By Zephyria He hummed as he tidied the desk in the consultation room. He swept the scattered candies into his palm and placed them in a small basket inside the drawer. The clock on his phone already pointed to 7 PM. He had been tied to the hospital for a full ten hours. Yet, no sign of fatigue could be found on Baek Do-un’s face. It didn’t seem to be simply because he was about to leave work.
He took off the gown he was wearing and hung it on a hanger. Because he hung it so carelessly, the gown slipped off the hanger and fell to the floor. However, Baek Do-un didn’t even think about picking it up and went to the mirror. He then tidied his hair, which had become disheveled in the meantime.
“…Hmm, good.”
It was just as he had tidied his appearance, packed his bag, and was about to leave the consultation room. Suddenly, there was a knock. Then, the door swung open without permission, and his college senior, Kim Jae-min, burst inside.
“Don’t come in. I’m leaving now.”
“Stop pretending to be so busy. I can hear your singing from the next room. What are you so excited about, you weirdo?”
“How novel. What’s more exciting for a wage earner than leaving work? Let’s go, to the restaurant.”
“What do you mean ‘wage earner’? You spend more days playing than working.”
Unlike usual, Kim Jae-min kept picking a fight. He stood stubbornly in the doorway with his arms crossed, refusing to make way. Baek Do-un protested indignantly.
“Why are you picking a fight during my precious off-clock time? Do you have something to say to me?”
As if he had been waiting, Kim Jae-min got to the point. His attitude became considerably more polite than before.
“Stop being like that and just work with me. I’ll give you really great treatment.”
“Here we go again. I told you I don’t want to.”
“Listen to the conditions before you answer, kid. You won’t even envy most tertiary hospitals.”
“Seonbae,” he said, letting out a low sigh. He lowered his eyebrows and shrugged, as if to say, Don’t you already know my situation? Kim Jae-min shook his head.
“Yeah, I know. I know you’re not some guy desperate for money. But how long are you going to drift along without an affiliation? Don’t you feel it’s a waste, all that effort you put into becoming a specialist?”
“Nah, not really. I became a doctor because I was curious about what it feels like to save a person in a world where people killing people has become common news. Didn’t I tell you this before?”
It was true that Baek Do-un had declared this repeatedly since his college days. Because he had always been at the top—his entrance scores, his college grades, and his residency—questions from those around him had been endless from the moment he chose ‘surgery.’ Kim Jae-min grumbled, calling him an arrogant bastard. He himself was in a position where he lacked nothing in terms of wealth. He was simply like most humans, dreaming of an ideal higher than his reality and longing for the status and power to match.
“The thing I’m least confident in is a ‘regular routine.’ I absolutely detest feeling an unnecessary sense of obligation or being constrained in any way.”
Since he owed Kwon Su-hyeok quite a bit, he patiently conveyed his intentions. Having been rejected by him more than a few times before, Kim Jae-min soon gave up.
“Alright, alright. That aside, does our free spirit have plans today? If not, let’s go grab a drink for the first time in a while.”
“I don’t have time to drink with a pot-bellied ahjussi.”
He rejected him mischievously. Come to think of it, between his rush to leave and the fact that he looked more put-together than usual, it seemed he had a prior engagement. Kim Jae-min gave a mysterious smile and tried to probe him.
“You’ve been suspicious lately. Did you get a girlfriend?”
“Hmm… something like that.”
“Or a guy?”
“Well, that’s also something like that.”
“…What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Kim Jae-min openly frowned. Baek Do-un merely chuckled, as if finding the reaction amusing. He had been an enigmatic figure since college. With his neat and clean appearance, elegant voice, and a face that always wore a faint smile, he easily won people’s favor, yet he had a side to him that never let anyone break down his walls. People always surrounded him, but no one truly knew everything about him from A to Z.
The same was true for Kim Jae-min, who had spent ten years rubbing shoulders with him. All he knew were the basics that anyone would know: his name, age, alma mater, contact information, and place of residence.
No, strictly speaking, he knew a couple of things more than others. First, the group Baek Do-un was in charge of was absolutely not ordinary. There were times when Baek Do-un would ask for help, and Jae-min would secretly send an ambulance or open an operating room. Every time, the patients brought in bore extraordinary wounds.
At drinking parties, Baek Do-un would subtly hint at his resentment toward his father. He even said he wanted to become a doctor more because his father had vehemently opposed it. Jae-min could only vaguely guess the family business from such fragmentary information.
And another thing: Baek Do-un’s taste was somehow a bit peculiar.
“What kind of person is it?”
Kim Jae-min asked without much expectation. He didn’t limit it to what ‘woman’ because he had already transcended gender. Baek Do-un confessed readily. Though he spoke in circles, he wasn’t the type to try and hide things.
“A bear.”
“…Another guy.”
“Is that a sexist remark? Is a woman not allowed to be like a bear?”
“Anyway, eight or nine out of ten of your partners are guys.”
Kim Jae-min wore a bored expression in advance. Baek Do-un didn’t particularly deny it and just beamed.
“Then I’ll be going. My cute ‘Ureong Gaksi’ is waiting for me at home.”
He bid farewell in a voice that sounded as if he might fly away and stepped briskly out of the clinic. His back as he walked down the hallway was light with anticipation.
Kim Jae-min frowned and watched the scene with a displeased look. He wondered if he had misheard because he was too tired. A bear-like person, yet an ‘Ureong Gaksi.’ For a fleeting moment, he imagined a brown bear wearing an apron, having neatly set the table and quietly waiting for Baek Do-un to return home. He shook his head, lamenting what a bizarre imagination it was.
* * *
He ran up the stairs breathlessly. Normally, he would have waited leisurely regardless of where the elevator was, but for some reason, he didn’t want to waste a single second. Since it had been a while since he climbed stairs, his chest began to ache, but an uncontrollable smile remained on his face throughout.
Upon reaching the front door of the house, he paused to catch his breath. He tidied his disheveled clothes. Soon, his lips curved into a wide arc. This was because the savory scent of soybean paste stew was wafting out from inside the house.
Baek Do-un opened the door and stepped inside immediately. A pair of large shoes placed neatly caught his eye. The smile on his lips deepened naturally. Baek Do-un took off his own shoes and placed them side by side next to them, then strode toward the living room.
The rabbit hopped over to greet him. He habitually lifted the creature up in his palm. Then, he gently rubbed the tip of his nose against the rabbit’s soft forehead as he greeted it.
“Todori, did you watch the house well?”
The rabbit, seemingly in a good mood, narrowed its eyes and twitched its nose. Baek Do-un tossed his bag carelessly onto the sofa. Then, holding the creature closer to his chest and stroking it gently, he looked around.
It was as expected. Not a single pea-sized dropping, which should have been rolling around everywhere, was in sight. The house, which had been utterly messy when he left for work, was cleaned spotless. Even the pajamas he had thrown off haphazardly were neatly folded and placed to one side. The laundered white coat was hanging on a hanger, drying in the sun. At a glance, not a single stain or wrinkle could be found.
As he pulled the sleeve to smell the fragrant scent, he felt an undeniable presence behind him. He felt he knew who it was without even looking back.
“Are you coming home now?”
Baek Do-un turned around with a beaming smile. Jeon Mi-nam was wearing an apron over his shirt. Thick veins stood out between his neatly rolled-up sleeves. In his large, thick hand, he held a ladle, which looked incongruous.
“Yes. I’m a bit late today, right? I tried to come as fast as I could, but Seonbae kept holding me back to drink. And the traffic was bad.”
“Then, have you not eaten yet?”
“Nope. There’s something more delicious at home, so there’s no need to fill up elsewhere. Give me anything. I’m hungry enough to eat anything right now.”
The nuance was somewhat suggestive. The way he played by nibbling on the rabbit’s ear with his lips and then suddenly looked up at Jeon Mi-nam was quite provocative. Jeon Mi-nam avoided his gaze, pretending not to notice.
“…Then I shall prepare.”
He retreated into the kitchen as if escaping. Baek Do-un chuckled while watching him, then carefully placed the rabbit on the floor. After washing his hands, he entered the kitchen, which was filled with the smell of food.
Jeon Mi-nam quickly prepared dinner. He served portions of side dishes into the bowls that Baek Do-un had intentionally bought in pairs. The cutlery, cups, and rice bowls were all aligned perfectly. Finally, he moved the bubbling soybean paste stew from the stove to the table. Baek Do-un, who had been observing the scene with his chin resting on both hands, murmured softly.
“It looks delicious today, too.”
It was a highly ambiguous expression. Jeon Mi-nam likely understood the nuance, but he played dumb. Instead of sitting opposite him immediately, he stood back like a table server.
As Baek Do-un was about to take a spoonful of the stew, he gestured with his head toward the chair opposite him.
“What are you doing? Mi-nam, you sit too.”
“No. I am fine.”
However, Jeon Mi-nam firmly declined to share the table. He couldn’t understand why the man was being so cautious and concerned. Baek Do-un shrugged as if to say ‘do as you wish’ and began to eat. His stomach, which had been unsettled because he’d barely eaten lunch, soon felt warm and full.
Baek Do-un gave a bold thumbs-up to Jeon Mi-nam, who was staring blankly at him eating. Perhaps because he was hungry, or perhaps because it was truly delicious, he stuffed the food in so much that his bulging cheeks looked as if they might burst.
Fearing he might get indigestion, Jeon Mi-nam approached the table again and poured water into the empty glass.
“You seem very busy lately.”
“Not necessarily, but unless I’m helping Ju-wan study, I don’t have much to do. And I’m bored because no one asks me out on dates. I should use my spare time for something productive.”
Jeon Mi-nam’s hand overlapped the cup as he set it down, and Baek Do-un continued to chatter. He gently stroked the back of Mi-nam’s hand with his thumb. Jeon Mi-nam pulled his hand away as if burned. Baek Do-un simply picked up the cup and quenched his thirst as if nothing had happened.
“Do you make sure to eat your meals regularly?”
“Am I a child? I’m older than you, Mi-nam. Don’t worry. I don’t go around starving myself.”
Baek Do-un laughed off Jeon Mi-nam’s concerns every time. Certainly, it was absurd for someone who was essentially a gang member to worry about a doctor.
However, he had heard somewhere that doctors often manage their health worse. It was because it was difficult for them to maintain a regular lifestyle. Moreover, since he often sighed every time he came to Baek Do-un’s house, it was hard to believe the claim that he was doing well.
He had thought this before, but Baek Do-un was truly like a potted plant. He himself was flawlessly clean, but his surroundings were always a mess. Whether he simply had no talent for housework, whenever he rolled up his sleeves to do the dishes, at least three or four plates would inevitably break. He wasn’t that meticulous outside of surgery or treatment, so even when he cleaned, it didn’t show much. Since bringing the rabbit, hardened droppings were often found in every corner.
And that wasn’t all. Far from eating regular meals, he only ate when he was hungry, and even then, it was often instant or delivery food. Some days he would stay up for several nights, and when tired, he would sleep until he was exhausted, completely shattering his biorhythm.
That was why Jeon Mi-nam had started coming and going from Baek Do-un’s house even without special instructions from Kwon Su-hyeok. If he hadn’t known, it would be one thing, but after seeing the disastrous state of the house, he simply couldn’t ignore it. After rolling up his sleeves once, then twice, it led to today. At some point, they had naturally shared a spare car key and the front door lock code.
“Ah, that was delicious. I ate well today too, Mi-nam.”
Baek Do-un smiled with satisfaction. Only then did Jeon Mi-nam snap out of his long thoughts and say, “Ah.”
“Would you like more?”
“No. I’m fine. If I eat greedily, I’ll get indigestion.”
Baek Do-un gathered his empty dishes and stood up. Jeon Mi-nam said, “I’ll do it,” and took the dishes from him to the sink. Baek Do-un sat back down and happily admired the view of Jeon Mi-nam’s back as he began the clattering process of washing dishes.
“Somehow, your cooking skills are improving by leaps and bounds, Mi-nam. It would be nice if we lived together.”
He murmured like someone lost in a dream. As usual, Jeon Mi-nam pretended not to hear and just scrubbed the innocent dishes hard. Baek Do-un’s expression became somewhat pouty. Jeon Mi-nam was still the same. The moment he felt things were getting slightly dangerous, he invariably pulled back. Which only made Baek Do-un want to tease him more.
They had already become a couple who knew each other inside and out. That had happened quite a while ago. Since the man kept trying to retreat despite not being completely devoid of feelings, Baek Do-un had eventually pushed him over first. To some extent, there was a feeling of desperation. If that failed, continuing to pursue him would only hurt his own hand. He figured that even if the stone-like man eventually ran away, it couldn’t be helped.
But Jeon Mi-nam didn’t run. Nor did he take a markedly different attitude than before. Despite saying he would take responsibility for Baek Do-un, he was still just cautious. He couldn’t understand what he was so hesitant about.
“……!”
Jeon Mi-nam, who had been scrubbing the dishes so hard they were squeaking, suddenly froze. He tried to keep his head stiff, but he couldn’t ignore the sensation of arms wrapped firmly around his waist. Baek Do-un, who had hugged him from behind without permission, rested his head on Mi-nam’s back and whispered softly.
“Shall we wash together?”
“Your jokes are going too far.”
“I’m not joking.”
“…Please let go. I cannot do the dishes.”
“It’s not like I’m holding your hands. Go on, do the dishes.”
“Doctor.”
“What. It’s because I’m tired, I’m tired. I’ll just stay like this for a moment.”
