Simmering Heat Chapter 26.1

The alarm blared, announcing the morning.

Taeun always lamented his course registration skills, which had him scheduled for morning classes all five weekdays, but today he felt especially aggrieved. He was not a morning person, so waking up was always a struggle, but this was undoubtedly the first time in his life he’d found it this difficult to open his eyes.

He tried his best to lift his eyelids, but his vision remained stubbornly dark. Dried tears, stuck to his thin skin, acted like glue, hindering his movements. He forced his eyelashes apart and managed to open his eyes, but he couldn’t move.

There were two reasons for this. One was the man’s limbs, entangled around him as if he were a bolster pillow. The other was his own utter exhaustion. All Taeun could do was manage to lift his arm and silence the noisy phone.

Messages had piled up on his phone. A few people who’d witnessed last night’s commotion had sent messages, Kim Hyoju had expressed her concern, and a tearful, lengthy apology had arrived from his junior. Taeun read them, but he didn’t have the energy to reply, so he just lowered his arm. Even if he forced his fingers to move, all he could manage would be a simple “I’m okay.” It seemed better to reply properly once his broken body regained some strength.

That’s when it happened.

“…Did you sleep well?”

A languid voice softly echoed from beside his head. He creaked his stiff neck and turned his head to see sleepy eyes looking at him. Taeun groaned, his voice raspy, and spoke.

“Do… I look like I slept well?”

Since he hadn’t slept well, his sharp words came out twisted.

The activity had only ended as the pre-dawn light began to fade. Taeun, who hadn’t expected it to last so long, eventually had to suggest another round of red light, green light, hiccuping. If I win, we stop, if you win, we continue. Of course, his suggestion was completely ignored. Not only that, but towards the end, he’d even resorted to rummaging through his liquefied brain for reasons why they should stop.

I have class in the morning, you might get erectile dysfunction if we do it too much, my skin is sore, my ass hurts, my legs are numb, and something else hurts, and so on… The activity had finally ended when his mumbling mouth was devoured.

“Are you very sore?”

“Sore doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

“How sore is it?”

That dawn was just a few hours ago. Taeun, struggling to find words to express his exhaustion, finally spoke in a faint voice.

“I’m just… proud of myself.”

He was proud of himself for willingly accommodating a horse cock with the power of love. Taeun, having briefly shared his feelings, didn’t bother to explain further. He believed the owner of the horse cock would understand. As if to prove it, Jinhyun pulled Taeun closer and kissed him on the chin. Taeun turned his eyes towards Jinhyun, pouting.

Jinhyun’s face, shadowed by the streaming sunlight, looked sharp. Taeun, staring at his languid face, still relaxed from their lovemaking, nestled into his warm embrace.

“Anyway… I don’t believe you anymore. You said you’d listen to me, but bullshit…”

“Yeah… I can’t believe myself either.”

“…Are you kidding me?”

“I didn’t know my self-control was that pathetic.”

Jinhyun whispered as if it wasn’t his fault. It was such an infuriating thing to say that Taeun bit his collarbone in retaliation. The flinch was somehow funny. It was strange how the large body that had dominated him just a few hours ago now seemed cute. Taeun bit him a little harder. A faint teeth mark was left on his smooth skin.

“You’re being cute again.”

At the half-hearted scolding, Taeun stared up at him. He didn’t know what was cute, but he liked being called cute. So he bit his skin again and looked at Jinhyun. It was as if he was saying, Quickly, tell me I’m cute. Instead of giving him the words he wanted, Jinhyun lightly nipped Taeun’s nose with his teeth.

What, why aren’t you calling me cute?

He wanted to hear it more, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask directly, so Taeun bit Jinhyun’s Adam’s apple again. This time, he was bitten back in the same spot.

Bathed in the morning sun, the two of them suddenly started nipping at each other like puppies.

The incomprehensible battle continued without reason. It finally ended when Taeun burst out laughing, startled by Jinhyun’s tongue licking his armpit, and declared his surrender. The peaceful morning quiet settled over them like a cozy blanket.

Taeun mentally calculated the remaining time. Since the university was close, it was still early enough to stay like this for a little longer. Taeun diligently rubbed the skin on Jinhyun’s chest with his fingers, as if trying to erase the teeth marks he’d left. His lips twitched like a bud about to bloom.

He had something he wanted to ask, but it was difficult to bring it up. Common opinion dictated that a man asking this kind of question after sex was the worst. Ah, just forget it. Let it go. Even as he thought this, Taeun called out to him.

“Hey.”

“Can’t you call me by my name?”

“Why so suddenly…”

“Taeun was crying for you to call him by his name last night…”

“Jinhyun.”

Taeun quickly called his name as requested. The way he deliberately used “Taeun” to remind him of last night was clearly meant to tease.

“Yeah, why?”

The guy hugging him patted his butt as he replied. Because they were pressed close together, naked under the covers, he could feel Jinhyun’s slight arousal. He was embarrassed.

“…Was it… good?”

Ah, Taeun sighed inwardly. Now that he’d said it, he understood why it was considered the worst thing to ask. It was too late for regrets. Since he couldn’t take back his words, he had to explain.

“I mean, did you… like it?”

“Why are you asking that, as if it only matters if I’m satisfied?”

Because his satisfaction was the most important thing to Taeun. If it wasn’t, he wouldn’t have dared to shove a horse cock up his ass. He didn’t voice that thought. There was no need to volunteer to be pathetic. Besides, the question was just a confirmation, the answer already known.

“It was good.”

He just wanted to hear it.

The feeling of liking someone was like a child – immature, ignorant, and greedy. He needed verbal confirmation of the unspoken affection and emotions he already felt in order to truly understand and accept them. These moments would accumulate and become the driving force for growth, but his old, unexpressed feelings were still immature.

“How good?”

“So good that it’s absurd you’re even asking.”

Jinhyun chuckled as if genuinely dumbfounded, but he didn’t hesitate to answer.

“We slept together.”

