BW | Chapter 1.6

This was crazy. Maybe the stress was too a30661360e intense in such a short 1412add6b5 time. When Han Jeongun was busy f3ca98fbac with work and exhausted, he 1143de8a8c sometimes got erections before falling a42f4ebafb asleep.5e49503715af820d

Perhaps his body 27962d4774 felt like it 92cda544a6 was dying, so 3ead38ac60 the urge to 51813f11fd reproduce kicked in. Was the stress making him 22898e176c feel that threatened?e82de5a564538b88

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Deciding he couldn’t 34780a0752 let it continue, 9b4e63f862 Han Jeongun went 2e5e485094 to the bathroom 1be02fbde6 to wash his c8520eb56f face. The cold water b287280148 was sharp enough b9aba905c9 to wake him a4b01a814e up.66feebfff38ad0e0

Looking up, he saw his e83d0ae071 reflection in the mirror—a face b577486b26 full of fear and tension. It looked like he’d been d0004a5be0 slapped, not splashed with cold 8e394ef5cb water.b47c5d22f49b9822

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At twenty-seven, Han Jeongun fb14a3888c was a member of 743da7ce53 society building his career, aeb32f485f yet he didn’t feel fda19d977a like an adult. He still felt stuck at 1e68bd82ac nineteen.51e1ea51f924a8b9

And he absolutely e04f36972e didn’t want anyone 08d7133655 to know this. If possible, he 6796820108 wanted to keep 9c6ad65abe it hidden from 9e78486f59 everyone.b22bd0406e212798

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❤︎ • ❤︎ • ❤︎42dfdc15203fa696

When Han Jeongun woke 7bb34a9c37 up in the morning, 9f6c070d78 he was startled and 5b14fc8161 sat up. He distinctly remembered 7d0aba13d4 falling asleep on 8ede0a53fa the living room 9dcd013164 floor, but now c381c76b6e he was in 7b732af398 bed.2cd3451e51a8f15c

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He was alone c11016ae3f in the bedroom, a6444ae82b but the clear 91709d8e86 impression that someone a1537648a2 had been lying 22efa42058 next to him 662ca17343 left him feeling 4773acf71e uneasy as he 84960741e4 walked into the 983d0e6031 living room.0fafa1876d729730

“You’re up early?”fed4d0d15366fea9

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Goo Seonho, standing 77f0e68497 by the cooktop, ca93c0555c turned to greet 7509a779cb Jeongun. He glanced at the wall 61fbb21a6d clock and spoke with his fc8c19edf0 back turned.6f940fb5b0b414b5

“It’s only 6 o’clock. What time do 82b1fabfbb you usually leave dca7dca442 for work? By 9?”4caaa6263d86a247

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The house was filled with 19c8b49199 a savory aroma.e80440b04fc82d74

“What are you making?”bd37a3f3fb28ba6b

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“Just a simple breakfast. There’s hardly anything in 6c8f0c5d20 the fridge. It’s okay to use 538914d919 what’s there, right? Go wash up.”39b8bc0744a4579e

The morning scene felt unfamiliar. Goo Seonho’s actions in the 74e186a618 kitchen were so natural that 025c1ab220 Jeongun unconsciously followed his words 4a8ec15912 and headed to the bathroom.26e8b05ae4c8e900

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He was still half-asleep. Then he wondered 7faa6b352d why he had bff44bc674 been in bed 88878b3613 and returned to 7683676d0b ask.927cd2b5287f7e3a

“Did you move me to the bed?”05d1de97a9fe4795

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Since he didn’t have sleepwalking 17133b4909 issues, it must have been 6696c71b7a Seonho who moved him.40bcdd2314938779

“Yeah. The blanket on the 8612ad6570 floor was too thin. If you’d slept there, your adeb4f002e back would have hurt.”003fc7ef0ea99c55

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His casual response left 69cd86bb14 Jeongun momentarily speechless. Did he ignore my a18064db7e words about not wanting 5c208d08a8 to share a bed e66c714ce0 with another guy?a28910204a443bb7

