* * *
“…Fuck.”
Siho was so startled that he instantly looked at Joohwan.
Joohwan’s face was contorted in something close to horror, as if he had seen something monstrous.
Curious, Siho followed his gaze and saw Moon Dowon in a purple rash guard.
Just as Siho had feared, he was wearing a rash guard that was tight and snug without any gaps.
It was a look that made Siho seriously doubt if he had chosen the wrong size.
“You, did you actually wear that as clothes?”
Joohwan scrunched up his eyes with a look of disgust.
There was also a mix of desire to hit him, if he weren’t his friend.
Moon Dowon wiggled his eyebrows and asked.
“Why. Does it look strange?”
“Strange? Do you think that word ‘strange’ is enough to describe this? Go back and change into the swimsuit you were wearing earlier. Why would you wear something that clings to your body, when you could wear something loose instead?”
“To look cool.”
“You don’t look cool at all.”
“That’s just your opinion. Seo Siho hasn’t said anything.”
Moon Dowon’s eyes turned to Siho, insisting his opinion should also be heard.
It was not a unitard. Moon Dowon’s outfit was deeply problematic, enough to remind Siho of a purple eggplant.
Not only were his chest muscles developed and protruding, but his substantial, healthy-looking weapon was clearly visible, bulging as it lay dormant.
His sturdy thighs were taut, and his bouncy buttocks, which moved with every step, kept drawing Siho’s attention.
The smooth texture, unique to rash guard material, was so tempting that Siho wanted to run his hand over it.
‘Wow… he’s incredibly sexy.’
The color he chose, purple, seemed to be his attempt to wear something brighter than usual.
The fact that he claimed to have restrained himself from wearing a flesh-colored one made Siho think, ‘That’s so Moon Dowon.’
“I don’t think it’s bad.”
When Siho spoke with a face tinged with a faint blush, Joohwan’s expression hardened.
Sitting comfortably, he shot up from his seat with a serious look.
“Did I look like this too?”
“…Huh?”
“It makes me think that, even though he’s my lover, he has poor taste.”
Joohwan made a horrified face while looking at Moon Dowon, as if he were looking into a mirror.
It seemed he realized he had been in a similar state.
“It’s hideous. Seriously. This outfit was a mistake.”
Thinking that all the compliments so far had been empty words, Joohwan attempted to go back and change his clothes.
Kang Taeyun, who had been watching silently, took out his phone and snapped a picture.
“What are you doing?”
“You two look so cool, I thought I’d keep it as a memory.”
He smiled faintly, put down his phone, stood up, and extended his hand.
He meant they should go swimming, leaving the two who would be bored changing clothes.
Kang Taeyun’s words seemed to have a big impact, as Joohwan changed direction and grabbed Siho’s hand to pull him up.
“I’ll teach you how to swim.”
“By any chance, is there a life jacket…?”
“Why do you need that? I’m here.”
Whether he genuinely liked water or not, Joohwan’s eyes were full of life.
His gaze, eager to get into the water quickly, made him look excited like a boy.
Siho nodded at his innocent-looking eyes and, keeping pace with Joohwan, glanced backward.
Following Kang Taeyun, his eyes kept drifting toward Moon Dowon.
The prominent parts of his body glistened as the light reflected off them with every step.
Not only was he firm, but his sculpted physique made Siho curious about his backside.
As he peeked sideways, his eyes met Kang Taeyun’s.
‘So you like this kind of taste.’
It was a look of interest.
Embarrassment washed over Siho, feeling like his secret preference had been exposed.
Siho dipped his feet into the water, which glittered in various colors due to the lighting.
The water, cooled to body temperature, wrapped around his ankles.
He had come to the sea to clear his head, but this unexpected water play wasn’t bad.
It was like his first trip since transmigrating.
For this moment, he wanted to play in the water without a care in the world.
As he pushed off with his toes, splashing water, Moon Dowon approached him.
“You really can’t swim?”
He naturally sat down close beside Siho and dipped his feet into the water, just like him.
“No. I’ve never learned…”
Siho turned his head to answer the question, and his attention was caught by the suffering central area caused by his sitting posture.
Unlike his standing posture, the protruding area was convex, as if glued on.
Siho felt pathetic for constantly focusing his gaze on that area, but his hands itched as if they wanted to touch it.
Just as he thought he wished he could poke the bulging area with his finger, Kang Taeyun approached from the side, squatted down, and poked his cheek.
“Is this kind of thing your preference?”
“No.”
