* * *
While Jingyeom found himself less concerned with Jinwoo’s reactions than before, he still couldn’t entirely ignore them.
Living under the same roof with Jinwoo while dating Soohyuk made this unavoidable.
Jinwoo, however, didn’t seem particularly bothered.
In fact, he appeared more uncomfortable when Jingyeom acted overly cautious, so Jingyeom had been trying to adjust.
After getting off the bus, they stopped by a store to buy ice cream. Jingyeom insisted they needed something sweet after eating spicy food.
Once home, he changed into comfortable clothes and sat on the porch, eating his ice cream.
Suddenly, he slapped his leg with a loud smack.
Startled by the sound, Jinwoo turned to look.
“Another bite?”
“Ugh, seriously! Why am I the only one getting bitten when we’re sitting together? Does my blood taste that good?”
“Who knows? I don’t get bitten at all.”
“…Well, it’s a relief that you don’t. Ow! Another one!”
Eventually, Jingyeom went inside and returned with mosquito coils and an electric bug zapper.
Determined not to be bitten anymore, he started wildly swinging the zapper in the night air.
Watching him, Jinwoo couldn’t help but chuckle.
The zapper crackled, catching not only mosquitoes but other bugs too.
Jingyeom shuddered at the thought but kept swinging, his awkward movements making him look like he was flailing.
Jinwoo burst into laughter, finding it both cute and hilarious.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Your jumping around—it’s cute, I mean funny.”
Though Jinwoo quickly corrected himself, Jingyeom had already heard.
Thankfully, Jingyeom didn’t press the issue.
He knew Jinwoo was trying his best, so he often let these slip-ups slide.
Jingyeom, breathing heavily, continued his mosquito hunt.
Once he couldn’t catch any more, he dropped the zapper and lay back on the porch, exhausted.
“…Fine. Mosquitoes need to live too, I guess.”
“No, they don’t. You’re allergic, and you swell up badly.”
While Jingyeom had been swinging the zapper, Jinwoo lit the mosquito coils and placed them at each corner of the porch.
The smoky scent wafted in all directions, making Jingyeom wrinkle his nose and grimace.
“Why does it feel like you’re setting up a barrier? Why four of them?”
“To keep the mosquitoes away.”
“At this rate, I’ll suffocate before they get to me.”
Realizing it might’ve been overkill, Jinwoo moved the coils to less crowded spots—one near the front door, one by the window, and two near the garden.
Seeing this, Jingyeom chuckled, and Jinwoo came back to sit beside him.
“Hyung, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Jingyeom sat up, sensing it wasn’t anything too serious from Jinwoo’s tone.
But when Jinwoo spoke, the words froze Jingyeom in place, leaving him speechless.
Had he misheard?
He tilted his head, but Jinwoo’s expression remained unchanged.
When was the last time something left him this stunned?
Jingyeom opened and closed his mouth several times before covering his face with his hand.
“…”
He didn’t know what to say, his gaze darting around in confusion.
Even the smoky scent from the mosquito coils felt suffocating as he struggled to breathe.
Jinwoo just watched him silently, offering no further explanation, even though his words clearly needed one.
“…Studying abroad?”
Jingyeom’s voice trembled as he finally managed to ask, licking his dry lips.
“Not just thinking about it—I’ve already decided. I’m going.”
“You’ve decided already?”
“Yeah. I’m going to study abroad.”
Jingyeom exhaled deeply, rubbing his face with both hands before clasping them together.
He’d heard about this before.
Soohyuk had mentioned suggesting it to Jinwoo, but Jinwoo had apparently rejected the idea without much thought.
That had been months ago.
And now, out of nowhere, Jinwoo was saying he’d decided to go.
If only Jinwoo had given him some warning, told him he was seriously considering it, this wouldn’t have come as such a shock.
He wanted to ask why, to tell him not to go… but…
‘Jinwoo must’ve thought about this for a long time.’
Even if he hadn’t said anything, Jingyeom knew Jinwoo had probably been wrestling with the decision for months.
Only after making up his mind completely had he brought it up.
“…When are you planning to leave?”
“I’ll start preparing now and leave before it gets too cold.”
“It’s already cold. If it’s before it gets colder, then there’s not much time left…”
The weather had turned cool enough at night that it felt chilly without a coat.
If they were saying it would get colder soon, it meant there were, at most, two months to prepare.
Jingyeom brought his hand to his mouth. His stiff expression wouldn’t ease, so he tried to hide it.
The suddenness of it all made it impossible for him to offer any positive words.
Still, it was a decision Jinwoo had made for himself, so it was only right to support and encourage him.
“You made the right decision. Wherever you go, you’ll do well,” Jingyeom said with a forced smile after closing his eyes tightly and reopening them.
