MDQ Ch 64

Despite sleeping in a different bed last night, I woke up unusually early this morning.

As soon as I regained consciousness, I looked for Kang Kimoon, the owner of the bed, but he was nowhere to be seen. Just as he’d said, maybe he’d fallen asleep in the studio, or maybe he’d been lying next to me and woke up at dawn.

After a quick wash, I went to look for him. But instead of Kang Kimoon, Jung Yohan was sitting in the living room downstairs. Having Jung Yohan in this house felt extremely out of place. A man like him—so fitting for the glamor of the city—looked utterly awkward here.

I wished he’d just go back soon. Perhaps because of that dissonance, I strongly felt that his presence shattered my peaceful routine.

But then, the words he’d said, which were so unlike him, came to mind.

“I’m sorry.”

If nothing else, his apology had felt sincere. It seemed that while I was gone, Jung Yohan had come to truly realize my worth.

Even so, I couldn’t treat him the same way as before. Now, when I looked at him, I no longer blushed like I used to. I didn’t have to avoid him for fear that he might hear my racing heartbeat. If anything, his presence made me slightly uncomfortable.

Maybe it was because my decision to stop loving him had finally become real. Or maybe it was because I was still shaken by what he’d done—by how he’d pulled down my pants that day. Or perhaps it was because Kang Kimoon’s presence in my heart had grown too large to ignore. It felt as if the space Jung Yohan once occupied—my one-sided affection for him—was slowly being replaced by Kang Kimoon.

While I was lost in thought, Jung Yohan turned his head toward me from where he sat on the sofa.

“Hyung, you’re up?” he said, noticing me first.

“Uh…”

I replied awkwardly and quickly walked toward the kitchen. It looked like Kang Kimoon, who had woken up early, was cooking something.

As I entered the kitchen, a familiar back came into view.

Today, his back looked broader than usual—like that of a skilled chef, effortlessly preparing multiple dishes at once.

“You’re up? Sleep well?”

“Yeah. Where did you sleep?”

At that, Kang Kimoon turned his head slightly and met my gaze with a teasing look.

“Next to you.”

He shamelessly admitted that he had shared the same bed with me. Even though I had been in a deep sleep and couldn’t remember any of it, my face grew hot. Why was I getting embarrassed over something as simple as sharing a bed with another man…?

This unfamiliar change in myself felt strange. Maybe it was because I recognized this fluttering feeling.

‘This’s weird… I only ever felt like this around Jung Yohan.’

I bit my lip and averted my gaze.

“Do you need help with anything?”

“No. Just sit at the table.”

I turned around to head to the table and froze. At some point, Jung Yohan had come up behind me without a sound. He was watching me and Kang Kimoon with a sharp look in his eyes.

“Hyung…”

He reached a hand toward me, his tone oddly pleading. Startled by that small gesture, I instinctively stepped back.

Seeing it all, Kang Kimoon spoke up coldly, his voice a warning, “Don’t even think about touching Hyunseok. If you so much as lay a finger on him without permission, you’re out.”

“And who the hell are you to decide that?”

Kang Kimoon turned to me, silently seeking my agreement.

Without hesitation, I echoed him.

“Don’t touch me without permission. Remember—you’re staying here to make amends.”

“Hyung.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat…”

I looked to Kang Kimoon, as if asking whether it was okay to let Jung Yohan eat. If he said no, I would’ve accepted it without protest. I didn’t want to upset him just to feed Jung Yohan. Honestly, I thought he was already being more than generous for letting Jung Yohan stay here at all.

I knew that Kang Kimoon was only ever gentle with me. Given how their first meeting had gone—harsh words exchanged from the start—it was unthinkable that he’d show kindness to Jung Yohan.

Then, as if granting a favor, he said, “Eat. Then work for as much as you eat.”

“Why should I listen to you—”

Before Jung Yohan could finish, I cut him off.

“Yohan, just do it. Or leave.”

“…”

He glared at me, fuming silently. His expression was angry, but maybe because I’d told him to leave, he swallowed any retort.

“Alright. I’ll do as you say, Hyung.”

Could he always be this obedient? I found myself looking at him anew. If he had listened from the start, maybe our relationship could’ve been a little easier. But at this point, doing so wouldn’t change anything. Too much time had passed for our relationship to recover. I didn’t think I could love Jung Yohan with the same intensity as before.

Still, if what he truly wanted was reconciliation—just that much, perhaps, was possible. We might at least return to a place where seeing each other’s faces didn’t bring bitterness.

Soon, breakfast was ready.

Throughout the meal, Jung Yohan didn’t say a word. Kang Kimoon, on the other hand, kept talking to me from time to time, acting as calm and natural as ever.

Once we were done eating, he led me out of the kitchen.

“Jung Yohan, you clean up.”

Jung Yohan looked ready to argue again, but realizing that disobeying might get him thrown out, he quietly started clearing the table.

The moment we stepped into the living room, Kang Kimoon wrapped an arm around my shoulders, almost like a casual embrace.

“Too bad. I liked watching you wear an apron and do the dishes.”

“Your tastes are kind of strange.”

“Don’t you think you’re cute?”

“…”

Cute? Me? That shocking word left me speechless. He chuckled softly, as if he genuinely found me adorable. The more he smiled at me like that, the more goosebumps prickled along my arms. No one had ever treated me this way before. Not even my father had ever called me cute.

“Hyunseok-ah, I have to go up to Seoul today for work.”

“So suddenly? Nothing serious, right?”

“It’s nothing big, don’t worry. There’s just something I need to handle personally.”

“You’ll be back today?”

“Yeah. Probably late at night.”

I grew uneasy, wondering what I’d do alone. Since coming here, I’d always been with him—I couldn’t think of anything to do on my own. And the idea of being alone with Jung Yohan in this house didn’t sit right with me.

Then, he made a careful suggestion.

“Want to… come with me?”

“…”

I hesitated, unable to answer right away.

If I went to Seoul, there was a chance someone might recognize me—or worse, I might run into reporters. As that thought crossed my mind, Kang Kimoon’s voice broke in.

“Sorry. Forget I asked. I’ll go alone.”

He must have noticed how my expression had suddenly clouded.

“No, it’s fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“But I still can’t allow you to stay here alone with Jung Yohan. Not in this lifetime. So, how about helping Mrs. Kim today?”

Mrs. Kim—That was the woman I’d worked with in the potato field the other day. The one who knew my brother.

Back then, I hadn’t been able to mention Hyunwoo hyung, nor reveal my real name.

But now that I’d told Kang Kimoon the truth, I felt ready to talk about it.

“Today’s the day Mrs. Kim visits her family grave. It’d be nice if you went with her—she could use some company. It’s quite a trip.”

“Sure, I’ll go help.”

It was a relief to have something meaningful to do instead of being left idle.

“Good. Help her out, have dinner with her, chat a bit—and I’ll come pick you up afterward.”

“Hey, I can come back on my own, you know? Just call me when you’re on your way.”

“Alright.”

He agreed easily, though I couldn’t shake the feeling he’d come pick me up anyway. Not that I minded—it might even be better that way.

“By the way, Kimoon, didn’t you tell me not to walk alone here at night or dawn?”

“You remember.”

“If you come back too late… I think I’ll be a little scared walking home alone in the dark.”

I worded it gently, but honestly. There was no way someone as perceptive as Kang Kimoon would miss the meaning behind my words.

As expected, he murmured exactly what I wanted to hear, “I’d never allow you to walk alone at night.”