Red Mansion

“Room 110….”A large man. A man he might have brushed past a few times at the store. Room 110. Room 110. Room 110. He wrote down the same number over and over again.He usually noted moments, events, and feelings he didn’t want to forget in his notebook. Whether it was because of the occasional medication or growing up being beaten too much, his past memories often became blurry.Most of what was written in the notebook was about Chungrim. It wasn’t difficult for Sung-kyung to recall things about him, but he meticulously recorded them just in case he missed something. He already had about ten filled notebooks at home.On one corner of the paper, where he wrote what Chungrim said at the store or what he wore that day, he repeatedly scribbled “Room 110” filled with rage. Although it was rare for other things to be written in the notebook, today’s event and those men had to be remembered. Sung-kyung pressed his pen hard as he wrote. His nose tingled with an impending cry.It took quite a while to clean up the store after the men wrecked it. Despite being beaten up, Sung-kyung had to protect the store. He couldn’t afford to rest just because he was hit. Both his body and mind ached, and his head throbbed in the stifling heat, but he endured.Whenever he had a moment, Sung-kyung would open the notebook and read. What temporarily made him forget the pain wasn’t expensive painkillers or medication. It was only the memories of Chungrim.December 24th ― 13 minutes. He looked excited from the moment he walked in. The coat that covered his knees looked very warm. He sparkled from head to toe as if he had an important appointment. It was so dazzling that I couldn’t look at him properly. He also smelled sweet, and I wondered what fragrance it was. I seem to be sensitive to scents the more I see him. He pretended to give me money but grabbed my wrist. He brought his nose to the back of my hand. My heart almost dropped, but I held it in. How ridiculous. I wondered what I looked like in his eyes. If I asked, would he tell me? And I learned something new. He was neat even to his crown.That was the day we played a tug-of-war with the bill. I was flustered because he held on as if he didn’t want to pay. Chungrim tilted his head and pulled Sung-kyung’s wrist closer, sniffing several times before chuckling. Warm breaths spread over the back of his hand.A breath softer and more fragrant than any hand cream. It made him tremble, but to be honest, Sung-kyung felt a bit embarrassed. Watching Chungrim picking ice cream, he felt his chapped hands were pitiful, so he used his mother’s hand cream. Chungrim noticed right away, making it seem like he applied it to look good for him.“Ridiculous.”Though he said it with a smirk, Sung-kyung’s heart raced at Chungrim’s keen perception. That day, when Chungrim looked well-groomed from head to toe, Sung-kyung couldn’t forget the sensation and sometimes pleasured himself to it.Sung-kyung flipped through the notebook to find another pleasant memory. The pain, which was at a ten, dropped to an eight.March 3rd ― 3 minutes. Already walking around in just a thin shirt. The muscles and veins stood out beneath the rolled-up sleeves. I wish he’d roll down his sleeves. Unlike my thin, pale arms. He bought a thousand-won water bottle but didn’t bring his wallet. If he said he’d pay next time, I could use it as an excuse to talk more. He brought in a tough-looking guy and had him pay, taking much more than the water’s price. That went into the safe, not the lower drawer. Because it wasn’t Chungrim’s.That was the day Chungrim looked troubled. It was the first and last time seeing that expression. When he fumbled for his back pocket and couldn’t find what he wanted, he made a foolish sound. His fingertips scratching his forehead were neat, and his eyes looking around were deep and dark.Soon after, Chungrim called a man who barely reached his shoulder to pay instead. During that time, Sung-kyung could watch Chungrim’s expression. Every time he opened this page, Sung-kyung wondered if Chungrim ever repaid that man.The notebook had countless question marks, but he couldn’t easily ask any of them. Because Chungrim and he were worlds apart. Could he ask before filling this notebook?The more he yearned for the unreachable Chungrim, the more the pain faded. That’s why he kept stealing glances at Chungrim.After tidying up the store and stacking waste paper for sale, it was past midnight when he stood in front of his door. He should have wanted to go in and lie down right away, but Sung-kyung hesitated to grab the doorknob. He pressed his ear against the door of Room 422. The house was quiet, maybe because the night was deep. His eyelashes, clinging to the silence, slowly opened and closed.After a while, Sung-kyung took out a rusty key from his pocket. Creak―. The old hinge made a creepy sound. Stepping into the hallway, he felt the heavy, musty air filled with his bedridden parents’ suffering.