# Side Story 4
The bed was the largest size available. It was Jiho’s preference.
In fact, Yeomin’s preferences in this house were limited to a single potted plant and blackout curtains that allowed him to sleep anytime.
Since he never really had what you’d call “preferences” in life…
‘As long as I have enough food to eat and the heating works well, what more do I need?’
With that mindset, Yeomin was living a life of luxury he never expected through cohabitation with Jiho.
“You smell good.”
“Do you like it? I changed my shower products.”
Entangled on the bed, still damp, the two pressed their moist lips together.
Jiho’s soft tongue explored Yeomin’s mouth. In truth, Yeomin had been aroused since the company dinner and wanted to get to the main event quickly… but Jiho didn’t seem to be in any rush, playfully sucking on his lips.
‘That’s not the important part right now!’
Yeomin urged him:
“Can’t we just put it in first?”
This time, Jiho made a dismissive expression, as if their usual roles had reversed.
“No.”
“Just put it in. We did it yesterday anyway.”
“I don’t want to do it carelessly.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s Friday.”
What does that…? What does that have to do with anything?
Yeomin couldn’t understand at all, but after a busy week, Jiho apparently attached some special meaning to their lovemaking.
“I’ll love every part of you, starting with your lips.”
“…I’m sleepy. I drank, so I think I’ll fall asleep soon.”
“You sleep, Hyung. I’ll take care of everything.”
This crazy guy… what exactly was he planning to do to someone who’s asleep? Yeomin was flabbergasted.
The problem was that when Jiho said outrageous things, they always sounded sincere.
“By the way, Hyung.”
Stroking Yeomin’s lips with his thumb, Jiho lowered his voice.
“Did you do anything that might make you feel guilty or awkward with me?”
“What?”
“With that Choi Jina person or whoever.”
Was he still thinking about what he heard at the company dinner? Yeomin belatedly realized that Jiho’s temperature was strangely low.
Yeomin put a hand on his chest and thought. She had given him hand cream as a gift, saying he looked like he needed it, and he had sent her a gift card in return as thanks, but…
Later, when she suggested getting coffee together, Yeomin had flatly rejected her in advance, saying he was busy. Why? Obviously because he anticipated Seol Jiho would be jealous like this.
“……”
But Yeomin kept his mouth shut. When he didn’t answer immediately, the smile completely disappeared from Jiho’s face.
That sticky, fierce gaze wasn’t entirely unpleasant, so Yeomin deliberately dragged out the suspense.
“Answer me.”
Yeomin felt an inexplicable catharsis. He had clearly become a complete psychological pervert while dating this guy.
…Especially considering how he was automatically getting excited in response to that cold voice.
“Why are you like this, Hyung? What do you gain from deliberately making me angry?”
“Well. Hot sex?”
That was actually his purpose. Lately, Jiho had been so sweet and gentle with Yeomin, treating him like candied fruit. While that was nice and comfortable… he was also curious.
The Seol Jiho who pushed him to his limits. Of course, he wouldn’t stand for it in everyday life, but in bed, it was more than welcome.
“Answer my question first. Stop tormenting me…”
“Are you curious?”
“……”
“Put it in, and I’ll answer.”
Yeomin curled his lips into a smile and wrapped his legs around Jiho’s waist.
It was all Yeomin’s role—training a fierce wolf to be an obedient dog, or instantly turning a gentle giant dog into a fierce wolf.
* * *
Warm liquid trickled down Yeomin’s thigh. Haah. Exhausted, Yeomin buried his face deep in the soft pillow.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“…You provoked me first, Hyung.”
“Who said anything… It was great. Completely.”
Jiho stroked Yeomin’s hair. It felt good to have those languid eyes fixed on his face. It felt like his entire body was covered in Seol Jiho’s essence.
“I deliberately held back on weekdays because I thought it would be too much for you.”
“Pfft, held back? You? With me?”
“That was me showing a lot of restraint.”
Jiho pouted, disappointed that his feelings weren’t being acknowledged. Yet his hand never stopped caressing Yeomin.
Yeomin silently held Jiho’s hand. Seol Jiho, who existed within reach whenever he slightly extended his head. Seol Jiho, who had the sexiest face in the world but spoke the most childish words.
And probably… Seol Jiho, who liked him more than anyone else in the world.
Yeomin vaguely felt what it meant to “cherish” someone. Amusingly, this came right after rolling around very intimately with Jiho in bed.
“There was nothing between us, nothing at all. Not with Choi Jina, not with anyone else at the company. I told you, I absolutely hate office romances.”
In fact, “romance” in general didn’t particularly suit Yeomin’s temperament. He was only in one because his partner was Seol Jiho.
“That’s good to hear.”
“Are you reassured now?”
“How could I be? I haven’t had a single day of peace since I met you, Hyung.”
Am I really that untrustworthy? That doesn’t seem right. This must just be Jiho’s issue.
