CCS Ch 14
by soapa[Sir, have a good day! 06:01]
[Actually, “have a good day” is an imperative sentence, so it’s not suitable for greetings. 06:01]
[But it feels awkward to say it differently, so I keep using it. 06:02]
[I’m definitely not trying to be disrespectful. 06:02]
Yooho, who was reading the incoming messages while lying down, slowly smiled. Perhaps due to his fast typing speed, Semin sometimes sent random messages following his stream of consciousness.
[By the way, Sir, I have a question. 06:02]
[Do you speak English well? 06:02]
[Or do you not have any other foreign languages you’re good at? 06:03]
[I’m just really curious. 06:03]
Why English? Yooho stared at the screen with half-open eyes and then pressed the call icon. Semin, who answered the phone immediately, exclaimed defensively.
― No, I didn’t ask with any other intention. Absolutely not.
“Huh?”
― It’s just, you know, like collecting profile information.
“……Ah. Collecting profile information.”
It sounded like nonsense, but Yooho didn’t ask further and sat up. Maybe he’s planning a trip abroad. He likes surprises, so it’s possible.
“English… I can handle everyday conversations at the training level, but I’m not particularly good at it.”
― I see, I see. That’s enough.
“I don’t know any other foreign languages. But enough for what?”
― No. No, it’s not like I need it right now anyway…
His voice was flustered yet excited. Is it a trip after all? Yooho’s gaze naturally shifted to the calendar hanging on the wall.
“I was going to tell you anyway, but I can get a short vacation before entering the training camp.”
― Really?
“The entrance is on the 6th of next month… so from Friday the 3rd to Sunday the 5th, two nights and three days.”
― Oh… That’s really short…
His true feelings leaked out like a sigh. Yooho smiled wryly and sat up.
“So, it’ll be hard to go far, how about Gapyeong or Incheon?”
He heard a gasp from the other end of the line. Then there was silence for a while. Did the call drop? Yooho pulled the phone away from his ear, checked that the call was still connected, and asked again.
“Semin?”
― ……Yes?
“Why? You don’t like it?”
― Oh, no. It’s not that… You’re going to spend that vacation with me?
“If you’re okay with it, I was planning to.”
A loud crashing sound echoed from the other side. Yooho rubbed his forehead, feeling a faint sense of déjà vu.
“What? Did you fall?”
― No, I didn’t fall, I didn’t fall and… But, but is that really okay? All two nights and three days? I naturally thought I’d be able to see you for one of those days, so I said it was short…
“There’s no reason why I wouldn’t spend it all with you.”
― You should see your family too…
“Well. I don’t think my parents would think that way.”
Family. It had been a long time since he’d seen them, only during holidays after he started his professional career. If he said he’d go see them because he got a vacation, they’d probably be puzzled and ask why he’s doing something he never does. He frowned at the awkward thought and suddenly asked.
“By the way, can you stay out overnight?”
― ……Huh?
The reply was delayed. He sounded like he’d never even thought about it.
“Have you ever stayed out overnight?”
― …
It was a strangely inappropriate question to ask a perfectly healthy young man who had just turned twenty, but fortunately, or unfortunately, it seemed like a valid concern. After a long silence, Semin replied in a dejected voice.
― No…
“Never?”
― No, not that I remember…
“Do you think they’d allow it if you said you were going on a trip?”
There was no reply again. He seemed unsure. Yooho glanced at the clock on the wall and got out of bed. It was almost time for the coach to pick him up.
“Even if they don’t allow it, we can meet during the day, so don’t feel pressured.”
― But… I want to stay out overnight with you.
“……Of course, I want that too, but we can’t force it.”
Still… Semin whined, trailing off. Yooho hoped his regret would be conveyed and started to say,
“Semin, I’m sorry, but I have to leave soon.”
― Oh, yes! Yes. Sorry for keeping you on the phone for so long. Have a good day.
“Yeah, sleep tight.”
He’ll probably sleep now after hanging up. At the inappropriate farewell, Semin giggled. Yooho could almost picture him smiling with his shoulders hunched. He stared at the disconnected phone for a moment and then stretched. He felt strangely refreshed.
“You seem to be in a good mood lately.”
The coach asked as soon as Yooho got into the old Avante and let out a long yawn. His face was beaming.
“Is it that obvious?”
Yooho asked casually and fastened his seatbelt. The coach started driving deeper into the alley where dawn was just breaking.
“How good is it that you’re so energetic in the morning? Your steps were very light.”
