Formless Chapter 60

It was too distinct to miss, standing alone. Amidst his classmates chattering with excitement, Seo Gangwoo wore an indifferent expression.

Heewoon did not approach further, stopping where he was to watch Gangwoo. The graduation gown that reached the calves of the man standing right beside him fluttered around Gangwoo’s knees. Large hands holding the academic cap and diploma at once, the blue sky, the sunlight shattering above his head, and his face dappled with leaf shadows.

Just then, Seo Gangwoo raised his head and looked around. Though he did not know why, Heewoon hid himself behind the tree. He then watched Gangwoo move somewhere while looking at his cellphone. Gangwoo’s classmates let out sounds of regret.

“He looks handsome today, too.”

A voice of admiration was heard. It was something said by someone who had been standing with Gangwoo. Only then did Heewoon realize he was following Gangwoo.

“…”

Heewoon stopped.

“I heard Seo Gangwoo has a girlfriend?”

“Yeah. Minhee said she heard Seo Gangwoo on the phone before. She said he sounded extremely affectionate.”

Heewoon quietly inhaled and exhaled. Foxtail grass tickled his chin.

Gangwoo happened to stop walking as well. It was because a professor had grabbed hold of him with a welcoming face. Even while talking to the professor, Gangwoo glanced at his cellphone.

Rustle, the bouquet made a sound. There was no scent. Heewoon could not be sure whether dried flowers naturally did not have a fragrance, or whether he simply could not smell it now.

After seeing the professor off, even the polite smile that Gangwoo had put on disappeared from his face. It was when Gangwoo, placing his cellphone to his ear to make a call, lifted his head.

“…”

“…”

Their eyes met. At the same time, a vibration rang out from Heewoon’s outer jacket pocket. The vibration ringing near his pelvis reached his chest. Heewoon hugged the bouquet tightly into his arms.

Gangwoo’s eyelashes dropped slightly downward as he looked at the bouquet in Heewoon’s embrace. When his eyelashes went up again, Gangwoo let out a sigh. White breath billowed around his mouth.

“When did you arrive?”

Gangwoo, who instantly closed the distance of several steps, asked. “A little while ago,” Heewoon mumbled. He felt strange.

“You should have called.”

“I found you right away.”

Since Gangwoo was staring so intently, Heewoon rolled his eyes, then spoke.

“Should I take a picture for you?”

“Oh, a picture.”

Gangwoo nodded as if he had not thought of it. Heewoon held out the bouquet to Gangwoo and put his hand in his pocket to take out his cellphone, but Gangwoo pushed the bouquet away. Heewoon ended up hugging the bouquet again.

Click.

The sound of a camera went off. Heewoon blinked blankly and looked up at Gangwoo. The face, which had not moved an inch, spoke.

“Look here.”

“…Huh? Why are you taking a picture of me…”

He was supposed to be taking a picture of the graduate, but it was strange that he was being photographed. When Heewoon furrowed the bridge of his nose, Gangwoo let out a small chuckle. As he examined the picture he took, the corners of Gangwoo’s eyes gently curved.

“Thank you for coming.”

Putting his cellphone in his pocket, Gangwoo said. Accepting the awkwardly offered bouquet from Heewoon, Gangwoo smiled a little. Their fingers, which brushed briefly, were cold. Heewoon flinched and bent his fingers.

“A picture… I’ll take a picture of you.”

“I don’t need a picture. Shall we go drink something warm?”

Gangwoo said, glancing at Heewoon’s red fingers. Heewoon nodded, but he could not understand Gangwoo. Isn’t a photograph what you keep from a graduation ceremony?

It was as Gangwoo, glancing at the academic cap he held in his hand, moved to walk away.

“Oh, Woo Heewoon!”

Someone called Heewoon. After confirming who it was, Heewoon immediately turned his head again and looked up at Gangwoo.

“Bastard. You haven’t even been answering my Kakaotalk replies lately.”

Jihwan walked over, clearly showing his disappointment. Heewoon observed Gangwoo, then quietly said.

“Hello.”

“Hello, my ass.”

Jihwan grumbled and placed his hand on Heewoon’s shoulder. Heewoon stood still, then was startled and stepped back. His back bumped into Gangwoo. Looking down at the round crown of his head, Gangwoo gently held Heewoon’s arm and said.

“Hello.”

“Ah. Yes. Congratulations on your graduation.”

“Thank you.”

“This bastard won’t hang out with me, but he’s absolutely glued to you.”

Gangwoo let out a small laugh at Jihwan’s playful remark. Heewoon looked at Gangwoo’s hand grasping his arm. He worried that Gangwoo, in a foul mood, might retaliate against Jihwan or torment him. Although Gangwoo had told him not to meet Jihwan, this was an unavoidable chance encounter.

“Anyway. See you after the semester starts.”

Heewoon casually nodded to Jihwan. After briefly watching Jihwan run off to his friends, Heewoon turned his head.

“Gangwoo. This was a chance meeting.”

“I know.”

“Ah… okay.”

He understands this much. Heewoon felt a little relieved seeing Gangwoo casually examining the bouquet.

“But I feel bad when sunbae gets nervous so obviously.”

“…Huh?”

Gangwoo raised his head and looked intently at Heewoon.

