MM 75

“Let’s call it a day and head home. Good work, everyone.”

“Good work!”

“Thanks for your hard work.”

It was nearly eight o’clock when Do-won walked out of the team leader’s office and greeted everyone. As if everyone had been waiting for it, they quickly tidied up their work and cheerfully exchanged farewells.

“What’s up, Yu-young? Let’s go together.”

“Ah… I…”

Yu-young hesitated and mumbled, and Ju-yeon gave him a suspicious look.

“See? Something’s up, right? You used to always leave with us, but lately, you keep staying behind at the office. It’s very suspicious!”

“Yeah, Assistant Manager, is something going on? How about we go for a drink, just like old times?”

Yoon-seok’s eyes sparkled as he made a motion with his hand, pretending to hold a glass. As they mentioned, the three of them used to often gather after work and go to a bar near the office, but since Do-won came, they hadn’t had that kind of time together.

“Ah… today, I… I have plans. How about another time?”

“Yu-young! Another time? If you keep distancing yourself like this, we’ll be hurt, you know?”

“Yeah, we’re hurt.”

Looking at Ju-yeon, who was bouncing around, and Yoon-seok, who was pouting next to her, Yu-young awkwardly smiled. He had been so caught up in everything lately that he had neglected them. He probably needed to reassure them so they wouldn’t feel bad.

“Ah… fine. But today, I really have a plan. How about tomorrow or the day after? Before the workshop.”

“Okay, is it a promise?”

“Then one day between Wednesday and Thursday should be fine.”

“We’ll finalize the details later in the chat. Yu-young, see you tomorrow!”

“See you tomorrow, Assistant Manager!”

After they made a concrete plan, they dropped their disappointed looks and left the office without hesitation. Yu-young waved them off and then glanced toward the team leader’s office before sitting back down. As soon as the team members had dispersed, Do-won entered the office, leaving Yu-young alone.

Should I go ask him what to do? Will he tell me to go home first? But somehow, I don’t feel like going alone to my new house…

As Yu-young hesitated, to his surprise, Do-won turned off the office lights and came out.

“…Oh, Team Leader, are you leaving?”

“Is there any more work you need me to do?”

The question, asked in a businesslike tone, was now something Yu-young recognized as a joke. Relaxing, Yu-young smiled.

“Well… no, it’s just that I’ve never seen you leave at this hour. Except for that time you came to bring me food.”

“Today’s the first day I’m moving into the new house. We should go together.”

Saying that, Do-won came closer and adjusted the collar of Yu-young’s jacket.

“From tomorrow, Assistant Manager Han should leave earlier, right?”

“…But how am I supposed to go alone?”

“If you keep matching your departure time with mine, you’ll be exhausted and won’t be able to handle it. Let’s go together today, but from tomorrow, just do as I say.”

Yu-young silently accepted his gesture as Do-won naturally wrapped a scarf around his neck. Yu-young couldn’t argue; Do-won was known for leaving the office at impossibly late hours, and it wasn’t worth resisting.

“Are you hungry? Anything you want to eat?”

“Ah… nothing specific comes to mind, but I am hungry.”

“Then let’s go home.”

Yu-young widened his eyes. What could be in the house? It was the first day moving into the new house, so the fridge must be empty. They were probably going to order food. It would make sense to eat at home on the first day.

The two of them arrived at the parking lot and started their cars. They had agreed to drive separately to avoid suspicion.

The commute had become much shorter. Since the office was only 15 minutes away from the house, they soon entered the parking lot. Do-won’s car led the way into the underground parking garage. They parked in their designated spots and got out of the cars.

‘Phew… Stay calm. Stay calm. It’s just the same person I see every day. I see him at the office, on weekends, and even with my parents… Oh, this is ridiculous.’

Yu-young tried to stay calm, but it was no use. As they rode the elevator together, he almost let out a nervous sigh several times.

Then Do-won spoke up suddenly.

“Why are you so nervous? Are you going into a tiger’s den?”

“…I’m not nervous.”

Damn. At this point, Yu-young couldn’t decide whether Do-won was just exceptionally perceptive or if he had spent so much time with him that he could read his every move. Yu-young deliberately answered in a gruff voice to hide his jittery and excited feelings.

Do-won chuckled softly and suddenly held out his hand flat. Yu-young stared at it, unsure of what he meant, but Do-won just tilted his head slightly without offering any further explanation. After a moment of hesitation, Yu-young slowly placed his hand on top of his. He didn’t think Do-won was asking for his bag, and that was all he had to offer.

