Separate from the pain, Yeonwoo could still sit up. He touched the thin pajama pants and t-shirt covering his body. They were soft. His body felt refreshed too. Recalling how they had moved around to different places before returning to the bathroom, Yeonwoo muttered.
“…Did I wash up then?”
Thinking that Ho Munbeom must have washed him while they were in the bathroom, Yeonwoo got up from the bed.
Moving slowly, he opened the door, and bright light poured in. After squinting, Yeonwoo slightly opened his eyes and stepped into the quiet hallway. Though he wasn’t sneaking in, he found himself walking on tiptoe. Once in the hallway, Yeonwoo couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow.”
Unlike the room with its blackout curtains, the floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the living room were brightly open. The deep blue sky visible beyond and the sparkling surface of the swimming pool reflecting light were extremely beautiful.
As if drawn by something, Yeonwoo went outside, stood in front of the pool, and looked down.
“…It’s deep.”
With it being this deep, what was he thinking when he jumped in yesterday?
One thing was certain: when making that choice, Yeonwoo hadn’t hesitated at all. He had been desperate then, but thinking about it now, it seemed foolish. Why had he worried about someone who swam so well? The one thing he was grateful for was that Munbeom hadn’t said anything about his actions. Instead, he had embraced the startled Yeonwoo and comforted him, saying it was okay.
Recalling the large hand that had stroked his back, the touch that had lifted his chin, and the voice that had called “Yeonwoo” while looking into his eyes, his face grew hot. As he rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand, separate from the soft sensation, it stung a little. Wondering what it could be, Yeonwoo remembered how Munbeom had continuously pressed his lips to his face the night before.
“…”
Before he could calm down, more blood rushed to his face.
While he was flustered and unsure what to do, he heard a voice from behind saying, “Yeonwoo.”
Startled, Yeonwoo turned around and swallowed hard when he saw Munbeom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. He approached Yeonwoo while drying his wet hair with the towel.
“You’re up. I just got up briefly to shower. How are you feeling?”
“…I’m fine.”
In truth, his physical condition wasn’t really “fine.” He needed at least two days of rest, but after summarizing with the word “fine,” Yeonwoo shifted his eyes and looked to the side. Munbeom, who had been watching Yeonwoo’s face, lightly patted under his chin with his other hand in response.
“Still shy even though we’ve seen everything?”
“…Yes.”
Clutching the lowered hand, Yeonwoo hesitated before nodding slightly.
At this response, Munbeom, with one eye narrowed, lowered his head and kissed his lips. Was it because he had just woken up? His lips were particularly soft, and his skin was warm. The faint rising body scent was also comforting, just like a child’s.
Suppressing the urge to embrace Yeonwoo, Munbeom whispered with their lips still touching, “Get dressed if you’re not going to shower.” Yeonwoo, who had been holding his breath, nodded once more.
Knowing it would take time to return, Yeonwoo moved quickly. Clothes had been prepared as if it were natural. The clothes he had worn the day before had disappeared after being removed in the car. Though he had brought a change of clothes just in case, his bag seemed to be in the car, so after a brief hesitation, Yeonwoo changed into the new clothes that had been prepared.
The jeans were soft, and the shirt and cardigan to wear over it had excellent texture. They say clothes make the man. Dressed like this, his reflection in the mirror looked unfamiliar.
After touching his hair, Yeonwoo came out, feeling he shouldn’t delay further. Munbeom, who had already completed all preparations, was in a suit. Unlike his casual appearance from the day before, he was properly dressed from head to toe and was on a call, which made Yeonwoo stop in his tracks.
Just then, Munbeom looked up and, seeing Yeonwoo standing at a distance, raised one hand. At the gesture that seemed to apologize and ask for understanding, Yeonwoo shook his head, indicating it was fine. Then he stepped back, creating distance. It was to avoid potentially overhearing his conversation.
Munbeom repeated phrases like “Let’s do that,” “Yes,” and “I understand” a few times before ending the call.
“Yeonwoo, come here.”
Only then did Yeonwoo, who had been looking elsewhere, turn his head toward Munbeom. Watching the round eyes looking at him blink slowly, Munbeom carelessly put his phone in his back pocket and stretched out his hand as Yeonwoo approached quickly. The moment Yeonwoo carefully placed his fingers on it, Munbeom similarly curled his fingers, grasping the small hand that fit entirely within his own.
