Ah, when will I tell him? Kwon Taejung, imagining the words Yigyeom might pour out, thought he might get aroused just by imagining, so he hurriedly stopped thinking.
“Are you hungry? Let’s have brunch before we go. There’s a place with delicious French toast and Eggs Benedict. Or should we just have an early lunch? Which do you prefer?”
“I’m fine with anything.”
“Then let’s go for the French toast. We’ll have a proper dinner for supper.”
“Okay… Oh? The hospital…”
Yigyeom, absentmindedly looking out the window, glanced at the hospital where his grandfather was admitted. After a brief glance in that direction, Kwon Taejung nodded and turned his attention forward.
“After passing the hospital, it’s just the hotel we visited before, then it’s home. The hospital is closer now, so it’ll be more convenient. Ah, does the elderly seem to be feeling a bit better? I haven’t seen the doctor for a few days.”
“He had some tests, and it seems there are some concerns. Some test results might need more examination… He’s at an age where he can’t fully relax, the doctor said.”
“It might be good to visit more often. Even if there’s a caregiver, won’t your grandfather be waiting for you?”
“Yes… Can I go to the hospital after having lunch and dropping off my stuff at home? I won’t be able to stay in the evening because of my part-time job. If I go too late, it might disturb Grandpa’s sleep…”
Seeing Yigyeom asking for permission even though he could just go, Kwon Taejung nodded in agreement.
“What about quitting the café job?”
“My job?”
“Yeah. It’s just three times a week, right? Instead of that time, wouldn’t it be better to spend time with your grandfather?”
“…I did think about it, but if I quit even this job, I won’t have a way to pay off the debt.”
Debt, that darn debt. Anyhow, it was about Goo Daebom. Kwon Taejung thought he should quickly pay off Yigyeom’s debt and get that promissory note from Goo Daebom. The note with Goo Daebom and the one with him were different. he wanted to tear up that note right in front of Yigyeom. What face would Yigyeom make upon seeing that?
Would he be happy that the debt disappeared? Or would he feel uncomfortable because I paid off the debt? There would be mixed emotions, but among him, the greatest would hopefully be happiness.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“With the money I gave earlier, it should cover a few months. Let’s cover that first and think about the rest later. Anyway, once the demolition and moving are done, it might be difficult to continue working there. It’s better to find something new near the new place.”
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“You’ve been through a lot. Take a couple of months off and spend time with your grandfather and me.”
Just two months, just two quiet months, and once the demolition proceeded smoothly, I could go back to work. And Yigyeom could forget all the time spent in that prison and be happy by my side. Just two months. Only two months were left before welcoming the perfect time.
“…I’ll talk to the boss. If we find someone to work soon, maybe I can quit.”
“Good boy.”
Extending his hand to pet Yigyeom’s obedient head in the co-seat, Kwon Taejung lowered his hand, indicating Yigyeom to hold it. Watching as Yigyeom’s hands, which felt like he dropped a thump from his heart, moved down his thigh, he grasped Kwon Taejung’s hand without saying a word for a while.
Afraid he’d sound foolish or say embarrassing things if he spoke, Yigyeom gently sealed his lips with affectionate words, pressing against the tickling sensation inside his mouth. Those affectionate words, melted within his lips, turned into warmth and trickled down his fingertips.
“I always feel like your hands are so warm.”
It’s all because of you, Chief… Because of you, my heart beats so fast, and I keep wanting to say things I’ve never even thought of, but I hold him back, hold back those melted words from reaching you and… Yigyeom held Kwon Taejung’s hand with his hands covered in feelings, staring at the smiling Kwon Taejung and held onto his hand a bit tighter.
And the warmth of those countless affectionate words and trembles, melted and created warmth in his hands, never losing its warmth.
***
Yigyeom, making a phone call to the café manager after going for the part-time job, discussed his grandfather’s hospitalization in more detail and conveyed that he might have to quit the café.
The manager seemed to have already considered it to some extent and readily agreed. he said not to worry until he find someone to manage the shop. Relieved, Yigyeom’s mind eased a bit.
After finishing the call, Yigyeom approached Kwon Taejung, who was sitting in a corner looking through some documents. Kwon Taejung, who had come along when Yigyeom went to work and didn’t want to be alone at home, was already on his second cup of coffee or tea.
“Chief, I just talked to the owner. He said his dongsaeng can manage the shop until we find a part-timer. So… I only need to work until today.”
“Oh, really? That’s good. I felt it before, but the owner does have some sense. That’s probably why he hired a pretty one like you. Yigyeom, since you came, sales must have increased a lot.”
