#104
With the minister in custody, the crimes of those connected to him were being revealed one by one. The Ministry of Defense and the military were expected to be completely overhauled.
As Yoo Seong-woo had said, it seemed like court dates would be set within a few days. Meanwhile, Christmas was approaching.
Yeon Tae-soo took Yoo Seong-woo in his car to District 1.
“Don’t you have a lot to do? Things to handle before we leave the country…”
“Mmm, it’s fine. Kim Ji-heon will take care of everything well.”
Yoo Seong-woo let out a small sigh as he imagined Kim Ji-heon, whose complexion was growing darker by the day as he received guests in Yeon Tae-soo’s place, ran Eden as before, and dealt with the media pouring questions about the investigation.
“Let’s go out for good food and shopping after so long. Should we watch a movie too?”
“…It’s a date, then.”
“That’s right.”
Was he doing this because he remembered when Yoo Seong-woo had said he wanted to do what normal couples do? If he was doing this out of pity because he knew Yoo Seong-woo didn’t have much time left, that would be better. If he was showering him with affection because he hadn’t given up hope, that would be more dreadful.
The words “don’t waste time on an android that will soon shut down” rose to the tip of his tongue, but he forcibly swallowed them. He understood how Yeon Tae-soo must feel.
They arrived at the largest department store in District 1. As soon as they got out of the car, an employee was waiting for them in the parking lot.
“I’ll escort you to the private room.”
Even the elevator connected to the parking lot was grandiose. Gleaming walls could be seen behind the open doors. As Yoo Seong-woo awkwardly began to step forward, Yeon Tae-soo put his arm around his shoulders.
“It’s okay. No matter what happens, I’ll be right beside you.”
It seemed like he had read his mind. Yoo Seong-woo had been internally tense, worried about causing trouble if he suddenly malfunctioned and collapsed.
The fact that he was an android, not Yoo-hyun, but essentially Yeon Tae-soo’s brother, had already spread worldwide. The employees here would know too.
Yet Yeon Tae-soo had brought him along anyway. As if it didn’t matter at all. As if he were truly bringing along a lover, in a perfectly normal way.
Yoo Seong-woo reached out and put his arm around Yeon Tae-soo’s waist. In this unfamiliar place, Yeon Tae-soo’s body heat was the only thing that gave him comfort.
As soon as the elevator opened, an even more magnificent scene unfolded. Amidst walls and decorations all lavishly adorned, visibly high-quality clothes and accessories were beautifully displayed.
Yeon Tae-soo exchanged a few words with the employee, but Yoo Seong-woo couldn’t understand many of the terms. Using words like “lapel” and “vent,” Yeon Tae-soo ordered several items, and the employee took Yoo Seong-woo to the changing room.
There, Yoo Seong-woo tried on several outfits. There were suits, and casual clothes including warm sweaters. Only after they had moved to a different location did he realize that every time Yeon Tae-soo had nodded at him in his outfits, it meant he intended to purchase them.
“This is… too much.”
“You’re Yeon Tae-soo’s lover, and you’re going to keep wearing those rags?”
“…They’re not rags.”
Though he had been rotating the same few clothes, Yoo Seong-woo responded sharply, his pride somewhat hurt. Yeon Tae-soo grinned beside him. He knew Yeon Tae-soo found him cute, but it didn’t feel bad.
They shopped all morning and moved to another building for lunch. Judging by how empty the restaurant was, it seemed they had deliberately cleared it out.
Surprisingly, not a single error occurred during their date. Yoo Seong-woo inwardly gave a bitter smile, wondering if his body somehow had the courtesy to behave just for this occasion.
The clothes Yeon Tae-soo bought him were warm, and the food was delicious. Because he didn’t know when these sensations might disappear, Yoo Seong-woo desperately engraved each moment in his memory. And he smiled. A lot, frequently. As much as Yeon Tae-soo smiled at him.
After finishing their meal and heading out to the main street to return to Yeon Tae-soo’s car, they found the crowd quite bustling. Seeing so many people for the first time, Yoo Seong-woo’s eyes widened.
“There are really a lot of people in District 1.”
“That’s right. Plus, it’s Christmas.”
“Ah…”
That’s right, now it’s the end of the year. The fact that time had passed so quickly suddenly hit home. In truth, it hadn’t been that long since he met Yeon Tae-soo. In that time, he had corroded too much, and his emotions had grown proportionally.
“Can we… get out and take a walk for a moment?”
“Will you be okay?”
He was asking if it would be alright to walk with his face exposed when there were so many people. Yoo Seong-woo nodded.
“I’d like to buy a small gift for Yeseon… Old Man Chang’s granddaughter.”
He still felt guilty about bringing Old Man Chang’s granddaughter to a dangerous place. Though she herself said it was fine, there was a strong possibility that wasn’t really the case—she might have answered that way because her risk assessment function was weak.
Yeon Tae-soo hesitated briefly but stopped the car. He got out first, then came around to the passenger side and opened the door. He held out his hand to Yoo Seong-woo.
“Let’s go. Just don’t let go of my hand.”
“…Yes.”