Baek Do-un stubbornly rubbed his cheek against Jeon Mi-nam’s back. A shallow sigh escaped Jeon Mi-nam. After standing blankly for a moment, Jeon Mi-nam resumed the dishwashing. Water occasionally splashed onto the two hands wrapped around his waist, but that didn’t matter. Jeon Mi-nam’s broad back was so cozy and warm that he didn’t want to care about anything else; he had no room to.
Why did he want to act so stubborn and childish specifically with Jeon Mi-nam?
Baek Do-un lifted his head and looked up at the back of the blunt man’s head, confessing languidly.
“I missed you. Do you know how hard I rushed here as soon as work ended? I ran without even resting.”
As if he didn’t care what Baek Do-un was rambling about, or as if he couldn’t hear, Jeon Mi-nam, who was devoted only to the dishes, lightly rubbed his ear with the back of his hand. Uselessly, his ear turned bright red. A bright laugh burst from Baek Do-un, who sensed the change. His heart tickled pleasantly.
When Baek Do-un came out after showering, Jeon Mi-nam was sitting on the sofa feeding the rabbit. The rabbit sat squashed against his large hand as if it were its own nest, munching only on the feed he personally brought to its mouth. It chewed so diligently that its sturdy mouth and cheeks twitched incessantly. Jeon Mi-nam, finding the sight endearing, lightly raised his index finger and gently stroked the creature’s soft face. His face, which was always stiff, softened completely in that moment.
However, the peaceful time between the rabbit and Jeon Mi-nam did not last long.
“Ah, I can’t watch this, I’m too jealous!”
This was because Baek Do-un snatched the rabbit in both hands and flopped down onto Jeon Mi-nam’s thighs. Because of his wet hair, Jeon Mi-nam’s pants slowly became damp.
“What are you doing all of a sudden?”
“If you’re going to stroke Todori, stroke me instead.”
Baek Do-un grinned with a face that looked even cleaner after the shower. Unlike a man of his age, his blemish-free, fair skin glowed, holding moisture. No matter how hard he tried not to notice, the cool scent of shower gel wafted in with every breath.
Instinct sent a danger signal. Immediately, Jeon Mi-nam looked away from Baek Do-un and glared at the innocent edge of the sofa. Whether he didn’t know that Mi-nam was desperately suppressing his impulses, or whether he knew and did it anyway, Baek Do-un grumbled while petting the rabbit on his chest.
“Everyone says I have great skin and wants to touch it once. I guess Mi-nam doesn’t feel that way?”
“I… am fine.”
“If you’re fine, why are you avoiding my eyes?”
Baek Do-un looked up displeasedly at Jeon Mi-nam, who persistently avoided his gaze. Then, he suddenly grabbed Mi-nam’s hand and pulled it toward his face, saying, “Touch it.” The moment his fingertips touched the smooth skin, Jeon Mi-nam pulled his arm back as if burned.
“I am truly fine.”
“A man who is too ascetic is boring.”
“…….”
“How dull. If you’re not going to say anything, I’m just going to fall asleep like this.”
“Dry your hair before you sleep.”
“Then dry it for me.”
“…You must get up for me to dry it.”
As if he had been waiting, Baek Do-un bolted his upper body up. A satisfied smile spread across his previously indifferent face. It seemed he had been caught in his pace again.
Jeon Mi-nam sighed softly, stood up, and brought a dry towel and a dryer from the bathroom. As he plugged the dryer into the outlet, Baek Do-un moved down from the sofa on his own. Then, as soon as Jeon Mi-nam sat on the sofa, Baek Do-un sat leaning his back between the man’s legs. With his thighs spread wide, Baek Do-un’s shoulder pressed firmly against the inside. He felt somewhat awkward, but he didn’t let it show. He knew that if he showed any sign of discomfort, Baek Do-un would likely play a mischievous prank.
First, he gently pressed Baek Do-un’s hair between a dry towel to remove the moisture. He also carefully wiped both ears, holding the edges of the towel. As he swept up the outer rim of the ear as if massaging it and then pressed down firmly as if applying acupressure, a languid moan leaked from Baek Do-un.
“…Mmm.”
When he touched the earlobe, Baek Do-un’s head tilted slightly to the side. Jeon Mi-nam’s lips tightened.
Baek Do-un’s white nape was laid out before his eyes. For a man, it was slender and the lines were soft. He recalled that when they had sex, Baek Do-un seemed to get more aroused if that spot was licked or sucked. He remembered pressing him from behind and biting into that tender skin as much as he could. The skin was so soft that even a light bite would leave a mark. Now, however, it was clean, as if nothing had ever happened.
Unconsciously, he lightly caressed Baek Do-un’s white nape with his thumb. His fingertips tingled upon contact, as if a spark had flown. Even though he must have felt Jeon Mi-nam’s touch, Baek Do-un remained silent. He was simply playing with the man, kneading him like a little rabbit. Did he think this was merely inevitable contact for the sake of drying his hair?
Jeon Mi-nam consciously pulled his hand away from the nape and pushed it into Baek Do-un’s hair. At the same time, he turned on the dryer and lightly shook the hair to dry it. His fingers gently rubbed and stimulated the scalp. Perhaps it felt good, as Baek Do-un let out a small laugh and said, “You’ve got a knack for this.” Even that strangely lingering tone was stimulating.
The pale, thin strands of hair soon felt soft and silky, winding around his hand. He lowered the dryer by one setting. In the gentle warm breeze, the lightly lifted hairs fluttered down onto the back of his hand. It was a ticklish, soft feeling, like downy fluff. For some reason, he felt good, even though he was merely attending to someone else. Jeon Mi-nam, who had been fiddling with the already dry hair, suddenly stopped. It was because weight had suddenly shifted onto one of his thighs.
Before he knew it, Baek Do-un’s body had tilted to one side. When he turned off the dryer, he could hear the sound of soft, rhythmic breathing. He had said he wasn’t particularly busy, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Jeon Mi-nam quietly set the dryer down and carefully supported Baek Do-un’s body. Baek Do-un tossed and turned slightly, but he didn’t wake up. He let the man lean his head against his chest and lifted him up, supporting his back and legs with both arms. Then, he walked slowly to the bedroom, making sure there was no shaking.
It was just as he laid Baek Do-un on the plush bed and pulled up the duvet. Baek Do-un’s eyelids fluttered open.
“…Sleep with me.”
It was a voice so small that it would have been impossible to understand what he was mumbling if one didn’t listen closely. Unable to withstand the pouring sleep, his eyes were completely unfocused, repeatedly closing and opening slowly. Jeon Mi-nam simply pulled the duvet over him, as originally planned.
“Please sleep. I will stay here until you fall asleep.”
“…I don’t want to.”
Baek Do-un suddenly reached up and cupped Jeon Mi-nam’s face. Then, before he could even resist, he pulled him down and pressed their lips together. It was nothing more than the act of pressing their lips together, just as Jeon Mi-nam had done. Baek Do-un let out a soft chuckle as he looked at the flustered Jeon Mi-nam. That dizzying breath repeatedly tickled Jeon Mi-nam’s lips.
Squeezing out the last of his reason, Jeon Mi-nam sprang his upper body back. Baek Do-un smiled foolishly and rambled languidly.
“Don’t badmouth me in your head. I’m not usually a man who acts this spoiled.”
“…I’m not badmouthing you.”
“Really? That’s a relief….”
As Baek Do-un’s trailing words faded, his eyes closed tight. The slight curve of his lips gradually relaxed. Watching this, a warm smile spread across Jeon Mi-nam’s face, just as it did when he dealt with the rabbit.
He slid down to sit beside the bed. Then, he lightly touched Baek Do-un’s fingers, which were right in front of him. He had no intention of teasing Baek Do-un. He simply wanted to be a bit more cautious. He didn’t want to rush through things, swept away by momentary emotions and desires. Because it was Baek Do-un and no one else, he wanted to build their relationship more steadily and put as much effort into it as possible. That was all.
Jeon Mi-nam quietly left Baek Do-un’s house. Even after hearing the door lock click, he pulled the handle several times to make sure it was properly locked. Even then, all the way down to the underground parking lot and until he drove out of the apartment entrance, he carefully looked around to see if there were any suspicious people.
On the way home, he reflected on his memories of Baek Do-un. He naturally remembered the first time he visited his house.
After their first meeting, there had been no opportunity to meet Baek Do-un in a private setting. This was because he merely served as Kwon Su-hyeok’s attending physician and was not involved in company affairs at all.
Whenever Kwon Su-hyeok was severely injured, Jeon Mi-nam would go to the hospital or Baek Do-un’s house. Then, he would blindly bring him—whether he was exhausted or half-asleep—to Kwon Su-hyeok. Although Baek Do-un would complain, he always followed Jeon Mi-nam. Once Kwon Su-hyeok’s treatment was finished, he invariably checked the wounds of the other organization members as well. Despite everything, he was a kind person.
That was the extent of their relationship. No, it couldn’t even be called a relationship. Baek Do-un was the doctor in charge of Kwon Su-hyeok and the only son of the previous President, and Jeon Mi-nam was merely Kwon Su-hyeok’s right-hand man who managed Baekmu Corporation on his behalf. Unless it was through Kwon Su-hyeok, the two were not in a position to be simply connected. They weren’t even close associates or acquaintances.
That relationship began to change one late night, starting with a sudden phone call.
That day had been no different from any other. Kwon Su-hyeok had left the office late in the afternoon, stopped by the warehouse, and personally inspected the newly arrived goods. Afterward, he had a late drinking session with a representative from a new client.
It was just as Jeon Mi-nam had dropped Kwon Su-hyeok off at home and was about to leave after confirming he had entered the bedroom. Kwon Su-hyeok’s phone, which had been left on the sofa, rang. Since Jeon Mi-nam usually handled such contacts, he answered the phone without hesitation, as usual.
‘Hello?’
…….
‘Hello? Please speak. This is President Baek Do-un’s phone.’
Huh? Baek Do-un’s phone? I am Baek Do-un.
‘Ah, is this Dr. Baek?’
You know me? Who are you?
Whether he had been drinking or not, Baek Do-un’s pronunciation was heavily slurred. His breathing was also incredibly rough. The voice was undoubtedly his, but it was so different from his usual neat impression that it was puzzling.
‘The President has gone to sleep. If you have business, please tell me. I will convey it to the President.’
Then you’re the substitute for Kwon Su-hyeok?
‘Yes. That is correct.’
Really? Then come here right now. I want to see you.
‘Pardon?’
Didn’t you hear me? Can’t you hear me well? Is my speech too difficult? I said let’s meet, right now.
He just listened blankly, not knowing how to respond to the abrupt demand to come meet him. From the other end of the phone, he could hear music loud enough to make his ears ache, as is common in most pubs. He could also hear the sounds of unidentified people arguing loudly.
When there was no word from Jeon Mi-nam about whether he would come or not after a long wait, Baek Do-un grumbled as if dissatisfied.
No, why isn’t there an answer.
‘That is, I….’
Ah, what the. Why are you taking someone else’s phone. Hey. Wait a second….
‘…Yes?’
Hello?
After some small commotion, a man other than Baek Do-un took the phone. Beside him, he could hear Baek Do-un’s voice continuing to demand his phone back.
‘Excuse me, but who is this?’
Ah, I’m an employee of the shop where the customer is. The customer is very drunk, so I think someone needs to come pick him up. He almost got into a fight with the table next to him a moment ago.
A low sigh escaped him. He wasn’t close enough to Baek Do-un to personally go pick him up while he was drunk. However, Kwon Su-hyeok had already gone to sleep, and judging by his usual relationship with Baek Do-un, it didn’t seem like he would go out of his way to pick him up despite the annoyance. That said, now that he had received the call, he couldn’t just pretend not to know.
He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. A sigh escaped him instinctively.
‘Where is the place?’
When Jeon Mi-nam went to pick up Baek Do-un, he was bewildered by the endless line of pojangmachas. They all had similar appearances, served the same menus, and even had similar names, making them hard to distinguish. He tried calling Baek Do-un, but he didn’t answer. It seemed he would have to search them one by one.
Sighing softly, he entered every single pojangmacha to look for Baek Do-un. Considering the possibility that he might have left the shop in the meantime, he consciously looked around the outside as well.
‘Apologize, you brat. You fucking bumped into me and just walked away!’
‘When did I? You’re the one who came and bumped into me. If you’ve been drinking, go home and sleep quietly. Why are you picking a fight?’
‘Oh? You’re talking down to me? Hey, hey, you brat! How old are you?’
‘Ah, fuck, this retard is acting out.’
‘Hey, you! What did you just… you little peanut…!’
While he was frantically going in and out of pojangmachas, a commotion broke out at one place. It seemed a fight had started over drinks. It was a sight commonly seen in places that sold alcohol.
The men, who had been raising their voices and hurling curses, eventually became entangled in a fistfight. Innocent tables and chairs were overturned, and food spilled onto the floor. His companions and the owner tried to stop them, but it was useless.
The two men collapsed toward Jeon Mi-nam, who had just entered the place to find Baek Do-un. Startled, Jeon Mi-nam caught the two as they fell. Even then, he firmly pulled apart the two men who were pushing each other’s faces and pulling at clothes.
‘Stop it. You are both drunk.’
‘What is this now… ugh!’
‘Agh! It hurts! It hurts!’
The men, whose arms were gripped by Jeon Mi-nam, groaned and struggled. Even as they tried to pull their arms away, it only made them hurt more. Jeon Mi-nam waited until the two men calmed down before letting them go. Once their anger cooled, the men, feeling embarrassed, hurriedly left the scene.
The people who had been watching the fight from inside and outside the pojangmacha stared blankly at Jeon Mi-nam before quickly turning their heads away. Jeon Mi-nam helped the shop owner right the overturned chairs and tables. Then, as per his original purpose, he looked around the interior of the pojangmacha to find Baek Do-un. A man sitting in the corner with his head hanging low caught his eye. His face wasn’t clearly visible, but his build and skin tone seemed to be Baek Do-un’s.
