CCS Ch 17

Regrettably, the weather was obnoxiously clear and bright. Yooho, who arrived at Semin’s house right on time, was wearing the t-shirt and track pants Semin had bought him. Feeling inexplicably uncomfortable, Semin averted his eyes, only for Yooho to suddenly furrow his brow.

“Did you not sleep last night?”

Semin couldn’t feign ignorance. His reflection in the mirror was a mess: pale complexion, red-rimmed eyes. He forced a smile, thankfully having prepared an excuse.

“I was too excited… I couldn’t sleep because I was so hyped up.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

A hand reached out and touched Semin’s forehead. Perhaps due to the medicine he had taken beforehand, he wasn’t running a fever. Yooho, seemingly relieved, stroked Semin’s hair.

“Honestly, Kang Semin, you’re not an elementary school student.”

“Hehehe…”

As soon as Semin loaded his luggage into the trunk and got into the back seat, Yooho patted his own lap. Semin hesitated for a moment before lying down, resting his head on Yooho’s thigh. The firm yet soft sensation brought a sense of calm to his swirling emotions.

“Sleep on the way. Even a little.”

Yooho whispered softly, covering Semin’s eyes with one hand. The tips of his fingers gently massaged Semin’s temples. The rustling fabric, the familiar scent, and the gentle touch gradually eased Semin’s tense heart.

I think I can fall asleep…. Semin’s eyelids grew heavy. Just then, a faint vibration sounded. He sensed Yooho rummaging through his pocket. Half-asleep, Semin remained still. He was in that hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, where sounds registered but he couldn’t respond.

“Hello.”

Yooho, lowering his voice, began to stroke Semin’s hair again. The voice on the other end crackled faintly. Semin, lying on his side, prepared to drift off completely.

“Yes, Coach. …Today? No, I can’t. I told you I was going on a trip. …Yes, I think I’ll be back the day after tomorrow evening.”

Yooho paused for a moment. The person on the other end seemed to be giving a lengthy explanation. The hand stroking Semin’s hair slowly stopped.

“What about my clothes?”

Semin gasped and his eyes shot open. It felt like he was being pulled back from the brink of sleep, yanked from the warm embrace of the water. Thankfully, Yooho seemed oblivious.

“I don’t understand what you mean…? Anyway, I’ll call you when I get back. Yes, goodbye.”

Even after Yooho ended the call, Semin couldn’t move. He felt like his body would tremble if he did. His heart pounded loudly in his chest.

Naturally, sleep was no longer possible.

The staff members who came out to greet them upon their arrival, earlier than scheduled, escorted Semin and Yooho directly to their private villa and handled the check-in process. Thanks to this, they didn’t encounter anyone else from the moment they left Semin’s house until they entered the villa. Yooho placed their light luggage on the living room sofa and walked over to the window.

“Is that the pool?”

Yooho asked, turning around, but Semin didn’t answer. He just stood there blankly where he had dropped his suitcase. Yooho tilted his head and raised his voice slightly.

“Semin?”

“Yes? Yes, Sir.”

Semin finally looked up and quickly went to Yooho’s side.

“Yes, Sir. Why…?”

“…Nothing, the pool’s big.”

Yooho pointed out the window with a puzzled expression. A long, deep pool stretched from one end of the expansive garden to the other. Semin nodded absently.

“Y-yes. It’s really big.”

Close to the sunlight, Semin’s face looked pale, almost bluish. Yooho wrapped his arm around Semin’s waist, pulling him closer, and asked softly,

“Do you want to rest in the room a bit more? You seem really tired.”

“Oh, no, Sir. I slept in the car… I’m fully awake now.”

Semin replied with a start, quickly putting on a smile. Yooho looked down at Semin, who was snuggling into his arms, with a lingering sense of unease. Semin took Yooho’s arm and led him to the dining room, his voice overly cheerful.

“Sir, look… there’s wine here. They said we can drink it all.”

Underneath the inverted crystal glasses, wine bottles of various types were displayed. Yooho put aside his worries for a moment and picked up a bottle of red wine. Watching his profile as he checked the label, Semin asked curiously,

“Do you like alcohol, Sir…?”

“I don’t particularly like it, but I drink occasionally if there’s an occasion.”

“For someone who says that, you picked the most expensive one right away…”

Yooho grinned, holding the neck of the bottle. Semin gave an awkward smile in return.

“My noona likes alcohol. When she’s drunk, she always sits me down and gives me a lecture about which wines are good and which are famous. That’s her drunken habit.”

“Have you ever tried it yourself?”

“I took a sip at a family New Year’s party and spat it right out. I was so surprised by how bitter it was.”

Yooho placed the chosen bottle on the bar and let out a chuckle. His smiling face was soft and relaxed. Just as when he had come to Semin’s house before they left, Yooho seemed to be in a particularly good mood today.

“…….”

Should I ask him what the call was about? Semin’s gaze drifted downwards as he pondered.

“……Sir.”

Yooho met his eyes when Semin called him. He couldn’t read what lay beneath those eyes, which seemed to convey something other than what he saw. Semin blinked several times before asking in a small voice,

“By any chance, Sir…”

What was that call about earlier?

“…….”

As the silence stretched, Yooho tilted his head slightly. He wasn’t pressing, but his curiosity was evident. Semin forced his parched tongue to move, blurting out something else.

“…Can I, take pictures, later?”

“Was that so hard to say?”

Yooho’s lips curved into a smooth arc as he asked the question. Semin secretly clenched his sweaty palms. Yooho set down the wine bottle and gestured toward the window.

“Shall we go out? Grab your camera.”

“……Ah.”

“We can take pictures, and go swimming.”

