By Zephyria I didn’t realize that my hair wasn’t completely dry yet and that I was getting chills until I got into the car.
Se-han suddenly took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. I didn’t refuse and quietly accepted what he was doing.
From the moment he came into the dorm until he got into the car, Se-han had been looking like he wanted to destroy everything. I couldn’t say anything to him.
After putting the jacket on me, Se-han kept his eyes on the window.
I was entrusting myself to Sung Se-han’s warm jacket, imbued with his Cologne scent, but I felt a chill seeping into my core.
The trembling in my body extended to the tips of my cold fingers.
At that moment, a warm touch enveloped my hand.
Long fingers intertwined with mine, forming a tight clasp. I couldn’t even breathe deeply, fearing my heart would leap out of my mouth.
Looking down, the brown leather seat and Sung Se-han’s firm thigh came into view. I counted the creases in his pants, taut against his muscles, before tightly shutting my eyes.
Heat quickly rose throughout my body, my face flushed, and sweat beaded on my palms.
Even so, I didn’t want to let go of Sung Se-han’s hand.
*
“Se-han, where is this…?”
A massive penthouse with a high ceiling that exuded an aura of intimidation from the entrance. I quickly realized it was Kang Robin’s residence.
But I couldn’t understand why Sung Se-han had brought me here.
“It’s more comfortable here.”
Sung Se-han replied simply, taking off his shoes and stepping into the foyer. But I couldn’t move easily.
Sung Se-han might not know, but I wasn’t sure if it was okay for me to barge in like this without having received an invitation from Kang Robin.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Sung Se-han turned back, waiting for me. Sigh. I had no choice but to take off my slippers and step inside.
I walked through the wide foyer and down a rather long hallway. Turning left, I finally began to see the living room.
The moment I spotted Kang Robin sitting on the living room sofa, my head automatically lowered.
Kang Robin’s sharp eyes seemed to be blaming me, an uninvited guest, making me want to turn around and leave.
“Hello! I’m sorry to visit so late at night…”
“It’s okay. Robin Hyung doesn’t mind things like that.”
At Sung Se-han’s words, Kang Robin rose from the sofa.
“Sung Se-han, are you my spokesperson?”
Kang Robin, dressed in a Black Shirt like Sung Se-han, looked colder than usual. Feeling intimidated, I lowered my back again.
“I’m sorry. I…”
“No, Lee Tae-kyung. Why are you apologizing? I’m not saying anything to you.”
Kang Robin crossed his arms and scanned me from head to toe.
“Judging by appearances, you must have had a rough day.”
Tch, I shuffled my toes, unsure of what to do in front of the tongue-clicking Kang Robin.
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
Sung Se-han turned to look at me and asked. I reflexively tried to nod, but then shook my head.
“I don’t feel like eating right now.”
“Then just eat a little.”
Sung Se-han headed to the kitchen, visible to the left of the living room. The living room’s front window connected to the dining room, creating a structure where the dining room and living room were clearly visible from the kitchen.
I was wondering what to do, feeling awkward under Kang Robin’s gaze, when he called me.
“Come here.”
Sung Se-han gestured with his chin towards the dining table. As I walked towards the table, I realized I was still wearing Sung Se-han’s jacket.
I placed the jacket on a dining chair and sat down, and suddenly, strangely, I felt at ease. It was definitely not a comfortable situation, nor a comfortable place, but I felt absurdly at ease.
My shoulders relaxed in an instant, and I leaned forward, watching Sung Se-han.
I blankly watched Sung Se-han, who had rolled up the sleeves of his Black Shirt three times, opening the refrigerator door, when Kang Robin walked over and sat in the chair across from me.
“It seems Se-han has been cooking for Lee Tae-kyung often lately. It’s very natural.”
Kang Robin, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, had a somewhat sulky expression.
“Ah… yes.”
When Sung Se-han and I lived together in the dorm, he often made my favorite pasta. But I didn’t think it would be a good idea to talk about that now.
“Hey, Sung Se-han. Have you ever cooked for me before?”
At Kang Robin’s question, Sung Se-han, who was taking shrimp out of the freezer, sighed lightly.
“Alright. I’ll make your favorite next time, Hyung.”
