Simmering Heat Chapter 26.2

This topic was something he’d called a ‘conversation I don’t want to have’. Then why not just skip it? A simple solution briefly crossed Taeun’s mind, but he dismissed it and tried to understand Jinhyun. He figured Jinhyun just wanted to confirm something he wasn’t happy about.

Taeun roughly guessed what that might be, but he couldn’t see inside Jinhyun’s head, so fully understanding him was impossible. All Taeun could do was quickly finish this unpleasant but necessary conversation. With that in mind, Taeun chomped down a piece of chicken and spoke first.

He calmly recounted his recent activities. He had stayed at his teacher’s house for a little less than a month, then left immediately after receiving Jinhyun’s confession. He’d been planning to leave as soon as he got paid anyway. He thoroughly explained his current situation, having rented a short-term room in a shabby studio apartment on the outskirts of Seoul.

It was a clean report, mentioning only his movements and omitting unnecessary details. Jinhyun listened silently, but his face didn’t show any relief when Taeun finished speaking. He looked displeased, as if he still had something more to hear, which Taeun noticed. However, bringing up something unasked felt strange, so he had only stated the facts.

“Let’s stay here until the weekend, and then go together to get your stuff out on Sunday.”

Jinhyun, who had been lost in thought, finally spoke. He seemed to have decided on his course of action first. Taeun reflexively muttered,

“But I still have time left on my contract…”

“…So you’re saying you’re going to stay there until it’s over?”

Jinhyun immediately questioned him, having caught the small voice. No, it was closer to a thinly veiled threat. Taeun shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s a waste of money.”

“How much is it? I’ll give it to you.”

He pulled out his phone as if he were about to transfer the money right away. He was serious.

As if he was some drama protagonist… Taeun snatched the phone from Jinhyun’s hand, tossed it onto the sofa, and then shoved a piece of chicken toward Jinhyun’s pouting lips. The dissatisfied face reluctantly opened and accepted the chicken.

“No need to give me money. And you don’t have any anyway.”

At the unexpected remark, Jinhyun’s eyebrows furrowed in question.

“…Who told you I don’t have any money?”

“Seonghyun Kim said you’re broke… nevermind.”

Jinhyun’s jaw, chewing on the golden-brown chicken, stiffened. He seemed slightly flustered by the word “broke” coming from Taeun’s mouth. …Judging by his reaction, it seemed to be true that he was broke. Taeun briefly regretted saying it, but it wasn’t something he could just ignore. Two weeks of rent might have actually landed in his account.

“No, I was playing games with Seonghyun Kim earlier… he asked if you were still broke.”

“You’re still playing games with him?”

Jinhyun, who had stopped mid-chew, suddenly asked as if a seal had been broken. Taeun tilted his head slightly at this.

He had started playing the mobile game with Seonghyun Kim right after he left home. At the time, the relationship between him and Cha Jinhyun was beyond terrible, and of course, he hadn’t told Jinhyun what game he was playing or with whom. Yet, the question sounded as if Jinhyun had known all along.

‘Well… he could have seen me playing with Seonghyun Kim when they were together…’

With that thought, the budding suspicion subsided.

“Do you want to play too? It’s fun, should I send you an invite?”

Taeun was worried Cha Jinhyun might feel left out that his two friends were playing without him.

“…Sure.”

“I’m going to play a game later before bed. I’ll send you one then.”

“With Seonghyun Kim again?”

“Yeah, I win all the time these days. Let’s team up, I’ll carry you.”

The racing game Taeun enjoyed was broadly divided into item mode and speed mode. While item mode, with its numerous variables, was relatively even, it was rare to beat Seonghyun Kim in speed mode, especially since he spent money on the game. However, as with anything, practice makes perfect, and Taeun had been winning quite often lately. At Taeun’s confident attitude, Jinhyun nodded and smiled faintly. It was a relief that he didn’t seem too upset.

Taeun took a large gulp of beer and looked across at Jinhyun.

“Did you go broke because of my birthday present?”

The word “broke” he’d heard from Seonghyun Kim had been bothering him. He wanted to subtly probe, but he was still terrible at being indirect. It was a perfectly blunt question.

