7MoH 3.5

As soon as lunchtime came, Chase went looking for Jeong-in.

Justin said he would eat lunch with the Mathlete Society members for a while, claiming he wanted to help his friend who had just started dating. Thanks to Justin’s thoughtfulness, Jeong-in was able to enjoy the privilege of juniors, leaving campus during lunch with Chase.

Chase’s car headed to Sally’s Diner, which had become a symbolic place for just the two of them. Though it was a bit of a distance from school, the food came out quickly, so they should have enough time to return within the lunch period.

While it was crowded with families, friends, and couples at night, visiting during the day revealed truck drivers lined up at the bar seats, drinking lots of coffee. The two found a place at a quiet booth by the window.

“We’ll have to order something simple today because of time constraints.”

After saying that, Chase ordered the lunch combo that came with a large burger, fried green beans, a mini omelet, and cranberry chicken salad, plus a cola. Jeong-in, amazed at his hearty appetite, quietly ordered French toast and iced tea.

Though he hesitated a bit, Jeong-in couldn’t help but ask.

“What happened with Vivian? Did you really say that? That there’s nothing between you two now but air?”

Chase had a lukewarm expression, as if he didn’t particularly want to talk about it.

“Do you know the black and white movie ‘Singin’ in the Rain’? There’s a line from it that I’d like to watch with you sometime.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I don’t need to keep someone by my side who doesn’t acknowledge you.”

“…”

Jeong-in couldn’t respond to that. Should he say thank you, or that cutting her off completely was a bit excessive? He just looked at his resolute expression while stirring his newly arrived iced tea with a straw.

“Jeong-in, you should have come directly to me and told me.”

“It was you who said that Vivian’s nasty personality keeps people away, which makes things easier for you. This time, I was just on the receiving end.”

Chase quietly sighed as if he had nothing to say.

Jeong-in added, “Besides, running to tattle isn’t my style.”

“Still, things are different now. Let’s agree to talk about everything from now on. We’re close enough for that, aren’t we?”

A relationship where they could talk about everything. Jeong-in felt a bit shy but nodded without avoiding it.

But that wasn’t enough for Chase. He picked up a napkin from the table.

“Let’s write a contract on this.”

“Huh?”

While Jeong-in blinked in confusion, Chase got up from his seat, went to the counter, and borrowed a pen.

Then he began writing neat letters on the napkin embossed with Sally’s Diner logo.

[I will not hide anything or lie to the person I love in order to avoid conflict.]

After writing the last sentence, Chase nodded with satisfaction. Then he took out another napkin and made a copy.

“Sign here, Jeong-in.”

Chase’s serious expression made it impossible to dismiss this as a mere joke. Jeong-in took the pen and signed both napkins.

They each kept one napkin. They even shook hands with serious expressions, like businesspeople concluding a formal contract.

Jeong-in carefully folded the napkin to prevent it from getting wrinkled and put it in the pocket on the front of his shirt. As soon as they returned to school, he opened his locker and inserted the napkin between clean pages of his thickest book.

It was evidence of their first relationship.

* * *

Tap, tap.

A small sound knocked on the window. It wasn’t raindrops or tiny pebbles blown by the wind.

Already knowing who it was, Jeong-in quietly went to the window and pulled back the curtain.

A familiar face was outside. Chase was looking at him with a playful smile.

“Did you bring your book?”

Chase nodded at Jeong-in’s question. To enter Jeong-in’s room, he needed books to study instead of an admission ticket. This was because final exams were approaching.

Chase naturally headed toward Jeong-in’s bed, while Jeong-in returned to his desk.

An AP American History textbook was open in front of Jeong-in. It was his least favorite subject. He had to take a quiz soon and there was a pile of things to memorize. If only the pages would turn smoothly, studying might be somewhat enjoyable, but right now even turning a single page felt burdensome.

Jeong-in spun his pen around restlessly, then glanced at Chase who was sitting on the bed reading a book.

“Chase, what subject are you studying?”