“…I’m home.”No response. Only the cheap fan whirred and clattered. The small room of barely ten square meters was all visible at a glance. His parents lay side by side under the wide-open window. The porridge set at their feet was untouched. Seeing that made his chest feel tight. Sung-kyung stood blankly until the shoe cabinet sensor light went off.“….”Thinking about washing his parents, giving them medicine, and clearing the uneaten meal made him feel so tired and exhausted. When he bowed his head, he saw his body filthy with dust, blood, and saliva.As his foot moved slightly, the sensor light dimly lit again. From the medicine bottle he had kept while getting beaten, there was a clattering sound of painkillers rolling inside. The small medicine bottle in his pocket felt so heavy that it was hard to take a step. He was soaked in sweat just from climbing the four floors.After hesitating for a long time, Sung-kyung decided and stepped inside. Though it wasn’t a big deal, he had to make up his mind before finally entering the house. His footsteps towards the bathroom were very light. When he opened the bathroom door, the damp air hit him.Moving his stiff body, he undressed and found his appearance very miserable. Bruises had already turned reddish on his chest, knees, and sides. Looking at himself in the small mirror, he saw a bruised cheek, lips dried with blood, and a scratched eyelid. His already unattractive body looked even worse.Because of the heat, only lukewarm water came out no matter how much he turned the lever to the right. Sung-kyung poured the water over himself. He had to stay in the bathroom for a long time, wiping his cheeks that kept getting wet as he washed.When Sung-kyung came out of the bathroom, he had a wet towel in his hand. It was time to wipe his emaciated parents’ bodies. Sometimes even a touch would cause them pain, so his touch was extremely gentle. He propped their bodies sideways with a pillow to prevent bedsores.He directed the only fan towards his parents. The wind was still warm. The back of the fan felt hot, as if it would explode. It made sense since it hadn’t stopped running all day. He sat next to it, borrowing the wind until his sweat dried. Until the moisture in his hair dissipated, he stayed there.After properly laying down his parents and covering them with a thin blanket, he cleared the meal at their feet. The porridge already seemed spoiled. A weak voice pierced through the darkness.“Why didn’t you have a bite, both of you?”Still, they could manage to eat alone or crawl to the bathroom. That’s why Sung-kyung hadn’t lost hope. If it got worse, they’d need diapers and feeding tubes. But their condition hadn’t deteriorated that much yet.If the quack doctor’s words were true and their condition worsened, it would be troublesome. He’d have to constantly check on them, and their care would require more effort. Though he could hire help for cheap, his current financial situation didn’t allow for such luxury.“Wasteful. Even if you don’t want to, eat.”Now, he felt sorrier about the spoiled porridge than his parents skipping a meal. He threw away the porridge he made in the morning, sweating profusely. While washing the dishes, he could feel their steady breathing behind him.Wiping off the remaining moisture on his pants, Sung-kyung took out the medicine bottle. Despite being beaten up, he managed to protect the pills and poured them all out on the table. He cut the pills in half along the middle crack. This was a process of turning a month’s supply into two months’ worth. If it didn’t work well, he would bite them to split them. Only after giving his parents the crescent-shaped pills did Sung-kyung sigh in relief.In front of the bathroom door. That was Sung-kyung’s spot. It was a space where he couldn’t even lie down comfortably. Checking the time, it was already past 2 a.m. He had to wake up at 6. Only four hours of sleep.He rubbed his dry, stiff eyelids. His eyes were so dry that no tears came out anymore. Lying sideways on the sticky and hard floor without a blanket, he stared vacantly out the window. It felt like his breath was stuck, just like when you have indigestion. It was suffocating as if something was lodged in his chest.Sung-kyung forced himself to take a deep breath. But the breath wouldn’t flow smoothly. No matter how deeply he inhaled, his chest felt compressed and suffocated.