The Night Of The Untraced

Before Muheun could even respond, he scooped up the messy cake and fed it to Seungjoo. Surprisingly, Seungjoo obediently ate the cake.As Muheun’s soft tongue brushed against his fingertips, he couldn’t resist and laid Seungjoo down on the table.“Huh…….”Their lips met again, sticky with cream and strawberry syrup. The sweet scent filled his nostrils, and even the saliva tasted sweet. It was so sweet that Seungjoo felt like he could get drunk on it. The taste was so intoxicating that it made him feel dizzy.Muheun briefly pulled away from the kiss and undressed Seungjoo. It wasn’t difficult to strip him naked. Seungjoo didn’t resist when his top was removed, and only briefly closed his legs when his pants were taken off. Even that was just a reflex; when Muheun grabbed his thighs, Seungjoo obediently spread his legs.“Can I eat the cake, Hyung?”“No, huh…… you can’t…….”“Oh, I can’t?”Muheun chuckled and spread cream on Seungjoo’s thigh. Even though he said not to play with food, Seungjoo didn’t stop Muheun.“Huh…….”As Muheun licked his thigh, Seungjoo shivered. When Muheun’s lips moved up to his penis, he let out a long moan.“Huhng…….”His exposed penis was already fully erect. Although it was long and thick, Muheun was already familiar with its size. He had touched it, put it in his mouth, and even deep-throated it.“Ah……!”Pre-cum dripped from the tip, mixing with the strawberry syrup. Muheun licked the entire length of the penis and then took it deep into his mouth. He didn’t hold back for long; after a few movements, Seungjoo ejaculated with a burst.“Huh…… I told you not to eat that…….”Muheun swallowed the semen in his mouth, and Seungjoo let out a groan. Pretending not to understand, Muheun fed Seungjoo a strawberry.“Yes, our Seungjoo should eat this too.”Surprisingly, Seungjoo obediently ate the strawberry. It wasn’t because it was particularly delicious, but because Muheun gave it to him.Muheun, now shirtless, reached between Seungjoo’s legs. Even without any lube, his body was already slippery enough to easily insert a finger. As he inserted his middle finger and twisted his wrist, Seungjoo gripped the edge of the table.“……Ugh, huh…….”One finger became two, and two became three in no time. Muheun kissed Seungjoo’s exposed upper body and increased the number of fingers. Sometimes, he bit into a strawberry and intertwined his tongue with Seungjoo’s.“Haah…… ugh…….”When Seungjoo was sufficiently loosened up, Muheun positioned himself, placing Seungjoo’s legs over his shoulders. His fully erect penis was ready to burst. But at that moment, Seungjoo seemed to come to his senses and looked at Muheun with hazy eyes.“Hyung, are we doing it here?”“……Then?”Was he suggesting they go to the bedroom? Unfortunately, there was no time for that now. There was still cake left, and Seungjoo was also quite excited.“If we do it here, my back might hurt…….”“……Huhng, uh…….”“Hyung will make sure it doesn’t hurt…… huh, I’ll carry you.”The tip of his penis, aimed at the entrance, pushed deep inside. The slippery inner walls clung tightly to his shaft. Feeling like he was about to come right away, Muheun paused and then thrust his hips forcefully.“Haahng……!”Just from the penetration alone, Seungjoo reached another climax. His still-erect penis released another load of semen.“Huhng, if we do this here, huh…… how can we, uhng, eat…….”“……Yes, it’s okay.”Not knowing what was okay, Muheun first gave an answer. When he kissed Seungjoo’s parted lips, a sweet, sticky scent filled his nostrils.“Hyung already ate Seungjoo’s semen here…….”“……Ah, ugh! Huhng…….”“So why, ugh, can’t we eat, ugh, the food?”He thrust his penis, which had been halfway out, deeply back inside. He was confident that Seungjoo wouldn’t feel pain now that he was loosened up. As expected, Seungjoo moaned and wrapped his legs around Muheun’s waist.“Ah, too much…… ugh…….”Even Seungjoo’s whimpering voice sounded too sweet. Muheun stroked Seungjoo’s hair and kissed his sweaty forehead. With each thrust, Seungjoo trembled and clung to Muheun’s embrace.“Hyung, Hyung…… huhng…….”It might sound a bit perverted, but Muheun liked it when Seungjoo cried and clung to him. Sometimes it reminded him of when Seungjoo was younger, and he felt a bit guilty, but he still enjoyed the fact that Seungjoo depended on him.“……Why, huh? Do you want more strawberries?”Seungjoo, of course, shook his head vigorously at the playful question. He even lightly hit Muheun’s shoulder as if telling him to stop joking around. But to Muheun, even that felt like a playful gesture, so he chuckled and pulled Seungjoo into a tight embrace.“Hah, uh, uhng……!”As Muheun thrust deeply again, Seungjoo clenched his lower body tightly. The sudden contraction of his inner walls made Muheun arch his back and grit his teeth.“……Ugh.”The pleasure was overwhelming, like a burst of sensation. Seungjoo’s vision flickered black, and his lower abdomen tensed up. As Muheun released a long ejaculation inside him, Seungjoo clung to Muheun, trembling all over.“……Hah, huh…….”