LCL 86

Some guys think they’ve become great adults once they’re discharged. Ki Young-hyun seemed to be one of them. He had probably been preparing for this for days.

Ki Young-hyun positioned Lim Dae-han behind him and formally reported his discharge to his parents. There was no need for Lim Dae-han to mock or tease him. Ki Young-han did plenty of that, crossing his arms and laughing derisively.

Lim Dae-han awkwardly tilted his head to one side and greeted them, “Hello.”

“Oh, Lim Dae-han, you must have had a hard time. Go rest in the room for a bit. I’ll buy you something delicious to eat. Do you like braised short ribs?”

“Yes.”

“It would have been nice if Ye-jun could have come too, but he didn’t have the time. You know Ye-jun, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Ah, you do. Want something to drink? Go to the room. I’ll bring you some cold drinks.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Lim Dae-han awkwardly entered Ki Young-hyun’s room. He felt a bit embarrassed by their knowing responses. They had occasionally sent him allowance or contacted him after Ki Young-hyun enlisted and he was discharged, but this was the first time meeting face-to-face since Ki Young-hyun joined the military.

Ki Young-hyun changed out of his military uniform into his casual clothes. Watching this, Lim Dae-han sat on the bed and said, “Ki Young-hyun.”

“Yeah?”

“Does your mother know about us?”

At those words, Ki Young-hyun paused while putting on his T-shirt and turned his head. He looked equally puzzled.

“No? Why?”

“…”

“Why?”

“It seems like she knows something.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. My mom, I mean, mother is always like that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Knock knock. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ki Young-hyun answered, “Yes~” and Lim Dae-han got up to his feet. His mother entered carrying two cups.

“We’re going out to eat soon. But you’ll be thirsty, so here’s something to drink first. And we’re leaving at 1 o’clock, but I won’t come in before that. Change clothes and rest. Okay?”

“Pardon?”

“We’re leaving at 1 o’clock.”

“Yes.”

Ki Young-hyun seemed to sense something odd too. As he awkwardly nodded, his mother left the room. She deliberately raised her voice from outside the door, “We’re leaving at 1 o’clock. Get ready to go out, both of you.”

Ki Young-hyun just scratched his cheek. Lim Dae-han, not fully understanding the situation, clasped his hands together. He fiddled with his fingers before looking at Ki Young-hyun, who was seated in the chair. He seemed to have some scheme in mind.

“What?”

“She said we’re leaving at 1.”

“Yeah.”

“And that she won’t come in before then.”

“I heard.”

Ki Young-hyun stood up and spread his arms. Though his mother probably didn’t mean it that way, Ki Young-hyun had made his own interpretation.

“Hug me.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“…”

“Quickly.”

Lim Dae-han stood up, following Ki Young-hyun’s lead. He burrowed into Ki Young-hyun’s open arms. With one hand, he embraced Ki Young-hyun’s shoulder, and with the other, he wrapped around his back.

He could feel Ki Young-hyun’s breath as he held him close. Now there was nothing to worry about, no need to wait anymore. They could see each other whenever they wanted and be together.

Lim Dae-han turned his head and kissed Ki Young-hyun’s cheek. Ki Young-hyun stood on his tiptoes and repeatedly kissed Lim Dae-han’s jawline. Smooch, smooch, smooch…He pressed his lips, then pulled away, only to nuzzle again silently.

Lim Dae-han held Ki Young-hyun’s shoulders and pulled away slightly. He tilted his head to examine Ki Young-hyun’s expression. Perhaps because of his short hair, he looked even cuter. Smiling slightly, Lim Dae-han kissed him once on the forehead, and once on the lips.

“Welcome back.”

Ki Young-hyun pushed Lim Dae-han’s shoulders hard. Though it wasn’t much force, the suddenness made Lim Dae-han fall back onto the bed. Ki Young-hyun jumped onto the bed right after, burrowing into Lim Dae-han’s arms.

“Just a little kiss, okay?”

“Your parents are here.”

“Just a little, let’s just do it a little.”

Ki Young-hyun begged for a kiss. Even before getting permission, he bit Lim Dae-han’s lower lip and tugged. While saying just a little, he recklessly pushed his tongue in.

Lim Dae-han checked the time on his phone while his lips were busy. 12:47 p.m. They still had some time.

* * *

“I’ll eat well. Thank you for celebrating my discharge. Mother, Father, thank you for raising me…”

“Can you please stop? You’re ruining my appetite.”

“Young-han, don’t say that. It’s been a while since you’ve seen your brother.”

“…”

As always, it was a boisterous family. Lim Dae-han looked at Ki Young-hyun, who was putting on airs, and decided to ignore it. They came here to eat, so they should just eat.

“I’ll eat well.”

“Yes, Lim Dae-han, eat a lot.”

Lim Dae-han ate silently. Since it was a private room in a traditional Korean restaurant, they couldn’t hear others, nor could others hear their conversation.

