Jun-wan’s ability to do everything smoothly simply amazed him. Before he knew it, Yu-shin had stuck close behind him, peeking over his shoulder with rolling eyes.
“Kim Yu-shin. Don’t hover behind me.”
“Am I in your way?”
“Yes.”
Yu-shin stepped back without another word. What choice do I have when the person making food says I’m in the way?
He waited quietly while watching Jun-wan cook. Each time he worked the wok, his scapula showed off its elegant form beneath his shirt. Even though it was a ready-made shirt, because his shoulders were so broad and his body line so sleek, Jun-wan’s shirt fit looked exceptional.
“Get out a large plate.”
Yu-shin followed instructions quite well. Having lived here for two weeks, he knew at least where the household items were kept. When he opened the upper cabinet, stacked large plates came into view.
Somehow, the way he took out the plate looked precarious. Clatter, clatter, the sound of heavy ceramics bumping against each other made even the listener anxious.
Yu-shin had broken plates several times before. Thinking that you had to do things yourself to improve, Jun-wan had tried to ignore it as much as possible, but he soon let out a sigh and took out the dishes himself.
Yu-shin stepped back. Even though I should feel pathetic for being so useless, his face showed no damage whatsoever as he grinned. “Thank you,” he always added his thanks.
Dinner always took place sitting across from each other at the dining table. But that didn’t mean a warm atmosphere formed.
Jun-wan usually ate while reading papers. He said he didn’t want to waste time eating. Yu-shin glanced at the book spread on the table while eating. The difficult engineering formulas were impossible to understand.
Since both of them ate without making sounds, the dining table remained quiet. Yu-shin chewed his rice thoroughly before swallowing, then spoke.
“Is studying fun for you, Jun-wan?”
“Yes.”
“I guess not just anyone can become a professor.”
“It just suits my aptitude.”
The rare conversation abruptly ended. Since this wasn’t the first or second time, Yu-shin just accepted it now. Without minding, he continued using his chopsticks.
Jun-wan finally lifted his gaze from the book. His wandering eyes naturally turned to the person sitting across from him.
Kim Yu-shin’s chopstick handling was truly proper. Despite being lazier and more indolent than anyone, his basic manners were always courteous.
Even the fingers holding the chopsticks were clean. So much so that you couldn’t believe they were hands that drew pictures.
“Kim Yu-shin, do you plan to continue lounging around like this?”
“‘Lounging around’ is a bit harsh.”
“You haven’t gone outside even once in two weeks. Normal people engage in what’s called productive activities.”
“I guess this suits my aptitude.”
Yu-shin answered gently. Even at words close to reproach, he showed no sign of being discouraged. Having high self-esteem was one of Yu-shin’s great strengths.
But as if something bothered him, Yu-shin put down his chopsticks and mulled over Jun-wan’s words. At his thoughtful appearance, Jun-wan’s chopstick movements also slowed considerably.
I have been staying home too much. Especially lately, spring was getting shorter. Wasn’t it too precious a season to let slip by like this?
“Jun-wan.”
“Yes.”
“It’s the weekend tomorrow, so should we go on a date?”
Jun-wan raised his long eyes as if hearing something bizarre.
“Are you serious?”
“Well, am I testing the waters?”
“……”
“‘Date’ was just something I said casually—since the weather’s nice, I thought we could go outside and get some fresh air.”
From the way he tilted his head, it seemed like words spoken without much meaning. However, Jun-wan found it difficult to shake the word “date” from his mind.
“Don’t you have friends to hang out with?”
“No.”
Yu-shin responded nonchalantly. His face showed he wasn’t embarrassed at all about his poor social relationships. Well, Jun-wan was the same in that regard, so it wasn’t something to point out.
“Never mind. It’s a precious weekend, so you should rest too, Jun-wan. Forget what I said.”
Of course that’s what I’ll do. He didn’t want to spend his precious leisure time on Kim Yu-shin. But his hands moved contrary to his thoughts. Before he knew it, Jun-wan was searching for movie theaters on his phone.
Coincidentally, the sequel to the animation Yu-shin had watched recently was currently showing. I was going to give up if there was nothing to see, but it has to be the same movie. Jun-wan finished booking tickets with an expression that showed he was completely unwilling.
