Red Mansion

That night, Sung-kyung had a nightmare. It was a dream of being abandoned alone inside the Red Mansion, with no sign of anyone around. No matter how much he screamed, only hollow echoes returned. The once bustling building was now empty, making it even more eerie and terrifying.Sung-kyung wandered around the building, sweating profusely. He checked familiar places from Store 3 to Hospital 109, to Room 422 where he had spent his whole life. After confirming that the rooms were bare, he opened the doors to other houses he could see. Not a single ant was in sight.Drenched in sweat and with his legs giving way, he sat down in the middle of the skybridge. It was a point from which the entire Red Mansion could be seen. He looked around. The silence was chilling. Everyone had left, abandoning him alone. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the darkness enveloping him.At the same time, Sung-kyung jolted awake.“Ugh.”The air conditioner was running, making the air cool, but his forehead was drenched in sweat. He didn’t even know when he had fallen asleep. He remembered closing his eyes, exhausted, without even drying his hair.Sung-kyung brushed his short bangs aside. Chungrim was sleeping a distance away, covering his eyes with his arm and not moving at all. The pounding of Sung-kyung’s heart finally began to calm down.Was he really this afraid of being abandoned by Chungrim? The vague emptiness and fear he felt in the dream were too scary to recall. Sung-kyung quickly reached out and lightly touched Chungrim’s hair. The soft sensation under his fingertips was reassuring. He moved carefully, afraid that any touch on Chungrim’s bare torso might wake him.“Hah.”Feeling Chungrim’s presence, Sung-kyung finally sighed in relief and lay back on the bed. The sleep that had escaped him didn’t come back easily. So he spent time watching the outline of Chungrim, bathed in the moonlight. The dark sky turned deep blue, and the color gradually lightened. Sung-kyung watched Chungrim with bloodshot eyes until the dawn broke.The schedule was almost the same as yesterday. They toured the wide grounds, looked around the surroundings, and then moved again by car. Sung-kyung remained in the passenger seat the whole time. His back was stiff, making it hard to move, and Chungrim didn’t tell him to get out. Even though there was a damp feeling, probably from some leftover semen, Sung-kyung didn’t feel any discomfort.Chungrim, who was in the driver’s seat, threw a small, black shopping bag into the back seat. It rolled around with a light sound. What could it be? A gift? From whom? A woman or a man? What’s inside? Sung-kyung kept glancing at the back seat, but Chungrim’s voice stopped him.“Don’t open the store from tomorrow.”“What? But the money…”They needed to sell goods at the store to pay off some of the debt. If not, they would need to make money by delivering medicine. Sung-kyung remembered overhearing Chungrim and the twins talking about deliberately causing delivery accidents. So the source of money from medicine delivery was also gone. Suddenly, Sung-kyung felt his situation was pitiful, having nothing.“Pay it back with something else.”Something else? What could he do? What should he do to pay off the suffocating debt? He might have to open his belly at this rate. He suddenly lifted his head, which had been hanging low.“Oh, I still need to go to the hospital. My father is there…”“Go with me every four days.”From now on, Sung-kyung wouldn’t be staying at the Red Mansion, so he wouldn’t have to pay a deposit. They never intended to pay back the money for the goods they took from the store. If the borrowed money and interest were considered paid, there was no need for Sung-kyung to make money anymore. Chungrim arbitrarily erased all of Sung-kyung’s debts.The problem was what lay ahead. The plan was to sell the mansion and the residents to start a resort business with that capital. They needed a place where people with money could comfortably trade medicine. They even planned to build a golf course to give customers a reason to stay longer. It was a large-scale project requiring a lot of attention and time. They would have to go on many more such boring trips.Of course, Sung-kyung would be happy to tag along if asked, but there was a high possibility that the twins would visit unexpectedly like last time. They pretended not to, but the twins were always looking for a chance to take away what Chungrim had.