His trembling lashes and the unmistakably strained curve of his lips didn’t go unnoticed by Jinwoo, but Jinwoo pretended not to notice and smiled back.
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll make sure of it.”
Hearing those words, Jingyeom’s face twisted further.
Not wanting to show his inability to feel happy for him, he hung his head low.
Jinwoo had made the decision to study abroad, though Jingyeom didn’t know his exact reasons.
He would surely experience new things, learn, and meet diverse people.
Jingyeom hoped that Jinwoo’s world would expand just a little more.
Despite the sadness, Jingyeom sincerely wished Jinwoo the best for his future.
After that day, their bond grew even stronger.
Each day they spent together felt precious.
Weekends, which had previously been Soohyuk’s domain, were now spent with Jinwoo—at least for the time being, with Soohyuk’s understanding.
The first weekend, Soohyuk gave way.
But from the following week, he joined the two, unwilling to be left out.
Time flew by.
Through Soohyuk’s help, they thoroughly prepared for the study abroad process: researching, securing a passport and visa, and staying busy without wasting a moment.
Jinwoo even submitted his resignation.
His duties were handed over to a colleague, and he completed his resignation within two weeks.
The study abroad preparations went smoothly, thanks largely to Soohyuk’s proactive involvement.
Packing began, and the two debated what to do about the house.
They had differing opinions.
“Are you really going to stay here?”
“Yes, really.”
“Why? You’d be living alone while I’m gone. Wouldn’t it be better to move to the director’s place?”
“No. I want to live here.”
Jinwoo didn’t want Jingyeom living alone while he was away.
As much as he hated the idea, moving into Soohyuk’s house would mean he’d have someone to help in case of emergencies.
He was worried about Jingyeom’s ability to take care of himself, including proper nutrition. His concerns didn’t stop there.
What if there was a gas leak while Jingyeom was alone?
What if a thief or intruder broke in?
What if he had a seizure?
What if he forgot to take his medicine?
What if he encountered a bug and fainted from fright?
The worries piled up endlessly.
But Jingyeom had already made up his mind.
He didn’t want to leave the house filled with memories of Jinwoo.
Besides, he was working and could afford the rent and utilities.
Despite Jingyeom’s reassurances, Jinwoo continued trying to persuade him.
“Don’t be so stubborn. Think about it a bit more. Living alone is inconvenient. Who’ll catch bugs for you?”
“…Bugs?”
Jingyeom raised an eyebrow.
He didn’t mind small flies, but cockroaches made him jump and scream.
Summers here were a haven for insects, some of which he’d never seen before.
After a moment of hesitation, Jingyeom pointed at the electric fly swatter and bug spray.
“Those should handle it.”
“And after they’re dead? What about cleaning up their bodies? Are you going to use up an entire roll of toilet paper again?”
Jinwoo’s argument was backed by past incidents, leaving Jingyeom with nothing to say.
But Jinwoo’s attempt to use bugs as leverage to make him move failed.
Seeing no change in Jingyeom’s resolve, Jinwoo gave up on persuading him directly.
Jingyeom thought the discussion was over, but the next day, Jinwoo contacted Soohyuk.
What was supposed to be a phone conversation turned into Soohyuk visiting the house.
With Jingyeom working at the café, the two talked on the veranda.
The topic was, as expected, how to resolve Jingyeom’s living situation.
“Why overthink it? Just buy the house. Then, for whatever reason, kick him out later.”
Soohyuk chuckled dryly at Jinwoo’s suggestion.
“I thought about that, but Jingyeom wouldn’t like it. I didn’t think you’d suggest it either.”
“He wouldn’t. But I won’t be here anymore. Just don’t let him find out. Use someone else’s name to buy it. You’re good at that kind of thing, aren’t you?”
Soohyuk frowned at Jinwoo’s nonchalant response.
“Sometimes, I think you’re harsher than me.”
Jinwoo grinned brightly. “How could you say something so cruel?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Jinwoo, having said his piece, got up to leave, but Soohyuk’s next words stopped him.
“It’s odd. You’ve always been uncomfortable with me. Why are you suddenly doing this? Is it because he’s studying abroad? Did your feelings change?”
Jinwoo turned to look at the open sky.
“I don’t like you living with my brother. I hate it. But I hate the thought of him being alone even more. He gets lonely easily and doesn’t like being by himself. He hates complete darkness too. Please, stay by his side while I’m gone.”
“If I take his side, you might lose your spot forever.”
Jinwoo replied without hesitation. “I know that now.”
“Know what?”
“That your spot is yours, and mine is mine. They’re not the same. They never will be. So don’t worry about me taking yours.”
“Wow… I didn’t expect that.”
Soohyuk ended up buying the house.
* * *