“…”

“Now you and I, no matter what happens, can’t be just friends.”

He then declared that the framework of friendship, which had bound them for so long, was completely shattered.

“How could I not like it?”

The morning when the form of their relationship was finalized. The rising sun, framed by the square window, delivered its blessings with a comfortable warmth.

🔥

Despite Jinhyun’s attempts to dissuade him, suggesting he rest, Taeun got up and started getting ready to leave.

He was a fairly diligent student. He didn’t like skipping classes altogether, even if he was late. After all, how irresponsible and pathetic would it be to neglect his studies because he was sore from sex… Thinking this, Taeun dragged his heavy feet towards the bathroom.

After painstakingly washing up, he found breakfast laid out on the table. Steaming white rice, seaweed, fried eggs, kimchi stew, nicely browned ham, and ketchup in a small dish – it was quite a spread. The side dishes, arranged beautifully in dishes he didn’t even know existed, and the stew in the center looked delicious.

“Did you make all this?”

Taeun asked Jinhyun, who was cleaning up. Jinhyun turned around and said,

“Some of it. Eat before you go. You still have time, right?”

The clock showed 8:30. Class started in exactly an hour, so he had plenty of time to eat. Taeun just nodded instead of replying, his eyes unknowingly narrowing as he scanned Jinhyun.

He seemed strangely comfortable standing at the sink in just his underwear and a t-shirt, as if they hadn’t just had sex. His mouth suddenly felt dry, and he licked his lips.

I slept with him.

Not just sleeping… slept with him. So, we… were… intimate. What kind of relationship is this… intimate… relationship.

Taeun, lost in his word association game, snapped out of it at the sound of Jinhyun shaking off water. Jinhyun dried his hands at the sink and placed two sets of chopsticks on the table. Taeun quickly walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. They sat facing each other, the plentiful table between them.

“Let’s eat.”

Taeun, not forgetting his table manners, took a small pinch of fluffy rice and chewed. The piping hot rice looked freshly cooked. He’d only spent about 20 minutes in the bathroom, hardly enough time to cook new rice.

“Did you make new rice? Can it be cooked this fast?”

“I bought instant rice and put it in a bowl. Why, does it taste weird?”

His question was easily answered, and at the same time, it gave rise to another question.

“Why bother putting it in a bowl when you can just peel the lid off…”

Since it was instant rice packaged in a bowl, all he had to do was microwave it. He didn’t understand why Jinhyun had bothered to transfer it to a ceramic bowl.

“…I wanted it to look nice, but I didn’t have time. What else could I do? It has to at least look appetizing.”

If you weren’t going to class, I would have brought the packaging, Jinhyun mumbled, moving his chopsticks, his expression somewhat coy. He was speaking casually, but he seemed shy. Like a newlywed groom shyly waiting for his breakfast to be evaluated… It was both appalling and admirable.

“Did you buy the stew too?”

“…I chopped the green onions.”

His suddenly louder voice made Taeun laugh.

Taeun grinned and picked up a round slice of green onion neatly placed on top of the stew. Then, placing the meat and kimchi on top of his rice, he swallowed, and carefully scooped up a spoonful of broth. He could see the poorly concealed tension in Jinhyun’s expression as he watched Taeun eat, chopsticks poised in his hand. Taeun took a refreshing sip of water and slowly spoke.

“The green onions are the best.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, especially this… the way they’re sliced is a work of art.”

Picking up another piece of green onion, Taeun spoke seriously. It was pure nonsense, claiming that the perfect shape enhanced the crunchy texture, but the listener listened intently. Taeun’s slightly swollen lips continued to praise the insignificant piece of green onion. Judging by his chatter about its size and cross-section, he could have been a green onion major in agricultural college.

Taeun, expressing his gratitude in his own way, was as comical as ever, but Jinhyun couldn’t laugh freely.

The peace of this shared moment felt new.

He didn’t know how much he’d longed for this scene. Teasing, laughing, comforting, exchanging silly jokes, eating breakfast together – it filled him with a feeling deeper than joy.

Jinhyun, who had been silently eating, slowly placed his chopsticks on the table. He lowered his hand, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist. His limbs tingled as if the blood circulation had been cut off for a long time. His chest felt tight, filled with a warm breeze. It was similar to the awe experienced by someone encountering something for the first time.

He’d never felt this loved before. Jinhyun abruptly stood up and walked to the refrigerator.

“I’ll chop some more for you.”

“Huh…?”

“I’ll chop them even more beautifully.”

“No, it’s not necessary.”

Jinhyun, who had quickly taken out a dark green onion, stopped at the lukewarm response. He dejectedly closed the refrigerator door. But his groundless enthusiasm didn’t disappear. A desire to do something, anything, for Taeun, stirred fiercely within him.

“Anything else you want to eat?”

“R-right now?”

“I’ll go buy it right away. It won’t take long. Or should I bring it to your classroom?”

“What the hell… Hey!”

Their incomprehensible conversation was abruptly cut short. Now Taeun had to jump to his feet as well.

Had he found his calling after that one hamburger delivery? Was he thinking of making it his career? Jinhyun was rummaging through his coat, looking for his car keys. Taeun, walking towards him with slightly awkward steps, grabbed his busy arm and led him back to the table.

“Anything tastes good when I eat it with you, so just stay here.”

At the heartfelt words, Jinhyun quieted down like a kitten being held by the scruff of its neck.

“I’ll tell you if I want to eat something.”

“Okay, definitely.”

“You tell me too if you want anything.”

“Okay.”

Jinhyun picked up his chopsticks again. Taeun scooped up a mouthful of rice.

Cha Jinhyun, while appearing normal, sometimes acted like a crazy person. In the past, it was usually when he was angry, but recently, it happened intermittently for reasons even he didn’t understand. And perhaps, that was the case now.

Taeun lowered his head. He thought he was starting to understand his unpredictable timing. His dry lips couldn’t help but part in a chuckle.

