Love Me More Side Story 4
“I’m going to make a quick phone call.”
Kwon Yuwon, who had emptied one can, stood up unsteadily. Worried about Yuwon going out drunk, given his alcohol tolerance of only half a beer can, Si-yul got up to follow.
“Just stay here. I’ll do it right in front. Oh, and I’ll be back before midnight.”
Even with his flushed cheeks from the alcohol, he raised his index finger, insisting he’d be punctual. Seeing his stubbornness and determination, Si-yul shook his head.
Si-yul sipped the remaining beer while waiting for Kwon Yuwon. He couldn’t hear anything from outside the inn, wondering if Yuwon was making the call. Just as he was about to turn his attention to the TV, thinking Yuwon would return soon, a sudden shout made him jump to his feet. Worried that Yuwon might have gotten into an argument, which was entirely possible given his drunken state, Si-yul hurriedly opened the door and slipped on his slippers.
Kwon Yuwon was sitting slumped against the wall outside the inn’s gate. As he was still on the phone, Si-yul approached quietly, muffling his footsteps.
“Another business trip this weekend? You were on a trip last week too.”
The sound of teeth grinding could be heard. The sigh that followed was much deeper and heavier than if it had been exhaled right in Si-yul’s face. Si-yul could easily guess who was on the other end of the call.
“I can’t this weekend, I…!”
Kwon Yuwon raised his voice while roughly messing up his hair. He didn’t finish shouting, cutting himself off midway and hanging his head low.
“…Alright. Hanging up.”
After a long pause, Yuwon responded coldly and ended the call. Thinking he might get caught, Si-yul quickly got up. But the other was a step faster. Kwon Yuwon, who had come in through the gate, looked at Si-yul standing there with his hands raised like a mouse.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing, I was just worried about you.”
“It’s such a short distance, what’s there to worry about? Let’s go in.”
Kwon Yuwon patted Si-yul’s shoulder and took the lead. Unlike his previous fierce expression, the face that passed by looked slightly gloomy.
Back in the room, Kwon Yuwon emptied two more cans of beer. Considering his low alcohol tolerance, where half a can was enough to make him tipsy, this was excessive drinking. After glancing at his phone, which kept receiving messages non-stop, he turned it off completely and flipped it over.
“…”
Knowing the situation, Si-yul felt a pang of conscience, understanding why Woo Hyun-se was pushing Park Hae-jung. Knowing exactly how Kwon Yuwon must be feeling right now, he felt sympathy. Should he ask Woo Hyun-se to give Park Hae-jung some freedom this weekend? Si-yul shook his head and put down his phone. It would likely be unnecessary meddling.
Instead, Si-yul took care of the blanket for Kwon Yuwon, who was curled up on the floor. Whether it was the alcohol or a fever, Yuwon mumbled that he was hot and kicked off the blanket. He also ground his teeth and cursed. Knowing all too well who the target was, Si-yul smiled bitterly and placed a pillow under the other’s head.
Since the cafe only operated on weekdays, the weekend was entirely Si-yul’s time. Of course, his companion was already decided. Si-yul hummed a tune as he stood in front of the mirror, fixing his hair. Pulling it up to show his forehead didn’t look right, but letting it down made him look too much like a student. Dissatisfied with both options, he struggled with the comb, grunting in frustration.
“Just wear a hat and go.”
Kwon Yuwon, who had been watching with an exasperated look, finally spoke up. His brow was deeply furrowed, and his eyelids were more than half-closed from drowsiness. Several empty jelly wrappers were scattered near Yuwon, who was leaning against the wall.
Si-yul wrinkled his nose. Yuwon’s pheromones were leaking out again. Although he tended to be more relaxed in front of Si-yul compared to others, it was rare for it to be this strong.
And he was even drowsy. A sudden realization flashed through Si-yul’s mind, and he spoke.
“Yuwon, are you…?”
“What?”
“In heat?”
He just ruffled his hair irritably without answering. He just kept eating jelly, offering one to Si-yul as well. Not wanting to upset him further, Si-yul quietly took it and ate it.
“I took suppressants, so it’s fine.”
“You’ve only eaten jelly. Should I go buy some medicine?”
“It’s fine. I’ll just endure it. I’ve done it before, what’s the big deal.”
He grumbled as he wriggled into his bedding. Lying down facing the wall, he said things he didn’t mean, like telling Si-yul to hurry up and leave. Si-yul hesitated. Woo Hyun-se would be waiting, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave Kwon Yuwon alone, who was starting to pant as his temperature seemed to rise.
“Is there anything you want to eat?”
“I said it’s fine. Just go. Don’t you have plans?”
“How can I leave you like this?”
“It’s the same whether you’re here or not. *sigh* I bought jelly, so I’ll manage with that. Just don’t stay out past midnight. Our bet isn’t over yet.”
