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SHLF Ch 8
by mimi“Minho, let go. Are you seriously going to get angry?”1b69482a37140c1a
“……”a3752cc6e678b34a
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“Hey, you… Ugh! Haa, haa… What do you eat to be so strong…”d17bf3c4f9cb2ede
“Ramen.”e2e2582d5c5a841f
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Yeah, he ate ramen… Ramen? I stopped trying to push Minho away and turned my head as much as possible. Is he joking at a time like this? I must have looked annoyed. Minho answered slowly, in a somewhat quieter voice.118c786b3c772fb5
“You still have to buy me ramen.”2a0897db6a8207ed
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“……”d88b7e991c924ed3
“……”379d151062c81823
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“…Are you seriously making a joke?”0750619b1c44ae40
“No.”510694dc6f4247d5
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It was a firm denial. It wasn’t funny, though. However, if he was serious, it made me question his mental state even more. Did he suffer so much in America that he couldn’t eat the ramen he craved, and now has a trauma about it? It was an unbelievable assumption, but I lacked the imagination to create a Thomas-like scenario, so I couldn’t think of anything else.44c17a2e98549b71
“Okay. I’ll definitely buy you some.”cfd0288c95d694d8
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Only after 52c3d25c7c I answered 063397aab4 did the 1b197b0729 constricting force f0de78385c disappear. I took a 64e2889729 deep breath, and 3da23aebb0 the tightness in accced5cb4 my chest vanished. Only then f848e68821 did I 744725c582 properly face 847448aa70 Minho and ea3146fe3f ask him 5c94a21414 a question.14371cd4d291cd09
“How did you get here?”76b785d9c94a8afa
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“I drove.”82f2ce7d74d47fea
Looking at him 91b6aa5ef7 answer so obediently, 4e66453039 I blamed myself 64ffcb7d0a for asking the 6fe1a81fc4 wrong question.325882f6404f8a9c
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“I meant why did you come here?”d9300512da2257d9
“To go home with you.”0502017e4b57efea
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“Our house? Why?”1205f837af8f18d6
Minho didn’t answer right away. He looked away for a moment before responding. This wasn’t because of his usual slow speech, but because he seemed flustered.58aab24f2679bb6d
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“I think I left something there.”aad371a72f491d17
“You lost something at our house?”cca6e2c8804530c5
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I hadn’t noticed anything unusual when I tidied up after Minho left. When I didn’t hear an answer, I asked again, puzzled.f89c0b5b1366fc20
“What is it?”808aae2a3ed1bbfa
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“Time.”a30d4636efdbc851
“……”038a8dd03d3ac3b5
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“I’m kidding.”bfe6130fec2d8b4c
“……”ae4d5fdf2836ab2e
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“Wasn’t it funny?”6aa126580015ac6a
If he hadn’t slightly lowered his eyes as if embarrassed, I would have grabbed him by the collar.a3aec538ae81d5ad
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“I’m serious about wanting to go home with you. I was nearby and had some time, so I stopped by to go together.”4ba909aca25012c3
“…Thanks.”2685582e01fdc3d4
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I thanked him first, 87b1f389d7 then realized where I 366ec711c1 was standing. It was an ecbf3c94b0 alley a bit a5724d22cb away from the 19600902b4 office. How did he eb6317b03e know I was ccf1d1b363 here?f8be99be17f98c28
“Did you see me while parking around here?”c514a30695607342
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I craned my neck, looking for Minho’s SUV that I had seen before. But among the parked cars nearby, Minho’s car wasn’t there. When I didn’t hear an answer, I lifted my head, and Minho was just taking out his vibrating cell phone from his pocket. I wanted to hear his answer first, but Minho excused himself.9c7c54ee4fb7caf6
“It’s my uncle.”16de8ea70b7f2709
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“Answer it quickly.”d770c1c9f0e1c745
I couldn’t make Mr. Kim Yibang wait even a second longer because of my trivial curiosity. And while watching Minho answer the phone, I discreetly stepped back. I felt like Mr. Kim Yibang would tell me to switch with him immediately if he heard even my breathing. I took another step back when Minho, who had only been saying “Yes, yes,” quickly ended the call. Then he said he’d give me a ride and started walking towards where his car was parked. Unexpectedly, the car was parked in the alley on the opposite side of the company. Then how did he know I was over here? I had my phone turned off, so he wouldn’t have known I’d left work. I found it strange, but the question I heard as soon as I got in the car made me forget about such trivial curiosities.37ea95e8ec9ca66e
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“Did something happen between you and my uncle?”07e6eedf4283672b
“…Why?”011222b49d4350f0
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“He said he’ll decide about entrusting the work to your office after seeing how it goes.”dab587af690b6396
My hand, reaching for 7057e2c162 the seatbelt, froze in 497433ab3d midair. Unlike me, Minho ea258f27ce diligently secured his 18c3c62623 own life with d677a38c4b a click.bdd7e220757edc31
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“He visited your office the day before yesterday, so I wondered if something unpleasant had happened.”a28d65a202e7dfaf
“…I don’t know.”2f995c75cd02fc00
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I mumbled cfdcab6b8c in a 57cae63b12 tiny voice 8856a69afa and leaned 399727a2f6 my head 17e0beba77 against the 332c9eb1af seat weakly. If the 763170cc93 director found 01cae40229 out, we 6a850399a0 might all ea8e073f6e have to 7833a4e433 write resignation b6ceca6c4d letters. Perhaps noticing my eda59131a0 listless expression, Minho 936fc2a9fa reassured me in 1cc6adfa89 a calm voice.cf73248c6bc6a728
“My uncle isn’t picky, so he’ll be fine soon.”044c05208ebe9a27
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I was about to retort that it was a lame joke, but I saw Minho’s serious expression. It wasn’t a joke. Minho started the engine, and seeing me dazed, perhaps he felt he should add some advice.deddf1fcd2b62e28
“He doesn’t like name jokes, so just avoid those.”104bdf2ae23589a9
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“……”d85a996bbdc239bb
“Especially since he often hears jokes using family names, he gets really angry.”15de7fee63624de5
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“…Thanks for letting me know quickly.”1262a8263d8dfef8
“You’re welcome.”ac16e4658a6ae705
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Minho gripped the steering wheel, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. I stared at him with a half-dazed expression, then couldn’t help but ask,a1ec3b44f01836d9
“But wouldn’t everyone laugh when they hear your aunt’s name?”6a2555a4e10ef23c
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“No. My aunt’s name isn’t funny.”ab0d826ccf986c93
“…What is your aunt’s name?”d1df5de2d566e2fa
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“Sato Kim.”febd810c962d0b9b
“……”a070fce11de0b81e
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“She’s Japanese.”1a0e76f14b9c20ba
“But you said he often hears jokes using family names?”6c328c701a62fcf1
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“Yes, Sambang.”2ed05bd759a94a5a
“……”1d90cc5cdbad2731
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“He’s a Jindo dog, but he’s family.”94cec2d4b3763385
I should be moved by his genuine love for his dog, but why do I feel like my existence is less valuable than Sambang’s front paw? Chewing on this inexplicable loneliness, I enjoyed the drive for a while. Minho was a pretty good driver. Even though the car wasn’t particularly nice and was a manual, there was almost no shaking when it stopped. Thanks to his smooth driving and familiar silence, I closed my eyes without realizing it. I had a lot to ask Minho about today’s incident, and a lot to say about tomorrow’s Jeju Island trip. The things I had to do floated around in my head, but it was hard to push away the fatigue that had taken over my body. I finally opened my mouth because of his gaze. I felt like Minho was looking at me, and that part felt like the back of my neck. It felt prickly.e211df3f3e914dc0
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“How did you know?”e409dc12178f2ca2
When I opened my c725e7461c eyes, Minho was looking 913563d2ec straight ahead, driving. The gaze must 9daeed90a1 have been my 30cb1bcd9f imagination. Minho turned his 8f7da1acfc eyes as the e5c58c12d8 car stopped due 231615f27f to traffic.d7a3e98a52ffeae7
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“Know what?”9aa413f54d918751
He asked with 00bd3473f1 his mouth, but b4541ac3da his eyes scanned 24609deef9 the back of 0a49859de5 my neck. In that moment, f5c46f957b a chilling shiver 16603be540 spread through me. Like someone was rubbing 51c3de1036 an ice cube from 2690338caa my chest down to 948b5e6875 my abdomen. I swallowed 41bdead19a hard, trying 4057f5c4e0 to suppress 620bd4176b the urge, d22b8f709d and forced d9658d421f my voice f2247a28d5 to sound b01e82228e casual.6fd31dc721da0e00
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“That my neck is sensitive.”a4ef490e6b65b143
“I guessed.”ab52873029f09f30
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“……”c3688397888c088f
“It’s usually a sensitive spot.”cdbd49c3a86c9cdf
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His casual tone made e32e9eb08d me feel embarrassed. As if I was 9e2f551ec3 being overly conscious of a14215727c his gaze. To hide bc0a0de00f it, I a25e8ebbbb muttered curtly.36db29234df4761d
“Still, if you do that again, I’ll really get angry.”5913bbe83a913a10
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A belated “Yes” came as a reply, but his next words made me frown.fbe4e87d0f8d8651
“You really are sensitive, aren’t you?”ca542c2e77817c99
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“What?”866d0e63955b3941
Minho, stopping the 5635b8e5de car again, stared 8f8001e7e9 intently at my 0f1f68006b neck.819c4d237838a0af
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“Your body stiffened as soon as I touched you.”3796c43b8c2719ba
