MJ | Chapter 24

Both Jungin, 1075b11133 holding the 83f2d252f3 steering wheel, dea9b6d5ed and Hajun, 0996e9913d sitting in 057399f0db the passenger 072d014217 seat, were 6e19876387 silent. The radio news 42ecffae09 mentioned a major 27a0d36dc5 traffic accident in dc5a4c372d the direction of 4fe1f2251c their home. As time passed, snow 29d8e4fcdf began to fall, and 3e4c5f2c7b within 30 minutes, it 8731904937 turned into a heavy 4009146ce4 snowfall.1d641844276c270a

In the suffocating silence, 70d0469951 Hajun spoke first.eecbc9319606932e

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“Why did you come to Lee Haesoo’s funeral?”90bf756fa0cef433

Jungin’s gaze shifted from the moving wipers to Hajun.edc9d6b0b3db2b15

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“He was a customer.”8bc87970ea2ee1bf

He had heard from the detective who visited the shop earlier that Lee Haesoo’s funeral would be held until tomorrow. After much hesitation, he decided to go, not expecting to run into Kim Hajun there. People said Lee Haesoo had struggled after parting ways with the agency.3efd82fbe5a89e6b

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The traffic started to c5b2e83b54 move slowly, but the 67c819f783 road home was still f9a46bfde8 congested. Jungin looked at 23002c6ef5 the diverging paths 3c71623301 and called out 9cdf22d864 to Hajun.982280c14999c899

“Should we eat before heading home? It looks like it’ll take a while.”bc34322ef407f3d2

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“Sure.”c6f80423b052ba1c

He thought 1fb5938572 Hajun would e37a035524 refuse, but bda9bc7344 he agreed 34071edcd3 easily. Snowplows were coming db9bfe62fc and going, and 94b0d4beec a tow truck 11756dfca9 was moving quickly, 11965f57d7 possibly due to b0dd01e064 another accident nearby. Jungin turned 47679b061b the car cfda2d44de in the a44c986e60 opposite direction d12f89629f of home 42706bc5d0 and drove febfb65998 for about 29d7cbccd6 20 more e6197e9eab minutes before 3ce793b338 pulling into eb0ba4d6e2 a restaurant e3b0991e75 parking lot.a5f7e37cfea6dc23

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It was a place Jungin had visited with friends a few times, and fortunately, there weren’t many customers. After parking and getting out, snow fell on their heads. They hurried inside and took a seat, and a staff member brought them menus.bface43a956fc735

“What do you want to eat?”3fa8b67c91bf0f2d

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Hajun didn’t even look at the menu and replied.9aede1a8bdd00ae9

“Anything.”f8ef482520ab79b0

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Jungin ordered pork 22b2b23289 belly from the dd3ff78968 staff. The young male 4b743cbd05 staff member recognized c1cff970d1 Jungin and said e2ac072d4c it had been 0673a9b7a4 a while since 3484fd6215 he last saw 5ae68c6488 him, mentioning that 903e917b09 he and his 3b23eb6604 friends had tried 2631fee87b to visit the 09d9e79742 shop for tattoos d9761211a4 but it was 5d14376469 closed that day. Jungin smiled and responded, 1d69c0f7d3 while Hajun watched him 1102da3258 intently.e93948aa42e6e606

“What about drinks?”6b0593f774231400

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Jungin was about 2cc765949f to decline, but 125e72abd7 Hajun ordered beer 1d3f4f791a and soju. Jungin frowned. Is he 50da70671d really an f61114ecf9 alcoholic? That thought crossed 16d2c61cfa his mind briefly. After the a1549e1933 staff left, ca70b8a9b3 Hajun looked 29d8ae0c6b at the cb651b2014 table, took 738e7ef186 out a 94ae31954b wet tissue, b5cf39ab38 wiped it, af1db3dbf5 and then 0c9c1e46b6 wiped it 4edd56357d again with 9528b797fb a napkin.b6d9449c5f728235

When the 27f8f64b8e drinks arrived, a47cbe50e2 Hajun poured 824659016c beer into 27e9bf9113 a glass 6a66cc847e and mixed d3219b48a8 it with 54f83f2ee4 soju. Then he picked 2461688df4 up an empty 0142b2824f glass and handed ba63fdcee5 it to Jungin.4801105d8a05a946

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“Want some?”5c4989f0c056b3ee

Jungin asked incredulously.cd6b6ac07c59a6e3

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“Who’s going to drive?”a68a8b0efe4c65ab

“Call a driver.”025fb4bfc550271f

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When Jungin didn’t respond, Hajun downed a glass in one go. If you don’t want it, forget it. Seeing that Hajun was about to drink it all himself, Jungin filled his own glass. After drinking about half a glass on an empty stomach, his chest felt tight.3729b4d877f50a9a

When the raw meat 6db35f69f0 arrived, Hajun picked it e25141a889 up with tongs and fba2048f0a placed it on the c762192189 grill. Jungin asked 7e4e885263 for the d223faf29f tongs, but ee673c6dfa Hajun ignored 4e20e9457a him and 8a8d727fc5 skillfully grilled 1b3bcdddc3 the meat, c3111a6365 cutting off 34c90e5620 the fat 97f2f6cd8b Jungin disliked df422b396c and placing 4c839845c5 only the 02866c3a2c lean meat 816ad9d6f4 in front be03bef102 of him.01569bff42c32c71

