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“Is that all you have to say?”
That was the entirety of Jang Yeonhu’s response after silently listening to Han Jaekyung’s words without any objection. Jaekyung suddenly realized that Yeonhu’s expression had frozen terrifyingly cold. For him to make such an expression toward Jaekyung of all people… it was truly a first. It wasn’t even anger. Even when Yeonhu had pressured Choi Eunseong to break up and offered him an envelope of money, he hadn’t changed to such an unfeeling and frigid expression toward Jaekyung. In those usually gentle eyes that only knew how to smile, there was now a subtle contempt as if utterly sick of him. Daring to direct such a look at Han Jaekyung, no less.
“I don’t want anything else. Just answer me as my friend.”
“…What?”
“Will you help me or not?”
“Jang Yeonhu.”
The silence that followed after having lost all words was painful. Jaekyung bit his lower lip firmly as he met Yeonhu’s gaze. There was no gentle dissuasion telling him not to bite his lip because it would hurt, no habitually affectionate smile, no unconditional apology. Despite asking for an answer as a friend, Yeonhu was looking down at Jaekyung as if he were a complete stranger.
“I never asked you to understand. I’m not seeking your permission either. But you, Han Jaekyung… you’re my friend. Knowing that you’re the only person I can trust. Why would you say such things?”
The only person Jang Yeonhu could trust.
The voice that settled heavily on both shoulders was very soft and sweet, but somehow Jaekyung felt like he was being strangled. The faint smell of disinfectant permeating the hospital room. The neatly arranged bedding and patient gown. And standing tall amidst it all… Jang Yeonhu facing him.
Forcing himself to breathe in, Jaekyung stiffened his shoulders and neck that were about to shrink away, and opened his lips with feigned composure.
“Ah, seriously. This is so annoying. What is all this because of you?”
Both of them knew well that it was nothing more than a thin bluff. But just as it had always been, neither would point out Jaekyung’s bluff and audacity, so it didn’t matter.
Only then did Yeonhu soften the atmosphere, hanging his usual smile on his face. His voice asking if Jaekyung would help was completely gentle.
“You dump your precious boyfriend and then ask me for help.”
“Eunseong? Eunseong went to work.”
“Ha. After causing that commotion yesterday, he still went to work? He’s really something.”
No, in this case, isn’t Jang Yeonhu the impressive one for making Eunseong go to work when he could have easily told him not to? Imagining the barrage of questions, subtle glares, and people gossiping behind Eunseong’s back, Jaekyung unconsciously shook his head.
“By the way, Jaekyung. I heard you’re not using your officetel these days. Attorney Shim mentioned you moved into the company housing.”
“…Yeah. I’m not using it.”
“That works out well. I’m planning to move in there.”
What is this now…? Jaekyung was so flabbergasted he lost his words, but whether Yeonhu noticed or not, he adjusted his coat, ready to leave.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”
“Jang Yeonhu. Are you being serious right now?”
“Of course. Would it be okay if I replaced the furniture and interior? You left everything behind.”
“No, no, that’s…”
“We should go shopping first. Let’s go.”
Wait, hey! Jang Yeonhu! Despite Jaekyung’s shout, Yeonhu left the hospital room with light footsteps. Even humming a tune, looking absolutely delighted.
* * *
“This bedding would be nice. Eunseong likes green. What do you think?”
“Why are you asking me? Do whatever you want.”
“Hmm, maybe something with a pattern would be better than a solid color.”
“…”
Perhaps it was because Yeonhu had always preemptively resolved any discomfort before Jaekyung could even speak, but despite wearing a sour face and showing clear displeasure, Jaekyung couldn’t voice a single complaint.
After all, Jang Yeonhu had spent more than twenty years molding Jaekyung to his liking. Yeonhu couldn’t suppress the delight rising from deep within his chest.
“Since Eunseong likes lattes, a milk frother would be nice to have…”
As if planning to visit every store, Yeonhu had been slowly wandering through the department store’s home goods section, keeping Jaekyung—who had been scowling deeply—by his side like a trophy. Jaekyung sarcastically remarked in a voice that seemed about to shrink away, asking why Yeonhu didn’t just set up a full household.
Ah, I want to hurt him more. I want to torment him more. The more signs of Jaekyung’s agony he detected, the more his chest swelled with endearment.
“A household, huh? That’s not a bad idea. Well, it might be too burdensome for Eunseong right now, so I’ll have to wait a bit.”