Chase lifted his textbook to show the cover.

“Basic Economics.”

“Ugh, I’m jealous. At least that has numbers and logic. Unlike me who just has to mindlessly memorize things.”

Chase chuckled. A mischievous look crossed his face and he put down the book he was holding on the bed.

“Want me to give you some motivation?”

Chase stood up from the bed and approached Jeong-in. He looked up at him with a puzzled expression, blinking his eyes.

Soon his glasses were gently pulled down. Chase cupped Jeong-in’s cheek with one hand while bracing against the desk with the other. Then he leaned down and kissed him.

The pen Jeong-in had been twirling fell to the desk with a clatter and rolled away.

After softly exploring Jeong-in’s mouth, Chase finished with a smacking kiss on his lips before pulling away.

“Well? Feeling motivated now?”

Jeong-in stared at Chase’s lips as he grinned with a dreamy expression, as if intoxicated.

Why did kissing feel so good?

Jeong-in sighed, composing his briefly disrupted breathing. Then he slightly frowned with a pretend-thoughtful expression. His gaze still remained fixed on Chase’s lips, as if wanting to do more.

Chase’s eyes sparkled. His Adam’s apple bobbed significantly, as if expecting something inappropriate.

“Chase, I just had a good idea.”

“What is it? Whatever it is, I’m ready.”

Chase’s face lit up with brilliant hope.

“First, I’ll read one more page and then I’ll tell you. In the meantime, you should read your book too.”

“Ah…”

Chase returned to the bed with slumped shoulders, looking disappointed. The sparkle in his eyes instantly dimmed, and he reluctantly picked up the book he had been reading.

Seeing his reaction, Jeong-in held back a laugh and continued reading the textbook at a much faster pace than before.

“I’m done!”

A few minutes later, Jeong-in jumped up from his seat and approached the bed. Placing one knee on the bed, he suddenly turned Snowball to face the wall. Then he leaned toward Chase and tilted his head.

Jeong-in’s lips overlapped with Chase’s, who had a confused expression. Half-climbing onto Chase’s body, Jeong-in cupped his cheek with one hand and kissed him.

After gently turning Chase’s world upside down, Jeong-in pulled back his lips and caught his breath. Then with a bright smile, he said,

“The idea is to hold back and kiss after finishing each page.”

Chase’s mouth fell half-open in disbelief.

“Are you… you mean… you’re going to use me as motivation for your studying?”

“Yep.”

Jeong-in nodded casually, and Chase placed a hand on his chest, protesting as if wronged.

“I’m not a tool! I’m a person! I have personality and dignity!”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“…Who said I didn’t?”

Jeong-in smiled knowingly, as if he’d expected that response. His radiant smile was as fresh as spring. It was the kind of expression he showed only to those he didn’t keep at a distance.

Chase’s heart pounded wildly. It finally felt real that he had made it inside the small circle Jeong-in had drawn. There probably weren’t many people in that circle. Suzy, Justin, and himself, that might be it.

Chase tilted his head back and exhaled briefly. Then, as if surrendering, he laughed softly and said,

“Ha… you really drive people crazy.”

Could a nerd be this sexy? It seemed like even if someone deliberately tried to seduce someone, they couldn’t do it this well.

Chase put his hands around Jeong-in’s waist and gently pulled him toward him. Just as he was about to meet his lips again, Jeong-in slipped out of his arms as nimbly as a squirrel. Chase’s hands that had been holding Jeong-in remained awkwardly suspended in the air.

“Jeong-in…?”

“After one more page.”

Jeong-in resolutely returned to his desk and resumed studying fervently. Chase, watching him with a dumbfounded expression, felt like throwing in a white towel to declare his surrender.

After several wars, several financial crises, several presidential elections, and several kisses, Jeong-in finished preparing for the quiz faster than expected. Despite it being his weakest subject, he finished much quicker than anticipated. The reward of kisses seemed to have had quite an effect.