“What are you glancing at? Sit properly.”“Yes.”Sung-kyung finally faced forward and sat up straight. Curiosity didn’t fade easily, though. The recipient of the gift didn’t seem to care, but Sung-kyung kept glancing at the shopping bag. Wasn’t he curious? Was he so used to getting gifts that he didn’t bother opening them? During the long drive back home, Sung-kyung looked back several times.He had only followed for two days, mostly sitting in the passenger seat. Perhaps because he had spent his entire life cooped up in the mansion, even moving a long distance made him quite tired.After washing up in warm water, his eyelids felt heavy. Sung-kyung yawned and walked into the living room. Unlike the slow-moving Sung-kyung, Chungrim was already sitting on the sofa with his hair dried. He was on a call, but when he saw Sung-kyung, he gestured for him to come closer.“I haven’t checked it yet.”Sung-kyung sat at the end of the sofa, which had become almost his designated seat. He quietly watched Mero eating food and drinking clean water by the window. Its tail swayed slowly, seemingly content. Mero waited well alone, probably because it believed Chungrim would return home.“Do you still love this stuff?”Chungrim flipped the black shopping bag on the table upside down, shaking it. Sung-kyung had brought it in because Chungrim didn’t. Inside was a rectangular box that looked very luxurious.“Hang up.”Chungrim hung up the phone carelessly and tossed it aside, then opened the box to reveal a shiny watch. It looked expensive at a glance. Chungrim took the watch out and grabbed Sung-kyung’s hand. Though some swelling had gone down, his wrist was still red as if burned. Chungrim put the watch on Sung-kyung’s wrist.“This is for you.”Sung-kyung quietly looked at the loosely fitted watch. It wouldn’t scratch or graze his wrist because of the strap. The heavy, foreign feeling was awkward, so he rotated his wrist a few times.Chungrim removed his gaze from the watch and took out the cushion inside the box. It revealed a folded piece of paper and a small zipper bag. Inside were several pieces of silver foil, similar to gum wrappers. Sung-kyung immediately recognized what it was. He had seen plenty while living at the Red Mansion.“There’s quite a bit.”Chungrim shook the zipper bag with the silver foil inside.“Want a hit?”That amount would be worth a few hundred in money. Sung-kyung unconsciously licked his lips. The last time they went to Dari’s place, there wasn’t much, and it was weak. That amount seemed enough to be satisfying. The eyes, bloodshot from fatigue, gleamed as if they had found prey.“Look at you, really becoming a junkie.”Chungrim, who had been chuckling, opened the drawer under the table and took out a lighter. Holding the zipper bag and the lighter in one hand, he stood up from the sofa.“Follow me.”Sung-kyung licked his lips and followed him. Behind them, the sound of Mero’s light footsteps echoed. He guessed they were heading to the room because Mero often wandered around the living room.Chungrim sat at the table, and Sung-kyung, after closing the door, sat at the edge of the bed. With a natural motion, Chungrim rolled up a piece of silver foil from the zipper bag. The foil, which had been stiff and crisp, turned into a long filter shape in his large hands.Chungrim heated one end with the lighter. Soon, the end began to blacken and smoke rose. Both of them instinctively took deep breaths and held them. They continued to breathe slowly, allowing the drug’s effects to spread throughout their bodies.The room soon filled with a spicy and subtle aroma. As time passed, a dense fog filled their minds. The previously exhausted mind and body began to feel clear.Sung-kyung felt like his heart was pounding inside his brain. With reddened eyes, he stared intently at the watch on his wrist. 13 seconds, 25 seconds, 45 seconds. Time seemed to pass much faster when he was on drugs. It felt like only a blink of an eye, but the second hand had already made several rounds.