SMS | Chapter 8.4

“Good morning. Did everyone have a good Christmas?” The team leader was the only one who seemed in high spirits as he asked the question, his unattractive, aged face flushed with color. Did he really enjoy coming to work that much?

“Chief Ha, you must have been lonely by yourself, right?” he teased.

I wasn’t alone, but flaunting that I was in a relationship didn’t seem like a good idea, so I kept a stony expression. The team leader laughed heartily before heading to his desk, which irked me a bit. I remembered him whining about not having a partner too. Sitting at my office desk, I found myself lost in thought.

No matter how I thought about it, yesterday was the best Christmas of my life. I struggled to suppress a grin that threatened to spread across my face, and suddenly I wanted to see Dohoon. Was this what being in love felt like? Maybe I should send a message. Instinctively reaching into my pocket, my face turned pale—my phone wasn’t there.

“What’s wrong?” Deputy Kim, emerging from the pantry, noticed my panic.

“Ah, I think I left my phone at home.”

“Oh no, that’s annoying. You’ll feel so uneasy all day.”

“Ha, can’t be helped…” I remembered now. Last night, Dohoon had dropped me off at home and told me to go to sleep early, which I did promptly, forgetting my phone in the process. It must be with Seongjun. I need to message him. And I should message Dohoon too, just in case he’s tried to contact me on my phone. What if Seongjun saw the messages first? The thought of my unlocked phone began to worry me.

Just as I was about to contact Seongjun:

“Why is Junhyuk so late?” The team leader, glancing at the clock, voiced his concern. Junhyuk’s desk was still empty. Checking the time, I realized it was well past the start of our workday. What was he thinking?

“You’re close with him, right? Try giving him a call.”

“Ah, I left my phone at home…”

Caught off-guard by the sudden instruction, I was almost grateful for not having my phone.

“Oh, what happened?”

“I rushed out this morning.”

“Well then, try messaging him.”

Ah, I didn’t want to. But under the direct gaze of the team leader, who was approaching with an urging look, I had no choice. Reluctantly, I logged into Messenger and opened my chat with Junhyuk, awkwardly typing a message beneath the trivial chatter we had exchanged before. The team leader loomed behind me as I typed.

[Are you not coming to the office?

Despite the discomfort of being watched, there was nothing I could do.

“He’s not reading it.”

“No, he’s not.”

Leave already. I gave the team leader a forced smile after he had been standing behind me for over five minutes.

“That’s strange. Junhyuk usually isn’t like this… Chief Ha, keep trying to contact him.”

“Okay…”
I don’t want to… Only after giving a response contrary to my feelings did the team leader return to his seat. I meant to contact Seongjun and then message Dohoon, but the situation was getting weird. I stared at the message I had sent to Junhyuk. The ‘1’ indicating it was unread remained stubbornly in place.

Threatened by Junhyuk last night, and now I was asking if he wasn’t coming to work. Anyone would think I’m insane. Deleting the message now would be pointless, so I left it and sent a message to Seongjun.

[Hey, do you have my phone?]

Almost immediately, the ‘1’ disappeared. Surprisingly, he’s up at this hour.

[100Seongjun]: Are you okay? I was really worried but waited. I’ll bring your phone home later. Are you leaving on time today?

Seongjun usually worked until dawn and slept until midday. His quick reply felt odd. Before I could ask if anything had come to my phone, I deleted the message, not wanting to stir up any trouble.

[Are you in touch with Song Junhyuk?]

[100Seongjun]: No? Was there an issue? What happened to you? I thought I was going to die of fear…

What was he scared of? How much did he see?

[Let’s talk in person. Check if Junhyuk contacts you. He didn’t show up for work.]

[100Seongjun]: Really? Wow.

[Talk later. I need to work. Bye.]

[100Seongjun]: Ok ok

If Dohoon had contacted me, Seongjun would have mentioned it first. I felt a bit down, thinking that perhaps Dohoon wasn’t as invested in us as I was.

I suddenly recalled Dohoon eloquently detailing his experience as a dom. How many had he been with? While having many play partners was a sign of reliability, it wasn’t particularly comforting to think about as his lover. Unlike me, who had been relieving loneliness alone, he had been actively fulfilling his desires.

Ah, stop thinking about it. Being upset now wouldn’t change Dohoon’s past. Besides, it wasn’t his fault that I hadn’t engaged in play before; if anything, it was unfair. Why was it easier for a dom to engage in play? It all seemed so unjust.

‘I should’ve just gotten involved in an online DS with someone.’

I had thought this before, but it was too late now. And thankfully, I didn’t have compromising photos or videos that could be used for blackmail, unlike the threat I already faced from Junhyuk.

