Formless Chapter 19

Then Gangwoo’s lips moved gradually downward, and because of the aroused Gangwoo, they had sex first thing in the morning. Although it was difficult because his legs lacked strength when showering, it was fortunate that what he had worried about hadn’t happened.

‘Even if I get angry, I’ll only beat sunbae.’

Heewoon recalled those words again. The expression Seo Gangwoo wore when he said those words, his tone of voice. Those things came to mind one after another.

He seemed to be contemplating, as if he hadn’t originally intended to say such a thing, and his expression and tone were very affectionate.

It seemed he could worry a little less about his mother. There was nothing to gain from not trusting Seo Gangwoo’s words.

Heewoon put on his clothes and underwear, which looked as fluffy as new as if they had been washed, and went down to the first floor. The breakfast menu was bone broth. The milky broth contained plenty of meat.

The soup was easy to eat, so he finished it all without leaving anything. As he was drinking water to cleanse his mouth, he felt a gaze on him.

“…Why?”

Gangwoo glanced at the empty bowl and shook his head.

“What do you usually do at this time?”

“Assignments or preparing for tutoring…”

Seo Gangwoo seemed to be in a very good mood this morning. Considering what he said earlier, and even now, he told Heewoon to use the study, saying he should do it if he wanted, and also prepared snacks for him.

It was a relief that he had his tutoring materials since he came right after tutoring ended yesterday. Heewoon opened the workbook and glanced at the small tray. Coffee and macarons were neatly placed on the tray.

Just a few days ago, someone was beaten nearly to death here. Even looking around, he couldn’t find any trace of it.

Heewoon stared intently at the plump macarons. Seo Gangwoo seemed to think he liked macarons very much.

He once said that he wasn’t trying to torment him. That might be true. Because people who torment others don’t realize they are doing it.

Then, what did Seo Gangwoo think he was doing with him?

🧸

It was Thursday, October 31st. In the past few days, Seo Gangwoo hadn’t hit Heewoon even once. He had only treated him kindly.

That made it even scarier.

“Is today really your last day of class?”

Gangwoo asked Heewoon, who was standing with his bag on. Heewoon still hadn’t told anyone he was quitting tutoring. This was because an inexplicable fear kept growing, along with a strange premonition that he would sink into a swamp.

“Yes.”

Heewoon replied. His heart was pounding like crazy.

Gangwoo, who had been staring intently at Heewoon, tilted his head slightly.

“Understood. Then should we go to Incheon tomorrow and eat grilled clams?”

He had class tomorrow night as well. It would be tight to go all the way to Incheon and back.

“…Th-that, I’m not really a fan of clams…”

“You ate them last time.”

Heewoon’s lips parted, speechless. He had eaten various foods with Seo Gangwoo recently, and clams were one of them.

“Well. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Heewoon sighed with relief inwardly.

“They say there’s a place that grills shrimp and pork belly together.”

“Yes.”

In Incheon.

Heewoon’s complexion turned pale at Gangwoo’s added words. Gangwoo, who had been staring intently at him, spread his arms. Heewoon walked toward Gangwoo, who was sitting on the bed. Gangwoo hugged his waist and lightly patted his butt.

Gangwoo treating him affectionately evoked two emotions in Heewoon. It made him occasionally mistake the situation, as if the two were on equal footing, and it made him afraid at the thought that Gangwoo could become cruel at any moment.

The result was his current state. If Seo Gangwoo had been even slightly more terrifying in the past few days, Heewoon would have quit tutoring immediately. Then he wouldn’t be this anxious now.

“Aren’t you leaving? Is it okay to be late for your last class?”

“Ah, no…”

Heewoon mumbled and turned to leave. Gangwoo rested his chin in his hand, looking at the drooping shoulders.

🧸

The next day, Friday. Heewoon was tense all day long. Seo Gangwoo had no class today, and they couldn’t have lunch together for some reason. He said he would pick up Heewoon in the evening.

As he sat down for his last lecture, he felt desperately anxious. Heewoon hastily took out the passport he had kept in his bag.

Should I bring it up while we’re driving? He won’t be able to hit me while driving.

While he was thinking that, the teaching assistant entered the classroom. She wrote words on the blackboard.

‘Class Canceled’

“Today’s class is canceled.”

The classroom became noisy with a few disappointed students and the majority of excited students. Amidst the commotion, Heewoon stared blankly at the blackboard. He was holding the passport in his hand.

It was only 1 PM. Seo Gangwoo would pick him up at 5 PM. Although he had 4 hours left, it was obvious that his anxiety would prevent him from focusing on his assignments. Even the comfort he used to feel holding the passport no longer worked, as if its effect had worn off.

Suddenly, the airport came to mind.

He felt like he might gain some courage if he went to the airport.

Heewoon carefully put the passport back in his bag, packed his belongings, and got up. The airport bus was too expensive, so he took the airport railroad. He sat blankly without doing anything during the over one hour of travel.

Heewoon hesitantly entered the airport and encountered countless people. Since this was his first time at Incheon International Airport, he couldn’t tell if there were always this many people, or if it was busy because it was Friday. Heewoon walked, avoiding the suitcases people were pulling, and looked for a place to sit. There was an empty seat in the middle of the people.