“Lift your head.”Chungrim’s voice was more drawn out than usual. There was something strangely sexy about it, and Sung-kyung lifted his head with an excited expression. Chungrim, leaning on his elbows and resting his chin on the table, also had a dazed look in his eyes. He had this expression when Sung-kyung first entered this house.However, the sight before him now was even more unguarded than back then. Chungrim, with only a towel wrapped around his lower body, had numerous scars on his exposed torso. Inside his wrist, resting under his chin, was a scar similar to Sung-kyung’s. Red, new skin scars remained on his side and shoulders, triggering an urge to touch them.“Where do you think you’re touching without permission?”“Ah.”What should have remained a fantasy became reality when Sung-kyung unconsciously reached out and stroked Chungrim’s side. As soon as his fingertips touched the long scar, Chungrim grabbed his wrist to stop him. The heat from Chungrim’s body made Sung-kyung shudder. His palm felt much warmer than usual.Feeling itchy and numb below, he grabbed and rubbed his genitals with his other hand. No matter how much he touched, the itch didn’t go away, so he started rubbing his penis against various surfaces. The dense and delicate fibers of his gown rubbed against his glans, making him increasingly excited.“Ah.”With a furrowed brow, he rubbed his hands vigorously in search of pleasure. Chungrim, still resting his chin on his hand, watched the aroused Sung-kyung.“You get so worked up just from taking drugs.”Chungrim’s cool gaze slowly scanned Sung-kyung as if caressing him. His increasingly reddening neck. The white thighs visible through the gap in his gown and his feet sweeping the floor.“It just keeps itching down there.”Even his voice, trembling slightly. Chungrim’s Adam’s apple moved significantly, followed by a long exhale. Ever since before, Sung-kyung had engaged in obscene acts without hesitation whenever he was on drugs.“Where does it itch?”“Below, below…”“Look at that. It’s already hard.”“Yes, yes.”Chungrim slowly stroked the inside of Sung-kyung’s wrist with his thumb. He pressed lightly on the thick vein running through the tender flesh without causing pain. His hand moved up and down as if masturbating.“Hyeong, you too…”His pronunciation slurred as if he was about to cry. Unable to control his excitement, Sung-kyung moved his body slightly, trying to continue speaking.“You’re hard too.”At those words, Chungrim looked down. The front of his towel was already swollen with excitement.“Ha ha.”“You want to do it, don’t you?”Chungrim laughed like a madman. He threw his head back, his shoulders shaking. Because of Sung-kyung, I really have become a full-blown homosexual. Chungrim, groaning as if in pain, straightened up. He clumsily untangled the towel and pushed the excited Sung-kyung onto the bed.“Ugh, ha…”Sung-kyung, who had been lying down with his butt raised, kept bending his knees as if his strength was draining away. His upper body was already collapsed and completely pressed against the bed.A solid body hovered over him. Even if he wanted to lift his torso, he couldn’t move because Chungrim was pressed closely against his back. The air was cool, but their sweaty and sticky bodies clung together, only to peel apart with a sticky sensation.“I told you not to sit down.”Despite being fully inserted, Chungrim continued to push downward. Sung-kyung’s knees were red from rubbing against the sheets.“Yes, yes.”Sung-kyung raised his hips to match Chungrim’s downward thrusts. Feeling the snug connection below, he exhaled a long sigh inwardly.Chungrim slowly withdrew and repeatedly pushed back in, only the tip remaining inside to prevent the walls from separating. The sensation of liquid filling the inner walls alternated with the feeling of it being sucked back in. The lewd sound of squelching continued.Chungrim exhaled deeply and pulled out. His completely soaked penis sprang up, scattering moisture into the air. The sticky fluid stretched like a thread connecting their bodies. From his buttocks to his thighs and the backs of his bent knees, a cloudy liquid trickled down in a trail.“Ah—”They had been having sex for hours like people who had lost their minds. They said pleasure multiplies several times when on drugs, and it was true. Wherever the large, hard glans touched, Sung-kyung’s body trembled, and his vision flickered. Even without penetration, he felt excitement and pleasure as if he were taking Chungrim inside him.Chungrim seemed to feel the same. He moved his body as if he were stirring Sung-kyung’s insides. As his penis grew hard again, he began to rub it vigorously around the entrance, making thrusting motions into the air. Despite not being inserted, his hot and dark red penis kept brushing against the entrance. Fluid dripped from the tip, trailing down the shaft.