NFS 3.22
by SpringlilaWaking up in the morning, washing in his own bathroom, being able to roll around freely in his own large space, and having a cute furball following him around while preparing for work—even thinking about it again felt like a dream.
So even while Joo Seung-ha was busy going around on sales calls after leaving the office, he knew he would miss this life when he left it. No wonder he had made this lifestyle his life goal. Although the debt he had to repay was mountainous, he felt motivated. Things he had been doing somewhat mechanically before were different now.
As the future became a clear picture, his steps forward became lighter. When he first went to Seo Ahn-jae’s house to take care of Cookie, he hadn’t thought of these advantages, making him newly appreciate how life works in mysterious ways. Nothing was entirely bad. And likewise, nothing was entirely good either.
“Ah, you haven’t heard that from Dohye. Well, the rumors about us being a couple were actually a cover.”
Today’s meeting with Hong Chanwoo was at a filming studio. He had mentioned work and asked if they could do a camera test if Joo Seung-ha was okay with it, so Joo Seung-ha had come. While discussing the broadcast in a small office at one corner of the studio, Joo Seung-ha had asked about Manager Shim Dohye, and Hong Chanwoo had replied that she wasn’t in touch much these days. When Joo Seung-ha wondered why, Hong Chanwoo revealed that they really weren’t dating As Joo Seung-ha remained frozen, still not understanding, Hong Chanwoo calmly added an explanation.
“Dohye’s parents can’t accept her orientation. She’s had a lot of difficulties because of that. Even when we met abroad, she never properly revealed her orientation. But even though she wasn’t dating, I could already see who she was interested in, so I ended up helping her. I also felt grateful to her for bringing me here.”
A cover, it was just a cover. He felt foolish for naively thinking they were both bisexual and moving on. And suddenly, the suspicion he had pushed aside thrust itself forward. Ah, then were all this person’s words and actions because he was interested in me? But he couldn’t just bluntly ask if he was the one he liked.
He didn’t want to create an awkward atmosphere by pretending to know first and later on cause problems with their work relationship. Though it seemed materialistic, the benefits this work brought to the company, and furthermore the compensation he would receive, were too significant to ignore. So Joo Seung-ha tried to act casual and just replied, “I see.” He was about to move on to work talk, but Hong Chanwoo carefully spoke up.
“Please don’t worry about anything Mr. Joo might be concerned about.”
“Concerned…about what?”
“About things like the broadcast being canceled because I confessed and was immediately rejected.”
Hong Chanwoo’s voice was as calm as when he had been explaining about the work earlier, so Joo Seung-ha almost missed the important words. What did he say he would do?
“You’re not going to confess, are you?”
Perhaps because Joo Seung-ha’s voice came out slightly sharp, there was a bitterness in Hong Chanwoo’s smile.
“I plan to.”
“…”
“But since you don’t know much about me, and it would be terrible if you happened to have a partner, I was planning to get to know you better first. Ah, but I’ve gone and said it now. This is troublesome.”
For someone saying it was troublesome, he was quite composed. Then he looked straight at Joo Seung-ha.
“So you can pretend you didn’t hear what I said today. If you want to ignore it, that’s fine too.”
Joo Seung-ha thought once again that he was a very considerate person. He should have ignored it as suggested, but he accidentally asked, “Since when have you liked me?”
“It was love at first sight.”
Unlike his calm voice, his ears were red again.
“Today’s the last day you’re picking up Cookie, right?”
A pet hotel employee who had seen Joo Seung-ha for the past week greeted him. Ah, today was the last day. Joo Seung-ha had been aware of this fact until morning but had forgotten about it sometime in the afternoon due to the situation with Hong Chanwoo.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Cookie’s mother told us over the phone. She has video calls with Cookie every day.”
“…What does Cookie say?”
“Haha, he doesn’t say much during the video calls.”
I see. Joo Seung-ha nodded his head seriously. It seemed like he shouldn’t laugh at anything related to noona.
“Cookie’s mother praised you a lot. Said you handle dogs well. That’s why she could trust leaving him with you.”
I am good with dogs. As Joo Seung-ha felt embarrassed, the employee suddenly covered their mouth and laughed as if remembering something.
“She also said you handle dog-like humans well.”
There was only one dog-like human that came to mind right then and there.
“…Yes.”
Joo Seung-ha awkwardly smiled and looked down at Cookie, who had been wagging his tail while sticking close to his leg. Seeing how trusting he had become after just a week together made him feel sad about parting already. It wasn’t just the dog who had grown attached over the week—the same went for humans. And even that dog-like human seemed…somewhat regretful.
