IOB Ch 6

Choi Geonyoung contacted me, saying he had found something out about Woo Seonrim. As soon as I got off work, I sent Driver Kim home first and headed alone to the club that Choi Geonyoung runs. Living like a playboy and ordering around someone busier than himself, telling him to go here and there as he pleases… I was displeased, but since I was the one who had made the request, I had no choice but to obediently follow Choi Geonyoung’s words.

Friday night, a club located in Gangnam. A place I absolutely loathe. A wave of exhaustion washed over me even before I arrived. Why were there so many people. The roads were completely jammed. As I navigated through foreign cars making loud exhaust noises to get to the underground parking garage, I wanted to abandon my car on the street several times.

Should I have brought Driver Kim? Even though I drive a car that anyone would envy, I do not feel any particular attachment to it. If it has four wheels, it is what it is. I do not care about things like ride comfort or what have you. In the first place, I found driving to be a hassle. However, I did not know how long my conversation with Choi Geonyoung would last today, so I judged it better to come without Driver Kim.

What on earth did Choi Geonyoung find out? It had been ten days since I asked him to dig up Woo Seonrim’s past, whatever he could find. It would be disappointing if it was nothing special.

As soon as I got out of the car with a frown, a familiar face quickly ran toward me. It was one of Choi Geonyoung’s men.

“Good evening!”

“What is it?”

“The boss sent me. He said the youngest master would be coming today…”

“Where did my brother go?”

“He is still attending to an outside schedule.”

This bastard called me over and he is late for our appointment? I never expected Choi Geonyoung to be on time in the first place, but it was still irritating. Thump. I slammed the car door shut and gestured vaguely with my chin at Choi Geonyoung’s lackey.

“How long until my brother gets here?”

“About an hour…”

“Ah, fuck.”

Time is gold, and this is not some dog training. Does he think I am like him… I am a diligent businessman, for goodness’ sake.

Choi Geonyoung was a thirty-seven-year-old playboy who could not shake off his gangster habits. He lives a life of debauchery, spending the money he earns from running a few nightlife establishments, including this club.

The reason Chairman Choi left his reckless second son alone was that he still had a special use. He passed on all the tasks that needed to be handled by getting one’s hands dirty in the shadows to Choi Geonyoung. Following in Chairman Choi’s footsteps, his eldest son is doing the same.

Choi Geonyoung’s underling, while stealing glances at me, guided me to the entrance for VVIPs and staff.

“We will prepare a room for you, master, so you will not be bored while you wait.”

“It is fine. What am I supposed to do for fun all by myself. It is no fun.”

“Just say the word, and we can put everything in the room for you…”

“Hey. I said I am not in the mood to party. Why are you making me say it twice?”

“I am sorry!”

“Just clear out the employee break room. I will wait there.”

“Understood!”

The moment I entered Choi Geonyoung’s territory, I cast off my mask of a nice businessman. I did not want to be tired from having to watch myself even in this place. My nerves had been on edge lately, and my patience was already reaching its limit.

The cause of my irritation was, of course, Woo Seonrim. Last week, when I invited him to my house for the first time…

Ah, fuck. Just thinking about it makes me agitated again. My mood suddenly flipped like the palm of a hand, and I wanted to pour alcohol down my throat while waiting for Choi Geonyoung.

“Do not I have a bottle I was drinking last time and kept here?”

“I will ask the guys right away.”

“Bring it to a room.”

The stupid-looking, beefy guy blinked his eyes. His inner thoughts were transparently reflected on his face. Geez, just a moment ago he was making a fuss about not getting a room because he was not in the mood to party, so what am I supposed to do now…

What is there to do. You have to move promptly according to my whims. I do not know how Choi Geonyoung keeps this slowpoke around. My temper had been particularly bad these days, and I was on the verge of a flare-up of irritation.

“Oh, is not this Director Choi?”

A familiar voice caught my ankle as I was stepping into the club.

“Ah, Director Seong. Fancy seeing you here.”

I instantly switched my face. Business smile and eyes immediately equipped.

The man I ran into was a mediocre film director who, thanks to being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, always secured investments with great vigor but had ambiguous box office success. Still, thanks to the strong backing from his distribution company, none of his works had completely bombed yet. He was not such a parachute appointment that he would make a movie so garbage you could not bear to watch it with your eyes open.

Of course, if his background had not been good, he probably would not have lasted this long in the film industry. A colorless, odorless director. A boring guy. But an opponent I should not make an enemy of. These were the labels I had attached to him in my head.