“Ha, I can’t breathe again.”Ever since his parents ended up like this, there had been many dawns when he couldn’t fall asleep easily. Mostly because he couldn’t breathe properly. This time of day was especially bad. Beating his chest and pricking his fingers didn’t help.“I didn’t even eat anything.”It couldn’t be indigestion. It felt like an air bubble was completely blocking his way, neither going down nor coming out. It felt like he would suffocate to death at any moment. The pain was a bit worse today. His sides hurt from being hit, and his lower back ached.Now, he was even starting to feel extreme anxiety, as if being chased by someone. His fingertips felt cold despite the hot weather. It felt like any moment, the man from room 110 would burst through the door and beat him and his parents senselessly. Sung-kyung kept turning his head to check the locked front door repeatedly.“…”Staring at the immobile doorknob, his heart raced and his hands trembled. Fear overwhelmed him. Today, he felt like he might really die. He was scared.Then suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. What’s wrong with dying? Living like this has no meaning. No matter how hard he struggled, he could never wear expensive clothes like Chungrim, drive a nice car, or hold lots of cash.Wouldn’t it have been better to die beaten up by those thugs earlier? What was the point of clinging to life? Why was I born like this? Why did my parents settle in the Red Mansion with no dignity? Why am I struggling like this? People die anyway. Myself and my parents too.How long would they mourn a dead child? They would quickly forget and adapt to reality. Considering their current state, they didn’t seem like they would grieve over their child’s death. If I die here, could my parents handle the aftermath? They don’t even react to my beaten-up face now. If I die, our family might just rot away together in room 422.Heavy thoughts grew and intertwined, swelling up in size. The dark thoughts became dense like smoke, pressing heavily on Sung-kyung. He wanted to drink some water, but he couldn’t move lying down. He felt a sense of helplessness, unable to accomplish even the simple act of getting up.A vague certainty arose that he could never get up. Sung-kyung lay frozen in fear and suffocating until dawn.＊＊＊He barely lifted his stiff neck. Sung-kyung looked up at the 5th floor, holding onto the old rope with a basket attached.“Pull it up.”Then, the man standing in the 5th-floor hallway pulled the rope. The heavy basket slowly rose upward. Sometimes, the upstairs residents bought items this way. As the weather got hotter, they disliked sweating while going up and down the stairs. When the basket with a note of needed items and money was sent down, Sung-kyung would gather the items and send them back up.That man always bought similar things. Five packets of ramen, three cream buns, one 10,000-won bill. The change was 2,500 won. The basket slowly ascended to the 5th floor. A man smoking in the 2nd-floor hallway grabbed the rope and shook it. The 5th-floor man cursed.The snickering 2nd-floor man snatched a cream bun from the basket as it passed by him. The child standing next to the 5th-floor man swore loudly and ran down the hallway. He was probably going after the thief.Sung-kyung turned away and went inside, worried he might get blamed for not delivering the items properly. It seemed absurd, but the residents here were capable of such things.Pulling out the keys to the store from his pocket, Sung-kyung entered the mansion. Even when leaving for just a minute, he had to lock the store and freezer. There had been many cases where the store was looted in the blink of an eye. Once, a whole box of ramen disappeared while he went to the bathroom. Sung-kyung’s steps came to a halt.“Oh…”Chungrim was sitting at the plastic table in the hallway. Despite the hot weather, he was wearing a jacket.