10 – Epilogue. Mint Candy Love

-Say it if you have something to say.

Ki Young-han stared at his mobile phone with a sullen expression. Dressed in what anyone would call comfortable attire, Yoon Ye-jun downed the drink in his cup and leaned back. He asked once more through the screen.

-Don’t you have anything to say?

Mid-August. With less than two weeks until the semester started. Ki Young-han was more than dissatisfied with this sudden long-distance relationship. He was teased as being sulky if he expressed it, but he wasn’t so kind-hearted as to skillfully brush it off, so he just gazed blankly at the person on the video call.

Yoon Ye-jun had been at his grandfather’s house for two weeks. The couple who owned the beer house where he worked had gone on a trip to Europe while students were scarce, his tutoring student was on the verge of the college entrance exam, and had entered a short-term boarding academy for a month.

Yoon Ye-jun, who had unexpectedly received a month-long vacation, went to his grandfather’s house, a place he rarely visited during the semester. Two hours by bus, an hour and a half by train, and for some reason, two and a half hours by car. It was a distance that was both far and near.

However, for some reason, Yoon Ye-jun had never once told him to come over or that he was coming to Seoul. Ki Young-han was spending the beginning of their relationship, which would never return, in utter loneliness, solitude, and desolation.

-Young-han.

He hated Yoon Ye-jun’s affectionate voice. Yoon Ye-jun was lying stretched out on the sofa. Over his shoulder, he could see the sofa, its brown leather scratched from lack of care. Ki Young-han licked his dry lips.

“Lunch?”

-I ate. My grandfather said he was coming home late, so I just ate what was at home.

Lucky him. Ki Young-han inwardly cursed Yoon Ye-jun.

That was Yoon Ye-jun’s day, as seen by Ki Young-han. Around 10 AM, he would send a message: “Young-han, are you awake?” Then they would have a short call. Ki Young-han didn’t have low blood pressure, but hearing Yoon Ye-jun’s bright voice from the morning drained his energy.

Video calls usually started around 7 PM. This was after Yoon Ye-jun had dinner with his grandfather. Since they used separate rooms, he kept his mobile phone on until late at night.

Ki Young-han would do his own thing in silence, or listen to Yoon Ye-jun’s gentle chatter. Still, the dissatisfaction accumulated in his heart didn’t easily subside. Especially today.

Yoon Ye-jun cautiously opened his mouth.

-Young-han, did you get mad because I met friends yesterday?

Because of this untimely long-distance relationship, the only way they could see each other was through video calls, yet the previous day, Yoon Ye-jun had gone out drinking with friends. Naturally, they couldn’t have a video call, and Ki Young-han, who had waited for Yoon Ye-jun late into the night, felt his pride hurt and just went to sleep. He even caught his younger brother when he came home late.

Ki Young-han was still staying at his parents’ house. Without Yoon Ye-jun, he didn’t want to stay in an empty house for no reason. It was bad to have someone beside you like this. It became a habit, an adaptation.

Having someone by your side, and their traces left in a house where no one else was but you. It had the power to make even him, who rarely felt lonely, feel desolate.

He wished he had called earlier for a video call.

Yoon Ye-jun clearly thought he was sulking.

“I’m not sulking. Though he is irresponsible.”

-…….

Yoon Ye-jun said nothing. He closed his mouth and just twitched the corners of his lips. He probably thought he was sulking. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted like that. With a sigh, Ki Young-han continued.

“It’s understandable if you saw friends after a long time. But how could you come home at 4 AM knowing I was waiting?”

-No, Young-han. You said you weren’t sulking…

“I’m not sulking? I’m just curious about what you were thinking. You said places close early there because it’s the countryside, right? But I wonder what you were doing outside until 4 AM.”

In the end, he added a sarcastic remark without filtering. Yoon Ye-jun wore a troubled expression. Ki Young-han didn’t like even that, but he stopped talking.

-My friend was too drunk, so he asked if we could go to his place to drink more. I couldn’t refuse since I hadn’t seen him in a while.

“Ah…”

Ki Young-han deliberately turned his head the other way. Yoon Ye-jun made him feel petty. He was indeed sulking. But he didn’t want to show it, so he stayed quiet, yet Yoon Ye-jun kept provoking him.

Yoon Ye-jun gave an awkward smile. Ki Young-han rolled his eyes.

Soothing me quickly. I’m upset, so soothe me.

He openly revealed his feelings. This was how it always ended. He had no complaints if he was called sulky a hundred, a thousand times.

-Young-han, look at me.

As expected, Yoon Ye-jun called him with a voice that seemed to melt him. Ki Young-han gazed blankly at the screen, feigning disinterest.

Yoon Ye-jun pursed his lips. He deliberately made a loud kissing sound. He had never thought about wanting a kiss through the mobile phone, but this was also quite nice. Ki Young-han bit his lip.

“…….”

And maintained his silence. Yoon Ye-jun looked awkward.

-It didn’t work, huh?

He muttered to himself. It had worked. It had worked enough to make him feel full. However, unsure how to control his expression, he just kept his gaze fixed on the screen with an even stiffer face than before. His hand holding the mobile phone trembled.

He wanted to ask what kind of relationship he had had to make this so natural. But he knew the outcome if he asked this question was obvious.

Ki Young-han tried to hide his coldly chilled face. He wasn’t sure if it was truly hidden. He still found it difficult to know what expression to wear, what voice to use, and what to say when looking at Yoon Ye-jun.

It was his first proper relationship, his first time facing someone with a solidified emotion. First times were always so arduous.

As the silence began to stretch, Yoon Ye-jun, hiding his embarrassed face, pleaded.

-You do it too.

It was a plain voice, but strangely imbued with affection, Ki Young-han judged Yoon Ye-jun’s tone purely by his own standards. Ki Young-han pursed and unpursed his lips. This was awkward. He had to have done it before to do it. His body felt stiff.

Just then, a murmuring sound came from outside. Is he crazy? What’s all this noise? Ki Young-han raised the corners of his eyes while holding his mobile phone. Glancing back, Yoon Ye-jun asked, “Why?” Ki Young-han put down his mobile phone.

“One moment.”

And before Yoon Ye-jun could reply, he left the room. He headed towards Ki Young-hyun’s door, not far from his own room. It seemed he was on the phone. He muttered to himself, Always acting cute. Ki Young-han kicked the door.

“Hey, be quiet!”

As he yelled, the sound leaking from beyond the door stopped instantly. Ki Young-han returned to his room. He closed the door with a loud bang. When he picked up his mobile phone again, Yoon Ye-jun’s eyes were wide with surprise.

-Are you angry at your brother right now?

“No. I’m not angry. I just went to tell him to be quiet.”

-No, your brother seemed really gentle… why are you so angry?

“When do I get angry?”

Gentle, my foot. His appearance was just a shell. Ki Young-han lightly twitched the bridge of his nose, displeased with Yoon Ye-jun’s favorable opinion of his brother. He seems angry… Yoon Ye-jun muttered to himself, then quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, you really don’t look alike with your brother.”

Ki Young-han just shrugged it off. He had heard that so many times that it didn’t bother him.

-Your personalities aren’t similar either, right?

“He’s just unnecessarily timid.”

-Is your brother tearful? You are.

“…….”

Yoon Ye-jun teased him again. Ki Young-han had nothing to say and pretended not to hear. He propped his mobile phone against a stack of books and rested his chin on his forearm on the desk. Burying his cheek in his palm, his face naturally became listless.

He looked at Yoon Ye-jun in the screen. Cute. It was strange how he looked cute even when expressionless.

As Ki Young-han shifted his posture, Yoon Ye-jun also turned his body. He propped his mobile phone on what appeared to be the armrest of the sofa and lay down on his stomach. He had nothing to say, but he didn’t know why it was so fun. Ki Young-han found it fun just looking at Yoon Ye-jun’s face. It was truly strange.

-Young-han, aren’t you going to do it?

“Do what?”

-Kiss.

Ki Young-han stared at the screen silently for a moment. Then he checked the system Air conditioner attached to the ceiling. He had clearly turned on the Air conditioner, so why did it feel so hot?

He lowered his gaze again. Yoon Ye-jun was waiting silently. Ki Young-han held his breath for a moment. Then he squeezed his eyes shut. He was doing something that didn’t suit him. He pouted his lips and deliberately made a sound. Smack. Goosebumps rose on his arm.

Hahaha, Yoon Ye-jun laughed in a steady tone. Ki Young-han scowled. He had done what was asked, only to be mocked. Ki Young-han buried his head in the desk. Yoon Ye-jun, who had been laughing for a while, cleared his throat.

-Young-han.

“What is it?”

Ki Young-han mumbled, his forehead against the desk.

-I miss you so much today.

Only then did Ki Young-han lift his head. With his chin on the desk’s surface, he faced the screen.

Then you can just come to Seoul. You said you couldn’t take care of me when I said I’d come to Yesan or Hongseong, so why do you say you miss me?

The words lingered at the edge of his lips. He wanted to be with Yoon Ye-jun always. He was curious about everything about him, wanted to know everything. What he liked, what he disliked, what kind of childhood he had, what his friends were like, even the people he had dated before.

But at the same time, he wished he could never recall them again. People lived based on past experiences, but since he would be in the present and future, he wanted Yoon Ye-jun to think only of him, to consider only him.

Ki Young-han’s mood instantly soured. Why was he feeling this way, even though he heard “I miss you” from the person he liked, had video calls late into the night every day, and sent messages as soon as he woke up to ask about each other’s well-being?

-Young-han, should I go up to Seoul?

However, the other person, who knew nothing, was intent only on teasing and tormenting him. If he said, “Come here too,” he was sure Yoon Ye-jun would laugh as if he had fallen for a prank.

Ki Young-han felt wronged. They had started dating because they liked each other, but as always, his own feelings came first. He wanted Yoon Ye-jun to like him more, more, more, more.

“Come…”

The truly pathetic thing was that even knowing he was likely being teased, he wanted to see Yoon Ye-jun so much that he could endure the shame.

Holding his mobile phone to his ear, Ki Young-han lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He gazed at the plain white wallpaper of the ceiling. Cold air blew from the system Air conditioner nestled in the corner of the ceiling.

It was a summer that didn’t feel like summer. He didn’t go outside, and his time was spent like a loafer, only occasionally going out for a cigarette or to buy beer.

During normal vacations, like other university students, he would take classes, rent a study room for certificate acquisition, or study alone, but this vacation had none of that, making it even more sorrowful and making him miss Yoon Ye-jun more. Even if he studied, it wouldn’t make Yoon Ye-jun any farther away.

