Chapter 12
At the booming music that shook his eardrums, Hyungoh reflexively covered his ears. He hadn’t noticed from outside, but once inside, it was incredibly noisy.
Theo’s friends, sitting together on the sofa smoking cigarettes, glanced at Hyungoh. Round puffs of smoke formed in their mouths and spread wide. Hyungoh instinctively covered his nose at the smell, which was much more pungent than regular cigarettes.
“Who’s that cute Asian?”
A man with a bob haircut who’d been playing pool at the end of the living room approached, twirling his cue stick.
“That’s an Asian? Isn’t he mixed?”
“Yeah. His eyes aren’t even slanted.”
“Hee-hee.”
A group dancing to the rhythm while holding bottles of alcohol made slant-eye gestures and burst into laughter.
“…I’m leaving.”
“Whoa, whoa, what’s wrong? They’re just joking.”
Theo grabbed Hyungoh firmly as he tried to leave.
“You guys pay no attention to him and just play among yourselves, you losers.”
“Then what does that make you, inviting losers like us to the party?”
“I’m the merciful Jesus who embraces losers, that’s what.”
“Hahaha!”
“Oh Lord Theodore, bestow courage and mercy upon us lowly ones.”
“In the name of bullshit, weirdness, and douchebaggery—”
“Amen!” Everyone shouted in unison, holding their bottles high. The laughter never stopped for even a moment.
“Crazy bastards.”
Theo chuckled.
I feel awful. In an atmosphere he could never get used to, Hyungoh pushed away Theo’s arm draped over his shoulder.
“Okay, okay. Let’s go upstairs.”
Theo grabbed Hyungoh’s wrist again. Hyungoh was about to shake him off, but found his powerless body already climbing the stairs and gave up. Right. Being powerless is a sin. He briefly made eye contact with the bob-haired man casting a mischievous smile at him from below the stair railing, then quickly turned his head away. He didn’t like any of them at all.
Hyungoh followed Theo into his room and was startled by how unexpectedly neat it was. Theo picked up two bottles from the beer neatly stacked in one corner and asked Hyungoh, who was standing still.
“What? What’s with you again?”
“The room is neater than I expected.”
“Is this considered neat?”
Theo sat down on the bed and threw a beer to Hyungoh. Hyungoh caught it reflexively to keep it from falling, then looked down at the cold bottle.
“Drink.”
“I’m a minor, so I shouldn’t drink yet.”
Theo shook his head watching Hyungoh, who was barely holding the bottle with his fingertips as if it were contaminated. I just can’t understand you, you goody-two-shoes. Theo drank his beer like water and patted the seat next to him. Hyungoh approached and sat down as if he’d been waiting for the invitation.
“So, what do I need to help you with?”
“Let’s take it slow. Are you that eager to hear my request?”
“I’m naturally impatient. So answer quickly.”
Hyungoh wanted to think of the incident as inconsequential, just like Theo did. He was worried that the more flustered he became, the more emotional he’d get, and the less rational his judgment would be. If that happens, I… Hyungoh discreetly wiped the sweat from his hands onto his pants. I might make an irreversible mistake.
“Acting like nothing in the world scares you, but this problem seems to scare you a bit, huh?”
“I didn’t come here to chat, Theo.”
“Geez.”
Hyungoh stared at Theo’s gesture of tapping the beer bottle. The more Theo stalled, the more hundreds of possibilities exploded in his mind.
What could I possibly help with? I don’t have anything. As Theo remained silent, Hyungoh’s worries only deepened.
“Hey, Theo.”
The man gently pushed the door open with his pool cue and stuck his head in. His gaze slimily swept Hyungoh up and down.
“Isn’t today not that kind of day?”
“Shut up and get out. Can’t you see we’re talking?”
“Why are you getting so angry? I just like that kid’s style, so if you’re doing it, I wanted to join in.”
“What?”
Hyungoh stood up abruptly. An ominous hypothesis arose at the man’s sleazy smile. No way…
Is the help you’re asking for that kind of help?
“Are you joking right now?!”
“Are you crazy? It’s not like that!”
“Huh? It’s not?”
The man’s eyes widened.
“If you don’t want to be poked with that cue stick, quietly go outside, Jeff.”
Theo said, pressing his forehead as if suppressing his anger. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the bob-haired man, Jeff, subtly avoided eye contact and carefully closed the door.
“…Really, it’s not?”
“I said it’s not! Kids like you aren’t my type.”
Hyungoh didn’t remove his suspicious gaze from Theo. His hands were already demurely covering his backside.
Theo chuckled in disbelief. Then he bowed his head deeply and muttered while vigorously scratching it.
“The guy I like is Hunter. So fix that ridiculous pose.”
***
Jeff was dying of curiosity about the identity of the Asian man Theo had brought. He was suspicious enough to question his self-proclaimed status as the person closest to Theo. The mighty Theodore Cooper wouldn’t do that. How could he not make a move on such tasty prey?
The Theo that Jeff knew was a very arrogant man who’d never given anyone a second glance unless they approached him first. Moreover, he’d never tried to befriend someone who clearly showed aversion to him, like that Asian man. He didn’t need to try. Jeff added.
