Chapter 13
With a hardened face, Hyungoh stared intently at Theo before settling back down on the bed. Theo narrowed his eyes at Hyungoh’s composed behavior.
“Michael, it’s Michael.”
“Right. Judging by your reaction, it seems you know that Ghost guy too.”
“…Why is Michael called Ghost?”
“His family name is Ghost, isn’t it?”
“It would be Gostin. Michael Gostin.”
“Is that really important right now?”
Hyungoh closed his mouth. So Theo knew about their relationship too. As Hyungoh gently scratched the bedspread with his fingernails, he suddenly paused at a thought. Wait, he knows about it and still likes Uncle?
“You shouldn’t be like that too, Theo.”
“Like what?”
“No matter how much you like my uncle—no, you shouldn’t even like someone like that. How could anyone sexually abuse a child so much younger than themselves? Do you really like that kind of person, Theo?”
“What? Abuse?”
“Yes, abuse. Sexual abuse.”
“Whaaat? Sexual abuse?”
Theo snorted. “What nonsense are you talking about? Ghost was the one who seduced him first.”
“…I’m disappointed in you, Theo.”
“No, listen, hey!”
Theo roughly grabbed Hyungoh, who was trying to open the door and leave, and slammed it shut.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you crazy?”
“You’re the one who keeps pissing me off. Why won’t you listen to the end?”
“It’s because you’re saying such things! What can I say to someone who’s victim-blaming by saying ‘you seduced him first’!”
“Why is Ghost the victim? If anything, Hunter is the victim. I’m telling you that guy jumped Hunter first!”
Theo and Hyungoh were raising their voices at each other, and Theo’s friends had already turned off the music to eavesdrop. Jeff, who’d been tiptoeing to the kitchen saying he’d pop some popcorn amid the exciting atmosphere, flinched at the sound of impact that seemed like it might break the door.
“The two of them were talking, and suddenly Ghost approached Hunter and kissed him! He grabbed him by the nape like this! Then he climbed onto Hunter’s lap! Huh?! Shit, do I really need to explain all these details to you?”
“…Michael couldn’t have done that because he wanted to.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You don’t know the details either,” Theo said.
Hyungoh pressed his lips together for a moment and calmed his excitement. Theo also pressed his forehead firmly to calm himself down. After a brief silence, Hyungoh spoke as calmly as possible.
“Fine. Let’s be extremely generous and say Michael approached first. That doesn’t completely absolve my uncle of wrongdoing. You understand? Michael is a minor. He’s young enough to be mistaken for my uncle’s son.”
“That bastard might look like an innocent kid on the outside, but he’s almost sixteen now. He’s not at an age to be treated like such a child, you know?”
“…Let’s stop. I can’t get through to you, Theo.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
Perhaps because he’d raised his voice unlike his usual self, Hyungoh’s throat felt dry and painful. As Hyungoh cleared his throat with dry coughs, Theo abruptly handed him another beer. Hyungoh was about to turn his head away in refusal, but hesitated.
“Ah, whatever.”
Hyungoh practically snatched the beer bottle and gulped it down. The stinging scent of alcohol felt like it was dissolving his esophagus. Theo whistled, his eyes wide.
“Then let’s do it this way.”
Hyungoh, frowning deeply, wiped his wet lips.
“First, help me.”
Once that’s resolved, I’ll immediately help you. That Cupid role, I’ll do it with conviction.
Theo folded his arms. Though he didn’t like the order, well. What do you want me to help with? Hyungoh took another swig of beer. With his excitement somewhat subsided, Hyungoh trudged over to the chair and sat down. Listen carefully.
“I plan to return to Korea. I don’t want to live in such a dangerous place and get shot.”
“I told you it’s safe if you don’t do stupid things…”
Hyungoh held up his hand as if telling him to be quiet. Theo twitched his eyebrows and obediently closed his mouth. After taking a big gulp of beer, Hyungoh continued.
“But there’s something I need to resolve.”
“What is it?”
Michael.
To be honest, Hyungoh was afraid of Michael. His chilling words with flashing eyes made Hyungoh even more fearful. Especially that day when he brought up the story about his mother—it was so terrible that Hyungoh didn’t want to recall it.
