MIM 66

Shin-woo, who had been staring blankly as if making sure he’d heard correctly, burst out laughing. Was it because of the dazzling night view? Just his laughter seemed to brighten not only his face but the surroundings as well. Jae-seung frowned and looked around. Indeed, being a tourist attraction, everywhere his eyes reached was bright even at this hour.

“If that’s how you feel, I’ll keep my distance.”

Shin-woo clasped his hands behind his back and stepped away. He’d thought Shin-woo’s attitude had changed subtly since meeting with mother, but was it just his imagination? Even if he’d just come out for a change of pace, it wasn’t that strange. After all, keeping his employer happy was part of his job.

“Why are there so many mosquitoes?”

A mosquito was caught in his hand as he waved it to hide his embarrassment. Summer lakes were inevitably swarming with insects.

While he was pretending not to notice, Shin-woo took the lead in buying tickets and guiding them to the boat. Seeing how well he knew where to go, it seemed he’d been here more than once or twice. I guess he enjoyed dates while I was stuck in the mansion? Glaring at the back of his head, Jae-seung couldn’t help but blurt out,

“Did you come here with that woman too?”

“That woman?”

Though it was only for a few seconds, Shin-woo rolled his eyes thoughtfully. It was simply infuriating how he needed time to answer, as if he had so many girlfriends he needed to think about it. It was irritating to think that his running around in suits wasn’t for work but for flirting with women.

He had meticulously calculated his hourly wage when he was with him, but he probably took the initiative to spend money on his girlfriends, right? The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and Jae-seung swatted two more mosquitoes that were sticking to his skin. He felt even the sensation of small insects landing on his skin keenly.

Even while sharply detecting all surrounding stimuli, rather than becoming scattered, his mind grew increasingly calm. Shin-woo. It felt like his brain was functioning solely to fill the void this guy had left.

“No. This is my first time on a boat too.”

He answered lightly and got on the boat. Jae-seung started to ask if that meant he’d been to the lake before even if not on a boat, but decided against pursuing it further and quietly followed.

The boat was moon-shaped, fitting the lake’s name. The safety officer who had given them their tickets explained how to operate it, but with just steering and brakes, it was simple enough for children to handle. Shin-woo, who had boarded first, looked up at Jae-seung with his hands on the wheel as if it were natural. Seeing him glowing red from the lighting, Jae-seung’s feet moved on their own.

The boat was narrower than expected. They were both large men, and their arms kept touching, especially because of Jae-seung’s broad shoulders. Though they’d had sex before so making a fuss about arms touching seemed excessive, it still made him conscious. Sitting so close, he could occasionally catch Shin-woo’s soft scent. He hadn’t noticed in the car because of the air freshener, but today too, he smelled like a cozy pillow.

“Look at the sky.”

As the boat began to drift slowly across the lake, Shin-woo lifted his head to look at the sky. The vast night sky spread out like an enormous blanket. Watching the countless stars twinkling above, his mind grew calmer and clearer.

Find out one thing at a time. He had to take action and find out the truth with his own eyes and ears.

Jae-seung glanced sideways at Shin-woo. Turning the wheel slowly, he was completely absorbed in the night sky. Though he should have been anxious considering what he’d heard today, sitting side by side appreciating the night scenery felt strangely familiar.

Just as he was convinced that he hadn’t come all the way here to drown him, Shin-woo’s weight pressed down on his shoulder. He leaned in slightly, his light eyes gleaming.

“Speaking of marriage, if we were to go on a honeymoon later, where would you want to go?”

“…What?”

He had embarrassed him by talking about marriage, and now he was asking about a honeymoon. As he just stared blankly, Shin-woo smiled and urged him on.

“Now that your health is better and your rut is gradually getting under control, you can travel freely anywhere. Shall we go during the break?”

Travel. Jae-seung pondered, tilting his head. When he was confined to the mansion due to poor health, he often imagined traveling, but now that he was out, he didn’t feel particularly desperate to travel. This was his first time at this lake, and there must be countless things to see just in the city where they lived.

“Sure. I’d like to look around Changgang City first.”

“Even though you could go anywhere?”

“Hearing about places from you is enough.”

Shin-woo had talked about quite a few countries. Those superficial stories that seemed meant for when he was bedridden. Though he could eventually go see that wide world someday, for now he needed to look around the dark spots closer to home.

Seemingly dissatisfied with the answer, Shin-woo stopped the boat. Lifting his gaze from the gently rippling water, he gestured toward the open scenery.

“Go see all the places you want to visit. The world is so much bigger than just the places I’ve mentioned.”

He’s not saying let’s go, but telling me to go – does he mean to send me alone? What is he plotting to do while sending me away? His desire to travel instantly disappeared.

