The Night Of The Untraced

“Seunghee looked good too.”No further explanation was needed. Hearing those words, Muyeon let out a knowing laugh. The bitterness left in her heart seemed to dissolve into the fragrant scent of coffee.* * *At the main gate of Korean University, people were bustling in and out. It was around lunchtime, and groups of students were streaming out in clusters. Some were saying the pork stir-fry was delicious, others wanted to try something different today. Amidst the chatter, a voice caught Muheun’s ear.“…Hyung?”He looked up to see Seungjoo in the distance, his eyes wide open in surprise. A puff of white breath escaped his slightly parted lips, and his gaze, which seemed to be slightly taken aback, remained fixed on Muheun. Although he looked like a sturdy young man to others, in Muheun’s eyes, he was no different from the ten-year-old kid he’d once dreamed about.“Is that really you, Hyung?”“Did you come to pick me up, Seungjoo?”Muheun’s sharp hearing caught the murmur of Seungjoo’s friends nearby. However, he simply raised a hand and waved, pretending not to notice. In the past, Seungjoo would have shown a hint of irritation, but now he gave a casual answer to his friends and strode directly toward Muheun.“Hyung, what are you doing here?”Typical of someone sensitive to the cold (though Seungjoo insisted it was normal), his nose had turned red even though his padded jacket was zipped up to his neck. His expression showed unhidden delight at seeing Muheun, and the upward curve of his mouth revealed the same sentiment.“Just had some spare time.”He was glad he’d come to pick him up. After finishing his tasks at the association, he’d had some time, so he figured he might as well go fetch Seungjoo. He wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, so seeing him earlier and going home together sounded nice. Having him close was comforting, but he hadn’t anticipated feeling this thrilled.“Did you have lunch plans with your friends?”“No, I can just leave with you.”“Are you sure?”Muheun unwrapped the scarf he’d been wearing loosely and wrapped it snugly around Seungjoo’s neck. Despite being able to walk around in just a t-shirt even in midwinter, this was why he had bothered to bring a scarf. If he’d had his way, he’d have given him his coat as well, but Seungjoo would probably have a fit if he did that.“Aren’t your friends waiting?”When Muheun pointed behind him, Seungjoo turned around with a curious look. Taking advantage of the moment, Muheun swiftly took Seungjoo’s bag and slung it over his shoulder. Seungjoo spun back around, realizing a moment too late what had happened, with a look of resigned amusement.“Wow, that’s unfair…”“Hyung will carry it.”“It’s really not heavy.”“Exactly, so it’s fine.”Even if it were heavy, Muheun didn’t want Seungjoo carrying anything. Although it wasn’t much to him, he figured it was still a fair amount for Seungjoo, considering the books, a pencil case, a couple of notebooks, a laptop, and now even a thermos in his already full backpack.“I’ll only carry it for you during exams, okay?”“Fine… suit yourself.”Seungjoo’s softening was apparent even in moments like this. In the past, he’d have kept a disapproving look the whole time, but recently, he seemed more willing to lean on Muheun. It was a sign that he was opening up and a hint of his newfound willingness to indulge in affection.“And they’re just here to look at Hyung. I told them I’d leave first.”When Seungjoo pointed at his friends with his thumb, Jinwoo and Seohyun quickly turned their gazes away. Sure enough, they were just watching out of curiosity. Muheun was used to looks like these, and kids staring didn’t bother him. The only thing on his mind was something else entirely.“So that’s Seohyun and Jinwoo?”“Yes, Kim Seohyun and Choi Jinwoo.”With that murmured recognition, Seungjoo nodded obediently and took hold of Muheun’s arm, leading the way. After a nod to his friends, Muheun followed behind Seungjoo at a slow pace.‘Would it bother you if I walked a girl friend from my class to the bus stop?’It was the day after he’d spent two weeks with Seungjoo. As they lazed around in bed, Seungjoo had casually brought it up. When Muheun tilted his head in confusion, unable to gauge his meaning, Seungjoo quickly waved his hand, urging him not to misunderstand.‘Not normally, but let’s say we had drinks and she got tipsy. It’d be dangerous at night, right?’‘Why? Did you walk someone home?’‘No, I offered, but she declined, saying her boyfriend wouldn’t like it.’Considering Seungjoo had been out drinking just the night before, Muheun could guess the context. Seungjoo had probably offered to help, as he was naturally considerate (though he called it meddling), only for the girl to refuse, wary of her boyfriend’s reaction.