“Just a bottle of water.”Unlike other residents, he didn’t get annoyed about Sung-kyung stepping away. He just took out a 10,000-won bill from his wallet and placed it on the table. Sung-kyung felt a bit flustered. He wasn’t supposed to come today. It was an unexpected visit. Nonetheless, he took the money Chungrim put down and opened the store door. The hinge creaked loudly as he moved hastily.He threw the keys roughly onto the counter and took out nine 1,000-won bills from the safe. He also fetched a bottle of water from the icebox. The bottle was soaked since it was buried in half-melted ice, but he wiped it off with his apron. The cloth turned dark with moisture, but it didn’t matter.“Here.”He placed the change and the bottle of water on the blue table. Chungrim, who was hanging his jacket on the chair arm, turned around. He glanced at Sung-kyung’s stained apron and then at the change on the table before taking only the water bottle.“You don’t have any pockets, boss.”Then, he casually pushed the remaining bills aside. It seemed like he didn’t even consider small change as money. Sung-kyung thought about how he labored to earn even a few bills by filling and sending up baskets multiple times. At times like this, Chungrim seemed like he lived in a completely different world.“What happened to your face?”Chungrim opened the bottle cap. Snap. The cap came off smoothly without resistance.“I got beaten up.”There was a slight hint of hope in Sung-kyung’s voice. If he answered like this, would Chungrim worry about him? Might he even ask who hit him? It was a baseless expectation that he might receive special treatment from Chungrim. He prepared himself to answer immediately if asked. Room 110, that big guy. And those guys from the hospital are in on it too.“Those idiots. So ignorant.”But he had to swallow his prepared words. Chungrim didn’t seem interested in who had beaten Sung-kyung.“These days, even gangsters settle things with words.”He let out a small chuckle, his lips curling upwards. He must have been quite thirsty because he emptied the bottle in one go, leaving only a trace of water at the bottom. Whether from disappointment or a sense of being slighted, Sung-kyung’s brow furrowed slightly. His dark pupils seemed to question, “Why didn’t you ask more?”Sung-kyung watched, almost entranced, as he swallowed the water and wiped his lips. His gaze was intense, unyielding, and fixated.“Hey.”“Yes?”“What are you staring at? You’re making me feel like shit.”At his words, Sung-kyung snapped out of his trance. He hadn’t realized he was staring so intently. Blushing, he quickly looked away, noticing his wet apron. He flinched slightly, realizing the stain looked similar to the one he got when he ejaculated. His lower abdomen tensed and grew heavy.“I’ll throw this away for you.”Chungrim eyed Sung-kyung as if assessing something, then handed him the half-empty water bottle. Sung-kyung took it and walked away as slowly as possible, feeling the spot where Chungrim’s lips had touched the bottle. Moisture transferred to his thumb.After apparently coming just to drink water, Chungrim briskly walked past Sung-kyung and headed toward the rear exit. There was no farewell; he simply pushed the glass door open and vanished in no time.What was the purpose of his visit? Usually, he wore flowing shirts, but today, he wore a crisp white shirt and a jacket, despite the weather. Sung-kyung suddenly looked up as he threw the empty bottle into the recycling bin. Chungrim had left his jacket draped over the chair’s armrest.“Just a moment. Ah!”His burst lips stung as he opened his mouth wide. Pressing his lips with his forefinger, Sung-kyung quickly ran toward the glass door. Chungrim was nowhere in sight. What now?“Why is he so fast?”Realizing he hadn’t locked the store, Sung-kyung couldn’t leave the area. Sucking his lower lip, which had started to bleed again, he glanced around before re-entering the store. He picked up Chungrim’s jacket, patting the pockets but finding nothing. Fortunately, there was nothing that could be misunderstood.The jacket felt unexpectedly rough to the touch. Memories of what he had just witnessed flashed in his mind: Chungrim’s wet, red lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed, his lowered eyes, lashes, and deep voice. Sung-kyung checked the hallway. It was still quiet.