* * *
“Thought you might feel regret.”
“Regret about what, exactly?”
“I would.”
Junhee’s head turned abruptly to the side, only for Taeryu to plant a kiss on his opposite cheek.
The sensation wasn’t just ticklish—it felt almost childish, like a game between kids, leaving Junhee feeling unsettled.
Every time Taeryu acted inappropriately like this, Junhee felt as though the fine hairs on his body were standing on end, bristling in surprise.
“Anyway, my dear Junhee, I need your help.”
“Why should I help you, Director?”
Their breaths mingled from the close proximity, making Junhee’s chest tighten with unease.
Taeryu gently intertwined his fingers with Junhee’s fidgeting hands and replied, “Because we’re supposed to help each other out.”
“Helping each other means I gain something too. What do I stand to gain from you looking for Ki Taeseong?”
Junhee’s fingers were locked tighter in Taeryu’s grasp.
“Isn’t it enough that I adore you like this?”
The voice burrowed into his ear, sending a shiver through his body.
“I could show you even more affection if you’d stop running away all the time.”
Taeryu’s pheromones were too close, too sweet, leaving Junhee dizzy.
When Junhee tried to turn his head away, his cheek was lightly bitten.
Then came his lips, and soon, their entangled actions deepened in succession.
“Ha…”
Junhee let out a sigh of exasperation as his cheek was nibbled on with persistence.
Affection, my ass.
It was clear that Taeryu wouldn’t let him go until he got what he wanted.
After all, the issues with Kang Heesung and Baek Seunggyo still hadn’t been resolved.
“Fine, just get to the point already.”
“I already told you—there’s someone inside Taesan Group helping Ki Taeseong.”
“And if even you can’t find them, what am I supposed to do about it?”
Taeryu’s nipping grew rougher at Junhee’s pointed question.
“So, are you saying you don’t want to help?”
“…I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
At Junhee’s softened response, Taeryu chuckled quietly.
“Just do as I say. That’s all you need to do.”
“And what exactly are you planning to make me do?”
“If I told you in advance, you might try to run.”
The hand that had been resting on Junhee’s knuckles slid down to his thigh, crawling upward like a snake.
Junhee stiffened, straightened his back, and replied firmly, “I won’t run.”
If he stayed close, he could sabotage Taeryu’s efforts to find Ki Taeseong.
From the moment they first met, Junhee had mentally added Taeryu’s name to his ‘People I’d Love to See Ruined’ list.
The thought that the time had finally come to make it happen made his heart race.
Creak.
Junhee returned home, arms laden with shopping bags, his fingers aching from carrying them all.
He dumped them unceremoniously on the living room floor and massaged his sore hands.
He’d initially refused to accept anything from Taeryu, but…
“What is all this?”
“Things I thought you’d like.”
“I don’t like this kind of stuff.”
“Ye Manager recommended them. If you don’t want them, I’ll just…”
“I’ll take them. Thanks.”
Thinking of how hurt Yeo Daeyoon might be, Junhee reluctantly accepted the gifts.
He didn’t know what was inside, but he couldn’t help being curious about whether they actually suited his taste.
Junhee pulled a shopping bag closer and carefully unwrapped a box.
The packaging was so intricate it felt like opening a Christmas present.
“What… is this?”
Inside was a perfectly square pastry. Its sweet scent wafted into the air.
Taking a large bite, Junhee’s teeth sank into the tangy-sweet fruit filling.
He wasn’t sure what it was, but it tasted vaguely like pineapple.
“Did he really think I’d like this?”
It was almost laughable.
“…Not bad.”
He ate a few more of the exotic-tasting snacks before pushing the lingering curiosity aside and heading into his bedroom.
“Oh, right. My phone.”
Spotting the gray phone lying atop the bed, he remembered what he’d been doing before he’d rushed out of the house.
The fifth and final match result with Taeryu had yet to be checked.
“…Did I leave it face down?”
The blaring sound of a car horn earlier had scrambled his thoughts.
Junhee hesitated as he approached the gray phone lying face down.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he flipped it over.
The screen was black.
Taking a deep breath, he moved his finger to the power button.
♥…99%
The phone slipped from Junhee’s hand.
The bright red heart on the screen pulsed vividly, more intensely than ever.
