IPSTDS Chapter 67

Chapter 67

The phone that had been vibrating nonstop finally went still. Looking down at the screen, Daon saw ten missed calls from Lee Kangil.

It must have started ringing while he was in the room with Yoon Noah.

If someone doesn’t answer, they should stop calling. A sharp glint flickered across Daon’s face.

A cold atmosphere spread around him—something he had never once shown while with Noah.

When the eleventh call came in, Daon finally pressed the answer button.

“Why did you call so many times?”

-… Damn Daon, you son of a—

Daon cut off the string of curses that stung his ear without hesitation.

“Stop swearing already.”

-Hmph. Why the hell isn’t Yoon Noah picking up? Are you with him? Why are you the one answering?

“He’s asleep.”

Without giving Kangil a chance to respond, Daon borrowed Noah’s way of speaking. He remembered Kangil had seemed particularly weak against it.

“So, the thing is, I don’t really want to wake him when he’s already sick. You care about Noah-hyung, right, Mr. Lee? Then I’m sure you’ll agree with me. Besides, right now I’m playing the role of his boyfriend… surely you’re not going to say you’ll wake him up just to drag him away, are you?”

Daon drew in a short breath before finishing.

“He’s staying here tonight. You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to throw myself at him like some horny mutt.”

-… Keep spouting that crap and just wait.

“Woof woof. Goodbye.”

Daon hung up. Though he had said everything he wanted, it didn’t leave him satisfied.

Truthfully, he had wanted to speak even harsher to Kangil. But Kangil held Noah’s lifeline in his hands, and that fact kept Daon from talking recklessly.

He just hoped Noah wouldn’t suffer because of him—as if he had forgotten all the small ways Noah had once annoyed him.

Though he’d hung up abruptly, Kangil didn’t call again.

Did he give up?

Daon busied himself finishing the cleaning in the kitchen and at the table.

Once everything was done, a knocking sound came from the front door.

Daon froze, staring at it with suspicion.

Could it be that snake-like man had tracked him down all the way here? The odds of Garam and Heechan coming home so late at night were very slim.

And as expected, an unwelcome voice rang from outside the door.

“Open up while I’m asking nicely.”

What should I do about this would-be home invader?

Daon stood there, debating whether or not to open the door.

Soon, he came to the conclusion that he should. If Kangil had already figured out his address, who knew what he might do if he was refused entry.

The moment he opened the door, Kangil’s face appeared, his eyes narrowed with a fierce glare. He gave off an air so hostile it wouldn’t be strange if he picked a fight with someone right then and there.

But Daon didn’t waver. He was confident he wouldn’t lose if it came down to a physical fight.

Though his nature was gentle, he wasn’t so soft as to back away from a confrontation.

Still, he knew this wasn’t the time. He didn’t want to disgracefully brawl at his own doorstep.

So in a calm voice, he issued a warning.

“Keep it down. Hyung’s sleeping.”

Kangil twisted his lips in a mocking sneer.

“The only reason I’m listening to you right now is because of Yoon Noah. You get that, don’t you?”

“Not really my concern. Don’t just stand there—come in. No need to cause a scene for the neighbors.”

“You know you’re really annoying, right?”

“And you don’t know you’re even worse?”

The two continued exchanging blows in quiet, relentless back-and-forth.

“Mr. Lee Kangil, you didn’t come here to pick a fight, did you?”

“No. I came because there’s something I need to get.”

Kangil answered shamelessly, then crossed the hallway and started looking around as if searching for Noah.

It didn’t look good, the way he was peering carelessly into someone else’s home. But Daon didn’t stop him—he only watched.

Kangil eventually found his room and halted in front of it. Through the half-open door, he stared quietly at Yoon Noah.

With a sigh, Daon called out to him.

“Mr. Lee, you’re not going to wake him, right?”

“I care about Yoon Noah’s health far more than you do. I’m not stupid enough to wake up a sick man. Like you said, I’m playing the role of his lover.”

The words were familiar. Kangil was throwing back the exact words Daon had spoken on the phone earlier, as though deliberately returning them.

“You’ve got a good memory.”

“Don’t get cocky. You could live and die and still never know how much I care about him.”

“Oh? And yet you’re the one who tormented him over the new drug?”

That must have been the trigger. Until now, Kangil hadn’t lost his temper, but at that, he snapped.

He strode forward with large steps and seized Daon by the collar. His grip tightened fiercely on the fabric.

Daon lifted his gaze and looked Kangil straight in the eye—despite their similar height, Kangil’s sharp, triangular eyes glimmered with a hostility that felt almost murderous.

Still, Daon remained calm.

Sorry to disappoint, but this level of intimidation wasn’t enough to cow him.

It was the same reason he could stand up to Seo Dowoong, who was arrogant to the point of being unbearable.

“Shut up. Watch your mouth.”

Kangil snarled viciously.

But Daon wasn’t without words of his own.

“Did I say something that wasn’t true, Mr. Lee?”

Playing with someone’s life—that was something he could never stomach.

Even if Kangil wasn’t doing it now, Daon knew he was a fickle man. Any day, he could change his mind and toy with Noah again.

If that ever happened, Daon didn’t think he could forgive him.

What does hyung see in a man like this, that he’d even ask him to play his fake boyfriend? It’s unbearable.

At that moment, he realized the root of it all was Seo Dowoong, and a headache throbbed at his temple.

He could never understand Dowoong—who had despised and belittled Noah to the point of disgust—yet now acted as if he regretted it.

For a brief second, Daon even felt the last of his affection for Dowoong slipping away.

No matter how much I liked him, this isn’t it.

Another sigh escaped Daon, his shoulders sinking. At this rate, his house would soon be filled with his sighs alone.

And it seemed even Kangil had caught it.

“Ha. The more I see you, the more of a pain in the ass you are.”

“I didn’t let you into my house to fight. But since I’m currently playing hyung’s boyfriend, and because he respects you, I allowed you to visit.”

“……”

“And besides, you’re the one holding control over his medicine. That’s why I won’t get angry at anything you say.”

At the calm, almost reasoning tone, Kangil looked awkward. As if ashamed of having been the first to lash out, he let go of Daon’s collar.

“… You sure know how to talk.”

“……”

“I’m not here to fight either. So don’t push your luck any further.”

With that warning, Kangil turned around. His steps led him back toward Daon’s room.

Daon followed after him once again.

Kangil sat quietly at the corner of the bed, observing Noah’s sleeping face. Daon was slightly startled by the sight.

For the first time, Kangil’s face was softened by a tenderness that hadn’t been there before.

His gaze on Noah was gentle, so much so that Daon had to wonder if this was the same man who had glared at him moments ago as though ready to kill.

The sight made Daon’s skin crawl.

It felt like this was Kangil’s true self—and that unsettled him.

… If Kangil really does like hyung…

But that was absurd. Kangil was straight. He was the kind of man who didn’t suit the word “love” in the slightest.

He didn’t seem like someone who could ever love one person for life, or stay bound to someone forever. He was more the type to seek out partners only when he craved company.

A man like that, liking Yoon Noah? Impossible.

Daon’s mind spun with confusion.

And then, something happened that threw him into even greater chaos.

Kangil rose from where he sat—then flopped down onto the floor, sprawling beneath the bed. He looked so comfortable it seemed like he was in his own home.

… Has this bastard lost his mind?

Daon barely restrained the curse that almost slipped from his mouth.