By Zephyria The chronic smell of disinfectant, patients being brought in and out incessantly, the sirens of ambulances that echoed not just in the ears but deep within the mind, the loud voices urgently searching for someone, and the medical staff running here and there. In that noisy and bustling place, his younger brother lay alone.
It was hard to find a single healthy spot on his scrawny body. On his bloodless face, tears, mucus, vomit, and saliva had dried. The limbs that had desperately struggled and clung on, begging to be saved, had completely lost strength and hung limp.
A white cloth was covered over his brother’s body. He shook his head repeatedly, denying it, saying it couldn’t be, that it must be a misdiagnosis. He wanted to shut the mouth of the doctor pronouncing the death, but he was so shocked that his body froze and he could do nothing.
A vast darkness descended. Though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. His ears became muffled as if filled with water.
Suddenly, something heavy dropped with a thud. It was a pain as if a large piece of iron had fallen, crushing his sternum and bursting his heart, making it difficult even to stand properly. He felt dizzy, unable to breathe well.
He didn’t know how he had left the hospital or how he had left his brother behind. He couldn’t make a rational judgment. His blood didn’t just boil; it became sticky, as if it would melt his brain. All that remained was blindness.
He just desperately wanted a single word saying it was a misunderstanding. That at least a human being would feel sorry or, at the very least, embarrassed. It was a delusion.
‘What do you want me to do about some mutt that ate something random and died? A brat who doesn’t even know the grace of being taken in.’
The large piece of iron embedded in his chest. It was a kind of bomb. Using hatred and betrayal as a detonator, it would shatter the opponent to pieces, and perhaps destroy himself as well.
In his rapidly widening field of vision, he saw a hand approaching his face. Reflexively, he grabbed that hand and twisted it back. Then, he bolted his upper body up and climbed onto the other person’s body in one breath.
“…Ugh.”
As his throat was suddenly squeezed, a low groan escaped Ju-wan. His wrist, held by Kwon Su-hyeok, sank endlessly into the pillow.
Kwon Su-hyeok glared fiercely at Ju-wan, who was pinned beneath him. His broad, sturdy shoulders heaved repeatedly as he gasped for air. His chest, drenched in sweat, also surged heavily.
“Haah, haah….”
Perhaps because he had woken up too abruptly, a deep dizziness washed over him belatedly. Frowning, he squeezed his eyes shut. At the sensation of cold sweat licking down his spine, even a low moan leaked out. He released the hand pressing Ju-wan’s throat and clutched his throbbing head.
“I’m sorry for startling you. You seemed to be having another nightmare, so I thought it would be better to wake you….”
Su-hyeok collapsed onto the apologizing Ju-wan. Because of this, Kwon Su-hyeok’s sweat-soaked body was pressed completely against Ju-wan without a chance to avoid it. Simultaneously, a searing heat and a characteristic scent rushed in.
“Uh….”
Ju-wan only let out a low exclamation and remained pinned, motionless. No, it was more accurate to say he couldn’t move. Kwon Su-hyeok had a large and thick body at a glance, but since he had let go of his strength, he was too heavy to even dare to escape.
Jaguar, who had woken up in the meantime, stared intently at the two people completely overlapped. As if the sight was entirely unfamiliar and fascinating, the animal even tilted its head.
Meanwhile, Kwon Su-hyeok groaned, clutching his throbbing head. His still-rough breathing and faint moans continued to burst in Ju-wan’s ears. He could feel the sturdy chest, which swelled and deflated heavily with every breath, clearly through the thin clothes.
A body temperature so warm it felt hot, a scent that had grown deeper. Even though it wasn’t the right situation, he felt strangely cozy. A warm energy seemed to slowly pool inside his chest. It was a sensation similar to the relief he felt when he saw Kwon Su-hyeok’s back the moment he woke from the nightmare. Had he been longing for human warmth deep down all this time?
“I feel relieved after all.”
Ju-wan muttered while staring blankly at the ceiling. At that, Kwon Su-hyeok flinched and abruptly pulled his body away. Then, he sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped both hands around his head, which still felt tangled. Perhaps his breathing had calmed down a bit, as his back was no longer heaving with difficulty.
It was certainly a broad and sturdy-looking back. Watching that back in silence, Ju-wan slowly raised his upper body. He belatedly touched his throat, which had been squeezed by Kwon Su-hyeok. The spot where the fingers had touched felt tingly.
By then, Kwon Su-hyeok had already left the bed and was putting on a robe. As if intending to go outside, he went straight to the door and opened it, then looked back for a moment. His gaze entangled with Ju-wan’s, who was stroking Jaguar.
“Things like that….”
“…Yes?”
“Aren’t things you shouldn’t say recklessly in a male’s bed.”
Ju-wan’s expression became blank. Su-hyeok took his eyes off him and stepped outside. Moving as if dragging his legs, he went to the sofa and collapsed onto it. Staring vaguely into the air, he raised his arm to cover his eyes.
Whenever he suffered from nightmares, he would often experience muscle pain throughout his entire body due to extreme tension. But today, it was less severe. He felt a strange, tingling sensation in his fingertips. It was odd. Ever since Ju-wan arrived, strange changes had been happening continuously.