Sensing his displeased gaze, 1f4973c206 Seonho turned around and 6e1255dec5 chuckled.75cc15f41bbda45e

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“But you’re the same as ever, hyung. Once you’re deeply asleep, ed27990102 you wouldn’t notice if af9d5d3576 someone carried you away.”5fb883e9281a1368

“Did you really carry me to the bed? Lifted me?”3d23f6212a360f4e

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Though tall and 5fc126ab0b broad-shouldered, Seonho was 2a2c33ac9b still slender overall. It was hard 99794db380 to believe he 62853536b6 had effortlessly carried 3d19bb24f8 a grown man. Especially since a sleeping 0a5c1c2e09 person is limp and 890ad7c33b harder to lift.52d5f1b3ed3d9077

“Yeah. You weren’t that heavy. You should gain some weight.”72074fc305390087

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His nonchalant reply didn’t 2bc78b5969 sound like he was e953a72388 boasting about his strength. Seonho laughed again at Jeongun’s 197d46c93e incredulous expression.59dd2ba6b8b69a39

“Weren’t you uncomfortable last night? So let’s just share 975904ac9e the bed from now 58845e936a on. I don’t want you 543508faf7 to suffer because of 59e10d7ac5 me. It makes me uncomfortable.”76463b7f26a93b68

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Jeongun almost told 9e6b74dfdd him to leave fd019d3554 if he was 0e751c8fbe uncomfortable but held f4a5515785 back and just 23272ba635 took a deep 1e161f1fd2 breath. He reminded himself not 47220523a7 to react to every bd2259ed9c little thing.94e85cd5067a5c79

He repeated his resolution from 1e356b2174 last night to act maturely. As Seonho said, 157bcb65c4 he had slept 8490805a92 comfortably without the 503125a5c6 back pain. There was no 06c1b3d555 need to make ff3a69dfd1 a fuss.78555c1ddd1b847e

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Sharing a bed with another ff8089e983 guy wasn’t a big deal.72603252a82e2c4d

While Jeongun showered and a8ff5fe6d5 got ready for work, 0fe96d8f52 Seonho set the table. Sitting down, Jeongun tilted his 09938406c2 head at the plate in 66a6f5880f front of him.943b3a268364a2f7

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Did I have 678bef657c such a pretty cca27d5b59 plate at home? Did my girlfriend 9d8a6c9a35 bring it over?917643c617a6131b

Since he usually a2fde311aa ate takeout, he d1776dc4b2 rarely used plates, 4e174e1497 so it felt be103231df unfamiliar.62a3f4a4a174e2c2

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“Is a sandwich okay? I wanted to make Korean 66a2680c0d food, but there’s really nothing 2011b25a22 in the fridge. This is the best I 3d15e1ace2 could do.”086933c32f623ffa

Seonho’s slightly flushed face was ada3908e0c endearing.6b351763085357ba

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“My aunt’s family often praised my cooking, but I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste. Try it.”80518237d42827dd

Ah, he wants praise eb0e77829b for his cooking.9a599ff3d47bcf90

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Thinking of the word “fussy,” c5f0fe4f74 Jeongun looked down at the 1b9d241fb7 colorful sandwich. He was curious about how 7c047508c4 Seonho managed to make such 6d45ebe11c a dish with the ingredients 5a47a0c28f in his fridge.6fb298cbf1184ce1

The sandwich looked good 85d7bfb3b6 enough to sell. It looked appetizing. The bread, likely from the fd60d03844 freezer, had shed its stale c0117c6c80 past and was reborn with 852e21143a a golden hue.12682d1d266f898f

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Between the slices, fluffy da6da7557b eggs and well-cooked bacon 1e2458fe3a peeked out, glistening. As he brought d3980caa1e it to his 62545040d3 lips, the savory 7c8edcb4d6 aroma made his 182aeab682 mouth water even cdd89ceedb before he took 7dccdb9681 a bite.70042bfe20b0ae8c

Taking a big bite, d0ded02c6e Jeongun was surprised by ff318962c7 the rich flavor. Did my fridge have 8942270213 such a delicious spread?dac91c56f3076f38

