SLC 71

Kim Jinkyung quickly took the papers and examined the terms of the contract regarding the debt clearance that followed.

” …Kim Jinkyung, hereafter referred to as Party B, shall take responsibility for sending Mok Seongha, hereafter referred to as Party A, to university….”

[From this point forward, Party B shall assist with all education for Party A’s social adaptation. All educational activities are calculated at an hourly rate and will continue until Party A declares his intent to terminate the arrangement. The calculation follows a level payment method of principal and interest, with interest set at the maximum legal rate over a seventy-year repayment period.]

The long string of minor details that followed were, to put it nicely, instructions to keep Mok Seongha by his side for a long time for high-priced private tutoring and socialization training. To put it realistically, they meant that the bastard would not be free from the contract until Mok Seongha let him go. And even if the contract ended, the money still had to be repaid.

“How can the amount be this much….”

“Detailed breakdowns regarding the damages are attached on the back page,” Mok Seongha informed Kim Jinkyung of the debt details in a sweet voice. Kim Jinkyung turned a page and then his eyes flew wide open.

“A single panther is this expensive?”

“The cost of importing it, getting zoo approval, and maintaining the facilities adds up to that amount.”

“…Why am I the one paying for that?”

“Because I brought him out and used him because of you?”

“…….”

It’s because of you.

Kim Jinkyung said the words he couldn’t dare say in front of Secretary Kang with his eyes.

“You certainly date at a high price.”

Secretary Kang said as he scanned the contract from behind with his arms crossed.

“No, I…. This…. …This doesn’t make sense.”

“What do you mean it doesn’t make sense? It’s only natural. You are both adults, so you must take responsibility for your actions. Did you not state at the airport that you would take full responsibility? There is a recording. And there is also the camera footage from the airport.”

Secretary Kang said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and shook it.

“By taking responsibility, I meant legal responsibility, I meant I would go to prison.”

“Why the hell would you go to prison?! Fuck. To a place only with men! For whose benefit?!”

Mok Seongha looked up and fiercely shouted.

“…Who goes to prison because they like it?”

“I don’t know. No. Don’t go. Just stay by my side for the rest of your life and tutor me.”

“How can I only tutor you for the rest of my life? I need to have a job too.”

“Did you see the back page? Your pay is 200,000 won per hour. We will raise the pay every year to account for the inflation rate. Look closely. Right here. You’re good at math. If you stick together twenty-four hours a day, you’ll earn more than the monthly repayment amount. There are special bonuses if you get him into university. It’s better than a company.”

Only then did Secretary Kang realize why the young master appeared with such a joyful face while handing his lover a debt claim contract worth billions.

He must have made a deal with the Chairman.

‘Seongha revealed himself at the airport? On purpose?’

As soon as he returned to the mansion from the airport, Secretary Kang went to Chairman Choi to report the incident. Chairman Choi, who had already received a brief summary of the situation over the phone, put down the book he was reading and asked that.

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

Chairman Choi did not ask about his grandson’s safety, but rather the purpose of his actions first. It was typical of him. He already perceived the fact that the grandson’s safety was a prerequisite for Secretary Kang to report so calmly.

‘…I believe it was to stop Teacher Kim from leaving the country.’

He expected the young master to cause trouble. However, he never imagined the man would transform into a panther and pounce on Kim Jinkyung in front of everyone.

‘So, did he stop him?’

‘Pardon?’

Secretary Kang was surprised by the unexpected question and reflexively asked.

‘You said he tried to stop Teacher Kim’s departure. I am asking if the departure was stopped.’

‘Yes…he stopped it.’

‘If he caused such a scene, there should be a harvest. So, where is Seongha?’

Secretary Kang clutched his head as soon as he confirmed the scale of the accident the young master caused. After he organized the methods of how to clean up the mess, he started making calls. After he settled everything one by one with an enormous amount of money, he drove the two to the mansion in a prepared vehicle. Before that, he also gave a brief briefing on the situation to the chairman. The problem was that the two became unreachable after they got off at a hotel, saying they had something to discuss for a moment.

‘The young master is… he said he has something to discuss with the teacher.’

‘Tell them to come in once the talk is over.’

‘…I am not sure when it will end.’

‘It’s not like they’ll talk all day. Tell them to cut it short and both of them come to the room.’

‘…..’

It seemed that “cutting it short” was not the plan.

