#134
Come to think of it, he seemed to have made such a promise on the day they ate meat. Though he hadn’t been drunk, if asked why he made such an impulsive suggestion, it was partly because Jaeha had encouraged him to, and partly because he was swept up in the atmosphere after Yoo Junseok insisted that if Eunhong did it, he would naturally be the next deputy team leader.
“Um… yes. Well…”
When he vaguely gave an affirmative answer, Yoo Junseok and Gil Dong-wook were visibly excited. They asked if they would get to see the rich family’s mansion with a lawn that they’d only heard about. He didn’t have a chance to correct them that it wasn’t such a mansion but just an apartment. When Kim Jieun chimed in saying she should buy the most expensive tissues, they even sang about needing to buy organic tissues. Frivolous comments continued to be exchanged between the partitions.
***
Outside the car window, it was fully spring. The roadside was lined with cherry trees that had already burst into bloom, making the entire road look as if snow had fallen.
Jaeha had said he didn’t plan to return to the company he had established. Rather than harboring ambitions to succeed and manage Han Jung, his desire to ensure no one could touch him had grown stronger. As a result, this small company was busy looking for a new CEO.
It had been quite a while since Jaeha went in to interview new CEO candidates. Though he had said it might take a long time and that Eunhong should stay home and relax, Eunhong had stubbornly followed along, so he waited without complaint.
Partly because the weather was so nice, but truthfully because he wanted to stay close for as long as possible. Since the series of incidents that erupted along with Eunhong’s return to work had concluded, the two had been ceaselessly busy. On weekdays, even eating dinner together had become difficult enough to count on one hand.
Moreover, since Eunhong had resolved to avoid visiting Han Jung as much as possible, these relaxed weekend hours were absolutely not to be missed.
Looking at the falling flower petals, Eunhong was reminiscing about that day when he was twenty and reunited with Jaeha. It felt like they had come such a long, winding way.
He buried his nose in the cardigan Jaeha had covered him with. The pheromones that made his body melt so deeply remained faintly. Although it was scary to think what this was, what could make a person so senseless, it was also something to be grateful for since his manifestation had brought him and Jaeha together like this.
Knock knock.
Jaeha, holding large drink cups in both hands, knocked on the window with the back of his hand. Eunhong quickly put down the cardigan, opened the door, and got out of the car. Smack, the lips landing on his cheek as soon as he got out were a bonus. Having become thoroughly accustomed to this, Eunhong calmly received the kiss, then noticed Han Sejin standing behind Jaeha and turned bright red.
“Ah, hello, Team Leader Han.”
“It’s been a while, Eunhong! Is this the first time we’ve met since seeing each other in front of here? Everything’s been fine with you lately?”
While Han Sejin continued his greeting, Jaeha whispered to Eunhong that he was now Director Han and handed him an elaborate drink topped with cookie crumbs. The way he unwrapped the straw and inserted it for him, and how his hand immediately wrapped around Eunhong’s shoulder once it was free, was unmistakably that of a lover, making Han Sejin’s eyes roll.
“What are you looking at? Hurry up and go inside. It looked like you still have a lot to organize. You must have been having fun with the CEO’s office being vacant for a while?”
Despite his mischievous words, Jaeha was grinning. Eunhong elbowed his side as he spoke. It’s not right to tease employees who came to work on weekends.
“Director Han must be working hard. Since the company is nearby, let’s have a drink together sometime.”
“Ah! I’d love to. I’ll buy the meal… actually, I can’t, and I’ll probably be busy for a while. Yes…”
“Pardon?”
“Then I’ll be going up now, since I’m busy.”
As Eunhong was about to furrow his brow at the inconsistent sentences, Han Sejin loaded what he had brought into the car and said he hoped to see them all together next time. He bowed repeatedly, which was uncomfortable enough, but then he retreated, almost fleeing from the two.
“That person… is a bit…”
“He’ll be busy with work. Don’t worry about it.”
Jaeha turned Eunhong around, who was still looking in the direction where Han Sejin had disappeared into the building long ago.
“Did you wait long? How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”
Eunhong closed his eyes at the touch that brushed his eyebrows. The results from the hospital showed that Eunhong was very healthy with no abnormal findings, and his pheromone levels were stable, so there was nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, Jaeha couldn’t let go of his concerns.
“I’m fine, really. I feel even healthier than before.”
“Still… How can I not worry about someone who slept for days after going through a heat cycle? I find it suspicious that the results came back so normal…”
“That’s because I manifested late, like I told you.”
“That’s why I’m saying, wouldn’t it be good if you rested at home for about a year?”
