Chapter 25

“I can’t leave you like this. Let’s go wash up.”

With that, Huikyung stood up, hoisting Jaekani effortlessly into his arms as if he were carrying a basket. Dangling like luggage, Jaekani tilted his head in confusion.

“Where to?”

“I heard water earlier.”

Huikyung recalled the faint sound of water he’d noticed while catching the rabbit. He wasn’t entirely sure of its location, but with his sharp hearing, he was confident he could track it down.

“Let’s go. Better wash up while the sun’s still out.”

Jaekani, still cradled in Huikyung’s arms with soot smudged all over his face, instinctively raised his wrist to his nose.

‘Sniff, sniff. Do I smell bad?’

He couldn’t smell himself, but Huikyung, with his heightened senses, surely could. ‘As long as I don’t stink too much…’ Knowing there was water nearby gave Jaekani hope that he’d finally get to scrub himself clean, down to his fingernails.

With one hand holding their few belongings and the other carrying Jaekani, Huikyung moved confidently through the dense brush.

The sound of crackling branches and rustling leaves filled the air as they made their way through the forest. Jaekani couldn’t understand how Huikyung could pick up the faint sound of water amidst all the noise, but Huikyung moved with purpose.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Jaekani began to hear the sound of rushing water as well. His eyes lit up, and he instinctively glanced up at Huikyung. The older man wore a similar expression of satisfaction.

“You’ve been wanting to wash up, huh?”

“Yes!”

Jaekani’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, as though he were ready to leap out of Huikyung’s arms and sprint toward the water. But Huikyung’s grip didn’t loosen, so he remained suspended, carried like baggage.

When they finally pushed through the last of the brush, a wide river came into view. The water was deep and fast-moving, more than just a gentle stream—crossing it would have been impossible for a child.

Setting Jaekani down on his feet like a wild animal being released, Huikyung watched as the boy’s excitement boiled over.

“Wow!”

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Jaekani shot off like a bullet. Huikyung chuckled, watching him dash toward the riverbank while stripping off his shirt.

“Jaeka—oh, whatever.”

‘That kid has no fear.’

Despite being accompanied by an adult man, Jaekani seemed completely unbothered as he peeled off his clothes.

With a loud ‘splash’, Jaekani dove into the water. Droplets and spray erupted around him, highlighting the sharp shadows of his bony back and shoulders. His shoulder blades and spine stood out starkly, emphasizing just how thin he was.

‘I really need to get him eating more,’ Huikyung thought with a sigh as he took in the boy’s frail frame.

Jaekani, on the other hand, was having the time of his life splashing in the cold water. The icy chill was invigorating, sharpening his senses and clearing his head. Taking a deep breath, he dunked his head beneath the surface.

“Pwah!”

Jaekani emerged, his long, water-soaked blonde hair plastered against his shoulders and face. Brushing it aside clumsily, he beckoned to Huikyung with a wave.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“Yeah, I’ll join you.”

Huikyung wanted to wash up too, but first, he wanted to have a serious word with Jaekani about boundaries. Before he could get started, though, something cold and wet flew through the air and landed in his arms with a wet ‘plop’.

It was a pair of pants.

‘This kid… has no sense of decency.’

“Jaekani!”

By now, the boy was nearly submerged in the river, with only his small shoulders poking out above the water. Hearing Huikyung’s shout, Jaekani turned to wade back toward him, his movements clumsy in the rushing current.

“No, just—stay where you are,” Huikyung said, waving him off with a resigned sigh.

Running a hand over his face in exasperation, Huikyung lowered his shoulders in defeat. Jaekani clicked his tongue, turning away with a huff.

‘First he calls me over, then he tells me to stay put. Make up your mind!’

Jaekani couldn’t understand why Huikyung seemed so annoyed. Meanwhile, Huikyung was on the verge of a headache, thinking about how Jaekani had no issue stripping down in front of a fully clothed adult of the opposite gender.

Despite his frustrations, the sound of Jaekani’s laughter rang out over the rush of the river. The pure, unrestrained joy in his voice carried over the water, reaching even Huikyung. His lips twitched, almost involuntarily, forming the faintest of smiles.

The laughter mingling with the spray of the river had a strange effect on Huikyung. For the first time in what felt like forever, the tension in his face began to ease. A faint, genuine curve of contentment formed at the corners of his mouth.

It was all because of Jaekani’s laughter, rippling through the air like waves on the water.