“Just something moderately good.”
“Myunghoon also seems very motivated these days. He went to the wholesale market early this morning to make fresh juice for you.”
“……He bought fruit from a wholesale market that opens at dawn? Don’t those places only sell to retailers……?”
“Exactly. Do they sell just one or two to regular people? I was curious too, so I let him go.”
“Sometimes, I think you’re a bit harsh on Myunghoon, Coach.”
The coach chuckled. Yooho put on a faint smile and spoke as if it were just a passing comment.
“Maybe it’s because he’s so motivated. He interferes too much sometimes lately.”
“Really? In what way?”
“I’ll tell you if he does it again. I’ve already talked to him about it once.”
“Okay, okay. You have to tell me whenever you feel uncomfortable. Don’t forget. Myunghoon and I are here for you.”
“Yes.”
We are here for you. We are dedicated to your achievements and glory. Yooho sometimes found this subtle balance difficult. The coach, who had been observing his expression, continued in a deliberately serious tone.
“But well, if you’ve told him once, he probably won’t do it again. He’s not someone who doesn’t understand what you mean.”
“Right.”
“Oh, the hospital called and said your shoulder is in great condition. They were surprised, saying you’ve been managing it really well. But as you know, there’s no complete recovery from this injury, so you have to keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Yes.”
Yooho nodded calmly. It had been a long time since he’d been elated or disappointed by the condition of his shoulder. He was just grateful that he was no longer writhing in pain. Being able to get back in the water was what mattered.
“You have to do that even more when you go to the training village……”
His worries lay elsewhere. Yooho closed his eyes, crammed into the narrow seat. Once he entered the training village, he wouldn’t be able to leave for two months until the competition was over. Even if Semin visited, they wouldn’t be able to see each other for long. It was a relationship that started unexpectedly, but he couldn’t help but feel sorry.
‘Is there anything I can do for him before I go in…’
One worry led to another. Something I can do for him. What can I possibly do for a chaebol heir?
* * *
[Semin, I’m in Korea]
Semin, who checked the message in his sleep, opened his eyes wide. Even though it was an unknown number, there was no need to wonder who the sender was. While he stared blankly at it, the next message arrived.
[I’ll come to your house. Let’s meet and talk just once. Please.]
“Huh?”
The remaining sleep completely vanished. Semin felt a brief headache and fell into contemplation. He didn’t want to let him in, nor did he want to meet him. But if he had to choose one of the two, it would be better to meet outside.
“…”
Semin, who had remained silent, opened his call log. The conversation he had with Yooho in the morning was clearly recorded. As he recalled the words Yooho had spoken and the hand he had extended, his heart gradually calmed down.
‘I’m okay with you living just as you were born.’
And so, he seemed to understand. Courage comes from trust. Semin pressed his lips together and brought the phone to his ear.
“Thank you, Semin. Thank you so much for meeting me.”
Joseph started chattering excitedly as soon as he sat down. He was dragging a large suitcase, as if he had really come straight from the airport. After the staff member who guided him to the seat left and the sliding door closed, the room with the large window became quiet for a moment.
“Wow, this place is nice. I didn’t know your hotel had a cafe like this.”
Semin stared at Joseph without replying. The way he busily looked around seemed unusually restless. It wasn’t a cafe, nor was it ‘his hotel,’ but he didn’t bother correcting him.
“Joseph.”
“Ah, yeah. Let’s order something first. I’ll pay.”
“I asked for coffee. It’s the only thing they have at this hour.”
“Really? Thanks. I like coffee.”
Soon, a staff member brought two cups of hot coffee. The reason he had specifically chosen this Korean restaurant, which usually only served meals, was that he didn’t want to be seen with Joseph by others. Semin took a moment to catch his breath, holding the teacup. Joseph, watching him, quickly opened his mouth.
“You know, Semin, I know I did something really wrong to you when we were younger. I’m really sorry. I mean it.”
Semin quietly met Joseph’s eyes. Even though he had resolved not to waver no matter what he said, hearing a sincere apology while sitting face to face with him inevitably softened his heart.
“……I didn’t do anything right back then either…”
Even if they couldn’t be close again, couldn’t they resolve the accumulated resentment and part ways? Before the words he uttered out of a sudden thought could be finished, Joseph cut in.
“I didn’t expect you to tell my sister everything, but I guess you could have done that, from your perspective. You have no social experience. You don’t know how to resolve conflicts between people. So, whether it was then or now, you probably didn’t think that you should resolve it with me. Right?”
