By Zephyria 
“Ivory Pavilion?”
Seo Yi-kyung murmured, repeating Han Seung-jae’s words with a bewildered expression. He couldn’t fathom Han Seung-jae’s intention in suddenly bringing it up. Then, something flashed through his mind. The words he had spoken this morning scratched across his consciousness.
—Next time… I want to go there and eat.
Yi-kyung’s cheeks burned. As expected, it seemed Han Seung-jae had heard everything.
“Did you change your mind already?”
Han Seung-jae’s eyes slowly scanned Yi-kyung. Dark, smudge-like marks that hadn’t been fully erased still remained on his cheeks. Then, his gaze fixed on the stomach covered by the apron. Since he was carrying a child, it would be common for the foods he craved to change frequently.
“O-oh, no. But weren’t you busy on the weekends?”
Han Seung-jae was a man who often returned home near midnight even on weekdays. While it was surprising to see him before his eyes earlier than usual today, he was still someone who either went to the office or worked with Secretary Park in the study on weekends.
Han Seung-jae’s gaze shifted behind Yi-kyung to the teapot and teacup on the work table. Han Seung-jae picked up the teapot, which had completely cooled, and filled the cup. Watching this, Yi-kyung murmured.
“I’ll tell Butler Do to bring some fresh tea.”
“Leave it.”
With that, Han Seung-jae lifted the cup and took a sip of the cold tea.
“Anything else?”
“Pardon?”
Yi-kyung asked back.
“I wondered if you didn’t want to go to an exhibition.”
The original Seo Yi-kyung preferred visiting galleries or exhibitions filled with artworks. Naturally, the current Seo Yi-kyung had not sought them out. Yet, suddenly, Han Seung-jae was the one suggesting they go.
Yi-kyung blinked. He tried to grasp the meaning behind Han Seung-jae’s words. Come to think of it, he had mentioned that Butler Do’s atmosphere had changed a lot from before as well.
“My… my body is a bit tired. And I have paintings I need to finish.”
Han Seung-jae, who had been listening silently, set the teacup down.
“I see, then. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Han Seung-jae turned around. Staring blankly at his back, Yi-kyung wondered. Did Han Seung-jae come all the way here just to say that? No, that couldn’t be it.
Suddenly, Han Seung-jae, who had reached the door, looked back.
“It’s getting quite late. Are you going to keep painting?”
“Ah, I’m finished.”
Yi-kyung stopped mid-step and took off the apron hanging around his neck, placing it on the work table. Usually, when he finished painting, he would gather the teacups and hand them to Butler Do, but it seemed he wouldn’t be able to do that today.
As Yi-kyung turned around, Han Seung-jae was still standing there with the door open.
Yi-kyung stepped forward as if following Han Seung-jae.
* * *
A few days passed.
Waking up, Seo Yi-kyung entered the bathroom with his eyes half-closed and washed his face. Truly, he was overwhelmingly sleepy. At this point, nodding off while painting was a common occurrence.
Descending to the first floor, Yi-kyung headed to the dressing room. He took off his pajamas and picked up a paint-stained shirt, only to put it back down.
Today was a day Han Seung-jae was home. Yi-kyung skimmed through several pieces of clothing and pulled out something that looked comfortable. He meticulously checked that there was no paint on the sleeves. As he left the room, he checked his attire, which he had carefully put together while pretending not to care.
When he appeared in the dining room, Butler Do pulled out a chair for him. Han Seung-jae was already seated opposite him. It seemed he had delayed more than expected while changing clothes.
“Then, please call me if there is anything lacking.”
Butler Do, having finished the meal preparations, stepped out, and Yi-kyung moved his chopsticks to take a small bite of rice.
“Director Han. I have made a reservation at Ivory Pavilion for 7 o’clock.”
Secretary Park approached Han Seung-jae, who was eating breakfast.
“Good work.”
Secretary Park, holding a bag, mentioned he would be in the study and gave a slight bow toward Yi-kyung. Yi-kyung returned the gesture. Secretary Park walked away leisurely.
Though it was the weekend, Secretary Park appeared to have come to work as usual. If there was any difference, it was that he was in the study rather than the office.
Step by step, Secretary Park opened the study door, entered, and went straight to a chest of drawers. He opened the square bag he was carrying. It was filled with white envelopes brought from the office.