Semin followed Yooho’s gaze to the view beyond the window and nodded, saying, “Yes, Sir.”

Warm sunlight filtered through the elegantly landscaped garden. Semin instinctively recoiled as his bare toes touched the scorching grass. Yooho, a step ahead, immediately turned around.

“Does your foot hurt?”

“…No, Sir.”

“Then? Was there a bug?”

He stared intently at the spot where Semin had stepped. He seemed ready to find and eliminate whatever the cause was.

“No, Sir. It’s nothing like that… You…”

You don’t have to worry about me so much. Semin swallowed the words he was about to blurt out and tightened his grip on the camera.

“I…”

A dry sigh escaped his lips, and the words tumbled out unbidden.

“I… I’m happy as long as you’re okay, Sir…”

The villa was surrounded by a high wall. It was also far from the lobby, so when they were quiet, they could barely hear a sound. Yooho blinked in the stillness before letting out a soft chuckle.

“Suddenly?”

“…….”

“Let me see your foot. Are you sure it’s not hurt?”

“Yes, Sir…”

Yooho finally stood up after crouching down to examine Semin’s foot. Semin glanced at him sideways, struck by a subtle feeling.

He had always received this kind of care from the household staff and his family. They always noticed and addressed even the slightest discomfort or displeasure. That’s why he had been slow to recognize the cracks in Joseph’s behavior.

“Let’s go.”

Shouldn’t I be more careful this time? Semin carefully took Yooho’s hand, gently biting his lower lip.

“It seems quite deep here.”

Yooho muttered, looking closely at the pool. He was wearing thin hoodie over his knee-length swim trunks. Semin switched on the camera, glancing at the clear blue water. Just then, Yooho, who was unzipping his hoodie, suddenly asked,

“Can you go in?”

“Yes…? Me, Sir?”

His voice cracked unpleasantly. Yooho lowered one eyebrow slightly.

“If you don’t want to, you can just stay inside and play.”

Semin opened and closed his mouth soundlessly. He had naturally assumed he would be taking pictures of Yooho swimming alone. He hadn’t even considered the possibility of joining him in the pool. His gaze fell back to the water’s surface.

“…….”

The memory of the terror he felt in the cold water, the moment he lost his breath, was still vivid. He blinked faster and faster. Seeing this, Yooho zipped his hoodie back up.

“Are you still scared?”

Semin’s fingers, gripping the camera, were turning blue. He was holding it so tightly that his back ached. A beat later, Semin registered Yooho’s words and shook his head in surprise.

“No, no, Sir! Not at all. I’m perfectly fine. I’ll go in too. Together…!”

“You don’t have to swim. There are plenty of things to do inside.”

Yooho’s tone was firm, as if he had made up his mind to turn back. He was undoubtedly concerned about the incident at the hotel pool. Semin quickly racked his brain, scrambling to say anything.

“It’s not that, Sir. I, I’ve been in the air conditioning for a while, so I’m c-cold. I’ll just warm up a bit, take some pictures… and then go in.”

“…….”

“R-really, Sir. I want to swim with you. But I’m cold, and I want to take pictures too…”

“Hmm,” Yooho murmured. He still seemed dubious, but he didn’t insist on going back inside.

“What kind of pictures are you going to take?”

Yooho reached the edge of the pool again and took off his hoodie. Semin, breathing a sigh of relief, looked up and froze. Yooho’s large frame, bathed in sunlight, exuded a different aura than it had in the enclosed pool. Perhaps it was because the definition of his muscles was more pronounced, but he also seemed more natural and at ease. Semin let out a small gasp of awe as Yooho casually brushed his hair back from his forehead.

“You don’t have a swim cap…”

“Huh?”

“You always wear a cap and… goggles in the pool, Sir. I can’t see your face well then. So, it feels a little different.”

Even in the same attire, with the manicured landscaping as a backdrop and the sun furrowing his brow, he seemed younger than when he stood at the starting block as an athlete. Yooho brushed his forehead again at Semin’s words, saying, “Is that so?”

“The sun’s strong, shouldn’t you put on some sunscreen, Sir?”

“It’s okay. I tan easily in the summer. If I go to the beach, I get completely tanned.”

“The beach…”

He had said he learned to swim in the ocean. Semin suddenly imagined Yooho swimming in the Jeju sea. It seemed a much more fitting place for him than the cold, sterile lanes of a pool.

“Is ocean swimming fun, Sir? They said there’s a beach close to here…”

Semin slowly raised the camera to his face. Yooho’s back filled the rectangular frame of the mirrorless camera.

“It’s fun. Snorkeling and scuba diving are fun too.”

“You’re good at those too, Sir…?”

“Snorkeling is just a matter of having the equipment, and I’ve tried scuba diving a few times. I plan to get certified later.”

Yooho began to stretch within the frame. Each time his long, thick arms flexed, the intricate muscles rippled, casting distinct shadows. Everything beneath his firm, smooth skin seemed to react to the sun.

Click, the shutter sound made Yooho look back. Then, with the next click, he winked. Semin burst out laughing, and Yooho, as if waiting for that moment, jumped into the pool.

“Oh…!”

Splash! Water sprayed upwards, and Yooho quickly resurfaced. The deepest part of the pool reached just below his neck. It seemed unlikely that Semin would be able to keep his head above water.

“It’s really deep…”

“This is still considered a play pool.”

That doesn’t seem right at all. Feeling foolish for his fear, Semin clicked the shutter again. Yooho then sank down, creating a small ripple. Semin gaped as Yooho, keeping his head submerged, swam to the other side of the pool.

