NFS 4.11

“There was a bit of an incident,” Secretary Choi explained briefly in front of Joo Seung-ha, looking troubled.

“While the CEO was stopping some people who broke into the company’s main entrance and made threats…”

“Is he hurt?”

Secretary Choi tilted his head slightly with an ambiguous expression on his face, but Joo Seung-ha, frozen with shock, didn’t notice any of this.

“How badly is he hurt? You said he went to the hospital. Which hospital?”

“Ah, it’s ○○ Hospital right nearby. But the CEO just…”

Secretary Choi tried to explain more, but Joo Seung-ha had already turned around and run out of the room. Looking at the closed door, Secretary Choi muttered the rest, “…only has some scratches.”

The other party had gotten beaten up so badly that, on the lawyer’s advice, Seo Ahn-jae was admitted to establish grounds for claiming mutual assault. That day, Secretary Choi learned for the first time that multiple people could get beaten up so badly by one person and that the CEO knew the company’s CCTV blind spots so well. But right now, he felt more sorry for himself having to work overtime than for the thugs who suddenly broke in and got beaten up.

“Sigh, I want to be hospitalized too.”

–Seo Ahn-jae, I’m sorry. I didn’t think that that thug would actually bring his guys to your company.

A sincere apology came through the phone from Park Hyo-joon.

–I was so angry I set up a meeting directly with Chairman Yang.

Chairman Yang was a gang boss who handled matters for both large companies and back-alley money lenders. He knew Park Hyo-joon’s father and Park Hyo-joon usually shuddered whenever mentioning him, saying he was a scary person.

–He hates it most when people act like thugs just because they have power, so he’ll help like he has a personal stake in this matter. Hey, so if you’re angry about anything, let it out. I’ll solve everything.

Park Hyo-joon’s careful voice contained restless worry—perhaps concerned that Seo Ahn-jae might pull out of the investment firm over this incident. However, unlike the worried Park Hyo-joon, Seo Ahn-jae ignored his words and focused on checking his tablet screen.

A report he had commissioned from a private investigation firm had just arrived. While it wasn’t easy to investigate specific individuals who left malicious comments on Joo Seung-ha’s video, people usually didn’t leave just one malicious comment. They usually spread their malice elsewhere, leaving traces. And the identity of the malicious commenter revealed this way went as expected.

–Let’s see if that thug still acts tough and shows off in front of real gangsters.

“…It’s the junior bastard.”

–What?]

Despite Park Hyo-joon’s surprised question, Seo Ahn-jae twisted his lips while checking his junior’s personal information. Though called a junior, he couldn’t remember the face or name. While the department was large, the fact that he couldn’t remember meant this person clearly wasn’t close to Joo Seung-ha. But it seemed the other person knew Joo Seung-ha well. That fact irritated him. Shit, did this bastard have feelings for Joo Seung-ha? Seo Ahn-jae’s mood instantly soured.

“I’ll handle this matter myself, so ask Chairman Yang to take care of someone else instead.”

–Who?

“A junior from school.”

–What did the junior do?

“Something that’ll go on to ruin his life.”

Though curious about the details, Park Hyo-joon was pleased that Seo Ahn-jae would let this incident go and immediately agreed.

–Alright. I’ll make sure they’re thoroughly ruined.

As soon as the call with Park Hyo-joon ended, his phone rang again as if on cue. Seeing “Secretary Choi” show up on the screen, Seo Ahn-jae answered while pulling up work documents on his tablet.

“Secretary Choi, didn’t you say this shopping mall engine would conflict too much with our game to use?”

When Seo Ahn-jae immediately asked about work, Secretary Choi briefly explained about that matter before quickly adding,

–Um, but CEO…

“Tell them not to worry about development costs. If it’s going to be this complicated to make it work like in-game items for real shopping, there’s no point in doing it.”

–Yes, but CEO.

“What is it?”

Entirely focused on his tablet screen, Seo Ahn-jae didn’t pay much attention to the urgency in Secretary Choi’s voice, nor to the hospital room door quietly opening behind him. Only Secretary Choi knew that he was hospitalized, so it must be hospital staff…

–Mr. Joo Seung-ha has gone to your hospital.

