* * *
Jiho scowled and turned away from him.
They didn’t get along well because Yoon Chulwon was always nitpicking, but more than that, Jiho despised his habit of forcing drinks on others.
On top of that, he was the typical freeloader who would ask to see Jiho’s assignments and notes. There was no way he could like such a senior.
Jiho tried to ignore him, but Yoon Chulwon wasn’t giving up easily. Seemingly annoyed that Jiho wouldn’t make eye contact, Yoon Chulwon grabbed his chin and roughly turned his head.
“Ugh.”
His hand was huge and his grip strong. It felt like his jaw might come off. Jiho’s already irritated face turned icy.
Jiho met his eyes with annoyance and asked, “What do you want?”
“Look at this guy. Your face is so pale.”
“I’ve always been fair-skinned.”
Although his skin wasn’t exceptionally pale, among the physical education department students who spent a lot of time in the sun, he was on the fairer side.
When Jiho replied matter-of-factly, Yoon Chulwon let out a dry laugh.
“Do you think I don’t know that? What I mean is, you haven’t been drinking properly.”
“I have been drinking. Can’t you see the empty beer bottles in front of me?”
“Come on, that’s nothing.”
Although Jiho retorted sharply, Yoon Chulwon looked around the table and snorted.
He acted as if this amount was hardly worth mentioning.
“Not being an Alpha, your alcohol tolerance must be low… Hey, stop being so stingy and drink this.”
“…”
Yoon Chulwon handed Jiho a 500cc beer mug he had been holding.
The mug was filled with a yellow liquid, bubbles rising, and droplets forming on the glass.
‘I don’t even want to touch it since he’s been drinking from it…’
Jiho already disliked Yoon Chulwon, and the thought of sharing a cup with him was repulsive.
Plus, Yoon Chulwon was the type who looked filthy as if he never cleaned himself.
Jiho looked at the glass as if it were something dirty, while Cheolwon let out a snicker.
“Look at this guy. He looks like he’s about to curse if I tap him. What kind of look is that when a senior offers you a drink?”
“……”
“Oh, don’t tell me you can’t even drink this? Are you scared?”
Jiho clenched his teeth and twitched an eyebrow.
The word “scared” was almost taboo in the Department of Physical Education.
Most of the guys knew how to handle their bodies, so their competitive spirit was intense.
Jiho was no different in that regard. He glared at Cheolwon with sharp eyes and spoke.
“……If I drink this, you won’t push any more, right?”
“Of course. Have I ever gone back on my word?”
“……”
He always borrowed things from me and kept borrowing until I got sick of it.
It wasn’t a reliable promise, but there were dozens of eyes watching.
If he had any pride, he wouldn’t go back on his word today.
Having come to that conclusion, Jiho roughly snatched the beer glass from Cheolwon’s hand.
As he gulped it down in front of everyone, his Adam’s apple bobbed prominently.
The refreshing swig drew cheers of “Ooooh!” and shouts of admiration from the surroundings.
It wasn’t about showing off; he just wanted to get it over with quickly, so he downed it in one go.
But the taste… It wasn’t what he expected.
Oh, this…
“Ah, damn. That crazy bastard.”
If it was a bomb shot, he should have said so…
Jiho could usually hold his liquor, but he was particularly bad at mixed drinks.
The light buzz he had was quickly replaced by a rush of heat to his face.
Before he could even think about how dizzy he felt, he slammed his head onto the table.
That was the last thing he remembered from the bar.
* * *
He felt his body sway intermittently.
His stomach churned, and the swaying made him feel seasick.
As he covered his mouth and opened his eyes, he realized he was being carried on someone’s back.
Through his blurred vision, he saw short hair.
The broad shoulders he leaned on felt as vast as the Pacific Ocean, and the faint scent of cologne from the shirt was pleasant.
The back of the head was round and pretty, and the hair was soft and silky, making him look good even from behind.
Where did such a well-groomed guy come from…?
He thought hazily as the sense of familiarity hit him.
“…Ahn Yejun?”
“Oh, you’re awake?”
When Jiho asked as if to confirm, Yejun turned his head as if he had been waiting.
As Jiho looked at Yejun, who was carrying him after a night of drinking, he couldn’t believe how composed Yejun looked. He didn’t seem drunk or strained at all.
Why was a guy like him in the International Business Department?
With athletic skills comparable to mine, he would have done well in the Physical Education Department too.
Ah, was it because he was going to inherit the family business?
I remember him saying that’s why he chose International Business, but my drunk brain couldn’t process it well.
Jiho furrowed his brow, trying to recall the reason, but then realized it wasn’t important right now. He focused his eyes and asked Yejun.
“Why are you carrying me?”
“The class rep said he spiked your drink with soju earlier.”
“Ah…”
Jiho sighed softly. Come to think of it, class rep Yoon Cheolwon had offered him a drink, and he downed it in one go to end it. As he suspected, he mixed soju in.
Anyway, nothing good ever comes from Yoon Cheolwon. He probably knew I couldn’t handle mixed drinks and did it on purpose.
As Jiho fumed inwardly, Yejun continued.