“Wow…”

Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen Yooho swim so close up. Without surfacing even once, Yooho reached the opposite end of the pool in an instant. Then, turning his body underwater, he pushed off the wall and surged back toward Semin. Semin instinctively clapped as Yooho resurfaced in his original spot in the blink of an eye.

“That’s amazing. How are you so fast, Sir?”

“Impressed?”

“Very. How can you do that without even using your arms…?”

“Underwater swimming is usually faster than breaststroke. There’s no resistance.”

Yooho answered with a smile, running a hand through his wet hair. Semin nodded, saying, “I see,” and quickly raised his camera again.

“You looked like a mermaid just now, Sir, while you were swimming.”

It was at that moment that his eyes met Yooho’s in the LCD screen.

“It’s called a dolphin kick. Swimming using only your lower body.”

He was wearing his usual calm smile. Semin pressed the shutter again.

“Like imitating a dolphin?”

“Swimming is basically imitating fish.”

“Fish…”

He must have sensed Semin’s doubt as he clicked the shutter. Yooho took a large step closer, bringing his face close to the lens.

“Why?”

“Oh, nothing, Sir…”

The subject was too close; the camera couldn’t focus. Semin lifted the camera higher, avoiding Yooho’s face, which was persistently trying to get into the frame.

“It’s just… I find it strange to call a whale a fish.”

“Really?”

“Yes, whales breathe air… so they always stay near the surface. They can move freely in the water, but they can’t live only in water…”

If a whale could understand human language, wouldn’t it feel wronged to be called a fish? I need air. That’s why I can’t close my eyes and fall asleep underwater. Wouldn’t it smile sadly as it said these words?

“But they know the sunlight,” Yooho replied with a smile.

“It’s the same as someone who can hold their breath for a long time being able to see the bottom of the ocean.”

He floated in the water and took a deep breath.

“Like this.”

Splash. A faint sound of waves seemed to echo. Yooho, his hands on the wall, suddenly submerged his head. The surface of the water, which had momentarily rippled, became still under the windless sunlight.

“…….”

Semin expected Yooho to swim underwater or resurface in the same spot, but Yooho, sunk to the bottom of the deep end, didn’t move. Only when his index finger, resting on the shutter button, began to tingle did Semin straighten up.

“Sir?”

He called out and moved closer, but the pool remained eerily silent. Semin set the camera down and placed his hands on the edge.

“Sir…”

How long has he been down there? He suddenly lost track of time. He glanced behind him involuntarily. The terrace windows seemed impossibly far away, and there was no one around.

“Sir, are… are you okay?”

He’s a professional swimmer, so he should be able to hold his breath for a long time. But does he have to stay down there this long? The fuse of his anxiety began to burn. Semin fidgeted and unconsciously grabbed the hem of his t-shirt. He was wearing a white cotton t-shirt and training pants that reached his knees.

“…….”

It’ll be okay, I’m just checking. If he’s holding onto the wall, he can come up quickly. He couldn’t afford to waste time making up his mind. He kicked off his slippers and bent down.

As Sungmin had said, the water wasn’t cold. Warmed by the sun, it felt lukewarm, almost warm. Semin gulped and carefully dipped one foot in. Even then, Yooho remained motionless. His anxiety grew.

“Ugh…”

He gritted his teeth, gripping the edge of the pool with both hands. He put his other foot in the water, and his weight shifted toward the pool. He barely managed to keep his head above water, but the bottom seemed endlessly deep. There was no way to check on Yooho without diving.

“…….”

What did he say? Right, take a deep breath and go in calmly. Don’t be scared, and open your eyes. He took a long, deep breath, his heart pounding. He grabbed the wall with one hand and mustered all his courage.

Splash. Fear washed over him the moment his head went under. He wanted to thrash and escape immediately. The only thing that kept him from doing so was the firm flesh that his outstretched hand encountered.

It’s okay to open your eyes. People are naturally able to open their eyes underwater. You learned before you were born.

Semin forced open his trembling eyelids. At the same time, a figure crouching against the wall came into view. Yooho was hanging his head with his eyes closed. His hair, swaying in the clear water, tickled his brow bone. Semin let go of the wall and lunged towards Yooho, grabbing his shoulders and trying to pull him up.

Then Yooho opened his eyes. A mischievous smile reached Semin through the refraction of the water. Tiny bubbles escaped his slightly parted lips.

I was tricked…

Just as Semin opened his mouth, Yooho pushed off the bottom and surged upwards, pulling Semin into an embrace. Semin was propelled to the surface, coughing and sputtering.

“Semin.”

Yooho propped Semin against the pool wall, his upper body close. Semin, still coughing, was enveloped in Yooho’s large shadow. Broad shoulders and strong arms pressed against him.

“Sorry, are you okay?”

Before Semin could answer, Yooho’s lips pressed against his, stealing his breath. Semin stiffened at the unfamiliar sensation, his submerged feet kicking weakly. He pushed against Yooho’s shoulders, not just because the lingering kiss was overwhelming, but for another reason as well.

“I… was… so… scared…!”

He coughed again as soon as he finished speaking. Yooho looked like a puppy caught misbehaving, his voice laced with reproach.

“Sorry.”

“How… how… scared I…”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“…Really…”

“I just wanted you to loosen up a bit.”

A light kiss landed on Semin’s lips with a wet smack. Yooho gazed intently into his eyes, his voice softening slightly as he asked,

“Why are you in a bad mood today?”

“……”

“Did something happen?”

Another peck on the lips. Yooho held Semin’s back tightly, pulling him closer so his legs wrapped around his waist. Semin silently wrapped his arms around Yooho’s neck and clung to him. The surface of the water rippled with each small movement, tickling his skin.

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

Yooho began to press kisses all over Semin’s face. Each time their faces drew close, their wet bodies pressed together.