Mok Seongha, who claimed he had something very private and important to say, told Secretary Kang not to knock on the hotel room door unless he contacted him first. When Secretary Kang asked when he should come back, Mok Seongha gave a shocking answer: “In three or four days?” Secretary Kang held his ground so the door couldn’t be closed, and finally managed to get an answer to come the next day before returning.

‘…Where are they?’

Chairman Choi, sensing that his grandson was not inside the mansion, asked.

Would it be the right thing to tell an old man with not much time left that his grandson went into a hotel with a man?

‘Uicheol-ah.’

Chairman Choi called Kang Uicheol’s name in a low voice.

‘Yes. They are staying in Suite 1708 at Hotel P near Incheon Airport.’

Right or wrong, Chairman Choi was the law and the truth to him. After hearing the answer, he remained silent with a heavy expression.

‘Seongha is still young and doesn’t know what’s important yet….’

The old man’s lips trembled slightly as he spoke. Secretary Kang clenched both hands behind his back, braced for the storm that would certainly follow.

‘Bring me Lawyer Kim and Representative Yoon.’

‘Pardon? Both of them, sir? Right now?‘

Lawyer Kim was the head of the law firm in charge of the mansion’s legal matters, and Representative Yoon was the tax accountant who handled the accounting for the family’s companies.

‘Since when did you start asking so many questions about the tasks I give you?’

‘I am sorry. I will contact them immediately.’

Secretary Kang bowed his head, stepped outside, and reached out to the heads of the law firm and the tax firm. At that time, he simply thought they were dealing with urgent business, but it seemed that urgent business was legally binding Kim Jinkyung.

“…Are you saying I have to be with Seongha-ssi twenty-four hours a day for seventy years to clear the debt?”

Kim Jinkyung asked with a pale face, finally grasping the intent of the contract.

“Yeah. You don’t necessarily have to teach; just being by my side is fine. There’s a special provision there. The part about the pay being adjusted slightly.”

Mok Seongha meticulously pointed out the special provisions written at the bottom of the contract. Kim Jinkyung staggered while clutching the contract and sat down in a chair.

“This makes no sense….”

Mumbling the same words as before, Kim Jinkyung reread the contract and the damage compensation guide. As if to prove he was a sincere, model student, he read that thick stack of documents from the first page to the last, including every tiny special provision. After he finished, Kim Jinkyung collapsed over the desk.

“Teacher. Sign it.”

Mok Seongha ignored his state and held out a pen, urging him to sign the slave contract.

“…How are you going to pay your share, Seongha-ssi?”

The compensation for damages was billed exactly half-and-half.

“Me? I already paid.”

“What? How? With what money?”

“With the money I inherited.”

“Money received before death is considered a gift.”

Secretary Kang corrected the terminology from the side.

“I have my mother’s inheritance too.”

“Ah, I see. I am sorry. I was confused. In this case, I suppose it is accurate to describe it as a mix of gifts and inheritance.”

Kim Jinkyung looked back and forth between Mok Seongha and Secretary Kang. His eyes were full of resentment, feeling as though he had been swindled.

“Aren’t you signing?”

Mok Seongha took the pen himself and forced it into Kim Jinkyung’s hand.

“…I won’t.”

“What? Why? You promised to be buried alive with me. Did you not read the part about the burial site on the very last page?”

“I read it.”

“Then why won’t you do it?”

“Who on earth writes such things into a contract? I will compensate you for the damages. However, I really don’t think this format is right.”

“What exactly isn’t right?”

The intensity in Mok Seongha’s eyes dropped.

“It probably isn’t very pleasant to have a relationship pinned down by a contract. Even if you don’t feel that way, it might feel forced.”

When Secretary Kang took Kim Jinkyung’s side, Mok Seongha glared at him. Kim Jinkyung wondered why this man was taking his side for once, but he quickly thanked him.

“Don’t mention it. But you are quite impressive. You made such a difficult decision.”

“What decision?”

Kim Jinkyung blinked and asked. Perhaps because of his long neck and large eyes, whenever he blinked with a frightened look, he reminded one of a unaware deer right before it is hunted.

“You did calculate 6.2 billion won over a seventy-year equal repayment of principal and interest with the interest rate written in the contract, right?”

“Pardon?”

“Give it a try.”

Secretary Kang placed paper and a pen in front of Kim Jinkyung and continued.

“I told you back then. It costs a lot of money to raise a panther.”

You should have released him when you had the chance.

Secretary Kang stuffed the last apple from the plate into his mouth and left the room.