“Should I change into my swimwear too? I’m confident I won’t lose.”
Even though Siho flatly denied it, Kang Taeyun laughed softly, resting his chin on his hand, and his eyes curved like a half-moon.
The whisper that didn’t reach Moon Dowon was ticklish like a secret endearment, and Siho involuntarily bit his lip.
“What are you two talking about?”
Moon Dowon frowned slightly at Siho, who lowered his head to hide his likely reddened cheeks.
Thinking this wouldn’t do, Moon Dowon plunged into the water.
He wiped the water that splashed up like washing his face and approached Siho, who was only dipping his feet in.
“Whatever it is, we came here to swim, so let’s swim.”
“I was waiting because Joohwan said he would teach me…”
“I’m better than Joohwan. Should I show you?”
Moon Dowon preened, rotating his shoulders like a light stretch and taking his stance.
The sight of him going to the end of the pool and returning at a rapid speed was as quick as a dolphin.
“How is that? It’s okay to learn from me, right?”
Moon Dowon, who had returned, smoothed back his wet hair and smiled slightly.
The dripping water combined with his rare smile made him look sexy.
He looked cool and handsome even to a man.
Moon Dowon, who was good at cooking and swimming and had great looks, would be perfect if he only learned some fashion sense.
“You’re really good.”
“Then, come down now.”
Moon Dowon extended his hand, gesturing for Siho to take it.
Siho looked at Kang Taeyun once and then took the hand offered to him.
Moon Dowon released his hand as he pulled him, then carefully placed his hands under Siho’s armpits and lowered him into the water.
“Find your balance and stand up.”
He meant not to be afraid because he was standing in front of him.
Seeing Moon Dowon treating him excessively like a child, Siho balanced himself, and Moon Dowon patted his shoulder, saying he did well.
It was the first time Siho had felt such tenderness from Moon Dowon.
“Like father and son.”
Kang Taeyun watched the situation, smiling broadly.
Siho grabbed Moon Dowon’s arm and asked Kang Taeyun, who wasn’t even dipping his feet in, a question.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I don’t really like it.”
When Siho gave him a look as if asking why he wore the rash guard then, Kang Taeyun mouthed the word.
‘Couple.’
Meaning he wanted to wear the same clothes.
Siho laughed at the simple reason.
Moon Dowon gave him a look, telling him to focus, and Joohwan, who had gone to the audio equipment, played a song, having finished his preparations.
—How about this song?
Seeing Joohwan use the microphone to talk, Kang Taeyun shook his head.
Joohwan played another song each time, but Kang Taeyun kept rejecting them.
After a short while, Joohwan, who had finished selecting the music, entered the water.
“If it weren’t for Kang Taeyun, I would have come in earlier. He’s always so picky.”
He added a rough interjection and approached where Moon Dowon and Siho were.
“I’ll teach you next.”
“Suit yourself.”
“How far did he teach you?”
When Siho showed Joohwan what Moon Dowon had taught him, Joohwan scoffed, asking if that was really all he had learned.
Moon Dowon had done his best to teach him, but the progress was slow because Siho was so clumsy.
“…I just have no athletic sense.”
“Moon Dowon just can’t teach well.”
Joohwan said he was confident and took Siho away from Moon Dowon.
But the situation was the same.
Nothing changed with one-on-one customized lessons.
Feeling his limit approaching, Siho said he would rest and approached where Kang Taeyun was, who opened his arms.
Siho cocked his head, wondering if he meant he wanted a hug.
Kang Taeyun chuckled and lifted him into his arms.
“Didn’t you dislike water? Then you’ll get wet.”
“Was it fun?”
“No… I think it’s harder than I thought.”
When Siho pouted slightly with a sullen face, Kang Taeyun smiled.
His gentle smile was as warm as sunshine.
Siho felt dry and cozy even while wet.
“Still, it seems like you enjoyed yourself. Your face looks more relaxed than before.”
“…My face?”
“Yes.”
He meant that previously, Siho would rush to avoid them in discomfort, but now he didn’t feel that way.
Siho thought it might be because he felt comfortable without any repulsion, seeing Moon Dowon and Joohwan’s sincerity about swimming without ulterior motives.
Watching the two of them swim back and forth, racing each other, a small smile touched Siho’s lips.
“I guess so.”
It felt like they were friends, not lovers.
He felt like he was really on vacation and had briefly forgotten his worries.
At the small smile, Kang Taeyun briefly kissed his cheek.
“Shall we go further when we get back?”
* * *
