OMS 12

Park Dong-sik let out a small sigh while looking at his face in the mirror. It had been a week since he came here, and rushing to the mirror first thing after waking up had become his daily routine. The one fortunate thing was that after eating well for a few days, his previously dull face was starting to show some luster.

Park Dong-sik turned his head from side to side to examine himself. His looks were truly something. It was fascinating how his face could appear both decadent and innocent depending on the angle. While it wasn’t to his taste, seeming to lack masculine hormones by his standards, it was definitely the pretty boy style that young people these days preferred.

While changing clothes, he looked down at his genitals. He had gotten somewhat used to the smooth groin and the peach-colored nipples. He poured plenty of skin toner into his hand and patted it on his face. He no longer felt much about the skin that showed no trace of facial hair or even pores.

In the dressing room, he searched the closet for the most comfortable clothes. Even though the original owner probably hadn’t worked in an office, there were many shirts and suits, mostly in achromatic colors, revealing Lee Hee-soo’s plain taste.

Park Dong-sik put on the most comfortable outfit he could find and sprawled out on the living room sofa. In an hour, Kim Yoon-ah would bring him food. He had been skipping breakfast for days now, citing illness as an excuse.

While he disliked both Kim Tae-han and Kim Jun-han, what was most uncomfortable was the private meetings with Chairman Kim after meals. He concluded it was better to avoid them altogether, fearing he might either throw a punch or curse if he had to face the chairman’s blatant desires one more time.

While flipping through TV channels sprawled on the sofa, he caught a cable TV segment introducing a new movie with Kim Tae-han being interviewed. Though he seemed like a pervert at home, he looked quite impressive on TV.

Actually, to be honest, he was handsome. Not just his looks, but the way he confidently expressed his opinions while occasionally throwing in humor and skillfully showing consideration for others was quite charming. The interviewer’s face never lost its smile. If it hadn’t been for their current situation, he would have definitely felt attracted to him.

[This is your first romance film. What’s your ideal type, Director?]

[Ah, my ideal type?]

Kim Tae-han lowered his eyes before looking up with a sweet smile.

[Someone like my sister-in-law?]

The host laughed loudly, thinking it was a joke. “You must be really close with your family.” He couldn’t hear the rest because he changed the channel, surprised and flustered.

Is he really crazy? Why doesn’t he just advertise it? To think I actually found him impressive for a moment there. Annoyed, he was changing channels and sitting up when there was a knock at the door. Could it be Kim Yoon-ah bringing breakfast already?

“Come in.”

But when the door opened, it wasn’t Kim Yoon-ah but Kim Tae-han who appeared.
With a tray of food in one hand.

“I heard you were sick and staying in, but here you are watching TV about us, sister-in-law?”

As Park Dong-sik hurriedly turned off the TV, Kim Tae-han set the food on the table. After days of porridge, there was finally proper rice. His mouth watered. He was about to get sick from eating nothing but porridge…

“How are you feeling? Manager Kim said you were very ill.”

When he tried to check for fever with the back of his hand on Park Dong-sik’s forehead, Park Dong-sik swatted it away.

“Why are you here?”

“Why? I came to feed my pretty sister-in-law.”

Hah, he’s still so shameless even after being caught in a lie. Park Dong-sik glared and waved his hand for him to leave. But he didn’t budge and sat down across from him, crossing his arms.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you leaving?”

“I’ll go after watching you eat.”

Regardless, Park Dong-sik picked up the soup bowl and slurped it down, then exclaimed with satisfaction. How could soup taste this good—what amazing ingredients must they have used? After finishing one bowl of rice, he took another big spoonful, and Kim Tae-han watched him curiously.

“You used to eat like a bird before, but your appetite has changed too?”

“Of course. I’m not a bird.”

“And you’re using the spoon with your right hand?”

Park Dong-sik flinched. Was Lee Hee-soo left-handed? There was nothing about that in Kim Yoon-ah’s report. While he was briefly considering whether to switch hands or just brazen it out, Kim Tae-han smiled.

“You know, I can accept that someone might lose their memories. But can small habits and mannerisms change too?”

Instead of switching the spoon, Park Dong-sik took an even bigger bite of rice, as if to make a point.

“How would I know? Ask a doctor.”