‎

‎

‎

“Nng… Hng…”

Kim Jinkyung, suddenly cornered against the wall, let out a feverish breath and grabbed Mok Seongha’s shoulders. Even while they kissed, Mok Seongha did not close his eyes but glared at Kim Jinkyung as he swirled his tongue inside his mouth. He kissed him while rubbing his lower body against Kim Jinkyung.

Mok Seongha let him go once he was almost out of breath.

“Haah…. …Haah.”

Kim Jinkyung’s lips, red with heat, glistened with saliva. Mok Seongha cursed as he saw that. He deliberately bit down on Kim Jinkyung’s lower lip.

“Ngh.”

When Kim Jinkyung frowned, Mok Seongha immediately licked his lips. He repeated this several times. Kim Jinkyung knew this was a protest directed at him.

“…Seongha-ssi.”

“Your personality is rotten.”

“…….”

Since he had never been criticized for his personality by anyone in his life, Kim Jinkyung could not figure out how to respond.

“Is it true you’ve never dated? Playing with a person like this.”

“I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t, my ass. Fuck.”

Mok Seongha bit the tip of Kim Jinkyung’s nose. The latter looked up at him feeling it was unfair while touching his nose where the tooth marks remained, but Mok Seongha just walked out of the room.

“Haah….”

Kim Jinkyung sighed as he looked at the contract tossed carelessly on the table. After returning from the airport, Kim Jinkyung decided to stay at the mansion for the time being. He did not have the means to find a house again, but more importantly, Mok Seongha would not allow it.

However, the atmosphere between the two was not very good. This was because Kim Jinkyung stubbornly refused to sign the contract Mok Seongha presented. He urged him to sign whenever he had the opportunity, and Kim Jinkyung stubbornly shook his head.

Mok Seongha got angry every time, but even though Kim Jinkyung was terrified, he never bent his will. As the refusals repeated, Mok Seongha glared at Kim Jinkyung as if he would devour him whenever he saw him. Then, if their eyes even met, Mok Seongha would rush in and kiss him. For over an hour while standing.

The kiss from a moment ago started just like that too.

Kim Jinkyung rubbed his stinging lips and tucked the contract into a desk drawer. Unsigned contracts were already piled high on the desk. Each time a new contract was printed, another day’s worth of interest was added.

The wicked bastard.

Kim Jinkyung massaged his throbbing temples and agonized over how to overcome this unrealistic situation.

“…….”

He eventually grabbed his wallet and left the room. He asked an employee about the young master’s whereabouts and headed to the study. Mok Seongha was lying on the sofa alone reading a book, and he did not turn his head even though he noticed Kim Jinkyung enter.

“Seongha-ssi.”

Kim Jinkyung called him, but Mok Seongha ignored him as he flipped a page. He expressed with his entire body that he was sulking.

“I am going out for a bit.”

“What?”

Mok Seongha threw the book he was reading and jumped upright from the sofa.

“I plan to go to the bookstore. I want to pick out some books to use for your lessons, Seongha-ssi.”

“Why go anywhere? If you need books, you can just order them.”

“I prefer to see them in person before I choose.”

He just wanted some fresh air because he was feeling suffocated, but he said that for now. Checking workbooks with his own eyes before picking them was also a long-standing habit of his.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

Mok Seongha urgently spoke and looked for his coat.

“You can’t go out.”

“…….”

In reality, the claim for damages wasn’t punishment for Mok Seongha. Deducting the compensation from his assets was like removing a few grains of sand from a beach. The real punishment was something else.

Because he purposely transformed into a panther at the airport, he was banned from going out for a month. Previously, he would have scoffed at such a thing, but in the current situation where he had to watch Kim Jinkyung leave alone, it started to feel like a real punishment.

“I will be back quickly by myself.”

“I’ll go too. Wait here for a second.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get permission from grandfather.”

Mok Seongha jumped over the sofa and ran toward Chairman Choi’s room. At times like this, he looked exactly like a well-behaved child.

Not long after, a fierce shout erupted from Chairman Choi’s room.

“How can you do this!? I’ll pay more in fines instead! I only need to go out once. Just once! Just this once!”

“Don’t talk nonsense and stay cooped up in the house to reflect on your actions!”

“If being cooped up leads to reflection, I’ve lived cooped up all this time, so can’t you count some of that?!”

Shouts flew back and forth between the grandson and grandfather. Kim Jinkyung quietly grabbed his clothes and went out to the entrance.