“Why are you nervous just meeting a friend? Did you actually have sex with him?”

“No! It’s because I knew you didn’t like me meeting Ji… no, meeting him.”

Heewoon felt too unfairly accused. Gangwoo focused on the way the corners of Heewoon’s mouth drooped. He’s going to cry. Gangwoo poked Heewoon’s cheek.

“You’ll avoid doing what I dislike?”

“Yes.”

Gangwoo, subtly frowning, pulled Heewoon’s shoulder closer. Gangwoo’s gaze intensely settled on Heewoon’s pale face and faint, rose-colored lips.

“It wouldn’t be good if it got around campus that you were gay, would it.”

Heewoon tensed up at the suggestive tone. Gangwoo let out a light laugh and pulled Heewoon’s scarf up until it covered the tip of his nose. As Heewoon widened his eyes, the large hand playfully messed up his hair and moved away.

They were on their way to the parking lot after returning the academic cap and gown. Heewoon opened his mouth while looking around the still-bustling campus.

“Gangwoo. Do you have a girlfriend?”

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

Gangwoo said, looking baffled. Heewoon thought. The person on the phone whom those kids earlier assumed was Seo Gangwoo’s girlfriend was himself. Even though it might not necessarily be true, he was certain.

“I heard those other kids talking earlier.”

“Where did you hear such useless talk?”

Gangwoo clicked his tongue. Heewoon looked at his and Gangwoo’s feet walking in step, then said.

“But if you happen to get one…”

Thud. Gangwoo stopped abruptly, coldly interrupting Heewoon’s sentence.

“If I get one, what are you going to do about it?”

“…”

When Heewoon pursed his lips tightly, Gangwoo let out a light sigh. Heewoon had merely wanted to ask what would happen to him if Gangwoo got a girlfriend. He did not know what he should do if he got an answer, or what kind of answer he was hoping for.

“Hold this, it’s annoying.”

Gangwoo somewhat roughly thrust the bouquet into Heewoon’s arms. Heewoon briefly looked down at the bouquet, then followed Gangwoo.

As he was about to get into the parked car, Heewoon looked back. A trash can was visible a little distance away.

“Hey, Gangwoo.”

“What is it.”

Gangwoo replied in a softer voice than before. Slowly scanning Heewoon, who was holding the bouquet.

“Should I throw this away?”

“…What?”

Heewoon stammered because Gangwoo raised an eyebrow as if he had heard something unbelievable. “I just thought you might find it bothersome to deal with.” Hearing his barely audible words, Gangwoo let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

“Are you doing that on purpose because I got annoyed earlier?”

Heewoon vehemently shook his head.

“Now you’re starting to use your brain.”

“No, I’m not…”

“Come here.”

Seeing Gangwoo’s slightly frowning face, Heewoon swallowed dryly. He then cautiously got into the car and closed the door.

“Eugh…”

Gangwoo grabbed his face hard, and Heewoon let out a moan. Staring at Heewoon’s face, whose cheeks were deeply pressed in and the bridge of his nose furrowed, Gangwoo said.

“Are you thinking, ‘This bastard is an easy mark, so I should toy with him’?”

“N-no!”

Heewoon opened his eyes wide. The one doing the toying was Seo Gangwoo. Hadn’t he been doing that consistently since the beginning?

“I’d feel bad if you were so obvious about it.”

Gangwoo laughed nervously and said.

“It’s really not true. I just thought you disliked bouquets. I felt like I bought it for no reason…”

“…I can’t tell if that’s a sly trick or not.”

Gangwoo, who had been listening quietly, muttered and released Heewoon’s jaw. He pushed away Heewoon’s hand, which was raised to touch his throbbing jaw, and instead stroked his jaw himself. Gently rubbing the reddened skin, he said softly.

“I don’t dislike it.”

“…”

“If I disliked it, I wouldn’t have let you off earlier when you spoke nonsense.”

His voice was calm and his eyes were tranquil.

Gangwoo lowered his head and kissed him. Their lips lightly touched and parted several times. As a habit, Heewoon’s lips softly parted. Rubbing their noses together, Gangwoo lifted the corners of his mouth. He lightly bit Heewoon’s bottom lip before moving away.

Heewoon let out a languid breath. Their eyes met at a close distance. Frowning slightly, Gangwoo softly rubbed Heewoon’s cheek with his palm.

“Even if you look at me like that, we’re not having sex here.”

“…”

“I hold back even though I want to have sex when we’re outside.”

His tone was gently instructive. Heewoon, who had not thought such a thing even for a moment, felt unfairly treated, but because Gangwoo was staring intently, he nodded.

“Good boy.”

Gangwoo chuckled lowly and stroked Heewoon’s head.

Heewoon kept holding the bouquet in the car all day. Gangwoo deliberately made Heewoon hold it, even though he could have placed it in the back seat. When they stopped at a traffic light, Gangwoo would turn his head and quietly stare at Heewoon.

Heewoon was a little confused about whether this was tormenting him or not. He thought it wasn’t deliberately meant to torment because the way his eyes alternated between the bouquet placed on his knees and Heewoon’s face was very slow.

🧸

He had not been able to meet Seo Gangwoo for several days after the graduation ceremony. Gangwoo seemed very busy. Heewoon spent the whole time with his mother since he did not go out of the house.