RB 34

“I am not sure.”

“Can a person not know themselves?”

Yeorok’s expression showed that he didn’t understand. Even to Eunho, his own answer sounded foolish. On top of that, Choi Yeorok disliked unclear replies.

Eunho wet his dry lower lip with his tongue and chose his words carefully. If he spoke his thoughts honestly, Yeorok would only see him as more pathetic.

“…I have never watched a movie.”

“Hm?”

“No, I know what a movie is. But I have never seen one.”

Yeorok blinked slowly, as if he could not believe what he had just heard.

“Even on national TV they show them.”

“Our house never had a television.”

“Ah, that is right.”

Yeorok quietly recalled the rooftop room where Sim Eunho had lived. The only things inside were an old cabinet, a refrigerator shorter than him, and a cramped sink.

He straightened his body. He stretched his arm and snatched the DVD Eunho was holding. It was a story about a poor heroine who, after harsh training, finally debuted into high society.

Of all things, he had picked a film similar to his own circumstances. That might have been why he was staring at it so intently.

“Follow me. Let’s check if you like it or not.”

The theater room was practically a closed chamber. There was not even one window, so once the door was shut, the walls closed everything in. Yet strangely it did not feel suffocating. Thanks to the ceiling purifier, fresh air circulated constantly.

Eunho had never sat on such a comfortable sofa, not even in the annex. It was definitely leather, yet his whole body sank in as if swallowed. The comfort was almost blissful.

He ran his fingertips over the pebbled lambskin and then glanced sideways. Yeorok was absorbed in working on a laptop.

The light from the monitor cast clear shadows on his face. The high bridge of his nose, the hard line of his lips, and his eyes that never blinked made him look like a sculpture carved from ivory.

Yeorok tilted his head side to side and spoke.

“Two hours fifty minutes. The running time is quite long.”

Eunho glanced at his wristwatch. The hands pointed to one in the morning. By the time the movie ended it would be very late.

“Ah… then maybe you should go rest first.”

“Can I trust you, Sim Eunho-ssi?”

Yeorok quietly looked at him. Confronted directly with such suspicious eyes, Eunho felt stuck.

“I don’t steal.”

“I know. I was joking.”

Yeorok’s eyes curved faintly.

Eunho let out a cloudy sigh. What kind of joke chilled a person like that? The problem with Choi Yeorok was that his jokes sounded like the truth.

When Yeorok tapped on the keyboard, the huge screen in front of them began the opening sequence. The screen filled the entire wall, overwhelming in itself. The surround sound shook even the skin.

As the film began, Eunho was unconsciously pulled into the screen. Although it had premiered sixty years ago, it was visually impressive. The dazzling costumes and sets, and the heroine’s vivid acting caught his eyes. Since it was a musical, there was not a moment where his attention wavered.

Yeorok had already seen it two or three times, so he had little interest. He only looked at the moving screen out of habit.

But even that did not last long. He really had drunk too much earlier. Combined with fatigue, his movements were slower than usual. He crossed his legs and rubbed his stiff neck. When he turned his head slightly, he saw Sim Eunho beside him with his mouth slightly open.

Eunho was so absorbed that he did not notice being watched. His wide eyes followed only the screen. Was this what a child looked like watching cartoons for the first time? The curiosity and excitement in those bright eyes were simply surprising.

Yeorok laughed and pulled out the tablet PC he had brought. He thought he might as well work while the movie played, though he doubted he could focus.

‎

‎

Thunk–!

Something fell.

Eunho turned his head reflexively. The tablet lay on the floor, glowing faintly. The one who had dropped it was sound asleep.

“Oh…”

He exclaimed in confusion.

Eunho lost interest in the movie and instead focused on Yeorok. He could not leave him like that. He rose carefully and went closer. Was he so tired? Eunho felt guilty, thinking maybe Yeorok could not even rest properly because of him.

Eunho bent his knees and picked up the tablet from the floor. Fortunately the device was clean without a scratch.

Not knowing where to put it, he looked around. The small table was already occupied by the open laptop, and since Yeorok’s legs were crossed it was hard to place it on his lap.

After thinking for a moment, Eunho slid the tablet carefully into the gap between Yeorok’s thigh and the sofa. Then his eyes stopped on Yeorok’s loose hand. The protruding wrist bone and long fingers held his gaze for a while.

When he finally straightened his back, Yeorok’s head had tilted completely to the side. His nodding head looked so uncomfortable it made even the one watching nervous. Eunho couldn’t bring himself to leave. He bit his lip again and again.

Behind them the movie characters sang and danced wildly, but he could no longer pay attention. His mind was full only of how to make this man lie down comfortably.

After long hesitation, Eunho slowly stretched out his arms. He supported Yeorok’s tilted head and lifted it carefully.