* * *
“So? You actually let Jang Jin-woo slip away?”
“I have no excuse, Hyung-nim.”
The man reporting while kneeling bowed his head deeply. An incredulous laugh escaped Woo Hyeong-seok.
“These things can’t even perform the simplest task properly…”
Muttering with a fishy scent, Woo Hyeong-seok rose from his seat. He then looked down at the man bowing before him and abruptly reached out his hand. Another subordinate tactfully handed him a golf club. He didn’t have much interest in golf itself. He simply hadn’t found a switch as suitable for disciplining beasts as this.
“What use are your legs if you’re just going to scurry around like that?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
When a pet makes a mistake, it must be punished on the spot. Only then does it realize what it did wrong and avoid repeating the same mistake. Furthermore, only then would it strive to carry out orders by any means necessary next time.
“You couldn’t catch a mere scrap of a doctor?”
“I’m sorry, Hyung-nim. If you could just forgive me this once…”
“Why would I just forgive you? If you did something wrong, you should be beaten.”
Woo Hyeong-seok adjusted his grip on the golf club and suddenly swung it. A violent thud echoed.
“…Kugh!”
The hulking man let out a single scream and collapsed. Because he had swung with such force, the golf club slipped from his hand and bounced away. Bright red blood was clearly smeared on the head of the club.
Collapsed from the immense impact, the man’s limbs trembled violently. His eyes rolled back completely. Soon, red blood began to seep slowly from his head.
“Ah, oops. I hit his head.”
Woo Hyeong-seok smirked nonchalantly, as if he had made a minor mistake. Before long, white foam leaked from the twitching man’s mouth.
He gave a cold look and told them to clear it away. Several subordinates on standby moved the fallen man outside in perfect unison. The remaining subordinates meticulously wiped the floor with rags and disinfectant tissues.
Sitting back down, Woo Hyeong-seok leisurely took out a marijuana cigarette and lit it. His closest subordinate, who had lit it for him, cautiously spoke up.
“Hyung-nim, there is an additional report.”
“What now?”
“The boys say they saw a suspicious fellow while they were at the Central Psychiatric Hospital trying to catch Jang Jin-woo.”
“…A suspicious fellow?”
Woo Hyeong-seok immediately showed an unusual interest.
“Yes. He was a man as big as a mountain, but since he was wearing sunglasses, they couldn’t identify his face properly. When they pressed the hospital staff, they found out he had asked about Park Ju-wan. He also checked the room where Park Ju-wan had been hospitalized before leaving.”
“About Park Ju-wan?”
“Yes.”
He tilted his head. Was there someone other than himself looking for Park Ju-wan?
“And?”
“Pardon?”
“And you just let a guy like that go?”
“Ah… I’m sorry. I didn’t think that far…”
Woo Hyeong-seok’s subordinate shut his mouth tight and bowed his head. In truth, he had heard in detail what happened at the hospital, but he hadn’t dared to report that far. It would have only added fuel to the fire.
“Every single one of you is useless.”
Woo Hyeong-seok clicked his tongue and sank into his own thoughts. Who on earth was the person looking for Park Ju-wan? He had heard that Park Ju-wan had no blood relatives left other than himself. If the investigative agencies had caught a scent, he wouldn’t have visited alone like that.
Could it be the person who bought Park Ju-wan? If, as expected, that person was responsible for eliminating Kim Je-guk and the dealer who brokered the trade, the purpose of visiting the hospital might have been to erase the remaining traces. Otherwise, there was no reason to dig into how his hospital life was after taking Park Ju-wan purely as a means to extend his own life.
If that hypothesis were correct, there was a high possibility that Park Ju-wan was still alive somewhere. If he had already served his purpose and died, there would be no need to urgently dispose of the related people. It was far more reasonable to assume that Park Ju-wan was still needed, so the chain of tracking was being cut in advance. Regardless, the person was clearly fast and ruthless.
He found himself looking forward to a meeting that could happen at any time.
“Park Ju-wan… just who are you hiding behind?”
A faint, intrigued smile spread across Woo Hyeong-seok’s lips. It felt like an interesting game of hide-and-seek was beginning.
* * *
Entering the house, Jeon Mi-nam was puzzled by the occasional signs of presence coming from the kitchen. Jaguar, who would just wait until he arrived if Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t take care of him, had already finished his meal and was sprawled on the floor. Perhaps feeling lethargic from a full stomach, he merely glanced at Jeon Mi-nam while resting his head on his front paws.
As he turned toward the kitchen, he paused. This was because Kwon Su-hyeok and Ju-wan were sitting opposite each other at the table. Both seemed to be eating instant fried rice.
“President.”
First, he bowed toward Kwon Su-hyeok’s back. Kwon Su-hyeok merely read the newspaper without responding. When he looked toward Ju-wan, their eyes met immediately. He nodded back to Ju-wan, who gave a light bow.
“Mi-nam, if you haven’t eaten yet…”
Ju-wan half-rose from his seat. He looked ready to share his portion if necessary. At that, Kwon Su-hyeok took his eyes off the newspaper and looked at Ju-wan once, then at Jeon Mi-nam. Jeon Mi-nam was momentarily flustered and hurriedly waved his hand.
