PUCKD Ch 67

“When he was interviewing the MVP yesterday, the look in his eyes towards Mr. Hojae was unusual.”

The two were talking about the female announcer who belonged to the club. The one who had asked where he went after the game during the MVP interview yesterday.

Because the lingering feeling of the hasty kiss in the restroom was still there, I didn’t clearly remember what I had answered at the time.

“What is it, all of a sudden?”

I subtly showed a hint of discomfort, but Doomin instead spoke with more enthusiasm.

“No, seriously. It wasn’t just us, even Mr. Yongsoo was mentioning it! Her eyes are completely different from when she looks at other players.”

“Mr. Shin, who has been particularly popular with announcers since last year. How do you feel about it?”

“She’s pretty and intelligent. Mr. Hojae likes that type.”

The warmth that had been touching me subtly disappeared. Hojae glanced sideways, pretending to change his posture. His hand, which had been touching mine until a moment ago, had moved to the paper cup on the table.

He slowly drank the remaining alcohol in the paper cup. Unlike my unwarranted discomfort, no particular emotion could be read on Junghyun’s face.

“Does Mr. Hojae like that type?”

Junghyun, having finished all his drink, looked at Hojae with a smile on his face. Instead of Hojae, whose mouth was tightly set, the two of them excitedly intercepted the answer.

“Ah, of course. Mr. Hojae’s taste is surprisingly consistent, you know.”

“We can tell right away. Do you remember, Chul? When Shin Hojae was in 7th grade, he liked a high school older sister?”

“Ah. I remember. The sister who was good at studying.”

“I don’t remember.”

“Don’t worry. We remember vividly. Little Mr. Hojae, who was always stiff in front of that sister.”

It was extremely embarrassing for old stories I didn’t even remember to come up. Hojae frowned and glared at the damned decade-long friends. Junghyun chuckled next to him.

“In 7th grade? He was precocious.”

“Precocious, my foot. He was quite late.”

“Anyway, I saw him talking to her after the game yesterday, you know?”

“Wow, our Mr. Hojae is popular!”

“What did she say? Did she ask you out? Does she like you?”

“Just sh… Stop it.”

I tried to say ‘shut up’ but only whispered it with my mouth shape. However, the two, who were moderately tipsy, didn’t seem to intend to close their mouths.

“No, our Mr. Hojae hasn’t been able to date to his heart’s content because he’s been busy all this time. Now that he has some time and mental space, we’re saying this. Go date a little.”

“Yeah. Dating is so good!”

It was then that Junghyun suddenly stood up. The attention of the three of us focused on him at once.

“Ah, I’m just going to smoke a cigarette. Don’t mind me and keep talking.”

Junghyun smiled brightly, took a cigarette pack and a lighter from his jacket, and went out through the door leading to the rooftop. Shin Hojae’s gaze followed him.

Junghyun’s profile was visible outside the window, then quickly disappeared. Only the small yellow lights of the bare bulbs scattered in dots beyond the window.

The room, which had briefly quieted down, regained moderate liveliness with Minchul’s suggestion for a toast. Doomin, who pushed the cold sausages aside and tore open a bag of shrimp-flavored chips, asked with a direct look.

“So. What’s the truth?”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“If you’re going to lie, at least do it with some effort. You must have at least said ‘Hello.’ Does ‘didn’t say anything’ even make sense?”

Hojae sighed softly and opened his mouth. It was obvious they would cling to him until the end if he didn’t say anything here.

“She asked for my number, and I didn’t give it to her. That’s all.”

“Whoa.”

“Whoaa. Why?”

“Why? Because I’m not interested, of course.”

At Shin Hojae’s stiff tone, the two exchanged glances and then spoke simultaneously.

“Do you perhaps…”

“…have someone else you’re seeing?”

Shin Hojae frowned once again.

“Mr. Hojae has been a bit strange lately. Spacing out whenever you have a chance.”

“Constantly looking at your phone.”

“So we thought you were already seeing the announcer-nim?”

“……”

Hojae stood up without answering. The two tilted their heads upwards.

“Where are you going?”

“To bring the CEO-nim back.”

“Ah, right. Go escort him back. He didn’t leave the spot unnecessarily, did he?”

“Oh my gosh, Chul. Let’s play that NintendoX game. Hojae Hojae, we’ll set up the game console, okay?”

Shin Hojae ignored their words and pushed open the door leading to the rooftop.

The even colder wind touched his cheek. Hojae immediately walked to where Junghyun had gone.

Soon, he could see the white smoke blowing in the black night sky on the opposite side of the U-shaped rooftop.

He was wearing the hooded zip-up I gave him and looking down at the neighborhood night view, which was full of signs of life. Noticing the sound of footsteps, he was seen turning around with a cigarette clipped between his fingers.

Hojae wet his lips and spoke.

“…Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m trying to sober up a bit.”

Hojae stood next to him with hesitant steps. The yellow light from the bare bulb was tracing his profile like a line drawing made of light.

Junghyun sucked on the shortened cigarette filter and then crushed the cigarette against the railing to put it out. His mouth, as he exhaled the last puff of smoke, drew a slight arc. It was a slightly mischievous expression.