As Jeong-in stretched with his fingers interlaced, Chase asked,

“Are you done? Should I test you with some questions to check?”

“Really? Don’t you need to study too?”

“I’m already done.”

“Then go ahead, ask me.”

In the past, Jeong-in would have surely said, “No, it’s fine,” trying to handle it alone. The fact that he was now asking him to do something for him was thrilling. He had truly become Jeong-in’s person now.

Chase said with a subtle smile,

“It’s no fun to just do it. There should be a reward or penalty, don’t you think?”

“True, but what?”

“If you get it right, I’ll give you a kiss.”

Jeong-in blinked with wide eyes. “A kiss?” he repeated, looking intrigued. Chase suddenly thought he wanted to lick those dark pupils with his tongue.

“Okay. But what if I get it wrong?”

“If you get it wrong, you have to kiss me.”

“What kind of deal is that?”

Laughter bubbled from Jeong-in’s lips.

Chase got off the bed and stood beside Jeong-in with a stern expression as he took the textbook. Then he asked the first question.

“In American history, who was the only president to resign?”

“Richard Nixon!”

“That’s correct.”

Chase turned Jeong-in’s chair. He lifted his chin with his fingertips and rewarded him with a deep kiss, caressing every corner of his mouth.

When the kiss ended, Jeong-in’s slightly parted lips followed his, as if wanting more.

“Hmm, if you want more, get the next question right. What year did the Great Depression begin?”

“19…41?”

“Wrong answer. That’s when the Depression ended. It began in 1929. Too bad.”

Chase beckoned with his index finger, as if to say it was now his turn to come to him.

After hesitating briefly, Jeong-in stood up. He wrapped his arms around Chase’s neck and rose on his tiptoes. As their lips met, Chase’s hands naturally encircled his waist.

And so their quiz night continued for a long time. Until both their lips were swollen.

* * *

2 AM.

For several days now, Chase had been coming and going through Jeong-in’s window to study for exams.

He carefully slipped out of bed so as not to wake Jeong-in, who had fallen asleep first.

He moved his biology textbook to the desk and didn’t forget to cover Jeong-in with a blanket. Then, like a ninja, he moved silently but quickly to escape through the window.

Time with Jeong-in was pure happiness, but it was also always an exercise in restraint.

Right now he was being “protected” by Jeong-in, but he didn’t know what would happen to himself if he ever loosened the reins. Jeong-in was the object of Chase Prescott’s longest and strongest desire.

But if asked whether this restraint made him unhappy, the answer was not at all.

It wasn’t simply that he desired Jeong-in. Is this what love is? Perhaps he could love Jeong-in for a lifetime even without anything sexual.

That’s how deeply captivated Chase was by Jeong-in. With each passing day, he found himself more inextricably drawn to him.

After driving home along the quiet roads, he cheerfully tossed and caught his car keys as he walked down the hallway. Going through the main house was faster to reach the guesthouse where he stayed.

“Chase.”

A familiar voice stopped Chase as he was about to pass the reception room. Dominic Prescott was sitting alone at the bar, tilting a glass of liquor.

“You’re late.”

Chase snickered as if this was an odd comment. When had his father ever cared about his curfew? And Dominic himself hadn’t been to the main house for at least two weeks.

“Sit down for a moment.”

Dominic looked at Chase with a leisurely movement as he picked up a new glass. At this quiet gesture suggesting a drink, Chase briefly declined and sat down next to him.

As the whiskey aroma subtly spread, the air between the two was quiet yet strangely tense. They were a father and son who weren’t close at all, with hardly any fond memories to look back on.

Dominic gently swirled his glass and took a sip of whiskey.

“Greyson Sinclair came by. He asked for help.”

Greyson Sinclair was Vivian’s father.

“Help with what?”

“Typical words from a nouveau riche who’s obsessed with increasing franchises. Rushing in looking only at numbers without fundamentals, and now he’s staggering. Utterly pathetic.”

