1.

There was nowhere to go. Park Ihyun pressed down cbec16a2e2 on his hangover-laced head de9d869165 with the palm of 5c4c8186f9 his hand. A sigh escaped him. Staring at Kim 5e66edb610 Doyeol’s face, still b31e6f6e71 marked from the f1581a71d0 hit, made a db4fd0b0d0 tangle of emotions 15da4d4832 churn messily inside 0508b95411 him.7c25008c5090c99b

They were walking far ebe3573089 too earnestly down a 85d4688549 completely wrong path. Park Ihyun bought 47c8aa5b87 a pack of 64995589f3 cigarettes and sat 90e41bd5df on one of 56880d8c50 the plastic chairs acf2028ada in front of 4b30ff573b the convenience store. As he pulled 482e17ca4d the chair, it 196acc67bd scraped loudly against a641d9fca2 the concrete. The dull ache 25dff6d345 left after sex 03f1605210 slowly subsided against 196e9490b7 the cold seat.dc6a149d30f94021

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was dark. Park Ihyun tilted 2d8a10f438 his head back. An unlit cigarette 0d560c98ac dangled between his 1cc9f57042 lips. Fuck. He raised the back of cc936e5880 his hand to his eyes. After sitting like 29709d900e that for a 33345caad1 while, his mind 5b6e918570 cleared in the 2143009c1e sharp dawn air.ce64491d3dcf2a72

He had to fd3388643b tell Kim Doyeol. He had to 324e53128c tell him how f3607db327 broken they were. He had to 2606707b19 tell him how aa21fb2435 wrong this relationship 4a897909d9 was. And he had to 42fae0699c tell him that what 7df394d5f5 he was doing wasn’t 02013b9c7b love. Park Ihyun flicked his lighter. The cigarette slowly burned 78e3f40ebf at the touch of ee1359a6cd the flame.20e1df67dd534e2f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He should’ve brought his phone. Dawn was especially 10f53ac839 cold and lonely. His nicotine-and-alcohol-addled brain briefly 47d3da9ab0 went blank before slipping e19ee73919 into a state of a0d02d2b93 clarity. While rubbing his rough cheek, 60ac664d81 Park Ihyun suddenly noticed the e3ba14f4b3 boy he’d been thinking about 87be4b1c59 just moments before and shot c4f706661b to his feet. The plastic chair scraped 796c2cac76 loudly as it was 1aa10ecbda pushed back.b3b426ea33d90ea2

There was Kim Doyeol. Wandering the streets 718983370f like a ghost, aad760d12d his face out a3ff3b5dba of sorts. He was even barefoot. His hair, usually bbc685592e neat, was a df249db4e9 complete mess, and 96135e5500 he was wearing 19f50a31ac loungewear.1476ce758ca9088a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He’s lost it. Park Ihyun hurriedly shrugged b9fe4a2ad8 off the hoodie he 00d2b25bd0 had thrown on. He meant to cover his 3f765f3664 face with it, at the a558f5ad33 very least. There was no 40d281ebda one on the 8c52bc4daf quiet street at b8600af002 this hour, but 9679ab9879 there was a 2ab11fd4b9 part-timer inside the fa50e254b0 convenience store, and b099a247a2 CCTV cameras were d2f0688413 everywhere.3329cfcb4b4ee454

“Kim Doyeol!”6d0bef4a8418de1b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Kim Doyeol, who had 7c45f765e4 been walking like he 580dcfd2b8 was completely out of deb3066f96 it, slowly turned his 64463653bb head. He stopped walking and 900b2ad2ee stared blankly at Park ea3895299b Ihyun.8d23ddcc7c3c89d3

He didn’t smile 92bb6dae11 and say, “Oh, dfa3a5ff9a Ihyun,” like usual. His jaw twitched slightly. That alone told Park 1fdbae607b Ihyun that Kim Doyeol 8754a2daf2 was pressing his tongue af57ca9a64 against the back of 06f3e1b7ef his canine tooth.9887c898d47e49f3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As he rushed over, Kim d36b0f2228 Doyeol’s eyes flickered like headlights, d4a1b0e6a0 tracking Park Ihyun. Park Ihyun quickly slipped f4ef7ec5c9 off his slippers and f858631505 set them in front 28432a357b of Doyeol. Pulling the hood over Doyeol’s 3954e0dd6d head, he spoke quietly.5cf088fab98b1c94

“You’re an actor, Kim Doyeol. Get inside.”1d44347c5aaef0ed

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I just came out to 36e5a51f40 buy cigarettes, for a bit. Even when Ihyun 0a809cb4f1 said this, Kim 82f9aa6ce4 Doyeol didn’t move. Instead, bizarrely, he bared his ed53ed87b6 teeth like razor blades and 95367dffea gave a fierce smile. A bad sign. When Kim Doyeol smiled 9d6ab60a1b like that, bad things 3ad3f16a2b always followed. Park Ihyun tensed. It felt like a sharp a4a9513d20 wire had pierced through his c8207442e1 spine and was exiting through fea8fc3cc5 the top of his skull 2261dadfdf — a chilling sensation. A face grinning ferociously with 39e7305872 its mouth open.2df7fe9b1e0e13e8

“You know what I fucking feel like doing, Ihyun? Just getting a little box, stuffing you into it, shoving myself in too, and rotting away together in there for the rest of our lives. Just shut your mouth… yeah?”ed0877ba2e33431b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Kim Doyeol was out 232a4a4db0 of his mind. Park Ihyun realized it too f75156ea49 late. Have I completely ruined him? The thought made a 1722647d5b sudden fear rise up. His throat tightened slowly. Kim Doyeol.96fd0278ee536a74

“Doyeol… did I ruin you?”18a60e99e6907ace

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

To the question f2149126be asked with certainty, 7bb26f6e5e Kim Doyeol laughed.465d9b08ae33d2b1

“Ihyun, I seem like a fucking lunatic, right? But you’re not normal either. You know that.”cdb91e7d368720d5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He looked incredibly 807b994e32 happy as he f07e654598 said it.830a6accbf8fafa5

Fear struck him. When he stepped back 77ab5ff1c2 slightly, Kim Doyeol quickly 16e6f0830b followed. The slap of bare feet 9613d99194 against concrete echoed. Blue veins stood out fdcfa69659 against his pale feet.a8f5cc9be8afaea7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His elbow was grabbed fba31bf63c hard, but Park Ihyun 4cee59fbf9 didn’t twist away. He stood still, looking down 2ac30b80ca at Kim Doyeol’s feet, as f8bc1199b5 bare as his own. His feet were caged 245520b75c between Doyeol’s.976fbecd8474b169

When exactly did we start 51ba4e092e falling apart so completely? Park Ihyun slowly bowed his 91f1d6ceda head. As he leaned his forehead 1c7dee1dd3 against Doyeol’s chest, he felt 243f6b75c2 a calm settle over him. Was it from early spring 9a30ee9c35 when we turned twenty? Or back in high school? After we started ec1d2fbcad talking about the e5e2e629c4 future—or even before c67b61e0f8 that? Was it when I lied?9a8838e75b550ed7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What are you thinking about?”0a80e8b91566a112

