The Unbelievers Chapter 76

Manager Nam unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Because the door lock code was changed every month according to a specific rule, he entered the wrong number twice. Passing through ironclad security just to get this far was a feat in itself, but even the entrance was managed with extreme rigor. Every time Manager Nam came to Yoo Siun’s residence, he often thought it felt like a military base.

As he entered, a thick aroma of coffee wafted through the air. It was a time by which Yoo Siun would have long since woken up. Manager Nam had arrived thirty minutes late on purpose, out of consideration for the two of them.

As expected, Yoo Siun, who looked no different than yesterday, was drinking coffee while checking something on a tablet PC. The tattoos he had been displaying openly while Eunseong was missing were meticulously hidden today. Concerned that they might have a negative impact on Eunseong’s emotional development, Yoo Siun had covered his tattoos every single morning throughout the summer, despite the heat and discomfort. Seeing his thoroughly hidden tattoos made the reality of Eunseong’s return home truly sink in.

“Good morning, CEO.”

“You’re here.”

Yoo Siun replied casually without taking his eyes off the tablet. Manager Nam walked further inside and brewed the coffee he would drink. Manager Nam used the capsule machine out of convenience, but Yoo Siun, claiming the flavor was different, always ground the beans himself to drink drip coffee even though it was a hassle.

“I suppose Mr. Eunseong is still sleeping? Was everything alright last night?”

“I was contemplating how to scold him, but it got too late, so I just let him sleep.”

“The one who should be scolded is you, CEO, not Mr. Eunseong. Have you forgotten what you said that made the boy finally leave home?”

“Ah, that’s right. It was my fault.”

Despite Manager Nam’s pointing it out, Yoo Siun continued to speak in a nonchalant tone, his eyes still fixed on the tablet as if reading something important. Manager Nam, who had poured steamed milk into his espresso and headed toward one side of the island table, stood facing Yoo Siun. A glass of milk and a single apple sat lonely next to Manager Nam.

“You must be careful so that this kind of thing never happens again. You could have spoken more kindly.”

“… .”

“Well, in the words of kids these days, I heard people call that sort of thing ‘keeping someone in a fish tank,’ but it is an unavoidable problem. Please at least pretend to be like that until Mr. Eunseong leaves for his studies abroad.”

“Pretend to be what?”

Only then did Yoo Siun lift his head to stare at Manager Nam. Manager Nam read the sharp assertion held in his gaze but pretended not to notice. He had to say what needed to be said.

“I mean you should cater to his moods a bit.”

“How am I supposed to cater to his moods?”

“Tell him, ‘I was flustered then and the words came out wrong. I’m sorry. It’s not that I dislike you, but since there is an age gap and we are relatives, I am being cautious. If your feelings haven’t changed even after you’ve grown a bit more, let’s talk again then.’”

“… .”

Manager Nam believed that Yoo Siun had no feelings for Eunseong in that way whatsoever. Yoo Siun had also consistently asserted that he would never give his heart to Eunseong. However, yesterday, Yoo Siun had committed an act completely contrary to his assertions—a thing that should never have been done.

He had laid Eunseong down on the sofa and sucked on those small, plump lips until they turned red and swollen. He had licked and sucked so much that he could now trace the shape of Eunseong’s even teeth and the protruding point of the single fang on the left side with his lips and tongue.

“We’ve found evidence of tax evasion, breach of trust, and stock price manipulation by the management, and there is an abundance of circumstantial evidence for the cold-case murders. With just a little more preparation, we will be able to send them all to prison. Just until then.”

“Do you mean for me to act just until then?”

“… Yes. I am telling you to at least act just until then.”

Manager Nam was serious. He was offering this loyal advice with a sense of resolve. It was the kind of heartfelt counsel that could only be given because of the relationship between Manager Nam and Yoo Siun.

Enduring Yoo Siun’s gaze as he simply stared blankly at him, Manager Nam swallowed a sip of his warm latte. Shifting his eyes awkwardly under the weight of the silent protest of that excessively long stare, Manager Nam faced Yoo Siun again.

“Did I perhaps misspeak?”

“No. You are right.”

“Then why are you staring like that?”

“Because you only say things that are right.”

“Well, setting aside this and that, he is a child fourteen years younger than you, CEO. He’s only just turned twenty.”

“… .”

Yoo Siun had laid a hand last night on his first cousin once removed, who was fourteen years younger and firmly believed they were blood relatives. Manager Nam, who never dreamed that Yoo Siun would do such a thing, continued his sincere advice without knowing the inner circumstances.

“Even if it isn’t for the sake of work, please treat him affectionately.”

“Did it seem like I wasn’t treating him affectionately before?”

“You said you told him it was an act that makes one a piece of human trash. That is not an answer to a confession.”

“… .”

