DI Ch 48

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know either. Am I the problem, or is there something about you that’s making me act this way?”

“Yes?”

When I raised my head in confusion, Tae Seong-je examined me as if he were faced with the world’s most difficult puzzle. Then, as if laughing at himself for thinking so deeply, he let out a short sigh and lightly tapped my cheek.

“No, forget it. Stop playing around for a while and go straight home after class. …Don’t even have a meal with your friends.”

When did I play around? I raised my eyebrows in dissatisfaction.

“What are you talking about? Why should I do that?”

“You said you were scared of strange people wandering around at night. Come home when there are many people around, and don’t open the door to anyone casually.”

I was wondering when I said that, but then I remembered what I said a few months ago while eating curry after first contacting him. He seemed to remember the words I casually mentioned.

“Um…”

I nodded while absentmindedly stroking my hair. The tip of my ear felt hot, so I pretended to be tickled and scratched it to conceal the reddened area. I had no idea why it tickled my heart so much that he remembered the trivial words I had said.

I’m going crazy, why on earth was this making me feel so good? Worries were always burdensome and unfamiliar, but this was the first time I felt like this. The curiosity about why he suddenly said something strange was pushed back. It would be too strange if I showed my happiness here. It would be really strange. So I deliberately changed the subject.

“I can cook.”

“I’ll order it for you, just eat that. I’ll buy you something delicious.”

I wondered what kind of food Tae Seong-je thought was delicious. But I shook my head.

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll buy you expensive food.”

“That doesn’t matter… Can’t we eat together?”

“…”

Tae Seong-je did not readily answer. At first, the attention he gave me over the phone was enough, but I became greedy because there were so many things I wanted to do. However, the time was short, and he was too busy. When would we be able to meet again? Feeling a little disheartened, I looked at him.

Tae Seong-je ran his fingertips lasciviously across my abdomen, rubbing my penis against his, cupping it in one hand and rubbing it. It had only been a moment since we had finished, and my legs involuntarily trembled, but anger surged within me.

I didn’t realize that he had the ability to divert my attention so effortlessly. I turned on the water for a cold shower to clear my mind. The water pouring from the showerhead was colder than I expected, and he swayed with a surprised expression as he turned off the water. I was also startled and shivered as the cold water hit me.

“What? Are you upset?”

Tae Seong-je burst out laughing and turned his back to the stream, wrapping his arms around me. I sneaked out of the bathroom as he turned his head to turn off the water. I covered a towel around my flushed face, but my heart was racing so fast that I was afraid he could hear everything, so I quickly left.

There was a note on the table that wasn’t there before. I checked it, and without realizing it, I read along the line and trailed off.

“Have a beautiful love…”

My face grew hot with embarrassment. Well, he would be a real fool if he didn’t notice. Kang-woo was a guy who was quick-witted, so he must have been good at reading the atmosphere.

[P.S. Don’t disappear, let’s keep in touch.]

I was fiddling with the end of the note, and feeling sorry, I put it on the table instead of the trash can. Park Kang-woo, who wanted to grow old, showed such a thoughtful attitude from time to time. At times like that, sometimes I think of a friend whose face and name cannot come to mind.

That friend was more serious and less foul-mouthed than Park Kang-woo, but he was cheerful and loved games and communication. I only looked into Park Kang-woo’s internet broadcasting because that friend came to mind. I thought that if he had more time in his life, he would have spent it playing video games and broadcasting to his heart’s content.

That friend had a particularly close relationship with his grandmother in his stepfamily. Unfortunately, before the winter break of our first year of high school, his grandmother began showing symptoms of dementia. One day, his grandmother went out to buy meat to feed him but never returned. He eventually became an adult before his other friends.

Nostalgia gave me a headache, so I had to get over it quickly. Wearing loose pajamas that covered my thighs, I pulled him over and made him sit on the bed. I quickly boiled water and put powdered medicine in a mug, then poured hot water into it. Tae Seong-je was still naked when I turned around, his long legs stretched out and staring at me.

Oh, it’s cute when he lowers his hair. He looked so young. I looked at him while pressing my lips tightly and turned my head slightly. I felt like I would be enchanted if I continued to look at him, so I handed him the cup without looking at him. Then I pulled the blanket and draped it over his shoulders. The room was warm, but since he had just taken a shower, he would catch a cold if I left him like that.

