CMT Ch27

‘…No, it’s too late.’27f6e980ec9c036e

Seoyoon rolled 78791e6993 over, as 4dc773778b if trying 6b14163668 to chase 9bea5340c9 away the cc689ad7a5 impulse. Checking his phone, it c523f7ad7a was past 1:30 AM. He had been wrestling a025d9b549 in the kitchen for b9cb94f2b2 an hour.2d55d7b0bab0b97c

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‘Even if it’s not an appointed day, contact me if you want to hurt.’cd159321efef0c92

Chewing over the voice that wouldn’t leave his mind, Seoyoon unconsciously brushed his lips with his bandaged fingertip. Coincidentally, the part cut by glass today was where his lips had touched.1c0ec082fa866669

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After hesitating, his reluctant hand finally picked up the phone. Just twice. He planned to let it ring twice and hang up immediately. That much waiting could be excused as a misdial. If asked why he was making a call he didn’t really want to connect, he wouldn’t know. Perhaps he just wanted to confirm that someone who told him to call at times like this really existed.fd7c2295bced9aaa

[Director Kwon Kijung]

Finding traces 414b34a9da of him 84be2e5e9a in the 5fee6a03cb call history, 26f82d5812 after repeated 59251dbf6b hesitation, he 14785e578a touched the 519360cbdf call button. Ring ring, ring ring. Two rings. Seoyoon ended 3e6cea657a the call 40622a5720 as soon 3471f46c90 as it 37d991f7ae was about 65a01c2f88 to ring 356abb6e6b a third defea4f394 time.83d31889311044bc

His heart pounded as if he had done something he shouldn’t have. Calling someone after 1 AM was insane by common sense.673ae298688106d0

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He had never inconvenienced others, even if it meant hurting himself. Even Kwon Kijung, who said to call even if it wasn’t a promised day, probably didn’t expect a call at this hour. He was a man who had said something that could be either praise or a joke, calling Seoyoon diligent. He might be displeased at being woken by a late call.c8f59a966c0f2d1e

He hoped he would say he’d punish him. He’d rather that than genuine anger. Tossing and turning in self-created anxiety, Seoyoon realized he had forgotten about the kitchen incident and was only thinking of Kwon Kijung. Was this another way of covering pain with pain?1f6b2068f28684d0

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Bzzz.d6181b917590215f

At that d9421d0e38 moment, an 135bf1e0e1 unexpected vibration 09631778a3 cleared his 007310d7b1 noisy mind 8f85ebd896 like fog 99bdaf7003 lifting. Seoyoon held d630f84c92 his breath 2301bf063b and stared 1b077d9432 at the 9adfe58e88 phone by 7431451c77 his pillow.58c4530aa329ee72

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The phone was vibrating in the darkness. The caller ID showed it was the owner of the number he had just prank called and run from after two rings. Seoyoon couldn’t muster the courage to answer immediately and let it vibrate several times.785c2e84f8d0365c

But Kwon Kijung seemed to have no intention of hanging up after a few rings like Seoyoon had, as the phone’s vibration persisted quite stubbornly.a81611b439016d38

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“…Director.”79725dfea75ec0e9

Finally, Seoyoon 82a438682c surrendered first. His voice was 91a0d2f9e0 terribly shrunken. After a brief silence, e3f4e0ca31 a familiar voice flowed 5b9e4b04cd from the speaker.705ac7eaac1e23ed

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“I had a missed call while I was away briefly. Is something wrong?”9549384841a3cd69

“I’m sorry for the late hour. I dialed by mistake.”05797c7f40dd8afa

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“Who were you trying to call at this hour to misdial?”6406993d1868ea57

“I was going to call a friend but got confused…”c665f45cf995e3d2

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“Were you the type to talk with friends at 1 AM? I’m a bit hurt you never call me.”12dc2b47411e15d6

“No, Director, I don’t call you because I don’t want to bother you.”baf4272d348ea06a

