RB 133

When Eunho stepped outside at 11 p.m., a familiar car was parked across from the shop. The luxury sedan looked out of place against the backdrop of buildings faded by time.

Eunho reflexively lifted his arms and sniffed. The scent of grease clung to him. He had been trapped in meat smoke for hours, so it was only natural for the smell to soak into his clothes and hair. He tried to shake his shirt out, but it wasn’t useful.

He finally gave up and opened the back door. Choi Yeorok sat on the plush leather seat. His eyes met Eunho’s. He set aside his tablet and turned all his attention to Eunho.

“You worked hard today.”

The greeting was warm. Eunho responded with a simple nod and sat beside him to fasten his seatbelt.

A subtle, refined fragrance filled the car. However, as soon as Eunho sat down, the greasy smell of meat began to take over the small space. Embarrassed, Eunho ruffled his hair.

“I… smell a lot.”

“It’s fine.”

Yeorok reached out to fix Eunho’s messy bangs. His long, slender fingers acted as a comb and gently massaged Eunho’s scalp.

It felt strange. It wasn’t just the physical sensation, the affection in the gesture made Eunho’s skin tingle. Overwhelmed by the awkwardness, Eunho cleared his throat and pulled his head back. Yeorok let his hand fall away.

The car glided through the dark streets. It left the humble neighborhood behind and soon merged into the dense forest of skyscrapers in the city center. Eunho watched the blurred lights outside the window before he finally spoke.

“Where are we going?”

He had assumed they were headed to the mansion. But the car traveled in a completely different direction.

“To our home.”

Yeorok answered. Even in the car, he sat with his legs crossed in a refined manner. He gently patted the back of Eunho’s hand.

“I hope you like it, Sim Eunho.”

Yeorok’s eyes crinkled into a soft, charming smile. It was a look designed to captivate.

Eunho discreetly swallowed. He felt a premonition that he would struggle to adapt to this new version of Choi Yeorok.

The high walls and the even taller houses in the area were somewhat intimidating. However, despite the oppressive atmosphere of the neighborhood, the house where they would live together looked modest. It prioritized warmth and practicality over a display of wealth.

“It’s an older house. But I remodeled it, so it should be quite comfortable.”

“…Why here?”

Eunho looked at him, confused. A man like Choi Yeorok could easily build a new house or choose a luxury penthouse. Furthermore, he was the type who usually preferred things untouched by others.

“The location has good energy.”

“…Do you believe in superstitions, Chairman?”

“The previous owners were a good couple. They were each other’s first loves, and apparently, they never fought once while they lived here.”

The explanation was baffling. Yeorok was not the type of person to be moved by such sentimental stories.

“Plus, they were brothers.”

“……”

“I heard no one suspected a thing, even though their bond was unusually deep.”

Yeorok smiled at Eunho. The latter looked as if someone had struck him on the back of the head. Yeorok held out his hand to the stunned man.

“Let’s go. We should see the house.”

The tour felt endless. It was smaller than the Haegang mansion, but the two-story house was by no means tiny. It was almost too spacious for just two people.

The furniture was already in place. He saw traces of daily life scattered throughout the rooms. It felt like a place where people actually lived.

Yeorok took Eunho’s hand and showed him one specific room. It featured a walk-in closet and an attached bathroom. Even without an explanation, Eunho knew this was his space.

The atmosphere was completely different from Choi Yoonho’s previous room. Specifically, it lacked any of Yoonho’s personal tastes. Even the clothes in the closet were simple. This space was decorated entirely according to Eunho’s own preferences.

Yeorok knew Eunho’s tastes better than Eunho knew them himself. He had brought everything together perfectly. As Eunho looked around the simple and practical room, his mind grew calm. The weight on his shoulders finally disappeared.

Eunho carefully looked around. He could feel how much effort Yeorok had put into these preparations.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t come back?”

Yeorok leaned against the wall and watched Eunho’s reaction with a smile.

“Then I would have stayed locked in this house, missing you for the rest of my life.”

“……”

“I was prepared for that outcome, so you don’t need to look so serious.”

Eunho rubbed his mouth. His face had stiffened without him realizing it. He took a breath and tried to relax his expression. Suddenly, the smell of grease wafted up from his rough hands.

“I… I want to wash up.”

Yeorok pulled clothes and underwear from the dresser. He moved without a hint of hesitation, like a man who knew exactly where everything was placed.

“Would you like a drink… after you wash up?”

“……”

“Or you can just sleep if you’re tired.”

Although he sounded normal, there was a hint of anxiety in his voice. It might have gone unnoticed by a stranger, but Eunho could clearly see it.

“Let’s drink.”

Only then did Yeorok show a satisfied smile. He told Eunho to take his time and promised to have the drinks ready. Eunho nodded in response.

He stepped into the bathroom, turned on the warm water, and scrubbed away the day’s grime and exhaustion. He was surrounded by pristine tiles, aesthetically perfect stone walls, and the scent of fragrant soap suds. He realized that he had returned to a life of wealth.

The difference this time was he felt peaceful. He no longer felt like he was borrowing someone else’s life. He didn’t have to try to be Choi Yoonho anymore. The weight had vanished, and he felt much lighter.

He dried himself off and changed into the clothes Yeorok had set out. The bath had left his body pleasantly sluggish.

As he stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom, Eunho froze. He thought Yeorok had already left, but the man was standing in the exact same spot as before.

“Chairman?”

Eunho cautiously called out to him. He couldn’t help it; Yeorok’s state seemed unusual. His posture against the wall hadn’t changed, and his physical stature was imposing, but he looked strangely drained and fragile.

“What is it? Are you feeling unwell? Do you have a headache?”

Eunho stepped closer to examine his face. Yeorok remained silent. He stared at Eunho, who was anxiously hovering in front of him.

“To be honest,” he finally began, his voice slow. “I wouldn’t have been okay. I didn’t even want to imagine this house without you.”

The corners of his eyes twitched slightly as he looked at Eunho. He laid bare his feelings.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t lie to you again. Yet here I am, still acting proud and saying hollow, polished words. I don’t know how to fix this part of myself.”

“……”

“I still can’t believe you’re back. I keep wondering if this is real, or if you’re only staying here against your will because you feel forced.”

Yeorok’s left hand trembled slightly. He clenched it into a tight fist to hide the shaking, but the effort only made his entire hand tremble more noticeably.

“Are you alright with staying by my side?”

He barely managed to get the words out. He kept his head lowered, unable to look Eunho in the eye.

“……”

Eunho had never seen him this vulnerable. This display of fear and anxiety was a far cry from Yeorok’s usual nature, and it made him feel more human.

Eunho waited in silence for a long moment. Then, he cupped Yeorok’s cheeks with both hands. He stood on his tiptoes and kissed the man’s trembling lips. A soft, wet sound followed as they pulled apart. Eunho kissed the man once more, intentionally trying to comfort him.

“It’s okay. I’m right here.”

“……”

“You didn’t force me to come here, Chairman. I chose this.”

Finally, Yeorok opened his arms. He hugged Eunho and held him with all his strength, just as he had longed to do. Eunho’s warmth and weight in his arms proved this wasn’t a dream.

Only Sim Eunho made him feel like a complete human being. Eunho was precious and beloved, a presence he would never trade for anything in the world.