YCHW Ch 44

“Is this the place?”

“Do you like it?”

Yoonso’s eyes widened as he surveyed the house that was drawing near.

Over the low wall, a peach tree with widely spread branches greeted them as guests, its luscious red blossoms blooming like red lanterns. The house was situated apart from the village, and the pine trees that had grown in graceful curves surrounding it gave it a tranquil atmosphere.

Passing through the main gate and entering, he saw a main house with a cozy garden and a small servants’ quarters. The main house was a single-story structure, a single building where all the rooms were connected by a doorway and a passage. He liked that he could move through all the rooms without having to cross the courtyard.

None of the furniture and decorations inside the house were extravagant, but they were not plain either. They were elegant and refined, and the way each item harmonized well with the others showed the discerning eye of the person who had decorated the interior.

When Hwi had said he would call a *gagugeon and arrange for a house to stay in, Yoonso had told him any place would be fine since it was being arranged in a hurry, but he had not known such a splendid and stylish house would be waiting for him.

“You could not have had enough time, so how did you prepare so perfectly?”

“It is small and narrow.”

“Not at all. It is just right for two people to live in. It feels sweet and thrilling to think that if we leave all the doors open, I will be able to hear everything you are doing, my lord.”

“Ah, no wonder the back of my head was itching. You were paying attention to my every move.”

“You are only just realizing that?”

When he deliberately lifted his chin and asked back coyly, Hwi wrinkled the corners of his eyes and smiled, then kissed Yoonso on the chin. At that, Yoonso immediately shrank back and touched his lips awkwardly.

“Is that all the courage you have? After raising your chin as if it would soar to the heavens.”

“How can a person’s chin soar like that?”

As he mumbled into his mouth, the eyes that grew even more amused beamed down warmly at Yoonso. Whenever he sensed the affection in his eyes, he felt as light as if his feet were floating. Yoonso wiggled his toes, then took hold of Hwi’s sleeve.

“Thank you. For preparing such a nice place for me. I feel sorry that I did not contribute anything.”

He ended up smiling sheepishly as he realized his situation of having nothing to give but his heart. He would have to think deeply about what he could do to contribute from now on.

Hwi took Yoonso’s cheek in his hand, making him lift his lowered gaze. He spoke with a serious expression and a faint smile.

“They say a married couple is one body, so what they hold in their hands must also be one. What is mine is yours, so this is no different from you having prepared it yourself.”

The man who enjoyed teasing him offered such gentle comfort at times like this, making him not know what to do with himself. Besides, the term “married couple” felt entirely unfamiliar and awkward. They had not yet held a wedding, so they could not be called a married couple, but he supposed he would have to get used to such a term now.

Just a few days ago, he had not even dreamed of promising to grow old with someone, and it was strange that the direction of his life had turned this way. Yoonso could not reply and just bit his lip, then suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” with a flash of realization.

“This is no time for this. We have to go to the sea.”

The place Yoonso and Hwi had decided to build their nest was a coastal village near the sea, and today was the day he would see the sea for the first time in his life. If they had headed to their original destination, Yehang, he would have seen it anyway, but by changing their direction here, the opportunity to see the sea had come sooner.

Yoonso left the main house with light steps, as if running. As he urged Hwi to hurry up and come as well, Hwi shook his head as if he could not be helped and followed behind.

“You will fall.”

As he ran down the slope, Hwi, who had approached at some point, caught Yoonso’s arm. Yoonso smiled innocently and slowed his pace, holding Hwi’s hand.

When the dense pine forest began to thin out, a refreshing sound washed over them from not far away. Yoonso, who had been talking affectionately with Hwi, turned his head at the sound he heard. Soon, through the trunks of the gently curved pine trees, the sparkling blue waves came into view. Yoonso stopped in his tracks and let out a breathless gasp.

The azure water, as if embracing the clear sky, stretched out endlessly. The shimmering waves were as brilliant as if they held the dust scattered by the sun. It was a scene similar to a lake, but different. This scenery could not be compared to anything.

Yoonso stared blankly at the magnificent view that surrounded him, then let go of Hwi’s hand and ran forward. As he pushed through the pine trees, a damp breeze brushed against his cheek, and soon a pure white sandy beach appeared.

