Can Love Be Transferred Too? 84

#84

Creak.

Through the opened door gap, gentle light and a familiar person’s shadow poured in together.

“…Woohyeon.”

As I hurriedly sat up, he saw the drowsiness lingering on my face and smiled apologetically.

“Sorry. If I had known you were sleeping, I should have just come by later.”

“It’s fine. I need to get up anyway to prepare dinner.”

Still, it was our first dinner together after coming all the way to Jeju Island. I wanted to try preparing various things with dishes we could only eat here.

“It’s not like those people would starve just because hyung doesn’t cook for them.”

Jin Woohyeon, who had approached the bed in just a few steps, settled down beside my pillow. His large, warm hand carefully caressed around my eyes, the tip of my nose, and my soft lips.

“You have drowsiness clinging all over. Here, here, and here too.”

“You can see that?”

That’s what he said while grinning broadly.

“No. I just wanted to touch you using this as an excuse.”

“Silly…”

Even though I knew it was an obvious ploy, I couldn’t find a reason to refuse. Maybe I just didn’t want to refuse.

I entrusted my face to Jin Woohyeon’s hands while very slowly shaking off my fatigue. His touch, meticulously and gently stroking and caressing every part of my face, was so affectionate that there was no fear or discomfort at all. His body heat that came tickling to me would retreat without any hesitation the moment I showed even the slightest reluctance.

“What about the others?”

“The Alpha hyungs are organizing the groceries on the first floor. Sehyeong and Yeonwoo are diligently putting into action the conspiracy they’ve been plotting since the airport. Eungi hyung is probably unwillingly cooperating with that.”

He naturally explained while leaving out a certain two people. Of course, I wasn’t curious at all about what those people were doing right now, so I didn’t even pretend to ask out of courtesy.

What I was really curious about was something else.

“Conspiracy?”

“Yeah. They’re preparing something tremendous.”

What could be tremendous? I wanted to ask for more details, but looking at his expression, it didn’t seem like he would readily tell me.

“You’ll know when you see it later. It’s not related to hyung, so don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway, when Yeonwoo sees hyung later, he’ll come running over chattering about this and that. He likes catching hyung and having conversations, doesn’t he?”

“Does he? I’m not even that interesting to react to.”

“Does hyung need to be interesting too? Hwang Yeonwoo does all of that anyway.”

“That’s true. That guy is really funny just from the way he talks. Are people who do broadcasting originally like that? I might watch his broadcasts after I leave the show.”

“You like that kind of thing. Maybe I should learn some speaking skills too.”

The tickling touch smoothly continued along the corners of my eyes that had drooped slightly.

He giggled playfully and added,

“Seeing you chatter away, looks like you’re fully awake now.”

Just as I was about to answer, there was a knock-knock sound. Someone who should be coming in was already sitting next to me, so who had come to visit? When I craned my neck and looked toward the door, I heard a small voice.

“Sanho hyung, it’s Sehyeong.”

“Yeah. Come in.”

Kim Sehyeong, who entered stealthily, looked at the two of us and tilted his head.

“Ah. Did I come at a tactless moment when you two were being romantic?”

“…We’re not dating.”

“I know you’re not. It’s just my wishful thinking.”

When Kim Sehyeong held out his clenched fist, Jin Woohyeon naturally stretched out his arm and bumped his fist against it.

“For the digestive health of multiple people under one roof, please make something big happen.”

“That’s my specialty.”

Since the person in question had also arrived, it was time to satisfy my curiosity.

“Woohyeon said you and Yeonwoo are doing some kind of conspiracy. Can I ask what it is?”

“Ah, that.”

Kim Sehyeong grinned. Seeing that smile naturally reminded me of how he had gone out to the old palace with Han Jiwon and took pictures for foreigners. It was also an expression that somehow resembled Hwang Yeonwoo’s.

‘They say people resemble each other when they’re in love.’

Although the two had broken up quite a while ago, since they had time living together, they still seemed to retain aspects of their former lover.