🔥

The only spare clothes in the room were out of season, so Taeun had no choice but to borrow Jinhyun’s. At least he’d chosen sweatpants, so he didn’t have to roll up the cuffs. After carefully covering his tired face with a hat, he left the apartment, followed by Jinhyun like a duckling.

It took about 15 minutes to walk to the lecture hall. Jinhyun, who had no morning classes, volunteered to be his chauffeur for that short distance. Since he was quite sore, Taeun accepted his kindness.

After class, he returned home and collapsed onto the bed, finally feeling alive. Taeun savored the long-awaited peace and quiet. The thought of his part-time job in a few hours was daunting, but he was grateful for this respite.

Until now, the time before his shift hadn’t been relaxing, but an awkward void. He’d usually force himself to do assignments or lie down on a chair in the student lounge, killing time. Either way, it wasn’t as good as lying on a soft bed. The comfortable bedding felt incredibly sweet. There was truth to the saying that there’s no place like home.

“Should I close the curtains?”

Taeun, who had been lying on his back, turned on his side at the question from above. Jinhyun was sitting beside him on the narrow bed, looking down at him.

“Why the curtains?”

“Aren’t your eyes uncomfortable?”

He shielded Taeun’s face with his hand. His eyes definitely felt more comfortable with the sunlight blocked.

Taeun playfully mimicked him, holding his fingers together and extending his arm. His raised hand bumped against Jinhyun’s eyebrow. He traced Jinhyun’s eyebrow, which quirked up as if asking what he was doing, with his index finger, then lowered his hand, and a breathy chuckle escaped Jinhyun’s lips.

Until then, the atmosphere between them had been fresh and innocent. Like a couple at the start of their relationship… it suited them.

Couple, couple.

Taeun pondered the word and glanced sideways.

…Am I getting ahead of myself?

Last night, before they’d joined together, they’d had a similar conversation, and they’d agreed. He’d also secured a promise that Jinhyun would only sleep with him from now on. They’d had sex. …A lot of sex.

And people who have sex are… In Taeun’s understanding, either lovers or married couples. They weren’t married, so they must be lovers… But Taeun ended the thought with a question mark, not a period.

Are we dating?

Usually, a relationship started with a confession, “Let’s date,” and a reply, “Okay.” But had they specifically made such an agreement? Not really. To be precise, Cha Jinhyun had agreed to his demand, “Only have sex with me from now on.” Thinking this far, Taeun’s expression became serious.

What if he was just saying that? He didn’t feel distrust. The clearly changed atmosphere, the playful touches on the bed, the slightly awkward and gentle air. No matter how he looked at it, they weren’t just friends anymore. But as he carefully retraced their interactions, he found something unclear.

…Can I consider today our first day?

Taeun had a small desire to celebrate every anniversary with his lover. From that perspective, confirming their first day was a very important matter. Besides, since they’d done everything, they must be dating, but he felt it would be better to clarify their relationship rather than just assuming.

Strike while the iron is hot. He should bring it up now that he was thinking about it. Taeun sat up. Muscles he didn’t normally use ached.

“Do you think you can go to work today?”

However, it was Jinhyun who spoke first. Taeun, caught off guard, answered the question first.

“I have to. I feel a bit better after lying down for a while…”

“Should I go instead of you?”

The unexpected offer made him tilt his head.

“…You?”

“I think you should rest properly for a day. Just ask them, say you’re not feeling well and ask if your friend can go instead.”

His words flowed smoothly. He seemed determined, as if he’d finally voiced his concerns after much deliberation.

“You’ve never worked there before.”

“What can’t I do with two arms and two legs?”

“Working at a bar is really hard.”

“So, are you going to keep doing that?”

“Huh? Probably this semester…”

Taeun, mumbling reflexively, trailed off as he sensed something strange. He realized a beat too late that the topic of conversation had suddenly changed.

“You got that job because of the rent, right?”

The question followed naturally before he could even point it out. Since there was no need to hide it, Taeun nodded briefly in agreement.

“…Can’t you quit that place? I don’t really like you working at a bar…”

He paused. His calm eyes narrowed slightly, then relaxed. Jinhyun gently caressed the back of Taeun’s hand resting on the blanket and spoke.

“I don’t like you working in a place like that.”

“…”

“If you really have to work, let’s look for another place together.”

It sounded like a gentle persuasion, but in reality, it was no different from telling him to quit. Taeun was flustered by his attitude, already considering his next job even before he’d given an answer. He collected himself and answered Jinhyun’s questions one by one.

“I have less than a month left this semester anyway, so I’ll think about it… Anyway, I can go to work. It’s not that long, and I’m tough, so it’s okay.”

He felt bad about giving such short notice. If it were a simple cashier job at a convenience store or internet cafe, it would be different, but a bar was a different story. There were so many things to keep track of, from knowing where everything was to where to put things. It was really hard work. He didn’t want Cha Jinhyun to go through that trouble because of him.

“It’s really okay. It’s not like I’m sick.”

Taeun, having emphasized his point repeatedly, suddenly remembered his clothes hanging on the drying rack.

The clothes he’d hurriedly washed in the morning were still damp, and honestly, he felt uncomfortable wearing them again. He’d probably have to wear Jinhyun’s clothes to work.

“I’ll… wash these and bring them to you.”

Following his train of thought, Taeun blurted it out without thinking. As soon as he finished speaking, Jinhyun’s eyebrows shot up.

“It’ll get smelly and dirty while I’m working, so I need something to wear home, so I’ll just wear these and…”

“Wait a minute.”

The raised eyebrows then furrowed in a frown.

“What are you talking about?”

“What?”

“What are you talking about?”

Taeun, also frowning, wondered why Jinhyun was asking for clarification after he’d explained it clearly. Had he suddenly gone deaf? He repeated his explanation clearly.

“I’m saying I’ll wash these clothes and bring them to you. I can’t wear mine because they’re not dry yet.”

“Where are you going after work?”

“Work?”

“After that.”

“Home…”

“Home?”