‘It doesn’t really bother me. The streets can be dangerous at night.’Muheun truly didn’t mind. In fact, he found it endearing that Seungjoo had grown up to be so thoughtful and kind. How did he turn out so well? That sense of pride was also present, though he did have a few things he wanted to caution him about, as his boyfriend.“But you’d be upset if that girl liked you, right?”Seungjoo was gentle and kind-hearted—a truth no one who knew him could deny. While my family was full of warm people, Seungjoo’s kindness had a different quality to it.“It’s not that I’m saying you’re bad, Seungjoo; it’s just how I feel.”* * *Even if I wanted everyone to cherish him, I wanted to be the only one loving my partner. While I felt like broadcasting how wonderful Seungjoo was, there was also a part of me that wanted to hide him away where no one could see him. There was no way others wouldn’t be drawn to that human warmth, and it was only natural to feel uneasy about how others might react.“Did Seohyun drink a lot?”That day, the first person who came to Muheun’s mind was his friend Seohyun—a girl who always hung out with Jinu. She was about a head shorter than Seungjoo, and they looked so naturally good together when standing side by side.“…How did you know?”Seungjoo didn’t deny that Seohyun was the person he had intended to take home. Judging by his awkward expression and withheld words, he seemed somewhat aware of Seohyun’s feelings for him. After all, it was his friend Seunghee’s younger sibling. He had an uncanny knack for picking up on when someone liked him.“Well, you’re usually close to Seohyun.”In fact, Muheun had noticed Seohyun once before—when he’d seen a picture of her with Seungjoo on his phone. It was obviously a picture taken for a school project, yet the fact that it was just the two of them bothered him.They said they’d met with Jinu, too. But that day, it ended up just the two of them.Back then, we weren’t even dating yet, but it was after Seungjoo had confessed his feelings to me. The play probably didn’t last more than two hours, but it was clear they’d spent nearly a whole day together, practically like a date.Even knowing how childish it was, I couldn’t help but feel jealous, so Seohyun stayed in my mind. Originally, I was more worried about Jinu, who always clung to Seungjoo, but emotional connections affected me more deeply than physical closeness. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Seungjoo or suspected Seohyun, but human emotions don’t always follow reason.* * *“Are you listening to me, Hyung?”“Yeah. You said you have to study a lot today, right? You should eat a good lunch.”Glancing back, Muheun naturally wrapped an arm around Seungjoo’s shoulder. The look in his eyes as he watched Seungjoo from afar was something more complicated than just friendship. Knowing there was nothing wrong with the young twenty-year-old, Muheun hoped he would quickly move on from his feelings.“I’ll make you something delicious.”“Hyung, don’t you need to sleep?”“I can sleep after I cook.”“We could just order something….”Maybe I should buy him a ring instead, since writing his name isn’t an option. Knowing Seungjoo, he’d wear it earnestly even if he wondered why I’d gone to such trouble. Just like how he carried the amulet Muryeong had written for him in high school, the ring wouldn’t need to be burned like the amulet when it ran out of effect.“This is fine. I’ll eat with Seungjoo, then hang out for a bit before sleeping.”“…What do you mean, hang out?”“Hmm… what should we do?”Our ever-popular Seungjoo.If Seunghee heard this, she’d click her tongue and call me childish. Knowing that, Muheun had no intention of changing his mind. Relationships are supposed to be a little childish, and meeting Seungjoo despite that was his own choice.“Hyung, you have to go out tonight, right?”“Yeah, I know, Hyung knows.”“And I have to study.”“Mhm, I know that too.”Muheun chuckled softly, pulling Seungjoo closer into his arms. The way he came willingly, without resistance, couldn’t have been more endearing.Muheun squinted his eyes, thinking he really should come up with a solution soon.* * *The sky was a clear blue without a single cloud. Just a few days ago, it had snowed, but today, as if nothing had happened, even the storm clouds were gone. The sun shone brilliantly overhead, and despite the cold, it was bright enough to hurt one’s eyes.“Remove everything from here to here….”“It’s better to strip it all out and then build the structure….”On such a sunny day, an unprecedented number of exorcists gathered at the Seo family’s ancestral home. The high walls, traditional Korean house with its refined design, and the beautifully landscaped yard. The only blemish in this well-maintained home was the talismans attached to the walls, which they were now removing.