RB 85

Lately, the two of them had been spending much more time together.

Whenever Yeorok was home, he often called Eunho to the mansion and heard the day’s events directly from him. They sometimes had in-depth conversations about upcoming plans, and sometimes they read books or listened to music together in silence.

Yeorok’s private study in the mansion was his most personal space, a sanctuary no one could enter freely. At some point, that room had become Eunho’s favorite place.

When they were together, Choi Yeorok often touched Eunho’s body like someone whose hands couldn’t stay still. He tugged at his ear or ran his fingers through his hair. His touch was similar to the way a person would stroke a pet.

Eunho asked if he had ever raised a dog. Yeorok replied that he had, for a short while when he was a child.

“I never got attached, so after a while I didn’t care even if it disappeared. Maybe it ran away or was sent to another house.”

He recounted his past in a calm tone. It was a cold confession.

Every time that happened, Eunho realized that this man was more emotionally dry than ordinary people. But Choi Yeorok took good care of the few people he allowed inside his own boundaries. It could be seen as a privilege.

Whenever Eunho received Yeorok’s touch inside that private space, he was moved in a way he couldn’t describe. Just being patted on the head or touched on bare skin made him feel as if he had become something special.

How amazing it was to share time with such a busy man. Eunho rubbed his bare feet on the soft carpet with his knees together. Before he knew it, his head lifted, and he quietly looked up at Yeorok’s face as he sat on the sofa.

Yeorok, who was flipping through some documents beside him, noticed the gaze and lowered his eyes. Without saying anything, he reached out his left hand and gently stroked Eunho’s forehead.

“What’s wrong?”

Without understanding what was going on inside him, Yeorok smiled with those graceful eyes. That only made Eunho’s one-sided feelings deepen further.

“Do you want something?”

In moments like this, things usually started with a kiss. Even now, Yeorok closed the documents he had been reading. His straight back tilted slightly toward Eunho.

“If I tell you, will you listen?”

“It depends on what it is.”

Eunho wiggled his toes. The short carpet fibers twisted between his white toes. Yeorok didn’t overlook even that small motion.

“Say it.”

“I want to go out for some fresh air with you, Chairman.”

Yeorok had expected something like a request to kiss or sleep together, but the sudden, random wish made him laugh.

“A date?”

“Not exactly a date.”

Eunho had already predicted his startled reaction. While Eunho frantically waved both hands, Yeorok indifferently checked his wristwatch.

“Is there anywhere to go at this hour?”

It was already past one in the morning. Though the late hour was a good time to avoid attention.

After thinking for a moment, Yeorok got up first and went into the dressing room to pick out some clothes. When he called, “Sim Eunho-ssi,” Eunho slowly followed him inside.

Yeorok handed him a padded jacket and a black cap, clothes that someone had bought but the original owner had never worn. Eunho put them on with careful awareness. The size didn’t fit, so the shoulder line was low and the sleeves covered his hands. He looked like someone wearing borrowed clothes.

After they both finished getting ready, they got in the car together. As expected for the hour, the road was quiet, and they could drive comfortably. After crossing the bridge, a black river flowed calmly to their right, and golden city lights sparkled along the water.

Eunho admired the view absentmindedly and asked carefully, “Chairman, can I open the window?”

Yeorok kept his eyes on the road and quietly pressed the button. When the passenger-side window lowered, Eunho immediately leaned his forehead outside. A cold breeze messed up his soft hair.

Even as the wind directly hit his face, Eunho seemed to enjoy it. He twisted his body toward the window and crossed his arms while he took in the breeze. The side view of him made it seem as if he even felt refreshed.

While driving, Yeorok glanced sideways. He thought he felt a déjà vu, and he realized that it looked like when pet dogs stick their heads out the passenger window. He barely managed to not laugh.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

But Sim Eunho couldn’t endure the harsh winter wind for long. With his nose red and frozen, he quickly raised the window. Yeorok reached out and silently turned up the car’s temperature.

After driving for a while, the car arrived at the mouth of the Han River. There were a few parked cars, but most seemed to be long-term parking, and the surroundings looked as desolate as the weather.