Jinhyun needlessly nitpicked, repeating his words as if mocking him. When Taeun nodded, confirming that he’d heard correctly, Jinhyun’s distorted expression smoothed out. Then, his face darkened. He’d withdrawn his obvious displeasure, but he now seemed even angrier.

Taeun, completely baffled as to why saying he was going home after work would make Jinhyun so upset, just stared blankly at him.

“Home is here, where are you going?”

And only then, at his chilling voice, did he realize.

“Who are you going to see?”

Ah, right. He doesn’t know I moved out.

Only then did Cha Jinhyun’s strange reaction make sense. He still thought Taeun was living at someone else’s place.

Not only that, but he’d also misunderstood Kim Sunghyun’s joke and gotten angry at Taeun for no reason.

At the time, Taeun hadn’t felt the need to explain, and he couldn’t have imagined that Jinhyun was seething with jealousy. He’d thought Jinhyun was taking out his frustration on him because he was shocked that his close friend liked men. That scenario had seemed much more plausible.

After that, he’d received Jinhyun’s confession and quickly moved out. He hadn’t told Jinhyun the truth because he’d needed some time alone.

And as of yesterday, there was no longer any reason to hide his whereabouts.

How should I explain this? Taeun thought for a moment. What if he gets angry and asks why I didn’t tell him? I could just say it’s my business… But Jinhyun might retort, It’s not just your business, it’s mine too.

“Taeun.”

Jinhyun’s face, having interpreted the silence in his own way, was paling with a frown.

“We slept together here yesterday.”

“We… did.”

“We had sex.”

“Ah, I know.”

His voice was sharp, as if carving the facts into Taeun’s eardrums. The low tone made it sound even colder. This isn’t right, Taeun thought, his head starting to ache. It was his fault for picturing himself going back to his old place, since it had been a while since he moved out, and commuting had become his routine. Jinhyun, unable to bear Taeun’s silence, broke it.

“And you’re going to sleep in another guy’s bed again today?”

“Hey.”

Taeun frowned at his words, which were dangerously close to crossing the line. At the warning tone, Jinhyun bit his lip as if trying to suppress his rising anger.

“…I didn’t mean it like that. I wouldn’t, fuck, even sleeping in the same bed and just sleeping is driving me crazy.”

Despite his harsh words, his tone was remarkably calm. He looked away from Taeun’s gaze, took a short breath, and then looked back at him. His anxious eyes made Taeun feel somewhat flustered.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, but… considering my feelings… shouldn’t you move back in?”

At this point, he’d rather be scolded for lying. He’d have a lot more to say than being seen as a playboy who fucks all night and then runs off to someone else’s bed.

“…J-Jinhyun.”

“Before, no matter how shitty I felt, I just endured it because I knew I didn’t have the right.”

But Cha Jinhyun didn’t give him a chance to explain. As if he’d been waiting for this day, he began pouring out his pent-up frustration.

“I didn’t say anything, even when I had all these fucked up thoughts. I tried to keep my mouth shut and pretend I didn’t know anything, because I was afraid that crazy bastard would get upset again and say something shitty to you.”

“No, that’s.”

“I have no pride to uphold with you. I don’t want to. But I don’t want to be a pathetic idiot who can’t even keep track of his lover in front of other people.”

Lover. Taeun’s mind went blank, fixated on that word amongst the torrent of others. The brief silence that followed was a golden opportunity to speak, but his clouded mind missed it again.

“I know I might be overreacting. …But, that guy…”

Jinhyun trailed off, not wanting to repeat the words, He said you were pretty. He didn’t want to tell Taeun. He didn’t want to give him any reason to care. He finally finished his sentence.

“Hey, I don’t live there.”

This time, Taeun didn’t miss his chance and blurted out the truth. Jinhyun, who had been looking away to suppress his boiling anger, slowly turned his head.

Silence hung in the air for a moment.

“…You don’t live there?”

“No.”

His darkened face was instantly flooded with confusion. Regardless, Taeun was eager to say his piece. His lips, like a revving engine, quickly parted again.

“Jinhyun.”

“Then.”

Their voices overlapped.

The burning anger vanished, replaced by bewildered agitation in Jinhyun’s eyes. Regardless, Taeun had something he urgently wanted to confirm.

“…I have so much to say right now.”

“I want to go first.”

“Can’t you just let me go this once?”

“Hear me out first.”

Jinhyun, holding back his rising questions, reluctantly nodded. He couldn’t win against Lee Taeun when he was pleading like this.

“You know…”

“…”

“Am I getting angry because I’m your lover?”

Taeun snorted. And Jinhyun was momentarily speechless.

It was such an absurd question that he was embarrassed by his outburst. His boiling anger subsided, leaving only emptiness. He was momentarily stunned by Taeun’s words, his mind too muddled to speak. After freezing for a moment, as if he’d fainted, he began to process things.

Am I angry because I’m your lover? It was a question that didn’t even require deep thought. If he hadn’t intended to date Taeun, he wouldn’t have slept with him in the first place.

He wanted to form a mental bond with Taeun, based on their sexual relationship. Things had progressed to sex right after confessing because their conversation had drifted that way… but there was no rule saying they had to hold hands on their 50th day, kiss on their 100th day, and have sex after a year. The timing wasn’t important. The important thing was that they were progressing to a relationship where they only allowed such intimacy with each other.

That’s why, even amidst the excitement churning in his gut, he’d asked Taeun about the meaning of the promise. And their intertwined fingers had been tied like a knot, holding commitment, responsibility, obligation, and affection for each other. So, for Jinhyun, their lovemaking at dawn was a night with his lover, a sweet beginning, and complete satisfaction.

“…That’s obvious.”

Jinhyun affirmed, as if reminding Taeun, trying to ignore the small bud of anxiety blooming in his heart.

“If my lover said he was going to sleep at another man’s house, wouldn’t I be angry?”

“I don’t live there.”

Taeun retorted shortly and stopped talking, as if he had nothing more to say. He looked at Jinhyun calmly, as if telling him it was his turn to speak. His lips, pursed in a smile, looked amused, but Jinhyun’s mind was elsewhere.

