“Your legs… What’s wrong with them?”
Now that he mentioned it, Lim Haeyul did feel a slight strain earlier. Why was that? Did something else happen?
Most of his memories had returned, but there was nothing related to his legs. If anything, it was the effort he put into wrapping his legs around Cha Jae-woo’s waist. Could that be what he was talking about?
If he had definitely fallen asleep after hearing Cha Jae-woo’s congratulations, that was the only explanation.
“That wouldn’t make them hurt.”
The thought that Cha Jae-woo might be asking because of that bruised his ego a bit. He was a man too, and hanging onto him for a moment wouldn’t make his legs hurt. A little strain wasn’t enough to call it pain.
But even with his serious response, Cha Jae-woo burst into laughter. He then rubbed Lim Haeyul’s cheek and teasingly said, “Oh, really?”
“I’m serious.”
He truly felt fine. Did he look that weak? He couldn’t understand and emphasized it again, but Cha Jae-woo just nodded half-heartedly.
“Alright, fine.”
His tone didn’t sound convincing at all. Lim Haeyul considered repeating that he was okay but decided against it. The more he insisted, the more pathetic he felt he would seem.
Besides, he didn’t have the energy to waste on such trivial matters. After all, he had caused Cha Jae-woo quite a bit of trouble last night. He should be reflecting on his actions, not arguing about his legs.
“…….”
Instead of looking for his missing clothes, Lim Haeyul pulled the blanket closer.
The more he remembered throwing his clothes off, the tighter he gripped the blanket. The embarrassment he had briefly forgotten resurfaced.
“I’ve asked for food to be brought to the room, so just stay in bed a bit longer.”
Cha Jae-woo said, noticing Lim Haeyul’s tense grip on the blanket. He seemed to find it peculiar.
He wanted to blame it on the alcohol, but he held back and questioned Cha Jae-woo instead.
“Can’t I eat in my room?”
“Why?”
Did he really need to ask? Sometimes Cha Jae-woo didn’t understand the obvious.
Without the blanket, he would be completely exposed. He at least wanted to get dressed, but Cha Jae-woo insisted he stay and even eat in this room, which was awkward.
However, he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. Admitting he was naked was too embarrassing, especially since he remembered stripping so vividly.
“It’s just… uncomfortable in many ways…….”
“I’m not uncomfortable.”
“No, I mean I’m uncomfortable.”
“Why are you uncomfortable?”
Cha Jae-woo had never been great at understanding his feelings, but today he seemed particularly dense. Couldn’t he see why?
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Lim Haeyul realized Cha Jae-woo was teasing him on purpose. Of course, Cha Jae-woo knew why he was clutching the blanket. He was deliberately keeping him from leaving the room and insisting he eat there.
Maybe this was his way of getting back at him for being a nuisance last night? But that seemed a bit unfair. He had said he couldn’t come home! That’s why he drank so much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten that drunk or even gone out in the first place!
Come to think of it…….
“By the way, what happened yesterday?”
“What do you mean? Don’t you remember?”
“No, I didn’t black out. That’s not what I’m asking. Yesterday, um, did you really come home because it was my birthday?”
The rising sense of unfairness quickly vanished. Lim Haeyul looked at Cha Jae-woo with hopeful eyes.
Of course, Cha Jae-woo had said yes last night. But there was a chance he had just said that to make him feel better in his drunken state.
In truth, Lim Haeyul knew Cha Jae-woo wasn’t the type to lie about such things. Still, he asked because he wanted to hear the confirmation again.
“Yes, it’s true.”
Hearing the answer he hoped for, the corners of Lim Haeyul’s mouth twitched into a smile. If he had just told Cha Jae-woo it was his birthday earlier, he might not have gone out. Or maybe Cha Jae-woo would have come home sooner. He regretted not speaking up, feeling he had missed out.
He knew that if it were Cha Jae-woo’s birthday, he would have done anything to spend time with him. But he had doubted Cha Jae-woo would do the same, which made it hard for him to express his wishes.
There were so many things he found difficult to say. If he had just spoken up, they could have spent more time together yesterday, and he wouldn’t have made such a fool of himself.
“I see. That’s too bad.”
He didn’t care about the canceled restaurant reservation. What he regretted was wasting a day he could have spent with Cha Jae-woo.
Honestly, getting drunk and talking about taking things to the next level was just his way of hoping they could at least share a kiss. Things had gone much further than he intended, though…
Why did his body react so quickly? Just thinking about last night made his face flush with heat again. He felt like a pressure cooker about to burst, steam ready to escape from his ears.
“You said you’re disappointed, so why is your face red?”
“Don’t look at me.”
Lim Haeyul tried to pull the blanket over his head, but Cha Jae-woo was holding onto the edge, preventing him.
“Could you let go…?”
“Why?”