“Pretty and intelligent type?”

“……”

“Athletes seem to be naturally attracted to that type. Seeing how many players are married to announcers.”

Hojae stared intently at his face instead of answering. I hadn’t looked closely earlier because I was conscious of my friends’ gazes inside the room.

“So, are things going well with that announcer lately?”

Hojae’s eyes meticulously scanned his face. To find even a slight crack beneath the seemingly calm mask. But he wasn’t someone who would easily show an opening.

“…What if I said yes?”

The words, sounding like a test, popped out as a momentary quick wit.

“That’s good.”

“……”

“You two looked good together. Just as your friends said.”

However, instead of a crack, an impeccable smile hung on Junghyun’s face. A momentary disappointment crossed Hojae’s face.

Junghyun naturally shifted his gaze and pulled up the sleeve of the hooded zip-up that covered his hand. He checked the dial of his wristwatch using the yellow light of the bulb.

“Should I go in first? I was thinking of calling a designated driver soon.”

“It’s a lie.”

“Pardon?”

“What I just said, it’s a lie. I’m not in any kind of relationship with that announcer.”

Junghyun’s face crumpled strangely.

“Why would you tell such a lie?”

“Indeed. Why would I?”

Hojae answered blankly. However, he felt he vaguely knew the answer.

All day today, I had asked Junghyun repeatedly.

Whether reporter Kim Injoong’s resignation was really due to his influence, whether he had ever waited a long time to get an autograph, whether he reapplied perfume right before meeting me.

In truth, those weren’t the things I was really curious about.

Was his feeling still just admiration as a fan, or was there something of a slightly different color, and if so, was it a similar color to mine.

This was what Shin Hojae really wanted to ask.

Just then, a shout came from inside, “Setup complete!” Junghyun’s gaze turned inwards. Hojae instinctively grabbed his hand, fearing he would take a step and go inside.

I felt his hand, cold and stiff from being outside for so long. Hojae gripped it tightly, covering his whole hand. A spot rougher than elsewhere was felt through his thumb. It was the back of his hand.

Junghyun raised his head and gave Hojae an inquiring look. The yellow bare bulbs were twinkling in his eyes.

“…Can’t we not go?”

Hojae tentatively brought his face closer to him. He lowered his eyes slightly, as if he suspected something.

Hojae exhaled softly and placed his other hand on his cheek. Soon, their cold noses touched. He closed his eyes, and Hojae also closed his eyes.

And finally, what touched were their lips, slightly rough and cold. Hojae pressed his lips firmly against his and then slowly changed the angle.

His teeth slightly parted. A thrill ran down my spine at that small gesture of permission. Shin Hojae unclenched the hand he was holding and intertwined his fingers with Junghyun’s.

This time, I wasn’t drunk, nor was I intoxicated by a winning goal. Shin Hojae was completely sober. And in that state, he kissed Junghyun. He was fully aware of it himself.

My tongue cautiously invaded inside, and our bodies pressed closely without a gap. Hojae slowly sucked his tongue with mine. It was a very static kiss, with the sound of our tongues mixing reduced to a minimum. But that secrecy fueled the excitement even more.

My lower body, which had barely calmed down, swelled up heavily. As I slightly changed my posture, uncomfortable with what was trapped inside my pants, Junghyun’s weak moan escaped his lips, perhaps from being pressed against his.

“Mmm…”

At the same time, I felt his hardened body. As soon as I realized that, a surge of sexual sensation rushed over me, difficult to describe. Shin Hojae rather urgently wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him closer.

This time, a kiss with messy breathing started. Meanwhile, Junghyun held Hojae’s waist and rubbed his lower body against mine underneath. It was when Shin Hojae lowered the hand that was holding his waist and grasped his buttock.

Clank, the sound of the iron door opening was heard. Their lips immediately separated. “What is it? Where is he?”, “I don’t see him.”, “Is he over there?” The murmuring of conversation and footsteps grew closer.

The spot where Junghyun and I were was a dead end on the U-shaped rooftop, so there was no place to go.

Soon, Doomin quickly poked his head over the wall and spotted the two of us. Hojae immediately stood in front, as if shielding Junghyun.

“Ah! You startled me. What is it? If you’re here, you should say something.”

“What are you doing there?”

“The CEO-nim is too drunk.”

“Oh, really?”

The eyes of the two people focused simultaneously on Junghyun, who was awkwardly standing behind Shin Hojae. Hojae pulled him closer and had him lean his face against his chest. Junghyun somewhat clumsily placed his forehead on Hojae’s chest.

“Yeah. I think I need to take him home.”

“Oh dear. CEO-nim, are you okay?”

“I have hangover remedies I bought earlier. Should I give you some?”

Hojae hugged his shoulder tighter, signaling him not to answer. A small vibration, only noticeable to Hojae, occurred. He was burying his face in my chest and laughing.

I almost burst out laughing unintentionally, but Hojae chewed on the inside of his cheek to overcome it. It was fortunate that the lighting was dim.