“Lim Dae-han, have you returned to school?”

“No, I’m planning to return next semester.”

“Young-hyun, you’re going back right away, right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you two going to live together again this time?”

Lim Dae-han put down his spoon. He looked at Ki Young-hyun’s mother sitting diagonally across from him. She bit her lip briefly, then released it.

Then she exchanged glances with Ki Young-hyun’s father sitting next to her. Even Ki Young-han put down his chopsticks and observed the atmosphere. Only Ki Young-hyun continued eating, holding onto a rib.

“What do you mean by that?”

It was Ki Young-han who asked this. Ki Young-hyun finally put down the rib he was holding. He opened his eyes wide and looked around at everyone. The father spoke up.

“We’re just asking out of curiosity. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

“Okay.”

Lim Dae-han answered, meeting their eyes. For a brief moment, his eyes met Ki Young-hyun’s. What’s going on? Ki Young-hyun asked with his eyes, and Lim Dae-han slightly shrugged his shoulders.

“Young-hyun and Lim Dae-han, are you two dating?”

“Cough, cough, ugh, gasp…!”

Unlike Lim Dae-han who froze, Ki Young-hyun choked and made a fuss, coughing, beating his chest, and grabbing his throat. Lim Dae-han poured water into Ki Young-hyun’s cup.

Even as he did so, he hesitated. It was just pouring water, but actions that were usually insignificant now felt scrutinized by the parents. Countless thoughts ran through his head.

Was it too obvious? Were we too close? Was all of this unnecessary?

Though it wasn’t just a casual relationship, it still felt delicate to discuss with the parents. And if they were to reveal their relationship, he thought maybe his family should be the first to know.

After all, Ki Young-hyun’s parents already had the unique situation of their older son having a same-sex partner. It wasn’t a matter of acceptance or not.

Lim Dae-han silently observed the situation. His Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably. Finally, he spoke.

“How long have you known?”

“When you first said you’d live together, we were unsure, but we became certain after Lim Dae-han enlisted. We wanted to ask after you both were discharged, and that day is today.”

“How did you know?”

“Young-hyun visited too often during your service…”

Ah. Lim Dae-han lowered his head, then quickly raised it again. His eyes met with Ki Young-hyun’s, whose eyes were bloodshot from choking. 

“Drink more water.” Lim Dae-han refilled Young-hyun’s cup.

Ki Young-hyun, with tears welling up in his eyes, held the cup with both hands and drank. He looked so childlike. What was all that about becoming mature? The scolding would have to wait for later.

Lim Dae-han chose his words carefully. He didn’t expect this to happen so soon. He was just about to lift his head when—

“That’s right!”

Ki Young-hyun shouted suddenly. Lim Dae-han quickly turned his head. Ki Young-hyun was excited. He was breathing so heavily that his chest heaved up and down dramatically.

“Geez, be quiet.”

Even in this situation, Ki Young-han expressed his annoyance.

“I’m dating Lim Dae-han. We’ve been together since we were eighteen.”

“Uh…eighteen?”

“Yes. We even have a couple’s rings. I-I bought them.”

Ki Young-hyun opened his hand. It was a newly fitted ring.

“Show yours quickly too.”

Ki Young-hyun nodded nervously. Lim Dae-han followed suit and extended his hand. With his other hand, he covered his face. He felt embarrassed.

“If you oppose, I’m going to move in with Lim Dae-han anyway.”

“You’re so immature. Is that what you say on your discharge day?”

Ki Young-han had to chime in with a comment. The father laughed awkwardly.

“Weren’t you planning to move in next semester anyway?”

“Well, yes…yes, that’s true.”

Ki Young-hyun looked dumbfounded. Lim Dae-han watched the family, who seemed somewhat agitated though not quite fighting.

He was starting to understand the situation now. He bit down on his bottom lip for a moment, then released it.

“Please give us your blessing.”

“There’s nothing to give or not give, is there? It’s your relationship…”

“That’s right. Well, uh, Young-han is doing well with Ye-jun too, isn’t he?”

This must have been why she suggested we have a meal together. To celebrate Ki Young-hyun’s discharge from the military and subtly confirm their relationship.

HIs mother continued with an apologetic face.

“I think we should look for a house on our side this time. I was wondering if I could get Lim Dae-han’s parents’ contact information, but if that’s too burdensome, would you like to give his mother my phone number? It’s probably easier for the mothers to meet…Do Lim Dae-han’s parents know?”

Lim Dae-han smiled silently. Then he made eye contact with Ki Young-hyun. Ki Young-hyun was dazed for a moment before letting out an “Ah…” Father inhaled carefully and spoke cautiously.

“By the way, do you two have any plans to get married abroad or, well, adopt? You too, Young-han. It’s not about continuing the family line, but I’d like to see my grandchild’s face.”