“Haa, hoo.”As if slamming into the inner wall, Chungrim pushed his waist forward again, attempting to insert himself deeper. His member pressed through the tight entrance, feeling like it was reaching deeper than ever today.“You’re twitching a lot. Feels good?”Maybe it was because of the drugs. The rules they usually followed during sex were completely ignored. Sung-kyung was free to moan, look back, and even subtly arch his back.“Y-yes.”With his face buried in the sheets, Sung-kyung nodded. His hair was a mess. Chungrim pressed down on Sung-kyung’s skinny waist and straightened up. The inner walls clamped down so tightly it felt like his member might break. Why was it so tight? He frowned and slapped Sung-kyung’s bruised butt hard.“Ugh!”Sung-kyung tensed up, trembling as he released his cum. After multiple orgasms, it was much thinner than the first time. Sung-kyung’s body went limp, still leaking.Gripping Sung-kyung’s hips, Chungrim continued his relentless thrusts. The entrance was soaked with milky fluid, glistening with each movement. He looked down at the entrance, pink from friction. Pressing his thumb against the unyielding opening, Sung-kyung let out a pained moan.“Ugh…!”Pushing his thumb inside alongside his member, liquid coated his fingers. Chungrim grimaced as the inner walls gripped his knuckles tightly. He groaned, biting his lower lip hard. The sensation built up as he rolled his hips.“Haa.”Sung-kyung’s eyes flew open, clutching the sheets. When Chungrim ejaculated, the cum reached deep inside, almost to his chest. His bulging lower abdomen quivered. He felt the slow trickle of fluid between his thighs.Chungrim withdrew slowly, causing a gush of thick fluid. He laughed, rubbing the cum-soaked thighs.“You look like a total slut, damn it.”Was he talking to Sung-kyung, himself, or both? Even as he spoke, Chungrim was unsure.Leaving his member half-inserted, he resumed thrusting. The stretched entrance tightened around his shaft. After a few more thrusts, he pulled out completely. Sung-kyung’s muscles tensed and quivered.Grasping his still-leaking member, Chungrim urgently stroked himself. He squeezed Sung-kyung’s butt hard, leaving deep imprints. His eyes remained glued to the sight of the leaking cum. His lips kept drying, forcing him to moisten them with his tongue.“Get up here.”With that command, Chungrim lay back. As he stretched out, Sung-kyung crawled over his body, knees digging into his flesh. Rubbing his eyes, Sung-kyung looked down at Chungrim’s still-erect, dark red member and muscular thighs.“Suck it.”At the brief order, Sung-kyung swallowed thickly. Lowering his upper body, he grabbed the rigid member and took it into his mouth. The salty taste of cum hit him first, but he didn’t stop, flattening his tongue to lick the tip.Meanwhile, Chungrim grabbed Sung-kyung’s feet, tickling his forearms. He stared intently at the entrance, red from hours of penetration. Pressing his thumb against it, fluid oozed out. His gaze was unwavering, almost obsessive.Maybe it was the drugs making him overthink. Gripping Sung-kyung’s butt tightly, Chungrim took a long, deep breath and bit his lip. His mouth kept drying out. The entrance showed no signs of closing, still burning hot. Swallowing hard, Chungrim tried to contain his excitement.“Ugh.”A moan escaped Sung-kyung’s lips, unable to take in the entire shaft. Chungrim’s gaze lowered, seeing Sung-kyung’s erection pressing against his chest.“Damn it.”He felt like a switch in his mind had flicked off. Unable to hold back, he pulled Sung-kyung’s butt closer and licked the cum-coated entrance. The twitching inner walls contracted around his tongue.Sung-kyung spat out Chungrim’s member, burying his face in his thigh. Smack. A hard slap on his butt made Sung-kyung clench tight, feeling the hot breath against him.“I didn’t say stop. Again?”Chungrim’s lips curled up as they glistened with fluid. Despite trembling, Sung-kyung lifted himself and resumed sucking.Feeling the clear movement of the tongue on his tip, Chungrim buried his face back into Sung-kyung’s rear. He never imagined a day would come where he’d be sucking another man’s bottom. What he once considered just a hole for his dick, now made him crave more. He needed his tongue to touch every part of it.Spreading the buttocks, he thrust his tongue deep inside, savoring the fluid that leaked out. He licked it all up. Holding the ample flesh, he even licked the perineum. He bit down on the tender skin, sucking hard.