“Ah, I already ate.”
“Ah.”
Ju-wan, who had been about to get a bowl, sat back down and continued eating. Kwon Su-hyeok openly observed him as he stuffed food into his mouth until his cheeks were bulging, chewing away. Looking at his expressionless face, it didn’t seem like he found it particularly delicious, yet he ate diligently. It was simply to put on weight. Even though he would only be used according to his original purpose regardless.
Jeon Mi-nam’s mind went blank as he stared blankly at the two. Even though it was Kwon Su-hyeok’s house, the sight of him sitting at the table eating was so unfamiliar. Of course, he was human, so he naturally ate and slept. Yet, seeing him finish the dry-looking fried rice without a word and even observe Ju-wan made him seem like a different person. Had something happened without Jeon Mi-nam’s knowledge?
Soon, Kwon Su-hyeok folded the newspaper he was reading, left it on the table, and went into the living room. As if he had been waiting, Ju-wan pulled the newspaper toward himself. That, too, was a surprising change.
After his brief moment of bewilderment, Jeon Mi-nam soon took off his coat and rolled up his shirt sleeves. He then gathered the empty bowls used by Ju-wan and Su-hyeok and headed to the sink. Ju-wan, who was reading the newspaper, quickly stopped him.
“I’ll clean up.”
“No. I’ll do it.”
The dishes consisted of only two bowls, one set of cutlery, two water glasses, and one frying pan used for frying. Jeon Mi-nam quickly finished the dishes in a sink that still looked far too small for him. Each cleanly washed dish sparkled. He wiped away the remaining moisture in the sink and washed the dishcloth, wringing it tight until not a drop of water remained. Even in a small household chore, he was full of discipline.
Around that time, Jaguar stood up, trudged over, and peered into the kitchen.
“Su-nam.”
Discovering Jaguar, Ju-wan patted his knee and called him. However, the beast whipped its head around and returned to the living room. Watching this, Ju-wan turned to Jeon Mi-nam.
“I think Su-nam dislikes his name.”
“Because it’s a name Mr. Baek gave him arbitrarily.”
“Then it’s not his real name?”
“Rather than that, he’s a fellow who doesn’t particularly have a name. Mr. Baek said that since they live together, he should at least have a name, so he gave him that one. The fellow seemed to dislike it from the start, but Mr. Baek insisted on calling him that, saying that a tacky name leads to a long life.”
“…Ah.”
Indeed, he had never seen Kwon Su-hyeok call Jaguar ‘Su-nam.’ Still, seeing as he didn’t bother to correct it, it could be considered a tacit agreement.
Having returned to the living room, Jaguar rested his chin on Kwon Su-hyeok’s lap and received his touch. Kwon Su-hyeok spent a rare moment of leisure stroking the beast’s fur with both hands. He was still wearing a comfortable knit top, and his hair was flowing naturally without being styled. It was a relaxed atmosphere, exactly how he would look if he were spending a holiday.
“President. I think that fellow needs a bath.”
Jaguar’s fur still had a sheen. However, it was unknown how many days the Hong Kong trip would take. Feeding him and cleaning up his waste could be left to others. But there seemed to be no one capable of handling the bath, which the beast hated most.
Kwon Su-hyeok made eye contact with Jaguar, who was staring at him, and gently stroked his head. Then, he reached his hand back far and stroked the beast’s firm and smooth back line as if embracing it. When he lightly patted the beast’s rump twice, the beast walked toward the bathroom on its own.
Jeon Mi-nam followed behind silently, as if accustomed to it. Ju-wan, who had been watching the whole scene with astonished eyes, followed as if possessed. Left alone in the living room, Kwon Su-hyeok merely rolled his eyes, following Ju-wan’s movements as he trailed after Jeon Mi-nam.
“May I help too?”
Ju-wan asked hesitantly as Jeon Mi-nam was about to enter the bathroom. Jeon Mi-nam looked back and forth between Ju-wan and Jaguar, who had already settled into the bathroom. Since Jaguar had been following Ju-wan well over the past few days, he figured there wouldn’t be a big problem. Jeon Mi-nam knelt on one knee and rolled up the hem of Ju-wan’s pants above his knee. Then, he opened the bathroom door wide to let him in, which served as his permission.
As Ju-wan entered the bathroom, Jaguar, who had been sitting quietly, stood up and slowly circled around him. Because of that, the beast’s tail lightly brushed against his bare legs, making them tickle. At the playful prank, the corners of Ju-wan’s mouth softened.
“Could you hold him for a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Should I hold him like this?”
At Jeon Mi-nam’s request, Ju-wan awkwardly held Jaguar’s torso. Then, Jeon Mi-nam, who was about to bring down the showerhead, was momentarily speechless. Soon, he gestured toward the bathtub behind Ju-wan.
“I think it would be better if you sat on the edge of the tub.”
Ju-wan sat on the edge of the tub as instructed. Then, Jaguar approached Ju-wan on his own and rested his head on Ju-wan’s lap. With a pleased expression, Ju-wan gently massaged the beast’s face. It was an unhesitating action, as if he had completely forgotten the wounds on his arm that hadn’t fully healed.
