Gentle Giant 86

Gentle Giant Chapter 86

Juho opened his eyes 4 hours later. As he turned his eyes to check his surroundings, the sound of knocking on the door rang out.

Shortly after, the door opened and a nurse holding a tray came in, seemingly to finish up.

“Lee Juho-ssi? You’ve finished your IV. I’ll remove it right away.”

“Yes.”

Along with the feeling of the needle being withdrawn, the coolness of alcohol was felt on the back of his hand. The nurse’s greeting was heard once more and quiet silence settled over the hospital room.

Whether it was the effect of the sedative, his hand had stopped trembling, and his foggy mind had cleared up quite a bit.

Juho shook his head slightly to fully regain his senses and looked at his phone to check if Dain had contacted him while he was asleep.

[Dain hyung: Juho, I finished all my exams! │3:21 PM]

[Dain hyung: (emoticon) │3:21 PM]

[Dain hyung: I’m at a pork belly place with my group members now ㅋㅋㅋ Jiyoon and Minjun said we have to eat meat on a day like today ㅋㅋㅋ │4:15 PM]

[Dain hyung: (photo) │4:15 PM]

As expected, there were messages from Dain.

Ever since Juho had said he worried when he couldn’t reach him, Dain made an effort to send messages even when he couldn’t call. Juho smiled briefly at Dain’s conscientiousness in reporting even trivial things.

Looking at the modestly plated pork belly photo, Juho realized quite some time had passed since Dain’s last message. He sent a reply to Dain before it got any later.

[5:20 PM │Hyung, I was busy so I’m just seeing the message nowㅠㅠㅠ Did you enjoy the pork belly?]

After sending the reply, Juho left the hospital with Managing Director Kim who had been waiting in the corridor. The company work that had been postponed due to the medical appointment was just beginning now.

“The test results will take a day or two since it’s the weekend. Should I make an appointment right away?”

Managing Director Kim, who was driving, asked Juho.

Juho, who was looking at the piled-up documents, shook his head at Managing Director Kim’s words. After the weekend, he had travel plans with Dain. Thanks to the sedative’s effect, his body felt light and he felt like he could endure for a few days.

“Um, please schedule the appointment for Wednesday morning.”

“Yes. If you feel uncomfortable even before then, please contact me immediately. I’ll let the hospital know as well.”

“Understood. Is everything prepared for the meeting now?”

“Yes. I’ve conveyed everything in advance.”

With Managing Director Kim’s answer, the car became quiet. What broke that silence was the occasional vibration sound of Juho’s phone.

[Dain hyung: You were busy after allㅠㅠ Then when will you finish? │5:27 PM]

[5:33 PM │I’m not sure, I’m going into another meeting nowㅠㅜ]

[Dain hyung: Okay, okay, got it! Jiyoon asked me to help her pick out things she needs for her trip, so I’m going shopping before going home! Work hard *.*!! │5:38 PM]

[5:41 PM │Yes, understood^^ Contact me when you get home later! Have fun shopping too! I’ll look forward to what you buy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Dain hyung: Got it, just trust hyung! I’ll buy tons of good stuff ㅋㅋ │5:42 PM]

[Dain hyung: (emoticon) │5:44 PM]

Looking at the time gap between the last message and the emoticon, it seemed like he had pondered which emoticon to send. What he chose was an emoticon of a fat cat scattering bills. It seemed to mean he would spend money properly.

Juho covered his naturally softening lips with his hand and focused on the documents. To get home even a minute faster, he had no choice but to concentrate.

* * *

Dain spread out various items that Jiyoon had helped him choose on the dining table. From selfie sticks to face masks, it was full of items he hadn’t even thought of.

Especially Jiyoon was enthusiastic even at the cosmetics store, saying his skin shouldn’t get damaged by the hot sunlight. Dain was amazed by her passion and continuously filled the shopping cart as Jiyoon put things in.

The expenses were bigger than expected, but compared to what Juho had prepared, it was nothing. Rather, he was disappointed that he couldn’t buy more because his left hand was inconvenient.

Dain brought out a suitcase from one corner of the dressing room that Juho had prepared at some unknown time. It was a modest size, perfect for domestic travel. Sitting on the floor with the suitcase open, Dain hummed while organizing his things.

When he was fully concentrated, the sound of the front door opening was heard and Juho, whom he had been waiting for, came in.

“Juho!”

“Yes. Hyung, I’m home.”

Dain got up from the floor and ran to Juho. He was on his tiptoes, worried about making thumping sounds for the downstairs neighbors.

As expected, when it comes to consideration, it’s Jung Dain. Juho muttered to himself.

As if knowing that Juho didn’t know what to do with how cute he looked whenever Dain came out to greet him, Dain always hopped like a child learning ballet.