At the word “broke” from Taeun’s mouth, Jinhyun looked embarrassed, rubbing his forehead and avoiding eye contact. “Ugh,” he mumbled, a short curse mixed in.

“…Broke… No way. It wasn’t that much.”

“Seonghyun Kim said it was expensive.”

“It’s only expensive to that bastard. Forget it, don’t worry about it.”

Wasn’t that still saying it was expensive? Taeun knew it was rude to ask about the price of a gift, so he hadn’t looked it up. He assumed it was probably expensive, but he never thought it would be enough to make someone instantly broke. Looking at Jinhyun like a beggar who’d returned from the dead, various emotions, including guilt, settled into Taeun’s eyes.

“Seonghyun Kim’s nonsense is nothing new, is it? Why are you taking it so seriously? Just tell me how much the rent is.”

Sensing the strange look, Jinhyun repeatedly denied the “broke” title that had been attached to him. That useless bastard anyway… He inwardly cursed Seonghyun Kim thoroughly and pressed for the rent amount again.

Before, he had no reason or right to hold Taeun back, so he had to watch him go with nothing but regrets. But now, with their relationship changed, things were different. Now, Taeun was his lover, someone who should be by his side. If Taeun had to wander around because he was worried about a little bit of money, Jinhyun was now in a position to give him whatever he needed, and he would take full advantage of it. Whether he became a pauper or a beggar, it didn’t matter as long as no one found out.

“You don’t have to give me money. Let’s go together on Sunday.”

However, Taeun surrendered instead of stubbornly refusing.

“I want to be with you now.”

No matter how much he regretted the prepaid rent, it couldn’t compare to the time they would spend together.

After a long detour, they had finally arrived here. The days when he desperately wanted to be by Taeun’s side but couldn’t were finally in the past. Now, their hearts were beating together in the present, so there was no reason not to return. The talk about money was just silly banter, and he had intended to return as Jinhyun wished from the beginning.

“…Okay. Let’s be together.”

Jinhyun echoed Taeun’s words and repeated them.

“Let’s live together.”

“That sounds a bit weird.”

A tingling sensation ran down Taeun’s spine, and he chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. He held out his beer, saying, “Cheers,” and Jinhyun readily clinked their cans together.

Having finished a can of dark beer, Taeun idly shook the empty can and stood up. He went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door, and contemplated the beers inside. Should he have just one more, or should he grab a few more since it might not be enough…? Such useless worries.

Finally, Taeun returned with two 500ml cans in his hands. Jinhyun, who had been sitting with his back to the TV, was now occupying Taeun’s original spot, his face unusually serious.

What’s he doing there?

Taeun hesitated at the sudden change of seats. He tried not to show his surprise and headed towards Jinhyun’s empty seat.

His own seat had the sofa behind it so he could lean back. He must have found it uncomfortable without a backrest, Taeun thought as he was about to sit down on the floor.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, his arm was grabbed. Pulled by the force, his body tilted and he was dragged along. Lips close to his ear whined in a low, husky voice.

“Why are you going there?”

Taeun reflexively flinched. His hands involuntarily clenched. Trapped between Jinhyun’s legs like a baby kangaroo, Taeun fidgeted in bewilderment. As if to stop his movements, Jinhyun reached out from behind. He grabbed a beer can from the table, took a sip, and dropped it on the floor with a thud. Then, he naturally rested his chin on Taeun’s shoulder. Taeun, suddenly flushed, gently rubbed the cold can against his thumping chest.

…Being in a relationship takes skinship to a whole new level. Reminding himself that this kind of contact was something he needed to get used to, he forced himself to respond calmly.

“Well, since you were sitting there, I naturally thought… you wanted to switch seats.”

“Since I was sitting there, you should come here. We agreed to be together.”

“Y-yeah, I know, but just, just…”

The feeling of someone’s groin near his tailbone added to his fluster. He inched forward, but the body behind him followed closely. Giving up on escaping, Taeun opened the lid of the beer can he brought. He gulped it down to cool his burning insides, and lips briefly landed on his exposed nape. * peck* A mortifying sound echoed briefly.

