HLFH | Chapter 14

I don’t really believe it, but it just feels off.

He did say he was “used to it” before.

‘…Just checking, I guess.’

If I really find such traces.

‘I could at least tell the teacher….’

But the body I saw was perfectly fine. No, saying it was fine doesn’t do it justice. Broad shoulders, a straight collarbone, and smooth, blemish-free skin—it was a body that had clearly been well taken care of.

‘Abuse? Not a chance.’

There wasn’t a trace of it anywhere.

‘He looks like he’s been pampered.’

Kim Juwon’s expression turned sour.

Of course, there wasn’t nothing to nitpick. By Kim Juwon’s strict standards regarding muscles, Ki Jaeeon was quite thin. To be at an average weight for his height, he’d need to bulk up by at least ten kilograms.

But aside from that, it was undeniable that he had a pretty decent body.

‘Doesn’t he do weights? His bone structure seems good.’

Kim Juwon scanned him with disinterested eyes, then suddenly froze. His gaze fixed on one spot, and his pupils widened in shock.

‘What, what is that!’

Thunder rumbled in Kim Juwon’s mind.

‘How can a guy’s nipples be pink!’

Kim Juwon gaped in disbelief. Even after blinking and looking again, they were pink. Damn. The curse slipped out naturally. This was shocking enough to report to a TV station.

“P-pink.”

Every guy he’d seen had dark, dirty, and awful ones that made him want to rip them off. Why does this guy have cherry blossoms on his chest? Spring’s already over! Kim Juwon was in utter confusion, like a cat smelling skate for the first time.

In his world, a man’s chest being pretty? That was impossible.

Just then.

“Ah….”

Splash.

Ki Jaeeon subtly twisted his upper body. He hesitated, touching his shoulder as if to cover his chest, clearly uncomfortable with Kim Juwon’s gaze.

Huh? What’s with the act?

‘Why cover your chest, damn it. This is getting awkward.’

Drip.

In the strange silence, only the sound of water droplets echoed. Kim Juwon’s lips trembled in the unnatural atmosphere.

‘…Something’s really off here.’

In his bewildered gaze, Ki Jaeeon shrank back.

His skin flushed from the heat, eyes downcast, lips moist.

Even the water droplets from his wet hair slowly sliding down his cheek to his collarbone… Why am I even describing this?

“No…”

“…”

Ki Jaeeon’s expression sank even more, like someone being mocked. His already gloomy face now seemed to show disdain.

Or maybe he really was feeling disdain.

“Huh?”

Wow, am I being mistaken for a creep? I’d rather drown in a puddle. Do I look like such a lowlife? I’m supposed to be someone blessed by the gods!

‘There’s a limit to misunderstanding someone….’

Kim Juwon hurriedly defended himself.

“Hey, hey, I’m not that kind of person.”

And I like girls, okay? He added a brief explanation.

He didn’t know why he was saying this here, but he couldn’t just let it slide. What was more infuriating was Ki Jaeeon’s next reaction.

That annoying guy swallowed his lips, hesitated, and then mumbled in his frustratingly slow manner, “…Ah, yeah. I thought you might.”

What? It seemed like the misunderstanding was cleared up, but…

‘Why am I so pissed?’

It felt like he was being acknowledged as an honorary ladies’ man, and it didn’t feel good.

‘Do I look like a perv?’

The ladies’ men he’d seen were all ugly or had irredeemable personalities.

‘I’m not that bad.’

Worrying about his appearance was new. Then he suddenly wondered, ‘Why am I worrying about this because of that guy?’

It was embarrassing to realize he’d been swayed by a guy, especially Ki Jaeeon. Kim Juwon gritted his teeth and erased the unnecessary worries from his memory.

‘Getting worked up over nothing….’

Just embarrassing. It’s all because of the teacher.

He pouted, blaming Kim Young.

‘Should I just leave since I’m all relaxed?’

Kim Juwon hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

‘…No, that’s not right.’

