SLC 81

Side Story 1. Positive Experiment

Since his childhood, Kim Jinkyung was famous as the son of the orchard house. He had a reputation in the neighborhood for being beautiful, kind, and brilliant at his studies.

He always took the top spot in his class. After he entered middle school, he never dropped below third place in the whole school. He was almost always first. He only recorded a third-place finish once because he took an exam while dazed from flu medication. People around him praised him as a genius, but Kim Jinkyung knew he wasn’t one. A real genius felt like they belonged to a different weight class. He just had a temperament perfectly optimized for studying.

He was diligent and persistent. If there was something he didn’t know, he spared no effort to find it and understand it.

Just like now.

Kim Jinkyung began to read an original foreign text he had ordered and received a few days ago, his face serious.

He had grown curious about Mok Seongha and searched for domestic books and papers, but he couldn’t find suitable material. Eventually, he ordered a book written by an American author. There was no translation yet, so his reading speed was a bit slow, but the content was well-organized, and he had no great difficulty understanding it.

Kim Jinkyung turned the pages.

The author, who studied animal cognition in university, systematically covered feline behavior, behavior modification, understanding the feline species, and feline emotions from a human perspective.

“Ah, I see… So that’s why… Hmm, this is a new perspective.”

He turned the pages, lost in the joy of learning new facts, unaware that someone had approached him.

“What book is this?”

“Ack!”

Kim Jinkyung closed the book in a panic. Mok Seongha had approached behind his back at some point and now looked down at him, hands resting on the desk.

“W-when did you get here?”

Mok Seongha often approached like this without a sound to watch Kim Jinkyung. Sometimes, Jinkyung would even wake up from sleep to find their eyes meeting. Whenever he asked in surprise when he had arrived, Mok Seongha’s answer was always the same.

“Just now.”

Mok Seongha tapped the book Kim Jinkyung was reading with his finger.

“What are you reading so attentively?”

“Just a book.”

Kim Jinkyung laughed awkwardly and slid the book under his notebook. Mok Seongha didn’t show much curiosity and grabbed Kim Jinkyung’s arm, telling him to come out for a meal.

“Yes. I’ll be there right away.”

Kim Jinkyung stood up from his seat.

He didn’t see it, right?

Kim Jinkyung looked up at Mok Seongha.

His hair, which had grown a bit longer than before, covered his forehead and enhanced his cold impression. Even seeing him again, his appearance felt unrealistic. There was a reason why Secretary Kang looked at Mok Seongha with such a pleased expression, as if he were looking at a child he had birthed and raised himself.

“Why are you staring?”

Mok Seongha asked, perhaps feeling his gaze.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Kim Jinkyung quickly turned his head. Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t seen the title of the book.

Lately, Kim Jinkyung was in the middle of investigating Mok Seongha.

Even in human form, he showed feline characteristics. He had a rough tongue, his pupils changed when his emotions peaked, he had sharp canines, and he possessed genitalia that differed from humans in many ways.

And also….

Kim Jinkyung lifted his head to observe Mok Seongha and their eyes met. Then, he snatched his wrist.

“Why….”

He ignored Kim Jinkyung’s question and pulled him into an empty room to shower him with kisses. Mok Seongha continued the kiss while he held one cheek with a hand and hugged his waist with the other to pull their bodies close. A wet sound echoed from their mouths. Kim Jinkyung let out shallow breaths and clung to Mok Seongha’s arm.

Mok Seongha rubbed his lips against Kim Jinkyung’s and then licked them with his tongue.

“Did you eat something?”

“N…no.”

“Then why does it taste so good in Teacher’s mouth.”

Mok Seongha mumbled and began to lick the inside Kim Jinkyung’s mouth again. It was exactly like a large cat tasting food. He showed these feline traits in his behavior from time to time.

“…Seongha-ssi.”

“Yeah.”

“You have to go eat.”

“You tempted me first.”

“When did I?”

“You looked at me with such lewd eyes, and yet you ask when.”

Mok Seongha poked Kim Jinkyung’s eyebrow with his finger and scolded him.

Kim Jinkyung felt it was unfair. He had even washed his face and stared in the mirror for a long time because of that “lewd, messy, and promiscuous” trio of complaints. Naturally, he couldn’t find a single trace of the sex appeal Mok Seongha claimed would make men line up just from a blink of his eyes.

“…Shit, you’re really lewd.”

Mok Seongha cursed as he kissed Kim Jinkyung’s neck.

“Please, stop.”

Kim Jinkyung twisted his body to avoid the contact, but since he was trapped in Mok Seongha’s embrace from the start, he ended up just rubbing his body against his chest. Mok Seongha exhaled a short breath. Kim Jinkyung raised his head in surprise.

