Go Hoon panted, his breath ragged as he frantically glanced around. If anyone had seen them—it would’ve been a disaster. Just imagine the kind of sleazy rumors that might start.
Luckily, it didn’t seem like there were any witnesses.
He turned his head. Bae Jung-yoon ran his tongue over his thumb, and a smear of red appeared on his fingertip. Go Hoon whispered in a sharp tone as he stared at him.
“Are you out of your mind?”
It was the only thing he could say. Kissing outside, in public? That was something Go Hoon couldn’t even fathom.
“I told you not to smoke.”
But Bae Jung-yoon just shrugged it off with that usual shameless smirk. Watching him smile so casually made Go Hoon let out a dry, incredulous laugh through his clenched teeth.
“…You crazy bastard.”
His breath came out in harsh bursts. Go Hoon bent down, picked up the dropped cigarette, and crumpled it back into the pack. He tried to push past the man blocking his path—but his wrist was suddenly grabbed.
“Let go, Bae Jung-yoon.”
“Get in the car.”
Bae Jung-yoon nodded toward the open passenger door. Go Hoon stared at him in silence. The standoff lingered for a moment. The grip on his wrist grew tighter, and Bae Jung-yoon exhaled slowly.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna take it as you asking for another kiss.”
“Don’t talk bullshit.”
“Just get in the car, Hoon.”
His voice was calm, steady. Those pitch-black eyes gleamed darkly, filled with desire he wasn’t even bothering to hide. He was barely holding himself back from pinning Go Hoon down and taking him right then and there.
“Don’t look at me like that, Hoon. You’ll make me hard.”
Exactly as expected. That soft, honeyed tone was soaked in twisted lust. Go Hoon felt something rise up from deep inside and forced the words out.
“What the hell am I to you?”
He knew he was being emotional. Knew he’d probably regret saying this later. But his mouth moved on its own.
“Am I just a fuckhole you use whenever the mood strikes?”
Honestly, Go Hoon hadn’t expected much of a reaction. He figured Bae Jung-yoon wouldn’t even flinch. But instead, the reaction he got was completely different.
His gaze, once simmering with heat, turned ice cold. Those dark eyes, once so intense, suddenly went dead still.
“What did you just say, Hoon?”
There was a clear warning in his voice. Watch your mouth, Hoon. The unspoken words hit him like a slap.
But even knowing that, Go Hoon couldn’t stop. The dam had burst, and everything he’d bottled up came pouring out.
“Is that it? I confessed how I felt, and now you just see me as easy?”
The image of him earlier with Kang Soo-yeon and the scolding he’d heard from Choi Joo-won a few days ago—those things twisted together into one emotion. The anger he’d been shoving down started to spill out.
But Bae Jung-yoon said nothing. Not a word. He just stood there, silent. Go Hoon felt like he was talking to a wall. Like he was shouting questions over a tall fence into an empty void.
“Yeah. To you, my confession probably didn’t mean a damn thing. Guess that’s just the kind of guy you are.”
Since Bae Jung-yoon wouldn’t respond, Go Hoon gave himself the answer. He thought getting the words out would make him feel better. It didn’t. Instead, it felt like every accusation he hurled at the other man came flying right back and stuck in his own chest.
“You just see me as something you own, don’t you?”
Still no answer. Just moments ago, Bae Jung-yoon had been running his mouth so smoothly—and now he’d gone silent. No matter how hard Go Hoon looked into those black eyes, he couldn’t tell what the hell he was thinking.
The man was right in front of him, and yet Go Hoon felt an overwhelming distance. Staring at the unresponsive figure, he spoke again—this time, his voice calmer, more composed.
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
“……”
“If you had to choose—between Kkongddeok-i and me—and you could only pick one, who would it be?”
Even as he asked, he knew this question would only end up hurting himself. But Go Hoon asked it anyway. He felt like it might finally clarify what he needed to do in this vague, undefined relationship.
After a long silence, Bae Jung-yoon finally answered.
“Why would I have to choose? They’re both you.”
He answered like he couldn’t even comprehend the question. Go Hoon bit down hard, his jaw tightening with the effort to stay calm.
You’re going to forget me. One of us is going to disappear completely from your memory. You don’t know it yet—but I do. And the choice is mine. The logical thing would be to pick the human. But when I look at you… why does that logic suddenly feel so shaky?
His throat itched to speak the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. If one part of him really had to be erased forever… maybe it’d be better if it happened without him even noticing.