“Ugh, ugh!”Sung-kyung twisted, overwhelmed. Seeing the reddened skin, Chungrim smirked, gripping Sung-kyung’s thin leg against his side. With his tongue inside Sung-kyung, he thrust his member into Sung-kyung’s mouth, feeling a sharp shiver of pleasure.The cool air from the air conditioner mingled with their heated bodies, raising the temperature around them. Their breaths were hot and heavy, filled with nothing but primal instincts. Time seemed to blur by, the window darkened with rain outside.One moment, they were on the floor, then the sofa, then the bed. Sometimes tangled up in the bathroom, or pressed against the window. The locations kept changing, but it always felt like Chungrim and Sung-kyung were locked in a passionate struggle. Thanks to the drugs, they never tired of sex. Everything was wet below, with dried cum stiffening the groin and lower abdomen.“Ha, ugh—.”This time, they were on a table at the foot of the bed. Chungrim’s solid body was lodged firmly between Sung-kyung’s spread legs. His rough thrusts made the table creak and shake.“Ugh, ah…”Chungrim’s legs were weakly dangling around his waist. The tight fit inside made every movement intensely felt. Sung-kyung’s erect member was now only leaking thin fluid, showing signs of exhaustion.Despite this, the relentless pounding from Chungrim brought another wave of orgasmic sensation. Sung-kyung clumsily wrapped his legs around Chungrim’s waist, his heels pressing against Chungrim’s buttocks as he drove deeper, hitting a spot that made Sung-kyung tremble all over, saliva dribbling from his mouth.“Ah, ah…”“Relax,” Chungrim cursed through clenched teeth, driving his hips harder, causing the table beneath them to creak. He wanted to reach deeper, his frustration growing as his need for satisfaction remained unquenched. Gritting his teeth, he pressed their bodies closer, mashing Sung-kyung’s groin against his abdomen.Sung-kyung moaned and tightened his legs. The sudden jolt made Chungrim see stars, his muscles tensing as he released a torrent of fluid inside. Resting his forehead on Sung-kyung’s shoulder, he gasped for breath as the prolonged ejaculation filled Sung-kyung’s belly.“It hurts. It hurts,” Sung-kyung whimpered, clutching his swollen abdomen.“Bear it. You like the pain,” Chungrim’s broad shoulders shook with laughter, his hot breath brushing against Sung-kyung’s neck, causing another wave of sensation to ripple through his body.“You’re too tight,” Chungrim muttered, feeling the snug grip around his member. As he reluctantly pulled out, more fluid gushed out, trickling down and soaking the table and their thighs.“Did you get like this with someone else because of the drugs?” Chungrim accused.“No, no,” Sung-kyung denied weakly.Chungrim grabbed his waist, pulling him close. Their sweaty, slippery bodies pressed together as Chungrim bit out his frustration.“Liar. I can’t even think of being with anyone else, but you did, didn’t you?”Sung-kyung’s hands rested lightly on Chungrim’s broad shoulders for support, not to hold but to steady himself. Chungrim’s sudden fierce gaze made Sung-kyung freeze, his eyes meeting Chungrim’s intense, almost predatory stare.“Hold on properly.”Chungrim lifted Sung-kyung, making him wrap his legs around his waist again. As he thrust back in, the tight entrance swallowed him completely. His fingers explored the joined area, confirming the tight fit before he started moving again.Time seemed to blur. Whether it had been hours or days, Sung-kyung wasn’t sure. His body felt raw from the constant sex, his throat hoarse from moaning. Sometimes he found himself half-asleep during the act, only to awaken to Chungrim’s relentless pace.“Why did you stop?” Chungrim asked.Sung-kyung was now straddling him, hands on Chungrim’s firm abdomen, moving slowly. Chungrim’s gaze was fixed on the messy, cum-soaked joining of their bodies.