Even though he could barely open his eyes, his enthusiasm only seemed to burn when reminding Si-yul about their bet. Still, Si-yul couldn’t bring himself to leave. He felt guilty, knowing he was partly the reason why Kwon Yuwon was separated from Park Hae-jung. Si-yul messed up his carefully styled hair and sat down heavily next to the bedding.
“I’m not going. I want to eat with you.”
“Just go. Aren’t you meeting Woo Hyun-se? I don’t have an appetite anyway.”
“I’ll go buy some porridge. Abalone porridge?”
“…That’s expensive.”
“I got paid the other day, so I have money. I’ll be right back. Get some sleep.”
Ignoring Yuwon’s mumbles telling him not to worry and just go, Si-yul left the inn. The porridge shop was at the corner where the hill road met the main street. As he trudged along, he took out his phone.
He felt conflicted about canceling today’s plans, but he knew he’d feel uneasy meeting Woo Hyun-se while leaving his sick friend behind. Gathering his courage, he made the call. The voice that answered with a soft “Yes?” was infinitely affectionate.
“Hyung, Yuwon is sick today. I’m afraid I’ll have to cancel our plans.”
―…
Si-yul had expected Woo Hyun-se to casually accept it, saying something like “Is that so? Alright.” But contrary to his expectations, Hyun-se was surprisingly silent. Feeling awkward and sorry about the silence, Si-yul rambled on.
“Well, if I’m not there, there’s no one to take care of Yuwon…”
―Why not?
“Huh? Oh, it’s not serious enough for the hospital.”
He thought Hyun-se meant to send Yuwon to the hospital. Si-yul didn’t mention that it was a heat. Although rut and heat weren’t particularly things to hide, it was still a private matter.
―I’ll send someone.
The response was unexpectedly smooth. Si-yul stopped walking and pressed the phone closer to his ear.
“Who?”
―Someone to take care of Kwon Yuwon instead of Kwon Si-yul.
Who could that be? Si-yul pondered over potential individuals even after hanging up, but no names came to mind. Park Hae-jung seemed likely, but hadn’t he mentioned going on a business trip last time?
Well, Woo Hyun-se would figure it out. Si-yul set aside his concerns and continued walking. For now, he decided to focus on the sick Kwon Yuwon.
Kwon Yuwon barely touched the porridge before quickly falling asleep, despite saying he was fine. He seemed to be in a deep sleep, only stirring slightly at outside noises without opening his eyes. Si-yul diligently dampened a towel with cold water and wiped the sweat from Yuwon’s forehead.
He had put his phone on silent and was playing a game while occasionally tending to Kwon Yuwon. There was a sound of movement outside. Perhaps a new guest had arrived in the empty room next door after the long-term guest had left a few days ago. As he was absent-mindedly turning his attention back to the screen, hurried footsteps stopped right in front of their door.
There was a knock. It was then that Si-yul remembered Woo Hyun-se saying he’d send someone.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Park Hae-jung.”
It was an unexpected name. Hadn’t he said he was going on a business trip? Si-yul opened the door with a puzzled look. Park Hae-jung stood there, his hair disheveled as if he had run up the hill.
“I heard Kwon Yuwon was sick.”
As he spoke, Park Hae-jung quickly scanned the room. When he asked if he could come in, Si-yul stepped aside.
Park Hae-jung immediately knelt down next to Kwon Yuwon and checked his condition. Perhaps sensing the unfamiliar pheromones, Kwon Yuwon opened his eyes groggily. After blinking a few times, he mumbled in a tiny voice.
“…Park Hae-jung?”
“Are you alright?”
Kwon Yuwon still seemed lost in a dream, his eyes unfocused. After staring at Park Hae-jung for a long moment, he suddenly raised his arm and wrapped it around the other’s neck.
Si-yul gasped and quickly turned his head away. He never dreamed that Kwon Yuwon would be the one to lunge at Park Hae-jung and kiss him first. The orange scent that filled the room and threatened to spill over the walls confirmed that Kwon Yuwon was definitely not in his right mind.
Park Hae-jung, who was still maintaining his composure, peeled off Kwon Yuwon, who was clinging to him like an octopus. While comforting the whining Yuwon in his arms, he turned to Si-yul.
“The CEO is waiting downstairs.”
“Hyung?”
“Yes. I’ll take care of Kwon Yuwon. You should go.”
Si-yul hesitated for a moment, feeling uneasy about leaving just because he was told to. But that didn’t last long. Kwon Yuwon was nuzzling against Park Hae-jung with his whole body, completely forgetting Si-yul’s presence in the room. The heated moans were an added bonus. Park Hae-jung also looked very flustered, neither able to accept nor reject the advances.
Not wanting to witness anything inappropriate, Si-yul bowed his head, repeatedly asking Park Hae-jung to take good care of Yuwon, and hurriedly left the room. He made sure to close the door carefully behind him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
