Side Story 5
Taemin entered the bedroom after bathing and putting Jimin to sleep. The chaotic space had been neatly tidied up by the staff and Taemin. Idam, who had already showered and changed into pajamas, was there. The doodles on his face were drawn with water-based markers, so they washed off easily with cleansing foam. That was fortunate.
Idam was intently watching TV. He seemed quite focused. Taemin approached, curious about what Idam was watching so attentively.
An animation was playing on the screen. True to his 14-year-old self, cartoons seemed to interest him. Finding this somehow cute, Taemin smiled unconsciously.
“What’s so interesting?”
“The fireworks are pretty.”
“Fireworks?”
Taemin raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the screen again. Looking closely, colorful fireworks were bursting like flowers against the night sky.
“Watching it makes my head tingle and my chest hurt in a strange way.”
Idam touched his head. Taemin’s heart sank. He wondered if Idam was associating the fireworks with pain.
In the past, under the fireworks on Jihwado, Idam had confessed to Taemin, and Taemin had rejected him. This memory might still be lingering in Idam’s heart. Feeling deep guilt, Taemin took Idam’s hand.
“Does it seem like you remember something?”
If Idam remembered even this much, Taemin was prepared to apologize again. But…
“Hmm… That’s… I’m not sure…”
Idam trailed off. He still had an ambiguous expression, as if nothing had come back to him yet. Then he looked at Taemin’s fingers holding his hand. Gradually, Idam’s cheeks turned noticeably red.
“Um… Mister, I think Jimin would really love to see these fireworks too. He smiles so much just seeing shiny things!”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Jimin always responded especially well to picture books with bright colors or light.
“Above all,” Idam hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I want to see them tomorrow too. I think they’ll be really beautiful.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
Taemin was worried about stirring up Idam’s pain again.
“Yes. I want to see them!”
Contrary to his concerns, Idam’s answer was quite determined.
“Alright. Let’s go see them tomorrow.”
In truth, Taemin would pluck the stars from the sky for Idam if he wanted.
“Wow! Really?”
Idam’s eyes sparkled. Taemin thought Idam’s eyes were far more dazzling and beautiful than the fireworks on TV.
“Yes, let’s go together.”
“I’m so excited!”
Idam smiled brightly and clapped his hands. Taemin felt an intense lovability from this sight. For a moment, he felt the urge to kiss Idam and unconsciously held Idam’s chin. But with Idam currently having only memories up to age 14, he was essentially a child, and it didn’t seem right to do such things to a child, so Taemin stopped himself.
After caring for Idam like a child for two weeks now, Taemin felt a thirst from not being able to have any physical intimacy with Idam. He could bear it for now, but if this situation became prolonged, it would be difficult…
Or should he start teaching Idam about being a husband, one step at a time…
Taemin heavily brushed up his bangs and shook his head. For now, he decided to hold onto hope that Idam would regain his memories. So he resolved not to have such beastly thoughts.
Needing mental refreshment, Taemin got up to take a shower. He took off his top completely as he headed to the bathroom. At the same time, he felt a gaze like an artist’s. Taemin turned around to see Idam staring intently at his body.
“What is it?”
“Well…”
Idam quickly got up and started touching Taemin’s back and chest.
“Why did you get this spider tattoo on your back and chest?”
Idam’s pale hand fluttered like a butterfly over the large spider. At the somewhat explicit hand movements, Taemin felt his suppressed sexual desire rising, but he endured it.
“Our family has long used a venomous spider called Jeramy for business. I inherited that business and got this tattoo wishing for success.”
It was actually Ji Taehwa’s idea. So Taemin’s father, Ji Hyeongman, had also tattooed Jeramy spiders on various parts of his body for the same reason.
“Then why is there a full moon?”
This time Idam traced the full moon tattooed on Taemin’s back.
“The full moon is said to be an auspicious sign. That’s why I got it.”
“I see. The tattoos are really cool.”
“Thank you.”
“So, did that business succeed?”
“Yes. But I’ve stopped it now because of other business.”
In truth, Taemin could have continued the Jeramy Revolution alongside other businesses. But its very inception stemmed from Ji Taehwa’s misguided desires and had led to many tragedies. After nearly losing Idam’s life, Taemin judged it unreasonable to continue and withdrew. So the new business he started now was in opposition to the Jeramy Revolution.
“I see.”
Idam seemed to want to ask more but changed the subject, perhaps sensing difficult answers ahead.
“Are you going to shower now, mister?”
“Yes.”
“Then I want to shower with you.”
Idam held Taemin’s hand tightly. At the same time, Taemin’s pupils dilated sharply.
“But you just showered?”
“I want to help you.”
“With what?”
“I want to help you wash!”
For a moment, Taemin’s heart fluttered and he felt like he might get an erection, but he deliberately let go of Idam’s hand. Thinking and reminding himself that he shouldn’t do this with a child, he gritted his teeth.
“I’ll just shower alone.”
“Why? I want to be with you!”
This time Idam grabbed Taemin’s hand again, emitting sweet pheromones. It was as if Idam was testing Taemin’s patience. But Taemin felt bad about rejecting him again. In the end, Taemin firmly resolved to just bathe, literally.
“Alright.”
“Yay!”
Excited, Idam clung to Taemin like a cicada and followed him.
“Ah, right.”
Before entering the bathroom, Idam’s gaze fell on a framed picture on the wall. It was a photo of Taemin and Idam arm in arm with the sea in the background.
“I saw this photo while playing with Jimin today. Where is this? The sea is so beautiful!”
