DS | Chapter 6

The unexpected response caf55154d9 left Yunseol speechless, f75b132684 and he let b833492500 out a sigh.ca7ca17f11174384

So, you’re talking about the kiss last Friday, right? The one you gave me.d765cfa5ce436930

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Surprisingly, it felt like a 751f007c9a distant memory. Even the sleepless 5f89f0e1b8 nights over the 068db3ee40 weekend seemed far 1d558b5447 away.0169c8b42ca2fcc4

But seriously, this was unbelievable. Getting an apology from Team 53fb05d2d3 Leader Chae—was he worried about 1d984c8eb0 being reported for workplace harassment 6040860f8e or something?cf5b9c7971b2d88e

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With a firm expression, baee2b798b Yunseol spoke.45a80f7fdf272f66

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about… but anyway, about that day.”5f325ecdb4ffcd5f

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He had no intention 6ad2657ea3 of listening to more 1000edfaa1 excuses, especially after being 10f8f3396f told it was better f88bffc151 to forget. The time spent agonizing 222918c6f4 over it felt wasted.e42f9aa789fa6250

Trying to remain calm, f52726f445 Yunseol said,e108829abaaf4c4b

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“You’ve apologized, so let’s just move on. It wasn’t a big deal. I’m fine.”7b1c1e0b0f61f27d

You’re the one who’s not fine, considering how much you dislike me. He added the last part silently.2be769096f3a4235

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Recalling the absurd situation made his face heat up again. Sure, with someone like him, there were probably plenty of people who’d fall for such advances.6fe99425e9dde180

But still. You shouldn’t do that to me. Regardless of being the same gender, a subordinate, or anything else, it made no sense to be so dismissive and then pull something like that.beab0b099e5efc82

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And above all, what really da109524a8 messed with his head was 74694c6c11 something else.5bc4985530f3a699

No matter how much he thought about it, Team Leader Chae, you weren’t drunk at all that day, were you? It wasn’t a mistake.b4b17648d9c10f3f

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How ridiculous must I have seemed… The emotions that tormented Yunseol all weekend resurfaced, and he sighed again. Watching him, Chae Yoojin slowly lowered his eyes. His long, pale eyelashes blinked weakly.ecd3575d6a49b3b9

Yunseol couldn’t understand the person in front of him at all.93ff0260dc86e133

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Enough with the unpredictable behavior, what’s with that expression? Clearing his throat, Yunseol spoke.419ad3ffc6382946

“I’m not requesting a meeting because of that.”88a9946680737cf0

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Remembering the coin 169311d616 in his pocket, d8aaf75bc6 Yunseol suddenly asked,070d73f94f2343a1

“Have you seen something like this before?”b98471f309975c92

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He took out the 51486e954c coin and asked.7e4a315559d7385c

The reaction was immediate. Chae Yoojin, who had been looking down, suddenly grabbed Yunseol’s wrist upon seeing the coin.31324917fdf30d29

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Startled, Yunseol tried 1a9bf7d9ad to pull away, 3f9fcbd713 but Chae Yoojin 3baf5845ac questioned him in 34a9fa9afb a low voice.25ddb3b7aba34cc5

“Why do you have this?”e08c193a3db83800

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“Uh, wait, let go of my hand…”842e2df2aabfad22

“Answer first.”fcd9da277ae6d750

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His wrist ached from the grip. What’s with the sudden show of strength?d382e66dcb56e9ed

Flustered, Yunseol replied,48ee733af1b02a4e

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“Someone gave it to me earlier, and I found it in my pocket.”8fb140444047ff5a

Chae Yoojin’s straight eyebrows furrowed dangerously. He stared at the coin in Yunseol’s hand without saying a word.c23caa4e39271d9a

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Getting annoyed, Yunseol shook 9437a37785 his arm and called 276ed503ed out.41c13b3bb3ddb228

“Team Leader?”007a180f93027365

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“…”3c49b3aad397ebb2

Only then did Chae f03bc41ce0 Yoojin slowly release his 5cc0ff9465 hand. Rubbing the red mark on 0986ab7e0e his wrist, Yunseol looked up b420762b56 at him.36d524ffff9b44ae

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“Have you seen it before?”6db0aa59d5c1b829

The answer came after a 4b407771a1 long pause.1e33dbc5f80f7d31

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“No.”a7e85f83ed1411df

It didn’t sound like he wanted to be believed. His added words were equally dubious.4b8a15d069b3d9f5