“Chief Ha, did Junhyuk take the day off?”

“Mr. Mino, have you seen Junhyuk today? He didn’t come in.”

“Manager, have you seen Junhyuk?”

Throughout the day, the questions directed at Mino were all about Junhyuk. By the time we were about to leave, Junhyuk still hadn’t appeared, and the ‘1’ on my message was still there.

‘What the heck. Now I’m unnecessarily worried…’

As unsettling as yesterday’s incident was, Junhyuk’s unexplained absence felt even worse. It was as if he had no regard for his professional life. There was also the fear that he might be spreading rumors about me. As quitting time approached, the team leader approached Mino, looking displeased. I thought he wouldn’t return after going out on an errand.

“Isn’t there something wrong? Still no contact with Junhyuk?”

“Yes.”

“Hopefully, nothing serious, hmm.”

Such unannounced absences might well be considered job abandonment. Any remaining fondness Mino might have had for Junhyuk had evaporated, and he was simply annoyed by the situation. There was still no word from Dohoon, and with a huge ‘assignment’ looming over him, Mino didn’t want to waste any more time on Junhyuk.

Mino sat blankly, thinking of Dohoon, when the team leader snapped him back to reality.

“We all took annual leave to keep you and Junhyuk company in the office on Christmas Eve, remember?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing unusual happened that day, right?”

“Nothing at all.”

Mino responded calmly. That was true, at least for the 24th.

“Alright, let’s call it a day. I’ll try reaching out to Junhyuk again.”

Do that… Once the team leader left, Mino quickly got ready to leave. There was still no contact from Dohoon. On a whim, I checked Junhyuk’s chat one last time, but the ‘1’ remained unchanged.

***

“Brr, it’s cold. Hey, how long are you going to live in this rooftop room?” Seongjun asked, wrapped tightly in his coat as he entered my apartment ahead of me.

Contrary to my worries, my phone had run out of battery and was left unattended by Seongjun, who seemed innocently indifferent to it. After plugging my phone into the charger, I shivered from the cold.

Seongjun was right to complain about the cold; I couldn’t bring myself to take off my coat either. Why is it so cold? I tried adjusting the boiler, but the chill persisted.

“I was actually thinking about moving out soon. I need to find a new place since I have to take care of my cat, too.”

“Why don’t you just live with him? Oh right, you haven’t broken up, have you?”

‘Him?’ The unfamiliar term of address made me turn to Seongjun, who was sniffling like an idiot. When did they become so close? Feeling a weird jealousy towards a friend was slightly embarrassing. I cleared my throat assertively before replying.

“We haven’t broken up.”

“Was it a love triangle fight with Junhyuk? Come on, tell me. I’m dying of curiosity.”

“No, it’s just…”

I had figured out exactly how to explain it on the way home. While Seongjun was incredibly open-minded and trustworthy as my closest friend, I still didn’t want to reveal Dohoon’s preferences without his consent.

So I kept it brief, just sharing the facts. Seongjun already knew about my kinky inclinations, so I explained that Junhyuk had discovered them and used that information to blackmail me. Seongjun’s expression hardened.

“That crazy bastard! Is he out of his mind?”

I nodded calmly and continued.

“It was a tough situation, but the seonsaeng-nim helped me out.”

“Ah, Dohoon? He’s so cool…”

“Anyway, I went to his place to talk, and, um, he drove me home after that.”

“He’s okay with… that stuff?”

“Uh-huh.”

Seongjun seemed to conclude that Dohoon was remarkably tolerant. Why did that make me feel worse?

“It’s good then. You’ve got a really nice guy.”

The embarrassment I felt for being jealous of my friend just a moment ago seemed trivial now.

‘But why do you call him ‘hyung’?’ I almost challenged Seongjun, but I restrained myself and laughed awkwardly.

“Oh, well…”

Thanks to Seongjun, Dohoon had arrived just in time to prevent an unpleasant incident. If I had punched Junhyuk, it might have felt satisfying at the moment but would have only complicated things further. Besides, wasn’t Seongjun the considerate friend who braved the cold to bring me my phone today?

“Ah, I’m hungry. How about some jjajangmyeon?”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Yep.”

I couldn’t help feeling a bit petty. I smiled brightly and nodded. I was busy anyway, having to tackle the ‘assignment’ Dohoon had left me.

“Wow, just take care of your own business and ditch me? You’re awful!”

“I’ve got things to do. I’ll treat you to jjajangmyeon next time.”

With that, Seongjun quickly got up and ran out the door, shouting back.

“And tangsuyuk!”

He never missed a chance for a free meal. I shivered as I sat in front of my laptop at the low table, ready to start on the assignment Dohoon had given me.