Director Seong extended his hand for a handshake and said.

“I cannot believe I am seeing Director Choi in a place like this. You are famous for not partying.”

I naturally fabricated a smile.

“Is that my reputation? My, it seems my pretense of modesty has worked well.”

“If you came alone, you should join my kids. There are a lot of guys dying to say hello to you, Director.”

I had heard the rumors that Director Seong had some fun bringing around rookie actors and idols. It was also an open secret that he swings for men too. Normally, I would have refused immediately and flipped him the middle finger behind his back as he walked away.

“Hmm, that sounds good. I did not come alone, I was waiting for someone. I was just getting bored, so this is perfect.”

Today, I decided to venture on an impulsive deviation. My mind was in turmoil for various reasons, and there was also something I wanted to check.

Director Seong smiled with a greasy face. He took good care of himself and looked younger than his age. Was he in his mid-forties? Outwardly, he had good style and a clean-cut appearance. However, looking at him gave me a somewhat shady feeling. He was the type I did not prefer. His eyes were already glazed over, as if he had been drinking a fair amount.

When I followed Director Seong, there were four young people in the room. Two women and two men. One of them was a rookie actor whose name I knew, and the rest were new faces.

“This is Director JY Choi.”

When Director Seong introduced me, the kids all stood up and greeted me. There was a former idol, and one who used to be a model. They all had decent faces. As for their value as a product… I am not so sure.

I casually accepted their greetings and sat down. I was used to the atmosphere of people being desperate to make a good impression on me. The reason was obvious. Why would they roll over and show their bellies like puppies for a director from another agency? It is because I am from Jaeyu Group.

One man and one woman stuck to either side of me. A fawning eye-smile as they poured me a drink. They were all young and pretty kids. It was a situation one might call having a flower in each hand, but I was not happy at all.

I am already bored… This was my impression just five minutes after joining the room.

When Director Seong mumbled something, the kids on either side of him chimed in enthusiastically, but I could not hear what he was saying well and it was a hassle to try to understand… In the first place, EDM was not my taste at all, so I did not like the clamor of the club either.

It is no fun, should I just leave? As I was contemplating, I happened to make eye contact with the guy sitting in the seat farthest from me. That guy had not said a single word for the last ten minutes. Did they say he was a former model? He had an excellent natural bone structure, but his facial features were ambiguous.

But he strangely reminded me of Woo Seonrim. His noticeable height, his pale-looking fair skin, his long hair that covered about half his neck. Even his attitude of sitting apart from everyone with his mouth shut tight. What was his name again. I roughly tried to retrace my memory and then spoke whatever came to mind.

“Hey, Junseo-ssi?”

For a second or two, a subtle silence passed. I could feel the people, excluding me, busily exchanging glances.

The guy I had called out to blankly rolled his eyes around before belatedly opening his mouth.

“Yes, Director.”

“Is your name Junseo? I cannot remember it well.”

“I, It is Kim Junhee.”

“Ah, so it is Junhee-ssi. Your age?”

He must have said his age earlier, but there was no way I would remember.

“I am twenty-four.”

“But your accent is a bit unique? Did you live abroad?”

“Yes. I was in the States until I was twenty.”

“Where in the States?”

“In New York…”

“Were you born there too? Are you a dual citizen?”

“No. Just American citizenship…”

“You must have barely spoken Korean when you lived there.”

Kim Junhee flinched and then his lips twitched. He seemed to be deliberating his next words immensely. Why is he acting like that when I did not even ask anything special? The moment Kim Junhee started to diligently read my expression, my interest began to wane. Woo Seonrim was not like this.

“I am, I am sorry.”

“Hmm? Why is Junhee-ssi apologizing to me?”

“I, I tried hard but my pronunciation is… still clumsy… and I have a gyopo accent… I should have spoken Korean diligently at home since I was young…”

“You thought I was giving you a hard time. That is not it, though?”

His fawning was so absurd that a hollow laugh escaped me without me realizing. Can he survive in the entertainment industry being so timid? If he had been tenacious in the first place, he would have already established himself in the States. It was obvious he had been pushed out of the U.S. and came over to Korea.

At that moment, Director Seong, who had been darting his eyes around and diligently reading the room, cut in.

“I think Junhee is nervous. It is his first time in a setting like this.”

I toyed with my glass with my fingertips.

“That is understandable.”

“I think it is because there are many people, should I clear the room for you?”