Body concerns always culminated in resignation requests. Jaeha seemed determined to respond to Eunhong’s request for honesty, constantly singing about quitting to the point where Eunhong feared he might not be allowed to step foot outside the house. The problem was that Eunhong was actually tempted by it. In fact, if Jaeha were still a wealthy idler at home like before, he might have written a resignation letter. Of course, this was an absolute secret from Jaeha.
“I don’t have anything to do at home when you’re not there.”
“Why wouldn’t you have anything to do?”
“There’s nothing… mmm…”
Eunhong’s throat vibrated at the lips that suddenly came down. Though this had happened so many times during conversations that he should be used to it by now, he was still startled every time. While answering Jaeha’s questions precisely, Jaeha would always bite his lips like this.
After thoroughly stirring up the inside of his mouth enough to make him lose his mind, Jaeha gently nibbled the neck below his chin, as if that wasn’t enough. Completely swayed by the sensation of a tongue grazing the spot where his pulse beat, Eunhong suddenly came to his senses under the bright sky. When Eunhong pushed him away, Jaeha licked his lips.
“Why? No one’s paying attention.”
As Eunhong looked around, Jaeha found him so cute that he moved in for another kiss, but this time Eunhong smacked him with his palm.
“Who’s not paying attention? Everyone’s watching. I should be grateful they’re not taking pictures.”
No, they might have already taken some. Eunhong squinted at the thousands of square glass windows. The thought that everyone inside the buildings might be watching gave him goosebumps. Even if it weren’t Lee Jaeha, anyone of this height wearing a suit and kissing in the middle of the street would attract attention.
Perhaps because of the commotion in the news, more people were openly staring when they walked down the street. It was a mystery how Jaeha, who showed no awareness of this, could have nerves of steel.
Eunhong avoided the hand that was sneaking towards his waist. Finding it absurd that Jaeha was trying to manipulate him while subtly releasing pheromones, he countered with his own. He had become familiar enough with his traits to control them to this degree.
The two started walking, intending to take a stroll around the block. The well-maintained roadside trees planted at regular intervals were in full bloom, making it feel like they had come out for flower viewing. This area, particularly abundant with companies, was empty on weekends, making it feel like they had the entire road to themselves. As they walked, kicking flower petals with their toes, Jaeha wrapped his arm around Eunhong’s shoulder.
“Your value has gone up too, so you could work from home now. Or you could come to work with me and draw in my office.”
Eunhong burst out laughing at the relentless suggestion. He didn’t entirely dislike the whining and coaxing. Jaeha looked down at the brightly smiling Eunhong and showered kisses on his forehead.
What Jaeha said was somewhat true. After the whole commotion ended, work requests flooded in, somehow obtaining his contact information. Jaeha had clicked his tongue, calling Eunhong a “project collector” after seeing his email inbox. Even Eunhong, who tried to remain calm, couldn’t hide his excitement and jumped around all day when he received a contact from an animation director whose name everyone knew.
“When we move back to this side, should we completely replace the furniture? It’s spring after all. We’ll mix in Bunhong’s taste too… and redesign the workspace.”
Jaeha pointed toward the direction of his original home and giggled. At the mention of moving, Eunhong’s eyes sparkled as he looked up.
“Can I bring in a new game console?”
“…If you’re working from home and playing games, when will you play with me?”
Jaeha’s hand, which had slipped into Eunhong’s back pocket, firmly grabbed his buttock.
“I’m thinking of setting up an office near the house and maybe starting a management company. Find a trustworthy person to appoint as president…”
“A management company?”
“Keep Eunhong as a affiliated artist and I’ll manage you.”
“You already have a lot of work. Stop it.”
“What if our Bunhong becomes famous? I want to secure a lifetime contract in advance, even if it’s just for my peace of mind.”
His words, spoken with a smile, didn’t sound like a joke. Eunhong shook his head gently.
The beginning of his constant challenges to new things, looking upward, and striving hard had been rooted in not wanting to appear inadequate by Jaeha’s side. But now he had begun to look even further. Though not yet, someday they might really get married, or have children… it still seemed like a distant story, but if that happened with Jaeha, he wanted to stand beside him as an impressive person.
He wanted to become someone Jaeha, and someday their child, would be proud of. The feeling of his chest swelling up just from imagining it made him smile automatically. A cotton candy-like future was held in his sparkling eyes. Suddenly, Jaeha hugged Eunhong tightly.
“You’ll sign the contract, right?”
Eunhong, pausing from sipping his sweet drink, turned his head and kissed him. Jaeha winked and whispered, “Sweet.”
Look who’s talking. Eunhong smiled brightly with crescent-moon eyes. Jaeha’s lips, containing bitter coffee, were no less sweet.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
