Not Imprisonment, but Living Together (2)
Sa Hae-geon and I could only return home after wasting about two hours on the road. Sa Hae-geon patted Cream’s head a couple of times as she wagged her tail to greet us, then headed straight to the kitchen without even changing his clothes.
As I stared at Sa Hae-geon’s back, I suddenly felt a gaze and turned my head. Cream was thumping her tail on the floor, giving me a pointed look. Unable to resist her commanding stare, I had to touch her belly first without even having time to take off my scarf or change my clothes. As I carefully caressed her soft belly and head, I felt the day’s fatigue completely disappear.
Then I suddenly noticed Sa Hae-geon, who was busy preparing food in the kitchen without having changed his clothes.
“Cream, just a moment. Daddy will change clothes and come back. Wait here.”
When I suddenly straightened up and headed to my room after petting her enthusiastically, the cat-pig looked quite bewildered, but soon headed toward the sofa without any lingering attachment. I went into my room and quickly changed my clothes. I felt I should hurry to the kitchen and at least set out the side dish plates to feel at ease.
After roughly folding and putting away the clothes I had worn out, I came into the living room where a spicy-sweet aroma stimulated my nose. Could he already be making kimchi fried rice?
The kitchen I headed to with quick steps was filled with appetizing smells. Fortunately, the dining table was still empty. As I was about to go to the refrigerator to take out side dishes, Sa Hae-geon, who was cooking while shaking a large wok in front of the burner, spotted me and said:
“Hyung, it’s almost done, so please wait a bit. Did you wash your hands?”
“…Hands? Ah, right. I’ll wash them quickly.”
I had forgotten the obvious task of washing my hands, being focused on changing clothes and coming quickly. I practically ran to the bathroom, washed my hands, and then hurried back to the kitchen. In that short time, the dining table was already filled with various side dishes.
‘He’s so fast…’
I could see steaming kimchi fried rice, pickled radish, homemade pickles that Sa Hae-geon had made himself, and various other side dishes neatly arranged in pretty dishes. Yes, it was much better for Sa Hae-geon to take out the side dishes than me, who didn’t even know what was in the refrigerator. Sa Hae-geon tilted his head when he saw me trudging to the table and sitting down listlessly.
“Are you so hungry that you have no strength?”
“No…”
At my weak response, Sa Hae-geon blinked in puzzlement, then looked back at the stove. A large earthenware pot that seemed to be for four people was boiling. Judging by the savory, salty smell and the pale yellow liquid, it seemed he had prepared steamed egg to accompany the kimchi fried rice.
“You made steamed egg too?”
“Yes. I thought you’d like it.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you…”
“Hyung, but the steamed egg needs to boil a bit more. I think we’ll have to wait about ten more minutes. Or would you like to eat the kimchi fried rice first?”
“No. I’m not that hungry. Let’s wait until the steamed egg is done. And don’t keep standing there, sit down for a bit.”
At that, Sa Hae-geon promptly sat down across from me, as if he’d been waiting for the invitation. Now that I noticed, Sa Hae-geon was still in his outdoor clothes. I stared at Sa Hae-geon, who was sitting at the table with only his sleeves rolled up, and said:
“No, go change your clothes. It doesn’t feel right to eat in your outdoor clothes. I’ll watch the steamed egg in the meantime.”
“What? You’ll watch the steamed egg? No. I’ll change quickly and come back. Just stay seated there, Hyung.”
Despite my kind offer, Sa Hae-geon shook his head vigorously and got up from his seat, heading to his room with long strides. As I glanced occasionally toward his slightly open door, I was about to get up and go to the stove when Sa Hae-geon, who had changed his clothes and come out without me noticing, spotted me and quickly approached.
“Hyung, I said I’d watch it.”
“No, it’s not a difficult task… Even I can check on steamed eggs.”
“Still.”
Behind him, who was frantically trying to stop me, I could see his coat carelessly hung on the chair backrest.
“Fine, go put away your coat.”
“…Ah, the coat.”
Sa Hae-geon seemed to just remember that he had hung his coat on the dining chair. He looked at me and the steamed egg in turn, then with a slight sigh, took his coat and trudged toward his room.