It wasn’t just Kim Sehyeong and Hwang Yeonwoo’s case. I often saw resemblances in Choi Eungi and Jeon Yudam, and also in Han Jiwon and Bae Taeseong. There was this soft aspect where they liked each other, were familiar with each other, and because they liked certain parts of each other, they naturally absorbed and mixed colors.

Only in Lee Chan could I not see that appearance.

“……”

I had to admit that our relationship had been unequal, and that we had been together in a way that consumed me for the sake of an intact Lee Chan. Now I also admitted that it hadn’t been devotion or altruism.

It was just my selfishness that I had arbitrarily decided under the pretext of being for him. It was part of self-pity for myself who was devoted to him, and it was also one of the causes that made our relationship worse day by day.

“There was something I wanted to confirm.”

Kim Sehyeong whispered as if revealing a secret.

“Eungi hyung and Yudam. I can see they still have feelings for each other, but they keep taking the long way around.”

“Really? I thought those two were firm in their stance. Eungi hyung only likes Yudam, and Yudam is…”

I recalled the conversation I had with Jeon Yudam in Fukuoka.

Jeon Yudam had feelings remaining for Choi Eungi, but he had no intention of things working out. Even if he showed romantic feelings for someone else here, hadn’t he said he would support them instead of being jealous?

“The situation didn’t seem good.”

“Because of family opposition regarding politics and business?”

Kim Sehyeong shrugged.

“I actually know a bit about Yudam’s family. I’m somewhat interested in current affairs… If they had to break up because of his conservative father, then yes, I can understand that too.”

His voice had become very small, as if hoping this statement wouldn’t be caught on camera.

“Twenty-two is young. He hasn’t even graduated from university yet. In an environment where it’s difficult to completely separate from family, I know it would be hard to meet again while risking an all-out war.”

“So he had to give up because he didn’t have confidence to overcome family opposition?”

“Yes. But…”

Jin Woohyeon, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, chimed in.

“You think Jeon Yudam might someday be able to break through that wall and move forward?”

“Yes.”

“And you hope he realizes those feelings and that strength?”

“That too, yes.”

“……”

“I already lit the fire, and since it was about time for it to explode, I came here to take refuge.”

No sooner had those words ended than a yelling sound came from downstairs. When I jumped up from my seat, Jin Woohyeon frowned slightly and held my waist.

“I told you not to move hastily…”

When I went down to the first floor, desperately suppressing my anxious feelings, a strange scene was unfolding.

Choi Eungi standing awkwardly, Hwang Yeonwoo with his arm linked through his, Jeon Yudam a few steps away who had finally lost his temper and was clenching his fist tightly, and even Han Jiwon and Bae Taeseong with their arms crossed, quietly watching the scene.

“Why do you keep ignoring me!”

“…I haven’t been ignoring you.”

Choi Eungi answered calmly.

“I just withdrew my attention a little.”

“That’s the same thing!”

Jeon Yudam shouted while breathing heavily.

“You act like you’re half-listening when someone talks to you, you don’t look at me, you deliberately pass by me, and with Yeonwoo, who you barely used to talk to, you…”

“Ah.”

“Right now, right now too, you two are so affectionately linking arms like that…!”

Hwang Yeonwoo, who had been clinging to Choi Eungi’s arm, spotted me and naturally winked one eye. At his attitude that seemed to say he had intended exactly this situation, I let out a short “huh” breath.

“It doesn’t matter, does it?”

“……”

“I’m acting according to the program’s purpose.”

Han Jiwon secretly laughed at the words coming from Choi Eungi, who had been acting completely against the program’s purpose more than anyone else.

No matter how you looked at it, it was obviously something he didn’t mean, but that sense of discord didn’t seem to reach Jeon Yudam, who was stamping his feet in frustration.

“Do you still have feelings for me?”

“…It’s lingering attachment, isn’t it?”

“Lingering attachment is also a feeling.”

“……”

“Just as my heart is directed toward you, your heart seems to be here too.”

Looking down quietly at Jeon Yudam’s tearful eyes, Choi Eungi said,

“Why does it seem like you run away when I try to hold onto you?”

“I…”

“In your relationship with me.”

Choi Eungi said silently, but more clearly than ever,

“You only need to think about me, Jeon Yudam-ssi.”