“…We’ll remove the core later….”The Seo family, long cursed by Gwimae, had endured an uncountable number of years under this curse until, a few months ago, Seungjoo had purified it completely. Since he had cleansed the remaining Gwimae and changed the family’s fate, they no longer needed to cling to the practices of the past.Thus, they decided to dismantle the protective barrier around the house. Although there had initially been resistance, Seungjoo’s occasional shortness of breath due to his spiritual sight left them no choice. After much consideration, his parents finally decided to be brave and removed everything except for the essential barriers necessary for daily life.“As long as we follow Team Leader Kim Muheun’s design…”The association’s top exorcists, known for their expertise in barriers, had gathered, and among them was naturally Muheun. Despite his busy schedule, Muheun managed to find time to create the formula for the barrier himself. It was designed to have no effect on the living but still block any potential evil spirits.“Alright, let’s begin.”At the signal of someone’s words, exorcists in ceremonial robes scattered throughout the house. As an important sponsor of the exorcist association, the Seong family had several high-ranking exorcists present, some of whom were eager to leave a mark with their work. It was, of course, an attempt to impress, but as they weren’t doing anything wrong, it wasn’t a concern.“Team Leader Kim Muheun, there’s something strange here…”Muheun carefully examined the wall that the exorcist pointed to. Like the others, he was wearing a ceremonial robe adorned with paulownia trees. Since his disciplinary action had been lifted, he had received his ceremonial robe back and remained part of the leadership team.“If you remove the central axis, it should be fine. Don’t worry, just proceed.”As soon as Muheun finished speaking, the exorcist nodded and began to remove the talisman. Though it seemed like a simple process, it wasn’t something an ordinary person could do, as it involved Yeongi.As Muheun stepped back to observe, someone quietly approached him.“Team Leader, is there anything I can help with?”The person who spoke was Gwangsik, the only one not wearing a ceremonial robe. He had appeared somewhat intimidated when entering the house. As someone still close to an ordinary person, it was understandable that seeing this level of barrier would be a surprise.“You don’t have to do anything. There’s nothing for you to do.”Muheun waved his hand dismissively, signaling that he was fine. Though his words may have sounded cold, they were the truth. Gwangsik wasn’t part of the leadership, and even before losing his memories, he hadn’t been particularly skilled in barriers.The only reason he was brought along was because he had expressed a desire to visit the Seong family’s house.“If you visit the Seong family… maybe something will come back to you?”Muheun had never intended to bring him along, but after hearing Gwangsik express his wish, he decided to bring him. They had cleansed Gwimae here, and he hoped it might spark some memories. Even if nothing came back, that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad outcome.“By the way, how’s your memory? Do you remember anything?”“No… nothing.”As expected, Gwangsik lowered his head apologetically. The fact that his memories hadn’t returned wasn’t his fault, so it was probably something else that was bothering him—perhaps his conscience was pricking him for other reasons, like using his memory loss as an excuse to satisfy his curiosity about Seungjoo’s house.“…Sorry.”“It’s fine, no need to apologize.”Though Muheun spoke in a rather blunt way, he showed rare tolerance. After all, Seungjoo was at school, and bringing Gwangsik here wasn’t a bad idea, especially since he might try contacting Seungjoo on his own otherwise.“I’m glad I came. If there’s anywhere else you’d like to visit, let me know.”The day Seungjoo had cleansed Gwimae, the memories that had vanished with it never returned. It would have been good if Gwangsik’s feelings had disappeared along with them, but Muheun knew he still felt some curiosity about Seungjoo.“…Isn’t Seungjoo part of the association?”It was a subtle thing, like when Gwangsik would ask about Seungjoo or loiter around when Muheun was talking to him, or even try to confirm their relationship. Even before losing his memories, he had shown similar behavior, and it hadn’t changed much now.Our Seungjoo is needlessly popular, Muheun thought. Though he liked men, he was excessively oblivious when it came to men, making it a problem that he didn’t realize Gwangsik’s feelings.“…No, I don’t think I need to go anywhere else.”While Muheun was lost in thought, Gwangsik spoke in a somewhat bitter tone. When Muheun looked at him curiously, Gwangsik offered a faint smile as if feeling somewhat relieved.“Considering how little I remember, it probably wasn’t a big deal. I don’t want to search for my memories.”“…You don’t want to search for them?”“Yeah.”Gwangsik, who had always been expressionless like a robot, had recently started showing a wider range of expressions. Most of them were things he had learned from Muheun, and the smile he gave now was quite similar to Seungjoo’s.