Then he searched for restaurants too. This is really annoying. We’re not even lovers, what date is this? And on this precious day off.
While inwardly spouting all sorts of complaints, his thumb moved diligently.
Since Kim Yu-shin’s taste in food was so particular, he put his heart into choosing even one restaurant. He’s a young master who’s eaten expensive, good food his whole life. Feeding him just anything would surely be worse than starving.
Luckily, he discovered a reservation at a restaurant that had maintained a Blue Ribbon for 10 years. He made the reservation before someone else could claim it.
Since he was doing all this with a serious face, Yu-shin couldn’t help but read the situation. Just as he was staring at Jun-wan’s tense brow while holding chopsticks in his mouth—
“Tomorrow at 12:20 for the movie. Lunch at 2:30.”
Jun-wan spoke in a flat voice. Yu-shin was slightly taken aback by the one-sided notification.
“…A movie and a meal?”
Isn’t that too much like a date course? I just meant we should get some fresh air.
When he blinked his big eyes, Jun-wan’s brow furrowed even more. His expression said, What’s the problem?
“Why?”
“It’s nothing.”
Yu-shin smiled with his eyes. The situation of unexpectedly facing a real date was somewhat surprising, but maybe even this engineering doctorate obsessed with studying sometimes wants to see a movie. He didn’t think much of it.
The time when the two gathered in the bedroom was roughly around midnight.
Using the same bed every day, the process of going to bed together was no longer awkward. The super king-size mattress was a luxury among luxuries, supposedly supplied to the Danish royal family. True to its lofty reputation, lying down guaranteed comfort rivaling heaven.
Jun-wan still hated this bed. Especially the fluttering canopy was a constant eyesore. The fact that even their tastes were polar opposites struck him starkly. He repeatedly swallowed the urge to rip off the canopy that obstructed his view.
Jun-wan lifted the blanket and got into bed. The rolling motion transmitted to the next spot. After closing the art magazine he’d been reading, Yu-shin turned off the nightstand lamp on his own.
Even their way of going to sleep was different. Yu-shin always made sure to wear pajamas to bed, while Jun-wan lay down in a short-sleeved t-shirt and thin training pants.
If they were an ordinary married couple, the current time of lying in bed might be the hottest. It would be good timing to whisper sweet nothings, warmly share body heat, and confirm their overflowing affection.
However, the show window couple simply went to sleep plainly. Not only was there nothing to talk about, but feeling another person’s warmth in bed was still unfamiliar. Perhaps because of that, the gap between their bodies lying side by side was wide enough for one more person to lie down.
“Good night.”
Yu-shin said as a courtesy. Then he slowly turned to his side as if settling into sleep.
“……”
Jun-wan didn’t respond. He looked up at the pitch-black ceiling, then closed his eyelids as well.
How much time had passed? Strangely, he felt cold. Jun-wan unconsciously curled up his body. He couldn’t feel the fluffy blanket at all. His eyes opened automatically.
“Haah, here we go again.”
Jun-wan glared ruthlessly at the person lying next to him. Kim Yu-shin had a peculiar sleeping habit. He would sleep quietly, then at some point would roll up the blanket.
This really is such selfish behavior. What was the person sleeping with him supposed to do when he monopolized the blanket alone?
It was better than grinding teeth or snoring heavily, but it wasn’t just once or twice—it happened every time, so Jun-wan received subtle stress. Thanks to that, he often woke up in the early morning.
“Kim Yu-shin.”
Even when he called out gently, Yu-shin showed no reaction. His sleep was so deep that once he fell asleep, he wouldn’t know if someone carried him away.
The giant cocoon buried deep in the blanket pile was sleeping comfortably as ever even now. His gentle breathing was peaceful.
Jun-wan sat up halfway and looked down at the sleeping Yu-shin. The face slightly visible through the gap in the blanket was infuriatingly peaceful.
Jun-wan tugged the blanket slightly. The properly rolled blanket didn’t budge.
Eventually giving up, he lay down again. Jun-wan closed his eyes with his arms folded. I really don’t like this sleeping habit. But it was too trivial to point out, so he had no choice but to endure it.
