SMS | Chapter 3.2

The restaurant specialized in Chinese cuisine, but it wasn’t your typical Chinese joint—it felt more like a Chinese restaurant, with quite a few private rooms all marked with plaques bearing Chinese characters.

Mino could read a few of the characters, which seemed to be names of flowers. It reminded him that Lee Dohoon’s animal hospital was also named ‘Dohwa’.

Did he like peach blossoms the best? Mino found himself pondering leisurely as he followed him inside.

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He recalled visiting a similar upscale place for a company dinner once, but this place seemed a tad more luxurious. The predominant red decor stimulated the appetite, and even the staff were clad in red cheongsams.

“Welcome.”

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“I’ve made a reservation under the name Lee Dohoon.”

“Please follow me this way.”

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Following the host, they arrived at a large round table in the center of the room. Dohoon sat down naturally, and Mino took the seat across from him. The waiter stood by, ready to take their order.

“You said you don’t particularly favor anything, right?”

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“Yes.”

Upon Mino’s confirmation, Dohoon ordered to the waiter, “We’ll have the ‘Nan’ course, please.”

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“Sure, just a moment please.”

A friendly smile graced the waiter’s face as he left. Soon after, food began arriving on a cart: a starter of a thin seafood soup, followed by unknown stir-fried vegetables, a whole fried fish, and a richly colored stewed meat dish.

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While Mino expected typical dishes like sweet and sour pork or noodles, the unfamiliar offerings were numerous. After trying the soup, he was so hungry that he focused entirely on the food.

The meal continued with the clink of chopsticks. Every now and then, Dohoon would spin the lazy susan towards Mino, offering him different dishes.

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“Does it taste good?”

“It’s fascinating.”

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His response to whether it was tasty being “fascinating” seemed odd enough for Dohoon to inquire further.

“Fascinating?”

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“It’s all new to me.”

“So, does it taste good?”

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“Yes…” Mino nodded. It seemed delicious, though as a big eater but not a gourmet, he couldn’t be certain. But visually, the dishes looked highly refined; even the plating seemed costly.

Watching Mino clean his plate, Dohoon glanced at his watch, then casually suggested, “How’s your knee?”

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“It’s better now.”

“Hard to believe. It’s still early, so maybe after the movie, let’s grab a drink. And I can take a look at that injury.”

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“At the bar?”

“It’d be strange to book a hotel just to look at an injury.”

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Mino choked on a piece of chicken fried with a tangy sauce just as Dohoon said that, unable to hide his surprise.

“You’re quite startled by a joke. Seems like you really are a scaredy-cat.”

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“It’s because you joke while I’m eating…”

“We’re not stripping down, just taking a quick look at your knee at the bar.”

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How could he say something so risqué with such an ascetic face?

Mino inadvertently pictured himself undressing and showing his bare skin in front of Dohoon at the bar, amidst other people.

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Wow, that’s really risqué. Mino’s face turned beet red as he hastily drank his now lukewarm tea.

As Mino gulped down his tea, Dohoon, watching his throat bob up and down, murmured, “You eat well.”

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Ah, even that sounded a bit risqué to him. Mino couldn’t contain his embarrassment and even dribbled some tea down his chin. The tepid stream trickled down from his lips to his chin.

“If you’re done, shall we head to the movies? It’s almost time.”

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“…Yes.”

Their conversation on the way to the movie theater was mundane.

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“Are you getting ready to keep a cat?”

At this, Mino gulped nervously. Same as when he had his job interview two years ago, he replied with a trustworthy tone,

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“I’m studying up on it first.”

It was an atmosphere that somehow made him want to sit up straighter. Observing this, Dohoon chuckled softly.

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“That’s good posture. I guess I should bring the most troublesome ones to you. How will Mino cope?”

“It’s my responsibility. I’m grateful you’d entrust me with them when they’re the most troublesome.”

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“Many apologies and many thanks.”

He hadn’t even asked, but a large bucket of popcorn was now in Mino’s lap. He offered some to Dohoon, who declined, saying he preferred not to eat during the movie.

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Ultimately, the popcorn and soda from the couple’s set became his alone. As they entered the dimly lit theater and took their seats, it turned out to be a very unpopular movie—the theater was nearly empty, with a few others seated far from them.

While trailers and ads played, Mino busily munched on his popcorn. Licking his fingers as he ate, he heard a soft chuckle from next to him.

