JD 59

There was no seducing dolphin—only a boss who’d been completely seduced. And so, the couple remained holed up in the room for several more days, never stepping outside. Hakyung’s week-long sea adventure was about to end with little more than a build-up of steamy desires.

They’d taken one day to look around, but the fact remained that they had barely left the room all week. That thought made Hakyung feel a little sheepish as he got up at dawn.

“Ahem…!”

He cleared his sore throat, strained from moaning all night, then sat up and rubbed his stiff thighs before stretching. A cool palm suddenly touched his side.

Muheon, who had been sleeping soundly, had woken at some point and reached for him. Feeling the familiar chill, Hakyung smiled and turned around.

“Where are you going?”

Muheon asked in a husky voice that rivaled Hakyung’s. Hakyung pointed at his empty cup.

“Just to get some water.”

“There’s some. I’ll get it.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be quick. You rest.”

Stopping Muheon before he could get up, Hakyung leaned down and kissed the red mark he’d made last night with a loud smack, grinning as he pulled back.

The fun part of Muheon’s pale skin was the way it took color. Thanks to his fast healing, the marks would be gone in a day—meaning Hakyung would have to color him again the next day. That was just fine.

He ran a finger over the man’s smooth, cool skin one last time before putting on his hat and stepping away.

Seriously, his boss had a natural talent for enchanting people.

What Hakyung didn’t realize was that Muheon didn’t need to do anything—he’d already fallen for him so deeply, it was impossible to look away.

A small pout tugged at Hakyung’s lips as he missed Muheon already. He picked up his pace, hoping to grab water and return quickly.

As he passed near the kitchen, he heard someone moving inside. It was still early morning… Hakyung tilted his head and walked toward the sound, making his presence known so he wouldn’t startle anyone.

The man busily cleaning and organizing turned around at the sound of his voice.

“Mr. Hakyung!”

“Hello!”

It was Bu Geunmin. Being in charge of kitchen work, he clearly started his days early. They exchanged greetings, finding they actually had a lot to talk about even though they were in the same place.

Hakyung, who had recently realized that Bu Geunmin was the one preparing his meals, was genuinely thankful. The dishes weren’t just made with sea ingredients, but balanced with land-based ones too—something only a passionate cook would put that much thought into.

So Hakyung poured his heart out in a long-winded thank-you, talking about how delicious everything had been.

Since Muheon, whom Bu Geunmin served for life, was usually asleep or not the talkative type, Hakyung’s thanks deeply moved him. He chuckled, nose tingling with emotion.

“We’re truly lucky that Lord Muheon mate turned out to be you, Mr. Hakyung.”

“A-Ah, I mean…”

Hakyung squirmed bashfully at the word mate. It was both ticklish and a point of pride.

Seeing Hakyung’s transparent reaction, Bu Geunmin laughed again. The one thing he had always envied from other seas was finally fulfilled—it was enough to make him feel full without eating.

“Now that Lord Muheon has found a mate, the West Sea is finally complete.”

“Wait… was it bad if he didn’t have one?”

Hakyung blinked in curiosity at that. Seeing he hadn’t quite grasped the meaning, Bu Geunmin quickly shook his head.

“Not at all! Lord Muheon is incredible as he is! But all the Imugis in the other seas already had mates and heirs, so they were more stable… Lord Muheon never showed interest in mates or succession, and that made us, his humble underlings, worry unnecessarily.”

If he’d known his lord would meet such an adorable mate, he wouldn’t have worried so much. Bu Geunmin looked sheepish as he spoke.

As Hakyung replayed the long explanation in his head, something odd popped out.

“Wait… Imugi?”

“Yes. Imugi. Huh? You didn’t know, Mr. Hakyung?”

“Huh? Wait, Imugi? Like the ones from folktales?!”

They stared at each other, mouths agape. Bu Geunmin had clearly heard from his brother that Hakyung knew Muheon’s identity, but Hakyung’s shocked expression said otherwise. Meanwhile, Hakyung was floored—his boss wasn’t a sea eel?!

All the silly things he’d ever said suddenly flooded back into his mind. And Muheon’s bemused expressions with each one followed right behind.

From the tips of his toes to the crown of his head, Hakyung turned bright red, stomping his feet and wishing he could disappear.

Bu Geunmin, now pale as a ghost himself, stammered:

“Ah… yes, well…”

“Y-yeah, that…”

They didn’t know what exactly they were agreeing on, but the two of them kept repeating the same vague words in an awkward loop.

“I’ll just… get that water now.”

“Y-yes! Here it is. Should I carry it for you?”

“No, thank you! I’m okay!”

Bu Geunmin frowned slightly in concern at Hakyung’s dazed face, but Hakyung didn’t notice. His mind was too busy screaming how embarrassing!

He didn’t even remember how he got back to the room. He must’ve walked on autopilot.

“What’s wrong?”

Back in the room, Muheon was half-dressed, apparently getting ready to come after him. His face hardened at Hakyung’s dazed state.

He took the water and cup from Hakyung’s hands and set them down before speaking again.

“What happened, huh?”

At his gentle tone, Hakyung’s chin quivered with emotion.

It had taken forever for him to return, and now he looked like he’d seen a ghost. Muheon was growing anxious, gently rubbing Hakyung’s shoulder. If the tears came, they’d take time to calm.

Thankfully, Hakyung didn’t cry. He just puffed his cheeks like a chipmunk.

To Muheon, he still looked like a baby—but Hakyung was a grown man in his twenties.

“You… you tricked me!”

“……I did?”

Muheon had never once lied to Hakyung. From their very first meeting, he’d wanted to give him everything—even a bold contract. So to be accused of fraud felt completely unfair. Still, he waited for Hakyung to explain.

“You’re an Imugi! Like, a dragon-looking thing!”

“Ah…”

Muheon exhaled quietly as Hakyung fumed. He hadn’t expected Hakyung to misunderstand so wildly—but it had been too cute to correct, and now it had backfired.

He figured Hakyung must’ve found out while getting water and felt deceived. Caught off guard, Muheon clammed up for a moment. No excuse would work—he hadn’t made time to tell him. Hakyung’s breathing grew ragged.

“I said it was fine no matter what you were…! But you lied!”

“You did say that, Kang Hakyung.”

“But still, you lied…!”

Tiny fists pounded Muheon’s shoulder. Harder than expected, actually—he flinched slightly. Seeing that, Hakyung quickly pulled back and softened his scowl.

With a quiet sigh, Muheon apologized.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”

“Then why…? Were you afraid I’d run away? Or be scared?”

“No, it’s not that…”

But Muheon averted his gaze, and Hakyung’s suspicion grew.

If it wasn’t that, then why hadn’t he corrected him when he thought he was just a sea eel?

As Muheon stayed silent, Hakyung’s eyes narrowed further. Before another chipmunk-cheeked pout could form, Muheon forced himself to speak.

“Because it was cute.”

“…Huh?”

“You mistaking me was just… too cute.”

The rushed confession made the tips of Muheon’s ears burn red. Now that he thought about it, he was a grown man pretending to be an eel just because his adorable boyfriend was misinformed.

And Hakyung, cheeks flushing red again, was no different.