IPSTDS Chapter 128

Chapter 128

When Nahyuk woke from the dream, his eyes were damp. He must have been crying without realizing it.

He wiped at his eyes and sat up. Though awake, Yoon Noah’s image still seemed to flicker before him.

‘Mr. Yoon Noah, even now I shed tears thinking of you.’

As he quietly wiped his tears in silence, a voice came from Kangil, who must have woken up at some point.

“Why are you crying first thing in the morning? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Even though Nahyuk shook his head, Kangil still examined him carefully.

That gentleness stopped his tears. If he had been alone, he might have cried until his tear ducts ran dry.

“What a problem, my dear cries too easily.”

“Then you’ll have to wipe them every day. If you don’t like a lover who cries too much, say it now.”

At Nahyuk’s firm words, Kangil smiled. Then he stuck out his tongue and licked away the tear trailing down Nahyuk’s cheek.

“Looks like I’ll have to carry a handkerchief every day.”

“And I don’t bother you like this?”

“Why would you ever bother me? I’d rather you cling to me more. To the point where I can’t think straight because of you.”

Kangil pulled Nahyuk into a gentle embrace and patted his back as if to comfort him.

“But still, don’t cry. When you cry, my chest aches strangely. I start worrying something terrible might have happened to you…”

“That doesn’t sound like you at all. Weak words.”

“I know. But with you, I get strangely softhearted. Maybe it’s because I love you too much.”

So casually speaking of love, Kangil whispered once more at Nahyuk’s ear.

“I love you today too.”

By now he should have grown used to it, but the words of love still made his heart race.

* * *

Nahyuk looked up at Kangil’s pharmaceutical company, which he was visiting for the first time in a while. This was the very place where they had first met, when he had come seeking the new drug.

Passing between Kangil’s long, slender legs back then had been quite a thrill. Now, it felt like that moment belonged to a distant past.

As before, Nahyuk was able to enter the company without much interference.

Perhaps it was because rumors had spread within the company that Kangil was treating Yoon Noah’s rare illness.

It wasn’t just speculation. As he walked through the hallways, strangers greeted him with respectful bows.

At first, Nahyuk awkwardly returned the greetings. But then he changed his mind.

‘They’re Kangil’s colleagues… maybe I should greet them warmly too.’

Not only that, but among these people might be researchers who were helping Kangil develop his medicine.

From then on, Nahyuk smiled brightly at everyone he met.

Men and women alike flushed slightly at his warmth.

One person even asked him to wait a moment, then returned with a drink for him. Their words were uncommonly kind.

“Please visit again next time. I belong to the Third Research Division…”

Some even introduced themselves with their name and department.

Nahyuk gave only polite responses and continued walking. He hadn’t expected this kind of reception.

Catching sight of his reflection in a mirror, he thought his face looked almost too handsome. Not vanity, but because today he had taken extra care with his appearance.

Though no one else would know, he had dressed up more than usual since he was visiting his lover’s company.

He was even wearing one of the suits Yoon Noah had once bought—though he had chosen the least flashy among them.

Since others found him striking today, Kangil should like it too. Nahyuk nervously straightened his collar before stepping into the elevator.

He soon reached the area near Kangil’s laboratory. Opening the door with a cheerful “Surprised?” he found the room empty. Kangil wasn’t there.

“Where could he be?”

Nahyuk left the lab and began checking places where Kangil might be: the smoking room, the lounge. Unfortunately, he was in none of them.

At that moment, a researcher who had been watching him spoke up.

“Are you looking for Researcher Lee Kangil?”

“Yes, do you know where he is?”

“I saw him on the rooftop earlier. I think he was with a guest.”

A guest? Who would come looking for Kangil specifically?

He didn’t seem like someone who had many friends, nor the type to make them.

“…Ah, thank you for letting me know.”

After bowing his thanks, Nahyuk headed up to the rooftop.

As expected of a fine company, the rooftop had been arranged into a comfortable rest area. With benches and neatly tended gardens, it looked more like a café than a rooftop.