“Ugh, it’s deathly cold. Why isn’t the heating working today?”

After struggling with my thoughts in front of the laptop for a while, I couldn’t take it anymore. Was a hot shower going to help? Struck by what seemed like a brilliant idea, I dashed to the bathroom and turned on the shower, only to scream as ice-cold water poured out. Even touching the tap felt like my body was freezing.

Could the boiler be broken? My face paled at the thought. It was definitely not a condition in which I could bathe. In no more than three minutes, I was back in my coat, trembling from the cold, when I noticed the light from my charging phone.

“Hello?”

As soon as I saw it was Dohoon calling, I quickly answered. I had been worried since he hadn’t contacted me all day, and I regretted not reaching out to him first.

“Did you get your phone back?”

Dohoon asked immediately after the call connected. It seemed he guessed that my lack of contact was because I hadn’t received my phone back from Seongjun. Impressed by his insight, I quickly responded.

“Ah, yes.”

“Have you had dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Why, do you need my permission to eat?”

His voice, laced with laughter, warmed me. The hours I had spent staring at my messenger waiting for his contact suddenly seemed pointless. I awkwardly fidgeted with my fingers, pressing the phone closer to my cheek.

“No, it’s not that.”

“Is everything going well?”

“Not yet…”

I didn’t need to specify what I was referring to; it was obvious. I looked at the blank file I hadn’t started writing and sniffed.

“I’m not sure how to write it.”

“You haven’t tried?”

What if he gets annoyed? People with experience usually shy away from beginners, right? A gloomy expression crossed my face as I pouted. Dohoon had probably received plenty of these ‘assignments.’ The useless jealousy ebbed and flowed inside me.

“It’s just that, um…”

“You sound strange.”

“It’s really cold.”

The floor was so cold that even with a blanket laid down, my body kept shivering.

“Didn’t you turn on the heat?”

“It seems like the boiler is broken.”

It was clear, especially since there was no hot water either. It was getting late, and contacting the landlord seemed difficult, so I figured I’d just have to rough it out in bed for the night.

“Do you want to go to a hotel? You shouldn’t catch a cold. I’m coming over now, pack your things.”

“What?”

Dohoon decided conclusively and informed me as if announcing it. I stared at the disconnected call screen in shock.

“Hello? Seonsaeng-nim?”

I kept calling Dohoon, but all that returned was the disheartening tone of a disconnected line.

Is he really coming? No way.

Despite my doubts, Dohoon showed up at my place in less than 20 minutes.

“It’s freezing here. I’ve booked us a hotel, so let’s go.”

As soon as he entered the rooftop room, Dohoon frowned and fiddled with the boiler before sighing. I was still packing my bag, grabbing clothes and underwear for tomorrow, when Dohoon clicked his tongue.

“Are you going to wear the same clothes to work on Friday?”

“Ah…”

“And Mino, suits don’t suit you. Wear something like a knit unless it’s required at work.”

His comment made me a bit sullen. Unlike Dohoon, who looked picture-perfect in suits, I didn’t.

“Just pack whatever. Most things are available at the hotel, and we can buy anything else you need.”

“Okay…”

It was embarrassing and shameful to have him come all the way here because of my heating issue.

“What’s all this?”

“…What?”

“Your collection? You shouldn’t store it here; it’ll get dusty.”

Mino blanched as Dohoon, who had been scouting my room, suddenly held up an adult toy I had been playing with.

“Seo… Seonsaeng-nim!”

“Hmm…”

The sight of the textured dildo in Dohoon’s hand was visually shocking. His clinical examination of the dildo, his expression impassive, made it even more embarrassing. As I blushed fiercely, Dohoon began exploring the nightstand drawer.

The items Dohoon laid out on the bed—dildos, vibrators, nipple clamps, and a paddle—were my favorite soft toys.

“I think I get your taste without needing to see your list.”

Does that mean I don’t need to write it? I was already feeling overwhelmed. I looked at Dohoon with a glimmer of hope.

“It’s too soft…”

My heart sank. True, for an average masochist, these wouldn’t even qualify. I pondered for a moment. Should I bring out everything?

“There’s more…”

“Then it would be a spoiler. I want to see the list you’ve written carefully. And since your lips are all frozen, just pack your bag now. Include these, too.”

“What?”

Dohoon began packing the toys into my bag as he spoke.

“For now, we’ll stay at the hotel until you can move into my place. Who knows when this place might break down again in this cold?”

What does that have to do with the toys? And ‘until you can move into my place’? Questions I couldn’t ask died in my mouth.

“Bring anything else you need in another bag. I’ll wait in the car.”