By Zephyria Yoon Ye-jun rolled his eyes. He simply couldn’t adapt to the situation before him. Just an hour ago, everything had been fine. It was Saturday, so he had readily accepted Ki Young-han’s suggestion to go out for dinner.
“Dinner sounds good. Eating at home is good, eating at a nearby restaurant is good too. And having a light drink with it would be even better.”
But…
“Did we come to the wrong place?”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Four pairs of eyes darted around. Only Ki Young-han was eating silently. Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t easily open his mouth and swallowed dryly. He met Ki Young-hyun’s gaze, blinking.
“So…”
Among the four, Ki Young-han’s father, who resembled him the most, finally spoke.
“Didn’t you say you were bringing your girlfriend today?”
His father shifted his gaze to Yoon Ye-jun. Under that stare, Yoon Ye-jun finally lowered his head. He had been a fool to think that Ki Young-han just needed to pick up something he’d forgotten when he said he was going to his parents’ house. Yoon Ye-jun glanced at Ki Young-han, who was sitting beside him. Ki Young-han placed the chopsticks he was holding diagonally onto his bowl.
“You said you were bringing someone you’re dating, not specifically a girlfriend.”
That crazy bastard…
Yoon Ye-jun was flustered. He was in a difficult position and didn’t know what to do. Sigh, he just licked his lips. Still, the food in front of him looked delicious, regardless of his lost appetite.
“They’re my lover. We haven’t been together for a year, but I want to live with them.”
“……”
‘I want to get married.’
‘I want to be with you forever.’
Words they had exchanged before flashed through Yoon Ye-jun’s mind. Yoon Ye-jun lowered his head. Bang! A dull thud echoed. It was bound to explode.
Yoon Ye-jun thought about kneeling and begging right then and there. “Young-han was just joking. We’re just friends,” he started to say, his lips parting. And the moment he lifted his head.
“Ah, no!”
It was Ki Young-hyun, Ki Young-han’s younger brother, whom he had met for dinner a few days prior, who suddenly voiced his opposition.
“…I object.”
Even then, he trailed off, perhaps afraid of his older brother. The atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Yoon Ye-jun quickly glanced at Ki Young-han. As expected.
“Hey, who do you think you are?”
Ki Young-han glared so fiercely that Yoon Ye-jun nudged Ki Young-han’s knee under the table. That calmed him down a bit, but his gaze was still menacing as he glared at Ki Young-hyun. Ahem… His father cleared his throat. Ki Young-hyun grumbled, pouting.
Ki Young-han called out “Hey” to Ki Young-hyun once more. Only then did Ki Young-hyun close his lips. Silence fell. It was unavoidable. Yoon Ye-jun’s head throbbed. I want to go home… Just as he was thinking this, a gentle voice filled the silence.
“You’re student Ye-jun, right?”
Ki Young-han’s mother asked cautiously.
Her impression and demeanor were distinctly different from Ki Young-han’s. Her eyes were soft, and her voice was gentle. Yoon Ye-jun, who had rarely met friends’ parents except during high school, found the situation a bit unfamiliar. He replied briefly, “Yes.” He couldn’t pretend to be good or smile with his eyes as he usually did when meeting adults. He was nervous. Sweat beaded on his palms.
His mother added,
“Let’s eat first.”
“……”
“Young-han said he was bringing a friend he’s dating, so we prepared a bit. Please eat before it gets cold.”
Yoon Ye-jun said, “I’ll eat well,” and picked up his spoon. He scooped some of the beef and radish soup in front of him, taking both the meat and the broth. The meat wasn’t tough, and the broth was perfectly savory and delicious. He felt strange. Continuously.
After the meal, they ate fruit together. Yoon Ye-jun felt so awkward he thought he would die, intending to focus by peeling fruit himself, but Ki Young-han ended up peeling it. Yoon Ye-jun exchanged awkward glances with the family across the table.
“Perhaps…”
His father spoke first. Yoon Ye-jun met his gaze.
“Yes.”
“Are there many students like you two? I don’t know much about young people’s culture… Do many people date within the same gender? Is it common?”
As if… This is Korea. He had never seen young people dating each other as a cultural norm. Yoon Ye-jun clenched his fist tightly.
“No, it is not.”
He replied in a calm voice.
“Still, it seems to be somewhat common…”
Ki Young-hyun added from the side in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.
Meanwhile, Ki Young-han had peeled an apple and placed it on a plate. He picked up a plastic fork and speared the apple. Yoon Ye-jun remained still. Of course, he should offer it to his parents first. But the fork with the apple suddenly appeared before him.
“Have an apple.”
“…Parents first…”
“Take it. Your arm will fall off.”
