What did you say just now…?
Did I hear wrong?
No way?
It can’t be?
Right? Isn’t it?
Ak Mujin blankly stared at Seo Moon-gwang, who was sitting in the seat across from him.
Seo Moon-gwang had his eyes tightly shut as if he was enduring something, but he felt a gaze and finally lifted his eyes to look at Ak Mujin.
“Ah. Young master.”
“Did… Did I do something wrong…?”
“No, it’s nothing. I was just…”
As Ak Mujin spoke, visibly nervous, Seo Moon-gwang hurriedly opened his mouth to make excuses. But he seemed at a loss for words, faltering with his mouth open. His expression, under Ak Mujin’s gaze, was changing every moment.
At first, he seemed flustered, then he narrowed his brows as if searching for an excuse, and finally, both his cheeks flushed red as if dye had been mixed into water.
Seo Moon-gwang barely whispered a few words.
“I just… felt that young master looked cute for a moment…. I apologize.”
At his shy voice, which was close to a confession, Ak Mujin could only stare at him with his mouth agape once again.
Hearing such embarrassing words from another man was something he felt he would never get used to, no matter how many times he experienced it.
Even if this was a world where male-male couples were formed, wasn’t this a bit too unrestrained?!
This time, Ak Mujin’s face flushed red. Then, suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
Was this really the attitude of a ‘gwang gong’? Being this shy?
From what he, as Ahn Do-hyun, had learned, the ‘gwang gong’ Seo Moon-gwang had a strong, fatal image of glaring with eyes like a black panther, cornering Mae-yeong, the one in the ‘su’ position, against a wall or into a corner, and threatening to devour him. His attitude was kind, but definitely overbearing, and he always seemed perfect, as if he was always prepared for anything, anytime, anywhere.
Thinking that far, he looked at Seo Moon-gwang again, and he was still wearing a shy smile. In fact, Ak Mujin was the creator of Seo Moon-gwang, but he didn’t know what kind of words and actions he would use when he was in love.
In the first place, the character Seo Moon-gwang was just a supporting character who was merely a friend of Mae-yeong and a helper of Jin Geum-ryeon.
That meant he had never even thought about him encountering any special events outside the story or having a romance with a lover.
The only thing that was certain was that the Seo Moon-gwang that Ak Mujin was facing now had an attitude and appearance that was quite different from the ‘gwang gong’ he knew.
As he had worried in his heart, he didn’t think Seo Moon-gwang was such an unreasonable character.
If so…? Could he have some expectations…?
Ak Mujin took a small deep breath and opened his mouth.
“No. It’s alright.”
Seo Moon-gwang smiled slightly, as if relieved by Ak Mujin’s words that it was alright. And somehow, he seemed to be expecting a certain answer from Ak Mujin, but he didn’t voice it. Instead, he tilted the wine server to pour tea into the empty cup that Ak Mujin held out.
The clear, light green tea water filled the cup with a trickling sound.
“You can brew the tea as much as you want, so just let me know.”
Ak Mujin looked down at the teacup that was being offered to him again. The tea was definitely fragrant as ever. Ak Mujin inwardly thought that Seo Moon-gwang, with this attitude, might be easier to deal with.
He had never even imagined himself building affection with another man or whispering sweet nothings. Although he had become a Yin Person, he had no intention of dating anyone if the other person was a man, no matter who it was.
However, Ak Mujin was so embarrassed and flustered when he first received the confession that he didn’t have a chance to tell Seo Moon-gwang this fact.
He thought that allowing Seo Moon-gwang to maintain an attitude of yearning for his affection would be rude to the person he was going to reject, so he had been determined to give an answer as soon as possible. He had been postponing the answer because he wasn’t sure about Seo Moon-gwang’s character, but he felt that he couldn’t delay it any longer.
Ak Mujin now looked at Seo Moon-gwang, who was savoring the tea, and opened his mouth.
“Actually, I have never thought about affection between men in my life.”
Seo Moon-gwang raised his eyes and gazed at Ak Mujin.
His attitude was still polite, and he was listening attentively to Ak Mujin’s story.
Ak Mujin carefully observed Seo Moon-gwang’s attitude and complexion as he continued to speak.
“I have been deeply moved by the kindness that Master Gokju has shown me over the past few days, but it has not developed into romantic feelings.”
He tried his best to speak as gently as possible.
Seo Moon-gwang didn’t say anything, but when Ak Mujin saw his eyes darken, his heart began to pound rapidly. He swallowed hard and barely continued.
“So, I… I don’t think I can accept Master Gokju’s feelings.”
