RB 143

There is a saying about the “CSAT cold wave.” South Korea experiences an exceptionally severe cold snap around the third Thursday of November. This year was no exception; the weather was biting cold. Amidst the bone-chilling cold, the area in front of the school gates was crowded with people. Most were parents waiting for their children.

Everyone was bundled up in puffer jackets. They wore gloves and held hand warmers, hunched their shoulders, and stomped their feet to keep warm. Despite the freezing weather, everyone was holding on because of their immense worry for their children.

The gazes of the parents, gathered in pairs or groups of three, often drifted toward one spot.

“It’s Choi Yeorok. Choi Yeorok. He’s here too.”

The rarely seen celebrity became the target of attention the moment he appeared. The tall man was dressed in a suit and coat. Unaffected by the cold, his posture was upright. Only the white puffs of breath shattering from his lips each time he exhaled betrayed the temperature.

When else would they get a chance like this? However, even though they wanted to strike up a conversation, the guards had completely surrounded the area, making it impossible to approach. They had no choice but to treat him as a good spectacle.

“I had heard he was unmarried, so I wondered who he was waiting for.”

“No, more than that, the very fact that the Chairman is waiting for a student in front of the school gate is unbelievable.”

As the sun set, the temperature dropped even further. By the time it approached 6 p.m., everyone was standing in front of the gate. In the distance, he could see a student in a long padded coat running out excitedly. A shower of congratulatory applause poured down on the very first student to leave the gate.

After that, as if a floodgate had opened, the students began to walk out one by one. Their gait showed signs of exhaustion, but they all wore faces of relief. There were children reuniting with their families, others walking while talking on their cell phones, and even students walking in groups with friends. Each returned home in their own way.

“…….”

Yeorok waited quietly. Despite the chaos around him, he remained patient He simply kept his eyes fixed on the path beyond the school gate.

Eunho was visible amidst the crowd. His face was pale as he walked out wearing a padded jacket. He looked somewhat spaced out, causing Yeorok to smile.

Eunho also spotted Yeorok amidst the crowd. He stood out so much that it might have been harder not to spot him.

His steps, which had paused briefly, turned toward one person. As Eunho approached, his guards cleared the way with a polite greeting. As he stepped inside, a dense wall of people formed once again.

A charming smile covered the man’s face, which was as cold as the freezing temperature. Yeorok smiled softly as he looked at Eunho. Then he immediately took away the backpack weighing down his shoulder. The bag, unstylish and model student-like, passed through Yeorok’s hands and headed toward Hong Namyeong.

“Did you do well on the exam?”

Yeorok said the one thing you shouldn’t ask to a student who had just finished an exam.

Eunho lifted his blank face. He seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded. It might be a bit early to predict the results before even checking the provisional scores, but… it seemed he did well.

The smile on Yeorok’s face grew wider. In truth, he hadn’t worried. He would have done well. Even if the scores fell short of expectations, opening the doors to the university of his choice was entirely within Yeorok’s capabilities.

“You worked hard.”

Yeorok took off his scarf and wrapped it tightly around Eunho’s neck. The scarf had the softness characteristic of cashmere, as well as Choi Yeorok’s scent.

Eunho took a deep breath and let go of the remaining tension in his body. Seeing how much more relaxed he looked, Yeorok skillfully led him.

The street in front of the school was chaotic with cars parked by various people. The two of them boarded a foreign car that stood out among them. The warmth instantly melted their frozen bodies. Eunho fumbled to take off his scarf and puffer jacket, then slumped onto the leather seat.

“I feel strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“It feels like I just took a mock exam… I feel like I need to go home and study again.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say.”

Yeorok glared at him reproachfully. Unlike Eunho, who had melted away from exhaustion, his upper body maintained an upright posture.

“Studying? Do you think you can open a single page of a workbook now? You are forbidden from sitting at a desk from now on. Focus only on me.”

He spoke in such a cold tone that it sounded more like a rule than a suggestion. It was no different from a warning that if he disobeyed, he would face a terrible fate.

“…….”

Eunho silently examined his face, then reached out both hands. He carefully cupping Yeorok’s cheeks, which were as cold as ice from the long exposure to the wind. How long had he stood outside? He lovingly thawed the frozen cheeks with the warmth of his hands.

