Listening to Yigyeom’s words, Kwon Taejung’s brow furrowed noticeably. Kwon Taejung embraced Yigyeom even more, lifting them both up to sit together. Yigyeom, looking at Kwon Taejung’s seemingly angry face, lowered his head.
“So, are you worried that I might abandon you if you have my child?”
Yigyeom, who was about to say that it wasn’t such an extreme expression, ended up not saying anything at all. Although it was a somewhat exaggerated summary, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
“…I know there won’t be such a thing. I understand that. But I thought about it because it’s an important matter that we should consider, even the unlikely scenarios… I did it because I thought you might be like that, Chief.”
“…”
“I really did…”
Kwon Taejung, who softened the momentarily surging frustration, nodded his head. Yigyeom’s words were correct. The responsibility of having a child involved considering not only the expected but also the unexpected. It was also a reminder not to be swayed by emotions and engulfed in immediate sorrow.
“I understand what you’re worried about. It’s often depicted in dramas. When someone has a child, they are told to leave, taking money from a chaebol family, or only asking for the child, something like that.”
“…”
“Our parents are not like that. They won’t turn a blind eye if you shirk responsibility; they will take responsibility. Well, of course, it’s probably going to be a lecture from me.”
At the mention of being scolded, Yigyeom quickly looked worried, and Kwon Taejung, smiling, gently patted his soft cheek to avoid causing any pain.
“It’s me, not you. If they find out that I had a fling with someone young like you, I’ll surely get scolded. Well, I’m prepared for that.”
“…”
“Really, if our parents say something bad to you or act in a way that worries you, I won’t let you see them.”
“…”
“I’ll give up everything and come to you. There’s no scenario where I’ll choose to leave you alone. So really, don’t worry about that.”
With those definite words, a profound sense of relief settled in his heart. Yigyeom nodded earnestly while looking at the serious Kwon Taejung, not showing a trace of a smile.
“Is giving up everything really necessary?”
“What?”
“Being penniless isn’t charming.”
Even if such a situation were to arise, there was no chance Yigyeom would become a pauper, considering the considerable assets under his name. There was no need to forsake all his possessions just because he left his home. That act alone could prompt Yigyeom to get tired of spending money for a lifetime and willingly pursue work.
“If such a thing were to happen, and Chief, abandoning everything, came to me…”
“…”
“…I will work hard to make you happy.”
Observing Yigyeom speaking with sincerity while holding his hand, Kwon Taejung couldn’t bring himself to say anything. The words about making him happy resonated too strongly in his heart, almost to the point of feeling painful. Despite wanting to smile at the cuteness and affection in Yigyeom’s words, laughter didn’t come, and tears seemed on the verge of falling.
The promise to make him happy struck him deeply, almost painfully. Kwon Taejung, gazing into Yigyeom’s clear eyes, gently pulled the smaller frame into his embrace.
“Even if such a thing doesn’t happen… I will make you happy. That’s what I want.”
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.
“Aera ibbxlcu lcab sbeg fsfr wjxfr wf tjqqs. Qts wjxf qgbwlrfr abb?”
“…P gfjiis kjca ab vb atja.”
“Tlusfbw. Tbe xcbk atja’r j qgbqbrji, gluta?”
Tlusfbw’r ojmf ila eq klat regqglrf jr tf yglfois mbcafwqijafv atf kbgv “qgbqbrji.”
“U-U-Ugbqbrji?”
Zjxlcu sbe tjqqs lr j qgbqbrji. Prc’a la? Gbfr wjggljuf cba rbecv ubbv ab sbe? Gb P rffw abb lwwjaegf obg wjggljuf?
Yigyeom had never, not even once, considered the concept of marriage. Neither his age nor his circumstances permitted such thoughts. Hence, the word “marriage” spoken by Kwon Taejung felt exceptionally unfamiliar.
“I want to marry you.”
“…”
“I even proposed to you a little while ago.”
With a playful smile, Kwon Taejung spread his arms, and Yigyeom, without a hint of hesitation, nestled into them, inhaling the familiar and pleasant pheromones. Closing his eyes, Yigyeom felt the warmth and security of Kwon Taejung’s embrace.
“I… I’ll marry Chief.”
The small voice resonating in the embrace brought a smile to Kwon Taejung’s face, and he deepened the kiss on Yigyeom’s head. Without leaving any room, he enveloped Yigyeom completely. Yigyeom, feeling the sturdy arms and body, found perfect tranquility and rested his face on Kwon Taejung’s shoulder.
“Thank you.”
“…”
“I’ll make sure you won’t regret liking me.”
As Kwon Taejung’s voice clung to his ears, Yigyeom nodded slightly, feeling as if tears were about to well up. Overwhelmed by the absolute happiness that engulfed him from head to toe.
* * *
Taking Yigyeom to the center early in the morning, Kwon Taejung glanced at the surprised and dazed Cho Hyunjoon before confidently tapping the desk.
“Snap out of it.”
“…Uh… huh? Oh, um… What were we talking about?”
“I want to know if it’s possible for him to get pregnant.”
“Oh… Uh, pregnancy. Right, pregnancy… Um, should we start with a blood test? Have you eaten anything?”
“I haven’t eaten anything since 8 p.m. yesterday.”
Asking Yigyeom, Kwon Taejung’s response was so unexpected that Cho Hyunjoon, who glanced at it, nodded lightly and pressed the button on the desk. Soon, a nurse entered with a knock. Cho Hyunjoon asked the nurse for a blood test.
