SU | Chapter 4.4

Yoo Han blurted out the question he’d been wanting to ask since they met. The housekeeper had shown no particular interest in him, not asking how he ended up here, what his relationship with the Director was, or why he was in such a state—all questions that would have seemed obvious to ask. Instead, she diligently focused on her tasks.

The woman sighed after considering his question.

“Not many, but occasionally I’ve seen others,”

Disappointment flashed in Yoo Han’s eyes.

“But it’s the first time Director Ji has asked me to take care of someone like this…”

Before she could finish, the sound of the door unlocking interrupted her. Soon, the distinctive lazy and blunt footsteps of Ji Youngwon approached. Yoo Han set his spoon down and turned around. Ji Youngwon appeared, clad in a black long coat. Yoo Han stared blankly, not expecting him at this moment.

“The Director is here. There’s still some porridge left, should I prepare a plate for you?”

The housekeeper broke the silence with a bright greeting. Ji Youngwon, without giving Yoo Han a glance, simply nodded and headed towards the dressing room. Yoo Han took a sip of water, trying to calm his pounding heart.

Deep down, Yoo Han felt a strange sense of abandonment from Ji Youngwon not being there when he woke up. He had consented to sex because he liked Ji Youngwon, but it seemed likely that Ji Youngwon had acted out of pure lust. The stark bedroom, devoid of any note or message, seemed to emphasize that fact, making Yoo Han feel emptier.

However, Yoo Han was unaware of one fact. After their encounter, Ji Youngwon had personally cleaned up the messy Yoo Han and had slept beside him. The reason Ji Youngwon wasn’t there when Yoo Han woke up was that he had gone to the office to observe a perfunctory ethics training for employees. Moreover, he had been monitoring Yoo Han’s awakening via CCTV. The timely arrival of the housekeeper had also been orchestrated by Director Ji.

“Shitty manners.”

Yoo Han muttered under his breath about Ji Youngwon’s lack of bedside and aftercare manners, unaware of what had transpired while he slept. Soon, dressed in more comfortable clothes, Ji Youngwon returned to the kitchen.

Yoo Han watched as Ji Youngwon ate silently, finding it strange to see him being served like a gentleman, assuming he was someone who just grabbed meals at cafeteria-style places.

“Please enjoy your meal. I’ll quickly clean up the bedroom and come back.”

The sudden mention of cleaning the bedroom made Yoo Han cough discreetly. As the housekeeper was about to leave, wiping her hands on her apron, Yoo Han stopped her hastily.

“I’ll do it! I will…”

“Yes?”

He couldn’t bear to let her handle the bed sheets, stained with an unidentified mix of fluid, semen, sweat, and saliva. Yoo Han stammered, his ears turning red.

“I should do it, after you’ve gone to the trouble of making food,”

Just then, Ji Youngwon loudly set down his spoon. The woman tactfully moved towards the bedroom.

“It seems you’re living comfortably. It’s irritating to think I was gentle with you.”

Ji Youngwon commented dryly as he drank water. Yoo Han couldn’t hide his astonishment and retorted.

“What do you mean gentle? I can still taste blood in my throat… and it still hurts down there.”

“…”

“I wake up and the Director isn’t there, and suddenly someone I don’t know shows up. Do you know how startled I was?”

Yoo Han ended his sentence abruptly, revealing his unintentional feelings of neglect. Ji Youngwon looked at him as if he was pitiful.

“You were leaking like a fountain every time I thrust. It was almost a water show.”

Yoo Han’s face heated up furiously. He quickly placed a finger to his lips, urging Ji Youngwon to keep it down.

“Acting cute after enjoying it together.”

It was a comment laced equally with sincerity and sarcasm. Yoo Han quickly shut his mouth and sulkily stirred his porridge. Though he was hungry, the soreness in his throat made it difficult to swallow the porridge.

“Where did you get the padding you were wearing?”

Out of nowhere, Ji Youngwon asked. Yoo Han paused for a moment before recalling the black long padding he had worn the day before.

“Oh… that was given to me by Heesang hyung…”

Ji Youngwon narrowed his eyes, thinking of an employee with a snake tattoo. Misreading the Director’s perplexed expression, Yoo Han quickly added,

“I’ve become quite close to the hyungs while working on cases. I sometimes call him hyung, and sometimes Heesang hyung.”

“…”

“Yesterday, we all went to the sauna together. It was really fun spraying water around… Want to come with us next time?”

Yoo Han squinted as his throat began to sting from talking too much. With his thin fingers gently stroking his neck, he glanced back at the director’s expression. For some reason, Ji Youngwon didn’t look pleased.

Without a word, Ji Youngwon finished his meal and stood up. Yoo Han, feeling too ashamed to face the ajumma who had returned to tidy the bedroom, quietly followed him. He needed to get his clothes back soon—there was no way he could stay in a robe all day.

At the entrance to the bedroom, Yoo Han spoke to Ji Youngwon, who was lounging lazily on the bed.

“Director, about my clothes… where are they?”

Instead of answering, Ji Youngwon tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.

“Why bother finding them when you’re just going to take them off again?”

“What?”

“Come here.”

Ji Youngwon had no intention of returning Yoo Han’s clothes, acting as if he were a mischievous woodcutter who had stolen a celestial maiden’s robe. He crooked his finger, motioning Yoo Han to approach. Yoo Han hesitated but eventually shuffled forward reluctantly.