“You’ve gone crazy. You’ve completely lost it.”
“What should we do with your remaining stuff? Do you want it sent to your company housing?”
“Do whatever you want.”
“Alright. Then I’ll just throw it all away. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
Once again. Despite being the one who first said to throw it away, Jaekyung bit his lips and raised his eyes as if wronged. Despite leaving everything behind as if he had no attachments, he seemed to dislike the idea of it actually being thrown away.
And for good reason. From the bookshelf in the study to the table in the living room, from the closet in the dressing room to the bed in the bedroom—not a single item was mass-produced. Everything was custom-made to Jaekyung’s exacting taste.
And not just the furniture. Although the person living there probably took it for granted like breathing, the shampoo or coffee capsules that were always replenished before running out, the clothes that changed with each season—all of it was directed or handled by Yeonhu.
The diffuser in the bedroom, which had been the same scent for years, was now discontinued and couldn’t be purchased anymore. Since Jaekyung couldn’t compose himself without that scent on days when he had to look at documents for a long time or had stressful matters, Yeonhu had commissioned a perfumer to create the exact same fragrance. Beyond that, Yeonhu had meticulously spun his web across all the large and small elements that influenced Jaekyung’s life.
Since it was something he enjoyed doing, and since he actually liked it when Jaekyung became more demanding, Yeonhu never needed any form of acknowledgment. Han Jaekyung expressing gratitude first, recognizing someone else’s effort? Could there be a more mismatched combination?
He knew well that for Jaekyung, simply not showing signs of dislike or discomfort meant meeting his standards. So it truly didn’t matter.
Until Han Jaekyung carelessly abandoned all that effort and sincerity and left.
“Do you… really have to move into that place?”
Jaekyung asked with an irritated face. It was an officetel that Yeonhu had secured for him even before Jaekyung graduated from university, so he had lived there for nearly ten years. Even though he had abandoned it and left, the perception that it was still his home would certainly remain in his mind. That’s right. Why suddenly do something so unlike him and turn someone’s world upside down?
Even now, Yeonhu couldn’t understand. How could that small head of his have come up with the idea to move out of there? When he first received the report from someone he had planted at the law firm that Jaekyung was likely moving to company housing, leaving behind both his car and home, he was truly so enraged that he couldn’t see anything.
Isn’t this level of retaliation rather cute? Anyway. This is my problem—being too soft on you. Yeonhu thought arbitrarily.
“Why, Jaekyung? Uncomfortable? But since you’re not living there anyway, it seems wasteful to leave it empty, and I’m uncomfortable at home. It just makes the most sense for me to move in there.”
When Yeonhu answered with a slight laugh, it seemed that even the mighty Han Jaekyung was at a loss for words. As long as Jang Yeonhu and Han Jaekyung were truly “friends,” as long as the person Yeonhu loved was Choi Eunseong and not Han Jaekyung—logically, there was no room for objection. Jaekyung knew that too, which is why he couldn’t explicitly say not to do it. He was just showing his displeasure as if in protest.
But what could be done? The Jang Yeonhu who used to tremble at even the lightest sigh from Jaekyung and fulfill all his wishes was gone now.
Thanks to the situation developing so rapidly since yesterday, there hadn’t been time to think about Moon Yeonu, who had been annoyingly persistent with calls and meetings lately. Yeonhu was simply genuinely delighted.
“Let’s have dinner together tonight. I gave Eunseong the address. He said he’ll come straight after work.”
How could you think of inviting him to my home? Judging by the trembling eyelashes and fierce gaze, Yeonhu could vividly sense Jaekyung’s inner thoughts. Pretending not to know anything, Yeonhu casually placed his arm around Jaekyung’s shoulder and spoke nonchalantly.
“There were only two wine glasses, right? Let’s buy another similar one. Oh, that rug looks nice.”
“I hate it. It’s terrible.”
The sleek monochrome design was clearly to Jaekyung’s taste, yet his response was quite sharp. If he could, Yeonhu would like to hold his stomach and burst into loud laughter.
So why did you do it, without any fear? Who gave you permission to abandon the home I bought for you?
“Our Jaekyung isn’t in a good mood today? I’ll cook something delicious for you. Cheer up, okay?”
The low voice cunningly wrapped around Jaekyung’s body like a snake. Yeonhu had no intention of letting go.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