“You passed out, so I tried to get a taxi to take you home, but I couldn’t get one. Just sleep at my place.”
“Your place? Uh, sure…”
Jiho nodded, resting his cheek on Yejun’s back. He had been to Yejun’s place several times, so it was comfortable. Actually, if Yejun didn’t mind, he’d prefer to stay there.
The place Jiho was currently renting was a red brick house over 30 years old.
Because it was so old, it was cold in the winter and boiling in the summer.
Spring like now was nice, but the water temperature control was a major issue.
In contrast, Yejun’s place was not like that. Having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Yejun started his independent living in an apartment, which was spacious and nice.
Despite growing up in the same neighborhood and attending the same schools, their circumstances were vastly different.
Anyway, I’d be grateful to sleep at his place. Thinking this, Jiho spoke, and Yejun chuckled.
“So, will you walk on your own now?”
“Ah… still drunk. I’ll just sleep.”
Yejun suggested that Jiho could walk if he had sobered up a bit, but Jiho clung to Yejun’s neck, pretending to be helpless.
He could walk on his own two feet, but he hadn’t sobered up that much. His body and head still felt heavy and tired like soaked cotton. Besides, Yejun’s back was too comfortable to give up.
Jiho closed his eyes and made strange ‘hmnya hmnya’ sounds, causing Yejun to chuckle in disbelief.
“You trust me too much…”
Yejun muttered to himself.
Jiho wondered what Yejun was saying but didn’t have the energy to think deeply. He only meant to pretend to sleep, but as his drunkenness resurfaced, he felt sleepy.
Unable to resist the wave of drowsiness, Jiho passed out again.
* * *
The second time he came to his senses, he was lying on a cold floor.
The chill from the floor roused him, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself sprawled in front of a shoe cabinet. A quick glance at the interior suggested it was Yejun’s place.
What the… I was at the bar just now, so how did I end up here? I don’t know if I teleported or what, but just the fact that I wasn’t lying in the street and was at Yejun’s place was reassuring.
He tried to fall back asleep, rubbing his warm cheek against the cold floor, when Yejun squatted down in front of him.
“Jiho, you need to wash up before you sleep.”
“Ugh… too lazy…”
“Anyone who doesn’t shower can’t get on my bed.”
I just wanted to sleep, but Yejun drew a firm line. His tone suggested that I follow the rules since I was in his house. He’s quite the neat freak… Though that’s the right thing to do.
I knew I shouldn’t cause trouble in someone else’s house, but with my head soaked in alcohol, it was hard to act sensibly.
Jiho tried to get up but couldn’t muster any strength in his arms, so he curled up on the floor like a shrimp.
“Then later…”
“Are you going to shower later?”
“Yeah… It’s too hard right now…”
Jiho murmured as he closed his eyes. He desperately wanted to get to the bed, but he didn’t have the energy to move and shower. Maybe resting a bit would help him sober up.
As he kept his eyes closed, sleep started to overcome him again. His mind was getting hazy once more when Yejun, who had been quietly watching him, said something unexpected.
“If it’s too hard, should I help you shower?”
“…What? You?”
“Yeah.”
Jiho thought he had misheard. He looked back at Yejun and asked again, but Yejun nodded casually, confirming what he heard.
While Jiho had wished for a robot to help him shower, he never imagined Yejun would offer to do it. It wasn’t like he was at an age where someone else should be bathing him, and it seemed absurd.
However, Yejun’s thoughts were different, and he continued calmly.
“It’s not like I can’t help. We’re not strangers.”
“…”
That’s true…
They weren’t strangers; they were almost as close as family. While it might be embarrassing to show his bare body, they had already seen each other naked several times.
Growing up in the same neighborhood and attending the same school, they had occasionally run into each other at the bathhouse and even showered together during retreats.
So it wasn’t a big deal… But since entering high school, they had stopped doing such things. It wasn’t for any particular reason; it just didn’t happen anymore.
They were both men, childhood friends, and even though Yejun was an Alpha, Jiho hadn’t manifested any traits, so there was no fear of anything sexual happening.
Yet, now that they were older, it felt embarrassing to show his naked body to Yejun.
Jiho was about to refuse, saying he could manage, but Yejun stood up.
“I’ll run the bathwater, so don’t fall asleep.”
“What? Hey, come on… I’ll shower myself.”
“You said it’s hard. Just wait.”
Yejun, showing excessive kindness, walked straight into the bathroom.
Soon, the sound of running water filled the air. Jiho thought, ‘This really isn’t right…’ but lacked the strength to get up and just lay there sprawled out.
Oh, seriously… He’s unnecessarily kind.
He’s so kind that he’d offer to help someone shower. While that kindness was sometimes a comfort as a friend, this seemed a bit too much… Jiho felt he should get up and stop him, but he was too drowsy.
I should get up. I should stop him…
With these vague thoughts, Jiho slowly blinked his eyes as sleep overwhelmed him again. Yejun’s words about staying awake echoed in his mind, but he couldn’t resist the drowsiness.
Eventually, Jiho curled up like a shrimp on the floor and fell asleep again.
* * *
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