“Why are you doing this? I-I really can’t do it again.”

“…….”

“I’m seriously in pain….”

Not just penetration, even oral was out of the question today. Every part of him had been overworked to the point that even walking felt like a torment.

Ignoring Yoo Han’s trembling voice, Ji Youngwon grabbed his arm and pulled him close, causing him to collapse into his embrace. Without a word, he laid Yoo Han on the bed, his robe falling open to reveal bare skin. Fear filled Yoo Han’s eyes. Experience had taught him how futile resistance could be—if Ji Youngwon decided to force his way, there was nothing Yoo Han could do.

When Yoo Han tried to sit up and muttered, “Director…,” Ji Youngwon pressed his forehead with a finger, pushing him back down.

“Uh?”

Yoo Han let out a dumbfounded sound, only for Ji Youngwon to stand up abruptly and leave the room without a word. Yoo Han lay there, stunned. Soon, he heard the ajumma bidding farewell as she left through the front door. When Ji Youngwon returned to the bedroom, he was holding a first aid kit.

“Lie on your stomach.”

Reluctantly, Yoo Han turned his aching body over. Ji Youngwon rolled up the robe to expose Yoo Han’s waist. Except for the bruises on his hips and buttocks, his body was unscathed. However, just as Yoo Han had said, the redness and swelling of his lower region were severe enough to warrant concern. Ji Youngwon frowned without realizing it.

“W-what are you doing?”

Ignoring the question, Ji Youngwon opened the first aid kit and pulled out an ointment. He held Yoo Han’s hips firmly as he applied it.

“Hngh…”

The cool sensation of the ointment being spread over his sore entrance made Yoo Han grip the sheets, trembling. At this moment, he genuinely wished he could turn into a tiny mouse and disappear into a hole. He wanted to hide forever from the embarrassment.

“First he hurts me, now he’s tending to me… What a weirdo.”

Yoo Han let out a shaky breath, unsettled by Ji Youngwon’s meticulous care. Despite the humiliation, there was a strange warmth in the tenderness of his touch. Yoo Han, simple as he was, found himself utterly defenseless against such unexpected kindness.

“Anywhere else that hurts?”

Before Yoo Han could answer, Ji Youngwon turned him over. Yoo Han clutched his robe tightly to hide his growing arousal. Ji Youngwon snorted at his frantic movements. Yoo Han’s face turned bright red, as if he had been drinking.

“I’m fine. Really.”

“You, fine? The guy who was whining that he was dying from pain?”

Ji Youngwon brushed aside Yoo Han’s hands that were trying to cover his chest, inspecting the area closely. Though it was swollen enough to bruise, there were no serious injuries. Without saying a word, Ji Youngwon studied Yoo Han’s body as if memorizing it. Contrary to his expectations, Yoo Han endured his rough style surprisingly well. He even reacted to the humiliation, proving he was… unexpectedly talented.

Yoo Han tightened the robe around himself and gathered his courage to speak softly.

“Director.”

“What?”

“Are you… always like this?”

His question was vague, but before Ji Youngwon could ask for clarification, Yoo Han continued.

“Do you always take care of someone like this after… you know, after being together? Feeding them and all?”

Ji Youngwon, sitting on a stool, looked at Yoo Han with an unreadable expression.

“No.”

Yoo Han’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Ji Youngwon had never seen the need for aftercare with his partners. Even when someone had begged for more intimacy, he had always ensured the transaction was clear and left it at that.

Yoo Han’s hopeful gaze made him look almost like an eager puppy.

“Women don’t usually need ointment down there, you know.”

“……?”

“And besides, not many people stay until 4 a.m. like you. Most run off before I even offer them food.”

Disappointment flickered across Yoo Han’s face at Ji Youngwon’s blunt explanation.

“Did you think you were getting special treatment?”

In a way, he was. Unlike with others, there had been no exchange of money between them. Ji Youngwon was merely extending basic courtesy. Still, seeing Yoo Han’s array of shifting expressions was amusing, so he couldn’t resist teasing him.

Blushing deeply, Yoo Han sat up slowly, the ointment making his lower region feel slick. Embarrassed, he fidgeted with his robe.

“Alright, fine. Can I have my clothes now?”

“Stay in bed. Stop pretending to be in pain just to complain.”

“…Can I stay the night, just for today?”

Ji Youngwon rested his chin on his hand, smirking slightly.

“Do you want to go again?”

“N-no! Not at all! I just meant sleep… I’m not feeling great right now.”

Flustered, Yoo Han added hastily.

“The office is so cold. If I go back, I’ll get sick again, like before.”

Ji Youngwon sighed lightly, scanning Yoo Han’s pale face. He didn’t respond, but Yoo Han took the silence as permission and leaned back against the headboard.

“Um, hmm.”

Yoo Han cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to break the tension. But the stillness in the room was suffocating, the silence stretching endlessly. It felt as though only the two of them existed in the world, with Ji Youngwon’s steady gaze fixed solely on him.

Unable to endure the quiet any longer, Yoo Han finally spoke.

“Do you… want some cookies? They’re only a day past their expiration date.”

Ji Youngwon chuckled softly.

“Those damn cookies again.”