He strode toward that table. Looking closer, Baek Do-un was resting his chin on his arm, endlessly fiddling with a soju glass. He paid no mind to the previous commotion or the chaotic atmosphere around him. Lost in his own thoughts, he only occasionally chuckled to himself.
‘Doctor.’
At the sound of his voice, Baek Do-un slowly raised his head. He squinted and looked for a long time, as if he couldn’t immediately recognize who was standing before him. Soon, he staggered to his feet and suddenly pushed his face right up to Jeon Mi-nam’s. Then, after examining Jeon Mi-nam’s eyes, nose, and mouth one by one, he smiled slyly.
‘…Eh? Who is this? Mr. Jeon Mi-nam?’
‘Yes, it’s me. Please stop drinking and let’s go. I will take you home.’
‘Huh? Why leave already. There’s still so much alcohol left. Sit, sit. Have a drink with me.’
Baek Do-un moved his glass to the opposite seat and filled it with soju. Even then, only half the glass was filled, and the rest spilled onto the table. Sitting back in the chair, Baek Do-un continued to pull the sleeve of Jeon Mi-nam, who remained standing blankly.
‘I told you to sit.’
‘I have to drive.’
‘You can just call a designated driver. Why? Do you hate drinking with me? Huh? Do you hate me too, Mr. Jeon Mi-nam?’
‘…You are drunk.’
‘Don’t hate me. I’m not that bad of a person.’
He muttered, his head dropping. His voice lacked energy, as if he were steeped in deep despair. Jeon Mi-nam began to worry if something had happened.
‘I have to drink a bit today. I have to drink until the film in my head snaps.’
‘I think you’ve had enough. Please get up.’
‘I told you I’m far from it. My mind is clear, and we can have a conversation.’
‘Doctor.’
‘I wonder why Mr. Jeon Mi-nam came. I meant to call Kwon Su-hyeok. Ha… Kwon Su-hyeok, that son of a bitch, he tells people to come and go when he needs them, but when it comes to me, he pretends not to know me, right? A lonely friend is drowning in a vat of alcohol, and he’s just fast asleep? Bad bastard. Ungrateful bastard.’
‘The President also drank too much today….’
‘That’s why Mr. Jeon Mi-nam came instead of Kwon Su-hyeok. Right? So just sit there for a bit instead of that bastard. It’s not a difficult thing.’
It seemed like he was being stubborn, but it was strangely persuasive. He thought that rather than continuing the struggle, it wouldn’t be bad to wait for a while. He also secretly wanted to know why Baek Do-un had become so drunk and disheveled.
Despite being nearly wasted, Baek Do-un’s face was not flushed. Rather, he was pale as a sheet of paper, with only a hint of redness lingering around his eyes and cheeks. Whether it was Jeon Mi-nam’s illusion or the effect of the alcohol, he couldn’t tell if the man’s eyes looked moist. Every time he exhaled, he frowned slightly, as if breathing were a struggle.
‘I broke up with my lover today.’
While Jeon Mi-nam was scrutinizing Baek Do-un’s complexion, he abruptly revealed the news of the breakup. He wondered why, at that moment, he became curious about what kind of person the lover had been.
‘Ha, I’m just speechless. We dated for quite a while. Since the internship, so it’s already been several years. His looks were okay, his family was okay… I liked one thing, that he was kind and naive. But that bastard handed out wedding invitations this morning. He says he’s getting married. Not his Noona, not his father who lives alone, but he himself is getting married. He didn’t say a word to me all this time. There wasn’t a single hint. I’m not that oblivious of a person. So I asked him how long it had been. He says he went on a blind date behind my back two months ago. They only went on three or four dates.’
Jeon Mi-nam looked at Baek Do-un blankly. This was because Baek Do-un had clearly mentioned that the lover he broke up with had a ‘Noona’. A Noona, not an Unni. That meant the lover was a man, not a woman.
‘So, what do you think I did?’
Amidst the confusion, Baek Do-un pushed his face close again. Seeing Jeon Mi-nam’s wavering eyes, he smiled beamingly.
‘I made it more killer than ever.’
‘…Pardon?’
‘Mr. Mi-nam, are you naive? You don’t understand. That bastard said this: he has to maintain appearances, and he needs someone to take care of his single father, so he has no choice but to marry, but our relationship won’t change after that. So, for the last time, I worked my body hard so that he’d go crazy thinking about today someday. He was practically swooning with pleasure.’
‘…Doctor.’
‘Why? Do you think I did something terrible to the person who’s going to be that bastard’s wife? Why? I was first. I couldn’t even show it because I’m a man, and I can’t do things like marriage, but I was the owner.’
Baek Do-un looked genuinely aggrieved. Jeon Mi-nam couldn’t bring himself to speak and kept his mouth tightly shut. Regardless, relationship counseling was not a field he was confident in.
Baek Do-un reached out and took the glass Jeon Mi-nam had filled. Then, before he could stop him, he downed the alcohol in one gulp.
‘But there’s no need to look at me with such pity. I left his car behind and walked out. I blocked all his contacts too.’
‘You will meet someone better.’
‘I know. Of course. There are still many people who like me.’
‘…That’s a relief.’
‘Ahaha, a relief? Is it a relief? There’s no law saying this won’t happen again, so is it a relief…. I’ve dated a lot. It’s not something to brag about, but anyone was fine. As long as they just stayed by my side, as long as they were someone who would drop everything and run to me whenever I needed them, it really didn’t matter who it was. Whether it was a woman, a man, a kid who just became an adult, or someone twenty years older. I hate to admit it, but I must have been influenced by my father. He was overbearing and impossible to talk to, selfish, tried to solve everything with power, and while he was infinitely indifferent to housework or family, his obsession was severe… Maybe it’s because I only felt resentment toward my father and never received proper affection? If someone shows even a little bit of interest in me, I just can’t pass it by. If they treat me kindly, I fall for them endlessly. And the end is always like this.’
Baek Do-un let out a short, self-deprecating laugh. Then, as if by habit, he fiddled with his soju glass and changed the subject.
‘Do you know, Mi-nam? The work Su-hyeok is doing now—there’s a chance I might have been the one to take it on.’
‘I’ve heard.’
‘What do you think it would have been like? If I hadn’t become a doctor out of some pointless rebelliousness?’
‘I haven’t given it any particular thought.’
‘I imagine it sometimes; it’s funny. The thought of having Kwon Su-hyeok as a subordinate to boss around is actually quite amusing. But in any case, even if I had been so terrible at studying that it was the only thing I could do, I probably still wouldn’t have done it. I hated the idea of living like my father more than I hated death. No, at the very least, I wanted to live like a human being.’
He had heard that the previous President had opposed Baek Do-un becoming a doctor. It was likely because he didn’t want to hand over the business he had worked so hard to build to someone else. However, Baek Do-un had remained stubborn to the end, and it was said that all problems were resolved when Kwon Su-hyeok, whom he had picked up from a pile of trash, took over the position instead.
Just from hearing the anecdote about the succession, Jeon Mi-nam had vaguely guessed that Baek Do-un and his father hadn’t been on good terms. However, he hadn’t realized that Baek Do-un harbored enough hostility to feel it toward his deceased father.
‘You probably think I’m talking nonsense, considering I lived in luxury, right?’
‘No.’
‘When I was young, I often wondered if I even existed, or if there was even a need for me to. Everyone treated me as if I were a non-person, like invisible air. Money… there was more than enough of it in our house, but ironically, there were times when I often went hungry. Because there was no one to make sure I ate. My father left early and came home late at night, so I could never see his face, yet he was pathologically averse to letting outsiders into the house. And my mother… my face is a spitting image of hers. She was beautiful, young, and very lonely, so it would have been hard for her to live looking only at me. Come to think of it, we’re similar in that we’re the type to fall in love easily. Every time my mother’s lover changed, my father would find out like a ghost and throw a fit. The domestic helpers, whom he hired with great difficulty, would shudder at the marital fights that felt like they’d end in murder and usually quit within three days. We were helpless until my father hired the next person after a rigorous screening process.’
‘…….’
‘It was ridiculous. That a man who didn’t hesitate to use violence in front of his young child—a man who didn’t care how I lived my life—would suddenly have something to say about my career path. Usually, fathers are proud and happy when their son gets into medical school, right? My father wasn’t like that. He called me a money-grubber, saying medical school tuition was expensive and that whether it was the cub or the mother, they were only thinking of ways to spend money uselessly. Do you know how I refused my father’s order to take over the company?’
‘No.’
‘I told him that if he made me President, I’d sleep with every single employee there.’
‘He couldn’t stand that for the sake of his own reputation, so he poured out every curse word in the book and told me to quit. He even told me to cut off my dick.’
Baek Do-un chuckled as if he were talking about someone else. Jeon Mi-nam couldn’t bring himself to laugh along. He simply felt it was a relief that the man had survived and remained sane.
‘They say childhood has a huge impact on one’s overall life, and I think that’s true. I’m still terribly bad at taking care of myself. I hate being lonely more than death. Even as an adult, I can’t stand being alone. That’s why as soon as a relationship ends, I immediately look for someone else. People say I do it because I’m too flighty. When I was a student, I heard a lot of rumors that I was a playboy because I accepted every confession I got… but that feeling is too precious to waste. If someone says they like me, that they want to stay by my side, how can I throw that away? I have to gather it all up diligently.’
‘…….’
‘Still, I didn’t live a bad life. I never touched someone who was taken, I never two-timed, and even if the other person confessed first, I was truly sincere while we were dating. Isn’t that decent enough? Hmm?’
‘Yes. You are a wonderful person, Doctor.’
‘Wonderful is a bit much… Anyway, I try my best to love and live in my own way, so why am I always the one left alone? Why does everyone get tired so quickly? They were the ones who let go of my hand first, yet they always said they were anxious that I would leave at any moment.’
Baek Do-un vented his frustration in a sullen tone. He stared intently at Jeon Mi-nam as if seeking an answer. Reddened eyelids, moist pupils, and a wavering gaze. Finding it difficult to endure that persistent stare, Mi-nam subtly shifted his eyes to the side. At that, Baek Do-un let out a small laugh.
‘Aren’t you going to complain?’
‘Pardon? What…’
‘”I don’t want to hear this. This is boring. So stop rambling, you drunkard!” That kind of complaining.’
‘It’s fine. I didn’t dislike listening to it.’
‘Really? You’re a good man.’
Muttering softly, Baek Do-un suddenly slammed his head onto the table and collapsed. Startled, Jeon Mi-nam sprang from his seat and supported Baek Do-un, starting with his face. Even though his forehead and nose were red and swollen from the collision with the table, he slept peacefully. A hollow laugh escaped Mi-nam at the sound of the soft snoring.
Jeon Mi-nam let out a low sigh of relief and paid for the drinks on Baek Do-un’s behalf. Then, he picked him up in his arms and left the pojangmacha.
People on the street glanced at Baek Do-un, who was being carried like a princess by the massive man. But he didn’t care about those looks. His only thought was to lay the groaning, uncomfortable Baek Do-un in his bed as quickly as possible.
That was the first time he had gone to Baek Do-un’s house. Although he had gone to the front of the house to pick up Baek Do-un for Kwon Su-hyeok’s business, he had never stepped inside.
And Jeon Mi-nam could not hide his horror upon seeing Baek Do-un’s home, which resembled a junkyard. Clothes, thrown off at some unknown time, were not just underfoot but had clumped together and were rolling around. Trash bags, which had grown in volume because they weren’t properly sorted, had burst at the sides. Dishes waiting to be washed filled the sink, and the dust settled on the TV made it clear how long it had been since the place was cleaned. No matter where he looked, all that came out was a sigh.
It must have been from then. That taking care of Baek Do-un became part of Jeon Mi-nam’s schedule. Baek Do-un had never asked, nor had Kwon Su-hyeok given a separate order, yet he harbored a misplaced sense of duty on his own. He wondered what had possessed him to be so meddlesome.
Now, Baek Do-un wants to move toward a deeper relationship. The romantic history he had complained about during that drinking session long ago could become Jeon Mi-nam’s own story.
Would it really be okay? He asked himself several times a day. No matter how he imagined it, Jeon Mi-nam standing by Baek Do-un’s side didn’t seem to fit. Still, even so, if there was no one by his side right now… perhaps he could dare to fill that loneliness, if only for a short while. An arrogant heart stirred within him from time to time.
He wasn’t sure if Baek Do-un wouldn’t be hurt or broken if he rushed in so recklessly. He lacked confidence in his own self-control. That was why he didn’t want to move haphazardly, hastily, or simply following instinct.
Yet, there was no way to suppress the anxiety that grew day by day.
* * *
“Is the General Manager arriving?”
As he entered the office, the men gathered around the table stood up in unison and bowed. Jeon Mi-nam gave a simple nod and went to sit in his seat. His subordinates brought the documents requiring his approval as if they had been waiting.
Recently, the time he spent in the office had increased. This was thanks to Ju-wan taking over the household chores for Kwon Su-hyeok and the care of Jaguar. There were also special instructions from Kwon Su-hyeok, who didn’t want his mornings disturbed by anyone. Therefore, he went to the office as much as possible and only stopped by the house occasionally when he had free time to see if there was anything he could help with.
In contrast, Kwon Su-hyeok had become more relaxed than before. His arrival time was pushed back by two hours, and if there was nothing urgent, he often left work immediately. Occasionally, he would be away for the entire lunch hour before returning. At first, everyone was puzzled by these changes, but now they just accepted it. He was once again amazed by the power of love.