Holding hands tightly, the two walked toward the crowd. Yoo Seong-woo’s shoulders tensed with nervousness and anticipation. Glancing at him sideways, Yeon Tae-soo casually asked,
“Are you going to give me a present too?”
“Should I? Is there something you want?”
“Hmm, it’s a bit awkward to say it here. I have a social image to maintain, you know.”
Yoo Seong-woo didn’t immediately understand, blinking once before his face belatedly turned red. Yeon Tae-soo grinned and pulled his hand.
As they went out to the street, some people recognized them and looked their way, but that was all. The pedestrians were too busy enjoying their own Christmas to pay prolonged attention to the celebrities nearby.
Fearing he might be swept away by the crowd, Yeon Tae-soo held him firmly. Though he had stationed several employees in nearby buildings, he still felt anxious.
Yoo Seong-woo had always been an anxiety-inducing presence for him. Even when he thought he had him, somehow he would slip away and run. When he thought everything was fine, Yoo Seong-woo would be broken.
That’s why he couldn’t possibly let go of the hand he was holding. He put strength into every interlocked finger. Though the Christmas season streets were bright with all sorts of lights and decorations, his gaze remained fixed on Yoo Seong-woo’s profile. Whether or not he knew how Yeon Tae-soo felt, Yoo Seong-woo simply looked happy.
A carol played from somewhere. Someone in the crowd sang along with it. Then others joined in.
The carol flowed through the crowd like a wave. Yeon Tae-soo’s gaze remained on Yoo Seong-woo.
Yoo Seong-woo was smiling. Like a child enjoying Christmas for the first time.
Watching him, everything around them began to disappear one by one. The people vanished, the lights vanished, the street vanished. The ground beneath his feet couldn’t be felt.
When everything disappeared, a universe remained in its place. The universe that Yoo Seong-woo had created for Yeon Tae-soo.
In it, Yeon Tae-soo laughed with Yoo Seong-woo. Like a child falling in love for the first time.
***
Yoo Seong-woo excitedly took Yeon Tae-soo walking all over. People immersed in the festive atmosphere recognized the two and greeted them cheerfully or smiled at them.
He bought not only a gift for Old Man Chang’s granddaughter but also presents for the old man himself, Nikita, and Xinyan. When he said he would buy a gift for Kim Ji-heon as well, Yeon Tae-soo strongly objected. By the time they returned home, it was past midnight.
As Yoo Seong-woo was about to go wash up, he hesitated in front of the bathroom door. When Yeon Tae-soo looked at him, he smiled awkwardly and said,
“Somehow… I’m reluctant to end the day.”
It seemed as if the lights from the street were still on Yoo Seong-woo. Seeing his eyes still sparkling, Yeon Tae-soo regretted not having taken him out sooner.
Yeon Tae-soo quietly put down the tablet he was holding. Since he had already taken care of a few urgent matters upon arriving home, he felt like he could be lazy tonight. Besides, it was a holiday, wasn’t it?
“…Shall we bathe together?”
Uncharacteristically asking with caution, Yeo Seong-woo opened his eyes wide before nodding.
***
Yoo Seong-woo’s body in the warm bathtub was hotter than usual. Though he seemed to be running a fever, Yeon Tae-soo deliberately refrained from expressing concern.
Instead, he embraced Yoo Seong-woo, who seemed more languid than usual, from behind and buried his nose in his hair. Wet with water, Yoo Seong-woo smelled good.
“Did you have fun today?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I had a great time.”
Given his usual personality, he would have said something like how sorry he was that Yeon Tae-soo must be busy, but today he didn’t, which was fortunate. Yeon Tae-soo held both of Yoo Seong-woo’s arms from behind and kneaded them. Though they were moderately muscular arms, they were completely relaxed and soft.
“I didn’t know festivals were like this.”
Yoo Seong-woo spoke in a voice still not completely settled from his excitement, then took a deep breath. Yeon Tae-soo smiled happily watching his shoulders rise and fall.
“I should create another Christmas day. Our Seong-woo enjoys it so much.”
“Sounds good. I’d prefer summer though, if possible.”
He liked how skillfully Yoo Seong-woo responded to his words. He also liked how docilely he nestled in his arms. Unable to contain something boiling inside him, Yeon Tae-soo tightly embraced him from behind.
“I’m serious. If you want it, I can even change the calendar for you.”
“You’d add a holiday just for me? Wait, I can’t breathe…”
He was so adorable for not questioning whether this was actually possible even in this situation that Yeon Tae-soo felt like he might go crazy. His overflowing emotions were expressed in action. Before he knew it, he was biting and sucking on Yoo Seong-woo’s neck and shoulders.
“It, it tickles.”
“I like you, Seong-woo.”
With each kiss placed on his skin, red marks appeared.
“Wait, it really tickles…!”
“I like you, I love you. I love you.”
Yoo Seong-woo, who had been giggling, half-turned his head, seemed to hesitate for a moment, then turned around completely.
“…I also, lo…”
He had turned his head dramatically, but it seemed he was embarrassed to speak. His face slowly turned red from the cheeks as he averted his gaze slightly and stammered.
“I love y…”
Yeon Tae-soo, whose patience had run out to the point where he couldn’t wait to hear the precious confession completely, held both his cheeks and kissed him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