“…”

Though he heard Secretary Choi’s voice in his ear, Seo Ahn-jae turned toward the door and froze like a statue.

***

Only after arriving at the hospital did Joo Seung-ha realize he should have first checked how badly Seo Ahn-jae was hurt. Because he hadn’t thought of that, his worry had only grown exponentially during his mad rush to the hospital. Fortunately, as Secretary Choi had said, the hospital was close to Seo Ahn-jae’s company, and he arrived just as soon as he was about to out of breath.

Whether because Secretary Choi had called ahead of time, or because Seo Ahn-jae was a patient in the most expensive room, a security guard personally guided him to Seo Ahn-jae’s room. While restraining himself from repeatedly asking the bodyguard about Seo Ahn-jae’s condition, he gripped the doorknob.

How badly hurt was he to be hospitalized? Was there bleeding? Were any bones broken? Joo Seung-ha took a deep breath to prepare himself for any bad situation before opening the door. The first thing he saw was Seo Seo Ahn-jae in hospital clothes, holding a phone in one hand while checking a tablet on the table with the other.

The hospital clothes seemed too short for Seo Ahn-jae, exposing his bare skin at the arms and legs. Unlike his usual self who could pull off any outfit, these clothes looked silly on him, but Joo Seung-ha didn’t notice such details. Where was he hurt? His eyes quickly scanned Seo Ahn-jae’s body. Thankfully, there were no casts or bandages. No injuries on his face either. Joo Seung-ha felt slightly relieved.

“Sunbae, are you okay?”

When he finally asked, Seo Ahn-jae just stood still staring at Joo Seung-ha as if seeing a ghost. Joo Seung-ha, who was about to enter the room, tensed again. Did he hurt his head? But there were no bandages or signs of treatment on his head either.

“Sunbae. Where does it hurt?”

“Joo Seung-ha.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“Should I call a nurse? If anything’s uncomfortable…”

Suddenly Joo Seung-ha saw Seo Ahn-jae slowly break into a smile. Why was he smiling so brightly?

“Ha, who would’ve thought this would happen.”

Seo Ahn-jae muttered while letting out a short laugh. His face looked somewhat flushed as he lowered his gaze. Was he running a fever from his injuries? Once again making Joo Seung-ha’s needless worry look foolish, Seo Ahn-jae couldn’t contain his laughter as he finally answered, “Yeah. I’m hurt and in pain.”

“Where and how does it hurt?”

“Just… a little.”

It seemed odd that he wasn’t being more specific, but given that he was hospitalized, something must be hurting.

“You should sit down. And stop working.”

Joo Seung-ha tried to get him to lie down in bed, but Seo Ahn-jae just perched on the edge and pulled Joo Seung-ha to sit beside him instead. Unable to handle the strong patient despite his injuries, Joo Seung-ha had no other choice but to sit down with him. Then he sighed, watching Seo Ahn-jae fail to control his expression over whatever was making him happy. This wasn’t the time to be smiling.

“I heard some people who had complaints against you came and caused trouble?”

Reading the worry in Joo Seung-ha’s voice, satisfaction spread across Seo Ahn-jae’s eyes.

“Ah, it was a bit scary.”

If Secretary Choi, who had witnessed Seo Ahn-jae’s prowess firsthand, had heard this, he would have quit on the spot. But Joo Seung-ha, seeing Seo Ahn-jae in hospital clothes for the first time, took it seriously.

“What happened? Did they lose a lot of money in the game?”

“Gamers aren’t usually that violent.”

Joo Seung-ha wanted to argue about all the swearing that flooded game chat rooms being warm family greetings, but held back since Seo Ahn-jae was injured.

“How long do you need to stay hospitalized?”

Seo Ahn-jae was planning to go home right away, only delaying his discharge to leave a record of hospitalization.

“Well. It’s not serious, but they said to rest at home for a few days.”

“Serious enough to need days of rest? Where does it hurt?”

“Just here and there.”

