TGMND 143 Side Story Part 2

#The Housemate Next Door

It was an ordinary weekend afternoon. After helping out at the cafe and coming back home, he found Yeo-woon’s shoes neatly placed in the shoe cabinet.

Why did he come over without saying anything after waking up?

Without realizing he was grinning widely, Yoon Ji-gu hurriedly kicked off his sneakers and rushed inside.

Lee Yeo-woon was sleeping on the sofa, and Ji-gu’s cat, Yoon Bbosong, was sitting quietly on his chest, looking down at his face.

“What’s so interesting about watching someone sleep that you’re sitting there like that?”

Yoon Ji-gu let out a chuckle at the sight.

“……”

But something felt off. This was clearly his house, so why was he instinctively quieting his footsteps? Ji-gu quietly approached the sleeping Yeo-woon and sat down on the floor beside him. Yoon Bbosong turned its head to look at him.

Oh, you’re here. Responding to that seeming message in its gaze, Yoon Ji-gu raised his hand and gently stroked between the cat’s eyes. The purring sound from the cat caused Yeo-woon, who had been in a light sleep, to groggily open his eyes.

“…mmm, Ji-gu?”

“Hyung. What are you doing here?”

As Yeo-woon’s eyelids lifted, his clear eyes became visible.  Perhaps due to drowsiness, the muscles around his eyes were slightly relaxed, giving him a languid, oddly sensual aura.

Unbelievable. How does this hyung manage to be like this even right after waking up?

Yeo-woon, who had been staring blankly at Yoon Ji-gu’s disgruntled expression, slightly furrowed his brow.

“Hm? You…”

“…!”

Then Yeo-woon wrapped his hand around the back of Ji-gu’s neck and pulled him close in one motion. The cap he was wearing fell to the floor. Yoon Ji-gu swallowed his breath and unconsciously closed his eyes.

‘Ah, this is amazing. What is this, what kind of thing to do first thing in the morning…’

“…?”

‘Wait. Why isn’t he doing anything?’

Contrary to his expectations, there was no sudden kiss. Instead, Yeo-woon leaned his cheek against Ji-gu’s neck and murmured softly.

“You smell like coffee beans. Were you at the café?”

“……”

Yoon Ji-gu turned his head toward Yeo-woon, who was leaning on his shoulder. Damn it. Lee Yeo-woon, this guy…

A sense of betrayal flickered across his face, which had been filled with anticipation. Yeo-woon, looking up at him with a bright face, burst into laughter.

“Look at your expression.”

“……”

“What were you expecting?”

“What. Why?”

“You’re sulking…”

With one corner of his mouth slightly lifted, Yeo-woon grinned at him.

“Want a kiss?”

‘No, this is ridiculous. Am I the only one in this relationship? Why does he say such things like he’s bestowing favors?’

“Ah, forget it. I don’t need—”

The hand that was wrapped around his neck tightened. With a smacking sound, Yeo-woon briefly kissed near the corner of his mouth. He grinned. Yoon Ji-gu hurriedly tried to return his lips to their original position, but Yeo-woon had already seen that too. He giggled and asked.

“Is that enough?”

“……”

‘Are you kidding me? That’s not nearly enough.’

Yoon Ji-gu grabbed Yeo-woon’s chin and kissed him. Lee Yeo-woon, who naturally parted his lips while smirking, was truly driving him crazy. The kiss that started while sitting on the floor quickly became messy. Before he knew it, Yoon Ji-gu was on top of the sofa, straddling him and intertwining his t0ngue with Yeo-woon’s.

“Mmm…”

Intermittent m0aning sounds mixed with pain came from Yeo-woon’s mouth. Day or night made no difference to the heightening atmosphere. Yoon Ji-gu, who had been subtly applying pressure by placing his thigh between Yeo-woon’s legs, moved his hand down to undress him.

Meeeeoooow!

“Ah!”

Thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack thwack! The cat that had been lying flat against Yeo-woon’s stomach suddenly struck Yoon Ji-gu’s hand repeatedly at an unbelievable speed. When Yoon Ji-gu instinctively pulled his hand back from the heavy paw strikes, Yoon Bbosong finally jumped down to the floor, glared at the two of them, and turned away haughtily.

“……”

“……”

The two people looking at each other burst into helpless laughter. Yeo-woon raised his hand to wipe his mouth slightly and half sat up.

The gradually heating atmosphere had cooled down in an instant. The two finally realized they weren’t alone here.

“…you’re not helping.”

A muffled laugh escaped from beside him as Yoon Ji-gu stared glumly at his cat. Yeo-woon finally asked about his well-being.

“Did you have a good time out?”

“……”

Lee Yeo-woon sometimes talks as if this place is exactly like his own home. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he just changed the subject.

“Why are you sleeping here since morning?”

“Just because. I came and you weren’t here, so I was waiting. It’s the weekend. I’m tired…”

“……”

The way he drawls at the end is clearly meant to appeal to me. Yoon Ji-gu barely managed to suppress the grin forming on his lips and cleared his throat. Yeo-woon raised his hand and lightly stroked Ji-gu’s cheek.