Just then, Kangil’s voice reached Nahyuk’s ears. He was speaking with someone—the guest, no doubt.

Nahyuk followed the sound of conversation. At the far end of the rooftop, he saw Kangil.

And alongside him, a familiar face.

‘Of all people… that guest is Seo Dowoong.’

Two dignified men were staring at each other with lethal intensity.

Why had Seo Dowoong come all the way to Kangil’s workplace, glaring at him as if he wanted to devour him?

Nahyuk prayed it wasn’t because of him—but, as often happened, he feared his hope would crumble.

It was unlikely Seo Dowoong had come for any reason other than him. They were not the kind of friends who casually checked in on each other.

Holding his breath, Nahyuk listened closely. He wanted to hear what they were saying.

“…For now, he’ll be happy. But don’t forget—he accepted you because he was fragile, because I hurt him deeply. Don’t forget you took advantage of his weakened heart.”

Seo Dowoong looked down on Kangil with arrogant disdain.

But Kangil, of course, was not intimidated. He stared back at Dowoong with an expression sharp enough to cut.

The air was so tense it wouldn’t have been surprising if fists flew.

“Who are you to judge Yoon Noah’s feelings? You know you hurt him, yet your tongue runs long.”

“I was only giving advice. After all, you’re still my friend.”

“Friend? Sorry, but I’ve never once considered you my friend.”

So it really was about him. Nahyuk sighed quietly, wondering if he should step in and mediate.

‘He’s been quiet for a while, but now he’s shifted his target.’

Seo Dowoong seemed to have abandoned his attempt to win Nahyuk over, and now was trying to intimidate Kangil instead.

But Kangil would never bend to threats.

He was too confident in himself. Even if Nahyuk had lingering feelings for Seo Dowoong, Kangil had full confidence he could turn those feelings into his own.

“If you don’t want advice as a friend, then fine. Let me advise you as someone Yoon Noah once loved deeply. You still don’t know him well. Who knows him better than I do?”

“…”

“You know how much he loved me. That kind of love doesn’t disappear so easily.”

At those words, Kangil’s expression twisted violently. When he didn’t respond, sharp silence fell between them.

Just as Nahyuk was about to step forward, Kangil suddenly burst into laughter so loud it shook the rooftop.

He laughed so hard that tears welled at the corners of his eyes.

Nahyuk stopped in his tracks and only watched. What thought could have made him laugh like that? There was nothing funny here.

“Seo Dowoong, you’re fucking hilarious.”

“…What?”

“Your threats are nothing but a joke.”

“….”

A fine crack appeared on Dowoong’s previously composed face. He clearly hadn’t expected Kangil to laugh in his face.

“Being trapped in the past, unable to see reality—you look so pathetic I couldn’t help laughing.”

“That’s not the past…”

“If not the past, then what? Yoon Noah already loves me. That’s the reality, Dowoong.”

“….”

“Keep thinking about the past, and reflect every day on how badly you treated him back then.”

At the blatant mockery, curses slipped through Dowoong’s teeth. The balance of power had shifted to Kangil.

“And someday, someone else will show up who’s willing to love even someone like you.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“You seem to have a habit of falling for people who’ve long loved you from the shadows. That’ll suit you better.”

“Kangil…!”

Finally, unable to control his rage, Seo Dowoong raised his hand. Nahyuk rushed forward without thinking.

It wasn’t that he thought Kangil would lose in a fight—but now it felt necessary for the person at the center of this to step in and end it.

Both men’s eyes widened slightly at Nahyuk’s sudden appearance.

“Noah? What are you doing here…?”

Dowoong asked in shock, but Nahyuk boldly took Kangil’s hand and smiled at him.

He would show Dowoong the reality that was no longer the past.

“I came to see Kangil. I missed him so much.”

A deep smile spread across Kangil’s face as well. Their hands, loosely entwined, became tightly laced together.

Kangil gave their clasped hands a small shake, as if flaunting the confidence of a victor.