IPSTDS Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Lee Kangil’s words had been correct.

One way or another, they had decided to be lovers. This act wasn’t just for deceiving Seo Dowoong—it was also a way to test the truth of their own feelings.

It wasn’t something they could treat as a mere joke.

“I accepted your proposal with the thought of taking it seriously.”

“…”

“I might have played around with people before, but this time, I really mean it.”

There was no hint of playfulness in Kangil’s tone. Every word seemed genuine.

Not wanting to hurt him or answer too late, Nahyuk replied quickly.

“Sorry, I didn’t think that far ahead.”

“Just make sure you remember it.”

“But Kangil.”

“Hm?”

“If Daon were to say he liked me instead of Seo Dowoong, I don’t think I’d really dislike it. Of course, the chance of that happening is slim, and since you and I are lovers right now, I won’t do anything to make you misunderstand, but still…”

His words might have offended Kangil.

But Nahyuk wanted to be honest. He didn’t want to hide his feelings just to smooth things over.

“…You’re being excessively honest.”

“So you don’t like it?”

Now that he had said it, he suddenly worried. What if Kangil said he hated him now?

But Kangil only smiled.

“I don’t like liars or people who make me doubt them. Compared to someone who keeps everything bottled up, I’d rather have someone honest like you.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Now that I know how you feel, I’ll just have to make sure I don’t lose to Kim Daon. You’re a problem, you know. Our little wildcat has this strange charm that pulls people in.”

“…That’s a compliment, right?”

“Think of it however you want.”

The steady stream of conversation with Kangil was strangely comforting. Maybe because he was so absorbed in talking, even the fatigue that had weighed him down felt like it had lifted.

“Noah, can I ask you something else?”

“What?”

“What did you want to do if you ever got a lover?”

“Hmm…”

Nahyuk thought for a moment.

He had always longed for a lover, for someone to love and be loved by, but he had never considered what he wanted to do once he had one.

Even wishing for love had felt excessive—he hadn’t dared imagine anything beyond that.

But Kangil had, in a way, made that wish come true.

Though not the perfect lover, Kangil genuinely wanted to try a proper relationship. Because of that, maybe it was okay to imagine more.

Nahyuk began to speak as thoughts came to him.

“First of all, I’d want to talk often. Sharing every little detail about our day, exchanging our worries, venting about our bosses, even deciding together what to eat for lunch tomorrow.”

“And?”

“I’d want to go on trips too. Honestly, I’ve never traveled far. I’d like to fly somewhere no one knows us, holding hands out in the open. There, we’d make memories we could never forget.”

“That’s a pretty romantic wish.”

“Want me to get more romantic? Like getting a giant bouquet as big as my torso. My lover would kneel with it in one hand and confess, ‘I love you more than anyone else in the world.’ I might even cry a little, because I’m sensitive like that.”

“…You? Sensitive?”

Kangil asked doubtfully, but Nahyuk ignored him neatly.

“But it doesn’t have to be far away. Even just going to a famous restaurant nearby would be great. Then heading to a pretty café for dessert. And if it got late, we’d go to a hotel with a beautiful night view and hold each other close, just to feel each other’s warmth.”

“No sex?”

“…”

Nahyuk stared at him with a blank face.

“I just mean… if you’re going to a hotel with such a breathtaking night view, is it really just to hug and talk? I wasn’t mocking you—it’s a genuine question.”

“…Sex could happen if the mood heated up.”

“Hotel approved.”

“….”

Nahyuk barely stopped himself from cursing.

He was letting Kangil off only because he was handsome, because he listened to him, because he looked at him so gently.

“Go on.”

“Hmm… now that I think about it, I don’t have much more. But at the very least, I’d want to hear ‘I love you’ every day. To feel that even someone like me is loved.”

“What do you mean, ‘someone like you’? Don’t say things like that.”

But Kangil, I’m someone who has never received love. Only contempt.

Nahyuk just smiled instead of replying.

