Gwok Un didn’t cross the threshold even when offered a seat. He looked at Gi-hyeon with calm eyes and opened his mouth.
“Something came up, so it looks like I’ll have to head out.”
At the news that the confirmation would be delayed, Gi-hyeon gave a nod. He set down his brush and looked Gwok Un over. Unlike last time, he was impeccably dressed in a suit, and the corners of Gi-hyeon’s mouth loosened at the sight. He murmured in a languid voice.
“You dressed properly today.”
At the unguarded smile, Gwok Un’s gaze went rigid. His pale eyes clung with near-relentless attention to those curved eyes and lips.
“Young Master! You were here? We need to leave right away.”
The Butler poked his head out from behind Gwok Un’s back. From the looks of him, soaked through with sweat from searching everywhere, he was in a sorry state. Even as the Butler kept looking back and forth between his watch and Gwok Un urging him on, Gwok Un didn’t turn around. His eyes, tangled up in conflicted emotions, were fixed entirely on Gi-hyeon. After standing there for a long moment, Gwok Un spoke in a sunken voice.
“……I don’t think I’ll be able to do the confirmation today.”
“Understood.”
“The weather was good so I had the yacht readied, but now I can’t go. I’ll send the driver, so go and rest in my place.”
“Oh, is that so? Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
As Gwok Un showed no sign of moving his feet, the Butler began to fidget anxiously.
“Young Master……!”
At the Butler’s urging, Gwok Un turned his back without so much as a parting word. It was as rude a manner as ever, yet somehow it seemed off. The sight of it was strange, but Gi-hyeon resumed his work. Before long, however, Gwok Un came back to the studio.
“Or later, together——!”
“What?”
When the words he had barely managed to get out were swallowed by the speaker, Gwok Un’s eyes went cold. Gi-hyeon turned the volume down and looked back, but Gwok Un had already disappeared. At the sound of angry footsteps, Gi-hyeon let out a sigh.
“What a temper……”
He was curious about the words he hadn’t caught, but Gi-hyeon soon wiped them from his memory. He set down his brush and murmured.
“A yacht, huh.”
Every time Gi-hyeon sat alongside Gwok Un on a business occasion, he found himself thinking of Do-gyeom. Whenever he ate rare food or went somewhere nice, Do-gyeom came to mind without fail. The delusion that the whole world was filled with nothing but Do-gyeom always made Gi-hyeon smile. Do-gyeom standing on a yacht with the blue sea behind him would surely be more beautiful than any masterpiece. Of course he’d be beautiful anywhere, but. A silly laugh slipped out through his loosened lips. Just then, Do-gyeom walked into the studio, and Gi-hyeon’s face lit up. He sprang to his feet and welcomed him.
“Do-gyeom-ssi!”
Gi-hyeon closed the distance in quick strides and swept Do-gyeom into a tight embrace. Not understanding what was happening, Do-gyeom blinked his doe-like eyes. Gi-hyeon continued in an excited voice.
“Remember the promise we made before? That I’d show you the sea.”
“I remember. But why?”
“Do you have time at lunch? No — even if you’re busy, clear your schedule. I’ll help you later.”
“What’s going on?”
“Gwok Un lent me a yacht and told me to go rest, so let’s go together.”
The hands that had been wrapped around Gi-hyeon’s waist went still in an awkward pause. Do-gyeom lowered his head and hid his expression. After a moment of hesitation, he rubbed his cheek against Gi-hyeon’s chest and answered.
“……Alright. I’ll clear my schedule.”
With that permission granted, Gi-hyeon smiled brightly and pressed his lips to Do-gyeom’s. Do-gyeom stood and watched quietly as Gi-hyeon went about gathering his drawing book and colored pencils right then and there.
Do-gyeom rested his cheek against Gi-hyeon’s shoulder and gazed out the car window. The shadow that had fallen over Do-gyeom’s face had already lifted. He carefully reached his hand out through the window. The dazzling sunlight shimmered and played across his pale arm. The fierce wind tousled his hair, but his clear face was full of laughter. Do-gyeom curved his eyes like a crescent moon and turned to look at Gi-hyeon.
“The weather is so beautiful!”
“It really is. So beautiful.”
Gi-hyeon smiled, looking not at the scenery but at Do-gyeom. He stretched his arm around Do-gyeom’s back. Sunlight poured down over their two arms laid side by side. He let his fingers slide toward Do-gyeom’s elbow. At the playful touch that teased the hollow of the joint, Do-gyeom burst into laughter.
Before long, the car arrived at the pier. The driver glanced back at the rear seat and said.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As the driver stepped out of the front seat, Gi-hyeon turned to look at Do-gyeom. His hair thoroughly disheveled, eyes sparkling — he looked just like a young puppy. Gi-hyeon smiled and smoothed Do-gyeom’s hair into place. He took Do-gyeom’s hand and opened the door.
“Shall we get out now?”
“Yes, let’s!”
When they stepped out of the car together, the waiting driver guided them forward. At the very end of the dock, in front of the berthed yacht, the driver bowed.