Due to these circumstances, simple practical processing and approvals became Jeon Mi-nam’s responsibility. If the matter wasn’t serious, he handled it himself; he only reported to Kwon Su-hyeok when urgent or important decision-making was required.
It was while he was skimming through the handed-over documents, separating those to be sent to Kwon Su-hyeok from those he would handle, that the phone suddenly rang. A subordinate waiting for approval answered the phone instead. Jeon Mi-nam’s gaze quietly shifted toward him. Judging by the fragments of the conversation he could hear, it seemed there was a problem with a product delivery. Soon, the subordinate finished the call and reported the situation with a troubled expression.
“They say there are undeclared items included in the cargo that came from China yesterday. They think they need to check if the related documents were omitted or if the items were misdelivered.”
“Undeclared items? Contact the client first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jeon Mi-nam immediately stood up and headed for Kwon Su-hyeok’s office. It could be a simple mishap, such as the client confusing the items and quantities or a computer error during the shipping process. But if they were unlucky, it could be mistaken for smuggling. While the items themselves might not be a big problem, if a crackdown were triggered based on this incident, things would escalate. Quick decision and action were needed.
When he knocked on the office door, permission to enter came from inside. He opened the door wide and stepped in.
“President.”
Perhaps sensing an unusual atmosphere, the look in Kwon Su-hyeok’s eyes changed as he looked at Jeon Mi-nam.
“What is it?”
“It seems there is a problem with the cargo we were to receive from China. They say it contains items that weren’t previously declared.”
“Undeclared items? Have you contacted them?”
“We are looking into it now.”
“Could it be that bugs have crawled in again?”
Kwon Su-hyeok was lost in thought for a moment. It didn’t take long for him to reach a decision.
“Go and check it yourself. I’ll contact Director Shim.”
“Yes, sir.”
He bowed and left Kwon Su-hyeok’s office. The subordinates waiting for him followed silently. The group descended to the lobby in an orderly fashion. Meanwhile, a black sedan was prepared in front of the building. Just as he was about to slide into the car, someone called out to Jeon Mi-nam from a distance.
“Mi-nam!”
He turned instinctively and froze. The person approaching and waving was none other than Baek Do-un. Surprised, Jeon Mi-nam stopped getting into the car and walked toward him almost at a run. The subordinates who were meant to accompany him also stood still, looking at Jeon Mi-nam and Baek Do-un with confusion.
Baek Do-un beamed when he saw Jeon Mi-nam run up to him. He also gave a slight nod to the men behind Mi-nam who were bowing deeply to him.
“Where is everyone going?”
“Because of an urgent matter… By the way, Doctor. What brings you here…?”
“Bad timing. It’s my day off, so I came to visit.”
“Ah… The President is inside. But a problem has arisen, so I think it would be better if you went home today.”
“Do you think I came to see that bastard Su-hyeok? What’s going on? Is it serious? Will it take long?”
“I won’t know until I go.”
Jeon Mi-nam wore an apologetic expression, as if he had done something wrong. Baek Do-un said, “I guess it can’t be helped,” but openly pouted his lips.
“You should have contacted me before coming.”
“Would your fingers wear away if you contacted me first? I guess you aren’t curious even if you haven’t seen me for a few days, Mi-nam.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Forget it. I expected too much.”
Jeon Mi-nam didn’t know what to do upon seeing Baek Do-un’s disappointed face, the joy of seeing him having vanished. He wanted to soothe the sullen man, but since he was on his way out for work, there wasn’t much he could do.
“Since you’re busy, I’ll just go. Do your work.”
Baek Do-un said goodbye first and turned around. Jeon Mi-nam watched him walk away with heavy steps, feeling anxious, before striding toward him. Then, he suddenly grabbed his arm. Because he pulled too hard, Baek Do-un’s body spun around to face Jeon Mi-nam.
“What is it?”
“If you’re on your way home, I’ll take you.”
“I don’t want to. It’s my day off; I can’t just stay cooped up at home.”
“Please don’t drink alone starting from the afternoon.”
“I didn’t say I was drinking.”
“I’ll come visit you later, even if it’s a bit late. So if there’s something you want to say, then…”
“I’m not going home today.”
Jeon Mi-nam was speechless at the unexpected declaration. With the displeased look in his eyes, it was as if Baek Do-un were throwing a tantrum.
“Doctor…!”
He opened his mouth to try and coax Baek Do-un somehow, but he couldn’t finish his sentence. It was because Baek Do-un suddenly grabbed Jeon Mi-nam’s tie and pressed his lips firmly against his defenseless ones. Jeon Mi-nam’s lost hands hovered awkwardly in the air.
After a long while, Baek Do-un pulled back, stared intently at the dazed Jeon Mi-nam, and then turned away abruptly. Mi-nam watched him distance himself in a trance. He didn’t have the courage to look back at the subordinates behind him. He could only imagine what bizarre expressions they were making after witnessing the sudden kiss.
“…….”
Belatedly, Jeon Mi-nam raised his hand and roughly wiped his burning face. His heart was racing wildly and wouldn’t calm down. The heartbeats, so intense they were almost painful, seemed to vibrate all the way to his eardrums.
Baek Do-un was truly an unpredictable person.
Walking away from Jeon Mi-nam, Baek Do-un let out a long sigh as soon as he turned the corner. He messily ruffled his hair.
After having sex with Jeon Mi-nam, he had hoped their relationship would change somehow. Whether Baek Do-un himself would give up or Jeon Mi-nam would catch fire, he believed some reaction would definitely appear. But now, he had no idea.
The fact that Jeon Mi-nam suddenly offered to take responsibility for him just because they slept together once was lovely. He didn’t want to give up. He couldn’t give up. But he didn’t want to be bound by a sense of duty, so he rejected the ‘responsibility’ the other man spoke of. He wanted to be repaid with affection. He wanted to date him.
He had boasted that he would wait as long as necessary for Jeon Mi-nam, who said everything was a first for him, but seeing him so infinitely cautious and slow made him increasingly impatient. Since he had never met someone of this type before, he felt like he was the only one anxious and restless.
While he thought he should be considerate of Jeon Mi-nam, who was more clumsy and even younger than him and a straight man, he would often find himself several steps ahead before he realized it. Because he had always held the emotional upper hand and enjoyed only relaxed romances, the days of simply waiting and enduring were agonizing.
He hadn’t noticed it when he came to see Jeon Mi-nam, but the way back felt so long. Baek Do-un took slow, sluggish steps, muttering self-reproaching words to himself.
“What’s with the tantrum, really. How childish.”
Lately, he felt he had become unsightly to the point of being unbearable.
“Haaa…”
At the sound of the blatant sigh, Kim Jae-min’s gaze shifted toward the sofa. He would usually ignore it, but he didn’t know how many times it had been already.
Baek Do-un was staring at his phone with his head tilted back. Despite saying he would absolutely rest today, he had appeared out of nowhere and had been doing that the whole time.
“What’s wrong with you? What on earth is the problem?”
“What about me?”
“It’s unlike you; why are you sighing so much?”
“It’s nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing? What is it? Did you lose money somewhere? Or did your lover suddenly get pregnant? Do you feel like you have to put an end to your free love?”
“I said it’s not.”
Baek Do-un tossed the phone he had been staring at and covered his eyes with his arm. It was clear that something wasn’t going his way. Jae-min wondered what could possibly be happening to a man who lived for his own pride.
Before long, he began to stealthily watch the phone he had tossed aside. He seemed inwardly anxious, as if a new message might have arrived in that short interval. It was obvious who the person Baek Do-un was waiting for so desperately was. The lover who had made him exceptionally excited lately, the one he said resembled a bear. Jae-min wondered what kind of person could make the great Baek Do-un so apprehensive.
He didn’t know everything about Baek Do-un, but he knew his views and style of dating very well. It was because Baek Do-un carried around so many rumors that it was impossible not to know even if he wanted to. And Baek Do-un had never once denied those rumors or claimed they were misunderstandings.
He didn’t stop those who came, nor did he hold onto those who left. He claimed it was a waste to reject a heart that wanted to love him. Perhaps that was why there were times when his romantic partners changed nearly ten times a year. His lovers often left in disappointment, anxious over how he left the door open for everyone. And he would fill that void by meeting someone new.
Whether it was freedom or mere indulgence, the reason his chaotic love life had never caused major trouble might have been his lighthearted attitude—the fact that he never became obsessed with a partner. He was the type to cleanly cut ties and find someone new rather than deal with the headache of two-timing or dating someone who was already taken.
Baek Do-un was generally well-liked by both women and men. With his clean, refined features, tall and slender build, and fair, clear skin, he stood out purely based on his appearance. On top of that, he always walked around with a bright smile and acted favorably toward everyone—whether they were Seonbaes, classmates, or Hubaes—so his reputation was inevitably good. Many people even welcomed his occasional airheadedness, volunteering to fill in the gaps for him.
As far as Kim Jae-min knew, Baek Do-un had likely never experienced the heartache of an unrequited love. Nor had he ever desperately clung to a lover who had bid him farewell. He was a man who brushed things off, saying there was nothing to be done about changed feelings, and who hated unrequited love for being lonely and draining. However, it seemed that this time, he had finally met his match.
Once again, he let out a deep sigh while staring at his silent phone.
“Hey, stop looking at your phone. Is a call going to magically appear just because you’re staring at it?”
“Why are you picking a fight again?”
“What do you mean ‘picking a fight’? It’s because you’re being annoying. You always do this right where I can see you. Ugh, stop just waiting for a call and try calling first. I think you’re past the stage of worrying about your pride.”
“I don’t really want dating advice from an uncle with a belly.”
“Then feel free to get the hell out of my office.”
“Seonbae, instead of that, do you want to go grab a drink with me?”
“Forget it. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t drink with an uncle with a belly?”
Kim Jae-min flatly rejected Baek Do-un’s proposal with a look of preemptive exhaustion. It was because whenever Baek Do-un got drunk, he would ramble on and on about his own stories. He would say the same thing over and over. The one-sided venting would continue until Jae-min collapsed from exhaustion. Though, for some reason, the number of times he was called out in the middle of the night to be a drinking buddy had decreased significantly lately.
“Am I in a position to be picky about who I’m with? Seonbae, you dressed up for once; isn’t it a waste to just go home?”
Baek Do-un grumbled with a dissatisfied face. Indeed, a suit that looked like it had just come from the dry cleaners was hanging on Kim Jae-min’s rack. Furthermore, he had closed his clinic earlier than usual today.
Kim Jae-min soon finished his work and walked over to the rack. He took off his gown and began putting on the prepared suit.
“If you’re really that bored, you can tag along.”
“Where are you going?”
“The alumni association meeting, today. I heard almost everyone is attending since Professor Kim is retiring.”
“Alumni meeting… those are boring. I’m not really feeling it.”
“Then go home and sleep, you brat.”
Baek Do-un continued to glare displeasedly at his still-silent phone before finally moving his hand. He seemed to turn the power off entirely.
“I’ll go, I’ll go. It’s not like I have anything to do alone, so I might as well go and drink my fill.”
Baek Do-un grumbled as he slid the powered-off phone into his pocket. For some reason, his profile looked unusually sullen.
The hotel banquet hall, the venue for the alumni meeting and the retirement ceremony of their advising professor, was more crowded than expected. Everyone spent their time leisurely, holding glasses of champagne or wine and exchanging pleasantries. In reality, it was a fierce, invisible competition to see who was more successful and a desperate attempt to solidify strong networks by making their presence known.
Regardless, Baek Do-un sipped his wine alone in a corner. Kim Jae-min, who had accompanied him there, beckoned him several times to come and say hello, but Do-un ignored him. He had simply come to drink today; he had absolutely no interest in anything else.
“The professor is here.”
After some time, the atmosphere stirred, and the guest of honor, Professor Kim, arrived. People stopped talking in unison and looked toward the entrance of the hall. The white-haired Professor Kim walked in slowly, supported by an alumnus. People approached him as if they had been waiting, noisily greeting him, asking how he had been, and apologizing for not visiting sooner. Only Baek Do-un observed the bustling scene from a distance.
Before long, someone approached Baek Do-un’s table. As he was about to pour more wine, Do-un looked up with a puzzled expression at the shadow looming over him.
“It’s been a while. I didn’t think you’d come.”
The man greeted him with a faint smile. He was someone Do-un knew. They had spent their time together from internship to residency at the same hospital and had, for a while, dated deeply. He was the very man who had suddenly distributed wedding invitations to the medical affairs office to announce his marriage.
“If you’re okay with it, want to go smoke together?”
“Sure.”
Baek Do-un accepted the man’s offer without hesitation. They were once lovers, but now they were merely alumni. A person swept away into the past. No feelings of hatred or affection remained. There was no reason to hesitate over a single cigarette. Besides, he had been wanting to get some fresh air.
He followed the man to the smoking area. The man lit a cigarette first and then offered one to Baek Do-un. As Do-un took one and put it in his mouth, the man immediately lit it for him. Perhaps because it had been a while since he last smoked, Do-un let out a small cough. When he chuckled at the absurdity of it, the man’s lingering gaze followed him.
“How have you been?”
Baek Do-un replied half-heartedly while staring at the glowing red tip of the cigarette.
“Good.”
“Don’t just brush it off. How have you really been?”
Do-un didn’t know why the man was so certain that he was brushing him off. He was doing well—working a moderate amount, playing, and never going hungry. He was even in a relationship, albeit a slightly one-sided one where he received a lot of care. He wondered how he could possibly be doing any better.
“I don’t know what kind of answer you want to hear. How about you? Is your wife healthy?”
“I haven’t seen her face in a long time.”
“I didn’t hear that you guys got divorced. Not that I ever asked anyone.”