“Hurry up and get in!”

The spray of water scattering through the air sparkled like the Milky Way.

“Huikyung!”

The way sunlight broke and shimmered on the river’s surface was mesmerizing.

Huikyung didn’t want to ruin the moment.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”

He would have to lecture Jaekani someday, but not now.

‘Yeah. Later. If I scold him now, it’ll only ruin his mood.’

Recalling Jaekani’s tear-streaked face by the campfire, Huikyung decided to postpone the talk. Whether now or later, the outcome would likely be the same.

Shrugging off his shirt, Huikyung began to follow Jaekani. His shoulder blades shifted smoothly beneath his skin, the sinewy muscles moving with practiced ease. After removing his pants as well, he stepped into the cool water.

He waded in, choosing a spot a little away from Jaekani, and let the cold water wash over him. The chill that initially prickled his skin soon became a refreshing embrace, invigorating him. Completely submerging himself, Huikyung sank until only his eyes were above the surface.

When he rose again, he realized Jaekani had dog-paddled his way over to him, laughing gleefully.

“Can you swim, Huikyung?”

Jaekani, flailing his arms and legs, paddled toward him like an eager puppy. Reaching Huikyung, the boy grinned brightly and grabbed onto his shoulder for support.

The casual contact made Huikyung mentally note yet another point to include in the eventual lecture.’Boundaries. Definitely need to talk about boundaries.’

“Yeah, I can swim,” Huikyung replied.

“That’s cool. I can’t. Huikyung, dive under again!”

Still clutching Huikyung’s shoulders, Jaekani latched onto his back like a barnacle.

‘Oh, so you want to use me as your personal dolphin now?’

The obvious request was absurd enough to make Huikyung roll his eyes, but he decided to play along.

“Hold on tight,” he said.

Jaekani, nodding eagerly, wrapped his arms around Huikyung’s neck and pressed his body close. Even with the water buoying him up, Jaekani felt feather-light—like a leaf barely hanging on.

‘Screw the lecture. The first priority is fattening this kid up.’

A few days ago, Huikyung had been ready to leave Jaekani behind without a second thought. Now, without even realizing it, he’d grown determined to feed the boy properly and help him grow stronger.

Without warning, Huikyung plunged into the water.

“Ugh!”

The boy’s skinny arms tightened around his neck as Huikyung dove gracefully, cutting through the water toward the riverbed. The swirling currents sparkled like stardust, surrounding them as Huikyung pushed off from the smooth stones below, propelling them back up.

“Hah—!”

“Whoa—!”

Breaking the surface, both of them gasped for air. Jaekani, still clinging tightly to Huikyung, burst into laughter, clearly delighted.

“Do it again!”

Instead of answering, Huikyung flicked water at Jaekani with a casual motion.

“Eek!” Jaekani yelped, jerking his head away. But as long as he clung to Huikyung’s back, there was no escaping the splash. Huikyung took full advantage, flicking more water at him playfully.

As Jaekani squirmed and laughed, Huikyung found himself smiling despite his best efforts to remain composed. Even while scrunching up his face, he felt a quiet joy.

Watching Jaekani now—curious, carefree, and full of laughter—was a stark contrast to the boy’s usual expressions of guardedness, surprise, or anger. The irony of seeing this side of him wasn’t lost on Huikyung.

Feigning an exaggerated dive, Huikyung clasped his hands together as if preparing to plunge back under.

Jaekani’s eyes went wide as he inhaled sharply.

‘What a cute little brat.’

Huikyung let out a small laugh before diving again, Jaekani holding on tightly.

The weight of the boy’s fragile arms didn’t bother him. If anything, Huikyung realized how much more hollow and monotonous the journey would have been without him.

When they resurfaced again, Jaekani sputtered for air, shaking his head to clear the water from his face. His wet blonde hair sprayed droplets everywhere, making him look like a freshly bathed sparrow.

“Did you swallow some water?” Huikyung asked.

“No! That was fun!”

Jaekani’s voice was uneven from his unsteady breathing, but he grinned from ear to ear. Without hesitation, he pointed toward the far side of the river.

“Let’s go over there next! Or farther!”

“You can’t. Your feet don’t reach the bottom.”

“You were going to leave me in the middle of the river?!”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then it’s fine. I’ll just hold on anyway,” Jaekani said with a stubborn smile, clinging tighter.