Red Mansion

That night, Sung-kyung couldn’t fall asleep easily. It wasn’t because of the sound of the cat running around, nor was it due to hearing hallucinations. It was the fear that Kwon Chungrim might abandon him along with Red Mansion.He didn’t want to be abandoned. His sick father, who was in the hospital, would only last a few more years at most. Once he passed away, Sung-kyung would truly be alone. In a life where he had nothing and desired nothing, the only thing he had ever secretly coveted was Kwon Chungrim. If he were to be abandoned, the world would surely turn dark.He didn’t want to go to Red Mansion, fearing Chungrim might disappear while he was at the store. Although the image of his emaciated father lying in room 109 came to mind, the anxiety of possibly being abandoned grew even larger. Despite knowing that Sung-kyung had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep due to anxiety, Chungrim cruelly pushed his back.Red Mansion was abuzz once again due to someone’s death, but Sung-kyung had no energy to care. He just stared at the clock, waiting for the hour to arrive. The guests whispered about the same topic as if it were so amusing.“Isn’t that the drug delivery guy? They say he messed up deliveries several times because he stole the drugs. The money he pocketed wasn’t a small amount, either.”Rumors clearly referring to Dari spread like wildfire. The image of his face, gaunt from drug use, flashed through his mind.“……”There was no sympathy. His throat was still dry from the hands that had strangled him, and the bloodshot eyes still flickered before his eyes. Those who were whispering here and there seemed to glance towards the store, but Sung-kyung didn’t notice.“Still a long way to go.”Thankfully, Chungrim answered the calls made every hour. However, he remained vigilant, knowing that Chungrim could still leave despite the reassurance.It was a little past 4 o’clock. With about an hour left until his meeting time with Chungrim, Sung-kyung anxiously felt his wrist and then quietly watched the CCTV, as if making eye contact with Chungrim on the other side. After a while, Sung-kyung abruptly stood up.“……”He felt anxious. He started preparing to leave early. After hastily tidying up the store, he ran to the mansion’s back gate. Then he sat in the scorching sun the entire time. Despite sweating profusely, Sung-kyung kept his eyes on the alley.“It’s past time……”Checking his phone, it was already past 5 o’clock. There was no way Chungrim would be late. He always kept his promises. To make matters worse, Chungrim wasn’t answering his calls either. Whether it was the heat or his insides burning up, his throat felt like it was being torn apart. His eyes, red and swollen from burst blood vessels, darted around. Though his wrist felt itchy as if bugs were crawling on it, he gritted his teeth and endured.Last time, after scratching so much that his calves and wrist area swelled, Chungrim had said, “Stop scratching. Doesn’t it look too ugly?” Remembering the way Chungrim had looked down at him like he was a bug, he forced himself to bear the itch. In a situation where he might be abandoned, he couldn’t afford to do anything that would make him more disliked.An hour had already passed since he stood at the back gate without any shade. Sweat trickled down his neck, soaking his back. The wind was suffocatingly hot in the middle of summer. But Sung-kyung didn’t utter a word about the heat. Just when his vision started to turn red and then pale, a familiar car pulled into a familiar spot.Only then did vitality return to Sung-kyung’s face. He had come. He hadn’t abandoned him. The hour spent waiting in the scorching sun now seemed like nothing. Kwon Chungrim had arrived. That was enough.Screech—! The car, which had been speeding, came to a halt just before hitting Sung-kyung’s knees. Secretly, Sung-kyung thought it would have been better if the car had hit him, giving him an excuse to stay at Chungrim’s house because he couldn’t walk.“Who told you to come out this early?”The window rolled down, and a refreshing scent wafted out. And as always, a dry face that hadn’t sweated a drop popped out.“Hurry up. I wanted to come out early.”Sung-kyung’s face was thoroughly cooked from the heat and sweat. His skin seemed to redden instead of tanning.“Did you think I’d arrive early just because you did?”