I barely suppressed the scoff that was about to come out at Director Seong’s blatant push. He seemed to take the sight of me pressing my lips firmly into a smile as a sign of agreement.

“As it happens, I heard the vice president of Sehan Financial came to another room.”

“Ah, Gyeong-il-ssi is here.”

“I will take the kids to say hello and be back.”

It meant he would get out of the way, so I could do whatever I wanted with Kim Junhee, whether it was to play with him or strip him. Director Seong seemed to think I had ulterior motives for Kim Junhee. It was understandable, since I had singled out only Kim Junhee from the group and bombarded him with questions.

I thought for a moment and then said.

“Alright. Go ahead and take care of your business.”

Immediately, Director Seong quickly left with the others, leaving only Kim Junhee behind. The room with a capacity for ten people was empty in an instant. Kim Junhee was still sitting in the seat farthest from me, completely frozen.

I took a sip of my drink and then gestured with my hand.

“Come closer.”

“Uhhk… Yes!”

Kim Junhee made a strange sound and hurriedly came over to my side. Kim Junhee’s face was completely flushed. Looking at him up close, his double eyelid line seemed a little similar to Woo Seonrim’s. Other than that, his features were embarrassingly incomparable, though. To say they were similar would be an apology to Woo Seonrim.

Still, he had the most similar vibe to Woo Seonrim among the people who were in the room earlier. I stared intently at Kim Junhee, trying hard to find more similarities with Woo Seonrim.

The reason I am doing such a pointless thing is because. After several days of deliberation, I had come up with a hypothesis.

What if a face like Woo Seonrim’s was actually my type? It is not like a guy like that is common, so that is just why I have not been able to date until now. If I could find someone as similar to him as possible, even if not as much as Woo Seonrim, would I not be able to get turned on by that person? When I am really not satisfied, I could make him get plastic surgery to look exactly like Woo Seonrim or something…

The reason I came up with this hypothesis while tearing my hair out was because I was scared. I was scared that the only person who could turn me on was Woo Seonrim alone. The fact that I got hard listening to his performance was not a problem at all. It was something I had fully expected.

However, the fact that I fooled around with Woo Seonrim for a long time even after the performance ended is a big problem. My desire not only did not cool down, but I even came in his palm. My heart shriveled up and my pride was hurt at the thought that Woo Seonrim might be the sole exception to my unusual sexual desires.

It had to not be true. Where did the past days go when I was impartially not turned on by any human being. There is no way I would get turned on only by a crazy young brat who does not listen to reason. Fuck. I was planning to just enjoy Woo Seonrim’s music to my heart’s content while spending a lot of money. At this rate, I was on the verge of being devoured by Woo Seonrim.

I spoke to Kim Junhee to shake off the thoughts about Woo Seonrim.

“Are you in any projects right now?”

“Ah, uh. Yes. I, I, I’m starting PD Shim’s new project next month.”

“…You are very stiff?”

“I am sorry.”

When I tilted my head, Kim Junhee flapped his shoulders like a frightened child. Anyone would think I was going to eat him alive.

“Have you thought about variety shows?”

“Uh, I have thought about it a lot. A whole lot…”

“Since you are a gyopo, it would be good for building a character.”

No matter how I looked at him, he was not someone who would make it big as an actor. If there are no signs of promise, it is better to change direction early on. Like me, who quit piano without hesitation.

“And you have a face that would be favored on variety shows.”

“R, really? I will work hard!”

“Whoa, Junhee-ssi. Your voice is too loud.”

“I am sorry… I am just so nervous.”

“Why? I am not a bad person.”

“Ah, of course. Your reputation is so good, Director. I, I am so nervous to meet you in person… and you are much more handsome than the rumors, so even more so…”

I almost choked while trying to take a sip of my drink. Cough, holding my breath, I put the glass down on the table. Kim Junhee was pressing down hard on his own crotch with trembling hands. His face was beet red.

…This bastard was not just scared, was he?

If I gathered all the people who have shown interest in me so far, I could easily fill a truck. I could immediately recognize the signals of blatant favor. Except for someone like Woo Seonrim who is impossible to figure out, I can grasp most people… Ah, I thought of Woo Seonrim again.

“For the record, I am up for anything, Director. So whatever you want, Director…”

“Do you normally do it with men too?”

“I have not done it much, but I will try really, really hard.”

“You do not have to go that far.”