Ki Young-han turned onto his side. The white wall came into view. It was quite noisy on the other end of the phone. His lips jutted out as if a button had been pressed.

“My brother’s girlfriend is coming today.”

-Oh? I’m curious what kind of person she is. Your brother is very cute.

“She’s not cute. But you’re having a good time, aren’t you?”

No matter how much they talked all night or exchanged messages all day, his disposition soured. He was spending such a lonely and sorrowful summer, while Yoon Ye-jun was enjoying a pleasant vacation.

He had gone to Yesan, his grandfather’s house, and whenever he had a chance, he met people, went out with his grandfather, and even visited his alma mater high school, which he hadn’t even glanced at since graduation.

What was the point of taking care of everyone one by one? Ki Young-han, who didn’t interfere with things that yielded no benefit, grew even more irritated.

However, contrary to his uncomfortable feelings, Yoon Ye-jun laughed monotonously. What’s so funny? Ki Young-han twitched his lips, showing his displeasure, but no one seemed to notice. How could anyone understand his feelings through a voice call, not a video call?

“Well, you called early today. You must be bored.”

-Yeah, just, you know.

“You’re so happy, really. Annoyingly so…”

The call came at 10 AM. He had called out of the blue in the morning, wondering what was up, but Yoon Ye-jun said he was on his way to the terminal in Yesan to pick up a friend. Come or don’t come. He called because he was bored while waiting. Dating is really hard.

-You must be happy too, Young-han.

“Happy about what?”

-Young-han.

His heart pounded at the low voice calling his name. His heart was moved. It was a strange voice. Nothing special, yet pleasant to hear, and it stirred a desire to have his name called continuously.

Ki Young-han swallowed dryly for no reason. Tension gathered in his palms. He clenched his fists and scratched his palm with his fingernails. Just as the tension accompanied by silence was about to continue.

-I’m in Seoul now. I came to see you.

“…….”

-Want to come out?

Ki Young-han blinked silently. The correct phrase wasn’t “Want to come out?” but “Come out.” Ki Young-han bit his lip. Why was he asking something so obvious? When the person he liked came all the way to Seoul for him, there was no need to consider time or place. Even if he were in New York, or at the ends of the earth, he would have gone to Seoul immediately.

Ki Young-han huffed indignantly. He felt unnecessarily resentful. Yoon Ye-jun was doing this knowing full well.

Ding-dong.

Just then, the sound of the intercom in the first-floor common entrance rang. His mind was already in turmoil from Yoon Ye-jun’s voice, and the timing was perfect. Ki Young-han held his breath.

“I’ll just give my brother his allowance and head to the terminal. Wait for me.”

-I could just wait at your place.

“Just stay at the terminal. It’s hot, you know.”

-Okay. Then I’ll be at the cafe inside. Contact me when you get here. Take your time.

After ending the short call, Ki Young-han went outside without even taking the time to change clothes. His brother was standing blankly in front of the intercom. So stupid. Ki Young-han casually approached and asked.

“You’re here?”

At the question, Ki Young-hyun finally turned his head. Nodding, nodding, facing Ki Young-han’s hesitant, mumbling nod, he entered the room being used as a storage space because no one used it. He brought out a folding floor table wedged between the wardrobe and the wall.

When he came back out to the living room, Ki Young-hyun was just blinking. He looked at Ki Young-han, who approached him. His eyes asked why he brought the table.

Ki Young-han was in a hurry. He placed the table in the living room. Too lazy to order Ki Young-hyun around to do various things, he busied himself alone. He pushed the coffee table, which he usually used in front of the sofa, far away, and unfolded the legs of the table he had brought in the center.

“…What are you doing, hyung?”

Ki Young-hyun asked in a dazed voice.

“Do it in the living room.”

Ki Young-han replied nonchalantly. He had set up the table in the living room to at least have some conscience, rather than doing strange things in his room.

“Are you crazy? I’m going to do it in my room.”

Ki Young-hyun argued back for the first time in a long while. He clenched his fists tightly, as if about to jump, and pressed them against his body. He seemed to be pouring out his indignation, but Ki Young-han wasn’t very interested. He just intended to change clothes and leave. Yoon Ye-jun was waiting for him at the terminal. Why was he being so argumentative today? Annoyed, he glared at Ki Young-hyun, who immediately shrank back.

“Ah, no…”

“What were you planning to do in your room?”

“It’s not like that…”

Ki Young-han looked at Ki Young-hyun, who had immediately tucked his tail between his legs as if he had no intention of arguing further, with frustration. Then he went into his room. He rummaged through the closet to change. He wanted to look good for Yoon Ye-jun, though he acted casually.

Why are all my clothes like this?* Casual styles were mostly worn when the weather turned cold, so in the summer, they were all sporty clothes, which was awkward. In the end, he put on a black short-sleeved t-shirt and light blue jeans. He lightly sprayed perfume on the back of his neck. He rubbed it vigorously on his wrists as if washing.

Ki Young-han slipped his wallet into his back pocket. Grabbing his mobile phone as he went out, he hooked his finger through the keychain ring. Then he headed towards the place where the small commotion had occurred.

“Hello.”

Limm Dae-han bowed his head with a nod. Ki Young-han merely nodded back perfunctorily. He wasn’t someone he could have a deep conversation with.

“I bought some ice cream. Please have some.”

Limm Dae-han spoke in a low, eerie voice like a cave. Ki Young-han took the shopping bag he offered and placed it on the dining table.

“It’s fine. I have to go out.”

After finishing his sentence, Ki Young-han glanced at Ki Young-hyun. Ki Young-hyun clung to Limm Dae-han’s side as if he had gained a thousand troops. He didn’t seem to realize that his already small frame looked even smaller when he stayed close to someone so large.

“Hyung, where are you going?”

And then he asked a sudden question. Ki Young-han stiffened. A short vibration echoed from beyond the mobile phone in his hand. Glancing at his mobile phone, he saw a picture, presumably of coffee, from Yoon Ye-jun. It seemed he was waiting for him inside a cafe. He had to go quickly. Ki Young-han trailed off.

“Uh, just for a bit… to school.”

It was true he needed to drop off his things. Ki Young-han tried to avoid his gaze.

“School? It’s vacation.”

“You don’t need to know.”

Ki Young-han cut off Ki Young-hyun and stood facing Limm Dae-han. He was maybe an inch taller. He had rarely seen anyone taller than himself, so it was surprisingly novel. In contrast…

“…….”

When he looked at Ki Young-hyun, his gaze quickly dropped. What had he eaten to be so small? He ate well, just like everyone else, and his parents must have fed him properly, yet he was uniquely small among his family. It also seemed to be true that he looked even smaller standing next to Limm Dae-han.

“I called you to buy you a meal, but I suddenly have plans.”

“It’s okay.”

Ki Young-han took out his wallet from his back pocket. He opened it, took out three 50,000 won bills, and handed them to Ki Young-hyun. Ki Young-hyun reached out with hands much smaller than his or Limm Dae-han’s and took the bills. He folded them as if crumpling them and gripped them tightly in his hand.

“Buy lunch and dinner with this. And I probably… won’t be back today. You can stay over if it’s okay, if your parents won’t worry.”

“I live separately from my parents.”

At Limm Dae-han’s words, Ki Young-han immediately turned his head. He looked at Ki Young-hyun, who was stiffly frozen, rolling his eyes and stealing glances at him. The moments he had been late, had rushed out arbitrarily on weekends, and had tried his best not to come home flashed through his mind. Just as he thought.

“Ki Young-hyun.”

He couldn’t help but scold him. So brazen. Just as he was about to say something, Ki Young-hyun immediately hunched his shoulders. Perhaps he knew he had done wrong, as he didn’t talk back this time. Ki Young-han found fighting and bickering in front of others childish, so he told him to just study hard. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he headed for the entrance. He had his own priorities.

Perhaps because it was summer, the cafe located in the terminal was very crowded. Travelers and those waiting for someone were all mixed together. Yoon Ye-jun sat by the cafe window, sipping through his straw. He stared blankly out the front window, his chin resting on his palm.

“I’m tired…”

He had been in a bus with the Air conditioner blasting, and even at the terminal, it wasn’t particularly hot as they maintained a suitable temperature, but his body felt sluggish. Was his body aware it was summer, even if he was in a cool place? Or was it because he had worked through a tight schedule that was hardly even a vacation? Fatigue weighed heavily on his shoulders.

It was natural. Yoon Ye-jun hadn’t been able to sleep more than five hours recently. He had talked with Ki Young-han until three or four in the morning, and then had to wake up to eat breakfast with his grandfather, leaving him only about four hours.

During the day, he had to meet friends since he had returned to his hometown after a long time, and even his school teacher had heard the rumors and told him to come by, so he had few days off.

Lost in his quiet fatigue, Yoon Ye-jun hugged the shopping bag on the table. He hadn’t packed any side dishes, but just before he left, his grandfather, who had driven him to the terminal, handed him the shopping bag.

Then he had recited words of caution, telling him not to fight with his friends, to listen to his teacher, and to tell him anytime he needed money. He seemed to have forgotten that he was in his mid-twenties, having already completed his military service. Or perhaps, in his grandfather’s eyes, he remained a child.

Yoon Ye-jun opened the mouth of the shopping bag his grandfather had given him.

“Here…”

Inside were a box of Choco Pies and chocolates with alphabets printed side-by-side.

Yoon Ye-jun gazed into it. His grandfather had clearly packed it without much thought, just to stave off boredom on the way, but for some reason, it deeply touched him. Then, he shook his head.

Don’t be swayed by emotions. I’ll be filial. He desperately wanted to buy a house with a yard, not a 401 unit on the top floor of a commercial building with an agwijeem restaurant on the first floor and a karaoke room in the basement. His grandfather loved growing flowers and tending to his garden. How wonderful it would be for his yellow dog, who he raised on the rooftop, to live freely in the yard.

Yoon Ye-jun rummaged through his pocket and took out a small candy tin. It was a mint candy he had bought at the cafe counter along with his coffee because his mouth felt sticky. He peeled off the tape sealing the opening and lifted the lid. He carefully picked up a round, flat, but small candy with his thumb and forefinger. He put the candy in his mouth. Despite its small size, a chillingly refreshing taste spread through his mouth.

Yoon Ye-jun thought this candy’s taste was like his relationship with Ki Young-han. While it might be considered childish, perhaps relationships were like that. It was a mint candy that had come to jolt him awake, him who had only ever had lukewarm relationships.

“…….”

Was his expression too childish? He couldn’t tell Ki Young-han anyway.

Yoon Ye-jun pushed the empty cup towards the window. He gently rolled the candy in his mouth with his tongue. He took out his mobile phone; Ki Young-han was calling. Yoon Ye-jun hid the candy under his tongue, then brought it to the tip of his tongue.