Again the vague answer seemed strange, but thinking Seo Ahn-jae might be hiding it to avoid worry, Joo Seung-ha didn’t probe further.

“It’s not serious, right?”

“Were you worried?”

“Of course. They said you were hospitalized after getting beaten up.”

Seo Ahn-jae’s eyebrows twisted in displeasure at the expression “beaten up,” but when Joo Seung-ha looked up, he was smiling as if nothing had happened.

“But how did you know and come right away?”

Ah, that…Joo Seung-ha avoided his eyes, seeming a bit embarrassed.

“My appointment ended early. Since you said you were working, I bought you a lunch box for a late meal.”

When there was no response, he glanced over to see Seo Ahn-jae silently smiling. Then, as if feeling awkward about his own smile, he ran his hand through his bangs and muttered, “Shit, this is a hundred times better than the dream.”

“Dream?”

“I dreamed you brought me a lunch box before.”

Didn’t you have strange dog dreams before too?

“You dream about me a lot, Sunbae.”

“Because I can’t see you much in reality.”

Seo Ahn-jae took Joo Seung-ha’s hand and lowered his voice.

“But no matter how much I see and touch you in dreams, it’s not enough.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

“So let’s live together.”

Joo Seung-ha quietly looked down at their joined hands before speaking.

“Shall we?”

When Joo Seung-ha responded after a beat, Seo Ahn-jae reacted several beats later. At first, he furrowed his brow as if he’d misheard, but then his dark eyes gleamed sharply as he realized he’d just caught an opportunity.

“You can’t take it back.”

“Just like you, not offering refunds.”

“I’m not joking.”

“I know.”

Seo Ahn-jae wanted to ask what had happened to make Joo Seung-ha agree so readily, but he forced himself to hold back. He didn’t want to say the wrong thing and ruin this chance. Whether Joo Seung-ha’s heart had softened seeing him hurt, or he’d fallen for the spacious house Seo Ahn-jae had worked hard to get, none of this  mattered. What mattered was that he’d taken one step closer to Seo Ahn-jae’s side.

And that closer distance made his heart overflow. His heart raced and his head spun, making him wonder if he’d ever been this happy in his life. Unable to hold back, Seo Ahn-jae reached for Joo Seung-ha’s face and leaned in. However, unlike the emotional fake patient, the perfectly healthy person was well aware they were in a hospital room. Joo Seung-ha quickly stood up before being caught and firmly stated, “Absolutely not in the hospital.”

“No one’s watching.”

“Not even if there’s a nuclear war.”

Though Seo Ahn-jae immediately frowned, Joo Seung-ha didn’t back down and pushed his shoulder.

“You’re hurt, lie down and try to get some rest.”

“I’m not hurt.”

“Then why are you hospitalized?”

“It was convenient.”

Now it was Joo Seung-ha’s turn to frown at Seo Ahn-jae’s brazen answer. But Seo Ahn-jae, still apparently annoyed about not getting a kiss, took a deep breath and looked around.

“So where’s the lunch box?”

“It’s not here. I left it for Secretary Park.”

“Why’d you do that?”

Joo Seung-ha blinked at Seo Ahn-jae’s fierce reaction. Was he that hungry?

“Didn’t you eat dinner at the hospital? I’ll buy you a lunch box when you’re better.”

“You’ll come again?”

The intensity in his eyes made Joo Seung-ha slightly nervous.

“Yes, well, if I have the time…”

Seo Ahn-jae’s expression turned savage at the uncertain answer. Then he muttered another curse under his breath.

“Shit, I missed my chance because of those bastards.”

Before Joo Seung-ha could ask what he meant, Seo Ahn-jae was already calling someone.

“Park Hyo-joon hyung, I think we need to crush those thugs after all.”

***

The move happened much faster than Joo Seung-ha had expected. It felt burdensome to move again less than a month after moving to the rooftop room. What pushed Joo Seung-ha’s hesitant back wasn’t Seo Ahn-jae’s persistent demands or his boss’s crazy drive to immediately relocate the company for good rental conditions. Now beside Joo Seung-ha sat a white dog, sitting with its front legs straight, panting nervously in the unfamiliar place.