“By the way, did you get a haircut?”

“No?”

“You should get one soon. Your bangs will be poking your eyes soon?”

“It’s still fine. And I like it this length…”

“Isn’t it time for the chestnut head to come back?”

“…Like that would happen again!”

Last time, a hairdresser had mistaken him for another customer and drastically cut his hair. He couldn’t ask them to reattach the already cut sides, and he still had to pay. His mood was shit all day.

He’d decided never to leave the house. He bought four hats online. He didn’t even want to look in the mirror. Damn, he was not even a soldier, who would cut hair like this…

But when Lee Yeo-woon barged in later that evening, pressing in the passcode as he pleased, he burst out laughing at the sight of him.

‘Did you get dumped?’

‘Hyung!’

‘Where are you…’

‘Stop teasing me and leave! I want to be alone..’

‘Don’t hide. You’re cute.’

‘……’

‘I’m serious.’

So let’s stay together. With that one line, his terrible mood all day improved a little. Maybe more than a little. Yeo-woon must’ve genuinely liked his short, bristly hair because he couldn’t stop touching it. After watching a movie together with Yeo-woon stroking his hair, he felt a little, no, a lot happier.

“Is this a new hat?”

Yoon Ji-gu picked up the hat Yeo-woon had dropped on the floor.

“I bought it recently.”

It was the hat he bought when his hair was a disaster. After receiving Yeo-woon’s comfort, he felt better and tried to cancel the order for the hats he had placed in the morning, but they were already being prepared for delivery. Suddenly, he had four new hats.

Yeo-woon placed the hat back on Yoon Ji-gu’s head and tugged at his cheek, saying,

“You look cute. It suits you well.”

“……”

No way, cute? Has this hyung’s eyes gone crooked? When Yoon Ji-gu went outside, he only heard things like ‘Your son is so handsome’ or ‘How much can you bench press?’…

Why does Yeo-woon keep calling someone like him cute?

But what’s even funnier is how he wanted to keep appearing cute since Yeo-woon calls me that. What just happened to make Lee Yeo-woon think he was cute? Could it be that he finds him cute simply for breathing? It’s not like he was trying to be cute, and his appearance is far from cute; doesn’t Yeo-woon look in mirrors? He’s the one that looks cuter, so why was he saying to him…

“Yoon Ji-gu. You’re having dirty thoughts.”

“What? No? I’m not?!”

“Your ears are red.”

Yeo-woon poked the earlobe of Ji-gu, who had frozen like a statue. Heat instantly rushed to Ji-gu’s face as he reflexively frowned. Even so, with his face flushed, he didn’t seem threatening at all.

“Do you think I’m you, Hyung?”

“What do you mean? It just looks that way.”

“Crazy, that’s not it.”

“You’re revealing your dirty thoughts at any time. You are young after all.”

“…Why are you talking like a perverted uncle today, hyung? And what’s young about me?”

“That line sounded childish.”

“No, damn… what’s childish….”

‘Is Lee Yeo-woon’s vision really messed up? Is that how I look in his eyes?’

…Why? It was not that he disliked it; he was just curious.

Even after becoming the closest person in the world to Yeo-woon, Ji-gu kept finding new things to be curious about.

This hyung is really a strange person… Such thoughts still popped up whenever he saw Yeo-woon. He probably wouldn’t fully understand Lee Yeo-woon until the day he died. The problem was that he loved these strange aspects of Yeo-woon.

“I’m hungry.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“If I want something, will you make it for me?”

Lee Yeo-woon tilted his head slightly while lying sprawled out. See this. He knows he’s being cute right now. He better not act like this outside. Damn, I really can’t believe this. He seemed to think everything could be solved this way. Does the world look that easy?

“If it’s something I can make, I’ll do it.”

Yeo-woon smiled softly at his words. The world might not be easy, but he was an easy man. At least for Lee Yeo-woon.

“Make me spicy gambas.”

Huh? We don’t have shrimp right now…

“Don’t tell me you can’t?”

Yoon Ji-gu, who had fallen for that not-so-subtle provocation, got worked up.

“What are you saying? What can’t I do? I made it for you last time… Why don’t you remember?”

As he spoke, a hint of disappointment crept into his voice. How could he forget the memories with me? I remember every single one…. Damn, this is so unfair! But Yeo-woon, oblivious to his feelings, was looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Since Yeong-i is not here today, we can eat it spicier than last time.”

“……”

So he hadn’t forgotten. With Yeo-woon’s one comment, his hurt feelings instantly washed away.

“We’ll have to go to the mart, right? When I checked the fridge earlier, there weren’t any shrimp.”

“…What?”

“What? There weren’t any?”

“……”

Lee Yeo-woon said with a bright smile.

That’s not what I was asking right now…. Ah, my head hurts again. This is really ridiculous! He already checked the fridge and then specifically asked for it? He knows everything!

“Let’s go buy ingredients together.”

…Ah, so that was his goal?

“Hyung, you’re so obvious.”

“Hmm?”

“Hmph, fine. Let’s go then.”

