Dohae finally understood why Pyeonghwa had been whining to meet lately. Once he confirmed it wasn’t because he felt attraction just from seeing his face, his irritation lessened somewhat. Because of the ring, he had no choice but to keep him nearby, so he couldn’t get any more annoying than this.
“Hyung, Bongsuk noona scrubbed the hand that touched the dick with a scouring pad and washed it clean. So you can’t find me dirty.”
“You’re not dirty. That bastard is dirty.”
“Hehe… What do we do since we can’t get married in Korea? Should we go abroad? I don’t have a passport, but I’ll make one quickly.”
“Stop jumping to conclusions. I’m not doing that kind of thing.”
“You don’t think about marriage? Then what about babies? Do you like babies?”
“I don’t like them.”
“That’s a relief. I can’t give birth anyway. Then do you like big breasts?”
“Ha… No.”
“Oh, I don’t have to bulk up then. What about dating a man? Is that okay?”
“Even if it’s okay, I won’t do it with you.”
“So it’s okay? Alright! Then I’ll try harder! Hyung, what’s your ideal type?”
The drunk reeking of alcohol, carrying that drunk on his back, passing through crowds of people, the noisy chattering… He hated all of it, but he liked the cool weather without a hint of wind.
Dohae generously gave brief responses to Pyeonghwa’s words. The closer they got to Pyeonghwa’s house, the slower his steps became, but Dohae himself didn’t notice.
*
“I’m sorry for playing around so harshly, Pyeonghwa.”
Thud. Byun Taehui, with a half-cast on his arm, knelt in front of Pyeonghwa. His face had splotchy bruises. Pyeonghwa turned his head sharply with a sullen face.
At the end of Pyeonghwa’s gaze, he could see Dohae elegantly drinking tea. Did we have teacups like that at home? At the thought of Dohae rummaging through the cupboards like it was his own house, Pyeonghwa’s expression melted softly.
“I know no words can excuse it, but please know just this one thing. I’m the person who supports Pyeonghwa’s feelings more than anyone.”
“Huh, bullshit. You got hard though.”
“…If it weren’t for me, Pyeonghwa wouldn’t even have known Dohae was noona. Would he have said anything with that personality?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“I’m also the one who pushed him to text pretending to be a woman at first. Would he have thought of that with that personality?”
“That’s also true.”
As Pyeonghwa affirmed consecutively, Byun Taehui glanced at Dohae sitting at the dining table. He wasn’t looking this way as if uninterested, but his ears would be open. Byun Taehui took out a brooch from inside his clothes and tossed it onto the sofa.
“Huh? This…”
Pyeonghwa picked up the brooch that had fallen in the corner of the sofa. It was one of the items he’d bought from the general store for ‘DdoHaeNuna’. There was also a set item for this brooch…
Byun Taehui tapped the collar of the blouse he was wearing. A tie pin made of the same gem as the brooch was attached to his collar.
<Brooch for a Secret Love
Rank: Rare
Can whisper sweet nothings when within 10m of the wearer of ‘Tie Pin for a Secret Love’.
When worn, surrounding people’s visual recognition rate decreases by 10%.
Price: 99AP>
<Tie Pin for a Secret Love
Rank: Rare
Can whisper sweet nothings when within 10m of the wearer of ‘Brooch for a Secret Love’.
When worn, surrounding people’s visual recognition rate decreases by 10%.
Price: 99AP>
He didn’t know what secret conversation they were trying to have, but he was upset that Byun Taehui had completely taken the items he’d worked hard to earn aggro points to buy. Pyeonghwa attached the brooch to the hem of his t-shirt thinking he wouldn’t forgive him no matter what he said.
-Why do you still have this? Didn’t you give it to our hyung? Wow, you’re only apologizing with words. I’m just not going to listen. I’m taking off the brooch.
-Wait! Pyeonghwa, I’m someone who’s known Dohae since he was seven. I’ll tell you stories from when he was young, and pass on tips to seduce Dohae!
-No thanks. I can hear hyung’s stories directly from hyung, you know?
-You think he’ll talk with that personality? He absolutely won’t!
-…Well, I am a bit curious about the tips.
Pyeonghwa straightened his posture as if somewhat tempted. Byun Taehui let out a sigh of relief. One arm and three ribs were broken, causing considerable pain. He was told not to get treatment until he was forgiven, so he couldn’t even take painkillers and just had a rough half-cast on. If he didn’t receive Pyeonghwa’s forgiveness, he was told his remaining limbs and even his dirty genitals would be broken, so he had to change Pyeonghwa’s mind somehow.
-Ahem, did you confess?
-I do it ten times a day. I call, text, and do it face to face too.