“Anyway, I’ll be going to school in March. That’s all, thanks.”“Mm…”Muheun felt a bit complicated as he swallowed. It was strange to see Gwangsik in a way that felt so different from the person he had once known, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a little sad. Was this how parents felt when they watched their children grow up? He couldn’t help but think that, even though it seemed silly.“Well, if that’s what you think, that’s fine.”It was a good thing. As Gwangsik attended school and gained life experience, he would likely forget any lingering feelings. With new relationships and a broader world to experience, he’d probably end up seeing Seungjoo as just an older brother.The work that had started after lunch was finished after about two hours. The talismans that had been stuck everywhere were now completely gone, leaving only one on each of the four walls. With the barrier dismantled, the air felt lighter, and the exorcists who had come from the association now wore more relaxed expressions.“Now, let’s pack up and leave…”“Muheun.”As the exorcists began gathering their things after finishing their work, a gentle voice called out to Muheun. It was Seungjoo’s mother, who had been resting in the main house while the exorcists were removing the talismans. She waved her hand at the exorcists, signaling that they could stop bowing, and then smiled warmly at Muheun.“If you’re not busy, would you like to sit with me for a moment?”“….”Muheun hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. He wasn’t actually busy, and he had planned to say goodbye after everything was finished. The problem was the unfamiliar tension he felt. Whether Seungjoo’s mother noticed it or not, she greeted the exorcists with a relaxed smile before walking toward Muheun.“Thank you for your hard work, everyone.”“Yes. We hope to see you again.”“It was an honor to meet you!”The flattery-laced greetings weren’t very important. Muheun told Gwangsik to leave first and followed Seungjoo’s mother into the house. He briefly wondered if he should take off his robe but decided against it, thinking it would be awkward to act too formal now.“Muheun, you sit here… Housekeeper, could you bring us some tea?”Once inside, Muheun instinctively knelt down to sit. As he sat up straight, Seungjoo’s mother looked at him for a moment, her eyes wide in surprise. Then, she chuckled as if she had seen everything.“Why are you sitting like that? Sit comfortably.”“Haha…”Muheun gave a small, awkward laugh and lowered his gaze. She had treated him like a mother since he was born, so there was no need to act uncomfortable now. But for some reason, today, he felt unusually tense.“I’m having trouble sitting on the floor because of my belly. Would you prefer to sit on the sofa?”“Yes, please sit comfortably.”“Come up and sit with me.”Seungjoo’s mother, seeming to feel bad for making Muheun sit on the floor, gently squinted her eyes. Her belly had grown noticeably, since March was the due month. Muheun had heard she was expecting a girl. Thanks to everyone being careful, the doctors had said both the baby and the mother were healthy.“No, I’ll stay here and listen.”Muheun couldn’t bring himself to sit on the sofa, and kept his posture straight. He felt guilty about certain things and, given the circumstances, it felt wrong to act casual. In fact, he hadn’t even been able to contact her much lately due to his guilt.“Alright… then.”She laughed again, as if amused, and then abruptly got to the point.“Muheun, why have you been avoiding me lately?”* * *Muheun, who usually wasn’t easily flustered, found himself taken aback by the sudden question. He was at a loss for words, unable to deny it. While he hadn’t expected Seungjoo’s mother to be unaware, he didn’t expect her to ask so openly.“You used to do this when you were little… When you did something wrong, you’d avoid me and your uncle.”Her words were sharp, and Muheun couldn’t lift his head. She muttered softly to herself, almost as if reflecting.“No, it wasn’t that you did something wrong… maybe it’s just that you felt sorry.”And that was true. From his childhood until now, Muheun had always avoided going to see them whenever he felt ashamed. Whether it was when Seungtae got hurt playing soccer instead of basketball, when Seunghee fell from a swing and had to be rushed to the hospital, or when they both passed away.“Muheun.”At the gentle call, Muheun couldn’t help but raise his head. The eyes he met were similar to those of Seunghee and Seungjoo. Both of them took after their mother, while only Seungtae resembled their father.“It’s not your fault.”The gentle words were a form of comfort that Seungjoo’s mother had once offered Muheun during a time when he couldn’t cry, when he couldn’t mourn his friend’s death and had been consumed by guilt.“There is no one to blame.”The warmth in her gaze melted the tension inside him. The words were the same as they had been back then, but unlike that time, the lingering guilt now seemed much lighter.