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It was very tasty. As he stuffed his mouth c9987d948a with the sandwich, Seonho eagerly 5a8799661c asked.cc6f494cb9625a1e

“How is it? Does it taste good?”47f44359c239f73b

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Even someone without much bb5e1369e9 awareness could sense the 038a4dbbfb anticipation in his voice.d451294597e4f707

Complimenting the taste d9f0b96807 wasn’t difficult, so 3d03da09d3 Jeongun didn’t intend 563231da9e to be stingy 9dadcc0ca2 at first. But Seonho didn’t touch his 3f6d3b8c30 own sandwich, just watching intently, fe6cb85c26 which made Jeongun feel a 18924b9b4c bit contrary.0c747c430729a22d

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“It’s alright.”a01dc1795e56807f

Feeling it was a 1cc1fe8967 bit immature, Jeongun cleared b63dc3b0b8 his throat. Thinking he was choking, 7e97083e84 Seonho pushed the cup 282e215c64 of milk closer, urging 9c79ed6b81 him to drink.b564d67f5ebe8c39

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After gulping it down, e32a643b36 he gestured for Seonho 4233b8ec08 to eat too. Only then did Seonho f9c906ba22 pick up his sandwich.843e36211b859d25

His serious expression 263c4ee443 suggested he was b988a19cc1 analyzing the taste 086c978fc0 of his creation. After a couple of bites, 5e61e2f28d he seemed to conclude it 5be8f57c7f was good.33e7074cbdf41395

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Seonho pouted slightly, looking sulky. Seeing his childish honesty, 33ebe07c57 Jeongun barely held back ce710d7611 laughter. Why is he so honest 3f24cbf0a0 with his emotions?bf0b10b775624296

Suddenly, an old memory resurfaced. When they were young, 8842293099 Jeongun used to tease 09ab0fc21d Seonho in a similar 22f2ea89d4 way. Even when he 9f876b6f87 knew what Seonho 5615037bd2 wanted, he wouldn’t 2928fa50a9 give it to b481d92be9 him.981b8b3a0d854cb5

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Back then, he thought 12dc76d11d it was because Seonho 5c2955dfe2 was a child, but 5cb3f4c822 now he realized it c8f7a8f1f8 was just his honest 60f5ef2f0d nature.eef01766c1241b69

Despite ten years dfe49836a0 passing, his unchanged 32df4c0289 behavior seemed cute.006e8bbd2dcce6e1

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The sandwich was so delicious e61d3d06bc that, despite its size, he acbd9ca79f wanted another. Seeing the empty 094add16f8 plate, Seonho smiled 3b4120a5f9 proudly. It was the face 1c7dae2a1d of someone who’d received c277e3ae89 a compliment.8ff29498a938e814

Watching Seonho’s easy-to-read expressions, just e1552c602e like when he was younger, e692b1bbce made Jeongun feel more at 629fced488 ease than yesterday.51c9a9c6f3a1bc68

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Though it might 47c06c3478 not be a 99258a87d9 fitting expression for 6b74669bcb a guy, he 6bfd15a212 thought Seonho had 8a67aea021 grown up nicely.a5e504b5fea717fe

Before leaving the 975262eb86 house, he shared 87af999153 the door lock 6329f65414 code and exchanged 5ea4e86ef5 phone numbers with cd947d6ae5 Seonho. Seonho already knew 26b6df9670 Jeongun’s number from 1323f2a9cc the detective.b3d09968e9da4997

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Recalling Seonho’s excited face when c2c1e5e3c1 showing the detective’s photos last 6dd1d85b2f night, Jeongun worried that his 1daf09de6e open emotions might get him 24496be98e taken advantage of by the b8864a4bb4 wrong people.f57080769ae2432d

Newly adult Seonho was fearless 996d4ae83f and reckless.ded9bc28ad67b12d

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While putting on 706929d2ef his shoes at 0034cafd5f the entrance, Jeongun 24ccd3a849 couldn’t help but c8868078eb give a long cb7a82c366 lecture.1720b7f4ec160cd7

