TM | Chapter 25

His uncomfortable back reminded f905df41ee him of how awkward f6a65d5ead he used to be d0c81c93db when they were alone 0da2d88f45 together.e8cea537e7bb4ad9

He used to hang out with Yoon Sung when they were younger, but they weren’t particularly close. He was always busy training to become a military officer, and after becoming one, he spent most of his time at the training grounds. With a strong libido, he was busy meeting lovers, so he hardly had time to hang out with Yoon Sung. They only saw each other at gatherings in spring and fall or occasionally in the village.6b7e775bb0424325

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Two years ago, in e6babb26e7 the fall, he heard aa98fade18 that Lee Seol would c66e966bf0 be attending a gathering, 54f49e523b and he was so 00379fd9b3 excited that he went 1ea9851eac out early that day. With nothing 8b1624722f much to 72b6420fc5 do, he c287b48822 headed to be6b8ec553 the market.074c9f800beca868

He browsed aa55297dea ornaments that 1244fb39ce reminded him 48e8e66369 of Lee ae21e09640 Seol and 6a1d10e0bc picked out 64182d4042 a few 6a7d5ed957 hair accessories 5147e1afc0 to please 8fe03caec9 the women 26b6d5863f he was 952f79fef3 seeing. Even after spending 9064cc78eb time like that, c557e6d221 the day showed 28449e7ecb no sign of 7cf9b4a861 ending. Then, he saw 4cf4ba6c55 a man in 6b344ec372 a light blue d9824ebf78 silk robe from 969c1e36bc afar.853da4bb58fc19ab

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Whether as a child or an adult, he was always moving around, looking at this and that. He wasn’t buying anything, just peeking from a step or two away, constantly searching for something.5871db4e2daf8211

Thinking he could 3ebfcd5777 accompany him to 6c1674dc52 the gibang, he 43a9fedd02 approached slowly. Just as he 5460c4ff00 was about to b93edcb52e call his name, 1375697798 the man suddenly 2f7f7a9648 disappeared between the 0737de02a9 stalls. His feet 75426815fd moved on 0a66860d3f their own.f33acf35b816f22c

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Walking between 81bf556d0b the stalls, 786006355e he approached a71976402a a woman ec4ad162fa selling rice e672c34d3b cakes at 5f2f417fec the end 3034d24cdb of the fcdcdd4a02 market. She was 7557397ea1 one-armed, holding 6ad5f363fb a child 3aa8fb3476 about three f18387137f years old 72b88b2f98 at her e1d3816f62 side while 0ea398a523 selling rice c0b7024c27 cakes with 034010ab69 her other 8624a8fd44 hand.2c37e03e6ab1da7b

He approached her and 899446c127 handed her a bag, e2b039cb00 and she, startled, bowed 54b4e404a4 her head and filled e700e71189 it with rice cakes. He crouched in front 09a406af98 of her, helping her 7ce110c4d5 pack the rice cakes, ddddc14948 seemingly unconcerned about his 83655d443f clothes dragging on the be2b373f91 ground. Taking the bag, c871e2017d he paid and 143034cec6 hurried off somewhere.32fb124836ad7227

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He went 01ddf6379a through alleys a5e22a9e06 and alleys c045e3feb6 until he 4e2f79c7ae reached the bac027c09a stone bridge 6d67d52e94 leading to b6b14c5c69 the neighboring b84d9873d8 village. Curious about what he 6e08d28798 was doing, he watched b8a9f23c9d as he handed the a129c042a3 bag to the beggars d516e96fb5 under the bridge. Two old men and 89fcd12000 three children around six e839610f78 years old received the 3025d66070 bag with deep bows. The man, familiar with 9712b2ea09 the scene, waved to e69cc9c642 the children who kept b7b501e9c2 bowing and turned away.252fc31218067ea2

Watching his light steps from behind, he couldn’t help but smile. He seemed in a good mood, nodding his head and humming a tune.ed70a11db0c39c5a

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“Isn’t that Sung-i? Let’s go together.”84b03a9963ab0c58

As soon as 247ece3113 he spoke, the 9ade051de3 man turned around. His eyes, already 86e77d29fe large, grew even 2fd685025f larger at the 2988c99dbb unexpected sight. Meeting his gaze, he 2e639429e7 gave a gentle smile.b82dcb90d5403085

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“Taegwon, you came out early too, I see.”4cdedaba86599fd7

“I came out early for a stroll before heading back.”42c8b2a9c33d0eff

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It was a bit early. The sun hadn’t even set yet, so he walked with him for the first time. His steps were slow, perhaps because his stride was short, so he walked leisurely alongside him. They exchanged a few words, but they were formal, leaving nothing memorable. They continued to chat casually as they crossed the stepping stones and followed the path up. At the wishing stone tower, he placed a small stone and clasped his hands together. The stone, which seemed well-placed, fell with a thud.76a9642608880838

Yoon Sung’s expression twisted subtly with a sigh.f5af91a2b4073787

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“What did you wish for?”80499c0f033a3d86