“Were you watching me clean up too?”The eyes that asked this question sparkled with a strange brightness. Could he be so pleased even when being monitored? Chungrim tilted his head as if telling him to get in quickly, and only then did Sung-kyung start to move.Watching Sung-kyung walk around the front of the car to the passenger seat, Chungrim mumbled to himself. Fool. What could possibly be good about standing out in this scorching sun? He felt truly pathetic. Yet, even as he thought this, he found himself lowering the air conditioning temperature a bit more.“You said you never thought about leaving the mansion. Now you’re getting used to it.”“……”Sung-kyung quickly fastened his seatbelt. Sweat glistened on his forehead and the back of his neck. Chungrim scrutinized the glistening skin.Around 4:15, while Sung-kyung was tidying up the store, Chungrim had been watching it all on his tablet. From the figure busy behind the glass counter to him taking off his apron and changing his shoes, he had seen everything. You said you’d be out by 5, and now you’re slacking off.But since he didn’t keep the appointed time, he had to be punished accordingly. Chungrim deliberately arrived at Red Mansion 15 minutes past the agreed time. Had Kim Sung-kyung been standing there the entire time? Judging by his appearance, it seemed so.Chungrim felt an indescribable emotion. No matter how he tormented and bullied him, this boy would continue to rely on him until the end, right?“Did you really see everything?”“I did. I even saw you masturbating alone.”“What? No, I didn’t.”Not today. As he listened to the inwardly swallowed excuse, Chungrim stifled a laugh. It was a bit of a shame he couldn’t monitor the back gate with CCTV.What kind of expression would he have while waiting for me? Did he never once frown? Was he standing in the sun the entire time instead of in the shade? That would be more pleasing. He had many questions. Feeling inexplicably rushed, he was about to start the car. Sung-kyung was awkwardly straightening his back.“Sit properly.”“Oh.”For once, Sung-kyung looked embarrassed. Then he flapped the hem of his t-shirt a bit.“I sweated a lot.”“So what? I can’t see it, so move back.”Using the excuse of needing to see the side mirror, he forcibly pushed Sung-kyung’s thin shoulders back.“Don’t make such a fuss. It’s annoying.”It sounded like a scolding, but he was smiling. As he looked at the red lips curled into a smile, Sung-kyung tilted his head and wiped the sweat off his neck. Then he wiped his hands on his pants. He must be annoyed by the dirt. He made up his mind to better time his departures from now on, no matter how eager he was to come out early.“Yes.”The cool breeze soon dried Sung-kyung’s sweat. If they had lived unaware of this, they would have endured every summer with just a single fan. Sung-kyung harbored a desire to feel this refreshing breeze again next summer. They wanted to sleep in a place where the rain didn’t leak in, and the flooring wasn’t damp. As long as Chungrim was okay with it, that is.＊＊＊Someone Sung-kyung thought they wouldn’t see again after that meal came to the store. This time, the person was alone, without the usual entourage. As soon as he entered the hallway, he naturally sat at a table. Unlike Chungrim, Dari sat quietly with his legs crossed, looking rather composed.Sung-kyung glanced at Gyurim from inside the counter. Their eyes met. Feeling uncomfortable under his unwavering gaze, Sung-kyung slowly drew the curtain. Gyurim neither bought anything nor spoke. He just stared at Sung-kyung. After a while, he took out a cigarette and started smoking heavily.“…….”Gyurim’s face vaguely resembled Chungrim’s, but Sung-kyung paid him no further attention. Sung-kyung pulled out a notebook from the lower drawer and began to scribble.“What’s today’s date……?”Sung-kyung scanned the calendar with the tip of the pen, trying to remember the month and what day yesterday was. Flipping the pages back and forth, Sung-kyung realized they hadn’t written the date for a while. It wasn’t particularly important, so they gave up on noting it down.Kwon Chungrim takes quite a while to get ready in the morning. He applies something to his hair, combs it back, and picks out freshly laundered clothes every day. He chooses one of his expensive-looking cologne bottles and sprays it. It always has a refreshing scent. He must really hate the heat. Kwon Chungrim took good care of himself. He was different from Sung-kyung, who only washed