JD 61

He didn’t know exactly what had upset Hakyung enough to make him pout like that, but Muheon comforted him right away. Maybe he’d been too stern and cold, and it had intimidated him.

“Did I scare you with how harsh I sounded?”

“Nooo, it’s not that.”

Hakyung trailed off and shook his head. He wasn’t upset with boss at all.

“Then come here.”

Muheon took Hakyung’s hand and pulled him closer, leaning his cheek in front of those small lips. Realizing what Muheon meant by the gesture, Hakyung twitched the corners of his mouth.

Smooch smooch! With adorable, playful sounds, Hakyung kissed Muheon’s cheek, and the little grudge in his heart started to melt away. He was perfectly fine just being close to boss like this; feeling upset was a waste of time.

Rather than fretting over a task that was still far, far down the line, Hakyung decided to spend his time a bit more productively. Even if boss had lived for hundreds of years, every minute and second was precious to Hakyung.

“Where do I look for the gift? It’s for grandma, so I want to pick something nice!”

“Over there.”

Muheon smiled at the cheerful river dolphin Hakyung had returned to being. He was relieved to see how quickly Hakyung bounced back.

Even for Muheon, who had lived for centuries, every single moment spent with Hakyung sparkled brightly—and felt just as precious.

***

He could tell from looking that Muheon’s main residence was big, but he didn’t expect there to be an actual market inside. Hakyung looked around with a puzzled expression, as if he’d wandered into a village.

He’d thought when Muheon mentioned getting gifts, they were going to forage some seaweed nearby—he hadn’t expected this at all.

Following Muheon around the back of the estate, there were freshly caught fish, and even at a glance, there were precious, high-grade pearls and corals. The sight of all kinds of daily necessities lined up at stalls was overwhelming.

“Oh, that’s salted chocolate!”

“Yup. They make it right here.”

“They have all the snacks your hyungs gave me too!”

After the initial awkwardness faded, Hakyung darted around the market like a fish in water, enjoying the sights.

It was a regular market held twice a week. Last time, they’d come on an off day, so Muheon couldn’t show him around, and after that, well…

All the sea beastmen of the West Sea came here to buy, sell, or barter. It wasn’t like the mainland with huge corporations or distribution networks, but the sea had its own rules. They also exchanged goods and maintained relations with beastmen from other regions.

At the center of it all was always Muheon—but in truth, he didn’t have much interest in how the West Sea functioned. He’d even spent decades asleep just to avoid the hassle.

It was a relief that all his subordinates were independent and clever.

“Take your time picking.”

Muheon’s expression brightened as he stood beside the excited Hakyung. The market vendors, seeing Muheon out and about for the first time, stared in surprise.

“That one—grandma made a side dish with it last time and said it was tasty.”

“I remember.”

“Right? We should get it!”

Before Muheon could even respond, Hakyung went over and ordered various seaweeds and shellfish from the stall. Chatting cheerfully, it wasn’t long before he turned back to Muheon with an awkward look.

Muheon, standing behind and waiting to be called, chuckled softly.

“They don’t take cards here.”

“Y-yeah, I figured…”

Hakyung put the wallet he’d been gripping tightly back into his pocket. This really wasn’t the kind of place to expect a card reader.

“Then, boss… could I borrow some money?”

“Borrow? I’ll pay.”

“But it’s a gift for grandma…”

“Exactly. That’s why I should buy it. It’s a special trip to the sea.”

Muheon gathered up the things Hakyung had picked out. He also grabbed some fish from the stall next to them.

Of course, the vendors didn’t take anything from Muheon. Instead, they did their best to give him even more. It was to the point that Hakyung felt embarrassed watching how enthusiastically they handed things over to Muheon—it was like fans meeting their favorite idol.

So many vendors handed him things that even Muheon’s broad arms were almost not enough to carry them all.

“Wow. Boss, you’re super popular.”

“…I’ve been around for centuries.”