He didn’t know before, but Cha Jinhyun was a kissing fiend. The constant pecking was also something he needed to get used to, so he desperately hid his embarrassment.

“Taeun.”

“Uh, yeah?”

He was halfway through his beer. Taeun answered instinctively at the sound of his name.

“Hmm…”

“……”

“…Ha.”

But after calling his name, Jinhyun only let out a deep sigh. Taeun waited for him to continue, but Jinhyun just kept sighing softly. The strange behavior repeated, a low humming sound vibrating in his throat like a phone vibrating, followed by long exhalations. The odd behavior continued, even as Taeun, quietly sipping his beer, genuinely confused, subtly checked his phone.

Why is he acting like that? Is he really broke and wants to borrow money? I’m not exactly well-off either… How much do I have in my account?

Taeun mentally tallied the funds he could mobilize as he gulped down his beer like water. One can was quickly emptied, though he’d just grabbed it. Taeun carefully put down the empty can and picked up the remaining one, trying to minimize the noise.

The position, trapped in Jinhyun’s embrace, heightened his tension, making his every move cautious. Every time Jinhyun’s breath brushed against his skin, his lower body twitched. Sitting with their bodies pressed together, only drinking in the quiet, he couldn’t help but feel strangely aroused, no matter how hard he tried not to.

…Is he trying to set the mood? It was possible, breathing down his neck like a pervert. Taeun wriggled his hips, attempting a slow escape. He couldn’t do it again so soon… he could really… become crippled.

Just as his upper body began to gradually separate, strong arms wrapped around him from behind, completely binding him.

“Asking this kind of thing… I know it makes me look pathetic.”

There was no time to be surprised. Finally, actual words reached his ears.

“Honestly, I don’t want to do this either.”

“……”

“I don’t want to seem like a loser to you.”

The introduction was as long as the time he’d spent agonizing over it. As he’d said, the questions to come would be quite pathetic. Because of this, Taeun felt like he knew what Jinhyun was going to say even before he heard it.

“You and that teacher… nothing happened, right?”

He expected it, but it was really this.

“Seonghyun Kim said you had someone you were seeing.”

As if feeling guilty, Jinhyun started explaining the basis of his suspicion before Taeun could even open his mouth.

“Ah, about that…”

“No matter how much I think about it, only one person comes to mind.”

Taeun couldn’t understand how the words ‘someone you’re seeing’ could lead to the academy teacher, but since the ‘someone’ Seonghyun Kim mentioned was indeed Seo Jaeoh, it was difficult to outright deny it. However, admitting that they were seeing each other was even more absurd. To begin with, ‘seeing someone’ was a term appropriate for a relationship where both parties share a subtle mutual attraction. However, Taeun had never felt anything beyond friendliness towards Seo Jaeoh.

“The person Seonghyun Kim was talking about… is him, but…”

“……”

“He just jumped to conclusions. I ran into him with Seonghyun Kim near school a while ago…”

So, Taeun explained the situation once again.

He’d only mentioned some things that bothered him a bit, without revealing names. Seonghyun Kim had arbitrarily concluded that it was something more. The silence behind him was unsettling, but he ignored it and finished his explanation. A short silence followed, and then Jinhyun spoke.

“That bastard does tend to overreact.”

“That’s what I’m saying. He’s always playing weird pranks and stuff…”

“But he doesn’t make things up.”

Just a moment ago, he had criticized him, saying, “Seonghyun Kim’s nonsense is nothing new,” but now he was saying he doesn’t make things up. Taeun barely suppressed the urge to retort, “So you really are broke.”

“And you’re not the type to be bothered by just anything.”

“……”

“There must have been something for you to confide in Seonghyun Kim.”

At the extremely reasonable deduction, Taeun felt a bit flustered. Even Lee Taeun himself knew he was insensitive in these matters. He wasn’t particularly interested in others’ attraction towards him, and unless someone confessed directly, he didn’t even entertain unnecessary assumptions. Therefore, he couldn’t refute Cha Jinhyun’s valid argument.