“Doram.”

Joo Seung-ha stroked Doram’s back sympathetically. How frightening and scary it must be to suddenly be separated from their owner and come to a strange house. But despite its large size, perhaps because it was gentle, it didn’t resist or bare its teeth. Fortunately, it helped that Doram remembered Joo Seung-ha from their time together at the shelter.

So Doram followed well during the entire journey to the new house. Doram’s guardian had kept him until this morning when she was admitted for surgery before handing him over. Though it was long-term fostering, she said she would take Doram home occasionally once she recovered from surgery, but Joo Seung-ha wondered if it wouldn’t be too hard to take care of herself alone while sick.

‘Don’t push yourself too hard.’

At Joo Seung-ha’s words, Doram’s guardian just nodded silently with tightly pressed lips. She had been very happy that Joo Seung-ha was the one taking Doram.

‘I guess there’s no law saying people should just die.’

When she said this with a smile, Joo Seung-ha’s heart felt a bit lighter sending her off. Still, it must be like a bolt from the blue for Doram who couldn’t speak. Joo Seung-ha continued stroking Doram’s back while looking around the house that was unfamiliar to him too.

“Actually, I’m a bit scared too.”

No matter how much he liked the person, the discomfort of riding on another’s wealth wouldn’t go away. This was how his mother had lived her entire life, so his aversion was inevitable.

‘He’s throwing money at me because he likes me. What am I supposed to do?’

He remembered his mother once bragging like this on the phone with someone, and now it felt like this was his reality. This black smoke that suffocated him the more he thought about it would probably follow him for life as long as he was with Seo Ahn-jae. What Joo Seung-ha could rely on in this guilt wasn’t Seo Ahn-jae’s unwavering love.

It was himself. He was  different from his mom. He had to believe only in himself, standing on this premise. Therefore, Joo Seung-ha decided to willingly shoulder the negative burden. The regret of ‘now’ was greater than following the guilt wherever it went. The immediate present with Seo Ahn-jae was more precious.

‘I don’t know why people only realize what’s precious after they regret it. Time was this precious. Do what you want to do right now.’

Doram’s guardian’s words kept echoing in his mind. For the first time in a while, Joo Seung-ha sent Seo Ahn-jae a message first.

[I brought Doram home.]

When there was no reply and he was about to put his phone away, it rang.

–Say that again.

Seo Ahn-jae demanded abruptly. Puzzled, Joo Seung-ha repeated what he’d sent in the message.

“I said I brought Doram home.”

–…Right. Home.

Though no laughter mixed with his slow acknowledgment, Joo Seung-ha couldn’t shake the image of the other man’s lips curving up.

“Weren’t you in a meeting?”

Seo Ahn-jae had definitely sent a message saying so before Joo Seung-ha arrived home.

–Right. I need to go back in.

Then he hung up after a brief goodbye. Wait, then why did he come out of the meeting just to call me? Joo Seung-ha looked down at his phone in disbelief. The more he dates Seo Ahn-jae, the less he understands him. As Joo Seung-ha tilted his head to one side, he saw Doram lying down on the floor, seemingly tired.

“Good job.”

Joo Seung-ha praised while stroking Doram’s head, gazing at the spacious yard through the glass door.

“We’ll get used to it eventually.”

Joo Seung-ha muttered to Doram as if speaking to himself. Yes, now that they’d taken the first step in the desired direction, they could adapt slowly. Seven years ago, he had rushed ahead alone out of greed even knowing it was the wrong path, and had fallen flat on his face. This time he’d stepped onto a more proper path.

He planned to walk slowly while holding Seo Ahn-jae’s hand. There was no need to hurry. We all want the fairy tale “happily ever after” ending, but we can only know that ending briefly before death. Life is too long to determine happiness at the finish line.

So Joo Seung-ha decided to shorten the period of that happy ending. A day, half a day, or one hour. And today and now was a happy ending. Joo Seung-ha sent a photo of Doram to his guardian, letting her know the ending.

[This is our home. We’re doing well right now.]

-The End-