“I’m… not in a bad mood…”

“You look like you are.”

Yooho whispered playfully, his hand slipping between their chests. He pinched Semin’s nipple, making him flinch.

“Sir, we’re outside…”

Semin gasped, trying to push Yooho away. As if in response, Yooho’s hand slipped inside his shorts.

“Ah, no, Sir… What if someone walks by…?”

“So tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m… in a good mood, Sir. Really…”

His weakened knees trembled. Yooho continued kissing and caressing him before narrowing his eyes.

“You’re acting really strange today…”

He muttered, then slipped his hands under Semin’s armpits and lifted him up. Semin, landing on the tile with a thud, let out a sigh of relief. Yooho rested his arms on Semin’s knees and looked up at him.

“Well, I’ll let it slide this once.”

“…Th-thank you, Sir.”

“It was touching. You even dove to save me.”

He tilted his head and smiled, his eyes crinkling. …He’s teasing me. Semin pouted, wringing out his wet t-shirt. Seeing this, Yooho stepped out of the pool.

“Let’s go in. You need to shower.”

“Already, Sir? You can swim more…”

“I can come back out later.”

Semin followed Yooho inside, the cool air conditioning clinging to his damp skin. Yooho pulled off Semin’s wet t-shirt and held him close.

“You’re dripping, Sir.”

“I know.”

The marble floor was too slippery for wet feet. They clung to each other, shuffling towards the bathroom like tightrope walkers, feeling like children sneaking around behind adults’ backs. By the time they reached the bathroom, Semin burst out laughing in absurd relief. He giggled, and when their eyes met, Yooho kissed him. Semin tilted his head back, clinging to Yooho as they finished their journey to the bathroom.

Warm water rained down from the showerhead. They kissed, shedding their clothes one layer at a time, and embraced. Each time they parted their lips to breathe, their tongues tangled deeper. Semin’s jaw ached as Yooho’s tongue pressed against the soft flesh at the very back of his mouth.

“Mmm…”

At the soft moan, Yooho lightly bit Semin’s lip. Then, their noses brushing, he asked in a low voice,

“Is this too much?”

There was no sense of urgency, nor did he seem impatient. Looking at Yooho’s relaxed smile, Semin suddenly realized something. They had two days together in this private space. There was no need to rush.

“…No, Sir. Not at all.”

His chest swelled with emotion, his nose tingling. The moment when he had wished the trip would be canceled felt like a lie. Semin wrapped his arms around Yooho’s neck, whispering urgently,

“It’s not too much, I want… more.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yooho’s warm tongue invaded his mouth. As their tongues tangled, Semin flinched at an unfamiliar sensation.

“Mm, uh…”

Something blunt and hard was pressing against his lower abdomen. Semin tilted his head back, deepening the kiss, and reached down to grasp the hard length prodding him near his navel. As he carefully wrapped his fingers around the veiny surface, Yooho chuckled.

“What you do…”

He frowned, but he didn’t seem displeased. Semin cautiously gauged his reaction, then boldly took the thick shaft in both hands.

“…….”

He lowered his gaze, taking in Yooho’s sculpted chest muscles, his narrow waist, his defined abs, and his erect penis. The tendons beneath the smooth, firm surface twitched slightly under his fingertips.

“Ah…”

How beautiful the human body is. Lost for words in unexpected admiration, Semin began to move his hand slowly. With each gentle stroke of the reddened tip, Yooho chuckled, a ticklish sound, but his breath hitched in Semin’s ear. Goosebumps erupted across Semin’s cheeks, and a tightness grew in his lower abdomen. His mouth went dry, and he swallowed repeatedly.

“Sir, I… this…”

The thirst quickly turned into an impulse. Semin didn’t resist the desire surging within him for long.

“Can I… like you did, Sir… with my mouth…?”

Yooho’s cheek twitched. He gave a vague smile and shook his head.

“No, no.”

“Why not, Sir…?”

“It’ll be too much for you.”

Yooho kissed Semin’s cheek and pulled him closer by the waist. Then he aligned their bodies, their erections pressing together.

“Hold it here.”

“I can do it, Sir…”

Semin grumbled, but he wrapped his hands around their joined penises. He had to stretch out fully, even though Yooho had bent his knees considerably. Yooho, holding Semin’s waist, began to thrust.

“…Ah.”

The thick shaft slid slowly in and out between Semin’s dry fingers, rubbing against his own erection with each stroke. While Yooho’s hand or tongue had been intensely stimulating, the feeling of his body itself pushing against him was different.

“Ah, mm, mm…”

Semin’s back hit the shower wall. Yooho pressed his lower body fully against Semin, gradually increasing his pace.

“…Mm, wait… Sir… Ah!”

Each time Yooho’s hips hit his, Semin’s body jerked upwards. Yooho tightened his grip around Semin’s waist, preventing him from falling. Semin’s skin, warmed by the hot water, was soft and pliant. The clinging sensation with each touch sent heat through Yooho’s core.

“…Ah!”

It was for that reason that he lost control of his strength for a moment. There was a loud slap of wet flesh as one of Semin’s knees buckled. Yooho pulled Semin’s leg up, hooking it around his hip. Semin, now precariously balanced, bit his lip nervously.

“Hold on tight.”

“H-hold on, Sir… I’m going to fall…”

“You won’t fall. It’s okay.”

Yooho reassured him, pressing a kiss to his temple. He thrust again, and Semin tightened his grip on his foot.

“Mm, hh… Hhh, Sir…”

Semin’s strained voice was lost amidst the continuous sounds of water and their bodies slapping together. Yooho nipped at Semin’s neck, sliding his hand between his buttocks.

