OCMG chapter 21

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At this point, it seemed like breaking his savings to pay for a shaman ritual might actually be necessary.

What was clear, however, was that this was a hotel.

Junhee could never forget, because it was where he had stamped his contract.

The only thing missing was the memory of last night.

He clearly remembered trying to find Moon Doyoung and ending up at some kind of rich kids’ party, but everything after that was a blur.

Every time he tried to remember, it felt like his head was about to explode.

More importantly, Junhee was now lying half-naked in Taeryu’s space.

Had that guy, who always made indecent jokes, finally acted on his words?

“Call… I need to call the police.”

He frantically searched under the cushions for his phone, but it was nowhere to be found.

It was almost absurd that he couldn’t even run away because he had no clothes.

Eventually, he found a bathrobe that looked somewhat like a winged garment.

Junhee slid his arms through the holes, tightened the belt around his waist, and forced himself to think logically.

“Could Taeryu have really… done something to me and then run away?”

Judging by the silence in the room, it seemed like he was alone.

“Right. There must be an intercom.”

He remembered the phone Taeryu had used to call room service.

Searching for a non-existent phone or going out dressed like this seemed dangerous, so calling someone through the intercom was the better option.

With a clear goal in mind, Junhee’s steps quickened.

The dining room should be next to the living room. Just through this door…

“I was just about to wake you.”

Taeryu, impeccably dressed, greeted him from the dining table.

Meanwhile, Junhee stood there, stark naked beneath his robe.

Junhee shot him a wary look.

“Come and sit.”

“Where are my clothes?”

Junhee asked sharply, unable to hide his lingering anger.

Taeryu’s expression grew slightly odd.

“I sent them to be laundered. They’ll be back by the time we finish eating.”

Of course, it was Taeryu who had hidden his clothes.

That made him the shameless culprit who had stripped Junhee.

“Why was I naked? Tell me what happened last night. Now.”

Taeryu rested his chin on his hand and tilted his head, staring intently at Junhee.

He seemed to be calculating something, but what, Junhee had no idea.

“Another side effect, huh.”

“What?”

“If you want answers, sit down first.”

Junhee had always known Taeryu was shameless, but he hadn’t expected him to be this audacious.

How could someone with a guilty conscience act so brazenly?

Still wary, Junhee took a seat as far away from Taeryu as possible.

Thankfully, the table was long.

If Taeryu tried to bribe him or dismiss the incident, Junhee was prepared to report him immediately without any compromise.

Though he knew Taeryu was rich and powerful, Junhee had thought of some countermeasures.

He had a list of large online communities like ‘We Are the Omega’ or ‘Omega3’, where he could share his story and find support.

“Eat.”

“…”

Taeryu slid a bowl towards Junhee.

From the smell, it was clearly dried pollock soup, though strangely, there were no solid ingredients.

“Eat. Stop trying to live off jelly.”

“…How do you know?”

Junhee’s face went pale as he glared at Taeryu.

The day before, he had slept in because it was the weekend and, having no appetite, ate only a bag of jelly before heading out.

But how did Taeryu know that?

“Did you install a hidden camera in my private space?”

“Of course not.”

“Then how…?”

Junhee trailed off, biting his lip, because something in Taeryu’s gaze felt oddly familiar.

There was an emotion in his eyes that Junhee couldn’t quite place, something he hadn’t seen before.

It was buried beneath his usual arrogant expression, but Junhee could recognize it.

‘Disgust?’

The look Taeryu was giving him was eerily similar to how Junhee often looked at him—like Junhee was the one who had violated him.

The realization made Junhee feel strangely unsettled.

‘No way… did I do something to Taeryu?’

No, that’s impossible.

Not unless he had gone completely mad.

“Tell me what you did to me.”

“You should be asking what you did to me.”

“…Why would I…?”

“Junhee.”

The way Taeryu softly spoke his name made his hair stand on end.

“If I’d been the one to have my way with you all night, do you really think you’d be sitting here like this right now?”

Junhee froze, unable to reply.

Then why had he ended up naked?

