“…Around 30 minutes…”
Seo Kangwoo was mumbling something, but it was hard to hear, so when Heewoon frowned, Kangwoo flicked his forehead lightly.
“Let’s go.”
Kangwoo finished the call and grabbed Heewoon’s arm, pulling him to his feet. As Heewoon walked, his steps alternated between quick and slow. Kangwoo firmly held Heewoon’s arm, occasionally letting out a breezy laugh.
They left the barbecue restaurant and turned into an alley after a short walk. A foreign car was parked there.
“Uh… a car…”
“Of course, it doesn’t seem like a bicycle, right?”
Kangwoo replied with a grin, opened the rear door, ushered Heewoon in first, and got in himself. Heewoon stared intently at the back of the driver’s head for a while before closing his eyes.
When he opened them again, he found himself resting against solid shoulders. The padding, scarf, and the warmth of someone sitting next to him made Heewoon close his eyes again.
“Wake up. We’re here.”
A gentle hand shook his shoulder, and Heewoon opened his eyes. He rubbed his eyes sleepily, and Kangwoo’s hand caught his as he did. Heewoon walked following Kangwoo in a daze, not knowing where they were going.
When he regained his senses, they were in a hotel room.
Heewoon looked around in confusion. He tried to raise his hand to rub his eyes again and realized that he was holding Seo Kangwoo’s hand. Heewoon looked up at Kangwoo, and their eyes met. They stood there in silence until a knock on the door interrupted them.
Kangwoo let go of Heewoon’s hand and went to the door. Heewoon remained in his spot, his eyes blinking. He watched as a hotel staff member placed a tray on the table and left.
Kangwoo came back to Heewoon, who was still standing there. He took Heewoon’s hand and guided him to sit at the table. Heewoon stared at the dishes with wide eyes. It was the same luxurious ramyeon he had before.
Heewoon gazed at the disb, still dazed. Seo Kangwoo loosened his scarf, unzipped his padded jacket, and then he took off the clothes.
“Uh… That’s mine…”
When Heewoon clenched his clothing sleeve, Kangwoo said softly ‘I know’ and gently released it from Heewoon’s hand.
Heewoon was worried that someone might steal it since it was brand new.
As Heewoon continued to glance at his clothes, Kangwoo, in amusement, turned Heewoon’s head away.
“Just eat your meal.”
The ramyeon came into Heewoon’s view. It looked delicious. Heewoon murmured and picked up his chopsticks. The movement of his chopsticks were relentless. The ramyeon tasted much better than the bean paste stew from earlier.
“The kids say the student council is taking a lot of money for this.”
At some point, Heewoon realized that he was babbling to Kangwoo. Kangwoo, seated next to him, had his chin in his hand and was looking at Heewoon.
“Really?”
“Yeah, they collected 15,000 won from each student, but apparently, if you reserve the restaurant as a group, the place gives you a hefty discount.”
“They’re bad kids.”
A soft voice replied, and more unnecessary words followed. These days, the weather is extremely cold. If I wear a padded jacket, I don’t feel cold at all, but my buttocks keep itching, which is annoying…
Heewoon finished the ramyeon and drank a bottle of water. He was staring at the empty bowl when Seo Kangwoo ran his hand through his hair and stood up.
“You smell like cheap food, so go wash up.”
Heewoon tugged on his T-shirt and sniffed. There didn’t seem to be any smell. So he sat still in his chair.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Kangwoo, standing in front of the bathroom, turned around and only then did Heewoon quickly get up.
It was their first time showering together.
Standing side by side, brushing their teeth, Heewoon looked blankly at himself and Kangwoo in the mirror. His own body seemed particularly small next to Kangwoo’s big, sturdy frame.
After rinsing his mouth, Heewoon asked.
“Kangwoo, do you exercise? Oh, right. You jog in the morning. Should I jog too?”
Heewoon clutched Kangwoo’s arm with both hands and swayed. Kangwoo glanced down at Heewoon, who was wobbling. Heewoon occasionally bumped his nose against Kangwoo’s strong bicep because of his unsteady state.
“Uh… since the TOEIC class is at 9 o’clock, if I leave at 7… but it’s cold in the morning. What should we do?”
As Kangwoo looked at Heewoon’s finger which were pressed firmly against the muscular arm, Kangwoo’s gaze suddenly shifted to Heewoon’s intoxicated face. His cheeks were flushed, and his lips were a deeper shade than usual. Ragged breaths escaped slightly parted lips.
Kangwoo furrowed his brow.
“Were you like this earlier too?”
Heewoon lifted his head to look at Kangwoo. It was hard to stand still, now he was almost hanging onto Kangwoo’s arm.
“Huh?”
“Were you acting all bubbly and cute like this earlier too?”
Cute… Heewoon pondered the word and shook his head in denial.
“N-No.”
