FR | Chapter 2.4

Sitting in front of him was Woojae, looking down at him with a sly gaze. What stood out was Woojae’s disheveled hair.

Won’s gaze shifted to the digital clock on the café wall. Only 40 minutes had passed since class ended.

Suddenly, Woojae’s hand reached for Won’s forehead. Won reflexively swatted it away.

“Don’t touch me.”

“The medicine.”

Woojae showed no intention of matching Won’s irritation. Had he eaten and come here? How did he know I was here? The weight on his already tired eyelids increased.

“What medicine?”

When Won replied lazily, Woojae’s eyes narrowed. He let out a short sigh as if he expected this. Woojae tossed a black plastic bag onto the table.

“What’s this?”

Without a word, Woojae took a sip of coffee. It was the coffee Won had been drinking before he fell asleep.

He suddenly felt as if warmth lingered on his forehead. He rubbed his forehead to shake off the discomfort.

He rubbed until his forehead turned red, then finally checked the contents of the bag.

It was medicine. Not the kind humans usually take, but medicine with the center’s logo.

Cold medicine, digestive aids, painkillers. The bag was filled with all sorts of medicine, along with a heavy bottle of water.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“You said you were sick.”

“…”

That was a lie to avoid eating with you. Won met Woojae’s indifferent eyes. Woojae didn’t avoid his gaze even while resting his chin on his hand.

“Did you put a GPS on me?”

Woojae blinked slowly. A smile appeared on his previously expressionless face.

“Is it obvious?”

It was a thoughtless question, but did he say it was obvious? His previously indifferent face hardened.

The drowsiness that had flooded his body quickly vanished. As the sleepiness fled, his mind became busy.

Where could he have put a GPS? Phone? Shoes? Clothes? Did he attach it when he grabbed my wrist earlier? His tense eyes scrutinized Woojae’s expression.

He thought he was maintaining composure, but suddenly Kwon Woojae burst into hearty laughter.

“You believe that? How big can the school be that I can’t find one sunbae?”

How big can it be? The campus wasn’t small, even if his range of movement was limited.

Even if he skipped meals, he would have to go to a pharmacy quite far from here to get medicine.

Human medicine wasn’t very effective for beastkin, and there were only a few designated pharmacies where they could get medicine.

Even calculating the shortest time, it was tight. Unless he knew the places I frequented.

He was still skeptical. It didn’t matter much that Kwon Woojae found it amusing. What mattered was that he was capable of such things.

“Are you not going to take it after I went through the trouble of bringing it?”

He couldn’t figure out his intentions.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“…”

I told you, I’m not sick. There wasn’t a single part of him that hurt. Compared to ordinary humans, beastkin had strong stamina. Unless they were old, they didn’t get sick easily even if they ate less, slept less, and overexerted themselves.

Did he buy medicine knowing that?

At first, he thought Woojae was teasing him. He thought he came to make him realize that running was futile. But why was he so serious?

While trying to figure out his intentions, Woojae snatched the plastic bag from Won’s hand.

The sound of the bag crumpling was loud. Woojae soon took out a painkiller.

“Hand.”

“…”

“Give it to me while I’m asking nicely.”

A white pill was already in Woojae’s hand.

“Sunbae.”

Unable to resist the urging, he held out his hand. The pill rolling in his palm looked so small it seemed pitiful. Won finally parted his lips reluctantly.

“I’m not sick.”

Without a word, Woojae opened the water bottle. Won looked down at the water bottle in front of him, then back at Woojae.

“I lied because I didn’t want to eat with you.”

“I know.”

Even at those harsh words, Woojae replied calmly. He knew, so why? The question rose again, but he kept his mouth shut.

It was annoying. With a hardened face, he took the pill. He swallowed the water immediately, but a faint bitterness lingered in his mouth.

“I took it, so go now.”

“If you’re tired, sleep. I’ll wake you up on time.”

“Kwon Woojae.”

The accumulated irritation made his head feel like it was about to cramp. Won gave Woojae an unfriendly look.

As always, Woojae stared at him with eyes devoid of hostility. As if he wanted something.

“Woojae.”

“What?”

“Call me Woojae, like before.”

A hollow laugh escaped. Ah, he let go because I called him “Woojae” instead of “Kwon Woojae” earlier.

Even though he had laughed in his face, Woojae’s expression didn’t change. He just stared intently at his face.

The laughter he had let out quickly disappeared. He eventually gave up on speaking indirectly. With a weary face, he set down the water bottle he was holding.

“…Woojae.”

“Go on.”

“I want to be alone, so can you leave?”

Their intense gazes locked perfectly. He then stood up.

As Kwon Woojae rose, Won lifted his chin high. He hadn’t expected him to comply so easily just because he dropped the last name, so it was an unexpected gain.

Satisfied, a smile appeared on his face.

The smile wasn’t deep, but it was clearly a smile to anyone who saw it. At least until he uttered a single word.

“If you want, I can go have a smoke.”

“…”

Woojae didn’t hide his smug expression and laughed elegantly. Then, before he could retort, he left the café.