“Phew…….”Muheun took a moment to catch his breath, holding Seungjoo in his arms and blinking his eyes. Seungjoo’s body was still covered in whipped cream, making it look like he was indeed a birthday cake. His flushed skin was as red as the strawberry syrup.“……Do this on my birthday too.”“What…… huh…… what do you mean?”There was no need to answer Seungjoo’s slow question. As Muheun started moving again, Seungjoo seemed to forget all about what Muheun had said, his mind completely focused on the pleasure. In fact, Muheun could do it even without Seungjoo asking.Now, whenever I see a cake, I’ll think of this. Muheun recalled the slightly embarrassing memory and licked the whipped cream off his lover’s body. He hoped that in two months, on his own birthday, he could enjoy the same kind of cake again.The act that started on the dining table continued through the bathroom and into the bedroom. Seungjoo had to be washed in the bathroom, which led to another round of passion. Although it was already late when Seungjoo was brought in, by the time everything was finished, the sun was setting.“Wow, I can’t eat cake anymore….”Seungjoo, who had taken a short nap and just woke up, exclaimed in disbelief. He regretted that he couldn’t enjoy the delicious cake because they had sex with it.“It’s really embarrassing because of Hyung. I can’t even use lotion….”“Lotion?”Muheun casually asked and then remembered the lotion they used at the hospital. He let out a small laugh. They had used it as a substitute for lubricant, and that memory still lingered. The problem was that Muheun would also be conscious of it from now on.“But the cake was delicious, right?”“I couldn’t eat it properly, so it’s a shame.”Seungjoo finally smacked his lips, savoring the taste of the whipped cream. Although Muheun ate most of it, Seungjoo also got to taste some thanks to Muheun feeding him.“Where did you get that?”“Muyeon said it was delicious….”Muheun lay down next to Seungjoo and pulled him into his arms. Seungjoo comfortably settled into Muheun’s embrace. As Muheun gently stroked his back, Seungjoo’s eyes slowly closed.“I’ll buy it again next time.”Seungjoo protested weakly that they shouldn’t eat it like this next time. He was exhausted and felt sleepy again. Even though it was quite satisfying, Muheun wondered if it was because of his Yeongi.“……Yes.”As Seungjoo’s breathing became steady, Muheun kissed his forehead. Seungjoo opened his eyes slightly and kissed Muheun back before snuggling into his arms.“I’ll wear the ring properly from now on.”On Muheun’s shirt, there was a ring with the same design as Muheun’s. Although it had been covered in whipped cream earlier, it was now clean and shining again.“And flowers and cake too… I’m sorry the cake got messed up.”Muheun smiled as if he was about to melt at Seungjoo’s words. How could he be so lovable? Every word that came out of his mouth was incredibly endearing.“It didn’t get messed up. Hyung ate it all.”Sometimes, when Muheun saw how cute Seungjoo was, he felt like he couldn’t control himself. His whole body tingled with excitement, and he wanted to hug Seungjoo tightly and roll around with him. Of course, he knew that if he used all his strength, something might break, so he had to restrain himself.“Seungjoo.”“Yes.”Unable to contain his feelings, Muheun called out, and Seungjoo responded calmly. In Seungjoo’s eyes, Muheun’s face was reflected. Muheun gently stroked his cheek and spoke softly.“Do you want to live together?”Seungjoo blinked. He seemed nonchalant, but in reality, he was very surprised.“There’s a room available at Hyung’s house. I’ll empty it out for you.”The empty room had no furniture, so Muheun was confident he could fill it according to Seungjoo’s preferences. Although he had lived alone for 10 years, now the days without Seungjoo felt too lonely.“……Do you want to live together?”After a long pause, Seungjoo asked in a trembling voice. His eyes were still wide with surprise.“Yes, let’s live together.”“With Hyung?”“Yes, with Hyung.”“Here?”“Um… It doesn’t have to be here.”“No, no, here is good… Do you really want to live together?”Seungjoo was so surprised that he kept repeating the question. His reaction was like a curious child, which Muheun found endearing. Calmly, Muheun answered Seungjoo and played with his earlobe, looking into his eyes.“I got permission from your parents.”“My parents?”“Yes, your parents.”“No, how….”Seungjoo looked incredulous but also started to laugh. Muheun’s actions were absurd, but the situation was also amusing to him. He laughed, blinked, and took a deep breath. Seungjoo couldn’t believe it and asked again.“Did my parents really give their permission?”“…There’s one thing I’d like to ask you.”That day, Muheun told the aunt that he wanted to live with Seungjoo. He wasn’t sure if it was too soon, but he wanted to live together. When the youngest was born, a room would be needed, and he persuaded the aunt, saying Seungjoo’s room would be suitable. Then, in the end, he came up with a forced reason that Seungjoo needed to learn how to take care of Yeongi, a skill that would be necessary.