His voice was indifferent. But his 713c253b5c eyes were 2ddfd89ee8 dark. The tension I felt 937b37a359 on my skin made 5af97c7d69 me confused, beyond what ce21b08af3 my ears could believe. The slow speech 4713e91181 that I had 29233ea822 only found comfortable, ffffa62611 the unreadable gaze, 21f120543c now felt ambiguous, f540c52cd6 making me tense.c2a23d22a8d0bdd5
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“Because I was surprised. That’s normal, isn’t it?”49e3577631b15ebe
Fortunately, my voice came out suitably cold. Minho seemed to smile slightly, then turned his head and drove again. I hid my heavy sigh in the low hum of the engine. I was still tired, but now I couldn’t close my eyes.27f93181cacf237f
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“What are you doing tomorrow?”71b8a1f15d344ca5
“I’m going to Jeju Island for work.”2768ce758e629a5f
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“……”2701e7522cb7abee
Perhaps he found it strange that I didn’t respond to his answer, Minho asked back,bb99bf5bd634f681
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“What about you?”5d438cde7df7427f
“You don’t need to know.”b3f7c3c5846c9a28
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Well, I can be e3935d4f1d this much petty, right? And the next aad1706369 morning, when I 96f50c9d79 saw Minho at 823af0dc09 the airport, I ef8788b4dd praised my patience 7e173d3be4 for not telling 8d3a1063ac him. His surprised face 4869bbadae made my heart 7f7ccc8bfe flutter as much 78c6856faa as his shy 52136fcb59 smile had.14b16ba15fcea8f2
Koooowoooong~~c6a9f2a85024b44f
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With a deafening roar, the plane took off. The trembling fuselage tilted and gained speed, aiming for the sky. Since I don’t fly as often as I take the bus, my body always tenses up at this moment. Only when the “ding” sounded and the seatbelt sign went off did I finally exhale and relax. And as I was about to unbuckle my seatbelt, I made eye contact with Minho, who was staring at me. I subtly released my grip on the armrest and said,6ff91c49f2cbf4fa
“It’s not that I’m scared.”4787b333866236ee
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“……”b581422c75278223
“About 90% of plane crashes occur during takeoff or landing, so…”ad0a76e4a151efc5
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I raised my voice unconsciously. But seeing the person next to me suddenly turn their widened eyes at the words “plane crash,” I mumbled the end of my sentence.d1ee5529b278fa7a
“Anyway, I’m not scared.”5a3126686bcfb2e3
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“Yes.”4793b331f84d1e4f
“I’ve been on planes a lot.”a946374b3d91577c
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Nod.9ff2b983a29aea61
Minho gave 4f1dbda5df a polite 430f2c6da7 answer, but 2af0681167 for some c5a65e2483 reason, it eab813c257 made me 88749df103 feel even 4acf306f70 more embarrassed, 45e9189551 so I 9e66512aa9 quickly changed a099c2f226 the subject.14cf9e03ac47c236
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“So, why are you going to Jeju Island?”2987ce4df673f427
At the airport gate, I was used to joining the long, snaking economy line and getting to my seat late. So, I was a bit flustered by the instructions to board first before everyone else, and hadn’t yet asked why he was going to Jeju Island. I didn’t think it was a vacation. Was there some kind of competition? My guess was half right.6db222880e9e9255
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“For work.”ae75fc255b744740
“Do you have a competition?”5bbfe247bd0bdfc5
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“No,” he answered, and after a moment, muttered nonchalantly, “Just a private round.”f36ce77bdbe04939
Private? Minho was already a recognized golfer in the US. For Minho to go all the way to Jeju Island to play golf… Could it be that a golfer whose skills are on par with Minho’s came to settle an unfinished match from the season? Imagining a revenge match, I asked seriously,90575e6f3f853dae
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“How good is your opponent?”440525e68dac4f52
“Pretty bad.”50c1c0b55aa00d13
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Huh? Pretty bad, but playing golf with Minho, who’s incredibly good? Who on earth… Thinking up to this point, I remembered that Minho had explained from the beginning that he was going for work. Playing golf with someone who’s pretty bad is work? Conversely, if someone could have a private round with a PGA winner? I looked at Minho with unconsciously tense eyes.6d2216b8ece4fb77
“To play golf with you…”8f5c31e740992c07
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It must cost a 29707f22c8 lot of money, right? I swallowed the question 837de753e8 that was about to 5e0587fcc0 come out, as it 30f0755a71 felt too materialistic. But Minho answered 430f13638c on his own.83b3bb0d8af13526
“It’s expensive.”dac8880280c375db
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“How much?”c1a66a6eb25e2bb1
Even if I was being materialistic, I couldn’t help but be curious. When I looked at him with curiosity, he looked up at the air for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.0ea71b98cee5d1c5
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“About the price of a car.”1d11bd86edb4d3ae
“……”a4c4f7bcc3326be3
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My meager salary flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t help but compare. I tried to think coolly, assuming that the car Minho was talking about was a no-option, manual compact car. Yeah, a few hundred thousand won, what’s the big deal…1a5ee837d6f3cc5c
“I’m doing two rounds this time, so about two cars.”982d3063b804cbbe
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“……”0e91365a043f00b0
“I don’t actually get paid in cars.”3a49d5dee79c6c00
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“I know.”c100e57aeffde318
My voice bc2329af26 sounded too bbf93de542 obviously cold, e960ed54ac so I 8542b05545 turned my 256fbae9b2 head and cd95f3be49 cleared my 67ce56eb65 throat.8c3d253da61c417b
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“Ahem, by the way, is it okay for me to come along?”8fb28c68f5e250fc
Nod, nod. He nodded quickly and bbaf3676cd added firmly,c872f368928b4c87
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“It doesn’t matter.”aad79ae904f03760
“That sounds like I don’t have to do anything. Right?”1185d02d85e216ab
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I heard him say “yes”, but it made me feel uneasy. Then why did I come? Of course, Mr. Kim Yibang forced me, but it’s not like I have to be next to Minho. Besides, Minho didn’t know I was coming. When I told him that Mr. Kim Yibang gave me a ticket and I came, he just said, “Oh.” Could it be that I’ve become a nuisance to him? Should I have just turned back at the gate? As I was regretting it, I heard his voice beside me.dbb1c30ac01379e3
“…I might be able to see them.”e0fb6c925ee8d47f
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“See what?”8291a82b3557468d
To my e5d8666033 question, he 1818120f2c uttered a c7ea8f9207 single word. His expression remained fd4e762217 unchanged, but strangely, e2cd2a5ea5 it felt like 6f38c4cd9e he was smiling. Maybe it was because 40db49804a his voice was so 60a62f77c5 warm.bc61bf9f7af3d771
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“Stars.”c4807a5f473ee6f2
The first thing I felt after landing at Jeju Airport was, “This is definitely the south.” Unlike the chilly wind in Seoul, the air here still held the warmth of the sun. I walked out of the airport with the jacket I was about to wear still draped over my arm, and someone approached Minho. The man in a suit took Minho’s luggage and guided him to a waiting car. Someone who pays the price of a car for one round of golf… I shouldn’t be so surprised by this kind of treatment. I tried to reassure myself inwardly, but seeing the Alps cabin-style lodge with a large gable roof covering the entire second floor, I forgot about being unsophisticated and gaped. In shock. Leaving aside the chalet that looked like it belonged on a ski slope, the exterior walls beneath the cabin-style roof were made of sheet metal. Presumably, they wanted it to rust naturally, so it was left unpainted. While the dormer windows on the roof had red wooden frames. And as if they wanted to make it clear that this was Jeju Island, a low stone wall surrounded the entrance. I tried not to look at the arched glass door visible to the side. A villa that tried to combine the past and present, and even incorporate tradition… …that’s putting it nicely. This was just a monster created by gathering pretty and expensive things without regard for harmony. Of course, I should curse the person who designed the building, but since my job is what it is, I couldn’t help but side with the architect. The client must have been incredibly self-centered. This building looked like the architect, exasperated, said, “Fine, I’ll do everything you want,” and built it out of spite.298b72f393532aec
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“Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”50a820841033314b
Lowering my gaze at the voice, the guide was looking back at me with a puzzled expression. Minho, who was ahead of him, also looked at me. I couldn’t tell them that I was feeling sad because I empathized with the architect, so I just expressed my impression.677bc68aea8b9516
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“The house is… incredible.”dfc50d36f7f92a47
Did he notice the d9302c40d5 darkness in my voice? The guide smiled wryly f667de1433 and explained,d37c0508973d0282
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“It’s the second wife’s taste. Thanks to that, although it’s a guest villa, the guests who come here often say they’d rather stay at a hotel next time.”5f5694396531e4c9
So they brought us here because it’s our first time, I guess. As I was thinking this, the guide continued,01d08bfa803ac4ac
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“But we were so relieved when Chae Minho, who used this place during a competition a while ago, said he was comfortable. It was always awkward when the second wife asked for guest reactions…”ad3e9137e6d46702