“Just… what do I call it, he… to me…”

However, it felt incredibly awkward to talk about someone being interested in him. In any case, he had to clear up the misunderstanding, so Taeun continued his explanation with an uncomfortable feeling.

“He…? Seemed…? A little…? Interested?”

“…Are you asking me?”

Feeling embarrassed, his voice rose at the end of each word. Jinhyun pointed this out in an exasperated tone. It was as if he was warning, ‘Are you messing with me right now?’ Taeun quickly shook his head to deny it.

“Anyway, I might have been mistaken, so I just checked to see if other people saw it that way too. It wasn’t like… seeing each other or anything.”

“So… you’re saying you confided in Seonghyun Kim about something that happened with that teacher, and Seonghyun Kim just assumed it was something more.”

“Right, that’s what I’m saying. We weren’t seeing each other…”

“What exactly did you do to make it seem like you were seeing each other?”

He thought the misunderstanding was finally clearing up, but it wasn’t at all. Jinhyun’s voice, which had been relatively calm, rose louder than before. He felt suffocated by the unnecessary back-and-forth.

There wasn’t anything significant enough to warrant getting angry and asking ‘what exactly did you do’. Taeun struggled to recall what he’d babbled to Seonghyun. It had been a while, so he couldn’t even remember clearly.

Just, squeezing toothpaste onto his toothbrush, pouring him a glass of water, covering him with a blanket when he slept… The accumulation of small gestures had started to feel excessive at some point. And telling him about it now would only lead to a fight. Instead of listing what happened, he shut his mouth and moved to sit beside Jinhyun, escaping his embrace. He felt suffocated because he couldn’t see Jinhyun’s face while being hugged from behind. Glancing over, he saw that Jinhyun’s expression was much more grim than he expected.

“…But it’s all in the past anyway, and we talked it out.”

He meant it as a ‘so lighten up’ gesture, but it had the opposite effect.

“What did you talk about?”

“We decided to just be friends.”

“Ha.”

A sneer devoid of any positive emotion escaped Jinhyun’s lips. The corner of his lips, curled up on one side, was strangely stiff.

“…Wow, you even got a confession?”

“No, it wasn’t really a confession…”

“Impressive.”

“Ah, just listen to me.”

“What should I listen to? How much that guy likes you?”

“He never said anything like that.”

“But he’s interested in you, that much is true.”

Suddenly, at Jinhyun’s outburst, Taeun felt a surge of annoyance. He didn’t understand why he was getting angry after asking, and he didn’t like how the conversation was turning into an argument. It was a trivial matter that had passed without issue. His tone sharpened with the sudden irritation.

“I said we talked it out, so why are you harping on it? So what, should I cut ties with him?”

“Oh, so you weren’t planning to?”

Jinhyun retorted as if he’d heard something preposterous. His eyes, briefly darting elsewhere before returning, were cold and eerie.

“To begin with, it wasn’t even like a ‘I like you’ confession. He seemed concerned about me, so I just told him there was no need. Wouldn’t it be weirder to suddenly say let’s cut ties?”

“Yeah, it would be weird. You’re good at using your head annoyingly.”

“…Are you going to keep acting like this?”

“I don’t understand. Wasn’t it your opinion that you can’t be friends with someone you have feelings for?”

“……”

It was. He still felt the same way. He knew, painfully well, that the moment romantic feelings surfaced, the relationship would begin to change, sooner or later, and could never go back to the way it was before. But with their positions reversed, it was hard to agree readily. In the end, it was just his opinion, and the choice was someone else’s. Hadn’t they clashed countless times because they couldn’t understand each other’s choices? Taeun, who had briefly fallen silent, spoke up again.

“…That’s when it’s too much to handle.”

And above all, the example was wrong. There wasn’t anything significant enough to warrant this argument.

“There’s nothing to seriously discuss like that. And I need some justification to cut ties with someone anyway.”

“……”

Whether he couldn’t find anything to retort with, or lost his will to sneer at the lack of justification, Jinhyun finally shut his annoying mouth. Then, silently, he picked up a beer can and poured the alcohol down his throat with loud gulps. He looked like a sulking child putting on a pointless display of defiance.