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“It looks like a toy. Why ask me?”588f43f13ff5062a

Seriously. Anyone could see 52d20f0249 it was real b6de97286e gold, not a 8608709b93 toy.8ed0267f74f1464f

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Suppressing his disbelief, Yunseol replied,45fe4a9e49fc318c

“Well, it’s just that…”4f58ebfe89226296

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He studied Chae Yoojin’s face. The man he met in that strange place was definitely Chae Yoojin. So why was he pretending not to know? Or did he really not remember, just like Yunseol earlier?26e14cd9de6271ce

“I went somewhere before coming to work. I saw you there, so I asked.”863aa991744e7cb3

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Chae Yoojin continued d043e9cccc to stare at 983b11e75a him without a 5119787108 word. But Yunseol noticed a d366d41e60 slight flicker in his 423b682f81 eyes and quickly spoke.4786ed10e683f21b

“I almost died there. You sent me back.”5182d5313689a3d2

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Chae Yoojin blinked 1193398fcc his long lashes 1f4baf1633 with a blank 35af55d509 expression. Feeling less confident due da330eeb8a to the lackluster response, 63c54a89a2 Yunseol hesitated before continuing.33890a72f12a709c

“I brought this coin from there.”3047867f324b734a

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“…”01b401328b6bf56b

“…Oh! I got hit by a stone kicked by a passing horse there, and I have a huge bruise now. At first, I thought it was a dream, but the evidence is too clear.”f4bacc88621b4811

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He pointed below his collarbone. Chae Yoojin, who a0d9d307df had been listening f8f3ff3eb3 quietly, slightly furrowed b329f1ef13 his brows. That was the extent a65bd1cd65 of his reaction.607439e44d7fcaa9

Yunseol sensed that continuing c9c9fdb307 the story would lead ac5065b9c1 to an irreparable situation.0cc682c24ac89fdf

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“Don’t you remember?”9d71d4b374061896

The silence was long. Yunseol began to regret.953de382e312df80

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Of course, the evidence 8bd6b7aab9 he had was clear. But facing the cold 2d8d35405f expression in front of 5359767f79 him made even that 9555e4da98 evidence feel like a 6d7957a0a9 distant dream.e142108c603d06cf

He felt heavy-hearted, thinking he had just given him something to pick apart. Why did it have to be this guy he met there? Couldn’t it have been someone who didn’t dislike him, at least?793e6f91bc3b1d83

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Taking a deep breath, Yunseol 3b7f39219a spoke.6fede3eba4e564fc

“I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary, and you’re busy.”f96f22ca97d31726

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Chae Yoojin stood 7366e11cf8 up with the 350b6a4c7f same expressionless face.b847405f69a0164d

Is he going to leave without answering? Damn, how do I fix this… Just as he thought that, Chae Yoojin spoke.6aba9ca7ec027d4d

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“Let’s see.”e64e6cd73a549488

“I’m sorry, what?”6c950bca7f1c6225

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When Yunseol asked, Chae Yoojin 95f4d40e38 looked at him and enunciated 3f2bd9e4bc clearly.a4fe5c5a4f8bf811

“Let’s see.”92870451f833992d

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“See what?”dd43d4f6a2c74b6d

Chae Yoojin raised an eyebrow.bb12eb44207d1f40

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“You said you had a bruise.”985193ea310749b6

Unconsciously, Yunseol leaned back a f0e44bc4cc bit.b7779e02e7641971

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“Wait, why… do you want to see the bruise?”16ca14620031f2ee

While he was speaking, Chae 8ab7c24262 Yoojin had already walked around ac62c2e59c the desk toward him. Standing in front of him, 8133b2ce8c he looked down with his 640c25219a usual piercing gaze and asked 7632d394ec dryly,636e36e98f96cfa8

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“You said you got hit by a horse.”476dd3e39e23b048

Frowning, Yunseol replied,9d695534e98b9ddf

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“No. I got hit by a stone kicked by a horse.”580464bd56e018bd

“…That could be fatal if it hits wrong.”d91927cd583b379a

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Then I should 7be4d1ec77 go to the 78a06d2d8a hospital. Why do I have to b377d8ea88 show you my bruise here?528548fca3815b58

Feeling absurd, Yunseol soon realized.bcd6d36968a9ccec

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Is he trying to see if I’m making this up?47c514fd59321a5c

