Extra Chapter 2-2
Feeling dazed, I was about to run away. After all, I was doing exactly what I had been criticizing Mitchell for doing. But as I kept thinking about it, I wondered if I couldn’t do it if Mitchell did.
Even if I ran into Mitchell, I could use the faulty logic of “You can do it, but I can’t?” Above all, I couldn’t stop myself. While I thought it was troublesome, the anxious desire to enter the house guided my actions. The only resistance was the curses flowing from my mouth.
“What are you doing? Go back. Stop it. This is trespassing. Are you crazy?”
Even as I scolded myself, I stood in front of the front door and entered the second door lock password. I really felt like a madman.
Since I couldn’t control my actions, I could only believe that Mitchell wasn’t home. He’s probably busy with his new movie shooting and various schedules, so there’s a high chance he’s not here at this time. Using this small expectation as an excuse, my actions became even more unrestrained.
I finally opened the front door and stepped into Mitchell’s house. The fact that I had opened the second door made sweat spring from my back and hands, but I was more distracted by the quiet house.
Only after walking to the living room did I become serious with belated worry. What if Mitchell suddenly appeared and pushed me, the trespasser, against the wall and grabbed my collar…
Huh? Wait.
What’s this?
A thought rushed in like a high wave and then subsided instantly.
This emotion felt like something I had experienced a long time ago. The anxiety of committing a crime along with the desire to satisfy curiosity. In other words, it seemed I had trespassed before. Into Mitchell’s house, of all places. The location must be different, but the feeling was the same.
It was right when I was digging through my blocked memories.
There was a sudden presence behind me, and I froze in place, only able to gulp.
Oh, shit.
It seemed Mitchell was home.
I slowly turned around. I held a glimmer of hope that the presence I just felt might not be Mitchell. He could have a cat or a dog, couldn’t he?
But standing there as I turned around was Mitchell. He was raising one corner of his mouth as he looked at me. It was clearly a sneer.
“S-sorry! I came because of the party noise… No, wait, what am I saying… Oh, shit. I mean, the door was open. So, I didn’t see anything…”
That day, I learned for the first time that when you’re not in your right mind, words that don’t match the situation come out smoothly.
Party noise, really?
What open door?
If I was going to lie, I should have come up with something more plausible, but I just spouted nonsense. Perhaps because of this, Mitchell’s expression became even more triumphant than before.
“Was it your hobby to barge into other people’s houses?”
Mitchell, wearing only his underwear, walked towards me step by step. I backed away, trying to keep my distance from him, but was blocked by the wall behind me. Suddenly, a sense of déjà vu hit me. It seemed like something like this had definitely happened between us in the past.
“Y-you did it too! You also entered the passcode and barged in! Now we’re even.”
“How is that the same as me? I remember everything about you completely, but you say you don’t remember anything. Yet you know where this place is and sneak in? Does that mean you don’t care what happens to you? Is that what you want?”
The level of threat is not ordinary. The image of Mitchell I had imagined has been hitting rock bottom these days. Seeing how intimidating others has become second nature to him, I could guess what kind of personality he had.
“Take it off.”
“What?”
“Since you like things to be fair, I should do that for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You saw my body, so I’m going to see yours too. Fairly.”
Mitchell pointed at his barely clothed body. Although this was the first time I had seen Mitchell’s body so explicitly, strangely, I didn’t feel any aversion. Rather, it was so familiar that I found myself staring at it.
…When did that scar appear?
I was unconsciously thinking about that when I suddenly came to my senses. It was because his statement about taking off clothes to be fair came back to me. Then my mouth moved on its own.
“Mitchell, how is it that you haven’t changed at all?”
Mitchell let out a dry laugh at my words.
“Do you know me? You don’t.”
“I don’t know, but I don’t know, it’s just a feeling…”
The sleeping memory was about to surface but stopped. For a moment, my head rang and a slight headache came. I was only certain that we had been friends, but there was nothing more or less to salvage.
“Take it off.”
“Say something that makes sense!”
“If you don’t take it off, you’ll be in trouble, you know?”
Even though he didn’t specifically mention how I would be in trouble, I felt like I really would be. Although the situation was completely incomprehensible, the thought that I had to take off my clothes occupied my mind.