“That’s just fate.”She understood the weight of that word. She had struggled against fate, but had lost so many loved ones to it.“I’ve always thought that, Muheun, your choices always have a reason behind them.”Muheun was someone who always seemed to have a reason for his actions, someone who looked toward the future. The whole family, including Seungjoo’s mother, had always respected his decisions, trusting him implicitly.“I…”Muheun finally gathered the courage to speak, choosing his words carefully. He thought it was only right to be honest with her, to show the respect she deserved as a kind and caring adult. This was something he needed to say, and now was the time to express it.“If it’s not fate, I still like Seungjoo.”Surprise flashed in their eyes as they locked gazes. This time, Muheun didn’t look away and continued.“It’s not as a brother… I like him in the way you think.”He knew how shameless his confession sounded. Yet, Muheun didn’t want to escape from this fate, even if he could. Seungjoo was someone he cherished more than a friend, more than a lover, even more than family.“This isn’t something taken lightly. I’ve thought about it a lot…”At every crossroads, he had made choices, and in the end, all his feelings led to this point. There was a time when he tried to escape, but looking back, it now seemed meaningless. Whatever path he took, he had always ended up with Seungjoo.“But I still like him.”He couldn’t bring himself to say he was sorry. He didn’t regret his choice, so to say sorry would be a contradiction. An apology without true reflection was just an excuse to avoid the situation.“….”Seungjoo’s mother didn’t speak for a long time. No matter how much she trusted Muheun, it was hard not to feel conflicted. After all, bringing home a lover who was ten years younger and that lover being the older brother of her family was a different matter.“Well… if you feel that way, then I guess that’s how it is.”Finally, her calm voice spoke. When Muheun looked up slightly, she couldn’t help but chuckle, as if giving in.“I know how much you care for Seungjoo. And our Seungjoo… he knows how much you like him too.”Of course, she knew. Who could fail to understand where a beloved child’s heart lies? They knew better than anyone else. It was foolish of Muheun to think he could deceive his parents.“I’ve had a vague sense of it for a while. Seungjoo started acting like he was married to you one day.”“….Ah.”Should I tell her? Muheun thought to himself. He swore that when Seungjoo was little, he had always adored him without any shame. He never had any impure feelings and had only recently developed them.“Honestly, I was a little surprised, but this isn’t something I should scold you for, right?”“You can scold me if you want.”It was more of a confirmation than a question, but Muheun answered seriously. If anyone needed to be scolded, it was probably him. However, Seungjoo’s mother quickly caught on to Muheun’s true feelings.“Instead of Seungjoo?”There was a playful glint in her eyes, a mischievous look that still lingered despite her age.“You’ll spoil him if you take the blame for him.”“I’m already grown up.”“True, if I were going to spoil him, he would have already been spoiled.”Muheun, who had been raised with such gentle care, secretly wished that Seungjoo would be a little more spoiled, so he could act more childish and show a weaker side.“Well, as you said, Seungjoo is grown up… who he dates is up to him. I have no intention of interfering with that.”The atmosphere softened quickly, and Muheun relaxed, the tension leaving his body.“By the way, you’ve been working hard sending Seungjoo home. He used to say he was staying at his brother’s house, but he always came back late, right?”“…Haha.”The lightness that had started to return to his shoulders froze again. Muheun awkwardly turned his head and forced a smile. It was a good thing he let him stay over. At this moment, he was grateful for his choice.“Thank you for telling me. I was planning to scold him if I found out he was sneaking around.”“I was going to tell you soon anyway.”It might sound like an excuse, but it was the truth. Once things settled down, Muheun had planned to visit properly, dressed well. But, knowing Seungjoo’s mother was pregnant, he had hesitated, worried that it might be too much of a shock.“Does your mother know?”“No, I haven’t told her yet.”If she had suspected it, she wouldn’t have mentioned it first. Muheun wasn’t too worried about that part. If she wanted to scold him, he would endure it a hundred times over, even a thousand times, if it meant it would be dealt with.“I’ll talk to Seungjoo’s father. I can’t bear to see you kneeling again.”Muheun didn’t mind kneeling like this, but it was clear that Seungjoo’s mother was uncomfortable. He could tell by the concerned look she kept giving him.With a faint smile, Muheun became serious and spoke again.