“I’ll ask you about that properly later. But…”

He was planning to question Taeun about his living situation as soon as he finished speaking. But now he had one more thing to confirm, so he had to address it first.

“Did you think we weren’t?”

“Huh?”

“You asked if I was angry because I’m your lover… did you think we weren’t lovers?”

A trivial anxiety stemming from a passing remark. It was no longer Taeun’s exclusive domain. Despite their clear promise, Jinhyun couldn’t ignore the belated worry that perhaps he was the only one who thought they were dating. He had to understand the meaning behind Taeun’s question, just in case.

“No, I was a little confused… I was wondering if this is how people usually start dating? Anyway, it’s fine since we are.”

“…”

Unaware of Jinhyun’s inner turmoil, Taeun’s nonchalant response once again left him speechless.

He was so calm after stirring up his emotions. Taeun, stretching his legs and swinging his feet back and forth, looked perfectly content, while Jinhyun’s heart was stained with a dark unease.

“What were you confused about?”

Saying it was haphazard. Saying it was fine because it was true. It was a string of words Jinhyun absolutely couldn’t ignore. His innate nature and determination to not overlook anything couldn’t tolerate it.

“Uh? Just… but you said it’s fine, right? You said I’m your boyfriend.”

“Tell me what felt haphazard. Brushing it off like this is what’s truly haphazard. I don’t like it, it bothers me.”

Jinhyun pressed closer, pestering him again. Taeun’s fidgeting feet, which had been restlessly tapping, stopped, and his knees bent. Sitting facing each other, soles touching, Taeun spoke casually.

“Well, it’s not like…we specifically said ‘let’s date,’ right? We talked about something similar, but… I was wondering if it was okay to consider this dating. But you said it is, so it’s fine.”

“…….”

Then he started tapping his knees again, tap-tap-tap. He had an air of indifference as long as they were dating. His kneecaps, flapping like a puppy’s tail, revealed his simple satisfaction.

“…….”

And that excited movement abruptly became the starting point for reflection.

Now that he heard it, it made sense. Jinhyun quickly replayed yesterday in his mind. He’d judged the situation solely from his own perspective and hadn’t given clear confirmation. It would have been enough to add just one more sentence. His negligence had caused Taeun to bring it up again.

“So, you were confused?”

“Well, a little?”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t being considerate.”

Taeun, not expecting an apology, stopped his restless movements and looked somewhat surprised.

Jinhyun gently placed his hand on Taeun’s thigh and tapped his fingers on the inner side as he glanced around. It was futile. In the shared apartment of two men, especially in Lee Taeun’s room, there wasn’t anything that could set the mood.

He should have bought something while he was out for class. Maybe the mood would’ve been better if he’d at least bought a bunch of Taeun’s favorite snacks, but there wasn’t much he could do now.

“Hand.”

Jinhyun idly turned his hand over, palm facing up.

“Hand?”

“I want to hold your hand while we talk.”

Taeun placed his hand on top of Jinhyun’s. Their five fingers naturally intertwined.

Taeun waited quietly for Jinhyun to speak, wondering what he was going to say that required hand-holding, and why he hadn’t asked where he lived yet.

“Is there anything you wanted to do when you started dating me?”

“Huh?”

The new topic of conversation was more abrupt than expected. While Taeun was still processing, unable to answer, a more specific explanation followed.

“Like, something you wanted me to do for you, or something you wanted me to be mindful of, things like that.”

“Um….”

“Nothing at all?”

Taeun hesitated. He’d always had wishes, but he’d never voiced them. First times are difficult for everyone, so he struggled to choose which of his many wishes to share.

Would he listen if I told him? He thought, and regret surfaced first. He didn’t have the confidence to stop after just one.

“Can I say multiple things?”

“Yeah, all of them. Don’t leave anything out.”

At the resolute affirmation, his shameless philtrum stretched once again, his lips curling inward. Taeun composed his rising smile and began opening the dusty drawers of his heart one by one.

“What I can think of right now… is something I want you to understand.”

“Okay. What is it?”

A warm breath blew away the accumulated dust. Taeun carefully took one thing out and offered it.

“I, uh… in the future too… I think I’m going to keep asking questions and needing reassurance. I can’t help it yet.”

“Feel free to ask for reassurance anytime.”

And another.

“I’m also very suspicious, so I might bother you.”

“Like I wouldn’t do the same.”

Then one more.

“…Honestly, I pretend I don’t, but I get upset about all sorts of things. So, be prepared for that too.”

“Okay, I’ll be very prepared.”

Even if it was just to play along, he liked the agreeable tone without a single refusal. Repetition breeds trust, so opening up gradually became easier. Taeun gently leaned his head against Jinhyun’s shoulder. His solid body supported him without wavering.

“And I’m greedy.”

He felt Jinhyun’s gaze on his face, but deliberately avoided eye contact. These were things he felt too shy to talk about face-to-face.

“I want to talk on the phone at least once a day, and I want to give you a wake-up call every morning.”

“But we’re going to live together?”

“…….”

At the reasonable point, Taeun closed his mouth for a moment.

Now that there was no reason to avoid Cha Jinhyun, he would naturally return home. It would be ridiculous to make a wake-up call when his bedroom was only a few steps away. But Taeun didn’t back down.

“…I still want to do it.”

“Can you wake up earlier than me?”

“…….”

The second point was perfectly valid. Staring at their joined hands, Taeun mumbled before glancing up and glaring.

“Anyway, I’ve always wanted to do this when dating.”

“Alright, I’ll delete all my alarms.”

“…Just in case, leave one.”

However, he chose the safer route since he couldn’t be responsible for Jinhyun’s grades. A short burst of laughter erupted beside him, Jinhyun’s chest shaking slightly. Jerk, that’s funny. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Taeun ignored it and continued to list his remaining desires.

“And also the contact name in your phone….”

