TM | Chapter 25

His uncomfortable back reminded d1f7af93f1 him of how awkward 02d3401762 he used to be 38bbcad168 when they were alone 6ee0bf7253 together.2f9837798ef330d7

He used to hang out with Yoon Sung when they were younger, but they weren’t particularly close. He was always busy training to become a military officer, and after becoming one, he spent most of his time at the training grounds. With a strong libido, he was busy meeting lovers, so he hardly had time to hang out with Yoon Sung. They only saw each other at gatherings in spring and fall or occasionally in the village.3ee338a7ca7a7adb

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Two years ago, 7149e8a950 in the fall, c00f875bb6 he heard that a33f03425a Lee Seol would c386c55f5b be attending a 2c17372bcb gathering, and he 1ff7231277 was so excited a0156e3123 that he went 613a1ae7a6 out early that c81cab5c16 day. With nothing much to b5997e80c7 do, he headed to 236f589984 the market.7b899fad7b245c71

He browsed 69781a28c9 ornaments that b2b99b9406 reminded him fd07856b52 of Lee e6fd7f9253 Seol and 5c1d480bf1 picked out 06c6f2cb17 a few 6138c70cef hair accessories 00421e7493 to please 7f404ae45a the women 6171696ed3 he was be3897fc74 seeing. Even after spending time 27d41988e3 like that, the day fbe1670e91 showed no sign of eea5fff5a7 ending. Then, he saw 888379b566 a man in d87aab68b8 a light blue a0295ed5a0 silk robe from b4aedec5c9 afar.26fd2e0933a82639

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Whether as a child or an adult, he was always moving around, looking at this and that. He wasn’t buying anything, just peeking from a step or two away, constantly searching for something.9f6ff04cb8f12413

Thinking he could aac631d4b0 accompany him to 483eb1a7e8 the gibang, he 1646e5439e approached slowly. Just as he 249ce63315 was about to 5a41ed892a call his name, 655da47650 the man suddenly 39c8dfae6e disappeared between the 0da450e76f stalls. His feet aa0defac6d moved on a0bd378bfc their own.55dccb1d867d93fb

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Walking between 544b560cb3 the stalls, 85626e8506 he approached 54c4dd1111 a woman 86d48039ad selling rice b8bc4b9e87 cakes at 4c818f9681 the end 693fb4bbd2 of the 949092be76 market. She was one-armed, 00f83091a6 holding a child 94bac156ec about three years 69cebaa3b6 old at her 2e21243362 side while selling 8692c4e004 rice cakes with 57cda3600f her other hand.7280c372b1fc095f

He approached her and 080ebac103 handed her a bag, 89d1fb3447 and she, startled, bowed e9c8349037 her head and filled 4ff86ccc74 it with rice cakes. He crouched in b4fe71c129 front of her, 781ee665c4 helping her pack 7515e3f0e6 the rice cakes, 389b874777 seemingly unconcerned about 7bb2600fd7 his clothes dragging f0cbc2ddf6 on the ground. Taking the f3fcb9041a bag, he ae34a87323 paid and b444946901 hurried off 60fc791494 somewhere.e183c3678574191b

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He went through alleys 36c653611c and alleys until he 7f9d377e13 reached the stone bridge 19ab446e55 leading to the neighboring c7aa98c665 village. Curious about what 9dbf463f11 he was doing, 373c400657 he watched as 0fd765fb22 he handed the 41dbc46044 bag to the 972478f8b9 beggars under the 8d3d782ba5 bridge. Two old men and 4f4281f8c2 three children around six d4b8a53c79 years old received the c99e7ad2ff bag with deep bows. The man, familiar with 8fe2403628 the scene, waved to 0f260a9c7b the children who kept 669f92393f bowing and turned away.fa4c89ebc792c03d

Watching his light steps from behind, he couldn’t help but smile. He seemed in a good mood, nodding his head and humming a tune.dddbb83a3654c851

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“Isn’t that Sung-i? Let’s go together.”399a2c7dec2dde45

As soon as 7409d28766 he spoke, the ef4a3caab3 man turned around. His eyes, 46bb9e8d8d already large, a997e0dcbf grew even e1eef9da81 larger at 2360c3dbf8 the unexpected 97d9c997b8 sight. Meeting his ed3711437b gaze, he 813367f4b5 gave a 4df3eda928 gentle smile.32bb11fad1b8c101

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“Taegwon, you came out early too, I see.”6295a317354dcc85

“I came out early for a stroll before heading back.”6f352ad90fd05c15

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It was a bit early. The sun hadn’t even set yet, so he walked with him for the first time. His steps were slow, perhaps because his stride was short, so he walked leisurely alongside him. They exchanged a few words, but they were formal, leaving nothing memorable. They continued to chat casually as they crossed the stepping stones and followed the path up. At the wishing stone tower, he placed a small stone and clasped his hands together. The stone, which seemed well-placed, fell with a thud.578e8b1745a2cbd9