“Ah, that’s Jihwado. It’s an island I own that we use for relaxation.”
“Jihwado? That’s an unusual name. What does it mean?”
“It uses the Chinese characters for spider (蜘) and flower (花). We named it that because it’s a good environment for Jeramy spiders to live.”
It was a rather plain name, not given with any particularly noble meaning.
“Oh? Are there still spiders on that island now?”
“Yes, we just keep them as pets.”
Even though he had stopped the business, Taemin couldn’t just kill the living spiders right away.
“Wow, I’d like to visit that island someday.”
“Sure. We’ll take Jimin too next time.”
“Yes!”
Taemin smiled at Idam’s energetic response. But… Although this current Idam was lovable and good, something felt unsettling in a corner of his heart.
* * *
The next day arrived.
The three of them arrived at an amusement park near Incheon beach. Idam had wanted to see fireworks, and they found out there was a night fireworks festival here today.
“Wow, I’m so excited!”
Idam bounced up and down excitedly. Jimin, in Taemin’s arms, also wiggled his body following Idam. Taken aback, Taemin tried to maintain his composure between the two babies.
“Wow!”
Idam’s face was full of excitement as he looked around the amusement park.
“So this is what an amusement park is like. It’s really pretty.”
“Is this your first time at an amusement park?”
“Yes!”
“I see…”
Idam had mentioned before that he once came to an amusement park to see fireworks, but it was canceled due to rain. So it seemed he hadn’t been to an amusement park until age 14. This meant that for the current Idam, Taemin was the protagonist giving him his first amusement park experience. In this way, there would be many things Taemin would be giving to the current Idam for the first time. He felt proud, but at the same time, his chest felt heavy as if something was stuck.
“I’m really looking forward to the fireworks too.”
Excited, Idam looked lovingly at Jimin’s face.
“Jimin, are you excited too?”
“Waa! Uung!”
Jimin nodded. It wasn’t clear if he understood Idam’s words, but he was completely loyal to Idam.
The family of three explored the amusement park. When Idam was surprised, Jimin was surprised too, and when Idam found something fascinating, Jimin had the same reaction. Having been together all day recently, they seemed to have become one. Taemin moved between these two babies, sweating nervously.
“Mister! I want to try that!”
Idam’s gaze was directed at a food truck selling soft-serve ice cream and churros.
“Alright. Choose whatever you want to eat.”
“Okay! I’m going to eat a lot!”
Idam rushed towards the food truck. Jimin also struggled as if he was about to fly towards Idam.
* * *
After devouring five churros and three ice creams, Idam’s cheeks were puffed up like balloons. He also ate various other snacks like hot dogs, takoyaki, and tornado potatoes. Despite having had a hearty meal before coming, his appetite was good.
In fact, Taemin had been worried because Idam often skipped meals or left food unfinished before losing his memories, but seeing him now made Taemin feel proud.
An Idam without scars. An Idam full of happiness. It seemed good to live anew with the current Idam, but… Taemin felt a conflict like a downpour.
“Oh?”
Idam soon spotted a souvenir shop and his eyes widened. He quickly ran in, and Taemin followed, feeling awkward. The store was quite spacious with many items. But there weren’t many people, so it was quiet.
“Mister! Let’s wear these too.”
Idam was standing in front of a corner with animal headbands.
“Woooah.”
Jimin’s eyes also went round. After looking at various headbands, Idam picked up a bear headband and put it on.
“How is it?”
Idam’s already youthful face looked even younger and fresher.
“It suits you perfectly. You’re cute.”
“That’s good. Wow! Look here! They have baby ones too!”
Idam quickly picked up a small headband and put it on Jimin. Jimin frowned for a moment, seeming uncomfortable.
“Our Jimin is so pretty!”
But Jimin smiled brightly as if he understood Idam’s compliment.
“Hehe. Then you wear one too, mister!”
Idam put a bear headband on Taemin’s head too. Taemin was momentarily flustered by the sudden cute item, but given the day, he decided to accept it.
The three of them, wearing bear headbands, roamed the amusement park. Since Jimin was too young to ride attractions, they visited exhibition halls or watched parades.
Before they knew it, the sun had set and it was almost time for the fireworks to start. The three arrived at the western beach where the fireworks festival was being held. There were quite a lot of people, but luckily they found an empty bench and settled there.
“Are you having fun?”
“Yes!”
Idam nodded. Jimin, still in Taemin’s arms, also looked excited. Taemin couldn’t stop smiling.
Bzzt, bzzt.
He felt his phone vibrating in his back pocket. Checking it, he saw a call coming from Secretary Kang. He had finished all his work in the morning and had postponed all meetings and contacts until tomorrow. So there was no reason for a call unless it was extremely urgent. Feeling puzzled, Taemin was about to answer immediately but was concerned about Jimin in his arms.
“Idam, I’m going to take this call for a moment. Can you watch Jimin?”
“Sure! Jimin, come here!”
Idam quickly took Jimin. Jimin also clung to Idam as if he had wanted to be held by him. Soon, their giggles rang out. Their relationship was so good.
As it was somewhat noisy, Taemin left the sandy beach to take the call in a quieter place.
“Peek-a-boo, Jimin!”
As Idam made a funny face, Jimin laughed brightly. This made Idam even more excited and he continued making amusing expressions.
Gradually, a long shadow fell behind Idam.
“Oh? Fancy meeting you here.”
Hearing a familiar voice, Idam looked up. It was Teacher Han Seungwon, whom he had met at the hospital two weeks ago. At that moment, Idam felt a sharp pain in his head and his body temperature rising.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