“The clothes suit you well. Bright colors look good on you, Yeonwoo.”
“…Thank you.”
With Yeonwoo’s looks, anything would suit him, but indeed, bright colors made him appear more radiant. Seeing Yeonwoo hesitate before thanking him for the compliment, Munbeom tightened his grip on the hand he was holding.
“Let’s go eat something. Moving on an empty stomach will be difficult.”
“I’m fine. We’re already late, so hurrying would be…”
“I’ve already informed them, so it should be prepared. And eating won’t take much time. Yeonwoo, you have a small stomach.”
“…”
At Munbeom’s words, Yeonwoo looked at him in surprise before nodding.
Yeonwoo ate less than Munbeom. That must be what he meant, Yeonwoo told himself, trying not to think strangely and attempting to erase Munbeom’s comment about his “small stomach.”
The night before, being held in Munbeom’s arms, Yeonwoo hadn’t properly observed the accommodations. Only after venturing outside after 11 o’clock did Yeonwoo realize how spacious the place he was staying was. Passing through the clean corridor and taking the large elevator down, the first thing he saw was a waterfall situated in the middle of the vast lobby.
The refreshing water falling from the ceiling captivated both eyes and ears. Even knowing it was artificially recreated, he couldn’t take his eyes off the spectacular scene, as if a valley waterfall had been transplanted there. When Munbeom asked if he liked it, Yeonwoo could barely turn his head. Yeonwoo quietly replied to him, who was looking at him, that it was fascinating. At those words, Munbeom turned around.
When they said they were installing such a thing in the lobby, he had thought it was a waste of money, but now it didn’t seem bad. The things you see the moment you enter the lobby would create the overall image of the resort. If it became known as a photography spot, even expensive resort accommodations without any particular attractions might sell relatively well.
He had only thought it would be convenient to use before the official opening, but after staying one night, it wasn’t bad. Considering whether to increase the investment amount, Munbeom grabbed Yeonwoo’s wrist and pulled him toward himself.
“Come this way.”
Yeonwoo looked at his arm held by the large hand, raised his head, and nodded.
Sometimes, it seemed Yeonwoo really enjoyed this kind of minor contact. Recalling how earlier, when he had released the hand he had been holding to board the elevator, Yeonwoo had fidgeted with his hand as if regretful, Munbeom moved down from the wrist and held the small hand again. This time, Yeonwoo just looked at his held hand. Though he didn’t particularly show it, his reddened ears revealed that he liked it.
As time passed, he came to know these things one by one. Being alone with Yeonwoo was becoming increasingly comfortable.
Entering the restaurant located inside the first floor, Munbeom headed to a seat with a good view.
The prepared food was galbi-tang (beef rib soup) with a whole octopus.
Yeonwoo, who had said he was fine when discussing breakfast but was actually hungry, unknowingly swallowed. Though the sound was barely audible, feeling self-conscious, he covered his lips, and Munbeom patted Yeonwoo’s shoulder.
“Sit down and eat.”
At those words, Yeonwoo sat in the chair, and Munbeom, standing beside him, pushed the chair slightly forward.
As Yeonwoo was about to thank him, a vibration sound was heard from somewhere. As Yeonwoo lowered his head, Munbeom took out the phone he had carelessly put in his pocket. After checking the screen, clear wrinkles formed between his eyebrows, and with the words “just a moment,” he moved away.
He seemed to be going inside the restaurant and quickly disappeared. After looking in the direction he had vanished, Yeonwoo turned his head back.
“…He’s really busy.”
It wasn’t that bad yesterday, but after a day, it seemed he was being sought from various places. Well, he was a man whose name appeared on the economic section at least once a day. Perhaps they should leave immediately instead of lingering here. Just then, a growling sound was heard. Yeonwoo looked down at his stomach and then shifted his gaze to the steaming galbi-tang.
“…”
Perhaps because the bone was large, the attached meat was as big as his fist. The octopus flesh included was plump. Thinly sliced peppers, egg garnish, and between them, red dates with whole garlic cloves. Yeonwoo swallowed.
Feeling like he might reach for it first if he kept looking, he stretched for the water glass. After drinking the water and looking outside, he could see a small, charming pond that was beautifully decorated. The waterfall earlier was impressive, but this was nice too. Such places existed in the world. Just looking at it made him feel good and warmed his heart.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