Leaving now would make it seem like I’m running away.

I should at least give back as much as I got, so I can sleep well tonight.

If my mood’s ruined, his should be too. That’s only fair, right?

With a sly smile, Kim Juwon called out, “Hey.” to Ki Jaeeon.

His attitude would make his teacher, Kim Young, who believed in his fiery yet deep nature, lose heart.

“You know the kids are cursing you out, right?”

At the merciless jab, Ki Jaeeon’s lips moved, but he just lowered his head like a scolded child, not looking surprised.

‘What? Does he know or not?’

Kim Juwon squinted and continued.

“Okay, since we’re on the topic, let me ask.”

“…”

“Why are you really here? You came for some exchange or whatever, but you’re just holed up in your room.”

“…”

“They say you ignore them when they call? Hey, I told you before. This isn’t a place to act spoiled. If you’re here, at least pull your weight, damn it.”

Kim Juwon splashed water at Ki Jaeeon as he emphasized “damn it.” It was a deliberate, insulting act meant to belittle him.

But Ki Jaeeon just turned his head, wiping his stinging eyes, and didn’t protest.

Drip… Drip…

His eyes, red from rubbing, mixed with the shadows under them, creating a strange atmosphere. A face that seemed both lively and lifeless. But to Kim Juwon, it just looked like he was pretending to be pitiful.

“Get it together. Are you here on vacation…?”

His voice echoed sharply in the bathhouse.

Kim Juwon glared at Ki Jaeeon with narrowed eyes. If it were any other kid, they would’ve already apologized, hands behind their back, tears hanging from their eyes.

He hadn’t intended to go this far.

At first, he just wanted to give a little jab… but he ended up genuinely angry.

‘That guy’s behavior makes it seem like he’s looking down on Bonryeong.’

Kim Juwon stared coldly at Ki Jaeeon a few more times before reluctantly looking away. He cracked his neck side to side, swallowing his lingering annoyance.

And then he fell silent.

The only sound was the bubbling of the water, and the bathhouse was deathly quiet.

Kim Juwon rubbed his reddened chest, sneaking glances at Ki Jaeeon.

The guy, who he thought might be reflecting, was just staring at the ripples, lips tightly shut. Kim Juwon let out a disbelieving laugh. Did he glue his mouth shut?

‘Damn, I’m just talking to myself.’

He felt his energy drain away. Talking to a wall would be a hundred times more satisfying. After all this scolding, shouldn’t he at least pretend to reflect, or at least make an excuse? He’s not even a sack of barley.

‘Or does he just not want to talk to me?’

Kim Juwon smirked, thinking the relationship was already ruined, and freely voiced his pent-up complaints.

“And if you have any conscience, shouldn’t you have at least called Seomyeong? Isn’t it embarrassing to leave like you did—when his surgery wasn’t even over?”

Ki Jaeeon’s shoulders flinched.

See, what did I tell you? Kim Juwon raised an eyebrow.

‘Oh, so even you think your behavior was crap?’

“I’m… sorry.”

Finally, Ki Jaeeon’s lips opened.

He apologized, eyes darting around as if unsure where to look. Surprisingly, it seemed sincere.

‘So he’s not completely without conscience?’

What a complicated character.

But he remained silent about why he hadn’t called.

Kim Juwon shrugged, as if tired.

Fine, if you don’t want to talk, don’t. Talking to you just raises my blood pressure.

Kim Juwon decided to let it go and stood up.

“I’m leaving.”

Splash!

His large frame caused water to splash roughly around him. Ki Jaeeon squinted as a few droplets hit him, then opened his eyes to see a sturdy, flawless physique emerging through the mist.

“Hoo.”

Kim Juwon stretched his muscular arms, taking a deep breath. His abs tightened and relaxed with each movement. Draping a towel over his shoulder, he trudged out of the tub, then suddenly turned back. He tapped under his eyes, looking at Ki Jaeeon.

“Hey, take it easy and get some sleep. Are you a panda?”