The weather had turned quite chilly.
Haon, sitting on the bench in the courtyard, tucked his hands between his thighs. After finishing the dinner preparations and washing his hands, he came outside, only to find his hands quickly growing cold.
Haon shivered, feeling the sudden drop in temperature. It hadn’t been this cold just last week. In a matter of days, the chill of late autumn had arrived.
However, the cold wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to Haon. In the countryside, one usually needed to wear a light jacket as soon as the sun set. Even now, Haon was wearing Inho’s cardigan over the short-sleeved T-shirt he had on during the day.
“Nice smell.”
He buried his face in the collar, inhaling the familiar scent. The soft texture of the fabric reminded him of Inho. Haon smiled, continuing to sniff the cardigan, enjoying the sensation.
Woof!
Just as he was indulging in the pleasant scent, a scruffy ball of fur pushed through the old gate. Haon had left the gate wide open since Inho, who had gone out, hadn’t returned yet.
Woof! Woof!
“Haengboki, you’re here?”
Haon brightly smiled as he saw Haengboki, who had been spinning around the courtyard alone, now rushing toward him. Today, too, Haengboki looked happily chaotic. Always bright, though a bit simple-minded, Haengboki was a joy to watch.
“You ate poop again, didn’t you?”
Woof!
Haon grabbed Haengboki’s front paw and interrogated him, to which Haengboki barked sharply as if denying the accusation. However, his curly white fur was covered in mud, which likely meant it was mixed with something unpleasant.
Haengboki whined and wagged his tail vigorously, wanting to be picked up. His small size and short legs made it difficult for him to climb onto the porch alone.
“No way. This is Inho’s clothes, and it’ll be a disaster if it gets dirty.”
Haon crossed his arms, ignoring Haengboki’s pleading eyes.
“You shouldn’t have rolled in poop.”
Woof!
As Haon gently pushed him away and scolded him, Haengboki barked loudly and tried even harder to jump onto his lap.
“No, no. Stop it. No.”
Haon tried to be firm, but Haengboki didn’t back down. Unlike usual, Haon wasn’t petting him, which made Haengboki whine pitifully.
“I can’t…”
Sensing Haon’s resolve weakening, Haengboki’s whining grew louder. Haon was torn, worried that Inho’s cardigan might get dirty.
Woof!
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”
Haon sighed deeply and finally stood up. He took off his outerwear and neatly folded it on the porch to pick up Haengboki.
“Why do you keep eating poop? That’s why everyone calls you a poop-eater.”
Despite being fed plenty of delicious food, Haengboki always managed to get dirt on his face. He would eagerly gobble up treats but still find time to bury his face in the dirt.
“Our Inho will be shocked if he sees you like this.”
Haon decided to clean Haengboki before Inho returned. Inho hadn’t yet witnessed Haengboki’s dirt-covered antics. Haengboki seemed to have his own way of managing his image, always appearing clean in front of Inho.
But perhaps now, he was ready to show his true self. Haon wished Haengboki would keep up the act a little longer.
Woof!
Haon wrinkled his nose as he sniffed Haengboki’s mouth, which was caked with something far worse than dirt.
“You’re not Haengboki anymore; you’re Dungboki now.”
Woof!
Haengboki growled, unhappy that even Haon was calling him a poop-eater. But Haon knew Haengboki was harmless and continued to tease him.
“I’ll wash you up. Be still.”
Haon carried Haengboki to the bathroom and washed his face. He didn’t give him a full shower, knowing how much Haengboki hated water.
“Aww, look how cute you are now.”
After cleaning Haengboki’s face, his soft white fur was finally visible. Haon showered him with kisses, soothing the sulking Haengboki.
“Let’s wait for Inho together.”
Instead of the cardigan, Haon relied on Haengboki’s warm body heat as they sat together on the bench. Inho had been gone for about an hour, so he should be returning soon.
Haon gazed at the gate, waiting for the sound of Inho’s bicycle. He rested his chin on Haengboki’s head, feeling the warmth.
“Our Haengboki.”
Woof!
“You’re happy, I’m happy. We’re all happy.”
Haon gently shook Haengboki’s paw, humming to himself. The warmth of Haengboki’s body against his thigh made him forget the chilly weather.
Winter would be here soon. Haon looked forward to the approaching season, feeling Haengboki’s tail brush against his thigh.
“When it snows, come sleep at our house, okay?”
Woof!
“But if you eat poop, you’re sleeping in the yard.”
Woof…
As Haon chatted with Haengboki, he finally heard a sound from outside the gate. It must be Inho.
Haon lifted his head, ready to greet Inho, but then his eyes widened in surprise.
