MIT 61

“Let go.”

His attempt to shake off the grip was futile. Mu-hae sighed and explained after trying to free his arm once more.

“I haven’t showered yet.”

“Then I’ll wash you.”

“Stop talking nonsense and go away, please.”

Even though he wasn’t at fault for anything that happened today, Mu-hae’s insides churned inexplicably, preventing him from speaking kindly.

Perhaps sensing his twisted mood, Joo-oh, who had been dragging Mu-hae along, subtly released his hand.

“Then, shower and come out. I’ll heal you.”

“I don’t need it.”

“…Jin Mu-hae, you smell like you’re in pain.”

As he said, the tension in his shoulders had eased, but now they throbbed even when he was still.

Joo-oh’s expression as he glanced at him was quite a sight. He kept recalling Joo-oh’s anxious face when that bastard, whether he was Cheong or Chang, had shoved his face in.

Damn it. Mu-hae, exhaling a frustrated sigh, glanced back at the bathroom. He had to shower anyway. It was just a matter of whether Mu-hae went first or Joo-oh did.

“Move. If you’re not going to shower, I’m going in.”

This time, the one who hadn’t budged earlier was easily pushed aside by his shove.

Even that was disgustingly uncomfortable, and Jin Mu-hae headed to the bathroom without looking back.

As hot water poured over his head, the simmering anger inside him finally subsided. The eventful day flashed through his mind, being calmly sorted out.

Now that he examined his body, he found bruises not only on his shoulders but also in various other places. However, what bothered him more than the injuries was Sakdal’s peculiar manager, who had been secretly investigating him, and the deal he had proposed.

He didn’t regret rejecting the man without even hearing the terms. However, he felt uneasy about the fact that Cheong had been closely observing Joo-oh and showing interest in him.

Even if he overlooked the fact that Mu-hae’s performance had improved since Joo-oh had joined him, which didn’t seem to be a secret.

What was he planning to do with Joo-oh, that he was acting that way? How was he going to use someone who wasn’t even in his right mind?

‘If he needs someone, I’m even better.’

Thinking about it, it seemed that what was swirling in that man’s eyes wasn’t just greed for future profits.

He wasn’t sure, but it made him feel like shit. Jin Mu-hae abruptly opened his eyes while shampooing his hair.

The soap suds ran down, stinging his eyes as if they would pop out. The pain sharply awakened his loosening vigilance.

What was the reason he had been hiding Joo-oh’s face in the first place? To avoid troublesome situations.

He had to keep in mind that anyone could take an unpleasant interest in him like that. He certainly had a face that would be very appealing even in Sakdal.

He wasn’t Joo-oh’s guardian, but since he was more or less taking care of him, it was only natural that he would be on edge like this.

Joo-oh could be smiling and wandering around, only to be snatched away at any moment. He had ignored Cheong’s deal not only because of the secret about the Return flight but also for Joo-oh’s sake.

Although the questions about that man were still unanswered, Jin Mu-hae felt surprisingly calm when he thought about it this way.

As he poured hot water over his body, the stiffness in his muscles seemed to ease as well.

On a whim, Mu-hae took out the body wash he had bought a month ago and left untouched.

Joo-oh kept sniffing his body, so he had grabbed it without thinking, but after paying for it, he felt strangely resentful and hadn’t used it.

But there was nothing wrong with the product itself. He couldn’t just throw away the perfume-line shower gel, which was quite expensive in the slums, without even using it.

Mu-hae, wanting to relax his body, left the water running from the showerhead longer than usual, then tore off the seal on the product with a snap.

Lost in various thoughts and doing things he usually didn’t, his shower time became excessively long.

What usually took him about ten minutes to shower and get dressed took him about forty minutes.

Mu-hae belatedly remembered that Joo-oh, who hadn’t showered yet, was waiting for him.

By now, he might have gotten bored and given up on showering, perhaps even fallen asleep. Today must have been a complicated day for him too.

Click. As soon as he opened the bathroom door, a cool breeze rushed in. Mu-hae, pulling on his good arm to crack the bones, stopped abruptly after a few steps.

He had made eye contact with Joo-oh, who still had his hair neatly styled. Oh, right. He had put something like that in his hair. Mu-hae clicked his tongue inwardly and approached him.

“What are you doing there?”

“Jin Mu-hae, I need to apply medicine.”

Joo-oh hadn’t turned on the TV and was squatting in front of the bed, clutching a first aid kit to his chest.

It seemed he had been waiting in that state, intending to provide treatment that hadn’t even been asked for.

…The anger that he thought had subsided resurfaced. Lately, whenever he saw Joo-oh, something like irritation welled up inside him.

He found it ridiculous that he couldn’t just get rid of him, even though he felt bothered by him. Even the composure he prided himself on seemed to disappear when he was in front of him.

Mu-hae made an effort to smooth out his furrowed brow and approached Joo-oh.

“Why are you doing that?”

“You can’t reach your back.”

“……”

“And Jin Mu-hae can’t see behind his shoulder.”

Damn it. He had a point…

Jin Mu-hae let out a strange groan and ran his hand over his face. Then, he pulled at the hem of his t-shirt and took it off his damp body.