Secretary Park placed the envelopes inside the drawer, lining them up neatly. Although they were all the same envelopes, they were organized systematically. The closer they were to the top, the more recent they were. Inside these were all records of one person. Seo Yi-kyung, from childhood to the present.
Having put all the envelopes from the bag inside, Secretary Park closed the drawer and turned around.
* * *
“Eat and then get up.”
Han Seung-jae, who was opposite him, crossed his legs and walked away from the table. Following him with a sidelong glance, Yi-kyung subtly relaxed his body. He leaned his back against the chair, letting his limbs go limp. Even when he tried not to be conscious of it, his body naturally tensed up. It wasn’t so much that he was afraid of Han Seung-jae, but rather that he was overly mindful of him.
As Han Seung-jae left, Butler Do, who had been waiting outside, immediately entered. He quickly checked the empty plates and refilled the lacking items, placing them in front of Yi-kyung.
Yi-kyung lifted his water glass, drank a bit, and moved his chopsticks again. While eating alone was more comfortable, he couldn’t afford to be this conscious of Han Seung-jae when they went to Ivory Pavilion this evening.
A sudden wave of anxiety washed over him.
“I enjoyed the meal.”
Yi-kyung left the dining room and headed for the second floor. As he walked, he stole glances at the study. The door was closed, so he couldn’t hear what conversation was happening inside. Still, the presence of Han Seung-jae within that room did not fade.
Yi-kyung passed the study and entered the bedroom.
‘Maybe I’ll sleep a little more.’
In truth, the frequent waves of drowsiness were more grueling for Yi-kyung than hunger.
He tried his best to ignore the cozy-looking bed. If he lay down on the pillow now, he would fall asleep instantly. However, his desire to paint in the afternoon and then go to a leisurely dinner with Han Seung-jae was stronger. Though he didn’t know if he would actually be able to eat the food leisurely.
Swoosh—
Yi-kyung filled the bathtub with water and stepped inside. He had done this to chase away the sleep, but as the warm water enveloped his entire body, he felt languid.
Splash. He cupped water in both hands and splashed it on his face, but the sleep wouldn’t vanish. Eventually, Yi-kyung’s eyelids slowly drifted shut.
…Splash. Yi-kyung lifted himself out of the tub. He seemed to have dozed off for a moment, and in that time, the water had gone cold. He entered the shower booth, washed himself lightly, and put on a robe.
Coming out of the bathroom, Yi-kyung put on the clothes he had set aside and left the bedroom. He glanced at the firmly closed study door and stepped into the elevator.
Not long after Yi-kyung entered the painting studio, Butler Do brought in tea and set it down. Afterward, Butler Do hurried to the second-floor study. He moved back and forth, setting down tea and refreshments.
* * *
“I’ll stop here.”
Yi-kyung cleaned the brush he was holding and placed it on the work table. He took off his apron, folded it neatly, and left the painting studio.
Yi-kyung cleaned the paint off his hands and headed to the dressing room. What should he wear? After spending some time pulling out this garment and that one in contemplation, Yi-kyung eventually turned around. He called out to Butler Do, who was passing by.
“Butler Do.”
“Did you call for me?”
“Well…”
Looking at Yi-kyung standing outside the dressing room, Butler Do smiled even before hearing the rest.
“Shall I help you choose?”
There were so many clothes that he couldn’t tell what would be best. He had repeated the process of picking a top and then standing for a long time with a bottom in hand, before finally giving up and coming out to ask for help.
“Director Han will be wearing this suit.”
Butler Do seemed to already know what Han Seung-jae would be wearing. He was glad he had asked for help. Even inside the house, Han Seung-jae maintained a consistently neat appearance. Except for not wearing a tie, his stiff and professional attire was not much different whether he was inside or outside.
“This suit would be good.”
Butler Do lightly laid out a cream-colored suit, a tie, and shoes. The combination looked as if it had been taken straight from a shop window.
* * *
The red lanterns of Ivory Pavilion were visible from afar. As the sedan stopped, Secretary Park, who was in the passenger seat, stepped out. When he opened the rear door, Yi-kyung, wearing a coat over his suit, exited the car. His neat hair fluttered in the wind.
On the opposite side, Han Seung-jae emerged with the help of the driver. The manager, who had been waiting, rushed toward Han Seung-jae. Wearing a dark-colored coat, Han Seung-jae’s eyes looked even colder.