Chase merely raised an eyebrow slightly, as if not particularly interested. It had always been that way since he was young. He was thoroughly indifferent to matters he found uninteresting.

Dominic glanced at Chase.

“So it’s really over with the Sinclair girl?”

“Yes.”

A short, dry answer followed.

Chase decided to leave quickly before his father brought up Elena Montgomery again.

“It’s getting very late. I’ll be going now.”

He rose naturally and turned his back.

With the clinking sound of ice in the glass, Dominic’s voice caught Chase mid-step.

“After the Sinclair girl, you’re settling for that Asian boy?”

Dominic chuckled as if it were ridiculous.

Even without going out of his way to inquire, there were many people who kept Dominic informed about Chase. Especially those with children attending Wincrest High, who would gossip about Chase’s recent activities as if sharing great news.

Most of it was unremarkable, how Chase performed in games, how much he was admired by fellow students.

But there was one story that had caught Dominic’s ear.

It was that Chase had been suspiciously close to an Asian boy. The implication was that the two seemed too close to be merely friends.

“It’s fine to develop new interests. Exploring different things when you’re young isn’t bad. Better than wandering aimlessly later when it really matters.”

Chase’s brow twitched and narrowed.

Did he mean this wasn’t an important period? Dominic was dismissing Jeong-in as just a passing phase.

“What do you mean by that?”

When Chase coldly asked, Dominic answered casually while tilting his glass.

“Such play is only for youth. Just make sure whatever you do doesn’t create too much gossip.”

Something twisted roughly inside Chase at that moment. He felt as if Jeong-in’s existence was being denied. Jeong-in wasn’t someone who could be described as a momentary interest. He wasn’t something replaceable or a simple deviation.

Chase’s large hand clenched into a tight fist.

“I won’t stand by if you do anything foolish, even if you are my father.”

“Me? Haha, I’m hearing all sorts of amusing things in my lifetime.”

Dominic laughed heartily, making an audible sound.

“I have absolutely no intention of accepting it. Would you tarnish the Prescott name with sewage?”

Chase’s face twisted grimly. But Dominic didn’t seem to mind at all.

“But I don’t need to lift a finger. Such people are destined to fall away without me doing anything.”

Dominic continued with a calm smile.

“Now, someone like that Sinclair girl might cling on like a leech. That’s why I was against her. Even I would have found it quite troublesome to get rid of her.”

Chase stared at his still-relaxed father with piercing eyes.

Dominic added in a voice full of cynicism.

“I’ve seen many like them. Asians from immigrant families, filled with upward mobility. The kind who have to over-achieve in academics or whatever to feel satisfied, who pride themselves on their dignity. But such people often break rather than bend, and end up shattered.”

Chase couldn’t deny Dominic’s words. Jeong-in was indeed very proud. His uprightness and stubbornness that would choose to break rather than bend was one of the countless reasons Chase had fallen for him.

“Do you think someone like that could endure in our world? After being clawed at a few times, they’ll walk out on their own two feet. Ruminating on self-loathing thoughts like, ‘Why do I have to be treated this way when I’ve worked so hard?'”

Speaking with the confident voice of a fortune-teller predicting the future, Dominic put down his glass and looked at Chase.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t keep someone truly precious under the Prescott roof. I’d quietly hide them outside. Before they get bitten and torn apart, becoming nothing but rags here.”

It was hard to tell whether those cold, calm words were advice, warning, or mockery.

Chase suddenly felt a wave of sadness.

He wanted to ask him: Then what was Mother to you? Are you saying Mother wasn’t someone you wanted to protect?

But there was no need to ask. Chase knew better than anyone that there had never been love between them. This house had never known love, not even once.

“…No. I won’t live like you, Father.”

Chase’s voice was resolute. Dominic merely smirked and shrugged his shoulders, as if it didn’t matter either way.

That was it.

At this unexpected response, Chase momentarily felt a profound sense of emptiness.

He had expected that if his father learned about his relationship with Jeong-in, he would strongly oppose it and try to break them apart at all costs. But Dominic acted as if it wasn’t even worth that much effort.