“If you’re okay with it, she’ll allow it.”To cut to the chase, the aunt conditionally agreed to Muheun’s request. She said she would respect Seungjoo’s opinion. After all, it was the rule in both families that everyone would become independent after graduating from school, so there was no real reason to oppose it.In fact, she probably thought that Seungjoo would refuse. Since Seungjoo hardly ever left the house, he probably wasn’t thinking about independence at all.“Let’s live together, okay?”However, Muheun was confident. He knew that Seungjoo liked him more than anyone else. The aunt and uncle might feel betrayed, but they were the kind of people who always kept their word, so it was fine.“…Do I have to answer now?”For a moment, Seungjoo hesitated, then carefully glanced at Muheun. Muheun, who expected a prompt yes, felt a bit tense. After all, Seungjoo was the one who would be most disappointed when it came time to leave home. He hadn’t anticipated this reaction.“You can think about it slowly.”Still, Muheun tried to calm Seungjoo down, acting as mature as possible. He desperately wanted to live with him, but he didn’t want to force anything. If Seungjoo said no, he was prepared to wait until Seungjoo was ready. …Though he wasn’t entirely sure he could wait, still.Seungjoo, in a fluster, quickly shook his head.“No, it’s fine. Living with you is obviously fine, but…”Funny enough, hearing the word “fine” from him made Muheun feel relieved. So he didn’t mind living with me after all? That simple realization brought a sense of comfort.“It’s really not that I don’t want to, but…”Seungjoo hesitated and spoke slowly, his cheek twitching. He seemed worried that Muheun might be upset. So what was the problem? As his own frustration grew, Seungjoo looked straight at him.“But, in two years.”“…Two years?”Muheun froze. Two years? He couldn’t understand where that number came from. Did it really take two years to prepare? Muheun, who had been thinking of something like two weeks, tried to hide his impatience and asked.“Why two years?”“Why, you ask?”But Seungjoo looked at him as if he couldn’t understand why Muheun was asking. His eyes blinked as though wondering if he was serious. Still, when Muheun stayed silent, Seungjoo uttered a thunderstruck statement.“I have to go to the army.”* * *“Seungjoo’s enlistment!”“Cheers!”Clink! The sound of glasses clinking rang out. The sound was clear and refreshing, but not many people were smiling joyfully. Muheun sighed with a bitter face, and Hwanyeong set his glass down with his usual blank expression. Seolgi, who had been circling nearby, barked loudly, and Seungjoo scowled in irritation.“Ugh… I haven’t even applied yet.”On the night of December 31st, as it became January 1st, they gathered at Muheun’s family home, where Seolgi lived. Except for Seungjoo’s parents, who were away on a trip, and Muheun’s mother, who was working, the five children gathered to celebrate the New Year. They had a party with lots of food, and as the midnight bell rang, they toasted.“And why is the toast about enlistment?”Seungjoo asked, putting down his glass with an incredulous look. He couldn’t understand why enlistment was being brought up in the New Year’s party, a place where they had gathered to welcome the new year. Muyeon was the one associated with “enlistment,” and Muryeong with “cheers,” but it was absurd that a person like Kim Muryeong, who had never been to such a drinking gathering, was leading the toast.“Oppa is just curious,” Muyeon laughed and winked. She had a playful expression, a mix of Muheun and Muryeong’s faces.“Can you believe someone from our family is going to the army? Hwanyeong, are you going to join the exorcism group too?”When Hwanyeong nodded, Muyeon took another sip of champagne. The champagne Muheun had bought was the same kind they had drunk last year at this house. Seungjoo’s mother often enjoyed it, and it was a rather expensive drink for kids who didn’t know much about alcohol.“What about Oppa? It looks like you’re going to be the one left behind.”Although Muheun was being openly teased, he couldn’t laugh. In fact, when he first heard the news from Seungjoo, he was the most shocked of all.‘I have to go to the military.’When Seungjoo said that, Muheun felt like he couldn’t breathe, as if a heavy weight was pressing down on his chest. Everything had seemed perfect—he was planning to live together, no obstacles in sight—but now he was facing a harsh reality check.‘…What did you just say?’‘I have to go to the military. I’m a man, Hyung.’Muheun was also a man, but unlike Seungjoo, he was an exorcist. Exorcists who had special spiritual powers and worked for an association could substitute their military service by taking on assigned missions, which was why Muheun hadn’t served in the military, and both Muryeong and Hwanyeong planned to follow the same procedure.