their face and brushed their teeth. From head to toe, they were different.While staying at Chungrim’s place, Sung-kyung wore the clothes and underwear he provided. Even now, the clothes they wore were what Chungrim had left on the sofa. He always called them unfashionable, so perhaps they really looked bad.Sung-kyung stopped writing and buried their nose in the short-sleeve t-shirt. They smelled a pleasant scent. It was different from cheap soap or the overpowering fabric softener from the laundromat. It was the subtle hint of Chungrim’s cologne.After sniffing for a while, Sung-kyung picked up the pen again, remembering what they wanted to write.He seems to drive well and likes it. His speed is neither reckless nor slow. He maintains it every day.Now, Sung-kyung had gotten used to riding in the passenger seat. Struggling with the seatbelt felt like a memory from long ago. Every day at 11 AM and 5 PM, they had a chance to observe Chungrim driving. It was only about 10 minutes each time, but it was enough to imprint him in their mind. Sung-kyung smiled silently, hoping it would soon be afternoon.“Any cigarette.”Gyurim was suddenly standing in front of the counter. Startled, Sung-kyung quickly closed the notebook. Hopefully, he hadn’t seen anything. They cautiously watched his expression. Gyurim merely raised an eyebrow without any other reaction. Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t seen anything.“Give me a cigarette.”Sung-kyung pushed the notebook aside. Since there was only one type of cigarette, they grabbed the pack within reach and handed it over. Then, they glanced at the price tag below.“Four thousand five hundred won.”Thud. Gyurim threw a wad of cash on the counter. The amount was at least three zeros more than what Sung-kyung had said. They looked up at Gyurim in confusion. He stood arrogantly, not bothering to lower his head, only glancing down with his eyes.“Are you staying at Kwon Chungrim’s place?”“…….”Is it okay to say this? Sung-kyung kept their lips tightly sealed and just stared up at Gyurim.Gyurim positioned himself not directly in front of the counter but off to the side, behind the curtain, seemingly to avoid the CCTV. Sung-kyung glanced at the fist-sized camera. It probably didn’t reach where Gyurim was standing.“Since when?”“……It’s been a little while.”“How audacious.”Despite the blunt criticism, Sung-kyung didn’t raise their head. Kwon Chungrim’s rules applied equally everywhere. His brother was no exception.There was only one chance left to have a conversation. Sung-kyung remained silent, keeping their lips tightly pressed together.Gyurim, refusing to back down, stood with his arms crossed, exhaling a long breath. His shirt stretched taut over his thick forearms. What was he trying to say, taking so long? Was he going to hit them? Was he offering this money to make them stay away from Chungrim?The camera behind them kept drawing Sung-kyung’s attention, making it hard to stay still. They nervously scratched at their wrist, which had just healed from previous scratches.“Your dad’s hospital bills were covered by him too? I figured something was off when I saw the fancy place he was put in.”Gyurim’s voice was rougher and coarser than Chungrim’s, typical of someone who smoked heavily. He knew a lot about Sung-kyung. It made sense; the Red Mansion originally belonged to the twins, so getting resident information wouldn’t be difficult.“You heard, right? The ownership here is changing.”The quiet hallway amplified Gyurim’s voice. Instead of speaking, Sung-kyung nodded slightly. The disheveled hair made the nod barely noticeable.“If you’re planning to keep freeloading off him, you’ve picked the wrong path, so take this and leave.”“…….”“Or go kiss up to the new owner.”Is that how others saw it? As if they were freeloading off Kwon Chungrim. Or like Dari said, just licking his boots.That’s not it. It’s not like that. We have sex and sleep together. Why doesn’t anyone see it that way? Is it that mismatched? Unconsciously, Sung-kyung scratched their wrist with their nails. When they looked down, their wrist was red and bleeding slightly.“…….”Sung-kyung pushed the wad of cash to the edge of the counter. It dangled precariously off the edge.“Not enough?”Gyurim scoffed coldly. Sung-kyung mumbled quietly.