Ak Mujin finally conveyed his feelings with those words, but he couldn’t bear to look at Seo Moon-gwang’s face because he didn’t know how he would react.
Was he going to get angry?
Would the obsession begin now?
He closed his mouth as if he were a defendant waiting for a verdict and only stared at the cooling teacup.
“…Is that so.”
Seo Moon-gwang barely opened his mouth.
“It’s bitter, but since Young Master Ahn’s will is so, I don’t think I can cling to you any longer.”
I-Is it over?
Did he understand?
Is he accepting the disappointing result with dignity like an adult?
Ak Mujin now raised his head to look at Seo Moon-gwang’s face. He clearly had a wounded expression. A thin film of moisture flickered under his eyes, but he still had a smile on his lips.
“…I’m sorry.”
Ak Mujin felt a sense of guilt when he faced Seo Moon-gwang’s lonely expression, so he said that. It really didn’t feel good to hurt anyone, no matter who they were.
“Haha, don’t mention it. What does young master have to be sorry about? It’s just that our hearts didn’t connect.”
Seo Moon-gwang smiled bitterly and swallowed the cold tea in one gulp. Then he looked at Ak Mujin.
“Whew, I’ve caused trouble for young master. My actions must have been burdensome.”
Seo Moon-gwang said smoothly and smiled brightly. His continued effort to maintain a smiling face made Ak Mujin feel sorry for him.
“No, it’s not true. On the contrary, thanks to Master Gokju’s kindness, I’ve been doing very well here.”
“That’s a relief. I would have felt uncomfortable if that wasn’t the case.”
Ak Mujin quickly replied, and Seo Moon-gwang also nodded and felt relieved.
“So, have you decided to go with Young Master Jin?”
Ak Mujin’s eyes widened at those words. Come to think of it, he couldn’t continue to be indebted to someone whose feelings he had rejected. He sighed inwardly at the thought of losing this opportunity, but it wasn’t in his nature to take advantage of Seo Moon-gwang’s feelings forever.
Ak Mujin quickly racked his brains. In fact, he didn’t necessarily have to choose between the two. All he needed to do was avoid the Martial Alliance and the crazy ‘gwang gong’.
Then, another option was created for him to choose.
“If Master Gokju cooperates, would it be alright if I stay here and leave after Young Master Jin leaves?”
Seo Moon-gwang wore a puzzled expression at Ak Mujin’s unexpected answer.
“Why go to such lengths?”
“I don’t want to follow Young Master Jin, and I don’t think it’s in my nature to be indebted here.”
Ak Mujin quickly made excuses. Seo Moon-gwang seemed to listen quietly, then stroked his chin and said.
“How about being honest with Young Master Jin?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if Young Master Jin will let me go easily.”
At those words, Seo Moon-gwang quietly recalled the time he had a martial arts contest with Jin Geum-ryeon a few days ago. He had even changed his name to express his strong possessiveness over Young Master Ahn. After thinking about it, Seo Moon-gwang nodded and laughed coolly.
“It’s not difficult to do that. Alright. I will cooperate.”
Ak Mujin cheered inwardly.
Did you see that?
Did you see that?
Ak Mujin was happy, but he also felt sorry for misunderstanding Seo Moon-gwang all this time. He was truly nonchalant in relationships, and it was very mature of him to maintain a composed attitude even though he was hurt.
Such a kind and good person, what? A crazy ‘gwang gong’? Seo Moon-gwang?
It seemed that this fanfic wasn’t the strawberry something he had thought it was. Ak Mujin felt much lighter. He was so happy that it wasn’t that strange fanfic and that he could finally escape Jin Geum-ryeon’s grasp that he wanted to dance.
But he calmly calmed his mind, finished the remaining tea, and said to Seo Moon-gwang.
“Then I should stop drinking tea here. I want to rest a little.”
“Yes, then please go in first.”
Seo Moon-gwang got up from his seat and escorted Ak Mujin out. Ak Mujin walked down the hallway to his bedroom with light steps, and Seo Moon-gwang watched him for a long time before returning to the reception room.
The door to the reception room closed, and Seo Moon-gwang was now left alone, looking down at the teacup that Ak Mujin had left behind. His steps moved a few steps and stopped at the seat where Ak Mujin had been sitting.
Clink.
Seo Moon-gwang picked up the teacup that Ak Mujin had used and held it up to the light of the lantern.
The tea hadn’t completely dried yet, and the traces of Ak Mujin’s lips remained.
His eyes darkened, and a smile was drawn on his lips.
“…Surely, you will change your mind.”
Seo Moon-gwang pressed his lips firmly on the traces of Ak Mujin that remained on the teacup before putting it down.