By Zephyria 
The shaman, pretending not to have heard, glanced sideways at Moon Gyeon-woo and cleared his throat. Claiming to also read physiognomy, she took a quick look at Yeon-rok’s face and nodded again.
“Looking at your face, your features are very harmonious and your energy is clear! You must have struggled a lot until now. There will be one crisis ahead, but after that, your life will truly blossom! However, looking at your head, there’s a dark cloud of misfortune that looks ominous. Be careful of injuries. And you might be scammed by a close family member, especially a parent, so never trust them blindly!”
Aside from the part about having struggled a lot until now, nothing seemed particularly accurate, but Yeon-rok simply nodded out of politeness. Moon Gyeon-woo, unable to hold back, intervened once again.
“You have to actually have parents for there to be a chance of being scammed by them…”
The strong-willed middle-aged shaman glared at him, but Moon Gyeon-woo glared right back without backing down. Only after Yeon-rok poked him in the waist with a finger did Moon Gyeon-woo avert his gaze. The shaman let out a loud cough, stared intently at Yeon-rok’s face, and tilted her head.
“But… are you destined to get divorced many times?”
“Divorced?”
At those words, Moon Gyeon-woo’s attention, which had been focused on evaluating the value of a cheap-looking Buddhist statue, returned to the shaman. She studied his face intently for a while and even examined Yeon-rok’s palms before speaking.
“Young man, it looks like you’ll have several spouses in your future.”
Hut. For the first time since the reading began, something accurate had come out, and Yeon-rok’s eyes widened. Moon Gyeon-woo also arched an eyebrow. The shaman continued to sigh, as if it were truly difficult to understand.
“No matter how I look at the Day Branch, your compatibility is too good for a destiny of divorce… Nor do you have the face of someone who would cheat. You aren’t the type to naturally keep concubines, so why are there multiple spouses? And every single one of them has such a strong personality; you’re going to suffer quite a bit…”
Gasp. This person might actually have some spiritual power. Yeon-rok’s eyes grew round. Moon Gyeon-woo, who had previously looked like he wanted nothing more than to leave, suddenly began to focus.
“Tell us more about those spouses.”
“You’ll pay more for the reading, right?”
The shaman triumphantly held out her hand. Moon Gyeon-woo’s eyelashes fluttered, as if he didn’t want to pay more money to a mere sales tactic, a fraud, or a superstition. Honestly, Yeon-rok found the sight a bit amusing. After making a firm decision, Gyeon-woo took out his wallet. He pulled out a 50,000 won bill, but the shaman shook her head. Only after he added another bill did the shaman continue the reading.
“The sexual compatibility is great.”
“Pardon?”
“I said your sexual compatibility with your spouses is excellent, hohoho.”
“…Is that all?”
“Ah, what could be more important between a couple than sexual compatibility! It’s hard to find even one such partner, but you have several, so you’ve hit the jackpot!”
And that was the end. When Yeon-rok glanced over, Moon Gyeon-woo’s face was crumpled in contempt. After reluctantly paying the fee and stepping out of the fortune-telling parlor, he spoke in a voice as cold as a winter wind.
“She’s a fraud. Let’s never do something like that again.”
Having witnessed 100,000 won being ripped away in a few words right before his eyes, Yeon-rok couldn’t bring himself to argue.
The hot spring spa resort Moon Gyeon-woo guided him to was located at the foot of a mountain. Perhaps because it focused on privacy, the facilities were truly luxurious and there were few people in sight. They checked into a place called Dongchunjae, located at the innermost part of the resort.
“It’s quiet and nice, right? I was recommended this place as a good spot to visit when you want to relax.”
It was certainly a place that the sensitive Moon Gyeon-woo would like. As Yeon-rok organized his luggage, he stole a glance at Moon Gyeon-woo.
‘I wonder if he’ll ask me to bathe together.’
Knowing that Moon Gyeon-woo had feelings for him, Yeon-rok had mentally prepared himself while coming here. However, unexpectedly, Moon Gyeon-woo simply suggested in a refreshing voice:
“Do you want to go in first? I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Ah, s-should I?”
Since it was different from his expectation, Yeon-rok stood up awkwardly, gathering his clothes. After bathing first, he entered the outdoor hinoki tub. Since they were in Gangwon-do, the night air was still cool enough to enjoy a hot spring bath; as he soaked his body in the hot water, a groan of pleasure escaped him involuntarily.