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“You must like eating.”

“Not really, I just get hungry fast.”

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“Tell me, isn’t it more like you just like everything?”

“I don’t know…”

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Really, he wasn’t sure. Now that Dohoon mentioned it, maybe he did like everything. His flushed face soon disappeared into the darkness as the movie started.

“How was the movie?”

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As they left the theater and tossed the empty popcorn bucket and soda cup, Dohoon asked. Mino replied, “The actors were more pitiable than the director.”

If it were him, he would have torn the script apart. It was the worst of the worst.

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Even someone who wasn’t picky could recognize something utterly boring. It was unclear whether it was supposed to be a horror or a romance film.

Too many unnecessary love scenes for a horror, too many ghosts for a romance, and why were gangsters and shamans even in the same movie?

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“Seems we agree. How about a drink?”

They headed down to the parking lot and got into Dohoon’s car. It was 9 PM now, having met at 5 PM. Tomorrow being Sunday, there was no reason not to go out for drinks. Mino decided to be honest about his drinking tolerance.

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“Truth is, I’m terrible with alcohol. I might start talking nonsense after just a little.”

“It’s not like this is a college freshman orientation. Of course, that’s fine.”

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They chatted a few more complaints about the movie in the car. Dohoon seemed quite amused, and Mino also felt good. It appeared he had definitely passed as a suitable adopter for a cat.

Dohoon’s ‘date’ itinerary was excellent. The cocktail bar was not too far away. The building was fairly tall, but with no one else in the elevator, they quickly reached the top floor.

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As they entered the bar where music flowed and a few patrons were drinking, Dohoon led Mino to a window table, guiding him to a cozy spot inside.

A neatly dressed male waiter approached to take their order.

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“What would you like to drink? The cocktails here are quite good.”

“Kahlua milk…?”

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“Can we have a Kahlua milk and a Black Russian, please? What’s good for snacks?”

“Um, something with a lot of it.”

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“Something with a lot of it, then.”

Even as they spoke and placed their orders, the waiter maintained a polite smile. It seemed most customers here were similar, so it didn’t bother him. The flickering candlelight revealed a different flavor to Dohoon’s face than what was seen in brighter places.

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Mino hadn’t even received his drink yet but was already drinking water, using Dohoon’s good looks as a side dish. He was really handsome, like an actor.

In fact, in Mino’s imagination, he was as good as a top actor who played a ruthless ruler. It was a pity that Dohoon didn’t actually look like that.

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“But you drove here, you can drink?”

“I can call a substitute driver, or since it’s not far, we can just walk and sober up.”

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“You must have been troubled driving.”

“It’s just a 10-minute drive, so it feels short. If you had walked all day, your knee injury might have worsened.”

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Dohoon’s worried gaze fell on his knee. It was just a look, but it felt as probing as if the wound was being poked.

While Mino was choosing his words, two beautifully shaped cocktail glasses were placed in front of them. Dohoon’s was a whiskey glass, and Mino’s was a champagne flute.

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The Kahlua milk was topped with smooth cream, exuding a sweet fragrance.

After the waiter had served the snacks, Mino finally spoke.

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“Thank you for being considerate, even though it’s not that bad.”

“Here you go thanking again. You shouldn’t overdo it with the thank-yous in social interactions. It makes you seem easy to push around.”

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“It’s not like that at my company….”

Mino quickly defended himself and then brought the glass to his dry lips. The sweet, rich scent of the coffee-flavored alcohol moistened his mouth, and white cream stuck to his lips.

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He licked it off with his tongue, and Dohoon muttered lowly while sipping his dark drink, “So you do like sweets.”

“It’s not that, I just don’t order things that don’t make a good profit.”

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“You sound like an old man. You wouldn’t be able to drink it like that if you really hated sweet things.”

“Do you like bitter drinks?”

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I didn’t know much about cocktails, but the drink Dohoon was having looked bitter, almost like a potion. An adult’s drink.

“No. I just can’t eat sweet things anymore. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older.”

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“How old are you?”

Dohoon’s answer made Mino suddenly curious. He still didn’t know his age.

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Faced with Mino’s awkward question, Dohoon smiled coolly and teased, “How old do I look?”

“…Thirty-one?”

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“Spot on.”

There’s a four-year age difference. They say a four-year gap is not even considered in compatibility. But does that kind of compatibility include sexual compatibility too?