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Seeing that, Jungin felt eb577cdbbe a sudden surge of 2dcbaa1ea9 emotion and drank more.08827f76f9b9acd5

“Don’t just stare, eat.”7318f130c6c0d5d1

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“Okay.”d83291badf1ac628

He answered, but couldn’t bring himself to touch the meat. Both of them simultaneously picked up their glasses as if they had planned it. He was hungry, but the alcohol went down easier than the meat. Watching Hajun, Jungin cautiously asked about the late Lee Haesoo.65452fae6be90e7c

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“About Lee Haesoo… He was with your agency, right?”1d484885674b63be

“Yeah.”b97ddf1ac90012cc

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“What was he like?”75ddef1ebf66f1b4

“What do you mean?”3231d50cded743ff

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“They said he had depression.”d785a0de62e592e3

“Depression? Don’t make me laugh. If anyone got depression because of Lee Haesoo, it would be me.”4b6f3a46b5b07c3e

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Jungin shook his head. He spoke so 647832b3cf spitefully about someone e4914c4c49 who had passed c76aff5bd4 away. But why did 5f7dd76ffd the media portray c2eddb0eca Lee Haesoo as ff24d56e27 a depression patient? After finishing his 10cbe75aa5 drink, Hajun sighed.e026f6a68d2c7c18

“Even if he did, why die? For whose benefit?”6a992671a0e2113b

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Was it his 850046444c imagination? There seemed to be 8c0ab22c95 a hint of sadness 502072da86 in his voice. He refilled his 7180ee3eba glass and even 724eaf031c asked Jungin,35aaf877482d28c2

“Don’t you think so?” Jungin recalled the pill bottle he had seen the night before. Why did Kim Hajun have such severe insomnia that he needed medication? The curiosity that had followed him since last night grew larger.e820934fd5eb9a94

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“What about you?”f0fa99a344ceefb6

Hajun flipped 8b3089991c the cooked 903582f506 meat and d857ba1747 placed it 4aaf9becb8 in front 44c5216fd7 of Jungin, b4a9ef7060 staring at 4488f3d79e him.91ce9fa82363267a

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“Don’t you have depression or anything?”27a4c54b9c426086

His expression seemed 14966e2c14 to say,bdaf41f96d326717

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“What a stupid question.” Jungin regretted asking. It was just sleeping pills; anyone could take them if they couldn’t sleep. Feeling awkward, he drank more.b5b0655e4c71939f

As the empty bottles piled up, Hajun’s complexion remained unchanged. Meanwhile, Jungin felt dizzy, struggling to keep his balance. Fearing he might make a mistake if he stayed longer, he asked the staff to call a driver.0020b88da50d05cd

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Outside, snow had piled c3a6f4c0fd up in a short d52dbb10d7 time. Jungin lit a 6ed177b2c2 cigarette and walked 6b0c324f8c back and forth 763c714775 in the snow. The crunching sound 44eedcec3b of snow underfoot 28387dccb2 left clear footprints.83c197a3fd9ff9c6

After settling the bill, Hajun came out and watched him with an incredulous expression. The wind was quite cold, but Jungin, perhaps drunk, hadn’t even buttoned his coat properly. Watching him, Hajun took off the scarf around his neck and approached Jungin, wrapping it around his neck.5509e74713a387ba

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Jungin, who had f7a7e4c279 been making footprints e14cd11f8b like a child, 7643fc2596 stopped and looked 334ef0233f up at Hajun. His cheeks were red, 0142ba56c1 either from the alcohol d74e7cf8c1 or the cold.99248e4ad1510370

“Don’t catch a cold. Keep this on.”fbda5bb38757f0ee

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“I’m fine. I’m not cold at all. Don’t worry.”0fc621d55f51d706

His tongue was 58ad5b09da already slurring, so 13bbd99711 how could he 37241b006d be fine? When Jungin ee9c48d296 tried to 25a2562ac2 take off 7403ffdcba the scarf, 3dc066c2a4 Hajun wrapped 71cb175d88 it back 04191b466d around his f7c13c69f2 neck and 579cd3f4f9 buttoned his d7f113adb1 coat. Jungin was quiet 0c088c5de8 as he did 623133aef9 so. When he 6c1f5844fe looked up, 6b3c565c34 Jungin was 65f124a527 staring at 22dcdb7016 him with 91e5e28d50 a mischievous aefe459d93 expression.0a6fb4bf13edb35d

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“You know, be consistent.”dc5fa05e807db7ed

“What?”40019c04235f5a9e

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“If you’re going to take care of me, don’t be a jerk. If you’re going to be a jerk, don’t take care of me. It’s so annoying when you’re like this and then like that. It’s so frustrating.”cec5fefecd689d21