“Yeah, Young-han.”

-I’m almost there. Come out.

“Which way?”

-I’ll go around one more time. When you come out, there’s that place with the crosswalk, right? Where there are lots of taxis. I’ll be there.

“Okay.”

-Hurry and come out.

Wouldn’t he at least say to come out slowly, out of politeness? Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head. Still, it had been so long since he had seen Ki Young-han. The accumulated fatigue felt like it was slowly dissipating.

The tension that had subtly built up while he was with his grandfather slowly dissolved. For him, Ki Young-han was someone who allowed him to take off the mask he wore, even from his family.

Yoon Ye-jun put the candy tin back into the shopping bag and, along with the empty cup, got up from his seat. He threw the cup in the trash and pushed his way through the crowd to the outside. As he quickly escaped the building, the heatwave greeted him. It might be his imagination, but Seoul felt even hotter. Summer was indeed summer. The ground was hot enough to sizzle.

“It’s hot…”

Yoon Ye-jun muttered to himself and followed the crowd towards the crosswalk. A sleek, familiar car was parked close to the sidewalk. The window slowly rolled down. Yoon Ye-jun walked with hurried steps. He hugged the shopping bag and placed it on the passenger seat.

“Close the window.”

Ki Young-han’s voice was as usual. As if he was the only one who was happy to see him. Yoon Ye-jun rolled up the window. Honk- The terminal was as noisy as ever. A horn blared, as if unable to tolerate even a moment’s wait.

“Is he driving alone? He should have come out earlier.”

Ki Young-han grumbled as if he had been waiting to. The fact that he could hear even that grumbling so clearly made Yoon Ye-jun inexplicably smile, his lips curling up.

“Why are you smiling?”

Ki Young-han asked, glancing over and observing Yoon Ye-jun’s expression. His voice wasn’t gruff. Perhaps embarrassed by his own grumbling, he touched his cheek.

“Young-han, want a candy?”

Yoon Ye-jun, happy to see Ki Young-han after so long, rummaged through the shopping bag and took out the candy tin. He placed it on his palm as if handling a precious jewel box and opened the lid. Wiggling his fingers, he picked out a candy. Is it dirty? Hesitantly, he brought it to Ki Young-han’s lips.

“What is it?”

He could just put it in his mouth, but he always added a comment. He expected him to tell him to put it away or say he’d eat it himself, but Ki Young-han readily took the candy from Yoon Ye-jun’s fingers. The sound of the candy hitting his neat teeth could be heard.

Yoon Ye-jun felt both embarrassed and happy by the sight, and at the moment the light turned red, he placed his hand over Ki Young-han’s hand on the gear shift. He felt Ki Young-han’s gaze on him. When Yoon Ye-jun looked up and met his eyes, Ki Young-han’s face was expressionless.

He should be dying of shyness. It wasn’t the reaction he wanted. Ki Young-han pulled his hand away as if to shake off Yoon Ye-jun’s hand. Yoon Ye-jun’s hand, which had stopped in mid-air, was clasped and pulled towards him. He’s doing everything he wants.

Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t hide his laughter. As he burst into laughter, Ki Young-han flung his hand away again. He must be sulking again. Yoon Ye-jun’s hand felt strangely empty. He looked at his hand, then clenched it into a fist for no reason, and placed the shopping bag on the floor.

A ballad that Yoon Ye-jun liked played from the music Ki Young-han had turned on. Yoon Ye-jun hummed along. Ki Young-han glanced at Yoon Ye-jun as if glaring, then also hummed along quietly. When the chorus ended, Ki Young-han soon closed his mouth. Then, he pointed to the front windshield with his chin.

“I put film on it this time.”

“To kiss?”

“…Yes.”

“How did you hold back wanting to kiss?”

Not trying to tease, but because he was cute, he overlapped his wrist with Ki Young-han’s shoulder and caressed his cheek. Ki Young-han, in his usual gruff tone, spoke again.

“Ah, don’t.”

“But you’re cute.”

Yoon Ye-jun replied, his voice still tinged with laughter. At the same time, he felt glad he had moved up his schedule and come to Seoul early. He had missed Ki Young-han as much as Ki Young-han had complained.

“Young-han, I really missed you so much.”

He said it casually to Ki Young-han, who had just started driving again. Ki Young-han liked it when he expressed himself a lot. His surprised eyes looking at him, then narrowing his eyes, were proof of that. Of course, with his mouth…

“Then you should have come earlier.”

Even though he grumbled, it sounded good today.

Yoon Ye-jun, who was lounging on the sofa enjoying the Air conditioner’s breeze, shifted his gaze to the shopping bag placed neatly on the table. Wearing only underwear that barely covered him, he stretched out his arm and snatched the shopping bag. He lay down, resting his head on the armrest. A humming tune escaped his lips.

He opened the mouth of the plastic bag to get the chocolates inside. He took out three chocolates the size of candies. With a rustling sound of plastic rubbing against plastic, he peeled off the transparent wrapper. As he put it in his mouth, the half-melted, gooey chocolate quickly mashed. Sweetness spread through his mouth.

Since he had no food preferences, he ate three chocolates in a row. Then he took his mobile phone and had a short call with his grandfather. “I’m in Seoul. Grandpa, why did you pack this for me?” It felt a bit guilty to be having this kind of conversation at his boyfriend’s place, but his grandfather would worry more if he didn’t call, so he had no choice.

After the call, he lay still. Being in the cold Air conditioner breeze with nothing on but underwear felt heavenly. Moreover, his boyfriend was scrubbing himself clean in the bathroom, so he looked forward to the time that would follow.

The subtly lingering fatigue washed over him like a giant wave. He felt like he was about to fall asleep. A languid feeling chased him like a shadow. Yoon Ye-jun yawned widely, without covering his mouth. Tears welled up. He bent his index finger and tapped the front of his eyes with the protruding knuckle.

Despite the artificial and intense cooling, unlike the gentle breeze of spring, sleep began to overcome him. Yoon Ye-jun slowly lifted and lowered his eyelids. His breathing slowed as if he were holding his breath.

At that moment, as if on cue, Ki Young-han opened the bathroom door and came out. He took a couple of steps into the living room and his eyes met Yoon Ye-jun’s, who was lounging on the sofa.

Ki Young-han had neatly changed his clothes in the bathroom. He held the laundry in his hands and had a towel around his neck. His face was contorted, as if something else displeased him.

“What?”

Yoon Ye-jun asked, barely meeting his gaze. Sleepiness seemed to weigh down his entire body. Ki Young-han, without answering, put his clothes into the laundry basket in front of the laundry room. He walked over and sat down on the sofa near where Yoon Ye-jun was lying.

Yoon Ye-jun gazed endlessly at Ki Young-han, who filled his vision. He’s handsome. He reached out and rubbed his cheek. Ki Young-han’s eyebrows furrowed. A deep crease formed between his eyebrows. It’s creating wrinkles on your handsome face. Yoon Ye-jun moved his hand further and gently stroked his frown.

After meeting his eyes for a moment, Ki Young-han slowly lowered his head. Yoon Ye-jun wrapped his arms around Ki Young-han’s neck as he leaned down. Their lips met, slowly parting, and his breath, carrying the scent of toothpaste, enveloped him.

As he traced Yoon Ye-jun’s wet tongue, Ki Young-han pulled Yoon Ye-jun’s back closer. Yoon Ye-jun fumbled with the back of Ki Young-han’s head. He gently gripped his hair. With a twist of his head, he pushed his hair away.

“…….”

Ki Young-han’s face was as usual, but he didn’t speak. When he grabbed his cheeks, which were visibly sulky, and applied pressure with his palms, his lips pouted. Yoon Ye-jun sat up and kissed his lips loudly, then pulled away.

“Your mouth tastes sweet.”

“I ate chocolate.”

Ki Young-han finally noticed the shopping bag and the chocolate wrapper lying neatly on the floor. He wanted to ask who gave it to him, where he got it, but he couldn’t.

Unaware of Ki Young-han’s thoughts, Yoon Ye-jun slipped his hand under Ki Young-han’s t-shirt. He caressed his well-defined abs. He pulled up the hem. As the t-shirt was smoothly lifted, he caressed his upper body.

Ki Young-han, who had sat up, immediately took off his clothes again, as if his earlier act of dressing after showering was in vain. Yoon Ye-jun lay back on the sofa and gazed at Ki Young-han. Then, he lifted his buttocks and pulled down the waistband of his underwear.

He pulled his right leg towards his upper body. He stuck one leg out through the gap in the underwear. The underwear, not fully removed, caught on his left knee, and as he lowered his leg to the floor, it slid down to his ankle.

Ki Young-han, who was naked just like Yoon Ye-jun, grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s waist and lifted him onto his thighs.

Ki Young-han’s face, which he always looked up at, was now below him. Yoon Ye-jun gently placed his hands on Ki Young-han’s shoulders. He softly stroked his collarbone, which was beautifully straight.

Ki Young-han raised his head. He kissed the tip of Yoon Ye-jun’s round chin. Yoon Ye-jun also moved his head. Lips, cheek, lips again, then lips again. Their lips met and parted several times, briefly.

Ki Young-han simply gazed at Yoon Ye-jun. In the meantime, Yoon Ye-jun kissed his cheeks and lips a few more times.

Ki Young-han’s mind was complicated. The problem was this: he felt like he was the only one anxious. Yoon Ye-jun so skillfully played with him, lifting him up and putting him down, and he bounced like a jump rope in his grasp. In a way, it felt unfair.

He had a strong desire to pry into Yoon Ye-jun’s past relationships. But he didn’t know how much Yoon Ye-jun would reveal, and he was afraid of losing his affection, so he didn’t ask.

Ki Young-han finally lowered his gaze. In the meantime, Yoon Ye-jun’s nipples, pink and nicely ripened, caught his eye. Pathetic, really.

Ki Young-han finally took Yoon Ye-jun’s nipple into his mouth. He bit the light pink areola. With each lick of his tongue, Yoon Ye-jun let out a moan. Yoon Ye-jun exhaled, pressing his chest closer to his lips. Yoon Ye-jun embraced Ki Young-han’s head as his sensitive area was sucked between his hot lips. His wet tongue brushed his nipple and the surrounding area several times.

Ki Young-han pulled Yoon Ye-jun’s waist tighter and embraced him. Thin. As he placed his palm on his back, Yoon Ye-jun lowered his head. Then, quite skillfully, he sucked on Ki Young-han’s earlobe. Ki Young-han ran his hand over the hollow of his back. He caressed his particularly prominent buttocks, then slipped his hand between the parted cleft.

