By Zephyria 
It was merely a question seeking permission in form, but before Doctor Woo could even hear Seo Baek-han’s answer, he began to unleash the nagging, which wasn’t really nagging, that he had held in.
“As you already know well, Young Master has liked Director since he was a snot-nosed brat.”
What is he suddenly talking about? Unable to grasp the context, I just listened quietly, and Doctor Woo, provoked, asked back if I hadn’t known yet that a video had been uploaded to SNS a little while ago.
“It was such a commotion everywhere, I thought Director had intentionally let it happen.”
“That’s impossible. If you’re talking about someone who was shot and was live broadcasting, I believe the platform has already taken action, so you don’t need to worry.”
I heard that social media platforms, citing their policy against exposing crime scenes as they are, were deleting re-uploaded videos as soon as they appeared. Perhaps it was due to the pressure from the prominent figures present at the scene, rather than the platform’s internal regulations.
“That’s not it. There was another visitor live-streaming the party, and apparently, the two of you were captured from a distance.”
…I haven’t received such a report from Secretary Nam yet.
But he must not be in his right mind right now either, so I didn’t want to reprimand him.
His superior not only attended an unscheduled event abruptly but was also hospitalized with a gunshot wound. Moreover, he had only undergone surgery for a stab wound a few months ago. The poor secretary was practically out of his mind.
“It’s not like the audio was captured properly, but… in any case, people’s reactions aren’t bad. Not to mention the domestic public opinion.”
“Really?”
When I said I wanted to check the video briefly, Doctor Woo offered his phone. As soon as the screen activated, the video in question appeared, suggesting he had been watching it just before.
「Hey, guys. DC parties have a romance you can’t find in New York or Beverly Hills. I apologize for calling this town a total bore. Wanna see?」
Amidst the sirens and the sounds of people sobbing and murmuring, someone excitedly captured the party scene on camera. Seeing how they carefully avoided the area where the bloodshed occurred, they seemed to know exactly what the platform would flag.
「Look, those men over there. They say they’re from the Korean Empire, and the slightly smaller one between them, he’s actually…」
The uploader roughly explained the relationship between Seo Baek-han and Joo Tae-hyun, and then in considerable detail, mentioned that the person who threw this party was actually going to make a public confession to Joo Tae-hyun today.
「Curious what they’re talking about? I knew you would be, so I edited out all the bloody scenes and brought it to you! But before that! Let me do one ad. This is a smoothie powder you can easily eat anytime, anywhere…」
Contrary to the influencer’s boast of showing everything, the subsequent videos were nothing special. Since it was zoomed in from afar, the screen was full of noise, and the audio wasn’t captured properly either. However, even with the poor quality, the emotions of the two men were clearly conveyed.
Seo Baek-han trying to reassure Joo Tae-hyun somehow, and Joo Tae-hyun getting angry at Seo Baek-han’s reckless actions.
Seo Baek-han looking apologetic to Joo Tae-hyun, and at the same time, his eyebrows contorting as if he couldn’t help but be happy about Joo Tae-hyun…
「Anyway, the divorce declaration was made by the smaller one, and he said he’d break up because he didn’t want to harm his beloved partner. From my perspective, they still seem to like each other… What do you guys think? Agree, disagree, leave your comments!」
Did I make that kind of expression? Seo Baek-han felt a little embarrassed by a side of himself he hadn’t even known.
“…Certainly, it would be difficult to cite platform regulations with just this.”
“Yes. DH’s PR department also hesitated, and by the time they realized it, it had spread too much to simply cut it down.”
“At any rate, that’s what I thought after seeing the video,” Doctor Woo said, deliberately shrugging his shoulders broadly.
“It seems Director is trying hard to show a changed side of himself. He seems to be actively expressing his feelings to Young Master… But does that hold much significance? As you know well, Young Master liked you from the start, even knowing your personality was, forgive me, like this and that.”