“…”
Suddenly, he felt nauseous. Semin swallowed hard, pressing his lips together. It was a feeling he’d felt before. Five years ago, he used to feel nauseous whenever he talked to Joseph.
“But Semin, we were young back then, but we’re adults now. We should be able to solve our problems between ourselves. Man to man.”
“……You shouldn’t have involved my sister if you wanted that.”
The words slipped out before Semin could even register them. Joseph’s face hardened in an instant. Startled by his own words, Semin forced a calm expression.
“Posting my sister’s pictures… like that, and thinking of using her, made me…”
His lips felt increasingly dry with each word he uttered. His heart pounded, and his fingertips grew cold. He stopped talking because Joseph slammed his hand on the table.
“Involve? Use? What the hell are you saying!”
Semin flinched, startled by the loud bang and raised voice. Cold sweat trickled down his back. His chest felt tight, as if constricted.
“Did you say that to my sister? How could you instigate things like this?”
“Instigate……?”
“Wow, I really… even when I got a call from Lee Kang’s legal team, I didn’t suspect it was you. This is ridiculous. What kind of grudge do you have against me that you would go this far? All because of a little fight we had when we were kids?”
His vision blurred at the absurd accusation. He felt dizzy and sick to his stomach. Semin tightly gripped his knees under the table, struggling to hold on to his senses.
“Semin, grow up. Do you really think this situation makes sense?”
Regardless, Joseph started chattering endlessly. It was fortunate, in a way, that the sarcastic voice barely registered in his already hazy mind as it filled the small room.
“You’re really hopeless. But don’t worry. You can learn from now on.”
Joseph, who had finally vented his feelings, gulped down his cold coffee. Semin, his focus returning to his eyes, asked Joseph,
“……Learn what?”
Joseph shrugged with a confident gesture. His expression overflowed with the ease of someone who had gained the upper hand.
“I’ll teach you. You don’t have any friends anyway, do you? Even back then, you didn’t have a single friend besides me. From what I heard from my sister last time, it doesn’t seem much different now.”
“…”
“Like I said, I’ll be attending school in Korea starting next year. I’m thinking either Y University or K University. Honestly, it’s not as good as the Ivy League, but my father begged me so much…”
“I don’t want to.”
Joseph, his lips pursed, furrowed his brows fiercely.
“What?”
“I don’t want to. Be friends with you… anymore. I won’t meet you again. I……”
“…”
“I hate you.”
The simple, childish declaration contained only the utmost sincerity. Semin unconsciously scratched his knee with his fingertips. He hated Joseph. He didn’t want to be involved with him. He finally seemed to understand what Sungmin meant.
He didn’t want to do anything to Joseph. He didn’t have any desire for revenge. He just wanted to sever all ties with Joseph and become someone unrelated to him. He just wanted to live without ever seeing his face or hearing about him again.
“You’ll regret it.”
Joseph spat out coldly, pulling up one corner of his lips.
“Think rationally. Who else besides me would be friends with you…”
“Don’t say things like that. I have friends. Even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be friends with you.”
“……You’re lying. What friends do you have? Tell me. Who are they?”
“…”
“You don’t mean that swimmer, do you?”
Semin clenched his teeth. For the first time, anger welled up inside him. He felt as upset as when Joseph had brought up Sungmin.
“Don’t talk about Sir.”
“Does he? Does he say he’s friends with you? Do you believe that?”
“Don’t call him so casually. You’ve never even met him, how can you call him ‘he’?”
He tried to speak firmly, but Joseph only scoffed. “Oh my god, this is crazy.” Shaking his head, Joseph leaned forward.
“Semin, do you really not understand your position? You’re the youngest son of Lee Kang Dairy, and he’s a guy who trains with Lee Kang Dairy’s money. Of course, he would only say things to please you. Don’t you understand that?”
“……It’s not like that.”
“He’d scrutinize every single one of your expressions, your gaze, and pick up every word you say and serve you exactly what you want. That’s how people usually treat those they need to please.”
“No……”
Semin, who was about to reflexively deny it, closed his mouth.
“I thought you wanted this from me.”
He forced down the rising lump in his throat. It’s not like that. Joseph grinned at Semin, who was shaking his head.
“How would I know something like this?”
“…”
“Because I did that to you five years ago.”
It’s all nonsense. Semin kept shaking his head. Joseph and Yooho were different. It was something he didn’t even need to think about.
“You and Sir are different.”
“Oh, really?”