“This… ridiculous… stupid app.”
The lingering sweetness of pineapple in his mouth turned bitter, mixed with a growing sense of dread.
“Junhee, what’s wrong? Don’t like it?”
Junhee snapped back to reality, meeting Siwon’s concerned gaze.
“Huh? No, it’s fine.”
“Really? Then why do you look like you’ve just bitten into iron instead of radish? Is it because I made it? I swear I followed my mom’s instructions exactly.”
“…I think I’ve just lost my appetite.”
Siwon had shown up with a large container of radish kimchi that his mother had asked him to deliver.
Junhee chewed methodically, the crisp, tangy kimchi crumbling in his mouth.
Siwon, who had been watching him intently, looked conflicted.
“Hyung, is something going on?”
Junhee popped another piece of kimchi into his mouth and shook his head.
“No, nothing.”
Siwon looked like he wanted to say something but ultimately stayed quiet.
Instead, he wandered over to the pile of shopping bags in the corner of the living room.
“What are these? Gifts for your members?”
“Not really… I was thinking of taking some to the orphanage later. You can grab one if you want.”
Junhee handed a bag to Siwon, who began unwrapping it eagerly.
“Is this for me? What’s inside?”
Unlike Junhee, Siwon carefully peeled the packaging to avoid tearing it.
“Oh! I’ve seen these on TV. Aren’t they Taiwanese pineapple cakes? I’ve always wanted to try them!”
“I don’t know the name. They taste like pineapple, though.”
Siwon tilted his head as he pulled out one of the individually wrapped pastries.
“How did you get these, Hyung? Did you go on a trip overseas without telling me?”
“No, someone gave them to me.”
Before Junhee could even finish answering, Siwon shoved the snacks back into the box and pushed it aside.
The excitement on his face had completely vanished, replaced by a sour expression full of petulance.
“Why? You said you wanted to try it.”
“I don’t want it anymore.”
Junhee, puzzled by Siwon’s sudden shift, picked up the packaging himself and unwrapped it.
“Here.”
“I said I don’t want it.”
“What’s with you all of a sudden?”
“This was from that bastard, wasn’t it?”
“……”
“Judging by the fact that you can’t answer, I guess it is. I don’t want anything to do with that guy. It’s disgusting. I can’t even stand the sight of it.”
Siwon’s sharp response stirred a mix of confusion and irritation in Junhee.
“Fine. Then don’t eat it.”
Junhee began eating the snacks himself in Siwon’s place.
Siwon glared at him, watching as Junhee devoured the entire thing.
“You can actually eat that? It goes down your throat?”
“What, should I shove it up my nose instead?”
“This isn’t a joke!”
“I’m not joking either, Jin Siwon.”
Junhee crumpled the empty snack bag in his hands, the sound of it loud and deliberate.
“If you’re done, leave. I don’t have the energy to argue with you. Tell Mom I said the radish kimchi was great.”
Junhee turned away, ready to usher Siwon out, but he froze as he felt Siwon’s trembling hand grip his shoulder.
“You don’t even know… how much I’m holding back right now. I have a hundred things I want to say, but I’m biting my tongue, and you don’t even notice!”
“That’s why I’m telling you to leave.”
When Junhee looked up, Siwon’s eyes were brimming with frustration.
But Junhee was far too drained to entertain Siwon’s tantrum.
“You’re the one who said it didn’t matter, didn’t you? That once you got him married off, you’d never have to deal with him again. So why are you always with him?”
“Jin Siwon.”
Junhee’s voice turned icy, a clear warning.
But Siwon didn’t stop.
“And that bastard—why? Why does he keep circling around you like he can’t get enough of you? And why do you keep putting up with it? Is this marriage thing really that important? Is getting him married more important than your own life?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“…What did you just say?”
“It’s important because it’s the only way I can get my life back to normal. So yeah, right now, it’s the most important thing.”
“Ha! You’ve got to be kidding me…”
Siwon ran his hand roughly through his hair, his pupils swimming in confusion beneath the disheveled strands.
His grip on Junhee’s shoulders tightened.
“You really don’t get it, do you? Do you seriously think that bastard is doing all this just for some stupid marriage? Do you really think what he wants is the marriage and not you?”
* * *