His head spun. The ear Yoon Ye-jun was sucking, the shape of his nipple being greedily sucked against his lips, the faint sound of his breathing—all of it was stimulating.

Ki Young-han caressed his own genitals, which were being gently rubbed against his abdomen.

“Ah…”

A low breath brushed his ear. The lips that had been sucking wetly pulled away. Yoon Ye-jun shifted his hips back. Thump, his own genitals, which had sprung up, brushed against his. Yoon Ye-jun slowly moved his hips. Their shafts touched and rubbed against each other.

Ki Young-han bit his lip hard. Yoon Ye-jun, who had placed his hands gently on his shoulders, pulled back. Their eyes met. Ki Young-han looked up at Yoon Ye-jun with a pained expression. Yoon Ye-jun smiled weakly.

“Young-han-ah…”

“…Ngh.”

“Ha… Touch me.”

And then their lips met silently again. Yoon Ye-jun sucked on Ki Young-han’s lower lip. With a wet sound, Ki Young-han grabbed their two touching, rubbing genitals with both hands. Hoooh… Yoon Ye-jun exhaled with difficulty and buried his forehead in Ki Young-han’s shoulder.

“Ah…”

Ki Young-han gripped the genitals in his hands and moved them up and down. He was embarrassed by his own glans, which had turned a particularly red hue from the blood rushing to it. Yoon Ye-jun’s glistening, wet genitals were beautiful, but why was his own unnecessarily engorged? The veins standing out on his pale shaft looked grotesque.

As Ki Young-han held his genitals and moved them together, Yoon Ye-jun diligently caressed Ki Young-han’s neck. His breath touched his skin, his skin was sucked in the hot mouth, and his teeth scraped gently. Each time, Ki Young-han swallowed dryly. I’m going to die, fuck… A curse slipped out unintentionally.

“Wait a moment…”

Ki Young-han lightly held Yoon Ye-jun’s shoulders. With the gentle force of him pushing away, Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head up. His lips were glisteningly wet from how intensely he had been caressing. Ki Young-han wanted to snatch those lips and suck them all out, but he held back.

Ki Young-han tried to avoid Yoon Ye-jun’s gaze, which was meeting his with eyes full of desire.

“Get up.”

“Why?”

“I’ll suck you.”

“On the sofa…?”

“Yes.”

At those words, Yoon Ye-jun slowly stood up. He spread his legs, positioning himself between Ki Young-han’s lower body, and placed his hands on the back of the sofa. The leather was crushed.

Ki Young-han wrapped his arms around the back of Yoon Ye-jun’s thighs. Yoon Ye-jun’s wet genitals brushed against his cheek. Yoon Ye-jun watched him from above. Ki Young-han seemed not to care about the mess at all. Only when Yoon Ye-jun playfully rubbed his genitals against his cheek did he cast a sidelong glance.

If it had been someone else’s cock, he would have recoiled in disgust, but Yoon Ye-jun’s was fine. This was also a problem. The only reason he felt disgusted was that, unlike himself, Yoon Ye-jun was being playful.

Ki Young-han pulled Yoon Ye-jun’s thighs closer to him. Yoon Ye-jun gripped the back of the sofa with all his might. His hot mouth bit deeply into his genitals. It was moist and felt like it would melt. Clumsy at caressing, he scraped his shaft with the flat of his teeth. All sorts of stimulation gathered below, to the point where his nostrils flared.

“Ah…”

Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head back, still holding onto the sofa back. Ki Young-han sucked his genitals quite aggressively. The sound of them rubbing together, wet with saliva, was stimulating. Like deliberately slurping ice cream, the chup, chup, chup sounds spread through the air.

Although Yoon Ye-jun was holding the sofa back, it was becoming difficult to endure. He bent his waist, leaning more weight onto the backrest. Thump, thump, thump… Sounds could be heard. Ki Young-han was masturbating, gripping his glistening glans.

“…Hoo, ngh.”

Though he exhaled with difficulty, it was sometimes strange. Ki Young-han, who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed even if poked, was more sexually charged and tried to press his body against him whenever he had the chance. Come to think of it, when they first kissed, wasn’t it Ki Young-han, heavily drunk, who used seduction? Well… I was also at fault for falling for it.

Ki Young-han released his hands from Yoon Ye-jun’s thighs. Yoon Ye-jun, whose lower body had lost considerable strength, could only stand upright by exerting force on his thighs. He lowered his gaze and examined Ki Young-han’s face.

One of Ki Young-han’s cheeks bulged out from Yoon Ye-jun’s glans. Their eyes met as he looked up. Blood rushed to Yoon Ye-jun’s lower body. He struggled to hold back the urge to ejaculate immediately.

Ki Young-han gripped the base of Yoon Ye-jun’s genitals. He stuck out his tongue and rubbed his glans with his tongue.

He was clumsy at caressing, but where had he learned to do this?

Yoon Ye-jun felt a strange sensation on his genitals, exposed to the air after being buried in the heat. His eyes squeezed shut from the force of the soft tongue rubbing intensely, as if trying to penetrate his urethral opening.

His engorged genitals twitched, revealing their presence. Yoon Ye-jun opened his closed eyes. Then he moved his legs as if struggling.

“Wait, ngh, wait a moment…”

“……”

Yoon Ye-jun pulled his upper body back and looked down at Ki Young-han. It was a perfect position to fall backward, so he gripped the sofa’s leather backrest with all his might. As he lowered his head, Ki Young-han held his genitals and licked his glans with his tongue, as if sticking it out. At that moment, semen spurted from Yoon Ye-jun’s genitals.

“Hoo… Ah, haa…”

Yoon Ye-jun exhaled with difficulty. He swallowed dryly several times. His thighs weakened, and the inside of his groin trembled. His nostrils flared, and he breathed in short gasps. At the end, with a groan, he slumped down beside him.

Putting aside the ejaculatory urge, Yoon Ye-jun belatedly examined Ki Young-han’s face.

“Ah, shit…”

Ki Young-han wiped the semen that had splattered on his lips with the back of his hand. Yoon Ye-jun gently caressed Ki Young-han’s lips with his hand. He had only ejaculated once, but perhaps because he was standing, it was more tiring than usual.

“……”

“……”

I want to do it in bed. Without interruption, rolling around, touching each other, leaving our marks. Yoon Ye-jun touched Ki Young-han’s thighs. He gently caressed his genitals with his hand. Each time his hand moved over his already wet genitals from pre-ejaculate, a wet, squelching sound was made.

Ki Young-han gnashed his lips. The violent veins on his neck stood out. Yoon Ye-jun rubbed his lips against Ki Young-han’s cheek again.

“Young-han-ah, if we go to the bedroom, I’ll… do it for you…”

Because the sofa is too difficult.

* * *

“You said you’d suck me, but this isn’t the position…”

“Since we’re going to do it anyway, can we just do it?”

Yoon Ye-jun bit his lip as he looked at his genitals, which were aggressively revealed beneath him. He had agreed to suck him. That was all fine. But why was he, Yoon Ye-jun, on top of Ki Young-han, pushing his lower body into his face?

“……”

As he stood there, unable to suck and just watching, he felt a hand touch his groin. Ki Young-han slowly spread his legs. Ki Young-han buried his lips against Yoon Ye-jun’s rear. His tongue, touching his perineum, licked upwards from below.

His wet mouth sucked below with a loud sound. The skin being sucked by his soft lips felt ticklish. Yoon Ye-jun groaned, trying to press his thighs together, but the hands holding his thighs were firm, making it difficult.

Eventually, Yoon Ye-jun moaned and finally took Ki Young-han’s genitals into his mouth. He managed to embrace only the glans. Saliva dripped from his wide-open mouth, wetting his shaft. With the intention of helping with his hand, he rubbed his genitals with saliva and pre-ejaculate as lubricant. Ki Young-han’s hands, gripping his groin, squeezed his skin more tightly.

“……!”

And then, Ki Young-han buried his face between Yoon Ye-jun’s buttocks. His lower body twitched and writhed. The tongue that had been stimulating his perineum and thighs now licked downwards towards his hole. As the tongue licked his hole as if to spread it open greedily, Yoon Ye-jun moved his legs as if kicking, spat out Ki Young-han’s genitals from his mouth, and lowered his head. His genitals brushed against his cheek. Yoon Ye-jun held his shaft with his hand and turned his head back with difficulty.

“Hoo… Young, Young-han-ah…”

He touched Ki Young-han’s well-defined abdominal muscles and straightened his body. However, it was only more difficult. Wouldn’t this put him in a position where he was completely on top of Ki Young-han’s face? Yoon Ye-jun lowered his upper body again. He decided it would be better if Ki Young-han came quickly.

Yoon Ye-jun grabbed Ki Young-han’s genitals, which were licking his lower body greedily. It was already too big, to the point of dislocating his jaw, but he put more force into it. Even when he put it in up to his throat, the shaft was still too long, so he licked the shaft with his tongue several times.

He also massaged his testicles. While the glans area was a light pink, the shaft was red with blue veins. Yoon Ye-jun caressed his genitals with considerable effort. Until his own genitals were thoroughly wet with saliva and pre-ejaculate.

“Ngh…”

Ki Young-han exhaled suppressed breaths, but he focused on licking Yoon Ye-jun’s lower body. As fingers dug into his rear, Yoon Ye-jun’s arms trembled. While catching his breath with his face buried at the base, his hands continued to move his shaft.

Looking at the shaft of his genitals, dotted with red veins, he held it with both hands. He moved his hands up and down, hitting his rear. Pre-ejaculate dripped from his urethral opening, wetting his shaft. As he cupped it with his fingers and licked it upwards, Ki Young-han suddenly grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s waist. In an instant, their positions were reversed.

He was turned over and laid on his back, facing the ceiling. After being in difficult positions, lying down comfortably made Yoon Ye-jun’s eyelids heavy. He wanted to have sex, and he wanted to sleep. But looking at the ceiling was brief; soon, he slowly spread his legs for Ki Young-han, who filled his vision.

Ki Young-han, now between his legs, rubbed his own genitals against Yoon Ye-jun’s already erect genitals again. They were both completely wet with each other’s saliva. He lowered his body and rubbed his lips against Yoon Ye-jun’s lips. Yoon Ye-jun placed his hand on Ki Young-han’s masturbating genitals. As he rubbed them, Ki Young-han whispered above Yoon Ye-jun’s lips.

“…I think I’m going to cum.”

“You can cum.”

He replied to his low voice and sucked on his lips. The muscles of his embraced shoulders seemed to stiffen. Hoooh, Ki Young-han, busy kissing and masturbating, let out heavy breaths.