What kind of talk is that, saying my arm will fall off over an apple? Yoon Ye-jun’s mouth felt dry. He had no choice but to accept the apple with a crestfallen expression. He took a bite from the edge. He looked back at his parents. Both of them, and Ki Young-hyun, were staring at Ki Young-han with stunned expressions.
“…Are you crazy, hyung?”
Finally, Ki Young-hyun asked, frowning. Ki Young-han casually glanced at Ki Young-hyun, then ignored him. Ki Young-hyun, feeling utterly disregarded, huffed. Yoon Ye-jun felt like he was sitting on thorns. It was obvious. He had treated his family the way he treated his past self. Arbitrarily, according to his own whims. So how strange must it feel to him? I understand. I understand.
“Uh, it’s Young-han’s first time bringing someone over…”
“I’m twenty-five. And…”
Ki Young-han glanced at Yoon Ye-jun. What is he going to say now? Yoon Ye-jun lightly nudged Ki Young-han’s thigh. Ki Young-hyun, sitting diagonally, looked as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have. Ki Young-han cleared his throat.
“Hyung is twenty-seven.”
“Hyung…”
At Ki Young-han’s words, his mother softly murmured ‘Hyung.’ She never called him that normally. With a blank face, she’d say ‘honey,’ or ‘darling,’ or ‘you,’ when angry, or ‘Ye-jun,’ when she was in a good mood, only to get scolded. Still, seeing him put on a formal act in front of his parents… it wasn’t something he could just be happy about.
“Student Ye-jun, why are you dating our Young-han?”
His father carefully began. Yoon Ye-jun, who had been struggling with a piece of apple, was startled. Why… date? What kind of ‘why’ is there? Because I like him, that’s why. Yoon Ye-jun lowered his gaze. In his averted gaze, Ki Young-han called out, “Honey,” to Yoon Ye-jun. Ki Young-hyun scratched his ear as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.
“……”
Yoon Ye-jun raised his head. He couldn’t say he was about to cry, but he felt like he was.
“…Because I like him.”
“……”
“As your parents likely know, Young-han is kind, expressive, and good…”
With every word he spoke, his parents’ and Ki Young-hyun’s expressions darkened. Yoon Ye-jun squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t say, ‘He’s good-looking and we’re compatible physically.’ He listed compliments about his personality, drawing out even the inner qualities since he wasn’t just superficially good-natured.
“He’s also a good cook. Makes good coffee. He gets lonely easily. He likes traveling. And… his handwriting is pretty.”
Ki Young-hyun suddenly stood up. His face, flushed with various colors, was filled with shock.
“This… this isn’t right.”
“……”
“How is hyung kind! How is he affectionate! Traveling, my foot. He doesn’t even go with his family…!”
Did I make a mistake…?
Yoon Ye-jun pressed his lips together. Ki Young-han looked up.
“Sit down.”
He said, his voice clearly threatening as he scanned him up and down. Ki Young-hyun took a breath and sat down, as if he had no choice. Ki Young-han took a large bite of the apple he had peeled and chewed. Ki Young-han looked at Ki Young-hyun, then shifted his gaze back to his parents.
“I want to live with him. I thought it would be better to at least show you my face than to just move in without saying anything.”
Why are you saying this now, when it’s been almost a week since we started living together…?
If he was thinking of his parents like that, he shouldn’t have brought me here. Yoon Ye-jun swallowed a sigh. His parents likely felt the same. His parents fell into deep thought. Only Ki Young-hyun was panting. I’m sorry, Yoon Ye-jun apologized inwardly to Ki Young-hyun.
“Well… Young-han… ah, yes…”
After a brief silence, his father spoke.
“Actually… we’re grateful to you, student Ye-jun.”
Yoon Ye-jun, who had been quietly immersed in guilt, slowly widened his eyes. Grateful? He didn’t understand what they meant.
“Right…”
His mother agreed in a gentle voice. Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t even ask what they meant. He just silently watched the couple who had just learned their son was gay.
Instead of his father, who hesitated to finish his sentence, his mother spoke.
“Young-han might have a rough personality, but he’s not a bad person. We’re grateful that you recognize that, student Ye-jun.”
“……”
“We thought Young-han would live without meeting anyone. We were surprised at first, but you seem to love each other very much… I don’t know what to say.”
She gave an awkward smile. Yoon Ye-jun felt an inexplicable sense of guilt. It wouldn’t just be surprise; they would be bewildered and confused. While many people reveal their orientation these days, they surely never expected it to be their own son. Yoon Ye-jun lowered his gaze slightly.
“By the way, did you visit student Ye-jun’s home too?”
His father finally asked. Ki Young-han replied, “I met his grandfather.” Ah, yes… Yoon Ye-jun briefly considered how much of his family history he should explain to his parents. And as expected, a silence of pity disguised as consideration followed.
