Director Hwang seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
“Are you insane?”
“Director, let’s go on a date.”
As Seonwook tried to move closer, Director Hwang pushed his forehead away.
“Stay back.”
Seonwook, shoved by that hand, tumbled backward in an arc and flopped onto his back, staring up at the ceiling.
“Just hear me out.”
“I’m not interested.”
“I told you, I’ve fallen in love.”
“I said I’m not interested.”
“At least let me clear up the misunderstanding. You’re way ahead of me right now.”
Director Hwang didn’t respond, just pulled out another tissue and wiped something.
“I’ve never felt this way before in my life. I didn’t know what love at first sight was until I saw you. It’s true. That first meeting was so intense and amazing that I fell for you, and every time we meet, I fall harder. I didn’t even have a type before, but now you’re it.”
Seonwook gestured animatedly in the air as he rambled on.
“You know how sexy and cool you are, right? From head to toe, you’re like a work of art. Not just your looks—your scent, your voice, all of it is art.”
“…”
“I’m pushing myself on you because I want to be with you. I want to get closer, to be friends.”
The sound of Director Hwang pulling out another tissue echoed.
“So you’re acting like this just because of that feeling?”
“Love makes people blind.”
“…”
“And I’m just really honest about my desires.”
“…”
“You seem pretty honest about yours too, actually. Wow, we have something in common!”
“How did you end up like this?”
Seonwook lifted his head. Director Hwang was tracing the scars on his body.
“That’s not in the report?”
“Not all of these are from falling off a skateboard.”
“Is it in the report or not?”
Director Hwang met Seonwook’s eyes.
“I’m asking how you got them.”
“The gas station owner I used to work for beat me.”
“Why?”
“He was just that kind of guy.”
“…”
“I wasn’t the only one. Everyone got hit.”
“…”
Director Hwang glared at Seonwook, then turned his head away.
Seonwook slowly sat up.
“Ask me anything. I’ll answer.”
“…”
“If anything’s different from what’s in the report, you can do whatever you want with me.”
“I already have.”
“So you know.”
Director Hwang placed a hand over his eyes, then slowly dragged it down.
“Go back to the inn now.”
“When are we going on that date?”
Director Hwang let out a long sigh and rubbed his eyes.
“I’m not going on a date.”
“But I want to. What if I miss you?”
“Come to the hotel every week at this time.”
Seonwook froze, eyes widening.
“Come here?”
Director Hwang hesitated before speaking again.
“I’ll do what I want.”
“What’s that?”
“Won’t that change depending on the time?”
“I guess. If it’s what you want, I’m up for anything. I’ll do it all.”
“Talk less.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seonwook grinned as he picked up the hem of his T-shirt, which was under Director Hwang’s foot.
“So I’ll see you every Thursday morning? Should I come at 10?”
As Seonwook lifted the T-shirt, Director Hwang pressed down with his foot to stop him. When he looked up, Director Hwang was staring at his face.
“I know you don’t have anyone to blab to, but if you so much as mention this to a stranger, even in passing, you’ll end up cemented into the ground.”
“Ouch.”
“Every part of this meeting stays between just you and me. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Director Hwang held Seonwook’s gaze for a moment.
“I’ll tell the front desk you’re here on an errand for me. But just because you come doesn’t mean you’ll always get up to this room. If I’m not available, you leave. Come back the same time next week. Don’t make a scene about not being let in, or I’ll make sure you regret it. Got it?”
“Then… wouldn’t it be better to call ahead to check if it’s okay? Should I give you my number?”
“I won’t be calling you.”
“That’s inefficient. You’re just gonna send me away after I come all this way?”
“Do I look like someone who adjusts their schedule for you?”
“I don’t know. Oh, now I’m curious. What kind of person are you, Director?”
Director Hwang lifted his foot from the T-shirt.
“Get out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seonwook picked up his T-shirt and stood.
“What?”
Director Hwang’s quiet sigh made Seonwook pause as he slipped his arm into the sleeve and turn around.
Director Hwang was staring intently at his bare back.
“Oh, you like it?”
Seonwook was about to casually pull his T-shirt on when Director Hwang, now standing, stopped him and pulled it off again.
“Again?”
Director Hwang gripped Seonwook’s shoulders and examined his back.
“Did the gas station owner do this too?”
“I did this one. Well, not me—my friend did it for me.”
“What?”
“I wanted a tattoo but didn’t have the money.”
“A… what?”
Director Hwang seemed at a loss for words.
Seonwook stood obediently, showing his back as he thought of the large, crooked letters scarred across it:
S
o m
e o
f m
y b
ody
Letters carved with a dull blade, now faded into dark scars after about three months.
“You wanted… this as a tattoo?”
Director Hwang asked quietly after a moment.
“Yeah.”
“What does it mean?”
“Just my favorite letters put together.”
A small sigh escaped Director Hwang.
“You really are out of your mind.”
Seonwook turned around.
“Done looking? Can I put my shirt on now?”
Director Hwang waved a dismissive hand and walked toward the desk.
“I’ll bring fruit next time. It’s rude to visit someone empty-handed. But is this your house, or what?”
“Take this with you.”
Director Hwang, who had silently approached, tossed a thick envelope onto the sofa. It was the envelope Seonwook had given him instead of the original one.
“What was this again?”
Seonwook, now fully dressed, pulled out half of what was inside—some old, coiled cables he didn’t even know the use for.
“Looks like something from the Joseon Dynasty.”
“Get out.”
Seonwook, who had been mocking Deokman, quickly grabbed his skateboard and headed for the door. As he reached to open it, he turned back to see Director Hwang leaning against the hallway wall, watching him like a guard.
“Let’s fuck next time, if we can.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
