As expected, it was about money. Kim Min-seok studied Seo Chang-seop’s anxious expression with newfound eyes. Right now, he looked like nothing more than an addict, leeching off his son’s earnings. But in Seo Ha-yoon’s childhood, it seemed like he had treated him quite well. Maybe Ha-yoon had some affection for him after all.
“I don’t have any money to give. I’m unemployed. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you should just let go of whatever this is and find a proper job. Stop asking me for money.”
Even as he spoke, a part of him wavered. Wasn’t this the same man who had gently comforted and held Ha-yoon in the dream?
“You… You’re really out of your mind. I heard you lost your memory, but did you really forget everything? Do you have any idea how I raised you?”
“Did you? Then I’m grateful for that. But I can’t conjure up money out of thin air… Goodbye.”
Kim Min-seok coldly shook off Seo Chang-seop’s hand and walked toward the convenience store. Whatever had happened in the past, Seo Chang-seop wasn’t in his right mind anymore. More than anything, the stench of cigarettes coming from him was so revolting that all he wanted to do was get away.
“Ha-yoon. Ha-yoon!”
Seo Chang-seop clung to him again. This wasn’t going anywhere. Kim Min-seok’s expression hardened as he yanked his hand away forcefully.
“I said, enough.”
His firm tone made Seo Chang-seop’s face stiffen. Two apartment security guards had already stepped outside, hesitating over whether to intervene. Noticing them, Seo Chang-seop hurriedly changed tactics.
“Alright, alright. Then at least give me your contact information. We’re the only family we have left in this world, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we at least have a way to reach each other? Hm? That way, if anything happens to either of us, we can stay in touch.”
Kim Min-seok hesitated. The word family wrapped around him like a spell, binding him in place.
Sensing his moment of weakness like a vulture, Seo Chang-seop suddenly reached into his pocket. Before Kim Min-seok could react, he pulled out his phone, entered his own number, and called himself. A moment later, the sound of a ringtone came from his chest pocket.
“…Just leave. And if you’re planning to call me just to ask for money, don’t bother. I already told you—I have nothing to give you.”
“Alright. I’ll be going for now. But I’ll be in touch…”
Seo Chang-seop walked away, looking strangely pleased now that he had secured Kim Min-seok’s number.
Watching his ragged and pitiful figure disappear into the distance, Kim Min-seok finally entered the convenience store and began selecting beers.
His mind was a mess. He shouldn’t have given his number. Now he’d only invited trouble. But still… wasn’t Seo Chang-seop the only family Seo Ha-yoon had left? The man who, despite everything, might have been the only salvation for the abused child? Cutting him off completely seemed… too harsh.
“Why did you take so long?”
As Kim Min-seok returned to the apartment, he found Ha Jun-seo waiting for him right at the entrance. He handed over the bag of beer before stepping inside.
“So… uh…”
He started speaking but hesitated, unsure if he should mention running into Seo Chang-seop or just keep it to himself.
“So what?”
Ha Jun-seo pressed him for an answer. After a brief internal debate, Kim Min-seok spoke.
“I just took my time looking around the convenience store. That’s why I was late.”
“Hmm. For someone who was browsing, you sure only bought alcohol. You didn’t even get snacks?”
“Oh… right. I totally forgot.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just whip something up with what we have at home.”
With that, Ha Jun-seo headed to the kitchen and started preparing some snacks. Meanwhile, Kim Min-seok sank onto the couch, fiddling with his phone. His gaze landed on the recent call log, where Seo Chang-seop’s number was still visible. His mind felt heavy. After a moment of hesitation, he saved the contact under the name “Seo Chang-seop.”
By the time he looked up, Ha Jun-seo had completely covered the living room table with food. Apparently, their kitchen had more supplies than he expected. There were cheese, homemade ham, dried snacks, and even fresh fruit—a surprisingly generous spread.
Ha Jun-seo popped open a can of beer and poured it into a glass. A foamy white head formed at the top. Just seeing the beer again after so long made Kim Min-seok’s mouth water. After pouring his own glass, Ha Jun-seo looked up just in time to see Kim Min-seok eagerly holding out his drink.
“Let’s toast.”
“Sure. Cheers.”
Clink!
Their glasses met in midair. Without wasting a second, Kim Min-seok brought his beer to his lips. The smooth foam brushed against them before the cool liquid slid down his throat in deep gulps.
“Ahhh… Damn…”
Kim Min-seok sighed in satisfaction after taking several swigs.
“You like it that much?”
Ha Jun-seo asked with a chuckle. Kim Min-seok nodded without hesitation.
“Yeah. I love it. It’s amazing.”
“Aw, you’re adorable.”