Kim Junhee looked at me with a face full of determination. I did not expect him to be this aggressive. Should I really push him away when he is the one coming on to me? The old me would have, but right now I wanted to test if I could be physical with someone other than Woo Seonrim.

Will it work with him? I stared at Kim Junhee for a long time and then opened my mouth.

“Junhee-ssi, can I have your hand for a moment?”

Kim Junhee quickly extended both his hands toward me. Like a dog. Kim Junhee’s hands were long and large. Smaller than Woo Seonrim’s, though.

I wordlessly grabbed his hand and kneaded it. It was soft. Woo Seonrim’s was firm. It felt like even his fingertips, trained from playing, were packed with muscle.

Kim Junhee’s face was completely flushed as he bit his lip hard. I glanced at his crotch, and I could see a heavy bulk. Why is he already hard when I have not even done anything? Anyway, normal people are strange. I have to listen to something like Woo Seonrim’s performance to get turned on, yet these guys get an erection at any time just from having their hand touched. Are they in heat year-round or what.

I felt a subtle sense of discomfort. Far from getting hot, my body felt like it was growing cold instead.

“Haa.”

A sigh escaped me out of frustration. Hearing my sigh, Kim Junhee’s face turned even redder and he fiddled with his fingertips. What is this, it is annoying. Is it not going to work after all? Is a face on Kim Junhee’s level not even close to enough? I muttered, lost in gloom.

“Junhee-ssi, scratch the back of my hand.”

“What?”

“Gently.”

“Ye, yes.”

Kim Junhee tickled the back of my hand just as Woo Seonrim had done. I reflexively got goosebumps and barely managed to stop myself from snatching my hand away. I was pressing down my discomfort. Kim Junhee, stealthily watching my expression, came closer. The way he tilted his head was as if…

“Stop.”

Thwack! Without realizing it, I pushed Kim Junhee’s face away with my palm. The moment I thought our lips might touch, my body moved on its own. Kim Junhee shot up to his feet and bowed his head to me.

“I am sorry, Director. If I made a mistake…”

“Ah. No, it is not that. I am just a little tired.”

The moment I saw Kim Junhee’s crestfallen face, I realized. It is absolutely not going to work with this guy. I scratched the back of my neck and stood up from my seat. I felt slightly sorry for Kim Junhee, who was frozen stiff and did not know what to do.

“Let us meet up with Director Seong sometime later. I have something urgent to do.”

Even at just one irresponsible empty promise, Kim Junhee’s complexion brightened a little. I felt like I would suffocate if I stayed here any longer. I urgently stepped out of the room. As soon as I opened the door, the loud EDM music hit my ears. From the sound to the lighting, everything about this place was far from my taste.

My head was already a mess, and the chaotic rhythm made me feel nauseous. I thought about trying again with someone better than Kim Junhee, but I quickly gave up the idea. What if I really throw up? I was already as tired as I could be.

I leaned against the second-floor bar and took a deep breath to calm my frayed nerves. Fuck, if Choi Geonyoung had just come to the club on time, none of this would have happened. Suddenly, it felt like everything was Choi Geonyoung’s fault, and I got angry.

“Fuck, when is this bastard coming.”

I was muttering, grinding my teeth. Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me.

“Ahem, youngest. Nice words, pretty words. But surely ‘this bastard’ is not me, right?”

It was Choi Geonyoung, who is no gentleman. I forced myself to smooth out my wrinkled brow and faced Choi Geonyoung. Even fabricating a slight smile.

“Of course not, hyung.”

Living as the youngest is tough.

“Right, who would swear at their brother who is seven years older. There is no way such a son of a bitch would be our youngest.”

Choi Geonyoung was about to mess up my hair, so I quickly took a step back and said.

“You said you found something out about Woo Seonrim.”

“Is that the first thing you say when you see your brother? It is been a while since we have seen each other.”

“Did not we see each other just a little while ago?”

“It has been over a week. That is why you should not have moved out. I keep telling you to just move back into the main house.”

As if I would go back into that madhouse unless I was crazy.

He does not look it, but Choi Geonyoung gets lonely and is affectionate. That must be why he drags a different person to his bed to sleep with every night. The most ideal relationship for a family is to keep a moderate distance and see each other only when there is business, but he would constantly pester me to come home.

“Choi Do-won is at home. Go hang out with Choi Do-won.”

“What is with your tone when you talk about Do-won. He is your brother too.”

“Choi Do-won does not feel like a brother.”

“And me?”

“Hyung is… a really dependable brother.”