Ki Young-han rubbed his glans against Yoon Ye-jun’s groin. Slap, slap, their shafts touched and rubbed. When he thrust into his groin as if to insert, the skin that touched him ached. After moving his lower body for a while, Ki Young-han sprayed his semen onto Yoon Ye-jun’s genitals and thighs.

And without giving him a moment’s pause, he plunged into Yoon Ye-jun’s lips again. Despite having ejaculated, Ki Young-han’s healthy genitals dug into Yoon Ye-jun’s groin. Yoon Ye-jun caressed the semen that had fallen on his genitals with his hand. Using it as lubricant, he stroked his genitals and brought them down. His fingers twitched as he pushed them inside.

“Hoo… Young-han-ah…”

“Don’t take your tongue out.”

After speaking, Ki Young-han licked Yoon Ye-jun’s tongue again. As his index finger found its place, he pushed his middle finger in as well. As his fingers wiggled inside, Ki Young-han brought his own genitals down. Before Yoon Ye-jun could even pull his fingers out, his glans plunged in.

“Wait… my fingers, ah, take them out, wait…!”

Ki Young-han bit his lips hard. His glans rested there. No matter how much he sucked or moved his fingers, the inside was too narrow, and his glans, which had found its place, popped out with a thump. Yoon Ye-jun twitched his hips. Ki Young-han grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s thighs and pulled him towards him.

“Go to the back, hoo… Let’s do it from behind…”

His inner thighs ached as if he had a muscle strain, so Yoon Ye-jun turned his body. He buried his forehead in the sheets, knelt, and raised his buttocks. Ki Young-han grabbed his buttocks on both sides and spread them apart. He held Yoon Ye-jun’s buttocks for a long time and gazed at his pink hole.

It was glistening, wet with saliva, and the wrinkles were tightly interlocked. Yet, when he exhaled, it twitched slightly. It was as if it was asking him to insert himself immediately. Ki Young-han brought his index and middle fingers to Yoon Ye-jun’s hole. He slowly pushed them in.

“Ngh… Wait, ah…”

“I’ll loosen it for you.”

Ki Young-han pushed his fingers into Yoon Ye-jun’s rear. Although it was wet, it was quite difficult. Yoon Ye-jun gritted his teeth and exhaled. He put force into the fingers pushed back and moved them in and out, digging deeper inside.

“Hoo… Ah, ah! Ah, really…”

Each time he flicked his wrist, Yoon Ye-jun exhaled gasping breaths. Ki Young-han intermittently dripped his saliva to use as lubricant for his fingers. As he bent his fingers and stirred inside, Yoon Ye-jun tightly gripped the sheets.

After tormenting him for a long time, Ki Young-han pulled out his fingers, which had found their place inside Yoon Ye-jun. With his slick, wet hands, he grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s buttocks. As soon as he removed his fingers, the hole he had tormented and tormented retracted.

Only then did his large glans touch the hole. After briefly rubbing his glans and shaft, Yoon Ye-jun, anticipating that Ki Young-han’s genitals would soon push in, gripped the sheets tightly. Slowly, he pushed in. The strength left his knees.

“Lift your butt.”

Ki Young-han whispered in a low, growling voice. Yoon Ye-jun immediately regretted it. Why had he said something like let’s do it from behind, when he should have just gone along with it? Ki Young-han, holding his waist, cursed inwardly and pushed his body forward. Yoon Ye-jun bit his lips, feeling it starkly. It was unnecessarily large. There was a reason for that personality.

Yoon Ye-jun bent his knees further. Thump, as Ki Young-han pushed his body forward, his buttocks hit his pelvis. It felt like half of it would fit, but he insisted on…

“Ngh… My stomach, my stomach feels like it’s going to tear.”

Yoon Ye-jun moved his arms as if flailing like a drowning person, then lifted his head.

“…Can I move?”

“Wait, wait a moment…”

He reached back and placed his hand on Ki Young-han’s hand, which was holding his waist. Ki Young-han lowered his body. In that state, he climbed onto Yoon Ye-jun’s body. The hand that had been on his waist moved to his abdomen. As he pressed down gently, Yoon Ye-jun gasped.

“Move, haa… Can I move?”

Ki Young-han, who was always pressing on his stomach and sucking his neck, whispered. Yes, yes… Yoon Ye-jun, gasping for breath, buried his head again. Hoo… Ki Young-han, catching his breath, raised his body again. He pulled back and then thrust forward again. Thump.

“Haa…”

Was it because it was deeper? Yoon Ye-jun shook his head, burying his face in the sheets. Ki Young-han, biting his lips, thrust into his rear, thump, thump. His hole gurgled and bit into him. How could this fit into such a small hole? Then his thoughts strayed again.

The shaft of his genitals, not fully inserted, had red veins standing out. Ki Young-han grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s waist and pushed his body in further. Yoon Ye-jun gasped. Nngh, hoo… Weak sounds escaped his lips.

Ki Young-han was clearly aroused, but his mind was complicated. He couldn’t help but think about Yoon Ye-jun’s past partners.

How did they do it with his ex-lovers, that it was always so natural? He had no resistance from the beginning. Did he always tear up like he did with me when he was with others? Did he cry, his throat rumbling like a purring cat?

Possessiveness, boiling with tension and anxiety, gathered under his tongue. Ki Young-han swallowed the saliva that had not gathered. He was thrusting hard without realizing it. Thump, thump, thump… With the strong force, Yoon Ye-jun moved helplessly, like a piece of meat on a skewer.

“Ah, ah… Young-han-ah, wait a moment, please.”

“Hngh… You’re squeezing too tight.”

Despite his confused mind, his body was painfully honest. Ki Young-han pushed his own genitals deeper into Yoon Ye-jun’s insides. Haa…! Yoon Ye-jun, gasping for air, rubbed his cheek against the sheets and barely turned his head.

“Slowly, slowly, please do it slowly…”

“……”

The hands gripping Yoon Ye-jun’s buttocks tightened. The elastic flesh, the narrow hole, was still twitching, biting into him. Even with just insertion, his glans were getting wet again, his nipples, which seemed to be asking to be sucked, were ripe with color, and his lips were glistening and wet, enduring pain and lust.

“…I understand.”

Ki Young-han stepped back after finishing his words. Then, as Yoon Ye-jun had told him, he slowly pushed himself forward. As the inner wall contracted more strongly than when he’d thrust quickly, the stimulation doubled. He gripped his own genitals tightly, squeezing them. Hnn, ah… Even in the midst of it, Yoon Ye-jun felt more.

It should be right to be purely happy seeing each other after so long. Ki Young-han tried to find the exact name for the emotion he was feeling, but it wasn’t easy. It was deeper than jealousy, and of course, it couldn’t be considered anger.

Ki Young-han thrust himself into Yoon Ye-jun’s body again and again, pushing, shoving, and ejaculating, but he couldn’t concentrate easily.

“Wait, pull out for a second…”

Yoon Ye-jun, who had fallen onto his stomach with him, pushed against Ki Young-han’s pelvis and spoke. Ki Young-han pulled back, withdrawing his genitals. As he pulled out, the semen he had ejaculated deep inside him began to leak out from the opening.

Yoon Ye-jun let out a deep breath. He lay back, looking at the ceiling. Ki Young-han, lying beside him, gazed intently at Yoon Ye-jun’s face, still flushed with heat and breathing raggedly.

“…I want to drink water.”

Yoon Ye-jun whispered to him. He pretended it was a monologue, but it was too obvious, so Ki Young-han got up. He was surprisingly obedient, not complaining. Was it because they hadn’t seen each other in a while?

Yoon Ye-jun lay still, looking at the ceiling with his arms and legs spread. He was sleepy. Once he’d sweated it out, a languid sleepiness began to rise. He felt he should at least do it a few more times for Ki Young-han’s satisfaction, but it wasn’t easy.

Ki Young-han returned to the bedroom with a cup of water.

“Drink.”

Yoon Ye-jun barely managed to sit up. He took the cup and drank, his dry mouth becoming moist.

“This is hard, Young-han.”

As he spoke with a smile that crinkled his eyes, Ki Young-han again grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s chin and kissed him. His soft tongue entered his moist mouth and tormented him persistently.

With a chok sound, their lips parted. Ki Young-han’s hand again found Yoon Ye-jun’s backside and probed the opening. Ungh, even though he knew the intention was to remove the semen he’d ejaculated inside, not to penetrate, a nasal sound escaped him. But it felt strange. It felt more like pushing in than removing.

“What are you doing…?”

“I’m taking it out.”

“Ah, it doesn’t feel like… Hhht, that…”

Only after asking what he was doing did Ki Young-han hook his fingers inside and scrape out the semen. Yoon Ye-jun let out a long sigh, “Ah, ah-.” Ki Young-han reached for the nightstand, pulled out a few tissues, and wiped Yoon Ye-jun’s groin, the scattered semen, and his own genitals. He wanted to wash, but he couldn’t move.

Yoon Ye-jun twisted his stiff back and sat up. Ki Young-han propped his head on his arm and looked at Yoon Ye-jun.

“You can do more.”

“You’re too much when you do it.”

“……”

“How did you endure it all this time?”

Yoon Ye-jun suddenly recalled their video calls. It was around two in the morning. The mood had gotten quite heated. He was about to try phone sex, but unfortunately, Ki Young-han had abruptly ended the call in surprise, so it ended in failure.

Ki Young-han, who had been kissing him so intensely his tongue roots ached just moments ago, had turned his face into a sullen expression in less than a minute. That’s why it’s fun, though. Yoon Ye-jun placed his hand on Ki Young-han’s well-defined chest.

“Did you work out? Your body seems even better.”

“What does that matter?”

“This is the real thing.”

What else was he unhappy about? Yoon Ye-jun playfully tugged at Ki Young-han’s nipple, not too hard, and Ki Young-han whimpered, “Ah.”

“Do you like it when I touch here?”

Yoon Ye-jun teased him, gently stroking his nipple. Ki Young-han, who had been naked just moments before, seemed embarrassed. Knowing Yoon Ye-jun was teasing him, he bit his lip hard. As if the good mood from moments ago had vanished, Ki Young-han pulled away as if to leave immediately.

“I’m going.”

“Where?”

But to Yoon Ye-jun, it just looked like a child’s tantrum. Yoon Ye-jun grabbed Ki Young-han’s wrist as he tried to escape and pulled him towards him. It was all so predictable. Even without using much force, he would follow obediently and come right next to him.

The two lay facing each other. Yoon Ye-jun pulled Ki Young-han’s arm and rested his head on it. Then Ki Young-han pulled him close, as if to embrace his back. Yoon Ye-jun nestled into Ki Young-han’s embrace. Ki Young-han smelled of many things. His unique body scent, body wash, shampoo, and a faint, refreshing cologne.