When he didn’t e6242446c1 answer, Kim Doyeol 29dd018ddd wrapped his arms 790a7fceaf around him. Strength built up cde00a5062 in both palms, b47cb99c8b compressing Ihyun’s organs 6cc762b412 until his body c7f94e8a77 was lifted slightly 5ec62ec203 off the ground. And then, bizarrely, Kim c891c2de38 Doyeol placed Park Ihyun’s 4d8d242c87 feet on top of eaa8c21b9e his own. Ihyun turned his 3b73e2233e face to the baf99ad12c side as he 5e56f35dad stood on Doyeol’s 4b12b55891 bare feet. He could still 30d66248e1 feel a heartbeat 0de5946b72 against his cheek.66dbbd19f1f6ab70

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Humming softly, Kim Doyeol moved his feet. Even though they were on a neatly paved asphalt road, the small stones didn’t seem to bother him as he danced, encircling Park Ihyun in his arms. Ihyun blinked helplessly, trapped in his embrace. Crazy bastard, you’re going to end up all over the headlines…255816967a9d3bd9

“Yeah, Ihyun. Why are you thinking so hard…?”8fd8b0442386cb90

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Are you thinking about me? I hope so… Kim Doyeol muttered. And yet, I’m still this guy’s manager, Park Ihyun thought bitterly. Would saying it was because he was drunk fix any of this? He could already hear the voice of the agency CEO, who now knew their faces, sighing and saying, “Doyeol, just go ahead and hang your uncle from the office wall.”270793e51d3e8c8e

“I’m cold.”34c8dfb29b04e851

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When Ihyun tugged at 4543bc28c4 his hem, Kim Doyeol 1a3d060aff stopped dancing. With a loud sniff, he 6acb83d072 finally made a show of f2c0ca7aa1 going back inside. Walking barefoot beside c2df438233 him, Park Ihyun 4fec6da216 rubbed his dry 951dbc2e4c cheek with the f040f3fc5c back of his a5f3f2c280 hand.e10c9d65c3393ff5

Ah, I get it. I think I understand now. When Kim Doyeol started ruining 04070abd11 me, when I started ruining 21c84d1f14 him. It must’ve been from 487ead04d4 the very first time 205353f902 I brought him home. That summer, at dce429400f the edge of 00233d304d our teenage years, 463d2d5f19 when the heat 86184a008b was so oppressive 2a639d4159 that cicadas fell 98c17aa7b6 from trees like b39158ec55 leaves.fbb25285789e4393

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

* * *77bd39e32c45e0ae

Kim Doyeol was 7c5df1aaad sitting on one 9b56cfc730 side of the 811f6ba5ef playground slide’s stairs. His cap was pulled low f643183178 enough to touch the bridge 0f43c6fa63 of his nose, and his 00972eecfb head was buried in his 3399fb8c4e knees. When he lifted his head, 7d000059a1 his face was a mess. As soon as e9110bfa68 Park Ihyun saw ad023eff8a him and heard b897e98361 his voice, he e71978bae5 hadn’t even been fb6c597504 able to hang a8098cec02 up the phone—he 2502092116 just ran. Now, his face twisted.9f9f3ed4e1b2ae97

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Kim Doyeol had a nosebleed. His face clearly showed signs ecfb09003d of having been hit. A surge of fear struck d7c8035e73 him, even though he didn’t 4d5181213a know the full story.d012157d3206e8ef

“…Kim Doyeol.”d93c4ff998f4773f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

When he called his name, 4b2e1cafb3 Doyeol gave a crooked smile. He wiped the blood from 4678b477a6 his nose casually with the bbf4ce7cd4 back of his hand and 92d4e600a7 stood up from the stairs 8fd84e3ad4 where he’d been crouching. Blood had smeared along 5fbc299d8a his teeth below that d2cac0302d smiling mouth. You came? That’s all he said. Just that you came. It was a trivial greeting.378f585eda085a48

Kim Doyeol had called d8d4c60d4f him earlier. It was close to dinner 4c69df18af time. Park Ihyun had been d3a34eaf6c sitting alone at home 70e44767a9 working through calculus problems. He had put down 5253670c14 his mechanical pencil to 2673bcc835 answer. After a long 32fdb5b9c1 silence, Doyeol swallowed 9a88b7d64b and said in f57c132623 a weak voice, 95b0b64547 “Ihyun-ah.” That was 1b2c3d88a5 all.484f3b87370677a3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He hadn’t babbled about random 7955720fee things like usual. His normally clear enunciation had 8febcd9133 turned mushy. It felt so ominously off b5e1c02b69 that Ihyun had immediately asked 879ecbf70f where he was.76627d5d9c00035d

I’ll come quickly. I’m coming now. That’s how he ended up 70bacf5a33 here—only to find Doyeol waiting d4e05d3957 like this.d99006eb86fce718

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let me stay just one night. I mouthed off to my 9613d81581 mom, got beaten badly by b9b440418e my dad, and got kicked ab580ffd16 out.”da8adcc19c50df58

Kim Doyeol said it like bba9c3741e it was nothing. His lips were 82a72b0d38 swollen and bleeding 777aeda60a from the beating, bccb4035c0 but he looked 8b97ff0564 nonchalant. The way he kept smiling 2a0d5c003c made it feel like he 1ffa94bd1f was saying, “I bombed my 41c3bc82be test and got kicked out. Let’s just go 35165e0c4c to a PC 76bb11a742 bang.” Park Ihyun ab58975886 was stunned. He pressed his lips tightly 06a28573ea together. Doyeol seemed disturbingly 15e3940970 used to this dd89ec0755 kind of violence.4caa18f3ed18058e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What, your house isn’t an option?”2ed789562f2cb558

I don’t have anywhere else a57621e351 to go. He looked disappointed. Instead of answering, 3bb1ed88da Park Ihyun took 3b872c158d out a handkerchief 0adb3b2e96 and handed it ba3c1a9861 over. Clean up. The hand reaching c1a46c5479 toward the handkerchief 0ef767acc4 had broken nails 9450a209ff and was mottled 4268048c93 with deep, dark e00e97d500 bruises.fb2766283a0c150e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Park Ihyun blinked. The evidence of violence fddd3f81bc was so vivid it 282c131626 made his head spin. He took the handkerchief and a58021d7cf pressed it against Doyeol’s still-bleeding e567d93820 nose. As he inhaled 5480659e5b deeply, Doyeol’s eyes b6cf0520cc locked sharply onto b1eb46af78 Ihyun’s. Yes or no.b0eed7b0d10b9129

“Doyeol.”7015725f066e4e50

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Saying his name made Ihyun’s 448563057d throat tighten.711818d5d70da3e7

