WYK 35

Beep. The sound of the door lock being unlocked could be heard. Jeong-yoon suddenly stopped turning the front door. He closed his eyes with a blank face and placed his forehead against the cold iron door.

Chae-heon’s words from earlier were swirling around in his head haphazardly.

“I like it too. Your face. So let’s continue, Jeong-yoon.”

Was this a dream? Was it an illusion? He couldn’t believe it. Kang Chae-heon liked his face. Well. Jeong-yoon has always been told that he was pretty and handsome… He didn’t know that that charm would also work on Kang Chae-heon. Because Kang Chae-heon must have been tired of seeing a handsome guy every time he faced the mirror.

‘Moreover…’

Moreover, the phrase “let’s continue” doesn’t necessarily mean handjobs. It’s more likely to mean kissing or something… those awkward actions.

How did he respond when Kang Chae-heon said “Let’s continue” earlier? It seemed like he nodded his head vigorously in confusion, with his face stiffened against the warmth felt under his hand. He was afraid his voice might tremble at the end, so he tightly sealed his lips shut.

He wanted to roll around on the floor and kick his feet. He was so sick to his stomach that he was going crazy. But he suppressed such impulses and stepped into the foyer, where the familiar living room came into view at once. The scent of freesias on the table next to the shoe rack also flooded back realistically.

Ah. It’s really home. It felt like he had returned to the real world only now.

As he stepped inside, his older sister, Seo Jeong-seon, casually greeted him while taking out cheese from the fridge.

“You’re back?”

“…”

But Jeong-yoon couldn’t even hear that sound. It felt as if reality was fuzzy, like walking on a flower path in a dream.

He couldn’t even tell if this situation was happy or bewildering. His head was dizzy, and his heart was pounding uncomfortably. Yet, thinking of Chae-heon’s eyes filled with excitement, his neck felt oddly hot behind.

What Kang Chae-heon said.

‘Let’s do it.’

Yeah. Just do it. Whether it starts with impulse or something else, if he says “Do it,” then let’s do it.

There was no way Jeong-yoon could refuse the hand he extended. Even though he had never dated someone, Jeong-yoon was confident that he would nod his head a hundred times in agreement if Chae-heon asked him to become a sexual partner, something he was embarrassed to even mention.

Seo Jeong-yoon would jump into Kang Chae-heon’s arms without hesitation if he asked him to come. He was such an easy person. Just like everyone in love does.

“Youngest.”

“…”

“Hey. Hey. Seo Jeong-yoon. Can’t you hear me?”

It was only then that Jeong-yoon slowly turned his head. Jeong-seon approached him before he knew it, asking as she tore open a bag of cheese.

“Why are you smiling like that? Well, is something good happening?”

“… Noona, am I smiling?”

“Yeah. Smiling. Like an idiot.”

Jeong-seon furrowed her eyebrows as if she had seen something she couldn’t see.

It was only now that Jeong-yoon raised the corners of his mouth freely. Yeah. Now he was sure. He was feeling good now. So much so that laughter bubbled up uncontrollably.

***

Today is Saturday. It has been a day since Jeong-yoon and Kang Chae-heon agreed to become ‘that kind of relationship.’ Yet Jeong-yoon still felt dazed. It almost felt like a dream.

‘We’re sex partners, right?’

He wanted to ask Chae-heon directly, but it was too embarrassing, so he gave up. He wanted to meet today and be affectionate, but it felt like crossing a line when they weren’t even dating, so he decided to hold back. At that moment, he was afraid Chae-heon would be startled and back off.

He didn’t know how to navigate this kind of relationship. After all, he had never met or dated anyone. But still, he knew the basics. That delving deep into a relationship that started lightly would eventually lead to ruin.

He felt stifled again.

‘Kang Chae-heon must have met many women.’

He was also very good at kissing and his hesitant touches were quite skillful. Maybe he’s had experience with men before. That doesn’t seem likely, though. Am I his first attempt?

Anyway, it seemed that Kang Chae-heon was not only instinctive but also more open-minded than he had initially thought. After all, it’s unlikely he lived a life of restraint with that appearance. Naturally, he must have met many women so physical intimacy would come naturally. But even if he was swept away by the atmosphere to act like this with him, wasn’t it a slightly different issue?

In any case, because his spectrum had broadened due to his many experiences, he would have been able to reach out to himself. When Jeong-yoon thought about it, he felt a mixture of gratitude and bitterness.

It was a time when he was alone and swallowing complex emotions, not knowing whether it was sadness, shame, or happiness. His cell phone rang.

‘Kang Chae-heon.’

His name was flashing on the screen. Jeong-yoon flinched back without realizing it. He didn’t commit a crime, but just seeing his name made him feel guilty. It was even worse because he had just been imagining things with him.

“Hello?”

Jeong-yoon barely answered the phone. His voice was shaking like an idiot.

– Are you at home?

“Yeah.”

– How long does it take for you to get ready?

“Get ready for what?”

– Ready to go out.

“About 40 minutes? If I shower and do this and that…”

– Okay. I’ll call you in 40 minutes. Be downstairs.

“Huh? Okay.”

There was no time to question anything. As usual, Chae-heon just said what he needed to and hung up. Jeong-yoon stared at the abruptly ended call and absentmindedly tapped the screen. What was that about? It was a strange conversation. Even though he got a perfect score in the language section, he always had a hard time getting the main point when talking to Kang Chae-heon.

