By Zephyria I stared at Sung Se-han’s back as he walked away wearing only his briefs, and only when the bathroom door closed did I get out of bed.
“He must have had another weird dream.”
Hoo…! Seeing Sung Se-han making a fierce expression as soon as he woke up made me sigh.
I couldn’t figure out how to reassure him.
There were five missed calls on the phone I was holding, from Kang Robin Sunbae and the Vice Manager.
Judging by the fact that he, who was a light sleeper, hadn’t even heard the ringtone, it was hard to imagine how much fatigue he had accumulated.
Since Sung Se-han would probably have a schedule soon, it seemed like there wouldn’t be much time to talk.
I left the bedroom and walked to the kitchen. I wanted to feed him breakfast even if he was busy, so I opened the refrigerator to check the ingredients.
“Ah, we can have sandwiches.”
In addition to sandwiches and yogurt, there was also chicken breast salad and fruit. As the Vice Manager said, the refrigerator was packed.
As I was taking things out on the table, Sung Se-han came into the kitchen, drying his hair with a towel. His fresh and stylish appearance, with wet hair and a loose tank top, made my heart flutter again. My eyes were unconsciously drawn to the sleek arm line of the muscles extending from his broad shoulders, and I ended up making eye contact with Sung Se-han.
Ahem, ahem. After clearing my throat for no reason, I took out a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“Drink some water first.”
Sung Se-han, who took the water bottle I handed him, raised the corners of his mouth.
“Is your body okay?”
I ignored my ears getting hot and smiled casually.
“How could it be okay? Don’t you know you were really like a crazy bastard until dawn?”
I tried to act like it was nothing, but my voice cracked and came out. Sung Se-han’s smile deepened as if he liked that.
“You liked it too. I wanted to stop, but you told me not to pull out….”
“Hey, shut up.”
“Hahaha!”
Seeing Sung Se-han unable to even finish his water because he was laughing so hard made me feel relieved. It seemed like he was feeling a little better.
“Sit down over there.”
After making Sung Se-han sit in the dining chair, I put the salad and sandwiches on a plate so he could eat them easily.
“Did you check your phone? How much time do you have?”
Sung Se-han didn’t look at the food and drank water again.
“Joong-seop Hyung will arrive in 30 minutes.”
30 minutes. It wasn’t enough, but it seemed like it would be enough. After sitting across from Sung Se-han, I also quenched my thirst with water first.
“Sung Se-han, I have something to tell you….”
“I want to look at Tae-kyung’s face for 30 minutes.”
Sung Se-han, leaning back in his chair, tilted his head to the side. I thought he was feeling better, but I could see that there was still a coldness in his brown eyes.
I had been saying that I had something to say since yesterday, but Sung Se-han didn’t want to listen to me in the first place.
“You. From now on, call my name properly.”
Sung Se-han raised one eyebrow at my firm tone.
I didn’t know exactly what kind of dream Sung Se-han was having, so I was just confused about how to start the conversation. But from now on, I decided not to tolerate anything that bothered me.
“Lee Tae-kyung, Tae-kyungie, our Tae-kyungie. I only accept these.”
Sung Se-han was staring at me with his face tilted to the side. Perhaps because of his narrowed eyes, his hardened expression looked fierce.
“And I’m going to say it clearly, so listen carefully.”
The way Sung Se-han was leaning back leisurely and looking at me coldly somehow made me feel intimidated. At times like that, he seemed like someone who had no interest in me at all. So it somehow felt like I was the only one getting impatient in a strange situation.
“I can’t tell you in detail, but… I spent a lonely time alone for a long time.”
“I know.”
Sung Se-han swept back his wet hair.
“You broke up with that bastard and cried.”
The gaze of his shining brown eyes went to the bracelet on my wrist. I was momentarily taken aback by the hostility he was showing.
“Sung Se-han, don’t interrupt me and listen.”
I clenched my fist tightly at the sight of Sung Se-han’s lips twisting up and letting out a sneer.
“I don’t know what kind of dream you’re having and what you’re seeing….”
“Do you want to know?”
I gasped for a moment. Did I want to know? Of course I wanted to know everything. Because I had to know in order to understand Sung Se-han.
