IPSTDS Chapter 40

Chapter 40

“Daon-ah, did I eat too much?”

Nahyuk suddenly felt a bit sheepish.

“No, it’s nice seeing you eat so well.”

“It was really good… Have you cooked for anyone else before? Don’t you think everyone would feel the same as me?”

“Hmm, I did cook for Seo Dowoong once, but he’s so picky that he barely ate.”

“….”

He regretted asking.

“Hyung, it’s okay. I’m not actually a chef or anything, so I don’t feel bad if someone doesn’t eat my cooking.”

“That’s a relief. Whew.”

“But I did think this.”

Kim Daon spoke again, his voice laced with a sigh.

“That I should never cook for Seo Dowoong again? Honestly, he’s already good at everything and has everything, so there’s not much I can give him.”

“Right. He really does have it all.”

“But you, hyung… you surprisingly don’t have much. I thought you were rich, but then you confessed earlier that your account’s empty.”

“What’s gonna happen to my image now…”

“What’s wrong with your image? I like it.”

At that moment, Kim Daon’s hand reached forward, brushing near Nahyuk’s lips.

“…!”

“Oh, you had something there. I do that with my brothers a lot, so it just happened naturally.”

His touch had only lasted a second, but Nahyuk could still feel it. He pressed his lips together.

“I didn’t realize it before, but you’re a handful, hyung.”

“Sorry. Is it a bother?”

Daon shook his head.

“It’s not that… I just want to take care of you.”

It might have been an awkward thing to hear for someone older, but Daon said it so gently and sincerely that Nahyuk didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Maybe that’s why he suddenly felt a small, fragile desire to lean on him.

He had never been taken care of by anyone before. He was curious what that would feel like.

That quiet wish slipped out between his lips.

“Then… will you take care of me?”

Daon answered without hesitation.

“Think you can handle it?”

“…”

“I’m actually really good at taking care of people.”

Even though it was what he’d hoped for, Nahyuk couldn’t respond right away. Daon’s words lingered with weight.

That weight made Nahyuk’s heart beat faster.

After dinner, Kim Daon followed through on his words and took great care of him. He kept checking if Nahyuk was uncomfortable or tired, and far from feeling burdened, Nahyuk found the way he watched him quietly to be sweet and endearing.

Every time Daon’s gaze swept over him, he felt himself stiffen.

How do you breathe again…? That’s how disoriented he felt.

While he was so focused on Daon, night had already fallen. Nahyuk decided he should leave before things got more awkward.

“Daon-ah, I should head out. Your brothers will be back soon, too.”

Just as he finished speaking, there was a soft tapping sound at the window.

Almost as if they had agreed on it, both Nahyuk and Daon turned to look at the same time. The sky had become heavy with dark clouds at some point.

The thing tapping the glass like a knock was rain.

“It’s raining—should I walk you out?”

“No, I already got dinner from you. I can’t trouble you any more. And I can get back on my own.”

“It’s not because I think you’re weak or anything. I just said that because I’m worried about you, hyung. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“I didn’t misunderstand.”

“Maybe… it’s just a request from someone who wants to take care of you.”

“Yeah. You really do take care of people well.”

If you and Seo Dowoong end up together, you’ll take care of him like this too, won’t you?

Seo Dowoong seemed like someone meant to live alone, but maybe even he secretly longed for that kind of warmth.

Someone who was good at everything. Who seemed to lack nothing.

Maybe that kind of person actually wanted kindness the most—because they were so used to doing everything alone.

The thought of Kim Daon’s warmth being given to Seo Dowoong stirred something like disappointment in him.

Even though Daon’s care was never his to claim.

‘It’s a pointless thought.’

Nahyuk decided not to be greedy. He would just appreciate this time with Daon now.

Wishing for the affection of a destined main character in a novel—someone whose path was already written—was truly meaningless.

“Anyway, Daon, I’ll head off now. I’ll just call a taxi from nearby.”

“…Okay. Then at least let me walk you to the door.”

“Sure.”

Nahyuk pulled out his phone to call a taxi. While he and Daon had been talking, he hadn’t checked it once—and saw a message from Lee Kangil.

– You’re not with Kim Daon again, are you? If you are, I’m seriously hurt.

Is he… watching me or something?

How did he even know?

Nahyuk made a mental note to call Kangil later. For now, getting home came first.