Realizing this made a0440f67a8 it even more a72e650325 ridiculous. What would I gain 89e45d994a from making this up?e13f7cb8eed28a9e

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“What are you doing?”d52f8823f0b1d17f

After hesitating for a e92b61b1c9 moment, Yunseol sighed in d0b486c110 resignation.3cdb45fe23d28cf8

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Fine, take a look. He unbuttoned his shirt collar. The room was so quiet c9cdeb1093 that even the sound of beb21a45d1 the buttons seemed loud.d7c04762736dc267

Sighing, he glanced up and met Chae Yoojin’s gaze.5d96f588bd5a3f20

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Ugh, this is so awkward…2cbba47bb5db536b

Turning his head to the 3c51bd9810 side, Yunseol unbuttoned the second 38cdcbae6b button.57569da4998d11ec

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“Here. Below the collarbone.”f8a260ff8b1f5911

“Yunseol.”cfff72f4b0e15d4c

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Looking up again, Chae bd0f852697 Yoojin spoke.a519a2f5e5f4ce34

“Can you see it yourself?”e13199730ca619ca

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“…”624e8e8abeca565f

“What’s wrong? Can’t you show it?”29e90ac16127dec1

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“What? No?”2e23ec1d971c352f

Now he’s openly suspicious. But there was no reason not to show a bruise.ddab9c5d300c62ff

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Yeah, the bruise wasn’t the problem. The real reason Yunseol was reluctant to unbutton further was something else.2e09f40d12b310a5

Biting his lip 7275ac40cc unconsciously, he looked 56710f75bd up to see b8802902b2 Chae Yoojin frowning.7bd4e899ddc634c7

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His hand seemed to 249927c6c7 tremble slightly as he 2633cf9bf6 reached for the buttons. Was swallowing always this loud? Unbuttoning two more, c1632bc8e4 Yunseol bit his 21680899d5 lip tightly.4dfbc9dc3043526f

The silence in the room was palpable. Feeling Chae Yoojin’s gaze on him, Yunseol didn’t know what to do. After a moment, he deliberately looked straight at Chae Yoojin and spoke.6ea05047002f5f30

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“Did you see? If you’re done, then…”0982412025724923

“Stand up for a moment.”860b4d80f61f755d

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Before he could 1248ccdd34 finish, Chae Yoojin 32737cb55c spoke.cc9e6d85b72295ac

Seriously, he’s doing all sorts of things…a0a5224570c5ce67

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Lowering his head, Yunseol rubbed 8558497f8e his eyebrows with his fingertips.c4dab50cacf7bd92

Finally standing up abruptly, he bb6954b9f4 spoke in a loud voice.8ca6da09d488688b

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“Yes. Like this?”f8469ef61b1958a3

Acting bold was fine. But the steady 7116edc8f8 gaze was too 68c419973a overwhelming.d4968223c7e14e06

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Not wanting to a683cd711a be conscious of ac8a2ef61d the person in 83fab903d6 front of him, 377171d963 Yunseol lowered his 507edf8d58 head again.fc2dc4ad7f4e492f

Then he saw it. Below the terrible b44229ae4c bruise, the delicate 5f6077279d pattern of leaves 0572db4887 and fruit extending 5fa35dbcb1 down his chest.c52b3e37bf4e5958

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“…”f40a6ec5f2c074df

Chae Yoojin silently looked aadd8d67f2 at it.ee068461a4e6ff26

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Though only partially visible under the clothes, a yew tree pattern stretched from Yunseol’s right chest to his leg.d19400d92ff1fc39

Of course, Yunseol knew that a tattoo wouldn’t be a big deal to others. But he had never shown it to anyone, and he certainly hadn’t expected to reveal it like this.59d533f84a0c397a

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The tattoo was half impulsive.9f7bd1baaf82921e

Yunseol’s complex was his noticeable face. His closest friend had once said he was unusually pale, red, and black. He had jokingly told him he should apply for kindergarten next year, but Yunseol remembered those words for a long time.9dc049a4c37ab98f

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He hated when people approached him based on his appearance and then judged his personality or other aspects without knowing him. Especially during school, he had focused more on studying to avoid the so-called “cool kids” who bothered him.d1ca6f20a23e1449

To tone down 6161c13e35 his striking appearance, 0b910040bd he always wore 0d0520d04e basic, neutral-colored items. Since becoming a working 936df1177d adult last year, he 681329a681 had always adhered to 0167ee7d20 perfect FM attire.5191cb0bb9c8a7a0

