‘Maybe I should shower first.’
My whole body was drenched in cold sweat from the nightmares that had plagued me. I pulled back the blanket and placed my feet on the floor outside the bed. Using my arms as support to lift myself up, my legs gave way, and I plopped back down onto the bed.
“Just great.”
It wasn’t a physical problem but a mental one. I couldn’t help but sigh, disgusted with myself. Once my body went limp like this, it took some time to recover. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I looked at the window across from me. Since I had pulled back the curtains during the day, the night scenery was clearly visible.
“There are a lot of stars.”
Despite how terrible the situation was, my voice sounded incredibly calm.
Suddenly, I wondered if I could fall back asleep after showering, but I shook my head. I was too unstable right now.
“Maybe I should ask to sleep together.”
It wasn’t like I was alone in this house, so I didn’t necessarily have to sleep alone.
“And there’s a cuter little brother than Woo Jeonghyun.”
Nodding, I thought of Yang Garam, whose size was, if anything, greater than Woo Jeonghyun’s, not less. After rationalizing that Yang Garam might be scared of sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place, the thought that I should sleep with him as his hyung flowed naturally.
Tap, tap-tap, tap.
Absorbed in my own thoughts, I flinched and turned my head at the dull sound hitting the window.
I saw a dark silhouette that looked like a person on a tree branch near the window, and from there, small twigs were flying quickly to tap against the window. I was quite surprised that such lightweight twigs could make that sound when hitting the window.
Moreover, they weren’t coming sporadically but hitting exactly the same spot repeatedly. Seeing the twigs stick precisely to that position as if magnetized, I involuntarily stuck out my tongue in amazement.
After staring in wonder for a while, it occurred to me that trying to climb a tree and enter in this manner at this hour was certainly not normal behavior.
Just in case, I approached the window from the bed with a protective flame hovering over my hand. Fortunately, I didn’t embarrass myself by collapsing due to my weak legs, though I couldn’t help the trembling with each step.
As I brought the flame near the window, the darkness receded, revealing the face of the person perched on the tree.
“Do Wonjin.”
That crazy bastard.
He was extraordinary during our first meeting, but seeing him climbing a tree made my lips tremble involuntarily.
The moment I recognized his face in the light of my flame, I saw that he also noticed my presence and brightened up.
‘Open the window.’
I understood what he wanted from his exaggerated mouth movements, but I stood at the window with my arms crossed, looking askance.
“Why should I?”
When I glared at him, questioning his audacity, Do Wonjin hugged himself and put on a pitiful face.
‘I’m cold.’
Just then, the wind blew, making the tree sway with a whooshing sound, and I realized he was wearing only a thin hospital gown with a hoodie zip-up. It was almost May, but the nights were still quite chilly. It was obvious that even a healthy person would catch a cold in such attire. Swallowing a sigh, I reluctantly unlocked the window.
‘Why did you come here?’
I didn’t understand why he appeared here at this hour in such attire, but my hands were already opening the window wide enough for him to enter. I thought it might be difficult for an adult man to enter even through a large window, but my concern was unfounded. Do Wonjin leaped from the tree branch to the windowsill like a flying squirrel and, bending his waist flexibly, landed in front of me. It all happened in an instant.
“Whew, I almost froze to death.”
He straightened his hunched back and did some light stretching, rotating his shoulders. Watching him, I closed the window to shut out the cold air.
“What brings you here?”
“Do we need a reason to see each other?”
Half-ignoring his nonsensical response, I also pointed out his untimely appearance.
“You should have received an access card. Why did you climb a tree?”
“About that, I haven’t received one yet.”
My brow furrowed involuntarily.
“Not yet?”
“They wouldn’t give me one because I’m still hospitalized.”
“Are you supposed to be in this house?”
Do Wonjin smoothed back his disheveled hair and grinned.
“You must have been lonely without me, Jeongrae.”
He seemed to have thoroughly misunderstood my words.
I was so dumbfounded that I pointed to the window.
“Shall I send you back out?”
“Sorry, but I’m being sincere.”
Do Wonjin took hold of my chin and lowered his head.
“I was really lonely, truly.”
With him holding my chin, I couldn’t escape the gaze of his eyes, which were fixed on mine.
The soft moonlight pouring in through the window created deep shadows on his face.
While Jeong Seyeon was a striking beauty who could turn anyone’s head, Do Wonjin had a strong, distinctive appearance with well-defined facial features—like a male protagonist from a movie or novel. The only issue was that his usual sleazy attitude detracted from his appearance, but objectively speaking, he was handsome.