As his bruised upper body was revealed, Joo-oh’s face lit up as he opened the medicine box. His face, which brightened up so much, was somehow pleasing to see. He picked up the pain relief gel he had seen earlier.

“Don’t worry about things I tell you not to worry about.”

“Okay.”

“Just apply it to my back. I’ll take care of the rest.”

He rolled up the t-shirt in his hand and sat down in front of Joo-oh. He heard Joo-oh fumbling with something and then the sound of the gel being squeezed out onto his hand.

Splash. As the cold pain relief gel touched his shoulder, Mu-hae flinched ungracefully. The smooth fingertips rubbed against his swollen skin, and a cool, tingling sensation gradually permeated his body.

“Jin Mu-hae. Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine, so take care of yourself.”

“I’m okay. Jin Mu-hae is the one who got hurt.”

Whether it was because he had showered with hot water or because the gel he was touching was cold, he couldn’t feel the warmth in Joo-oh’s hands, which were usually warm.

So Mu-hae couldn’t bring himself to push away his actions as he rubbed not only his back and shoulders but also his neck. He simply sighed deeply, trying to maintain a calm expression.

“Haa.”

“Why? Are you not feeling well?”

“No. I knew I could win the fight, but I didn’t know I’d get this hurt.”

Joo-oh’s voice was filled with upset. Was he expecting him to fight someone like that barehanded and come out without a single scratch?

Just as his pride was about to be wounded, Joo-oh shuffled closer and came in front of Mu-hae. Mu-hae hesitated for a moment as he reached out his hand to his chest, but then left it there.

“Still, I’m glad it seems like you’re not hurting much except for your shoulder.”

“I told you, I’m fine.”

“Hmm… you smell different. What did you do?”

“……”

When he didn’t answer, Joo-oh did as he usually did and brought his nose close. Mu-hae casually pushed away the head he was now used to, then, on a whim, touched his earlobe with his fingertip.

“It’s okay. I can smell it from here too.”

Joo-oh, who had been retreating after confirming his rejection, felt the finger that was holding his ear. His red eyes looked up at Mu-hae with a question.

Then, he soon smiled faintly and closed his eyes softly. He was so used to this that he didn’t even hesitate.

As his thumb pressed down on his earlobe, his lips parted slightly. Joo-oh’s eyes crinkled slightly as if he was feeling good.

Suddenly, Jin Mu-hae recalled what Cheong had done in Sakdal’s underground. He had grabbed Joo-oh’s chin with one hand and naturally stroked it from below to his cheek.

He didn’t want to imitate that bastard. But Joo-oh’s jawline was definitely soft and tender, making it pleasant to touch.

Joo-oh trembled and rested his face on his large hand. Mu-hae slowly stroked his soft skin and carefully supported the body that was gradually leaning against him.

His face slightly flushed, he narrowed his eyes and looked at Mu-hae. Joo-oh made a faint sound and twitched his lips.

“Umm… my waist too.”

“Shut up.”

“You said you’d touch it later.”

He remembered groping him in the gaps between deliveries. A feeling of something churning and welling up inside him arose.

Mu-hae had always ignored Joo-oh, but he had never lied to him. It was his own form of conscience. Even though he used him, who wasn’t in his right mind, he wouldn’t openly deceive him—it was his last bit of humanity.

Using that as an excuse to touch him was too much of a selfish justification… but as always, it was difficult to stop. Mu-hae clenched his other hand tightly, then slowly released it and brought it to his waist.

“Uhh.”

As if he had been waiting for it, Joo-oh leaned in even closer. Now he was almost straddling Mu-hae’s legs.

The disconcerting closeness intensified the churning sensation. A sweet and fragrant scent wafted to his nose.

It was a strange thing. Mu-hae was the one who had showered, but somehow it was Joo-oh’s scent that was so sweet that he wanted to bury his face in it.

As he deeply inhaled his scent, he felt his mind clouding. Mu-hae lightly gripped the waist he was holding and pulled him closer.

Joo-oh, who had happily clung to him, rested his head on Jin Mu-hae’s shoulder.

“Jin Mu-hae. I like you.”

He mumbled, rubbing his head. His voice was soft and melting.

“I really like you.”

It was a very different reaction from when Cheong had touched him earlier. The gestures of someone who was so happy gave Mu-hae a strange sense of satisfaction.

The unpleasant feeling that had been lingering was gradually evaporating. Before he could even recognize it, his palm, which had been wandering around his side, lifted the hem of his shirt and slipped inside as if melting into it.

As his calloused and rough hand rubbed against his bare skin, Joo-oh trembled greatly and laughed.

“Haha, heh…”

He thumped his butt on the leg he was sitting on. Mu-hae felt his mouth drying up.

The dryness of his nerves burning out. A thirst that made him want to drink water and moisten something inside.

His other hand had already pushed up the clothes and was touching his bare waist. Mu-hae massaged his smooth and warm skin as if savoring it, and tensed his lower abdomen.

Damn it. His lower body was reacting again. It was something that would happen, but it was happening again without fail.