I turned 8fabb9042b my head 86133e0b85 sharply to ec006be751 Minho. You, why did you ab42f445b7 do that? And as 580b589f28 if he 143167be33 had read be71b15806 my mind d62ba0160f like a cfc23ba760 ghost, he 1ce7d0b9c0 slowly explained.3f290900dbe58ae9
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“The bed is big.”abb9d57b895173b1
“……”154c587d49b57f2a
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Instead of 514d0be3c5 me, who 7d37bcf585 was frozen, 20d1f07cf1 the guide 70d70f89fd responded,6f13aaa2f7947961
“That was also the second wife’s preference.”1cc098fd63930f71
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He added cheerfully, 5f6adb9b09 and then guided 6905148bb3 us inside, where df77b61975 the floor was 706caeb78f paved with marble.f2ad242b7bf8a2fc
Since the a4eb738b5b house was d55a0d078d built on 0707004bd5 high ground, a084b989cc I could fc9ce8464f see the 55d111952d ocean through 5892538725 the large d6e8c05480 windows when c66283b7f1 I sat 3ffe1bfcae in the de0fc18be9 living room. What a waste of d601211706 land. I looked up at ea871257ab the luxurious materials inside 5f70cb1259 that screamed money and a4ba312fda added, what a waste 413762b9ca of money. Just like that, I 8880702c36 remained motionless on the f2e92bcded living room sofa, staring 67dd601e76 blankly outside, when he faa81e4917 approached after talking with 351a3232ff the guide.43810281bf286956
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“Hyung, rest.”ffc8bb091024e372
Here? I suppressed the urge to ask back and looked at my watch; it was already 11 o’clock.c7b203f0b577119d
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“Is it really okay for me to just stay here?”8102e230e7dd273d
Since Mr. Kim Yibang wasn’t there, I thought I should at least follow Minho and carry his golf clubs. Of course, all I got in response was, “It’s okay.” I felt uncomfortable that I was resting comfortably while Minho was here for work. But I can’t work either… Oh? I suddenly remembered the USB where I always save my data and quickly rummaged through my bag. Sure enough, I found the USB I had habitually put in my bag. I still had some work left from what the director asked me to do, so I could do that.8d888064ec46d5a2
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“Is there a computer here… Ah, there probably isn’t the program.”2cda6412f7a3fa8a
I muttered dejectedly 861fb4fd6b when the guide 814ffbcbf1 suddenly interrupted.4513162bb8b22b7b
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“If you tell me what program you need, I’ll bring you a computer with it installed right away.”4071f74a31ae1f81
He also added that 6c7084e264 I could ask for 306ff6991c anything I wanted to 8df6b7dce8 eat, looking down at a9308a061e me like a genie 410fab4f2f in a lamp. At his 9dbe5b974f burdensome kindness, f3d589051e I reluctantly b975cb436a told him bc961f80aa what I fe5d9e2ede needed, and ed116b8d34 he went aab89d30aa to a 2106182aed slightly distant 2c723aa6c9 spot to 488f70f05f make a ca63c44579 call. Watching him, 079300d0d4 I mumbled 106ac9790e to Minho,3a563eb596a2bb1d
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“You’re really something. Even I, your companion, am being treated like this.”a685bf42d7ffb689
It wasn’t meant to be envious or jealous, but I added in case he felt offended,5e8c95f4b2386f3c
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“Thanks to you, I’m being pampered, so thank you.”9b5df34145dee50f
“…It’s nothing special.”74ccf0916a46b158
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His voice d66e05a779 sounded somewhat cf4f7420d8 cold, so dffcf156c4 I looked 89e961dd61 up at 5e8834cd6d him. He continued, his expression d7838fe8b7 blank as he watched f180617cb3 the guide, just like 7b8b8fe28f I had earlier.6bef2d51c8b2ca54
“I have a lot more enemies.”3962b76b341335c2
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It was a bit unexpected. Because of his slow speech, which sounded relaxed, and the fact that he didn’t get angry easily, I didn’t think he would consider anyone his enemy. Did he consider rival players his enemies?a6f8acf4a0cb67f9
“Who are your enemies?”67eb92642519cf97
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“People who see me as simple.”266f66e4c1653862
It sounded light, like fa91dbb728 a joke. So I asked 752d6dc886 casually,ae0f2fdd15730dad
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“How do they see you? As a successful golfer?”65d1dae924a3b205
“No. As an ignorant gay.”4732a2903e9c8d43
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“……”bd48a57a53cade99
No. You don’t seem like that. The words I should have said came to mind, but I couldn’t open my mouth. Instead, the voices of Mooyoung, Gitae, and Dongho filled my thoughts.38e92671d9a34c5c
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- He’s just a dumb jock.
- Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean his empty head is filled.
- An ignorant, penniless baseball player.
No matter how many huge tournaments he won, no matter how often his generous donations were shown on TV, the perceptions of those who knew him ten years ago didn’t change. And what weighed down my heart was Minho’s ordinary voice. I could tell how long he had held onto those thoughts. Could it be that he was aware of the way people looked at him since we met ten years ago? The shameful thing was that I, too, had considered him just a simple athlete back then. Even if I tried to excuse myself by saying it’s not like that now, the shame wouldn’t disappear. Nor did the surprise. The fact that within his quiet, unemotional exterior, he categorized people as “enemies”… I never would have guessed. Because of his slow words and actions, I mistook him for someone with a gentle, easygoing nature. I thought he would just let everything slide. But the feeling that he had been harboring a knife in his heart for so long sent a chill down my spine.24ac9d6b53546dc5
“So, I’m grateful that you see me only as a successful golfer.”78bae1e481c11dde
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“…Everyone will think so.”8e257148dce7b700
I managed to speak, but I couldn’t meet his eyes and added defensively,1209052fd01e8da0
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“I think you’re amazing.”49ef4a7ca4e1e223
This was true. Not just because he was a successful golfer. He achieved great success and yet came out, even though it could be a fatal weakness. If it hadn’t been revealed like that in college, he probably would have hidden it. Living as your true self comes with a lot of pain. If possible, telling the necessary lies and hiding the truth might not be so bad. I think so even more now that I know how to compromise with the world. Even I, an ordinary person, think like this, so how much must Minho have struggled? Thinking about this, even after Minho left the villa and the guide brought me the computer I wanted, I couldn’t easily focus on my work. Yes, how could there not have been difficulties because of coming out? Furthermore, there must have been even more hardships for a young Asian man who went to America empty-handed. But why hadn’t I considered his struggles? I wondered, then remembered that none of the articles about Minho I’d seen mentioned such things. He was simply a hardworking, genius golfer; there was nothing about how he achieved success and what process he went through to reach the top. He came out, even though it was disadvantageous to him, but he wouldn’t talk about his past. But at least I knew one thing. How he felt as he spent his younger days and faced despair. Unlike me, who ran away to the military at the mere pain of heartbreak, he fought head-on and even had his future crumble. I felt a renewed sense of shame at his success and focused my gaze on the monitor. However, even as I moved the mouse, one particular word Minho said kept echoing in my head.b016a642a5acdb55
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Enemy. Does he really divide people into enemies and allies? The chill inside me wouldn’t go away at the thought of having truly glimpsed him.263c358b89033f92
The work I had to submit to the director on Monday was almost finished, so it only took a few hours. Thanks to this, I didn’t have to spend my alone time bored, but perhaps because I was so focused on the monitor, I fell asleep on the sofa right after finishing work. It was an unfamiliar place, the salty air, the sound of the ocean, an unusual environment, but I seemed to have slept for quite a while. However, as I opened my eyes and realized this wasn’t home, I abruptly sat up. And looked around. In my dazed state, I was momentarily startled as I observed my surroundings. The sun was already setting, and it was getting dark. When did so much time pass? As I tried to get off the sofa, I noticed a blanket sliding down from me. Huh? Did Minho come? I put on my glasses, which I had placed next to my laptop, and stood up, looking around. As the zebra-striped kitchen tiles and the embossed floral pattern of the balcony door came into view, I realized anew what building I was in. The interior designer must have had a hard time. I muttered to myself, then noticed a small, regular sound mixed with the sound of the waves. The sound seemed to be coming from outside the half-open balcony. Thanks to the soft slippers, I moved without making a sound. As I stepped onto the balcony, the noise became clearer. Far right. Every time I stepped into an unfamiliar part of the house, I became curious. What’s that sound? And as I rounded the corner, I found the source. At the end of the wooden balcony, which extended like a single-log bridge, was a private golf driving range. It was a miniature version of the common golf driving ranges with high wire fences and green nets. Someone was rhythmically swinging a golf club towards a target hanging in the net. I stood there for a moment, observing Minho’s swing. He was like clockwork. Everything except his swing was as slow as his personality. He’d lift his head to check where the ball had gone, then reposition himself, look down at the ball, and swing. During the considerable time I stood there, he moved exactly the same way, as if copied every hour. Usually, when you do repetitive tasks, your actions speed up. Surprisingly, Minho’s speed remained constant. Everyone must have experienced it. The moment you’re not conscious of it, your repeating hand speeds up. But Minho continued to move at a pace that even I, a beginner, could tell was slow. That meant he was focusing on every swing… I looked at his sweat-soaked t-shirt and started walking. He must have incredible concentration, or incredible patience, or maybe both. He still hadn’t noticed me even when I approached him, so I waited for a break in his swing and called his name.39428bc4a5d1ebfc