“……”Hesitant, Sung-kyung buried his nose in Chungrim’s jacket and inhaled deeply. His chest expanded, pulling at his bruised side. The jacket faintly smelled of cigarettes. After taking another deep breath, Sung-kyung lifted his head.After scanning his surroundings once more, he felt a heavy sensation in his lower abdomen. He sucked his bitten lip, tasting the blood. Swallowing the remaining blood on his tongue, he re-entered the store, locked the flimsy aluminum door, and walked towards the chair, taking his time to savor Chungrim’s scent. He drew the curtain over the store’s glass window.“Sniff, haah.”He took deep, deliberate breaths. His throat felt itchy as if bugs were crawling inside. How hot would it feel if his wet lips touched his own? His hands, as big and solid as the water bottle, would feel incredible against his body. Imagining Chungrim’s touch deep inside him, Sung-kyung squeezed his eyes shut, his swollen lips clenching.A rush of excitement coursed through him from his calves to his buttocks. He straightened his back and slowly moved his hips back and forth. Pleasure surged, making his knees shake.Thinking about Chungrim while masturbating was not difficult. It was a fleeting escape from his harsh reality. Sung-kyung frowned, burying his face in Chungrim’s jacket and breathing deeply.“Ah, ugh—”Pleasure curled his toes. Sung-kyung squeezed his thighs together. The pleasure pierced his brain sharply. He didn’t necessarily want to have sex with Chungrim. Well, it was impossible. As a man, there was no way someone as insignificant as him could experience that.He just needed a concrete object for his desires amid his hard life, and Chungrim happened to captivate him. Therefore, he knew it would remain a fantasy.“Ugh.”Slipping his hand into his pants, he rubbed his wet glans with his thumb while leaning back in the chair. The jacket enveloped his face entirely. His thin body trembled with each movement.When he closed his eyes, he saw Chungrim: a shirt with buttons undone, revealing his chest, a sweat-slicked neck in the heat, a mouth that seemed sweet with melted candy. His erect penis outlined clearly against his trousers as he walked.“Haah, huff. Cheong…”He couldn’t even say his name properly. His hand quickened as it stroked his penis. The wound on his hand stung, but the pleasure overwhelmed it. Each breath filled his body with Chungrim’s scent of cigarettes and cologne.His calves and thighs tensed as he stood on his toes. His back arched, and the chair squeaked and slid backward.Sung-kyung covered the head of his penis with his palm. White fluid spattered across his hand, flowing slowly down the shaft. He shuddered, rubbing the head with his cum-soaked hand. The sour smell quickly filled the store.“Haa.”Sung-kyung took a long breath and sat up. Sweat made his white T-shirt cling to his skin. He no longer felt guilt masturbating while thinking about Chungrim.A smile crept across his face. His eyes, obscured by his bangs, curved into a smile, and a low chuckle escaped his lips. Though it only lasted a few minutes, during that time, he could forget his debts and sick parents and feel a thrilling sensation. That was enough.Sung-kyung placed Chungrim’s jacket on the counter. With shaky hands, he grabbed a paper towel and wiped his hands, pants, and apron. He threw the cum-stained paper into a black plastic bag and left the store.The smell was too strong to leave the door open, so he carefully locked the store and looked around as he headed to the bathroom. The hallway was still quiet.Four more days passed, and then another week. Chungrim didn’t come back. He had visited regularly for the past two years, but recently, he had become unpredictable. The notes where Sung-kyung recorded Chungrim’s visits started to show cracks. Sometimes, Sung-kyung would stare at Chungrim’s jacket hanging on the wall for a long time.＊＊＊Besides the store and the deposit for unit 422, Sung-kyung had to pay off monthly interest on his debt. His parents’ hospitalizations required large sums of money, which he had borrowed from Chungrim.Of course, Chungrim did lend money and collect interest, but he didn’t handle it personally. Usually, a man who acted like his right-hand man would give out the money and do the talking. He claimed that with an interest rate of only 3%, it was practically a gift. Not sure how it was outside, but since there was no other place to borrow a large sum, the choice was clear.Still, Sung-kyung had to meet Chungrim when repaying interest or part of the debt. He had to close the shop early and go to repay the money according to Chungrim’s schedule.Chungrim