“Yeah.”4cff07c55786afc2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s go to my place.”0959f8c3896d8a2c

Doyeol smiled. His steps as he came c2cc1afd9f down the stairs were slow, 6262d809c7 dragging, and limping. It seemed like a35f010d01 the merciless beating 6873210324 had stuck to 9432ab9e4b every inch of 2af95baa52 his body.fbc250e97fc3c914

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Man, you’re all I’ve got, Ihyun-ah.”2d900e95c66a5afb

He said it a9576c12c8 in the same 5b90c23fdc light tone as 050aae64b6 always. Ihyun moved his lips slightly.3108b0d53b7a8eb9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Doyeol, if something like this ever happens again, just come to my place.”c116130703b8cb25

Still pressing the e8acb010b0 handkerchief to his f05b5e7abb nose and happy 2a62e29131 to have found 426d5ce4c8 somewhere to sleep, a4b6253418 Kim Doyeol furrowed 174e9129b6 his brows. Ihyun clenched and unclenched his fd4755a3f0 fist, lowering his gaze to f5fc7f3770 the ground. He hadn’t gotten his ebab51bb18 father’s permission, but he c08030008e was sure he’d understand. Honestly, his father was e657bbd509 so busy he rarely ccc4552e21 came home anyway—would he 8d1c1fd645 even notice if Doyeol 7322ad4ef8 was staying?caa68f3837a59ac1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Even if you’re getting scolded, run away. Even if they’re just yelling, come anyway…”209c0e9c0834b8d3

“What are you…”ccbf42c446f949c5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Just… just come, okay…”f1f96d6439839755

Ihyun rubbed his face with 8613761358 his palm. No tears came, but 88681a6fc6 his insides felt tight 891df3a6bf and brimming, like he 11fca9ddc2 might cry. Doyeol, it’s okay d67f5b19e4 for you to 2d10842c38 be like this.fc7d78c0ac7de751

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Kim Doyeol stared at him 4e525583d4 for a long time without 5a0ed9c476 responding. His mouth tightly closed, a5989bbd4d he ran his tongue 36daa9c046 over the back of d67683cbe6 his canine tooth before 26581582f2 finally asking in a 27154cfe02 dull tone:4222385b8ea665da

“Do you pity me?”d633e1ec4f7a663f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Park Ihyun blinked, once, twice. This wasn’t pity. It wasn’t pity. Ihyun took a 024711b609 slow breath in.aa845a48f0d2fe28

“It’s not that… I like you. We’re friends, right? So…”01837835f1897f01

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Doyeol looked at him with f69d3edba3 wide, confused eyes. He thought they were friends. Were they not? Ihyun felt a jolt 62dd3a9a5d of doubt and glanced 5aded8d505 at Doyeol nervously. They’d met in the 9352bc2faf film club during their 9a18376913 first semester of freshman 72083e9ffc year. They texted often, talked 4e87016dac late at night. Doyeol had been the 0f2e4f4864 one who first acted 2391e3ce5d like a friend. Then wasn’t he 50decf554a the kind of 3beed6fbe5 friend you could 9da4fc3969 bring home?e36b197a4b9b3828

Ihyun’s circle of 8a11628639 friends was small. Since before starting elementary school, ac3c65cb28 he’d moved around with his 8ea7822fec father and always felt out 50aeed2a69 of place among his peers.c621d830613f36df

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He wasn’t outgoing and, 649be80977 unlike the boys who 2580616c73 were popular among other 814b92d934 boys, he wasn’t athletic 8a901a2f84 either. Movies had been 12143d636f his only friend. Ihyun, who barely spoke 50c110bc79 and only really knew c6d9bb976d how to talk about 5ecdb881a0 films, didn’t make friends 54d97a63c0 easily.46e326a65c76b4aa

He and Doyeol 68c33e123c were an odd 0310277041 match, bonded by 19c1e69348 their shared interest 9769716d12 in movies. Aside from that, they be3ae0641f had little in common. Doyeol was good-looking and 17bdcf4084 had tons of friends. When they played soccer at 1a0e3a65e2 school, he wasn’t just the 03c3a02caf first one picked—he was the 4c1c3c19e5 team captain who chose the 9c226ffd55 players with a sweep of 1f0cf8c699 his eyes.ae96a287bae4f64b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ihyun wasn’t like that. He stood awkwardly bc03e5384c hunched at the 15b644ad66 back, heart pounding, 10e75fc5c9 wondering if he’d 60fc2dc235 be the very ecf7d65b5e last one chosen. And often, he was.3936da03bedf6564

They were polar opposites. But Ihyun liked him. It was admiration 611b19c456 and longing for c5aee31a7b someone exceptional. Or maybe he 1620b0226f wanted to be 99203f58f0 someone like Kim 54dae6b985 Doyeol. Ihyun frequently, almost absentmindedly, found 3b4342a7c3 himself admiring him.8d17415d0a0fecac

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Was I wrong? Did I foolishly think we a0f2241c7d were friends? Ihyun’s lips trembled. Then Doyeol burst out 84696fc39e laughing and muttered, That’s 11d37e1cc0 all it takes? Just being friends?21579f49fd64eaaf

“Y-yeah.”98e597e87b4f4fe9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Doyeol reached out and 7070eebe26 wrapped an arm around 0ffb5bcb70 Ihyun’s shoulders. From this close, 5a095d5f13 he smelled faintly c95643516a sweet and tangy e245d7f6a6 with the sharp 0092866000 scent of blood. Ihyun realized he would 1a7e3472b2 remember this smell for 9a35ba4063 a very long time.e351018e51dffe6a

“Ihyun-ah, maybe I’ve just been making the wrong friends all this time. You’re the only one I’ve 912bd415ab got left… it’s unreal, really.”850ec5b6bf0718b5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He shook his 5ef4587be8 head and laughed, 4618f4ad41 then started to e15cc4bc58 whine.db3d70088c2a1e5d

My back hurts like hell. My ass too. He leaned all his weight d376db9cfb into Ihyun, and Ihyun staggered e5953fcd8f under him. Supporting each other, the 2d0d9c8614 two of them headed 0544fc8b16 for Ihyun’s house. Doyeol’s nosebleed still b074de39c1 hadn’t stopped—it flowed ad3672afb4 without pause. It scared Ihyun. What if it was e2db12063a a concussion? He suggested they go 097537df93 to the hospital, but b65a0c52d1 Doyeol kept shaking his cac27f23aa head, saying it wasn’t 5dd2c5eb05 that serious. I didn’t get hit 0af33a91ea on the head. Doyeol insisted he f6e3587be6 was just fine, 5f9da3bed6 over and over.3f670b86f7703b0a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Park Ihyun pulled Kim 2c6558f1c7 Doyeol’s body closer so 2ff941ba65 he could lean on f2c028c0d3 him more. His legs trembled under 15fb9c3e9b the weight, but even 4761ff3c84 so, he walked all 4079d138f5 the way home like 91db03defb that.55b87e8cb7438fa4

