#65
He spoke kindly with a friendly smile. Then he playfully ruffled Ha-min’s hair.
“Have fun, Ha-min.”
“Ah, okay.”
Ha-min nodded like an obedient puppy at the caring words. As he quietly looked down at Ha-min, he slightly lowered his head and brought his lips to Ha-min’s ear.
“If you get bored, feel free to come to hyung’s room.”
A mischievous smile played on his lips as he whispered the secret message. Ha-min covered his ears with a reddened face, as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.
“I… I don’t think I’ll be bored…”
As Ha-min averted his gaze with a face that had turned red up to his neck, the other man lightly shrugged his shoulders.
“Really?”
“Yeah…”
“How cold.”
After Ha-min rejected his implicit invitation, an uncharacteristically grumbling voice was heard. But there was still a playful smile on his lips. While Ha-min was flustered by his humorous teasing, Tae-rim seemed used to the reaction as he fiddled with the back of Ha-min’s neck before smoothly removing his hand.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
It was a simple farewell, but due to the lingering touch, it somehow felt secretive.
“Okay.”
Ha-min diligently replied while fiddling with the back of his neck where the other’s hand had brushed. Instead of answering, he gave a bright smile and walked away leisurely. His friends and caddies were gathered in one place, perhaps for another round on the field. He put on the white leather gloves he had taken off earlier, exchanging a few words with his nearby friends while smiling.
“Is this Hollywood?”
Tae-in, who had suddenly appeared beside him, spoke up. When Ha-min looked at him quizzically, Tae-in scanned his brother with a look of exasperation.
“How can he act so nonchalant with his ex-girlfriend?”
“…”
“Do you know who Hee-jae noona is dating now?”
“…?”
Ha-min’s eyes widened at this new information.
“You know, hyung’s friend. That bar owner hyung we met when we went out drinking. They say she’s dating him. Isn’t that crazy?”
“Ah…”
“They’re totally acting like Americans, like in Hollywood. This is Korea, you know.”
Tae-in shook his head as if he couldn’t understand. Ha-min continued to stare at them with blank eyes while listening to Tae-in’s rambling. Whether his ex-girlfriend had a boyfriend or not, it still hurt the same. Seeing how they looked like a perfect picture just by being together, he couldn’t help but feel that way. No matter how hard he tried to fit himself next to him, he could never create such a picture. Ha-min turned his gaze away with a self-deprecating smile.
**
“I think it still hurts.”
On the way to the room, Woo-kyung whined while fiddling with his hand. Surprised by his words, Ha-min looked at Woo-kyung’s hand with wide eyes. He thought it was just an exaggeration, but it was redder than he expected.
“It’s red…”
“That’s what I’m saying. I was surprised when he suddenly hit it, and it hurts more than I thought.”
“I have some medicine… Just a moment.”
Ha-min, who had packed a few emergency medicines, immediately rummaged through his bag. Woo-kyung grabbed Ha-min’s arm as he was searching.
“Nah, it’s not that bad.”
“Oh, really?”
Woo-kyung burst into laughter at Ha-min’s blank expression.
“You’re cute, hyung.”
“Huh…?”
“You’re not good at distinguishing between jokes and serious talk.”
Ha-min opened his mouth with a dumbfounded expression at the sudden straightforward comment.
“Ah, sorry. I’m not very perceptive.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
Finding Ha-min’s words ridiculous, Woo-kyung chuckled and slapped his shoulder. Perhaps because he was as tall as Tae-in, even a light tap sent Ha-min’s body forward. As Ha-min stared at him with a dazed expression at the casual action, Woo-kyung naturally grinned and put his arm around Ha-min’s shoulder.
“You don’t look it, but you’re quite a scaredy-cat, hyung.”
Scaredy-cat… Ha-min looked at Woo-kyung with a stupid expression at this phrase he had never heard before. Even though he was timid, lacked confidence, and wasn’t perceptive… being called a scaredy-cat was a first.
While Ha-min was standing there dumbfounded, unable to say anything, Woo-kyung naturally brought up a different topic.
“Ah, by the way, I saw that Lee Tae-rim sunbae up close for the first time earlier.”
“Huh?”
“He was really handsome. Tsk, but at that level, don’t you think I could compete a bit?”
He thoughtfully touched his own face. Then he asked again, “Don’t you think so?” Ha-min smiled awkwardly.
“Yeah.”
Although Woo-kyung was handsome too, unfortunately, he couldn’t compare to hyung. But saying the truth outright seemed like it might hurt his feelings, so Ha-min gave the answer he wanted to hear. Woo-kyung seemed pleased with Ha-min’s sincere response, reacting with quite an excited expression. He seemed more innocent and naive than expected. Like Tae-in.
