Welcome to Dungeon Hotel Chapter 323 - Side Story 1. An Ordinary Romance (18) 

Side Story 1. An Ordinary Romance (18) 

 

No one came the whole day. The next day was the same, until evening.

 

 “Are you sure you really don’t need to go?”

 

And also, the guildmaster sitting beside me is the same as ever.

 

Han Woohyun spent the whole day learning from Han Minhyuk—starting with how to write in the guest book, how to bow, how to place incense and chrysanthemums, and how to greet visitors when they arrived.  

 

‘These are things you’ll have to learn someday. If you learn them now, you’ll definitely need them later.’

 

‘Have you ever used them yourself?’

 

‘Once. At Lee Semyung’s funeral.’

 

‘….’

 

‘That damned b*stard.’

 

After waking up from fainting, his aunt mostly just sat there blankly or went inside to sleep.

 

She didn’t care what Han Minhyuk did, nor what Han Woohyun did.

 

‘You should go lie down too.’

 

‘….’

 

It was a night when he felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep even if he lay down.

 

‘Please go inside. I’ll escort you in.’

 

‘Do I look like an old man to you?’

 

‘…Of course you’re old.’

 

‘….’

 

The two of them ended up staying up the entire night together, and of course, going without sleep for just one day wasn’t enough to tire either of them out.

 

They had only grown a little closer.

 

Just a little.

 

To the point where they could sit facing each other and eat beef soup together.

 

“Hanwoon Guild isn’t such a flimsy organization that it would fall apart just because I’m gone for a few days.”

 

“Yes.”

 

He knew that. But that wasn’t what he meant.

 

He meant to ask why he was spending the night here—

 

“Junghyo said she’s worried about you. Haven’t you contacted her?”  

 

Han Minhyuk was still dressed crisply in his suit the second day, not a single thing out of place. Since he couldn’t wash up, he had simply asked his driver to bring a fresh one from home. 

 

He said he would bring Han Woohyun’s as well later that night.

 

“I didn’t know what to say.”

 

I miss you.

 

Junghyo didn’t really give a reply. 

 

She was probably busy, so he didn’t want to bother her.

 

Without ever complaining, she always waited for him from just one step away.

 

Han Woohyun sometimes found that puzzling.

 

How could that be possible?

 

Whenever he thought of Junghyo, he was always anxious and thirsty.

 

Like a thief who had gotten his hands on a jewel far too precious, he constantly wanted to check, to see her again.

 

Just knowing she was there gave him strength, yet he was also afraid she might suddenly disappear again.

 

“Something like this, she doesn’t need to know.”

 

Han Woohyun put down the plastic spoon he was eating from.

 

Even though the deceased was given a funeral hall far too nice for him, and even an elder willing to stay up all night to keep watch, the fact remained that his situation was still miserable.

 

“Are you afraid Junghyo will pity you? And what—would that somehow be embarrassing for you?”

 

Han Minhyuk frowned, as if he was ready to listen to all the nonsense.

 

“Do you have anything to brag about that lets you refuse her sympathy? Whether what she offers you is compassion or pity, you’re in no position to do anything but be grateful.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Yes?”

 

Even after saying it himself, Han Minhyuk somehow looked dissatisfied.

 

“It’s just… I…”

 

“What?”

 

“I’m just worried she’ll end up seeing me as nothing but pitiful, and then, um…” 

 

Han Woohyun picked up his spoon again and poked at the cold rice.

 

He kept poking at the parts where the spoon wouldn’t go easily.

 

“I’m afraid she might end up liking me less…”

 

“…”

 

Han Minhyuk narrowed his eyes as he looked at the crown of Han Woohyun’s bowed head.

 

Perhaps sensing that gaze, Han Woohyun lifted his head.

 

The area around Han Woohyun’s eyes was red as he lifted his head.

 

“These are all excuses.”

 

That crazy brat.

 

Han Minhyuk almost blurted out the words without realizing it.

 

“I love Junghyo so much. Because I love her so much…”

 

He felt like he finally understood why Lee Semyung hated this guy so much.

 

“I just can’t move… so I’m staying still. I’m trying not to show it, hiding the disgusting parts, just breathing quietly… In my own way, I’m staying still to do it right.”

 

No wonder, because this brat confesses as easily as breathing. 

 

So he didn’t realize it, but this is him holding back, in his own way.

 

“Don’t stay still.”

 

“…?”

 

“Anyway, just because you stay still doesn’t mean it won’t show. It doesn’t seem like anything’s being hidden. And above all—”

 

Han Minhyuk sighed. 

  

“You mean you don’t actually want to stay still, don’t you?”

 

“….”

 

“Look.”

 

Han Minhyuk gestured to the photo at the funeral. 

 

“Life is short. Do whatever you want to do. So you don’t end up with regrets. Above all—”

 

Han Minhyuk pointed to Han Woohyun’s phone.

 

“Make sure to answer Junghyo’s calls every now and then.”

 

Han Woohyun picked up his phone at those words, hesitated for a moment, then stood up to answer.

 

[Hello?]