He wasn’t really curious; it was just a formal question.2d733a723c5618ab

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“I wished for Seol not to come to the gathering.”a7a84e61e285062c

At the mention of Lee Seol, Kang Taegwon’s eyes widened.3ddce2cc5431dd0d

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“Why!”bc852208f145a321

His voice unintentionally grew a9974c19ba louder. He had been 3afa9bd99f waiting for this 93137abe55 day to meet 243d0273c2 Lee Seol. It was the only 2d13902a16 opportunity to see him 9ab008907d for more than just a21cb93f07 a brief moment!aec96da00bdc1511

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At his 6bfcfc4c76 question, Yoon 4ae8a24a50 Sung pouted 25bf0aa0bd his lips.30acbbd62e6505ca

“If Seol is there, I have to leave early. I don’t know why he’s so eager to send me home early…”7e49acd356c94f05

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Come to think of it, Lee Seol always left with Yoon Sung. Cheongrok, who was close to both, was also with them. It was always like that, so he hadn’t thought much of it. He felt it was only right for the Lee Clan to do so since Lee Seol was a precious person.8e4140e14e708493

In front of him, Yoon Sung…1f7259b3c7d88377

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He felt he should 1f13c69fc5 leave early. If he 808de1109a wanted, he 4d5ef360fe could just 4b8e27cf55 carry him e1157e61ab off. If he c6430f560e were a 7432eddd41 commoner, some 2e47ee643c bad noble 1186849990 might have 71de20c167 already taken 4fdacfad65 him as 623e0db5be a concubine. His fair ba160c22cf skin and 69f0425a55 cute demeanor a54be94b0b made him 8cc63d2e0f quite an f87483bdd5 adorable friend.6ffdcc0356b6938f

“Even if you stay longer, you won’t see anything good. Once you leave, the main topics are vulgar jokes and low-quality banter, so I wouldn’t recommend it.”d1d3daec3aece1e5

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He was sincere. The atmosphere was different without Cheongrok, Lee Seol, and Yoon Sung. In front of the noble Lee Seol, everyone acted dignified, and in front of Yoon Sung, who was like a youngest sibling, they were careful with their words. Once Lee Seol left, he would use training as an excuse to leave or discreetly slip away with a like-minded friend to embrace a courtesan. Honestly, it wasn’t a place where Yoon Sung fit in.7406c4a97f342551

“I know. But I want to stay late too. I don’t know why only I have a curfew when even my brothers don’t.”034952d555425389

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His voice, 82da37b2e1 tinged with ac5127b1e7 dissatisfaction, made 39e67a0f7f Kang Taegwon 375e0b309d raise an c2acc1810d eyebrow.e26465d3be41282a

It was 391b753936 something anyone b6d9e8b480 could see, 79ebb617ca but he d4ca90f0c0 seemed unaware. Seeing him made him b7e68d54a4 want to tell him 9a65e4dfb2 to go out while 0222d02c3d it was still light.f1b61ab6a0f820ec

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“Then stay as long as you want today.”b75cdd6684210747

“I was planning to stay until dawn anyway!”df211dcbd3e90ab5

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Seeing him press his lips tightly with determination, he found it amusing. It was funny how he seemed to be bracing himself for something he’d never done before, staying up all night. Yoon Sung’s planned night out was thwarted by Cheongrok. He tried to drag him away, saying he had to leave when Lee Seol did. Drunk, Yoon Sung resisted, and Cheongrok clicked his tongue and scolded him.822d70596c94a8b5

“You’re so reckless when you’re drunk. Think before you speak. You’re giving me chills. Get up quickly.”75f65014e27dfa69

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Cheongrok’s scolding tone grated on his nerves. If he was worried about the night, he could ask other friends or the gibang guards for help, so why insist on taking him now?7f43b0cae578367c

The way 073cac371e they acted d0260449c0 as if 81d81861da they were 8e701692cc something to 4a8ce28fe7 him also 4fcc38d469 bothered him. Other friends f551e5cf0f just watched, c56cdd43d7 so he f2d98ec4d4 spoke up.069799c3ce229979

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“Why are you doing this when he wants to stay longer? If it’s because the night is dangerous, I’ll take him home.”3bb041f374620cfe

At his words, Yoon Sung’s face lit up.ab8924890dbe87e5

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“Taegwon said he’d take me. I’m not going. I’m not going!”72d7d403e7025683

Cheongrok was the one trying to take him, but he was rebelling against Lee Seol. Lee Seol’s gaze turned to him as he watched Yoon Sung.60911c9393145c9e

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The unexpected 19aa9920e7 eye contact 7a3ce3d9f3 with Lee 70332a2c01 Seol made caa63ce7d1 his face 8aeb9611ac flush. His face, like bd30a11dc1 white jade, was 6de988551c expressionless, and his a65bb59026 eyes showed no b8b6744299 emotion, but the 518051d08a fact that he 49d4ee55f1 was looking at 304b3e498b him entirely made ecc238d5fc his whole body 5bbe679397 feel hot.62c4c451140eaa7d