In Ki Young-han’s arms, Yoon Ye-jun buried his lips in his chest and suckled his skin. Ki Young-han, whose shoulder he’d embraced, flinched slightly and then patted him like one would a child. He didn’t seem to dislike it. Yoon Ye-jun whispered, his lips against Ki Young-han’s chest.

“I thought you’d dislike it, but you’re being so tame.”

“If you’re going to pick a fight, just leave.”

“I’m doing it because I like it too.”

He hadn’t changed, still provoking people even after so long. Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t hide his involuntary chuckle. Ki Young-han removed the arm he’d used as a pillow and twisted his head as if to climb on top, their lips meeting again. He really likes kissing. Yoon Ye-jun readily accepted his moist breath.

They shared a deep kiss for quite a long time. They also exchanged rather intense touches. Yoon Ye-jun left marks on Ki Young-han’s body, on places no one else could see, and Ki Young-han left his marks wherever his lips touched—Yoon Ye-jun’s neck, shoulders, the center of his chest, or deep within his thighs.

As a result of the caresses and affectionate intimacy, after a brief struggle, Ki Young-han ended up on top of Yoon Ye-jun. Yoon Ye-jun, looking down from above, was even more beautiful. After their gazes met for a moment, Yoon Ye-jun stroked the back of his arm.

“Young-han.”

“…Why?”

“Did you miss me?”

Yoon Ye-jun asked, feeling a bit embarrassed and petty, asking it playfully. Instead of answering, Ki Young-han rubbed his nose against Yoon Ye-jun’s.

“I did.”

“Me too.”

“How much?”

“……”

“Answer me. How much?”

“Do you always ask everything you want to ask?”

“Yeah, we’re dating, so what’s the big deal?”

He liked him a lot, and he was someone he could face without hiding his true self, which made him feel even more so. Yoon Ye-jun pulled Ki Young-han closer. He kissed his cheek. It felt even better. He had enjoyed their late-night calls, but seeing each other like this was even more so.

“In a relationship, can I ask anything?”

However, Ki Young-han’s expression wasn’t exactly good. Had something happened? He didn’t look like it. Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head with a face full of questions. He soon returned to his original position and asked.

“Did something happen?”

“…No.”

“Or do you have something you want to ask?”

Was there something he was hiding? Other than sleeping only three to four hours a day, there wasn’t much, he thought. He had hidden that precisely because he didn’t want Ki Young-han to worry. He was afraid Ki Young-han would tell him not to call late at night or to reduce their call times. He also cherished the moments he spent talking with Ki Young-han.

If not that, had he made some mistake? The guy who usually chattered away even when told to shut up was now pressing his lips together tightly, making him even more concerned.

Yoon Ye-jun removed the arm he had around Ki Young-han’s shoulder and stroked his hair. He tucked the hair that had fallen by his ear behind it. It was short, so it fell back to its original position.

“Ask. I’ll answer.”

What would Ki Young-han ask? Like a child craving affection, he would have readily answered if asked how much he liked him. That he came because he missed him, even if it felt like he was being unfilial to his grandfather who was left alone, he wanted to see him quickly. He came to find him because he wanted to spend the rest of the summer they couldn’t spend together. He thought only of him even when eating mint candies that made his mouth tingle.

However.

“Did you act this affectionately after sex with your previous partners too?”

Ki Young-han’s question was the worst.

Shit.

Ki Young-han felt as if all the blood in his body had drained away. Seeing Yoon Ye-jun’s expression, which was not just flustered but had turned ice-cold, he realized his mistake even more. Ki Young-han met Yoon Ye-jun’s gaze with unfocused eyes. The moment he realized he was screwed was the moment he truly was.

Why did the moments spent with Yoon Ye-jun, which were clearly happy, sometimes send him spiraling down? To be honest, he was just trying to keep up because Yoon Ye-jun was his first, and Yoon Ye-jun wasn’t, and it showed, which felt unfair. He knew he had said something terrible.

Yoon Ye-jun pushed Ki Young-han’s shoulder away. He sat up from his lying position. Ki Young-han, covered in his marks, shot at him in a calm voice.

“What were you thinking, asking something like that in this situation?”

“…You said I could ask anything I wanted.”

“What am I supposed to say?”

“You said you could speak honestly. Why are you annoyed?”

This wasn’t what he had intended to ask. How much do you like me? Can you keep liking me? Will you keep liking me? Why am I so impatient? How can I become so relaxed? But Ki Young-han couldn’t ask back in a good tone.

Yoon Ye-jun rubbed his cheek with his palm, looking frustrated. He swept his face as if doing a dry cleanse. Ki Young-han wished he could go back to one minute ago. But he knew he couldn’t. Yoon Ye-jun replied in a voice that was clearly calmer than his previous tone.

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know why we’re having this conversation right now. Are you trying to make me feel bad? Like you said, after sex?”

He might be more sensitive than usual. Was it because he hadn’t slept? He felt his fatigue doubling.

Yoon Ye-jun felt drained. It was true that they were dating and he could ask anything, but there was a context. And usually, even when asking about a partner, one might ask what they were like or what kind of person they were, but asking about the relationship so brazenly was unheard of.

And it felt like the question wasn’t about the other person, but about his own behavior. Would he have done this to someone else? Yoon Ye-jun’s expression turned cold.

Ki Young-han bit the soft skin inside his lip with a face mixed with awkwardness and annoyance, and Yoon Ye-jun ran a hand through his hair. He had driven for hours, only to get annoyed over something so trivial, and seeing Ki Young-han, who had no grasp of the situation, made him feel suffocated.

It was the same for him. He should have just let it go, but he had spoken sharply for no reason. He hadn’t wanted to fight.

Yoon Ye-jun finally lowered his hand, which had been running through his hair. In this atmosphere, he couldn’t do anything.

“Ki Young-han.”

“Yes.”

Instead of a sullen reply, a meek answer came out. Nevertheless, Yoon Ye-jun’s expression didn’t soften.

“Neither you nor I are in the mood today.”

“……”

Ki Young-han’s eyes widened in surprise. Then he glanced at Yoon Ye-jun’s expression. He couldn’t say anything. His lips moved, though.

“First, I need to clean my place, so I’ll go home first.”

“No…”

“And think carefully about what you did wrong. I need to clear my head too.”

It was a shame to part ways after meeting for the first time in weeks, but their personalities were complete opposites. Yoon Ye-jun liked Ki Young-han. Even if he spoke like that, had no grasp of the situation, and just said whatever he wanted. That was why. This was also a way of adjusting. Conversation was better than fighting. To have a conversation, he needed to organize his thoughts.

“First, I’ll go wash up.”

Yoon Ye-jun finished speaking and got up from the bed. He left the bedroom naked. Ki Young-han stared at the empty space on the bed where Yoon Ye-jun had been lying, where they had kissed and touched each other’s bodies moments ago. What was he thinking, asking something like that? He chewed on himself, but the words had already been spoken.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“……”

Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t open the shopping bag in his hand this time either. It was full of snacks, not even a single side dish, yet why was he treating it like a precious jewelry box? Ki Young-han didn’t answer. He just gazed at Yoon Ye-jun.

“Go home safely. I’ll contact you.”

After speaking, Yoon Ye-jun closed the door with a loud bang, as if he knew he wouldn’t get a reply from Ki Young-han anymore. Ki Young-han, watching him enter the narrow alley, felt his nose twitch for no reason.

He should have just stayed home. He met him for no reason and blabbed, and now he was paying the price. He knew Ki Young-hyun and Limm Dae-han would be happily chatting amongst themselves at home, and it was predictable.

After contemplating where to go for a moment, Ki Young-han eventually headed towards his parents’ house. He concluded it was better than being alone. Dusk was settling in. They had met in the morning and parted before dinner. Feeling suffocated, he craved beer and bought two chickens from a shop in front of his house before heading home.

As expected.

Ki Young-han looked at the two guys happily flirting in front of him with an obviously displeased expression. He had bought them chicken to eat and study, but they were arguing over who would give the other the best pieces. Ki Young-han asked about things he wasn’t interested in. If they were staying over, which was obvious.

Seeing their shy smiles, his insides burned. Ki Young-han eventually went to the kitchen and took out two cans of beer from the refrigerator. He handed one to Limm Dae-han. Ki Young-hyun, as expected, wouldn’t be able to drink it.

Limm Dae-han nodded without a typical refusal and opened his beer. While Limm Dae-han took a sip out of politeness and focused more on the chicken, Ki Young-hyun, unexpectedly, reached for the beer.

Is that guy crazy?

Ki Young-han, already on the verge of exploding with annoyance, took a sharp breath and glared when Ki Young-hyun touched it.

Ki Young-hyun immediately withdrew his hand from the beer can and sucked on the leg bone until it looked like all the moisture had disappeared, until Limm Dae-han offered him another chicken leg.

Ki Young-han watched him intently. Was he that happy? He himself, after meeting Yoon Ye-jun after so long, felt awkward about defining their relationship, or even calling it a relationship. He didn’t have much experience.

Ki Young-han took another sip of beer, his insides burning. Were they dating? They must be dating. Yoon Ye-jun was the one who suggested dating.

Ki Young-han furrowed his brow. Then he asked the two guys, who were openly acting lovey-dovey in front of him.

“How long have you two been dating?”

“A little over a year.”

Hearing that, Ki Young-han replied, “Is that so?” He wasn’t really interested. Whether it was a year or two, it was none of his business. But he couldn’t hide the frustration boiling inside him.

He brought the can to his lips and took another sip. He drank more, a curse escaping him. While the two were having all sorts of childish conversations, he just drank beer silently.

No matter how much beer he drank, his insides didn’t calm down, so Ki Young-han finally decided to watch Limm Dae-han and Ki Young-hyun. They were playing around when they felt his gaze and looked up belatedly. Ki Young-han tilted his head and asked.

“You two.”

“Yes.”

“Do you date because you like each other?”

If only he had asked Yoon Ye-jun why he liked him, or how much he liked him, the situation might have been different. What about his ex-lover? He was dating me now. He realized anew how ridiculous and childish his question was.

Ki Young-hyun frowned and studied his expression. Ki Young-han waved his hand.

“Never mind.”

Why was he here, dealing with these kids who were still wet behind the ears? Yoon Ye-jun must be agonizing over him at his place, but here he was, fighting because of his own mouth. Had they even fought? Was Yoon Ye-jun disgusted with him?

Ki Young-han gulped down his beer. He placed it on the table with a thud*, the empty sound echoing. It was like his heart. He wanted to fill it with something, but even his once-proud self-esteem had hit rock bottom.