But Kangwoo didn’t listen.
“That’s why the bastards in front of you were smiling happily.”
Seo Kangwoo’s low murmur was intimidating. It felt like he could hurt someone any moment, and the closest target was Heewoon himself. Heewoon gripped Kangwoo’s arm tightly, cautiously asking.
“Kangwoo, did I… do something wrong?”
“…”
Kangwoo just stared at him in silence, causing Heewoon to well up with tears quickly. Drinking alcohol had heightened his emotions.
“I listened to you well, didn’t I? Lately, I’ve been… I’ve been listening to you well.”
“That’s right. But why do I suddenly feel like scolding you?”
While Kangwoo’s hand gently stroked Heewoon’s head, his words were anything but gentle. Heewoon hunched his shoulders, fearing that Kangwoo’s touch might become rough at any moment. His hand that had held Kangwoo’s arm suddenly fell to Kangwoo’s hand.
Kangwoo’s gaze briefly lingered on Heewoon’s hand, which was holding his finger, then turned towards Heewoon’s frightened expression.
“I shouldn’t be scolding Woo Heewoon who listens well, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Heewoon nodded desperately, and Kangwoo smirked. The faintly rising smile disappeared quickly. As Kangwoo turned away, Heewoon released Kangwoo’s hand.
Heewoon anxiously watched Kangwoo undress. His fingertips clung to the smooth muscles of Kangwoo’s long back as he turned around.
“Take off your clothes and come in.”
Swaying around, Heewoon tossed his clothes aside and followed Kangwoo inside. The shower booth was spacious enough for both of them.
Silence filled the space. Heewoon glanced at Kangwoo’s expression. Kangwoo had been staring intently at Heewoon’s contorted face as if he were about to cry, then he slowly reached out his hand.
Shooosh–
Suddenly, water poured from the ceiling. Heewoon, directly below, was drenched completely.
“Ugh, coff-, coff-.”
He was defenseless as he looked up at Kangwoo, and the water entered his nose, mouth, and eyes, causing him to choke incoherently. Kangwoo looked at him nonchalantly and swept his wet hair away.
“Ugh, heh… ”
Heewoon was unable to open his eyes, as he tried to wipe the water with his hand, Kangwoo’s hand snatched it. His other hand was grabbed as well, and he couldn’t wiggle free. He was pushed backwards, his back touching the cold wall.
The force holding both his wrists in one hand and pressing them against his chest was so strong that Heewoon was terrified. His back must have flicked the switch, and the water that had been pouring down from the ceiling ceased to drip.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah?”
Heewoon, with water streaming from his hair into his eyes, squinted as he answered Kangwoo.
“You have to open your eyes.”
Heewoon struggled to open his eyes at Kangwoo’s words. Water droplets had entered his eyes, making his eyelashes tremble. He felt Kangwoo’s gaze, which made his heart restless.
“It’s… stinging…”
Heewoon stammered, and Kangwoo’s large hand gently brushed his face. Only then could he manage to open his eyes with great effort. Kangwoo’s scary gaze remained fixed on him. Something trickled down, whether it was water or tears, he couldn’t tell, but Kangwoo’s gaze lingered.
As if he was about to fuck him in the eyes and in his face, Kangwoo’s sealed lips finally parted.
“I can’t just go kill those other guys.”
“K-Kangwoo…”
His damp face, hair clinging to his forehead, looked at Kangwoo with a deep yearning. Kangwoo, with a menacing upturn of his lips, spoke.
“Do you want to just stay at home?”
With that chillingly scary low voice and inscrutable black pupils, Heewoon felt a shiver run down his spine.
“Don’t go to school, don’t go outside, and don’t meet anyone…”
“…”
Kangwoo’s fingers slowly brushed against Heewoon’s cheek as he lost his breath.
“Will you wait for me quietly at home until I come?”
“At y-your home?”
Yeah. Kangwoo replied, while gently pushing aside scared Heewoon’s hair. His eyes, slightly bloodshot, seemed ready to shed tears any moment.
“Kangwoo…”
Heewoon trembled uncontrollably. It felt like Seo Kangwoo was truly going to confine him at home. Those heavy, sunken eyes wouldn’t tell lies.
Kangwoo’s gaze rose, landing on Heewoon’s quivering pale shoulders. He put a large hand over his shoulder and released his wrist. There were red marks where his wrists had held. Given Heewoon’s sensitive skin, it would turn purple soon enough.
Kangwoo looked at Heewoon with a smirk as he trembled in fear.
“Be careful, Sunbae. Otherwise, Sunbae might get into real trouble.”
Despite his smile, Kangwoo’s eyes gleamed ominously, like a predatory beast.
“Yeah, yeah. I will.”
Heewoon nodded, not quite sure what he needed to be careful of. A single tear fell from Heewoon’s eyes.
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