“Don’t listen to him. He told me not to.”Whether it was taking money and disappearing or following a new boss, the only one who could give Sung-kyung such orders was Kwon Chungrim. No matter how scary the twins might be, he could only follow Kwon Chungrim’s words. Chungrim had explicitly told him, “Don’t listen to my brothers.” So he had to abide by that.“Haha.”A loyal dog that listens so well—no wonder Kwon Chungrim liked him, Gyurim thought, laughing in disbelief. Just like a few days ago at the restaurant, his gaze pierced through the counter, not reaching Sung-kyung. It was like blind obedience, as if Kwon Chungrim was watching from the side.“Damn, this beggar even refuses money.”So, even though he liked money, it seemed he didn’t take just any money. It was okay to use Kwon Chungrim’s money, but not Gyurim’s? What the hell?“I gave you a chance, but you threw it away. If you get kicked out empty-handed, that’s on you.”Gyurim retrieved the bundle of bills that had been precariously placed on the counter. The thought of what might be going on behind that seemingly innocent face made his skin crawl.After Gyurim, leaving a warning that was more like a threat, departed, Sung-kyung’s mood remained heavy. With his head hanging low, the crisp, fragrant new clothes that didn’t fit the shabby, worn-out shop felt out of place. The pleasant scent from earlier now felt nauseating. No, it seemed like the foul smell was coming from him. He buried his nose in his arm and inhaled deeply. All he could smell was mustiness and staleness.He quickly stood up. Like someone out of their mind, he went around locking the freezer and refrigerator doors, grabbed a bar of soap, and headed to the restroom. He scrubbed his arms and face vigorously with the apricot-scented soap. Even after several washes, the smell of poverty wasn’t easy to erase.“…….”That’s why everyone thought that way. Dari did, and so did Gyurim. Because he looked so pathetic, they couldn’t place Kwon Chungrim and Kim Sung-kyung side by side.Without thinking to wipe his dripping wet face, he stared into the mirror for a long time. The poor, pitiful Kim Sung-kyung reflected in the water-stained mirror. No matter how long he stayed by Kwon Chungrim’s side, he couldn’t change.How could he become someone who suited Kwon Chungrim? He bit his pale lower lip hard. Blood rushed back to his whitened lips.There were quite a few customers today. Perhaps because of the heat, many were looking for ice cream or beer.Having found a moment to organize the storage, Sung-kyung stood in front of the slow-turning large fan. The steady stream of customers had finally abated. He cooled down, fanning himself with his clothes. The time was just past 3:40. In twenty minutes, he would hear Chungrim’s voice. Sung-kyung held onto that thought to endure the heat.After cooling off a bit, he went back inside the sweltering shop. Though he directed the fan towards himself, it barely made a difference. As he fanned himself to stave off the heat, he heard a familiar voice cutting through the tepid air.“I’m here to collect the deposit.”Sweeping the sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, Sung-kyung’s eyes met Chungrim’s. He looked just as he had that morning—neat and dazzling.“Oh.”Sung-kyung was visibly flustered. Was it already time to pay the deposit? How had the time passed so quickly? Completely unprepared, he hadn’t managed to gather the money. The daily earnings seemed insufficient. He would need to fetch money from 422 to make up the deposit.“Uh, give me a moment to get the money, with interest, and the deposit…”Would it be enough? Even if he scraped together everything he had, it might not be close. His flustered mind couldn’t perform the calculations.As he stammered, Chungrim approached the ice cream freezer and took out his usual choice. He slid several ten-thousand-won bills into the cash register.“Just a bit more time and I’ll give it to you. The interest and the deposit…”Would the money be enough? He couldn’t tell. The thoughts swirled in his confused mind.As Sung-kyung babbled, Chungrim suddenly reached out and took a couple of the bills he’d handed over. He dangled them in front of Sung-kyung’s face, the crumpled edges flapping in the faint breeze from the fan.“Collection’s over.”The musty smell of the bills filled the air as Chungrim’s voice lingered. The amount was far less than what Sung-kyung owed for the shop and the deposit for 422.But Chungrim didn’t seem to care. He stuffed the bills into his shirt pocket, leaving the crumpled edges sticking out. Sung-kyung, still confused, blinked at him, unable to grasp the situation. Chungrim turned and shouted.