“For all that, even after Seo Dowoong stops obsessing, you’ll still have to stay my lover.”

“Let’s do it for a long time.”

That wasn’t difficult. At least, not for Nahyuk.

“Sure, let’s keep going until one of us really falls in love with someone else.”

“Deal.”

Will you ever truly fall in love with me?

Nahyuk wondered about Kangil’s heart.

“Kangil, what about you? What would you want to do with a lover?”

“Sex—”

“….”

Nahyuk gave him a sharp look, and Kangil corrected himself.

“I meant showing off my sexy body, ha. It’s not like I’m obsessed with sex. I like platonic love too. Physical intimacy without feelings is empty.”

“You’ve never truly loved anyone before?”

Kangil answered without hesitation.

“Never.”

“Then… has anyone ever caught your interest, even a little, like the way you are with me now?”

“Nope.”

“….”

Nahyuk swallowed dryly. For some reason, the ease of Kangil’s answers made his heart tremble.

It felt like he was the only person this unpredictable man had ever been truly interested in.

“I told you, lately I think about you the most.”

“…Yeah.”

“Can we call this love?”

“I don’t know either.”

“That’s why we’re going to find out together.”

“…Right.”

When Nahyuk blinked, Kangil’s face suddenly seemed much closer.

“But Noah.”

“Yeah.”

“Can I kiss you?”

Again, Nahyuk could only give the same answer.

“…Yeah.”

Their faces drew closer, Kangil’s breath brushing faintly against him, his pleasant scent surrounding him, his hand unexpectedly caressing his face.

With all of that so vivid, Nahyuk couldn’t possibly not want the kiss.

In an instant, Kangil’s lips were on his again—soft and warm.

Nahyuk shut his eyes tightly and relaxed into him. Kangil’s hand, which had been touching his face, slid down and pulled him into his arms.

The kiss was natural, smooth, and comfortable. Nahyuk had never known Kangil could kiss this gently.

It felt like a fleeting midsummer night’s dream.

Before long, his whole body went slack. It wasn’t just excitement—his strength was draining away.

If it kept on, he might fall asleep mid-kiss. Maybe he had talked too much while already so tired.

But he didn’t want to sleep just yet. He wanted to do more with Kangil—like what they’d done back at the old theater.

Yet, contrary to his wishes, his consciousness blurred. The last thing he felt was Kangil’s hot hand roaming around his waist.

Without realizing it, Nahyuk had completely fallen asleep.

* * *

Lee Kangil noticed that Yoon Noah had fallen asleep and carefully pulled his lips away. Noah let out soft, childlike breaths as he slept, and his face looked unbearably cute.

“You must have been really tired.”

It was disappointing that their kisses had been no more than those of inexperienced lovers, but Kangil had no desire to wake him just to push for more intimacy.

Instead, he simply gazed at Noah’s sleeping face.

The smooth, unlined skin made him look strikingly youthful. Without a suit, he could easily pass for a university student.

Especially these days—since his sharp, biting demeanor had lessened, the harshness once etched into his expression was gone, leaving him looking even younger.

Now, Kangil no longer doubted the sincerity behind Noah’s change.

There had been plenty of chances to test him, and through every test, Kangil had come to believe that Noah truly was different.

They say a person changes when their life is on the line.

Perhaps Noah was the same.

The Noah who once obsessed over Seo Dowoong, blind to everything around him, was now someone strangely fragile, yearning desperately for love.

But that didn’t mean he had become completely weak.

Noah often spoke blunt truths while staring straight into his eyes.

And if Kangil said something absurd, Noah would glare at him with a look full of contempt. He wouldn’t voice it, but it was as if he were cursing him out in his head.

Even amidst his moments of weakness, that occasional defiance was amusing—and endearing.

Compared to the old Noah, who was always sharp and hostile, this Noah—who swung between extremes—was far more intriguing. Intriguing enough that Kangil couldn’t help but keep watching him.