With a sly smile, Do-won seemed to think that was the correct answer.

“Don’t be too nervous. No one’s going to bite you. From now on, this is Assistant Han’s home. Let’s be comfortable here.”

“…Okay.”

His voice seemed to gently soothe the nervous thrum in Yu-young’s chest. The warmth of their clasped hands and the faint scent of Do-won had the same effect.

In the enclosed space, Yu-young felt Do-won’s presence all around him. His every movement no longer felt uncomfortable; instead, it was a gentle reassurance. Suddenly, he was reminded of that day when he had clung to Do-won drunk, and he realized that Do-won’s pheromones felt like the calm, comforting feeling of coming home after a long day at work.

Do-won stood in front of the front door, still holding Yu-young’s hand in one of his, while entering the code with his other hand. As they stepped inside, the scent that tickled Yu-young’s nose wasn’t that of an unfamiliar house, but the delicate and comforting fragrance of fresh flowers. The subtle floral scent immediately lifted Yu-young’s mood.

“Team Leader, why does it smell like flowers in the house…?”

Yu-young, who had been chattering with wide eyes, suddenly stopped. On the way from the entrance to the living room, a small table in the corner of the hallway held a basket of flowers. That was the source of the pleasant fragrance.

Yu-young approached the flower basket with wide eyes. The basket, filled with various vibrant flowers, had a small note tucked inside.

[I look forward to getting along with you.]

The message was simple, rough, and to the point. Yet, for some reason, when Yu-young read the note, a wave of emotion suddenly surged up, making his chest tighten. Leaving the house he had lived in until now, he felt a little lighter.

Yu-young took a deep breath, exhaled, and slowly turned his head toward Do-won, who was still holding his hand.

“Team Leader…”

When he called him in a slightly trembling voice, Do-won answered bluntly.

“…It’s just something I prepared for the housewarming.”

Despite his unremarkable answer, Yu-young lifted the hand still held in his. Slowly, he placed a kiss on the back of Do-won’s hand with a small sound.

Do-won’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Thank you. For preparing something like this.”

“……”

Seeing Do-won too stunned to respond immediately made Yu-young feel suddenly embarrassed. It had been such an impulsive action, and he wondered if he had overdone it. His face turned bright red as he quickly pulled his hand away from Do-won’s.

“W-well, I’ll go wash up.”

“…Alright, take your time.”

The two had already divided their living space naturally around a partition in the middle of the living room to avoid disrupting the atmosphere. As they had agreed during the house tour yesterday, Yu-young hurriedly headed for the space he had chosen.

Yu-young’s bathroom was attached to a spacious bedroom. As he entered the bedroom, he finally released the breath he had been holding, covering his face with both hands.

“Am I crazy, Han Yu-young? I kissed the back of his hand over a flower basket… Ugh, how embarrassing. Really…”

The more he thought about it, the hotter his face became, and soon it felt like the heat was spreading throughout his body. Why had he done that? What does he think of me now? The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he became, and he wanted to throw himself onto the bed and roll around in it.

“I can’t think about it. I better just wash up quickly.”

He looked around the unfamiliar bedroom. The bed was one he and Do-won had picked out together at the store, and the bedding, decorations, and furniture were all things that Do-won and the designers had worked hard on. Since this was his room, Yu-young had even helped choose the furniture, occasionally asking Do-won for pictures to help make decisions.

Next to the bed was a bookshelf, filled with Yu-young’s personal belongings. His most cherished photo albums and various books had been placed there by Yu-young himself the day before. Beside it was a cozy armchair and a lamp, designed for reading and across from them were the closet and dresser, arranged harmoniously.

The spacious yet cozy bedroom was exactly to his liking. As Yu-young rummaged through the dresser, he found his neatly organized underwear and loungewear. He grabbed one set of clothes and was about to head for the bathroom when he heard a faint sound from outside the door. It seemed Do-won was doing something in the living room.

It was then that the reality of living with someone else really hit him.

“…Is this really happening?”

With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, Yu-young sighed and headed for the bathroom, carrying his clothes. The bathroom, too, had been arranged according to his taste. When he opened the cupboard, he saw a basket full of bath bombs, just like the ones in his old house, and various items like diffusers and shower cologne, neatly organized.

Feeling more relaxed, Yu-young turned on the water. Today, he decided not to take a long bath but rather a quick shower, after which he would discuss dinner plans with Do-won. With that in mind, Yu-young undressed and let the hot water wash over him, relaxing his tense body.