As if I’m the only one annoyed. Taeun also grabbed his can and responded in kind. He drained the remaining liquid and wiped his wet lips with the back of his hand. The carbonation from the beer he’d chugged down seemed to bubble in his stomach, and he let out a frustrated breath. Taeun stared intently at Jinhyun, who was stubbornly holding onto his beer can in silent protest.

Soon, his mouth opened on its own. A complaint laced with the scent of alcohol popped out reflexively.

“What the fuck… I would be less upset if I’d actually slept with him.”

“…What?”

In that instant, Jinhyun’s head, which had been deliberately facing forward, swiveled to the side. His upper body, leaning against the sofa, straightened as if struck by lightning. Taeun stared blankly at the startled Jinhyun, as if to say ‘so what?’.

“I’m right. Why are you getting mad? It’s ridiculous when I think about it. We weren’t even anything back then… if anything, I was the one who got dumped.”

“……”

Thinking about it, it was absurd. No, it even felt like hypocrisy. There was no need to explain himself in the first place.

“Honestly, you wouldn’t have any right to say anything even if I had been with someone.”

Taeun blurted out, the sharp words tightly sealing Jinhyun’s plump lips. It was an undeniably reasonable rebuke.

He brought the can in his hand to his mouth again, but only drops of beer tantalizingly wet his tongue. Crumpling the empty can, he placed it on the table and snatched the beer from Jinhyun’s frozen hand. He drank what little was left and vigorously chewed down a piece of chicken, stabbing it with his chopsticks. A glance showed Jinhyun’s expression was as mangled as the shredded chicken. The frustration that had covered his face disappeared, replaced by a confused remorse that hovered around him. He seemed quite flustered.

…Did I go too far? Seeing his troubled face made him feel a little bad.

“…I know, I’m nitpicking.”

Jinhyun, who’d been silent for a while, only breathing heavily, mumbled in an insecure voice.

“I know… but I still hate it, what can I do?”

The completely softened tone was pathetically sullen. It wasn’t a frivolous complaint. It was like a question seeking an answer, lost in the face of his feelings. He seemed to feel an unavoidable frustration at not being able to rewind the past.

Having experienced all kinds of jealousy during his long unrequited love, Taeun had, unintentionally, built up years of solid experience. If Jinhyun asked him ‘what can I do?’, there was only one answer. ‘Just deal with it.’ He was hesitating whether to say it out loud.

“Hug me.”

“What?”

Like a scolded child seeking comfort from a parent, Jinhyun suddenly asked for a hug. Taeun stared blankly, wondering if he was serious, and Jinhyun extended his arms as if urging him to hurry up and hug him. Staring blankly at this, Taeun put down one of his chopsticks and reluctantly leaned forward. As he lightly embraced Jinhyun and wrapped his arms around his back, a strong force pulled him closer until their upper bodies were pressed flush against each other. Jinhyun tightened his grip and buried his face in Taeun’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry for getting angry. I don’t want to, but it’s hard.”

“Uh… no, it’s…”

Taeun awkwardly moved the hand he’d placed on Jinhyun’s back. Then, turning his head slightly, he lowered his gaze and gently stroked the head resting on his shoulder. It felt a bit… strange, but it was his way of signaling that it was okay. Jinhyun’s voice, muffled by his t-shirt, mumbled a question.

“Did you hold hands?”

The content was still lingering jealousy, but the deflated voice was cuter than before.

“No, we didn’t.”

“…It seemed like you shared a bed.”

“That’s because there was only one bed in the house.”

“Did he touch you?”

“If you live together… there might be some touching.”

“…I really want to die.”

The straightforward reaction to his teasingly mischievous reply was amusing. He chuckled lightly, and Jinhyun slightly turned his head to meet his eyes.

“Sleep with me tonight, in my bed.”

“Okay.”

“Holding hands.”

“Yeah.”

“Hugging like this.”

Taeun ended up laughing again. It felt like he’d suddenly started parenting, not dating. It was strange and endearing to see him, someone Taeun always considered more mature, act spoiled without shame.

