By Zephyria 
“I’m fine.”
Despite being told the meal was prepared by a famous chef, Yeom Cheon-ho declined the in-flight meal. Only then did Yeon-rok look at him, startled.
“CEO… are you alright?”
Belatedly, Yeon-rok remembered the man’s acrophobia. He felt almost apologetic for not thinking of it sooner.
Yeom Cheon-ho smiled as if to tell him not to worry, but his face was bloodless and pale, and his breathing was unstable. After tossing and turning uncomfortably for a moment, he headed toward the restroom. When he returned a while later, his face had grown even paler.
Did he throw up? Worried, Yeon-rok watched as Yeom Cheon-ho took out and swallowed a sedative. As the man remained restless, Yeon-rok pulled out an eye mask.
“Would you like to use this? It might be better if you keep your eyes closed.”
“Thank you.”
Yeom Cheon-ho obediently accepted and put on the mask. Yeon-rok took hold of the man’s hand, which was cold and clenched tight. After a moment, the tension in Yeom Cheon-ho’s hand slowly relaxed.
“I heard that contact with a name partner is good for mental stability. So, if we stay like this, you’ll feel much better.”
“I see. Since Yeon-rok-ssi is holding my hand, it will surely be effective.”
A smile played on Yeom Cheon-ho’s lips. With their fingers interlaced, Yeon-rok waited for the other man to stabilize. Whether it was the power of the sedative or the fact that Yeon-rok was touching him, Yeom Cheon-ho’s shoulders loosened. A few minutes later, his head drifted slowly to the side. Confirming that he had fallen into a light sleep, Yeon-rok carefully reclined the seat for him.
Two hours later, they arrived at Haneda Airport.
As soon as the private jet landed, Yeom Cheon-ho removed the eye mask. Just by being back on the ground, his complexion improved significantly. While Yeom Cheon-ho changed his shirt on the plane due to the cold sweat, Yeon-rok asked Kim Jeong-seong, who was standing nearby.
“Doesn’t the CEO go on overseas business trips often?”
“Yes, he goes abroad at least three or four times a month. He suffers quite a bit every time. Still, he flew very comfortably this time. He only took one sedative. When there’s turbulence, he really struggles.”
Yeon-rok was happy to hear that he had been helpful, but he was also worried. When Yeom Cheon-ho emerged after changing his clothes, he had recovered completely, as if he had never been terrified to the point of turning pale. Or perhaps he was just pretending. Yeon-rok thought once again that the man was truly resilient.
After completing immigration, they moved immediately by car. As soon as they arrived in Tokyo, Yeom Cheon-ho departed for another scheduled appointment.
On the other hand, Yeon-rok unpacked his luggage at the hotel and quickly headed for the tourist attractions. With an executive secretary assigned as a guide by Kim Jeong-seong, and Park Chung-seong and Jeong Bo Eun accompanying him, Yeon-rok felt almost no difficulty even in an unfamiliar foreign land.
For two days straight, he visited theme parks, Tokyo Tower, and all sorts of sightseeing spots. Throughout that time, it was hard to even catch a glimpse of Yeom Cheon-ho. Despite sharing the same room, all Yeon-rok experienced was the faint sound of the door opening and the noise of someone showering while he was fast asleep in bed, exhausted from a day of sightseeing.
It wasn’t until the evening of the final day that Yeom Cheon-ho finally managed to make time for Yeon-rok. After having a delicious dinner, the two of them drank at a bar with a stunning night view of Tokyo Tower. While ordering from the menu, Yeon-rok asked worriedly.
“You can see outside from here; are you alright?”
“I’m generally fine inside a building. And this seat is at a certain distance from the window.”
To check if Yeom Cheon-ho’s words were true, Yeon-rok stealthily fiddled with his hand. This time, it was warm and not damp with cold sweat. Relieved, Yeon-rok changed the subject.
“I had a really great time this trip thanks to you, CEO.”
“I also felt the fatigue of the business trip was much less thanks to Yeon-rok-ssi.”
Hearing that made Yeon-rok beam with a shy smile. Sipping the drink that arrived shortly after, he glanced at Yeom Cheon-ho. He had expected him to drink whiskey or wine, but unexpectedly, the man had chosen a sweet non-alcoholic cocktail.
“Do you not like alcohol?”
“It’s not that I particularly dislike it, but I tend to avoid it because it makes me feel more fatigued. It doesn’t taste that great to me, either.”
Yeom Cheon-ho answered honestly. Indeed, he was currently overworking himself every day, so it was clear that drinking alcohol would make it harder to endure. Yeon-rok watched with fascination as Yeom Cheon-ho skillfully ordered something in Japanese.