“Wow, our Seungjoo has grown up and is going to the military…”But Seungjoo was going to the military. For two years… well, almost a year and a half. Waiting didn’t seem like much, but the thought of not being able to see him for that long struck deep in his heart. Even a day without seeing him would drive him crazy, so how would he manage to endure several months?“He’s not going yet. He said he’ll go after Seungah is born.”Seungjoo grumbled at Muyeon, who was jokingly setting the mood. Since he hadn’t even signed up yet, there was still at least three months left, but it seemed like a mock enlistment party, and he didn’t like it. It was mostly a teasing moment anyway.“It’s because of Noona that Hyung keeps doing this.”Right, it was a chance to tease Muheun, not Seungjoo.“Sorry… but it’s funny. When would I ever see Oppa looking so gloomy?”Muyeon admitted his wrongdoings without denying it. Unlike Muheun, who wore a troubled expression and fiddled with Seungjoo’s hand, Muyeon laughed at the situation. Looking at Muheun with curiosity, Muyeon raised an eyebrow and grinned.“Kim Muheun, at thirty, or rather, thirty-one, you’ll be wearing the clogs.”“Kim Muyeon.”“Oh, I get it.”This time, Muyeon lowered his tail and swallowed his laughter, realizing he would be scolded by Muheun if he kept going.He took another sip of the champagne and, this time, spoke with a more serious tone.“But Oppa, that’s your karma.”The word “karma” made even Seungjoo raise an eyebrow, as it was obvious he didn’t understand why Muheun might have done something wrong. When Muheun looked at him silently, Muyeon playfully waggled the glass he was holding.“To date someone ten years younger, you should at least wait for the military. And did Oppa leave Seungjoo alone when he was little?”“…”There was nothing to argue against. The first point was whatever, but the second was something Muheun always regretted.“When the kid cried because he missed you, you were always away…”“I didn’t cry.”Seungjoo countered firmly, but Muyeon ignored him, as he always did when pointing out Muheun’s wandering nature. Whenever Seungjoo would shy away from Muheun, Muyeon would click his tongue, thinking it was all his own fault.“I see… I guess I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”Could it be that the price for making Seungjoo wait was this very feeling of waiting in return? After hearing Muyeon’s words, Muheun thought that maybe there was some truth in it. It wasn’t just 1 or 2 years that Seungjoo had waited, so maybe he shouldn’t be this upset about it.“Oppa, two years will go by quickly. I’ve worn the clogs before, and when you’re busy with your work, it passes fast. The hard part will be for the person inside.”Muyeon, who had dated a soldier when he was twenty, gave a late but comforting piece of advice. The one who would suffer was not Oppa, but Seungjoo.Fortunately, or perhaps it was better this way, Seungjoo didn’t seem to care much about it.“Honestly, I think I’d be suited for it.”Seungjoo, who went to bed early, woke up early, and worked out regularly, didn’t seem bothered at all. As the youngest, he had grown up pampered but didn’t have a particularly sensitive or rebellious nature. His blunt personality made him well-suited for military life, so it was understandable that he didn’t seem troubled.“Suited for it? Wow, Oppa, what will you do? Our Seungjoo will be a model soldier!”“…Are you drunk after just drinking that?”“Come on, there’s no way I’d get drunk off this.”Muheun, about to say something more, just softened his expression when he saw Muyeon laughing so mischievously. He realized that trying to argue seriously wouldn’t change anything. If Seunghee had been here, the teasing would have been even worse. He knew Muyeon’s constant teasing was his way of showing care.“Hyung, it’s okay. Just visit often. I’ll visit too.”“Don’t come. Go hang out with Gi Hwanyeong.”“I’ll bring Hwanyeong with me.”“I told you not to come.”As Muyeon and Seungjoo bickered, Muheun ended up laughing. Seungjoo’s indifferent response to everything made it clear that he wasn’t as bothered as Muheun thought. As Muryeong said, if they missed each other, they could visit, and it wasn’t as if Seungjoo was leaving immediately.“When Seungjoo goes to the military, should I shave your head for you?”“Ugh, no thanks.”“Why not? I’m good with my hands.”While chatting and laughing about meaningless things, the night had deepened. The night-owl exorcists were doing fine, but Seungjoo, who was an ordinary person, started dozing off in his seat. His eyes were half-closed, and it was clear that if he were laid down, he’d fall asleep quickly.“We should start cleaning up.”Muheun was the first to stand up and clear the cluttered table. There were three pizzas, five chickens, and various snacks they had nibbled on. With four big eaters, the amount they had consumed was no joke.“Hyung, Seungjoo’s sleeping.”“…He’s not sleeping.”When Muryeong poked Seungjoo, he weakly swatted Muryeong’s hand away. Muheun interrupted when he was about to say “just let him sleep.”“All cleaned up. Seungjoo, let’s go.”Muheun approached Seungjoo, helping him get up and putting on his outerwear. Once the zipper was up to his neck, Seungjoo buried his nose in the collar. The late hour, combined with the alcohol, had made his eyes—without double eyelids—look completely relaxed.