‘Was that an invitation to meet? Asking me to get ready and come downstairs in 40 minutes.’

Kang Chae-heon pushed in like a bulldozer without even asking simple questions like do you have time or what are you doing today? He felt unfamiliar again. But amidst it all, what was funny was how Jeong-yoon nodded in understanding. In front of Kang Chae-heon, he was always a yes-man.

‘What are you worrying about? Let’s take a shower.’

Jeong-yoon shook his head and entered the bathroom. It was to wash his hair again after washing it in the morning. His hair had become disheveled from tossing and turning on the bed all day. He didn’t want to show up looking messy. Like an elementary school student putting water on his hair to look pretty in front of a girl he likes, Jeong-yoon wanted to appear cool to Chae-heon.

***

Preparation was done in 30 minutes. After showering, drying off, and getting dressed, there was nothing else to do.

Jeong-yoon sat in front of the table and stared blankly at the small flower pot. Jeong-seon, who was spinning a hula hoop in the living room, looked at Jeong-yoon with curiosity.

“What are you doing? Are you holding a memorial service?”

“I’m getting ready to go out.”

“Isn’t all your preparation done?”

“I’m mentally preparing.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Jeong-seon immediately turned her head as if she lost interest. The hula hoop worked well. Jeong-yoon was lost in thought again as he saw the circular ring spinning around Jeong-seon’s waist.

He looked forward to meeting him, but at the same time, he wanted to avoid him. It was nerve-wracking but also exciting.

What should he do first when he meets him? He should greet him first. But then what?

“…”

Feeling suffocated, he wrapped his head with his hands and lowered his head. An inexplicable sigh came out. It shouldn’t be this difficult when they were not even dating. No, it would be better if they were dating. Then he could easily bare his heart.

Jeong-seon, who was watching Jeong-yoon, muttered.

“Why is he like that again?”

Jeong-yoon just remained silent without any reaction. He was more curious about why he was acting like this than about his sister.

It was during this time spent alone that his phone rang. It was Kang Chae-heon. Jeong-yoon quickly got up from his seat and walked briskly towards the front door.

“Yeah. Downstairs? Yeah. I’ll be there!”

He poured out positive answers into his cell phone and walked forward without hesitation as if he had been thinking about it for some time. His attitude became cheerful, like a puppy running towards its owner while wagging its tail. Then he hung up the phone, stopped in front of the entrance, and hesitantly turned to Jeong-seon.

“Noona. Do I look cool?”

“…”

“Is everything okay? Is there something weird?”

“…Your face is fine, but your behavior is a bit awkward.”

“Really? Thanks!”

Only then did Jeong-yoon smile brightly and turn his back again. Seeing that scene, Jeong-seon muttered again.

“Seriously, why is he like that.”

With those words, the front door closed.

Jeong-yoon was pacing around the elevator. It hadn’t been even 24 hours since they parted ways, and he was meeting Kang Chae-heon again. What should he talk about when they meet? Should he just act as usual? As he pondered, he found himself falling into the fundamental question of “How did I usually behave in front of Kang Chae-heon?”

“Hi.”

But when he actually met Kang Chae-heon, the greeting came more easily than he thought. He smiled faintly as he got into Chae-heon’s car, which was waiting for him. Thinking that Chae-heon probably didn’t dislike him anymore, his expression naturally brightened. He used to hesitate even to speak to him, thinking, “Why is he rude only to me? Does he hate me?” Now, things seemed different.

Chae-heon nodded his greeting and immediately started the car. There was no mention of where they were going.

Just being next to him felt so good. He seemed unfazed. As cool as ever. Jeong-yoon stared out the car window in silence and tried not to peek at him out of the corner of his eye. His heart had been pounding so wildly earlier that he was worried that Chae-heon might be able to hear it.

Well, after years of unrequited love, kissing, and even touching each other’s sensitive areas, isn’t it strange not to feel excited about meeting the next day? He himself was perfectly normal.

Jeong-yoon fiddled with his seatbelt and eventually glanced at his profile. The straight bridge of the nose visible under the sunglasses and the forehead line with the hair slightly lowered looked quite cool.

‘I should buy sunglasses like that too.’

Jeong-yoon made a promise to himself and asked Chae-heon.

“It’s the weekend, don’t you have any plans?”

“I do.”

“You do…?”

The car stopped at a red light. Chae-heon tilted his head to look at Jeong-yoon, then smirked and turned his gaze back to the front.

“I’m meeting you.”

It was a very natural and calm answer.

“Is that so? Right, You’re meeting me.”

Jeong-yoon easily agreed. If Chae-heon said he had plans with him, then he did. Right now, he felt like an unconditional and fervent disciple of Kang Chae-heon, the leader. But still, he was happy with that.

The car was now on a highway.

“Where are we going?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Chae-heon stepped on the accelerator without hesitation, despite the fact that he had not yet chosen where they were headed. Even as he thought this, Jeong-yoon nodded calmly. Right. It may not have been decided. You don’t necessarily have to have a destination to drive. There was no need for that. When you step on the accelerator, the car moves.

“I see. Did you eat?”

“Not yet. Seo Jeong-yoon, how about you?”

“Me neither.”

“Then let’s eat together. How about steak?”

“Yeah, I like meat. But don’t you have anything you want to eat?”

When asked what he wanted to eat, Chae-heon just smiled. The car took the curve smoothly. It seemed that Chae-heon had decided on a destination.