“Hey!”Footsteps rushed around the corner, and soon a large man appeared, panting.“Yes.”“I’ve got the money, so just get the signature.”“Understood.”The man, sweating profusely in a black suit, approached with a sheaf of papers. His face was flushed from the heat. As he got closer, the smell of sweat and cigarettes grew stronger.“Shop 3, 3… Here it is.”The man tapped his pen against the paper, looking for something, then placed the document on the counter.Sung-kyung glanced at Chungrim, unable to shake off his questions. Should he tell him about Gyurim’s visit? Was it okay not to pay the full amount? He didn’t want to keep secrets, especially ones he hadn’t intended to create. His heart raced with unease.“Sign here.”The man nudged the paper towards Sung-kyung. Hesitant, he took the pen and looked at Chungrim one more time. Chungrim was focused on the pen. After a moment’s hesitation, Sung-kyung signed his name in the spaces marked for the shop and his apartment.422 (Shop 3) Kim Sung-kyungAs soon as he finished the last stroke, Chungrim spoke.“Wrap it up.”“Yes, sir.”The man nodded to Chungrim and left the way he’d come.Several ten-thousand-won bills were still sticking out of Chungrim’s shirt pocket. He tore open the ice cream wrapper with a long rip. The slightly melted ice cream glistened. Sung-kyung stared intently at the bright red ice cream as it disappeared into Chungrim’s mouth.“Now you’re openly staring at people, you pervert,” Chungrim said with a smirk, noticing Sung-kyung’s gaze. He tossed the wrapper into the trash and sat in front of the fan, chewing on the ice cream while the tepid breeze blew over him.Sung-kyung pulled back the curtain he had closed earlier because of Gyurim. The view opened up satisfactorily. The thin shirt clung to Chungrim’s upper body in the fan’s breeze, outlining his solid build.Had Chungrim noticed? That his brother had been here and had lingered for a long time right where he was now sitting? It didn’t matter whether he knew or not; there was no time to worry about that now. Watching Chungrim was more important.Through the faint breeze carrying the scent of cologne, Sung-kyung caught a whiff of strawberry. His heart started pounding again, a thrill he hadn’t felt with Gyurim, who resembled Chungrim.Looking at Kwon Chungrim sitting in front of the shop, it didn’t matter what others thought about him and Chungrim. He was certain he was special to Kwon Chungrim. Other people’s opinions didn’t matter. His previously heavy mood lifted easily with the slightest breeze.Sung-kyung picked up a pen and scribbled on a sticky note. Kwon Chungrim, Kwon Chungrim, Kwon Chungrim. Then he stuck it to his palm. The writing quickly smudged in the sweat, becoming a mess. Still, Sung-kyung smiled. It felt good to have something with Chungrim’s name on it, even for a moment.Amidst the buzzing fan noise, footsteps approached. Sung-kyung quickly crumpled the sticker in his hand and scribbled over the notes with Chungrim’s name. He pretended to write prices for the ramen shelf instead. 900 won. The letters came out crooked.Meanwhile, Chungrim kicked the half-open shop door fully open. Sung-kyung felt his gaze as he leaned against the door, staring intently.“I won’t be home for a while,” Chungrim said, his red lips still stained from the ice cream uttering unbelievable words. Sung-kyung, who had turned pale, asked again. He knew he shouldn’t ask why, but he couldn’t help breaking the rules now.“Why? Until when?”Since the dinner with Gyurim, Sung-kyung had been gripped by fear and dread, afraid that Chungrim might abandon him and the Red Mansion. Chungrim, scrutinizing Sung-kyung’s terrified face, wore a strange expression.“Do I have to report everything to you?”“Could you please let me know?”Leaning against the aluminum door, Chungrim laughed softly while biting the ice cream. The small pieces melted quickly under his teeth. His mouth felt unusually hot.“Who do you think you are?”“…….”I’m special to you. You care about me.Sung-kyung wanted to say that, but it was more important to know why. Why couldn’t Chungrim come for several days? Sung-kyung jumped up and hurried towards the door.