-He doesn’t accept it?
-Right now he seems to see me too much as a younger brother, so I’m planning to show him the charm of a mature man soon. There’s an ahjussi I know named Yoon Gyeom? I got outfit coordination from that ahjussi and ordered perfume he recommended.
-Ma…mature?
-Yep. Once I get my license, I’ll borrow a car to escort hyung and go for a drive. I’ll open the car door for him, make him walk on the sidewalk side, hold his hand when there are stairs or curbs, and take off my trench coat for him while watching the ocean. Won’t that be super cool?
Listening to Pyeonghwa’s expectant voice made his head spin. Byun Taehui thought that if he didn’t step in, the two would never get any closer than this.
-Nnngh, Pyeonghwa. Dohae has very strong pride. He has no flexibility and is very stubborn.
-I know. That’s why he’s cute. Huhu.
-The things Pyeonghwa mentioned are manners that normal men do for women. Dohae will think you’re treating him like a woman and storm off, won’t he?
-Huk!
The image of Dohae huffing and leaving him behind was drawn in his mind. Now that he heard it, Byun Taehui’s analysis was accurate. He said he was a cousin living together, and he understood Do Dohae incredibly well.
Dohae was a man who got angry so easily that it wasn’t easy to match his mood. It seemed he would need Byun Taehui’s help to capture him.
-Th-then what should I do?
-Do you know why I’m supporting Pyeonghwa?
-Because hyung beat you up. I got hit too. It hurt like hell, I thought I was going to die. Hyung is a bit violent. Gasp, I’m not going to become a battered husband, am I? That’s a bit scary…
-Mmm, it’s not that, but Dohae hates people. This is the first time Dohae has looked this comfortable in front of someone like Pyeonghwa.
-Then doesn’t that mean there’s a possibility it’ll work out? When I talked to him last time, he said he’s not homophobic.
-Mmm, that means he doesn’t see women or men as romantic interests. I think the reason Dohae thinks Pyeonghwa is special is…
Byun Taehui paused and grinned. Pyeonghwa swallowed his saliva in anticipation of what would follow.
-Because you’re like Nuryeongi!
-Nuryeongi?
-Nuryeongi, there was a dog he raised when he was young. The owner was someone else, but Dohae cherished it incredibly. I guess you remind him of Nuryeongi.
-S-so… it was a dog, not a person? I can’t date hyung? Wow, crazy! That doesn’t make sense! I’m a son of a bitch. I’m a son of a biiiitch!
-Just trust me, Pyeonghwa. I have a tip!
Byun Taehui winked cutely at Pyeonghwa, who was shaking his body in a pitiful mood. Pyeonghwa sent a piteous gaze and clasped his hands together. Please teach me, master!
When did he glare as if to kill, his attitude changed in an instant, and Pyeonghwa was cute. Byun Taehui, who was turning his head and giggling, flinched.
Dohae was staring at them. He must have found it strange since they were so quiet. He had prepared something for times like this. Byun Taehui rummaged inside his skirt and pulled out a letter.
“Pyeonghwa, I wrote a letter of apology. Would you please read it?”
“Well, okay.”
The two shamelessly played along. While Pyeonghwa pretended to read the letter, Byun Taehui secretly whispered in his ear. Pyeonghwa’s cheeks reddened and his mouth fell open.
-B-Bongsuk noona seems like a pervert. But will that work? Hyung hates people.
-Oh my, urges are a separate issue. I saw him washing his underwear after having a dirty dream last time.
-Really? Hehe, cute. But I’m embarrassed. Uwaaa…
-…
He hadn’t even said anything that impressive, but Pyeonghwa twisted his body shyly. Kids these days are precocious, but Pyeonghwa is incredibly innocent… Byun Taehui felt guilty and closed his mouth as he was about to say more.
-Um… Dohae has held back a lot in life, so he’s probably festering inside. Help our Dohae breathe. Got it?
-Does Do Jeongwang grandfather treat him strictly because he’s the successor? So that’s why he pretends to be nice on broadcasts?
-It’s similar but… it’s better not to bring up that story in front of Dohae.
-Okay.
Pyeonghwa rubbed his chest and tilted his head. Hearing that Dohae was probably festering inside made him uncomfortable, as if something was weighing on his chest.
-But. Bongsuk noona seems to really like Dohae hyung.
-Oh my, does it show?
-Yes. A lot.
-Huhu, what Pyeonghwa knows, our Dohae doesn’t know.
Of course he didn’t know since he’d been grating on his nerves whenever he saw Dohae until now. Byun Taehui giggled quietly and winked at Pyeonghwa. Pyeonghwa stealthily took off the brooch and tossed it toward Byun Taehui.