“…Ah!”

Semin gasped as Yooho’s fingers spread the soft flesh. He looked at Yooho, his eyes wide, and Yooho gave him a reassuring smile.

“I’m not going to put it in. I’ll just touch you.”

“…….”

Before Semin could decide whether to be relieved or disappointed, firm fingertips grazed the sensitive skin around his entrance. He couldn’t help but let out a low cry as Yooho’s fingers probed deeper, covering his perineum and reaching up to his testicles.

“Hhh…!”

Yooho thrust again, and Semin moaned, his body trembling. His mind went blank for a moment as his groin was pressed firmly from both sides. Each time he blinked, his vision flickered.

“…Aah, mm… mm…”

“Ha…”

Unable to withstand the overwhelming pleasure, Semin’s grip tightened. Yooho’s forehead creased as Semin’s warm hand squeezed his flesh. He held Semin close, his movements quickening.

“Ha, ah, mm, mm, nn…!”

Short, broken moans echoed through the bathroom, accompanied by the rhythmic slapping of their bodies. Semin’s release spurted out, quickly washed away by the shower stream. Yooho continued thrusting, only releasing after Semin had collapsed, exhausted, in his arms.

“…Hh…”

Whitish fluid coated Semin’s pale lower abdomen. Yooho sighed softly, cradling the back of Semin’s head. Semin’s hazy eyes met his with difficulty.

“Sir…”

Semin wrapped his limp arms around Yooho’s shoulders, burying his face in his neck, and whispered in a breathless voice,

“It’s strange…”

“What is?”

“That… I don’t have to go home today.”

It was a welcome, albeit childish, complaint. Yooho chuckled, and Semin smiled shyly.

“…I didn’t know staying out overnight could be this nice…”

“……”

“I want to live here…”

How nice would it be to live in the same house? If they could be each other’s home, without ever having to part.

Semin buried his forehead in Yooho’s firm shoulder, suppressing the words he wanted to say most. He was grateful that he still had that much sense left.

As soon as Semin finished his quick shower, he started to doze off. Yooho sat Semin on his lap, leaning him against his chest, and carefully dried his hair. Semin, completely asleep by then, only opened his eyes when Yooho lifted him up.

“Huh, Sir… I…”

“If you move, you’ll fall.”

Yooho said playfully, carrying him to the bedroom on the first floor. He laid Semin’s limp body on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and then went to the thermostat.

“I’ll turn off the AC in this room.”

“…Okay, Sir.”

“I’ll wake you up for dinner, so just sleep until then. Okay?”

Yooho returned to the bed and tucked the blanket around Semin once more. Semin knew he should get up, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the comfortable warmth of the covers. He simply blinked slowly at Yooho.

“Sir… I…”

“Yes?”

“I’m really sleepy… but it feels like a waste to sleep.”

“Don’t worry about it and just sleep. It’s not like this is the only day we have.”

“…….”

As if those words were permission, Semin closed his eyes. Yooho stayed by his side until Semin’s breathing deepened, then carefully left the room.

The lush green garden, visible through the large windows that spanned one wall of the living room, was still a spectacular sight. Yooho picked up his damp clothes from the terrace and wrung them out on the ground. The sky was clear, and the sun was warm, making it feel warmer than the actual temperature. Just being outside made him feel drowsy.

He hung his damp clothes in the drying machine and opened his bag, intending to organize his belongings. As he rummaged, a long vibration sounded from somewhere. It wasn’t loud enough to reach the bedroom, but he quickly went to the dining room. He picked up his ringing phone from the island bar; it was Myunghoon.

“Hey, Myunghoon.”

There had been an awkward air between them since their last conversation. Yooho put the phone to his ear and went back to the terrace. He opened the window and stepped out into the garden, where he could hear birds chirping.

―Hyun! Did you talk to the coach earlier?

“The coach?”

Thankfully, Myunghoon’s voice on the other end was cheerful. Yooho sat down on a rattan chair on the deck, asking in confusion. Now that he thought about it, the coach had called him on the way here. He had spoken excitedly and rapidly, so Yooho had barely understood anything.

“I did, but I didn’t understand a word he said. What’s up?”

―Well, you know the clothes you were wearing this week? They’ve blown up online.

“Why?”

―Why? Because they’re cool! They’re sold out in every size. The brand contacted me, saying they want to send you more clothes as a gift.

“Ah…”

So that’s what it was about. Yooho chuckled, leaning back in the chair. He often received sponsorship and advertising offers, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

―They gave me a list so I could give them your size, and it’s already worth thirty million won. Can’t you just give me one t-shirt?

Of course, this scale was unprecedented. Yooho cleared his throat, frowning.

“Tell them no. Thirty million won worth of clothes? Are they trying to bury me alive?”

―Huh? No, no. It’s only about twenty pieces.

“…How much are these clothes?”

“Clothes? The ones you wore on Monday, they said it was about five hundred thousand won total.”

“…….”

―You didn’t know? Didn’t you buy them?

Yooho’s gaze involuntarily shifted towards the house. Thinking of Semin, sound asleep, he let out a hollow laugh. He had assumed the clothes weren’t cheap, but five hundred thousand won? It was an unreal amount of money.

“…Yeah, well… whatever. Just handle it.”

―Can I at least get one t-shirt?

“You can have them all.”

―Hey, they’re giving them to you to wear, I can’t do that. Search ‘Hyun Yooho track suit’ online. It’s crazy right now. Are you going to become a model or something?

Yooho calmed down the excited Myunghoon and hung up the phone. He opened an internet browser; the last video he had been watching, a competition recording, popped up. He rarely used the internet except to look up match broadcasts. Yooho typed “Hyun Yooho track suit” into the search bar. Articles and social media results poured in.