Thinking it was strange to feel this way when they would see each other again, he got in the car with Cookie. He took some photos as evidence for noona and was about to send a report saying he’d brought him back safely today when his smartphone notification rang first. Joo Seung-ha stopped when he saw the sender’s name.
Team Leader Hong Chanwoo.
―I didn’t want to be desperate like this, but I feel I’d regret it if I didn’t. Please don’t completely forget the confession I made. Feel free to kick me away cleanly, but please give me an answer. I like you.
Joo Seung-ha turned off the screen and stared blankly ahead. His chest felt heavy and stuffy, like a cotton ball soaked with water. There wasn’t any flutter in it at all.
“…Joo Seung-ha. Joo Seung-ha.”
Startled by the strong voice calling his name, Joo Seung-ha turned to the side. Standing in the underground parking lot waiting for the elevator to go up to Seo Ahn-jae’s apartment, Joo Seung-ha recognized the person calling him was Seo Ahn-jae and asked first, “Are you done with work?”
“Yeah. What were you thinking about, standing there zoned out like that?”
Seo Ahn-jae asked while bending down to let Cookie smell his hand. Cookie, whose wariness had decreased considerably over the week, wagged his tail slightly while sniffing his hand in greeting. Seo Ahn-jae’s face filled with pride at this response.
“He actually likes me quite a bit.”
“He likes pretty much everyone.”
Joo Seung-ha replied reflexively, then felt bad about it. After all, he was taking care of noona’s dog.
“But because of his previous owner, it usually takes time for him to warm up to people, yet he opened up to you quickly.”
He quickly added this and looked up at him, then hesitated. Why is he looking at me like that? The gaze felt somewhat burdensome, so he slightly turned his head to the side warily.
“What is it?”
“Did something happen?”
“No.”
The answer came quickly, like someone wracked with guilt. Seo Ahn-jae had a strange smile on his lips but didn’t bother to probe further.
“Then that’s good.”
“No, nothing happened. But why do you ask?”
“I wondered how distracted you must be to stand in front of the elevator without even pressing the button.”
As he said this, Seo Ahn-jae pressed the up button. Joo Seung-ha had no rebuttal and just stared at the button incredulously. Then he heard Ahn Seo Ahn-jae’s murmur. It was a light, pleased voice.
“Though I enjoyed it.”
“Enjoyed me being distracted?”
“Yeah, and hearing a nice form of address.”
“What form of address?” Joo Seung-ha furrowed his brow, unable to remember what he’d said. Seo Ahn-jae’s hand came up and pressed lightly between his brows as if to smooth them out. While Joo Seung-ha froze at the sudden contact, unable to avoid it, Seo Ahn-jae seemed unconcerned, rubbing his thumb there a few more times before lowering his hand.
“Your team members probably don’t find you very scary.”
Joo Seung-ha pulled his head back and retorted sarcastically, “A team leader doesn’t need to be scary. But that doesn’t mean I can’t manage my team. Why are you suddenly saying that?”
“Because even when you frown, you’re cute rather than scary.”
Joo Seung-ha was too dumbfounded to respond. What’s with these cheesy words all of a sudden? While Joo Seung-ha was silently aghast, Seo Ahn-jae laughed briefly and gently pushed Joo Seung-ha’s back into the opening elevator. After carefully carrying Cookie in, Joo Seung-ha looked quizzically at Seo Ahn-jae who still had a smile lingering on his face.
“You seem to be in a good mood?”
Are you relieved because it’s the last night? The latter words didn’t come out, but as if sensing them, Seo Ahn-jae responded casually, “Not really. Just focusing on the current reward.”
Joo Seung-ha didn’t understand the response, but it sounded like a self-mutter, so he didn’t probe. It was a lot better than being hostile. Though he tried to think positively, it was still uncomfortable how noticeably Seo Ahn-jae enjoyed being with him.
“Dinner?”
“Not yet…”
Joo Seung-ha stopped mid-answer and looked down at Seo Ahn-jae’s hands. Surely he’s not trying to tempt me with food again today? But today his hands were empty. As if reading Joo Seung-ha’s thoughts, Seo Ahn-jae’s soft laugh could be heard.
“I haven’t eaten either. Let’s eat together.”
“Are you going to order delivery again?”
“No. I’m going to cook.”
The whirring sound of the elevator filled the silence. Joo Seung-ha watched the rising numbers and finally opened his stiff lips when they were almost home.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah?”
Seo Ahn-jae, who had been standing askew, turned to look at him. Only then did Joo Seung-ha notice that the smartphone he usually held was missing. He was someone who always looked at his phone or tablet, trying to utilize every spare second. Suddenly he realized—throughout the week they’d been together, his hands had rarely held a phone. Moreover…
“Why haven’t you been working late lately? Didn’t you always work until late?”