“How about compared to our eldest brother?”

“Eldest brother is always a bit difficult. He feels more like a boss than family. With you, it feels like we are real brothers. You know without me saying it, right.”

The corners of Choi Geonyoung’s mouth twitched. Such a simple man…

Choi Geonyoung sidled up to me and draped his arm over my shoulder. The feeling of being a shoulder rest for someone shorter than me is not very pleasant. Even if the height difference is only one centimeter.

“Youngest. I will tell you about the information I have found out so far.”

“Cut the cheesy tone and hurry up.”

“You are so prickly…”

Choi Geonyoung made an exaggeratedly hurt face and then continued speaking.

“It seems Woo Seonrim returned to Korea about two months ago. His point of departure was New Zealand.”

“New Zealand?”

“He was an illegal immigrant. He was deported and came over.”

It seemed the story about him going abroad to work was true. If so, was the investigation I did in the past wrong? At that time, I could not find any departure records for Woo Seonrim.

No. If we assume that Woo Seonrim stowed away to New Zealand, then everything falls into place. I had not considered the possibility of him stowing away. Not only is it not easy to stow away these days, but unless you are a felon, there is not much reason to…

…What if he is not not a felon? Fuck, Woo Seonrim is really a headache in so many ways. I frowned deeply and said.

“He said it has been about three weeks since he moved into his current house. Do you know where he was before he got that house?”

“Gumi, Gyeongbuk province.”

“Gumi?”

“He was living with his aunt.”

“That cannot be right.”

I was already well-versed in Woo Seonrim’s family information. Woo Seonrim was the child of an unmarried mother. He grew up without a father, and he had no relatives on his mother’s side either. A child born to a woman who was all alone. It was creepily identical to my own birth circumstances.

“His aunt ran a rice cake shop in the market for nearly twenty years? Then she suddenly brought home a handsome punk calling him her nephew, so rumors spread all over the market.”

“…Is she, is she really his aunt?”

“What is this. Our youngest has good instincts. I looked into it, and on paper, they are completely unrelated.”

“Ah, my head hurts. What about Woo Seonrim’s biological mother?”

“I was just about to talk about that. His mom is dead.”

“What?”

“A death certificate was filed. About a month ago.”

“What, is this…”

Unpleasant goosebumps broke out on my skin. No, he does not have to resemble me down to his mother being dead. And to think the death certificate was filed only a month ago.

Woo Seonrim did not look like someone who had recently lost his mother. Well, not everyone needs to fall into despair just because a parent died. If it were me, I would probably be overjoyed and drink a toast if I heard news of Chairman Choi’s death.

“Like Woo Seonrim, his mother also has no domestic records for the past twelve years.”

“I knew the mother and son disappeared together. What was the cause of death?”

“I think I will have to send some guys to New Zealand to know for sure… Hey, but this is getting too big.”

“I know. It will be a hassle for you, hyung. But please, I am asking you, hyung.”

I squeezed out the most obedient youngest brother tone I could muster. I felt like I was going to puke. Choi Geonyoung let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Hey, hey, I already have a mountain of work assigned by our Vice Chairman, you know.”

“Is eldest brother’s work that busy?”

“That man is a workaholic. It is gotten worse lately. Anyway, so it will take some time to look into your thing. Is that okay?”

“It does not matter. I can wait.”

Choi Geonyoung’s lot in life was to clean up after his eldest brother. He would probably only look into my business in his spare time after helping his eldest brother, but there was nothing I could do. Choi Geonyoung was more trustworthy than if I were to hire someone else myself. This was a matter related to Woo Seonrim, of all people. I wanted to use only people whose identities I knew for certain. For example, like the guys Choi Geonyoung keeps.

Choi Geonyoung tapped his hand, which was resting on my shoulder, and said.

“I will let you know as soon as I find anything… But Woo Seonrim, his background is shady. Do not keep him too close. Although it seems like it is already too late. Have you developed a taste for men lately?”

“What are you talking about.”

“So sneaky. What were you planning to do, inviting Woo Seonrim to your house? Our youngest does not know how scary people can be.”

I had already expected that news about me would have reached Choi Geonyoung. I did not know I would be interrogated this quickly, but it did not matter if I was found out. I hoped this would be an opportunity for rumors to spread that I was gay so my blind dates would finally stop.

“I just asked him to come to my house and play a little.”

“And while you were at it, you played each other’s bodies too?”