“Your Japanese is really good.”
“I only know basic conversation.”
Yeom Cheon-ho spoke modestly. However, in Yeon-rok’s eyes, he simply looked amazing. Fiddling with his cocktail glass, Yeon-rok asked.
“Is it okay for us to pretend to be on good terms here?”
“It will be difficult for them to keep watch all the way in Japan.”
Upon hearing that answer, Yeon-rok stealthily tapped Yeom Cheon-ho’s hand. With a gentle smile as if Yeon-rok were doing something cute, Yeom Cheon-ho lightly entwined their fingertips. Then, he slid deeper into the palm and interlaced their fingers. Combined with the effects of the alcohol, Yeon-rok’s cheeks flushed in an instant. The two of them drank in an atmosphere that was strangely ticklish yet somewhat uncomfortable, while holding hands.
However, Yeon-rok knew well that this was closer to an erotic tension than an unpleasant discomfort. But instead of revealing his heart, he kept it pressed down. Being in this current state was enough. Looking at the hand entwined with Yeon-rok’s, Yeom Cheon-ho spoke.
“Is it very troublesome because of Mr. Gyeon-woo and Mr. Hwan?”
The frown returned to Yeon-rok’s brow as he recalled the grievances he had forgotten. Once he returned to Korea, he would have to watch those two fight tooth and nail again. The world might describe a love triangle as being a flower held in both hands, but the triangle Yeon-rok experienced was nothing more than a childish mess.
“What can I do? As long as we live in the same house, I just have to endure it.”
Yeon-rok sighed and sipped his drink at the thought of being hounded by the two of them. Yeom Cheon-ho asked in a voice as smooth as cream.
“It must be quite burdensome that those two like you so much.”
At that question, Yeon-rok couldn’t answer immediately and only flickered his lips. Is it burdensome? No, is it only burdensome? The reason he couldn’t easily answer ‘yes’ to that question was that the ego curled up deep within his heart was still starving for affection. It was a truly selfish and ugly inner thought. Only after swallowing another gulp of alcohol did Yeon-rok reply.
“Wouldn’t it usually be?”
His cheeks flushed again with embarrassment. Alcohol didn’t just make one honest with others; it made one honest with oneself.
Whenever Moon Gyeon-woo and Choi Hwan gave him affection and attention, he really, truly liked it…
“I see.”
Nodding slowly, Yeom Cheon-ho swallowed the rest of his cocktail in one go. Then, he said with a gentle smile.
“In that case, I shouldn’t make Yeon-rok-ssi feel any more burdened than necessary. Oh, it’s late, shall we head back? Our departure time is quite early, so it would be best to sleep early.”
“Uh, yes, yeah.”
Yeon-rok answered dazedly as he took Yeom Cheon-ho’s hand and stood up. It was only after returning to the hotel and entering the bathroom to shower that Yeon-rok realized the meaning of those words and let out a silent scream.
Throughout the flight back, Yeon-rok’s silent screaming did not stop.
‘He shouldn’t make me feel any more burdened? Does that mean he has feelings that could make me feel burdened?’
Had Yeom Cheon-ho, who claimed he couldn’t feel emotions, recovered even a little? Did this mean he liked him? Because it was said indirectly, Yeon-rok couldn’t be certain. That was why he was so nervous while holding Yeom Cheon-ho’s hand during the flight.
Fortunately, Yeom Cheon-ho’s hand was shaking so much and was so drenched in cold sweat that Yeon-rok’s own agitation didn’t show.
After a flight that felt both long and short, they arrived in Korea.
“I’m home!”
Yeon-rok shouted cheerfully as he opened the door and entered. Mrs. Park, who had been waiting for him, wondering when he would return, quickly rushed out of the kitchen.
“Our young master! You’re back?”
“Mrs. Park! I had a great trip!”
Smiling brightly, Yeon-rok ran toward Mrs. Park. He was carrying a mountain of gifts in both arms. Yeon-rok rummaged through the full shopping bags.
“This is a gift I bought for you, Mrs. Park. I noticed you wear scarves often…”
“Oh my, how thoughtful of you.”
With a joyful face, Mrs. Park wrapped the scarf around her neck. Yeon-rok also laid out the snacks he had bought in Japan on the table. Wearing the scarf, Mrs. Park hummed a tune as she chose and brewed tea that would pair well with the snacks. While eating a banana-shaped bread deliciously, Yeon-rok asked.
“Are Choi Hwan and Hyung Gyeon-woo not home?”
Since it had been a trip that felt like an escape, he felt somewhat sorry and had bought plenty of gifts for the two of them.