“Why?”
“Customers must have come a lot just to see your face.”
Yigyeom, thinking Kwon Taejung was joking, laughed and took out something from his apron pocket, placing it next to Kwon Taejung’s cup. Kwon Taejung looked at the madeleine placed beside his cup.
“…It’s something I like. Please try it. Today is my last day working, and also… I wanted to give you something as a thank-you, but this is all I have right now.”
Kwon Taejung picked up the madeleine inside a transparent plastic wrap, opened the packaging, and took a bite of the madeleine coated with a warm glaze. Even though he didn’t particularly like sweet things, it tasted quite delicious, perhaps because Yigyeom gave it to him.
“It’s good. Thank you.”
Watching Kwon Taejung finish the remaining half of the madeleine in front of Yigyeom and saying thank you with a warm smile, Yigyeom felt embarrassed and nodded quickly before escaping to the counter.
Seeing Yigyeom’s retreating figure, clearly running away, Kwon Taejung chuckled and leaned back behind the chair. Everything was unfolding so smoothly according to his plan. It was almost too good to be true.
Unable to completely suppress his temper, Kwon Taejung had occasionally tilted slightly off course, but for the most part, he had lived encountering good fortune that followed him. he had never failed to achieve what he wanted, and there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish if he set his mind to it.
he had lived observing and feeling the world leaning towards his side, and even now, it was the same. Ultimately, the world, the situation, and even Yigyeom’s heart were tilting towards what he desired.
Now, all that remained was to seize the opportunities he had created so far and take advantage of the fortune accompanying those opportunities.
***
It was challenging for Yigyeom to adapt to a place larger than the house he used to live in within just one day. Yigyeom followed Kwon Taejung, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the spacious home. It wasn’t intentional, but he kept ending up in places where Kwon Taejung was.
If Kwon Taejung made coffee in the kitchen, Yigyeom found himself nearby. If Kwon Taejung went to the sofa, Yigyeom ended up sitting next to him. When going to the bathroom, he had to wait outside since he couldn’t go in, and during that time, he stared at the large TV screen, much bigger than the one hanging in his house.
Despite the noisy sounds and the faces of people laughing on the TV, Yigyeom’s gaze remained fixed on the bathroom.
As soon as he heard the sound of the door opening, Yigyeom got up from his seat and approached Kwon Taejung. Seeing Yigyeom like that, Kwon Taejung wrapped his arm around Yigyeom’s shoulders, lowered his head, and met eyes with him.
“Did you wait for me?”
“…Yes.”
“You’ve been following me around like a puppy since earlier. Are you a puppy? Huh?”
Teasing Yigyeom as if he were cute, Kwon Taejung turned off the living room TV and led Yigyeom to the bedroom. Yigyeom had felt it since he were brought here, but he seemed a bit subdued. Kwon Taejung placed Yigyeom on the bed and joined him.
“I couldn’t talk earlier because I had to unpack and go out again… I’ll make myself clear now. You can stay comfortable. No, stay. I brought you here because I wanted you to be more comfortable.”
“…Yes.”
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“It’s not uncomfortable. It’s nice. But… it’s much bigger and better than the house I lived in, so I’m not used to it yet.”
“It’ll be different by tomorrow. I’ve been here briefly before, but today is the first day we’re spending the night. The first day.”
Hearing the gentle voice, Yigyeom felt that everything would be fine. He nodded his head, smiling as Kwon Taejung’s hand caressed his hair. Each time Kwon Taejung touched his head and stroked his cheek, it felt good to be loved.
Of course, it might not carry such a significant meaning as to say it was love, but the tenderness that Kwon Taejung, as a person, possessed seeped into Yigyeom, and it made him feel good. he wanted to lean in more and more, expecting to be embraced.
“…Are you going to sleep here… with me?”
“Yeah. We used to sleep together anyway.”
“But…”
“Well, the house was small, so we had no choice… I won’t say something like that, will I? We slept close together even though it was cramped, didn’t we?”
Kwon Taejung’s words were all true, and Yigyeom had nothing more to say. Even if the house was small, he could sleep separately at a distance. Both Yigyeom and his grandfather had slept far enough apart during that time.
But while being with Kwon Taejung, he had slept close enough to feel his body temperature, nestled against his arm, locking eyes before drifting off to sleep. The size of the room couldn’t be an excuse.
“Do you want to sleep separately? Should I go out?”
Thank you for your work. I really like this novel, and I am grateful for this opportunity to read this novel.
Like he’s going to reject him