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Mino took another sip of his drink. Crazy, really. A wave of self-loathing washed over him, making it slightly difficult to endure. His lips slightly crumpled as he finished his cocktail.

“Tastes good?”

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“Yes.”

I don’t know. It was sweet and intense.

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“Want to drink more?”

“Same as you.”

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“That’s strong. Don’t rush it if you can’t drink much.”

As they finished ordering, another glass of the same dark, poison-like drink was placed in front of Mino. He hesitated a bit but then braved a sip.

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“Ugh, it’s bitter…”

“Just taste it.”

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The Kahlua milk had been almost like coffee milk, but this had a far stronger alcohol flavor. Still, he was reluctant to put the glass down.

Today, for some reason, he wanted to get drunk. Especially since Dohoon had mentioned wanting to look at his injury, he felt like getting drunk on purpose. He wouldn’t really show his knee while drunk.

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The reason was clear. He had vigorously exacerbated his wound while masturbating the day before, and if he showed it to Dohoon, it would definitely raise suspicions.

If he stubbornly refused while drunk, kind Dohoon might just let it slide for today. By now, Dohoon had proven himself trustworthy.

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But this was a miscalculation. Mino’s ability to dilute alcohol was nearly zero, and he became thoroughly tipsy from just those two drinks.

He was so intoxicated he couldn’t maintain a rational thought, certainly due to the second, darker cocktail.

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“Why aren’t you dating?”

Eventually, Mino blurted out such a question, his eyes glassy and his voice slow. Watching Mino with his cheeks flushed red and lips exhaling the scent of alcohol, Dohoon chuckled lowly, a uniquely husky laugh.

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“Just haven’t met the right person.”

“That’s strange. Someone like you should have admirers everywhere…”

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Whether he was aware of it or not, Mino reached out and toyed with Dohoon’s fingers.

“You have really nice hands, like… ah, I’m dizzy.”

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“If you get like this after just two drinks, how do you manage social interactions?”

“At work… I pretend I have a religion and just drink water.”

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I didn’t know you had such a side. His face, which had been so pale all along, was now flushed.

“You don’t have a religion, but you lie about it?”

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“Yes, I don’t have one. I can’t even trust myself, what’s there to believe in….”

“That’s unexpected. You can lie too.”

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“I’m a liar…. Life is, shit, a lie.”

You swear too.

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“Before you get more drunk, can I see your knee?”

“Now…? Ah, I can’t….”

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“Quickly.”

Despite his distressed face, Mino squirmed at the prompt and took off his shoes, bending his knee to show the injury. It was undeniably cute. But Dohoon’s smile was short-lived, as the wound seemed to have worsened since yesterday.

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“What happened? Did you fall again?”

“Yes….”

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“Where?”

“Yep….”

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“This isn’t working.”

I should probably suggest some water, thought Dohoon, but Mino suddenly asked with his head bowed, “What’s your standard for a suitable person?”

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The topic he thought had passed resurfaced. As Dohoon traced around Mino’s wound, he answered, “Someone who likes me, finds me attractive, and can carry a conversation, that’s suitable.”

He probably won’t remember this. The wound seemed to hurt as he kept flinching, quite sympathetic. Maybe it’s because I always choose men, or maybe it’s sexual frustration. Even though he had no intention of looking that way, his fingers wouldn’t pull away.

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“Uh, ah….”

When a moan sounded from the bowed head, Dohoon finally came to his senses. It seemed necessary to get him up. Picking up his phone, Dohoon called for a cab and adjusted Mino’s pants before lifting his arm over his shoulder.

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To carry him or not? He wanted to, but then he wouldn’t be able to see the ground clearly. It would be better to carry him to the parking lot.

Dohoon lightly lifted the slackened Mino. His palms felt the soft thighs. They were so smooth, it made him wonder if it was really okay for a man to be this soft. If it weren’t for the stiff jeans, the sensation would have been more directly felt.

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After paying for the drinks and heading down to the parking lot in the elevator, Mino quietly asked, “Is it okay with a man?”

Recalling their earlier conversation, Dohoon let out an enigmatic chuckle. Wonder if he’ll remember asking this.

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“It’s not usually okay, but I’d like to say it is, why?”

“Ooh…”

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“Mino, you’re quite slow. I was the one who suggested going on a date.”

He probably won’t remember this. Dohoon impulsively continued, “I’m also strange. I’m usually not like this.”

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