He sat on the chair and continued to observe the people.

The faces of the groups of people pulling suitcases were full of excitement. He watched a group of people for a long time, laughing, talking, and taking pictures together. The sound of their cheerful laughter wandered frantically across the high ceiling.

There were also people traveling alone. A man pulling a suitcase with one hand and holding a passport in the other walked toward Heewoon head-on. The sound of his footsteps rubbing against the shiny floor and the sound of the suitcase wheels rolling were the same as those made by the people He had observed earlier. But he wasn’t smiling.

Although it was natural that he wasn’t smiling since he was alone, Heewoon thought he wasn’t going on a trip. Heewoon’s hand, holding the passport, tightened its grip. The stiff material curved into a roll. That person probably wasn’t traveling but here to…

Just then, his cell phone in his pocket vibrated. Heewoon, who had been staring blankly at the person pulling the suitcase, flinched and pulled out his phone. The caller was his mother.

“Yes, Mom.”

—Where are you?

“Uh… I’m just out. Why?”

Heewoon spoke vaguely.

—The roof leak repair, we decided to do it in phases, right? They said they want the money by the end of this week.

“How much is it?”

—Only 100,000 won is needed. Do you have any money left, Heewoon?

“Ah…”

How much is left in my bank account. What was certain was that it wasn’t 100,000 won. Heewoon quickly dismissed the card in his wallet that came to mind and said,

“Mom, I’ll send that when I receive my tutoring payment.”

—On the 5th? They said it needs to be done quickly before it rains…

“I have one payment coming in on the 1st. I’ll send it tomorrow.”

—Yes, understood. I’ll send you the account number, so transfer it right away tomorrow. Take care, son.

“Yes.”

The call ended. Heewoon looked down at his phone screen.

‘Mom’

His gaze, which had been fixed on the words, shifted to the green passport on his thigh. Heewoon took the passport back into his hand and fiddled with it. The man had just passed Heewoon. The sound of the suitcase wheels rolling faded away.

He started observing people blankly again.

Time flew by faster than expected. It was already 3:30 PM. Since he arrived around 2:30 PM, an hour had already passed. To get back to school by 5 PM, it would be best to leave now to avoid being late. However, his butt was stuck to the chair, not coming off, and he decided to stay for just 10 more minutes.

Someone stood in front of Heewoon.

Heewoon glanced to the side. Thinking someone was about to sit in the empty seat next to him—which had been empty for who knows how long—he moved the backpack on the floor closer to himself.

But the shiny shoes didn’t move and remained fixed in that spot.

Heewoon slowly lifted his head.

“Uh, uh?”

His eyes widened in surprise. The person he was supposed to meet at school at 5 PM was standing in front of him.

Seo Gangwoo, dressed in a formal suit, had his hair neatly slicked back. He looked exactly like a young businessman, not a student.

“How did you get here?”

The eyes beneath the dark eyebrows slowly scanned Heewoon. Heewoon, who had his eyes wide open, swallowed dryly. Gangwoo seemed similar to usual, but an overwhelming presence was felt.

Gangwoo, whose gaze was fixed on the passport, asked in a low voice,

“Going somewhere?”

“No. Just…”

Heewoon stammered in confusion. If he said he came because he was anxious, others wouldn’t understand.

“You just came. All the way to the airport.”

The mumbling voice was chillingly low. Heewoon, crushed by Gangwoo’s pressure, could only nod his head without saying anything. Gangwoo twisted his lips and grabbed Heewoon’s wrist, pulling him up.

“Augh.”

The grip strength was too strong, and Heewoon let out a groan. However, Gangwoo walked on without acknowledging it. He only let go of his wrist when they reached the car. Heewoon, who got into the passenger seat, rubbed his throbbing wrist and glanced at Gangwoo.

Haa—.

Gangwoo, who had been looking straight ahead, sighed and buckled his seatbelt. The well-fitting suit faintly revealed the contours of his muscles whenever he moved.

“The belt.”

Heewoon, who had been staring blankly at Gangwoo, was startled by the low, drawn-out voice and put on his seatbelt. The car started. Heewoon felt the anxiety that had subsided slightly growing steadily.

Why is Seo Gangwoo so angry.

Did he find out that I didn’t quit tutoring?

“Gangwoo. Where are we going now?”

Heewoon asked cautiously. Gangwoo kept his mouth shut and only drove, looking straight ahead, giving no answer. Heewoon recalled that Gangwoo was also wearing a suit on the day he witnessed the murder. His face instantly turned pale.

“Look…”

“Shut your mouth.”

The sharp voice cut off Heewoon’s words. Heewoon, scared, racked his brain. Since he saw him at the airport earlier, Seo Gangwoo had been expressionless. Usually, when they meet, he smiles and speaks affectionately, but he wasn’t doing that now.

His gaze toward the passport and the question he asked. Heewoon cautiously opened his mouth.

“W-we were supposed to meet at 5 PM. How did you get here?”