Maybe he asked that question hoping—just once—that he’d hear Bae Jung-yoon say he’d choose Go Hoon.
But once again, he was reminded: some questions are better left unasked, because the answer you want will never come.
“Yeah. I get it now. Loud and clear.”
As the tension drained from his shoulders, Go Hoon spoke in a composed voice.
“You go home first. I just need some time to clear my head.”
He gave his arm a tug. Just as he turned to walk away, Bae Jung-yoon grabbed him again, harder this time.
“Hoon—”
“…Let go!”
Go Hoon yanked his hand free with force. But in the motion, he lost control—his phone slipped from his grip, hit Bae Jung-yoon’s body, and then dropped to the asphalt with a harsh clatter.
Jung-yoon stared at him, stunned, frozen in place.
“Just… please. Leave me alone. For a few hours—no, even one hour would be enough.”
Go Hoon muttered under his breath, bent down to snatch up his phone with a twitchy, irritated motion, and walked away without another word.
***
Sitting in a chair with his back hunched forward, Go Hoon rested his forehead on his interlocked hands.
“Haah…”
A long sigh escaped him. Blowing up at Bae Jung-yoon and walking away—he could live with that. The problem came afterward.
When the phone had hit the ground, he knew it didn’t sound good. Sure enough, the screen was cracked. Worse, the touch function wasn’t working properly. No matter how much he tapped and swiped, the screen stayed unresponsive.
So now, he had no choice but to visit a phone repair center. After checking the location at a PC café, he found one about 25 minutes away by bus. He memorized the route, went straight there, and was now seated with a technician reviewing the damage.
“The repair will cost about 140,000 won.”
“140,000?”
His voice jumped a pitch in disbelief. The technician nodded, still smiling politely.
“It’ll take about an hour to fix. You’re free to leave and come back if you have things to do.”
“…Okay. Got it.”
Go Hoon gave a stiff nod, resigned to his fate.
After handing over his phone, he stepped outside. Sitting around in the center for an hour sounded mind-numbingly dull. Might as well grab something to eat.
About ten minutes of walking brought him to a burger place. He ordered a combo meal—quick, simple.
He unwrapped the burger and took a bite. Just his luck. He’d lost his temper at Bae Jung-yoon for no real reason and ended up with a busted phone.
Now what? Once the repair was done… where would he go? Heading straight home felt pathetic. Maybe he should contact Woo Gun-hyung. Didn’t he say to call him anytime?
As he mulled it over, Go Hoon slowly finished the burger. His stomach felt unsettled, but he told himself it was fine—as long as he chewed everything thoroughly. He didn’t leave even a single fry behind.
He turned to check the shop’s wall clock. Still about thirty minutes to go before his phone would be ready. He sucked at the last bit of cola through the straw, trying to pass the time, but a persistent tightness pressed against his chest.
Clenching his fist, he thumped it lightly against his chest a few times. Felt like indigestion.
Truthfully, something more ominous crept into his thoughts—but he refused to let it settle in. If he gave shape to that doubt, it would become real.
But some things happen, no matter how much you try to deny them.
“Ah…”
Go Hoon winced and pressed his fingers to his temple. The dizziness returned, followed by a nauseating churn in his gut.
Not good.
Things had been stable for a while. Why now? Why, of all times, when he was out here alone? And without a phone?
He needed to get back to the service center—fast. Just being near his phone might bring him some sense of control.
He cleaned up quickly and left the shop. The sun was already setting—autumn had just begun, and the days were getting shorter. The sinking sunlight cast long shadows beneath his feet.
With each step, his legs grew heavier. The symptoms were coming faster this time—worse than before.
…No choice.
Gritting his teeth, Go Hoon veered into a shadowy side street. Once he reached a quiet corner with no foot traffic, he slumped against a wall.
He couldn’t fight it. There was nothing to do but wait. He sat still, letting it come.
Soon, the dizziness peaked—then slowly began to fade.
He opened his eyes with a low groan. “Nngh…”
He shook his head from side to side, then curled his fluffy tail around his front paws—for warmth, for comfort.
This was the second time.
The second time he’d suddenly transformed into a cat.
How long would it take this time to turn back into a human?
More importantly… what now?
Last time, he had his phone. He’d been able to call for help. Bae Jung-yoon had come to rescue him.
But this time… there was no way to reach anyone. No phone. No help. Nothing.