always received the money in person at his office. It probably wasn’t much to him. He counted the money in front of Sung-kyung and made him sign to confirm the repayment. Of course, it wasn’t a loss for Sung-kyung since he got to steal glances at Chungrim’s face during that time.Today was that day. Recently, Chungrim hadn’t visited the mansion often, so Sung-kyung had been eagerly awaiting this day. Since he hadn’t seen him in a while, he secretly hoped to gaze at him long and hard.Last night, a stranger visited the shop. He said he came to deliver Chungrim’s message that Sung-kyung didn’t need to come. Sung-kyung shook his head. He insisted on settling the money matters in person. With a laughable sense of responsibility, he demanded a one-on-one meeting with Chungrim. After all, he couldn’t miss this rare opportunity. The man tilted his head, made a brief call, and then spoke.“He says you can come, though he might not have time.”The permission was granted more easily than expected, and Sung-kyung laughed out loud, which was rare. It was a hard-won promise. Well, not exactly a promise, but just a meeting between a lender and a borrower. Still, Sung-kyung’s face showed a hint of excitement, unlike someone going to repay a debt.He managed to gather enough money for repayment this month, thanks to the tip Chungrim gave him. Now, his wallet was truly tight. Visiting his hospitalized parents frequently had also significantly reduced his income from delivering medicines. Recently, he heard a few times that there was less work available, which worried him.“Will I be able to start right away?”There was no other way to earn money except for delivering medicine. If that stopped, it would be a disaster. A new concern weighed heavily on his already burdened shoulders.Sung-kyung squatted at the rear gate, where few people passed by. He held a paper bag containing Chungrim’s jacket in one hand and kept checking the pocket holding the money envelope with the other.Screech. A car stopped in front of the squatting Sung-kyung.“Get in.”The passenger window rolled up after a brief command. Usually, they took a van when many people went to pay the interest. Today, it seemed like he was the only one, as a car had come. Sung-kyung hesitated before quietly getting into the back seat.The car was cool inside, and it smelled good. From the moment he got into the car until they left the mansion’s gated area, it was like another world outside. Tall buildings, expensive cars, and clean structures. The city was a stark contrast to the Red Mansion, and it quickly passed by.Chungrim’s office was in a shopping complex within a high-end apartment complex, not far by car. It was said to be his third office. He had no idea what other businesses Chungrim ran there. He could only guess that it involved supplying and selling the drugs that were the main livelihood of the Red Mansion people.“…I think we passed it.”Usually, the car would stop in the shopping complex’s parking area. They would go up to the third floor, pay the money, sign in turn, and then return. The mansion people would wait until everyone was done before heading back together.However, despite the usual parking spot being empty, the car did not slow down but kept going. Surprised, Sung-kyung grabbed the passenger headrest.“We passed it.”“We’re not going to the office today.”“What? Then…”Was he meeting him at a different office because he was busy? Before he could ask, the driver added,“You’re going to wait at his house today.”If it was his house, then Chungrim’s house. The corners of Sung-kyung’s mouth loosened. He had never imagined he would get to go to Chungrim’s house. He thought the only place he would set foot in was the office. He relaxed and leaned back in the seat, feeling his heart pound loudly.“He sometimes postpones when he’s busy, but he’s making an exception this time.”The driver grumbled irritably, but Sung-kyung barely heard it. He would probably need a lot of notes to fill today. It was a rare and amazing day, entering Chungrim’s personal space.The journey to his fortress was complicated. The security was tight, requiring three card swipes. Even the tiles in the elevator and hallways were luxurious and expensive-looking. The overwhelming sense of intimidation made him feel small.Following the man, he stood in front of the door. Strangely, none of the house doors had numbers. How did they find their way? He regretted not knowing the unit number, although he would probably never come here again.The man, apparently familiar with the place, unlocked the door. Sung-kyung followed, mimicking his actions. Inside, he awkwardly put on the slippers and stepped into the space.The cool air from the air conditioner clung to his hot skin. The stark contrast from outside made him shiver. He thought of Chungrim, who always wore loose shirts. Living in this temperature, how hot must it be for him to endure the Red Mansion with just a fan?