IPSTDS Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“W-wait, Daon.”

Nahyuk took a breath and leaned his head back. He felt like he needed a little distance from Daon’s burning gaze if he was going to get his words across.

“Yes, hyung.”

Daon answered promptly, even as he carried himself with a charm that left Nahyuk with no choice but to respond. Anyone listening in would think he was just an obedient younger brother.

Nahyuk couldn’t take his eyes off Daon’s slowly blinking lids as he continued.

“This is something between me and Kangil.”

“That’s true. Except… you left me out.”

“No, I didn’t mean to leave you out! Things just got urgent.”

“I was just resting at home… If it was that urgent, you could’ve come to me instead…”

Nahyuk broke into a nervous sweat at the pitiful words spilling from him. Somehow, Daon looked both wounded and yet still alluring.

Maybe it was those eyes. His lips were saying something sorrowful, but his gaze burned with heat as it locked on him.

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m not asking for an apology. I just… want you to think of me first before Lee Kangil next time.”

Nahyuk nodded.

But this time had involved Seo Dowoong. Knowing what kind of connection Daon had with him, knowing they were the main couple in the original story, how could he bring Daon into anything that happened in front of Seo Dowoong?

Even if it left Daon feeling hurt, it couldn’t be helped.

“Anyway, Daon, I think I should ask Kangil before I talk about this. I care about you a lot, but I can’t disregard him when he’s helped me so much, just for my own comfort.”

Daon pouted, but didn’t protest further. Even though he clearly didn’t like Lee Kangil, he had agreed to Nahyuk’s reasoning.

“Should I call him and ask?”

“He’ll definitely say no.”

“But you never know. Just like you ended up agreeing with me, maybe Kangil will too.”

“I doubt Lee Kangil will be like me… but still, do as you like. I’ll follow your decision, hyung.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

As soon as Daon gave his permission, Nahyuk called Lee Kangil.

The call wasn’t only to ask for permission to tell Daon about the fake relationship with Seo Dowoong—it was also to confront him.

Lee Kangil had answered his call without permission and told Daon about them, yet hadn’t said a word to him. Nahyuk intended to point out clearly that this whole mess had started because of him.

As usual, Kangil picked up after only two rings.

– Honey, you must’ve missed me.

The odd greeting hadn’t changed.

Nahyuk went along half-heartedly.

“Yeah. Sort of…”

– Sort of? So does that mean you missed me, or not?

“Kangil, before that—I’m still with Daon right now.”

– You’re celebrating his birthday for that long?

“It just turned out that way.”

– What kind of birthday drags on like—

When Kangil started to sound like he was about to complain, Nahyuk quickly cut him off.

“But I celebrated your birthday all day too, didn’t I?”

– …That’s true.

He agreed reluctantly, then immediately pressed forward again.

– But Noah, isn’t this situation different from back then?

“That’s what I called to ask you about.”

Without realizing it, Nahyuk slipped into the stern tone he’d used when scolding Daon’s younger brothers.

“Why didn’t you tell me you answered my call yesterday? Didn’t you think it’d be found out today?”

Instead of being flustered, Kangil burst into laughter.

He laughed for a long time, like he was enjoying this more than anything, before finally speaking in a crooked tone.

– So, is that why you called me? To scold me?

“No. Why would I scold you for that? After all, you’ve been going out of your way to help me…”

–…Huh? You’re not upset?

“Yeah. In fact, I’m grateful you answered for me. If you hadn’t, Daon would’ve worried about why I wasn’t picking up.”

– …

Lee Kangil didn’t respond right away, only let out a low sound. It was hard to believe this was the same man who, just moments earlier, had seemed amused by how things were unfolding.

It felt like he couldn’t accept that Nahyuk wasn’t angry or demanding an explanation.

Regardless of how Kangil took it, Nahyuk continued in a calm voice without raising his tone.

“I just think that since you created this situation, you should also take responsibility for it.”

– …

“I wasn’t planning on telling Daon about us. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. But since you already said something, I have to explain now. What do you think, Kangil?”

