Eunho’s fingers twitched. He wanted to stroke Yi-beom’s cheek right away and bury himself in his arms to sleep.
No, I can’t.
They said holding back made the pleasure greater later. Of course, that was something Yi-beom always said whenever he teased Eunho in bed. Thinking Yi-beom would go wild if he heard that thought, Eunho opened his mouth.
“Even so, how can a brand-new couple sleep together?”
“After kissing comes sleeping together.”
When playing pitiful didn’t work, Yi-beom’s expression changed instantly. The arm wrapped around Eunho’s waist tightened.
“I just— damn… it hasn’t even been long since we finally started sharing a bed, baby.”
“I-I’m not a baby.”
“Honey.”
“We just started dating!”
It was obvious he had no intention of cooperating. With a soft poof, the pajamas Eunho had been wearing dropped to the floor. Yi-beom stared at the suddenly empty space in his arms in disbelief.
From inside the pajamas, a rabbit poked its head out. It glanced at Yi-beom for a moment— then shot out of the room like an arrow.
“Jung Eunho!”
Yi-beom, apparently destined for another lonely night, chased after the rabbit.
“Stop right there!”
After dashing around the stairs, rooms, under the bed, and beneath the table to shake him off, Eunho quickly slipped into the small room. Transforming back into human form, he locked the door.
He collapsed to the floor, panting. If he hadn’t been in a small body earlier, Yi-beom would’ve caught him long ago.
What can’t Ahjussi do?
He runs well. He kisses well.
The memory of those hidden kisses flashed through his mind, and Eunho’s cheeks flushed red. Without realizing it, he touched his lips.
It still felt like Yi-beom’s warmth lingered on his lower lip. The wet sounds, the silver strands stretching between their mouths— everything felt vivid. It was the same kiss… so why did it feel different?
Embarrassed for no reason, Eunho lay down on the bed. It had been placed there for guests, but it was used more often as a hiding spot whenever Eunho sulked.
Before long, a soft purring breath escaped from under the blanket— the kind of sound only a small animal might make. Only then did the door to the small room slowly creak open.
“I spoiled you too much. That’s the problem.”
Holding a key in one hand, Yi-beom stepped inside.
“Well, shit… I’m the one who raised you like that, so of course you’re like this.”
When they first met, Eunho didn’t even know how to refuse. Now he was running off to the small room insisting on sleeping separately.
Walking up to the bed, Yi-beom reached out to Eunho. As he stroked the soft cheek, Eunho let out a small hum and rubbed his face against his hand.
Without a word, Yi-beom lay down beside him, leaving his hand there for Eunho to hold.
“Good night.”
Holding Eunho in his arms, Yi-beom whispered. The corners of both their lips lifted in the same shape.
***
After finishing getting ready for work, Yi-beom woke Eunho up. He planted small kisses on his cheek— smack, smack— and Eunho frowned.
“Ugh… you’re leaving now……?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing Eunho unable to even open his eyes, like a newborn chick, Yi-beom burst into laughter.
“Stay home today. Don’t go anywhere.”
“No………”
Even half-asleep, Eunho moved his lips. It was because of the plan he’d been thinking about before falling asleep.
“Later…… I’m gonna pack a lunchbox……”
“What?”
“Pack a lunchbox…… go to your company……”
A soft purring sound filled the room again. Mixed with his breathing, it was hard to understand clearly, but it seemed like he meant he would pack a lunch and come to the office.
He’d been about to scold him.
Yi-beom brushed aside the pale pink hair falling over Eunho’s forehead. Then he took out a necklace from his pocket— one with a round pendant.
He fastened it around Eunho’s neck.
“A gift.”
It looked a little like one of those anti-lost-child necklaces, or maybe the kind put on a pet so it wouldn’t run away from home. After admiring it with satisfied eyes, Yi-beom pulled out his phone.
A map appeared on the screen, showing Eunho’s location.
“Sleep well.”
Having put a leash on his rabbit, Yi-beom could finally leave the house with peace of mind.
***
When Eunho woke up in the morning, an unfamiliar necklace hung around his neck.
“Huh?”
He fiddled with the small pendant. The silver plating suited his taste. When he turned it over, engraved letters came into view.
“Kwon Yi-beom, 010-8888-8888……?”
Why is Ahjussi’s name written here instead of mine?
“Did he write it in case I lose the necklace?”
After staring at it for a while, Eunho nodded. If the necklace got lost, Yi-beom would be the one looking for it anyway. Or they’d look for it together.
Still, he even wrote the phone number.
