OL Ch 7

Chapter 7

Hayun couldn’t sleep that night. Every time he drifted off, Mookyeong’s face popped into his mind. Eventually, around four o’clock in the morning, he gave up on sleeping and headed to the training ground. As he worked up a sweat, he pondered how to approach him. Avoiding him would only raise questions, but he lacked the courage to confess he had secretly watched him last night.

In the end, Hayun decided to pretend nothing happened. Since it was done covertly without Mookyeong’s knowledge, he wouldn’t suspect anything anyway. Besides, if he hadn’t spied on him, he might not have even known about his activities.

While still lost in thought, Mookyeong entered the training ground. He approached with a sullen expression, apologizing for being upset the previous day. However, Hayun, having forgotten what had bothered him due to the early-morning incident, simply accepted his apology with a nonchalant “yeah” as he wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

Mookyeong found it odd that Hayun readily accepted his apology but didn’t question him during their morning training session. Instead, he casually brought it up as they returned home later.

“Did you come back really early this morning?”

“Huh?”

“I thought I smelled your scent while sleeping.”

He was lying; rather than smelling him directly, he likely detected his scent on his nightclothes. Despite realizing this, Hayun couldn’t bring himself to respond. The image of Mookyeong’s demeanor at dawn overlapped with his current nonchalant expression, and from that moment, he started feeling irritated by his actions. Even small gestures like adjusting his clothes or hair annoyed him. Yet, despite considering him another piece of himself, he wasn’t repulsed by him.

‘But continuing to like Mookyeong like this…’

Regardless, Hayun was destined to spend his life with Mookyeong. Since he would inevitably encounter him no matter what, he wanted at least a few years of dating others before being tied down to him. Having only one choice felt like a loss regardless of how he thought about it.

Therefore, he didn’t want to be bound to Mookyeong immediately. However, emotionally, he couldn’t separate from him. Despite feeling jealous and frustrated, he also provided stability. Perhaps these thoughts themselves stemmed from his affection for Mookyeong, going beyond mere liking, reaching deeper…

“What’s on your mind?”

Could it be because he already loved him too deeply to escape?

“……” 

Hayun couldn’t respond as Mookyeong gazed at him with a radiant smile, seemingly oblivious to his inner turmoil, just radiating pure happiness.

As Hayun closed his mouth, Mookyeong gently nibbled on his lips.

“Keep your eyes only on me. Don’t try to distract yourself with other thoughts. Okay?”

“Stop talking nonsense and get lost.”

Hayun’s voice sounded cheerful, but Mookyeong ignored his protest. Instead, he nuzzled against the back of Hayun’s neck as if enjoying it immensely.

“I can’t wait until you turn twenty.”

“Do you really think I’ll let you do anything then?”

Mookyeong laughed again, seemingly confident that would be the case. Hayun turned away from him.

“Who knows? We’ll see when the time comes.”

“……”

Mookyeong forcefully intertwined their fingers. Realizing he couldn’t easily free himself, Hayun gave up resisting. With Hayun acquiescing, Mookyeong smiled and pressed both their hands firmly onto the ground. The touch felt warm between them.

“I’ll just hold your hand. I promise not to do anything else, so let me stay like this for a bit.”

“……”

“I swear.”

Contrary to his words, Mookyeong gently caressed Hayun’s hand with his fingertips. The slight dampness felt on his skin reminded Hayun of that night. He belatedly tried shaking off Mookyeong’s grip, but it was already firmly secured around him.

Their clasped hands felt warm, and before he knew it, their breaths were synchronized as well.

“By any chance, did something happen between you two?”

Seo Iju unexpectedly returned home early one afternoon and caught Hayun drinking water in the kitchen.

“Ack!”

Why did Seo Iju always bring up serious matters whenever Hayun drank water? Trying hard not to show his fluster, Hayun coughed lightly, but it didn’t help. Eventually, he turned away, coughing repeatedly until his face flushed red.

“It seems there’s some truth to those rumors.” Seo Iju clicked her tongue while placing a cigarette between her lips.

“No, it’s not like that. It just startled me while quietly drinking water. You caught me off guard.”

Smirking mischievously, Seo Iju scanned Kim Hayun from head to toe. She clearly didn’t believe Hayun’s explanation. Feeling wronged, Hayun widened his eyes innocently.

In reality, Mookyeong’s suggestion hadn’t been lifted yet. If it had, their relationship would have progressed further. As Hayun pondered over Mookyeong’s suggestion, he recalled its content:

Even with Kim Hayun’s consent, there can be no intimacy until he turns twenty.