Last night, Yoo Siun had done something no different from a piece of human trash. He could not bring himself to tell Manager Nam—who must have agonized much before giving this advice—what had happened with Eunseong last night.

Yoo Siun humbly acknowledged all of Manager Nam’s words and kept his mouth shut as if he were anti-Seongha. He just listened to Manager Nam’s nagging that would make one’s ears ring, drinking his coffee with an attitude of serious contemplation.

During that time, Eunseong, who had woken up, entered the kitchen. Yoo Siun was flustered because Eunseong was wearing his black sweatshirt. It was something he had taken off somewhere on the sofa last night, but he didn’t know when Eunseong had picked it up and put it on; the shoulders were slumped down so far it was hard to tell if it was a piece of clothing or a sack. Eunseong, appearing in the oversized top and pajama pants, hesitated upon seeing Manager Nam.

“You’re awake now? Did you sleep well after worrying the adults so much?”

“… Hello.”

“Let’s make things clear here today. I must get a written pledge that Mr. Eunseong will never run away from home again.”

Manager Nam, unlike last night when he had felt relieved just that he returned, spoke in a quite stern tone to Eunseong, who looked like he wasn’t fully awake yet, as soon as he saw him.

Yoo Siun’s eyes watched the two of them meaningfully. He was worried that Manager Nam might notice the top Eunseong was wearing was his, and he was also worried that he might find Eunseong’s lips strange, as they were swollen and took on an exceptionally suggestive color today.

Eunseong hesitantly turned his eyes to Yoo Siun. Their gazes met in mid-air.

His memory was a blank as to when he had fallen asleep while kissing all night. Eunseong had fallen fast asleep on the sofa while still harboring the man’s tongue.

It had been a very long day. After moving the exhausted Eunseong to the bed, Yoo Siun had stayed by his side until daybreak. He had stayed up all night, but in his entire life, there had never been a fatigue as sweet as last night’s. It was a time of realizing through his whole body that he had yearned for this for a long time and that he had been turning away from his feelings for Eunseong.

Anxious eyes, wanting confirmation that last night was reality and not a dream, were fixed nervously on Yoo Siun.

Yoo Siun, who had been quietly watching the restless Eunseong, let out a small laugh with his coffee cup to his lips. Seeing his smile, Eunseong felt a wave of relief as if his heart were collapsing. Last night was not a dream. He wore a faint smile not just on his lips, but around his eyes as well.

It was a smile hinting at last night, known only to him and Eunseong. It was a look in his eyes and a smile that said he remembered yesterday, that he hadn’t forgotten, and that the time had been very good.

Eunseong also bit back a smile that was subtly leaking out, following Yoo Siun’s lead.

“Is what I’m saying funny? Are you laughing right now knowing how much manpower and money was invested to find you, Mr. Eunseong?”

“Yes?”

“Who am I talking to right now? Am I talking to myself?”

Manager Nam frowned at the two of them, who were exchanging smiles and glances known only to themselves. He was speaking seriously, but no one was listening.

“No, I was listening. I’m sorry.”

“Mr. Eunseong doesn’t have the slightest idea how dangerous a thing he did.”

Because of Eunseong, who had no inkling of the serious situation, Manager Nam felt like his insides were bursting as he expressed his frustration.

Yoo Siun, whom he thought would be the only one being serious and adding a word of warning, had pushed the role of the bad cop onto Manager Nam; he was feigning total ignorance and even enjoying the aroma of his coffee with a gentle smile on his lips. Eunseong was no different. Even though he was being scolded strictly, it went in one ear and out the other as he held back a laugh like someone who had a screw loose.

“I was wrong.”

“It’s not a matter that can be solved just by saying you were wrong. You were truly lucky in how you were found this time, but next time, there might not even be a next time.”

Manager Nam became frightened as he recalled what had happened after Eunseong disappeared. Since it seemed Manager Nam might accidentally mention the deceased Seo Jeonggi if he kept on, Yoo Siun, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.

“That’s enough. I spoke to him last night so that he understands.”

“So that he understands.”

Manager Nam retorted, wondering if that was really the case.

“I spoke to him strictly.”

“I see he is smirking as if it’s some kind of joke because you were so strict. It seems Mr. Eunseong has no sense of vigilance or seriousness whatsoever.”

“… .”

“I’m sorry. I overstepped my bounds.”

Manager Nam, who had been arguing with Yoo Siun, realized he had crossed a line and quickly bowed his head to ask for forgiveness.

In an instant, the atmosphere froze. Eunseong stole a glance at Yoo Siun. He didn’t seem particularly angry.

“No. You were right. I should have been stricter, but I don’t think I was able to be. Manager, please scold him in my stead. Eunseong, you apologize to the Manager too. He worried a lot.”

Yoo Siun spoke to Eunseong in a quite lowered tone. Eunseong apologized to Manager Nam in a voice that was once again crawling.

“… I was wrong.”