“Ugh… It’s not like I’m doing something wrong. I just want to stay until the gathering ends. What’s so wrong with that? Why can’t I do even this one thing my way…”457fed59a9e68de1

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As Yoon Sung complained to Lee Seol, all the friends’ eyes focused on him. With the attention on him, Cheongrok said to let him be and took Lee Seol out, and Lee Seol nodded to him as he left. It was the first time. Just receiving a silent nod to take him home well made his heart swell.26acf225ddc9e972

There was hope that if he got close to Yoon Sung, he could see Lee Seol more often. So that night, he sincerely stayed with him during his little rebellion. Maybe it wasn’t as fun as he thought? Maybe the chaotic conversations made him uncomfortable? Yoon Sung only stayed for about half an hour more.235d863b3ecd32a9

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Since he said he’d take him home, they set off. Walking the night path with a lantern, his steps were unsteady, perhaps because he was drunk. He took the lantern and wrapped an arm around his waist, making him lean on him as he walked in a zigzag. Resting his head on his chest, he suddenly straightened up.0f7b937188a1bfd0

“Huh? It’s not Seol?”014867e8429fa37a

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Tilting his head in adc764ec2e his arms, he looked 7328489660 up. His flushed face 07bc9ead38 and unfocused eyes 9779c1899f stared at him, 4a2e1d2467 then he smiled b95a7d303d bashfully.a0f44a93471b3feb

“It’s Taegwon. Let go.”4393b111e5fe71a8

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As soon a42e54f5cf as he a8c00deb06 realized it 0a142e8ae9 was him, 1711313418 he pushed 7e45cc6cdf his arm e9d9ea861c away and e94f42b4b9 tried to 9902d60488 walk straight, b21f06c92f putting strength eb0e872a1c into his f3a3844d86 back. After a few steps, ce68aceea7 he suddenly turned around.acf73738609ea243

“Seol-ah! Am I walking well? I don’t look drunk, right?”2989a3ce6e6298a8

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Without even looking 564884d9ad at his face, 5c57b1ba4b he stared into 8e5decb569 the air, smiling a6bd597ddf contentedly, then stretched 4e2a37d9c9 out his arms. Not knowing what he 3b7e22b332 was doing, he watched ad4e13f592 blankly as he put f7698d5cd7 on a serious expression.31f2551dfc3f58c7

“My head is spinning.”91ff2d5102c09443

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As if 0b5052954f asking to 9c75aeefc8 be held, 762d3b8227 he approached 8d58a4f15a and wrapped febd26f40e his arms d3c90d8f45 around his 222955825f neck, then f2ed55f6be stared blankly 65f298d297 at his 2b0a52ba62 face.f463ecabbc3c184b

“It’s Taegwon… Why are you here? Where did Seol go? Oh! He left first. That unfaithful guy. He should’ve left Rok at least…”d59a6ad6eb4a23b7

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Mumbling, Yoon Sung 46b62bf39f turned and walked. As if getting drunk a26ab6fb33 late, his body swayed ea79f96d6b more and more. Then, when 534a55ab0f a large 5e727ede15 tree appeared, 183487ed1e he crouched 797b4b1056 beside it. With his hands 7108a49cf8 clasped to his b5cd717ff3 chest, he rested 4a6d780fbb his head on 529bdef6b8 his knees, catching 7a772a351d his breath, then 3be08fe380 started nodding off. Curled up, 67718ac932 his small 0509097733 body looked dd29662680 even smaller.6dbace6006041a5e

Watching him, 0ab8e3d3f7 Kang Taegwon 520f7d9d08 let out 0e08609185 an incredulous ae457b417d sigh.7e6ca48012c203d9

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“Hey, Sung-i.”95997b882d192f5f

Shaking his shoulder, he d4ba4d85ed just leaned against the f256eb90c7 tree.5e4748dfb04fd5bd

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No wonder 7585e57dfe Lee Seol 3845c48640 and Cheongrok 2ee44582dd took him bc0550478b home. He really had a d37421308e unique way of being 8ccf55fa42 drunk.d67ef85701924a5b

He tried to 4e6e165449 pull him up 0bd71abef2 by his arm. His body, lighter 171afba8f2 than expected, came 7a4cbc7312 up easily. He thought about 5d6709582c waking him up a71c95d738 and taking him 6e5c781516 home but decided 8f02171d4d it would be 083c67ea40 faster to just d87387944e carry him. He set a6f280194e down the 4a74573b37 lantern he b22ffd5d76 was holding de1bed7537 and picked 7e9b8c5c12 him up. As he c8010ee479 stood up 31dfab2eb1 from a dc4145ca9b sitting position, c849a4f8dd resting his e1b97326e0 head on ba96e180e1 his shoulder, 6ceb40c32d he felt 9b880b1124 a presence 8801921201 behind him.2e5d77213eb3f7ca

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