OMS 121

[“I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for sending pictures of the children. They’re really cute and lovely. I’m sending a small gift. I made it myself, though I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”]

Park Dong-sik read the letter over and over again. After giving birth, he had called Lee Hee-soo once after much deliberation. He could still vividly remember his voice, so happy he was almost crying when he told him he had nephews. Then he sent a gift, handmade bibs. The bibs, embroidered with the children’s names, were so perfect they could have been store-bought.

“Hee-soo is really talented.”

He admired them while trying them on the babies’ necks. As he was taking pictures of their adorable appearance, both started whimpering. Checking their diapers, they were heavy.

“Wow, our babies pup a lot. Feel better? Hm?”

After changing their diapers in turn, he noticed a white cotton t-shirt in the bed. Since they cried less when Kim Jun-han was around, he had folded and kept one of his worn T-shirts, and surprisingly, their crying had decreased.

Now they only cried when they needed something, making care much easier. Though he’d expected it to be a “100-day collapse,” hope emerged that a miracle might happen. Park Dong-sik alternated holding the children and rotated his wrist. Since giving birth, his joints, especially his wrists, have often started hurting.

As he was about to give them formula, the new sitter stepped forward to do it. Both sitters were middle-aged women with considerable experience. As he watched nervously, today the babies surprisingly accepted the formula without fuss. Park Dong-sik was so happy he almost broke out in a dance then and there.

“Maybe because both parents are good-looking, the children have such clear features.”

As the sitter said, the children’s features became more distinct as time passed. Unlike newborns, they had high nose bridges and large, elongated eyes, increasingly resembling Kim Jun-han.

“I think so too. Especially their eyes and nose are exactly like their dad’s.”

“I’ve seen many babies, but I’ve never seen such good-looking ones. It’s no wonder your mother-in-law visits every day.”

Like she said, Madam Song still dropped by almost daily even after they hired sitters. Watching Madam Song, he could understand why the term “grandchild fool” existed.

“By the way, when is your mother coming? Usually, mothers visit often when their daughters have twins.”

Instead of answering, Park Dong-sik just gave a bitter smile. There had been no news from Lee Hee-soo’s mother since then. His house and lands had been sold to others, and Lee Hoon-jae and Lee Seon-jae had disappeared without a trace, even their SNS accounts were gone.

Though Kim Jun-han had clearly taken action, he didn’t ask what had happened. Even if they received cruel punishment, he didn’t think he’d feel sorry for them.

Meanwhile, a message arrived from Kim Jun-han:

[Mother said she’ll watch the children tonight. Want to go on a date?]

Though the word “date” excited him, he worried about the children. Would they be okay without him? But he also thought they needed some time alone. The exhausting childcare had eliminated any libido, and he felt guilty about rejecting Kim Jun-han’s advances last night, claiming tiredness.

Making up his mind, Park Dong-sik set a meeting place and hurried to the dressing room. For their first date in a while, he wanted to wear something nice. He smiled at a shirt with flashy patterns. A gold necklace would complete it perfectly! But Kim Jun-han would faint…

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Park Dong-sik put it back and started looking for something more modest.

***

The heat wave seemed to have broken, with occasional cool breezes. While waiting for Kim Jun-han at the café, he watched people leaving work. Seeing people in suits made him wonder what it would have been like if he had studied more and worked at a good company like this.

As he crunched on the ice from his drink, a car stopped and Kim Jun-han stepped out from the driver’s seat. Park Dong-sik smiled and waved, picked up the warm Americano beside him, and got up to his feet. As he approached, Kim Jun-han opened the passenger door for him.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry. I tried to leave early, but something came up.”

“No, I enjoy watching people. It’s been a while. Here’s your coffee.”

“Thank you.” Kim Jun-han smiled, and they got in the car. Since it was rare to see Kim Jun-han driving, Park Dong-sik stared at him for a while.

“Why are you staring?”

“Did you know you look really sexy when you’re driving?”

“Let’s not provoke each other. Aren’t we just a kissing couple these days?”

Last night, when he’d slipped his hand under his clothes, Park Dong-sik had said he was tired and that they should just stick to kissing for a while, but it seemed he was secretly hurt despite pretending otherwise. He could be quite cute sometimes. When Park Dong-sik openly laughed, Kim Jun-han grabbed his hand. He could feel the warmth emanating from the other man’s hand. Happy, he started humming, and Kim Jun-han turned to look at him.

“Get some sleep. It’s a long drive.”

“You know what you say to me most often these days? It’s ‘sleep.'”

“It’s because you look tired. I wish I could take time off and help with the kids, but I’m sorry. The circumstances won’t allow it.”

“Even just saying that means a lot, hyungnim.”

