# Chapter 80
Dohyuk lightly cleared his throat. It would be more accurate to say that he had been drowning and only realized it just before death. In truth, Dohyuk’s mind was always complicated whenever he saw Junseo. It was easy to draw a line for approaching people, but no matter how much he thought about it, it was difficult to cross that person’s line and show his own affection. He ended up unnecessarily self-censoring actions that would have been natural otherwise.
“No, well… I suddenly remembered your reaction from before.”
[You do know your reaction has changed too, right? Now you don’t even deny it.]
“Huh?”
[Never mind.]
In response to Dohyuk’s question, a sigh could be heard from the other end of the receiver.
[Back then, I thought he was a crazy bastard. Well, even now, the rumors are still bad, but I don’t know anymore. I don’t know what his feelings are, or if it’s because of the matching rate or what, but anyway, he seems to treat you well? And you need someone sensible by your side. Otherwise, I feel like you’ll get scammed and die alone somewhere.]
Are you my parent? Dohyuk smiled incredulously.
“Am I that unreliable?”
At those words, Seungmin, who had been supporting Dohyuk all this time with his heart on his sleeve, became furious.
[Fuck, you call that a response? I’m hanging up! Thanks to you, I have to go to work.]
The call ended before he could answer.
What’s with the temper suddenly? Dohyuk was calmly looking down at his phone and leaning back a bit more on the sofa when it happened.
“Hyung. What are you doing without Junseo?”
“You’re awake? Go back to sleep.”
“I woke up because the person next to me was gone.”
Though he was smiling gently, it was a face that somehow conveyed his discomfort.
Yesterday, Dohyuk’s condition had been poor again, and after receiving guiding all night, they had fallen asleep in the same bed. As soon as he opened his eyes in the morning, he had faced Junseo’s nicely plumped face right in front of him. He couldn’t say that he had hurriedly escaped to preserve his moral principles because Junseo looked three years younger due to the swelling. Dohyuk smiled lightly as if to soothe Junseo. No matter how he thought about it, those pajamas seemed to be the problem. He didn’t know why Junseo always wore pastel-toned sleepwear while giving Dohyuk dark navy colors. Did he know it was cute and do it on purpose?
With such thoughts in mind, Dohyuk responded calmly.
“I got a phone call and was worried it would wake you up.”
“From whom?”
“Seungmin.”
“Ah.”
Junseo rested one hand on the back of the sofa, leaning his weight on it, then bent down and lightly kissed Dohyuk’s cheek. It was a clean contact, like something a child would naturally do. The face still soaked with drowsiness gently rubbed its cheek against Dohyuk’s shoulder. As Dohyuk, who had been sprawled out, unconsciously straightened his back, Junseo finally let out a laugh.
“Morning guiding.”
He was curious but afraid of what he looked like right now. It felt like his face was on fire. Dohyuk rustled about, trying to avoid eye contact as he responded.
“…Don’t lie. You didn’t do any guiding.”
Dohyuk realized his mistake the moment Junseo, who had been leaning against him, tilted his head back to look at him. He wondered why the natural lighting here was so good. When Junseo and sunlight mixed, Dohyuk was defenseless. The reflected light in his pitch-black eyes shimmered like light gathered in a jewel. As Junseo slightly closed his eyes, Dohyuk finally, anxiously, pressed his lips to Junseo’s. He bit into the laughter that spread between their touching lips. The fresh scent was cool enough to be chilling.
Perhaps he had unconsciously bared his teeth, because Junseo sucked on his lower lip. This was a recently developed signal. Dohyuk, like a loyal dog, hid his teeth and stuck out his tongue. The tongue that lightly licked the teeth became hot, and saliva pooled. Before he knew it, his body had slid down and was sprawled across the sofa. As Dohyuk tilted his head back, desperate for the separating lips, a damp gaze poured down like a waterfall. It felt like all his breathing holes were blocked. Dohyuk slightly gasped and raised his knee.
Junseo licked his own wet lips while looking at the hazy gaze.
“Yes, this is real guiding…”
It felt like his mind was forcibly clearing up. It was always to the point of bewilderment. Dohyuk twisted his head to look at the back of the sofa, away from the violent gaze that seemed to be crushing him from above.
“Do you always receive guiding this messily? Junseo doesn’t know because hyung is his first.”
Dohyuk’s chest inflated significantly as he inhaled deeply. After singing the national anthem all the way through to the fourth verse, he had tired eyes despite being in very good condition otherwise.
“What’s got you upset and making you act up this time, Junseo?”
“Acting up? I’m just being pretty, as always.”
Well, he was right about being pretty, at least. Dohyuk casually half-lifted Junseo, who was putting his weight on top of him, got up, and then sat properly on the sofa. His thick eyebrow raised on one side.