Joseph, with his arms crossed, rocked back and forth. He looked more relieved than ever, as if he had given up on everything.
“How can you be so sure? You didn’t know until the very end five years ago.”
“…”
“You didn’t even suspect until I told you outright. How much I hated you.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. As Joseph lifted the corners of his lips, his round cheeks puffed up. Semin forced his tongue to move again. He still couldn’t say anything.
“Ah, I feel much better now that I’ve said everything I wanted to say.”
Joseph stood up, humming.
“Tell my sister this time too. Your sister has been cleaning up your messes all her life, and she’ll continue to do so, so I was worried for nothing.”
He flung the sliding door open roughly and looked back with a cold face.
“Yeah, I won’t contact you again, as you wish. Live well.”
“…”
“I was a fool to think that you would have changed, now that you’re old enough.”
Joseph waved his hand and left without hesitation. As the sound of his light footsteps faded, Semin gradually regained his senses. As soon as he realized that his vision, fixed on the edge of the table, had blurred, large tears dropped. Semin hurriedly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and took a deep breath.
“Nonsense…”
It wasn’t even worth listening to. He tried to recall Sungmin’s advice. Don’t get caught up in other people’s malice. Just let it pass as if they were never there, and don’t look back.
“Nonsense…”
He said he wouldn’t contact me again. We won’t see each other again. That’s enough. That’s the end of it. Semin busily moved his hands so that the continuously welling tears wouldn’t stream down his cheeks.
* * *
[Sir, by any chance 17:40]
[Would it be okay if I waited in front of your dorm? 17:44]
Yooho, who was checking the messages with a towel on his head, unconsciously reached for the call icon, then stopped. Thinking about how much Semin must have agonized for four minutes to bring up the latter part of his message, he decided it would be better to omit unnecessary words.
[Wait in my room. Password #* * ***3 I’ll be right there 18:14]
As soon as he sent the message, he quickly packed his belongings and closed his locker. As he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out, Myunghoon, who had been waiting at the entrance of the changing room, grinned excitedly.
“Hyun, dinner tonight is……”
“I’ll eat at the dorm.”
“Huh?”
There was no time to wait for the coach’s car. Myunghoon quickly followed Yooho, who strode out of the gym.
“What is there to eat at the dorm? The coach said we were having meat today.”
“We can order in.”
“Why so suddenly? Did something happen? What is it? Are you trying to take a taxi?”
“Just, training’s over.”
Stop interfering. Yooho pushed Myunghoon away with one hand and got into a taxi waiting at the bus stop. Myunghoon clung to the window until the last moment, grumbling.
“Hey, if you have something to do, you should tell me.”
Yooho completely ignored him and stated his destination. Fortunately, the taxi quickly started and pulled onto the road. He could see Myunghoon standing blankly in the side mirror, but he didn’t pay much attention and grabbed his phone. He sent a message, [Arriving in 10 minutes], and a reply popped up immediately. [Come quickly] A cute little rabbit emoticon was attached as well. Yooho chuckled and turned his gaze to the window.
He could smell something savory from the elevator, and as soon as he opened the door to the small studio apartment, the smell of various dishes wafted out. At the sound of the closing door, Semin, who had been standing by the window, turned around, startled. A faint color returned to his pale face.
“Sir!”
He ran towards him, then stopped abruptly and fidgeted near the shopping bags he had placed on the floor. Yooho easily figured out what Semin wanted and stepped into the room. He unlocked the rusty, stiff latch to open the window, and as he unfolded the flyer that had been wedged in the doorway instead of a table, the hesitant Semin gave a smile that was hard to describe.
“I should have brought a table too.”
Yooho tilted his head and took the shopping bags. They were quite heavy, filled with several glass containers.
“Did you carry all this up by yourself? Didn’t your arms hurt?”
“They don’t hurt from this much. Uh… There’s an elevator, too.”
He had intended it as a tease, but Semin’s serious reply left him speechless. Yooho took out the luxurious containers one by one onto the shabby flyer. There was still-warm abalone soup, bulgogi, rice, gat kimchi, and even radish soup. They were all too grand to be eaten on the floor.
“Why did you bring so much? Did you make it at home?”
“No, I, I packed it from a restaurant. My sister said it’s delicious here.”
Semin, crouching down, carefully placed the two sets of cutlery he had brought. I really need to buy a folding table, Yooho thought, smiling to himself.
“Thanks. I’m feasting every time, thanks to you.”
“I, I should be thanking you. You eat everything so well, it’s rewarding……”
“Rewarding?”
