SMS | Chapter 6.1

“Guess it’s time to get some work done.”

Sungjoon, a freelance designer, finally sat down at his computer as it neared 7 PM.

I really don’t want to work…

Even though he finally parked his butt on the chair, he wasn’t in the mood to open any programs and just lazed around when suddenly, his phone rang. He had been worried since he hadn’t heard from Mino after being brushed off yesterday. Naturally, he thought it was Mino and answered the call.

“Minpals, did you have fun yesterday?”

―…Hey, senior, it’s been a while.

“Oh, what’s up, Junhyuk?”

It was Junhyuk. Sungjoon almost made a verbal slip because he hadn’t checked the caller ID before hurriedly plugging in his earphones.

―Just because. I was just wondering how you’ve been lately, senior.

“Haha, I’m doing well.”

―It’s about Minjun’s wedding. Are you going?

“Yeah. I should. It’s our classmate CC’s wedding, after all.”

Sungjoon slurped his coffee while responding nonchalantly. Oddly, the coffee tasted extra bitter today.

―I was thinking of going with Mino, and then I thought maybe you’d be going with him too, senior.

“Haminoh is going with you?”

―Yes, in my car.

Bragging about having a foreign car, huh? His voice annoyingly smug, it got on Sungjoon’s nerves.

Even after graduating from college, Sungjoon had stayed quite close to Junhyuk. But thinking about it, Junhyuk always seemed to use him to meet Mino, and when he wanted to join Mino’s company, he asked him all sorts of things. Back then, Sungjoon thought it was just because Junhyuk liked the company, but now that he thought about it, there was something odd about it.

Anyway, since they worked at the same company, Sungjoon didn’t want to share personal stories about Mino carelessly, but he had accidentally picked up the phone without thinking and slipped up. Just earlier, he had even called Mino by his nickname, and even asked if he had fun yesterday, which made him nervously correct it to “Haminoh.” It didn’t really matter since Junhyuk had seen him call Mino by his nickname before, but it was a pointless struggle, and the feared situation unfolded.

―By the way, is Mino dating someone recently?

“Pfft! Ha, cough, ack, what, what?”

Coffee went down the wrong pipe. Junhyuk’s sudden mention of Mino’s “dating” made him choke and groan in pain, while Junhyuk murmured with a strange tone.

―I’ve never seen Mino dating, but he’s been acting a bit weird lately.

“Weird? What do you mean? No, well. He could be dating. He’s nearly thirty, after all. Hmm.”

―Do you know anything, senior?

“I don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t know….ugh, cough, ack! Ah, my throat…”

―Senior, you’re acting weird too.

Damn, what do I do. Sungjoon chewed on his fingernails and tapped his foot anxiously. He wasn’t good at lying. When in doubt, it was best to speak up.

“Hey, why would you say that’s weird? You scared me by asking that while I’m drinking coffee!”

―Is asking if Mino is dating really such a shocking question?

Well, not really… Eventually, Sungjoon turned mute. Junhyuk threw another bombshell.

―But, you know. I happened to see Mino hugging some guy.

What the hell. Haminoh, are you crazy! Hugging in public?

―Is Mino gay?

“…Why are you asking me that? Aren’t you being weirder?”

Sungjoon’s expression soured at the blunt question. Although he had been blaming Mino’s carelessness, this was a different issue with Junhyuk, who had always seemed like a nice guy, but suddenly seemed sharp. Perhaps surprised by Sungjoon’s sharp tone, Junhyuk fell silent for a moment.

“You know, that’s really rude.”

Damn it. I thought better of you. Guys are always like that, but Junhyuk was one I actually liked, so it felt worse. Sungjoon was steaming, hoping to force an apology out of him, when Junhyuk spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

―There was a reason you were close to Mino. You’re trustworthy and nice.

What kind of bullshit is that? Really.

“Keep talking weird, and I’ll hang up.”

It seemed pointless to expect an apology anyway. Just when Sungjoon was about to hang up:

―I know you know I like Mino, so don’t put me on the spot. If he has a boyfriend, I’ll need to move on, that’s why I asked. You’re trustworthy, senior.

His voice sounded genuinely disheartened. Mentioning ‘gay’ was if anything a projection, as it would be ridiculous for Sungjoon, a heterosexual, to scold him for it. Plus, Junhyuk openly admitting his feelings for Mino softened Sungjoon.

―You seem free of prejudice, senior.

“…Does Mino know you like him?”

―No. What if Mino hates me? The chances of a guy liking another guy are slim.

That’s true, but looking around these days, it seems like there’s no such prejudice. Mino also found a partner without artificial dating apps. Why doesn’t this kid just confess! Sungjoon’s frustration grew rapidly. Confessing is hard enough, let alone a same-sex confession. And it’s not like he could disclose Mino’s orientation.

―That’s why I just stayed close by. But lately, Mino seems out of it a lot and seems troubled. Even though Mino’s social circle is predictable, seeing him with some unknown man really sank my heart.

His voice brimmed with sincerity. Since they were close like brothers, Sungjoon’s edgy feelings eased at Junhyuk’s heartfelt confession.