Every move was cautious. Afraid of waking him, Eunho even held his breath. He leaned one knee against the gap of the sofa and laid Yeorok’s head on the backrest. The cushion sank under the weight of his head.

All that was left was to pull away, but Eunho’s left hand was stuck between the sofa leather and the back of Yeorok’s head, unable to move either way. With his hand trapped like a hostage, it was only natural that his upper body leaned close. His back twisted under the awkward posture, he felt a cramp might come at any second.

Eunho held the backrest with his free right hand and focused on slowly sliding out his fingers. Just as he was about to succeed, Yeorok’s closed eyelids opened slowly.

Their eyes met. Caught in that snare-like gaze, Eunho could not move a finger.

A breath slipped out of Eunho. The sudden exhale stirred Yeorok’s bangs slightly. Eunho only stared at the face in front of him without saying anything.

From Yeorok’s side, it was a baffling situation. He looked up at Sim Eunho, who seemed about to pin him down.

“What is this?”

As he uncrossed his legs, their shins rubbed against each other. That was how close their bodies were.

Frozen, Eunho blinked slowly. In Yeorok’s view, his long eyelashes trembled clearly.

“I was trying to lay you down.”

“……”

“Your neck was bent to the side, and it looked really uncomfortable.”

Eunho made excuses. His voice trembled, but his expression stayed calm. There was not a trace of ill intent on his clear face. If anything, he looked slightly wronged.

Yeorok studied his face carefully, then sighed.

“I appreciate it, but will you move away now? This posture is even more uncomfortable.”

“Ah, yes.”

Eunho quickly pulled out his hand and stepped back. In that time, Yeorok pushed up his bangs and cleared his drowsy head. When he looked at the clock, it seemed he had slept about thirty minutes.

“Is the movie worth watching?”

“…Yes.”

Back in his seat, Sim Eunho answered while staring at the screen. He had been calm while their bodies were close, but now embarrassment had caught up to him. The way he kept biting his lip made it look like he regretted what had just happened.

To Yeorok, that sight was rather interesting. He touched the corner of his eye and laughed without meaning to. No matter how tired he was, he had fallen asleep right next to Sim Eunho. It seemed even his guard had weakened a lot.

Since it had come to this, he decided to just sleep comfortably. Yeorok folded his arms and sank into the sofa.

“Wake me when the movie ends. I will sleep for a bit.”

“If you are tired, maybe you should go to your room…”

“The sofa is comfortable, I cannot get up.”

Muttering, Yeorok closed his eyes. In this state, he could fall asleep quickly. As he leaned his head back, a heavy sigh came from beside him.

He did not need to see to know what kind of expression Sim Eunho was making. The faint smile lingering on Yeorok’s lips as he fell asleep did not leave.

‎

‎

“You watched a movie?”

Seo Taehwa asked back, unable to believe it. Eunho nodded and pressed the ice pack he had been given against his left eyelid. Watching until late at night had left his eyes bloodshot.

“Must have been nice. It has been a long time since I watched a movie too…”

“The facilities were good.”

“Of course, the sound system there is on par with a theater. I went to see it once as a kid.”

Since Eunho had never been to a theater, he could not compare what was better. He recalled the memory from last night and lowered the ice pack.

“I do not know much about movies. Can you recommend something you enjoyed?”

“You are going to watch another?”

Again, Seo Taehwa could not hide his surprise. His reaction was so unexpected that Eunho felt a bit embarrassed.

“Yes… we decided to watch again next week.”

“Does he even have time to watch movies?”

Hearing him murmur to himself made Eunho feel like he was being a burden. Watching movies together was not really education, it was closer to stealing Yeorok’s time. Not knowing how to answer, Eunho bit his lip.

“Since we do not talk during the movie, maybe the chairman uses that time to rest.”

“True. He is probably not watching anyway, just thinking about something else.”

Only then did Taehwa agree. Meeting once a week also helped close the distance between them. Better to watch a movie than drink. Thinking about it, there was no real reason to object. He realized his nerves were only on edge because of what Choi Yeorok had said yesterday, and he felt sorry toward Eunho.

“Hmm… for late-night viewing, something calm might be better.”

Taehwa recommended a few titles. Watching Eunho absorb the information without any hidden intent, he leaned his chin on his hand.

“Is Yeorok still hard for you to deal with? Watching a movie together must be suffocating.”

“No. It is not really awkward.”

He still found Yeorok difficult, but it was better than the solemn one-on-one drinking sessions. When he focused on the movie, time went by quickly.

After Eunho explained, Taehwa smiled and picked up his teacup.

“I see. That is good then.”

His voice was lower than usual. Worried Eunho might notice, Taehwa forced an even brighter smile.

Eunho-ya, do not give your heart to Choi Yeorok. You will only be hurt later. The advice hovered on his tongue, but he swallowed it down with the tea.