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“Minho.”bdc49c434c02941e
But he followed 4884987226 the flight of 031ccc3d59 the ball with d531bdb684 his eyes until eb1af0f1da the very end, 6ddce3863c then lowered his 8917b23a3b head again. The ball 55af9d684b dispensing machine 5bcf682109 had already 2c19b4cb04 released a 2ea0a7d75a white ball. Seeing him extend his b8b3d96119 arm, I called his ae58251b42 name again.bd77d0bded4f6275
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“Minho, Minho…”d05b7055c7eaccd0
On the third try, he turned his eyes. Recognizing me, he straightened up and turned his body. But now I was speechless. I heard him call me “hyung” in my ears, but I couldn’t open my mouth like a fool. I doubt he’d believe me if I said why I froze like this. Who would believe it? That his eyes, turning to see who interrupted his practice, looked so scary. Of course, as soon as he realized the intruder was me, his eyes softened immediately. But the chilling sensation that made the back of my neck prickle remained. That might have been the true nature of the incredible concentration and patience I had jokingly diagnosed. He seemed somehow not ordinary. I gulped, swallowing my caught breath. In front of me was Minho, still patiently waiting for my response.a6e94d47599f5533
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“Sorry to interrupt.”d90bde7b7ebf3c38
He shook his head c5c316b58b as if to say 38f55b48c0 it was okay, then e314049bd8 stepped back with an 3631885757 expressionless face. And he took a b5a47f5c12 big step back. Puzzled by the suddenly 1bf0bdf678 widened distance, I asked,e4e70aba84ee77bb
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“What’s wrong?”777abefb7a4ed2f3
As I took a 543b7f0c7a half step forward, he f4efb34fe4 quickly took another step 9f65402e57 back. Forgetting my previous d83eba5183 feeling, I blinked c23c40b3e7 and looked up 5b5d2e5352 at him. Minho took another a05e34bf06 subtle step back, e6d1a6986c not missing the 4ca7208f56 opportunity. I suddenly wondered 66eec7a01f if he was 68be7dcdf2 genuinely annoyed.38d9a169ae712434
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“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were so focused.”efdc4eaa7257f59f
I apologized sincerely as fa9916631c I stepped forward.770d5978b85fbe5f
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“It’s okay.”0385ac39baee618f
Minho stepped back.f1e7e4d37dffd2d0
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“…Are you really okay?”750f7e781d5214de
Tap.e4664c4f1d15bd7d
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“Yes.”4da25c8b97707336
Tap. The distance wouldn’t close. At this point, I was getting a little annoyed. If he was angry about being interrupted, he could just say he was angry… I was looking up at him when my thoughts stopped. He was facing me with a blank expression, but his eyes were tense.e1c2f667a834e22c
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“Minho, what’s wrong?”5d84e5d5d38a78ec
This time, I didn’t stop at one step but strode forward and grabbed his arm. I could clearly feel his body tense up in my grasp.080012856a880a03
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“…Please step away.”cb6f19a717b84fdc
“So why?”8182a5b91ea233c1
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Even in Jeju, the 5cfc9dc241 nights were chilly, but 561a3ba892 he was wearing short 107e4feac8 sleeves, probably because of 54bf3ce74d his practice. I could ac6bdb7989 feel his 529fb70137 heat through 6c02392d8c the firm fce3e577a4 arm I 5c384d7b24 was holding.cb4da38f2577dfec
“…Bird.”636a90eff9185108
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“Huh? What did you say?”a60b57a475e17167
This guy has f44119a655 quite a high c9326bcdfa body temperature. I asked again, db7cc2eed3 having not heard 38d1bceea3 him because I f3b0d4b0a3 was lost in fb9555bef5 thought. After a moment, he 3b69816d17 replied somewhat curtly.a09cd22c78f08c43
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“You smell like sweat.”154b4788444b4b86
Then he completely turned his gaze away. I stood there, holding his arm, trying to understand what he meant. So he was telling me to move away because I smelled, and his curt explanation was to hide his embarrassment, just like he was turning his eyes away? I almost laughed involuntarily. The worry in my chest, which had been concerned about angering Minho, filled with an inexplicable joy, swelling like a balloon. And swept up in this feeling, I did something unlike myself. Something I wouldn’t have done if I had any sense left. I took another step closer. I thought his body flinched slightly, but I couldn’t be sure under the orange light. He didn’t react to my next action either. Without pausing, I hugged him. I hugged his large body, which made me feel like a child, and then stepped back, grinning at him.a1d9f86803f06909
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“There, now the smell has transferred, right?”f48c235fad752636
He really 3fb25859c5 is just b9993be347 a big 07b4dd7b36 kid. I was too busy 555c8c8ad5 enjoying his innocence to 7575ecd259 feel embarrassed by my c0e9cf5d3a childish behavior. So even 622b79d624 as I f099f56fab lowered my 5d10b173af hand and 25d5ffc82d stepped back, cbd0a81f1e the smile b981c9b6c5 remained. Until I saw 9fe066e896 his hand reaching c48fc10976 out towards me. Before I realized 3d36275dc4 he was grabbing 43a5c7cea4 my arm painfully, bbce722fdc I was in ad3443eeb5 his embrace. Two strong 93b06b0218 arms wrapped c802b2e8c3 around me ce26431626 so tightly 2bbc748971 I could 6c9993d1a6 hardly breathe. It was me who af98670ee9 flinched in surprise. I raised 5efd9a2150 my hand 8cbecd2e6b to push f41f410f30 him away, 72f1112062 but the 6d572c64f3 arms around 3abde2a4a2 my shoulders 1ac9b24420 and waist 888ebfdebe pulled me 8041c782cc closer to b1112666ec his body. His muscular 0685e8968f body felt 31d1499257 like a 3ff27d2572 solid wall. The warmth I b898bd48f9 had briefly felt 7f541fa15d before now felt 12caff577e intensely hot. All I could do c4b8d35ed6 was gasp for breath. Then, lips 1e8b7aa6db bent close 6b922d6bbe enough to 2223cbe47c brush my ecfd6129c2 ear whispered 89a6cf0229 warmly,6a402b71c24ef8e3
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“…You can’t just take mine.”3b252ed47569edba
What? The sensation on my a7785cd0d9 skin was faster than 15311eac48 the question that emerged 8971c59c7c from my stunned mind. He started kissing b127b7ab42 my neck with 117c195dd0 his head bowed. A shiver ran through 6468a6a166 my body like electricity.927ab1b3a041da6e
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First times are always unfamiliar and intensely memorable. But even with things you’ve experienced before, some can feel shockingly new again. Physical contact with another person might be just that. The electricity generated by Minho’s lips numbed me to my fingertips. Goosebumps continued to spread from where his lips touched my neck. I shrank my neck like a turtle, but it had no effect. I didn’t even realize that my mind had gone blank and my movements weren’t under my control. The arms wrapped around my back, restricting my breath. The hand that moved past my shoulder to grip my hair. The solid body like a wall pressed against me. Nothing registered in my mind. My neck was particularly sensitive and ticklish compared to other parts of my body. Even as a child, if someone’s hand touched my neck, I’d jump back as if I were being electrocuted. The discomfort grew even stronger after I became an adult and realized how this area changed. Because I learned that the ticklish sensation from someone’s lips could transform into sexual excitement. Even though it was an experience from ten years ago, my damned body remembered it perfectly. This was worse than remembering how to ride a bike. His lips had only touched my neck, but my whole body reacted. Frozen like concrete, unable to breathe, only my blood boiled like lava. Unlike my tense body, my sensitized skin flushed shamelessly. The heat spread to my face, burning, but I didn’t realize it. Even though the sound of his lips pressing against my neck, sucking at my skin, rang in my ears. I only came to my senses when his wet tongue swept across my neck. I flinched. Another trembling shiver spread throughout my body. At the same time, I pushed hard against his firm arm with my hand.dd84767df0e2762e
“Fuck, what are you…”dc11f4621591a800
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The curse came out pathetically small, like a breath. I couldn’t even finish it, but thankfully, Minho pulled back, sparing me from further embarrassment. Tap. He took a step back, his face expressionless as if nothing had happened. I finally took a deep breath and spoke in a clear voice.51e702d9c507f895
“You, what was that?”47117d39f9e8b2bf
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My voice 5f510791f2 was cold, 689f5466b0 but I 58c728682f clenched my 46e6c7b277 fists to bf812d4caa hide my 3d31440d3b trembling hands. The embarrassment of 83ec253701 the sudden, unprovoked 8c300b6bf6 act washed over a3b570136a me belatedly. A different 12f983ebe8 kind of 1ac7f6d237 heat spread 28ea563a68 across my 068e32decb face. As I glared ce116cf712 at him to 080364a146 hide my embarrassment, e71966dce2 he slowly opened fb3330fd22 his mouth.dd98906cb44cd009
“I wanted to receive it too.”90df515d196f241e
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I was so 06ffa96c2f dumbfounded that I ccde076e0e forgot I had 9714fcc53a done something similar 1227599481 just moments ago.8a0914c63f64854a
“What? My smell? Can’t you tell the difference between a joke and something serious?”d9d13b6d7fe10482
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I raised my voice, 413f46e232 then stopped, realizing I 5932368fe6 was the only one 1cb09f8bd6 getting angry. Minho just looked 556ccadca1 down at me 3c595f88b4 with a calm acdc26afe1 expression, waiting for 8b3ad0c361 me to speak. It made me wonder 3eb1cc334a if I was the 9e3c9d2159 one in the wrong. It felt ridiculous to 571315c816 be getting worked up 8c6b582f6a on my own, so 38e2cc670d I forced myself to 8f4f80c4a7 calm down.d46499812853f2bf