[Exclusive] What’s the deal with the ‘Hyun Yooho Track Suit’?… ‘Open-run’ frenzy

Hyun Yooho’s track suit fashion is trending. In a photo released by a netizen, he’s seen wearing a t-shirt and track suit from the French luxury brand, Maison Schiller… (omitted)… As a result, Maison Schiller stores nationwide have experienced a waiting list frenzy, even leading to an ‘open-run’ situation (people lining up from dawn to run into the department store as soon as it opens)… A source said, ‘It’s an unprecedented situation for menswear to cause an open-run’… Some criticize that promoting the consumption of expensive luxury goods is unbecoming of a national athlete…

OMG~~ Finally got it!!! Got the last size 100~~ ^^)v

#ootd #HyunYoohotracksuit #MaisonSchiller #CameallthewaytoBusanforthis

Selling Maison Schiller track suit #HyunYoohotracksuit

Gray 105 Golden size Top and bottom set Resale price 6.2 million won

Currently unavailable color even overseas

No negotiations on resale price

Still a waiting list for Maison Schiller

I practically live at Apgujeong Galleria, but it’s the first time I’ve seen that store so crowded ―.―;;

They said the tracksuits are being additionally produced at the headquarters, but there’s no telling when they’ll be released. Maison Schiller is a brand that prides itself on producing everything in France, so they can’t make a lot of activewear at once (even if they restock, it’ll probably all go to VIPs…)

But because of this track suit incident, Maison Schiller itself has become super hot, and it seems like people are buying whatever they can get their hands on.

Ugh… It was already a well-known brand among fashionable men, but it wasn’t this hard to get ―.―;; At this point, I’m starting to resent Hyun Yooho…

There was too much information to read everything. After skimming through some of the results, Yooho put down his phone and leaned his head back. Although he was inevitably becoming more involved in it, the world of show business was a mystery the more he learned about it.

‘What a strange thing to happen.’

Regardless of the commotion in the outside world, the villa, nestled under the clear blue sky, remained quiet. The sun warmed the grass, birds chirped melodiously, and just a few doors away, Semin was asleep.

“…….”

Come to think of it, Semin had said something similar. He had wanted to wear the same clothes. Yooho had also bought the same goggles as his favorite foreign athlete when he was young. It wasn’t a rational decision based on the belief that the world record holder’s equipment would be superior. He just wanted to have something in common with that athlete.

‘I thought having the same things would make me more like him.’

As an adult, that sentiment felt childish. Wanting a sense of connection with a complete stranger didn’t seem very mature. Perhaps it was also because he had always lived within a structured environment, so he had grown tired of it early on.

“Hmm…”

He suddenly wondered if Semin had brought the matching track suit he had mentioned buying. He wanted to see him wearing similar clothes.

I’ll ask him when he wakes up… A drowsy feeling washed over Yooho, and he slowly closed his eyes. The sun was warm, the air was cool, his body was relaxed, and he had nothing on his schedule. There was no reason to resist the pleasant drowsiness that was creeping in.

“…Sir.”

A soft shampoo scent wafted over him. It was the musky scent of the amenities they had used in the shower. Yooho smiled slightly as a hand caressed his cheek, pulling him back to consciousness.

“Sir.”

He traced the hand on his skin and grasped Semin’s wrist. Semin readily yielded to the gentle pull, snuggling into his arms.

“Sir, were you sleeping here?”

Semin asked worriedly, practically lying on top of Yooho. Yooho opened his eyes and rubbed his face.

“Ah… I must have dozed off while resting. Why are you up already?”

“Dinner arrived, Sir… I heard the doorbell.”

“…Really?”

The sky was still bright, but the clock on the wall showed it was past 6 PM. The villa was so large that he hadn’t heard the bell. Semin looked at Yooho’s face with concern.

“I looked everywhere for you, Sir. I even called…”

“You did? I’m sorry.”

“I was worried. I thought something might have happened…”

Semin trailed off, seemingly startled by his own words. Yooho chuckled without thinking much of it.

“What could possibly happen? But I’m sorry, you must have been really worried.”

“……”

“There are downsides to a big house like this. I’ll have to rent a studio apartment next time.”

Semin didn’t laugh at the joke. He remained silent, his face still holding the unspoken words. Yooho tried to dismiss it as his imagination, but Semin was definitely acting strange today.

“Shall we eat first? What’s on the menu?”

He knew Semin would just brush it off if he asked directly, so he changed the subject, and Semin finally smiled.

“I think it’s Spanish food. Would you like some wine, Sir?”

Semin’s cheeks, still youthful despite his efforts to appear older, puffed out slightly, and a strange feeling stirred in Yooho. He paused mid-stroke, his hand in Semin’s hair, and stared blankly.

“……”

As the silence lengthened, Semin tilted his head, his dark eyes, as always, cautiously bright.

“…Sir?”

“Ah.”

He quickly realized what the strange feeling was. It was because he had seen Semin’s face as soon as he woke up. This was what it was like to spend a whole day together. Semin’s words about how nice it was not to have to go home resonated with him anew.

“Just… seeing your face makes me happy.”

“…Yes?”

“Let’s eat.”

Yooho sat up and pulled Semin closer, his arm around his shoulders. Semin hesitated, but forced a smile.

“How do you use this?”

Yooho asked, holding up a wine opener he had taken from a drawer. Semin quickly came to his side and held out his hand.

“I’ll… I’ll do it, Sir.”

“Have you done it before?”

“I’ve seen it done a lot.”

Semin’s slender fingers clicked open the wine opener. Yooho frowned involuntarily, seeing the sharp, corkscrew-shaped metal tip.