It was unavoidable. Who wouldn’t see it as a harmonious family? Under loving and financially stable parents, a brilliant, handsome, mature eldest son, and an equally clever and cute youngest son. Yoon Ye-jun forced a smile. He didn’t really want to smile.
“Wasn’t your grandfather worried?”
But the question took an odd turn. Yoon Ye-jun, surprised, asked, “Huh?”
“Young-han isn’t usually that polite to elders.”
“He was fine, just like that.”
Ki Young-han said, frowning slightly. Yoon Ye-jun nodded.
“He doesn’t know we’re dating, but there were no problems. Young-han even took his grandfather to the sea… Ah…”
He stopped himself, worried that his parents might feel bad, given they had just said he didn’t travel with family. Ki Young-han showed no signs of difficulty. He took photos of his grandfather, ate raw fish and spicy fish stew, and visited a cafe with a panoramic view of the sea. It had only been a few months since they met, but telling these stories felt silly and childish, yet it felt like becoming family. Yoon Ye-jun couldn’t voice the thoughts organizing in his mind.
“Young-han, did student Ye-jun go to the sea with your grandfather?”
“Yes.”
Ki Young-han replied to his mother in his usual curt tone.
“Your grandfather must have liked it?”
His mother said in a soft, gentle voice, smiling serenely. Yoon Ye-jun watched his mother quietly. She was a kind person. And he felt a little greedy. Although he was initially surprised, as they talked and exchanged warm glances, he felt his greed grow. He began to understand why Ki Young-han wanted to introduce him.
I want to become family. At this sudden surge of desire, Yoon Ye-jun silently curved his lips. He listened to the conversation with a gentle smile. Ki Young-han and his mother talked about the nearby seaside. They said there was a flower theme park that adults liked.
“Take your grandfather there once. He’ll like it.”
At his mother’s words, Yoon Ye-jun bit his lip. If he listened a little longer, he felt like he might cry. He told himself it wasn’t for that reason. Was it because he grew up with such parents that Ki Young-han wasn’t completely unreasonable? Could he express affection and emotions? Whatever it was, Yoon Ye-jun parted his hesitant lips.
“Mother, Father.”
“Yes?”
“I may be lacking in many ways, but I am dating Young-han well. I am truly sorry for not telling you beforehand, but I also… want to live with Young-han. And I want to visit and see you sometimes…”
Yoon Ye-jun indirectly expressed his desire to become family. His hands, which had been resting on the floor, trembled. Ki Young-han said nothing. Yoon Ye-jun knelt, as if pleading earnestly.
“What are you doing?”
Ki Young-han grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s shoulder. Yoon Ye-jun held his ground firmly.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Ki Young-han then said something to his parents. Only then did Yoon Ye-jun slightly lift his head.
“Young-han told us. He said he was bringing a friend he’s dating. And we told you. We’re grateful to you, student Ye-jun.”
At the sight of their kind faces, Yoon Ye-jun’s shoulders slumped. I can meet good people too. Perhaps the precariousness of his family was the foundation for meeting people like this, Yoon Ye-jun suppressed the welling tears.
“Thank you…”
Yoon Ye-jun expressed his emotions in a voice that had involuntarily lowered, filled with feeling. Ki Young-han grabbed Yoon Ye-jun’s forearm. Only then did Yoon Ye-jun shift his gaze to Ki Young-han.
“Are you saying you’ll marry me?”
Ki Young-han asked. Yoon Ye-jun had gained something more precious than marriage. But… Ki Young-han’s expression was strangely displeased.
“Why aren’t you answering? I asked if we’re getting married.”
“…Young-han, your parents are here.”
“Just tell me if you’re going to get married or not.”
“No, wait a minute…”
“If you don’t get married, we won’t live together.”
We’ve been officially living together for a week.
“What kind of world is this, wanting to live together without getting married? I’m so dumbfounded…”
Yoon Ye-jun smiled awkwardly, his arms held by Ki Young-han. The parents averted their gaze at his brittle smile. Even Ki Young-hyun, who had been creasing and uncreasing his brow and scrunching his nose, finally stood up.
“Why is he like this, really…”
He said the words Yoon Ye-jun wanted to say and went into his room. Ki Young-han was finally scolded by Yoon Ye-jun after his parents, embarrassed by their son’s behavior, also went into their room.
“What’s wrong with you, really?”
Yoon Ye-jun asked in a low voice.
“What did I do?”
Ki Young-han replied grumpily.
“You can’t get married as a same-sex couple in Korea.”
“I’m not so stupid that I don’t know that.”
“Then why are you insisting on getting married when you know that?”
In the center of the spacious living room, they began to argue in hushed voices. It was just like usual.
“Then did you tell your parents you wanted to live with me without even having that mindset?”