Saying his age so casually now, he wondered why he ever bothered hiding it.

Hakyung, finally realizing how old boss really was, hesitated for a moment, then grinned.

“In the sea, you’ll always be oppa.”

“Gross.”

Muheon shuddered with disgust. But Hakyung just smiled wider. He really wanted to keep teasing this old, grumpy man.

Of course, boss wasn’t someone who took teasing quietly—so Hakyung’s next attempt didn’t get very far.

***

Like a midsummer night’s dream, the week under the sea passed quickly. The very idea that he—who used to flinch at seawater—had breathed, eaten, and chatted casually with sea beastmen in the scary ocean depths… it was honestly an incredible achievement.

And the fact that over just one week, his affection with boss hadn’t just deepened but practically soared to heaven—that was the greatest success of all.

The backpack that had been full of adult-only items now felt light, and he’d filled the space with gifts for grandma. That alone made him proud.

“I’ll escort you back.”

Gi Sang-oh bowed politely to Hakyung and Muheon. Hakyung smiled and returned the bow. Behind Gi Sang-oh stood a line of subordinates with regretful expressions.

Hakyung had thought they were still at the market—when did they all gather here?

Looking at the sea beastmen, each with their own unique features, Hakyung suddenly felt guilty. They probably wanted Muheon to stay in the sea, not go back to land. But Hakyung couldn’t stay here forever either…

Dragging boss away to the land, Hakyung couldn’t bring himself to meet their eyes.

“Take care, Mr. Hakyung! Come visit again next time!”

“Yes, absolutely! I’ll make even tastier food for you then!”

But their concern for Hakyung matched their care for Muheon. Their warm send-off made Hakyung’s eyes sting. His nose tingled, and he sniffled quietly. They were such kind beastmen—it made him feel even worse.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not! I’m just moved.”

Muheon reached out and gently rubbed Hakyung’s hat-covered head. He could read the flood of emotions running through his river dolphin without a word, so he just comforted him in silence.

The subordinates, meanwhile, were losing their minds over the affectionate display. This was the first time they’d seen boss act like this.

After that emotional farewell (at least for Hakyung), they returned to land. Just like when they came, it felt like passing through a short tunnel—and suddenly, they were back on the beach.

Hakyung hopped in place on the dry sand in his fresh shoes and clothes. It really felt like magic.

Though, breathing outside the water was definitely easier. Under the sea, it had felt a little like having a mild cold—slightly stuffy. But now, all that was gone.

“Boss, I guess I really am a river dolphin.”

“Hmm?”

“Breathing is way easier out here than in the sea.”

Whoosh! Hakyung opened his mouth wide and lifted his hat slightly. The blowhole at the crown of his head twitched happily in the open air.

Watching him, Gi Sang-oh and Muheon both smiled. Clearly, everything had gone well, and his lighthearted antics made them proud.

“Any ear pain? Dizziness?”

“Nope, none at all!”

“Thank goodness.”

Standing beside him, Gi Sang-oh closely observed Hakyung’s condition and let out a relieved breath. Since Hakyung had gone underwater after taking the medicine he’d prepared, he wouldn’t have been able to face Muheon if anything went wrong.

Sensing his concern, Hakyung did a quick round of in-place stretches to show he was fine. His short limbs flailed energetically in comparison to Muheon and Gi Sang-oh’s long ones—it was honestly kind of pathetic.

Still, Muheon worried he’d get sore if he moved like that and pulled him into his arms to stop him.

To Gi Sang-oh, it was an outrageous level of overprotection. But in Muheon’s arms, Hakyung was blushing again at the boss’s tenderness.

Even just hugging like this with clothes on made him feel dizzy with happiness. If it were skin-to-skin… just thinking about it made his nose want to bleed.

Moved in a very different way, Hakyung sniffled again and took a deep breath. He also took in a full lungful of Muheon’s cool, refreshing scent.

He was a pervy river dolphin, hopelessly into Muheon.