“To torment you.”
As Seo Ahn-jae answered playfully, the elevator doors opened. Joo Seung-ha felt a light touch on his back as he stepped out first, and realized something. Since when? Whenever the doors opened, he had been letting Joo Seung-ha exit first.
Despite his confident claim that he would cook, what he served was kimchi fried rice again. This time with three fried eggs on top. Like when he first ate it, it wasn’t anything special—just a familiar, known taste. But it was more delicious than any of the delivered food they’d had so far.
When he went to shower first, leaving Seo Ahn-jae who insisted on cleaning up, he even felt guilty—aren’t I being too shameless? He also felt ashamed for being wary that Seo Ahn-jae might try something or set a trap since it was the last day. But he was acting like usual, or rather, treating Joo Seung-ha even more pleasantly.
Even though he had tormented him until recently, he shouldn’t have made assumptions and judgments like that. As he turned on the shower and stood under the stream, Joo Seung-ha hoped his shame would wash away with it. That was why he couldn’t ignore the sudden knock. He turned off the noisy shower and asked loudly, “What is it?”
From beyond the door, Seo Ahn-jae also replied in a slightly raised voice, “Do you have anything to report to noona about Cookie?”
He did. Every time he picked up Cookie from daycare, put him in the car, or fed him at home, he had taken pictures and sent them. But today, it had slipped his mind. While he might not worry about others, Seo Ahn-jae’s sister made him nervous, so Joo Seung-ha panicked and opened the door halfway, only hastily covering his waist with a wet towel.
“Ah, I need to send the pictures I took of Cookie.”
As Joo Seung-ha was about to go out to get his smartphone, a large hand grabbed his shoulder. But it quickly withdrew as if burned. Though Joo Seung-ha should have been startled by someone else’s hand touching his body, he forgot because of Seo Ahn-jae’s reaction. Why is he acting like that? Seo Ahn-jae had turned his head away and was slightly frowning.
“Hey, you should come out properly dressed.”
“I’m still in the middle of showering. But why are you angry?”
“Who’s angry?”
Though he asked stiffly, he still couldn’t look at Joo Seung-ha. So Joo Seung-ha could only think of an absurd reason. Could he be like this because I’m undressed? Is he embarrassed? The question came out automatically from disbelief, “Is this your first time seeing my body?”
Seo Ahn-jae let out an incredulous laugh and lowered his eyes. Joo Seung-ha could immediately find the answer to his earlier question. He was definitely not embarrassed. Rather, his eyes were glowing dangerously. Seo Ahn-jae swept his gaze over Joo Seung-ha’s dripping body with that familiar look from the hotel.
“It’s rare to see you this wet.”
Though he was just stating a fact, perhaps because of his low voice, Joo Seung-ha couldn’t remain as nonchalant as before. Trying to escape this atmosphere, Joo Seung-ha quickly answered while changing the subject, “I told you. I was showering. I’ve taken all of Cookie’s pictures, so I’ll text noona now. My phone…”
“Here.”
Seo Ahn-jae handed over Joo Seung-ha’s old smartphone.
“It kept ringing, and when I checked, the caller was someone I knew, so I answered. You should have heard how much fuss they were making about you not sending pictures. What a temper, really.”
At the mention of family, Seo Ahn-jae’s voice returned to normal. But his irritation made Joo Seung-ha even more tense. I need to send Cookie’s report quickly. But when Joo Seung-ha reached for the smartphone, he pulled it back again.
“The screen’s cracked—you want to touch it with wet hands?”
Joo Seung-ha clenched his fist, his hand frozen in mid-air.
“I’ll go dry off.”
“Don’t you just need to send the pictures? I’ll send them for you. Just unlock it.”
“Why so scared? No matter how much of a jerk I am, I don’t deliberately snoop through other people’s messages. But I couldn’t help seeing messages that came while I was checking the photos.”
Joo Seung-ha unconsciously squeezed his eyes shut. Hong Chanwoo must have sent another message while he was showering.
“Give it back.”
“After I hear your answer first.”
What answer? When Joo Seung-ha looked at him questioningly, Seo Ahn-jae spoke expressionlessly.
“Whether you kept the one condition I had.”
Ha, a bitter laugh escaped Joo Seung-ha’s lips.
“You saw the messages, right? Did it say anywhere that I met with him? Or slept with him?”
“No, just his nonsense about liking you.”
“Watch your language, sunbae.”
“Why should I? When he might have forced himself on you?”
“What…hah, what insane talk is this?!”