When he readily agreed, Jinhyun said something absurd about liking it, which made Taeun momentarily suspect he was drunk, but it was a heartwarming ending nonetheless.

Except that until right before they fell asleep side-by-side in bed, he was bombarded with absurd questions.

“That bed wasn’t a single, right?”

“It was a queen, happy now?”

“Your shoulders must have touched.”

“They might have touched while we were sleeping.”

“Which shoulder touched how.”

“…Ha…”

In the dark hours of dawn, a long, exhausted sigh, as if suffering from an illness, spread from beside him.

🔥

Despite the barrage of cute complaints, the short incident on day one of their relationship seemed to pass without further issue. Of course, for a few days afterward, during meals or while relaxing, in the occasional silence that fell…

‘What did you two talk about?’

…or…

‘…What’s that teacher’s salary?’

Or even…

‘…Who do you like best?’

…such questions would suddenly pop up, tormenting Taeun, but they never escalated into an argument like that day.

That was because, except for the last question, Jinhyun would change his mind before Taeun could even open his mouth, saying, “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear it.” So, most things ended with his own agonizing monologue. Afterward, he would always go to his room and pound on his laptop as if taking out his frustration on it, which Taeun assumed was his way of relieving stress.

Why was he so melodramatic, as if he was the only one in a relationship? To Taeun, who’d witnessed Jinhyun in a relationship before, his anguish felt like nothing more than cute whining. Still, it was quite amusing to watch him struggle, so he was waiting for him to get over it himself.

Other than that, everything was peaceful. They spent their days together, carefully selecting and setting the foundation for a harmonious relationship. For example, there were two main things.

First, they moved back in together. Saying it like this made it sound like a big deal, but in reality, it was just a runaway youth returning home after wandering around outside. The snoring from the next room that sounded like a pig being slaughtered, the shared shower room that looked like it would collapse any minute, the locker-like closet, the wallpaper with mold blooming in every corner… On the day he stepped into the house with his luggage, Taeun had to momentarily suppress his emotion at having escaped all that.

Second, they made travel plans. ‘Traveling together’ was one of the things Taeun had suggested that actually made it onto the checklist. The end of the semester was just around the corner, and the season was perfect for traveling. They had roughly decided on the dates and were looking at destinations, but the excitement was enough to make his heart flutter.

In addition to these, they enjoyed each and every day, discussing and coordinating various desires (for instance, Cha Jinhyun was currently advocating for merging their beds).

Since starting his whirlwind romance at eighteen, had there ever been a time when his heart felt this full? Taeun often reflected on the past. There hadn’t been. His impoverished heart had only allowed for fleeting joys, so this feeling of complete contentment was a first. Everything was smooth and easy, a state of utmost peace. A veritable spring breeze blew through his heart, which had achieved its first era of peace and prosperity in years.

It was the first weekend after two weeks of dating Cha Jinhyun, and a little over a week since he’d returned home.

As the end of the semester approached, the university club activities were naturally coming to a close. The final presentation date, where they showcased their work, had been set a bit early in consideration of final exams, and that day was today. Early June, now more than a month into the new semester, was extremely humid with the increasingly hot sun.

The seminar hall, where the presentations were being prepared, buzzed with noise. People gathered in small groups, busy finalizing their booths. Some already had portable fans hanging around their necks, a clear indication of how much the temperature had risen in just two weeks.

That looks nice… Taeun watched the vigorously spinning fan as he walked. He soon spotted a familiar head towering above the crowd and immediately changed direction.

The one in charge of the presentation was holding a thick stack of papers, seemingly checking the script. Taeun quietly approached him from behind, muffling his footsteps. Stopping a step away, he shouted “Boo!” and grabbed his shoulders. However, the body that should have jumped in surprise didn’t budge.

“…You’re here?”

Jinhyun glanced back, replied indifferently, and then returned his gaze to the script.

Deflated by the bland reaction, Taeun pouted and stood beside him. He handed Jinhyun the iced coffee from the carrier, and Jinhyun took it without looking and sipped through the straw, which Taeun found quite annoying.

He wasn’t the type to overreact, but even considering that, it was a very dry reaction. Especially considering how he’d been asking almost every day how much he liked Taeun, who he liked best, and what he liked about him.