“……Of course, I didn’t make it, but, when I see you… eating so well, I feel strangely proud……”
Yooho, who had been setting out the separately packed rice and soup, tilted his head again. Semin finally met his gaze and widened his eyes.
“Did something happen?”
He had asked casually, sensing a vague unease. Semin blinked blankly and asked back after a long pause,
“……Yes? Me?”
“You don’t look well.”
“…”
It felt like he was forcing the corners of his lips up every time he spoke. Yooho had seen both his unnatural expressions and his natural smiles many times, so he could distinguish them to some extent. He hadn’t thought it was anything serious, so he was about to continue what he was doing when Semin suddenly asked.
“Sir, do you… watch me very carefully?”
What kind of question is that? Yooho burst out laughing. However, Semin still didn’t smile.
“What is that? What do you mean?”
“So… you can tell just by looking at my expression? How?”
“Is that so hard? I see you every day.”
“……And just now, how did you know I wanted to open the window but couldn’t?”
“I know that window doesn’t open easily. This is my room.”
Semin finally said, “Ah,” and nodded. He seemed somehow relieved. Yooho stared at the small face in front of him, holding his chopsticks.
“Did they not give you permission to stay out overnight?”
He couldn’t think of any other reason for him to be so down all of a sudden. As soon as he asked, Semin burst into clear laughter. “Ahaha.”
“No, I haven’t talked about it yet. My sister hasn’t been home.”
“Then?”
“It’s, it’s nothing. Eat first and we can talk.”
As if he didn’t want to interrupt the meal, Semin shut his mouth after that. Yooho had no choice but to empty the carefully packed containers one by one, checking Semin’s complexion. Semin, who had put down his chopsticks after only a few bites, was still huddled up, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
“Are you going to tell me before I leave today?”
Yooho asked casually as he moved the empty containers to the sink. Semin, once again, looked up after a beat, saying, “Huh?” Then he looked around the cleaned floor with a puzzled expression and quickly raised his voice.
“Ah, you don’t have to wash the dishes. I can just take them as they are……”
“I’ll just rinse them with water. I don’t have any detergent anyway.”
Yooho filled the oily containers with warm water, dried his hands, and turned around. Even then, Semin remained sitting with his knees drawn up, hugging his ankles. His unusually defensive posture turned curiosity into concern. Yooho returned to Semin’s side and sat close, facing him.
“Is it something I shouldn’t ask about?”
“No, it’s just, I……”
Although his speech was slow and hesitant, he usually communicated clearly, but today, he was particularly slow to speak. Yooho leaned closer to Semin and replied slowly, “Yes.” Encouraged, Semin finally spoke.
“I, I mean… I found out, you know.”
“Found out what?”
“How, how men… do it…”
“…”
Yooho, momentarily doubting his ears, coughed awkwardly. He had never imagined those words would come out at a time like this. Semin’s flushed face drooped lower and lower.
“If, if you search on Knowledge Plus after adult verification, it, it shows up. I’ve never done adult verification before, so I couldn’t find it until now……”
“…”
“You, you meant it when you said you wanted to do that, right? Then when do we… do it? I, I was a little surprised, but, I think I can do it……”
“……Wait. Calm down first.”
He gestured for Semin to stop, but Semin wasn’t listening. He just blinked his trembling eyes rapidly and fidgeted. Yooho eventually placed his hand on Semin’s knee and brought his lips close. He kissed him briefly, making a small ‘peck’ sound, and Semin’s round eyes finally regained focus.
“Calm down and talk to me. Okay?”
“……Yes.”
His stuffy reply sounded like a child’s. Yooho kissed his soft lips a few more times and then bumped their foreheads together.
“Forget about that.”
“Yes……?”
“Forget that I ever said that. There’s no need to go that far. It’s enough just like last time.”
“…”
“You don’t have to make up your mind while trembling like this. I told you. It’s not that big of a deal that you have to force yourself to do it when you’re scared.”
“Oh, no. I really, I want to do it.”
Semin desperately grabbed Yooho’s arm. His dark eyes were now brimming with tears. Yooho frowned, unable to hide his confusion.
“Kang Se……”
“C, can’t we? I want to.”
The urgent request was laced with clear anxiety. Yet, his huddled form showed no sign of relaxing. Yooho finally sat down on the floor with a long sigh.
“I understand, but come here for now.”