Choi Geonyoung snickered. I was appalled and swatted at his arm, knocking it off my shoulder.

“Do not say such vulgar things. Are you an old man?”

“Is not our youngest the vulgar one? I heard you called a model into the room earlier and played with him alone.”

“How did you know about that?”

“My eyes and ears are everywhere here, youngest.”

“I did not do anything. I guess you did not hear that I sent that model out in ten minutes.”

“Anything is possible in ten minutes.”

“Only for a premature ejaculator. I guess you are one, hyung.”

It was infuriating to hear this from someone who goes around playing with his dick so promiscuously. Even if I did fool around dirtily with someone, what business was it of his.

Choi Geonyoung did not seem particularly offended by my retort and just burst out laughing with a pahak. His laugh was incredibly flippant. He completely messed up my hair that I had so carefully styled.

“This is why I like our youngest. Hey, do you remember? When you were ten years old…”

After that, Choi Geonyoung started muttering something for a long time. I let it go in one ear and out the other. It was probably a story I had heard dozens of times. How much of a temper I had as a kid, how fun it was to see my reaction after teasing me, that sort of repertoire.

Now he only provokes me with words, but the young Choi Geonyoung was not like that. He was pure evil itself, not yet socially developed enough to know boundaries, a truly vicious brat. I would often end up in the emergency room after getting seriously injured while putting up with Choi Geonyoung’s pranks.

However, I never yielded no matter what Choi Geonyoung did. I continued to throw tantrums like a madman. Then, at some point, Choi Geonyoung’s bullying stopped at a reasonable level. As if he had acknowledged me. Seeing you climb back up even after I pushed you off a cliff, you are qualified to be my brother, was it something like that? Yes… it is all just a memory now that it is past. Several scars remained on my body, but it was easier on my mind to think of it that way.

Even now, as Choi Geonyoung cackled and babbled on, I silently ignored him. Letting his voice flow like background music, I focused only on my thoughts about Woo Seonrim.

Is it really right to dig into Woo Seonrim’s past? As Choi Geonyoung said, his background certainly seems shady. Not that he ever looked like a sane person in the first place.

Was he in a dangerous organization? He said he was not a convict. Of course, as long as you do not get caught, committing a crime is fine. This is fucking… My head was starting to hurt, but my resolve to find out more about Woo Seonrim in detail only grew stronger.

In fact, what Woo Seonrim did in the past is not important. It is none of my business. However, if it is something that would cause a big problem when revealed to the public, and thus cause problems for Woo Seonrim’s music career. From that point on, it is definitely my business to know.

To cover up anything in preparation for the future, I had to grasp Woo Seonrim properly. And also to gauge in advance whether the scale was something I could handle on my own.

Should I try to butter up my eldest brother in case I need to ask for his help? What would make my eldest brother happy? Handing over all of my measly shares to him? Would my eldest brother really like that that much…? My eldest brother does not even treat me like a person in the first place.

While I was lost in these opportunistic thoughts, Choi Geonyoung pinched my cheek with his hand. It was not a pinch like one would dote on a child. It was with the force of his fingertips, filled with all his strength, as if to tear off a piece of my flesh.

“Ah! Ugh, that hurts! What was that for?”

Slap, Choi Geonyoung let go of my cheek. The stinging pain almost brought tears to my eyes.

“Because you were not listening to your brother and your expression was weird. To snap you out of it.”

“I was listening. You were talking about how you almost ran me over with a lawnmower, right?”

“Nope. You were not paying attention. Do you like him that much?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Look at you, chewing on your lip like you are about to burst it. Are you that worried about him?”

“No, what are you really talking about.”

“Do not pick up someone who is too dirty. I have nothing to say if you want to keep him around even after laundering him. But there is a limit to laundering.”

“Are you talking about Woo Seonrim right now? He is not that kind of person.”

A sudden wave of irritation rose up, and the words flew out of my mouth reflexively. The world’s biggest slut is saying what about Woo Seonrim. Choi Geonyoung let out a hollow laugh as if in disbelief.

“Youngest, what do you know? You came to me because you do not know anything. You have really lost your mind.”

“…There is such a thing as a person’s aura.”

“Are you in a cult? Something like the Church of Woo Seonrim? Yisak. Live up to your name and repent, amen. Love in moderation, okay?”

I was pissed off and annoyed, so I ignored Choi Geonyoung’s words. I was in love with Woo Seonrim’s music, not Woo Seonrim himself, but I decided not to bother making such a minor correction.