“What family line, what grandchild. Let’s end this here. We’re not some great family that needs to continue the lineage…”

Ki Young-han neatly summarized the situation. Looking at the parents’ pale faces, Lim Dae-han wasn’t sure if it was neatly summarized or not.

* * *

After finishing dinner and having tea at home, it was late evening when we left. Ki Young-hyun openly packed several days’ worth of belongings.

“Don’t you need to stay at home longer?”

“Stay at home until classes start. You’ve been coming and going often anyway.”

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

Ki Young-hyun hugged the bag he had packed. Lim Dae-han looked at him for a moment before speaking.

“Instead of staying at home, want to go on a trip somewhere?”

“Where?”

“To see the ocean, now.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. We can book a hotel on the way.”

“I want to go, I want to go.”

Although he wasn’t actually moving, Ki Young-hyun seemed to be bouncing up and down. Lim Dae-han turned to look at Ki Young-hyun with a grin on his face.

Ki Young-hyun, who had been humming a song, felt the gaze and sheepishly checked Lim Dae-han’s expression.

“I acted too childish in front of my parents today, didn’t I?”

“Why try to put on some weird concept?”

“What’s wrong with being mature? Everyone does that after being discharged.”

“You’ll naturally become mature as time passes. What’s with this obsession with being an adult.”

Ki Young-hyun’s face showed annoyance again. Lim Dae-han added one more comment.

“Take it slow, I mean. We still have plenty of time.”

“…Right.”

Ki Young-hyun relaxed his shoulders and leaned back in his seat. Though it had only been a day, he finally looked comfortable, as if he had been tense the whole time.

He wasn’t scared anymore. He didn’t feel uncomfortable or awkward. It was noticeable how at ease he felt when they were together.

Lim Dae-han stroked Ki Young-hyun’s cheek once. Ki Young-hyun opened his eyes. Lim Dae-han didn’t want to tease the guy who had finally found peace, but the words ended up spilling out of his mouth again.

“Then shall we not go on the trip?”

“Huh?”

“Adults don’t suddenly go on trips like this, right? Adults have schedules.”

“…”

“What kind of adult gets so excited about going on a trip? You should say it’s annoying. That it’s boring and tiring.”

Ki Young-hyun’s eyes filled with strength. His nose bridge twitched with frustration. Honestly, it was laughable that he thought this sort of thing was scary.

Dae-han couldn’t hold back any longer and slammed his forehead against the steering wheel. He burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking. No matter how he thought about it, it was just too funny and too adorable.

* * *

Even if we were in the same class, even if we were in adjacent sections, he couldn’t say a word to him. Lim Dae-han rested his chin on his hand and shook his leg. Then he irritably rubbed his face.

“Ha—”

He let out a sigh. Soon he got annoyed and slumped over. He wasn’t sleepy at all. He had even less desire to study.

He alternated between looking at the blackboard where the teacher continued writing and Ki Young-hyun’s back. Then he repeated slumping over again.

It was frustrating. He always felt this way whenever he saw Ki Young-hyun. It had been a month since they were in the same class, but he was annoyed at himself for not knowing how to properly talk to him, and he was annoyed at Ki Young-hyun for being so cautious and hiding.

Then that sight made him even more irritated, causing his tone to become harsh. He was making the atmosphere tense when he should be speaking kindly.

“You in the very back.”

Lim Dae-han raised his head with an annoyed expression at the tapping on his shoulder. When told to read the next problem, he roughly picked up the book.

Not knowing where they were, he fumbled, and his deskmate pointed it out. Lim Dae-han shook his leg as he read the sentence. At least it was Korean. If it had been English, it would have been a disaster.

“So what’s the answer?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked what the answer is. I told you to do it as homework.”

The male teacher was known for his mood swings and for taking out his anger on students. There was no violence, but he was persistent to the point where you’d rather just take a hit and be done with it.

This time too, he immediately lowered his voice as if he had just caught his target.

It wasn’t unpleasant to not become the teacher’s focus. If there were students who receive infinite attention, there must be the opposite as well.

But he didn’t like becoming a target for venting anger. He disliked even more being targeted because of someone’s bad mood or because the class atmosphere was poor.

Lim Dae-han irritably shifted his gaze. Some students glanced at him, while others had their heads down on their desks. Not many were focusing on the lesson and looking at the blackboard. Then…

‘Number 2.’

Ki Young-hyun, with whom he made eye contact, mouthed the words. He held up two fingers in a V-shape. Lim Dae-han clenched his jaw.

“…It’s number 2.”

“Right. Don’t doze off. Do your homework properly, and stop skipping class. What will you be able to do after graduating if you keep this up? Get your act together starting now.”

Lim Dae-han irritably pulled out his chair and sat down. He immediately slumped over his desk. He disliked being targeted, and he disliked not knowing the answer.

He disliked even more that out of the 30 or so students, it was Ki Young-hyun who gave him the answer. And he disliked that the answer was correct.

He disliked showing his stupid side even more. Just, just, he disliked everything.

[Side Story END]