At the word “hyung-nim,” Kim Jun-han frowned, and Park Dong-sik laughed out loud. He kept using it because Kim Jun-han’s reaction was so amusing every time. Sometimes he worried he might accidentally say it in front of Madam Song.

Time flew by as they talked alone for the first time in a while, and soon the car arrived near the harbor. When they got out, the sun was already setting. The wind carried a salty scent, and Park Dong-sik was drawn like a magnet to the spot where he had fallen into the water.

Standing there, he felt a mix of emotions.

“Why did you want to come here?”

“Sometimes when I look in the mirror, my reflection seems unfamiliar. On those days, I inevitably dream about switching bodies. Then I wonder if I’ll someday go back.”

After all, hadn’t Kim Yoon-ah switched bodies with Chairman Kim and returned to normal? When he thought about it, he felt vaguely anxious, afraid that his current happiness might crumble like a sandcastle.

The old Park Dong-sik had no fears. It was natural since he had nothing to hold onto. But now it was different, having people to love and children made him develop fears and anxieties.

“If you switch, I’ll find you, so don’t worry.”

“Could you love me even if I’m not in this form?”

“To me, you’re Park Dong-sik wherever you are.”

“Even if I had a penis this big and testicles?”

When he held out his forearm, Kim Jun-han snickered. Park Dong-sik felt stung and grabbed slightly lower. “I-It would have been at least this big,” he said, but Kim Jun-han clearly didn’t believe him. Damn. Park Dong-sik rolled his eyes and looked around, spotting an open butcher shop. It was Boss Jang’s shop, though the sign had been replaced.

“What are you looking at?”

“Someone I know. Can I stop by for a moment?”

“Who is it?”

“Actually, I became like this when I came to collect money from him that day. I was really pushy at his shop. Sometimes I wondered if that’s why I was punished. But you know what’s funny? Only you and him came to my funeral.”

Park Dong-sik smiled bitterly, remembering that day. Though he said he’d be right back, Kim Jun-han insisted on coming along. When they opened the door, instead of Boss Jang, an unfamiliar middle-aged woman greeted them cheerfully.

“Welcome! We have delicious meat!”

Had the owner changed? As he scanned the interior, Boss Jang emerged from the back wearing an apron, holding a knife. He was saying “Honey, the meat delivery is wrong…” but stopped when he saw Park Dong-sik and Kim Jun-han, breaking into a bright smile.

“You must be here to buy meat. Welcome!”

Even though Park Dong-sik had paid him back, this guy was too drunk to remember. Still, it was good to see he was doing well. His face looked healthier, and the shop was much cleaner than before. While selecting and paying for meat, Boss Jang’s wife tilted her head to one side, while looking at Kim Jun-han.

“Aren’t you…?”

When they looked puzzled, she hesitantly spoke up.

“Aren’t you the CEO of Daesan Group?”

Though there was nothing to hide, before Kim Jun-han could confirm, Manager Jang scoffed.

“Come on, why would the Daesan Group CEO come here to buy meat?”

“But it is him…A face like that isn’t common…”

“Stop talking nonsense and cut the meat for the customers who are waiting.”

How could he be so unobservant? Park Dong-sik shook his head and noticed a frame on the wall. There was a photo of a congressman who must have visited during an election campaign. After thinking for a moment, Park Dong-sik spoke up.

“Madam has good eyes. Yes, he’s CEO Kim Jun-han of Daesan Group.”

Boss Jang’s wife’s eyes widened as she started to make a fuss.

“Oh my! You’re even more handsome than on TV! Ah! Did you know you have a fan club? My friend joined it. Could you sign something while you’re here? Actually, a few signatures would be better.”

It was surprising that Kim Jun-han, who wasn’t even a celebrity, had a fan club. Boss Jang looked up the photos and finally seemed to realize, letting out an awkward laugh.

“You’re right. It really is him. I’m sorry. I’m just an ignorant man who avoids the news. You’re quite handsome. You could be an actor.”

Park Dong-sik secretly watched Kim Jun-han’s reaction. He had worried he might be uncomfortable, but Kim Jun-han smiled elegantly and willingly gave autographs and took photos. Maybe he should suggest quitting the chaebol business and going into politics. It would suit him surprisingly well.

Park Dong-sik seized the moment and made an unexpected suggestion.

“Manager, you should put up a sign saying CEO Kim Jun-han bought meat here. People will flock to take photos.”

The couple’s eyes sparkled as they asked if that would really be okay. Kim Jun-han smiled and agreed, then furrowed his brows in a way only Park Dong-sik could see. His eyes seemed to ask “Who would come all this way to buy meat because of that?” but Park Dong-sik didn’t mind. Indeed, not long after, the place became known as the butcher shop Kim Jun-han had visited and became viral on social media.