“You… really…”

Mok Seongha grabbed his shoulders. Then, he lifted Kim Jinkyung up to sit him on the desk and continued the kiss. Mok Seongha took his place between Kim Jinkyung’s parted legs and gripped his buttocks to pull him close. Mok Seongha’s flesh, which had risen abruptly through his pants, began to rub against Kim Jinkyung’s lower half. A groan escaped from deep in Kim Jinkyung’s throat. His lower body throbbed from the pressure on his sensitive skin.

The sound of sucking lips and the sound of clothes rubbing together filled his ears. Kim Jinkyung panted, struggling to breathe, and held onto Mok Seongha’s shoulders. When his palms touched him, Mok Seongha’s body shook, and he cursed. Then, he laid Kim Jinkyung down on the desk and showered him with a kiss far more obscene than before.

“Ah… hng…”

Saliva slipped from his parted lips and flowed down his chin. Mok Seongha’s large tongue licked Kim Jinkyung’s chin. To be precise, he licked the saliva that had flowed down.

“…It tastes erotic….”

“…What?”

“Teacher’s spit….”

Mok Seongha said nonsense like someone possessed, then lowered his head again to start devouring Kim Jinkyung’s lips.

Kim Jinkyung put strength into his hands and pushed him away to stop him, but it was useless. As Mok Seongha gradually recovered the weight he had lost during his time of mental suffering, the physical gap between the two men significantly widened. His body had even become firmer than before, perhaps he was exercising, to the point that Kim Jinkyung found it hard to breathe when Mok Seongha pressed down on him.

“Ugh… Seong… hng. Ah.”

Their entangled tongues broke Mok Seongha’s name. The kiss was lewd and intense.

With their lips still locked, Mok Seongha thrust his lower body. The corners of Kim Jinkyung’s eyes grew red. The mass of flesh rubbing against him through their clothes was hot and hard. His lower half felt itchy.

Mok Seongha’s hand reached the buckle of Kim Jinkyung’s pants. Just as he was about to undo it and pull the pants down.

“Eat your meal!”

The door burst open, and a fierce, irritated voice rang out.

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“Didn’t I tell you to come before the soup gets cold?”

As soon as they sat at the dining table, Secretary Kang’s nagging pierced the crown of their heads.

“…I’m sorry.”

Kim Jinkyung clasped his hands together like a sinner and apologized.

“Why are you taking it out on Teacher? A man can have a little kiss before a meal.”

“……!”

Kim Jinkyung quickly pleaded with his eyes for Mok Seongha to please shut his mouth. Mok Seongha misinterpreted that look, lowered his head, and gave Kim Jinkyung a quick peck on the lips.

“……!”

Kim Jinkyung quickly wiped his lips, his face turning bright red.

“Th-that is, I mean, this is just…”

“…Forget it, just shove the food in your mouth.”

Secretary Kang said as he placed a rice bowl on the table with a disgusted expression. Mok Seongha stared at Kim Jinkyung. The latter brought a rice bowl over and placed it in front of Mok Seongha.

“Please eat.”

“Yeah.”

A short, simple ritual.

Mok Seongha only put food in his mouth after it passed through Kim Jinkyung’s hands. It was a behavior Jinkyung couldn’t understand no matter how many times it was repeated. At first, he looked through psychoanalysis books but couldn’t find similar cases, so he began reading professional books about cats. …In the end, he even laid hands on original foreign texts and papers.

“What is your schedule for today?”

Secretary Kang asked a routine question.

“I’m staying home with Teacher….”

“I plan to go out for a bit.”

Kim Jinkyung cut him off before he could say anything strange.

“What?”

Mok Seongha looked up, his eyes widening as if he had heard a bolt from the blue.

“I have an appointment today. I told you yesterday.”

“I heard you, but what do I care?”

“…..”

What kind of bastard is this?

Kim Jinkyung stared at Mok Seongha, pausing just as he was about to put the salad greens into his mouth.

“Where are you going?”

“…I told you that, too.”

He was supposed to meet Seo Sangil today. Ever since the Australia incident, a continuous ritual of repentance had been ongoing. Of course, it was a meeting where Kim Jinkyung bought meat and alcohol while Seo Sangil showered him with curses and scolding.

“Why meet him again? You saw him last time.”

“I told you… I did something wrong, so I have to apologize.”

“Doing it once is enough. Exactly how many times are you going to do it. Are you a pushover?”

“He is a pushover.”

Secretary Kang, who was eating across from them, chimed in.

“It’s not like that, …anyway, I’m going out.”

“No. Don’t go.”

It was starting again.

Mok Seongha clung to him as if he were throwing a tantrum every time Kim Jinkyung went out. Don’t go, why are you going, if you’re going then step over Secretary Kang first, there are too many men outside, and so on.