Before long, the two stepped outside to wait for the taxi.

The rain was coming down much harder than it had looked from inside.

He had assumed it was just a light shower, but it looked like it might last into tomorrow.

They stood under the eaves, watching the downpour. Breathing in the humid air together.

Nahyuk snuck a glance at Daon’s profile.

He really is pretty.

His delicate features gave him a soft, attractive look, yet his clear, focused gaze added a strange strength to his face.

“Hyung. Your taxi’s here.”

He stopped staring at Daon at the sound of his voice.

‘Did he notice I was staring?’

But instead of calling it out, Daon silently handed him an umbrella.

“Take this with you.”

“Thanks.”

Just as he took a step toward the taxi—

“Hyung. Next time, bring something to pay for staring at my face.”

“…!”

So he did know!

Maybe he was too flustered by the teasing tone.

His foot caught mid-step and he stumbled. He felt himself starting to fall.

Nahyuk squeezed his eyes shut. It was already too late to catch himself.

“…”

But a few seconds passed, and he still hadn’t hit the ground. Instead, he heard a short breath mixed with the sound of rain.

Before he opened his eyes, he felt warmth at his back—someone’s body against his.

That heat alone told him everything.

As Nahyuk opened his eyes, he heard a soft voice close to his ear.

“You scared me.”

Daon’s voice came in a near whisper.

It was then Nahyuk realized Daon had caught him, hugging him tightly from behind to keep him from falling.

Their bodies were pressed together. Daon’s hot hand was wrapped firmly around his waist.

“…Sorry.”

He turned his head slightly to reply—and there was Daon’s pale neck, close enough to kiss.

Nahyuk couldn’t take his eyes off his face.

Daon’s rain-soaked face looked like a painting.

He must’ve dropped the umbrella in the rush, because Nahyuk was soaked too, yet strangely, he felt warm.

Before long, Daon opened the taxi door and gently pushed him in, making sure he didn’t get any wetter.

“It’s okay. I teased you first anyway.”

“Still… now you’re all soaked too…”

Now that he was seated in the backseat, Nahyuk could finally take in Daon’s appearance.

He hadn’t even grabbed an umbrella. He was soaked through.

Daon ran a hand through his wet hair and smiled.

“I actually kind of like it.”

“Huh?”

“Feels like it’s going to be a memory I’ll never forget.”

“….”

“Every time it rains, I think I’ll remember you, hyung.”

Before Nahyuk could respond, he turned to the driver.

“Sir, one second.”

Then he ran off toward the apartment entrance.

When he returned, he was holding a thin, dry jacket. He passed it through the open taxi window and whispered,

“Hyung, everything’s showing.”

Before Nahyuk could even reply, Daon signaled the driver to go.

It was only after the taxi started moving that Nahyuk looked down.

His thin T-shirt had gotten wet and was clinging awkwardly to him.

What did he mean by everything showing…?

Nahyuk felt his face heat up. His heart was pounding as if Daon had seen something private.

‘Ah… he’s someone I shouldn’t get greedy about. So why is my heart racing like this?’

He hugged the jacket Daon had given him close.

It smelled just like Daon—clean, warm, comforting.

And because of that, it felt like he was still in Daon’s embrace.

The spot where Daon had touched his waist still felt like it was burning.

---

Kim Daon only returned to his apartment once the taxi carrying Yoon Noah had completely disappeared from sight.

And someone was watching that scene unfold.

“……”

Inside a sleek black foreign car parked near Daon’s apartment sat Seo Dowoong, arms crossed, letting out a quiet sigh.

He had sent a message to apologize, but had still driven straight here after work, thinking he needed to see Kim Daon face-to-face for a proper reconciliation…

Yet what he witnessed instead was Kim Daon and Yoon Noah looking far too comfortable together.

He had no idea when they’d grown so close. The two stood side by side under the eaves, even pressing close without a hint of awkwardness.

Of course, it was that fool Yoon Noah who almost fell, and Kim Daon had caught him.

Kind-hearted Kim Daon would have done the same for anyone—not just Yoon Noah, but even for himself—regardless of getting wet in the rain or risking falling too.

Because that’s the kind of person Kim Daon was.

Seo Dowoong liked that side of him. He liked that Daon possessed a warmth he himself lacked.

But seeing that kindness directed at Yoon Noah, for some reason, made something boil inside him.