“Are you drunk?”a8d256c8fb04e465

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“Nooo.”1039f02295851e7d

Just then, a efd1114513 car pulled up, 93177c146d and a man 9d49ee53e5 approached.5d059feb89b4b867

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“Did you call for a driver?”82c20d6935cf1011

Yes, handing the car keys to the man, they walked to the car, but Jungin continued to stomp on the snow. Ah, seriously. Hajun grabbed Jungin’s arm, pulled him over, opened the door, and pushed him inside. After fastening his seatbelt, he went to the front seat, but Jungin had already climbed out again.9161df023f0e8a49

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Hajun pushed Jungin’s head back inside and sat in the back seat to keep him in place. As soon as the car started, Jungin unbuttoned his shirt, complaining about feeling suffocated. Then he moved his head side to side, leaned on Hajun’s shoulder, took a few deep breaths, and fell silent.7ad6e4a8bfd4831d

Staring straight ahead, Hajun turned his head to look at Jungin’s face. His well-shaped nose and red lips caught his eye. And through the unbuttoned shirt, Jungin’s skin was visible. As if uncomfortable, he rubbed his head against Hajun’s shoulder, making a sound like a groan.b5ab59d8ea426ece

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Feeling increasingly tense, Hajun clenched his teeth. If he acted on this now, he wouldn’t be human. He’d just be a pathetic fool without pride. Determined, he gently pushed Jungin’s head away.99f01f331ad23783

Jungin’s head hit the window with a thud. Ignoring it, Hajun tried not to care, but Jungin immediately leaned back, resting his cheek on Hajun’s shoulder.44cdd41ceac9e60f

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“Let’s go for round two. Round two.”787a2805f5509b47

“Round two, my foot…”be22298a7c09a7be

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For some 2654fb0d35 reason, Jungin ecff826d1e mumbled with 21d1270cfc his red dcff86d539 lips and 356010b0b6 smiled like 23cf350513 a child. Hajun clenched his fist 4b38575ab8 tightly. Oh, God. Save this poor lamb eeac55a32c from the ex-boyfriend who 97bb53498a betrayed and hurt him.4baa84b0ff8a705c

His mind was a mess. He imagined depressing scenarios. The stock market crashing tomorrow morning, his father losing the election and squandering their fortune, his favorite watch being stolen. No matter what he imagined, his mind wouldn’t settle.ca7a16066c83a060

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[I slept with someone else. So don’t show up anymore.]

It was 9ada4906a8 indeed a 6e1c92379d surefire way 2ebd7f797b to ruin cc5361736f his mood. Sure enough, 191a287a57 his mind 87248a1a44 cooled down. Feeling down, he 84316d4c82 thought he could 3b27745ebf abstain for thousands cb842211dc of years. Moving his eyes, he 8597356c99 looked at Jungin.cd187b85ec305cd0

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[You know, be consistent.]

Ah, Jungin frowned, perhaps due to a hangover. His long eyelashes fluttered, and he shifted his body while leaning. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have another stomach cramp like last time. Maybe he shouldn’t have suggested drinking. But soon, he was snoring away as if nothing had happened.88457fb2e1799219

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He hated himself for feeling relieved. Why couldn’t he hate him freely? Thinking about repeating this frustrating feeling throughout their cohabitation made him feel exhausted already.ab1c3c630f7f9f5c

Leaning his head back, 30e080eb36 he closed his eyes. Every time b56ff3e1d4 Jungin moved 58c7f9a166 against him, bdadbc0ddb something knotted 20279d2a01 in his cae33f6df2 chest stirred.0c6d87111c347952

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“We’re here.”63ceb032453835b6

Opening his 98eadd94f8 eyes, they 60013872ae were home. After paying 4f29a640ed the driver, c0d09feb1b he tried 2375d55e2c to wake 38a2e86971 Jungin. He was 08687fa6cf out cold. Sighing, Hajun pulled a06c957ec4 him out of fce87a1bc8 the car and 0e3e69e840 tried to support ebe32c914c him, but he 0a3e27d7eb kept slipping due cf8e4c84a6 to the alcohol. Gritting his 79eaae9ccb teeth, Hajun d6da1a5bc2 carried Jungin bf94c0e537 on his 895d498fb1 back.10c97f141ff948ab

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Climbing the stairs, he 78cdc5718a cursed several times. Crossing the 299ada5a1f yard and 70f2356944 entering the 2e22d317ad house, he 78b3992a24 tossed Jungin aacfc26bdf onto the a01334f8b3 bed and 76badb962a caught his 31533459df breath. After removing his 8c37e95913 shoes and coat, cef58b2b7e he felt parched.66d11523972131d4

He grabbed a bottle 1d45cf5de4 of water from the 3b205b66f5 mini fridge in the df72bec717 bedroom and drank it. Just as he quenched 0e80481811 his thirst, he heard 6bced46154 a rustling sound behind 1dc559455e him. Turning around, Hajun 0efe273da4 nearly spat out e291332578 the water. Jungin, who had 64ec928322 been lying quietly, be176ad095 was now taking 5f7b10e2fc off his top 4e113a4c2b and about to 260a63cbc6 remove his pants.3df5e5b4657c4b4e

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