It felt like everything would return to normal only if I took them off. Eventually, my hands moved on their own, accepting Mitchell’s absurd demand.
“Nothing’s going right. Getting caught by a crazy person.”
Even as I grumbled, I took off my T-shirt and pants. Although I felt pathetic, my hands were diligently removing my clothes. What I disliked most in this situation was that Mitchell’s smile was growing deeper.
“I think it doesn’t matter whether you remember me or not, Geon-woo. It’s fresh and I like it.”
Ignoring Mitchell’s words, I looked down at my body. Since I had come dragging my slippers, I wasn’t wearing socks, leaving only gray briefs. It was a small triangle of an unfamiliar brand. It was underwear I had put on randomly after showering…
Did my taste change so suddenly? Did I buy something like this?
Only after standing in front of Mitchell did I realize that the underwear I was wearing was unfamiliar. I hadn’t noticed how strange it was to have been wearing underwear from the same brand all this time.
“Did you forget what your own body looks like too?”
Mitchell asked in a sour voice. It was because I had been looking down for a long time with my head bowed. His sarcasm didn’t feel unpleasant.
“No, well… Anyway, I took it off, so it’s fine, right?”
I had already discarded my polite speech and was using expressions I would use with a friend. In Korean terms, I had switched from formal to informal speech.
Although Mitchell is a top-tier actor in Hollywood and someone I deeply respect, considering what he had done to me these past few days, it seemed like I didn’t need to maintain politeness.
Moreover, speaking rudely felt comfortable. It’s natural since we were friends.
“I’m going to leave now.”
Stuck between the wall and Mitchell, I declared that I was going home now. Although I had come here on my own, I hadn’t intended to do anything with Mitchell. I had seen his face, so my task was done. I didn’t say anything about not seeing him lately.
“Move aside.”
I gently pushed Mitchell, trying not to offend him. I could pass if I wanted to, but it seemed like our bodies would touch. However, Mitchell stood firm like a structure that had been placed there from the beginning.
The soles of his slippers were clearly made of a slippery material, yet he wouldn’t budge at all. Was it because I had neglected exercise while resting?
“Get out of the way.”
“What’s it to you if I want to stand as I please in my own house?”
[“…What kind of person would marry such a rude bastard? I feel sorry for them.”]
I spoke in Korean. I cursed at Mitchell’s face in Korean, knowing he wouldn’t understand. I secretly laughed as I watched his expression change moment by moment.
You must be so frustrated, not knowing Korean.
“You…”
“Oh, sorry. You don’t understand Korean, right? What I said was, ‘That’s right. It’s not wrong since it’s your house.’ As you can see, since I’m Korean, Korean words pop out without me realizing. Please understand.”
When I smiled brightly, Mitchell’s lips trembled. There’s no way he could understand Korean, he just seemed displeased with my smile. I didn’t care how Mitchell felt. I just needed to feel better myself.
“I’m sorry for barging in here. I won’t do it again. I think we’re even now since we’ve exchanged. Can I put my clothes back on now?”
I spoke as politely as possible. If I lashed out at a crazy person, it was obvious that it would just turn into a dog fight. To maintain balance, it was right for normal people like me to bow our heads first.
“I mean it. You said we’re friends. Let’s try to get along well from now on. I’ll come visit sometimes. You come to my place too. Oh! Next time, please ring the bell. I get startled when someone comes in without saying anything.”
“I’m not going to your house. You don’t need to come to mine either.”
Originally, this was what I had wanted to hear so badly. Yet, his seemingly determined statement grated on me. After letting out a sigh that was rising from the bottom, I finally shook off my irritation.
“Why?”
“Why, you ask. Isn’t this what you wanted too? That’s why I haven’t been going to your house. But you came here.”
“You’re right. It is what I wanted.”
My thoughts change dozens of times a day. After experiencing several over-the-line situations with Mitchell, whom I didn’t remember, he became difficult for me, and I often thought I could never become close with Mitchell.
But when this person really disappeared, surprisingly, I felt disappointed in him. I don’t like him being around, and I don’t like him being gone. Mitchell is an unpredictable existence. He was truly a headache.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