“You promised, right?”
Listening to their casual conversation, my mood gradually sank. The feeling of relaxation I had felt a moment ago vanished without a trace.
With just one word, one reaction from Sung Se-han, I could quickly confirm that he cherished Kang Robin.
Sung Se-han’s precious person, Kang Robin. And me.
Who does Sung Se-han cherish more?
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
“Ah, yes!”
I felt like my embarrassing thoughts had been exposed, and I answered hastily, feeling my face flush. Kang Robin, who had been staring at me, smiled.
The way Kang Robin’s atmosphere softened as he raised the corners of his lips left me gaping blankly. Sung Se-han also has a kind image when he smiles with his eyes.
“You don’t need to worry. Something like today won’t happen again.”
Kang Robin’s firm words were somewhat comforting. I bowed my head with sincere gratitude.
“Thank you…”
“Because Se-han knows. He’s probably writing a hit list in his head right now, right?”
“Ah… hahaha…”
They both used harsh words without filtering them. Are they so compatible because they resemble each other…?
Come to think of it, the way their light-colored eyes glint is also similar…
My body stiffened with my smile still in place. What absurd thought did I just have?
“Tae-kyung.”
While I was spacing out, Sung Se-han placed a plate of spaghetti in front of me. Steaming hot, rose pasta with plenty of shrimp.
I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve had my favorite pasta made by Sung Se-han. As I picked up a fork and started eating the pasta, Sung Se-han sat down next to me.
“Tae-kyung.”
“Huh…?”
Sung Se-han put his arm on the chair, making it seem like he was embracing me from behind. I tried not to be conscious of it and diligently put pasta in my mouth.
“I think it would be good for you to stay here for a while.”
Cough. I swallowed the pasta stuck in my throat and turned to look at Sung Se-han.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
I thought Sung Se-han’s anger had subsided while he was cooking at Kang Robin’s house. But the moment our eyes met, I knew.
Sung Se-han’s anger had not subsided in the slightest. His seething brown eyes showed it.
I was already okay. I even felt happy the moment I put the pasta in my mouth.
“It’s not nonsense. It’s not like you signed a contract saying you have to be in the dorm. I can drive you to and from work.”
I couldn’t get angry at his absurd words because I felt sorry for him, still filled with anger.
“Sung Se-han, unlike you, I live very rationally.”
“Rationally?”
Sung Se-han twisted his lips into a sneer.
“Tae-kyung, Park Jin-seok probably thought today’s events were very natural and rational. What do you think about that?”
Clatter. I put down my fork and stood up. I really didn’t want to fight with Sung Se-han today, but this bastard never lets me have my way.
“I’m sorry for bothering you so late. I’ll be going now.”
I bowed to Kang Robin and turned around, but Sung Se-han stood up and grabbed my hand.
“Tae-kyung, that was a slip of the tongue. It was my fault.”
“I know, so let go.”
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
Tap! Tap! Kang Robin tapped the table, and we both closed our mouths. Kang Robin, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, let out a hollow laugh.
“I knew your friendship was unique, but seeing it firsthand is another kind of fun, huh?”
I shook off Se-han’s hand and bowed again.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
Creak. Kang Robin, getting up from his chair, pointed to the end of the living room as if giving instructions.
“Don’t fight over useless things. Lee Tae-kyung, sleep in the guest room tonight.”
“Yes, yes?”
Kang Robin waved his hand dismissively at my bewildered question.
“Se-han, you wash and put Lee Tae-kyung to bed. I’m tired and need to rest.”
Kang Robin headed to the master room indifferently, but I was just standing there in a flustered state, my face flushed.
Wash me? Did I look that dirty? I already took a shower…?
“It’s because you didn’t dry your hair.”
Sung Se-han brushed my hair as he passed by. It seemed my hair was a mess. I looked around for a mirror while following Sung Se-han.
Sung Se-han took me to a room on the right side of the hallway, not the end of the living room.
“Go in.”
Sung Se-han, who had let me into the room first, closed the door.
“I’ll get you some clothes to change into.”
Sung Se-han, brushing past my shoulder, headed to the dressing room. I looked around the room with a slightly dazed feeling.