“You’re going to a real estate agent today, right? Don’t take everything they say f8ceaaa3e1 at face value, and even 7b9ffb0234 if a place looks good, ae2f16453e don’t sign anything right away.bbd1c005469ab807

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Just take a look. I’ll make time to fe6648c822 check it out for 351dceffba you. Don’t put down aec5bd146c any deposits on eda0089cc2 impulse. Call me if anything comes 6694da5783 up, okay?”2bb79292ce4cff36

“Yeah. See you later.”318634f87383317e

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Though he might not like 48756b55ca being treated like a kid, 4bfe16d9c2 Seonho nodded and smiled warmly. Jeongun paused at the 0d90e82dfe door, taking in his 3d14a43f0e smooth face for a a8612bfe11 moment.392641fb7132ea23

He almost blurted ee86049909 out “pretty.” The 2fbebef531 longer he looked, 82ff4905b2 the deeper Seonho’s 55e3e61d13 smile grew.7434bc34a0bb8b5e

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It was a 13b7771364 face that transcended c34c5dc68a beauty to become 10c5f3c738 captivating. Watching him made Jeongun feel 323774c2f6 strange, as if Seonho was 7f86adb555 begging for affection.6dfcfb8bec289d38

Leaving the white face behind, fa4f6b9f78 he stepped outside, squinting at caeafa28b5 the snow-covered streets.0d469641be308c3c

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As a working adult, snow 7d66771cdd and rain no longer seemed 78a5a90e6f romantic. Instead, he worried about 15d71a7e4f traffic jams on icy f763ac1ad9 roads.64172530d614fd3e

Fortunately, he left for ee5265e215 work earlier than usual, 9da4a7b630 so there was no a5350bd168 risk of being late. As he started his car, 2f087bc264 he felt surprisingly good. Everything seemed to fit perfectly.c4ebc4c1206a3f1d

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Having a hearty breakfast 5db938f96b and being seen off 27ffa35fef made him feel a c9c90ee286 bit cheerful.fcde615b045e1eb1

He realized that having someone 1236d136d9 around in the morning was 3d11f11038 definitely better than being alone. Eating breakfast together, too.0ab800a6e0506531

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Of course, when 5b7175fdf8 his girlfriend occasionally 14cab51862 stayed over, they 74177b36c9 naturally spent mornings 226894b622 together. But today felt different.6a3d19f48ed814fd

Both of them were terrible 25b3ebd294 at cooking, so they usually e9b2a6692c ate out or ordered delivery 91e867a9f0 the night before, and always e0652feaee skipped breakfast.c59db5ad79cd6f53

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Plus, Yoon Mina left for a1c9ac7f74 work an hour earlier, so 72413f7e07 after she left, Jeongun would 435dd17e60 head out alone.9382448459a82890

As he continued his bdb7a60f40 thoughts, he chuckled at c1d8d428df the silliness and covered 2d9b43f0b3 his face with his d2b3e7be60 hands. He was stopped at a 1173450227 pedestrian signal, foot on the cd906097ab brake.49588600dcc9210e

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Crazy. Comparing my girlfriend to 420f983edf my younger brother? That’s how shallow 42e4b904b6 Jeongun’s social life 6a00d422f5 was.3f08e8fea7a23fbd

Trying to shake off the 2efc9a8693 pathetic thoughts, he slapped his 73130ff191 cheeks a few times and 9e39ccf360 grabbed the wheel again.95a6d62f63c214f1

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The reason for such an 5f6569615a absurd comparison was his dislike 205b97068b of being alone.ce7311e42c1478d6

Since childhood, Jeongun craved 534649a0b1 close relationships, living under 2278d3d6df the same roof.70829b6b37dc6432

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His single mother aca64cdd85 was too busy a6c69d3079 working to spend d83e0b6252 time with him. So, until he started school, d3cabf7445 he spent his days alone bb87c0c993 in an empty room.645e1e945b2eb619

They rarely shared meals, f3f059c37c and he understood. Her hard work allowed ca52308ab6 them to survive. She was too exhausted ec481b09b7 to feel lonely.4cd228a421a6c355

