After finishing their shower, the two of them stepped out of the bathroom together, standing side by side as they dried off, applied lotion, and dried their hair. Since Choi Sang-hyuk took it upon himself to dry Kim Min-seok’s hair, it made him feel like a child being taken care of.
“Go lie down.”
After finishing with Min-seok’s hair, Choi Sang-hyuk gestured toward the bed with his chin. Min-seok had wanted to return the favor and dry Choi Sang-hyuk’s hair, but with the difference in their height, it seemed impossible. So, he obediently crawled onto the bed.
Getting hit, pissing himself, reaching a climax so intense it was almost terrifying, getting startled, crying, washing up—so much had happened. Maybe that was why the soft texture of the bed felt especially comforting. He pulled the blanket over himself, shifting around to find a comfortable position. Before he knew it, Choi Sang-hyuk had finished drying his own hair and climbed into bed beside him.
“Aren’t you going to work?”
Min-seok peeked at the man lying next to him and asked cautiously. Despite all the chaos that had unfolded, it was still only the afternoon. For someone like Choi Sang-hyuk, who usually worked from early morning until late at night, this felt out of character.
“Don’t worry about it. Just sleep.”
Choi Sang-hyuk murmured, reaching for the tablet on the nightstand. He tapped and swiped at the screen, quickly immersing himself in work. He must have chosen to work from home instead of leaving the house because of Min-seok.
Choi Sang-hyuk became completely focused, his eyes fixed on the tablet with a serious expression. For some reason, that look on his face made Min-seok’s heart flutter.
“…Thank you, Choi Sang-hyuk.”
Min-seok suddenly blurted out his gratitude. Choi Sang-hyuk paused, shifting his gaze toward him.
“You’re really just saying ‘thank you’ whenever now, huh?”
“Huh?”
“Do you know how many times you’ve thanked me today alone?”
“Ah… Well, it’s because I’m really grateful… Of course, that doesn’t mean we’re having sex tonight.”
“As I already said, even if you beg me for it, I wouldn’t do it. So don’t get ahead of yourself and just sleep.”
Choi Sang-hyuk scoffed. Min-seok pouted slightly, turning onto his side and pulling the blanket over his head.
For a moment, he could feel Choi Sang-hyuk’s gaze on him before it disappeared. The sound of fingers tapping against the tablet resumed. Knowing that Choi Sang-hyuk was right there, just behind him, gave Min-seok an odd sense of security.
With that warmth in his heart, he closed his eyes. It felt so reassuring to have someone by his side who genuinely cared for him. As he embraced that comforting thought, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into sleep.
***
It was a bar. The atmosphere felt like a casual pub, with a mix of young adults and middle-aged patrons.
Kim Min-seok realized that he was weaving his way through the tables, moving busily between them.
“Hey, part-timer.”
A voice called out from a passing table. Kim Min-seok’s vision suddenly swung backward. A drunken customer was lazily beckoning with his fingers. As if being pulled forward, the distance to the table shrank.
“What do you need?”
A soft, familiar voice rang out—it was Seo Ha-yoon’s. That’s when Kim Min-seok realized it.
This was Seo Ha-yoon’s memory.
“Yeah, I need something. Come here and pour me a drink.”
The heavily intoxicated man reached out without warning and yanked Seo Ha-yoon toward him. The strength of the drunken bastard was surprisingly strong, dragging Ha-yoon to sit beside him. One hand held out an empty glass while the other began groping his ass, the man chuckling as he did so.
“For a guy, you look damn fine. Even better than some of those high-class bar girls. I think even I could go for someone like you.”
“Hey, man, keep talking like that, and you’ll end up turning gay. Watch yourself, asshole.”
His equally drunk companion jeered at him.
“Come on, though. With a face like this, wouldn’t it be worth it? Hey, part-timer, how much would it take to have a round with you?”
“Let go.”
“Don’t be shy. With the way you look, I bet someone’s already fucked you by now. How about 200,000 won? Or if that’s too much, I’ll give you 100,000 just to suck me off.”
The hand kneading his ass became even bolder. Seo Ha-yoon could no longer hold back—he shoved the man away forcefully and jumped to his feet.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re touching, you perverted piece of shit?! If you’re horny, go jerk yourself off! Who the hell do you think you are, looking at me with that ugly-ass, squid-faced mug of yours?!”
His voice was sharp and biting as he shouted at the man.
“What?! You little shit, talking back to me when you’re just a fucking part-timer?! Where’s the owner?! Call the damn owner!”
