* * *

“Who eats it for the taste? It’s because it’s easy to digest, and it’s better for you.”

“I know. You’re saying this because you’re worried about me.”

“The prescribed medication?”

“Here it is.”

He opened his bag to show it. Inside, there were only a handkerchief, a phone, and the medicine packet.

Quite a sparse content.

Hoonil walked with Jingyeom to the hospital’s main entrance and then ruffled his hair roughly.

“I like seeing your face, but stop coming to the hospital so often. Let’s meet outside.”

Jingyeom nodded with a bright smile.

After receiving Hoonil’s farewell, Jingyeom hurried home.

He was told he could start work from Monday, so he was anxious.

He quickened his pace to prepare his work clothes and bag.

That evening, after having dinner with Jinwoo, Jingyeom thoroughly cleaned up the dishes.

“Jinwoo, I have something to show you.”

“What is it?”

“Wait a moment.”

Jingyeom closed the door to his room and fidgeted. Jinwoo’s gaze was fixed on the silhouette moving behind the frosted glass, indicating he was changing clothes.

When Jingyeom finally opened the door a crack, he grinned widely. Then he opened it fully.

“Ta-da!”

“…”

“…Hmm?”

Jingyeom’s eyes darted around, not seeing the reaction he expected.

Wondering if something was wrong, he stood in front of the full-length mirror in the room.

“…It looks fine.”

He looked perfect from every angle. Even when he turned around, he couldn’t find anything wrong.

He stood at the door again and looked at Jinwoo.

“I think it suits me well… Is it weird?”

“…No.”

Jinwoo unconsciously covered his mouth with his hand. It was the first time he’d seen Jingyeom in a proper suit.

He’d seen him in a white shirt and slacks often, but that wasn’t the same as a suit.

The well-fitted suit accentuated his slim figure.

The pants were sharply creased, looking like they were on a mannequin.

Even though he was short, his good proportions made him look taller when viewed from below.

“It suits you well.”

Jingyeom, happy with the compliment, approached Jinwoo with a bright smile, only to quickly stand up again.

“What’s wrong?”

“It got wrinkled. I need to change again. Is this suit okay to wear? Isn’t it too bright?”

“It’s fine. It looks good.”

“I know it looks good.”

Jinwoo laughed at Jingyeom’s nonchalant response and nodded.

There wasn’t much more to say since he already knew he looked good. It was true, after all.

Earlier, he had closed the door to change, but this time he casually took off his suit and hung it up again.

He could have changed into pajamas and organized everything, but instead, he carefully hung the suit to avoid wrinkles while in just his underwear.

Jinwoo’s gaze landed on Jingyeom’s chest.

He used to hate showing his scars and rarely undressed in front of Jinwoo. Even after showering, he would come out fully dressed.

He preferred colored clothes to avoid anything see-through, especially white shirts.

Recently, though, he’d been wearing lighter colors. He used to always wear something under low-cut tops, but not anymore.

It was clear he was less self-conscious about his scars.

‘Is it because he doesn’t remember?’

Sometimes it seemed like he’d forgotten about his pain and his scars.

However, seeing him occasionally touch his chest suggested otherwise.

His body was still thin with no muscle, though he’d been eating more and gaining weight recently, it didn’t show much.

“Do you like going to work that much?”

“Yeah. I’m excited.”

“What are you most excited about?”

Still undressed, Jingyeom kneeled in front of Jinwoo and answered eagerly.

“My employee ID!”

Jinwoo couldn’t help but laugh at the immediate response.

Why was he so eager to get that ID?

“Do you really want it that much?”

“Yeah. When I go to the company on Monday, I’ll get it too, right?”

“What company gives an ID to a part-timer working for just two weeks?”

“…What?”

Jingyeom’s face, which had been filled with anticipation, instantly showed shock.

“First, put on some clothes. You’ll catch a cold.”

After dinner, they had ventilated the room and then turned on the air conditioner, making the house cool.

Even in the sweltering summer, being exposed to the cold air could cause a cold.

Jingyeom, now deflated, started to put on his pajamas. His hands were weak as they slipped through the sleeves. His head, which had been held high, was now drooping.

His body language was a clear reflection of his mood.

Jinwoo, stifling his laughter, took the employee ID he had kept in his bag.