“Please tell me.”He wanted to grab Chungrim’s shirt tail, but that was beyond his allowed boundaries. Sung-kyung’s slippers shuffled closer to Chungrim’s shoes, his eyes fixed on Chungrim’s lips.The ice cream moved in and out between Chungrim’s red, wet lips, breaking into pieces. Sung-kyung envied the pink ice shards, longing to be in Chungrim’s mouth, feeling his tongue, and being crushed under his pressure.Instead of answering, Chungrim kicked off Sung-kyung’s slippers. Sung-kyung’s foot, in socks, reluctantly moved back.“For a long time.”“…….”“For a very, very long time.”Chungrim’s playful tone made Sung-kyung’s dark eyes wobble uncontrollably. It felt like an ominous farewell.“Ah…….”Chungrim glanced down, noticing Sung-kyung’s trembling, dry hands. The cold sweetness under his tongue turned hot. Sung-kyung’s pale face and chapped lips moved silently. Chungrim watched those lips intently.Kissing them would be rough. How much would he have to moisten them to make them soft? He even thought about that unconsciously. He snapped out of it, letting out a hollow laugh.“Haha.”Tired of this game, Chungrim ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off his thoughts.“What, do you want me to take you with me?”“Yes, yes. I want to go.”It was a foregone conclusion. Without knowing where or for how long, Sung-kyung nodded eagerly. His messy short bangs tickled his eyebrows. Chungrim kept licking his lips, feeling unusually thirsty. The sweetness of the strawberry scent seemed to linger with each breath.“What if I take you and then cut you open?”“If you bring me back… I’ll do it.”If he couldn’t escape his poverty, it might as well be Chungrim who cut him open. Sung-kyung meant it.“You’re crazy. What’s in that head of yours?”Chungrim turned away, breaking his gaze from the seemingly crazed Sung-kyung. He took a couple of steps before stopping abruptly. Sung-kyung, who had been following closely, bumped into his broad back, hard enough to make his eyes water, but he didn’t utter a sound.“Instead of thinking about selling your organs, take care of your father.”It seemed like Chungrim was explaining why he couldn’t take him along. Sung-kyung quickly added an excuse as Chungrim walked away without looking back.“My father takes his medicine well. It’s cool there, and even if the doctor is a quack, he’s better than me.”It was the longest sentence Sung-kyung had spoken since Chungrim knew him. It was clear how desperate he was.“Hmm.”Chungrim’s lack of reaction made him anxious. He knew he had to work tirelessly to repay Chungrim, but the thought of being without him felt unbearable. His family, who once supported him, had long since failed in that role. Watching Chungrim had been his way of coping, and the thought of his prolonged absence was devastating.“What should I do?”Chungrim turned his head and looked over his shoulder. As expected, mentioning his only remaining family didn’t provoke any reaction. Sung-kyung’s pale face showed his confusion and desperation. Throughout his life, Chungrim had never met anyone who completely satisfied him. Most people failed to meet his standards and fell away. Even Merodo occasionally did things that displeased him.But Sung-kyung was different. He seemed eager to break through the flimsy boundaries Chungrim had set up, willing to endure suffocating constraints with a foolish smile on his face.“Come with me…”He had never planned to leave Sung-kyung behind. His brothers had already discovered the store, and he had seen a drug addict leave drugs there just days ago. What if Sung-kyung, in his absence, turned to drugs and started clinging to anyone who would take advantage of him? Chungrim couldn’t come rushing back to drag him out of trouble, so keeping him close was the only option.“It’s going to be a pain.”“….”“If you behave, you can come.”“Yes. I will, I promise.”With Chungrim’s reluctant permission, Sung-kyung let out a small sigh, as if he had been holding his breath. Chungrim’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk.＊＊＊Despite acting like he would leave immediately, Chungrim waited two more days before making any moves. Until the day they left, he never handed over the store keys, so Sung-kyung stayed in the cool house until it was time to get in the car.It seemed Chungrim wasn’t used to traveling with anyone. He drove himself to and from the Red Mansion, and this time was no different. When working, people usually bring along a few others. The twins seemed to do that. Sung-kyung was curious but didn’t ask, happy just to sit in the passenger seat.They drove for nearly two hours, with Chungrim taking numerous calls along the way. Sung-kyung pretended not to listen, but he caught every word.