“We’re separated. She’s been at her parents’ house for six months.”
“Hmm, that’s too bad. It would have been better if you’d lived happily.”
Baek Do-un’s attitude remained indifferent throughout. It wasn’t an intentional act; he simply wasn’t interested. He wasn’t curious at all about the man being separated from his wife or how unhappy he was. From the moment they broke up, they were strangers. They couldn’t even remain friends. There was no way ill will or lingering attachment remained between people who were strangers—people who didn’t need to know each other. In fact, he hadn’t expected to meet him again like this.
The man was silent for a while. Baek Do-un also just stared blankly at the burning cigarette. Rather than the presence of his former lover or the news that the man’s marriage was rocky, he was more concerned about the phone in his pocket. He contemplated whether he should turn the power back on now.
Because of that, he couldn’t answer the man’s question immediately.
“A lover? You have one, right?”
“Huh?”
“A lover. You’ve always hated being alone.”
“Ah, yeah. I do.”
“A woman?”
“No, a man.”
“Ah, a man…”
The man nodded as if he understood. However, he seemed somewhat shocked, perhaps unconsciously. He seemed to have forgotten that he himself had once been Baek Do-un’s same-sex partner.
Baek Do-un subtly pulled the phone from his pocket. He looked down at the black screen in silence and then carefully turned the power on. The man watched this action quietly and asked hesitantly.
“Does he treat you well?”
“Huh? Who?”
“I’m asking if the man you’re dating treats you well.”
“Yeah, incredibly. He’s strong, and he’s good at all the housework. When I’m not around, he comes to my place to do the laundry, clean, and iron my clothes, and he takes care of my rabbit. He’s shy, but he’s so affectionate… if I act a bit spoiled, he’ll even dry my hair for me and stay by my side until I fall asleep. He might look clumsy, but his cooking is so amazing that I’m actually gaining weight. He can’t lie at all, and he’s the type who would never cheat. He’s exactly my ideal type. People like that are rare, aren’t they?”
“…He sounds like a good person.”
“Yeah. He’s reliable and kind. The more I see him, the more I like him, so I want to live with him as soon as possible.”
The man stared at Baek Do-un, momentarily lost for words. Baek Do-un looked like he was completely head-over-heels for his current lover. While it was said that he treated whoever he dated with sincerity, this was the first time he had mentioned wanting to live with someone. Had the great Baek Do-un finally aged? Had he finally reached a point where he wanted to settle down somewhere?
A faint, hollow laugh escaped the man.
“Wanting to live together, and the partner isn’t even a woman… what caused this change of heart?”
“It’s not like I’m saying I’m going to have children, so what does gender matter? If I want to, I will.”
Baek Do-un’s gaze remained fixed on his phone. As soon as the power came on, he busily scanned his call logs. A silent smile spread across his face, which had looked slightly anxious. He didn’t hide his joy, as if he had received a long-awaited message. He truly seemed to be getting along well with his new lover.
Including this man, everyone Baek Do-un had dated had confessed to him first. Because of that, he never became obsessed or anxious during his relationships. Breakups were always easy. At least, that’s how it looked to the man. Baek Do-un had never feared the breaking of a relationship, nor had he shown lingering attachment to the past. But now, he felt completely different.
While checking the arrived message, Baek Do-un immediately touched the call button. He didn’t ask the man beside him for permission to take a call. The man was no longer someone he felt the need to be considerate of.
While waiting for the other person to answer, Baek Do-un’s face overflowed with anticipation. Watching this, the man thought that the cigarette tasted exceptionally bitter today.
“Hello? Mi-nam? You called? Where are you now? Our house? You’re at the house? Okay. Wait for me. I’m coming now. Alcohol? I drank a little, but I’m perfectly fine. I can get home safely, so don’t worry. Well, if you’re really worried, I wouldn’t mind if you came to pick me up…”
Baek Do-un left the door open, trailing off his words. Then, to the person who must have asked where he was, he gave the location of a cafe a few blocks away from the hotel. Since it was an alumni meeting and there were many eyes, he planned to wait there.
After finishing the call, Baek Do-un stroked his phone for a long time. He even wore a proud smile. By this point, the man couldn’t help but be curious about his current lover.
“If there’s a chance later, introduce me to him. I’m curious.”
“No. I don’t want to show him a man who was my ex, even by chance. Even if he pretends not to, he’ll care and get hurt. He might even run away while acting humble.”
He guarded the information, even frowning. Though his tone was light, his inner thoughts didn’t feel light. The man wondered if this was really the same Baek Do-un who never cared about what others thought of him or what emotions they harbored.
“That apartment from before, do you still live there?”
“Yeah. Moving is a hassle.”
“I figured.”
The man chuckled. Despite the changes, discovering the trait of Baek Do-un he once knew brought a strange sense of relief.
Around then, Baek Do-un tossed the cigarette butt into a nearby trash can. He then left the spot immediately, giving a casual farewell to the man behind him.
“I’m going. Make up with your wife. You said you have a kid.”
The man watched the receding Baek Do-un blankly and let out a long sigh. To an ex-lover who was openly showing lingering attachment, Do-un drew a line, telling him to make up with his wife. He truly seemed to have shaken off all emotions. It was as if the man was the only one who missed him and was curious about him.
A hollow laugh broke out.
As soon as he spotted Jeon Mi-nam entering the cafe, he raised his hand and called, “Over here!” Jeon Mi-nam, who had been looking around with a serious expression, strode toward Baek Do-un’s table.
“You’re here?”
Baek Do-un gestured to the opposite seat, saying, “Sit.” It seemed he had been eating ice cream while waiting. Mi-nam gazed at Baek Do-un’s face. He had been worried because of how they had parted during the day, but seeing the beaming expression, it seemed his mood had cleared in the meantime.
“Did you drink… a lot?”
“No. I told you I only drank a little. See? I’m perfectly fine.”
“It’s late. Let’s get going. I’ll take you home.”
“Just a little longer. I haven’t finished my ice cream.”
Baek Do-un held up the half-eaten ice cream. Jeon Mi-nam looked troubled but had no choice but to sit opposite him. He placed his hands in light fists on his knees.
Watching this, Baek Do-un suddenly stood up. He immediately approached Jeon Mi-nam and plopped down beside him. He also pulled his ice cream, which had been placed far away, in front of him. Stirring the slightly melted ice cream with a spoon, he began to speak.
“Actually, if Mi-nam hadn’t called me today, I was just going to give up on everything. My patience isn’t that strong.”
“……”
“You never contact me first unless I do, and when I visit just to see your face, you’re surprised and ask why I’m here, and you always freeze up from tension if I get even a little close… I really don’t know what glory I expected to find by falling for such a blunt and boring man.”
Grumbling, Baek Do-un looked up at Jeon Mi-nam, saying, “Mi-nam.” He subtly leaned his body against him.
“I don’t have much to lose. I’ve told you there were plenty of people who liked me before. Do you know that?”
“I know.”
“You were composed even knowing that? I can’t tell if you’re overflowing with confidence or just indifferent.”
Baek Do-un shook his head slightly and put a large spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. With a dissatisfied face, he poked the innocent ice cream repeatedly. Even then, his upper body was steadily leaning and clinging to Jeon Mi-nam. As a result, Jeon Mi-nam’s body naturally tensed up, but he didn’t bother to push Baek Do-un away.
“Did you drink… alone?”
“No. Actually, it was a college alumni meeting. I didn’t want to go because those things are always just formal and boring… and I even met someone I didn’t want to see.”
“Someone you didn’t want to see…”
Jeon Mi-nam unconsciously chewed over Baek Do-un’s words. The corners of Baek Do-un’s mouth curved into a smile.
“Yeah. A man I dated before. You know about him, right, Mi-nam? I think I mentioned him once. You know, that weird guy who gave me a wedding invitation. But well, it’s in the past.”
He spoke dismissively, as if telling him not to worry. Jeon Mi-nam’s gaze landed on the crown of his head with piercing intensity. He seemed to want to hear more. Enjoying the rare attention, Baek Do-un scooped up the completely melted ice cream. Inevitably, some ice cream got on the area around his lips. He gently licked it off with his tongue and put the spoon down without hesitation.
Then, he plopped his head onto Jeon Mi-nam’s shoulder. Jeon Mi-nam flinched instinctively. Do-un laughed softly and rubbed his head against the shoulder. Sliding his hand over the other’s thigh, he murmured languidly.
“There are quite a few decent hotels around here.”
“Why suddenly a hotel…”
“I just thought we could rest for a bit before going. I feel like I might get motion sickness in the car.”
He arbitrarily caressed Jeon Mi-nam’s thigh. He slowly slid his fingers, tickling the area near the knee. Jeon Mi-nam firmly grabbed Baek Do-un’s hand and pulled it away.
“It’s not a distance far enough to worry about. Still, if your stomach is uncomfortable, we can stop and rest along the way. Please stand up.”
At the displeased reaction, Baek Do-un clicked his tongue, saying, “I knew it.” While grumbling that he didn’t like it, he grabbed Jeon Mi-nam’s arm as if hugging it and leaned his upper body even more heavily against him.
“Then just let me stay like this for a little longer.”
Jeon Mi-nam let out a low sigh but quietly let him stay. Baek Do-un remained silent for a long time while leaning on him, then mumbled in a voice full of sleepiness.
“Mi-nam, you demand a level of patience I don’t have. Only you, always only you.”
He complained, his heart aching day by day. Then, his eyelids slowly closed, and he fell into a light sleep. While Baek Do-un remained completely unaware, Jeon Mi-nam’s fist tightened firmly.
I stretched my arms wide. It felt like the time to leave work would never come. I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked my call logs first. Even though I had looked ten minutes ago, I checked again to see if anything new had appeared.
The contact I was hoping for wasn’t there. I couldn’t tell if Jeon Mi-nam intended to actually date me, Baek Do-un, or if he just wanted to play the role of a housekeeper.
I let my shoulders slump and sighed. Just then, someone knocked on the door. The person who opened it without waiting for permission to enter was none other than Kim Jae-min. He had already changed his clothes, as if intending to leave early.
“Are you heading out now?”
“You should change quickly, too. Let’s have dinner together.”
“Dinner? Out of nowhere, why? A company dinner?”
“Why else? Tomorrow is your birthday. You’re a burly guy, so it’s too cringey to buy you a gift, so I figured I’d just buy you a meal.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Baek Do-un reacted with surprise and fell into his own thoughts for a moment. Soon, he grinned and added a condition.
“If you’re buying, make it something expensive. Somewhere that looks fancy to anyone.”
“I get it, so just put your clothes on.”
Baek Do-un hummed a tune as he took off his gown. Watching him unusually excited, Kim Jae-min could only grumble that the rich really are something else.
“Hey, you said you’d buy something expensive.”
Baek Do-un voiced his complaint while sitting in a restaurant thick with smoke. Even as he picked up a piece of well-cooked pork galbi and slathered it in ssamjang, he didn’t stop grumbling. Regardless, Kim Jae-min simply wrapped a large lettuce wrap and stuffed it into his mouth. His cheeks looked as if they might burst at any moment.
Baek Do-un was about to put the ssamjang-covered galbi in his mouth when he hurriedly flipped the meat, which looked as if it would turn to charcoal in the rising flames. Then, he let out a deep sigh at the sight of himself fussing over a few pieces of burnt ribs. He hadn’t even eaten yet, but it felt as if the scent of the marinade had already seeped into his hair and clothes.
Baek Do-un glared displeasedly at Kim Jae-min, who was deftly picking off the meat he had barely managed to save.
“I’m going to eat all the meat in this shop.”
“Do whatever you want. It’s all-you-can-eat anyway.”
“Ah, you’re really stingy.”
“You said you were hungry. Just eat.”
As a form of retribution, he grabbed all the meat on the grill and stuffed it into his mouth. Consequently, his cheeks puffed out rapidly. However, Kim Jae-min was unfazed and simply put more fresh meat on the grill.
As he chewed the mouthful of meat, his jaw began to ache. He couldn’t tell if it tasted good or not. He was simply focusing on the act of mastication itself.
Before long, the phone in his pocket rang. Still chewing, he looked down at the phone indifferently. Upon checking the caller, he visibly flinched. He hastily swallowed the meat filling his mouth. Then, fearing the call might disconnect, he hurriedly touched the answer button.
“Hello? Mr. Mi-nam?”
Kim Jae-min observed Baek Do-un with a curious gaze. Was this the lover in question? To say it wasn’t, Baek Do-un’s voice was far too soft and flirtatious. He had been sulking just because he was brought to an all-you-can-eat meat place, but now he was beaming as if that had never happened.
Baek Do-un turned slightly away from Kim Jae-min, who was looking at him with disapproval. All his attention was focused solely on Jeon Mi-nam’s voice, so the bustling noise of the restaurant didn’t bother him at all.
Anyway, had his complaints from last time worked? Seeing as Jeon Mi-nam had contacted him first. Of course, he would have to listen more to see if the call was for personal reasons.
“What brings this on? Mr. Mi-nam is calling me first? Ah, did something happen to that Su-hyeok fellow again? Or Mr. Ju-wan? Surely it’s not Su-nam, right?”
No. It’s nothing like that. I just, well… I was wondering what you were doing for dinner tonight…
“Who? Me?”
Yes.
“Me? Well… Huh? Wait, what? Are you asking me out on a date right now?”
If you have time, Teacher, I thought we could have dinner together.
“Eat together?”
If you tell me around what time you’ll be coming home, I’ll go ahead and prepare everything.
“Right now…”
Baek Do-un was about to say he’d come immediately, but he paused. He started to stand up halfway, then stopped. For some reason, he felt it would be a waste to just run to him obediently. After all, Jeon Mi-nam had reached out first, for a purely personal purpose, with a proposal that was practically a date.