“…I have one request.”* * *Time flew by after Muheun visited Seungjoo’s house. Both he and Seungjoo had busy days due to their own circumstances. In the meantime, Seungjoo had finished his final exams, and with the winter break starting, Seungjoo’s birthday was fast approaching.December 23rd in the solar calendar, and November 9th in the lunar calendar.Normally, a big celebration would have been planned for the occasion, but Seungjoo had firmly stated that he would no longer celebrate his birthday once he turned twenty. He had made it clear with a grim expression that he was tired of the fuss, so he said this year he would only have a simple bowl of seaweed soup.“Don’t worry about taking care of Hyung too.”Muheun, who had secretly planned a little trip, had no choice but to abandon the idea after Seungjoo told him about five times not to do anything. There was no romance in the situation, but that was the problem — it still appeared endearing. Besides, Seungjoo’s objections were partly because he was concerned about Muheun going out for work at night.So, on the day of Seungjoo’s birthday, Muheun went to his family’s house early in the morning and brought Seungjoo back to his officetel. Although there was no big celebration, Seungjoo had thoroughly enjoyed his meal of white rice, seaweed soup, and red bean rice cakes. Even without seeing it, Muheun could easily imagine how hearty the meal had been, and he burst into laughter as he poked Seungjoo’s belly.“Stop laughing. I thought I was being tortured.”“This is a big problem. I brought a cake,” Muheun teased.“A cake?”“Yeah, a birthday cake.”When Muheun headed to the kitchen, Seungjoo followed him closely. “You bought a cake?” Seungjoo asked, but his tone didn’t seem too displeased. After all, who could dislike someone celebrating them, unless it was done in a loud, embarrassing way?“You can eat seaweed soup with your parents, but the cake should be with Hyung.”Muheun placed the flowers and cake he had bought earlier on the table. Seungjoo, who had probably expected just a cake, widened his eyes when he saw the bouquet of flowers, a pleased smile spreading across his face.“Wow, what’s this?”Seungjoo grabbed the bouquet from the table, and Muheun, standing across from him, began untying the ribbon on the cake. The packaging was meticulous since Muheun had ordered the cake custom-made.“Hyung, you’re romantic?”“Do you like it?”“Of course… Anything Hyung does is great.”“….”It seemed like the romantic one was Seungjoo, but Muheun lost his words for a moment. He didn’t expect Seungjoo to get upset, but seeing his excitement lifted Muheun’s spirits.“Isn’t the flower pretty?”“Yes, it’s pretty. Can I dry it out, too?”“…This too?”Muheun paused, surprised by Seungjoo’s question. “You want to dry this too?” he asked, wondering if Seungjoo had received even more flowers.“Did someone else give you flowers?”Seungjoo immediately made a sheepish face, realizing he had said something he shouldn’t have. Muheun narrowed his eyes at him, and Seungjoo clicked his tongue before putting the bouquet down.“No, it’s the one you gave me before. I dried it out after you gave it to me.”“You’re keeping that one?”“Yeah, I wasn’t really planning to keep it… but throwing it away seemed silly.”Muheun hadn’t expected Seungjoo to cherish it this much. He had only given the flower as a simple gesture, thinking that Seungjoo wouldn’t mind it being discarded. But hearing that he had kept it made Muheun feel something he couldn’t quite define.“I liked you even back then, Hyung.”Seungjoo, a little embarrassed, ruffled his hair. Now that everything was out in the open, he no longer seemed as shy.“Anyway, let’s just look at the cake.”Seungjoo waved his hand, and Muheun quietly took out the cake. While Seungjoo’s bashfulness was cute, Muheun didn’t want to tease him on his special day. He silently promised to give him more thoughtful gifts in the future.“Did you order the cake too?”“Yeah, I picked the design.”The cake, covered in strawberries, was chosen by Muheun after looking through a catalog. He wasn’t particularly interested in desserts, but he remembered the hotel bakery Muyeon had praised and decided to order from there.“They say there are a lot of strawberries inside, too.”If Muheun remembered correctly, when cut in half, strawberries would spill out from the inside. There was also a generous amount of strawberry syrup, so it was likely to be very sweet. But Seungjoo generally ate anything with enthusiasm.“Right, it’s strawberry season…” Seungjoo commented as he examined the cake. His simple remark made Muheun chuckle for some reason. It wasn’t even particularly funny, but he couldn’t help but smile.Muheun then took out the candles and matches.“Should I sing Happy Birthday for you?”“If you want, go ahead,” Seungjoo replied.