Yeomin spoke gently, his face buried in Jiho’s warm hand:
“Actually, I was worried you might not be jealous anymore.”
Because you don’t seem as jealous as before. Because I know that even with Jiho, not every day can be the same. Because I know that someday there will come a time when things won’t boil as hot as before…
And perhaps because I can’t shake the anxiety that that time could come as soon as tomorrow.
Yeomin had often woken up in the middle of the night and watched the sleeping Jiho for a long time before falling back asleep.
These days, it felt like living in a dream every day. And Yeomin was trying his best not to lose his sense of reality even within that dream.
“I worry a lot. I trust nothing, I’m suspicious by nature.”
It was probably something Jiho wouldn’t understand about him.
“So… tell me in advance if that happens. I need to know.”
If you start to like me a little less, I need to prepare myself. Though Yeomin’s tone was calm, he was still tightly gripping Jiho’s left hand.
Jiho lightly pressed his lips to Yeomin’s forehead.
“That won’t happen.”
Would it have been easier if Yeomin were the type to be reassured by such words? He pressed his lips together.
“But if you’re anxious, I will. Should I tell you how much I like you every morning when I wake up?”
“Tch.”
A smile escaped him. Jiho’s cheesy lines had become so familiar that they were practically etched in his ears.
Jiho didn’t miss the opportunity to seduce Yeomin:
“If you’re that anxious, just marry me already. Then you won’t have anything to worry about.”
Why did those words, which he usually laughed off, suddenly feel like such a sweet temptation? Yeomin almost nodded as if entranced.
“We could legally stamp it: Seol Jiho belongs to Joo Yeomin.”
“That’s impossible in our country.”
“If it’s with you, Hyung, I’d even go to the moon.”
“……”
Yeomin hesitated to answer because it really seemed like something Jiho would do. Seol Jiho might actually try to get tickets to the moon…
No, he’s the type who might have already completed all preparations to spend his life with him.
‘But I’ve never even imagined marrying a woman in my life, let alone a man.’
Yeomin looked at Jiho with slightly more complicated feelings.
‘If we stay like this, will I eventually break up with Seol Jiho?’
The thought made him feel like crying from the waste of it all. He would regret it. Not simply because Jiho was an Ian Group heir. Not because he had overflowing wealth, nor because he was someone who could do so much for him.
It’s just… it would be such a waste. If a day came when he lost Seol Jiho from his life. If he let go of someone who blindly loved him like this.
Wouldn’t it feel like losing his reason for existence?
“…Seol Jiho.”
Yeomin called to Jiho in a sleep-filled voice. Jiho responded with a gentle “Yes,” even to what sounded like sleep-talking.
“I think I’d like you even if you were dirt poor.”
“……”
Jiho’s eyes widened in surprise. For Yeomin, this was the ultimate confession.
“…Hyung.”
“Actually, the way I feel right now, I think I’d like you even if you had about 10 billion won in debt.”
“Hyuuuung.”
Jiho’s voice stretched out as if waterlogged. Seeing Jiho about to throw himself at him, Yeomin corrected himself:
“No… maybe 5 billion? Ack!”
As Jiho suddenly embraced his head, Yeomin found himself buried in his broad chest.
The way he rubbed his head against Yeomin’s was just like an excited large dog. He’d returned to puppy mode.
To add, it was Yeomin’s affection that made Jiho such a gentle dog. Affection scraped together from a reluctant heart, like a piggy bank meticulously filled.
Perhaps that’s why Seol Jiho loved it even more.
Jiho murmured, lost in emotion:
“You know what? I’m as happy now as when you gave me the end piece of your popsicle.”
Yeomin’s confessions were always unpolished and trivial, but Jiho’s face showed genuine delight.
Feeling embarrassed, Yeomin deliberately acted gruff:
“That doesn’t mean you should deliberately become poor.”
“I love you, Hyung.”
Seol Jiho always returned Joo Yeomin’s confessions more than a hundred-fold. He effortlessly and loudly declared what Yeomin only said after mulling it over ten or a hundred times.
Yeomin had grown accustomed to Jiho’s declarations of love. Of course, he knew such feelings were never to be taken for granted.
“No matter what you are, who you are, I’ll still like you, Hyung.”
“Really?”
No matter what I am? Even if I’m a terrible criminal? Even if I’m human garbage with nothing likeable about me? No matter what I look like?
To Yeomin’s question, Jiho nodded without even a second’s hesitation.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s what I’ve decided.”
Just as it wasn’t Yeomin who picked up Jiho, but Jiho who chose to be by Joo Yeomin’s side.
This time too, Seol Jiho had made his decision. To love Yeomin without reason, without limits.
“…Okay. Make sure you stick to that.”
Yeomin thought to himself, without letting Jiho know, that he would never tire of hearing those words even if he heard them a hundred more times.