“Limm Dae-han.”

“Yes.”

Ki Young-han turned his gaze to Limm Dae-han instead. Even though he could just ignore them, he cared quite a bit about his younger brother. Although it certainly didn’t show on the outside, perhaps it was due to the difference in their build and age. Ki Young-han, without even glancing at Ki Young-hyun, who was staring blankly at him, said to Limm Dae-han.

“Get along well with Ki Young-hyun.”

“He’s not a bad kid, even if he’s foolish. Even if he gets sulky and smacks his hyung on the head.”

“No, why….”

Ki Young-han let out a scoffing laugh. He knew he wasn’t in a position to butt into someone else’s love life and tell them to be well or not, but… still, the words came out, what could he do? He was his only dongsaeng.

“Watch your head, you never know when he’ll smack it.”

Limm Dae-han laughed at that. Ki Young-hyun’s face flushed red. Ki Young-han’s lips curled up slightly on one side. What a load of crap. The curse finally slipped out.

Limm Dae-han couldn’t hold back and tried his best to impress Ki Young-hyun again. I miss Yoon Ye-jun. I should have apologized, I didn’t mean to say it like that. Unlike the warm, friendly atmosphere in the living room, Ki Young-han grew somber.

Perhaps it was because they had video calls and exchanged messages every day. The night, empty of anything, felt hollow. The loneliness floating in the air enveloped his body, and the Mobile phone, silent and cold in his hand, had grown frigid.

Ki Young-han had drunk one can while sharing chicken with Limm Dae-han and Ki Young-hyun, and then another can alone in his room. Having consumed a total of two cans of beer, Ki Young-han had passed the tipsy stage. He wasn’t completely drunk, but at least he had found his courage.

He took a breath and grabbed his Mobile phone. He briefly pressed the power button and went to his call history. He called Yoon Ye-jun, who was at the top of the list. The call rang twice, then three times, and just as it was about to hit one minute, a voice announced that the call could not be completed.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Ki Young-han called again. But it was the same, and calling again yielded the same result. He made a total of five calls, but Yoon Ye-jun didn’t pick up even once. Ki Young-han opened his message app. There was a photo of Yoon Ye-jun from that morning, eating rice with beans, various vegetables, and well-braised pork ribs. And besides his short reply, “I don’t like rice with beans,” nothing else remained.

They had been together since the morning, so it was understandable. He called so many times, yet not a single message. Ki Young-han pressed the keypad hard.

Why aren’t you answering.

Answer the phone.

You said you’d contact me, why aren’t you contacting me.

Ki Young-han typed and deleted messages repeatedly within the chat window. After wrestling with his Mobile phone for a while, he finally decided to send a short message. After sending it, he covered his Mobile phone and slumped onto his desk. Dating Yoon Ye-jun made him even more miserable. He couldn’t say he was purely happy. Was it always like this? He had started this relationship crying and sobbing, but if he had known it would be this hard…

No. He didn’t regret it, though. His feelings were too great for that.

Sulky

I’m sorry.

11:49 PM

I miss you.

11:49 PM

Yoon Ye-jun checked the messages after one in the morning. He had tidied up the house, collapsed onto the bed, and fallen asleep immediately, only to wake up now. And then he saw the messages. Yoon Ye-jun remembered the words Ki Young-han had said just a few hours ago, while they were lying in the same bed, wrestling.

‘Did you act this cute and clingy after sex with your previous partners too?’

Was that something to say after making love with the person you’d met for the first time in weeks? Even at the beginning of a relationship, there were things you could say and things you couldn’t. But being good at distinguishing between what to say and what not to say wouldn’t have been like Ki Young-han. He felt suffocated. He was truly hooked. Ki Young-han, of course, knew nothing of this.

Yoon Ye-jun looked through the seven missed calls and messages from Ki Young-han.

Should I go see him…

He figured Ki Young-han must be desperate if he sent messages like that when he couldn’t get in touch.

Yoon Ye-jun sat up from his low, old bed. When he returned to this place from Ki Young-han’s house, he was always reminded of how poor the soundproofing, ventilation, and sunlight were. It was definitely not like the villas stuck to the rocks like barnacles, but an apartment with a decent distance between units. He felt anew how much thought Ki Young-han must have put into sending those messages, having lived so carelessly in a home with parents wealthy enough to rent him an apartment like this.

“Really…”

It was his own mistake too. How did he end up liking a guy like that?

It was actually nice that Ki Young-han, who lacked nothing, acted so desperately only towards him. He was terrible at expressing himself, yet he’d startle easily if touched even a little, his earlobes would redden, and he’d scratch his cheek.

The cynical guy who seemed like he’d only mutter about the world ending, would press his body closer to him whenever they were together, kiss him, and then try to push his tongue in, making him feel anew how much Ki Young-han loved him.

Was he just being sensitive because he was tired earlier? Yoon Ye-jun rubbed the corner of his eye. He didn’t know why, but Ki Young-han sometimes showed impatience. It might be because it was his first proper relationship, or perhaps because he knew Yoon Ye-jun accepted him, he acted that way even more. He should have just said it nicely; they had a good time, but then it ended awkwardly, and he couldn’t even receive calls because he was asleep.

He felt even more unsettled, knowing how Ki Young-han must have felt when he sent those messages.

Yoon Ye-jun went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. He changed into his comfortable everyday clothes and grabbed his wallet. He decided he would go see Ki Young-han. He had a feeling he might be at his parents’ house. While he was at his grandfather’s place, Ki Young-han had been at his parents’ house, so he probably wouldn’t be at his own apartment after their fight.

He had only been there once, but he remembered the apartment brand name and the building number. He slipped on his shoes and went outside, heading to the main road to catch a taxi. It was fortunate that the timing was right.

Yoon Ye-jun got into the car and recited the apartment name. Then, he took out his Mobile phone again. There were no more new messages, but still…

“Is he crazy, really…”

Ki Young-han was furious at Yoon Ye-jun, who had completely ignored the message he sent. He had been ignored during their usual late-night calls, and now even his message was being brushed aside, making him even more indignant.

With a sullen expression, Ki Young-han sat in his chair, his Mobile phone propped up on the desk. Should he have left out the part about missing him? Dating Yoon Ye-jun had twisted his usually unconcerned personality, making him feel like he had done something terribly wrong, like Ki Young-hyun.

He, who used to lash out, saying, “That guy only looks out for himself and plots behind people’s backs,” now had to live according to Yoon Ye-jun’s moods, which was infuriating, but he couldn’t help it.

The one who likes the other first has to yield.

He knew that, but it was hard to endure. If he yielded, at least give him some room. He always did whatever he pleased. Ki Young-han didn’t hide his resentful expression. He breathed out heavily. Perhaps it was because he had drunk two cans of beer, but his emotions surged like violent waves.

How… How could he ignore my message? Is he even my boyfriend? You were the one who wanted to date…

Finally unable to hold back, Ki Young-han unleashed a torrent of messages, but his fingers fumbled on the screen full of text. A call came from Yoon Ye-jun. Ki Young-han stared blankly at the single red heart. His fingers, which had been furiously tapping the screen, finally swiped the button to the side.

“What is it.”

Ki Young-han replied curtly, not even giving the call time to ring. Did I push him too hard? He should have only called once or twice, not said he missed him, just apologized first. He should have just waited until he contacted him.

-Young-han, were you asleep?

“No. Why are you calling?”

His palms grew sweaty. His thoughts raced. What if Yoon Ye-jun wanted to break up with him, what if he had said something unpleasant and lost interest, what if he broke up with him? Even though Yoon Ye-jun reported his daily life frequently, kissed him during video calls saying he missed him, and treated him so kindly that he couldn’t help but smile, he was still anxious.

Dating was not as purely enjoyable as he had thought. Feelings he had never expressed before suddenly surfaced, and he would hate the other person, then love him, want to give him everything, and then want to take everything away from him. Complex emotions tormented him dozens of times a day. Yet, all these emotions flowed into affection.

Perhaps the ‘yeon’ in ‘yeon-ae’ (dating) wasn’t ‘sa-mo-hal yeon’ (to adore), but ‘i-eul yeon’ (to connect), which made all emotions flow towards affection, he thought with a childish notion.

-Ki Young-han.

“……”

-Come outside. I’m in front of your house.

“…Which house?”

Ki Young-han awkwardly got up. In his haste, he opened his closet and put on his favorite hat. He had to go to his own apartment if he was there, so he was in a hurry. He had drunk beer, he couldn’t drive right now. Ki Young-han grabbed his wallet.

-I’m at your parents’ house. Are you… at your own apartment?

“Ah, no.”

Ki Young-han was lying again. He replied meekly, as if he hadn’t been huffing and puffing moments before. Yoon Ye-jun was the same. Wasn’t he angry with me earlier? Ki Young-han took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. His dark hair, noticeably lighter than black, scattered between his fingers.

-Did you drink?

Somehow, Yoon Ye-jun knew just by his voice and asked. Ki Young-han cleared his throat.

“I had one can of beer.”

It was actually two, but he quickly lied, afraid that Yoon Ye-jun would refuse to see him if he knew he had drunk a lot.

-You didn’t drink much. Then come outside.

“What?”

-I’ll be waiting.

The short call ended. Ki Young-han left his room. Before heading to the entrance, he glanced at his dongsaeng’s tightly shut door. It seemed both were asleep, not a sliver of light escaping, and no sound of conversation. He could go for a little while, right?

They were both about to become adults, but he felt a strange sense of concern. He’d just go out and come back early. And then, without any hesitation, he walked straight to the entrance.

Since it was late, the elevator was available immediately. He went straight to the apartment’s main entrance and found Yoon Ye-jun standing there. Yoon Ye-jun was smoking an electronic cigarette, puffing out white vapor like mist.

Seeing Yoon Ye-jun standing at the first-floor door, Ki Young-han quickened his pace. He pressed the button for the main entrance and stepped outside. Only then did Yoon Ye-jun, who had been looking around the deserted apartment complex, turn his head.

“You’re here?”

“…Why do you come without saying anything.”

Ki Young-han stammered. Yoon Ye-jun slowly approached him. The distance between them closed. Ki Young-han’s heart pounded.

Yoon Ye-jun’s breath smelled sweet. It was probably from the electronic cigarette. What flavor is he smoking? Since he had only ever smoked traditional cigarettes in his life, a baseless curiosity arose. But Yoon Ye-jun was the first. He wrapped his arms around Ki Young-han’s chest.

It was hot. Even though it was late at night, it was hot and humid. But his heart had calmed down enough that it didn’t matter. Ki Young-han stared blankly at Yoon Ye-jun’s small back, held in his embrace.