“The drugs are wearing off, aren’t they?”Chungrim bent his knees, driving deeper and making Sung-kyung gasp. Chungrim’s grip was unyielding, his body hard and unyielding beneath Sung-kyung’s grasp. Chungrim reached for a lighter and a foil-wrapped filter, igniting it.Sung-kyung inhaled deeply, his movements slowing as the haze of the drugs took over. Chungrim’s thrusts met his halfway, the intensity making tears prick Sung-kyung’s eyes. The world around him began to distort, reality blurring with hallucination.“Why did you stop?” Chungrim demanded.“Because… you’re wearing off,” Chungrim’s voice was a mix of anger and mockery.Sung-kyung’s vision wavered, seeing Chungrim through a foggy, mosaic-like lens. “You… you.”Chungrim’s thrusts grew more intense, pushing Sung-kyung closer to the edge. “Do you like my cock or the drugs?”“Both,” Sung-kyung gasped, the pleasure pushing away the last remnants of fear.“You’re mine,” Chungrim growled, his voice a harsh whisper in the darkened room.Whenever Chungrim laughed, the penetration went deeper. Sung-kyung bit the soft skin under his lip and pushed himself down harder. From the tip of Chungrim’s penis, which seemed to reach his solar plexus, something gushed out. At the same time, Sung-kyung, who had been erect and bent over, also ejaculated. The cloudy liquid splattered on his lower abdomen and chest. The two of them intertwined their bodies several more times, becoming a mess of semen, sweat, and lust.＊＊＊It took a long time to come back to his senses. The first thing Sung-kyung felt was pain. His lower body hurt terribly. His thighs and buttocks were sore, and his opened bottom wouldn’t close properly, causing pain down to the bones. Every movement made semen leak out.Although he wanted to rest longer, he reluctantly got up, driven by the need to change the thoroughly soaked sheets. Semen trailed behind with each step he took. Clumps of liquid quickly ran down his groin, and he stood and bowed his head to watch it drip and spread on the floor.“Why are you dawdling instead of washing up?”“It’s all dripping here.”Chungrim’s gaze, carrying the sheets, turned to Sung-kyung standing in the middle of the living room. Semen was spotted on the floor, and quite a bit had pooled where Sung-kyung stood. Normally meticulous and easily annoyed by such messes, Chungrim now only felt his lower body throbbing. He recalled Sung-kyung’s earlier complaints about not being able to close his legs properly and swallowed hard at the thought.“Stop fooling around and wash up.”“Yes.”“Hey.”Sung-kyung turned his head. His white face was dotted with red: his nose tip, cheeks, forehead, and lips. Despite airing the room, he couldn’t understand why he was heating up again. Chungrim, who had been lazily scraping his tongue against his palate, finally spoke.“Don’t close the door.”“Yes.”The view of Sung-kyung walking to the bathroom was quite a sight. His legs were covered in dried white marks, and his lean body was dotted with bruises and red handprints, especially on his thighs and buttocks, where Chungrim often grabbed him. If there had been more foreplay, his body wouldn’t have held up.Chungrim licked his lips as he watched Sung-kyung fully enter the bathroom. It wasn’t until the white body disappeared and the sound of water running was heard that he was able to look away.Sung-kyung washed his hair with the shampoo Chungrim told him to use and took a hot shower. He saw bugs crawling between the red marks left on his body. The bugs disappeared as he scrubbed hard under the hot water. Despite pouring hot water in midsummer, it didn’t feel too hot, likely due to the cool air from the living room’s air conditioner.Even though he had been leaking all the way there, it was now time to empty the remaining semen inside. Not wanting to remove it all, he didn’t insert his fingers too deep. Perhaps because he didn’t scrape it all out, his stomach felt a bit sore, but he could bear it. His pelvis felt numb from keeping his legs spread for so long. He pressed down on the area with his hands while rubbing shower gel on his skin.Now, his body had more of Chungrim’s marks than actual wounds. There were no kisses or gentle caresses, but red marks and bruises appeared wherever Chungrim’s hands touched.Sung-kyung felt pleased looking at his ruined body. He never thought such a day would come for him. He wished Chungrim’s interest wouldn’t fade anytime soon. He silently made a small wish to a god he had never believed in.