“I’m just curious. This seems less like memory loss and more like a personality change. If Lee Hee-soo had multiple personalities, it would make sense. Maybe the shock brought out a hidden personality.”

His tone was unusually serious, without its usual playfulness. Looking at this Kim Tae-han, Park Dong-sik responded brazenly,”Actually, I’m not Lee Hee-soo.”

“Then who are you?”

“A ghost. Currently possessing this body.”

Kim Tae-han burst out laughing. Though it wasn’t meant to be funny…The original body was now a corpse, so wasn’t I essentially a ghost? Of course, I hadn’t been wandering around before possessing it—I’d been here since I woke up.

“So what was our ghost’s original name?”

“Not telling you.”

“That’s such an outdated cliche. Are you an old ghost?”

Kim Tae-han said teasingly, and Park Dong-sik’s brow furrowed sharply. This bastard. I can’t tell what’s sincere and what’s a joke anymore.

“I’m getting indigestion, so leave.”

“Don’t be like that. I came today with a purpose.”

“Purpose?”

“After you finish eating, come to the main house. Mother wants to take you somewhere.”

“Where?”

“You just said it yourself. That you’re a ghost.”

Park Dong-sik swallowed his food and stared at Kim Tae-han.

“There’s someone my mother trusts even more than Father. Some spiritual expert or whatever. And since you’ve changed so drastically, she’s insisting on taking you to see this expert.”

“…”

“Get it?”

“Not really.”

“Don’t act like how you just did with me. Unless you want to end up in a mental hospital.”

As Park Dong-sik continued frowning at him, Kim Tae-han reached out. Before Park Dong-sik could swat his hand away, he was faster. He wiped away some rice from Park Dong-sik’s mouth and even poured him some water. “Drink this. You’ll get indigestion eating so fast.” These caring gestures made Park Dong-sik feel strange.

“If I really am possessed by a ghost…they’ll put me in a mental hospital?”

“You think I’d let that happen?”

“…Then what?”

“We’ll run away together. Far away.”

Kim Tae-han smiled, and Park Dong-sik felt a tickle in his chest, making him scratch his neck. What’s this? Is this guy serious about me? No, not me exactly—Lee Hee-soo. Or is he just playing games to get what he wants? I really can’t figure him out.

Then something occurred to him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“You smell good to me…But Kim Jun-han has no smell at all. Why is that?”

“Because my brother doesn’t have even a shred of affection for you.”

“Ah.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not really. I expected as much.”

“Come on, you look disappointed.”

“I’m not?”

“Really?”

KimTae-han got up, came around the table, and sat down next to him. As Park Dong-sik backed away warily, Kim Tae-han gazed intently into his eyes. Those deep brown eyes. He had to admit the real person was much more handsome than what he’d seen on TV. Feeling his ears getting hot, Park Dong-sik deliberately furrowed his brow.

“What?”

“I don’t care what you are, Hee-soo.”

“Huh?”

“Whether you’re possessed by a ghost or a demon. To me, Hee-soo is just Hee-soo. So don’t be scared later. If things get bad, I’ll take you abroad.”

As he spoke, he subtly ran his hand along Park Dong-sik’s side.

Park Dong-sik slapped his hand away.

“Oh, how touching, for fuck’s sake. Our young master turns out to be the romantic of the century. But what can I do? I’m not interested. Hey, stop coming closer. Why do you keep coming at me?”

The distance closed, and Kim Tae-han’s pheromone scent washed over him. His head spun, and when the guy tried to climb on top of him like an animal, he quickly pushed his shoulders away and stood up. After putting some distance between them, Kim Tae-han made an exaggeratedly hurt expression.

“Why won’t you accept my sincerity?”

Before he could curse at him, Kim Yoon-ah came running up urgently. Madam Song was calling for them to come to the main house. Finally, it was happening. Park Dong-sik felt a strange anticipation. Don’t these spiritual experts see ghosts and such? Who knows? Maybe going there will lead to some solution.

But Kim Tae-han tactlessly butted in.

“I want to come too.”

“No. I don’t want you to. Don’t follow me.”

Kim Tae-han frowned deeply, but Park Dong-sik turned away regardless.

More than anyone else, he absolutely didn’t want Kim Tae-han to tag along. Absolutely not.