“…This is so annoying.”

He didn’t mean he wanted to be alone for just a moment.

His sly demeanor made him lose his resolve. Won stared blankly at the door Woojae had exited with an incredulous expression.

He stared at the glass wall for a time that was neither too long nor too short. When he spotted Woojae leisurely appearing, he leaned back. Not even ten minutes had passed.

The yellowish light caught his eye. It should have spread more cleanly, but to Won, it seemed scattered.

He blinked slowly. Among the many footsteps tapping the ground, he searched for the calmest ones. Woojae’s footsteps were eerily quiet.

They were so calm and gentle that he only noticed when he was right next to him. It was unsettling. Even though he was always on alert, he never knew when or where he would appear.

It was no different now that he knew Woojae was approaching.

If he took his eyes off for just a moment, he couldn’t sense Woojae’s presence. Without making a sound, Woojae approached Won.

A tilted head looked down at him. Woojae smelled sharply of cigarettes. Won, with his head tilted back, rolled his eyes to look at Woojae.

He laughed lowly. It sounded like the piercing cry of a bird. Woojae’s hand slowly reached for Won’s eyes. His thumb threatened to cover his eyes.

He didn’t think of swatting it away and just watched quietly. The thumb rushing toward his eyes stopped just short.

Even though he hadn’t blinked, Won’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He maintained a calm expression, even as he felt the rough finger threatening his eyes.

His focus shifted from the fingertip to Woojae’s eyes. Woojae moved his unwavering hand slowly.

The breeze from his skin brushing his eyelashes made him blink reflexively. Woojae’s hand fell from his eye area. The hand that had been hovering skillfully in the air settled on Won’s lips.

His gaze, which had been slowly sinking, suddenly jumped.

“Move your hand.”

Won spoke in an indifferent voice. Yet the touch on his lips didn’t withdraw. Instead, it clung more blatantly.

He frowned, but Woojae closed the distance by another step.

“Playing hard to get.”

The other’s body heat was hot. That warmth now cupped his cheek. Woojae smiled slyly.

“I’m cheap.”

Won erased the venom from his eyes and forced a smile. His lips stretched into a mocking grin. He pushed away the hand that showed no sign of retreating.

“Didn’t know I was only expensive to you.”

Woojae frowned.

“So don’t get any funny ideas.”

Finally, Won straightened his head and stood up. He took only one thing from the table. Among the half-melted coffee, the bag of medicine, and his phone, he took only the phone.

He passed Woojae and left the café. He walked calmly to the elevator in the center of the building. He pressed the button and waited for the display to drop to B2.

Soon, the thick metal doors slid open. As soon as he stepped inside, he pressed the close button. But a hand slipped in from the corner, stopping the closing door.

A face twisted in frustration appeared. Woojae entered the elevator and immediately reached out. A rough hand grabbed Won’s neck.

“Ugh!”

Bang! The forceful grip pushed him into the corner. The strength choking his neck wasn’t weak, and a groan escaped. Won grabbed Woojae’s wrist tightly.

“Why can’t I?”

Woojae growled lowly. Though his voice was low, the emotion within was clearly anger. The madness in his eyes proved it.

“Why can’t I!”

His voice finally rose. Thud. The sound of the door closing, sealing off his only escape, echoed. A chill ran down his spine.

“Kwon, ugh…”

His eyes, covered in fear, turned to Woojae. Woojae, with eyes wide open, tightened his grip and pressed closer. His head seemed to tilt slowly, and Won bit his lip.

Won clenched his teeth and looked at the display. He hadn’t pressed a floor, so the number B2 still showed.

He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping someone would enter the elevator.

Woojae’s presence was right in front of him. Just as Won was about to struggle and push him away.

Puhaha, suddenly laughter burst from the front. The grip on his neck loosened. Won reflexively clutched his neck and coughed dryly.

“Cough!”

He covered his mouth with the back of his hand to stifle the relentless cough. As he struggled to lift his eyelids, he saw a face unable to suppress laughter.

“Is this what you wanted?”

“…”

Earlier, he had to hold his breath involuntarily, but now he swallowed it voluntarily. Woojae chuckled with a mocking smile.

“What do you gain from provoking like that?”

“…”

“It won’t work.”

Woojae straightened his back with a relaxed face. He turned and pressed the button for the first floor. The number stuck on B2 changed to a new one.

“Cheap, damn it.”

The straight back facing forward chewed on the curse.

“Am I supposed to believe that?”

“…”

“Who knows you better than I do?”

Won swallowed heavily, supporting himself with the handrail. Ding. As if mocking him, the door finally opened, letting in bright light.

His head, which had been facing forward, slowly turned. First, he saw his nose, then his eyes looking at him. Woojae, showing his profile, was smiling serenely.

“If you really want to be alone, I’ll give you space. See you in the next lecture.”

He turned his head again and checked his watch with his right hand.

“One hour left.”

It was a mutter, like talking to himself. Woojae, leaving behind a shapeless voice, moved forward.