“Instead, you have to make a wish,” Muheun added as he placed two candles on the cake. He thought Seungjoo would refuse, but surprisingly, Seungjoo’s eyes lit up with interest. If he had known this would happen, he would have bought a party hat. Muheun couldn’t help but feel excited at Seungjoo’s surprisingly positive reaction.“Wait a minute. Do you want to film a video?”Isn’t it supposed to be the birthday person who appears in the video? Muheun thought, but decided to let Seungjoo do whatever he wanted. It seemed like Seungjoo just wanted to record him singing or doing something cute.“Hmm? I got a message from Yunhee.”Seungjoo suddenly mentioned a name that took Muheun off guard. When he heard the term “noona” (older sister), Muheun narrowed his eyes and asked.“You’re in touch with Yunhee?”“We don’t usually talk, but she messaged me to wish me a happy birthday.”To make it seem more believable, Seungjoo showed Muheun the phone screen. The actual message contained nothing more than a simple birthday wish.“How did she get your number?”“Remember when she contacted me before to take me to the association?”Now that he mentioned it, Muheun remembered. When he was holed up in the dorm after the incident with Gwimae, it was Yunhee who had taken Seungjoo to the association. While she wasn’t a bad person, Muheun didn’t exactly warm up to her, so he bluntly said.“Don’t respond to her. She’s just trying to get involved with Gwimae.”It was possible that her birthday wishes were genuine, but there was no one who wasn’t interested in falling crumbs. Yunhee was particularly eager to get Seungjoo involved in the Gwimae counteraction committee. The problem now was that Seungjoo himself was starting to show interest in the association.“If she asks for help, just tell her no. Got it?”“I’ll let you know, don’t worry.”Yunhee might not put Seungjoo in danger, but that’s exactly why Muheun had to be more cautious. If Seungjoo volunteered, there would be no excuse for Muheun to oppose him. While he could block the committee’s contact, he couldn’t control personal interactions.“Alright, it’s done.”Seungjoo turned on the camera, and Muheun lit the candles with a match. Singing Happy Birthday was something he had done many times since he was a child, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about. But Seungjoo kept smiling mischievously, and as soon as the song ended, he blew out the candles and burst into laughter.“Hyung, you can’t sing?”“No, it’s just funny because you’re laughing.”Seungjoo chuckled and placed his hands together as if to make a wish. It seemed like he was going to follow Muheun’s suggestion. Muheun couldn’t help but feel even more excited as Seungjoo matched his mood so well today.“Did you make your wish…?”Before Muheun could finish, he suddenly scooped up some cream with his finger and rubbed it on Seungjoo’s cheek. Seungjoo flinched at the cold sensation but then let out a baffled laugh.“Hyung, did you buy the cake just for this?”“Half of it?”Muheun admitted it with a smile, licking the cream off his finger. It tasted fresh and delicious, though it was too sweet for him to have more than a bite or two. He had a sensitive palate and rarely ate sugary things.“Don’t mess around with food.”Seungjoo scolded in a slightly mature tone as he stood up from the chair. It seemed like he was about to go wash his face, but Muheun reached out and grabbed him by the back of his head, pulling him closer. Without hesitation, he licked the cream off Seungjoo’s cheek, and Seungjoo instinctively recoiled.“What are you…?”Muheun hadn’t really intended to do it, but the moment their eyes met, the atmosphere changed. Seungjoo’s face flushed as if embarrassed by the playful contact. It occurred to Muheun that they hadn’t even kissed properly during finals. That thought led to him kissing Seungjoo on the lips.“Mm.”The sweet cream melted between their lips. Although he wasn’t fond of such sweet treats, the moment they kissed, it became oddly irresistible. Heat surged in his lower belly, and his senses heightened.“Hmm…”A soft moan escaped from Seungjoo, and it stirred a deep longing in Muheun. Though it hadn’t been two weeks, he couldn’t stop himself, especially with Seungjoo right in front of him. It felt like being a teenager in love for the first time, where even the slightest touch made him burn with desire.This was why Muheun had refrained from kissing Seungjoo during their time chasing Gwimae. He didn’t trust himself not to lose control and ruin their plans. He knew that once they got started, it would be impossible to stop.“Hmm…”But now, Seungjoo was on break, and there was nothing to get in the way. So Muheun deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue further in. Seungjoo instinctively placed his left hand on the table to steady himself.The problem was, the soft cake was crushed under his palm.“…!”Seungjoo quickly pulled away, and Muheun glanced down at the table. Seungjoo hastily withdrew his hand, but the cake was ruined beyond recognition.