“Are you still mad?”

So, there was a reason for his behavior. Cha Jinhyun, who had been quiet for a while, was sulking again.

“I’m not mad.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

He denied it, but it was pointless; his feelings were transparent. His expression clearly showed his sullen mood.

“Then erase it.”

He wasn’t even trying to hide it. Jinhyun admitted it after just a few words. His already plump lips, now pouting with displeasure, looked even more protruding. His eyes were still glued to the printed document. Taeun, suppressing the urge to pinch and shake those lips, took out his own coffee from the carrier.

The reason for his sullenness was nothing special. He’d been like this ever since he saw Taeun greeting Seo Jaeoh, who was visiting as a guest.

Normally, Taeun would have grumbled about how petty Jinhyun was, but… he couldn’t be too harsh this time because he himself wasn’t entirely blameless.

Standing next to Jinhyun, Taeun nudged his foot with the toe of his shoe.

“How do I erase it?”

“……”

“What should I do? I’ll do anything.”

“…Don’t say things like that so easily.”

He’d tried to appease him, but Jinhyun told him not to say things like that so easily. Taeun lightly tugged on Jinhyun’s short sleeve, which he was wearing to match the other team members for the presentation, and finally got him to make eye contact. He circled his exposed forearm with his index finger, signaling him to speak up. He even winked slightly, and the stiff line of Jinhyun’s mouth softened involuntarily, curving into a reluctant smile. Jinhyun lowered the document he was holding, slowly rolled his eyes as if in thought, and then said,

“Stand next to me during the presentation.”

“Okay.”

“And kiss me.”

“……”

“Then that scene will be erased from my head.”

“Hmm…”

Taeun cleared his throat awkwardly and sipped his iced coffee. The ice clinked against the plastic.

‘That scene.’ 

It was a minor incident born from Taeun’s carelessness. It went back about 30 minutes.

He was in the middle of discussing the final checks with other team members before the presentation. Everyone was busy, especially Cha Jinhyun, who was in charge of the presentation, checking scripts and running tests. Taeun, who had been sitting, suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom and stood up. He had already submitted the PPT on a USB drive, and his role in the presentation was simply to ‘stand there and look good,’ so there was no problem with him stepping away for a moment. Taeun headed to the restroom outside the hall.

A while later, after relieving himself, he was shaking the water off his hands as he walked back to the seminar hall.

‘Lee Taeun, aren’t you going to say hello?’

‘Oh!’

He ran right into Seo Jaeoh, who was just entering the building. He seemed to be attending as a guest for the final presentation day. Taeun roughly dried his hands on his clothes and bowed quickly. A short chuckle came from Seo Jaeoh.

“Are you ready?”

“I think… so? I’m totally freeloading.”

“You’ve been working hard too.”

“…You recognize my efforts, hyungnim.”

They hadn’t really contacted each other since Taeun moved out. So, he’d worried they might be awkward if they met. Contrary to his concerns, there was no awkwardness at all. Their conversation flowed naturally, casual as it had been when Taeun attended the academy.

“Oh, right. I’m wearing what you gave me today.”

“Yes?”

“The Teacher’s Day gift.”

“Ah, is it okay?”

“I like it. Want to smell it?”

Seo Jaeoh slightly lifted his wrist as he spoke. Taeun hesitated for a moment before leaning in.

Teacher’s Day fell right after his birthday, which was also the day he left for the studio apartment. Taeun, indebted to Seo Jaeoh, couldn’t ignore Teacher’s Day. A month ago, after much deliberation, he’d chosen a seemingly appropriate cologne as a gift. Honestly, he was curious, and it felt rude to ignore the offered wrist, so he brought his nose close.

“Oh, wow. It smells good…”

“…What are you doing?”

Of all times, Cha Jinhyun, who had come looking for him, witnessed that exact moment.

The moment Taeun turned towards the voice and saw Jinhyun’s dumbfounded face, he knew he’d messed up. Jinhyun’s expression, as he ran a hand through his hair and turned away with a cold look, was ominous. Taeun hurriedly excused himself and chased after him. This was why he couldn’t scold Cha Jinhyun this time.