Baek Do-un’s lips softened. A mischievous smile played on his face. Kim Jae-min, who witnessed this change clearly from across the table, frowned openly. Ignoring his silent jeering, Baek Do-un told Jeon Mi-nam in a regretful tone.
“Then please wait just a little bit. I’m meeting someone important right now, so I think it’ll take some time to get home.”
…I understand.
A somewhat slow response came from Jeon Mi-nam. What kind of expression was he making right now? Was he flustered? Or did he feel a tiny bit of jealousy?
He couldn’t stand it; he wanted to see Jeon Mi-nam immediately.
“Then, goodbye, Seonbae.”
As soon as he entered the apartment’s underground parking lot, Baek Do-un flung the door open and got out. Kim Jae-min, who had unexpectedly ended up playing chauffeur, watched him walk away with an incredulous look. Despite going to an all-you-can-eat place, he hadn’t even gotten his money’s worth. It was all because of Baek Do-un’s insistence on leaving quickly.
Even after leaving the restaurant, he had insisted on being driven despite having his own perfectly fine car, and the place he had rushed to arrive at wasn’t his home, but a hotel. It was simply to use the spa facilities there. He claimed he had to thoroughly wash off the smell of galbi from his hair and body. With his home right in front of him, it felt truly excessive. Whether the person he called his lover was that sensitive to smells, or if he was just trying to act prim and proper for him, or if there was some other scheme, it was beyond the comprehension of the ordinary Kim Jae-min.
Under the threat that he would never come to work again if he didn’t, Jae-min had no choice but to wait until he finished washing. Not content with that, he ended up seeing him all the way home. Kim Jae-min watched Baek Do-un enter the elevator before turning the car around.
Once in the elevator, Baek Do-un checked his reflection in the mirror. His hair, not fully dried, was still damp. He pulled at his shirt, checking repeatedly to see if there was any smell. Although he had put it in a garment steamer while washing at the spa, he wasn’t fully reassured.
Soon, the elevator stopped. Standing before the front door, he took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside. Passing through the entryway, he saw Jeon Mi-nam’s shoes neatly placed to one side. Baek Do-un kicked off his own shoes beside them and practically ran toward the living room.
A rabbit huddled in a corner of the living room spotted him and hopped over. Baek Do-un scooped the creature up with both hands and rubbed his chilled cheeks against its soft fur.
Just then, there was a presence from the kitchen, and soon Jeon Mi-nam appeared. His shirt sleeves were neatly rolled up, as if he had been working until just now. He also gave off a delicious aroma.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Yes. I’m a bit late, right? I’m hungry.”
Baek Do-un headed straight for the kitchen. The table was filled with so much food that there wasn’t a single empty spot. Every single dish was something Baek Do-un liked. While he had eaten everything Jeon Mi-nam made without complaint, it seemed Mi-nam had noticed the foods he particularly preferred.
Occupying the center was a small whipped cream cake. He had unexpectedly suggested eating together; it seemed he remembered that it was around the time of Baek Do-un’s birthday. How cute.
Baek Do-un scanned the prepared food and popped a roll into his mouth. Because it was so large, his cheeks puffed out instantly. While chewing thoroughly, he turned his head toward Jeon Mi-nam. He felt the man’s steady gaze.
It wasn’t an illusion; Jeon Mi-nam was observing Baek Do-un with a quite stiff expression. A faint wrinkle formed between his brows. His eyes moved keenly, trying to identify the cause of some unsettling feeling. Even when their eyes met openly, he didn’t look away.
Under that blatant gaze, Baek Do-un rubbed his chin with the back of his hand.
“What? Is there something on my face?”
“…Your hair is wet.”
Jeon Mi-nam spoke after a considerable pause. Somehow, it felt as if he had circled around a different question. It seemed there was something else he truly wanted to ask. For example, where he had showered, who he had been with, and if it was the same person who had dropped him off at the underground parking lot.
Baek Do-un toyed with his wet hair and intentionally let his voice trail off.
“I told you, didn’t I? That I was with someone.”
“…….”
He slowly poured water into an empty glass. Then, as he drank it slowly, he stole a glance at Jeon Mi-nam. The man tried hard not to show his disappointment, but perhaps because of that, a very slight tremor seemed to ripple across his face. His quietly clenched fists tightened further.
He was so clumsy, it was lovely. He also loved the way he looked flustered, unable to reconcile his head with his heart. It would be enjoyable to tease him a bit more, but he decided to stop here for today. It would be troublesome if the naive man got scared and ran away.
Baek Do-un quietly set the glass down on the table. Even at that small noise, Jeon Mi-nam flinched slightly. He must have been deep in his own thoughts. Baek Do-un approached him and gently placed his hand on the man’s broad chest. Jeon Mi-nam reflexively grabbed Baek Do-un’s wrist, but it was after he had already sensed the slow yet heavy thumping of his heart.
“Why…”
Just as he opened his mouth to start soothing Jeon Mi-nam, the intercom suddenly rang. It was already close to 9 PM. There was no one in particular who would visit at this hour.
“Who is it?”
“I’ll check.”
Jeon Mi-nam grabbed Baek Do-un’s shoulder and pushed him away. He then immediately left the kitchen and approached the intercom. Baek Do-un followed him with a bewildered expression. A good atmosphere had finally been building, and he wanted to see the face of whoever was interrupting.
Jeon Mi-nam first checked the face of the intruder on the intercom screen. Due to his ingrained caution, he didn’t hastily press the answer button.
“Teacher, is it someone you know?”
He peered at the intercom screen over Jeon Mi-nam’s shoulder. Soon, a low exclamation escaped Baek Do-un.
“Huh? Why is he here?”
The untimely intruder was a man. The very man who had once been his lover, whom he had happened to meet at an alumni gathering a while ago. While they had smoked together, the man had acted clingy and confirmed where he lived, and he had actually come. And on Baek Do-un’s birthday, no less. His memory was annoyingly good.
The man was even holding a bouquet of flowers. It was always like that. The gifts he bought were always flowers, rings, and things like that. At one time, that heteronormative way of thinking had felt cute. Baek Do-un chuckled, thinking he was hopeless. From his attitude alone, Jeon Mi-nam seemed to vaguely guess who the man outside the door was.
“Is that the man you were with until a moment ago?”
Baek Do-un’s eyes widened as he looked at Jeon Mi-nam. He didn’t know how the man had reached that conclusion. But then, he thought it was possible to misunderstand it that way.
Baek Do-un’s face, which had been blank for a moment, became calm. He struggled to keep the corners of his mouth from curling up. To think that a man who was practically a stone would question him so openly. The wrinkle between Jeon Mi-nam’s brows was deeper than when he had discovered the signs that Baek Do-un had showered outside.
“Or is he the former lover you said you met again recently?”
The tone urging for an answer was somewhat aggressive. Knowing full well Jeon Mi-nam’s confusion, Baek Do-un shrugged as if he didn’t notice.
“That’s right. It’s him. But Mr. Mi-nam, are you angry?”
“…….”
“Are you angry at me right now?”
“…No. I am not.”
“Liar.”
“…….”
Jeon Mi-nam’s lips pressed firmly together. He abruptly averted his gaze from Baek Do-un. The man outside, unaware of the situation inside, pressed the bell again. The repeated ringing of the bell would only push Jeon Mi-nam further into anxiety.
Baek Do-un looked leisurely toward the front door before shifting his gaze back to Jeon Mi-nam.
“What should we do?”
The questioning tone was utterly nonchalant. As if it didn’t matter to Baek Do-un what choice the man made.
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a guest outside.”
“That is a matter for you to decide, Teacher.”
“Looking at him, it seems he came to wish me a happy birthday. It would be a bit much to just send him away, right? But then again, I can’t keep two men around me at once.”
In a flirtatious tone, he provoked Jeon Mi-nam as if it were nothing. A strange smile hung on his lips. He seemed to simply be enjoying the situation.
“I’ll do whatever Mr. Mi-nam tells me to. As long as I don’t have to spend a night like tonight alone, I’m fine with either side.”
At the irresponsible statement that he didn’t care which of the two he spent the night with, Jeon Mi-nam whipped his head around and glared at Baek Do-un. His strong jaw tightened. For a moment, it seemed as if a fire flared up in his eyes, which were usually so calm they were almost stoic.
Without hesitation, Jeon Mi-nam pressed the answer button.
“Who is this?”
Ah… isn’t this Baek Do-un’s house? I came to see Do-un.
“I’m sorry, but he cannot see you today, so please leave.”
…What?
Before Baek Do-un could intervene, and before the man outside the door could offer any rebuttal, he turned off the intercom. Then, he instinctively grabbed the wrist of the beaming Baek Do-un and dragged him back into the kitchen. The food, which he must have painstakingly prepared while waiting for Baek Do-un, was swept away by his fierce movements.
Dishes fell to the floor, shattering and scattering in a mess. The food contained within them splattered here and there. The small, cute cake was crushed beyond recognition. It felt as if all of it represented Jeon Mi-nam’s current state of mind.
Jeon Mi-nam shoved Baek Do-un down onto the empty table. His back hit the table with such force that it throbbed as if it might split.
“Ouch… that hurts, Mr. Mi-nam.
The groan didn’t last long. It was because Jeon Mi-nam suddenly slammed his fist onto the table. Baek Do-un’s eyes widened. It was truly the first time he had seen him completely unable to control his emotions like this.
Jeon Mi-nam’s shoulders heaved heavily as he gasped for air. His deeply furrowed brow trembled. A bright red rage, looking as if it would explode at any moment, surged through his shaking pupils.
“Are you jealous? Mr. Mi-nam, are you jealous right now?”
Looking up at Jeon Mi-nam blankly, Baek Do-un let out a faint smile. It was absolutely not a situation to be giggling in, but he couldn’t help himself seeing the man who had been so indifferent become so agitated. It was the moment he had most desired.
However, Jeon Mi-nam seemed to have no intention of smiling back. Instead, he furrowed his brow further and shouted in pain.
“I really don’t know! What you expect from me, Teacher, or what you want me to do. Do you just want to play a prank on me? Or is this your true feeling? I simply cannot tell. I don’t even know how far I should respond. If this is a joke, you’ve gone too far!”
Jeon Mi-nam’s scream echoed loudly throughout the house. Baek Do-un looked at the suffering man in bewilderment, then chuckled. At that, the man’s face crumpled even more. He seemed to misunderstand that Baek Do-un had once again dismissed his plea as something trivial.
Baek Do-un gently placed his hand on Jeon Mi-nam’s arm. Then, relying on that sturdy arm, he pushed himself up to a sitting position. Because of this, the distance between Jeon Mi-nam and Baek Do-un closed significantly. Baek Do-un took the confused face of Jeon Mi-nam in both hands and forced him to look at him. Looking into his eyes, nose, and mouth one by one with an affectionate gaze, he let out a small sigh.
“To think you still don’t know after I’ve gone that far, aren’t you too dull, Mr. Mi-nam? I even showed you with my body. It seems it was all a waste of effort.”
“…….”
“I love the way you struggle, not knowing how to handle me. It makes me feel like you truly cherish me. It’s a bit frustrating how you keep drawing lines while agonizing alone over whether my feelings are sincere or not, but it’s cute. I’m sure it’s annoying and bothersome, yet you handle every single bit of someone else’s mess by yourself… in a way, that foolish and unnecessarily kind nature of yours stimulates me intensely. A pathetic man who can’t even take care of himself and repeats the same stories over and over whenever he drinks… you’ve never once thrown them away, you’ve diligently taken them in and even cooked hangover soup for them. Your kindness, your consideration, your sincerity, your face, your body, even your name—I just love everything. I’m going crazy because I love you so much. Do you still not know?”
Jeon Mi-nam’s face went blank at the sudden confession. Perhaps flustered by the entirely unexpected turn of events, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Baek Do-un had told him repeatedly that it would be nice to live together, that he should marry him, but Mi-nam had played ignorant; yet now, faced with a blunt declaration of love, he didn’t know what to do.
“I couldn’t be honest because I was afraid you’d find it burdensome, or that you’d absolutely say no. I’ve been dumped countless times and gone through countless breakups, and I was fine… but for some reason, I felt like I really wouldn’t be able to bear it if you rejected me.”
Baek Do-un looked at Jeon Mi-nam with drooping eyebrows. It was unfamiliar to see Baek Do-un looking so lacking in confidence. Baek Do-un pulled the startled Mi-nam closer and lightly pressed his lips against the other’s before pulling away. Then, at a distance where their lips almost touched again, he whispered.
“Do you hate the idea of someone else being by my side? Then you can just have me, Mi-nam.”
With a pleading “yes,” Baek Do-un guided Jeon Mi-nam’s two hands toward his buttocks. Jeon Mi-nam, who had been moving as he was led, suddenly gripped both of Do-un’s cheeks firmly. He then pulled Do-un’s body sharply toward himself. Because of this, Baek Do-un’s body slid and sprawled back onto the dining table.
Feeling his head spin, Do-un squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. In that brief moment, Jeon Mi-nam was pulling down Baek Do-un’s pants as if tearing them off. He seemed to have no composure left. Do-un thought that for today, it wouldn’t be bad to follow Mi-nam’s pace. He obediently lifted his hips in time with Jeon Mi-nam’s urgent tugging at the fabric. The pants slid off and fell beneath the table.
Jeon Mi-nam gripped Baek Do-un’s exposed white thigh tightly once before letting go. Even that alone left finger marks on the smooth skin, which flushed red before slowly returning to its original color. Jeon Mi-nam’s Adam’s apple bobbed prominently. As his blood flow surged, it felt as if his mind were boiling over. The desire to treat Baek Do-un with utmost care and the will to build their relationship cautiously no longer acted as brakes. Something he had held firmly inside finally shattered.