“Hoo, were you offended by what I did? So you did that to me even worse to get back at me…”72aac3583ccb848c
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I hesitated for a aed3c947f6 moment, unable to bring 5d7e9d4ec4 myself to ask why 87c794f7bf he had kissed my 6332e42e1e neck, and then added,ca4e5b33b50d22f8
“Did you retaliate with something I told you not to do?”0e688fd60fc8fe26
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Apart from embarrassment, I felt completely like I had been teased. If he had lightly said, “I was joking,” I might have actually punched him. But Minho shook his head seriously, his eyes sincere.b6814466d4a1fa19
“No. I wasn’t offended.”624c08ac084b42ab
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And unlike his usual b046e1bf27 self, he added hurriedly,6de81e92b0c01b62
“I liked it.”c236081249d5e440
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“……”cee631a95d43c458
“The smell too, of course.”9d6abe3a62243e98
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His tone had become even more curt, and Minho’s eyes were looking elsewhere. But even if he had shouted angrily, I wouldn’t have noticed.f050b595b87cc20d
“But why…”cdbb73468207f3e8
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My lips, which had cursed easily in anger a moment ago, wouldn’t open now. The question, “But why did you touch my neck?” echoed in my head, but the intensity of my anger suddenly plummeted. Instead, embarrassment rose to my throat. It wasn’t shameful embarrassment. I wish it had been. Right now, I felt like hiding behind a tree like a little girl, bowing my head. Like an idiot, just because he said, “I liked it.” It was a good thing Minho was still looking away, or I wouldn’t have been able to hide my probably flushed face. Fortunately, by the time Minho turned his gaze back to me, I had managed to compose my expression. I hid my pounding heart and deliberately made my voice cold.494c9d316980be15
“Then what about my neck?”512769cde8cfd993
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“My neck too.”3a8d54313f6e1a01
Minho’s eyes scanned down my neck, and he added,f063fa752a48f647
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“I liked it.”393f32ed4085a36f
“That’s not what I meant, why… did you do it?”cb940cbc7a9255a3
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As his gaze returned to my neck, the answer became unimportant. I was more concerned about him noticing the heat rising in my face. Thankfully, Minho’s indifferent reply instantly suppressed the embarrassing flush.ecda85870e7277b5
“Just because. I saw it.”8ccaa926abbfb9be
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“……”3f8ec0acfa002186
“……”ccc4709bbb8b5bab
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“What?”3e96919901997caf
I suddenly snapped back c434e36dc8 to reality. I returned 23e137f43f to my 79214693d8 usual self eae5803c4a and opened e303adaddc my mouth 82b06c634a with a cc6b32f2fe dumbfounded expression.75b6a9d6979d2870
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“Why don’t you go hug that pillar over there passionately and gnaw on it with kisses?”04a911ce35723005
Instead of answering, 2ae0eb3bf3 Minho made something 31605428d0 resembling a smile. His relaxed 2a1606c0c9 expression made fb352930ba me wonder 5a803659ed if he ed399e648d had also a2fb661de9 been tense. He looked at me 15956603c8 for a moment, then 0de7a49dcc returned to his expressionless aa248608ff face and asked,25e3736f5da0d9ad
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“Did you not like it?”9e5b967e4979073a
The problem was that I didn’t dislike it. I should have gotten angry and punched him, but the real problem was that I hadn’t disliked it. Realizing this, my mind went cold. I suddenly wanted to end this conversation, so instead of answering, I changed the subject.11dd993ffd45e0a5
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“Now that you’ve gotten all the smell, we’re good, right?”9c57238ec482a9b6
“It wasn’t the smell I wanted.”0cf6c44e57f9bdb7
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“Then what was it?”88854f787f12b619
I asked immediately, f320266b6a and he slowly 25f2f013c9 uttered a single 5e6cf59829 word.5aaa72f04fe1857f
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“Taste.”1ac9edd37b056856
“……”d2d9410a66164f66
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Did I think I was getting used to Minho, when I wasn’t at all? His answer was so absurd that I stared at him blankly. But Minho’s expression became even more serious, so the question “Are you joking?” caught in my throat. From a few experiences, I knew for sure this wasn’t a joke. Finally, after a long while, I asked dejectedly,da434617d7834545
“…So, did I taste good?”4b611fdcb4944918
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I asked 2b7174f627 with a 62519ba5f8 hollow laugh, 9285f86513 and he b223a33043 nodded vigorously 267722c4d7 without hesitation.c55f6164e9b68c4c
“Yes, very much.”fb20bed5f75064a5
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Lick. Staring at Minho’s closed bedroom door as he went to wash up, I licked my arm. Of course, it didn’t taste like anything. Or rather, it tasted slightly salty. Does Minho usually eat a low-sodium diet, making him sensitive to salty tastes? So that’s why he found me tasty… That couldn’t be it. Surely my neck doesn’t taste different? The thought occurred to me randomly, and then the memory of his lips on my neck resurfaced, so I quickly erased the thought. My throat felt dry, so I opened a bottle of water from the refrigerator and poured the cold water into my mouth. It’s nothing. Just like I hugged him playfully, Minho just did the same back. It’s just that he always has a serious expression, so it’s hard to distinguish between jokes and sincerity, making it awkward. I forced myself to repeat this conclusion. But I knew. That I couldn’t fool myself.fa87def114d60d57
- Did you not like it?
From the moment I couldn’t answer that question, I knew. That I had liked it. My heart pounded, and a thrill warmed my lower abdomen. Could it be that Minho hugged me with other intentions? The exciting delusion also crossed my mind. A delusion mixed with anticipation towards someone. It had been so long since I felt this way that it was difficult to control. I’m such an idiot. Minho might have genuinely just reciprocated my hug, and here I am, getting all worked up by myself. If I let these delusions run wild, how will I ever come back down? I suddenly felt scared. Get a grip. Why am I acting like a schoolgirl holding a boy’s hand for the first time? My throat felt even drier, so I lifted the water bottle to my lips again when I heard a click, the sound of a door opening. I turned my head with the bottle still at my lips and almost choked. Minho, emerging from the open door, had water dripping from his entire body, a towel wrapped only around his lower body. I slowly lowered the water bottle, watching him approach. He was an athlete, so of course, he’d have a good physique, but the body revealed before my eyes was so stunning that I forgot who I was with and lost myself in it. And I was reminded anew that I was gay. Fuck, why am I getting so hot? I deliberately lowered my gaze to hide my embarrassment. I placed the water bottle on the table and focused only on it, but Minho, oblivious to my inner turmoil, stopped right in front of me and held out his hand. The first thing I noticed was the fresh scent of body wash. Was it because the scent was so pleasant? It took me a moment to realize that there was a phone in Minho’s hand. Moreover, the screen was lit up, showing an ongoing call. Why the phone? I asked with my eyes, and he bent his waist slightly, extending the phone closer to me. I deliberately lifted my head further to focus on Minho’s face, trying to avoid looking at his toned upper body.e73efd95cd645622
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“Answer it.”16f5cc7d74294ffe
Who is it? I was about to ed5eac49f0 ask when a drop 61e3986648 of water fell from 654e7481d1 his hair onto my 6d286d75b4 arm, making me flinch 5e7346dfb2 and pull back. Minho also quickly raised 97edfee9e0 his head and brushed 9da2b47779 his wet bangs back 26e314bb72 with his other hand. Catching myself following his c25e72c14e movements with my eyes, f53b70029f I inwardly cursed again b926533a86 and took the phone. Damn it, I 844ac043a6 must be having 0d6d5a21a7 side effects from 92e80db30d not dating for ba12fd9097 too long. So I spoke somewhat 4fe7838e3d brusquely into the receiver.b19a473952b919f5
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“Hello?”b5efd857cd190796
“It’s Kim Yibang.”68bb6ffce2201e35
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“……”87479858e24eb42f
I unconsciously pulled 404327e7f8 the phone away 8adfb22d93 and only then e778669f03 properly checked the 0103d20324 name on the fe58b96fd5 screen.684145c728c89501
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-Uncle-9c5e82b0de6eb759
The power of ac26cda441 those three letters 26894f8841 was immense. Even if Minho were 7aa9c46880 to dance naked in f9e0bc4ca2 front of me, my 344f82d0e8 attention would now be fea5e0f1f3 completely focused on the aafab67785 call. Tension filled 788257ad81 my body, 4ad44297f5 and as ef79ec66e4 I quickly c0286c5253 put the 046468fdc8 phone back 37b2d2707b to my 6438653e43 ear, a 098a0dc99f question came 5cc33d98e3 immediately.1594c7f765f88b16
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“Are you doing the job I asked you to do?”18dc1d325fe1afdc
What job did you 4fe9f672c6 ask me to do? I wanted to ask f2ae57cc2b back, but I felt 7e9d8cad2e like a scary scolding 9ea89ebe26 would come back at 18ef342c12 me, so I answered 3603ff8967 first.8be0fb88b98fb080
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“…Yes.”779c24b6140d29aa
“Really?”245be450399ad17a
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“…Yes.”ce6ddcc0a8ff0cac
He must have sensed 5b9c832944 the lack of confidence b7b41e64d4 in my second answer 74ec620452 because there was a 79df9770ca moment of silence. A tense moment 19233423e1 passed, and just 10f21fb772 as I was 65046b2d14 about to apologize 1dbcf80c68 and ask what ffd0801588 the job was, 5989b44e6b his voice came.6baf84109333d0cd
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“I’m glad to hear you’re taking good care of Minho.”67a673888ddab223
Oh, so my job was just to take care of Minho? That’s nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. He’s a grown adult, what’s there to take care of?5d29278d2e3dbe42
