18
“Did you forget?”
“…I never made any oath.”
“What do you mean you never made one. The moment I said friends are one body, it was over.”
“Haah… let’s think about that later… for now, this problem is mine.”
“Don’t bullshit me. For the time being, I’m keeping watch, and if anything happens to you or there’s some bastard bothering you, I’ll intervene immediately. From then on, your words and whatever don’t matter.”
Though there was subtle anger in his words, his pronunciation was clear and he spoke without hesitation. Taein glanced at Gu Wanjae sideways then turned his gaze elsewhere.
“You’re saying all sorts of strange things.”
“Yeah, so let’s pray we don’t do strange things. Both of us.”
After saying that, Gu Wanjae got up from his seat. Looking from inside the brightly lit coin laundry, outside seemed like complete darkness. Taein looked at Gu Wanjae, the night outside the window, and the cars passing by occasionally from where he sat. It seems like only we’re here, but looking back, that won’t be the case. Time must be passing relentlessly.
Like the car that just passed by.
Gu Wanjae used all the facilities of the coin laundry that day. From the bathroom to the vending machine to the massage chair. Thanks to that, Taein also drank warm Job’s tears tea and received a massage with Gu Wanjae. The day continued until dawn, but he wasn’t that tired. Rather, his fatigue was relieved.
* * *
Taein went to the hospital on his appointment day, but didn’t receive the results he had secretly hoped for. “It’s an unusual case. We can’t really argue with the old record keeper now. There seems to have been some kind of mistake. If not that, then like this…” The doctor looking at Taein while speaking had particularly many monologues. Taein was spacing out in front of him, only nodding and answering to the sound of “Did you hear?”
Yes.
He couldn’t know what words he had responded to.
Taking medicine until he stabilized, and visiting the hospital at least once every two weeks for now. Besides that, he also heard some explanation about acquired Omegas like him whose bodies changed late. Most couldn’t get pregnant and were clumsy at detecting the scents of Alphas or other Omegas. It was a story unrelated to Taein. Why would he smell other people’s scents, and he wouldn’t do things like pregnancy. Even knowing this was just procedural explanation, Taein spaced out from boredom. His mind was elsewhere.
“What did they say at the hospital?”
“Just. Said I’m fucked.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Wanjae didn’t seem particularly surprised, as if he had already prepared himself. He just took one big breath.
“If living together is awkward for you even now, tell me.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Even if you say that, I won’t be hurt… Since I know your true feelings, we can just meet occasionally and see each other’s faces.”
“You want to go into the facility.”
“No.”
“Then just live. Why so many words?”
“Well… tell me if you change your mind later.”
“What mind would change? I don’t change.”
“Yeah, well… don’t decide everything too quickly… if it’s uncomfortable.”
There would inevitably be uncomfortable things. Even today, Gu Wanjae didn’t burst open the door when he was showering. Originally, no matter what he was doing, he would come in and boldly piss. “We’re both guys. So what.” he would say. I wondered if he wasn’t urgent about the bathroom, but that wasn’t it. As soon as he finished showering and came out, Gu Wanjae went inside and did his business.
He really didn’t need to do that.
Taein unconsciously spoke aloud while thinking about what happened earlier.
“You earlier too… you’re the guy who originally didn’t care whether I was showering or not.”
Gu Wanjae looked at Taein with a wronged expression without saying anything.
“You waited until I finished washing. Why did you do that?”
“What bullshit.”
Gu Wanjae’s face crumpled all at once as if it wasn’t worth answering.
“You know better than me that it’s not bullshit.”
“…It is bullshit, fuck. That… Hey. Do you have proof that I was conscious of that? Do you?”
“You went in right after I came out.”
Gu Wanjae started filling a large cup with cold water. He seemed annoyed about something, going “Whoa.” It was a cup of unknown origin. He filled it with cold water and gulped it down, then placed the cup on the table with a thud sound, leaving only a little water.
“Ah, I guess I suddenly really needed to piss.”
“……”
“Do you piss on a schedule or something?”
“Hah… really what are you saying.”
“2 o’clock piss time, 5 o’clock piss time, do you live keeping to that kind of schedule?”
“Is that what you mean?”
“That’s what you’re saying. People. Can have a full bladder anytime. Is there a law that says I can only piss when you’re washing?”
“…Really? Did I jump to conclusions then?”
“Of course.”
“Then do that.”
“What’s with that disgusted reaction?”
“You’re making a fuss even when I acknowledge it?”
“Hey, forget it. Just choose what to eat.”