But Hyungoh couldn’t just ignore Michael. He was afraid of him, but at the same time, he felt a strange emotion. If one were to call it empathy, it would be empathy. On the surface, Michael had a lot in common with Hyungoh. Losing parents, being a shut-in, and having no reliable people around.
In short, we’re both thoroughly isolated loners.
Hyungoh thought that even if his situation and Michael’s hadn’t been similar, his desire to help Michael would remain unchanged. It’s just something you have to do. It’s the right thing to do as a human being.
Hyungoh shook the beer bottle, getting every last drop into his mouth. Ah. I shouldn’t be drinking this normally. The guilt and pressure that had been suppressed deep in his heart began to creep up.
“Just today, just today…”
“What’s this? You’re drunk just from that?”
“Listen carefully, Theo. This is important.”
“Your tongue is twisted.”
Why can’t Asians handle alcohol? As Theo muttered, Hyungoh flared up.
“That damn Asian, Asian! Please stop it already!”
“Crazy, don’t shout in my ear!”
“I’ve told you repeatedly. It’s racist! How would you feel if I called you a redneck?”
“What? Do you want to die?”
Seeing Theo’s face harden ominously, Hyungoh didn’t flinch but instead snorted.
“Does that make you feel bad? Good. I said it to make you feel bad.”
“Whew… Say something like that one more time and I’ll kill you, you know.”
“Why does Theo only think about his own feelings and not how others feel? Do you know how selfish that is? You don’t know how much I’ve been holding back until now, do you?”
Hyungoh’s tone and expression were as ordinary as ever. It wasn’t an angry expression, nor a hurt one. If there was any difference, it was just the rapid-fire speed of his words.
“I’m not afraid of you at all, Theo. So don’t make such petty threats. I’m already not in a good mood.”
Hyungoh slightly moved his arm and threw the beer bottle at the wall. The shattered fragments scattered everywhere with a crash.
“…Crazy.”
Theo’s mouth fell open.
What the hell. Why is this guy like this? This wasn’t his character before. Turning his head to face Hyungoh, he had a very calm face for someone who’d just done something so bold.
What kind of drunk behavior is this?
Hyungoh hit his throbbing head. His heart was racing, and he felt nauseous. His head felt heavy, and his body felt completely drained of strength. Is this how bad you’re supposed to feel when you drink? If so, I’ll never drink again. Sighing, Hyungoh flopped down on the bed.
“Michael… I need to help Michael.”
“Huh, now you’re saying all sorts of things. Hey. Why should you help him?”
“He’s completely boxed in. How hard must it be at such a young age?”
“What’s hard? He’s enjoying everything he can.”
“How he cried so heartbreakingly… with that beautiful face contorted…”
“Hey, are you ignoring me?”
“What should I do?”
Hyungoh covered his eyes as the light from the lamp in the corner of the room was too bright. What do I need right now? Let me think slowly and calmly.
Money. I need money to return to Korea. After pondering for a while, Hyungoh let out a hopeless laugh. Where would I get money? I don’t want to be involved with my uncle anymore, so I can’t accept his help. Hyungoh rubbed his eyes with heavy eyelids.
Oh. I shouldn’t fall asleep right now.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep here.”
Theo shook Hyungoh’s body. No. Right now, helping Michael is more important than planning to escape. Feeling the fatigue coming over him, Hyungoh closed his eyes. The bed felt like it was sinking, as if being sucked into the ground. Michael. What should I do about Michael? Should I try talking to him first? I don’t want to go back to that house though.
Suddenly, the name Michael had been muttering came to mind. Herick. Herick… Hyungoh mumbled the name, following Michael. The image of Michael crying sorrowfully, like an abandoned child on the roadside, flickered before his eyes. This feeling of déjà vu again. Have I ever cried freely like Michael? With fading memories, Hyungoh mumbled once more.
“Herick… Herick…”
Theo paused his hand. What did you just say? Hyungoh tilted his head to the side and fell into a deep sleep. Theo narrowed his eyes at the sound of Hyungoh’s breathing and muttered.
“Herick…?”
***
Waking up from sleep, Hyungoh sat blankly for a while, looking at the now-familiar room. His head hurt as if someone had hit him. His stomach was also churning, making him feel like he could vomit at the slightest wrong move.
