#60
“Ah… I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“It’s nothing. Just… Anyway, your eyelashes were stuck together, so I was going to blow on them.”
“I’ll just remove it with my hand.” Imun picked something off Hajun’s chin and let it flutter away in the wind. At that casual, nonchalant gesture, Hajun’s head lowered involuntarily.
I should have waited a bit longer. Even though Imun wouldn’t have done that, he felt embarrassed at his own misunderstanding. He slapped his innocent thigh a few times and mumbled with a hint of reproach.
“You startled me by suddenly putting your face so close…”
“I’m sorry. I overdid it, didn’t I?”
“…No, it’s fine. But are you very cold? Your face looks pale.”
“Ah… I think so. Maybe I tried too hard to look stylish…”
Imun laughed playfully and wrapped his arms around himself. Despite his casual demeanor, his hands resting on his coat were trembling pitifully.
So he wasn’t acting, he was really cold. It was amazing that Hajun hadn’t noticed his condition at all until now. As he unconsciously frowned, the production crew signaled to resume filming. He watched Imun hurriedly turn on his microphone for a while, then quietly took off his padded jacket.
“Ah, if you give me this, what about you, hyung?”
“It’s fine, just keep it on. Better than you catching a cold.”
“…Thank you.” Just as he was helping Imun put on the jacket instead of waiting for a reply, soft music began to play. It seemed the performance was finally about to start.
*
A colorful light show unfolded, using the tower as its canvas. While cheerfully watching the performance that captivated his eyes and ears, Hajun turned slightly. He could no longer ignore the glances that had been coming his way.
“Do you have something to say?” “No, just looking.” Imun pretended he hadn’t been watching Hajun. Fortunately, his complexion seemed better than before. “Try to dress warmly from now on.” He gently scolded while patting Imun’s back.
After the short performance ended, Imun took off the padded jacket and returned it before Hajun could stop him. “You’ll be cold, keep it on!” “Haha, hyung, you look colder than me?” After a brief tussle, Imun put the outer garment on Hajun and sprang up from his seat. It seemed he had something to discuss briefly with the production crew.
Wearing the padded jacket still warm from Imun’s body heat made him smile sheepishly. A few minutes passed as he fiddled with his phone, the zipper tightly fastened. He stared blankly at Imun, who wasn’t returning.
Imun, checking the recordings with the filming director, had a very serious expression. Professionals really are professionals. Recalling how Imun had spent a long time talking with the film crew even after lunch, he wiped away the runny nose that had started.
*
Climbing into the van, warm air enveloped his body. The manager seemed to have preheated the car. He sat close to the warm seat and thawed his body that had frozen in the night wind.
Perhaps because his entire body was pleasantly relaxed, having a moment of mental peace suddenly made him worry about the remaining schedule. He was so tired after just one day of traveling around, and the reality of having to film four more days without rest seemed overwhelming.
Moreover, tomorrow was a group trip. He hadn’t even fully bonded with the On The Sky members, yet he had to spend two days and one night with three more unfamiliar people. Just imagining it already made his head throb.
Don’t get anxious in advance. No matter how awkward the situation might be, Imun would be by his side. Steadying his uneasy feelings, he called out to Imun softly.
“Imun… are you asleep?”
Imun had already closed his eyes. There was no strength at all in their clasped hands; it seemed they would easily slip apart with just a slight pull. Wondering if he was really asleep, Hajun whispered repeatedly until Imun slowly lifted his eyelids.
“I’m not sleeping. Just… I have something on my mind.”
“Ah, I see. Alright. I won’t disturb you.”
“Haha. Yes, thank you.”
Contrary to his amused tone, Imun exuded a calm, almost melancholic atmosphere.
What is it? What’s the problem? Until they boarded the van, he had been smiling brightly, and Hajun couldn’t guess what might have suddenly dampened his spirits. Seemingly noticing Imun’s unusually low mood, the manager abruptly spoke up.
“Imun, you used to really hate that kind of thing, but today you were really into it? Rai would be disappointed if he knew.”
The tone was clearly trying to change Imun’s mood even slightly. After momentarily pondering the meaning of “that kind of thing” the manager was referring to, Hajun belatedly chuckled.
It was worth the effort of acting so hard. The manager had apparently seen through the business performance he and Imun had put on for half a day. If it seemed convincing even to a professional, it must have been quite successful.
Filled with satisfaction, he glanced sideways at Imun. Though he thought Imun’s mood would have improved, his face was, for some reason, completely distorted.