In Eunho’s eyes, reflecting his cold face, happiness rippled more than ever. Eunho smiled brightly, as if he had just heard a confession.

“I will. From now on, I will live only looking at you, Chairman.”

Satisfied with the answer, Yeorok’s eyes curved slightly. A smile overflowing with genuine happiness, which no one else could ever see, revealed itself only in front of Eunho. The same was true for the way he caressed his face. Who else could touch him like this? It was something only Eunho could do.

The sedan rolled slowly through the crowded queue. As it entered the road and picked up a moderate speed, Eunho looked out the window. It felt like they were entering a bustling downtown area.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ve worked hard, so I should treat you to something delicious first.”

He had already made a reservation at a hotel restaurant a few weeks ago. The plan was to enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by a magnificent night view and some fine wine. True to someone who had been waiting only for the college entrance exam to end, Yeorok had made perfect preparations.

Yeorok rested his chin on his hand, his legs crossed. His dark eyes, gazing at Eunho, gleamed slightly.

“Shall we start calculating the bill?”

“What kind?”

“Now that the exam is over, you should repay your debt.”

Perhaps because of his relaxed demeanor, he looked just like a loan shark hounding for repayment. Eunho, who had been mulling over his words, let out a short “Ah…”

“You said you’d repay me. Do you have a plan on how you’re going to pay it back?”

“…Well.”

“I’ve been taking care of you for 223 days. It’s not like any ordinary reward would be enough to settle this.”

Yeorok gently ran his fingers through Eunho’s hair. He stroked the rim of his ear and tugged at his soft earlobe. Eunho’s ear was bright red.

Eunho rolled his eyes. He swallowed nervously. It was obvious what Choi Yeorok wanted. He wouldn’t demand material compensation, and for now, his body was all Eunho could offer.

Admittedly, though, that was probably what Yeorok liked most.

“By any chance… is there anything you’re hoping for?”

In response to the cautious question, Yeorok just stared at him. He seemed to be picturing something in his mind. After a brief silence, Yeorok let out a short sigh.

“That’s not something you can handle.”

It was an answer that made him feel nervous before he even heard it. Eunho’s face turned red, as if it were about to burst. It was because he could clearly picture the demand Yeorok had deliberately avoided mentioning.

“…I have something in mind too.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a bit… to talk about it here…”

He glanced toward the driver’s seat. Noticing his gaze, Yeorok also looked straight ahead. The loyal Hong Namyeong had been focused on driving this whole time.

“Namyeong.”

“Yes.”

“Close your ears.”

“Yes.”

Is that enough? Although he didn’t say it out loud, his gaze spoke for him. Eunho blinked in surprise. Soon after, a sigh escaped his lips.

How could his ears be closed? It was true that he’d grown somewhat comfortable with Hong Namyeong, but it was not the kind of thing to be talking about where he could hear. After much deliberation, Eunho reached out and tugged at Yeorok’s coat. He didn’t use much force, yet Yeorok was pulled along willingly.

Eunho leaned forward and whispered a secret into his ear. The whisper was quieter than the rustling of the fabric. His breath repeatedly tickled the outer corner of Yeorok’s ear.

Eunho’s fingers clutching the collar of the black coat tightened considerably. He was embarrassed to speak it himself. Yet, he managed to say some shameless things. Eunho’s plan was very specific, and it went far beyond what Yeorok had anticipated.

“…If you don’t like it, I’ll exchange it.”

Eunho leaned back a hand’s length and glanced around cautiously. Yeorok’s face was reflected in his gentle eyes. He expected that it wouldn’t be easy to gauge his reaction, as Choi Yeorok was a man skilled at controlling his expression.

No sooner had Eunho finished speaking than he tilted his head back. He could see his red tongue moistening his parched lips. It was a rare look of agitation.

“Namyeong.”

“Yes.”

“Turn the car around.”

The perfect dinner schedule was canceled on the spot. Dinner or not, right now, nothing mattered.

“Chairman.”

“Keep quiet. Just hearing your voice makes me hard.”

Yeorok grabbed Eunho’s wrist. His determination to restrain him, fearing he might run away, was evident in his strong grip.