Can Love Be Transferred Too? 54

#54

“No…”

Yoo Sanho, clutching his startled heart, looked around the dark living room.

“Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing in the living room with all the lights off… Who are you waiting for?”

A laughing answer came from beside him.

“Who would I be waiting for? Can’t you tell just by looking?”

“I can’t tell. The living room is dark… I thought you were a ghost.”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“You were waiting for me, weren’t you, Sanho?”

Han Jiwon, who took a deep breath, soon answered with his usual smile.

“Our precious Sanho that we raised like gold and jade, I was worried that he might have been completely kidnapped by some outside Alpha while we looked away for a moment, so I couldn’t sleep.”

“Oh, what are you saying? My uncle raised me, you know? Why are you suddenly talking like a worried parent?”

At the gesture asking for his coat, Yoo Sanho fumbled to take off his cardigan and handed it to Jin Woohyeon. His dark, gentle eyes still landed on Bae Taeseong’s expressionless face, who was firmly occupying the sofa.

“What about Taeseong hyung?”

“Well, of course I also…”

Bae Taeseong, who was about to say more, clicked his tongue irritably. Getting up, he spoke as if spitting out the words.

“Forget it. I’m going to sleep.”

“Yeah. Since I saw Sanho come back, I should go up too. It looks like you had fun, so that’s a relief. Oh, if Yudam isn’t there, he’s playing in Sehyeong’s room, so you should know.”

“Sleep well.”

As soon as the two went up to the third floor, Yoo Sanho scratched his cheek and muttered.

“Why was the atmosphere between those two like that… Were we too late?”

Jin Woohyeon replied in a nonchalant tone.

“It’s not like we didn’t get permission from the production team, so what’s the problem, hyung? Like hyung said, those two aren’t worried parents either.”

“I guess so… But something was strange. It was awkward as if they had fought.”

“Then those two must have fought. If it really bothers you, should I go up later and ask? Taeseong hyung.”

“Ah. Those two are roommates, right. Could you do that?”

“Yes. I think I have some things to talk about anyway when I go up. But there’s one condition. Will you listen to it?”

“A condition? Hmm, if it’s something possible after hearing it?”

Jin Woohyeon smiled mischievously and tapped Yoo Sanho’s shoulder with his own shoulder.

“Send me a heart message later. Send that to me.”

“…”

“Why, I’m qualified, aren’t I? We were together all day today, and hyung enjoyed it too. Wasn’t I a perfect date partner? No? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong… but do people usually demand messages like this?”

“I don’t know? How other people do it. So will you do it?”

“…I don’t know. You go upstairs quickly.”

“Ah, hyung.”

“Go up quickly!”

And, a little later.

– Yoo Sanho

✉(1) [Where should I take you next time? – From a patient rabbit.]

✉(2) [Let’s talk.]

✉(3) [Please take care of me.]

[Your X has chosen you.]

[Q. Besides your benefit date partner and X, you received one more message from someone else.]

– That’s right. I actually thought only one would come? So I was a bit surprised. I thought Chan wouldn’t choose me no matter how the situation changed… Why did it change? (Laughs awkwardly.) Don’t ask me if I really don’t know. I won’t answer.

Ah, so you asked who I think sent the third message. I’m certain it was Eungi hyung. Because my roommate is Yudam, and Eungi-ssi worries about Yudam… I am curious about why those two had to break up. There must have been circumstances bigger than feelings, right?

[Q. Whether you’re thinking of responding to a serious conversation with your X.]

– …I’m not sure. I know that just avoiding isn’t a solution. I know it’s cowardly too… but there are things you know but can’t bring yourself to do. Very important homework that you don’t know where to start with. That’s how Chan feels to me right now.

– Han Jiwon

✉(0)

[Your X did not choose you.]

[Q. Do you think Bae Taeseong-ssi has feelings for Yoo Sanho-ssi?]

– I’m certain. However, I don’t really know what kind of feeling it is or to what extent. I think that’s something Taeseong has to worry about.

…I know. We actually broke up, and we’re not really in a position to be curious about such things. I don’t really understand why I endlessly worry about this fact either. This is probably homework given to me.

– Bae Taeseong

✉(1) [Sorry.]

[Your X has chosen you.]

– Kim Sehyeong

✉(1) [Jenga rocks!]

✉(2) [Reminds me of old times.]

[Your X has chosen you.]

[Q. You received a heart message from Hwang Yeonwoo-ssi, how did you feel?]

– It was good, I was happy.

You’re asking if it didn’t feel like lingering feelings remained? Uh… No? I took it in a refreshing way, and I think what I’m thinking is probably right.