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“As you know, Minho is a bit careless about things he’s not interested in. If you don’t nag him, he’ll even forget to eat and just keep practicing. He’ll even walk around with only a towel wrapped around him after showering without properly drying himself.”46de1b74be37c144
My eyes involuntarily went to the wet carpet beneath Minho’s feet.1109b235b588da5a
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“In this weather, he can’t catch a cold, so you need to take better care of him. You did a good job, of course, right?”724d9c9dc7f821e3
Looking at 36a625db50 Minho staring aa1612097e blankly down 45f722dae6 at me, fa66d1ac94 I answered 0725d78ab5 after a 773285c653 long pause.d47c551ae2cd5cf3
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“…Yes.”1020b175317bfb09
“Did you dry his hair thoroughly?”649c7d3c5a6070c1
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“…Yes.”3745e593847ec350
“That’s very good. I was going to hold you responsible if an athlete, whose health is their lifeblood, caught a C.O.L.D., so I’m very glad.”b248e3949f1ddb1c
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Listening to 3f81b5c62f his low, c4113115cb grim chuckle, 0ec8537393 I slowly b8be9bf501 stood up.48fd9c8c0d96fa30
“Yes, I’m very glad too.”37bc22dfa99a640a
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Because he hasn’t caught a cold yet. And as soon as I hung up, I grabbed Minho’s wrist. This guy, he’s not an elementary school student.22bfb28ceb602a05
“Come with me, quickly.”fa9e500d5b0ae95c
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I pulled e727879a44 him along, 3570603cd1 almost running bea03c9b08 to his dcd103b480 room, the 8a8842e7a7 one with aafbfade9f the large 422f6665a7 bed.c47274979ac031ab
The bed really was big. Big enough to momentarily make me forget my mission to dry Minho like a squid. The bed that came into view as soon as I opened the door was truly enormous. Where did they even get a bed like this? Moreover, with red curtains draped around the bedposts, it looked like some Arabian king’s harem. But the admiration was short-lived. I sat Minho down on the bed and quickly grabbed a few towels from the bathroom. He just sat there, still dripping water, blinking at me. I threw a towel at his chest and held the others in my hand.b87cca3c17fe22ab
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“Dry yourself quickly.”585a0789bd025c06
I ordered, and standing 6c825bf49c in front of him 79daf90a5b with the towels in 8c69243c33 my hand, I started 00b5cb6f03 vigorously rubbing his hair.307d77f5f363cc80
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“Hey, what are you going to do if you catch a cold walking around without drying yourself? Don’t you know you catch colds more easily in the fall because of the temperature difference? You’re an athlete, you have to take care of your own body!”ad1410e557641b09
What kind of eb4505dc60 scolding would I 465c23bb1c get if you fea494e558 caught a cold! Ignoring his shaking dafe405ae2 head, I rubbed 9abfd42bcd frantically with the 5e2b1ef4f7 towel.ee248349b0bd7a5a
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“And the water dripping is making the floor wet. What if you slip and fall on the bare floor without carpet because it’s wet? It’s not even a wooden floor, it’s marble, so if you fall, you’ll break the floor and your head. Do you want to end up in the newspaper with a headline saying ‘Died from falling on the floor after a shower because he didn’t dry himself’?”5be7efabd1d01bf4
The next headline would surely be, “Assistant Lee, who failed to properly nag him, sued by Mr. Kim Yibang.” And he doesn’t even eat unless someone tells him to. It’s a good thing I called his name earlier. After chattering for a while and muttering to myself, diligently rubbing his hair, Minho just sat quietly without a word. Is he sleeping? My arms were starting to ache, so I stopped drying and lowered the towel. The face beneath his tousled hair really had its eyes closed.c3af49ce391ad088
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“Are you sleeping…”d5ba486ebcf507a4
I couldn’t finish the sentence. Minho, slowly opening his eyes and looking up at me, had a faint smile on his face. I don’t know why that sight took my breath away. Maybe it was because of his childlike expression, unguardedly revealing himself. A warning I hadn’t felt when I was conscious of Minho’s body spread through me like black smoke. Step back. And my body actually took a step back. As I moved away, the faint smile disappeared from Minho’s face. My face probably became just as expressionless. I stared at him as our eyes met, and I spoke first. I don’t know why this question suddenly came out of me.81f14f9d7e38c5fd
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“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”a8aedc896e290f7f
After a f309d0372a moment, which 238afa9ffc felt particularly ccbefece77 long even d7f187dd5e for his aa1cccec0c usual slow b1d4b8d8b4 pace, the c6595f25ef answer came.238afed426e0b195
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“I’m not popular.”47412da05b25d986
“You? That can’t be true. You’re such a famous golfer.”9d8da58969da406f
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“Seeing someone from afar and seeing them up close are different.”b7d1a5b4248bd147
Did he 1f349fa36c mean that 76bff8cc02 people would ffaf3c4a75 be disappointed 9160ca52ab if they 0f95830402 approached him 2290dbfac6 based only 70dcd67027 on his eba7af5772 fame? As I was thinking, 28ed6048bd his indifferent voice came.0aa4d6c91a9c5f22
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“Everyone says so. They say I’m boring and dull.”a0ac85ca985ad72b
“What are you talking about? You’re so much fun.”ff19f4523f2b3ac8
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He may have many jokes that don’t quite land, but he made me laugh all day with Mr. Thomas.e6e87684981b3c34
“You were really funny.”93ced59e5429098d
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I still sometimes giggle d49fac70be to myself while looking 0472afecd9 at my bedroom wall.b7aba598a819eaa4
“Thank you.”939f686febac094a
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“So, is that why you don’t have a boyfriend?”b4a487daeed91de4
“No. I’ve rejected everyone too.”877c05e925cc29d7
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“To focus on golf?”4d8bab2207808503
I expected him to say “yes,” but unexpectedly, Minho twisted one side of his lips upwards. I was about to ask what that smile meant, but he changed the subject first.64ecadc1fa992d27
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“You’re the second person to tell me I’m funny.”39a913b5e1b05c10
“Who was the first?”282e8b2b72443f65
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“My uncle.”5555c30b5d3669c1
“……”53c153e6d6004bc0
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“But my uncle doesn’t like jokes very much.”177ceabd261bd49f
Right. Listening to Minho, I thought it would be problematic even if they did like him. But it was a bit of a shock to me that Minho thought he wasn’t popular. Boring and dull. No, he’s quiet and slow, but that’s often more comfortable.b714ce64b73e7d81
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“To me, you’re not boring at all. So there must be others besides me…”daa1d93d017db222
I couldn’t finish the sentence that was supposed to be comforting. I just didn’t want to say it. But no other words came to mind, so I had to look towards the door and mumble,620b351f5e187da8
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“Oh, I need to make a call about work.”b6f382e3eb96a888
I tossed 512ea3c83a the towel 9f6dc29285 in my f913e18124 hand to b68f614543 him.0870cf6f51761c15
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“Dry your hair yourself.”9dc4adc4828f1186
And as I turned, 28f9ae05b5 he called me. Turning back 29ce1a9596 as I c92aa01d88 approached the f76c0fcd41 door, he c45d366c80 stood up c5ff6d8c73 from his 6260c86d06 seat and d7a77b8bf7 slowly opened 6ea12c3979 his mouth.75b1d7bbd6d946ce
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“I have something important to tell you after dinner.”1100b050a85936f0
Something important. Knowing Minho’s personality, he wouldn’t use that phrase lightly. What does he want to talk about? Like when I was drinking water, I suppressed the inexplicable flutter in my chest. What are you expecting, Lee Seoin? And without thinking, I picked up my phone from the table. Of course, calling about work was an excuse. But while I was away, there were two missed calls and a few messages on my phone. There really was something to call about now. The callers were Sungsu and my younger sister. Sungsu was one thing, but it had been so long since I heard from my sister that I immediately pressed the call button. Did something happen at home? Worried, I asked as soon as I heard my sister’s voice.453017d275c3fe3f
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“Is Dad okay?”64f53a4fb459853d
[Yeah.]
Phew, that’s a relief. I let out a big sigh of relief, and my sister, who had been distant for years, briefly stated her reason for calling.e3bc67527a268046
[I’m going up to Seoul on Tuesday. Are you free?]
“What’s it about?”1e3041351dacdf7c
[Just… I’ll tell you when I get there.]
Judging by her light tone, it didn’t seem like a big deal, so I made a tentative plan and ended the call. It’s probably nothing, I thought, and called Sungsu next. After a few rings, Sungsu’s voice answered.7499cbac949a873d
[Seoin, I’m sorry, Dongho isn’t sober yet, so I couldn’t confirm.]
“Confirm what? What are you sorry about?”433cb207975099c2
[Huh? Didn’t you call after seeing the message?]
Oh, there was a message too. I told him I hadn’t seen it and asked him what was going on again. Sungsu’s rapid voice came through the receiver.b0d06929f31df361
[I brought Dongho back after he passed out at the bar, at his mom’s request. But Dongho’s saying strange things. That Mooyoung is seriously planning to get Minho. So I thought I should tell you, since you seem to be in contact with Minho, to be careful.]
Minho already knows about this, so I don’t need to get involved, right? As I was thinking this, Sungsu’s worried voice continued.bebc7e9eb655135a
[Drunk Dongho said there’s proof that Minho hasn’t forgotten Mooyoung for ten years.]