Jae-seung fidgeted with his legs that were too long to manage. He wanted to stretch properly, but it was so cramped that extending his arms would mean embracing this guy. He reached his arm behind Shin-woo’s back and asked bluntly:

“Why did we come here?”

“I thought a walk would be nice. Get some fresh air, change of mood.”

“For you? Or for me?”

Though he doubted there’d be any meaning in answering it was to please him, he wanted to ask. The smile gradually faded from Shin-woo’s face as he looked at him. He waited for him to play dumb as usual, but he remained silent for a while. He seemed deep in thought for such a simple question.

“Both?”

He finally answered tentatively, raising his rounded eyebrows. Under the black lake and night sky, his eyes were the only thing that seemed to hold warmth. The sight of finding warmth in the cold darkness somehow felt familiar.

A mosquito lingered on Shin-woo’s cheek as Jae-seung was scanning it with his eyes. As soon as he noticed, he crushed it with his finger, causing his curved knuckle to touch Shin-woo’s cheek. With their faces close and touching his cheek, Shin-woo’s eyes grew round. Of course, the skin his hand touched was where it was swollen from being hit earlier.

Shin-woo slightly backed away before pressing the forward button again. Seeing him pretending nothing happened and focusing on steering the boat made Jae-seung feel oddly wronged.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I was just killing a mosquito, not trying to kiss you.”

“I’m not misunderstanding.”

“Well, what if I was trying to kiss you? We’ve slept together, so why can’t we kiss?”

He let him rub his dick on his face, even opening his mouth as if wanting to take him in, but now he turns his head away just because their lips got a little close? As he questioned him, Shin-woo silently raised the corners of his lips. After a long pause, as he leisurely turned the boat around, he quietly added,

“Those things should be done with someone you like.”

Whether it was because of the intense déjà vu or the motion sickness, Jae-seung felt nauseous. He turned his head to face forward. The boat was cutting through the black lake, heading back to the dock.

“Move aside, mutt!”

His feeble resistance was useless. As soon as they returned home, the mutt came running, wagging its tail, standing on two legs, bringing toys, making a fuss. Jae-seung glared at the tiny two feet planted against his calf. The white, stubby paws looked utterly insignificant.

After dwelling all day on being called a failure, seeing a dog welcome him unconditionally made his heart unsettled. Why was it so excited just because they’d returned from going out? The mutt kept pushing against him tirelessly, its black round eyes sparkling.

Shin-woo, returning after parking, stood beside him. Jae-seung finally asked what had been bothering him all along.

“What’s this one’s name?”

“It doesn’t have one. Seemed like it could live fine without one.”

He couldn’t understand how the guy could answer so nonchalantly. While he was frowning, Shin-woo chuckled and stroked the dog’s round head.

“Without a name, it won’t wait to be called, so it’s free. Don’t you think it can grow more independently?”

It sounds plausible but nonsense when examined carefully. Jae-seung threw the toy the dog had brought to his feet and said:

“You said you found it on the street? If it had an owner, it would have had a name.”

“Probably so? I didn’t want to give it another name just because I brought it home. I don’t even know if I can take responsibility until the end… it would be irresponsible.”

“Just take responsibility then.”

Humans live much longer, so what’s there not to be able to take responsibility for? Shin-woo was silent for a moment at the immediate retort. Watching the dog running with the toy in its mouth, he smiled somewhat sadly.

“That would be nice, but it might not be possible. You never know what will happen with people.”

If it ends up going somewhere else and meeting another owner, how many names would it have then? He muttered barely audibly while crouching down to pet the dog. Under Shin-woo’s large hand, the mutt rolled over, showing its belly, acting completely spoiled.

“Still, give it one. Everyone seems to want to call it something.”

“Hmm, should we keep calling it mutt? It sounds kind of cute now that I’ve heard it a while.”

He was talking nonsense, not knowing how important names are. What if it actually starts eating its own droppings after being named mutt, how can he be so carefree?

Jae-seung believed names had a profound influence on one’s fate. Hadn’t his mother named him Jae-seung with the desperate wish for her son to inherit wealth? That’s why he ended up being treated like a money vessel in the end. He smiled bitterly and crouched down opposite Shin-woo. The dog made quite cute sounds as he stroked its soft belly with his hand large enough to cover its whole body.

“Maro. Since I met it on the street, let’s use ‘ma’ for path and ‘ro’ for street.”

It was a name he liked, as it had a pretty sound too. As Jae-seung lifted the corner of his mouth in satisfaction, green eyes curved along with him, sparkling with playful light.

“I’ll give it my surname. Know what an honor that is, mutt.”

Shin-woo raised his wavering eyes. As Jae-seung had just gotten up, dusting himself off, their gazes slid past without meeting.

Even after Jae-seung left, Shin-woo stayed there with the dog for a while. Maro. He whispered the name several times, just mouthing the shapes.