Tae Seong-je stared silently at the steaming medicine before slowly emptying the glass. I turned around, startled when an unfamiliar feeling brushed up my buttocks as I was rummaging through clothes. He shrugged his shoulders after taking a sip of the medicine and shaking his foot. I was stunned, and my voice sounded a little perplexed.

“Ah, hyung. Seriously…”

“I thought you wanted me to touch you. Was that not the case?”

He smirked subtly as he glanced at me provocatively. It seemed like he was intentionally playing a prank to stir up some heat. Annoyed by the sudden sensation, I pulled my clothes down all the way. Uttering a word would only hurt my pride. I intended to find my underwear first, but suddenly Tae Seong-je caught my waist and made me lie in his embrace.

I was startled, but Tae Seong-je said.

“Uh-oh. It’s going to spill?”

I stopped fumbling in his arm when he said those words. I slowly lowered my hand as the rustling sound faded. It was embarrassing to feel his penis brush up against my waist. Despite the fact that I had seen and even touched it, its presence still felt strange. I could hear laughter above me as I squirmed in his arms.

He seemed lazy and content. Maybe that’s why I thought it wouldn’t be so bad to have Tae Seong-je, who had become pleasantly warm, sitting comfortably and embracing me on the soft bed. Despite the heat and firmness of his bare skin against mine, it provided a sense of security and stability, and my breath became languid. His scent, mixed with the musk of cologne, transformed into a sensual and seductive aroma, making it difficult to discern its true natural smell. This must be his original scent. He had the same body wash fragrance as mine, but underneath it was the pleasant aroma of well-groomed flesh that made me want to bury my nose deeper.

The sound of sparrows chirping outside the window reached my ears. It seemed that morning had arrived. Would he leave before the sun rises? While I was thinking that, without the cup he was holding, he reached into my clothes with his remaining arm and gently touched my bare skin. His fingers caressed along the ribs, causing my toes to involuntarily curl. I couldn’t help but worry about him possibly spilling the contents of the cup.

“Aren’t you going to eat? Do you want something to eat?”

“Huh? Oh, I’ll eat later. Why? Are you hungry?”

I looked at him in bewilderment. Tae Seong-je raised his eyebrows in annoyance, clearly displaying his displeasure. He rubbed his hand over my chest and said,

“No, I was just wondering if you eat while you’re out. I couldn’t feel anything.”

How could that be? I worked out so diligently. It perplexed me that he saw me as a child, despite the fact that I had a similar physique to him. Well, this person had a habit of talking nonsense, but he seemed rather serious this time, despite my attempt to ignore it.

I opened my mouth while staring at Tae Seong-je’s handsome face.

“Hyung. Are you still very busy?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how did you manage to come today?”

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“No.”

It seemed like I was being sarcastic despite not knowing. I was about to insist that he spend the whole day with me, but seeing how busy and exhausted he was, I decided not to bother him by asking to hang out. Relationships are difficult. I wanted to do things my way, but it was really difficult.

When Tae Seong-je placed the cup on the table, the note underneath it became damp. I reached out my hand to stop it without realizing it, but at that moment, he buried his face in my neck and hugged me tightly. Naturally, I lowered my hand and quietly embraced him.

“Seung-won-ah. I don’t want to work.”

I wiggled my toes and rolled my eyes upwards. How old was he to be speaking in a pitiful tone? It doesn’t suit him, it gives me chills. But I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

“Who’s giving you a hard time? Did they not allow you to rest?”

Tae Seong-je did not raise his head and silently hugged me. He closed his eyes and leaned on me as if he was taking a break. He must be tired. Well, he drove all the way here recklessly in a state of anger, but since it was nothing, how exhausted would he have been?

“Do you have class in the morning?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t go. Stay with me.”

I was going to buy Park Kang-woo a meal before he went back, but in my head, Park Kang-woo gradually distorted and disappeared. How long could I stay with Tae Seong-je? My heart was beating happily.

“When are you going to leave?”

“Around lunchtime.”

Ah, it was such a short time. The remaining time felt pitifully short. I lowered my head and looked at the disheveled bedsheet on the floor. Even if I wanted to ask what kept him so busy, how could I ask someone who hides their profession? I murmured softly with a sense of emptiness.

“What shall we do?”