“…….”
“You know what Kim Seonghee-nim is capable of when he’s angry.”
He was right. In this cult, it was unwise to provoke the absolute authority that was Seonghee. It was better to yield here. Besides, if he soothed Seonghee’s ego, maybe he could settle the debt all at once.
“Leader-nim.”
Jak urged him. Jiwon finally clenched his eyes shut and said:
“I understand.”
“What?”
“I understand, so just leave today. I’m too tired and exhausted.”
“Tch.”
Seonghee clicked his tongue. Jiwon wondered if he had said something wrong, but since he hadn’t, he stayed silent. Seonghee was quiet for a moment, then roughly ran his hand through his hair and said:
“Then let’s end it here.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s not make things awkward between us over this.”
Jiwon nodded. Was this an apology? It felt worse than not receiving one at all, but since it was Seonghee, he had no choice.
“Come here.”
Seonghee beckoned Jiwon. Still wrapped in the blanket, Jiwon got up and scurried over to stand in front of Seonghee. Seonghee grabbed Jiwon’s cheeks with his rough palms and pressed his lips to Jiwon’s.
Jiwon’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected action. The lightly pressed lips parted.
“Now that I think about it, we haven’t even kissed yet.”
“…Hm?”
“We should get along better from now on.”
Seonghee said that and wiped Jiwon’s lips with his thumb. Then he turned and left the bedroom. A moment later, the door to the leader’s office opened and slammed shut. Jiwon stood there, dazed.
“It seems Leader-nim really caught his eye. He even apologized.”
Jak said as he approached from behind. And then he asked:
“Doesn’t it seem that way?”
Jiwon didn’t want to answer. So he lay back down on the bed. Jak sat on the edge of the bed and urged Jiwon.
“Leader-nim?”
“I want to sleep.”
Jiwon answered sullenly, his mouth tightly shut. Jak stroked Jiwon’s jet-black hair and said:
“Don’t forget, Leader-nim. You have to use Kim Seonghee-nim.”
“…I know.”
“It’ll be hard to cater to his whims, but let’s try.”
“Yes…….”
“But first, I should have some medicine made for you. You keep passing out, and it’s worrying me. I’ll call someone tomorrow.”
“Does this count as debt too?”
“Think of it as an investment.”
Jak’s indifferent tone aside, his hand stroking Jiwon’s hair was so gentle. Jiwon’s heart pounded strangely.
“I wasn’t always this weak. I even served in the military.”
“I know. Everyone expends a lot of energy when they’re not used to something.”
“…….”
Was he making fun of the fact that he had been a virgin before coming here? Jiwon was a little confused.
“So rest well for now. Things will get even harder from here.”
“I don’t know if that’s comfort or mockery.”
“Both.”
Jak answered nonchalantly. Jiwon was annoyed, but somehow, he ended up smiling a little. Jak sometimes said absurd things with a straight face. His unpredictable side made Jiwon laugh. Jiwon mumbled pointlessly without realizing it.
“Um, that was my first kiss with Kim Seonghee-nim earlier.”
“That? That was hardly a kiss.”
“…….”
Annoying. Jiwon’s mood soured at Jak’s blunt words. Jak smiled slightly and explained:
“That was just a peck… A real kiss is different.”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never done it. I wasn’t even popular with girls.”
“But you must have been popular with men.”
“I wasn’t.”
Jiwon shook his head in disgust. Jak leaned in, bringing his face close to Jiwon’s.
“Want me to show you what a real kiss is like?”
“…Hm?”
Jak’s lips touched Jiwon’s. Jiwon wondered how this was different from what he had done with Seonghee. Jak lightly bit Jiwon’s lips with his own and began to open his mouth.
As Jiwon’s lips parted slightly, Jak’s tongue slipped inside. Jak’s tongue thoroughly explored Jiwon’s soft mouth. For a moment, Jiwon forgot how to breathe. The tongue, which had been frantically exploring his mouth, quickly withdrew. Somehow, Jiwon felt a little disappointed.
“…See? That earlier thing wasn’t a kiss.”
Jak wiped the saliva from his lips and said. Jiwon stared blankly at him.
“Come to think of it, you had sex before your first kiss.”
“That’s…”
“How lewd.”
At twenty-seven, he had never even kissed, and now he was being called lewd. But it was true. He wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t. His situation was absurd.
***
Next day
As Jak had said, a doctor arrived. A man with a large bag in both hands bowed politely.
“I think I’ll be getting busier, so I found someone to help take care of Leader-nim. He’s a medical school graduate with a doctor’s license. He can serve as your personal physician and look after your health until you’re in better condition. He’ll stay by your side until then.”
“Thank you for letting me meet Leader-nim.”
“…Hello.”
“I’m Yoon Jaemin. It’s truly, truly an honor to meet you.”
The doctor, with short hair and glasses, was slightly taller and leaner than Jiwon. Though he was a follower, he wore a white coat, perhaps because he was also a doctor.
Jiwon was wearing a white leader’s robe. The hem reached his ankles, and the collar went up to his neck, but there were only buttons at the neck and waist, leaving his chest exposed.
Jak said this robe was specially designed to highlight Jiwon’s physique and charm. Jiwon wondered how much this robe cost. He was supposed to be paying off his debt, but it felt like the debt was only growing.
“Leader-nim is shy and doesn’t speak much. Make him comfortable.”
“Of course.”
Yoon Jaemin smiled brightly. It was a pure, innocent smile.
“I need to brief him… Ah.”
Jak’s phone vibrated. Holding the phone, Jak said to Yoon Jaemin:
“It’s a call from Kim Seonghee-nim. I’ll be right back. Please take good care of Leader-nim.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Leader-nim, I’ll be back.”
Jak bowed to Jiwon and left the leader’s office. Only Yoon Jaemin and Jiwon remained.
Yoon Jaemin was half-dazed as he looked at Jiwon. He was a devout follower of <Mother’s Land> and had been granted special privileges to attend the new leader’s introduction ceremony at <Land of Happiness>. And now, he had the right to serve and be close to the leader in person. It was hard to believe.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