The reason I think that is, hmm. Because Yeonwoo wouldn’t do that. One of the reasons I liked Yeonwoo was that he might make the same mistake twice, but he wouldn’t make the same failure twice. As you know, we already had one bad ending.

But even if the ending was a mess, not all the time we spent together was bad. I thought, didn’t we neglect such things for too long, fooled by the final impression? Among the memories we cherished, there must have been scenes like laughing and chatting together last night. I had such thoughts, and I think that meaning was contained in the message.

I think I realized too late that there are things that need to be recovered before treasuring memories. The reason we came back so far… (Laughs sheepishly.) It must be because of me, right? That’s why I’m always sorry to Yeonwoo.

– Jeon Yudam

✉ (1) Sorry for burning the fried rice. Next time, ask Eungi to make it.

[Your X did not choose you.]

[Q. Was it an unexpected message?]

– It was unexpected, right? Ugh. Bae Taeseong hyung is an idiot.

– Jin Woohyeon

✉ (1) I know you’re patient, but next time don’t wait and wake me up. Today was fun and I’m grateful.

P.S. I’m not sending this because of the condition. Don’t misunderstand.

✉ (2) Did we meet after too long? You seem different.

[Your X has chosen you.]

With countless emotions intertwined, a day passed, and early the next morning.

“…Ugh. What is this sound?”

Jeon Yudam, who had been sleeping lightly, made a groaning sound and got up. At the sound of him climbing down the ladder of the bunk bed, Yoo Sanho also got up.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something falling… and I think someone shouted, or not…”

“Shouting? Who?”

Before Jeon Yudam could answer, the answer was loudly revealed beyond the door.

“Don’t run away, Bae Taeseong!”

“It’s Jiwon hyung.”

“Jiwon hyung is shouting? Even if he’s fighting with Taeseong hyung, still.”

The two, who instantly became wide awake, hurriedly opened the door and went out, and noise could be heard from the stairway going from the second to third floor.

“I told you to stop meddling in my business, Han Jiwon. Go mind your own business with someone who appreciates it.”

“How can I not care about this? I might not know about other things, but I’m qualified for this. Am I wrong?”

“Yeah, you’re wrong. I’m tired, so don’t be noisy and get lost.”

“Woohyeon. Grab Bae Taeseong. He came back from morning training and got injured… Wait, don’t grab the right shoulder, the left…”

“…Ah, shibal.”

“The left won’t work either. If he goes into his room, he’ll definitely lock the door. Catch him before he gets past the stairs!”

“You’re really giving difficult orders from the morning. I don’t have a hobby of hugging Alphas.”

“Who would? I don’t want to be held in some grown guy’s arms either, so you get out of the way too. He’s just making a fuss.”

“Then you can just push past me. With shoulder strength.”

While Bae Taeseong hesitated, Han Jiwon bounded up the stairs three at a time.

“Are you a kid? An amateur? Does a pro lose sleep and overexert himself exercising just because he’s a bit upset inside? So you make your body like this right before the national team selection? Are you crazy? I thought you quit boxing…”

“Then what should I do? My personality is such shit that I can’t relieve stress unless I move my body. If I don’t hit a sandbag, what should I hit? Household items? People? Should I quit being an athlete and become a thug?”

“Bae Taeseong. Don’t act like a kid who had his snacks stolen. Just because you have some feelings for Sanho doesn’t mean Sanho has to date only you.”

“What the fuck, you see me as some seven-year-old brat? Do I look that pathetic in your eyes?”

“That’s what the facts are. If you don’t like it, just say you don’t like it. Be honest, don’t torture your body!”

“You should be the one being honest, Han Jiwon. Why? You don’t like me being like this? Jealousy? Or competitiveness?”

Bae Taeseong turned around and snapped fiercely at Han Jiwon.

“You want me to be shaken, you want to pick apart my emotions bit by bit in that tiresome way you always did, you want me to analyze my feelings about you, and you want to grade them while you’re at it. You want me to break up when you want, and join programs when you want me to. But I shouldn’t go too far, and you want me to maintain my pride as an athlete too?”

“Hey, why are you talking like that…”

“You want so much, Jiwon. What is our relationship anyway?”

“…”

“What are you dissatisfied with? You’re the one who brought me here.”

He slowly backed away and whispered quietly.

“You have qualifications? No, this time you shouldn’t have any.”

“…”

“Move aside, Jin Woohyeon.”

“Yes, yes. Please pass through. Hello, Sanho hyung. Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah. Good morning.”

Yoo Sanho, who had been sticking his head out from the second floor watching the situation, sighed deeply and lamented.

“Yesterday too, but really those two…”