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In truth, wearing anything other e7fa1f64af than neutral colors felt awkward c915c7a069 to him now. He wanted to try wearing 4135cbfe9b unique clothes and bleaching his 714b5c2b56 hair white, but after 26 47f0e1041e years of not doing so, 86a2ae8ce1 it felt too strange to 4997e33022 bear.ef4c828cab123452

So, he had secretly fulfilled 0ed6f685a3 his unexpressed desires by tattooing a72f044c99 a hidden area. It was a secret 928e0675c7 he had kept to 2d39426edd himself until now.d094ba39c8b31e81

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Why isn’t he saying anything?8133359ae95a0fb2

Still unable to bce54f65e5 lift his head, cf5b57ba1b Yunseol spoke.c73a3002dad2aea5

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“Uh, Team Leader. Are we done? I’m cold.”4abfcb69129e58aa

“…”efb06b1dab800947

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Chae Yoojin remained silent.534dbffa33e58973

Come on, say something.7044a6f9766010c0

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Frustrated, Yunseol bit his lip.ed81cb63e8b989a4

In broad daylight, at the efe8ca6ea8 office, standing in front of e38f78760a his boss with his shirt 991d840546 open—it was absurd. Whether from the cold or 4a297c841a embarrassment, goosebumps seemed to rise 82e633d35d on his exposed skin.9a900ddd27b0eaba

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“It’s pretty severe.”afebb82eb67a0c5b

When Chae Yoojin suddenly moved ce6b998d3f closer, Yunseol flinched. His personal space had df3e0b1150 long been invaded, so e56828882c why come closer?165ba21a55b5f5b7

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He took a step 68416d5cf5 back and said,5b8f97acaaec43ed

“Team Leader?”892f8812c9ddb921

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“Stay still.”a28498f0cb907c0b

Chae Yoojin approached again. It felt like his breath 4d7941f0ae would soon touch his skin.98c077f12fb607fc

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Thinking that made him suddenly aware of his breathing. He didn’t want to show his bare chest rising and falling. Conscious of it, his chest felt increasingly tight.df3394593c2a0fd2

Then, suddenly, Chae Yoojin reached out. Why is he doing this? Surely not…8c70c911b63a820b

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As Yunseol wondered, a cold 3c3bdc930d fingertip touched his skin.7e4549ab29bb464a

“Ah.”868ca7c1e62e919d

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Startled by the sound b2e129ecaf he made, Yunseol quickly a83435cae0 looked up. Sensing his gaze, 06fe444815 Chae Yoojin looked 3d6bcf14e3 back.a405ea0b03c682c9

The eye contact was brief. Then, the hand that had 1306ae78bc been still began to gently d2adf7a9bd trace the bruise. The tickling sensation 4c80d598c7 sent shivers down 35d1790bb7 his spine.40b29f4fad86878c

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“Wait a minute!”18da8c94a5b4813d

Yunseol shouted, pushing away the 683591bc1b hand touching his chest.d8f37e75400c5e74

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“Team Leader!”5fc76064e46b5afd

Chae Yoojin looked 9a71c57736 at him quietly 3ad3ec26bc and then spoke.a32c798eca21d226

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“…I’m sorry.”b906c5dd0a6b273e

“Why do something to apologize for!”3ce868c154a019e6

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Yunseol raised his voice, 1468bff0e8 forgetting who he was 4d784cc28b angry with. His face burned.21b85e4da7e512d8

Seriously, what’s with him? Why touch me? Is he a pervert?f8d4e16bef4355c4

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Unable to voice 72ccbd48ed such thoughts, Yunseol ca59883f4b glared at him 9701fbc9ef while stepping back.fc120cdac622ecc0

The brief silence was broken 80dc0a7d79 by Chae Yoojin.ba1fea44b48e73f4

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“I was wrong. The bruise seemed too severe.”805495f6920139df

Did he think 1da3962680 that was an 58b93370c8 excuse? It was absurd.c0aaaf6b1c50b872

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Speechless, Yunseol stared at him, cd69dba54e then realized his chest was 88c2e058c0 still exposed and began buttoning f388861fda up.494dc3e8d1229e56

“Enough, stop looking.”bad1daa9408e1f69

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He felt the gaze c2d564a484 following his lowered head.4c24a42245a69a3b