Ha Jun-seo playfully pinched his cheek before gently wiping the beer foam off his lips with his thumb. Kim Min-seok blinked at him in surprise as Ha Jun-seo casually popped a piece of food into his mouth.
If not for his peculiar tastes in the bedroom, Ha Jun-seo really was a flawless man. Sweet, considerate, and damn near perfect. And yet, he was hopelessly hung up on someone who already had a partner. It was almost tragic.
But what if Ha Jun-seo wasn’t around? That thought sent an unsettling loneliness through Kim Min-seok. Without this man’s kindness, adapting to Seo Ha-yoon’s body and life would have been so much harder.
“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Ha Jun-seo asked, tilting his head.
“Looking at you like what?”
Kim Min-seok flinched slightly. Was he being too obvious?
“Like… you’re gazing at me all lovingly? Did you fall for me or something?”
“I did not!”
“Aww, I think you did.”
Ha Jun-seo’s eyes curved playfully as he smiled. At moments like this, he truly resembled an old fox that had lived a hundred years.
“It’s not like that. I just… suddenly thought about something. Since I ended up in Seo Ha-yoon’s body, I feel like I would’ve had a really hard time adjusting if you weren’t here. So… thank you.”
“Don’t you think you say thank you a little too easily?”
“But I mean it.”
Ha Jun-seo studied him in silence before breaking into a grin and ruffling his hair.
“You’re way too nice. With a personality like that, you’re the perfect target for scary people to take advantage of. You get that, right?”
“As long as I watch out for you, I think I’ll be fine.”
“Haha, fair enough. I should be careful too. Cheers to that.”
They clinked glasses once again and took another drink. The cold beer felt like it was washing away the tangle of thoughts in his head. Every time he took a sip, Ha Jun-seo picked out a piece of food and fed it to him. Kim Min-seok lazily chewed and sipped, thinking this must be what heaven felt like.
Before he knew it, empty cans were scattered everywhere. So much for worrying about buying too much.
“You drink well,” Ha Jun-seo commented, refilling his glass. Kim Min-seok blinked as a slight dizziness set in.
“Uh… I think I’m a little drunk.”
As he mumbled, Ha Jun-seo steadied him, letting his head rest against his shoulder.
“So what? The bed’s right there. If you get too drunk, just pass out. Now, drink up.”
“Good point.”
Nodding, Kim Min-seok obediently downed more beer.
“Here, have some fruit. Say ‘ah.’”
“Ah…”
A piece of fruit popped into his mouth. He chewed on it, feeling like some VIP being pampered. After a moment, he hesitated before picking up a piece of cheese and holding it in front of Ha Jun-seo’s lips. Ha Jun-seo’s eyes widened slightly.
“Say ‘ah.’”
A sly smile spread across Ha Jun-seo’s face.
“You’re feeding me now?”
“Yeah. I feel bad being the only one getting pampered. Now, hurry up.”
“Ah—”
The moment Kim Min-seok placed the cheese inside, Ha Jun-seo’s lips closed around his fingers. Before he could pull away, something soft and wet—Ha Jun-seo’s tongue—deliberately ran over them.
“Ah! You pervert! Why the hell did you just lick my fingers?!”
His voice slurred slightly. He was definitely drunk.
“A pervert’s just being a pervert. What else did you expect?”
Ha Jun-seo shrugged casually, completely unfazed. Then, leaning in close, he whispered into Kim Min-seok’s ear.
“Want me to teach you a way to make beer taste even better?”
“…What is it?”
“Watch closely.”
With that, Ha Jun-seo lifted his glass, filling his mouth with beer. Before Kim Min-seok could react, a hand grabbed the back of his head, and their lips crashed together.
“Mmph?!”
There was no time to be shocked. The beer flowed past his lips, cold and fizzy. Spitting it out wasn’t an option, so Kim Min-seok had no choice but to swallow.
As soon as the beer was gone, a chilled tongue pushed against his. Kim Min-seok tried to shove Ha Jun-seo away, but the man didn’t budge. Instead, he tightened his grip on the back of Kim Min-seok’s head, holding him firmly in place as his tongue moved sinfully against his own.
Between the alcohol clouding his mind and the intoxicating sensation of the kiss itself, Kim Min-seok found himself responding before he even realized it.
Chuuup—chup.
“Mmh…”
Their bodies tumbled onto the couch, limbs tangled together. Completely wrapped up in the kiss, neither of them had any thought of stopping.
The mix of alcohol and pleasure made Kim Min-seok’s head feel light, all his previous worries melting away. He felt like he was floating, weightless, high above everything. A breathy chuckle slipped from his lips.