“I have prepared a car.”

Secretary Kang said as he followed him to the entrance.

“No, thank you. It’s a quick trip by bus. I’ll take the bus and come back.”

He wanted to walk alone, get some air, and clear his cluttered mind.

“Yes. Then have a safe trip.”

He expected some resistance, but Secretary Kang stepped aside. As Kim Jinkyung put on his shoes, Secretary Kang opened the door behind him and spoke.

“There is no country as good to live in as South Korea.”

“Pardon?”

The sudden patriotic remark caught Kim Jinkyung off guard and he asked with wide eyes.

“Because there are cameras everywhere you go, so it is safe.”

“…….”

If you disappear again, I will find you by any means, break your limbs, and make you kneel before the young master.

Kim Jinkyung realized the implication behind the words and quickly answered.

“I won’t run away. I am really only going to buy books and come back.”

“Who said otherwise? Have a good trip.”

Secretary Kang opened the front door. Kim Jinkyung bowed his head and hurried out of the entrance. Before he could walk more than a few steps, someone ran up from behind and grabbed his arm.

“Don’t go.”

It was Mok Seongha.

…Without even putting on shoes.

“I’ll just buy the books and come back.”

“I’m going too.”

Go where? I heard all the shouting that went on in the Chairman’s room just now.

“Stay at home. I’ll be back soon.”

“What time?”

“I think it will take about two hours.”

Kim Jinkyung answered after checking the time on his phone.

“I don’t know about ‘about.’ Exactly what time?”

Mok Seongha asked as tightened the hand holding Kim Jinkyung.

“Four o’clock. I’ll be back by four.”

It was 1:30 PM now, so he suggested 4:00 PM to be safe.

“Two o’clock.”

“It will be two o’clock just by the time I reach the bookstore.”

“Two-thirty.”

“It’ll be two-thirty once I pick the books and pay.”

“Three o’clock.”

“I’ll be back by three-thirty.”

Mok Seongha suddenly pulled Kim Jinkyung into a hug. Then he nuzzled his neck and took a deep breath. He remained like that for a long while before he tilted his head and looked up at Kim Jinkyung.

“Teacher.”

“…….”

The moment their eyes met, his heart dropped. It was a face so beautiful it felt aggressive. His long eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyes. His eyelashes were long, whether he was a human or a panther, so the first thing people noticed about him was how beautiful his eyes were. And the line leading to his nose, his lips, and his overall impression were masculine, so in the end, all sorts of lavish adjectives like pretty, handsome, cool, and beautiful became tangled together.

“Can’t you come back by three-twenty?”

“…I will.”

He almost said “I won’t go”. But Kim Jinkyung quickly regained his senses, pulled away from Mok Seongha who wouldn’t let go of his arm, and left the mansion.

He arrived at the bookstore, picked out workbooks and reference books, and also chose a few books for himself to read. His mood improved slightly as he caught the scent of new books. Whenever his mind was messy or he felt depressed, coming to a bookstore and picking out books helped organize the complicated thoughts.

First, it was true that he caused an incident, so it was right to pay for the damages. His head hurt for days because the amount was so large, but he had to make a plan. Since he was on a leave of absence from school, he would tutor Mok Seongha in his spare time and look for other work too.

He would have to talk to the Chairman again about the interest rate…. Through this opportunity, he learned that the maximum legal interest rate was as high as 20%. To repay 6.2 billion won over seventy years at that interest rate, he had to pay about 130 million won a month. There was a reason why Secretary Kang said those things when he refused to sign the contract and said he would earn the money to pay it back.

That thief panther bastard….

Kim Jinkyung recalled Mok Seongha excitedly handing him the contract, and he accidentally crumpled the page of the book he was holding.

“Ah.”

He shouldn’t do this before paying.

Kim Jinkyung smoothed out the cover and stacked it on top of the books he had selected. Now that he was mostly done, should he drink an iced americano on his way back?

Kim Jinkyung held the chosen books in both hands and stood in line at the checkout counter.

“Shall I put them in a bag for you?”

“No. It’s okay. Thank you.”

He put the books in the bag he brought and received the receipt. As he was about to leave the bookstore with the heavy bag on his shoulder, a home baking book caught his eye. The moment he saw the cover with a pancake decorated with strawberries and blueberries, he felt something an ominous.

I feel like I forgot something important….

“Aaah!”

Kim Jinkyung screamed and squatted while clutching his head.

He had completely forgotten.