“It’s not like that.”
“It’s… not like that.” Repeating the same words once more, Imun turned his gaze out the window. His expression grew increasingly serious, suggesting this was no ordinary worry. Silently stroking the back of Imun’s hand, Hajun awkwardly cleared his throat.
“When answers don’t come easily, sometimes it helps to stop thinking for a while and come back to it later.”
“…Really? Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll do that. By the way, hyung, I’d like to sleep a bit. If it’s okay, could you let go of my hand? I want to lie down comfortably.”
“Ah, o… okay.”
“You should get some rest too, hyung.” Leaving those brief words, Imun carefully withdrew his hand. His apologetic smile revealed such evident fatigue that it was difficult to continue the conversation.
Was he very tired? Soon, Imun reclined his seat and turned away to lie down. It was markedly different from his usual behavior. After silently observing him, Hajun turned off the interior lights without a sound. He hoped Imun would get as much restful sleep as possible.
*
It seemed the other members hadn’t finished filming yet, as there was no one in the lodging. Hajun leaned against the sofa, waiting for Imun, who had gone straight into the shower as soon as he took off his shoes.
What on earth is going on? At this rate, it would be impossible for him to fall asleep even if he lay down, worried about Imun. While mulling over Imun’s gloomy mood, Imun emerged, shaking his hair with a towel.
“Were you waiting? You should go to bed first.”
“Just… are you feeling better now? How’s your mood?”
“Ah, I’m fine. I’m sorry for making you concerned.”
Imun smiled brightly as if he had never been depressed. Seeing the serenity in his eyes, it seemed he had mostly sorted out his concerns while showering.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, aren’t you?” As Imun casually changed the subject, Hajun stared at him intently, then with a serious expression, patted the sofa. Understanding what he meant, Imun sat down beside him without a word.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?” As a hint of tension flashed across Imun’s face, Hajun snatched the towel from him.
“You brat, do you know how surprised I was earlier?! Your eye-acting was no joke. You could seriously be in a drama!”
His hair was so wet that water was dripping from it. Why did he come out in such a rush? As Hajun gently dried his hair like he would a puppy’s fur, Imun whimpered pitifully, as if finally feeling relieved.
“…I’m sorry. I went too far, didn’t I? I’ll be more careful next time. I think I was… too greedy.”
“No, it’s because I was oblivious… I’m sorry for pushing you away. So, did they manage to film that scene?”
“Ah, I was hoping, but they didn’t…”
“I thought so. When they belatedly said they’d film it, I had my doubts. That’s a shame.”
“…Yeah.”
Could this be why? If his heartfelt performance had come to nothing, it would be enough to make anyone dejected. While trying to guess his unexpressed thoughts and keeping his hands busy, Imun suddenly burst out laughing.
“Teacher, you have good wrist snap.” The silly joke was a relief. “I’ve got about ten years of shampooing experience, you know.” He playfully responded and vigorously ruffled Imun’s hair.
Let’s be satisfied with this for now. Whatever his worry was, Imun would tell him first if he needed help. Just as Hajun slapped Imun’s back to signal he was done, Imun quickly stood up, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Then, I’ll go to bed first. You get some good rest too, hyung.”
“Alright. Sleep well.”
Imun headed straight to his room without the slightest hesitation. After confirming the sound of the door closing, Hajun lazily leaned back on the sofa. The fatigue accumulated throughout the day rushed in, competing for attention. In his current state, he felt like he could fall straight asleep the moment his face touched the pillow.
Come to think of it, I slept in that room yesterday. As he blankly stared in the direction where Imun had disappeared, the memory of waking up in Imun’s bed naturally came to mind.
If yesterday’s Imun had been like a baby angel freshly descended from heaven, then Imun who had just come out of the shower was as pure as a blooming flower.
He unconsciously began comparing which was prettier, but quickly realized it was a difficult question to answer. After a long deliberation, disregarding the passing of time, he finally reached a conclusion.
“Still, the way he looked in front of the tower… was the best.”
Though it must have been just a moment, it felt like an extended scene from a movie with a slow-motion effect. The look in his eyes as he stared at Hajun, mesmerized, with his face so close, was impossible to forget.
No matter what, he wouldn’t have tried to kiss me. He pressed down on his loudly beating heart and shook his head vigorously. At this rate, he would end up carefully folding and handing over even his house deed to Imun.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