You’re showing a lot of unexpected sides today. Jeff threw a cigarette butt at a friend who was shaking his ass to the music on the pool table. Or is he just weak for Asians? Maybe there’s something that triggers a protective instinct.
Jeff suddenly recalled the Asian teacher who lived right next door. Hunter, was it? Although he’d never attended any of his classes, he’d heard rumors that he was a terrifying eccentric. He also seemed to have heard rumors that he belonged to a fairly large mafia organization. Well, that seemed like unreliable information.
Theo seemed close to him. He’d go to his house to provoke him whenever he had a chance, and they often bickered. Jeff couldn’t understand why Theo stayed close to the man called Hunter. If you looked closely, he seemed to enjoy those meaningless arguments.
“But what’s Theo doing?”
“Isn’t he enjoying himself with that Asian?”
“He said that’s not why he brought him.”
Jeff answered his friends’ questions. Then why did he bring him? I don’t know either. Jeff glanced up beyond the stairs. What are those two trying to do with the door shut tight?
“Ah, I can’t stand the curiosity.”
Jeff stood up stretching his legs and crept up the stairs like a cat trying to steal fish.
“Don’t blame me if Theo catches you.”
One friend, sprawled on the sofa in a drugged state, shouted loudly as if for Theo to hear. Jeff, who hesitated, raised his middle finger at him.
I just can’t help being curious. Jeff opened the door gently, holding his breath as much as possible. The scene in the room hadn’t changed at all from before. Despite ten minutes passing, Hyungoh was still standing looking at Theo, and Theo…
Jeff, who accidentally made eye contact with him, slammed the door shut in surprise. Damn. He looks like he could tear someone apart with just his eyes. Jeff, clutching his pounding chest, ran down the stairs with heavy footsteps as if fleeing.
***
“…You’re lying, right?”
“Would I be making this up in this atmosphere?”
Hyungoh finally slumped back down on the seat. The bed rippled like ocean waves.
“Since… since when?”
“What good would it do you to know that?”
“Why do you like my uncle? You said you were being harassed because of the USB and hated him.”
“Ah, that does piss me off. What’s so great about that video that he keeps it and makes a fuss?”
I couldn’t even show my true skills because I was drunk then. So embarrassing. Remembering that time, Theo rubbed his face and muttered curses.
“…Huh.”
That’s why you wanted to delete the video quickly? Hyungoh let out a hollow laugh.
Trying to solve one troublesome case, another troublesome issue erupted. So Theo likes my uncle…
“Wait, when you say ‘like,’ do you mean just as one person to another, I mean, as in a really good friendship…”
“Why do you think I had sex in Hunter’s garage, of all places, not at home or anywhere else?”
You don’t know how much Hunter goes in and out of that garage, do you? His scent is intensely soaked in there. Well, the CCTV was an unexpected obstacle. Theo clicked his tongue.
Hyungoh couldn’t continue speaking. One decisive statement from Theo made him automatically close his mouth.
“…I see.”
“What?”
“I get it.”
Let me summarize this very clearly. Hyungoh continued as calmly as possible. So Theo, right now, you like my uncle as a romantic interest. Is that right? Theo, who was shaking the empty bottle, shrugged his shoulders. Something like that.
“But why are you telling me this?”
“I told you. I’ll help you, so you help me.”
“…”
“Yes. That meaning you just thought of is correct.”
“Theo… that’s impossible. You know that.”
“I’m not asking for much from you either.”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
You’re asking me to play matchmaker. Hyungoh barely held on to his spirit, which felt like it was about to leave his body.
“I don’t think my uncle is gay.”
“No, he is gay. At least bisexual.”
“What?”
What are you talking about now? Hyungoh’s voice went off-key and made a squeaking sound.
“You—are you perhaps not Ghost?”
“Ghost? You mean a spirit?”
“Yes, Ghost. That dark and gloomy guy.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing up ghosts here, Theo?”
Hyungoh frowned at Theo.
“I saw Hunter kissing him. And you still say he’s not gay?”
“…Who did he kiss?”
“Ghost, I’m telling you.”
“Theo, are you crazy?”
“It’s true, I tell you! I saw it clearly with my own two eyes. That bastard even seduced Hunter first.”
“Say something that makes sense. How could my uncle kiss a ghost?”
Hyungoh was now starting to worry about Theo’s mental state. They weren’t communicating properly, as if they were having two different conversations.
“No, I saw it myself! Ghost was kissing Hunter through the curtains… Wait, did you understand what I was saying correctly?”
“Theo, you’re drunk. Haah… I’ll be going now, so let’s talk again when you’re sober.”
To Hyungoh’s eyes, Theo’s words now seemed like nothing more than drunken ramblings. Thinking that further conversation would only complicate things, he tried to go home, but Theo grabbed his shoulder.
“You didn’t understand. Right? So Ghost isn’t that ghost but…”
“I’m tired, so let go. Give me some time to calm down too…”
“Stop interrupting me, damn it!”
Theo, his face full of frustration, pounded his chest and quickly continued.
“I mean, Ghost. Michael Gostin!”