Why did Taeryu know what he had eaten?

And why was there dried pollock soup, the dish that always appeared whenever Junhee was in a mess?

As he pieced everything together, Junhee’s face flushed with embarrassment, even his ears turning red.

Perhaps misunderstanding the reason for his blush, Taeryu smirked and teased further.

“What’s with the reaction? Acting like you’re still a virgin or something.”

Junhee couldn’t argue with that—because he was.

He knew, in theory, how such acts were done, but the idea of two adults stripping down and entangling their bodies was still something he couldn’t fully comprehend.

All he could do now was offer a feeble apology.

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what, exactly?”

“I don’t remember, but it seems I made a mistake last night…”

“How convenient. You just say you don’t remember, and that’s it.”

As Junhee hung his head, a shadow fell over his face.

Was this year destined for misfortune?

Had a bad omen latched onto him?

He was seriously considering breaking his savings to pay for a cleansing ritual.

“Truly… I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”

There was no use regretting it now.

The water had already spilled, and there was no way for him to clean it up.

Sensing his thoughts, Taeryu subtly dangled a bait.

“Well, if you really want to apologize properly, I might be willing to show some leniency.”

Though he knew it was a trap, Junhee had no choice but to bite.

After all, he was already caught in Taeryu’s web, and refusing would only lead to worse outcomes.

“…As long as it’s not something beyond my ability.”

It felt like he was sinking deeper into debt, even though he hadn’t borrowed a single penny.

With only two months and three weeks left, Junhee’s only desire was to break free from this suffocating relationship as soon as possible.

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After the uncomfortable meal, Junhee’s freshly cleaned suit was delivered to the room.

At least now he could change out of the bathrobe and into his clothes from the previous day.

However, his suit jacket, which he had left behind at the event, was still missing.

Just like his memories of last night, his clothes had been returned spotless, as if nothing had ever happened.

He had planned to return it after wearing it once, but even that didn’t go as planned.

His life was already far from easy, but ever since he got involved with Ki Taeryu, it felt like someone had poured gasoline on my misfortunes, making them flare up and spread wildly.

Junhee, who had just stepped out of the dressing room, looking tidy, froze when he came face-to-face with Ki Taeryu.

He was about to step aside and move, but Taeryu dropped something onto Junhee’s wrist.

Junhee glanced down at the tie wrapped around his hand, then looked up at Taeryu.

“Can’t you tie it yourself?”

As if in disbelief, Junhee scrunched the tie in his hand.

“Ah, was it too high for you?”

Taeryu bent down, meeting Junhee’s eyes with a twisted smile.

Junhee quickly draped the tie around Taeryu’s neck and muttered, “No, it’s not that bad.”

Junhee was quite tall, well above average, but Taeryu was just excessively tall.

“You look like you hate this. You used to do it without a word.”

Sensing that prolonging the conversation would only lead to more frustration, Junhee kept his mouth shut and quietly tied the knot.

For a brief moment, only the sound of rustling fabric filled the silence.

Their faces were close, so Junhee couldn’t take deep breaths, inhaling slowly instead.

With every breath, Taeryu’s scent crept in.

Junhee felt uneasy at how accustomed he had become to it.

“All done…”

Just as he finished and was about to step back, Junhee’s body stiffened.

Taeryu’s large hand gripped his chin, pressing his thumb against Junhee’s lower lip, parting them slightly to reveal his teeth.

“What… what are you doing right now?”

“You need some lip balm, Junhee.”

A low voice flowed from Taeryu’s lips.

Hearing his name without the formality of his last name sent shivers down Junhee’s spine.

He quickly stepped back, bowing his head.

“Thank you for your help, Director.”

“I’ll give you a ride. Let’s leave together.”

“No, thank you,” Junhee replied firmly.

He wanted to get away from Taeryu as soon as possible.

But as Junhee turned to leave, he was stopped by Taeryu’s voice, laced with amusement.

“You don’t have your wallet, do you?”

“…Excuse me?”

“And your transit card. How are you planning to get home?”

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