“Just tell me how. I’ll do it.”

“Sir? No, I can do it.”

“I’m worried you’ll hurt your hand.”

“With a wine opener? That’s not likely…”

Semin tilted his head, puzzled, but handed the opener to Yooho. Yooho followed Semin’s instructions, inserting the screw into the cork and twisting the handle. The cork came out with a satisfying pop, releasing a rich, grapey aroma.

“Do you want sparkling water?”

“I want to try a little of this, Sir.”

Semin, sniffing the mouth of the bottle, made a bold declaration. Yooho paused, his gaze shifting to the rack of white wines.

“I’ll open a milder one for you. This one is too dry.”

“Really, Sir? It smells really good…”

“Wine generally has a stronger aroma the heavier the taste.”

Yooho picked up each bottle of wine, carefully examining the labels before choosing the one with the lowest alcohol content. He poured a little and tasted it; the sweetness was just right, and the alcohol wasn’t too strong.

“But are you allowed to drink?”

He didn’t intend to let Semin drink much, but he was still concerned. Semin grinned and took the glass from Yooho’s hand.

“If I absolutely wasn’t allowed, my noona wouldn’t have put wine here.”

“…Ah.”

“It’s okay to just taste a little. Of course, I can’t drink too much.”

With the wine glasses added to the table, meticulously set by the staff, the atmosphere felt quite special. The only flaw was that it was still bright outside. They clinked their glasses together, a clear, ringing sound filling the air. Semin stared with fascination at the shimmering wine before suddenly asking,

“Sir, have you never opened a wine bottle before?”

“I’ve only ever had it poured for me. I don’t drink much alcohol anyway.”

“Then you probably don’t know your alcohol tolerance very well either.”

“No. I’ve never drunk enough to get drunk.”

Yooho smiled and took a sip of wine. The slightly bitter taste that filled his mouth was pleasant. Semin watched his satisfied expression before asking again,

“How much have you tried, Sir…?”

“Hmm…”

He thought he had probably drunk the most at some sort of team bonding event for his swimming club. Yooho searched his memory.

“One bottle of soju…”

“One bottle, Sir?”

“…Maybe a little more?”

“……”

After a long silence, Semin chuckled.

“You weren’t alone, were you, Sir?”

“No, I was with the coach.”

“…….”

“I would have had about eight bottles on my own. The coach passed out after we finished four bottles together.”

Didn’t you just say you’ve never drunk enough to get drunk? Semin shook his head, feeling a headache coming on just imagining it.

“You had that much and you didn’t get drunk?”

“I got a little tipsy.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It runs in the family. My maternal grandmother drinks goseorisul by the crate.”

Yooho’s glass was already empty, even though he had only taken sips while they talked. He casually refilled it, his expression unchanged. He probably wouldn’t even flinch if he drank every bottle of wine in this villa.

“…….”

Semin finally took a sip of his own wine. Even though Yooho had chosen the mildest one, it was still bitter. He managed to swallow it, but that was all. He had no desire to drink more.

“Do you want some sparkling water?”

Yooho asked, watching Semin’s grimace as he set down his glass. Semin gave an embarrassed smile, and Yooho poured him a glass of sparkling water.

“Sorry, Sir. I don’t really appreciate the taste of alcohol…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s your preference.”

“…But it’s not good if I can’t drink at all. I want to be able to join in…”

“Hmm?”

Yooho, having finished his second glass in no time, made a questioning sound. The bottle of red wine he’d poured from was already half empty.

“Join in? Join in what?”

“Just… you know, at drinking parties…”

It can’t be helped. Sometimes you have to drink to fit in. It was something Sungmin always said when he came home reeking of alcohol. Yooho tilted his head and murmured, “Is that so?”

“I don’t know. Does the atmosphere get better when everyone drinks like they’re trying to die? Only the people who throw up seem to increase.”

“…Really, Sir?”

“Whether it’s food or alcohol, shouldn’t people only consume what they want…? But I can’t say for sure. I don’t really know much about normal social life.”

In any case, he was saying Semin could be himself around him. Relieved, Semin chuckled. He took a sip of the cold sparkling water, the tingling sensation soothing his parched mouth and calming his nerves.

Until he was woken by the doorbell and greeted the staff who had come to serve dinner, Semin had assumed Yooho would still be in the bathroom. But after the staff left, he searched the entire villa and couldn’t find Yooho anywhere. His heart sank. The conversation he had overheard in the car echoed in his ears, and cold sweat trickled down his back.

To make matters worse, Yooho wasn’t answering his phone. Just as Semin’s anxiety reached its peak and he decided to run to the concierge, he noticed the still-damp patches on the living room floor. He remembered the pool, and looking up, he saw the large rattan chair through the terrace window.

Yooho was asleep, practically buried in the chair cushions. His short brown hair fell across his forehead. A mix of relief and exasperation washed over Semin, and he let out a heavy sigh. He had to sit down on the footrest and take several deep breaths to compose himself.

“Semin.”

Clink. Yooho set down his empty glass again and spoke. Semin quickly cleared his mind and looked up, a reflexive smile plastered on his face.

“Now that I think about it, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“…Yes? Yes, Sir.”

“About the clothes you gave me last week.”

The casual question hit Semin a moment later, shaking him to his core. His fingers twitched, and he lost all strength in his body.

“You said you bought the same outfit…”

He barely heard the rest of the sentence. The sensation of the glass slipping from his grasp was shocking. He let out a startled sound just as the glass shattered on the marble floor, the loud crash echoing through the room.

“…….”

They froze, staring at each other. Semin awkwardly tried to bend down to assess the damage, but Yooho jumped up, shouting,

“Don’t move!”