And in that moment, a realization sharply struck his mind.

Even such opposition requires a sense of caring.

He had to accept it once more. Chase Prescott was nothing more than a well-bred thoroughbred. He was merely a tool to continue the Prescott bloodline, with no meaning beyond that.

With a devastated heart, Chase silently left the reception room.

Entering his guesthouse, he threw himself onto the sofa. Why did his chest feel so cold for something that shouldn’t be surprising? As if there was a hole somewhere inside him.

He took out his phone from his pocket and sent a message to Jeong-in.

Jay♥︎: [Are you sleeping well? I miss you]

Above the sent message, their previous conversations filled the screen. Chase scrolled up repeatedly, quietly looking at those messages. The screen contained traces of all the emotions they had shared, from trivial jokes to serious concerns. Like new flesh growing over a wound, the empty hole in his chest seemed to gradually fill up.

When he closed the messaging app, the phone screen returned to its lock state. The screen was filled with a photo taken with Jeong-in. Those dark eyes that seemed to absorb everything stared at Chase. For a moment, he had the illusion that Jeong-in was looking at him from beyond the screen.

Chase pulled the cold screen toward himself and carefully kissed it.

* * *

On the first Saturday of June, Jeong-in took the SAT exam.

Most students in the area took the test at Wincrest High School. Since it was the last SAT they would take as juniors, there were unusually many people at the testing site.

And soon after, the results came out. As expected, Jeong-in’s score was nearly perfect.

“So you’ll be submitting this SAT score.”

Gloria Mendez, the guidance counselor, put down Jeong-in’s documents and removed her reading glasses.

She was of Latin descent, possessing both a warm smile and a cold realistic perspective. She was careful, knowing how much influence she had on students’ career decisions, and Jeong-in knew that every word she said could not be taken lightly.

“You said you’re considering early admission to Harvard, Jay?”

Jeong-in composed himself and calmly nodded.

“Yes. I’m hoping to major in biology or biotechnology.”

“Why Harvard specifically?”

“…Pardon?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Jeong-in momentarily couldn’t continue.

Why did it have to be Harvard?

There were many compelling reasons. World-class education, cutting-edge research environment, countless opportunities. But beyond that, Harvard was a symbol and meaning of overcoming hardship for Jeong-in.

If you think about people who try to climb Mount Everest, they don’t necessarily have a special personal meaning attached to Everest. Harvard was Jeong-in’s Everest. A place where the purpose itself becomes the reason.

“It’s been my dream since I was young.”

“I see. Well… your grades and extracurricular activities are impeccable. You know that, of course.”

She put her reading glasses back on and quietly scanned through Jeong-in’s documents. GPA, the list of AP courses taken, science projects that had even received patents, and math competition awards. Everything was flawless.

“But Harvard isn’t a school that decides solely based on academic achievement. Especially these days, standardized test scores are becoming less important in college admissions, with more emphasis on personal narratives and backgrounds. Considering that you’re an Asian student… it might not be easy.”

Jeong-in’s hands slowly clenched on his knees. It wasn’t that he hadn’t expected to hear this, but actually hearing it directly made his heart tighten.

“Do you mean… because I’m Asian, I might be at a disadvantage due to quotas?”

Mendez’s eyes held both caution and practical concern.

“I can’t say for certain that’s the case, but I can’t say it isn’t either. Harvard officially states that they don’t use an applicant’s race as an evaluation criterion, but looking at admission statistics, it’s undeniable that there’s a higher threshold for certain groups.”

The group Jeong-in had to compete with included many exceptional students. Asians who show particularly high achievement in math and science typically apply to STEM majors like Jeong-in rather than humanities. So naturally, the admission bar rises, making the competition more fierce.

Jeong-in bit his lip slightly at the rising anxiety.

“Then… what points should I emphasize?”

“You need to show that you’re more than just a student with excellent grades. If your goal is biotechnology research, explain why you chose that path, how your personal experiences influenced you, things like that. They need to see you as a person.”