Jinhyun, who had been continuing his quiet laughter, abruptly stopped and focused on Taeun’s lips. He became quite tense, curious what kind of endearing nickname Taeun would want, considering he had saved Jinhyun’s number as “Dickhead.”

“I’d like it if you put a ‘G’ before my name….”

“…What?”

Jinhyun, who had been expecting some sweet nickname, couldn’t help but ask again. The sudden request was difficult to comprehend.

“Why?”

“So it appears at the top.”

“…Not a nickname, but a ‘G’?”

“Uh… do you not like it?”

“…It’s not that I don’t like it….”

He felt deflated. He’d thought Taeun, who claimed to be greedy, would ask for a cheesy nickname, or to delete all his other contacts and only keep his, or to regularly check his chats with others, or even install a location tracking app. But all he wanted was ‘GLee Taeun’.

“…I’ll think about the contact name.”

“You said you didn’t dislike it. You do dislike it.”

“This… I want to give it some thought. Anyway, you just want a ‘G’ in front, right?”

“Well, yeah, but…. Okay, next.”

Seeing him incorporate the requested change, Taeun coolly moved on. Apparently, the ‘G’ was important.

“When it’s just the two of us, I don’t like being called by my last name. And I don’t like ‘hey,’ or ‘jerk,’ either. I won’t do it either.”

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jinhyun readily agreed, mimicking Taeun’s tone.

“I want to go on a trip too.”

“Where should we go?”

“I’ll… think about that gradually.”

“Let’s choose together.”

The resonance of “together” was quite lovely. Taeun lightly nodded, rubbing his head against Jinhyun’s shoulder. In the ensuing warm silence, Jinhyun tugged on their joined hands.

“Is there anything else?”

“Hmm… I’d… like it if you only liked me…”

“That’s a given.”

“For now… this is enough.”

Where did all his so-called greed go? It was a very clear conclusion. Jinhyun didn’t push further and carefully reviewed the requests he’d received.

Receiving wake-up calls, talking on the phone once a day, changing the contact name to ‘GLee Taeun,’ calling him by his first name, going on a trip…. None of these modest wishes deserved to be called greedy. He suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. He wanted to teach him proper greed, and he wanted to fill the missing greed.

“Taeun.”

He whispered softly, filled with that desire. As if responding to the call, Jinhyun placed a brief kiss on Taeun’s upturned face.

“Let’s date, us.”

“…….”

“…I’ll treat you well.”

“…….”

“I’ll do everything for you.”

I want to do everything you mentioned, and much more, with you. Jinhyun squeezed Taeun’s hand, conveying his naked sincerity. He willingly met Taeun’s gaze, now fixed directly on him. Taeun’s eyes were shimmering with a faint moisture. It seems emotions are contagious. The mere sight of his beloved’s crumbling expression made the bridge of his nose tingle. Soon, Taeun slowly opened his mouth.

“…I’ll treat you well too.”

“…….”

“I had a lot of things I wanted to do for you too. I’ll do well too.”

His spreading voice seemed to melt both body and mind. Jinhyun released their intertwined hands and lightly embraced Taeun. He felt Taeun’s arms around his waist, tightening the connection. The tension in his muscles, supporting his body, crumbled along with his softened heart. Jinhyun, almost nestled in Taeun’s embrace, barely managed to lift his head.

“Is it too soon to say I love you?”

“…….”

“But that’s how I feel.”

“…….”

“Right now… I love you seems right.”

It was a murmur, even the speaker unsure of its exact meaning. It was merely an outpouring of a feeling he couldn’t properly explain. Therefore, it was a remarkably pure, unadorned, and foolish confession.

Taeun didn’t answer the question-not-a-question, but quietly pressed his lips against Jinhyun’s. His gently upturned lips trembled with a reluctant smile.

Their overlapping lips naturally deepened the kiss, seeking each other’s tongues. The slippery flesh intertwined like rope, fleetingly visible through the gap between their lips. Jinhyun’s eyelashes were neatly aligned as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. Taeun, watching through half-closed eyes, bit and sucked on Jinhyun’s lower lip before gently pulling his head back.

“But, do… you not have any expectations of me?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you have to tell me so I can keep them in mind.”

“I….”

Jinhyun, with a somewhat dazed expression, half-closed his eyelids as if in thought and remained silent for a moment. Soon, his long, slanted eyes curved mischievously, hinting at a subtle amusement.

“I’ll organize them and let you know later.”

At the frustrating reply, Taeun’s face, waiting patiently, slightly crumpled.

“Can’t you tell me now?”

“I want to be sure.”

“…That’s scary….”

“Tell me just one thing?”

Driven by fear and curiosity, Taeun’s head bobbed up and down. Jinhyun cupped Taeun’s cheeks in his hands. Taeun’s cheeks puffed out like a goldfish from the pressure.

“I’ll take your shift at work.”

“Wha?”

His protest was swallowed whole by Jinhyun’s descending lips.

🔥

So what happened? In the end, Cha Jinhyun went to work. Once Jinhyun started throwing a proper tantrum, there was nothing Taeun could do to stop him.

Jinhyun insisted on taking care of Taeun as if he were a ninety-year-old clinging to life by a respirator, a behavior quite burdensome for Lee Taeun, a healthy twenty-four-year-old.

Just because he wasn’t feeling great didn’t mean he was completely incapacitated. If that were the case, Taeun would have contacted the store himself. He was just a bit foggy from lack of sleep, had slight muscle aches all over as if he’d had a strenuous workout, and a certain unmentionable area was swollen and occasionally uncomfortable.

Taeun had downplayed these symptoms and asserted he was fine, but instead of relenting, Jinhyun doubled down on his insistence. And that wasn’t all.

Taeun recalled their brief squabble earlier that day. Cha Jinhyun had presented some pretty convincing arguments to persuade him, something like this:

‘There are more reasons why I should go to work instead of you than why you should go.’

‘…Seriously.’

‘Sounds like bullshit?’

‘Sounds like nonsense.’

‘Just listen.’