Mookyeong generally avoided doing things Hayun disliked. Similarly, he wouldn’t continue this behavior if Hayun disapproved of it. Did Seo Iju already know about this aspect?

“Boys tend to act impulsively, so they require extra caution. Especially when two pieces are deeply connected, as you both seem to be.”

“We’re not particularly close.”

“Really?”

“…..”

As soon as he responded, Hayun felt like Seo Iju had caught him out. However, he didn’t want to continue discussing this topic.

“Anyway, you’re home early today.”

“Oh, clever boy, changing the subject. But the gold pieces aren’t just for you; they’re also for Mookyeong’s sake. I don’t want his already limited world to shrink further. This might sound like idle chatter now…”

It seemed Seo Iju was about to launch into another lengthy explanation. Sensing this, Kim Hayun subtly put down his cup and attempted to turn away. However, Seo Iju noticed his move, swiftly approached, and pinched Hayun’s ear.

“Owww, oww!”

“Hey! I’m not even pinching that hard!”

The commotion downstairs caused a loud thud upstairs. Mookyeong, who was showering, rushed out and peeked down from the stairs.

“What’s going on?”

It seemed he hadn’t properly dried himself, as water droplets and soap bubbles dripped off his body. Seo Iju barked at the sight of this.

“I’m not gonna eat you! Stop hiding!”

Hayun, still clutching his ear, emerged where Mookyeong could see him. He then scanned Seo Iju up and down, as if assessing her. Seo Iju snorted incredulously at his audacity.

“Look! Look how bold you’ve become. Go finish washing yourself. It’s no big deal.”

“Don’t hit Hayun. Where would you even hit him?”

“He’s quite tall when he stands straight, you know? Are you feeling smug about your height advantage now?”

Seeing Seo Iju’s wide grin, he pretended to stagger while clutching his head. Hayun giggled as he supported Seo Iju’s back.

“Raising sons is utterly pointless. Absolutely worthless. Hmph.”

“Why not have another one then? He mentioned wanting a cute younger sibling for about ten years now.”

“Don’t even joke about it.” Seo Iju glanced at Hayun and chuckled despite herself.

Mookyeong continued staring blankly at them, unable to comprehend the situation. Unable to bear it any longer, Hayun waved Mookyeong away, indicating that he should finish washing up. As if realizing there was nothing more to say, Mookyeong turned around.

Only after sensing the bathroom door close did Hayun step away from Seo Iju.

“…Be careful out there.”

“I think I need to be.”

“Do you remember why I arrived early?”

“Yes.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“…Is it not over yet?”

“Surprisingly, this is just the beginning. Open the door, Kim Hayun.”

“…..”

Hayun gently took a deep breath. What could Seo Iju possibly want to say? He felt scared even before hearing it. Regardless of his fear, dozens of doors approached Hayun and Seo Iju. The wide-open doors swallowed them, with another set consuming them afterward. Spaces connected, separated, and opened up new areas continuously.

Eventually, they arrived at their destination: a crimson-colored realm. Countless doors formed a massive sphere by touching each other, while Hayun and Seo Iju stood on a transparent floor at its center.

The doors repeatedly opened and closed seemingly at random, as if conversing with Hayun. The wind generated by their movement tousled his hair. Seo Iju reached out and removed Hayun’s glasses, revealing thin golden rims around his light brown eyes. As Hayun blinked once, all the chattering doors simultaneously shut. The previously fiery-red space instantly transformed into shades of gold.

“What could have possibly happened to cause this?”

“Mun Taegang died this time. No, he took his own life after narrowly escaping.”

“…..”

“It seems you don’t remember who Mun Taegang was. As I mentioned before, Jeong Kiwoo, Mun Taegang, and I had been conducting research on these doors for a very long time. Now, both Jeong Kiwoo and Mun Taegang are dead. It might be my turn next.”

“Don’t say that. Why would Teacher die?”

Hayun couldn’t comprehend why Seo Iju spoke so calmly about her own death. He found it impossible to imagine Seo Iju dying. Just like Hayun, Seo Iju was an esper connected to doors. Couldn’t they simply escape if necessary?

“I appreciate your high regard for me, but there are many exceptional espers in this world.”

“But…”

“Moreover, I need permission to open doors.”

“…..”

“Of course, compared to other espers like Jeong Kiwoo and Mun Taegang, the doors opened relatively quickly. However, there were times when the door wouldn’t open at all.”