wouldn’t care about that, right?”

“I guess not. They don’t even know what their name is. They’re just interested in you because you make a certain sound whenever they see you.”

The cats gathered one by one as Woo Jimin poured water into a small bowl, quenching their thirst.

“When you forgot the name of a girl before. That was more unpleasant than you think. Humans can point it out immediately, but animals don’t care whether you make a mistake or not. Well, what would they know?”

“I guess I’m closer to an animal.”

“…”

Woo Ji-min looked at me as if wondering what strange thing I was about to say. I’ve become somewhat accustomed to such gazes, so I shrugged my shoulders, not paying much attention.

“I don’t care anymore.”

Perhaps because I’ve been called by someone else’s name for too long without them knowing mine. Now, Seo Seung-won’s name didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore. At that moment, Woo Ji-min made a subtle expression and spoke.

“Does Kang Moo-hyun call your name strangely?”

“No? Why?”

“Nothing, it’s just that the cafe where I work part-time. That bastard came there all throughout the vacation. But he keeps getting the name of the girl who works with me wrong, and it seems intentional to me.”

“Why would he do that?”

“How would I know? Anyway, she seems stressed, and I feel sorry, but you know, the hourly wage there is good, so ugh…”

Suddenly, he curled up on his back like a cat and groaned. Looking at his hand on the stomach area, it seemed like it was stress-related gastritis. His groans were loud. Just like Tae Seong-je once did for me, I gently swept up and down his back.

As he crouched like a beetle, the breathing from his plowed field-like back gradually calmed down. The stinging sensation in his stomach seemed to have improved. I was momentarily distracted by the cat that was acting cute like a puppy at Woo Ji-min’s feet. When I lifted my head, our eyes met as he looked at me with a somewhat blank expression.

“Why are you hanging out with me when you’re not even getting any benefit from me?

He quickly closed his mouth as if he had asked the question impulsively. …Benefit? Haven’t I already gotten a lot? Perhaps that wasn’t considered a benefit. I couldn’t respond because I was lost in my thoughts, but Woo Ji-min scratched the back of his neck, probably embarrassed by the silence.