“Muyeon, are you taking him home?”“No, I’ve got work to do.”After saying this, Muheun waved goodbye to Seolgi as well. Seolgi, now fifteen, had gained some weight over the winter after eating sweet potatoes. Although it wasn’t a health risk, it might be a good idea to help him lose a little.“Seolgi Oppa, I’m leaving.”Seolgi, who responded loudly, licked his palm playfully. When Seungjoo looked at him, Seolgi then turned to him and gave a cute gesture. Seungjoo, smiling, squatted down and hugged Seolgi.“Wow, looks like Seolgi’s getting better at reading the room.”Muheun tightly hugged Seolgi, rubbing his face against his fluffy fur. If Seolgi hadn’t acknowledged him, he probably would’ve acted hurt and complained. Muheun wasn’t jealous of Seolgi, but sometimes he felt envious of the pure affection Seungjoo showed.“Hwanyeong and Muryeong are sleeping over, right?”“Yeah, Hyung, take care.”“Take care getting home.”Muryeong and Hwanyeong each said their goodbyes, and Muheun made sure Seungjoo put on his shoes before leaving. Unlike before, when Seungjoo would have rushed out first, he patiently waited by the door until Muheun finished.Just before opening the door, Muheun suddenly recalled a year ago and jokingly looked back at both of them.“Don’t stay up too late, okay?”He had said this same thing last year. Saying the same words again felt strangely nostalgic. Muryeong seemed to think the same, widening his eyes and smiling softly. However, Hwanyeong, still shy, cleared his throat awkwardly, looking just as bashful as he had a year ago.“Hyung, I’ll go.”With that, Muheun and Seungjoo left through the front door. As soon as the door closed with a thud, Muheun extended his right hand toward Seungjoo. When Seungjoo naturally took his hand, Muheun’s eyes brightened happily.“Let’s go.”* * *The kiss in front of the gate wasn’t the same as the one where Seungjoo had stolen a kiss alone. This time, it was Muheun who lowered his head first, and neither of them ran away afterward. They just smiled with their noses touching and walked together in the same direction.“A crescent moon is up.”A thin crescent moon hung in the dark sky. The sky was clear, but it was cold, so whenever they spoke, their breath turned into mist and scattered in the air. Looking up at the sky along with Muheun, Seungjoo sniffled and, with a subtle voice, spoke.“The exorcist president election is coming up, right?”“Yeah, it’ll happen in a few months.”With the new year, the Exorcist Association had also prepared for a fresh start. The election for the association president was set to take place before the punished executives returned, and Muheun, as an incumbent, was almost certain to win by a landslide.“If you become the president… I might try working at the association.”Seungjoo said slowly, and Muheun looked at him calmly. He wanted to oppose it, but knowing how much Seungjoo had thought about it, he couldn’t. As expected, Seungjoo was serious, without a hint of joking.“Honestly, I’ve never really wanted anything, and I just entered university to meet the grades.”It was the first time Seungjoo admitted this. He had lived like a model student, studying like a machine, but he had never mentioned anything he actually wanted to do.“If it were before, I would’ve inherited the family business, but now with Seungah, I don’t have to do that. Of course, even without Seungah, I didn’t really want to, but…”In March, Seungjoo’s younger sibling, Seungah, would be born. Seungah would become the heir of the Seoh family, which had a matrilineal lineage. If Seungjoo had wanted to, things might have been different, but he wasn’t interested enough to care.“But I do want to work with you, Hyung.”“……”Muheun suddenly stopped walking. Seungjoo followed suit, halting his steps and looking up at him. A faint moonlight was reflected in his eyes.“Exorcising Gwimae suits me. Since my spiritual sight has opened anyway, it’s good to do something I can.”The day Muheun purified the Gwimae from Gwangsik, Seungjoo’s closed spiritual sight had opened. At first, Muheun had been wary of the energy Seungjoo was exuding, but now he had accepted it as Seungjoo’s Yeongi. It was also clear that Seungjoo could purify Gwimae without Muheun’s help.“And wouldn’t it be better than me just doing nothing in the military?”“Wow…”The half-joking remark escaped Muheun’s lips before he could stop it. It seemed like Seungjoo was starting to tease him too. Seungjoo giggled mischievously, grasping Muheun’s hand with both of his.“Anyway, I want to be by your side. I’ll think about it until I graduate.”Although Seungjoo said he would “think about it,” the fact that he said it meant his heart was already leaning toward the decision. The reason for the waiting period was probably just to give Muheun time to accept Seungjoo’s choice.“Graduation… Is it four years left?”