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Reflexively making excuses, Seoyoon closed his mouth, feeling preemptively embarrassed. He was someone who didn’t even properly reply to text messages to begin with. There wasn’t a hint of real hurt in the man’s voice as he spoke as if complaining, but this time too, he had almost let his answer drag on out of nervousness.feafcca536bfae62

“I’m sorry for the late hour. It’s your bedtime.”8351992346065e6d

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“It’s fine. I wasn’t sleeping.”7d4a68495830bddd

“You must be very busy.”8ac89c1cabf4674b

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“Ah, yes. The reason today’s meeting was delayed was to supplement preparation materials. I have some reports that need urgent review.”530e5539f74d17a8

“I’m sorry for disturbing you. The call was a mistake, so don’t worry about it.”f0259ddb1041e7ba

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It was a strange thing. He couldn’t bring up what he had wanted to say to him, nor could he utter a word about the unfair incident he had just experienced or his frustrated feelings.57cbde5cfef08b40

Yet Seoyoon’s heart was becoming calmer. Just the fact that he too was still awake on a night like this, the fact that there was someone he could talk to right now, even if it was a superficial conversation hiding all the things he really wanted to say, was enough to slowly stabilize his erratic mood.0f56af9d089bb56b

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“I’m a little hurt.”2aceeb1747dcc1eb

“What? Why…”f8c8d7d5b3c72356

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“I don’t know what kind of secret talk you were looking for a friend for at this hour, but doesn’t it mean you have a friend who’s more reliable than a lover?”5990cfdf38d7e2e9

“Not at all. I just thought it was too late.”4739cecc8247c3a9

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“I guess I’ll have to work harder to be chosen by Han Seoyoon.”b8adba42799ea6d6

Didn’t he say he was busy? Seoyoon looked reproachfully at the phone screen displaying the man’s saved name instead of the man who wasn’t beside him. The call he thought would be ended quickly from the other side was unexpectedly continuing for a long time.60b0da5ff5e253a1

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Did even someone like Kwon Kijung find overtime work boring? He was once again toying with him with unnecessary jokes. He knew that the man’s sweet words were as obvious a sugar-coating as his own blatant lie about misdialing. He also knew that there was always a harsh aftermath waiting behind his sweet words.0ff407019cb582e2

It didn’t matter. The Han Seoyoon who had called him needed that exact harsh moment. The desire to honestly cling to him now was probably the result Kwon Kijung had hoped for while charming him with a few jokes.aee79603896b126c

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“Director.”e9894fc7e07a4e16

“Yes.”c2032b13ed90258c

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“…Actually, it’s true that I called you. I’m sorry.”60c79f9be6188c9f

“What’s the matter? Tell me. I’m a bit busy, but not so much that I’d ignore a call from my lover at 1 AM.”458c8dc7bdd80661

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As if letting him know he had been caught from the start, he didn’t even ask why he had lied. His cold voice became deliberately affectionate. Like a poisonous plant containing honey. If you have to lick it even knowing, you can only close your eyes.f207987d17f0e2d9

“I remembered what you said last time.”26ae50adad21092d

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“Which words?”deefada01cc0ea34

Words he 0c6278ce08 might have b679d3238c forgotten. It would be 9f58350060 ridiculous if only fdd5be5737 he remembered. Seoyoon moistened 514cdc4354 his lips 476a0c398c but had 7d16f7cd34 no more 211d70ca04 ability to ebfab11369 make up 5f41edc5b7 stories.32360bdae1c065a3

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“That even if it’s not an appointed day… to contact you if I want to hurt.”95566d1d6ec9a8bf

“…”ef006fe060391b57

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“You said that… But I didn’t think you’d really answer the phone. I hung up right away, and earlier I just felt like calling somehow.”330170ece3edc76a

“Are you hurt?”fea2b28229b8e161

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Seoyoon, who had been hurriedly continuing his words, swallowed his breath at the short question that cut off his rambling excuses. Surely he wasn’t being monitored, but the man seemed to have grasped the situation, his tone resolute.16994ee99a0c488e