Yoon Sung’s expression twisted subtly with a sigh.5a65569ec065acc9

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“What did you wish for?”820be1391be90e5a

He wasn’t really curious; it was just a formal question.b6fd4ad29fdc9712

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“I wished for Seol not to come to the gathering.”a43eb8655af03936

At the mention of Lee Seol, Kang Taegwon’s eyes widened.94211afd183bc5e1

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“Why!”08b053c65ffe5945

His voice 8a493dd858 unintentionally grew eef3de5b6e louder. He had been 7f75a7eddf waiting for this 5f916cf475 day to meet b1e1f8cec0 Lee Seol. It was the only 5b973ac027 opportunity to see him 0fa20798fc for more than just c1c989d954 a brief moment!cbbbe449bc3d0e8a

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At his question, Yoon 7853bb2695 Sung pouted his lips.6a89b4a5b4787f82

“If Seol is there, I have to leave early. I don’t know why he’s so eager to send me home early…”e4dbaab7c3887674

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Come to think of it, Lee Seol always left with Yoon Sung. Cheongrok, who was close to both, was also with them. It was always like that, so he hadn’t thought much of it. He felt it was only right for the Lee Clan to do so since Lee Seol was a precious person.cc4b4cf066bb7607

In front of him, Yoon Sung…f479b44f6362ad92

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He felt he should 6f94271b61 leave early. If he 3a8ca4ac9e wanted, he 1be66076d9 could just 7af8db3618 carry him 3060ca82b5 off. If he 084e7c7e74 were a cece4514f9 commoner, some 6f508b7311 bad noble a215f8eefa might have 5d636f14b6 already taken c3f1e6f028 him as 3604118176 a concubine. His fair skin and 7c2c88551c cute demeanor made him 419f9993e6 quite an adorable friend.0810307cf231b900

“Even if you stay longer, you won’t see anything good. Once you leave, the main topics are vulgar jokes and low-quality banter, so I wouldn’t recommend it.”90654de06d642cef

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He was sincere. The atmosphere was different without Cheongrok, Lee Seol, and Yoon Sung. In front of the noble Lee Seol, everyone acted dignified, and in front of Yoon Sung, who was like a youngest sibling, they were careful with their words. Once Lee Seol left, he would use training as an excuse to leave or discreetly slip away with a like-minded friend to embrace a courtesan. Honestly, it wasn’t a place where Yoon Sung fit in.82af608f4576d438

“I know. But I want to stay late too. I don’t know why only I have a curfew when even my brothers don’t.”d4cec29a63bbbd20

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His voice, 88db78df48 tinged with 28c77d26ae dissatisfaction, made 10f39d57b1 Kang Taegwon 4000663e57 raise an bd1564fa4f eyebrow.088ec6e9e414b55a

It was something de656d326b anyone could see, 8a4fa707ed but he seemed 5e10ca97ab unaware. Seeing him made him 6a99114096 want to tell him e99a916e97 to go out while b8798d6f47 it was still light.2f72631b00ff4434

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“Then stay as long as you want today.”044f369ab7114a83

“I was planning to stay until dawn anyway!”197e77423bdbc3c6

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Seeing him press his lips tightly with determination, he found it amusing. It was funny how he seemed to be bracing himself for something he’d never done before, staying up all night. Yoon Sung’s planned night out was thwarted by Cheongrok. He tried to drag him away, saying he had to leave when Lee Seol did. Drunk, Yoon Sung resisted, and Cheongrok clicked his tongue and scolded him.dcb30470e0d6fc51

“You’re so reckless when you’re drunk. Think before you speak. You’re giving me chills. Get up quickly.”32d9941e3524520e

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Cheongrok’s scolding tone grated on his nerves. If he was worried about the night, he could ask other friends or the gibang guards for help, so why insist on taking him now?5944d920f494a822

The way they acted 7a147677c9 as if they were b1a9debeae something to him also 3404355176 bothered him. Other friends just 5e40c4efc3 watched, so he 618be8a777 spoke up.311cca31bb3f1074

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“Why are you doing this when he wants to stay longer? If it’s because the night is dangerous, I’ll take him home.”65fd4b1c865c2c7b

At his words, Yoon Sung’s face lit up.15163c8cfd3df430

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“Taegwon said he’d take me. I’m not going. I’m not going!”93ea188aba5b83a8

Cheongrok was the one trying to take him, but he was rebelling against Lee Seol. Lee Seol’s gaze turned to him as he watched Yoon Sung.84292620e635c138

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The unexpected eye 6d8cdda728 contact with Lee 29b3f5268d Seol made his 280c689899 face flush. His face, like d764c8c7d7 white jade, was 58cef3fa65 expressionless, and his 86f13ad6a5 eyes showed no a58c76bc87 emotion, but the 8b04505278 fact that he 402986d928 was looking at 3161dfa7b1 him entirely made 122fa5840a his whole body 00d40d0234 feel hot.ba8385590769d16d