۶ৎ

I am a genius. As expected, there is a reward for being pestered with early education and even studying abroad since I was young. Chairman Choi’s money was not in vain. Now Chairman Choi can close his eyes in peace. I wish that old man would die soon… I was slumped on the sofa, feeling the afterglow of my release, lost in a daze of thoughts.

Today is the day Woo Seonrim is scheduled to come to my house for the second time. To be honest, I had been worrying since the day before yesterday about how to treat him. After all, we are two people who have seen each other’s dicks.

The text messages exchanged amidst such turmoil were peaceful, as if nothing had happened between us.

[Seonrim-ssi~ Come by 5 on Saturday]

[Woo Seonrim: Okay ^^]

[A self-composed piece this time too?]

[Woo Seonrim: Should I?]

[It would be good if you played the one you played last time again]

[Woo Seonrim: Okay okay]

The speed at which Woo Seonrim checked his messages and the interval at which he replied had become subtly faster than before.

[Woo Seonrim: But Director]

[Woo Seonrim: You do not have to send Driver Kim]

[Why?]

[Woo Seonrim: I can come on my own]

[Stop talking nonsense and take Driver Kim’s car]

[Woo Seonrim: Still, I feel bad somehow;;]

Should not he feel more sorry for cumming on my navel? He did not say a single word of apology about that, I really do not know what kind of bastard he is.

Even after experiencing such a preposterous event, I am also a strange guy for contacting Woo Seonrim again to let him into my house. But I really wanted to hear the self-composed piece that Woo Seonrim played last time one more time. I knew I was digging my own grave, but my desire for the music won over my reason.

Instead, I took a few precautions in advance to prevent a mishap like last time from happening again. First, I packed a taser. I would not be able to handle him with my own strength, and I could not call the guards into the house. I have to use a tool, even if it is cowardly. If Woo Seonrim’s eyes suddenly go crazy again and he lunges at me, I plan to zap him with the taser.

Next, I prepared my body. Last time, I think I got even more swept up in the atmosphere because I was so turned on after listening to the performance. In order to respond calmly without losing my reason, I needed to kill my excitement in advance.

So the method I came up with was to get myself off a few times right before Woo Seonrim arrived. Normally, masturbating did not completely relieve my desire and left me feeling unsatisfied, but today was different.

Woo Seonrim’s performance that I heard last week was a great help. As I recalled the melody in my head, I was able to reach climax quickly. This was the most satisfying masturbation I have ever had.

“Hoo…”

I felt a strange sense of euphoria as I lay there languidly. See this. As expected, I was not turned on by Woo Seonrim’s body. I came while thinking of the melody.

His performance was just so overwhelming that the excitement lasted a little longer. Yes, there is no way I would feel lust for a person. I quickly erased the terrible hypothesis that Woo Seonrim was the only person capable of that from my mind.

If I solve my sexual desires this way from now on, everything will be perfect. If I coax Woo Seonrim into releasing an album, it is like getting a masturbation buddy for life. There is no need to go to a club, search for a man who resembles Woo Seonrim, test him out, and taste frustration.

Satisfied, I was about to go to the bathroom but paused. …Would getting off once be enough? I had to wring myself out more thoroughly to prevent any mishaps when I am with Woo Seonrim. I flopped down on the sofa and stared blankly at my crotch.

In that moment, those white, long fingers that moved freely over the piano keys came to mind. Heat slowly returned to my lower half. Hmm, I guess it is better to get off one more time.

۶ৎ

Having purged all my desires, I greeted Woo Seonrim in a state of bland enlightenment. Woo Seonrim was holding a black plastic bag in one hand. The face I was seeing after a week was still breathtakingly beautiful.

“Hello.”

Woo Seonrim bowed his head and entered the house. As always, his manners were good.

“Oh, what did you bring?”

“Onions.”

“Onions?”

Woo Seonrim strode toward the kitchen. Having been here once, he walked around as casually as if it were his own home. I followed behind Woo Seonrim, bewildered. The bag really did contain onions. As many as five large, raw onions…

“Seonrim-ssi, please explain the situation.”

“I said I would use the wish I won from our arm wrestling match last week today, did not I.”

“…I suppose you did?”

“I want to see you cry, Director. That is my wish.”

“…What did you say?”

“It is really nothing special, so I am embarrassed.”

“No…”

I was at a loss for words for a moment at the unexpected wish. What is he going to do with seeing a man cry? He should have just asked for a car instead. Is he a madman?