Cha Jae-woo was still teasing him. Last night must have been quite a challenge. He was clearly enjoying getting back at him.
Lim Haeyul struggled to pull the blanket up but eventually gave up. He figured Cha Jae-woo deserved a little payback, and besides, he knew he couldn’t overpower him.
Still, he didn’t feel too bad about it. Maybe alcohol really did help bring people closer.
He felt like they had overcome a barrier last night. Ever since they started dating, every moment except when they were guiding felt awkward. But now, he felt a bit more comfortable around Cha Jae-woo, even if his heart was still racing.
“Am I really going to eat like this?”
His heart was pounding, but he was getting used to it in a different way. He ignored the loud beating and asked Cha Jae-woo, hinting at how long he planned to keep teasing him. Surely, he wouldn’t make him eat wrapped in a blanket, barely decent.
“Well, I need to shower too, so stop teasing and let’s meet in the kitchen…….”
But Cha Jae-woo shook his head firmly. His resolute gesture was followed by an unexpected response.
“You’ve already showered.”
“Huh? I did?”
He searched his memory, but there was no recollection of showering.
“I showered you.”
Cha Jae-woo clarified, but Lim Haeyul was shocked. What did he just say? He couldn’t believe his ears and stammered his question.
“Wh-who did?”
Cha Jae-woo seemed puzzled by his question, casually replying, “Who do you think?”
“You… did?”
“Who else would it be? The maid?”
Cha Jae-woo’s nonchalant revelation made it even more shocking. Lim Haeyul stood there, mouth agape, unable to speak for a moment.
He knew Cha Jae-woo must have seen him naked when he was drunk and clinging to him. But he thought it was just a brief moment. He had quickly changed his mind and pulled the blanket over himself, so he assumed it wasn’t a big deal. The room was dark, after all.
But if Cha Jae-woo had showered him, that changed everything.
“Was I… that dirty?”
Was he so filthy that Cha Jae-woo had to wash him personally? Did that mean Cha Jae-woo saw every inch of his body in the bright bathroom light?
“It’s not that you were dirty─.”
“Aah! Why would you do that…!”
This was unbelievable! He should have just left him alone! If he thought he was dirty, he could have just tossed him on the bed or into his room!
“Is that embarrassing?”
“Of course, it is!”
Cha Jae-woo seemed amused by his reaction, but Lim Haeyul was mortified. Cha Jae-woo’s confusion only made it more frustrating.
Of course, Cha Jae-woo wouldn’t understand. He had a perfect body! He was crazy! Every muscle looked like it had been meticulously sculpted.
But Lim Haeyul felt differently. Comparing himself to Cha Jae-woo was almost embarrassing. His body was far from firm—it was soft and flabby. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he was so shocked.
“Oh, no…”
He had, at times, imagined taking things further with Cha Jae-woo—the two of them moving restlessly on the bed. In those fantasies, he always assumed the room would be completely dark. While he wanted to see Cha Jae-woo’s body, he was too embarrassed to reveal his own.
In fact, he hadn’t cared much before, but ever since they started dating and he began imagining what might come next, he became self-conscious. His soft body, and even his skin tone, which others had subtly teased him about, started to bother him.
He had resolved that if their relationship progressed, he would insist on keeping the lights off. But Cha Jae-woo had already seen everything while he was asleep. His resolution had been pointless.
“I don’t remember much.”
Cha Jae-woo said casually, seeing Lim Haeyul’s near-despair.
He knew Cha Jae-woo couldn’t have forgotten, but he nodded eagerly anyway. If Cha Jae-woo pretended not to remember, he would be grateful. Maybe they could just act like it never happened.
But before he could dwell on that thought, he felt the blanket being tugged down. There was no time to feel grateful. He looked up at Cha Jae-woo in panic as the blanket slipped lower.
“Wh-what are you doing…?”
He stammered, his voice barely audible. Cha Jae-woo looked him straight in the eye and tilted his head slightly. The blanket continued to slide down, and Lim Haeyul desperately tried to hold onto it, but he was no match for Cha Jae-woo’s strength.
“I’m trying to remember, so I need to see again.”
What was he talking about? Why was he doing this now?
“I was too out of it, so I didn’t get a good look.”
“You…!”
Lim Haeyul was speechless. He gave up trying to argue and clung to the blanket like a lifeline, but it was futile against Cha Jae-woo.
* * *
A few minutes later, Cha Jae-woo finally let go of the blanket. He had literally just looked, which somehow made it even more humiliating. Lim Haeyul almost wished Cha Jae-woo would say something, anything.
At least Cha Jae-woo allowed him to get dressed and leave the room. Lim Haeyul shuffled back to his room, feeling like his soul had been stripped bare. As he walked, he realized Cha Jae-woo might have been right—his thighs did feel a bit sore.