The guy, who should have been attending his afternoon classes, neglected his student duties and devoted himself to this pointless argument. Figuring he might as well hear him out, Taeun asked for the reasons.

‘There’s only one reason why you have to go to work. You signed an employment contract to work at a set time and get paid.’

‘…….’

It seemed a bit grandiose to describe an employee simply showing up for work, but Taeun didn’t argue.

‘And there are four reasons why I should go instead,’

‘Four?’

‘I’ve narrowed it down, too.’

He sounded as if he could have listed dozens more but had barely restrained himself. Jinhyun proceeded to enumerate the reasons without further ado.

‘One, I have a moral responsibility for your condition.’

‘You admit that much.’

‘We both slept together, but isn’t it unfair that only one of us is suffering the consequences? The scales are tipped too far. It’s only right that I endure a corresponding hardship. And if that hardship benefits you, all the better.’

‘Well… it’s not like it’s that bad….’

‘Two,’

He was now counting on his fingers.

‘It can be the starting point of a healthy relationship.’

‘Oh, really.’

‘They say relationships last longer when you give and take, and help each other out. You asked if I had any expectations of you, I answered, and now you’re giving in, and I’m helping you. It’s the start of a give-and-take relationship.’

‘I’m curious to see how far this goes.’

Taeun couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. He had relaxed into a comfortable position as if watching a sitcom.

‘Three, it prevents fights. It’s a bar, not just any place. It’s crawling with people asking for other people’s numbers. Wouldn’t it be a headache if someone hits on you and I see it and flip out?’

‘My head kind of hurts already.’

‘Four, you hate working. Don’t go.’

The last reason was a forceful assertion, devoid of any logical basis. Having folded all four fingers, Jinhyun waited for a decision, and Taeun, caught between a troubled joy, could only offer a hollow laugh. After listening to such earnest pleading, it wasn’t easy to simply ignore him.

In the end, they found a compromise: to at least ask the manager.

Surprisingly, permission was readily granted. The manager, understanding of Taeun’s illness, asked him to come in an hour early and promised to pay him his wages, expressing concern for his health.

Thus, Taeun enjoyed a leisurely afternoon for the first time in a while.

A languid afternoon free of classes and work. After seeing Jinhyun off, Taeun returned to bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep. By the time he woke from his sweet nap, night had long fallen. He remained buried in his blankets for a while, until his stomach rumbled loudly.

His growling stomach repeatedly demanded food. Yawning widely, Taeun walked to the kitchen, filled a pot with water, and turned on the stove. He planned to make some simple ramen.

After adding the seasoning to the bubbling pot, Taeun glanced towards the darkened balcony. Come to think of it, the festival must be in full swing…. The urge to rush out and embrace his youth surged, but he quickly suppressed it.

He’d promised to stay home until Jinhyun returned. It wouldn’t be right to go out and have fun while Jinhyun was working in his place. In fact, this rest was meant for his aching body, so it was his duty to rest properly. After heartily consuming two packs of ramen, Taeun washed the dishes and returned to his room.

He wouldn’t be going back to his tiny room at the goshiwon tonight. Cha Jinhyun wouldn’t be back until past midnight. By then, the last train would have already passed, so he would naturally stay for a second night. Taeun tossed and turned on his bed for a while, trying to shake off his lingering fatigue, before sluggishly getting up and sitting at his desk.

Just lying around made him restless. He’d rested enough, and he figured he might as well do something instead of idly wasting time. He opened his laptop, thinking about his almost-finished club project.

The club activities, culminating in a presentation, were now only one meeting and a rehearsal away from completion.

Taeun had applied on a whim, following a professor’s recommendation. Consequently, his sense of duty and purpose were weak, and he’d participated with the sole intention of not being a burden.

However, the near-finished product was of surprisingly high quality, igniting a passion he hadn’t known he possessed. His good team luck also contributed to his enthusiasm. Everyone, including the ever-joking Kim Sunghyun and Cha Jinhyun, who had joined solely to pester him, worked diligently and enthusiastically on the project. As they say, environment is key. Even Taeun, following suit, sometimes found himself more engrossed in the club project than his own coursework. Team 5’s project, without any particularly troublesome members, was smoothly approaching its final destination.

The actual work period was only about three weeks. The results, born from such a short timeframe, were naturally lacking compared to professional services, but they were impressive enough for a student portfolio. He had started this activity to adjust his course registration, but he was definitely gaining a lot of unexpected benefits.

So he couldn’t waste this unexpected free time. Taeun, in charge of the presentation slides and minor revisions, opened his PC messenger while waiting for the program to load. Cha Jinhyun’s name was blinking at the top. He quickly clicked on Jinhyun’s name before checking his other unread messages. Several hours’ worth of messages had piled up.

[Cha Jinhyun: Arrived at class, barely made it] 3:04 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Going straight to work after class, so I can’t stop by. Make sure to eat dinner, something filling] 3:04 PM

It seemed he’d sent the messages as soon as he’d arrived at the lecture hall. Around the time Taeun had been dozing off.

Taeun slowly scrolled down. The messages continued, timestamped by the hour.

[Cha Jinhyun: Class is over, on my way] 5:48 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: What are you doing?] 5:48 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Arrived] 5:57 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Getting trained] 6:50 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: You’re probably not curious^^] 6:50 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Is this playing hard to get?^^] 7:42 PM

“Whoa.”

A surprised sound escaped Taeun’s lips as he finished reading.

The last message had been an hour ago. He should have checked his phone as soon as he woke up instead of eating ramen. Blaming himself, he quickly typed on the keyboard.

[Sorry I just woke up and saw your messages I was sleeping I swear it’s already night time no lie] 8:31 PM

[How’s work? Is it hard? Tell me immediately if it’s hard and I’ll go] 8:31 PM

[Are you mad??? You’re not right?] 8:31 PM

[I really was sleeping I swear I wasn’t playing hard to get] 8:31 PM

He had neglected the very person who had made this leisurely nap possible. His message was naturally long-winded as he tried to justify his inconsiderate behavior.