As I mulled over Woo Seonrim’s incomprehensible words, I was once again reminded that this guy is indeed a weirdo. I felt an instinctive sense of caution that a mishap might occur today as well. I checked that the taser was securely in my pants pocket and said.

“Seonrim-ssi, try not to judge the standard of normalcy by your own standards. Asking me to cry? That is plenty special and weird… And what is with the onions?”

“Do not you cry when you chop onions?”

“Well, yes. So you want me to chop onions? Now? Here…?”

“Stimulating the tear ducts is the first step. Once you have a good amount of tears welling up, I would like you to cry properly. And make some sounds, too.”

“…”

Is this the time to pull out the taser. But I have not even heard a single song yet.

“…Why on earth.”

“Pardon?”

“Why do you want to see me cry.”

“I wonder.”

“You wonder?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“Would it be?”

Each of Woo Seonrim’s answers was so annoying that my retorts came out sharply on their own.

“But you said you would grant my wish. I am disappointed.”

For someone who claimed to be disappointed, Woo Seonrim’s face did not move at all. A perfect poker face.

“Hey, I am disappointed in you too. Asking me to cry all of a sudden for no particular reason. The one who accepts that is the madman.”

Woo Seonrim was silent for a moment, as if deep in thought about something. Then, uncharacteristically, a strange light suddenly appeared in his eyes.

“If I give you a reasonable reason, will you cry for me?”

“You really come up with a new kind of bullshit every week, Seonrim-ssi…”

As if he did not even care about my sigh-laced muttering, Woo Seonrim continued with his words.

“The reason is for music. When I look at you, Director, inspiration keeps coming to me. I have never been like this with anyone else…”

“…”

“So I came to want to see your various faces.”

I replayed Woo Seonrim’s words one by one to see if I had understood correctly. My head throbbed and my forehead felt hot. I covered my aching eyes with my palm and let out a sigh.

So… you are my muse, that seems to be the gist of it. That guy throws around such cringeworthy talk as if he is talking about the dinner menu. He wants to see my various ‘faces’? Does he mean he likes my appearance? I do not know how I ended up stimulating his inspiration as well.

Of course, when you live as a handsome man, you often experience strange and troublesome things because of your looks. Most people are attracted to my appearance. Especially people with a superior aesthetic sense would be even more drawn to me, and Woo Seonrim is a man who knows art.

Ha, well… Did my face work on Woo Seonrim too? Well, I am that kind of a figure…

It is not a pathological narcissism, it is just a fact. For thirty years, I have heard the compliment that I am handsome so many times it made my ears hurt. If I did not know that I am aesthetically far superior to others, that would be the bigger problem.

I swiped my hand down my face, which had been covering my eyes, and said.

“I guess my face is your type?”

I asked in a slightly sarcastic tone, but Woo Seonrim obediently nodded his head.

“Yes. I suppose so.”

“Being handsome is tiring, I tell you…”

“So, is this a reasonable enough reason? Do you understand?”

“Would I? You are still asking me to cry out of the blue.”

“But your expression suddenly softened. From what I can see, it seems you have fully understood and accepted my words, Director.”

“…”

“Am I mistaken in my guess?”

It seems my face had relaxed without me realizing it. Fuck, I should have been more careful with my expression.

The truth is, as soon as I heard that my face was helpful to Woo Seonrim’s music, the onions in the black plastic bag looked quite appetizing. Even the compliment about my appearance, which I am now so tired of that I have no feelings about it, sounded good.

I am too weak when it comes to Woo Seonrim. Since his music was my only stimulant, it might be natural in a way. I am the one who deposits money into his bank account like a sponsor, but it felt as if I had become the subordinate one.

The problem is that I do not feel particularly bad about the current relationship and situation. Shedding a few tears was simpler than taking out my dick and rubbing it against him. It was not something I could not do if he asked. The sight of him carrying onions after waiting a week just to make such a wish was absurd, and also a little cute…

No, what is cute about it. He is a guy who is suspicious through and through. I must not let my guard down. I once again reminded myself of the fact that there was a taser in my pocket and said.

“Well, do I just have to cry?”

“Yes.”

“Get those onions away. You want me to chop those? My eyes will sting. I do not want to. I will just cry. I am good at squeezing out fake tears.”

“Really?”

Woo Seonrim took a bold step forward. The distance between us suddenly narrowed. It felt like our chests might touch if we were not careful.

“Wha, what is it?”