“Oh, my cake…”Seungjoo’s face showed a look of disappointment. He briefly glanced at Muheun, as if apologizing, and even shifted uncomfortably. Muheun didn’t care about the cake, but what bothered him was that something else had spilled out along with the strawberries.“Uh?”Seungjoo let out a short gasp as if he had noticed something late. He squinted his eyes while alternating between looking at the whipped cream on his hand and the cake. Something was sticking out between the crushed bread and strawberries.“…A ring?”The golden, round object could only be seen as a ring. Seungjoo blinked and took the ring out with his cream-covered hand. He then looked at Muheun with a completely shocked expression.“Hyung, did you just put a ring in the cake?”Muheun knew why he was asking. It was an overly old-fashioned method, something you’d only see in a drama.“I wasn’t planning to do it like this… but isn’t it fun?”Of course, Muheun wasn’t trying to create a romantic atmosphere. It was just that when he was picking out the cake, the staff had asked if it was for a lover, and they mentioned that it was possible to put something inside, so he decided to try it. It was something he’d wanted to do at least once in his life, and honestly, he was curious about Seungjoo’s reaction (that was the main reason, to be honest).“I sanitized it before putting it in.”* * *Muheun took the ring from Seungjoo’s hand and slid it onto his fourth finger. Since it was his left hand that had whipped cream on it, the size of the ring was something Muheun knew, and it fit Seungjoo’s finger perfectly.“No way, you put something this expensive in the cake?”Seungjoo, who had no interest in things like this, immediately recognized the brand of the ring. It was a brand that even older women often used, so it was impossible for him not to know.“It’s a couple’s ring. Yours is here too.”Muheun smiled softly and grabbed Seungjoo’s wrist, pulling it towards him. He then put a finger in his mouth and sucked on it. Seungjoo flinched as his eyelids twitched. Muheun laughed quietly and narrowed his eyes.“Should I have made it more romantic?”He could have reserved a fancy restaurant and kneeled to give it to him, but Muheun thought Seungjoo would prefer a small, meaningful memory like this. A memory of him laughing when Muheun sang, or even being disgusted by the ring coming out of the cake.“You really call this a couple’s ring?”“Yeah, I’ll put yours on later.”“Uh…”Seungjoo, who had his lips pursed, looked closely at the ring. From his expression, it was hard to tell whether he liked it or disliked it. It seemed like he didn’t know how to react. As time passed, his ears slowly turned red.Then, he asked with a hesitant roll of his eyes.“…Hyung, where’s yours?”“It’s in the room. Want me to get it?”Seungjoo shut his mouth tightly and nodded. Ah… he’s so cute. Muheun barely managed to suppress his laughter, then composed his face and went to bring the ring from the room. When he handed Seungjoo the ring, Seungjoo took it with his cream-free hand.“Give me your left hand.”The ring was slowly placed on Seungjoo’s outstretched hand. Seungjoo’s fingers were trembling slightly as he was unknowingly nervous.“…”After the ring was on, Seungjoo couldn’t say anything. Not a word of gratitude, or a compliment, or even “it’s pretty.” The one thing that came out of his mouth was:“…Hyung, you really haven’t dated before, have you?”Muheun couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into laughter. He wrapped his arms around Seungjoo’s waist and lifted him, sitting him on the table.“Mm, our Seungjoo’s dated a lot.”With one hand still holding his waist, Muheun took Seungjoo’s left hand and rubbed his lips against the whipped cream. The strawberry syrup mixed with it made it much sweeter than before.“Has your girlfriend ever done something like this?”“No, of course not.”Muheun didn’t ask if he had ever done something like this for someone else. He figured Seungjoo had at least bought a cake even if he didn’t put a ring in it. He didn’t want to spoil the mood by bringing up something that might make Seungjoo feel jealous.He wasn’t that shameless to obsess over every first moment.“So this is Hyung’s first, huh?”Muheun laughed softly and gently licked the cream off Seungjoo’s palm. It still wasn’t his favorite taste, but if it kept going like this, he could probably eat a whole serving of it. As he meticulously licked the cream from Seungjoo’s fingers, Seungjoo asked in a lowered voice.“…Is it good?”He was trying not to show it, but Muheun could tell he was excited. At this point, he didn’t even need to hide it. Just by looking at his eyes, it was clear.“It’s good. Want to try?”The chapters have been revised, edited, and compressed, and the complete main story has been released for free, as I’m concerned it might be taken down or worse. I didn’t want to disappoint the readers, so I apologize for any inconvenience, and I hope you enjoy reading the complete story! The side stories will be coming soon, so don't worry~