He knew Jinhyun was being particularly sensitive, yet he hadn’t been mindful of it. He tagged along behind him, explaining the situation, and even bought him coffee since Jinhyun remained sulky. However, what actually worked was the cheesy wink attack.

Jinhyun, seemingly appeased, lightly fanned Taeun with the script he was holding.

“…You don’t mean a kiss during the presentation, do you?”

Although it was unlikely anyone would hear them over the surrounding noise, Taeun lowered his voice cautiously. Strands of his bangs fluttered in the gentle breeze created by the fanning script. Jinhyun continued fanning without pausing and replied sullenly.

“Can’t I?”

“Are you serious?”

“I feel like sucking on your nostrils right now.”

“Crazy…”

Taeun’s face involuntarily contorted at the incredibly dirty remark. As Jinhyun moved his face closer, as if he was actually going to stick his tongue in, Taeun quickly stepped back.

“You’re not mad anymore, right?”

“I don’t know, I haven’t gotten a kiss.”

Playfulness was already evident in his face as he pretended to be upset. Taeun chuckled and grumbled.

“We’re going to… see each other anyway, so why do you care so much?”

“A man’s heart is fragile.”

“I’m a man too.”

“I know, I confirmed it last night.”

Saying so, Jinhyun’s eyes slid downwards.

A blatant, suggestive gaze landed on Taeun’s groin. His ears flushed instantly at the teasing reminder of last night.

They hadn’t gone all the way since the first time they slept together.

This was thanks to the vivid memory of the excruciating pain seared into Taeun’s mind. It wasn’t that he disliked it, but accommodating that monstrous cock required steely resolve. However, two virile young men living under the same roof couldn’t remain completely innocent. A sensual atmosphere descended upon them at the most unexpected times. Using the excuse of needing to prepare himself mentally, Taeun had repeatedly postponed going all the way, but they freely engaged in other forms of intimacy. Taeun was still embarrassed by Jinhyun’s constant attempts to put his dick in Taeun’s mouth.

But hearing such things in broad daylight, in a public place no less, made him blush uncontrollably. Taeun futilely tried to cover himself with the coffee he was holding.

“Are you crazy?”

“What did I do?”

“Damn it, stop looking.”

“I have eyes, how can I not look?”

His teasing manner clearly indicated he was no longer upset. Taeun placed his fist under Jinhyun’s chin and lifted his bowed head back to its original position.

“Anyway… Think only good thoughts. Don’t get upset over nothing.”

Taeun changed the subject, thinking of their upcoming trip.

Both of them would be finished with classes next week, and the weekend after that, their long-awaited trip was waiting. They’d gone on group trips many times, but this was their first time traveling alone together. As a couple, no less. The anticipation was naturally high. Jinhyun tilted his head questioningly at Taeun’s lips, which curled up as if savoring the thought.

“Good thoughts… what good thoughts, Lee Taeun?”

“…Ah, you bastard.”

At the playful tease, Taeun’s face finally broke into a wide grin.

“We agreed to use names, but you’re calling me a bastard? That’s too much.”

“This is a bastard of joy, so let it slide just this once.”

And Jinhyun ended up laughing along with Taeun.

Seeing him grin so widely as he made such requests, his blatant disregard for their agreed-upon rules wasn’t annoying at all. Taeun then grinned, revealing his own amusement, and said,

“We’re going on a trip.”

Taeun left it at that, instead inwardly reiterating the resolution he’d made.

He couldn’t confess it now… but he thought they might be able to fully unite again on their trip. He would find courage, fueled by the strange atmosphere of a new place. No, even if he couldn’t, he’d make it happen. He was determined to do everything a couple should do.

“Cha Jinhyun! They said to get ready!”

They were giggling like giddy fools when Seonghyun’s call from afar brought their unrestrained facial muscles back under control. Grabbing the script covered in messy notes, Jinhyun put his arm around Taeun’s shoulders.

“I’m looking forward to the trip.”

“Me too.”

Their steps side-by-side were as light as if walking on air.