His argument, which lacked any logic, began again. Yoon Ye-jun lowered his gaze. Ki Young-han scowled at his cold eyes.
“We can just have a ceremony. Why are you so rigid? With your parents, you should smile sweetly… Ah-!”
Finally, Ki Young-han shut his mouth after Yoon Ye-jun pinched his cheek.
* * *
As expected of a large chain, the cafe was bustling with people. The people here wore smart suits, chatted, or worked on their laptops.
Ki Young-han sat there, calmly drinking coffee. A cafe on the first floor of the Press Center. Ki Young-han was waiting for Yoon Ye-jun there. A latte was prepared opposite him.
The untouched latte belonged to Yoon Ye-jun. He was in a pretty good mood because Yoon Ye-jun had asked him to pick him up after a long time.
Ki Young-han tapped on his Mobile phone.
Me
I’m at the cafe on the 1st floor.
6:07 PM
He looked out the window. It was a snowy evening. It was dark even though it was only 6 PM. Snow does fall in March. It was definitely ambiguous for spring.
Office workers, bundled in scarves, wearing coats over their suits, or jackets, walked by quickly. How had Yoon Ye-jun dressed? He had gone in a suit because he had a presentation today. Fortunately, he had worn a thick coat.
“……”
Ki Young-han’s gaze turned towards the railing where the MDs were displayed. Should I buy him a tumbler? It seemed like a good idea to buy one for Yoon Ye-jun, who enjoyed drinking liquids like coffee and tea. Ki Young-han went to the counter without hesitation. After the two or so people in front of him finished paying, he purchased a black tumbler with a long body and a large handle. He also received a coupon. I’ll tell Yoon Ye-jun to come drink from it later.
He returned to his seat. With many people coming and going, the inside couldn’t be said to be consistently warm. He took out his mobile phone from his pocket and checked it; a message had arrived.
♥
“Be in the side alley with your car from the parking lot! I’ll be out soon. I have something to go down to the basement for.”
6:12 PM
“Is he training me like a dog?”
He muttered to himself. He liked Yoon Ye-jun, but his annoyance was still his annoyance. He stood up from his seat, grumbling to his heart’s content. He placed the cup he had drunk from into the tray return, then gathered Yoon Ye-jun’s latte and the tumbler, and headed out.
Not long after exiting the parking lot and waiting in the alley, Yoon Ye-jun, with his nose dyed a bright red, came running towards him.
“What the…”
Ki Young-han muttered to himself as he saw what Yoon Ye-jun was holding. Yoon Ye-jun opened the car’s rear door and placed what he was holding inside. Then, he walked around and got into the passenger seat. Ki Young-han turned his head to look at the bouquet of roses in the back. There were several tied together in white, pink, and red.
“Did you wait long?”
Yoon Ye-jun, now in the passenger seat, asked in a soothing tone.
“What are the flowers for?”
Ki Young-han asked Yoon Ye-jun, who was wrapping his hands around his scarf. Yoon Ye-jun seemed stifled and unbuttoned the top button of his coat. He placed the scarf neatly on his lap and fastened his seatbelt. Then, he said in an unconcerned voice,
“I bought them because I thought of you, Young-han.”
The roses?
“I stopped by the flower shop because of a client for the department head, and the roses were pretty. I wanted to buy one for you. So, I just did. It’s not for any particular reason.”
Yoon Ye-jun said calmly. Yet, Ki Young-han’s ears, upon hearing that, flared up. They turned the same color as red rose petals.
“Why did you think of me when you saw the roses?”
Even though he was about to die of embarrassment, he didn’t miss asking.
“Hmm, maybe because you’re pretty?”
Yoon Ye-jun went a step further.
At Yoon Ye-jun’s words, Ki Young-han’s hands gripping the steering wheel trembled. “Can I drink this?” Yoon Ye-jun took out the cup from the cup holder. He wanted to say, “Yes, drink it,” but he shot back with pursed lips.
“How can you say things like that so casually?”
“Can’t I drink it?”
“Not that. The roses. That I, that I’m pretty or something.”
“Why? It’s the truth.”
“……”
“I’ll give them to you properly when we get home. ‘Young-han, I bought this for you. Please accept these flowers,’ like that.”
“Don’t tease me.”
Yoon Ye-jun chuckled and laughed. Ki Young-han drove with his lips tightly shut. Inside, he was seething. How could a person be this romantic? He felt like he was going to die of annoyance. His face flushed and cooled, turning red and then blue. Despite the season, which was neither clearly spring nor clearly winter, his cheeks felt like they would burst. They were so hot.
Who calls March spring? Snow was falling outside the window, and I was this hot. Ki Young-han wanted to grab the person who declared March to be spring and ask them. But there was no one to ask.
Mint Candy Love – Complete.