He sat cross-legged and patted his thighs, and Semin hesitantly got up. Yooho pulled the approaching Semin to sit between his legs and nuzzled his nose against his. A faint scent of soap emanated from his flushed face and warm cheeks.
“I understand, so later. Okay?”
“When later…”
“……Not today, anyway.”
“You always say not today……”
Semin grumbled, but wrapped his arms around Yooho’s neck. His petulant gesture melted into the warmth of their bodies pressed together. Semin’s affection was always uninhibited, and his natural physical touch had the power to build trust.
“By the way, is there anything you want to do on our trip?”
He asked, rubbing their cheeks together. Semin trailed off thoughtfully, “Hmm……” Yooho kissed his temple as if urging him, and a short laugh burst out.
“What do you usually do when you go on trips with your family?”
“With my family? I haven’t been on many family trips… Everyone’s busy.”
“Don’t you have any fun memories?”
“Uh… Hmm… Watching the beach……?”
Semin, having managed to squeeze out one memory, rested his chin on Yooho’s shoulder. Watching the beach? Yooho leaned back against the bed and asked,
“Was it the Maldives… Sometimes, bioluminescent plankton gather in the sea at night and make it sparkle blue. It’s really beautiful. It was hard because the flight was so long… and I mostly just napped there, but I saw it once, the night before we came back. I took a walk along the beach with the butler and it was really nice.”
The Maldives. He’d heard of it, but it was a place that felt unreal. Yooho wrapped his arms around Semin’s waist and nodded.
“Anything else?”
“Anything else… Hmm… I don’t know. Actually, flying is so tiring… Even if I have fun at the destination, I forget everything by the time I get home.”
“Why do you find flying tiring? Do you have a fear of heights?”
Surely he doesn’t fly economy. The back under his hand was flat and lean. Semin’s breathing slowed as Yooho’s hand began to gently caress his spine.
“First of all, it’s cold… and my throat gets really sore. Because the cabin is so dry.”
“……Ah.”
“If I’m on a plane for a long time, I have to lie down for a day or two after I arrive. So I don’t really like planes. It’s not that I’m afraid of heights……”
Semin, who had been mumbling, suddenly lifted his head. Yooho reflexively withdrew his hand, which had been reaching for Semin’s side. Did I touch him too much? As he sent a questioning look, Semin suddenly spoke resolutely.
“It’s not that I can’t ride them at all. I ride them fine when I have to.”
“Yes……? Okay.”
“For example, if I were to, say, immigrate someday, I could ride them fine then too. No matter how far.”
What is he talking about now? Yooho narrowed his eyes.
“……Do you have plans to immigrate?”
“No, I don’t! But it could happen someday.”
“…”
How should he interpret those words? Yooho stared at Semin’s flushed face and sighed silently.
“Okay, well… then is there anything you need?”
“Need?”
“We won’t be able to see each other for a while once I enter the village. I feel bad, so I want to give you a present or something.”
Semin paused, his expression hardening. Yooho tilted his head and asked again.
“Is there anything you’d like to receive from your boyfriend?”
Semin always dressed neatly and didn’t wear any accessories, not even a wristwatch. He’d never heard about his preferences for movies or books, and his only hobby seemed to be photography, but Yooho didn’t know much about cameras. It was Yooho’s long-held belief that when he couldn’t find an answer by himself, it was better to ask directly.
“Oh, no. I… I’m happy just going on the trip.”
Semin hesitated and shook his head. Yooho hummed and pinched Semin’s cheek lightly.
“Don’t say that, think of at least one thing.”
“No, really… it’s okay. You don’t have to give me anything.”
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll bring anything.”
He knew material gifts didn’t mean much. The gifts Yooho could give were limited, and there would be nothing among them that Semin couldn’t obtain himself. Nevertheless, he just wanted to do something boyfriend-like.
“So, so, I’m okay. Sir.”
Semin shook his head again. It was a firm, wide gesture. The ends of his words, rushed out while avoiding eye contact, were stiff.
“You don’t have to… take care of me like that. I’ve never wanted anything like that.”
“…”
“…”
“……Really?”
At the belated reply, Semin’s lips parted slightly. He couldn’t form any words, so the small room was quickly enveloped in silence. Before the awkward atmosphere could linger, Yooho pulled himself together and rubbed Semin’s cheek.
“Then I should prepare diligently for the trip.”
Right? At the question, the stiff face briefly softened into a smile. As their lips met, Yooho couldn’t help but be preoccupied with stray thoughts. Putting aside Semin vehemently refusing a gift, what was with the sudden talk about immigration?