It was during a summer vacation in elementary school. My father’s work was busiest during the summer, so we never went on a family trip during summer vacation. But that year, he somehow managed to get vacation time, and we decided to go to the beach. For the week leading up to the trip, I could barely sleep. Even when I lay down to sleep, I’d get up to check if the tube had a leak, and even when I was playing outside, I’d come home early, anxious that my father’s vacation might have been moved up. My parents must have known how excited I was for that week. On the day of the trip, my father said he’d follow later, so my mother, sister, and I took the bus first. I remember having a lot of fun on the first day, even without my father. I got so sunburned on the first day that my skin was peeling by the next. Even though my skin stung, I was excited. A tanned body was a trophy from the trip. Something I’d always envied when I went back to school after breaks. I can finally brag about going to the beach. This thought made everything exciting. Even my younger sister, who was usually annoying, became my best friend. We ran around the beach as if we were going to turn over every grain of sand. My father didn’t come that day either, but my mother said casually, “He’ll come tomorrow,” so I didn’t think much of it. Only when we were about to go back home on the last day of the trip did I realize that my father wasn’t coming after all. He couldn’t come from the beginning, but he hadn’t told us. He probably didn’t want to disappoint us, as we were so excited about the trip. He’ll come soon, he’ll come tomorrow, he’ll be here any minute. He reassured us with these words for two nights and three days. Actually, the reason I was happy about the trip was that the whole family was going together. So, if I had heard beforehand that my father couldn’t go, I wouldn’t have had as much fun. I won’t be able to have this kind of experience again. Because I’m no longer a naive elementary school student who falls for lies. My older, more cynical mind senses hidden truths and becomes anxious beforehand. But now, I wanted to pretend I didn’t know anything, cover it all up, and maintain the happy feeling. After Sungsu’s call, I realized how childishly excited I had been since arriving here. Mooyoung’s name, mentioned by Sungsu, sounded like the news that my father wasn’t coming. I was afraid that it might be connected to the important thing Minho wanted to tell me. I felt like the past, where I was miserably defeated by Mooyoung, would repeat itself. I know how cowardly this is. That covering my ears is even more pathetic. But even though I knew this trip wasn’t fun anymore, I still felt a lingering attachment. I wanted to feel the picnic-like atmosphere a little longer in this unfamiliar place, undisturbed. So, as I left the room, I hoped I wouldn’t hear the important thing Minho wanted to say here. Because it felt like Mooyoung’s name would come up again no matter what.5a3987e9ddaa7309
Because the balcony 85132edea1 faced the ocean, 3b09405b9a the wind carried 5f0d3dcc02 the sound of 6079b59542 the waves and 4e5dafa386 the smell of e78e7b9c0d the sea. It was e2fdc034ca chilly because f0b95412bb it was 46f10a8d7d nighttime, but 3a218d8103 Minho, unfazed 0c676f7efe by the 715da61f16 cold, was ae9f05cebc staring blankly 478777cdb8 at the 083bdc717b table in 7a99efe5d8 his short 0adcb90bb4 sleeves.5668532cb96df37d
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Creak.41924d3d8b21c42f
I pulled 456437cc81 out a 5a1c15fc70 chair and 983c245879 sat down, 541ced8b12 and only 653f133acc then did 7105335f81 he seem 705e9398e1 to notice 97c1d5f587 and look 026d8c004a up. I placed b88be64658 the beer 331b002a52 I had 806283b531 brought with 273f515aae the intention 1eea4ee0b0 of lightening ef5982adc5 the mood fbf980ad59 and spoke fb670c9051 first.e7df5be9edd15c73
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“You said you had something to tell me, right?”f7024cfc36b3df35
Nod.ddff31101255ab40
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“…Does it have to be now?”f1712ef70cb02034
“Why?”2b2844f8062558bc
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Because I wanted to 86dbf1a4f4 hold onto the pleasant de9668444c feeling a little longer. Of course, I swallowed d3dc8fd922 the rest of the 127459dff8 sentence and just shrugged.7a536ed5ed98d370
“The scenery is nice. I thought we could just have a relaxing conversation today.”b2609d43bba1da72
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The scenery f8bafdc238 was barely 2239730f01 visible because f4f1b94ca2 it was c0ee87b15c dark. But perhaps my f25a87ac81 excuse worked, as f33fbc882a Minho proposed a 9118f8d6a1 compromise.63282f8dccbd8a49
“Then let’s have a relaxing conversation first.”bcca74e144391ed7
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Let’s just have a relaxing conversation the whole time. I swallowed the words that were about to come out and picked up a beer. Psssh~ The cool sound of the can opening rose with the scent of beer. I took a sip, and surprisingly, Minho spoke first.c16bf68d593efd44
“Do you like your current job?”6d0d7be7377d5bcc
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“Designing? I like it. Fortunately.”31f8a12f61181918
If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be able to continue this difficult work. Unlike my initial ambition to build magnificent buildings, even though I always end up doing similar, cookie-cutter designs, I still have a dream.b74e0b604c516764
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“I’m very interested in residential housing. Later, when I make a lot of money, I want to build the four-unit housing complex I’ve been thinking about.”3da0e90c4e718682
“Like a villa?”5bec1176771cf1fb
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“No, each unit is detached, but the four houses are connected… Wait a minute.”5a78da04de7b89b7
I stood up and 72b580d856 brought the notepad and 44b9b48f96 pen I had seen 61ba0c5916 in the living room. And under the 95c5f2f5ac dim lighting, I 49537d744c quickly sketched lines aebb00dc7a on the notepad. I had never shown bf35f7bef8 this to anyone before, ba599c4265 but perhaps the alcohol 144325eb1a gave me courage.47065984b30e051d
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“Like this, four houses. This way, you can have a shared solar power or alternative fuel storage in the empty space in the middle, and the rest of the land can be used for a garden or parking lot. Since the four houses share it, the burden of expensive alternative fuel facilities is reduced. And you build a fence around it, making it a four-house unit.”7e37306cfc5a7559
Drawing it by hand 72af84ea5f made it look rough 9dbe39f5f0 compared to computer work, 26fcc989b6 but Minho listened and 547ff5c301 watched attentively.193d806ec835231e
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“It’s an ‘ㄹ’ town.”28283ddfe657d222
Now that he mentioned it, it did resemble the Korean letter ‘ㄹ’. I nodded with a smile.ce2a7d46aca2fdfd
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“Yeah, ‘ㄹ’ town is good too.”e893385e9fd3bd2e
But the smile didn’t last long.795da1521519c8b3
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“Who lives there?”44b300afc60d3466
“…People.”b5cd4cbfb6760dcb
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“What are their names?”968369c06c331d06
There aren’t any names. I barely managed to hold back the words that were about to come out because of his eyes, staring so seriously at my doodle. I blurted out whatever came to mind.b12e52dd6d73c405
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“…Gap, Eul, Byung, Jung.” (First, Second, Third, Fourth)76a6331640b4d242
“They all have one-syllable names.”b60ebdb027ad3658
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“……”072f50a7ca78b6ee
I suddenly lost interest 4ad0a1e0e7 in designing a Rieul 676e00b8ce village inhabited only by eb7403f65e people with one-syllable names. I was about to bc9b73d0d5 throw away the doodled 617d826955 paper when Minho quickly b5b37a4056 snatched it and said,ae70fd8439c9911d
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“I’ll take care of this.”c8d69b908db4d565
Go ahead, 5caee9007d I said, 70bab7e02e and gulped 5e6117bf41 down my 046d84c3f9 beer, my 01fe90f3ae throat dry, cc5f3e1ce9 and asked, c0b2fdcb39 trying to 7a9912dcf8 change the 57dd735dc7 subject,7d64efa548555a6c
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“Don’t you have anything else you’re curious about?”fa8d4b6de6b83762
Minho stared f54628090d at the 664c58e245 paper, carefully 8712abcdd8 folded it, fe9ed0b014 put it 10f53e0e43 in his d7ec8905b2 pocket, and f1927a6a2b then looked c7087856ca up.7ae679d233c24d19
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“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”077962f05a75eb3e
I stopped as 99051aacee I was about eb5606f0de to take the 09ea8063d2 beer can away e89970c892 from my mouth c0597f6ca6 and turned around. Yes, what a 2d437dfa4c comfortable topic. But since 9300170918 I had b0635dfef6 asked him 82d9c75a07 the same 29207d2190 question while 845b0a136f drying his b17018455a hair, I 3e1596b832 answered honestly.a9322b57025134a6
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“I haven’t met anyone I like. But you, with your popularity, must have had tons of offers. You held out well.”8d8e618562677569
“It’s easy to reject them. None of them were sincere.”ec903dc7036e6f06
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“……”8d56477ccd461413
“What about you?”f1cf761de81adf3c
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“Offers? I had plenty.”1ab87cf60156fabb
My easy answer wasn’t just to brag. It was because, in a way, I was similar to Minho. Most of the people who approached me were casual. What they wanted was a light, uncomplicated relationship. Deep love is rare from the beginning, so maybe starting with a casual relationship is the right way to go. But…cdce22798a65bb19
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“I haven’t met anyone who made me feel like I could fall hopelessly in love. So I never even started anything.”2c17723397c6d923
If I said this, everyone would say, “Of course.” Who starts a relationship with that feeling from the beginning? I know. I’m also on the side that believes that kind of love doesn’t exist. Still, I can’t help but set impossible standards for myself. Because the relationships I have can never be casual. They have to be serious. That’s the only way I can feel even a little bit justified. This might be the minimum courtesy I can offer to the family I ruined. But it seems my words were misunderstood by Minho. Instead of blaming my standards, which seemed like a girlish fantasy, he connected it to the events of ten years ago.5ab787f62b836c80
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“Is it because of Kwon Gitae?”a1674d14c8f8c243
“What? No. That bastard…”9604a27d0400b629
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It feels like I’m observing it from a distance now. I was about to turn around to answer when I hesitated, seeing his dark eyes. Does Minho still remember what happened ten years ago as if it were yesterday? Seeing his cold reaction to Gitae made my chest feel tight. It seemed like Mooyoung, who inevitably gets involved, would also hold the same meaning for him as ten years ago. Sungsu’s call came to mind, so I mumbled, trying to change the subject.64e8630ac97988d5
“It’s not because of Gitae. I just… don’t want to date just anyone.”66d302fa9687e413
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“……”84b079865551407a
“Really. I feel wronged, actually.”179810c837782611
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I picked up my abeb52b7d4 beer and chuckled.0113cd7366328971
“In the end, the only person I’ve ever dated in my life is that bastard, so sometimes I get so frustrated that I think about just sleeping with anyone…”e0222fe3f15c8b3f
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“Did you?”67e6eef38b6b14c9
The question sounded 621cbf11a4 quite sharp, so 5c325d0743 I stopped with 95efda8d17 the beer halfway cc46ea5eaa to my mouth.ae3dbeb7c3cd5fab
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“As if. All I have is my damn high pride.”8f24acee950dccfa
Who are you kidding? Don’t get too cocky just because you have a pretty face. That’s what I often heard when I rejected the guys who hit on me. I also heard a lot of curses about how I’d regret it when I became a wrinkled old man.baf286cbe6f89b02
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“That’s why I need to be madly in love with someone. So much in love that I can’t even control this high pride of mine.”f0d6af65bd9dd26d
After muttering these words, I realized anew that relationships seemed impossible now. I was more worried about getting tired and just sleeping with anyone…8d1d0f96b292db1b
