<72>
There was no better example of a guilty conscience than this. For several days after his unproductive quarrel with Choi Eunseong, that had been Jaekyung’s constant psychological state. Even when he wasn’t directly facing Choi Eunseong, he felt like he could sense his gaze, making his blood run cold. Seemingly intent on keeping his word to wait until Jang Yeonhu regained his memory, Choi Eunseong no longer directed any words or subtle glances toward Han Jaekyung. He simply existed under the same roof like a still life. That made Jaekyung even more anxious.
Anxiety easily corroded reason. Though Jaekyung understood intellectually that he should prolong the situation by relying on Choi Eunseong’s thread-thin goodwill, he clung to Yeonhu like a suction cup, refusing to detach himself. Choi Eunseong would certainly be displeased if he saw it, but his immediate anxiety and impatience were too overwhelming to create distance for such a reason. Whenever he thought that the Yeonhu before him might be the last Yeonhu permitted in this life, he simply couldn’t suppress his restless heart.
“-From what I’ve heard, that’s how it was.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes, yes.”
Jaekyung sat between the stairs, gnawing at his thumbnail. Having firmly resolved not to interfere during rehabilitation time, he couldn’t bring himself to go down and was just secretly watching like this.
During a short break when the doctor stepped away. What were they talking about so pleasantly? Jang Yeonhu and Choi Eunseong were facing each other, breaking into bright laughter. The moment he witnessed this, Jaekyung bit down harder. The tip of his finger, which had gone beyond showing blood to becoming terribly mangled, finally throbbed with pain.
“Ah…”
What excuse should he give this time if Yeonhu asked what was wrong? That was the first thing Jaekyung thought of as the sharp pain jolted him to full awareness. If the wound were smaller, he could have vaguely brushed it off, saying he cut his hand on paper while reading, or that stress from backed-up work triggered an old habit he wasn’t aware of. But with a wound this severe, with blood dripping, such excuses wouldn’t suffice.
“Thank you, Eunseong-ssi…”
“Hehe, it’s nothing. Come to think of it, I’m also in your debt right now, hyung. I hope I can be of even a little help.”
Meanwhile, the two continued their friendly, warm conversation. In truth, from where Jaekyung was sitting, he couldn’t clearly hear everything they were saying. He could only roughly guess the atmosphere from the tone of their murmuring voices and their expressions visible from a distance.
When Yeonhu finally extended his hand first to offer a handshake to Choi Eunseong, as if exchanging greetings, Han Jaekyung could no longer bear it and abruptly stood up. Though it had seemed like a distant stretch, once he descended the stairs and walked over, it was only a few steps away.
Choi Eunseong was the first to notice Jaekyung. Yeonhu only turned around after Choi Eunseong flashed a smile as if to provoke him.
“Hm? Jaekyung-ah. What brings you here at this time-, what’s this? You’re hurt? What happened to your hand!”
The puzzled voice quickly transformed into an urgent one. Jaekyung, who had unconsciously tried to hide his hand behind his back, changed his mind for whatever reason and stretched out his bitten, injured finger as if advertising it. Then he opened his mouth.
“…Jang Yeonhu. I’m in pain.”
It was incredibly simple, just one sentence.
“Oww, of course it hurts. How did this happen, what should we do… Eunseong-ssi, quickly bring some ointment and bandages. Antiseptic too!”
Yeonhu’s tone, now completely focused on Jaekyung’s injured fingertip, had already taken on a frantic quality. Perhaps due to the abrupt change in atmosphere, Choi Eunseong blinked and replied with a “Pardon?” to which Yeonhu burst out with an irritated shout, “What are you doing just standing there!”
“It must hurt… what should we do…”
It was a plaintive voice, as if he didn’t know what to do because he was so distressed, hard to believe it was the same person who had just yelled at Choi Eunseong. Jaekyung thought for the first time that it might not be so bad to appear pitiful. Despite his words of pain, a faint smile lingered on his face.
Ha, look at this, now he’s going this far… Of course, Choi Eunseong, who was facing Jaekyung, was seething inside. As much as he had been miserable because of Han Jaekyung, he wanted him to be equally anxious and impatient, to the point where even breathing was painful. Yet here he was, seemingly escaping so easily after just a few days of mental anguish, which was truly irritating.
Hiding his indignation, Choi Eunseong decided to first inform the doctor who was on break about the situation. It seemed better than finding a first aid kit and having to witness Yeonhu tenderly treating Han Jaekyung right before his eyes.