It was the first time 4b2c6ac6a9 he had ever brought someone c558da4014 home. As he entered the 0abdae8dad door code, Kim Doyeol 7e8ca02777 turned and asked,513af3fb98a0e3a6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Should I close my eyes?”5f45a18a0fbf56a8

Ihyun shook his head. “No.” But Doyeol had already turned around, so his eyes weren’t visible anyway.216cacabc6aa0621

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Park Ihyun wanted 7a2c75035f to be someone 184c0fa5d1 good for Kim 103d6363f1 Doyeol. So, awkwardly, he sat d16f02bc0f him on the sofa, 51415e13ec applied some bandages, and 2961af4fbd made dinner for him. Doyeol, his face swollen, c18ce94ab2 kept dozing off. Like a wild animal finally 3993752998 feeling safe in a secure 8e3274e7f6 place after never sleeping deeply, 3bbb4dd276 always alert. That’s why Ihyun, c645766d0c even though the bf81035469 sun hadn’t set defdfa0525 yet, laid him 253dbff130 down and covered 261e90da89 him with a 9a47f989bf blanket.bcde0aaf5a0dac2e

“Get some sleep.”7d24ddceca957b57

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Mm…”7d91be2a057e9a51

Kim Doyeol quickly drifted off. The whole time Ihyun 6b719d1e3d cleaned the table and 611a5a2790 did the dishes, he 6602282157 moved quietly and cautiously e9311d532f around his own house, 279b4bf0c0 barely making a sound.948f4f791e3f85dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Ugh.”c3e49766741838b6

For some reason, e84ff3f620 Doyeol kept groaning 1b832b0385 in his sleep. Eventually, Ihyun approached him with ab20729eb2 hushed steps. He hadn’t noticed earlier, 65d74d21ca but Doyeol’s arm was aeb458ebb7 strangely swollen. Cautiously, he called out 5f19016b01 his name. Doyeol-ah. Too afraid to touch 65631541fb his shoulder, which connected 49333f5367 to the arm, he 43d38a6868 gently cupped his cheek. Slowly, Doyeol lifted his eyelids.e515f37da19d5617

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In those clear black b725b9348b eyes, Ihyun’s reflection trembled. Unconsciously, Ihyun swallowed. Oddly, Doyeol looked fragile.c177d176854a4db4

“…Doyeol, you keep groaning in your sleep. Are you in pain somewhere?”82d73da75fa9383c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A sick boy. His voice was so 59c9de1664 cautious and soft it 77181734a7 surprised even himself. When he stroked his cheek bfb0c40081 with the back of his a13835164b hand, Doyeol blinked sleepily. His cheek and forehead f713669e99 were drenched in sweat. He might even have a c9d69f8e33 fever. Ihyun pressed his forearm d8515960ef to Doyeol’s forehead. It did feel a bit c0dc9bd175 warm.c2e9ccc92c215b73

“…Let’s sit you up for a second. You’re sweating cold.”9a3097d52a37c8b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Supporting him under the waist, 986b34026d Ihyun lifted his limp, heavy a33ee41a21 body. Doyeol’s body was 976df19c32 hot and large. “Ugh,” he groaned softly, rubbing his cheek like a young animal against Ihyun’s shoulder. Warm breath grazed the skin 15ffea774d of his neck, and Ihyun 173bb72b4a froze. In a hoarse c1ee4640b1 voice, Doyeol murmured,1933a04b9498fa2f

“…It’s itchy.”b63aa57f8f6f4151

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Ah, your back.”04dc64827c469cda

The area behind him 033ba2b921 was soaked with clammy 3a0b2ab076 sweat. “Let me take a look.” Acting as though he were a doctor or nurse, Ihyun carefully lifted Doyeol’s shirt to check his back—and fell silent. Reddish-purple bruises covered it. No pain relief patch was fc0859b088 going to fix that.83da6e3756ae7098

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is it bad?”c7cb9ca865ceea29

Doyeol asked without turning around. His bare neck and the 0cab2c37ed slope of his shoulder were 59d240c092 visible beneath his ruffled hair e9c0c686d2 and raised shirt. Ihyun gently brushed 87b0363e9c beside the bruises. Afraid it would hurt, 16deb7f298 he avoided touching them b5f405b6ad directly. “Ugh…” Doyeol flinched and tensed his back. “Does it tickle?” Ihyun asked. Doyeol lowered his head. “Yeah.”7df8113e248657ca

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t know if a patch will help…”04435def174e0675

“…Just put on anything.”c3ce488f2628fba8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His voice was still hoarse. Only then did 78b6edef54 Ihyun notice how 5476a7ccc1 red the back 30b0efec94 of his neck bb2a048932 was. Pretending not to see 62d7433fbe how shame had flushed 817fd7564e his ears and neck, 54a053cf80 he quietly applied the 37fc34cced patch. The strong medicinal smell ffa0ff407a stung his eyes and e04f07947f nose. As he checked for ff1247ee16 other areas needing treatment, 7681bc336f he noticed how red f9dd4d1f91 and swollen Doyeol’s forearm 9da8beab83 was. Something was definitely wrong.61569c8f1d93f5d4

“Doyeol.”a6a389460d75f334

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Yeah.”8ca47fb8e28d8f7c

“This isn’t good. Get up, get dressed—we’re 81aac844e6 going to the hospital.”5b7e72ec3d4a4576

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as Ihyun cdb6e233fc had guessed, there bd2d15c337 was indeed a 5046fd936f problem with Doyeol’s f0be7ea445 arm. A fracture running across the 57e250a24f bone.8dcda4291236ec44

Even in the b4dac618f8 waiting room of 4a22f7919d the clinic, nearly 5df547fd1d closing for the eb7deb13d1 day, people were c205022a46 shocked when they 1eaf1e2922 saw Doyeol’s face. Maybe it was the 81906eb491 visible injuries that the 1ac8b894f7 loosely applied bandages couldn’t afd5dcb40f hide, or maybe it 79b1715ec3 was the bloodstained clothes.8b1b718cceafe12f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The doctor wasn’t much different. He didn’t seem to 8557d2d728 believe Doyeol’s claim that 9d991fe7a5 he’d gotten into a cc3a41aca9 fight with a friend. When he saw Doyeol undressed, b2c1ed89d6 he went silent for a dcb8618953 moment before saying he would cbeb86fb08 write a medical report.74185af6a49b6a34

“I don’t need it.”52e74d6c9b2a4645

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No! No, please write it. Just in case.”be83557b8a3735d3

Doyeol shook his head, 95e61ef3ec but Ihyun quickly interrupted. The doctor glanced between 33138316db the two of them, 5c165c1b3a then relayed some instructions e3dbf8712f to Ihyun and added, f2138ad848 “Even if you don’t 0645e95ba1 use it now, it 9d3d8301ff might be useful later. Listen to your friend.”3ad589cb8eada3bb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