Even though the program had loaded, Taeun couldn’t focus on his work, repeatedly glancing at the chat window. Is he mad? Even if not mad, he must be baffled. If I were him, I’d be annoyed too if someone went to work in my place and I got ignored for hours….

[Cha Jinhyun: I thought I got dumped three hours into the relationship] 8:34 PM

…is what I’d think.

As if reading his mind, a message popped up in the chat window, echoing his thoughts.

[Cha Jinhyun: Did you sleep well this time?] 8:34 PM

Taeun, who had been fidgeting with the trackpad, quickly typed a reply.

[Yeah like someone shot me with a tranquilizer dart] 8:35 PM

[I’m so sorry] 8:35 PM

[You’re working hard because of me] 8:35 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I almost filed a missing person report] 8:36 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Please be careful] 8:36 PM

[Yes I’ll be careful] 8:36 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Did you eat?] 8:36 PM

Fortunately, Jinhyun didn’t seem too angry. Taeun was relieved to see their lighthearted banter continue.

[I ate the two remaining ramen packs at home] 8:36 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Eat something proper, not ramen] 8:37 PM

[It’s fine as long as it tastes good] 8:37 PM

[Did you eat anything?] 8:37 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Yeah] 8:37 PM

[What did you eat] 8:37 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Awesome cup ramen] 8:37 PM

“Is he kidding me?”

Telepathy struck again. He was amused and bewildered by their shared underwhelming dinner choice, a chuckle escaping his lips.

He must be exhausted after working on just cup ramen. Should I prepare some late-night snacks? Can we finally eat fried chicken together? … Taeun’s lips curled into a distinct smile as he considered the options, but then…

[Cha Jinhyun: Oh right] 8:39 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I’m working tomorrow too] 8:39 PM

…his smile faltered at the next message.

[?????] 8:39 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I got the hang of things here and figured I could manage it] 8:40 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I told them I’m working tomorrow too] 8:40 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: The manager seems to like me] 8:40 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: He’s someone I can talk to] 8:41 PM

What on earth was he talking about? Taeun was speechless at the unexpected messages, his fingers halting on the keyboard. His head moved closer to the monitor, as if trying to peer inside. Even up close, the messages were the same.

[Cha Jinhyun: When I told him you had the flu and pink eye, he said you should definitely recover fully before coming back] 8:41 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: This is how much I care about you] 8:41 PM

He was bragging after turning a perfectly healthy person into a walking disaster. Stunned by this absurd overprotectiveness, Taeun could only exhale in disbelief. Another message arrived while he was still trying to process.

[Cha Jinhyun: Are you asleep again?] 8:42 PM

Snapping back to reality, Taeun took a deep breath and started typing again.

[I’m speechless] 8:42 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Was I too sweet?] 8:42 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Should I tone it down?] 8:42 PM

[If you’re twice as sweet I’ll get fired] 8:42 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: lol] 8:42 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Couldn’t ask for more] 8:42 PM

The three consonants seemed incredibly satisfied. Even though it wasn’t a voice message, he could almost hear Jinhyun chuckling.

He couldn’t backtrack now after saying all that. It seemed this week would end with unexpectedly leisurely weekdays. He couldn’t decide whether to be happy or not.

[Cha Jinhyun: Customer’s here] 8:43 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I’ll return to work now] 8:43 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Should I buy beer on my way back?] 8:43 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: We have things to talk about] 8:44 PM

[What things?] 8:44 PM

He should have known, but facing the sudden threat of unemployment, Taeun was a bit distracted and didn’t realize it.

[Cha Jinhyun: Things you don’t want to talk about] 8:44 PM

“What’s that supposed to mean….”

[Cha Jinhyun: Dark beer, canned beer, bottled beer, etc.] 8:44 PM

As if he had no time to elaborate, Jinhyun quickly changed the subject. He felt like a customer, being asked what kind of beer he wanted.

[I want dark beer] 8:44 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: Dark beer, roger] 8:44 PM

[Cha Jinhyun: I’ll contact you when I’m done. Rest up] 8:44 PM

Okay, thanks.

Taeun, about to type his reply, suddenly froze, his eyes widening. All his small movements stopped at once.

With his fingers hovering half a centimeter above the keyboard, Taeun abruptly straightened his hunched back. After frantically shaking his head, he located his phone lying on the bed. He quickly grabbed it and opened the chat window. He looked at the monitor, then at his phone screen, back and forth. The last special character remained unchanged.

[Cha Jinhyun: ♥] 8:44 PM

“Crazy…. Crazy bastard. Lunatic.”

A shy curse slipped past his lips. Taeun stared at the screen for a long time before taking a screenshot.

Thus, the first day of the fledgling couple was going quite smoothly.

The peace didn’t last a single night.

🔥

“If you don’t live there, where do you live now?”

It was right after they clinked their canned beers across the living room table. Before the fizzling sound subsided, Jinhyun brought up the ‘things to talk about’. Ah, this is it. Taeun, gulping down his beer, had a belated realization.

He looked across at the serious Jinhyun and popped an almond into his mouth. The nutty flavor, complementing the bitter dark beer, spread through his mouth. These were the simple snacks Cha Jinhyun had prepared, while next to them, the fried chicken Taeun had brought sat enticingly, emitting a delicious aroma. Taeun placed a serving of chicken on Jinhyun’s plate before filling his own, replying casually.

“Goshiwon.”

“…Goshiwon?”

“Yeah, I rented a room.”

He placed the first serving in front of Jinhyun before filling his own plate. He had bought takeout according to Cha Jinhyun’s preferences, worried he’d be hungry after work, but Jinhyun seemed indifferent to the chicken.

Was he searching for the right words, or waiting for a further explanation? Taeun had expected a barrage of questions, but Jinhyun remained silent, simply chugging his canned beer with a pensive look. He gulped it down so quickly that his Adam’s apple bobbed vigorously as if someone were choking him. Taeun swallowed a mouthful of chicken and stared at the wildly pulsating throat, thinking.