Midday Guest Chapter 36

Yiwon replied with a simple “Yes” and pressed his lips together firmly. In truth, it wasn’t so much that he was sick as it was that he felt completely drained of energy, but explaining that properly wasn’t going to solve anything. Nor was it something he should even do.

“If I’d known you were still collapsed like that until now, I would’ve finished that fellow off right then and there.”

“…Pardon?”

“No, no, it’s nothing. Just lie down for a bit. I thought you might’ve been quite startled, so I boiled some neungi mushroom baeksuk to help you recover your strength.”

“Baeksuk?”

“Today is Chobok. Didn’t you know?”

“…Ah.”

Oh Taesik and Ma Haeyoung lifted the bear pot as if they had choreographed the movement. Chobok. He felt like he used to observe it back when he was with his mother and father. It was such a long time ago that the memory was faint.

He blinked at the two of them for a moment before hurriedly pulling himself up.

“Thank you. I’ll set the table.”

“Stop talking nonsense and lie back down!”

Oh Taesik shouted with a clenched fist.

“Don’t you dare show so much as the tip of your nose in the kitchen. I’ll snatch it right off.”

Yiwon covered his nose with his hand. It felt like he really might snatch it away.

“Why are you all here scaring the kid?”

“Oh? Director, you’ve arrived.”

“Don’t pick on him when I’m not around.”

“Pick on him? We’re doing this because we’re fond of him.”

“Fond?”

“He’s cute, running around working all day every day, but he also makes me feel for him.”

Cha Seokjoo wrinkled his face and retorted.

“Why would you be fond of him?”

“…Eh?”

At Oh Taesik’s blank response, Cha Seokjoo clicked his tongue.

“What’s that in your hands?”

“Ah, I brought some chicken to catch for both the Director and the Little Boss to help regain your strength.”

“Uh, good job. Boil it up well.”

“Yes, Director. Please wait just a moment.”

Cha Seokjoo entered the across room where Yiwon had been lying, and Oh Taesik and Ma Haeyoung headed to the kitchen. Oh Taesik looked back toward the across room for a moment and tilted his head.

“Young-ah.”

“Yeah.”

“You, have you ever seen the Director share a room with anyone?”

“Hmm. I don’t think so.”

“Right? That’s strange. We even cleaned out the Little Boss’s room completely.”

Oh Taesik’s gaze drifted toward the tightly closed door of the across room.

“…Is there some kind of, you know, connection between a Boss and a Director?”

“Why. Is there a problem?”

“No, no, it’s nothing. Let’s go. Just get the table set.”

The bud of suspicion that had been starting to bloom quietly vanished for no particular reason.

Yiwon asked as he set down the wet towel.

“Where are you coming back from?”

“A walk.”

Cha Seokjoo set down the document envelope he was holding and stared intently at Yiwon. The question that had briefly crossed Yiwon’s mind vanished in an instant. His face heated up under the explicitly scrutinizing gaze. Yiwon let his gaze drift elsewhere and spoke quietly.

“You should have gone with me.”

“The baby was sleeping so well. Are you going to sleep more?”

“No. I’m done sleeping now.”

Yiwon shook his head and sat up. He pulled off his short-sleeved tee, which was damp from the cold sweat of his exhaustion. Looking down at his body, which was still covered in red marks, Yiwon’s face flushed a deep red as he recalled Cha Seokjoo licking his entire body.

“Why are you turning red by yourself again?”

“…It’s just, a bit unfamiliar.”

“What’s so unfamiliar?”

“Many things….”

From outside, the sound of the gas stove clicking to life was heard. The sound of searching for bowls, the sound of turning over the cutlery container, the sound of pouring water…. Even though he was fully clothed, he didn’t know why he felt naked.

Cha Seokjoo sat in front of Yiwon. Looking down only with his eyes to check Yiwon’s condition, he used his large hand to cover and grab the space between Yiwon’s chest and armpit all at once.

His rough, firm fingers moved down toward the nipple area that had been disheveled by multiple bites. At the thought that they might be twisted suddenly like before, the nipple stood up stiffly from tension.

Cha Seokjoo curled his lips into a smile, and Yiwon pushed against his shoulder.

“Everything, including this current situation.”

“If we do it a few more times, you’ll get used to it quickly. Speaking of which, shall we go one more round?”

Yiwon looked at him after hearing the unbelievable words. It sounded like a joke, but also like the truth. He wondered for a moment if he was serious, then shook his head desperately.

“Next time.”

“……”

“Let’s do it next time, really….”

“Fine, let’s do it next time then.”

Cha Seokjoo readily agreed. Pleased that they had promised a “next time,” Yiwon curled his toes beneath the bedding.

The hot wind felt as if it would never leave. Had it not been for the sudden sound of cicadas, the thumping sound of his heart might have been discovered.

“Director, it’s all ready. Come out and eat with the Little Boss!”