“If I don’t take any more breaks, probably around then?”Four years. That was enough time to overhaul the entire association system. The days would be busier than expected, but once Muheun became the association president, these were things he would have to handle anyway. If he set his mind to it, he was confident he could fix everything and create a safe environment for Seungjoo before he entered the association.“…Then you won’t have to go to the military, right?”Seungjoo let out a small laugh when Muheun brought it up. It seemed as though he found Muheun’s thought process cute, or perhaps he thought of it as something childish.“I’m going to the military.”Unfortunately, Seungjoo was very adamant. He seemed to view the military as a final memory of being an ordinary citizen, something most people wanted to avoid.“Let’s live an ordinary life.”Ordinary — there wasn’t a word that fit them less. Yet, Muheun didn’t correct him because, in the end, it was Muheun who had taken away that “ordinary” life. He didn’t regret it since he had Seungjoo, but he couldn’t stop Seungjoo from saying this either.“Alright, but think about it until graduation.”“Of course. I’ll think carefully.”The two began walking down the night road again. Without needing to say where to go, their destination was already decided. Neither Seungjoo’s home nor Muheun’s, but the place where their relationship had started — Muheun’s officetel.“…But do we really have to do this?”As they neared the officetel, Seungjoo suddenly spoke up as if in doubt. The reason they were heading there was because of Muheun’s insistence.“We could just live together after we’re back…”The two-year waiting period Seungjoo had proposed to live together. What seemed like a careful and deliberate answer from Seungjoo had, in the end, become a meaningless delay. After some back-and-forth, they had decided that Seungjoo would move into Muheun’s house starting January 1.“I can’t wait.”“….”“I want to live together soon.”There was one reason. It was because Muheun, more than anything, wanted to live with Seungjoo.Hadn’t he said it before? That he would feel like going crazy if he didn’t see Seungjoo for even one day. He couldn’t remember how they had been apart before. Just a little distance between them, and Seungjoo would make him ache with longing. He had promised himself not to pressure Seungjoo, yet he felt like he wanted to beg him instead.And when he thought about Seungjoo leaving for the military in a few months, he figured it would be better to spend as much time as possible together now. Whether it was a short or long time, he didn’t want to hold back his desire to be with Seungjoo.“If we start living together now, we’ll have at least six months. Even after you go to the military, you’ll come back to my place on leave.”Although he didn’t know exactly when Seungjoo would go, he was sure Seungjoo would want to spend more time with his newborn sister, Seungah. Muheun vaguely guessed that Seungjoo would go around June, since waiting any longer would make it hard for him to return to school. Summer seemed to be the deadline.“I’ll let you furnish the place however you want.”“….”“We can pick things out together.”Muheun shook Seungjoo’s hand lightly, as if teasing him. It was already a done deal that they would live together, but Muheun still wanted to make sure there was no lingering awkwardness.“Living together… it really feels like a honeymoon.”The straightforward comment made Muheun’s chest flutter once again. He chuckled, agreeing that it wasn’t wrong. But even so, he couldn’t shake off his excitement, so he raised their intertwined hands and gently kissed the back of Seungjoo’s hand.“I don’t know what to do, I like you so much…”He thought he couldn’t like him any more than this, but it kept growing, and it was amazing. It felt so strange, even a little scary, but he didn’t want it to stop.“I like you a lot too.”“….I know.”Normally, Seungjoo would have said “me too” in response, but today, he seemed to shy away. That alone, with a slight blush, was so cute that Muheun’s voice was filled with warmth.“I love you.”Seungjoo quickly raised his head. His eyes were filled with complete surprise. After all the skinship they had shared, was this confession truly that shocking? His cheeks were flushed, but it was clear that it wasn’t just from the champagne he had drunk earlier.“I love you, Seungjoo.”“…That.”The hand that was holding Muheun’s tightened. It was proof that Seungjoo was just as nervous. Even though Muheun had known him his whole life, he wondered how each moment could feel so new and lovable. Even his frozen face was unbelievably beautiful.“I love you too…”Seungjoo’s reply was a soft, almost inaudible whisper—just like the kind of words he had always spoken to Muheun. The voice was so quiet it was almost impossible to hear, but Muheun’s sharp hearing made it clear. This alone was enough to make Muheun feel as though he had the entire world.Before Muheun could even respond, Seungjoo spoke again, this time a little more clearly.