He slowly stepped onto the sand, which seemed to be made of finely ground jewels, and approached the spot where the waves came crashing in. The edge of the sea, adorned with white foam, was gently washing in and out like the skirt of a dancing maiden.

“Ah…”

So this is the sea. Why the great poets had praised the sea so, why they had sung that they would have no regrets if they could just stay by the sea and fish—now, in an instant, he could not help but understand.

It was just water, just water existing vast and deep, yet it was so immense and beautiful that it made him a mere tiny dot. He did not dislike it. The fact that he belonged here as just one dot was unbearably moving.

“It must be your first time seeing it.”

Hwi, who arrived late, stood close beside Yoonso. Yoonso nodded his head and, unable to overcome his overwhelming emotions, grabbed his arm.

“You have seen the sea before, of course, my lord, have you not?”

“I have seen it, but I have never set foot in it this closely.”

“Is that true? Why? It is so beautiful…”

“I was always in a hurry on business, so I only ever saw it on my way past.”

“To have had to pass by even with such a scene before you, you must have gone through many hardships, my lord.”

“Thanks to that, you and I get to come here for the first time together.”

He was about to feel upset, but hearing Hwi’s reply, the thought that it was a first for them both made the corners of his mouth bloom brightly. Hwi looked at Yoonso like that, laughed briefly, and stroked his head.

Yoonso quietly received his touch, then, as the waves came in deeper and were about to wet the tips of their feet, he pulled Hwi back with him.

“Why. Are you not planning on going in this time?”

“I do want to go in, but… will I be able to swim?”

The lake had been calm, so he had not hesitated in the slightest to jump in, but he was worried that if he entrusted his body to the roiling sea like this, he would be swept far away in an instant. While he was debating whether to at least dip his feet in, Hwi whipped off his outer robe and threw it aside.

“Then I will give you a ride.”

“What? You have never been in the sea either, my lord.”

“If you know the principles of something, you can know it without having tried it.”

His leisurely face, tinged with a confidence that held not a trace of hesitation, seemed to sparkle. When he nodded as if mesmerized, Hwi immediately gave Yoonso a piggyback ride and took off his shoes and foot wraps. As he curled his toes, feeling self-conscious about his exposed bare feet, Hwi strode into the seawater.

When the water reached his thighs, Yoonso’s feet were also plunged into the cool sea. Though the day had fully softened and the sunlight was warm, the water temperature was quite chilly. The moment Yoonso timidly kicked his feet, Hwi abruptly lowered his body and submerged himself up to the top of his head.

Yoonso clung tightly to Hwi’s neck, his eyes wide open, and held his breath. With his long arms, Hwi gently parted the current and went deeper.

Without even kicking his feet, Hwi swam leisurely with only small movements, as if the inside of the sea were his home. He was even filled with an admiration that made him wonder if this was what a merman, which he had once read about in a book, would look like if one actually existed.

Around the time he had somewhat adjusted, Hwi came up to give him a chance to breathe, then went deep inside again.

As they approached a nearby reef, schools of silver-scaled fish swiftly passed them by. On the rocks where seaweed swayed in between, something he had never seen before in his life was attached. The crimson thing was fascinating, looking just like five fingers attached in different directions.

When Yoonso pointed at it with his hand, Hwi unhesitatingly detached it from the rock and held it out to him. Yoonso was startled, but unable to overcome his curiosity, he touched it lightly and was so surprised by the strange texture that he jerked his fingertips back. Then, as soon as his eyes met Hwi’s, laughter burst out. Seawater entered his mouth, and as he hurriedly shut it, Hwi quickly rose to the surface.

“Fwah!”

As he spat out the water that had filled his mouth, a salty taste lingered on the tip of his tongue, making him frown automatically. Even that was enjoyable, so Yoonso shook off the water droplets clinging to his eyelashes and, smiling, hugged Hwi even tighter.

“How can you swim so well? It seems you swim even better than the fish, my lord.”

“You flatter without batting an eye.”

“I have never flattered anyone in my life.”

When he replied with a feigned innocent face, Hwi laughed cheerfully. The long corners of his eyes were lovely to see, so Yoonso tilted his head to look at him and ended up laughing along with him.