JD 116

This time, the answer came not from Mugeon, but from Beom Urim’s mouth.

“Of course. I may be an orca by race, but I’m a proud beastman of the West Sea too. I fell for Mugeon and came to Korea because of him.”

“You fell for my husband…?”

The sparkle in Hakyung’s eyes, which had been shining with admiration for a celebrity, instantly turned sharp. Beom Urim, unfazed by the bold challenge from the river dolphin, smiled brightly. The distinctive clicking sound of orcas mixed into his laughter.

He had been curious about Mugeon’s partner, and the reality exceeded his expectations.

Perhaps due to the hierarchy between species, Kang Hakyung, who instinctively feared him, growled the moment he heard that someone had fallen for Mugeon. Love that overcomes instinct… wasn’t that absolutely fascinating?

Beom Urim trembled with excitement. Watching this from the side, Gi Sang-oh let out an even deeper sigh than before.

“Ugh, this damn pervert…”

Worried that Kang Hakyung might get the wrong idea, Gi Sang-oh quickly stepped in.

“Uh, he didn’t mean it like that! He meant it as in loyalty, wanting to serve him as his lord! Right?”

“Ah, ah! Did you really misunderstand it that way? Yes, that’s right. I want to serve Mugeon as my superior, not as a se— mmph!”

Gi Sang-oh hastily clamped a hand over Beom Urim’s mouth and jabbed him in the side, scolding him in a low voice.

“How dare you try to say such vulgar things in front of Mugeon and his spouse!”

A nag straight out of the playbook of the oldest old-school men. Beom Urim patted the thick hand still covering his mouth as if to calm him down.

There were no minors around, so his prudishness was almost cute. Beom Urim would’ve liked to keep indulging his little tantrums, but since they were in front of Mugeon, as Sang-oh had said, he held back.

He easily brushed off Gi Sang-oh’s hand and gave a sweet smile.

“I truly respect Mugeon. Besides, it’s not like he’s interested in me anyway. Right?”

“You know it well.”

Mugeon agreed in his usual blunt tone. Then, he gently patted Hakyung’s shoulder and asked if he was startled. The difference in reactions was so great, Hakyung actually felt guilty.

In any case, with the situation smoothed over, Gi Sang-oh let out a breath of relief.

Hakyung, who had returned to being the docile river dolphin, slid a dessert and a latte toward Beom Urim.

“This is really good. Please enjoy it.”

“Thank you. I’ll eat well, Hakyung.”

“You don’t have to be so formal… Aren’t you friends with Uncle Sang-oh and Uncle Geowong?”

Hakyung, who was always called ‘Dongsaeng Hakyung’ or ‘married Hakyung’ by them, squirmed under Beom Urim’s overly polite tone.

And he was super famous, too! There had been a misunderstanding earlier, but to an ordinary river dolphin like Hakyung, Beom Urim still seemed like a prince from another world.

“Then, you can call me Uncle Urim too? I mean, we’re friends, but I’m five years older than Sang-oh.”

“Gasp…!”

Hakyung jumped in place, even more shocked than when he’d first seen Beom Urim up close.

Beom Urim was older than Uncle Sang-oh? Just by appearances, Uncle Sang-oh looked at least ten years older…!

He didn’t say it aloud, but his thoughts were obvious. Gi Sang-oh silently cursed this damned lookism when he suddenly felt a soft touch on his head. It was Beom Urim’s hand.

“What? Sang-oh is super cute.”

Beom Urim answered as he freely tousled Sang-oh’s hair. His short, bristly hair felt delightfully rough, like a chestnut burr.

Hakyung tilted his head as he watched Beom Urim sincerely fawn over Sang-oh.

Maybe when you’re a celebrity that famous, your standard of cuteness just becomes different. Surrounded by gorgeous people all the time, maybe your definition of “cute” shifts.

Thinking something very rude to Sang-oh, Hakyung nodded along.

“For real.”

He even made sure to agree out loud so the guest wouldn’t feel awkward.

The meeting with Beom Urim was brief. After nibbling at what Hakyung had brought, he got up from his seat.

“See you next time, Hakyung.”

“Yes, take care!”

“Oh right. Here’s my manager’s card, call if you ever need anything.”