Semin flinched, his body locking up. He blinked rapidly, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. Yooho leaned over the table to examine the floor, then said to Semin in a soothing voice,

“Don’t move. Just stay there. Okay?”

“…….”

The area around Semin’s chair was littered with shards of glass. Yooho fetched a large bath towel from the bathroom and began gathering the broken pieces. Semin, finally regaining his senses, waved his hands frantically.

“S-Sir, don’t! You’ll get hurt. We should call someone.”

“I will. But you need to get down first.”

“…….”

“Come here.”

Yooho, having cleared the floor roughly, held out his arms. He had Semin put his arms around his neck and lifted him up, supporting him under his hips. Semin hung his head, mortified.

“I’m sorry, Sir…”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Yooho carried him to the sofa and set him down. Semin didn’t answer, just stared at his hands. He couldn’t bear to look at Yooho, who was now checking his ankles for injuries.

“That was a surprise. How did the glass shatter like that?”

“…The… floor is marble, so it… probably broke more easily.”

He wanted to sound calm, but his voice trembled. He sensed Yooho hesitate. Looking up, Yooho was rubbing Semin’s wrist with a worried expression.

“Sorry, it’s my fault for giving you a glass.”

“…….”

Before Semin could respond, Yooho stood up. Semin watched blankly as Yooho called the concierge and requested cleaning service, then lowered his head.

‘What…’

What am I doing? The fully formed question lodged in his throat, choking him. He pressed a hand to his chest, trying to catch his breath, but it didn’t help much. Yooho finished his call and turned to him.

“Semin, can you go to the bedroom for a bit? They said they need to clean the entire kitchen and living room.”

“…Oh, yes, Sir.”

“Or should we just go upstairs?”

“That’s fine too, Sir… I’ll go to the bedroom for now.”

He knew it would only be a hindrance to stay there looking miserable. Semin walked quietly to the bedroom on the first floor. The sun had set considerably, and the room was dim.

The bedroom had a window facing the same direction as the living room, offering a view of the garden. Sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the garden bathed in the sunset, Semin’s mood sank further. He sighed repeatedly, his hands clasped between his knees, then forced himself to pull himself together.

Should I ask him? What he was about to say?

It seemed like the right thing to do, rather than agonizing over it in silence. Surely Yooho would tell him properly and listen carefully to what he had to say. He felt another headache coming on. He groaned, holding his head and taking deep breaths.

He needed to take some medicine. He stood up and opened his suitcase by the closet. He picked up the bottle of Tylenol he had packed on top, then paused. The strap of Yooho’s Boston bag was tangled around the handle of his suitcase.

He tried to untangle it, but the dim light made it difficult. Semin switched on the main light and crouched down by the bags. As he reached for the strap of Yooho’s bag, his hand stopped again. He had noticed something inside the bag that he hadn’t seen in the dim light – a few small boxes.

“…….”

Common sense told him not to look inside someone else’s bag, but curiosity gnawed at him. He hesitated for a long time, then cautiously lifted his head. He couldn’t bring himself to open the bag further or take anything out, but this much should be okay…

“What are you doing?”

Yooho’s voice startled him. Thankfully, he had managed to control his movements, relying on the last shred of reason, so he was able to turn around as if nothing had happened. Semin gave a stiff smile, carefully arranging his features.

“Nothing, Sir. Just organizing the bags.”

“Ah, right. I was going to take out some clothes and hang them up.”

“I’ll… I’ll do it, Sir…”

“Really? Then can you just organize my tops?”

Yooho said casually and disappeared back out the door. He seemed busy dealing with the mess in the dining room. Semin quietly considered his words. So, he wanted Semin to take out his clothes and hang them up?

“…….”

That meant it was okay to look inside the bag, right?

His hesitation vanished, and his movements became quicker. Semin carefully took out two t-shirts from Yooho’s bag and hung them on hangers. His eyes kept darting back to the inside of the bag. The small, flat boxes that had rolled into view where the clothes had been became clearer.

“…….”

With his back to the door, Semin picked up one of the small boxes. He couldn’t be certain without looking closely, but there was no need to open it. After counting three boxes of condoms, three packs in each, Semin gulped.

“So, this is what they look like…”

He murmured, just as a commotion arose outside. The cleaning staff had arrived. Yooho spoke to them briefly and then came back into the bedroom.

“They said they’ll clean up quickly.”

As soon as he closed the door, the sound of a vacuum cleaner started up. Semin hesitated for a moment, then looked up with determination.

“S-Sir.”

“Yes?”

“Can I… open this?”

He held up the box of condoms, and Yooho, who had been approaching him, stopped. His mouth opened as if to speak, then closed, and finally, he chuckled.

“Right, that was in my bag…”

He came closer and crouched down beside Semin. He smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression, like a boy caught doing something mischievous. The unexpected sight of Yooho flustered emboldened Semin.

“Are these condoms, Sir?”

“No, they’re candy.”

“…….”

“I’m kidding. They’re condoms.”

Yooho kissed Semin’s cheek playfully, then opened the box, showing him the individually wrapped condoms.

“Is this the first time you’ve seen condoms?”

“…The first time I’ve seen the real thing.”

Semin fiddled with the opaque wrapper and licked his lips. The question he had wanted to ask since he first saw the bag was still caught in his throat. Yooho, putting his bag away, finally looked at Semin.

“Why?”

“…Well…”

They both started to speak at the same time, and Yooho raised a hand, gesturing for Semin to go first. Semin clenched and unclenched his sweaty hands, then asked in a small voice,

“Sir… you know… you said… you wanted to… put it in…”

“……”