– …

Nahyuk didn’t rush him, waiting patiently through his silence.

When he glanced at Daon’s face, he noticed the younger man’s eyes had widened slightly. Was he surprised too, seeing this softer, measured side of “Yoon Noah”?

Before long, Kangil’s voice returned.

– …You’re not saying that just because Kim Daon told you to, are you?

“Kangil. It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry. I just wanted to share my own thoughts with you.”

– There’s no room left to argue, huh. Well, if you’re going to keep meeting him from time to time, you’ll have to explain things anyway. …Fine. Go ahead. Tell him everything.

“Good choice.”

– Not like the truth will change anything. You’re still my lover, right?

“Yeah. Thanks for understanding.”

– I don’t feel like I understood… more like I was made to understand.

The way Kangil spoke, almost sounding defeated, made Nahyuk chuckle softly in spite of himself.

After that, Kangil said he didn’t mind Nahyuk celebrating Daon’s birthday, but absolutely forbade him from staying up all night. He even insisted on coming to pick him up at a set time.

It felt like not only had he gotten a lover, but also a sudden curfew.

Nahyuk agreed. After all, since Kangil had been “made to understand,” it was only fair he listened to him too. Besides, spending the night at Daon’s place truly would’ve been discourteous.

As soon as the call ended, Daon spoke in awe.

“Hyung, since when did you get so good with words? Making Lee Kangil back down like that couldn’t have been easy. That was impressive.”

Had he really been that eloquent? All Nahyuk had done was try to speak carefully so Kangil’s feelings wouldn’t be hurt.

“Ah… I don’t mean you were bad with words before, hyung. Just… you weren’t the type to persuade someone gently.”

“Maybe it’s because I finally realized that raising my voice doesn’t solve anything. Honestly, the harsher I was, the more Seo Dowoong and everyone else pushed me away.”

Daon nodded slowly, still toying with the hand of Nahyuk’s he hadn’t let go of.

It felt like comfort — a kind of empathy only someone who had seen Yoon Noah up close could offer.

Buoyed by that comfort, Nahyuk cautiously spoke a name he usually avoided when talking with Daon.

“…Daon, don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve met Seo Dowoong a few times recently.”

He briefly summarized what had happened with Seo Dowoong.

He didn’t mention the drunken visit, or the forced kiss. Nahyuk might be dense at times, but he wasn’t so clueless as to fail to distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said.

He only explained that Seo Dowoong refused to believe he no longer liked him — which was why he’d lied about having a lover. And somehow, Kangil had gone along with that lie.

“Thank goodness. So you’re not really dating Lee Kangil.”

“…”

“I thought so. It felt too sudden. The situation didn’t make sense. Until recently, he treated all of this like some game — and then suddenly you’re together? That’s why I was worried about you.”

Daon was right. Kangil had considered even giving him the experimental drug part of his “fun little game.”

Daon frowned, clearly seeing Kangil as immoral. But Nahyuk’s thoughts differed.

The drug wasn’t on the market; no one but Kangil could provide it. Nahyuk only felt grateful that Kangil had given it to him without making unreasonable demands.

Crawling between Kangil’s legs? Touching him? Provoking Seo Dowoong? Those were things he could do anytime.

It wasn’t as if Kangil had asked him to commit a crime. So what was the problem?

“Daon, you’re not wrong. But Kangil can’t just hand over the drug he poured his sweat into making to anyone.”

“…”

“Still, I really appreciate how much you care about me. Thank you.”

His response was so kindhearted that Daon sighed, at a loss for words.

“I promised to look after you and help you, but… since it involves Seo Dowoong, I guess you couldn’t come to me.”

“Yeah. You’re not upset?”

It was only then, after hearing the question, that Daon seemed to weigh his feelings. A flicker of surprise passed across his face.

“When I think about Dowoong showing interest in someone else, it doesn’t bother me at all. Maybe that means I’ve grown that far apart from him.”

“…”

“Why is that, I wonder?”

Daon’s searching gaze fixed on Nahyuk, as if to say he was the reason.