While the doctor explained eb63c1f5c8 everything to Ihyun, Doyeol 36d668a7e2 sat there quietly, smiling 8cf7420d5e vaguely. Ihyun gripped his wrist 4eac9852d7 tightly, afraid he might 3edb5cdd69 slip out and disappear 8f780b5599 at any moment.588a612e0462fe76

Even after getting the cast, 5064461843 Doyeol didn’t seem particularly concerned. Ihyun sat him 3b8bf32a59 down on a a1c205df77 long scarlet bench dd21a618a3 and gathered the d7ea2734cb diagnosis and prescription. “Stay here.” When he gave the instruction, Doyeol replied sweetly, “Okay\~.” Ihyun handed the prescription to the pharmacist and collected the medicine.a1ddbe8e5221d056

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Apply this twice a day. And this one, take e0b6ae12ad it 30 minutes after cf0f7d1825 meals.”7c484886ab2a0c98

“Okay. Ah—do you have anything for 802265cc07 bruising?”e3fa42242bca9e8c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ointment or cream?”a665cd44504e6580

“What’s the difference?”f6dd83f5e5cf591d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The pharmacist recommended ointment. The bag of ointments Ihyun 6721d3e86d selected steadily grew.e3e00ab22b4b33be

“Let’s go.” Seated on the waiting bench, Kim Doyeol obediently stood up.989d5c8089e7c465

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Here, take this. Open up—ah.”aeef4f5ec54771d8

Kim Doyeol opened his mouth b8e49d5f5d without knowing why, like a 9d41583f05 baby bird desperate to eat 39ceb335cf whatever its mother dropped in. Park Ihyun placed one of 07d7cc559a the sugar-free candies the pharmacist c581e701af had included in the bag a352fa10ed into Doyeol’s mouth. As he rolled c1ed8b70cb the donut-shaped candy 8b54d96d65 around with his 9c14d5ae2c tongue, Doyeol gave 9b135fd5cc a look of 77f149415d disbelief.c3203181d5cfa208

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Ihyun-ah, how old am I again?”b158f58022765ed3

“That’s just how it is when you’re sick.”12393ca70b4b1c1a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, right…”e50afd6b1559819b

Doyeol’s smile was crooked. Ihyun could hear 46c49329c3 the crunch as 766a5b3b2d Doyeol bit down 266591a796 hard on the e131bede73 candy just above 422bbb5d7d his head. Feeling around for the vibrating 5496ad190e phone somewhere in his pocket, e97c434b36 Ihyun struggled to find it. Doyeol, watching him 68b841416e fumble, reached straight 669d8210d9 into the cluttered 5079194e91 pocket and pulled 45d1a820c5 it out for 37374858c7 him.aef88909343adb9e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was his father.f0c0cebd3ebe1c39

The card Ihyun had 2e4b4512d6 used belonged to his c35c7af50c dad, given to him 8ff4005a43 to use for living 6da1e465bd expenses and allowances. His father rarely gave him 9f8d010d2d cash. “If you’ve got cash, you’ll just mess around,” he used to say. Everything Ihyun bought was always d8a07fb6cd reported back, but he was 9141a3df1a used to it now. Apparently, the usual payment notification bcafc267da had gone through again. “Just sit tight a sec.” Ihyun waved to Doyeol after checking the caller.210a85a1ba62d4e2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What, are you ditching me again?”8645c204563682c5

“I won’t, just wait a minute. It’s my dad.”2789a51193a48c1a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Then hurry back,” Doyeol said, settling again on the scarlet bench with the bag of medicine in his lap. Ihyun stepped just outside the pharmacy glass door and answered. His father’s tired voice came through, skipping any greeting.6570a81dac12ead8

— Did you get hurt? What did you buy 2b056998dd at the pharmacy?185e5c94547a4019

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh, no, it’s not like that…”4b1232ae2deeda07

— What did you buy? Did someone ask you 753bc50df3 for something? Did someone say they 85f0638cc2 needed medicine? Did your mom contact you?b51d131dab9d1a01

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Mom? It was a word 7e82f2e12a he hadn’t heard in cdf723549f far too long. What was all this about? His father pressed again, impatient. “Was it cold medicine or something?” Ihyun blinked. “No, my friend got hurt, so I brought him to the hospital. I’m sorry…” His father 4a6d70796f went silent.214645125c599fd6

— Is that true?ad221c1679fcd5f6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Huh? Yes. Want to talk to him? I’m sorry for using the 0ccee0feea card without asking.”6285603800590085

His father sighed. “That’s not the issue. Are you sure your mother 094b43e91b didn’t contact you?” Sometimes, his aaa6eef2a5 father behaved strangely. Divorced couples who e74402c2ab split on bad 4779c4eed1 terms could be 9c86f895ac like that. He was especially cebf518c31 sensitive about anything b051605fd4 regarding Ihyun’s mom. It bordered on paranoia. When Ihyun was younger and bda0d990e8 once casually brought up his cea00308c0 mom while watching other kids be91e76da4 with theirs, his father even 1170ddd45a checked the call logs on fdd030711f his phone.c3f07979a3aba949

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But his mom had never b3caa1ac53 once called.29416c467255a5f7

The last time she’d 36cf7b338e contacted Ihyun was ages b5c7f2508b ago. She didn’t get custody after 464c64f41c the divorce. He didn’t know why. The last thing she’d 4601f0b051 ever sent him was 85f8bcb525 a Christmas card that 1306e2422e read, “Merry Christmas, I 12e8220eea love you, my Ihyun.” ec4f8c59f3 There was no return bdf062225e address. His father had left it ad69a9f0c9 by his bedside. That was the end. He had been so young d68c28204c then that it didn’t even 1071f83f89 feel sad anymore.abdc90f1d451699c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“She didn’t. Why?”74d3ecee7c4a9a30

— Never mind. You’re not hurt, right?a80b01693a68d179

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No…”909393f1e8cfdb7c

— Okay. Hanging up now.cbeb320b44dbb5af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ihyun thought of fb0b4439d0 Doyeol back at ae2550c932 the house. “Dad!” he called out quickly.42a4bc21f6e2f7de

— What?eb942b6dd92f833f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh, can my friend stay over tonight?”2f897afb415a321b

— …Do what you want. Just don’t make a mess.a46a93d89c1b50c8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Got it! Thanks!”01cf34e4a72e67b2

— Yeah.0bf2f7465f7e15e2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A weight lifted from his c4e3e9a9a3 chest. The call ended simply, like 2ef162e509 always. Ihyun poked his head 873cc8d630 through the pharmacy’s glass 36eac84079 door. “Let’s go, Doyeol.” Doyeol, who had been browsing the wall lined with health supplements, turned his head and smiled. His eyes puffed 4ffc36b45e adorably, blooming like 8a3ae7650b pear blossoms.87474432557893cf