Still, it was somewhat relieving to think that there weren’t many days left to see such scenes. In the past few days, Yeonhu had constantly expressed concern about Han Jaekyung, who always seemed to lack energy. Choi Eunseong had secretly cast bait toward Yeonhu, who immediately took it.
‘How about doing a surprise event?’
‘An event? A surprise?’
‘Yes… um, actually, about Attorney Han’s officetel. I heard you two lived almost like you were half cohabiting. That’s what I’ve been told.’
‘Wow, really?’
‘Yes, yes. Since he seems down because your memory hasn’t returned… Even if you don’t remember, I think it would be good for Attorney Han’s mood if you held some kind of surprise party at a place with many memories.’
I know the address. The softly added voice sounded cunning even to his own ears. As for the password, well… Since the place was in Yeonhu’s name, it wouldn’t be difficult to open the door through the manager if he went there himself.
‘Thank you, Eunseong-ssi…’
Absurdly, Yeonhu seemed genuinely moved. Despite the fact that Eunseong had initially misunderstood and treated him so coldly, he was showing such goodwill.
‘Hehe, it’s nothing. Come to think of it, I’m also in your debt right now, hyung. I hope I can be of even a little help.’
Choi Eunseong smiled gently with an apparently innocent face. Though not as chillingly beautiful as Han Jaekyung, his face, which seemed so kind that he could never harm others, was more than adequate for disarming people’s caution. Who could blame him for being cunning? He was just claiming what was rightfully his. Choi Eunseong deliberately forgot the strangely bitter aftertaste of guilt.
Even the day before going to the airport, Choi Eunseong had visited that officetel. Since they were leaving in a hurry, he had only packed a few clothes, leaving the rest of his belongings as they were. Yeonhu had said he would send someone later to organize things after they left. But with the accident happening the very next day, nothing would have been cleaned up.
So the framed photo prominently placed in the bedroom of the officetel would still be there. Choi Eunseong recalled the only photo of himself and Yeonhu together, looking friendly.
Just the bedroom… Yeonhu just needed to enter the bedroom. If that happened, he couldn’t miss the photo prominently displayed on the bedside table. Though it was annoying, seeing Han Jaekyung and Yeonhu so desperate to be together lately, it seemed like once they got into the officetel together, the path to the bedroom would be a wide-open highway. His pride might be hurt, but there was nothing he could do. That was the reality.
‘Thank you so much. If Jaekyung’s mood improves, I’ll reward you generously!’
‘Yes. I’ll look forward to it.’
You should come back to me, hyung, not reward me. Such thoughts crossed his mind, but even subconsciously, Choi Eunseong felt it was an unlikely wish. No matter how much he tried to close his eyes and ignore it, he couldn’t.
Yeonhu must have liked him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have paid off someone else’s debt that wasn’t even that old, proudly introduced him to his other friends… He wouldn’t have thought of defying his godlike grandfather or fleeing abroad together to escape his family.
But even if all that affection was combined, it fell woefully short. Compared to the excessive devotion that the amnesiac Yeonhu showed toward Han Jaekyung, it was, to put it crudely, not even close.
So Choi Eunseong humbly hoped. Even if the sincere lover he had wholeheartedly loved for the first time in his life didn’t return to him… At least the person who had deceived and toyed with him would face consequences. That Yeonhu would feel at least a twinge of bitter disappointment toward Han Jaekyung, who had staged a pathetic fraud in collusion with everyone else.
Even the tiniest crack would be fine. He simply couldn’t stand by and watch the two of them continue their blissful romance as if nothing had happened.
In the photo, Choi Eunseong was brightly smiling in Yeonhu’s arms, without a care in the world. Choi Eunseong no longer had the confidence to make even a similar expression.
How would Yeonhu react when he learned the truth? Even if he couldn’t completely abandon Han Jaekyung… at least he hoped Yeonhu would feel sorry for him. By now, Choi Eunseong’s expectations had become as small and feeble as sleet.
Knock knock.
“Doctor, you need to come right away.”
“What? Has something happened to the young master?”
“…No, not Yeonhu hyung. It seems Attorney Han is injured.”
“Oh my, that’s even worse. I should hurry before the young master goes berserk.”
The sense of defeat that twisted his insides had become normalized. It was too pitiful.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
