IPSTDS Chapter 125

Chapter 125

Before long, Kim Daon’s car stopped at a cozy café nestled at the foot of a mountain.

The café, blending with the forest around it, was serene and quiet. Its clean design and spacious interior made it seem like the perfect place for reflection.

“The air is refreshing, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I like cafés too…”

“Me as well. Whenever I feel stifled, I sometimes come here. The air is good, the view is beautiful, and there aren’t many people.”

Once again, Daon gently took hold of Nahyuk’s wrist. Then he led him upstairs to the second floor, where they settled beneath a large window overlooking both the mountains and the city. As Daon had said, there were hardly any customers.

Soon after, Daon returned with the drinks they had ordered and sat down right beside Nahyuk.

“Why are you sitting next to me?”

“Because I feel like it today. Why? Are you worried people will look at us strangely?”

“No, I don’t really care about that.”

And it was true. These days, Nahyuk didn’t pay as much attention to the eyes of others.

Even if he had to act like a couple with Kangil in front of people, he felt he could do it.

His body lived at the edge of life and death. Thoughts like, “If by some terrible misfortune I die tomorrow…” often crossed his mind. His life motto had become to live so that tomorrow held no regrets.

When survival itself was the most pressing concern, why waste time worrying about people’s stares?

There was nothing more regrettable than giving up on something you wanted to do just because of others’ opinions.

“I really like that about you. Should I call it your strong sense of self? You look fragile, but you’re not weak at all.”

“You only see me in a good light. Having a strong sense of self can also mean being selfish, you know.”

“Then I wish you’d be selfish with me.”

“Hm?”

“Even if you truly love Mr. Lee Kangil, I wish you couldn’t give up your desire for me and would keep seeing me too.”

It sounded almost like he was asking Nahyuk to love him as well, even if he loved someone else.

“You…”

So you’ve guessed the reason for today’s meeting? You’ve realized I mean to turn you down?

As Nahyuk struggled to answer, Daon continued.

“I think I’d be okay with that. What about you?”

“I can’t do that.”

“Never mind, let’s pretend I didn’t hear your answer. For now, just think about me. You’re here with me, after all.”

Though he spoke lightly, the fleeting bitterness that crossed his face could not be hidden.

Nahyuk let out a sigh. All he’d ever wanted was simply to love someone and be loved in return…

But now that multiple people cared for him, he had no idea what to do.

Not letting him dwell on it, Daon quickly changed the subject again.

“You haven’t been sick again lately, right? You’re taking your medicine properly?”

“Of course. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. What about you? Nothing happened? You didn’t get fired, did you?”

The last words were half in jest, meant to break the heavy mood.

“Unfortunately, no. I thought Seo Dowoong might fire me.”

“I actually expected him to, too. He’s been a bit off lately.”

“But I guess not so much that he’d take it out on innocent people. Speaking of which, it won’t be long before I have to go back to work.”

“So your leave is ending.”

“Yes… It was nice getting paid while resting.”

Daon pouted, leaning his head against Nahyuk’s shoulder. At times like this, he was nothing but an adorable younger brother.

But the way his fingertips slid over to brush Nahyuk’s hand on the sofa felt nothing but tempting.

While Nahyuk was caught off guard, Daon’s hand completely covered his and even laced their fingers together, breathing warmly against his neck. A shiver raced down Nahyuk’s spine.

“I wish you’d comfort me.”

Whispered in a low voice, he no longer seemed like just a younger brother.

Of course, that didn’t mean Nahyuk now loved Daon instead of Kangil.

It only made him realize again how Daon was the kind of person whose charm could make a stranger’s heart skip in an instant.

“How can I comfort you, Daon?”

“Well… I do have something in mind, but I doubt you’d grant it if I said it aloud.”

“It’s not something dirty, is it?”

With a smile in his voice, Daon replied,

“You’re sharper than I thought.”

He seemed unusually playful today. Different from the Daon who, in the original story, had been by Seo Dowoong’s side.

Nahyuk decided not to press him for details. Whatever it was, it was something he couldn’t grant anyway.

“But I’ve noticed something too.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t realize how red and marked up your neck is, do you?”

Nahyuk pulled his hand free to touch his neck. Of course, that wouldn’t hide or erase the marks.

He only raised his hand out of embarrassment, already knowing what they were—traces of Kangil’s bites and kisses.

Daon gently drew his hand back down and quietly studied his neck.

“It makes me imagine things I don’t want to. You’re right here, yet you feel so far away.”

“….”

“But I don’t blame you. I don’t have the right.”

You could blame me, Nahyuk thought, feeling a pang of pity for him.

“Just for tonight, don’t talk about Mr. Lee Kangil. Stay with me. I deserve at least that much, don’t I?”

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

Still, Nahyuk was sure Daon had already realized what he intended to say today. He seemed to know everything, and was only trying to enjoy the day anyway.

“Hyung, this place has great pastries—try some. You’re not having digestion problems or anything, right?”

Once again, Daon smoothly redirected the conversation. Nahyuk answered casually.

“I eat better than you’d think. My heart’s the problem, not my stomach.”

To prove his point, he bit into the bread with exaggerated vigor.

But maybe he had bitten off too much. His cheeks puffed out so much it felt like they might burst. He chewed with difficulty.

Daon burst into laughter at the sight. He couldn’t take his eyes off Nahyuk’s lips and puffed cheeks.

“Why are you so cute?”

He even poked Nahyuk’s cheek with his finger.

“Chew slowly. You’ll choke.”

“….”

Feeling teased, Nahyuk gulped down his drink. But no matter how much he drank, his mouth still felt strangely parched.

* * *

They spent some time lingering at the café before having an early dinner.

Once again, Kim Daon personally guided him to a place he liked. This time it was a high-end Korean set menu restaurant, the kind of place that seemed perfect for someone like Daon, who was good at making home-cooked meals.

Of course, the food suited Nahyuk’s taste as well. Everything was so delicious that he felt like he had eaten enough for tomorrow, too.

After the meal, when they got back in the car, Nahyuk felt drowsy. Before he realized it, he was nodding off.

When he opened his eyes again after some time, his blurry vision caught sight of Daon’s face, the changing colors of a traffic light…

“Hyung, sleep well.”

With those words, he fell completely into slumber.

He didn’t know how long he’d been lost in that sweet sleep. He woke to the gentle shake of hands carefully rousing his body.

Blinking heavily, he rubbed his eyes and shifted his limp frame.

“…Where are we?”

“Your apartment parking lot. I was going to wait until you woke, but you wouldn’t stir.”

“Sorry, I slept too deeply, didn’t I?”

“Don’t be sorry. It just means my driving was so smooth you slept soundly. Isn’t that right?”

“Yeah, you drove really well. Why not be my chauffeur while you’re at it? If Seo Dowoong ever bullies you at work, just quit without hesitation. I’ll hire you.”

Nahyuk spoke playfully, puffing himself up like Kangil would. The saying that lovers grow alike flashed briefly through his mind.

But the reaction was unexpected. For once, Daon—who always welcomed anything he said with a smile—let his expression harden.