Whenever Kim Doyeol 9954dbafe6 smiled like that, ac63c86331 as if nothing fa72516b40 had happened, something e8e42b5ef1 inside Ihyun would 4ac3e3d1ea suddenly turn soft b3f473488c and swell with 26722d648a emotion. Even if he didn’t 6415074b32 fully understand it. Ihyun cleared his 80dc602c81 throat unnecessarily and 6add420d63 walked ahead.0b1672e1bc84d877

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Look at this.”8420e61ef2427c1b

Doyeol stuck out his tongue. The half-melted sugar-free 9cdd321bd0 candy dangled from 4704f3f5bf the tip like c87e665b67 a ring.fcdeb409f1cbd27f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Are you a kid?”a4dcf97ff2105e46

And that’s when the solemn ba3f962e46 sense of responsibility hit him: 3fee5d30cd someone’s got to look after 3e7c67b1c3 this guy. That’s how it started. Gently holding Doyeol’s 27e38d1a52 bruised arm, Ihyun 179748d299 led him home.76a4711eae8ac090

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

That heavy sense of responsibility 81949bad43 might have been a premonition f5318de059 of what was to come. Doyeol needed help 337e37a008 with everything—from undressing, 82067f9589 dressing, to washing 3e5056cf6a his hair. And he shamelessly enjoyed every 83d8c47488 bit of it. Before he knew it, Ihyun 191e9f6554 was washing the hair of ed34335583 a boy his own age, f87b920e59 who was larger than him.ec1dc1fea361f798

“My neck hurts. Sir, your service here is 23881a5544 awful.”0c6f35179a0b3e49

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Doyeol had dragged a kitchen 7cfd169450 chair into the bathroom and a10c4090c3 was sitting on it with a22fc72e4d his head tilted back and 05a2bb90b5 eyes closed, looking pleased. When Ihyun scrubbed his scalp e8e4155a58 a bit too hard, Doyeol acbdf4cd0f laughed and let out a 248fff9fd8 mock scream. “Ow! No good! Gonna leave a half-star ae317b1e85 review!” Ihyun nearly sprayed 7ebd4c2f55 water in his face 04dc5891b9 with the shower head a9102d4af5 but stopped when he 26c735073b saw the bandages stuck e7e17c0cc9 to his skin. Instead, he gently wiped c1a01335b2 his forehead and eyes 89fa8607f2 with a towel.e7e41d9460d156f8

It felt strange. Doyeol was kind of annoying, d48de0d86a but he kept making him 225b11970e smile. When he accepted Doyeol’s childish 76e60ccc43 whining and playfulness like an 2558204cc9 adult, Ihyun felt like he bf70a4a2fd really had become one. The sense of fbfd91f2b4 fulfillment that filled fb1f4dabbc his chest was feee675c56 unfamiliar. Maybe this was how it 12e207785b always felt to take care 320364ddc4 of someone for the first affb37975d time. He didn’t know. He looked down cb38356692 at Doyeol’s closed cc3da4fb67 eyes. He looked obedient, innocent.7ebf046da8f58a56

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Kim Doyeol, who couldn’t seem f6a1255b20 to do anything without him… c576e477d6 Ihyun stared at his wet 12b087ec72 eyelashes for a long time. When Doyeol suddenly 6809c5af29 opened his eyes, 83a8fb2783 he quickly dabbed ad002bd746 at them with 465c82ce9b a towel.0adc420ea2e7ec35

“My eyes are flashing. You pressed too hard, Mr. Ihyun.”e242f4ec919704ef

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You’re imagining things.”3e8d6d56935ecb59

“Ugh, so mean… I’m the patient, you know.”04086ebaaa1f7c63

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Wrapping the towel around e0dec35141 Doyeol’s head, Ihyun supported fbe711b03b his neck. “Go lie down in the living room.” Doyeol obediently walked out. Ihyun wiped his 527a448e90 own forehead with c19c464b57 the back of 6cb02656d6 his hand and 82b4481c3d glanced at himself 32d524a10f in the mirror. His face was 2a0d6fc44f a little flushed.ddcdeaba2b591b1e

It must be the yellow 65c8805905 bathroom light. He hurriedly swallowed down a09bae3b33 the secret joy rising c2e625e1d4 in his throat and 9a377c68a0 tried to forget it 2207decfda by splashing his face fcfd9a74dd at the sink.a0eef53fbbaa7d56

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You sleep in the bed.”5ee20933c96113b3

“You’re the one with the cast, not me.”597a94aa98420172

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As soon as 17f1fbba88 Ihyun brought the 7a41745b39 pills and a f5da84cee0 glass of water, 2fabc497a8 Doyeol said that 74b985e0ea from where he 7686608de0 was sitting on 0e29a37d39 the bed. “Take your medicine and sleep early tonight.” Ihyun opened the packet and handed it to him.d9efa7b115a73aa2

“Ah.”2b22d3e6faf9e87f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Doyeol opened his mouth wide ac450573f9 and stared at him shamelessly. Sighing through his nose, e28dd907c1 Ihyun stood between Doyeol’s 57e95d4b88 knees, placed the pills 4c37433b08 in his mouth, and f0025276cb gently cupped his jaw. Doyeol’s lips trembled. Ihyun brought the 42206945e5 cup to his 26b9416ae5 mouth and tilted 5b0c1e6c8b it, then softly aa541ca62e wiped the damp e0d4a75855 chin afterward. “Don’t spill.”0675a0754e16e095

“Swallow.”93b63249ed5777d9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Doyeol lowered his eyes. His lashes cast shadows under 9f6adb5276 them, and his Adam’s apple a2d1fb04ef bobbed. Once the white and 00d27a9d7e yellow pills were completely fb17e14b64 gone, Ihyun stepped back. Like a well-behaved 59e6655e8d child, Doyeol lay 627a73036d down in Ihyun’s 199b2c56ec bed and pulled 0829d81b9d the blanket over c40afa7638 himself.45d1f3bdd0c3887e

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d come for me.”e022f012694262e7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Holding the half-full water 3e995da405 glass, Ihyun chose his 71989b767e words carefully. “I didn’t either. But… I wanted to. Really.” He murmured.39773ce89d2e80d7

Doyeol yawned and smiled.3fc0bb8c4ffb5a93

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Good night.”097fe3e2e640725d

“Good night.”4d2bb07b5bf98ed1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ihyun turned off b5fe9281b3 the lights and dd48c8fc43 gently shut the 6d7d033eed door. Through the crack, b076306317 he looked at 2f397b2193 Doyeol’s side profile, d5fdbe3060 eyes closed, and 17208f6f8f thought he hoped fcebee8c94 Doyeol would stay 3bdc8ce91f a long, long c3c0f11463 time. When there was someone to c1f7762465 care for, he didn’t feel 1c7ba9f274 lonely.b8f241337e453e5e