 

Then, as he was putting on his shoes, his leg gave out and he almost twisted.

 

Because of what followed.

 

[Uh… Um… I miss you too.]

 

Han Woohyun bit his lip.

 

The moment his lips moved—what caught his eye was a funeral service employee who had come to check the receipt.

 

“I’ll call you back.”

 

Han Woohyun hung up.

 

And when Han Woohyun tried calling again, Junghyo didn’t answer.

 

* * *

 

I saw Han Woohyun dressed in a complete set of black mourning clothes.

 

He wasn’t wearing the mourner’s badge, but judging by the empty funeral hall, he was effectively acting as the chief mourner.

 

Even in this situation, his tall stature and large build stood out.

 

If this weren’t a funeral hall—a place demanding solemnity—many people would surely have recognized him.

 

“Should I… at least greet him…?” 

 

I hesitated.

 

Whether or not I should bow in a situation like this.

 

“Do as you feel comfortable.”

 

I studied his face closely as he gave that answer, and it seemed sincere—a face that didn’t care either way.

 

I made my decision.

 

“I’ll just bow briefly.”

 

And so I simply offered a silent bow. I even skipped placing the flowers.

 

I had no intention of expressing my condolences.

 

I just wanted to say something like this.

 

‘Han Woohyun is doing well.’

 

Unlike you.

 

When I came out, with words I couldn’t possibly speak aloud, Uncle Minhyuk was sitting at the completely empty table, drinking tea.

 

After steeping it in a paper cup and drinking it, a faint smile appeared on Uncle’s face.

 

If he endured two days of tea time with cheap tea bags, he truly has a lot of patience.

 

That meant he cared about Han Woohyun that much. 

 

“Um, I’ll step out with Han Woohyun for a bit. Should I pick up something for you?”

 

“Everything you need is here. If possible, take him out and let him sleep. Neither of you will be going to the burial site.”

 

I looked up at Han Woohyun at those words.

 

Both of them stayed up here all night.

 

I felt empty, as if all the gaps during the period when I couldn’t reach him had been pieced together.

 

So, the deceased was transferred from the prison hospital to this university hospital, and then moved here immediately after death.

 

Han Woohyun and Uncle Minhyuk went through all those countless steps together, and also—

 

‘He probably didn’t contact me.’

 

As soon as I stepped out in front of the university hospital, I turned around, feeling annoyed.

 

This brat. 

 

“….!”

 

At that moment, Han Woohyun’s large body enveloped me in a hug.

 

“Did you come to see me?”

 

Like a big puppy, Han Woohyun pressed his face against my shoulder.

 

Startled, I reached out and felt his face.

 

He wasn’t crying, but his voice sounded as if he were, just now.

 

“Then do you think I came here to see Uncle Minhyuk?”

 

“That could be the case, you know. So—”

 

Han Woohyun released the hug and looked at me.

 

Under the streetlight, his face looked somewhat haggard.

 

With an unevenly trimmed beard and completely untidy hair— 

 

Only his clothes looked decent.

 

“Tell me you missed me.”

 

“I don’t feel like it.”

 

“Because I didn’t contact you?”

 

“You know it well.” 

 

You know it well—and yet—

 

And yet…

 

I froze for a moment as I looked at his face.

 

His voice sounded like he was crying earlier, but now he was smiling.

 

“Why are you smiling?”

 

“It makes me happy to think you’re upset because I didn’t contact you.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

I, before I even realized it, smacked him hard in the chest—hard enough to make a thump sound.

 

‘This isn’t the right situation.’

 

I couldn’t help it—anger surged up before I even knew it.

 

At my punch, Han Woohyun staggered back a little.

 

“I, it’s hurt, though?” 

 

“Of course it hurts. I got treated by Yoojun. That little scam of yours is over now.”  

 

I glared at him, dumbfounded.

 

Han Woohyun sat on what looked like a flowerbed under the streetlight.

 

He buttoned up his shirt over the loosely worn blue tie.

 

As if frustrated.

 

Then he fiddled with the ring, identical to the one on my hand, and smiled.

 

“Anyway, you rested well, didn’t you? I wanted you to rest. If I didn’t do it that way, you wouldn’t rest. You never listen to me, do you?”

 

You wouldn’t listen to me.

 

For some reason, those words felt sharp, like they had bones, and it hurt.

 

‘You’re not wrong.’

 

I take other people’s advice only as much as I need it and let the rest slide.

 

It’s been that way ever since.

 

That’s why, even when I was working at the company, I was often told that I ignored people’s words effortlessly with a calm expression.

 

“And yet you tell such a lie? Just for a reason like that?”

 

“And, um… because I wanted you to spend time with me.”

 

“Crazy…”

 

“Don’t be mad. Today… today, just… it feels nice, doesn’t it?”

 

Han Woohyun spoke like that and reached out his hand to me.

 

To think we’d make up this easily.

 

I looked down at Han Woohyun, full of anger, and let out a deep sigh.

 

When I took his hand, Han Woohyun lifted me onto his lap.

 

Ha, really—

 

“I missed you.”

 

I muttered.