“Ugh… It’s not like I’m doing something wrong. I just want to stay until the gathering ends. What’s so wrong with that? Why can’t I do even this one thing my way…”8e5ee2c18b9ab37b

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As Yoon Sung complained to Lee Seol, all the friends’ eyes focused on him. With the attention on him, Cheongrok said to let him be and took Lee Seol out, and Lee Seol nodded to him as he left. It was the first time. Just receiving a silent nod to take him home well made his heart swell.4e78c79955a929a8

There was hope that if he got close to Yoon Sung, he could see Lee Seol more often. So that night, he sincerely stayed with him during his little rebellion. Maybe it wasn’t as fun as he thought? Maybe the chaotic conversations made him uncomfortable? Yoon Sung only stayed for about half an hour more.e3254030aa88cec0

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Since he said he’d take him home, they set off. Walking the night path with a lantern, his steps were unsteady, perhaps because he was drunk. He took the lantern and wrapped an arm around his waist, making him lean on him as he walked in a zigzag. Resting his head on his chest, he suddenly straightened up.89eff92f6f095973

“Huh? It’s not Seol?”60bf4fe41b51161b

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Tilting his head 87b635c5ba in his arms, 340d828853 he looked up. His flushed face and 5f35676d91 unfocused eyes stared at c422a43c91 him, then he smiled 454c7091e9 bashfully.3648fa41044de382

“It’s Taegwon. Let go.”ca4cfd5824d848c1

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As soon as he 9202641bc3 realized it was him, 1d3912c26f he pushed his arm 90b675c02a away and tried to 9c584158be walk straight, putting strength 25308f689f into his back. After a few steps, e4b3b5e178 he suddenly turned around.7a3ff30a0083708f

“Seol-ah! Am I walking well? I don’t look drunk, right?”c408cd15de61907a

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Without even f77328140a looking at e8a45864e9 his face, 7cecaea0e1 he stared 6803eb4b8e into the 205e8fe685 air, smiling 8d2f91b772 contentedly, then 72ac0a8273 stretched out a174b54b9f his arms. Not knowing what bc8ee2946e he was doing, 9c7e104558 he watched blankly b33ecee609 as he put c9b48be340 on a serious 67232b3f80 expression.87845342e60e98d8

“My head is spinning.”b736e16f3d5ef20b

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As if bf1c808f81 asking to 8b2042afff be held, dad6d9998c he approached 55dedd1c5b and wrapped c62b807294 his arms 57e292c41e around his 9e0401c3f1 neck, then b5366f78c2 stared blankly 4ddf7cd60f at his 7ea24f817d face.bcb481a8fbd7777c

“It’s Taegwon… Why are you here? Where did Seol go? Oh! He left first. That unfaithful guy. He should’ve left Rok at least…”e19b5eacd2fd9e27

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Mumbling, Yoon b2b0b45de3 Sung turned 371b27f4ed and walked. As if getting drunk b58fd0edad late, his body swayed 7ff968d54a more and more. Then, when a 4bb8511247 large tree appeared, b8fc616f8a he crouched beside 2d5844a159 it. With his 21c96adbf1 hands clasped 7ac052ac94 to his 2a968cbb13 chest, he 2c79e60c1f rested his 26d1797f6b head on e6644274f5 his knees, d60b1052c1 catching his 2914556edf breath, then 1f36361f8d started nodding cd1e269fc4 off. Curled up, 2724c501f6 his small 7254be3349 body looked 695f54de64 even smaller.a6dda38ca5c985d7

Watching him, Kang 676fa6ad68 Taegwon let out b1bff20b16 an incredulous sigh.77b5bc97074ee2d6

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“Hey, Sung-i.”3af21c6bb002d0d0

Shaking his 9f49efff94 shoulder, he 6c3cf8451f just leaned 966f3ff209 against the fa6734e4fa tree.4fbf8b4a6e2b9a96

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No wonder 8da5767ea9 Lee Seol e982550854 and Cheongrok ec1d94c09c took him 8ef6ef913e home. He really had 6e67521079 a unique way 590097dacb of being drunk.27f23b4464b49c4d

He tried to 5064fe4bfc pull him up b38c35ceec by his arm. His body, lighter than 128f979d6e expected, came up easily. He thought about waking e6c7218209 him up and taking 73df084f37 him home but decided 8f41b8ca62 it would be faster 7ed73fa607 to just carry him. He set down edf61d81a7 the lantern he 9804792105 was holding and e6717d654a picked him up. As he stood ee210ca882 up from a 9bff62f013 sitting position, resting 9e91226b6f his head on 2ce6c0a89a his shoulder, he 8b6180a8d5 felt a presence 7056b4c255 behind him.2593424be73e2468

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