“Hey guys, let’s drop off our luggage and go to the pool―”
Tae-in said as Ha-min and Woo-kyung entered the room together. The rooms were divided into men’s and women’s, and being a suite, it could easily accommodate at least ten people. The interior was as luxurious and well-organized as the exterior. From the large TV to the king-size beds, and even appropriate interior decor items in places that might otherwise look empty, everything was perfect. It seemed like it would be nice to stay in the room all day.
“Song, you brought your swimsuit, right?”
Tae-in approached and asked while Ha-min was organizing the backpack he had been carrying.
“Ah, just shorts. I’m not going to get in anyway…”
“Huh, why?”
“Um… You know I’m afraid of water.”
It was a lie. He didn’t want to get into the pool with his body exposed. He couldn’t go into the water wearing a watch to cover his wrist. It was to prepare for situations where it might accidentally be revealed.
Tae-in frowned at Ha-min’s clumsy lie.
“What are you talking about? You practically lived in our pool when we were kids.”
Sharp… Ha-min rolled his eyes.
“Later… I fell in once, so I don’t really go in after that.”
“Come on, it’s not the ocean, it’s just a pool. What’s there to be scared of? Let’s just go in~ Okay?”
“I’ll just watch. I’m happy just looking.”
That part was true. It was good enough just to be here together on this trip. He couldn’t say it, but he couldn’t sleep the night before coming here. Because of excitement.
As Ha-min smiled sheepishly and spoke, Tae-in let out a deflated laugh.
“What are you, an old man? Happy just watching.”
He hit Ha-min lightly while scolding him with an incredulous look. But he seemed to give in, letting Ha-min do as he pleased. Ha-min smiled broadly and gathered his belongings. He also hugged a few snacks he had brought in case the kids got hungry.
**
Unfortunately, outside food was not allowed in the pool area. Ha-min dejectedly returned the snacks to the room. It’s good to eat something sweet when you’re tired from playing in the water… Ha-min bitterly returned to the pool and sat down on the reserved sun bed.
Ha-min neatly organized the belongings that the kids had carelessly thrown around and watched them jumping around like fish in water. The sound of their laughter echoed pleasantly. Ha-min folded his knees and tucked them into his arms. The characteristic smell of the pool wafted around. Even that was nice.
“Aren’t you going in, hyung?”
At that moment, Woo-kyung, who had made full preparations, asked while vigorously shaking his arms and legs. He was diligently doing warm-up exercises before getting into the water. Ha-min unconsciously stared at Woo-kyung’s toned upper body. His arm muscles and chest muscles were moderately developed, and his abs had three distinct lines neatly defined. Moreover, the large tattoo on his forearm surprised Ha-min. It suited him so well.
“Why are you staring so intently? You’re making me shy.”
Woo-kyung said slyly, covering his chest in a way that didn’t suit him. Caught off guard by the spot-on comment, Ha-min closed his open mouth, quickly turned his head, and spoke in an embarrassed voice.
“Ah, sorry. It’s just that you have a good body…”
“Right? Ah, it was really hard to build this. At least I get to show off a bit now.”
Woo-kyung said heartily while thumping his chest. Ha-min suddenly felt envious of his outgoing nature. A healthy person always full of confidence without any rough edges. The type of person who makes others feel comfortable just by looking at them. In short, the complete opposite of himself.
“Come in with us, hyung.”
“Ah, I’m fine.”
Woo-kyung spoke while giving his waist one more twist. Ha-min politely smiled while firmly refusing.
“Alright then. Watch closely. I’m really good at swimming, you know.”
He shrugged his shoulders and dove without hesitation into the deep end of the pool. As if timed perfectly, the sunlight reflected off him as he dove, creating a picturesque scene. Ha-min mumbled a small “Wow” and clapped like a seal by himself. He was genuinely impressed by how Woo-kyung had reached far away with just one dive and underwater swim. He’s like an athlete… Just as Ha-min was quietly thinking to himself, Eun-soo and Woo-kyung, who seemed to have changed clothes, were approaching like a pair.
“Ah, that bastard is showing off so much.”
Woo-kyung frowned as if he had seen something unpleasant, having apparently witnessed Woo-kyung’s dive.
“Why? It looks good. I think Park Woo-kyung’s body is even better than Tae-in oppa’s?”
Eun-soo scanned the men’s bodies with eagle eyes. Ha-min tightly wrapped his thin shirt around his body, afraid that his unremarkable physique might be noticed.