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“If the other person is madly…”0f537009cd9869ab
I put down fd05295252 the beer I 6d55177eff had taken a e235f1cd73 sip of and 558ccffdef turned around. Minho continued, his 2694b6c8d2 face expressionless.fc28a3c3b1795781
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“In love with you, Seoin-hyung?”99ae55cd93c1c1af
“That’s their feeling.”5ca74b1625c7ac7d
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“……”22efa3c9e9c0ad80
“If I don’t like them back, they’re just a nuisance. Especially the guys who just keep pushing without considering my feelings, I really want to beat them up.”d98da203c7c83011
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Periodically, every few years, 157ef7b9cd those kinds of people 6bb6d49ea9 appear. Because they believe that 2bb35014c6 if they keep expressing 2821746836 their feelings and confessing, 325edcf508 the other person will 0139fae5c1 eventually come around, I 8b1e1aa391 have to reject them ab1016931d coldly. In the end, 76f02df7f5 I end up bf4534903c hearing all sorts 52ab1782d7 of insults from 5abaa30e63 them. The thought 4aa1be160d made me 3148f92d96 angry, so 181b58a44b I gulped 4b947e9de9 down my 5b9786fb34 beer.acd5b28074114218
“Damn it, why do I have to understand their feelings of being madly in love? If they like me that much, they should prioritize my feelings. But those guys who claim to be madly in love are all about their own love. They want their love returned as is. But if they want to do that, shouldn’t they at least try to make me like them a little before confessing?”fb82b2eccc732b01
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I added a low 41f7deabb8 sigh and turned around, 97b73872e8 but Minho was lost a529c0d4fa in thought, his gaze adb0189dae fixed on the table. I wondered 4eae195f3f if I 6ef3e8390a had been 72dfd60561 too harsh, 545f9b1065 so I 02a68d708e added,0e8b7fc933a5a48e
“Of course, it’s different if I have some level of interest in the other person.”67df422b72091cf1
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At my words, he f8ed5d463d raised his eyes, his f1855d4bc5 usual gaze, but his 31db2490fb voice sounded somehow stiff.8e5387869b3c09a0
“I understand.”b4bcdf19b75c3709
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Because of that, I felt like I had made a mistake. But I hadn’t said anything particularly strange. I quietly drank my beer while he was silent. Before, I felt comfortable being with Minho without saying anything, but now I was conscious of him sitting across the table. After finishing a can of beer, I glanced at him, and he was looking up at the sky.4bf969c013e475f2
“You can see them pretty well here.”ea583143d4ed74da
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I followed his gaze 21580909d2 up at the sky, 7bc34684e8 and I remembered what b909ba613d he had said on 190464dd98 the plane.caf193f6e43c0040
‘Stars.’44cd46f4b7bf105c
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Perhaps because of this, the silence, which felt like he was waiting for me to speak first, wasn’t uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because I realized what he wanted to hear.6e322269267654ed
“Still, it’s not as good as ten years ago.”b2976961c99317b9
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I felt like the face in the darkness was smiling. The tension eased, and my thoughts quickly drifted to the past. Stars. Right. The stars back then were more brilliant, and chilling. My heart was in tatters from misery and anger, and my emotions were as dry as a desert. Minho and I were both too messed up to comfort each other, but during that short time we looked up at the sky, everything was still. Thinking about it now, it was a respite I hadn’t felt for years afterward. While everything else from the past is hazy, the feeling from that moment is still vivid, like a clear photograph. I don’t think I would have remembered it so clearly if I had been alone. Because there was another victim beside me, making my situation clearer, the peace of that moment was imprinted on me. Minho must feel the same way. I lowered my head when my neck started to hurt, and Minho was staring at me. I mumbled, thinking that he had looked at me first back then too.4fa69e55b16463d3
“It feels like I’m seeing you for the first time in ten years.”86543b316723b0da
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I hadn’t had any reason to look up at the sky since then. You can’t see stars in Seoul.1c7362de4351af05
“America is vast, so there must be many places where you can see stars, right?”8158f76a1ef09f1a
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“Yes,” came the immediate reply, so I opened my mouth, sounding curious.cde44aca4661d6f6
“You must have seen stars often in America.”68e20da85555a0e1
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He slowly nodded, 0a29b06cd4 then glanced up fe6f4471ae at the sky c368e815b1 and replied.9612ecc432a84e47
“Every day.”c2f9f5913a9659c6
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“Every day?”98a94a3b24ec953a
Surprised by the unexpected answer, I asked again, and Minho lowered his eyes. He stared at the empty air for a moment, muttering “It became a habit,” and then added, looking at me,b3de39037bc9cb54
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“I had to endure.”2919b6fff83fd973
His slow voice sounded light, but inside me, it sank heavily like a waterlogged cotton ball. His words about having many enemies came to mind. And I finally asked the question I should have asked when we first met. The question I hadn’t asked because I thought it was obvious, seeing his face so often on TV.a742ee8ea3210b91
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“How have you been all this time?”a97a335052d4bdfc
He only started appearing on TV after becoming successful two or three years ago. So, all I know is his success. Of course, I didn’t think he achieved it easily, but I couldn’t imagine how much he struggled either. Minho blinked, staring into space, as if unsure how to explain. In moments like these, he looked like his old innocent self, and I almost smiled. What stopped me was the memory of the people he referred to as enemies. The people who saw him as an ignorant gay.4de7d056566e7dd5
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“Did you suffer a lot of disadvantages because you’re gay?”007ac8dcf2abbbca
I felt a bit foolish for asking the question after I had spoken it. I had suffered disadvantages because I’m gay, so it was an unnecessary question. While berating myself, I added defensively,dced78bbe2b7e1b5
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“America is relatively accepting of gays, isn’t it? There’s no prejudice.”ce0d93bc3f6c5690
“On the surface.”388c4c0a9464b611
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Then, as if organizing a1466395d7 his thoughts, Minho paused afbd92edb4 for a few seconds 9fbfdf590f and slowly opened his aa3d53c2c4 mouth.d231cfeea9fa71a2
“Conservative aspects aren’t readily apparent.”8e7722a50bd05b35
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He looked at me b66c3b3053 and briefly explained.6218e9d2e7504c9f
“Especially in golf.”8274aae8d86df492
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Conservative. I suddenly remembered 604e4eb4f9 reading an article 3f6379c6e2 about how the 6493a64f9e scarcity of black 389cb494d8 golfers in golf a86d9dc32c was not only 99b72548bf due to financial 144736a692 reasons but also feddb6077d because of the 2daeb92fd7 high conservative barriers.f2ac4787e461ce82
“As an Asian and gay, I’m not a welcome presence.”8999c2bd56814508
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“Playing golf together?”4b6ed625a21a5f3c
“No,” Minho shook his head.2be00160791daf3f
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“Winning.”d0f8f53e6575d005
“……”1a96da58d2f732c7
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“They might tolerate it once or twice, but anything more than that is unpleasant, so there are still many clubs and gatherings I’m not allowed to enter.”876d254fe1b551fd
What the hell? Anger surged through me, but I couldn’t get angry at Minho’s nonchalant tone.714528ee672ba4d7
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“Take care of yourself, but try to ignore those people as much as possible.”b101a5b229621629
I told him the best method I had learned, but Minho’s reaction was different.4f5de9e65fcbb9e7
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“Later.”f730428440459d59
Later? I asked ea8e6a02fe back, and d21f49244c he answered 6113f7b7ba easily, as 7ff3f2fea0 if it bd62dcc2fe were obvious.6857b68174212e96
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“After I crush them.”a48dd8dcb96f8f69
His face as he spoke was expressionless, but peaceful. No matter how many times I saw it, it was unfamiliar. The foundation of Minho I perceived was that of an innocent baseball boy. So, frankly, his words about casually classifying and crushing enemies were confusing. Because it was outside the scope of how I perceived him. Perhaps thinking I didn’t react because I didn’t understand, Minho explained with slightly flustered eyes.799d66a87b8f25d9
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“I’m not trying to fight them.”ac837e15c3f19978
“I know.”ae624bcb487b6e7f
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It must be a metaphorical expression. Perhaps he meant becoming so good that they wouldn’t be able to see him as just an Asian or gay. What an incredible competitive spirit. Even more surprising was that he didn’t seem pressured to win. An indifferent expression as if winning was a given. If I delved a little deeper, it felt like another side of him I didn’t know would appear. Because of this, a slight chill ran through me. Then his voice came, and I looked up.3e5fc18bdd611ff5
“What about you?”426a3ce8d41e476c
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Me? I looked at him questioningly, and he returned the question I had asked. How have I been? Me…3387506f9ef9de33
“Ordinary. I was discharged, went back to school, graduated, got a job…”295de33d469f24cd
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The time 70c019918a when I 9d5c37da56 was fired df6e8a11c4 from my e296b2d08e company after c3b4f0428b being outed 738451860e and my ecd35e9bc1 father collapsed 909e370792 came to 1eaeca3d0c mind, and 23d0583f80 my voice 3005ba2d28 trailed off. I paused for a 3ee9ea5ed2 moment, but Minho seemed 4cfe4a4cd6 to be patiently waiting cd715e6f13 for me to continue, 359f11511b so I just shrugged.99f5dd4edea5b8c6
“I went through some tough times, but it’s nothing worth bragging about.”5733226444e7e769
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The problem was that the misfortunes that happen once or twice in a lifetime all came at once. Back then, I was so overwhelmed by the string of unfortunate events that I couldn’t think straight.5d205598e906d15a
“Just because it’s not extraordinary doesn’t mean it hurts any less.”813c343efb45163f
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Minho’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I smiled faintly.a117f0531204ce25
“That’s true. Sometimes you endure big things well, but crumble at small things.”bf6513052644af95
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I muttered, remembering the time I was running around trying to find a job. My father collapsed from the shock of losing all his money after being tricked by a friend into investing in land. Out of the blue, a notice of seizure arrived at our house, and even though my longtime friend was unreachable, my father didn’t seem to believe he had been scammed. In the end, the friend never appeared, and only after the court ruled that we had to hand over our house did he seem to grasp reality. Our family suddenly had nowhere to live. My father was hospitalized in serious condition, and I was unemployed. I went home after a few years, and my sister stopped me at the door. I still remember her cold voice.fe1617974c1fd79f
‘After you left, saying only what you wanted to say, everyone was a mess. Dad drank every day, and Mom just cried in your room. No one in this house has smiled since you left. Do you know why Dad got scammed? Because he didn’t have money… because he was powerless to get you out of the military… He was heartbroken, saying that you left home because you looked down on him and thought he was pathetic… He was trying to save money. Even though you’re a son who only cares about his own pride and never bows his head, he thought you might be grateful if he saved money and set up a design office for you. So get out. I don’t want to see you, so get out.’7165b4dad7165476
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