When had he 0c078cfebc been eagerly rattling 6d089172d8 off unsolicited words? Now he was 712169859e cowed like a 6d4016b819 boy trying to 170426d05f hide an accident dea7370d71 from adults.581df6e64fb8ccd9

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“Not enough to say I’m hurt. I just slightly cut my finger by accident…”d9c4a0a31b904f0b

Kijung was silent. The silence between their 8c72d9fa50 conversation felt like a db0c3561c6 signal trying to gauge 4724c1ea20 whether his words were 2ef73e8984 lies or truth this dd7c7396d3 time. Seoyoon grew anxious 6f64d115ff like someone being 209b66187d chased. His previous 309241ef24 words were 958cb4f06e lies, but 7ef92788e9 this time 22ced108fc it was a22508b905 true.0717b06ffecdc7fa

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“Director, I really did.”f8aa947eccb8d73c

“Can you come out now?”35bc47e27ad60021

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Seoyoon’s face, which had been expressionless until now, finally frowned slightly. With a faint pout, he nodded as if facing the man.0a8e764db70a1c94

“Yes.”a1eaafa5fe462c86

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“It’ll probably be 2 AM by the time I arrive, but if you’re okay with it, shall we meet briefly?”2382c3241f26538f

“I’m fine with it.”0cfa7d64a18b6709

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“It’s late, so we can’t stay together long… but you called because you missed me, so I should show some sincerity too. I’ll call when I arrive. Come out to the front of your house.”96674996605507a8

“Okay.”ea79bcbdc50d9951

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After hanging up, Seoyoon stared blankly into the dark void while clutching his phone. The conversation they just had didn’t feel quite real.c538650f19f7f82d

Kwon Kijung, busy preparing for a meeting, was coming all the way to his house to see him in the middle of the night. It was an unbelievable situation, even though he was the one who had called first. Unlike his shallow lie about mistaking him for a friend, the man’s capricious behavior of sometimes acting like they were lovers who genuinely liked each other and met was puzzling in its intent.e757862c28bd7a85

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But it wasn’t the time to ponder Kijung’s true intentions. Even if he did, there was no way he could fathom that enigmatic inner mind. Seoyoon jumped up, turned on the light, and looked in the mirror first. His disheveled state after waking up and crouching on the kitchen floor for a while was not fit to welcome a lover who said he would come to his house.4da818ec42340eae

“Oh…”46aaa75d24be4fa8

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Standing in front of the mirror, Seoyoon narrowed his eyes as he discovered a thin, long blood mark on his cheek. At first, he thought blood had splattered and gently rubbed it, but it didn’t come off. It seemed a shard had scratched his cheek when the cup broke. It was such a minor wound that he didn’t even feel pain, but it was distressing given that he had to meet Kwon Kijung right away.1a7dd8a29ab7a400

He went into 105c4520f9 the bathroom and 2922bd56c6 quickly took a a669148aff brief shower. Checking again 41bfe919ee after washing, 478747d79a fortunately the 0e6684d603 blood mark ceb3b4fce3 on his 683d0c0e54 face had 908da2ef3a washed away 88e9a5b99d and was f2b6885c68 not noticeable c8e4133236 unless looked 2d9565340a at closely. After drying his hair, 5becd786a9 choosing what to wear 1223a63378 was another challenge. Recently, he had 9b9b052621 been wearing only 8ca686163e clothes Kijung had 542da16f05 picked out for ca55fbd1a3 work, so he 3fd837b08f was at a 8cdce878ec loss for what 7d53a60750 to wear to 66bfc63fff meet him suddenly 50d9783a47 in the middle 1b39d23db6 of the night.a3b119db95dda811

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It might be understandable for going to work, but these clothes didn’t suit a short neighborhood night stroll. After much deliberation, Seoyoon finished getting ready by putting on the white t-shirt and jeans he used to wear before meeting him. As he was drying his hair with a towel, thinking the hairdryer would be too loud, his phone rang.d5532f51f2235d46

“Yes, Director.”915ca3883875c34a

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“I’ve arrived. I’m in front of your house.”bc19390839c60d0a