“No, no… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
But I shook my head and leaned back, and the back of the chair touched my back.
I had to calm Sung Se-han down. I couldn’t guarantee what would happen if we exchanged information. Now that there was no Status Window to break, I had to assume that there was no safety net.
If Sung Se-han, who was in front of me now, disappeared like a mirage….
“I told you I know a lot about you.”
Sung Se-han, putting his elbows on the table, leaned in and narrowed the distance between us.
“Would you believe me if I told you I’ve been seeing your face in my dreams for years?”
Sung Se-han’s tired eyes, hidden behind his cynical expression, made me collapse once again.
I thought he was living a peaceful and happy life. I had no idea that he had been having painful dreams for years.
I bit my lip tightly, feeling like my heart was breaking. How could this be? I had thrown everything away and left for the sake of Sung Se-han’s happiness…!
“Sung Se-han.”
Irritation surged. I was furious at myself for not noticing Sung Se-han’s shadow at all, even though I had been meeting him until now.
I was happy that he missed me, not even knowing that I was getting so worn out. I really felt like a piece of trash.
“The reason I don’t ask you anything… the reason I can’t say anything to you is because I’m thinking of you.”
“You just.”
Sung Se-han, who intentionally stopped speaking, leaned his shoulder towards me.
“Just stay by my side. Looking at me like that, always be there.”
The moment I confirmed that Sung Se-han’s eyes, which I thought were transparent, were submerged in a deep darkness, I felt a delusion that the ground I was standing on was shaking.
“I’m telling you in advance, don’t even think about running away.”
Sung Se-han’s hand reached out and touched my cheek.
“Or I’ll punish you.”
After showing me a pretty eye smile, Sung Se-han got up from his chair. While I was blankly spacing out, he arbitrarily ended the conversation.
“Sung Se-han, wait a minute…”
I quickly got up and stood in front of Sung Se-han.
“Me too… I thought so too!”
My head was so confused that the words I had prepared seemed to be jumbled up. But I couldn’t put it off any longer.
“I thought I was the only one missing you, the you who doesn’t know me!”
Even if I couldn’t say anything else, I wanted to convey this fact. If it could ease Sung Se-han’s mind even a little, I would do anything right now.
“The person I missed is only one person. I can’t have two people in my heart. You’re the same, right? Sung Se-han, I…”
I hugged Sung Se-han’s waist tightly, tilted my head back, and looked up at him. I confessed as if vomiting to him, who was looking down at me.
“I think meeting you is a miracle.”
I wanted Sung Se-han to know all the sincerity I could convey. I wanted him to know now that you are the one person I can give my everything to…
I was startled by the sudden ringing of the alarm and turned around. The loud noise breaking the silence was the wall pad. It seemed the Vice Manager had arrived in the underground parking lot.
“It’s already time…”
The moment I tried to release the arm that was holding Sung Se-han’s waist, a firm arm hugged my back tightly.
I could breathe properly only after being hugged so tightly that I couldn’t even breathe. With my cheek pressed against his solid chest and my arms around his broad back, I felt like everything would be alright.
“The real miracle is that I met Lee Tae-kyung.”
It was the first time Sung Se-han had properly called my name. It felt like my blocked chest was cleared, and the corners of my lips quirked up.
“Let’s get ready and go out quickly.”
I released my arms first and urged Sung Se-han.
“Come here. I’ll dress you up nicely.”
I have to move quickly so that hesitating doesn’t disrupt the schedule. The moment I took his hand to take him to the dressing room, Sung Se-han hugged me again.
“Just a little.”
Sung Se-han whispered softly and rubbed his lips against my neck. I also hugged Sung Se-han and smelled the scent I liked.
It felt like we could stay like this just a little longer.
The fact that Sung Se-han had called my name was enough to make me feel excited all morning. A positive energy that made me feel like everything would work out was emanating from my whole body.
But… my actual physical condition was not positive at all.
“Tae-kyung Hyung, are you feeling okay?”
My younger members approached me with worried faces as I sat in the corner of the practice room. I, who had been checking Sung Se-han’s splendid music chart on my phone, cleared my throat and looked up.
“Yeah… I’m sorry. I didn’t know I would catch a Summer cold.”
Soo-in approached and placed his hand on my forehead.