“Why do these things always have to be done when it’s so hot?”Chungrim mostly parked the car in open or deserted places. Each time, he left Sung-kyung in the passenger seat while he handled his business. Each time Chungrim returned, a wave of heat followed him into the car. Sung-kyung considered holding an umbrella to provide shade but was told to stay put. After several repetitions, they finally arrived at a hotel parking lot.“Aren’t you getting out?”Chungrim glanced at Sung-kyung when he didn’t hear the expected click of the door opening.“Can I get out now?”“If you want to sleep in the car, be my guest.”Chungrim exited the driver’s seat, and the passenger door soon followed. Sung-kyung obediently followed him into the hotel.Chungrim had only booked one room, despite having ample time to reserve another after deciding to bring Sung-kyung along. He chose to share a room, valuing the closeness despite the inconvenience. Sung-kyung, unaware of the reasoning, simply followed Chungrim.“Go shower.”Chungrim commanded before they even unpacked. Sung-kyung nodded, despite not feeling dirty, understanding the importance of following orders. As he rummaged through his bag, Chungrim’s irritated voice cut through the air.“Don’t dawdle, just get in.”“…Yes.”Sung-kyung assumed Chungrim would leave a robe at the bathroom door as usual. He quickly showered, and as expected, found a robe waiting for him. He donned it and emerged to see Chungrim ending a phone call.“I’m going to shower. Sit on the sofa and stay put.”“I’ll be back after I shower, so just sit here quietly.”He pointed to the middle of the sofa. Sung-kyung sat down in the spot he indicated. Only after hearing the slight creak of the sofa under his weight did Chungrim seem satisfied and walked away.“……”Who could he be talking to while I’m in the shower? Why did he hang up just as I came out? Was it really a coincidence? Sung-kyung couldn’t take his eyes off the phone on the table for a long time.Bzzz. The phone, which had been facedown, started vibrating. The calls kept coming. He wondered who could be calling.What if Chungrim takes this call and leaves me behind? What if he never comes back? Is he planning to kick me out and bring someone else in? Is he going to abandon me here in this faraway place? His lower lip turned pale as he bit down in anxiety.In the end, Sung-kyung couldn’t resist and reached out to flip the phone over. An unsaved number appeared on the screen. His eyes, gleaming with possessiveness, scanned the number repeatedly. He wanted to answer the call and yell that he was with Chungrim. He barely managed to suppress the sudden surge of desire. The phone rang a few more times before the call ended.Not long after, a small bell sound rang out again. Sung-kyung, who was staring intently at the phone, barely heard it. At first, he thought it came from the phone, but the screen only showed a missed call notification.“…What?”Sung-kyung looked around. The sound seemed to be coming from the door. He glanced back and forth between the room entrance and the bathroom door. Could someone come to the hotel? He hesitated for a moment before awkwardly getting up.At home, when the bell rang, Chungrim would go out to get the food. He remembered that most of their meals had been handled that way. Had Chungrim ordered food again? The only thing he had consumed since morning was a cup of coffee. Concluding that Chungrim might have ordered food because he was hungry, Sung-kyung walked towards the door without hesitation.Bang, bang. A loud knock came from the other side. His hand fumbled several times, feeling chased. After struggling for a while with the lock, he finally opened the door with quite an eager hand. But instead of the smell of food, the scent of cigarettes hit him first.“Shit. What are you scribbling around for? What is this?”Sung-kyung’s head tilted far back. The figure before him was as tall as Chungrim but much bulkier. He looked even more formidable than Gyurim, whom he had seen just a few days ago.Sung-kyung recognized the man. He was Kwon Surim, another thug who caused trouble around the Red Mansion, and another of Chungrim’s brothers. Surim scratched his neck with a large hand. Where his hand touched, a tail of some creature, either a snake or a dragon, coiled around.“Am I in the wrong place?”