“……”

“……”

He doesn’t answer my calls, ignores all my messages, and now he’s acting like this, does he think it’s over?

Ki Young-han grumbled his complaints inwardly. But the most infuriating thing was himself. Just being held like that, his anger melted away and evaporated.

“Aren’t your parents worried?”

Yoon Ye-jun was still treating him like a child. Ki Young-han awkwardly placed his hands on Yoon Ye-jun’s waist and replied, “My parents are on a trip.”

“Then you’re alone with your dongsaeng.”

“The person he’s dating is also here.”

Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head.

“Even if you’re dating, isn’t it a bit much for a girl and a boy to be together at night?”

Whether he cared or not, Ki Young-han replied nonchalantly, “She’s not a girl.” Yoon Ye-jun seemed a little surprised but closed his mouth, as if it wasn’t the right time to bring it up. He should send him back soon. Even if she wasn’t a girl, it was still…

It had been about a month. The Ki Young-han’s dongsaeng he had seen around that time was so childlike. It wasn’t just that her skin was fair, flawless, her black hair lustrous, and her eyes innocent like a child’s, but her entire demeanor was.

Until then, they should spend time together. Instead of adding more, Yoon Ye-jun tightened his grip on Ki Young-han’s waist. Ki Young-han belatedly stroked Yoon Ye-jun’s back. Yoon Ye-jun spoke in a gentle voice.

“Young-han, you were worried because I didn’t answer your call, right?”

“……”

“You missed me?”

Ki Young-han nodded with a sullen expression. Yoon Ye-jun smiled cautiously. He must have really drunk. His emotional expressions were even more noticeable than usual.

“Sorry. I forgot and fell asleep. I didn’t sleep much, so I passed out as soon as I got home. I just saw your KakaoTalk and came straight here, you must have been very disappointed.”

Ki Young-han’s expression showed no signs of softening. Yoon Ye-jun, with an awkward smile, lowered his arms around Ki Young-han’s waist and patted his butt. It was fortunate they were in a deserted place. Even at dawn, the areas near school were always crowded, but here, in the apartment complex, there was only quiet.

“…Why couldn’t you sleep?”

“Because I had to talk to you in the early morning, and my grandfather wakes up early. I have to make him breakfast.”

“Does Grandpa have no hands, no feet?”

Ki Young-han still didn’t mention that they had talked until the early morning. He was so transparent at times like this. Still. Yoon Ye-jun raised his hand and pinched Ki Young-han’s lips firmly.

“Why are you talking to my grandfather like that.”

Ki Young-han, with his lips held, narrowed his eyes. He’s not scary even if he does that. Yoon Ye-jun moved his hand from his lips to cup Ki Young-han’s cheeks. He gently stroked his cheek as if it were something precious, and Ki Young-han’s upper lip twitched.

“It’s been months since your grandson visited his grandfather, he can do that much, right? It’s not like he does it every day.”

“……”

“Right, isn’t it.”

“…Yes.”

Ki Young-han paused for a long time before replying. Then he let out a deep sigh. His voice was hesitant.

“I thought you were angry with me.”

“Because I asked something strange?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Yoon Ye-jun drew out his voice. Ki Young-han glanced at him. Although Ki Young-han was clearly a head taller than him, he seemed smaller. Yoon Ye-jun pursed his lips, then alternately turned up the corners of his mouth. After that, he grabbed Ki Young-han’s wrist. He tilted his head slightly and met his eyes.

“But why are you asking that?”

“……”

“If I answer honestly, you’ll just get upset. I don’t know why, but I like you, Young-han.”

“That’s…”

“Yeah.”

Ki Young-han, hesitating, slowly opened his mouth. He looked quite troubled as he spoke.

“It’s annoying because you seem so skilled. I, I don’t know much, but you show off that you’re good… it’s really fucking annoying…”

Ki Young-han’s complaint was endearing. As he continued speaking, he lowered his head. Yoon Ye-jun was taken aback. He had never shown off his skill or competence, nor had he ever thought of himself that way. He certainly hadn’t had any extraordinary relationships.

Perhaps there were no special events that could be considered boring. In his 26 years of living a peaceful life, the biggest event was meeting Ki Young-han. There had been small explosions after that, but still.

“It’s because of you, I think.”

“What?”

Ki Young-han looked up at Yoon Ye-jun’s words. Yoon Ye-jun tried to let go of the wrist he was holding, but Ki Young-han held onto it. He thought, Unconsciously, the skilled one is… Ki Young-han, though… Still, this was not the time for such thoughts, and what needed to be said now was more important, so Yoon Ye-jun cautiously began.

“Young-han, I don’t really know what I’m good at, but I think you feel that way because we’re together. I don’t know why, but when I’m with you, I keep wanting to tease you. You might not like it, but I find it so cute.”

“……”

“Is it wrong to want to touch your lover, to be close to them, to talk to them, to tease them?”

Ki Young-han stared at Yoon Ye-jun with a dumbfounded expression. Why is he like this? Why does he always embrace my mean words with such kindness? Even if he does, I’ll only pretend to reflect for a moment and then go back to my old ways.*

Ki Young-han slowly lowered his gaze.

Words that didn’t fit the current situation at all slipped out of his mouth.

“…I like you so much.”

“Huh?”

He raised his gaze again and looked at Yoon Ye-jun, who wielded his kindness like a weapon. Despite Ki Young-han’s sudden words, Yoon Ye-jun met Ki Young-han’s eyes steadily. Keep going, keep going… Ki Young-han repeated the word “keep going” a couple of times.

“Please… keep liking me. Even if I act like a jerk, even if you feel disgusted by my crude language, please keep liking me.”

It felt like he was prostrate on the floor. But it was the truth. Even if he were a person blinded by jealousy, rolling around naked. Ki Young-han suddenly remembered the winter he first met Yoon Ye-jun, when he was twenty-three. He remembered himself, that fool, who, amidst a group of similar-looking guys, had smiled and chatted with Yoon Ye-jun, and whom he had tried not to pay attention to, but kept glancing at, thinking he didn’t like him.

Was it perhaps fate for things to turn out this way? Yoon Ye-jun, who chatted so well with his friends without swearing or offending anyone. Had he not wanted to admit it then, that his eyes kept being drawn to him even though he didn’t want to acknowledge it?

After finishing his words, Ki Young-han finally lowered his head.

“Young-han.”

At the voice calling him, he belatedly lifted his head. Yoon Ye-jun, who had approached, gave Ki Young-han a brief kiss on the lips. Then he smiled brightly.

“I’ll keep liking you.”

And then, hahahaha, he let out a monotonous laugh.

“I guess I’m smitten too. Why is even this side of you cute?”

Ki Young-han covered his burning ears. Yoon Ye-jun burst into laughter again at the sight. “You’re like a baby, really.”

“Baby.”

“…”

“Let’s go grab some beers somewhere before the younger ones wake up. I’m dying of heat.”

“You don’t have to go home.”

“Your parents aren’t home, so at least I should be here. I’m not such a scoundrel that I’d send my boyfriend home like this.”

Yoon Ye-jun threw out a playful remark and nudged Ki Young-han’s stomach with his elbow. Then he turned to leave first, to get out of the apartment complex. He knew there was a department store nearby, and alleys full of restaurants and bars, but he wasn’t sure which way to go, so he stopped, looking bewildered.

He turned back again. Ki Young-han was still frozen in the same posture.

“Aren’t you coming?”

At those words, Ki Young-han took a large stride and leaped to stand beside Yoon Ye-jun. He followed up with a sharp question.

“But why do you call me ‘baby’?”

“Because you’re like a baby. Is that not allowed?”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Call me whatever you want. When have I ever stopped you?”

“Whatever I want?”

“Yeah.”

Ki Young-han stopped Yoon Ye-jun, who had been walking ahead. Yoon Ye-jun met Ki Young-han’s eyes while his arm was being held. Ki Young-han’s lips moved several times. Maintaining his usual gruff and willful tone, a word that couldn’t exactly be called sweet slipped out.

“Honey.”

“Isn’t that a bit embarrassing?”

Yoon Ye-jun tilted his head. He shrugged his shoulders unnecessarily at the overly affectionate term. He started walking forward again. Ki Young-han trotted along beside Yoon Ye-jun.

With his hands in his pockets, he was just as cocky as the day they first met. Even though his face turned red just from a kiss, this time there was no sign of embarrassment. That was even stranger.

“You’re a really strange guy, seriously.” Yoon Ye-jun let out a short laugh, like a sigh.

“Darling.”

“…”

“Ye-jun.”

“Don’t drop the honorifics.”

Yoon Ye-jun, even in the midst of this, shot back sternly as if determined to maintain his polite speech, and walked ahead.

The two walked together on the dawn street, where the tropical night heat lingered thickly. Yoon Ye-jun glanced at Ki Young-han’s face once more. After failing to get permission for his pet name, Ki Young-han, with a sullen face, had been looking straight ahead, but he slyly cast a glance. Then, as their eyes met, he quickly turned his gaze forward again. At that, Yoon Ye-jun finally burst into laughter.

He extended his hand towards Ki Young-han.

“Let’s hold hands. Until there.”

He pointed to the apartment gate visible ahead. Soon, Ki Young-han’s hand, neither hot nor cold, but suitably warm, intertwined with his. Ki Young-han wriggled his fingers and laced them between Yoon Ye-jun’s. The sound of him muttering curses could be heard. Along with a clearing of his throat to compose his breathing.

Yoon Ye-jun debated whether to tease him again, but managed to hold back. I’ll endure today. There are many days ahead for us. Instead, he tightened his grip on Ki Young-han’s clasped hand, holding it firmly. Then, Ki Young-han, who had been grumbling beside him, fell silent.

Days ahead for us.

Yoon Ye-jun thought about the future with Ki Young-han. How many more times would they fight and reconcile? There would be many instances of blushing, and moments where they would turn their backs on each other, saying they wouldn’t look. But they would also share equally sweet times.

Wouldn’t they be pulled along if someone grabbed them again after turning away? Fights, well. It had been like that from the start. Still… isn’t it enough if they like each other?

Yoon Ye-jun suddenly tilted his head and looked up at the dark night sky. The dawn air felt lighter than usual.

Ki Young-han’s gaze, looking at him, and his voice, speaking to him, were calm.

“Why are you looking at the sky instead of me?”

Yoon Ye-jun looked at Ki Young-han, then slightly curved his lips, and raised his gaze to the sky again. It was a city night with no stars, but it felt peaceful. Perhaps it was because of the person beside him. When no answer finally came, Ki Young-han also looked up.

“What, are there mosquitoes?”

Although a sound that broke the mood followed, it was so characteristic of Ki Young-han that it was understandable.