The drunk man grabbed a glass and hurled it. It shattered into pieces as it hit the floor. The sound of breaking glass drew everyone’s attention toward them. The bar owner, who had been in the kitchen, rushed out with hurried steps.
“Ah, sir, what’s the problem here?”
The owner bowed slightly and asked.
“You know what this little fucker just called me?! A perverted bastard! A filthy fucker! He spat every curse word in the damn book at me! How the fuck am I supposed to enjoy my drink in a place like this?! Fuck this, I’m not paying for my drinks after being insulted like that!”
“Now, sir, I’m sure Ha-yoon didn’t mean it. He must be exhausted and lost his temper for a moment.”
“Didn’t mean it, my ass! My friend here heard everything too! You think I’m fucking deaf?! Fine, then. Call the cops! This is defamation, goddammit!”
As the man kept shouting and causing a scene, other customers started getting up from their seats, sensing the situation turning ugly. The owner’s face stiffened. He hesitated for a moment before grabbing Seo Ha-yoon by the arm and pulling him forward in front of the man.
“Apologize to the customer. Now.”
“Boss, that asshole groped me. He grabbed my ass and told me he’d pay me to suck him off.”
“You think this is the first time I’ve dealt with a drunk idiot? Just let it go and apologize. If this keeps up, it’ll ruin business.”
The owner whispered urgently in Seo Ha-yoon’s ear.
“Just do it. Apologize, and let’s end this.”
“I won’t. I can’t.”
Seo Ha-yoon shook off the owner’s grip and flatly refused.
At that moment, the owner suddenly slapped him across the face.
Slap!
“…That should be enough, sir. You won’t have to pay for your drinks, so please head home and get some rest,” the owner said politely.
The drunken man hesitated for a moment, then scoffed and cursed under his breath before stomping out of the bar.
“You fucking hit me?!” Seo Ha-yoon snapped.
“Do you know how many drunk customers I’ve dealt with before? You should’ve just played along and smoothed things over instead of causing a scene. Do you not see how you just ruined business for the night? Are you going to pay for the losses?”
“What a load of bullshit. Even if you begged me to work here, I wouldn’t.”
Seo Ha-yoon’s voice was sharp as he spat out his words. Then, without hesitation, he swung his hand and slapped the owner across the face.
Slap!
He ripped off his apron and threw it in the owner’s face before storming out of the bar.
His vision swayed as he ran. The neon signs around him blurred together, twisting into a mess of colors. He kept running until his breath ran short, then stopped in the middle of the crowded street. Dazed, he stood still for a moment as people passed by, then quietly slipped into a side alley and slumped against the cold brick wall.
“Fuck this. Fuck this dirty world. Fucking bastards. Goddamn motherfuckers. I should just say fuck it all and stab every last one of those shits.”
Seo Ha-yoon’s voice trembled with rage as he cursed under his breath. His vision, clouded by unshed tears, wavered. Leaning against the freezing alley wall, he let the tears fall freely, cursing the world as he did.
Who knew how long he had been hurling out every curse he could think of?
Through his tear-blurred vision, a pair of black leather shoes appeared before him. He slowly lifted his head. Standing there, cigarette between his lips, was a man dressed in a sharp black suit. Though his vision was hazy, Kim Min-seok immediately recognized him.
It was none other than Choi Sang-hyuk.
“What the fuck are you looking at? Never seen someone cry before, asshole?”
“Want to come with me?”
Choi Sang-hyuk’s question came out of nowhere.
“The fuck? You into me too? What, are you a perverted bastard?”
“Yeah. You turn me on.”
“Fuck. Today’s just not my fucking day.”
Scoffing, Seo Ha-yoon wiped his eyes roughly with his forearm, his vision finally clearing. He took a better look at Choi Sang-hyuk from head to toe—the sleek black suit, the long black coat, the watch peeking from his wrist, and his polished leather shoes. Even at a glance, he screamed wealth.
And behind him, a few men stood at a short distance, waiting in silence.
“You rich?”
“I am.”
“If I go with you… what happens?”
“I’ll give you a job.”
“A job? I can find a job anywhere.”
“A million a month.”
“…A million… won?”
“No. Ten million.”
“What kind of work is it? Just so you know, I’m not doing any host shit. The mere thought of cozying up to disgusting bastards makes me want to puke.”
“My housekeeper just quit. I need someone to take care of the housework.”
“…You swear that’s all? You’re not just using that as an excuse to mess with me?”
“I’m not into forcing people.”
“If that’s really the case… then fine.”
Choi Sang-hyuk extended his hand. Seo Ha-yoon hesitated for a moment before taking it. It was a large, calloused, and solid hand.