Oh Taesik’s voice rang out loudly.

Yiwon looked away and let out his breath. At this moment, Oh Taesik felt like a savior to Yiwon.

“Director!”

“…Driving me crazy.”

Yiwon’s heart, which had been beating abnormally fast, finally regained its original pace. Cha Seokjoo let out a sigh and shouted toward the outside.

“Coming.”

The muscles in his back rippled noisily as he braced himself on the floor to stand up, then returned to their place. Seeing them wriggle even while covered by a shirt made Yiwon think his body really was like stone.

Cha Seokjoo handed Yiwon some clothes and asked.

“Your body. Is there anywhere that hurts?”

Facing each other, lying him face down, making him lie on his side. Cha Seokjoo asked this, even after poking and prodding him several times throughout the day and night. Though the sensation of his rear opening and closing was unfamiliar, it wasn’t so painful that he couldn’t bear it. Yiwon replied as he put on his clothes one by one from where he sat.

“Nowhere hurts significantly.”

Cha Seokjoo held out his hand to Yiwon. He wrapped his hand around Yiwon’s hand and wrist and pulled him up. Yiwon, pulled up easily, stood facing Cha Seokjoo.

“Are you sure?”

His brow was slightly furrowed. It seemed there were unfamiliar points even for Cha Seokjoo, who had previously said that if someone his age hadn’t tried fucking yet, they were basically a eunuch. Yiwon didn’t dislike that.

“I appreciate you asking, but I’m not that weak.”

“……”

“Of course, it might be laughable compared to you, but still.”

“You?”

“I didn’t know what to call you…. Anyway, I’m fine. I wanted to tell you that. It feels strange because I can feel you treating me so carefully at times.”

“Your sentence is missing a subject. Are you talking about me looking after you after the fucking is over?”

At the sudden influx of the vulgar word, Yiwon’s mouth clamped shut. Cha Seokjoo looked at Yiwon’s face, then turned his head and gave a short laugh.

“Right, you’re a man too.”

“Yes, well… I suppose so.”

Cha Seokjoo looked at Yiwon again. When their eyes met, he tilted his head and added a short explanation.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know. With your personality, you don’t seem like the type to do anything on purpose anyway.”

“Calling me ‘you’ every other word.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Director.”

There were no options this time.

“Let’s go, Oh Taesik is going to have his neck craned out.”

Yiwon replied with a “Yes” and followed Cha Seokjoo out.

Oh Taesik’s neungi mushroom baeksuk was truly delicious. From the kkakdugi to the five-grain sticky rice, nothing was missing, and the harmony when eaten together was indescribably excellent.

“Hey, it’s good to see you eating well, Little Boss.”

“It’s really the best samgyetang I’ve ever tasted.”

“Oh, is that so. Eat up.”

Oh Taesik tore off a chicken leg and placed it on Yiwon’s plate. Looking to the side, Cha Seokjoo was tearing into the other one.

“Aren’t you two eating?”

“A plate that size won’t do for us.”

Oh Taesik and Ma Haeyoung were having one chicken per person out of large basins that looked like washbowls. Yiwon’s gaze slid toward the bear pot. Was it a magic well… chickens kept coming out endlessly.

Oh Taesik asked as he popped the cap off a bottle of makgeolli.

“Director, would you like a drink?”

“Yeah, give me one.”

The cups, which were being filled in order, stopped right in front of Yiwon.

“Little Boss, are you allowed to drink?”

“I’m not a minor.”

“You looked like you were sick, that’s why.”

“Ah, I’m all better now.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

“Looking at you, it didn’t seem like you were faking it, so how did that happen?”

Oh Taesik asked as he poured the makgeolli.

“Can you handle your liquor?”

“I’m alright.”

“How much is ‘alright’?”

“…Quite a bit?”

A small conversation followed. Laughter flowed along with it. He didn’t know why a meal crowded around a small table was so fun. To the point he wondered, Is this why Shin Heeyoung gets so laughy whenever he drinks?

Oh Taesik shook an empty makgeolli bottle upside down with both hands.

“Oh boy, we’re out of alcohol already.”

“I’ll go buy some.”

“That’s alright, it’s faster if I go.”

Oh Taesik, who stood up and dusted off his clothes, asked Yiwon.

“…But where is the supermarket?”

“Please stay seated. I’ll be back in a flash.”

Yiwon stood up with a smile. Oh Taesik was checking Cha Seokjoo’s reaction.

“Since you made such delicious baeksuk, I’ll take care of this.”

“Want to go together?”

“Ah, that would be fine too.”

Cha Seokjoo pushed Oh Taesik back into his seat and stepped between the two.

“No. Go with me.”

“You’re going yourself, Director?”

“Yeah, to get a walk in as well.”

Before he knew it, Cha Seokjoo had already put on his shoes below the wooden veranda.

“What are you doing. Aren’t you coming?”