“Wait here and don’t move.”The man directed Sung-kyung to the sofa near the living room.“……”Distracted by the splendid living room, Sung-kyung didn’t respond. His chapped lips slightly parted in awe. The chandelier adorned with crystals, the framed pictures, the vases. They all looked expensive and grand. Everything perfectly suited Chungrim. It all matched its owner well. The only thing out of place was Sung-kyung.“I’m watching through the CCTV, so don’t try anything funny.”The man pointed to the cameras peeking from every corner of the living room. Things not found in the Red Mansion.“Yes.”Sung-kyung stared at the fist-sized black objects, then headed to the sofa. It was arranged in a U-shape, much like the structure of the Red Mansion. He perched on the edge, closest to the entrance.The man soon left. He had expected a couple of housekeepers to be around, but the house was quiet. The strong air conditioning in an empty house explained why Chungrim always wore loose shirts at the mansion.“He must live alone.”The thought made Sung-kyung unable to contain his smile. Knowing Chungrim lived alone was reassuring. Ah, right. He mentioned CCTV monitoring. After suppressing his smile for a while, he finally raised his head.Then he sat down and meticulously examined his surroundings. His black pupils, hidden beneath a shaggy fringe, flashed repeatedly. He intended to jot down the scenery of Chungrim’s living room in his notebook: the lined-up liquor bottles in the display case, the car keys hanging on the wall, the columns irregularly stacked with shelves, boxes, and hammocks. Bottles with sticks placed here and there emitted a tangy scent with each breath. Everything was so Chungrim.He couldn’t believe the day had come when he could step into Chungrim’s territory. He wanted to examine not just the living room but the entire house. However, he couldn’t move because of the warning that he was being watched. His eyes wandered busily around the interior.“Myaa―.” A familiar cry was heard. Sung-kyung opened his eyes wide and looked around. The sound came from the inner hallway. As he leaned back, he met eyes with a cat with dark gray fur.The stray cats near Red Mansion usually had rough and patchy fur. They were plump from being fed by the residents, but this cat, which squinted its eyes warily at Sung-kyung, was different. The cat with glossy fur moved gracefully and dignifiedly.“…You’re not alone.”He felt a tinge of regret. The cat’s long tail waved slowly, forming gentle curves. The furry tuft cutting through the air glistened.The cat, perhaps finding Sung-kyung unfamiliar, didn’t easily come out to the living room. It just stood at the corner, crying with its eyes opening and closing. Sung-kyung stared quietly at the cat. The cat also met his gaze with its greenish eyes.Although he didn’t particularly like animals, he found cats to be okay. He had often felt a sense of kinship while watching the cats coming and going from Red Mansion. They were underfed, couldn’t bathe properly, had no proper place to rest, and struggled daily, harassed by people. The lack of welcome they faced everywhere reminded him of himself. So, occasionally, he would give them water or tofu.When tidying up the storage room, a familiar cat would sometimes brush its body against his leg. Sung-kyung found that action quite endearing.“Come here.”The mansion cats would slowly wag their tails and come to his feet when called. But this cat, after licking its front paw a few times, quickly darted back inside. It went to a place Sung-kyung couldn’t follow recklessly.