“Yigyeom, shall we go together?”
“It’s okay.”
“Take care and come back safely.”
“…Yes.”
Cho Hyunjoon, who was staring at Yigyeom with an expression that seemed to convey disbelief at Kwon Taejung’s excessive attention, observed quietly as Yigyeom politely bowed to him before leaving.
Before, when he saw Yigyeom looking pale due to illness, his face was full of admiration, but now, seeing him in good health, his words seemed to be stuck. No, he seemed even more handsome than before. It was so amazing that he couldn’t help but stare, wondering how someone could look this way.
“Why do you keep staring at me?”
As soon as the door closed, Kwon Taejung’s muttered complaint made Cho Hyunjoon, who had lowered himself and stifled his voice, speak.
“What’s with the sudden pregnancy?”
“We slept together.”
“What? Wow, this… Wow, Kwon Taejung… You acted like you had no interest in such things and then had sex… Wow. Even when you were contacted about taking the Rut shot, you ignored it, pretending you weren’t interested, but you actually had something in mind.”
“It’s not like that. I had some things to deal with, so I completely forgot about the Rut when it arrived. By the time I realized, it had already exploded.”
Kwon Taejung, who didn’t want to say that he was too preoccupied with monitoring and avoiding Yigyeom’s home at night, parked his car in front of Yigyeom’s house, spent the night watching, and avoided it completely in the morning. He didn’t want to mention it, so he vaguely explained, looking at Cho Hyunjoon, who was wide awake, with half-opened eyes.
“Oh, whatever.”
“If you really get pregnant, are you going to keep it?”
“What nonsense. I won’t keep it, okay?”
Watching Kwon Taejung speak nonchalantly, Cho Hyunjoon let out a sigh, put down the pen he was holding, and leaned back on the chair.
“You’re really going to keep it?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you going to get married?”
“Yeah. I even got a proposal.”
Upon hearing the word “proposal,” Cho Hyunjoon, with his mouth wide open, remained silent for a while. Kwon Taejung tapped on the desk with crossed legs.
“Hey, snap out of it.”
“Does the chairman know too?”
“No. He doesn’t know yet. I’m not joking around. It’s not just because of a sense of responsibility. I really like Yigyeom.”
Looking at Kwon Taejung’s serious face without a trace of mischief, Cho Hyunjoon understood that Kwon Taejung was sincere. So, his friend was really in love with that boy.
Even when he felt the impulse to grab him by the hair, or when he came to take the suppressant instead, or when he saw him lying at home in pain and unable to move, he never thought they would have such a serious relationship. But now, it was all real.
“I never thought Kwon Taejung would be the first one to get married.”
“People’s lives are unpredictable, you know. Anyway, Yigyeom will be around here from now on, so keep that in mind.”
“Alright, I got it. I’ll quickly get your blood test results. It will take about an hour or so. I’ll contact you once it’s done.”
“Yeah. Can I eat something now?”
“Sure.”
Seeing Cho Hyunjoon nod, Kwon Taejung spoke in a serious tone as if something came to his mind.
“Oh, and just in case, don’t tell your family. Since your brother and sister also come here, we might run into them.”
“Even if you ask me to tell them, I won’t. The conversations we have inside here will never be disclosed to the outside, so don’t worry.”
“Acting all principled.”
“There’s no one else calling me a ‘headless chicken’ except you. I’m just a poor conglomerate.”
Smirking as if finding it absurd, Kwon Taejung laughed and left the Chief’s office, heading to the blood collection room he had visited before. Waiting for a moment, Yigyeom, who had rolled up his sleeves and pressed the spot where blood was drawn with gauze, came out and looked up at Kwon Taejung.
“Chief….”
“Yeah, all done? Did it hurt?”
“It stung a bit.”
Kwon Taejung, who wanted to kiss Yigyeom’s cheek, which he showed as stinging, suppressed the urge. Although he could do it, spreading rumors about Kwon Taejung attaching to a cutie at the hospital wouldn’t be good, so he decided to endure for now.
“Since we’ve drawn blood, let’s have some meat for dinner. You’ve been pushing yourself lately, and now even losing blood…”
Displeased, Kwon Taejung turned around Hyun-jun’s room and lightly wrapped his arm around Yigyeom’s waist as if protecting him. In that moment, Yigyeom’s heart dropped with a thump.
“…”
Even with just a slight touch, Yigyeom was surprised by his heart beating rapidly and fluttering. He raised his hand to press firmly on his heart. With his palm, he could feel the trembling pulsations.
“Does it hurt? Any discomfort?”
“No… no, it’s okay.”
Yigyeom, slightly surprised but not feeling anything unusual, lowered his head and moved towards the parking lot, still trapped in Kwon Taejung’s arm. Even during the walk, the places where Kwon Taejung’s arm and hand touched felt warm.
“They said they’ll contact us when the results are out. Let’s grab brunch nearby. I’m hungry.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
Yigyeom, nodding his head, pressed his hand firmly on his heart again as he climbed into the passenger seat. Although he always felt nervous and tense around Kwon Taejung, this time it was more intense than usual. Even with just a slight touch, his heart raced wildly.
“…”
Why can’t I calm down? Looking at Kwon Taejung getting into the driver’s seat, Yigyeom, still feeling his heart pounding, smiled silently, hoping the intense fluttering would subside a bit.
❤️❤️❤️💍💍