As he continued his explanation, his voice gained strength, and he began shoving the items he had brought back into his bag, as if growing increasingly angry. His hands, packing his belongings, were also exceedingly rough.
“Rather, it was the aspects Director showed publicly… for instance, his relentless pursuit of his goals, or how he solidified his own domain without falling behind his superiors despite his young age. In short, he liked those aspects that everyone associates with ‘Seo Baek-han’.”
…Is that so.
Was Joo Tae-hyun’s heart something that could be explained in such a simple way?
“I don’t know.”
Seo Baek-han didn’t think so.
A pure admiration, wanting to become like that person. Daily shining affection. Joo Tae-hyun’s unique, beautiful gaze that captured only the good things.
While the reason he gave me affection might not have been much different from others, it was only possible because Joo Tae-hyun had cultivated that feeling steadfastly and firmly.
However, Seo Baek-han remained silent, as he understood what Doctor Woo was trying to tell him.
“…To summarize your words, you’re saying that no matter how hard I try to change or improve, it won’t work on Tae-hyun.”
“I apologize, but yes. That’s how it seems to me.”
Even as he said it, he didn’t look apologetic at all. It was a painful truth that only someone like Doctor Woo, who cared for Joo Tae-hyun like family, could deliver.
You’ve already lost your heart to the person you are, so instead of trying to change or do this and that, just let Joo Tae-hyun go. Let him be.
“Go back to Pyongyang now.”
“…….”
“I know Second Prince has a personal request. However, that doesn’t mean Director yourself has to personally review every single task on-site.”
Doctor Woo left after offering the advice that if I had realized my feelings for Young Master now, I should seriously consider what I could do for the person I truly loved. Seo Baek-han also knew.
Still, but.
“But I don’t want to end it like this.”
As I blurted out a childish complaint without realizing it, Doctor Woo looked back at me in surprise.
“That’s right, I am originally this selfish. It’s foolish that I only realized my feelings now, but since I realized them late, I want to do that much better. For Tae-hyun.”
I know it means nothing. What’s the point of getting permission from someone other than Joo Tae-hyun himself to continue liking him?
“…Director.”
“Yes, I know it’s just my greed. However.”
However…
Seo Baek-han’s voice, which had been somewhat desperate, gradually lost its strength. As he expressed his true feelings, he realized how contradictory they were.
If even Doctor Woo isn’t moved, how would Joo Tae-hyun himself feel?
“It’s fortunate that you know it’s just Director’s greed.”
“…….”
“Still, thanks to Director stepping forward without considering his public image, the interest in Young Master domestically seems to have settled in a positive direction.”
Doctor Woo bowed his head and expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the efforts made in various ways even after Young Master’s hasty departure to the States.
…And that was all.
In fact, there wasn’t much more he could do. What Seo Baek-han needed right now was simply Joo Tae-hyun, and nothing else.
Alone in the hospital room. The skin, which had healed so perfectly, was unbelievable for someone who had been grazed by a bullet.
Staring intently at the wound, Seo Baek-han crumpled Joo Tae-hyun’s clothes into a ball, hugged them, and collapsed onto the bed.
Burying his face in the pile of clothes, Seo Baek-han took a deep breath, as if this were the last time. The scent of the large tree lingered in his nostrils, in his mind, and deep within his chest, before fading away.
\ \ *
“Fuck, why the hell are you here, you bastard?”
Kim Seung-jun, confined in the county jail, looked utterly pathetic. He had been transferred to solitary confinement after being slightly bullied by other inmates, but this wasn’t just ‘slight,’ was it?
Well, it wasn’t my concern.
“See, I was right. You and Seo Baek-han, you were both just faking it all along!”
Joo Tae-hyun extended his hand towards the lawyer standing half a step behind him.
“Here, use this.”
He tossed the ointment and painkillers, good for bruises and abrasions, under the visiting window. Kim Seung-jun snarled.
“This bastard, giving me the medicine after the sickness. Are you messing with me right now?”
“Calm down and sit, why don’t you? You won’t be able to see me after today anyway.”