By Zephyria After finally managing to get the child to sleep, he returned to the room to find Winston lying in bed. Yu-jin muffled his footsteps and carefully approached the bed, grabbing the end of the sheet and gently slipping inside. He had thought Winston might be asleep, but he was wrong. As if he had been waiting, an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him in tightly, causing Yu-jin to gasp involuntarily.
He could faintly feel the heartbeat against his back. Feeling the warmth of the man pressed close to him, Yu-jin spoke with difficulty.
“Angie was very hurt.”
“So?”
As expected, Winston’s reaction was utterly indifferent. Yu-jin left a space between them and opened his mouth.
“I’d appreciate it if you could be more careful with your words, in case she overhears. You might regret it later.”
Yu-jin deliberately added the last part. It was meant as a warning, but he doubted Winston would understand.
“Me?”
As expected, Winston retorted. Yu-jin turned his head to look him straight in the face and replied.
“Yes.”
All he received in return was cynicism. Winston frowned and chuckled briefly.
“Honey, I don’t care what that kid thinks of me.”
Yu-jin silently stared at him before turning his head again. Probably. Lying in the now-silent room, he blinked and fell into thought.
Maybe it would be better not to tell Angie about her papa, even after she’s grown up…
Winston wouldn’t change, even as time passed. The thought of his daughter being hurt already pained him.
It’s enough if only I get hurt.
Yu-jin steeled his heart and closed his eyes.
I will never tell, who Angie’s papa is. Never, to anyone.
The arm around his waist tightened, and Winston practically pinned Yu-jin down. Had his sleeping habits always been this bad?
It didn’t seem this bad before.
Yu-jin frowned, but soon stopped thinking. He faintly heard an owl hooting outside the window.
* * *
Hoo…
Winston took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. After experiencing his first wet dream, he hurriedly washed his underwear, crumpled it up among his discarded clothes, and headed to school. But his mind remained unsettled. He couldn’t concentrate during class. His thoughts were consumed by Yu-jin all day.
What should I do?
He had promised to visit today, but he didn’t have the confidence to face Yu-jin. What if Yu-jin became disgusted with him? The thought alone terrified him. He might get incredibly angry if he found out that Winston had a lewd dream about him.
No, we kissed.
He felt strangely wronged. If they hadn’t kissed, he wouldn’t have had such a dream. Kissing was the next step. He had already received sex education, so he knew roughly what to expect. They were practically lovers. No, they were lovers. They had kissed, hadn’t they!
Yu-jin would have refused if he didn’t like me.
That thought filled Winston with hope. Yu-jin had been shy, but he hadn’t rejected Winston. That meant Yu-jin liked Winston too. Winston was certain.
I want to see him soon.
Just the thought of seeing him made his cheeks flush and his heart race.
I wonder if I can kiss him again today?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, his head felt like it would explode.
Wow, I’m so perverted!
He couldn’t help but laugh, even as he scolded himself. After spending the day feeling like his feet were floating in the air, Winston returned home and immediately went to ride his horse without doing his homework.
“What about your afternoon studies?”
The stableman asked as he prepared the horse, and Winston quickly replied.
“Not today. Is it ready? I’ll be back!”
He jumped onto the horse and hurriedly rode off without listening further. It was earlier than usual. Yu-jin would be surprised, right? He couldn’t resist imagining Yu-jin’s cute face with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
“Faster, faster, Lancelot!”
Winston was impatient and kept urging the horse on. It felt particularly slow today. He ran and ran, hoping to see the Separate Residence/Annex soon.
Haa, haa.
Finally reaching the Separate Residence/Annex, Winston hurriedly dismounted and ran towards the entrance. Yu-jin wasn’t visible, unlike usual, but that was okay.
He probably didn’t expect me to come this early, so he must still be inside.
“Yu-jin, it’s me! I’m here, it’s Winston!”
Winston didn’t hesitate to knock on the front door and shout. Just saying his name made his heart feel like it would burst.
“I came as soon as class ended! Come out, I… I want to see you!”
He ended up stuttering the last part. He was embarrassed, but he was too impatient to be calm. He would see Yu-jin. He would face him and smile.
And he would kiss him!
His heart felt like it would explode just imagining it, but unexpectedly, there was no response. Winston, who had been jumping in place, gradually slowed down and soon stopped. As he fell silent, the surroundings became unbearably quiet. There was no sign of anyone inside. The excitement he had felt until now gradually turned into unease. What was going on?
Winston walked down the steps and moved a few steps away from the Separate Residence/Annex. He could see a small window above the front door. It was Yu-jin’s bedroom.
“Yu-jin! Yu-jin!”
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted with all his might. His voice faded away, leaving a faint echo, and then silence returned. Could it be that Yu-jin wasn’t inside? Winston suddenly felt afraid. When he thought he might never see Yu-jin again, he suddenly saw something moving inside the window.
“…Yu-jin?”
He called out hesitantly, and after a moment, the window opened and the face he had longed to see came into view.
“Wins… ton.”
Winston’s face, which had brightened with joy, faltered when he heard Yu-jin’s flushed cheeks and trembling voice.
“Yu-jin, are you okay? Are you sick?”
Was it a cold? Winston quickly became anxious and asked urgently, but Yu-jin shook his head.
“I’m not sick… I just, I don’t know…”
His tone was somehow slurred and tired. Winston became even more uneasy at his exhausted face.
“Should I call a doctor? No, I’ll call one! Wait a minute, I’ll be right back…”
“Winston, no… I’m… okay…”
Yu-jin reached out his hand as if to stop him. At the same time, the small window opened wide, and his upper body was revealed.
…Huh?
Soon, an unfamiliar scent spread everywhere. Winston stood there, staring up at Yu-jin. He had never smelled this scent before.
Could it be coming from Yu-jin? A refreshing and soft forest scent. A scent that calmed the mind, seeming to eliminate all wariness and anxiety, caused Winston to relax.
“I’m okay, Winston.”
Yu-jin said again.
“Someone came by earlier… I’ve been like this since I woke up, but you don’t have to worry. The doctor said he’ll be here soon… But don’t come, it would be a problem if it’s contagious…”
It’s definitely not that.
Winston instinctively thought. This isn’t a disease. He had no basis for it, but he was certain.
Then what is this…
Just as he reached that point, Yu-jin let out a ‘haa’ of breath and leaned against the window frame. Winston was horrified that he might fall out the window, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.
“Go now…”
Yu-jin whispered in a feverish voice.
“Sorry, I’m not… feeling well… today…”
His voice gradually faded. It seemed like it would be a burden to stay any longer. For some reason, he couldn’t help but obey his words. In the end, Winston gave in and stepped back.
“Okay, I’ll come again tomorrow. Get some rest.”
“Okay.”
At Winston’s words, Yu-jin nodded slightly and soon closed the window and disappeared inside. Thinking that he had probably gone to lie down in bed, Winston returned to his horse.
His heart was still racing. He didn’t know what this throbbing meant. All he knew for sure was that Yu-jin’s scent made Winston feel very restless. He felt his face flush as he climbed onto the horse. Before leaving, he looked up at the Separate Residence/Annex once more, specifically at Yu-jin’s bedroom window, but there was no longer a shadow of anyone. Winston returned to the main residence with a feeling of disappointment and worry.