This feeling was strange. Finding fulfillment in 2563f1433a looking after a 9752b9a262 friend. Even after the a07fe62a56 door closed completely, ec3d76ce3d Ihyun stood there 0a01fb97a3 for a while. Friday night was slipping away.2ae4b5e4bd5ba80d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

* * *809de44786b11041

On Monday, the 29e654c162 two of them 0f64710910 went to school 587f6e8b8f together. Kim Doyeol borrowed one of c76c2ff91e Park Ihyun’s summer uniform shirts, a7f8928b8a the kind Ihyun didn’t usually dda5466d55 wear because they were too d0f224b628 big, and they walked side 73ec417d66 by side like brothers, teasing 67caba35a4 each other.c249b4527b24e9c5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Many people were looking for d9dfcfb541 Kim Doyeol. Park Ihyun quietly watched fc6cc4820b the boys who called 72d1c5d6a5 out to Doyeol, who d0790fbf1c had come to school 56a3f2f210 without even a backpack. When it was just 834a8d9a4b the two of them e8a3b303eb at home, it had d1ad532b06 felt like they were a612ad2340 in their own world.9df57c9dcfeea752

It felt like being thrown f9e80e1678 back to first year, when 4ddd6cc2b9 Ihyun used to hover awkwardly fed5c20f6c near Doyeol’s classroom, hoping he’d c741db6991 acknowledge him. Back then, when Ihyun 8d1a142bd2 had no friends and 95210d78ca loitered during breaks, Doyeol 137132cd48 had once whispered, “Those d0b156f3e3 bastards talk way too 2d2ee16c1d much. Just call me.”bf4d1d8005c3be63

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Standing a little 6854eddb9e behind, Ihyun hesitantly 7a818db38c called out to e8c05db76e him.47baea4de94b4390

“Uh, Doyeol.”182adf86f55b4f99

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yeah?”241cbf5f88100132

Doyeol turned with a c2ffd47e4e smile, holding up his 296720f515 cast. Draped over his shoulder 5e97e73ba3 was the arm of 29ffdbc35f a boy Ihyun didn’t 8fdfadf46d recognize. The loud group b6212075b0 of boys all 04c5caa591 turned their eyes 6c979758bd to Ihyun at 18b4cde112 once. Feeling a bit b43b92ec6c small, Ihyun lowered 11f3feea93 his gaze awkwardly.42441dcb87527302

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Uh, never mind. I’ll see you later.”5c528078f3750c6e

“Okay.”26a2e2b68ba4c487

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Doyeol didn’t try to d7e56d3ea4 stop him. He even looked slightly annoyed. Should I just go back bfd5ae2174 home? Ihyun thought.0239cfafe3b31049

“Who’s that, anyway? Didn’t know Doyeol faac5a4edc had a little 82337f66dc brother. Doesn’t look like him.”e0453c1708b632c9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Seungjun, try stepping outside your classroom once in a while. Isn’t he in our grade?”41affc02793d32f0

“Goddamn, how the hell am I supposed to know every student in this school?!”0634813ea8698da2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As Ihyun walked d70add4f50 away, he glanced 472add94c7 back at Doyeol’s 3da0e1b678 back. None of the boys 9d05f34de5 in that group would 1c35d7536c ever know that the 6856212111 slightly too-small school shirt d469df048d Doyeol wore belonged to f743d6141c Ihyun, or that under b27f6faa98 the shoulder where the d8c8186219 boy’s arm rested, the 146192e2da bruises still lingered. A faint sense 685c0804e4 of victory welled e34a9b3f74 up in him—followed 0a3b81f2be immediately by a fc2f3500a7 terrible bitterness. Ihyun trudged back to class.debd36ca9d6ef979

Before lunch, the earth 98ef30be18 science class was unusually 38e6876ea0 chaotic.8a1c8595b52f9159

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The smell of 25fbc0505d the cafeteria food a75dab19dc drifting down the 597edf89c1 hallway sent the 6f4cdee0b7 class into a 147aecbe7e frenzy, and Ihyun 5384e50970 stared indifferently at 03022f67f4 the noisy room.9768b2cd91cc07ef

“You think pork bulgogi is going to save your GPA? None of you are focusing. Class 7, you’re way behind. What are you 12ee46de48 gonna do during 37536965a6 midterms, huh?”373fd9d44c535075

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“But it’s pork bulgogi.”949fef79bfd19bfc

Laughter erupted. In an all-boys school, boys 9c6a760280 are either humans or beasts. But when lunchtime approached, a6c757f11c even those who could b7f83b744b pretend to be human fa6b49ea9c quickly reverted to beasts. The teacher covered two more c0f905e94a pages, then gave up and e83c39e4ad ended class two minutes early. Seeing the students already ef026bc325 standing by the door 2b0ff2a55e with slippers in hand, 5960e3f778 he gave a dry 17adfbdeb7 laugh.7876ab271d3fd727

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When the bell rang, d3d38b96eb the boys burst out 3d30fab11e of the classroom like 08e83fc6fb a stampede, but Ihyun 508f9d321d didn’t join them. Instead, he slowly gathered 224d9ac2dd the printed materials and 7fa8bbd4f8 stuffed his textbook into fa1dddf759 the desk drawer. It’d just be crowded anyway. As always, he planned 62c0dbaccf to go when the 1b99045261 rush died down.5a6db09b246fc49b

That was when it happened.52cee91cc58d2b1c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ihyun, aren’t you gonna eat?”cb77431fde248d20

Ihyun looked up awkwardly, holding 06055f387d a movie magazine he had 767f33c706 just taken from his desk. Doyeol was leaning against 313d0473f6 the open back door. When their eyes 1a3a53025e met, Doyeol mimed 0db79255ec eating with chopsticks. Let’s eat.cedb70e48d093ace

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Huh?”562f0b3a6628afb5

“I couldn’t find our little Ihyun in the cafeteria, so big brother came to look for him.”394928fa40220e46

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As he walked over, Doyeol’s 10c5cf9dd2 cast was covered in doodles. Ihyun stared at the scribbled 5c6dba8f46 messages in highlighter and pen, eac0fcaa77 until Doyeol grabbed his forearm 94909aaf29 and pulled him up, slinging ed956dffaf an arm around his shoulders.ffd90f0b30f30d3c

“You always come looking for me during breaks. Why not at lunch?”82215d21bb0909b7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You saw that?”94ba579e59b1d840

He often hovered 86323ec333 around Doyeol’s class 352e164549 during breaks, only ea7f747373 to walk away 59c3bb1e02 because he was 2309e7e293 always surrounded by fed9f8049f others. Doyeol asked again.785acf72b2915680

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Was it ’cause they were too loud?”d8bf58dd94be6a67

“They’re just people I don’t really know\… and they were talking.”fa7dceeb37bd7832

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Then next time just ask to borrow me. If you want me out, just say it. It’s never anything important anyway, just bullshit… Anyway, did you miss me?”effcdbb8ff28fd66