“Ah, this kid. Just confess…. Well, I wondered if that might be the case. Hey! Did you take that job because of Mino too?”

Sungjoon asked, half in disbelief, but the response was solid. If that’s the case, it’s quite romantic. Following your loved one to the same workplace is a serious commitment.

―I really did it because I like him. I can understand and accept anyone, but I’m worried about meeting the wrong person and getting hurt.

But Junhyuk’s words were peculiar. While Sungjoon knew why Mino was troubled, continuously mentioning that man felt odd.

―Actually, I know that man too. He’s kind of famous. That’s why I’m worried.

“What? What are you talking about?”

Junhyuk had been waiting to talk about Mino’s partner. Famous? Famous in the gay world? Though Mino is often seen as naïve and inexperienced, Junhyuk didn’t seem like the type at all. Suddenly, the innocent Mino became a concern.

“Don’t tell me he’s your ex-boyfriend?”

―Ha, definitely not. As far as I know, that man is not ordinary.

Not an ex-boyfriend, that’s for sure. But Mino isn’t ordinary either… Being a bachelor at his age, not being satisfied with typical romantic gestures, and that face are all not quite ordinary. Sungjoon scratched his nose, waiting for Junhyuk’s next words.

―He’s had a lot of partners, I’ve heard. A friend of mine got burned too. Mino, especially inexperienced, shouldn’t start with someone like that.

Sungjoon’s face contorted. Definitely, that’s problematic. The promiscuity of a first romantic partner could be a dealbreaker. But maybe it was time to console a heartbroken friend. And in Sungjoon’s mind, Junhyuk, who had long harbored feelings for Mino, seemed like a better first partner than a reputedly disreputable vet.

Even over the phone, Junhyuk’s voice sounded moist, a bit distant as if mixed with crying. Why the hell is the kid crying? He seemed to be holding the phone away, perhaps not wanting to show his tears. One couldn’t easily judge the heart of a man who learns his long-time crush is dating a promiscuous rag. Anyhow, it was pitiful.

“…Um, Mino just started dating. I shouldn’t tell you everything…. But don’t be too upset, okay?”

Well, it’s not like Mino is dating that guy because he likes him. Having options is good. Even the royalty in the Joseon era chose their spouses through a selection system, comparing several at once; why couldn’t Mino do the same? Sungjoon decided to give Junhyuk big points for the ‘I can understand and accept anyone’ part he had mentioned earlier.

―Senior, thank you. I was worried you’d despise me too.

It must have been tough to share such a difficult issue. Sungjoon cleared his throat and patted his chest.

“I’m not like that, man. If it’s tough, talk to me anytime. From now on, just call me hyung.”

Voting for the romantic at heart. Smoke doesn’t come out of a chimney for no reason, as they say. And with Junhyuk’s friend also getting burned, goosebumps crawled up Sungjoon’s back.

***

“Yes, senior. Let’s have a meal together with Mino next time.”

At that moment, Junhyuk, filled with genuine emotion, hung up the phone and forcefully grabbed the hair of a man squirming under him, having forcefully entered him.

The man had frantically signaled the safe word several times, but Junhyuk paid no heed. Subs like it anyway. Junhyuk hated the concept of a ‘safe word’.

Why have such a thing? It spoils the fun.

“Ugh, ugh, gonna, die, ack, ah!”

“You’re using the safe word for this? If you throw up, I’ll keep going until I’ve licked it all up. If the wine bottle breaks, you’ll have to go to the emergency room. How can you live with the embarrassment of being hospitalized for such a thing? Oh, maybe that turns you on too?”

“Uh, uh, ack…”

The face of his partner was bruised to the point of being unrecognizable as human, and he began to convulse on the floor. Despite choosing a somewhat attractive guy, his burst blood vessels made his face rather unsightly. At some point, he couldn’t even maintain an erection. Definitely not a real sub.

Others mocked Junhyuk as a kinky vanilla, but in his opinion, it was they who were the true vanillas. Just humans wanting to try stimulating sex without understanding the real dynamics of dominance and submission. The man now whining on the floor in front of him was no different.

“Ah, boring…”

In this sense, Mino had potential. During college, when a nasty student council president had slapped Mino while drunk, Junhyuk had seen it. Mino was also drunk, so it’s unclear if he remembered, but Junhyuk had seen the faint smile on his face after getting hit.

At first, Junhyuk thought he’d seen it wrong. Mino never dated anyone, yet every weekend he seemed unusually stiff in the classroom.

What Junhyuk had noticed from constantly watching him was that Mino always had hidden wounds. So obsessed was he that he even followed Mino to the same company.

He was just contemplating how and when to devour him when suddenly a ‘teacher’ snatched Mino away. Lee Dohoon knew him too.

Pathetic guy… Junhyuk lit a cigarette, picturing his face.

Still, recalling the recent phone call somewhat improved his mood. The mention of the vet having numerous partners had notably stiffened Sungjoon’s voice.

“Well, I didn’t say anything untrue.”

Junhyuk appreciated how Sungjoon, weak at lying and thus poor at detecting lies, unwittingly became even more precious.