What Gu Wanjae held out was a delivery booklet. Thanks to collecting them without throwing them away each time, there were over ten delivery booklets in the drawer. He took out the newest delivery booklet and told him to choose one. Taein only glanced roughly at the booklet that came up to him. Anyway, there was something he wanted to eat, so he was going to suggest eating that.
“I want chicken.”
“What chicken. Seasoned?”
“Half and half.”
“Half and half is Jjolla Chicken.”
It was a neighborhood chicken place, but after ordering once, they always ordered only from that place. It suited Taein’s taste too, so he secretly hoped Gu Wanjae would mention Jjolla Chicken first. When Jjolla Chicken actually came up, Taein immediately nodded. Gu Wanjae already had the number saved, so without looking at the booklet further, he called Jjolla Chicken.
“Yes, this is Gold Tower. Please send one seasoned and one fried to room 1204. Yes, two chickens. Cash. Yes.”
Toward Gu Wanjae who quickly finished ordering, Taein asked with bewilderment.
“Did you order two chickens?”
“Yeah.”
“The chickens there are fucking huge, why did you order two?”
“Hey, we always ate two chickens.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah, dude.”
“…I thought. The chickens were big.”
“Is that funny?”
Gu Wanjae let out a bitter laugh and said “Huh? You think I’m funny?” as he approached Taein who was on the opposite side. Since Taein was sitting, he had to lift his head all the way up to meet Gu Wanjae’s eyes. Gu Wanjae’s eyes were properly open, but his whole face was colored with mischief. Taein frowned and pushed away his arm at Gu Wanjae’s actions of tapping his cheek or grabbing his shoulder hard.
“Hey, fuck. That fucking hurts.”
“You’re exaggerating. Fuck.”
“I’m not exaggerating.”
When he spoke sarcastically mixing formal language like Gu Wanjae did, Gu Wanjae said “Oh really?” and clung to him more. This time he wrapped his entire arm around Taein’s head and applied force as if giving an electric shock.
“Ah, ah, fuck. I said it fucking hurts, you bastard.”
Taein, who had been struggling, finally got down from the chair. Gu Wanjae was just holding Taein’s head with an amused expression. Finally dragged to the front of the large window, Taein hit Gu Wanjae’s stomach with his elbow. It wasn’t full force, but it would have been quite a shock.
“Ugh, shit…”
Sure enough. Gu Wanjae, who fell back in one go, could be seen clutching his stomach.
“Did I tell you to stop?”
“Yeah, today let’s see who dies and who lives.”
“Fuck, hey. Are we in the same weight class?”
He always said that, but Gu Wanjae would always boldly apply techniques to Taein, saying what’s that got to do with fighting. “It’s fighting! That stuff! Exists!” No matter how much Taein yelled, he wouldn’t let go. This time he even said “let’s see who dies and who lives,” so it seemed like it would be quite a long battle. Seeing Gu Wanjae approaching saying “Come on” even at the mention of weight class, Taein also took a big breath and got into proper position. Even like this, always.
“Ugh. Augh. Fuck.”
Taein, who had been knocked to the floor, ended up caught between Gu Wanjae’s legs.
Originally it was a choking position, but he was gripping with his thighs to somewhat reduce the intensity. Taein twisted his whole body and hit the floor as his thighs were squeezed tight. Hey, stop. I surrender.
“Ah, fucking bastard.”
Taein aimed for a gap while Gu Wanjae was momentarily off guard. He struck Gu Wanjae’s Adam’s apple with the edge of his hand. Gu Wanjae seemed to have been hit harder than expected, making a “Ueok” sound while grabbing his neck with both hands. Then he released the legs that had been squeezing his thighs. It was close to being released. As soon as Taein was freed, he ran to the room. He wrapped himself in the blanket and lay there like a snowman. It was his way of defending himself.
“Hey, if this were real combat, you’d be disqualified.”
Opening the door, Gu Wanjae said that.
“Attacking without matching weight classes is more worthy of disqualification.”
Taein, wrapped in the blanket, said his piece and looked at Gu Wanjae who was laughing with an absurd expression.
“I have, reasons for doing this.”
“What reasons?”
With only his face sticking out like a caterpillar, Taein replied.
“To build up your stamina.”
“That’s funny. What does this have to do with stamina? You’re just tormenting me.”
“Hey, try doing it properly once. You’ll get proper muscle definition in your calves.”
“I don’t know, I just get fucking sleepy.”
“Anyway, since you became like that…”
They were both refraining from openly using the word “Omega.” Taein roughly understood and lifted his head up.
“They said your muscles might deteriorate more. Take good care of your stamina.”
“……”
“Try exercising the way I tell you to.”
“…What.”
“Things like push-ups. I’ll teach you the proper form.”
“Do that then.”
“Is that okay?”
“That kind of thing is good.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