“Jeongrae.”
When someone like him called my name with a serious face right in front of me, I felt my mouth go dry.
“I want to give you Guiding. Can I do it now?”
If he had smirked smugly, I might have slapped him, but with him slightly squinting and pressing his forehead against mine while asking for permission, I didn’t know how to react. Even if he asked me like this, I had already received enough Guiding and didn’t need it now…
‘Ah, I do need it.’
I had completely forgotten that I had just been suffering from nightmares. The remnants of the terrible nightmare still lingered on the back of my neck, and my legs were struggling just from taking a few steps. To hide my trembling eyes as the vivid fear resurfaced, I lowered my gaze.
“Just hands.”
I murmured softly, grabbing the hand that was holding my chin. Glancing at his face, I saw his eyes widen slightly in surprise at my words. Embarrassed, I lowered my head. Having pushed him away earlier and now being the first to ask for his help, I felt heat rising up to my ears.
“Just hold my hands. I’ll allow you to give me Guiding.”
“Really?”
Do Wonjin looked down at his hand in mine and then at me, and at his question, I only lowered my head deeper.
Even after I allowed the Guiding, he’s still talking a lot.
Grumbling to myself, I pulled Do Wonjin’s hand before he could say anything more. After just a few steps, we reached the bed, and I sat him down on it. Having been obediently led by my hand, Do Wonjin was watching with curious eyes to see what I would do next.
“Stay right here. I’ll be back after a quick shower.”
I said as I let go of his hand. I would have liked to just crawl into bed and sleep comfortably while receiving Guiding from Do Wonjin. But my body felt too sticky to lie down without ignoring the sweat.
“Wait.”
Do Wonjin grabbed my hand as I was about to head to the bathroom, and I turned to look at him with a question mark.
“You said you’d only let me hold your hand, so why are you showering?”
“Because I feel uncomfortable.”
“Then I should be the one showering.”
“Ah, you’re right. Then you go first.”
Do Wonjin’s face changed in a puzzled way. I didn’t know why he was making such an expression, but his composure had been falling apart since I said I would allow Guiding. I wasn’t particularly curious about the reason. But his face, showing confusion at my words, was quite refreshing.
“Jeongrae, you… No, never mind.”
With a face that said he had a lot to say but wouldn’t, Do Wonjin got up from the bed, and I slowly blinked at his bland reaction.
“Where’s the bathroom?”
“It’s right outside here. Follow me.”
I carefully opened the door and tiptoed to the bathroom. When Do Wonjin tried to ask what I was doing as he followed behind, I placed my index finger on his lips and warned him to be quiet. Then I opened the bathroom door, ushered him in first, and followed.
“Wash your hands and then go sit quietly on the bed in my room.”
As soon as the door closed, I gave one more earnest request. Do Wonjin smiled awkwardly, seeing me acting like I was in a spy movie or a jealous husband trying to control him.
“This is cute and all, but did something happen?”
Under the bright bathroom light, his clearly visible face was full of concern for me.
“……”
Even if I told him what happened, it was just that Joo Seolhyeon, whom I couldn’t stand, was in the next room, and when he leaves, I’m left alone in my nightmares.
But I couldn’t say that out loud.
“Just, you know.”
It sounded lame even to my own ears.
Our first meeting had been such a mess that he was my number one Guiding avoidance target after Joo Seolhyeon, but now I was in a situation where I needed his Guiding. It hadn’t been even a few days since I thought I wouldn’t need Guiding, and now here I was, needing his—it felt quite hypocritical.
‘They say you never know what will happen in life. I should be more careful with my words from now on.’
“What is ‘just, you know’?”
“I’m not telling you.”
But that was that, and this was this.
If it were someone else, I might have spilled everything, but I didn’t want to tell Do Wonjin so easily. He probably already guessed from my appearance, but this was a matter of my pride.
“Alright, don’t tell me if you don’t want to.”
He looked at me as if I was cute, but unlike usual, there was a hint of compassion in his gaze. My heart pricked at the way he looked down at me. No, it also felt a little itchy.
Unconsciously, I pressed firmly on my chest where my heart was beating.
“I can wait until you’re ready to tell me.”
Normally, I would have been repulsed by such a sleazy remark, but for some reason, my face suddenly flushed at those words. Flustered, I shooed him out of the bathroom, telling him to leave quickly if he was done washing his hands.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