“You worked so hard today too, was work difficult? What about dinner? Oh right! Give me your bag, I’ll go put it away.”

Dain, who examined Juho thoroughly from head to toe, asked various things in a clear voice. Perhaps because it was the first day they had been apart in 2 weeks, he was being more bustling than usual in taking care of him.

Rather than stopping such a Dain, Juho even turned around once in place, saying it was for easier viewing.

“How is it? Don’t I look a bit haggard?”

“No, not at all! Juho, how can you be perfect even after working all day?”

Dain’s eyes sparkled at his graceful body movement. He wanted to give two thumbs up with both hands, but his left hand was troublesome, which was frustrating. In his urgency, Dain made a thumbs up with his right hand and continued circling around Juho.

He wanted to show off what he had bought shopping today. Juho watched Dain’s movements with his eyes and laughed loudly.

“I understand. Hyung, let me go see what you bought today first.”

“Hehe, yes! I really bought a lot!”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”

Dain, who led Juho’s hand, showed off the travel preparations he had bought. He didn’t spare the trouble of taking out again what he had organized in the suitcase. Juho made interested expressions and gave appropriate responses to each item.

After the introduction that rivaled home shopping ended, a brief break came. Dain fidgeted with his hands while looking at Juho. It was behavior suggesting he had something to say.

Juho wiped the sweat that had formed on Dain’s nose bridge from giving the enthusiastic introduction and asked.

“Hyung, did you buy anything else besides this? It seems like you have something more to say?”

“No! This is all I bought.”

“Hmm, then what is it?”

Juho tilted his head curiously and smiled. Dain’s ear tips turned red at his handsome and cute expression.

Because it was exam period, he hadn’t been able to say thank you to Juho, and it bothered him, so he wanted to express it somehow, but when it came to actually talking, his mouth wouldn’t open. It was frustrating that he was this bad with words.

That’s why he attempted a sudden lip collision.

Dain pressed against Juho’s lips hard enough to make a ‘smack’ sound rather than a ‘peck’. Even in the midst of this, Dain showed the courtesy of raising his arm up, worried that Juho’s face might get hurt by his left hand cast.

“Mmph!”

Juho was squatting on the floor looking at Dain and the suitcase, but his whole body swayed from Dain’s suddenly added weight.

Barely maintaining his balance and embracing Dain’s back, a deflating laugh escaped from Juho’s mouth.

Did he want to give a kiss so he was being subtle about it? This much is fine to just do.

At Dain’s cute expression of affection, Juho stroked Dain’s hair. Their lips were still pressed together.

Dain pressed his lips several times before finally pulling away. At this rate, he might not get to say what he wanted and just kiss all night.

Having loosened his tension somewhat with the kiss, Dain firmly held Juho’s hand and continued speaking carefully.

“Juho, thank you so much for this trip. I’m sorry and grateful that you suffered during exam period because of me. Since it’s our fi-first trip together, I’m really looking forward to it and want to make lots of beautiful memories. *sniff* Really, thank you so much, Juho.”

His nose tingled and his eyes felt hot. The more he said thank you to Juho, the more indescribable emotions welled up.

Besides family, he was the first person to treat him this well and devote himself to him. Perhaps in his life, Juho might be the only such person. He was that precious and grateful.

At Dain’s sincere words of gratitude, Juho was momentarily at a loss for words.

He hadn’t done these things to receive such thanks. Rather, for Juho, leaving Dain in someone else’s hands was unthinkable. Dain had to be handled entirely by himself alone.

And honestly, he had been more actively caring because Dain’s reactions were cute and fun. This trip was the same.

But unlike his own impure self, Dain had given 100% pure sincerity. He didn’t know how such a person had rolled into his life.

Juho even felt guilt he had never experienced before. So he deliberately used light words to somewhat deflect Dain’s sincerity.

“Anyone would think this was some anniversary greeting. What have I even done? It’s embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing, my foot. Th-then should we make it our first trip anniversary?”

“What?”

“The reason I spoke so grandly is because it’s our first trip anniversary. Got it? But that doesn’t mean we’re only going on one trip!”

Because Dain insisted, Juho had no choice but to nod, saying he understood. Dain liked that too and kissed Juho’s lips. Juho also didn’t lose out and dropped kisses here and there on Dain’s face.

It was a ticklish and tender time.

“Juho, let’s take lots of photos and eat lots of delicious food on our trip. I’m so excited my heart is pounding!”

“We’re going the day after tomorrow and you’re already like this?”

“Mm-hmm! Actually, I’ve been like this since I was studying for exams.”

At Dain’s shy confession, Juho laughed loudly once more. His motivation to create unforgettable memories for Dain welled up.

“Hearing hyung say that, I’m starting to feel excited too.”

As soon as Juho finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.