Looking at the visibly tense Jeong-in, Mendez tried to reassure her with a warm smile.

“You have plenty of potential, Jay. Don’t be intimidated. Think about what we discussed today.”

“Yes. Thank you, Ms. Mendes.”

As she left the office, Jeong-in naturally glanced at the corridor window. Under the pouring sunlight, he could see numerous students rushing toward their respective goals.

His mind was complicated and his heart heavy. All the achievements he had built up under the obsession of needing to be perfect now felt like mere numbers.

A mixture of expectation and anxiety weighed heavily on his chest.

* * *

The American history quiz had been a great success.

And today, Jeong-in was studying “Basic Psychology” ahead of the final exams. Predictably, he was with Chase.

Chase, suggesting it would be tiresome to go back and forth between the desk and bed, naturally seated Jeong-in between his legs. Jeong-in leaned comfortably against him as if he were a beanbag, turning pages of the textbook placed on his raised knees.

Chase wrapped one arm around Jeong-in’s waist while reading his essay draft on a white A4 paper with his other hand.

“What we’ve been doing is ‘Skinner’s operant conditioning,'” Jeong-in suddenly remarked.

“Hmm?”

“It means that behavior increases when followed by a positive stimulus. In our case, the positive stimulus, the reward, is a kiss.”

“That should be easy to remember. Kiss, Skinner. I can just remember it as ‘Skinner’s kiss.'”

“That’s right. Chase, you’re truly a genius.”

Chase’s body vibrated slightly with laughter as he planted a quick kiss on the top of Jeong-in’s head.

Jeong-in put down his textbook, turned around, and looked at him.

“Did you finish reading? What do you think?”

“Well…”

The essay Jeong-in had written was truly like him. Neither obsequious nor boastful. It naturally displayed a high intellectual level while emphasizing his diligence and clearly stating his future aspirations. However, as expected, it was somewhat rigid.

After pondering for a moment, Chase spoke in a low voice.

“I’m a bit hesitant to suggest this, but what about writing about your father?”

Jeong-in silently looked at Chase. Whether his suggestion was unexpected or something he had already considered himself, his expression was filled with complex emotions.

Unwanted memories flooded in.

At that time, a new drug for his father’s illness was reportedly undergoing clinical trials somewhere overseas. How wonderful it would have been if he could have become a trial subject. Suzy had sent emails and made calls to various pharmaceutical companies abroad. But there was nothing they could do.

The image of his father coughing as if vomiting his insides came to mind. And his mother, holding his suffering husband’s hand, trying hard to maintain composure. It had been over ten years, yet he remembered it vividly.

“I… don’t like that idea. It feels like I’m exploiting my dead father just to get into college.”

“But if you want to explain why you chose this path, I don’t think you can leave out the story of Korea and your father.”

Jeong-in bit his lips slightly without saying anything.

He wasn’t wrong.

His father’s illness, the despair of having no cure, and the desperate wish for all that to change. It wasn’t just a catalyst; it was a decisive moment that changed the trajectory of Jeong-in’s life.

But bringing up that story felt like going back to that time.

The pain his father endured, his mother’s desperate prayers, and the helplessness of his younger self unable to do anything. Was it right to put all of that into writing? Just to show the people at college admissions offices? They would turn pages expressionlessly while reading thousands or tens of thousands of essays.

“…I can’t do that.”

As if he understood Jeong-in’s deep concerns without him having to explain, Chase gently kissed his temple.

“Don’t overthink it.”

Whispering, he lowered his head a bit more and pressed his lips against Jeong-in’s nape once again.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Just show them who you are.”

Chase’s hand gently lifted Jeong-in’s chin, making him look at him. Their gazes naturally met.

“They won’t be able to help but love you.”

Jeong-in’s eyes flickered slightly.

As if unable to hold back any longer, Jeong-in turned and wrapped his arms tightly around Chase’s neck.