“You’ll catch a cold.”

Yeorok had no intention of wandering around in weather like this. The pitch-black riverside, with no lights, was nothing worth seeing and couldn’t even pique his interest.

When he looked beside him, Eunho had already pulled his hat down and fastened his coat. His fully prepared look made Yeorok laugh again.

“Sim Eunho-ssi, were you born in the year of the dog?”

“Yes.”

“Well, dogs have always liked taking walks.”

As if he had no other choice, Yeorok unfastened his seat belt. Then he picked up the coat that he had thrown on the back seat and spoke.

“Let’s go buy some coffee.”

The two of them walked along a quiet street on purpose. Even though it was late, there were groups of runners and couples walking close together, passing by.

Every time they encountered people, Eunho pulled his cap lower. Yeorok, who matched his pace beside him, watched what Eunho was doing with close attention.

“You know that makes you look even more suspicious, right?”

“What if someone recognizes me?”

The shadow of the cap already covered half of his small face. Most of his jawline was buried under the thick padding, almost completely hidden.

At this rate, no one would recognize him, and even if someone saw him, they would never think that he was that Choi Yoonho. Why would Choi Yoonho be out taking a walk with Choi Yeorok? It was far more realistic that people would mistake him for Yeorok’s secret lover.

On the road where they looked for a cafe, food stalls lined up one after another. They were illegal street tents that only opened at night. From the white steam wafting out from inside the tents covered with red roofs and clear plastic sheets, the smell seemed to lure customers in.

“Oh.”

Eunho stopped walking after seeing the words written on the side of one tent.

“What’s wrong?”

“It says tteokbokki there…”

“No.”

Yeorok grabbed Eunho’s wrist and pulled him along without hesitation. Eunho, who was dragged along helplessly, continued turning back again and again.

“Are you sulking?”

“……”

“You won’t even answer?”

“……”

Eunho walked with his head down. His steps on the ground were full of reluctance. His round head looked impossibly dejected.

“…This is annoying.”

Yeorok muttered to himself without thinking. His mood dropped just because of one reaction from Sim Eunho. He was already doing something out of character, and yet instead of being grateful, Eunho looked sullen, which irritated him greatly.

In the end, Yeorok caught Eunho’s wrist again and turned back the way they came. He could feel Eunho’s surprised gaze beside him, but Yeorok only walked with a firm face and long strides. Soon, he entered the same stall Eunho had been eyeing earlier. There were no customers at all, which made it clear that the food was bad or the owner was unfriendly.

Yeorok scanned the inside with a displeased look. The plastic chairs with no backs and the sticky-looking tables all displeased him equally. But when he saw Eunho’s expression, he could only sight. The young man beside him had puffed his cheeks, full of excitement and anticipation.

Yeorok walked to the inner side and sat down first. He glanced at his watch out of habit and crossed his legs slowly.

“Eat quickly and let’s go.”

“If you don’t like this place, should I ask them to pack it?”

“I hate it more when my car smells.”

His tone was so harsh that Eunho lost his words. He lifted the brim of his cap a little and looked at Yeorok carefully, and the cold face met his gaze directly.

“Eat fast while there’s no one around.”

“Yes.”

Eunho smiled softly. In the past, he would have gotten scared, but now he knew that Yeorok was being considerate toward him. If he really hated it, he wouldn’t have stepped into the tent at all. His voice sounded cold, but this was him showing the greatest patience he could.

Eunho looked at the menu and ordered tteokbokki and fritters. After ordering, he also brought cups of fishcake broth. He placed one in front of Yeorok too, but Yeorok crossed his arms tightly to show he had no intention of drinking it.

“Do you know what tteokbokki is?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Have you actually tried it before?”

“……”

He had nothing to say. Yeorok answered with silence instead.

The food came out quickly. The plate of thick tteokbokki and fritters was small and unimpressive. Above all, they served it on a plastic plate covered with vinyl, which made the sight even more absurd.

Yeorok looked down at the plate as if he couldn’t believe it.