The card bore the name of a major entertainment agency. Hakyung, who hadn’t known which agency Beom Urim belonged to, looked surprised.

“Our company actually focuses more on idols than actors. I bet they’ve already been watching your YouTube channel.”

“Really…?”

Beom Urim nodded with a warm smile in response to Hakyung’s question. Hakyung didn’t necessarily want to become an idol or go on TV, but getting a card from such a big company still felt great.

Beaming, Hakyung held the card with both hands and showed it to Muheon.

“Look! Uncle Urim gave me his company’s card!”

“Hm. Do you really need that?”

He didn’t like that Hakyung had already taken to calling Beom Urim “Uncle Urim,” and he liked even less that the man had given him his business card.

Muheon reached out to take it, but Hakyung quickly turned his body to dodge.

Quick as a squirrel, Hakyung avoided him, and Muheon stared at the back of his head in disbelief.

“I may not need it, but I’m the one who got it.”

Hakyung puffed out his cheeks and shoved the card into his pocket to keep it away from Muheon’s hands. He looked like a squirrel hoarding acorns in his cheeks.

In the end, Muheon had to swallow his feelings and soothe the pouting Hakyung. The one who loves more always loses. Fortunately, Hakyung melted easily when Muheon gently rubbed the back of his neck.

He didn’t hand over the card, but at least he turned back toward Mugeon and asked,

“But why did Uncle Urim come over anyway? He just said hi and had coffee before leaving.”

“We already talked before you got here.”

“Really? What about?”

Apparently very curious, Hakyung scooted closer, blinking his eyes. His downy lashes fluttered each time he blinked.

Unable to resist, Muheon kissed those cute lashes. Surprised by the sudden smooch, Hakyung froze for a moment before giggling and wrapping his arms around Muheon’s shoulders.

As his clear laughter rang out, his fluttering lashes tickled Muheon’s lips. Muheon chuckled softly and hugged him back.

After trailing kisses all over Hakyung’s face for a while, Mugeon finally continued with the answer he’d nearly forgotten.

“I had something to look for.”

“What kind of thing? Geez, you should’ve told me. I’m really good at googling!”

“This was something you had to look for in person. That’s Beom Urim’s specialty.”

“Oh… So Uncle Urim doesn’t just act?”

“Mm, acting’s just his side job.”

Muheon shook his head, recalling Beom Urim, the undisputed worst among the sea beastmen weirdos.

When he heard twenty years ago that Urim had attacked a Pacific imugi out of curiosity about its corpse, he had laughed in disbelief.

Of course, the plan had failed. After being driven away, Beom Urim was taken in by the West Sea. That was back when Mugeon was still asleep, so they had no choice but to deal with that ticking time bomb.

When Muheon finally awoke and met Urim for the first time… he was, without a doubt, purely insane.

Even someone as emotionally reserved as Muheon had frowned at the shine in that man’s eyes.

If he hadn’t stomped on that guy’s ambitions whenever Urim tried something sneaky, he definitely wouldn’t be acting so friendly now.

Hakyung should’ve seen Beom Urim back in his wild days. Then maybe he wouldn’t be cradling that business card so fondly.

Muheon stared at the bulging pocket of Hakyung’s pants. The corner of the card sticking out seemed to mock his pettiness.

***

Meanwhile, Beom Urim’s mood was soaring, he’d gained a new hunt and met Muheon’s partner.

Resting his forehead on Gi Sang-oh’s shoulder, he hummed a little tune. It had been a long time since he’d genuinely felt like humming.

Too bad Gi Sang-oh, who had to listen to it up close, was dying inside.

“Is your manager here yet?”

“Hmm? No word yet. Busy, maybe?”

Beom Urim shrugged at the question. Truthfully, he hadn’t even contacted his manager yet.

It had been so long since he’d seen Gi Sang-oh, he wanted to savor every bit.

He lowered his gentle eyes further, savoring the warm scent that made his mouth water.

“Hey Sang-oh, aren’t you worried people might crowd around if we stay here?”

“Oh, uh? You’re right…! So where should we wait?”

Beom Urim patted his startled shoulder and pointed toward a corner of the parking lot. There, Sang-oh’s neatly parked car, which Beom Urim had arrived in to meet Muheon, waited patiently.