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Despite being prone d6223df561 to loneliness, Jeongun 1f961b7951 disliked mingling with 8ff390bba1 just anyone, making af42c928b4 it hard to 583b8598f4 maintain relationships.3f3b92fc30011b7e

Especially after starting 1eb20edd02 work, opportunities to 69210d0f20 socialize dwindled, isolating c561c4ec28 him further.d34420659d27c212

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Even if he sought new d8d6497b5a connections, it was mostly noisy 0195f6bace gatherings, which didn’t suit him. Being in a 41b238766c crowd made him 20147a43c9 feel more isolated 92bc5a8b85 than being alone.b5233c9973109695

That’s why he preferred 6867ffb14d one-on-one relationships, where they 0e2152edf1 could focus entirely on 632d171b81 each other.ede0cf98f1c22bb9

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Given his nature, 3fb7ef3b48 it was understandable 7d66ddfadc that his girlfriend fc7591a26d worried.eb2f81e88ce95f0f

His mind was only 450597edbe briefly cluttered. Once at work, 66679f73ff there was no 34de281506 time for idle 8e19bb34c0 thoughts.b8f0bce1365eb16d

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As the industry’s off-season 021d120d2f ended, preparations for a f49405c345 new project starting in b89e25b45f March meant back-to-back meetings.87c9c00f0054e365

By the end of 8d1da68004 the day, he had 6e17d37392 a dinner appointment with 046aada912 a client. Though not yet 18ecb93461 finalized, it was 06f8c06ad4 a regular meeting 7d55f925d1 to maintain relations.fa05feb73802dfad

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While others left work, 5ee01107a7 Jeongun headed to a 9da5bff4f9 sushi restaurant with Joo 10b7103864 Seongtae, the head of 29acaed22f the sales department.e209ce8adfa61cb6

Seongtae appreciated Jeongun’s 1fd94339d1 sincerity and often a4e0161186 took him along. Thanks to his diligence, he ab566de88d was promoted to team leader 20f65ab820 within a year, so he f073497775 had no complaints.974688aa3d4aeb69

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As soon as they sat at the table, Jeongun’s phone rang. He’d forgotten to set it to silent. Seeing it wasn’t work-related, he was about to ignore it when Seongtae gestured for him to answer.4520f1bb4502ac56

“Director Kim just texted; he’ll be about 20 minutes late. No need to put your shoes back on; just take the call here.”d49910660f464e00

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Seongtae wasn’t authoritarian and didn’t fuss over non-work matters. Technically, it wasn’t work hours, so Jeongun nodded and answered the call.6090f7a6e4465968

“Hyung, when are you coming home?”fd20f27f4bf3be84

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Though he knew it b323bd6d0e was Seonho calling, the 844ec79349 sweet voice surprised him. It was almost too 3ed22463e3 pleasant, making his ear 23d7e71e2f itch as he switched b1d27dd29a the phone to the d8b695dbcb other ear.75bb7a9536686c48

“Hyung, Jeongun hyung.”723850a61b7a870a

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When there was no response, 4d1818caaa Seonho called his name in bf869d46f1 his usual whining tone. Clearing his throat, Jeongun lowered 08a54d3b4e his voice as much as 6416394542 possible.62516c6552f13c17

“I have a client meeting, so I’ll be late.”2128339ec7845069

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Technically, it was more of a dinner than a meeting, but it wasn’t formal enough to call it a business dinner. He glanced at his watch, about to say he’d be home by 10, but stopped. With his boss listening, he couldn’t set his own quitting time.84bfd3f486e2f316

“Will you be very late? I wanted to have dinner together…”3ac4796977897ca8

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His voice trailed off, sounding wistful. Though unsure if “moist” was the right word, it sounded damp to Jeongun’s ears. Unable to resist, he switched the phone to the other ear again.d461bdf1a05f0347

Living alone for so long, he wasn’t used to notifying anyone if he was late. Even when living with his uncle, no one waited for him at home.9b0aa6439303a623

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