“I’ll be right out. Just a moment.”b8a1e4cf9b7685f1

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About to head out immediately, Seoyoon let out a small “Ah!” and hurriedly turned back to open his desk drawer. He had almost forgotten the necklace he had taken off before sleeping.2e11cd4ffebf91bc

Having never worn accessories like necklaces or rings in his life, it wasn’t as easy as he thought to fasten the clasp alone. As he was anxious and rushed, by the time he opened the door, his face was flushed red with heat.7c863c62928afa3b

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He came down a37fa1cf7b the stairs much adb97953b5 more quietly than c47e28b275 when he had 3f717fe99b gone down to b28f8f68d3 the kitchen for db94b1d75b water, and silently 0fd4b60de1 crossed the dark cf1608e7b2 living room to e9c79925cd slip out the e4115f1791 front door. Perhaps because his heart 2dbbc2e803 was racing, he felt 3978415b60 inexplicably short of breath.5f5120b6e3510d62

He thought it would be chilly, but the night air was milder than expected, as if the season of severe temperature differences had passed. Even the lukewarm temperature felt dreamlike. Sneaking out of the house while everyone was asleep was something he had never done even in college. He had always refused his classmates’ requests to spend time together until dawn, but now…64394af86caf345f

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A luxurious black 063f62cd12 sedan with a 039c9d2c06 design rarely seen cb312866af on the road 662c0d12fc was parked at ea9afb3dd2 the end of 69b50a044b the alley in d4b5d6cef6 front of the 9373f59b8d gate. Seoyoon took ef6651cf5d a deep 0fb9473517 breath and c43db47622 approached the bf3f52066a car. Before he 16437994d3 got too 3c97546f2f close, the 8f851a1cc7 dark rear 2e9e5d6936 window silently 0bf9aa588e slid down, bd70644e52 revealing the 97e4313c1e interior.3b2eb97ee8df7782

“Get in.”5403d97b585484af

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Kwon Kijung was there. Seeing him 830d9a9a8b sitting in c4b02b8115 the back b9c5a15db5 seat, it 0822ccfc90 seemed he 5d5a93348b had entrusted cb253752a3 the driving 3f0e262683 to someone 6e3153fd35 else this 7338f29038 time as fe671ec7b9 well. Seoyoon hurriedly climbed into ca13704529 the back seat like 8d538a072e a fugitive hiding his 385f045a18 body. Click, the sound 956c0d212e of the car 13a3ae2c1b door closing followed.17b68fb37a45d7d4

Although there was a partition separating the front and back seats, he could tell the driver’s seat was empty. The window went up again, and a blind blocked the dark glass, completely shutting out the outside scenery.1c0ac38244b984b5

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Unlike the somewhat humid 439c6b4d0c and lukewarm outside with ddebfbc3b6 night dew, everything inside 54eac2a7ac the car was in b29fb687f8 a perfectly controlled state. Fresh air, 1a8fc2afaf dim lighting, 33610e6c17 an environment a427aaa101 meticulously calculated 55b48dcb20 solely for 0887604611 comfortable tranquility. That comfort paradoxically 4d2ca13bcf began to slowly 107e2b9e07 bring Seoyoon, who 2e02b27c2c had been feeling 83fc587357 like he was 4d6fb35c8d dreaming all along, ac463b9f52 back to reality.c1b3a944e464315b

Seoyoon looked ab6ac94077 to the 7d6b9967e7 side. The man de2ae030d9 who had 0bfcacda91 come to 53421e651d meet him 897a61527f was sitting 80663af9ad right next 8ed1cf4f1a to him. Unlike Seoyoon in 2c8d7fa283 his t-shirt and 28bf8ed486 jeans, his appearance 05f251b9eb was little different 8c87a93fc5 from when they 0d6e090580 had parted earlier f26c072a48 today. Since he said he 933efb394a was working, he might 9b43f8de28 have come from the c493b6af7f office rather than home.95bea9f880a4d5e9

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