Jaguar, who always became sensitive whenever he entered the bathroom, purred today and even puffed out his tail slightly. Watching this with surprise, Jeon Mi-nam quickly snapped back to his senses and turned on the shower.
At the loud sound of the water, Jaguar’s round ears flickered. He could feel the large body tense up. Regardless of his pants getting wet, Jeon Mi-nam knelt and slowly dampened the beast’s fur. Soon, as the beast’s entire body became soaked, Ju-wan’s clothes became damp as well, but Ju-wan didn’t mind.
Having sufficiently dampened Jaguar’s body with familiar touches, Jeon Mi-nam brought out the specialized shampoo and various bathing supplies. As he poured a certain amount of shampoo into his hand and rubbed it into Jaguar’s body, white foam began to form. As Mi-nam scratched various parts of Jaguar’s body as if massaging him, Jaguar narrowed his eyes and purred again. Ju-wan also tried gently rubbing the beast’s head, face, and neck area. Before he knew it, a joyful expression was on his face. Noticing this, Jeon Mi-nam silently lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Do I use this to brush his teeth?”
It was around the time they finished shampooing and were about to rinse off the foam. Ju-wan held a bathing tool in his hand. It was a brush that looked heavily worn from long use. In reality, it was an item less than a month old, but it quickly became like that while brushing Jaguar’s sharp teeth.
Jeon Mi-nam nodded instead of answering. Then, Ju-wan supported Jaguar’s chin and slightly lifted his head. He then tapped the muzzle of Jaguar, who was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
“Now, say ‘ah’.”
Despite Ju-wan’s request, Jaguar didn’t budge. He simply looked at Ju-wan with wide, bright yellow eyes. There was nothing more burdensome than brushing the beast’s teeth. Ever since he grew larger, he had never complied willingly, and trying to force it only resulted in wasting the brush. After watching Ju-wan repeat the request that Jaguar wouldn’t obey for a while, Jeon Mi-nam stood up, thinking he should do it instead.
It was then. As Ju-wan’s finger slid deep into his mouth, Jaguar reflexively opened his muzzle. For a moment, Jeon Mi-nam forgot what he was about to do and stared blankly at the situation. Ju-wan firmly gripped Jaguar’s lower teeth and inserted the brush into the beast’s mouth. He then meticulously brushed from the molars in the back to the large, sharp canines.
Jaguar flinched at the characteristic scent of the toothpaste, but he couldn’t bring himself to close his mouth. It was as if he remembered the scent of the hand that had once entered his mouth without hesitation to remove a piece of bone stuck in his throat.
After finishing the brushing, Ju-wan rinsed Jaguar’s mouth clean and stroked the bridge of his nose as if praising him for enduring well. Then, while Jeon Mi-nam took out a large towel, he opened the door slightly to let out the humidity filling the bathroom. It was at that moment.
“…Wait, hold on!”
Jaguar shook his body violently, splashing water droplets in all directions. Then, while Ju-wan was momentarily stunned, he leaped and ran out the door. He dashed away so quickly that there was no chance to catch him.
He hurriedly took the towel and chased after the beast. A long trail of water followed where the beast had passed. When he reached the living room following those traces, Jaguar was sitting demurely in front of Kwon Su-hyeok. Just then, Kwon Su-hyeok turned his head and reached out his hand to the blankly standing Ju-wan. The atmosphere was more generous than usual, and Ju-wan almost reached out his own hand. A beat late, Ju-wan said, “Ah,” and handed over the towel he was holding.
Kwon Su-hyeok held the large towel with both hands and wrapped it around Jaguar, meticulously drying the beast’s body. Jaguar remained quiet without tossing and turning, as if he enjoyed the touch.
He felt a strange sense of lethargy. It wasn’t simply because he had moved his body to bathe Jaguar. The sight of Kwon Su-hyeok caring for the beast that obeyed him was kinder and softer than ever before, and just watching it made his heart feel infinitely warm.
“I’m home.”
Soon, the front door opened, and Baek Do-un’s voice rang out loudly. Jeon Mi-nam, who was just coming out of the bathroom, bowed. Baek Do-un responded with a bright smile. Then, he approached Ju-wan, who was bowing at the end of the hallway, with a broad grin.
“Ju-wan, have you been well?”
Jaguar, who had been enjoying the peace, flickered his two ears and looked at Baek Do-un. Noticing the scent of shampoo wafting throughout the house, Baek Do-un spoke pleasantly to the beast.
“Oh? Looks like Su-nam had a bath?”
As if reacting to his name, Jaguar immediately flattened his ears and wrinkled the bridge of his nose.
“There you go again, even though you like it.”
Giggling, Baek Do-un placed the suitcase he had brought against one wall and sat on the empty sofa. Jaguar, feeling his territory invaded, glared at him with a growl, but Baek Do-un just grinned, unbothered. When his eyes met Ju-wan’s, he patted the seat next to him as if telling him to come and sit.
Ju-wan obediently went and sat there. As if they had made a promise, Kwon Su-hyeok and Jaguar simultaneously rolled their eyes, following Ju-wan.
“President. Here are the things you mentioned.”
Around that time, Jeon Mi-nam approached and handed over a document envelope. Kwon Su-hyeok took out a passport and documents from inside and checked them. Between Baek Do-un appearing with a suitcase and the passport, it seemed they were planning a trip.
Out of simple curiosity, Ju-wan asked tentatively.
“Where are you going?”
“What, you haven’t heard yet?”
Baek Do-un raised an eyebrow in surprise. He then looked at Kwon Su-hyeok as if asking for an explanation. Kwon Su-hyeok, who had been silently examining the prepared documents, answered simply.
“We’re going to Hong Kong.”
“Ah, then… have a safe trip?”
His voice trailed off with uncertainty. It wasn’t as if they were leaving right this second, so saying goodbye like that was a bit abrupt. But he didn’t know how else to react.
As if it were indeed strange, the three of them simultaneously looked at Ju-wan with bewildered expressions. They seemed quite flustered by the unexpected reaction.
Kwon Su-hyeok abruptly handed the passport and documents he had been examining to Ju-wan.
“Check it.”
“What… is this?”
“It’s yours.”
Even with the explanation, it was hard to understand. With a puzzled expression, he opened the passport. His photo, which he hadn’t even taken, was pasted there quite officially. The documents accompanying it seemed to be flight tickets. His English name was clearly written in the passenger section.
As promised, the destination was Hong Kong.
* * *
Ju-wan looked at the passport in his hand over and over again. He was full of questions—whether real passports looked like that, and where or how such a thing could be made. Though he knew he wouldn’t get an answer even if he asked.
Jeon Mi-nam quickly packed the suitcase and pulled it toward the entrance.
“Let me help you with one.”
“No. Check if there’s anything else you need to pack before coming down.”
Declining Ju-wan’s help, he carried one large bag in each hand and stepped outside first. Around that time, Jaguar came trudging over. It was as if he wanted to see them off. As Ju-wan was putting on his sneakers, he felt something nudge his back and immediately turned around. Jaguar was standing behind him. Ju-wan turned fully and gently stroked the animal’s head. He knew Kwon Su-hyeok’s subordinates would take good care of him, but the thought that he wouldn’t see him for a while made him feel unexpectedly anxious.
“I’ll be back, Su-nam.”
He bid a reluctant farewell to Jaguar. It had been so long since he had said such a thing to anyone that it felt strange. Normally, Jaguar would have turned away the moment his name was called, but this time, he stayed still and accepted Ju-wan’s touch.
Until Kwon Su-hyeok came to the entrance, Ju-wan sat at eye level with Jaguar, gently kneading the animal’s face. He repeatedly gave instructions to Jaguar, who couldn’t understand a word: I’ll be back soon, eat well, guard the house well, and so on. Then, as a shadow fell over his face, he looked up at Kwon Su-hyeok.
“Ah….”
Thinking that Kwon Su-hyeok was staring at him because he was blocking the way, Ju-wan quickly stood up and stepped aside. Even so, Kwon Su-hyeok gazed at Ju-wan a bit longer before putting on his shoes. He also gave Jaguar a long stroke from the head down to the back as the animal stood up and bumped its head against his leg.
But that was all; without even a word saying he’d be back safely, he opened the door and left. Jaguar, standing like a stone statue staring at the closing front door, looked pitiful. Eventually, Ju-wan crouched in front of him again and fiddled with him until the animal grew annoyed, before being pulled away by Baek Do-un.
Three cars were waiting outside the house. Kwon Su-hyeok’s subordinates loaded the luggage in an orderly fashion. Meanwhile, Jeon Mi-nam opened the rear door for Kwon Su-hyeok and then climbed into the driver’s seat. As Baek Do-un quickly claimed the passenger seat, Ju-wan suddenly found himself sitting next to Kwon Su-hyeok.
Having finished loading the luggage, the subordinates stood in a line beside the car and bowed deeply. Jeon Mi-nam released the brake and started slowly. Then, the subordinates, who had been waving toward the rear of the car, quickly climbed into the following cars and trailed them as if providing an escort. From this sequence of events alone, it was clear that Kwon Su-hyeok was no simple trader.
Ju-wan couldn’t take his eyes off the car window. This was only his second outing since coming to Kwon Su-hyeok’s house. Even the most common scenery was an exciting stimulus.
Kwon Su-hyeok noticed the car was moving slower than usual, but he didn’t urge them to hurry. He simply gazed at Ju-wan, who was busy taking in even the most mundane sights.
He looked like a pure being who had lived in a place detached from civilization, stepping into an unfamiliar world for the first time. Because he found even the smallest things fascinating and curious, he seemed like a child who knew nothing, which kept drawing Su-hyeok’s attention. That was the only reason he couldn’t look away from Ju-wan. At least, that’s what he tried to believe.
It happened while he was aimlessly watching the passenger planes waiting near the boarding gate. Something bumped into the back of Ju-wan’s leg. Turning around, he saw a child, who looked like he had just started walking, sitting on the floor. It seemed the child had been toddling along and eventually charged into Ju-wan and fallen.
“…Ah, sorry. Are you hurt?”
He quickly helped the child up. He lightly brushed off the child’s legs and bottom, fearing there might be dust. Fortunately, the child didn’t cry. He just stared at Ju-wan with clear eyes. The child’s mother rushed over and said, “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s alright. Ah, one moment….”
Asking for a moment, he rummaged through his pocket. He then pulled out a candy he had received from Baek Do-un in the car on the way to the airport and showed it to the mother.
“Um, would it be okay to give him this?”
“Oh, of course. Si-woo, say thank you to the Hyung and take it.”
Despite his mother’s ready acceptance, the child just stared blankly, alternating between the candy and Ju-wan while clutching his sleeve. Ju-wan wondered if his expression looked scary and started to pull his hand back.
Just then, someone suddenly intervened, putting an arm around Ju-wan’s shoulder from behind. It was Baek Do-un.
“Baby, don’t you want to eat this? It’s really delicious. If Baby doesn’t want it, should Mister just eat it all?”
As Baek Do-un leaned his head toward the candy and opened his mouth, the child giggled and took the candy. The mother thanked them again and returned to her spot. The child kept waving his small hand at the two of them. Ju-wan, waving back, let a bright smile spread across his face for the first time in a while. Seeing this, a deep curve formed at the corners of Baek Do-un’s mouth as well.
“Ju-wan, I think it’s almost time to board. Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes.”
As Ju-wan hurried to follow Baek Do-un, he felt a stinging sensation on his cheek again and looked to the side. Sure enough, his gaze locked with Kwon Su-hyeok, who had been sitting there. He couldn’t tell since when Su-hyeok had been watching him, or if he had something to say.
After staring at Ju-wan for a long time as if in a staring contest, Kwon Su-hyeok abruptly stood up and walked toward the gate. He moved alone, regardless of whether his companions followed. Ju-wan tilted his head in confusion and simply boarded the plane later with the others.
“Hello, guest? Welcome aboard.”
The flight attendant, who greeted him kindly and checked his ticket, personally guided him to his seat. Following the seat number on the ticket, he found himself next to Kwon Su-hyeok once again.
“Ju-wan, if it’s uncomfortable, should I switch seats with you?”
Baek Do-un, who was about to sit alone in the opposite seat, asked out of consideration for Ju-wan. Ju-wan let out an “Ah” and looked at Kwon Su-hyeok, who was sitting by the window. Kwon Su-hyeok frowned silently, as if he didn’t want to sit next to Baek Do-un. If he found Ju-wan less uncomfortable than Baek Do-un, there seemed to be no need to switch.
“No. It’s okay.”
Ju-wan tucked the newspapers he was holding into the space in front of him and picked one to start reading. He had taken one copy of each from the pile by the entrance. Kwon Su-hyeok, who had been observing him with only his eyes, turned his head toward the window. The reason the corners of his mouth softened imperceptibly was that Ju-wan, greedily hoarding the newspapers, looked exactly like a squirrel.
Soon, the doors and all the luggage compartments were closed. Then, an in-flight announcement followed, stating that they would be taking off shortly. It seemed it would take slightly less than four hours to reach Hong Kong. The flight attendants, who had been doing final checks while moving through the narrow aisle, went to their respective seats.
The plane, which had been moving slowly, came to a halt in front of the runway. The massive engines began to spin rapidly, emitting a loud noise. Then, at one point, as the aircraft raced down the runway, his body was thrust backward regardless of his will. They said it flew at 800 to 900 km per hour, and he could certainly feel that speed.
In truth, this was his first time on a plane. When he had vaguely imagined it as a child, he thought it would just feel good, but he didn’t know what to do with the unfamiliar sensations he was experiencing for the first time. The moment the plane took off, a sudden feeling of emptiness beneath him made Ju-wan clench his fists tightly. He also instinctively lowered his head.
“Nothing is going to happen. So don’t be scared and relax.”
Just then, Kwon Su-hyeok’s voice reached him from above. Thinking he might be imagining it, he looked up at Kwon Su-hyeok, but the man had his eyes closed and his arms crossed. Meanwhile, as the plane reached the appropriate altitude, the seatbelt sign turned off. The flight attendants unbuckled their belts and began moving busily. Other passengers acted naturally, enjoying the in-flight entertainment or going to the restroom.
Despite this, Ju-wan remained frozen, feeling a slight dizziness. Both his ears felt stuffed, as if filled with water, making everything feel surreal. Was he motion sick? Or was his body reacting to the sudden change?
Thinking it would be better to sleep, he slowly closed his eyes. Still, the dizziness and the stuffed feeling in his ears didn’t subside easily. After a while, he heard a rattling noise in his sensitive ears. Simultaneously, the atmosphere in the cabin became slightly chaotic. He could feel the flight attendants moving busily, likely because it was time to serve the in-flight meals. The sound of voices taking orders and the faint scent of food wafted through.
However, Ju-wan didn’t wake up and continued to try to sleep. As the surrounding noises gradually faded, his body relaxed. Sleepiness slowly washed over him. At the moment his consciousness was about to slip away, his head bumped into something, and he felt his posture become more comfortable. A warm body temperature and a familiar scent were conveyed to him.
He didn’t try to figure out what it was. Or rather, as his consciousness grew more distant, it was more accurate to say he couldn’t. Ju-wan leaned slightly into that warmth, rubbing his head, and fell into a deep sleep.
He seemed to have slept soundly for a long time. He vaguely woke up around the time the in-flight announcement played, stating they were soon arriving at their destination. That was when he realized. He realized that a blanket had been covered over him, and that what he had been leaning his head on was none other than Kwon Su-hyeok’s shoulder. There was no way Kwon Su-hyeok wouldn’t know, yet he was reading an economic journal without concern. Ju-wan looked up at him in a daze. He didn’t dare lift his head, fearing Su-hyeok’s gaze might return.
After some time, Kwon Su-hyeok suddenly looked toward Ju-wan, and their eyes naturally met. But even then, Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t say things like get off now or move your head. In the quiet exchange of glances, the depths of his heart became helplessly ticklish.
As soon as he entered the arrival hall, it hit him that he was in another country. Even the air was quite different. Even the surrounding noise was grating to the ears, impossible to ignore. It was because the combination of unfamiliar languages felt strange.
They said it was a global hub airport, and indeed, it seemed to have forgotten the night. Despite the late hour, the interior was bustling with crowds of travelers. As people of all sorts poured out languages from all over the world, he felt lightheaded. The Korean language appearing occasionally on the guide signs felt strangely foreign.
“This way.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jeon Mi-nam took care of the dazed Ju-wan. Baek Do-un and Kwon Su-hyeok were heading toward the exit first, bickering. As he followed Jeon Mi-nam, squeezing through the crowds, gazes flew and stuck to them from all directions. Since the appearance of Asians in an Asian region wouldn’t be strange, it was likely Jeon Mi-nam who was capturing people’s attention.
As soon as Jeon Mi-nam and Ju-wan joined Kwon Su-hyeok, the surrounding attention became even more blatant. The sight of a man as large as a door wearing sunglasses and another man just as tall, both in black suits, navigating the airport was bound to be unusual. Their attendants were also either bulky or had menacing expressions, and all wore matching black suits, completing an extraordinary scene.
Whenever people looked back at the sound of whispering, they tended to avoid eye contact. It seemed they saw Kwon Su-hyeok’s group and thought of the Japanese Yakuza or the Chinese Triads they had only heard about. Certainly, they didn’t look like ordinary tourists. Perhaps the fact that the immigration process had been exceptionally slow and strict was a result of that.
A Rolls-Royce limousine was waiting outside the exit. He couldn’t take his eyes off it, surprised by its size, but Baek Do-un and Kwon Su-hyeok climbed into the car as if it were nothing. Jeon Mi-nam held the open door for the bewildered Ju-wan and invited him.
“Please get in.”
“Uh… yes.”
Because it was such a rare experience, he looked around the interior of the car repeatedly. It was so spacious and luxurious that he was simply stunned. People outside also kept glancing at the limousine due to its powerful presence. Soon, under everyone’s attention, the limousine slowly left the airport.
On one side, yellow or red double-decker buses were lined up. The passengers already on board were preoccupied with taking photos. The excited and thrilled hearts of people about to travel seemed to be conveyed fully. One tourist smiled brightly and waved toward the limousine passing in front of them. Ju-wan found himself waving back unconsciously until he snapped back to his senses at Baek Do-un’s question.
“Ju-wan, you seemed to be sleeping the whole time. Are you very tired?”
“No. It’s my first time on a plane… so I suddenly felt lightheaded.”
“Ah, it was your first time? Did you feel like you couldn’t breathe well or your heart was beating fast?”
“No.”
“Then what about dizziness, vomiting, or headache symptoms?”
“My head was a bit dizzy and my ears were stuffed, but it was bearable.”
“Hmm… bearable… It could be because it’s your first time, but there’s a possibility of aviation sickness, so if you’re uncomfortable on the way back, be sure to tell me.”
“Yes.”
“Aren’t you hungry? You didn’t even eat the in-flight meal.”
“Not really.”
“Kwon Su-hyeok, what about you?”
“…….”
He looked at Kwon Su-hyeok. Kwon Su-hyeok just stared at Baek Do-un and didn’t respond to the question. The reason for asking if he was hungry was likely because, given the circumstances, he also hadn’t eaten the in-flight meal. And the reason for that could be that he had no appetite at the time, he really wasn’t hungry, or he was doing something else during that time, but perhaps it was Ju-wan’s fault.
Ju-wan had fallen asleep before the in-flight meal service, and as soon as he woke up leaning on Kwon Su-hyeok’s shoulder, the plane landed. No matter how you looked at it, there was no time to eat. Not only that, seeing as he had slept through without tossing and turning once, it seemed Kwon Su-hyeok hadn’t even gone to the restroom throughout the flight.
“…I don’t care. I had a hearty breakfast.”
Kwon Su-hyeok muttered in passing, turning his head toward the window. The fact that he had eaten dry instant fried rice for breakfast was a fact known only to Jeon Mi-nam and Ju-wan. Baek Do-un, who didn’t know this, simply asked back if he had eaten something like Samgyetang since morning.
Jeon Mi-nam took out drinks from the minibar for the two who had skipped their meal. It was juice made from pressed tropical fruits. He put ice in three glass cups, poured the juice, and handed it first to Ju-wan, who was sitting opposite. Ju-wan immediately passed it to Kwon Su-hyeok, who was sitting next to him.
“Please have some.”
Kwon Su-hyeok stared blankly at the cup pushed in front of him, then let out a low sigh and silently accepted it. Baek Do-un, who was gulping down his juice first, sent a mocking glance over the rim of his cup. Kwon Su-hyeok glared back at him displeasedly, but Jeon Mi-nam and Ju-wan didn’t notice the power struggle.
Jeon Mi-nam simply took out the prepared tropical fruits and offered them to Ju-wan, and Ju-wan picked a piece of dragon fruit and put it in his mouth. Because of the juice he had tasted first, he could hardly feel the sweetness, but the refreshing fruit juice cooled his mouth.
“It’s delicious.”
“Ju-wan, me too, ah.”
Baek Do-un opened his mouth without hesitation. Ju-wan also naturally picked up a piece of fruit and fed it to him. Jeon Mi-nam urged them to eat more, offering other fruits again.
Ju-wan was so immersed in the taste and scent of the exotic fruits that he didn’t realize Kwon Su-hyeok was watching him intently. He put properly ripened mangoes and star-shaped star fruits into his mouth one by one and savored them carefully. Rather than simply being delicious, it was fascinating.
“Wow, it’s flashy. I guess that’s why they call it Hong Kong, Hong Kong?”
At Baek Do-un’s admiration, he suddenly looked up. In the meantime, the limousine was entering the city center. As if to prove it, numerous cars lined the road, and the streets seemed to have no room to step due to the crowds of people. Because it was dark, the colorful neon signs of large and small billboards stood out even more. The double-decker buses narrowly passed under the billboards that had practically occupied the road. His mouth fell open naturally at the dazzling night view that seemed to have forgotten the night.
Soon, towering buildings of immeasurable height appeared. Most were presumed to be hotels, shopping malls, or corporate headquarters. Occasionally, old apartments with laundry hanging from every window caught his eye. From the exterior, which resembled a chicken coop, he could guess the murderous cost of living in Hong Kong.
A massive crowd poured incessantly from the subway entrance. I found myself peering closely at each of the tightly packed shops to see what they sold. Everything felt unfamiliar and novel. Even the street trees and landscaping exuded an exotic atmosphere.
“We have arrived.”
While I was lost in sightseeing the streets, Jeon Mi-nam announced that we had reached our destination. The limousine gradually slowed down and came to a halt in front of a hotel. Even at a glance, it was a large and luxurious establishment. The waiting doormen approached to personally open the door and greeted the party politely.
Guided by them, we entered the lobby. The spacious lobby was bustling with a diverse array of people. Their races and origins, as well as the purposes of their visits to the hotel, were likely all different.
The party completed a brief check-in at a separate lounge. Then, we headed up to the room with the staff member in charge. Inside the elevator, the staff member spent a long time explaining the room we would be staying in. For some reason, he seemed brimming with confidence.
When we arrived at the room, I finally understood why. As soon as I stepped inside, I couldn’t help but marvel at the open view. The large floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the room captured the dazzling night view of Victoria Harbour without filter. Whether it was from the drawing room furnished with a large TV, a grand piano, and a sofa; the bathroom with a spacious tub; or the wide terrace connected to the main room, Victoria Harbour could be viewed at any time.
With a proud expression, the staff member bragged about every single facility in the room. Led by Baek Do-un, Ju-wan had to follow the employee and listen to all the explanations. According to Baek Do-un’s translation, the room itself included an infinity pool, a gym, and jacuzzi facilities. There seemed to be as many as five rooms. Furthermore, the suite spanned a total of 660 square meters, making it the largest Presidential Suite in Hong Kong, with a nightly rate exceeding 15 million won. Neither that amount nor the luxury of the facilities felt real to me.
“Should I sleep here too? There are plenty of rooms.”
After touring the luxurious suite, Baek Do-un muttered playfully. Upon hearing this, Kwon Su-hyeok glared at him with a blatantly stern face.
“Alright, alright. I’m going, I’m going.”
Baek Do-un grumbled, calling him a stingy bastard, and stepped out of the room first. Jeon Mi-nam also placed the luggage, which had arrived just in time, neatly to one side and bowed.
“Then please get some rest, President.”
Instead of answering, Kwon Su-hyeok simply gave a short nod. Ju-wan, who had been staring blankly at the night view beyond the window, hurried to follow Baek Do-un and Jeon Mi-nam.
However, just as Ju-wan was about to leave the room, Kwon Su-hyeok suddenly grabbed his arm.
At this unexpected turn of events, the gazes of Jeon Mi-nam, Baek Do-un, and Ju-wan himself all flew toward Kwon Su-hyeok. Ignoring those questioning looks, Kwon Su-hyeok yanked Ju-wan toward him. His dark pupils filled with the sight of Ju-wan’s bewildered face.
“You’re coming this way.”