It must be expensive.
Completely unaware it was a tracking device, Eunho let out a small laugh.
Seeing as Yi-beom even gave him a necklace, it seemed he was finally willing to go along with Eunho’s plan. Humming happily, Eunho got out of bed.
If he wanted to pack a lunchbox in time for lunchtime, he had to start moving now. It was a plan he’d thought about all night before sleeping. After all, bringing a packed lunch was the essence of fresh, budding romance, wasn’t it?
Of course, the place he was bringing it to wasn’t an ordinary company.
Finding his phone, Eunho called in backup. If he wanted to pack fruit, side dishes, and rice, he needed another person.
“Chanwoo, can you come over right now?”
[Right now?]
Chanwoo’s whisper came through the receiver, as if he was asking someone nearby for permission.
[Where are you?]
“Ahjussi’s house.”
[You want me to go there……?]
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
Even though Chanwoo had never visited the house in the past five years, it would probably be okay. There were dozens of surveillance cameras guarding the entrance, and if Yi-beom didn’t like the idea, he would’ve contacted him first.
“With Ahjussi’s personality, he won’t say anything.”
[What if I die though?]
“Uh……”
Unless he went into the bedroom, there probably wasn’t any risk of dying, but Eunho paused to think seriously.
“Our yard is… really big.”
He glanced out at the garden beyond the terrace. Making a burial mound would ruin the exterior, so digging deep and burying him seemed better.
[Hey, Jung Eunho! Are you saying you’ll bury me right now?]
“No, you said ‘if I die.’ If you’re already dead, I should bury you…… or should I just leave you to rot?”
[Hey!]
“If that’s your preference, I’ll respect it…….”
I’m not a god; I can’t bring you back to life anyway. Eunho mumbled that he’d decided to be buried alongside Ahjussi himself.
[Wow… seriously.]
Having a weird guy as a friend was his own fault. Letting out an incredulous sound, Chanwoo asked:
[So what are you even gonna do if I come over?]
“I’m gonna pack Ahjussi a lunchbox.”
[Wow, earlier you were talking about burying me, and now you’re gonna make me work?]
“When you dated Heeju, I helped you with your lunchbox too.”
[……]
The moment the name Heeju came up, the call abruptly cut off. Heeju had been Kim Chanwoo’s first love, whom he dated about two years ago.
On the day they planned a date at a children’s park, Chanwoo had called Eunho at dawn to help make a lunchbox. He’d been so excited that even while washing carrots, his hips kept wiggling.
Since Chanwoo had absolutely no cooking skills, Eunho quietly acted as a kitchen assistant, washing ingredients and cutting fruit. Chanwoo had been so grateful that he blew several hand-kisses before leaving— and then returned home crying.
…She said she didn’t like me anymore.
Thinking of his gloomy face, Eunho shook his head. Chanwoo might fool around a lot, but he was still a loyal friend. He’d definitely come over.
***
Just as expected, Chanwoo showed up loaded with bags. The moment Eunho opened the door, he dropped the bundles he was holding into the kitchen.
“Whoa……”
Catching his breath, Chanwoo looked around the house. Even the living room was so massive he couldn’t take it all in at once.
There wasn’t much furniture, but every single piece looked handcrafted. Even someone like Chanwoo, who had zero interest in interior design, could tell the wood grain and shapes were unusual. His eyes widened.
“Does Ahjussi need a servant or something?”
“Huh?”
“I can live like a ghost and just clean all day— seriously, does he not need a servant?”
A house like this would be worth living in even as a servant. Twenty years of servitude— no, even thirty would be fine.
“If I turn into a water deer and mop the floor, I could clean this whole place in thirty minutes.”
“……What are you even saying?”
“I’m serious. Just tie a rag to my head.”
Sure, he’d probably scream gyaaahhh every time he ran around, but that wasn’t something he needed to mention when pitching himself. As Chanwoo kept whining about becoming a servant, Eunho’s lips puffed out.
“You said your heart started racing for Ahjussi lately.”
“Ah, that! I told you it’s not like that!”
Chanwoo waved his hands quickly.
“Your Ahjussi isn’t my type.”
There was no end to it if this topic continued. Remembering how long he’d had to explain himself last time, Chanwoo hurried into the kitchen. Pulling ingredients out of a grocery bag, he quickly changed the subject.
“I didn’t know what to make, so I just bought random stuff.”
Rice cake sticks, sausages, chives, squid, onions, carrots, and all sorts of vegetables— completely mismatched ingredients were spread across the table.
“Is that all?”