“Ha, this is great…”
I’m enjoying such luxury all because I met a good name partner. With a renewed sense of gratitude, Yeon-rok enjoyed the hot spring bath until his fingers shriveled. The slippery water had a slightly off-putting smell, which ironically made him believe it would be better for his health. After a long while, Yeon-rok emerged with cheeks as red as a ripe peach and gave his verdict.
“This place is amazing.”
“Do you like it? Let’s come again next time.”
Moon Gyeon-woo, who had been setting up some unknown device, handed him a cold banana milk. He then watched with satisfaction as his name partner sipped it with flushed cheeks. After finishing the milk and throwing the bottle in the trash, Yeon-rok asked.
“What is that?”
“A physical therapy device. Do you want to try lying down here?”
Since he’s a doctor, I can even get physical therapy in a place like this. Yeon-rok lay down obediently as Moon Gyeon-woo instructed.
“Relax your arm and try to bend it slowly like this.”
He moved his arm according to Moon Gyeon-woo’s instructions. He had been wearing a half-cast for a little over three weeks, and the joint was still stiff. It was because the collision with the steering wheel hadn’t just caused a hairline fracture in the bone, but had also dealt a severe blow to the ligaments and muscles. Still, it was much better than when the bone was first broken. Moon Gyeon-woo spoke like a kind doctor.
“The range of motion is definitely narrower and stiffer compared to the left side.”
Since he had enjoyed the hot spring to the fullest, they skipped the hot compress. A familiar patch adhered firmly to his arm. An electrical stimulation came with a buzzing sensation. After basking under a heating lamp, he became drowsy, and his eyes began to flutter shut.
Then, Moon Gyeon-woo began to massage the muscles from his shoulder down to his arm. It hurt a bit at first, but as he endured it, it soon felt refreshing and cool, and the pain subsided significantly.
“Ah, this feels good…”
Yeon-rok murmured unconsciously and let out a low groan, knitting his brows. Moon Gyeon-woo’s hand paused for a moment, then applied a bit more pressure. Wiggling his toes, Yeon-rok let the other man knead his body as he pleased. Moon Gyeon-woo’s gaze slowly scanned Yeon-rok, who was sprawled out, defenseless and relaxed.
“By the way, Yeon-rok-ah.”
“Yeah…”
Mumbling a response that sounded more like “ung” than “yeah,” Yeon-rok shifted his head on the pillow. It was a movement close to instinct, searching for a comfortable position to fall asleep.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you started calling me Hyung?”
Yeon-rok’s eyes, which were about to drift off to sleep, snapped open. The atmosphere, which had been infinitely cozy and comfortable, suddenly became awkward, and Yeon-rok shifted again for no reason.
“That feels like too intimate a title…”
“If name partners aren’t an intimate relationship, then who in the world is?”
Huh? That’s true. No, but… we weren’t like typical name partners. Maybe because we started off on such bad terms, it’s still awkward. As if reading those thoughts, Moon Gyeon-woo continued.
“Although we didn’t get along for a very short while, we’re people who will share a close bond for the next few decades.”
Was that true? But? The phrase “share a bond” felt a bit…? While Yeon-rok hesitated, Moon Gyeon-woo added one last point.
“Besides, I’m five years older than you.”
For a Korean raised in a Confucian society, this was an argument that was nearly impossible to ignore. In the end, Yeon-rok nodded.
“A-alright.”
“Just an answer?”
“Gyeon-woo, Hyung…”
Even though he spoke softly, Moon Gyeon-woo beamed a bright smile. He seemed so satisfied that his massaging touch became even more tender.
“Is there anything you’re curious about regarding me?”
It felt too cold to say there was nothing again, and since he actually was curious, Yeon-rok stole a glance at Moon Gyeon-woo’s expression. Keenly noticing Yeon-rok’s hesitation, Moon Gyeon-woo helped him along.
“You can ask me anything personal. What are you curious about?”
“Well…”
Only after receiving the generous permission did Yeon-rok ask cautiously.
“I grew up in an orphanage. Were you… like that too? Were you like me? …I mean, did you not have a family?”
Because he had been deprived of a family from birth, Yeon-rok had always harbored fantasies and a vague longing for one. And in that regard, he often felt lonely. Although he had received sufficient care at the orphanage, he always craved affection. Usually, he never revealed this deficiency, but in front of Moon Gyeon-woo, he felt the urge to show it. It was because of the expectation that he might find empathy.
“I don’t know who my biological parents are either.”
Moon Gyeon-woo shared his story readily, without a moment’s hesitation. Knowing that the other man wasn’t the type to reveal his story to just anyone, Yeon-rok’s heart fluttered slightly. He could now feel that he had become someone important to his name partner.