He stood behind Jingyeom, waiting for him to finish dressing, and then gently hung the ID around his neck.

Feeling something drop, Jingyeom reached out to touch it.

It was a plastic rectangle with his photo and name on it.

“Wow! Jinwoo! Wow!”

“Take care for the next two weeks.”

“Me too, me too!”

Jingyeom, ecstatic with the plastic ID in his hand, jumped around.

His happiness was contagious, and Jinwoo hugged him tightly, laughing.

Jingyeom’s face was glowing as he kept admiring the ID.

‘Even Sun Director has his moments of being helpful.’

But Jinwoo quickly snapped out of it and tried to calm him down.

“Don’t get too excited. Calm down. Whoa.”

It was Soohyuk who had suggested making the ID for Jingyeom.

He had abruptly asked while Jinwoo was reporting on the meeting minutes in the office.

[Have you applied for Baek Jingyeom’s employee ID?]

[What? An ID? Why…?]

[Why else? He wants it, so shouldn’t we prepare it in advance? It takes time to get it ready.]

[He’s not working for long, and it’s just a part-time job, so why…]

Jinwoo could still vividly recall the look of anticipation on Jingyeom’s face for the company ID. However, it was rare for companies to issue IDs to short-term part-timers.

[What if he faints from the shock of not getting a company ID?]

[I’m not that weak.]

He might be disappointed, but he wouldn’t faint. Soohyuk’s remark was ignored until Wonbeom chimed in.

[Now that I think about it, he has a point. If you have a photo of Baek Jingyeom, give it to Secretary Yang. We’ll get the ID made through HR.]

[…Okay.]

There was no reason to refuse their offer.

He handed over the photo of Jingyeom taken last time to Secretary Yang, who scanned it, resulting in the ID being made before Jingyeom even started work.

The next day, Jingyeom woke up with a start, even though the alarm hadn’t gone off.

‘Work!’

Even though it was just a two-week temporary job, he was excited. Before sleeping, he had placed his ID next to his pillow and now checked it was still there.

He gently touched it and then got up to check on Jinwoo, who was still asleep.

He tiptoed around and checked if his suit was neatly hung before leaving the room.

After turning on the boiler and washing up, he found Jinwoo awake.

“You’re up already? You should sleep more. It’s not even time for the alarm.”

“…When did you wake up?”

“Not long ago. Sleep more. I’ll wake you up later.”

There was still an hour left until the alarm.

Yawning deeply, Jinwoo wobbled and then collapsed sideways back into bed.

“…What about you?”

“I’m wide awake. Oh… did I wake you?”

The house was too small to expect soundproofing, especially with the kitchen and bathroom right next to the room.

Feeling guilty, Jingyeom patted Jinwoo’s arm, urging him to sleep.

Jinwoo, who would normally get up immediately, quickly fell asleep again, exhausted from late-night work and hospital visits.

Watching the sleeping Jinwoo, Jingyeom dried his wet hair with a towel. Despite his efforts to stay awake, his eyelids grew heavy and his head drooped.

‘…The alarm will go off, right?’

Jingyeom fell back asleep and was jolted awake not by the alarm, but by Jinwoo’s urgent voice shaking him. They had both missed the alarm.

Luckily, they weren’t late, so they quickly got ready and headed out.

“The bus is coming.”

Jingyeom, with his hair still slightly damp and flattened, followed Jinwoo onto the bus.

The commute was more challenging than expected. The bus was packed. Without Jinwoo by his side, he would have been pushed around by the crowd.

“Phew…”

Jingyeom took a deep breath and clung tightly to Jinwoo’s clothes, determined not to let go.

“We need to get off.”

“…Okay!”

Getting on and off the bus felt like a battle.

Those who wouldn’t move, those trying to get out, and those trying to get in—it was a perfect storm. Without Jinwoo’s firm grip, Jingyeom would have been swept away and missed his stop.

Finally, they arrived in front of the company.

Jingyeom gulped as he looked up at the towering building. Most of the people passing by were wearing light shirts and cotton pants.

The company policy allowed employees to go without ties in the summer. However, secretaries and executives still dressed formally.

With Jinwoo’s help, Jingyeom had even put on a tie that morning. He squared his shoulders, straightened his back, and checked his ID once more.

‘Work time!’

It was the start of Jingyeom’s first day at the company.

* * *