“I love you too.”His voice trembled. His flushed face had turned completely red now. The trembling voice, the shaking breath, and even the trembling eyes. The confession, filled with true sincerity, brought Muheun an indescribable happiness.As Muheun leaned in to kiss him, Seungjoo gently closed his eyes. The warmth from their lips sent a tremor through them, and the mingling of their breath blossomed with affection. The overwhelming emotions they shared could not even be contained by the word “love.”“…”“…”The kiss ended, and the faint exhale from their lips filled the air. The flickering streetlights illuminated the two of them as they stood in the night. Seungjoo, still catching his breath, turned his gaze away and said:“…Let’s go to my place.”A laugh escaped Muheun’s lips. How could he not love him? With such kindness and such beautiful words.“Yeah, let’s go to my place.”Muheun, holding Seungjoo’s hand, began to walk. Seungjoo silently followed, walking at the same pace. The night air didn’t feel cold anymore, not as it had earlier.“But, Seungjoo.”“Yeah?”“What wish did you make on your birthday?”“Oh, that… It’s a secret.”Muheun wouldn’t learn what wish Seungjoo made until much later in the future. It would be when Seungjoo’s things filled the once quiet living room, and when furniture for him filled an entire room.The nights they spent together would continue forever.* * *Her parents had the same ability, but they couldn’t overcome it and passed away at a young age. Left with only the eyes of those around her and her belongings, the woman was forced to wander without a home after her parents died.She ended up in a remote mountain village, but even there, she was an outsider. The villagers found her constant crying strange, and openly criticized her eccentric behavior.In the isolation of quiet exclusion, her days were overly monotonous. She would rise in the morning, offer a deep bow in front of clear water, and go to the edge of the village to comfort the souls of those who could not leave. To outsiders, her actions might seem mad, but to her, the judgment of the living didn’t matter.“Goodbye.”One day, a small change occurred in her life. Someone with neatly braided hair, holding a handful of camellia flowers, came to visit her. The shy smile she gave her was a type she had never seen in the village.“Should I give you one of these?”She had picked the camellias from the mountains, and when she accepted them in surprise, she gently placed another one behind her ear and smiled warmly.“You look like this.”She, too, was as beautiful as the blossoms in full bloom. It had been so long since she had seen someone smile, and for a brief moment, her heart fluttered. She didn’t know how to say thank you, but her caring voice inquired about things that no one had ever bothered to ask.“What’s your name?”From that day on, the two became close friends. The woman, who had once cried day and night, began to smile and wandered the mountains and fields, savoring the green landscape. It was the happiest time she had ever known, but, sadly, this peace would not last long.“The crops…”During a season of prolonged drought, the harvests were poor. People, both young and old, clutched their hungry bellies and barely survived.“If we stay like this, we’ll all die!”“We must offer sacrifices and perform a rain prayer!”The woman was not unaware. She knew where the anger of these starving people would be directed. She also understood that, being an outsider who had been scorned for bearing a child out of wedlock, she would inevitably become the scapegoat in moments like this.“I did nothing wrong. Even if I am offered as a sacrifice…”“Shut up!”Her plea reached no one, and even the voice of her close friend, who begged for them to wait just three days, went unheard. When her friend was pushed away and asked if she was also her enemy, the woman couldn’t hold back and suddenly stood up, overcome with emotion.“No, no…”She wasn’t afraid of her neck being severed, but the sight of her friend’s sad expression hurt her deeply. Tears flowing from those gentle eyes caused a pain the woman had never felt before. No matter how harsh the words, she had never felt this heartbroken before.She hesitated for a moment. Could she break the rope binding her wrist and leave with her friend? She had endured being isolated, but in truth, the woman was strong enough to defeat several men at once.Even if her friend called her a monster, it would be better than seeing her so upset. It would be better to be scorned by everyone than to see her suffer.“Fire! Fire!”But before the woman could make a decision, fierce flames raged through the mountain. It was a place she had visited often with her friend, a place where they loved to see the pink wildflowers bloom.“…I set the fire.”Her friend, who had arrived late, confessed to starting the fire while covering her with a wet cloth. Her tear-streaked face was as pitiful as ever, but the words she spoke, full of grief, seemed like a verse from a love song.