Even on the way b6abee4eb9 down to the cafeteria, 47da62f771 Doyeol didn’t let go ac1b561319 of his arm. His crooked name f8ccd7f815 tag tickled Ihyun’s ec6df6216a chest now and ff67ab98dd then, and Doyeol’s 23bcde5bd5 uninjured forearm brushed 44863e4aa3 across him as f18f3b983b they walked. Ihyun gently held his hand.0bf3457db6b85a4b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But… why do you keep calling yourself ‘big brother’?”8babc0627981dfc7

“You act like a little brother who follows me around all the time.”fda4baa845443961

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Me? I don’t.”5cfba8cee1b322c4

He was at a 9d66839f42 loss for words. Did it show that 696bd70521 he didn’t have friends? Embarrassed, Ihyun bowed 66004e7bd6 his head and fd33fadebe rubbed Doyeol’s well-groomed b12d4b4de2 fingernails, then let 0595b9cf54 go. “Aw, why are you sulking again?” Doyeol said with a teasing smile. They stood at a2a0c55758 the end of f0caf975aa the cafeteria line.989ca2f339b6a0b9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Aren’t I your hyung?”c5c9f1d82ef835ed

Doyeol looked at 8ba2820926 him with round d452570e79 eyes and laughed 550168215a before asking, “What f6e7b2512e was that, Ihyun?”5f467884cf87e55b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I washed your hair.”ae59a3b9cea6532d

At that, Doyeol burst out 3b96514051 laughing. Come to think of it, 672cdebea6 Ihyun had cooked for him, 5621fac521 nursed him, and even handled 288f569742 the hospital paperwork.95ae98070b31e649

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ihyun grabbed a tray, sulking. What’s so funny? The back of Doyeol’s hand e3308caf4e brushed against his cheek lightly, d878f7610b then tapped his shoulder. “Look at this guy, trying to mount me,” Doyeol said with a laugh.db45f808de1a6a6e

“Yes, hyung. Poor little Doyeol ran f479e18607 all the way up bc7c060aa6 here in the middle 61c9f9e188 of his meal ‘cause cda4929281 he was starving. Please go get your food.”34acb6171e665239

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Don’t.”98e7c1989e67440f

“Looked all over the cafeteria, but I only saw losers, so I knew right away you weren’t there, hyung.”e06a6114abdad36e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I said stop…”95f3a0c1b810211e

“Little Doyeol, who still needs his big brother, was so scared when—”578e7273d383878b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That was the first ff4443b4b0 time Park Ihyun smacked 1fbf6db91f Kim Doyeol.c2c6350c63ee9ade

Doyeol’s tray really was e5362fe460 only half-eaten. The long table was e4a064b137 full of trays already bb192464ad emptied by his group. Picking up a white and 51cfb50feb yellow milk carton from his dfe723ed3f tray, Doyeol read the label 4f34b5bc93 out loud.a7ee627925fe8a88

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“‘Bananas are tasty.’ Who the fuck stole mine?”8dcb324b5d742410

“You already drank it, you lunatic.”182499de955e6f7b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Doyeol and another c1f8d6c9e7 boy exchanged light d25e9fdf3a punches. “He doesn’t even know if he drank it or not,” they said. Ihyun quietly sat a08db06bb0 at the end 9219287ec3 of the table cd18b7eeb6 and started chewing febfcba6f4 his pork bulgogi.125e0504825ef721

“By the way, who’s this?”72dabdd0a6b7869c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ihyun.”2f1d452fe41bcc1d

“Hey, Ihyun. Nice to meet you.”9bf747bf1cef92a0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…I’m Park Ihyun.”15810ce269126699

“Christ, Doyeol, don’t you know anything about your own friends?” one of the boys scoffed.63abcafaf9b054ef

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’m Kim Seojun,” the boy added.63e2a05864fe56db

“Oh…”f9bcffa7ab1758bb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“When this guy suddenly threw down his spoon and ran off, I thought he’d lost it. If you’re gonna 0a29821073 go get a 80074e24e1 friend, at least 4e103bff37 tell us, you b6bf3cec73 psycho.”4f14ecbabb16aecd

“Don’t just sit there like a lump when you’re done eating.”b54e1ea13694f331

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

While they exchanged 059e867c23 messy introductions, a 70693ad738 boy with a aba840670c shaved head stood 33bf5db532 up suddenly. He had a grumpy face. He’d been glaring at Ihyun 2694435b2b ever since he first sat 80fabe22ee down. Most of the 951e26dedf group had finished e46a6cc8c1 eating by then, 50be914d2c so Ihyun stayed e6c2a5c917 quiet. Doyeol grinned and pointed ff9086743a him out with his cde862a84c finger.bc9faee376196d37

“That one’s Oh Yoonseok. Don’t get too close 3b97f33076 to him.”0f17d3ab91e360d3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why not?”1f528b9926f2edcf

“He’s got a shitty temper. He’s insufferable.”44cfe25028a55ee4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You fuck… What are you, a kindergartener? What is this, some official meet-and-greet?”ff9bd7432fd57a08

The jab flew toward Ihyun. Doyeol tilted his head nonchalantly.055d03bd0fc82ba4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yoonseok, important people always get introduced. Hyung’s gonna eat now, alright?”19dfa2af564ace75

“Then just leave already.” Yoonseok waved dismissively like he was shooing a fly. His face twisted in annoyance. Muttering curses, he walked d5c0290c1d away from the table. Doyeol picked at 783465813e his bean sprouts e669ac7137 with awkward chopsticks, 93e281610a not seeming to dff32f2674 care at all.e3cd31a0ff4249c4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“How long is it gonna take Doyeol to finish his lunch?”8d9a2037556a4534

“I told you, you can leave. I’ll eat here with Ihyun.”fe8c361d367bc5ae

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Kim Seojun looked dissatisfied ae7a74b233 but didn’t leave. A couple of boys 8f7eed7f6f stood up, but six 9248bfd677 still remained at the 75676ec350 table, including Doyeol and c1405e47d9 Ihyun.e645c18c05a395fe

“How do you even wash your hair?”de9d4772afa9ca4e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh, I don’t.”3afb6d6b58dbddc7

“You filthy bastard… Stay away from me.”e393905b6f73e9a7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The conversation veered into unfamiliar 5de7ce1d14 territory. Ihyun felt like a ec7ecb1c98 total outsider. Soccer, trendy games, 6c8ad9e5cb basketball, stories about eef2235a47 getting rejected by 6d84c68ddc girls, cram school 25d5010910 gossip, classmates breaking 5c0e70b32e up and getting a932298c7c back together—none of 958a012e9e it meant anything 6308075f5a to him.ce9875e506c90f1e

“So, Park Ihyun. What club are you in?”7b1b12d6090cf79e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Film appreciation club…”7088c4684782e210

“Oh! I was wondering where I’d 034cdd2c16 seen you. You’re in François!”cfd3e74ef1e18b2f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

 459d39adf3f9dd9c