“Seong-gu!”
Seong-gu walked through the gate with heavy steps. It was the first time he had visited the house since Haon started living with Inho.
“What brings you here? Welcome!”
“We just saw each other yesterday. No need to be so excited.”
Seong-gu grumbled as Haon enthusiastically greeted him, shaking Haengboki’s paw.
“Yesterday was just a quick meeting outside.”
Haon was genuinely happy to see Seong-gu at the house. He hoped this meant Seong-gu was finally warming up to Inho.
“Where is he?”
However, Seong-gu’s gruff tone quickly dampened Haon’s spirits.
“Don’t call him ‘that guy.’ He’s older than you.”
“Fine, where is that old man?”
Haon’s smile vanished, and he glared at Seong-gu. As Seong-gu approached, Haon pushed Haengboki toward him, whispering for Haengboki to bite him. But Haengboki just wagged his tail happily.
“Don’t touch him. He ate poop earlier.”
“I cleaned him up.”
“Did you? Let me see if he’s really clean.”
Seong-gu took Haengboki and examined his round face. Haon watched with a stern expression.
“Seong-gu.”
“What is it?”
Seong-gu already knew what was coming and scoffed.
“Are you really going to keep acting like this with Inho?”
Everyone in the neighborhood, young and old, had welcomed Inho with open arms. They admired his good looks, which were rarely seen even on TV, and often came by just to see him.
Haon had hoped for this reaction. The aunties in the neighborhood complimented Inho, saying his presence brightened up the village. Everyone welcomed Inho except Seong-gu.
“At least acknowledge his greetings. It must be so awkward for him when you ignore him.”
“If it’s awkward, he should stop greeting me. He knows I won’t respond, so why bother?”
“How can he not greet you? We’re practically family now.”
Frustrated, Haon slapped Seong-gu’s arm lightly. Seong-gu acted shocked.
“Now you’re hitting me?”
Haon stood his ground, clenching his fists.
“Next time, it’ll be a punch.”
His fists were about as threatening as Haengboki’s paws. Seong-gu’s expression darkened, but he soon burst into laughter.
“Wow, you’ve grown up enough to talk back to me.”
Despite his words, Seong-gu couldn’t hide his amusement. He hated to admit it, but that city slicker with the pretty face seemed to be having a positive influence on Haon. The kid was standing up for himself more these days.
Seong-gu’s expression suddenly darkened as he stared at Haon.
“Hey, what’s that on your neck…?”
Seong-gu’s eyes narrowed as he noticed something on Haon’s neck. His face turned fierce, like an angry tiger.
“What is that red mark on your neck?!”
Haon quickly covered his neck with his hand, realizing what Seong-gu was referring to.
“I… I got bitten by a mosquito…”
“Do you think I’m an idiot? A mosquito bite doesn’t leave a mark like that!”
Seong-gu’s eyes widened in shock as he saw the hickey on Haon’s neck. Haon tried to hide it, but it was too late. He avoided Seong-gu’s gaze, feeling embarrassed.
Usually, they were careful not to leave marks in visible places, but last night, they both ended up leaving hickeys on each other’s necks. Haon had initiated it.
“Who the hell leaves a mark like that on a kid’s neck? Where is he? Tell him to get in here now!”
“I… I’m not a kid!”
Haon raised his voice, feeling insulted by Seong-gu’s harsh words.
“And we’re both adults! It’s not a big deal…! It can happen!”
Woof!
Haengboki seemed to side with Haon, glaring at Seong-gu. Haon hugged Haengboki tightly, feeling grateful for his support.
“If you’re going to keep talking badly about Inho, just leave. I don’t want to fight with you.”
Haon rubbed his eyes, feeling upset. Seong-gu fell silent, his breaths coming out in heavy puffs, like an angry rhinoceros.
Haon thought Seong-gu might storm out, but instead, he sat down next to him. He took off his windbreaker and placed it under Haon to keep him warm.
“You shouldn’t sit on the cold ground.”
“…Thanks.”
“Don’t you have a cushion?”
“I think there’s one inside. I’ll go find it.”
“Make sure it’s a thick one. If you don’t have one, I’ll get you one.”
Haon nodded, stealing a glance at Seong-gu. He wished Seong-gu would be this nice to Inho too. It would be great if they could get along.
Haon noticed a black plastic bag that Seong-gu had brought with him. Inside were containers of side dishes.
“What did you bring?”
“Braised cod and scallion kimchi.”
Seong-gu sprawled out on the bench, answering casually. Haon smiled, recognizing the dishes as Inho’s favorites from Seong-gu’s house. There was also a bottle of makgeolli in the bag.
“Does your man drink well?”
