MIM 91

So this is what he earned all that money for. Ma Jae-seung glanced sideways at Shin-woo sitting next to him, his own hands folded neatly on his stomach. Shin-woo was preoccupied with soothing Maro, who was extremely nervous before their first flight, holding both the dog and carrier in his arms. Despite initially suggesting “just” a month-long trip, he had insisted on bringing Maro if they were going to be away from home for “as long as” a month, which meant they had to find an airline that allowed pets. Though it cost quite a bit, Shin-woo didn’t hesitate to purchase Maro’s ticket.

While all other travel preparations like airline tickets and accommodation bookings were left to Butler Hwang and ultimately paid for with Ma Jae-seung’s money, Shin-woo was allowed to pay for Maro’s ticket. Honestly, Ma Jae-seung wasn’t too pleased with Shin-woo making such a fuss over something unrelated to him. The same person who had gone directly to professors requesting grade changes from A-minus to A-plus now wouldn’t even look his way, busy comforting a dog.

Ma Jae-seung licked his lips and wiggled his feet in the disposable slippers. Despite not being hot, his feet were uncomfortably sweaty. Like Maro, this was his first time leaving Janggang-si. No, it was his first time even being on a plane. Looking out at the dim airport through the window, he let out a long breath.

He thought it might not be bad to go far away while feeling lost. Maybe after getting away anywhere, clearing his head, and getting some fresh perspective, he might see new paths that weren’t visible now. For that reason alone, he had decided to leave the city with this guy who seemed to have no grand plans.

For someone who had proposed the trip first, Shin-woo had chosen their destination rather haphazardly. He had picked a country that had lodging identical to a block cabin.

Since childhood, Ma Jae-seung had built all sorts of buildings and structures with blocks, storing his numerous models in a room on the first floor of the mansion. Among them was an A-frame cabin displayed in part of the study, and Shin-woo had found its exact replica in France.

Judging by how he had created a separate exhibition space in the annex to store block houses, he seemed to really like those toys. With no particular reason to object, they eventually settled on the Jura Mountains where that cabin was located.

It was pretty. A cabin in the woods. Though he wasn’t sure how well he and Shin-woo would fit into that picture-perfect scenery.

“Ugh.”

The plane finally began rolling down the runway for takeoff. Ma Jae-seung’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly turbulent movement. Unconsciously tensing up, he took long breaths while puffing out his cheeks. As the plane roughly scraped along the ground before lifting off, he felt his body floating. Just as he was feeling slightly dizzy from the vertigo, he felt something warm touch his tightly clenched fist.

It turned out to be Shin-woo. The moment he realized Shin-woo had taken his hand, he felt his heart sink slightly. It must be because the aircraft was still shaking unsteadily. While waiting for the turbulence to stop, Shin-woo suddenly squeezed his hand tightly.

What’s this? Is this guy nervous too? Ma Jae-seung squinted and looked to the side. Shin-woo, who had been staring ahead while chewing his lip, felt the gaze and turned to look back. Just as their eyes met, the aircraft shook hard and Shin-woo startled. He rolled his eyes with his mouth open wide in surprise. Even his round ears twitched slightly.

Ma Jae-seung bit his bottom lip slightly to suppress a laugh. Shin-woo’s unhinged appearance aroused his curiosity. He had thought Shin-woo would have traveled extensively while working under his father, but apparently, he wasn’t much different from himself.

“Why are you so surprised? This can’t be your first time.”

“…It is my first time.”

Shin-woo hesitated before mumbling in a barely audible voice. Ma Jae-seung looked down at Shin-woo’s hand holding his.

He had assumed Shin-woo was offering support, but perhaps he, too, needed something to hold onto.

Releasing his tightly clenched fist that had left no room for intrusion, Ma Jae-seung turned his hand to align their palms. Since he had been running around for his sake anyway, this much…After clearing his throat as his mouth felt dry, he firmly interlaced their fingers. Though they were just holding hands, he felt a chill run up and down his spine, perhaps due to awkwardness. Ma Jae-seung quickly spoke before Shin-woo could react.

“Are you saying Father was saving on plane tickets?”

“…It’s more that most of my work was in Janggang-si. I didn’t have much reason to leave.”

Shin-woo licked his lips as he answered steadily. His Adam’s apple moved prominently as he swallowed.

“I did go out a few times, but always by boat. Whether it was catching someone trying to escape by sea or infiltrating a cargo ship, there was always some reason.”

“Really?”

“Ma Jin-seong didn’t send me far. There was plenty to do nearby.”

His lips twitched as he spoke the full name without honorifics. Since he had started speaking informally, he had dropped all pretense. Ma Jae-seung smirked as he watched Shin-woo smacking his lips as if trying to get rid of an unpleasant aftertaste.

“That’s unexpected.”

“What is?”

“That it’s the first time for both of us.”

Shin-woo glanced at him and lifted the corner of his mouth. Perhaps due to the memories that had briefly returned recently, his face looked younger than usual.

As the turbulence stabilized, the seatbelt sign turned off. Embarrassed by his sweaty palms, Ma Jae-seung let go first. While wiping his hands on his pants, he glanced sideways to see Shin-woo gently opening and closing the hand that had been holding his. Feeling strange as if hitting turbulence again, Ma Jae-seung quickly looked away.

The flight to France was long. Ma Jae-seung kept fidgeting, despite having reclined his seat comfortably. Though first class provided ample space, he still felt restless and couldn’t bear it. Even deliberately coughing and sighing didn’t help matters. His only entertainment was occasionally stealing glances at Shin-woo.

“Hello, would you like some ice cream and wine?”

Soon a flight attendant approached offering snacks. Shin-woo took an ice cream and separately requested treats for Maro. Only after confirming Maro was eating did he touch his own snack. Ignoring the provided spoon, he bit directly into the ice cream mounded in the small cup. Even while devouring the ice cream like a barbarian, he still clicked his tongue to get Maro’s attention.

Watching this for a while made Ma Jae-seung feel left out. If he was going to be like this, why bring him on the trip? Ma Jae-seung snorted loudly enough to be heard, catching Shin-woo’s attention.

“Butler Hwang would have taken good care of him if we’d left him at the mansion, why bring him and make things difficult?

“This is luxury, not difficulty. Right?”

When Shin-woo reached out his hand while asking, Maro eagerly licked his fingers. His gaze at the dog was tender. After a long while, just when Ma Jae-seung thought the conversation was over, Shin-woo suddenly spoke.

“If I disappear for a month, he’ll think I abandoned him.”

About to suggest video calls would suffice, Ma Jae-seung kept quiet, thinking it seemed rather petty. After confirming Maro had finished his treats, Shin-woo put the carrier down by his feet. His ice cream sat half-melted, barely touched.

“The butler told me that when I’m out, he waits by the entrance the whole time. Staying in the same spot for hours.”

“…”

“I hate that.”

A pained expression briefly crossed his face. Though Ma Jae-seung listened quietly, expecting more, the conversation ended there. After blinking while staring into space for a moment, Shin-woo soon fell asleep, not even properly reclining his seat despite being in first class.

When Ma Jae-seung pressed the button to recline the seat for him, Shin-woo fell into a deep sleep with an even more peaceful expression, even making soft breathing sounds. Ma Jae-seung silently watched the sleeping Shin-woo for some time. The flat eyebrows, quietly closed eyes, and gently closed lips—his face with all facial muscles relaxed looked somewhat unfamiliar.

Had his face looked like this when Shin-woo watched him? He was suddenly curious about the person who had watched over his sleep for hundreds of days. Ma Jae-seung covered Shin-woo with his own blanket and lay down beside him. Then he listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing.