By Zephyria 
At those words, Kwon Rae-i opened his mouth in a “huh,” and then put his elbow on the table and rested his chin on it. In that position, he stared intently into Tae-hwon’s eyes, who was sitting next to him.
After staring like that for a while, this time he raised his voice and burst into a hollow laugh.
“I can’t help it. I’ve been caught.”
“……Caught?”
“Yes. That’s right… Actually, everything I said last time was a lie. I’m a promiscuous slut who changes men and women, older and younger, every month, and I already have five illegitimate children at this age.”
Oh, what?
“I’ve confessed everything truthfully, so will you raise the kids with me, Tae-hwon?”
“Wh-what…? What?”
“Ah! Get a grip! Tae-hwon.”
“No, what?”
“Do you believe that? Do you think my behavior would really be that messed up?”
“But five people…”
“No! This hotel is mine. I’m the owner.”
Wait a minute. Hotel owner?
Tae-hwon was stunned at that moment. Kwon Rae-i glared at Tae-hwon as if he was frustrated to death, but he liked Tae-hwon’s rare blank expression, so he suppressed his rising anger a little. It was a rare opportunity to catch Woo Tae-hwon looking so innocent and dazed.
Kwon Rae-i rested his chin on his hand and watched that expression until Tae-hwon came to his senses, controlling his emotions, and then briefly explained the rest of the story.
“My mother’s inheritance is quite a bit. But it’s still money that my father plugged in. That man, he made sure to give me financial therapy.”
“Ah.”
“I was running it discreetly with a legal representative. A few hotel affiliates and small businesses.”
“I see…”
“Ha, damn it. I really thought you were uncomfortable because I was pushing too hard, Tae-hwon. It definitely didn’t feel like that, huh?”
Kwon Rae-i slammed the table with his balled-up fist. He really seemed frustrated and wronged.
Tae-hwon belatedly let out a slow breath that he had been holding in. It was an unexpected story, but he definitely understood that he was the owner of this hotel.
“Is the misunderstanding resolved now?”
“Yeah.”
“Then, don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Sorry. For misunderstanding.”
“Not that.”
Not that?
What else should I say besides an apology?
“……”
Tae-hwon’s lips twitched. He felt like he was broken, unable to answer properly and stammering.
‘I’m not a child, I’m so clumsy. Like a dumbass.’
Tae-hwon sighed and opened his mouth. He was going to say whatever came to his mind right now.
However, the door of the private room, which had been closed, opened before he could speak.
“Excuse me. I will set up the amuse-bouche.”
It seemed the food had arrived. The server skillfully placed the dishes on the table. It was a bite-sized dish served to stimulate the appetite before the meal, so it looked like a cute toy rather than a proper meal to Tae-hwon.
“From the right, it’s salmon tartare with herb yuzu foam, truffle mac croquette, and goat cheese crème brûlée.”
The server explained the ingredients with all his heart, but Tae-hwon didn’t hear any of it. He just thought it was something very fancy.
“…Shall we eat?”
Kwon Rae-i picked up a piece of croquette and held it out to Tae-hwon’s mouth.
“Here, say ah.”
What? This is a restaurant, even here…
“Ah, quickly.”
“……”
Ugh. Fine.
Tae-hwon just shook off his thoughts and opened his mouth to take the amuse-bouche that he offered. He felt a crispy texture, and then it quickly melted and disappeared in his mouth.
* * *
Awkward discomfort. Unnecessary tension. Overly sensitive nerves… He felt all sorts of things on their sudden first date, and he was inwardly embarrassed. But it was still okay. After sitting for a while and tasting the courses little by little, enjoying the gourmet food for a long time, he was able to find stability again.
The two of them had trivial small talk, and Kwon Rae-i showed a comfortable appearance, giggling and glaring.
Tae-hwon wiped his hands on a napkin and glanced at him.
A handsome man with a white and neat appearance, smiling while sitting in such a fancy restaurant room, the atmosphere was different. His face was blooming brightly, as if scattering dazzling light in all directions.
So, he couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
‘A date… huh.’
Would this be the feeling of spending time in a page of fresh youth?
At first, it was a little awkward because he wasn’t used to it, but now the date wasn’t bad. It seemed rather good.
As time passed and the main dish arrived, they even had a more serious conversation.
He heard about his deceased mother, and Tae-hwon also talked a little about his mother. Things like memories from when he was very young that he barely remembered now.
He went on to reveal that their childhoods were similar, and that was why Tae-hwon felt a sense of kinship the moment he first met Kwon Rae-i, and that was why he treated the young him like his own child or family.
Kwon Rae-i listened silently and nodded, saying, “That’s right. Yeah,” and smiled.
It was a natural smile.
So Tae-hwon smiled along. His smile wasn’t awkward either. His lips curved effortlessly, and he could smile comfortably.
That fact was more satisfying than he thought. It was a cozy experience.
After tasting the dessert of the following course, quite some time had passed by the time all the food was finished. The food came out little by little like bird feed, so he wondered if he would be full after eating this, but when the course was over, he felt quite full.
“Ugh, I’m so full. Shall we rest for a bit?”
Kwon Rae-i, who had paid the bill, escorted Tae-hwon skillfully this time as well. At first, he wondered where he was going, but when he came to his senses, he was already inside a room.
The suite on the top floor of the hotel.
He had checked in in an instant and somehow entered the room.
‘Huh? What is this.’
Was I possessed by a ghost?
I was just going to have a meal and go in, but how did I end up booking a room?
Tae-hwon, who had stopped at the door, twisted his head and glared at Kwon Rae-i with accusing eyes. Ridiculously, he feigned ignorance and winked his eyes and acted cute.
“No, I’m tired. Let’s rest for a bit. There’s no rush, right?”
“There’s no rush. President Hwang will be looking for me. I came out without saying anything.”
“Then I can contact him now. Just a moment.”
As if to show off, he sat down on the velvet sofa with his legs crossed and took out his smartphone. He quickly sent a text message and showed the screen.
“Here. I’ve made it clear that they shouldn’t look for me today.”
“Today?”
“Haha, now that it’s come to this, shall we just sleep here?”
Kwon Rae-i put his smartphone in his pocket and patted the seat next to him on the sofa. Tae-hwon stared at him as if he was dumbfounded, but he took a step closer as if he couldn’t win. Then Kwon Rae-i patted the sofa again as if that wasn’t enough. Only then did Tae-hwon stride over and take the seat next to him and sit on the sofa.
Kwon Rae-i lowered his voice and whispered softly into Tae-hwon’s ear, who was close to him.
It was the same thing he always said.
“You know, I really like you, Tae-hwon.”
Tae-hwon just accepted it naturally.
“I know.”
“Woo Tae-hwon is the best.”
“Yeah.”
“I love you.”
“Uh…”
Then Kwon Rae-i smiled happily as if he was enjoying this moment.
“Hehe.”
His eyes were sparkling clearly with excitement, he was like a child and a little cute. He even felt like reaching out and touching him.
Translucent blue-gray.
He wanted to see those eyes, like ice cubes fallen into a cold lake, engulfed in heat and burning.
Tae-hwon, who was leisurely watching Kwon Rae-i’s eyes, muttered unconsciously.
“…Are you going to do it?”
The words popped out without thinking.
“Pardon?”
Kwon Rae-i asked back with a smile.
“Are you going to do it here?”
“……”
“Then I’ll wash up.”
He was seriously thinking about it, but he heard a sound like air escaping from the side. He let out a hollow laugh and leaned his large body back, resting his weight on the armrest of the sofa.
“What, you surprised me. Tae-hwon is making jokes like that.”
“……?”
“I was reckless before. I didn’t know you had no experience, Tae-hwon… I’m sorry for treating you harshly. I won’t do that anymore.”
“What, what do you mean you won’t do…”
“I won’t touch you. I won’t rush you recklessly, so just relax.”
Huh?
You won’t rush me?
He heard an unexpected remark. Tae-hwon looked at him carefully because he couldn’t believe it. The light reflected in the glass window exquisitely illuminated Kwon Rae-i’s face. He felt a subtle gaze from him.