Jeon Mi-nam’s thick fingers urgently fumbled through the cleft of Baek Do-un’s buttocks. Thanks to Do-un having touched himself while showering just in case, the inner hole was softly relaxed. Even so, immediate insertion would have been too much.
“Ngh… Mi-nam, just a little slower…”
With blunt fingertips, his nails trimmed short, he desperately probed the hole. Perhaps frustrated that things weren’t going his way, his lips, which were usually tightly closed, were bitten hard by his upper teeth. Not only his forehead but his thick neck were drenched in sweat. Between the overflowing lust, the boiling body temperature, and the deepening scent of musk, his breathing grew increasingly ragged.
Months had passed since their first time, yet there had been no progress at all. He was simply clumsy and impatient, like a young man who had just lost his virginity. Thinking that even this was lovely, Do-un smiled faintly.
“Mi-nam, don’t do this here, let’s go to the bedroom. I bought some gel and kept it there…”
Just as he tried to calm Jeon Mi-nam down, his upper body, which he had partially raised, was pushed back down. Simultaneously, his lower body was jerked up, and his neck was pressed. His field of vision flipped in an instant. Flustered by the unexpected development, he flailed his arms.
“Ugh, Mi-nam, what… ah… ah, wait, ngh… ngh…!”
Jeon Mi-nam’s face buried itself into the suddenly empty space below. His lips touched the perineum, and then descended deep into the cleft of the buttocks. Dry lips softly crushed against the hole. Then, the tender skin was lightly sucked with a popping sound. Baek Do-un’s waist instinctively twitched.
“Ngh, Mi-nam… you don’t, ugh, ah, have to do that… ah-ngh.”
He tried to stop Jeon Mi-nam in haste, but the man acted as if he couldn’t hear. Pressing down firmly on Baek Do-un’s thighs, he repeatedly pressed his tongue against the twitching hole. The inside of the buttocks quickly became slick and wet with lukewarm heat and saliva. As the straight bridge of the nose pressed and rubbed against the perineum, his entire pelvis felt a faint, tingling sensation. Faced with foreplay he had never imagined or dared to expect, even the great Baek Do-un lost his composure. His entire face and neck flushed bright red.
After licking only the surface of the hole repeatedly, Jeon Mi-nam sharpened the tip of his tongue and pushed it deep inside. Thanks to Baek Do-un having loosened it once, the entrance opened without much trouble. It felt as if he were subtly curling and pulling the surface of his tongue, encouraging him to go deeper. An unknown thirst tightened in Do-un’s throat.
Jeon Mi-nam continued to probe the hole with the tip of his tongue before inserting a finger and stirring inside. The inner walls squirmed, clinging tightly to the finger. He slowly moved his hand, steadily preparing the place where he would soon enter.
“Ngh… ngh, ugh… ah, ah.”
Baek Do-un’s entire body trembled. When he looked up, he saw Mi-nam slowly shaking his head and groaning. His eyelashes fluttered at the overwhelming sensation. A surge of possessiveness rose within Mi-nam. He wanted to stir the willful man even more thoroughly.
Suddenly, the sound of a zipper going down was heard.
“…Ngh.”
Soon, the area that felt as if it were melting became empty. It was because Jeon Mi-nam had kissed him with a popping sound and lifted his head. Baek Do-un’s knees pressed together and rubbed. The look in his eyes as he searched for Jeon Mi-nam was clearly anxious.
However, he gasped when a heavy piece of flesh dropped, hitting his perineum. Jeon Mi-nam slowly rubbed his penis against the cleft of Baek Do-un’s buttocks. Though it was human body heat, it felt strikingly different, enough to make his shoulders twitch. As the boiling organ was pressed and crushed against the hole, Baek Do-un groaned softly, closing and then opening his eyes. With his flushed cheeks, slightly downturned eyes, and the red tongue licking his lower lip, he couldn’t have looked more seductive. A long sigh escaped Jeon Mi-nam. Bright red excitement, dizzying confusion, and an unknown, intense emotion toward Baek Do-un’s former lovers pushed him forward.
“Ah… Mi-nam, ngh, nngh… ngh!”
After slowly stroking the cleft, he pushed his penis into the hole without warning. The hole, softened from being sucked so much, opened smoothly and greedily swallowed the thick member. He pushed in bit by bit, carving through the narrow inner walls. As the entrance and inner walls expanded to the circumference of the penis, it delivered a dull, aching pain. Baek Do-un’s head tilted back. A grinding sound of teeth escaped Jeon Mi-nam, who was clenching his jaw tight. The penis, which had been slowly digging in, finally rammed in to the very root. Baek Do-un’s buttocks were completely crushed against Jeon Mi-nam’s thighs. The buttocks, tense from the massive foreign sensation, trembled repeatedly. The breath he had been holding burst out haphazardly.
“…Haa, haa.”
“Ugh…”
Baek Do-un swallowed a moan and spread his arms. When Jeon Mi-nam leaned his upper body toward him in bewilderment, Do-un hugged his neck tightly. Then, rubbing his forehead against Mi-nam’s neck, he let out a low moan. His ragged breath scattered ticklishly against the ear.
Jeon Mi-nam took a moment to steady his breathing. With every exhale, his firm abdomen surged, repeatedly sticking and peeling away from Baek Do-un’s skin. He wanted to touch him even more thoroughly. Jeon Mi-nam bent Baek Do-un’s legs, which had been shaking in the air with nowhere to lean, and fixed them firmly with his arms, rubbing his groin more intensely against the other’s underside. It felt as if his member had filled him up to the very throat.
“Ngh… Mi-nam, do you like me?”
“Haa, yes.”
“Not out of responsibility or duty?”
“…I keep getting angry.”
Do-un turned his head to look at Jeon Mi-nam’s face. Since he had his head bowed low, he couldn’t see clearly, but he could tell that his brow was furrowed. A man who rarely got angry, a man whose ignition point was infinitely high, said he kept getting angry. It seemed he was unfamiliar and flustered by the newfound possessiveness and exclusivity. A beaming smile spread across Baek Do-un’s face.
“Finally, you’ve become mine, Mi-nam.”
Baek Do-un hugged Jeon Mi-nam’s neck tighter and rubbed his cheek vigorously against the other’s. Their hot ears blurred together softly.
Since that wasn’t enough to express his current thrill, he repeatedly pressed sweet kisses to Jeon Mi-nam’s neck, jaw, and ears. Jeon Mi-nam stood frozen like a statue at the outpouring of affection. Baek Do-un pulled Mi-nam’s lower body closer to himself, urging him on.
“Why are you standing there like an idiot? Hold me. Hurry.”
He took Jeon Mi-nam’s tightly closed lips into his own, pulling them open provocatively. In the next moment, Jeon Mi-nam abruptly grabbed the inside of Baek Do-un’s knees and began to thrust deeply into the joined member. Because of that angle and exquisite height, it felt as if he were plummeting endlessly with his whole body. With deep, plunging insertions, the depths of his body were repeatedly and strongly pounded. It felt as if he were determined to punch a hole right through his stomach. The mucous membranes, which had been numb for a long time since their last sex, greedily sucked in the stimuli and thrashed about. As a result, the tightly gripped penis was squeezed as hard as possible. Baek Do-un’s fingertips grew sharp.
“Ah-ugh…! Ah! Ngh, ah! Ha-eu… ngh! Ah… ngh!”
“Haa… haa-eu… ugh.”
Every time he was buried deep in the smooth membrane and then pulled out, a deep sense of longing followed. In proportion to that feeling, the speed at which he slammed back in grew faster. He wasn’t adjusting the intensity to tease his partner; he was driving him forward with sheer force, leaving no room to breathe. The inside of his stomach, repeatedly hit hard, had reached the point of feeling numb. The persistent and aggressive hip movements caused a surge of urgency in his bladder.
“Hngh… ah…!”
Baek Do-un, who had been struggling to take Jeon Mi-nam in with his knees wide open, writhed his limbs. His pelvis acted on survival instinct, sliding here and there to try and reduce the merciless stimulation even slightly. Perhaps that was displeasing. Jeon Mi-nam suddenly pressed his body down, completely crushing Baek Do-un beneath him, and fully impaled the fleeing man. Then, he ravaged the hole that could no longer move, gluttonously devouring the sweet inner flesh.
“Ngh, ngh…! Ah, ngh! Uugh, ah! Slow, ugh! Ha-ngh… ngh!”
Completely crushed under Jeon Mi-nam, Baek Do-un writhed his whole body and groaned deeply. Even as he desperately clung to Jeon Mi-nam, the man showed him no mercy. It seemed his reason had completely flown away, leaving him blind to everything. Do-un tried waiting for him to tire out, but there was no sign of that happening.
Moreover, because their stomachs were pressed fully together, the penis was rubbed and crushed along with Jeon Mi-nam’s movements. His mind grew hazy from the painful pleasure crashing in from both front and back. Knowing it was useless, he repeatedly shook his head and gripped Jeon Mi-nam’s shirt as if to tear it. Baek Do-un’s two hands turned white to a pitiful degree.
“Nngh… ngh… ha-ngh!”
At some point, Baek Do-un twisted his waist violently and shrieked. It was because Jeon Mi-nam’s penis, which had been charging in like a raging bull, suddenly struck a particularly sensitive spot. It felt as if the area where the stone-like glans was rammed, and the surrounding membranes, were vibrating. Jeon Mi-nam, swallowing even his moans, watched Baek Do-un’s convulsing reaction for a moment. Then, he slightly shifted his posture so he could hit that spot again. Baek Do-un’s blank face distorted with anxiety. He shook his head. His tongue kept curling inward, making it hard for his voice to come out.
Watching him, Jeon Mi-nam buried his head deep in Do-un’s neck. Then, with his lower body properly aimed, he began to slam back in. He was ruthlessly pierced in his weakest spot, completely helpless. A moan like a scream burst from Baek Do-un.
“Ah-ugh, ah… ngh! Ah-ngh, ngh, hngh, ah!”
The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed vividly. It felt as if a warning light were flashing in his head. His brain matter seemed to boil.
“Ah… Mi-nam… Mi, na… nngh, ngh…! Ah-ngh!”
Baek Do-un, who had been groaning frantically while calling Jeon Mi-nam’s name, suddenly twitched. It was because Jeon Mi-nam had gripped his penis and stroked it rapidly up and down. He also rubbed the tip, which had turned bright red as if blood were about to leak, with his thumb. At the pleasure that vibrated through his entire pelvis, Baek Do-un’s body collapsed abruptly.
Thanks to that, entering his body became much easier. Jeon Mi-nam did not slow down his pace; instead, he accelerated his movements. His neck and spine became hot and drenched. The shirt, crumpled haphazardly by Baek Do-un, clung to him unpleasantly.
Jeon Mi-nam shook his head in irritation and hammered his penis in violently. A tingling burning sensation spread through his entire body to the point of agony. Baek Do-un’s toes curled white. In the intense heat, it felt as if his pupils were melting. He felt it wouldn’t matter if he broke right then and there. He rubbed his own penis inside Jeon Mi-nam’s rough hand. Soon, something that had been condensing, hovering at the critical threshold of bursting, exploded white. A strong current surged through his limbs. The breath that was about to burst out was sucked back in, and every hair on his body stood on end.
“Ah-ugh… ah-eu-ngh!”
Trembling all over, Baek Do-un ejaculated first into Jeon Mi-nam’s hand. Immediately after, Jeon Mi-nam barely managed to pull out his own flesh, which seemed unwilling to leave Baek Do-un’s body. His penis, forced out, twitched as if in protest.
Jeon Mi-nam rubbed his fully aroused member deeply against the inside of Baek Do-un’s thigh. His impatient penis pushed up against the soft skin repeatedly, as if it wanted to pierce through the thigh.
“K-ugh, uuuugh!”
“Ngh, ugh…”
Soon, Jeon Mi-nam’s penis pulsed and sprayed thick semen. Baek Do-un, who had already tasted climax and was panting, groaned softly and trembled. Jeon Mi-nam sprayed thick semen a couple more times after that.
“Ngh… haa, haa…”
Baek Do-un opened his hazy eyes and watched Jeon Mi-nam’s every move. He chuckled softly while gently rubbing the semen that had splashed onto his body. Perhaps because he was exhausted, it was a smile full of fatigue.
Having caught his breath, Jeon Mi-nam tried to help Baek Do-un sit up. Baek Do-un, who had been following the touch without hesitation, suddenly reached out and cupped Jeon Mi-nam’s face. Then, he tilted his head and locked their lips. Unlike their still-boiling bodies, the touching lips felt slightly cool.
He nibbled and pulled at Jeon Mi-nam’s lips ticklishly before licking them longly with his tongue. Even then, as the lips didn’t budge, he picked at them with the tip of his tongue. Jeon Mi-nam reluctantly, hesitantly, opened his mouth. With a slight curl of his lips, Do-un pushed his tongue deep into Jeon Mi-nam’s mouth. He lightly tickled and stimulated Jeon Mi-nam’s tongue, which still didn’t know what to do, before slowly winding around it like a coiling snake. A sweet taste lingered in the tongue that had grown hotter than usual and in the boiling saliva.
Baek Do-un held Jeon Mi-nam’s tongue and sucked it sweetly. All Jeon Mi-nam could do was quietly let himself be swept away by Baek Do-un.
Slowly releasing Jeon Mi-nam’s tongue, he looked into his eyes for a while. Jeon Mi-nam’s gaze had become infinitely serious again. Do-un lightly kissed the lips that were about to say something. Then, he wrapped both arms around his neck.