“Did you get upset because I got up alone?”
That must have been correct. With a build as refreshing as Dohyuk’s, Junseo burrowed into his arms without even being embarrassed. He wasn’t a large dog that mistakenly thought he could still fit in someone’s palm.
“Yes. I get very lonely, so I think I prefer being woken up by someone rather than waking up alone.”
When he acts so cute, it’s impossible to win.
***
The vacation unexpectedly enjoyed thanks to Seungmin was incredibly sweet.
After lunch, they saw off Junwoo, who was returning to Sokcho, and also gave plenty of ability energy to the cat.
“Oh, right. Junseo. You said you’d name the cat. Shouldn’t you do that now?”
As Dohyuk gently stroked between the eyes of the purring cat in the box, Junseo smiled thinly. Dohyuk blinked curiously at that mischievous expression. The answer came from Junwoo.
“I know it. The name.”
“Pardon?”
“Junseo has already given it a name.”
“Already?”
Despite Dohyuk’s question about what the name was, the Yu brothers didn’t provide any answer. Only the cat, who knew nothing, slowly rubbed its nose against Dohyuk’s finger. The cat, which had become noticeably sluggish due to the abuse in the laboratory, still only responded to Dohyuk’s ability.
“I’ll tell you when we properly bring him back later. To hyung.”
Junseo only said this with a mischievous expression. It seemed like a new kind of teasing, but somehow feeling like they could really bring the cat back again, Dohyuk obediently nodded.
“Is my brother perhaps embarrassed now? It does seem like a somewhat funny name.”
“When are you leaving? Hurry up and go.”
Although their reactions made him very curious about the cat’s name.
For the first time, he thought: a farewell with a promised reunion is exciting.
*
After finishing preparations to go to the Underground Nation and lounging around all day, there was still plenty of time. Is this why wealthy people are so relaxed? Feeling unfamiliar with this, Dohyuk was needlessly checking his scheduler again when Junseo stuck close to him. With his arms around Dohyuk’s neck and half his weight leaning on him, he looked like a cat climbing onto the keyboard and making toast, causing disruptions.
“Sit down quietly.”
“Rest with me.”
“Rest again? We already took a nap earlier.”
“Then play with me.”
Having given up after Junseo didn’t listen despite being politely asked, Dohyuk read through his scheduler with Junseo hanging from him.
“We’re going to the Underground Nation tomorrow. Aren’t you nervous?”
“Won’t hyung protect me? I want to be in hyung’s pocket.”
He said such shameless things with his large frame. Dohyuk finally revealed a smile and lifted his gaze from the scheduler he had been fixed on. The sky outside the large window was tinged with pink. Soon, a sunset burning like a red solar flare would newly spread through those colors.
“Are you bored?”
“Will you play with me?”
Answering a question with another question was one of Junseo’s bad habits. Dohyuk lightly pulled his earlobe. The sky, which had already turned reddish, shone in Junseo’s eyes.
“What do you want to play?”
“Let’s eat dinner outside, it’s been a while.”
Having quickly prepared to go out, Dohyuk and Junseo headed to the parking lot. Dohyuk wore the black coat he usually threw on casually when going out. Junseo had wrapped a scarf around him, concerned about something despite Espers not being greatly affected by cold or heat. The scarf covered Dohyuk up to below his nose. He felt ticklish at the tip of his nose with every breath.
The place they arrived at by car was, contrary to expectations, a bustling downtown area. Junseo, who had easily parked in the basement of a commercial building, smiled with his eyes and said, “Seah mentioned she likes the restaurant here.” It seems he’s in separate contact with both Seungmin and Seah. The way he acted so gracefully gentle, it was no wonder he was loved wherever he went. If things continued like this, wouldn’t the bad rumors gradually disappear? Dohyuk gazed vacantly at Junseo, then nodded and got out of the car.
“But actually, it’s not me but Seah who likes this place.”
After enjoying a delicious meal at the not-so-spacious and bustling rice bowl franchise, Dohyuk casually dropped this comment just before opening the door to leave, making Junseo smile faintly.
“I thought so. You prefer salty flavors, not spicy ones, right?”
“How did you know?”
“Well, naturally by watching you eat?”
It was a strangely tickling remark. Dohyuk quietly pressed his nape with his hand and closed his mouth.
His neat eyes turned toward Junseo. Junseo was dressed in jeans with a thick knit topped with a snow-white padded jacket, and with his gentle face, he could easily be believed to be a freshman beloved by everyone in a university area.
“By the way, do you get cold easily?”
“Yes. I don’t mind the heat, but I’m sensitive to cold. It’s too cold today… But why? Does it not suit me? Is it bad? Should I wear a coat from now on?”