‘I think he said his siblings live abroad.’
Does that mean he will too someday? Even as their bodies intertwined, the uneasy feeling lingered.
* * *
Recommended travel destinations near Seoul – Dating courses with trekking
Yangpyeong Pool Villa Pension – Private dating possible……
Fireworks on the beach at night……
Semin clicked on the post that included “private dating” without hesitation. As expected, it was an advertisement for a discount booking site, not an actual review, but it didn’t matter as long as he could get the information. Semin’s eyes widened as his gaze, which had been carefully examining the photos of the two-story detached house with a pool, landed on the booking window.
“Wow, it’s so cheap……?”
The price was ridiculously low compared to the size of the rental property. Maybe the taxes or usage fees are enormous? Out of curiosity, he brought up the card payment window, but it didn’t seem like that either.
“Is it because the transportation is bad?”
“What is?”
Sungmin, sprawled on the sofa, popped a potato chip into her mouth. Semin, realizing he had been voicing his thoughts, closed his mouth with a gasp. It had been so long since Sungmin had been home during the day on a weekend that he had momentarily forgotten her presence.
“Ah, nothing……”
Semin hesitated, clutching his phone tightly. Could this be the chance to bring it up? Semin eventually crawled towards Sungmin with the pension information window open.
“Noona, the pool villa we stayed at in Jeju Island three years ago was really expensive, right?”
“Was it? How much was it?”
“About 20 million won per night……?”
“Ah… Right. That was all-inclusive, including the rounds of golf.”
“Really? But even if the golf was expensive, this one is only 500,000 won… The difference is huge.”
He subtly held out his phone, and Sungmin’s gaze finally left the TV. She stared at the screen for a moment, then furrowed her brows slightly and let out an exasperated sigh.
“That place was a luxury hotel pool villa, and this is just a pension. The area is probably three times smaller.”
“Huh? Really……? They look similar in the pictures……”
“These places are all taken with wide-angle lenses to make them look bigger. If you go there in person, it will be small and old, and the bathroom will be crawling with mold.”
Semin gasped in surprise. He couldn’t take Yooho to a place like that. As he fell into deep thought with a serious expression, Sungmin slowly sat up. Sometimes, on weekends when she was resting at home, she would slump like a drained electronic device, completely devoid of energy.
“Why are you suddenly looking at pensions?”
So, her speed in asking the natural question was slower than usual. Semin glanced at the drama where unknown celebrities were fiercely fighting and casually said,
“Just… thinking of going on a trip with a friend……”
“Which friend?”
“…”
“Not Joseph, right?”
“What? Why would I go on a trip with him? No.”
When he denied it with a serious expression, Sungmin’s expression softened. She had a look that said, ‘Even so, my brother couldn’t be that stupid, could he?’ It was a look of trust.
“Then who? Don’t tell me it’s Yooho?”
There was no way to hide it anyway; Semin’s interpersonal relationships were narrow and transparent, and there was nothing Sungmin didn’t know about them. He reluctantly nodded, and Sungmin scratched her messy hair.
“A trip with Yooho……? Can he take several days off?”
“He said he has three days off before he enters the training village……”
“He said he’d go on a trip with you then? Yooho did?”
Sungmin raised her voice in surprise. Semin replied, “Yeah,” fidgeting with his phone.
“Really……? You two must have gotten close.”
Surprisingly, Sungmin didn’t immediately refuse. She just frowned and fell into deep thought. After a while, leaving her younger brother to roll his eyes in confusion, she cautiously asked,
“You didn’t suggest it, did you?”
“……Huh? Uh, Sir suggested it……”
“Okay, then it’s fine.”
Sungmin quickly changed the subject and picked up her phone. Then, while making a call, she asked Semin,
“When is it?”
“Huh……?”
“The trip you’re going on. You must know the dates of his vacation.”
“Uh… It’s from July 3rd to the 5th……”
“Yes, Secretary Shin. Please check if there are any available reservations from July 3rd to 5th at Hanston affiliates’ domestic pool villas or private residences. If not, even a regular suite will do. Yes, please call me back.”
Semin gaped at Sungmin, who quickly ended the call.
“Noona, I was going to decide on the accommodation with Sir……”
More than that, he hadn’t intended to make it such a big deal. As he fidgeted nervously, Sungmin sighed and added,
“I can only be at ease if the accommodation is safe and clean. Not just for you, but for Yooho as well. He’s so famous and such a big deal, imagine him wandering around somewhere like Gapyeong. There would be such a commotion. Pictures would be taken, and with the Asian Games just around the corner, all sorts of people would latch onto him and criticize him for going on vacation.”