“It’s already healed.”After brushing his teeth, the area around his lips felt empty. Maybe they had sex for quite a long time while high on drugs because the scab on his previously torn lip was already forming.He lightly scratched at the wet, damp scab with his fingertips. Gradually, his strokes became harder until the area around his mouth turned red. The scab fell off, and blood started to seep out. The metallic taste of blood spread as he licked the sore spot with his tongue. The reflection in the mirror showed Sung-kyung smiling contentedly.The view outside the window was pitch black. Here and there were clusters of orange and red lights, and small specks falling like ash. They looked like cigarette embers. Red Mansion was hardly visible, probably because it was the darkest spot.As Sung-kyung’s mind was absorbed by the night view, he kept glancing back. He straightened up at the sound of tapping on the dining table.“You don’t want to eat, do you?”“…No.”One of the biggest changes since staying at Chungrim’s house was his meals. Chungrim made sure to eat three meals a day. For Sung-kyung, who was used to eating at most one bowl of food or leftover porridge a day, it was overwhelming. His body, accustomed to poverty, couldn’t easily adapt to such luxury.“Then why are you picking at it like that? It’s unappetizing.”Despite Chungrim’s bowl being clean, Sung-kyung had barely eaten half. He thought he wasn’t slow at eating since he was used to quickly finishing his meals, but Chungrim was much faster. Sung-kyung quickly picked up his spoon. To eat more quickly, he mixed the rice with soup.“Finish it all before you get up.”“Yes, I won’t leave any.”The food Chungrim set on the table was incomparable to the cheap meals from Red Mansion’s restaurant. So, even when he was full or found it hard to eat, he forced himself to finish everything.Chungrim watched Sung-kyung with his arms crossed. His gaze was more like surveillance. Sung-kyung’s throat was sore from screaming last night, and he repeatedly winced as he swallowed the rice. The meal took longer because of this, but Chungrim stayed seated until Sung-kyung took his last bite.After finishing his meal, Sung-kyung realized the cat was also hungry and meowing. “Meow, meow.” Sitting on a strange pillar on the windowsill, it kept staring at Chungrim. Familiar with this, Chungrim replaced the water in the water bowl and filled the food dish.“Eat.”Despite the height, the cat landed lightly and walked over. It alternately looked at Chungrim, kneeling by the food dish, and Sung-kyung, standing awkwardly behind him. As if it was fussing about its food, the cat sat by the dish and meowed shortly, blinking its green eyes slowly at its owner.“Stop whining for treats and just eat your food.”Chungrim glanced at Sung-kyung, then grabbed his ankle and pulled. Standing on one foot, Sung-kyung wobbled, and he put his fingertips on Chungrim’s broad shoulder to keep his balance.“If you don’t eat, you’ll end up like this.”The foot Chungrim held was bony. The cat blinked and meowed before starting to drink the water. Sung-kyung thought the slurping sound was quite cute.“It seems even the cat doesn’t want to end up like you.”With a laugh, Chungrim let go of Sung-kyung’s ankle. Despite holding it briefly, a long red mark appeared on his pale ankle.Sung-kyung repeatedly curled and stretched his toes. Did he look pathetic even to the cat? Having lived his whole life in the Red Mansion, he felt that the sense of wretchedness clung to him, no matter how hard he tried to shake it off. The damp, moldy smell emanating from his body seemed to spread throughout the house, carried by the air conditioning breeze.“Now, you’re eating well.”Leaving the cat munching on its food, Chungrim walked towards the sofa. Sung-kyung, familiar with the routine, sat in the spot closest to the entrance. From there, he could see the large window that dominated the living room.Due to the darkness outside and the brightness inside, the glass reflected the living room like a mirror. Amidst the luxurious and brilliant space, his shabby, skinny figure seemed out of place, as if it didn’t belong there. The long white smoke drifting from the incense stick on the table made Sung-kyung’s mind even more scattered. The tiny sound of the cat chewing its food filled the room.“Why is the cat’s name Mero?”Propping his chin and staring at Mero’s back, Chungrim replied.“Because I picked it up at a grilled fish restaurant called Mero?”