Just say you want to go on a date with me. Sometimes Yeo-woon pulls these silly tricks when he wants to go on a date with him. Of course, Yoon Ji-gu still played along after knowing everything.

Because… because we’re dating…

“Wait a moment. I’ll go home to change and come back.”

“You’re fine like this.”

“These are my pajamas though?”

“……”

The light gray checkered pajamas finally caught his eye. Why… hadn’t he noticed? Yeo-woon must have thought his comment was a joke, as he went back to his place next door to quickly change clothes.

The moment he entered the front door and reappeared after entering the passcode, Yoon Ji-gu thought he looked too dressed up. This wasn’t the first time he felt this way. He often had this thought.

Yoon Ji-gu thought he must be crazy. It was just a white T-shirt and black shorts… It was the typical outfit of a neighborhood bum that you could see anywhere. Or maybe not? Even with his face covered, he looked somewhat decent.

‘Damn, I’m ruined! I must be really crazy!’

Where can I find my objective perspective again? Does Yeo-woon think this way about me too? It doesn’t seem like it. Damn…. When will I get used to it like him? Am I becoming more indifferent? How is it that I keep liking him more and more every day? The sight of him being so smitten with Yeo-woon felt strange yet not unpleasant.

“Bbosong-ah. Your hyungs will be back soon. Let’s play when we return. We’ll be quick-.”

As Yeo-woon whispered towards the house, a faint meow was heard. Yoon Ji-gu couldn’t help but admire. That genius cat definitely understood human language.

“Let’s go, Ji-gu-ya.”

Yeo-woon said this while suddenly grabbing Ji-gu’s wrist. Startled by the unexpected contact, Ji-gu flinched for a moment. Looking up at his lover, who blushes just from holding hands, Yeo-woon’s eyes curved into crescent shapes. He playfully laughed and intertwined their fingers.

“Pervert.”

“……”

Lost in thought, Yoon Ji-gu missed his chance to deny it. When he belatedly realized he was being insulted, he frowned.

“I wasn’t having dirty thoughts.”

“Okay.”

“No, really. I wasn’t thinking that earlier either.”

“Okay.”

“Why do you keep giving half-hearted answers? …Ah, stop laughing like a pervert. Just stop.”

Yeo-woon chuckled mischievously. When YoonJi-gu pretended to be annoyed, Yeo-woon intentionally tightened his grip on his hand. He had a hobby of teasing him. It wasn’t like he had meant to be swayed, but when Ji-gu came to his senses, he found himself on Yeo-woon’s palm.

Lee Yeo-woon resembled spring. When he smiled with crescent eyes, it was as if cherry blossoms were scattering around him. It didn’t seem normal that he looked prettier day by day…

“Not letting go of my hand?”

“I’ll let go when we reach the first floor.”

“……”

The warmth transferring from their clasped hands made YoonJi-gu’s head spin. He raised his empty hand to wipe the back of his neck.

Ah, it’s hot.

The sweltering heat hadn’t even fully arrived yet, so why was it so hot here…?

***

This neighborhood is too small. Yoon Ji-gu felt this several times on their walk to the mart.

While leaving the building after reaching the first floor, they ran into his mom getting out of her car. Ji-gu’s mom had no reaction seeing him, but when she saw Lee Yeo-woon peeking out from behind him blocking the door, her face brightened as she welcomed him.

“Yeo-woon-ssi, it’s been so long!”

Though the sudden encounter should have been awkward, Yeo-woon responded calmly.

“Hello, ma’am. I see you got a haircut.”

“Oh my, oh my! That’s right! You noticed.”

Huh, what? She got a haircut? Did she cut off about an inch…? She didn’t look that different, but starting from that comment, she kept Yeo-woon engaged in conversation for about five minutes. And while Yoon Ji-gu was listening, she even subtly talked about him while he was standing right there. Is she really his mom?

“But where are you headed, Yeo-woon-ssi? Should I give you a ride?”

“No, it’s close. Just going to the mart right in front.”

“…Well then, let’s have a meal together another time.”

The gentle tone she used with Yeo-woon changed dramatically when she turned to Yoon Ji-gu.

“Hey, son.”

It was a threatening tone. After only talking to Yeo-woon and not saying a word to him until now, now she was addressing him? Yoon Ji-gu nodded halfheartedly.

“You’re not still staying up all night gaming, are you? Your face looks a bit haggard; take care of yourself.”

Yoon Ji-gu unconsciously raised his hand to touch his cheek. Is… is that so?

“And when you upload cat videos, write some rough translations of what the cat is saying. Mom can’t understand it.”

“What are you talking about? You think I can understand?”

“You’ve been following cats around so much, you should understand by now.”

“What are you saying, seriously….”

“Yeo-woon-ssi, let’s definitely meet again. I mean it, his father is curious about you too!”

“Ah, mom. Go inside quickly.”

Yoon Ji-gu personally opened the cafe door and pushed his mother inside. Please stop acting like you know hyung when we’re together. After finally getting rid of the awkward situation, he turned around to find Yeo-woon staring at him with wide eyes.