“I… Is that so?”
Now that he heard it, it made perfect sense. Semin quickly recalled the online communities where rumors about Yooho were spreading and gulped.
“This time, go to the accommodation your sister arranges, and next time you go somewhere like abroad, discuss it together. That’s fine, right?”
“Uh… Yeah. But I’ll ask Sir first.”
“Why? Does Yooho already have a place in mind?”
“I don’t think so, but still……”
Sungmin tilted her head, watching her younger brother quickly typing a message. If a friend’s sister offered to arrange a nice place to stay, shouldn’t he just be happy and go?
* * *
[Sir, do you have a place in mind for our trip? 15:12]
[I told my sister about the trip and she said she’d arrange a secure place, but I thought I should discuss it with you first. 15:12]
[Call me when you’re done training. 15:13]
Yooho read the messages with a water bottle in his mouth. After intense training, his mind sometimes went blank for a moment. After rereading the sentences several times, he finally registered the “Call me” and brought the phone to his ear. The ringing tone, which had been continuing while he discarded the crumpled water bottle and picked up a new one, was abruptly cut off.
― Hello, Sir?
“Yeah. I just got out.”
― Really? You could have taken your time… Are you tired?
The worried, wavering voice gradually eased his mind. Yooho leaned against the locker and slid down to sit on the floor. He tilted his head back, and the deep fatigue seeped through his skin.
“Ah… You’re right. I’m a bit tired today.”
― Should I hang up? We can talk later.
“No, I want to talk because I’m tired.”
― ……Hee.
The unconcealed joy leaked out and tickled his ear. Yooho chuckled softly.
“So about the accommodation… you said the Director offered to arrange it?”
― Well, it wasn’t just because of me. It seemed like she was speaking as your sponsor. She said that since it’s right before the Asian Games, if we go somewhere with a lot of tourists, pictures might be taken and it could cause unnecessary gossip… so she said we should go to a completely private residence.
“Ah……”
― I agree with her, but I thought I should discuss it with you first.
“I don’t mind, but are you okay with it?”
― Huh? Me?
“If your family arranges the accommodation, how do they know what we’re going to do there?”
― …
The line went silent, and Yooho could almost picture Semin blinking in confusion. He chuckled and stood up.
“Well, let’s talk more tomorrow. I do have a place in mind, but I haven’t booked it yet.”
― ……Oh, yes, yes. Yes.
“Are you coming to pick me up?”
― Pick you up, no, I should come to escort you. I’ll be there.
“I’ll be waiting. Driver Kang.”
A weak, “Yeees……” was the reply to his playful remark. Yooho hung up and opened the locker door. His relaxed body gradually regained its energy.
“What should we do tomorrow? Should I book a massage?”
As Yooho got out of the car parked in front of the dormitory, Myunghoon rolled down the passenger side window and asked. Yooho adjusted his bag and shook his head.
“I have plans in the afternoon, so don’t worry about me.”
“Plans? With who……”
“Get in. Coach, get in.”
Yooho cut off Myunghoon and greeted the driver’s seat before turning around. Myunghoon would probably have a disappointed look on his face, but there was nothing he could do.
‘Should I tell him someday?’
Yooho, lost in thought, retracted his hand that had been reaching for the elevator button and started climbing the stairs. He had eaten a lot for dinner, so his body felt heavy. If his relationship with Semin continued, he would need to tell those close to him, but he wasn’t sure if Semin would feel the same way.
‘Because I might immigrate someday.’
Chairman Kang of Lee Kang Dairy had three sons and two daughters, and among them, the eldest son and the second daughter worked at the company. The second son and eldest daughter ran their own businesses abroad. So it wouldn’t be strange if Semin was thinking of living abroad someday.
‘But when is that someday?’
Lost in thought, he took two steps at a time and quickly reached his door. He sighed and was about to place his finger on the door lock when he paused. There was a small box next to the front door.
“…”
There was only one package that would be delivered here. He picked up the box and hurried inside. He tore off the tape and opened the box to reveal a paper bag with a yellow ribbon.
He carefully opened the bag and took out the contents. A faint leather scent emanated from the deep blue strap. It was a custom-made item that could be attached to the mirrorless camera Semin often carried and worn around his neck.
It seemed like a decent choice. Soft and supple, but it looked sturdy. Yooho put the strap back into the bag and stood up lightly.