“Seongha-ssi.”

Kim Jinkyung called Mok Seongha. His voice was calm. When Kim Jinkyung called his name with that voice, Mok Seongha instantly focused.

“I’m not exactly imprisoned here, right?”

Actually, Kim Jinkyung was conducting an experiment.

Mok Seongha went out occasionally. Very occasionally… extremely rarely.

Everything he needed was in the mansion, and with Kim Jinkyung stuck by his side, he didn’t even think about going outside. At most, their only outings consisted of the two of them driving at night after he got his license.

He needs to expand his territory. To do that, Jinkyung had to go out himself first. Mok Seongha was certain to forget the very concept of going out if they stayed in the house together continuously.

He needed to let him know that going out was a part of daily life. After that, he planned to gradually instill a positive perception of going out.

“Do you want to be imprisoned?”

“…No.”

Kim Jinkyung quickly took a sip of water. He couldn’t let his heart grow weak at Mok Seongha’s beautiful eyes.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“What time?”

“The appointment is at 6:00, so I’ll be back by 9:00.”

“Come back at 7:00.”

“Then I’ll have to leave before I even eat dinner.”

“7:30.”

“The meat has to cook.”

“8:00.”

“I’ll be back by 8:30.”

“8:20.”

Mok Seongha persistently demanded a return ten minutes earlier. Secretary Kang mixed his rice in soup and contemplated why he had to listen to this lovers’ quarrel that sounded like haggling at a marketplace.

“Fine. Then I’ll be back by 8:20.”

Mok Seongha nodded with a dissatisfied face.

Kim Jinkyung sighed. Mok Seongha’s obsession grew worse by the day. After his grandfather passed away, he tried to spend all his lonely time with Kim Jinkyung. It didn’t matter much now since Jinkyung was on a leave of absence and had plenty of time, but it was obvious what would happen every day once he returned to school. …If he eventually got a job later on….

Should I have him get some psychological counseling?

Kim Jinkyung, lost in thought, met Secretary Kang’s eyes.

If I ask Secretary Kang….

“I refuse.”

Secretary Kang declined before he could even ask a favor. Jinkyung’s eyes widened as he asked, “Refuse what?” but Secretary Kang simply finished his rice and stood up.

“I’m saying you two should handle your own sweet romance.”

It was a firm rejection, meaning he had no intention of getting involved in their relationship.

“Right. Thanks.”

Mok Seongha, failing to catch the underlying meaning, replied while he continued eating. Secretary Kang walked out.

Once they were alone in the dining room, Mok Seongha called out to him, “Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be late later. So we can have our sweet romance.”

It sounded like a threat that Jinkyung would taste a romance of a completely different dimension if he were even a minute late. …It wasn’t just his imagination.

Jinkyung diligently moved his spoon. After lunch, he had to tutor Mok Seongha and then read the book he had left unfinished. Time was tight.

“What’s the rush? Eat slowly. Have some of this, too.”

Mok Seongha picked up a side dish with his chopsticks and placed it on Jinkyung’s rice. Jinkyung said thank you.

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However, contrary to his expectations, not a single part of his plan was executed.

“Why are you rubbing your waist? Did you sleep wrong?”

Seo Sangil asked, sitting on a chair in the meat restaurant.

“No, …yeah, I must have slept in a bad position.”

As soon as they finished lunch, Mok Seongha had picked Jinkyung up and carried him across the hallway as if he had been waiting for that exact moment.

‘W-where are you going?’

‘To have a romance.’

‘What?’

‘A lewd one.’

After saying that, Mok Seongha took Jinkyung to the bedroom, stripped him of all his clothes, and committed all sorts of unspeakable acts. Jinkyung was only released when it was nearly time for his appointment.

“Maybe I should have chosen a place with chairs that have backrests.”

“No. It’s fine.”

Actually, it was for the best. He could use his aching waist as an excuse to leave a little early.

“By the way, what have you been up to lately? Where are you staying during your leave?”

“Oh, just at someone’s house I know.”

“Who? I know everyone you know. …Look, tell me. You didn’t join some weird cult or something, did you?”

“Are you crazy?”

Seo Sangil grumbled as he placed meat on the grill.

“You were the one who was crazy back then. You lunatic. Just because you went through one breakup, you talked about re-enlisting in the army like your life was over. Don’t ever meet that woman again, even if she contacts you. Got it?”

Seo Sangil called Jinkyung out periodically to repeat the same things. “You were a madman back then, you were a total jerk then, don’t meet that woman.”

Jinkyung just mumbled his way through with a “Yeah, okay.” The person he was seeing now wasn’t that woman, but rather that man from back then. …Technically, he wasn’t lying.

“There’s an old song. They say a love that hurts too much isn’t love.”