Really, what’s with him being so urgent about checking the steamed egg? I found it quite strange. Surely he doesn’t see me as a child who can’t do anything? Or does he not trust me? Such thoughts momentarily made my mood ambiguous.
Meanwhile, the steamed egg was still boiling. Afraid it might overflow, I was about to stir inside the pot with a spoon placed nearby when Sa Hae-geon, who had quickly put away his coat and returned, stood behind me. Then he naturally grabbed the back of my hand and took the spoon.
“Hyung, I’ll do it.”
Sa Hae-geon’s breath near my ear, as well as the cool warmth covering the back of my hand, made me swallow involuntarily and freeze in place. The feeling of my entire body stiffening at the excessively close distance was overwhelming. Sa Hae-geon, probably wondering about my motionless stance, looked down at me and asked:
“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”
“Oh, uh…?”
I wasn’t sure if he was aware of it, but Sa Hae-geon’s breath was still lingering around my ear. I looked up at his face to see if he was deliberately revealing his feelings, but his face bore an innocent expression.
If it had been a deliberate action with some intention, I was planning to say something, but it seemed he had no such awareness. Anyway, his peculiar behavior made my chest tingle again, and I rubbed below my collarbone roughly while letting out a slight sigh.
It was because I felt a sense of crisis again. Could I continue living with Sa Hae-geon when something like what just happened could occur at any time? Sa Hae-geon wasn’t just an ordinary person, he was an Esper, and he was also full of feelings for me.
Indeed, living together with him was an issue worth properly and seriously considering. While I stood dazed and lost in thought, Sa Hae-geon placed the fully cooked steamed egg in the center of the table.
I moved to the table and sat down as if entranced, just looking at the glossy kimchi fried rice and the steamed egg still bubbling in the pot. The spicy and savory smell from the kimchi fried rice, even sprinkled with seaweed flakes, made my mouth water.
“Eat up, Hyung.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll enjoy it, Hae-geon.”
Sa Hae-geon, who had been watching me eat, got up from his seat and served some steamed egg on my plate. Putting the fluffy steamed egg with green onions, onions, and carrots in my mouth after blowing on it, my tongue was enveloped by a savory and salty taste.
“Delicious.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s really delicious.”
At my sincere praise that flowed out like an exclamation, Sa Hae-geon’s cheeks reddened and the corners of his mouth twitched. He seemed to suppress a smile that was about to burst out, composing his expression for a moment before belatedly responding.
“I’m glad that my cooking seems to suit your taste well.”
Sa Hae-geon’s appearance, mumbling with reddened cheeks, was quite adorable. Enough to make me unknowingly smile. It was only when my facial muscles started to tighten that I belatedly realized I was smiling at Sa Hae-geon. For a moment, I felt a sensation like my heart dropping.
At the same time, a realization came to me. The thought that I wanted to know Sa Hae-geon a little better, a thought I had already had before, filled my mind.
After dinner, Sa Hae-geon and I finished cleaning up and sat side by side on the sofa. It was to have a serious conversation about what I had been contemplating. Cream also participated in the important discussion by taking her place on Sa Hae-geon’s lap.
I looked at Cream, who was focused on kneading Sa Hae-geon’s lower abdomen while purring, with eyes full of betrayal, then opened my mouth.
“Hae-geon.”
“Yes.”
Sa Hae-geon flinched at the sudden call and met my eyes. Perhaps he guessed the subject I was about to bring up, as his pupils were trembling anxiously. He looked like a rain-soaked puppy, making me feel uncomfortable even though I hadn’t started talking yet.
Looking straight at Sa Hae-geon’s trembling gaze that would make anyone who saw it feel sorry for him, I carefully began.
“About what I said I’d think about before.”
“…Living together?”
“Yes. That.”
Sa Hae-geon, who had been taking a moment to gather himself as if preparing mentally, nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
His voice was trembling slightly. It seemed he was interpreting things in a negative direction. Or perhaps he had resolved to not show any sign of shock even if I said such things.
Looking into his eyes, I asked as he tightly clenched his fists with each movement of my lips, as if sensing his fate.
“Shall we do it?”
At my question, Sa Hae-geon opened his eyes wide as if he couldn’t believe it.