“Run away with me.”The price of mocking nature came back as a threat to her friend’s life. However, the woman firmly gripped her friend’s hand and vowed to protect her with everything she had. She was now her whole world, and she would sacrifice herself to keep her safe. She was not mad; she had simply been born with sight, and she would keep an eye on every threat that came their way.Her once-useless ability finally became a blessing. The dark energies targeting her friend could be easily dispelled with a few gestures. They settled in a nearby village and hid in a house of the same shape.Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. As the days they spent together grew longer, the woman’s friendship with her friend deepened. No, it became something more than friendship, but she still couldn’t understand what that something was.Then, unexpectedly, a problem arose. The most eligible young man in the village began showing interest in the woman. She had no intention of giving him her heart, but her friend’s words completely unsettled her.“He seems like a good person.”That single sentence sent a chill down her spine. It felt like being covered in filth, an unpleasant sensation that made her resent her friend for the first time.“You should have someone to protect you.”Had her friend always thought of her as so fragile? To her, one friend was enough, but perhaps it wasn’t the same for her.“If you really feel that way… maybe I should meet him.”Without knowing why her friend’s expression had turned so sour, the woman began meeting with the man. She received the same wildflowers from him that her friend had once given her. She started spending time with him just as she had with her friend. Though her heart always chased after her friend, her body stayed by the man’s side.When the woman married the man, her friend, too, married a man whose name she didn’t even know. Their relationship didn’t change, but on the night her friend had her first intimate experience, the woman’s heart was in turmoil.But like the ocean, no matter how stormy the waves were, there would eventually come a time when they would settle. As they reached the point where new life began to stir in their bellies, each of them adapted to the new person in their life and built a peaceful family.Sometimes, she felt a hollow emptiness, but it wasn’t bad. Her friend was always by her side, and she was the one she leaned on the most. Whenever bitter feelings swirled up, she would press her beloved child against her chest and suppress it all.Then, one day, her friend started to fall ill. No solution was found even after calling a physician, but her friend, having lived over forty years, accepted everything with calmness.“I must be cursed by nature.”No one would dare hate her, the woman thought, but she couldn’t say it. Even nature, which seemed to curse her friend, was only tormented by the fact that it couldn’t claim her.“It was always meant to be this way.”Then why hadn’t their fate been like that? If she stayed by her side a little longer, would it be an act of betrayal to nature?She couldn’t even imagine a day without her friend, so whenever she was sick, she too began to suffer with her. She even wished they could die on the same day, weakening herself with her own power, slowly decaying from within.It was only much too late that she realized what she had done was love. She had foolishly failed to realize that her feelings couldn’t be confined to the boundaries of friendship.“I… love you…”She had loved her truly, and someday in the far future, they would meet again. At that time, they would be each other’s fate, and until the day they died, she would protect her again. And at that time, she hoped she would be able to tell her how she felt.Her earnest wish lasted until the moment they both passed away. When their souls left their bodies and answered the call of death, her heart still belonged only to her friend. With all her wishes, she prayed to the heavens and crossed over into the afterlife, holding her friend’s hand.* * *“….”Slowly, Muheun lifted his eyelids. The hazy vision gradually returned to normal. The reality, which had felt distant, flooded back, and the air, which now touched his skin, felt warm and comforting. With a blink, the familiar scenery became sharp and clear.“…A dream?”Muheun murmured softly, then looked down at the person lying in his arms. Instead of his dear friend, who had once smiled so sweetly, there was only Seungjoo, sleeping peacefully. Seungjoo, who had buried his face in Muheun’s chest, stirred slightly, furrowing his brows.“Mm…”Muheun, as if by habit, comforted him and gently pressed his lips to his exposed forehead. The warmth that passed between them made Muheun feel an overwhelming satisfaction deep inside his stomach. Staring blankly at the dim light, Muheun couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as he hugged Seungjoo tighter.“We really did meet again.”The softly muttered words were the proof that the woman’s wish had finally come true. Muheun kissed Seungjoo again before closing his eyes once more.It was a night when the fates, once so twisted, finally found their way back to each other.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~