“I’ll come to collect you at nine. Please have a pleasant time.”
As the driver moved away, Gi-hyeon extended his hand.
“The steps are steep, so let me hold your hand.”
At the transparent excuse, Do-gyeom smiled faintly and took his hand. As they climbed the steps together, Gi-hyeon looked back countless times. Every time their eyes met, Do-gyeom smiled as if to say it’s alright, but it did nothing to stop Gi-hyeon’s overprotectiveness. His habit of turning around with every step they climbed finally drew a reproach from Do-gyeom.
“At this rate, Jakka-nim is the one who’s going to fall.”
“I can’t help it, I’m worried.”
“If I couldn’t manage these steps on my own, I’d have died long ago.”
Gi-hyeon, who had been climbing the steps, came to an abrupt stop. He turned to look at Do-gyeom. At the exaggeratedly crestfallen expression on his face, Do-gyeom let out a long exhale.
“How can you say the word ‘die’ so casually?”
“……”
Do-gyeom shot him a disgruntled look. He gave Gi-hyeon a push on the back and climbed the steps quickly. Caught off guard, Gi-hyeon scrambled up the steps and called out.
“H-hey?! Be careful!!”
“If I fall, then that’ll just be my fate!”
Having climbed the steep steps in one burst, they both caught their breath in heaving gasps. As they reached the deck, the great hull began slowly cutting through the water. Before long, a breathtaking scene unfolded before them and Do-gyeom let out an awe-filled murmur.
“Wow……!”
The luxurious yacht was a paradise on water in its own right. As if an entire island had been transplanted onto it, a small waterfall and tropical plants stood on the deck. Do-gyeom approached the waterfall carefully and crouched down in front of the stream. The emerald surface of the water sparkled as it caught the sunlight. At the child-like way he examined the water from every angle, Gi-hyeon laughed softly. A man who had come up from below deck spoke to Gi-hyeon.
“How would you like your meal prepared?”
Caught off guard by the sudden presence, Gi-hyeon smiled awkwardly and gave a small bow.
“Ah, anything would be fine — we’d appreciate whatever you prepare.”
As the man headed back below deck, Gi-hyeon shifted his gaze again. Not once in his life had he ever taken any interest in scenery. Even the landscapes celebrated as masterworks had never stirred the slightest feeling in him. But right now, watching Do-gyeom standing at the line where the sky and sea met, Gi-hyeon felt an inspiration more intense than anything he had ever felt before. He reached into his bag and took out his colored pencils and drawing book. At the rustling sounds, Do-gyeom turned around.
“Jakka-nim?”
Gi-hyeon looked up at Do-gyeom’s voice. The eyes that had been playful just moments ago had turned quite serious. Gi-hyeon met Do-gyeom’s gaze directly and spoke in a clear tone.
“I feel like I’d regret it if I didn’t draw Do-gyeom-ssi right now.”
“Hmm……”
“……”
“Then make me look handsome.”
The face smiling brightly sparkled like the surface of the water. In that moment, Gi-hyeon felt the limits of expression for the first time. He became certain that no medium could ever perfectly recreate the emotion and warmth of this moment. Every beautiful word and line that existed in the world dissolved before Do-gyeom. Perhaps letting this moment pass without capturing it was the most perfect thing he could do. The pencil touching the paper trembled faintly.
“Jakka-nim?”
At Do-gyeom’s voice, Gi-hyeon managed to offer a smile. He adjusted his grip on the pencil.
Standing in the middle of the sea where light and air moved like living things, Do-gyeom was beautiful enough to make Gi-hyeon’s eyes ache. At the boundary where the blue sea and sky met, Do-gyeom alone was vivid and clear. Each time his fine hair stirred in the gentle breeze, his expressive eyes would disappear behind it and then come back into view. The pencil moved without pause, trying to capture every moment of Do-gyeom.
After being absorbed in his work for a long while, Gi-hyeon held up the finished drawing. As he scanned it with a discerning eye, a furrow formed in his brow. Even having poured in every technique he knew, the drawing left him unsatisfied. Gi-hyeon swallowed a sigh and set down the colored pencils. As he gathered up the scattered materials, the sight of cold, untouched food entered his vision. Only then did he remember he had ordered a meal, and he scratched his cheek.
“Sorry, I had no idea the food had come. You must be hungry. Come here.”
At Gi-hyeon’s gesture, Do-gyeom, who had been standing there like a painting, came over. As he tidied the art supplies scattered at his feet, Do-gyeom smiled.
“I feasted my eyes, so it’s alright.”
“Pardon?”
“Did you know, Jakka-nim, that you’re most attractive when you’re working?”
At Do-gyeom’s compliment, Gi-hyeon’s face burned hot with a flush. He let out a dry cough and closed the drawing book, and Do-gyeom pouted with a prim frown. Gi-hyeon poked at the puffed-out cheek and grinned mischievously.
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
Two eyes sparkling with curiosity — innocent and young. Gi-hyeon, who had been gazing steadily and quietly at Do-gyeom, opened his mouth.