As Hyungoh was thinking about whether he’d eaten something wrong the night before, a memory flashed across his mind, and his mouth fell open. That’s right. Yesterday at Theo’s house… Hyungoh flopped back onto the bed. The strong bed spring slightly bounced him. Hyungoh quickly covered his mouth as the bile rose.
I’ll never drink again. He vowed, covering himself up to his head with the blanket. What was I thinking when I drank yesterday, Choi Hyungoh?
“Hyungoh.”
Hunter knocked on the door.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“What? Ah, yes.”
Hunter gently opened the door at Hyungoh’s surprised response.
“I made bean sprout soup, so come down and eat.”
“Ah… thank you.”
“Theo seems to have made you drink a lot yesterday. Seeing how deeply you slept, like you were about to pass out.”
Wait. How did I get home? At Hyungoh’s puzzled question, Hunter smiled gently. I carried you.
Hyungoh immediately hardened his face. Finding his reaction amusing, Hunter chuckled. I’m joking. Theo brought you.
“You didn’t go to Michael’s house yesterday. Michael was waiting for you.”
“…Michael was waiting for me?”
“Yes. Make sure you go today.”
Hunter patted Hyungoh’s shoulder. Startled, Hyungoh subtly moved his shoulder away, to which Hunter paused briefly in surprise before smiling and stroking Hyungoh’s head.
‘Don’t stroke my head.’
Recalling Michael’s words reflexively, Hyungoh swatted Hunter’s hand away. Having moved before he could think, Hyungoh was shocked at himself.
“I’m sorry, I was startled…”
“Haha. You don’t like having your head touched.”
That’s possible. Hunter nodded toward the door. He left, smiling mockingly at Hyungoh who was staring at him with a dumbfounded face. Hyungoh, who’d been quietly watching Hunter’s retreating figure, gradually frowned. Today, that smile seemed even more disagreeable.
After roughly combing his fuzzy hair, Hyungoh hurriedly put on his shoes to go to Michael’s house. Yes. I think I need to talk to Michael first. I need to know more about my uncle. With what Theo said and everything else… there’s a lot to confirm.
Theo’s house was quiet. Whether everyone was still sleeping off the alcohol or had collectively gone to a club, there was no sign of anyone. Not that I care much. Hyungoh turned his head sharply. Still, I was surprised to learn that the person Theo likes is my uncle. No, very surprised. It was a completely unexpected confession.
Lost in various thoughts, Hyungoh soon arrived in front of Michael’s house. Spotting Marsha standing steadfastly beside the giant orange tree visible through the thick iron bars, Hyungoh grabbed the bars tightly.
Marsha killed someone. Does Michael know this fact?
Of course not. Hyungoh looked around. Seeing Marsha outside suggests that Michael should be nearby too, but no matter how much he looked around, Michael was nowhere to be seen. Strange. Why isn’t he here?
Just then, the front gate flung open. Startled by the suddenly opened gate, Hyungoh stepped back and met eyes with Michael, who was standing blankly at the entrance.
“Oh. Hello, Michael?”
“…”
Michael silently stared at Hyungoh, who was waving his hand. Hyungoh scratched his head at the intense gaze looking up at him. Behind him, Marsha, who’d spotted Hyungoh and Michael, approached with heavy steps.
“Hello, Choi.”
“Yes. Good morning, Michael.”
“Hello, Choi.”
“…Um, hello?”
“Hello, Choi.”
“…”
Hyungoh closed his mouth as he watched Michael approaching him step by step while repeatedly saying the same thing. Marsha, wearing her usual expressionless face, nodded at Hyungoh. It was a signal to come in.
His feet felt glued to the ground. Michael’s gaze froze his entire body.
“Hello, Choi.”
Michael, who’d grabbed both of Hyungoh’s arms, smiled brightly. His sparkling eyes felt like they were piercing Hyungoh’s skin. The touch of Michael’s hands on his arms gave him goosebumps. In this strange situation where Michael, who’d been ignoring him so much, suddenly greeted him with a welcoming face, Hyungoh felt an immediate aversion.
Michael’s grip tightened. A strange atmosphere flowed between the two with the gate between them. Michael was pulling Hyungoh toward himself.
Hyungoh’s breathing unconsciously became rough. His back had been soaked in cold sweat for a while. Hyungoh looked up at Marsha once more. There was a faint smile on her lips.