Seo Sangil hummed as he filled a glass with soju.

“Meet someone who makes you happy. Like this hyung right here.”

Seo Sangil had been in a happy relationship with Jung Ahyeon since they graduated high school. Despite his obsession with meat, his appearance was clean-cut enough to make him quite popular, yet he had never looked at another person.

“Of course. I’m happy every day. I’ll graduate soon, get a job, and get married. I’ve already planned out where to go for the honeymoon.

“You should develop an eye for good people like I have, so your next relationship can be happy like mine. Or don’t even bother.”

“Hahaha.”

Jinkyung burst into laughter. He filled his glass with soju. Whether it was a human or a black panther… he was seeing someone for now.

“Damn, how great is this ‘love of the century’ that you’re making a fuss and taking a leave of absence? Aren’t your department classmates calling you crazy?”

“…Probably.”

In reality, he hadn’t had the chance to hear anyone call him crazy. The first thing he did when he disappeared was submerge his phone in water. He was afraid his heart would waver and he’d answer a call from Mok Seongha. Naturally, his contact list vanished since it wasn’t saved to an account. As soon as he entered the mansion, Mok Seongha handed him a newly activated phone. Since the number had changed, there was no chance of anyone he knew calling him. Mok Seongha was the only one who rejoiced at Jinkyung’s empty contact list.

I really need to do nothing but study when I return next semester.

Jinkyung ate his vegetables with a feeling of resignation.

“Are you working? Should I find you a tutoring gig?”

Seo Sangil had started pouring drinks the moment he sat down, but he never failed to worry about others.

“I think I should start looking soon.”

Mok Seongha hadn’t brought up the repayment of the 6.2 billion won since that day, but it always weighed on Jinkyung’s heart.

Even as he tilted his glass now, interest was likely piling up at a terrifying rate.

“One of my cousins is entering high school this year…”

While Seo Sangil was talking, the restaurant door opened and a group of college students swarmed in.

Jinkyung reflexively turned his head toward them, recognized a familiar face, and stood up immediately.

“Oh, Sunbae.”

“Huh? Oh!”

The man who recognized Jinkyung approached him in surprise.

“Kim Jinkyung! Where on earth have you been? Why did you change your number? Why did you take a leave of absence?”

Go Jinyoung asked. Jinkyung laughed awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

“Wait, stay right here. I’ll just tell the guys I’m moving seats and come back.”

“No. You don’t have to do that because of me.”

“No. It’ll bother me if I don’t. Just a second.”

It seemed Jinkyung’s disappearance after their last conversation had been weighing on his mind.

As Go Jinyoung disappeared toward his group’s table, Seo Sangil asked, “Who’s that?”

“A close Sunbae from school.”

“How did you two get close? You guys seem like you belong to different genres.”

Jinkyung knew exactly what he meant by “different genres.” Go Jinyoung was a prime example of what it would look like if a peacock were reincarnated as a human. He was meticulously groomed from head to toe. He was so serious about his appearance that he even subscribed to foreign fashion magazines.

He was worlds apart from Jinkyung, whose entire fashion sense consisted of rotating between plain white, black, and gray t-shirts and plaid shirts.

“He’s a Sunbae from my major. He’s a good person.”

Although he was a bit unique. Go Jinyoung joined their table shortly after.

“Can I sit? And this is…”

“Ah, he’s my friend. A high school classmate.”

“Hello. I’m Seo Sangil. I was Jinkyung’s classmate in high school.”

Seo Sangil greeted him politely. Having been in the sports department, manners toward seniors were ingrained in him. Go Jinyoung smiled warmly and shook his hand.

Jinkyung thought they were an unlikely pair, but the two got along well and soon started calling each other “hyung” and “dongsaeng,” even speaking informally.

“Hyung-nim. Isn’t this guy really frustrating? I’ve never seen such a pushover in my life.”

“Jinkyung is a bit soft.”

“He’s not just soft, he’s mushy. Once in the past…”

An alcohol-fueled Seo Sangil began to gleefully spill Jinkyung’s past. Jinkyung just gave a bitter smile with a “go ahead, chew me out all you want” attitude. Then his phone rang. It was Mok Seongha.

“I need to take this call for a second.”

“Oh, sure.”

Go Jinyoung didn’t answer but looked at Jinkyung and tilted his head. Jinkyung stepped out of the restaurant immediately to answer.

“Hello.”

–Why aren’t you coming?

Mok Seongha asked without preamble.

“What? Hold on.”

Jinkyung checked the time on his phone screen.

“It’s only 7:00.”

–……

Mok Seongha remained silent, perhaps realizing he was being unreasonable.

“What were you doing?”

At Jinkyung’s question, Mok Seongha answered, “I worked on the workbooks.”