“…Just like its owner.”The cat’s abrupt and indifferent movements were just like Chungrim. Yet, it was clear the cat was living a much better life than he was. Even in the height of summer, the house was cool, there was no worry about food or money, and the cat could roam every corner of Chungrim’s house. It was probably the first time he felt envious of a cat.Left alone again, Sung-kyung continued observing the living room. Directly ahead, there was a large window. It was big enough to let in the hot midday sun fully. The highest he had ever gone was the 5th floor of Red Mansion, but seeing the neighborhood from such a high place was a first for him.He placed the shopping bag with the jacket at his feet and looked out the wide window. Beyond the spotless windowpane, he could see the buildings and streets he had passed by. The letters ‘RED’ painted thickly on the shabby building wall caught his eye.By now, the people inside the mansion were likely cooling off in the hot breeze of a fan. Unlike him, who was enjoying the cool breeze. He had been part of that place just moments ago. Feeling as if he was being treated specially, he had mixed feelings. Even though he knew he didn’t belong here, he felt that way.“It’s clearer than I thought.”Chungrim was definitely monitoring Red Mansion from his home. It meant he was always within Chungrim’s sight. A smirk appeared on his face.The sweat that had beaded on his forehead and nape had dried completely. The unpleasant stickiness on his skin had vanished, leaving a cool, smooth touch when he brushed his forearm. He felt that if he could endure a bit longer, he might become someone who fit in here.“…..”On the living room table, smoke was rising from a stick planted in a long holder. Sung-kyung gazed at it as if entranced. It didn’t seem like a drug, but it had a similar mind-clouding effect. Maybe that was why it was placed here. He was lost in thought when he heard a rough voice from behind.“Hey.”A careless hand tapped his shoulder. Lost in the smoke, he hadn’t heard anyone come in. Without answering, Sung-kyung met the man’s eyes.“He’ll be here soon. He’s in the parking lot now.”The man was drenched in sweat, as if he had been doing something strenuous. He rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbows and flapped the front. Sung-kyung, with his sweat-free, glossy face, silently watched the man. It felt as if their roles had switched.The man went into what seemed to be the bathroom, hurriedly preparing something, and soon went back out. His movements were very urgent. Sung-kyung was left alone again. From now on, he could only wait like a decorative object in the living room.Creak. The sound of the front door opening echoed. Sung-kyung straightened his back. Thump, thump, his heart began to race. Slide, slide. A slow shuffling sound followed as feet dragged across the living room floor. When he turned his head slightly, he met eyes that seemed completely unfocused.“Am I late?”The words dragged out. Chungrim, leaning on the man as he entered, was heavily intoxicated. Despite being supported, his tall frame swayed repeatedly. He waved his hand limply at Sung-kyung and smiled foolishly. With each step closer, a smoky scent wafted over. The cool perfume scent was barely noticeable.Sung-kyung was about to rise, supporting his thigh, but the bathroom door closing sound came first. He sat back down, scratching under his eye with his index finger. The area with the mole turned reddish before subsiding. He felt like a grain sack left unattended, yet he remained seated obediently. Chungrim had waved and acknowledged him first.“Get out!”A sharp shout suddenly erupted from inside. Startled, Sung-kyung widened his eyes and turned towards the bathroom. The man who had followed Chungrim in came out. Soaked, he swept his wet fringe back. There was no trace of irritation or anger on the man’s face, just a calm expression as he moved.The man came near the sofa and placed his phone on the living room table. He even held up his palm towards the frozen Sung-kyung, gesturing to ‘wait’ while whispering softly. Unconsciously, Sung-kyung nodded. The man, dripping water, went out the front door, leaving Sung-kyung alone once more.Occasionally, there were sounds of things falling or being knocked over beyond the bathroom, but no screams followed. So, he waited quietly. The bathroom door opened much later. It seemed the noise was from bathing, as Chungrim had a large towel wrapped around his waist. Though still staggering, the smoky scent was gone.“Damn, those who don’t listen need to be disposed of.”He muttered fiercely, ruffling his wet hair. Sung-kyung couldn’t tell if he was talking about the man who had left or himself. Seeing Chungrim staggering and leaning against the wall, he got up to help.“Stay put. You’re making me dizzy.”