“My waist hurts so much, please take me to the bed.”
Jeon Mi-nam obediently carried Baek Do-un to the bedroom. Even in that short time, Baek Do-un rubbed his forehead against Jeon Mi-nam’s cheek and pressed kisses to his jaw and neck. He didn’t release the arms around his neck until Jeon Mi-nam carefully laid him on the bed. Instead, he tightened his grip to keep the man from pulling away.
“Hold me more, Mi-nam. Hmm? It’s still not enough. It’s my birthday.”
Jeon Mi-nam let out a deep sigh at Baek Do-un’s spoiled behavior. He had been struggling so much just a moment ago, yet now he was bringing up his birthday to demand more.
He reached out and gently stroked Baek Do-un’s cheek. Baek Do-un, who flinched in surprise at the unexpected touch, soon closed his eyes and softly rubbed his cheek against the large hand. For some reason, something swelled inside Mi-nam’s chest. He suddenly grabbed Baek Do-un’s chin and kissed him. This time, Baek Do-un didn’t flinch; he smiled faintly and responded to the clumsy kiss. With soft pecks, they collapsed on top of each other on the bed.
Exercising his final bit of patience, Jeon Mi-nam pulled his lips away. Then, gently stroking Baek Do-un’s forehead with his thumb, he warned him.
“I can’t take responsibility if you regret this halfway through.”
“Of course. It would be even better if you didn’t give me a chance to regret it.”
Baek Do-un wore a mischievous smile as he undid the buttons of Jeon Mi-nam’s shirt. Jeon Mi-nam shook his head and let out a short laugh, as if saying there was no stopping him. That smile was so wonderful that Do-un suddenly grabbed him by the collar and kissed him again. They clung to each other more desperately than ever, as if releasing all the tension they had suppressed until now. Stubbornly, as if they would never, ever let go again.
“Mm….”
Jeon Mi-nam’s eyelids, which had been still, fluttered slightly. Soon, he jolted awake and snapped his eyes open. A ceiling that felt both unfamiliar and familiar filled his vision. It was Baek Do-un’s bedroom.
He traced back the events of the previous night in his mind before letting out a low sigh and rubbing his face. As expected, the spot beside him was empty. When he reached out to feel the sheets, he could still detect a faint warmth. It seemed Baek Do-un had also woken up just a short while ago. Perhaps he had gone to the bathroom.
Just as he was pushing himself up to go look for him, Baek Do-un entered the bedroom. In his hand was a chunk of the cake that Jeon Mi-nam had swept away in a fit of anger the night before. Because it had been flung to the floor, its shape was already unrecognizable. Baek Do-un climbed onto the bed while eating the cake—which was little more than mush—with his bare hands. Or rather, more accurately, he practically pushed Jeon Mi-nam back down and sat astride his firm abdomen.
Baek Do-un was wearing nothing but a shirt—no pants, not even underwear. Even the shirt he wore seemed to be Jeon Mi-nam’s, as it was far too large for him. No matter how much they had just spent the dawn having sex, the composition of looking up at a half-naked man while lying down was simply embarrassing and awkward. The sensation of skin touching skin was still unfamiliar.
Baek Do-un looked down at Jeon Mi-nam, neatly licking the cream off his lips. When Jeon Mi-nam attempted to sit up again, Do-un pressed down on his chest to stop him.
“What are you doing?”
“Can’t you tell? I’m eating cake. It was such a waste for you to smash something I went through the trouble of buying. I’ll heat up all the food you flung away yesterday and eat it for breakfast. You probably swept and scrubbed every inch of the floor before I came back anyway.”
Baek Do-un took another bite of the cake. Sweet white cream was smeared all over his long, pale fingers. For some reason, it was a combination that put him at ease. He wondered what it would taste like if he licked them. He found himself staring blankly before suddenly snapping back to his senses. Fearing his thoughts had been read, he hurried to speak and stop Baek Do-un.
“Please go down and eat. You’re getting the bedsheets dirty.”
“If some falls, I can just lick it up.”
As if to demonstrate, Baek Do-un took the cream on his finger into his lips. Mi-nam had intended to get him off his lap before the atmosphere turned strange, but as expected, it didn’t work.
Letting out a resigned sigh, Jeon Mi-nam soon flinched and furrowed his brow. It was because of a strange sensation rising from various parts of his body.
“…Teacher?”
Baek Do-un had suddenly begun to drop bits of cake cream and sponge onto Jeon Mi-nam’s body, plop, plop. It seemed he was doing it on purpose. The feeling of thick cream landing and spreading across his skin was not particularly pleasant. His brow furrowed instinctively, and his body twitched. Jeon Mi-nam abruptly grabbed Baek Do-un’s hand, which was dropping the cream with increasing boldness. Unbothered, Baek Do-un gave a bright smile and even began to smear the cream across his body.
“What kind of joke is this?”
“Huh? Don’t touch me. It’s mine. I’m going to eat it.”
Baek Do-un pressed down on the shoulder of the man trying to bolt upright. Consequently, slippery cream was smeared onto his shoulder as well. A groan escaped from deep within him. He couldn’t understand why Do-un was playing such mischievous tricks first thing in the morning.
Baek Do-un thoroughly licked the remaining bit of cream from his own hand. Watching this, Mi-nam had an ominous feeling. He imagined what was about to happen to him. Though he hoped he was wrong, Baek Do-un soon lowered his head and took the cream on Jeon Mi-nam’s collarbone into his mouth. Jeon Mi-nam jumped and tried to push him away.
“Teacher…!”
“Shh. Don’t talk. They say you shouldn’t even disturb a dog when it’s eating something delicious.”
However, Baek Do-un brushed off Jeon Mi-nam’s resistance with ease. He couldn’t tell if Do-un actually possessed that much strength or if he himself was just too flustered to put any strength into it. Having neutralized the resistance, Baek Do-un pressed firmly on his shoulder and licked the cream up the straight line of his collarbone. Jeon Mi-nam squeezed his eyes shut at the sensation of a soft tongue bunching smoothly against his skin.
Baek Do-un looked up for a moment to gauge Jeon Mi-nam’s reaction. Seeing him act like a virgin despite having seen everything there was to see, he wanted to be even more teasing. With a smirk, he gave a firm squeeze to the man’s thick chest.
“How is it that even your body is exactly my type? I like people with big chests.”
When he was relaxed, the chest was elastic enough to be satisfying to knead, but now, not even a finger could slip in. Isn’t it common psychology to want to torment someone more when they show such an honest reaction?
He pressed his lips wherever cream or cake crumbs had fallen, lightly sucking the hot skin. He nibbled at the finely defined abdominal muscles. Each carved muscle twitched as if it were alive. As if finding even that cute, he repeatedly pressed his lips against him with kissing sounds.
“Ugh… Teacher.”
“They say a pretty cake tastes better, and that saying isn’t wrong at all, is it?”
“It’s delicious,” Baek Do-un murmured, opening his mouth wide to take Jeon Mi-nam’s lower abdomen in. Jeon Mi-nam’s fists clenched at the sensation of the tongue gliding across his stomach as if swimming. He swallowed his moans, clenching his teeth. He followed Baek Do-un with trembling, anxious eyes. As the face slowly moved downward, appearing as if it would touch his groin at any moment, he couldn’t even breathe properly.
Ominous premonitions always become reality. This time was no different. Baek Do-un suddenly gripped Jeon Mi-nam’s penis with his slippery hand. He toyed with the massive piece of flesh, stroking it gently. Then, the sight of Baek Do-un’s mouth parting slightly entered his vision like slow motion. He urgently grabbed Baek Do-un’s head.
“Teacher, not there….”
“It would be a waste to leave it like this. I’m going to eat it all. I’ll eat every last bit.”
Baek Do-un murmured stubbornly and pried Jeon Mi-nam’s hand away. Holding his hand in place, he lowered his head and took the glans into his mouth. Along with the sweet whipped cream, a portion of the thick flesh pushed into his mouth. His cheeks puffed out.
“…Ngh.”
Jeon Mi-nam gasped, his brow deeply furrowed. Taking in that sight, Baek Do-un rolled his tongue against the glans as if it were a hard candy. He tightened and released his lips to fuel the arousal. The glans soon became hard as a rock. Jeon Mi-nam’s shoulders and chest began to heave violently.
Opening his mouth again, he swallowed Jeon Mi-nam’s entire member. The thick, long shaft pushed past his uvula and deeper. A surge of nausea rose. As he struggled to suppress it, veins popped on his forehead. His eyes were stimulated, and tiny tears welled up. While fighting the gag reflex, he pushed forward until the tip of his nose was buried in Jeon Mi-nam’s pubic hair. As Jeon Mi-nam’s member throbbed inside his throat, Baek Do-un’s Adam’s apple bobbed in sync.
After tightening his throat, mouth, and lips for a while, he slowly released the member. The shaft, which had become rigid inside Baek Do-un’s mouth, emerged coated in glistening saliva. When he lightly tugged the tip and let go, the massive piece of flesh swayed and stood upright like a roly-poly toy. Watching this with a giggle as if it were adorable, he took it into his mouth again. Because of the sweet whipped cream, saliva pooled in his mouth, creating wet, squelching sounds.
Jeon Mi-nam raised his arm to cover his eyes, but he couldn’t hide his bright red ears. Every time Baek Do-un slowly moved his head up and down, his abdominal muscles twitched noticeably. Whenever Baek Do-un seemed to pull away regretfully, his lower abdomen would subtly press closer. Baek Do-un firmly gripped Jeon Mi-nam’s helpless pelvis with both hands and moved his head rapidly. Jeon Mi-nam’s limbs jerked visibly.
“Haa… ugh… kh… hngh.”
Suddenly stopping, he touched his tongue to the urethra and pulled away. Pre-cum stretched in a long string. As he sucked lightly, a sound like a beast growling escaped Jeon Mi-nam. In response to that fervent reaction, he repeatedly nibbled at the urethral opening with the tip of his tongue. He didn’t touch the shaft with his hands. Triggered by the thick stimulation at the most sensitive spot, Jeon Mi-nam’s member trembled violently. Perhaps resentful that Baek Do-un was teasing him after getting him so aroused, he bumped his body against Do-un’s cheek.
Baek Do-un smiled at the pleasant scent of skin and gently wrapped his hand around Jeon Mi-nam’s member. As if waiting, the massive piece of flesh fit perfectly in his palm. He stroked the surface gently, peppered it with kisses, and then swallowed it again. He repeated the process of pressing his head deep and then pulling back while sucking the flesh densely. The pre-cum leaking out wet his mouth with a fishy scent, but he didn’t care about such things.
He continued to suck and adhere to it until his jaw grew stiff, inducing ejaculation. Before long, Jeon Mi-nam began to thrust his hips on his own. As a result, his member rampaged like a wild horse, poking not only the mucous membrane of the mouth but also the uvula. In an instant, his member thrust deep into the back of the throat. Gasping for air, Do-un instinctively tightened around the shaft. At that moment, Jeon Mi-nam’s abdominal muscles tensed sharply, and he let out the moan he had been holding back.
“Khh, uuuugh…!”
Something lukewarm and thick was splashed everywhere. He tried to swallow it, but it went down the wrong pipe, making him cough. Soon, Baek Do-un’s face, neck, and chest area turned bright red. Without even a moment to enjoy the sweet afterglow of ejaculation, Jeon Mi-nam bolted upright. He looked frantically at the coughing Baek Do-un. He seemed unsure whether he should pat his back or help him clear his airway.
“…cough, where are you going?”
Just as he was about to leave to get some water, Baek Do-un caught him. Due to the repeated coughing, his eyes were now brimming with tears. Jeon Mi-nam let out a small sigh and carefully cupped Baek Do-un’s face with both hands. Then, he softly pressed his lips to the wet corners of his eyes and then to his lips.
Baek Do-un reached out and hugged his back. While he was still coughing, Mi-nam hugged him back tightly, kissing his forehead and the crown of his head.
Eventually, Baek Do-un’s coughing subsided. Looking exhausted, he rubbed his forehead against Jeon Mi-nam and stroked his scar as if tickling it. In that moment, they felt an indescribable tenderness for one another.
However, the calm atmosphere didn’t last long. Baek Do-un suddenly lifted his head and wore a playful smile.
“By the way, Mi-nam, I guess you had no idea all this time?”
“What? What… are you talking about?”
Baek Do-un’s smile became even more mischievous.
“Actually, I celebrate my birthday by the lunar calendar. You know how adults believe in things like fortunes. I guess my parents were like that. They said if you want someone to live a long life, you must celebrate their birthday by the lunar calendar, or something like that.”
“What? Then….”
“That’s right. My real birthday is in two months.”
Jeon Mi-nam looked dazed, as if he had been hit. Baek Do-un arbitrarily pulled his hand and linked their pinky fingers.
“So, on my real birthday, give me a delicious cake as a present. Okay?”
Belatedly, Jeon Mi-nam buried his face in his hand. His ears and neck turned bright red. Baek Do-un showered the back of his hand, his forehead, and his ears with kisses.
“The cake I ate today was the most delicious one I’ve ever had. Thank you.”
He whispered in a fluttering voice into Jeon Mi-nam’s ear. In the next moment, Jeon Mi-nam removed his hand from his face and pulled Baek Do-un down. Then, he kissed those beaming lips roughly. At the sweet punishment, the playfulness vanished from Baek Do-un’s face, replaced by a satisfied smile. He reached out and carefully pulled Jeon Mi-nam closer. This time, Jeon Mi-nam collapsed onto Baek Do-un without hesitation.
Today, even the hazy dust seemed to sparkle.