What Kind of Relationship (9)
Sa Hae-geon, returning after placing his dish in the sink, tilted his head when he saw me scratching near my chest.
“Hyung, are you itchy somewhere?”
“Ah, yes. I think I might need to buy some high-moisture body lotion.”
“I’ll order some for you. Do you have a brand you often use?”
“Oh, no. Not particularly. Any high-moisture one will do.”
As soon as Hae-geon heard my words, he headed to his room. I called out to his retreating back:
“While you’re at it, could you return my phone too?”
There was no reply, but knowing Hae-geon, he would surely bring my phone as well. After all, now that the confinement was over, there was no reason not to give me my phone. As I was eating the remaining jjajang rice while waiting for Hae-geon to return:
“Here’s yours, hyung. I’ve been charging it, so the battery should be full. I’ve also ordered the body lotion.”
Hae-geon said as he placed my phone on the table.
“Okay, thanks.”
I was about to turn on the phone with a brief thanks but hesitated. …Wait a minute. Aren’t I currently considered missing? If I turn on the phone now, it’s clear that I’ll get contacts from all sorts of places…
As I fumbled with the phone, hesitating, Hae-geon asked curiously:
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh… I think I made a mistake. I shouldn’t turn this on now. I’m still considered missing, after all. If a phone that’s been off suddenly turns on, what will everyone think?”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Hae-geon nodded, understanding my explanation.
“Then should I take it back and give it to you later?”
Is he serious right now? If I give it back to you, who knows when I’ll get it back. I shook my head, refusing Hae-geon’s offer.
“No, no. I’ll just keep it. I can leave it in the room, I guess.”
Hae-geon seemed disappointed but didn’t push his opinion or insist further. He just quietly cleared the table I had finished eating at. Now that I’m not confined anymore, shouldn’t I help clear the table too?
When I was confined, I thought it was natural to just eat without helping, but now it’s different, right? Even if it’s not living together, I’m still kind of indebted to him. Watching him take care of all the housework alone made me feel guilty.
I gently placed my hand on Hae-geon’s wrist as he was organizing the side dish bowls and asked:
“I’ll clear the table. You just do the dishes. Or should I do the dishes? Which do you think is better?”
“What, what?”
Hae-geon jumped in surprise and stepped back. I can understand being startled, but is it really something to be so shocked about that you have to step back? I was starting to feel a bit strange. Unaware of this, Hae-geon looked at me with bewildered eyes and said, withdrawing his hand:
“It’s, it’s okay. I’ll just clean up. You’re a guest staying here at my request, hyung.”
“But it’s unfair for you to set and clear every time.”
“It’s really okay, hyung. You just need to enjoy the food.”
Hae-geon’s voice sounded not just kind but almost desperate, and I ended up just nodding. …Alright. If he wants it that much, there’s no need for me to insist. My help might even feel like interference to Hae-geon.
I felt a bit unsettled though. Hae-geon’s overly sensitive reaction to my touch bothered me. When did he start being so formal, when he used to grab my hand first without hesitation? Hae-geon had a tendency to overreact in unexpected ways, embarrassing people.
I scratched my cheek and got up from the table.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“It’s nothing. Go and rest.”
Hae-geon said without making eye contact and quickly headed to the sink with the empty dishes. Annoyed by his behavior, I glared at him with side-eyes before turning my head abruptly. Cream, who had been grooming herself under the table, looked up at me with round eyes. Her pink tongue was sticking out slightly between her lips.
“Oh, Cream. Keep doing what you were doing. Good girl, our Cream.”
At that, Cream resumed her grooming that had momentarily paused. After watching her meticulously lick various parts of her body, I moved towards the sofa.
Maybe because I’ve accepted that the confinement is over, I’ve grown tired of just idling around with nothing to do. I’ve become so bored that I’m wondering if I should join Hae-geon’s training again. At this rate, my brain might start wanting to go to work. And it hasn’t even been a full month yet.
“Hyung, what are you thinking about so deeply?”
Hae-geon, who had finished washing dishes, asked as he handed me a white mug. It was hot chocolate with a large rabbit-shaped marshmallow floating on top. It’s amazing that he has such cute marshmallows at home.
Could this be an apology for what happened earlier? That’s quite a cute gesture. I took the mug and replied:
“Just thinking about how bored I am.”
“You’re bored? I thought you said doing nothing and resting at home was the best.”
“Well, that’s true. But doing nothing and resting is only good once in a while. Sometimes I think it might be okay to live more intensely. Maybe it’s because the confinement is over?”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Aren’t you bored? You’ve been staying at home because of me too. Shouldn’t you go out and meet friends?”
As I was blowing on the steaming hot chocolate to cool it down, Hae-geon firmly shook his head.
“No. I don’t have friends.”
“…Huh?”
“I said I don’t have friends. And I don’t intend to make any.”
“Why, why? Playing with friends would be fun and nice…”
“I don’t need them. I just… only need you, hyung.”
Why does his stubborn statement sound so pitiful and sad to my ears? I smiled bitterly at Hae-geon, who seemed to feel no embarrassment at all while saying he had no friends. How accustomed must he be to a life without friends to be so indifferent about it? It didn’t feel good.
Still, I felt it would be better in many ways if he had at least one good friend. As if sensing my thoughts, Hae-geon said sulkily:
“It’s true. So don’t look at me with those pitying eyes.”
“I wasn’t looking at you like that…”
I trailed off, but Hae-geon’s face remained impassive. Well, fine. It’s not like I’m his teacher, why should I worry about his friendships? It was excessive meddling.
“Alright. You can certainly get by well without friends.”
“Yes. And if you’re really bored…”
Hae-geon paused briefly as if considering something, then cautiously suggested:
“Do you want to go to the training ground with me tomorrow?”
“Should we?”
My eyes lit up at the welcome suggestion. It seemed better to go to the training ground to watch Hae-geon and do some Guiding as well, rather than resting at home all the time. Hae-geon had made an appropriate suggestion just when I was getting tired of watching movies, reading books, or just resting.
He even knows to suggest going to the training ground first, what a thoughtful guy.
It would be fine to spend time helping with Hae-geon’s training while I consider whether to live together or not. Seeing my satisfied expression, Hae-geon blinked and asked:
“But will it be okay?”
“What?”
“You said my emotions transfer to you. I’m not sure exactly what emotions you felt, but I’m a bit worried. Is it really okay?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“It’ll be fine. Well, if you’re really worried, you can receive Guiding now. As long as your wavelengths aren’t too clumped together, my emotions shouldn’t transfer to you.”
“Then let’s do that. Guide me now.”
I burst out laughing when I saw Hae-geon quickly extend his hand. It was quite cute how he immediately offered his hand, like a puppy. I put down the mug I was holding, took Hae-geon’s large hand, and met his gaze.
Is he worried that his emotions might trouble me again? I could see faint traces of anxiety and unease on Hae-geon’s face.
“It’s okay. Don’t be too tense. The more tense you are, the more your wavelengths will clump together.”
“…Okay.”
“Then I’ll start.”
Taking advantage of the moment when Hae-geon’s tense body relaxed, I slowly sent my wavelengths into his body. Soon, the intangible energy emanating from me began to gently caress his wavelengths.
