Chapter 57: Chapter 57.

Chapter 57.

Eejun said to Shin, “That was quick. You got here so fast.”

“I took the rest of the day off to get here.”

Shin was taking his coat off, and he smelled of the wind. Eejun stared at Shin pushed his hair back with his fingers and sigh. For some reason, Shin reminded Eejun of a wild beast. Eejun said to him, “So you believe a stranger’s words that easily?”

“I had a feeling that this was real.”

Suddenly, Eejun realized the truth. Jihoon Kang could never win against Shin Kim. Everything about Shin made him a winner in this case. Shin was hurt before, but rather than hiding it, Shin was honest about it. His warmth, smile, tears, and anger… All of them came from his honesty and sincerity.

Woojin and Shin looked so different, but inside, they were very similar.

“He is Jin Yoo, isn’t he?”

“So you remember.”

“I didn’t… not really…”

“…”

“At the time, his face was so swollen… He looked very different.”

“…”

“At one point, I thought he was dead.”

At the time, everyone at the school thought so. They thought he was dead. He bled so much that the entire swimming pool turned red. Woojin’s heart also stopped for a moment; the paramedics had to perform CPR.

Eejun was in the US at the time, but when he heard the news, he returned to Korea immediately. Eejun remembered the first time he saw Woojin after the incident. It was at the hospital and Woojin was in very bad shape. His wrists… were mangled. And as soon as Woojin regained his consciousness, he began to scratch himself. The trauma of it all was too much for Woojin.

Shin asked Eejun, “He didn’t commit suicide, did he?”

“You are very quick.”

“He didn’t seem like he wanted to die.”

“Well, you know him very well, I think. Woojin Choi isn’t greedy for life, but he also doesn’t want to die either.”

Eejun nodded. In front of them, two cups of camomile tea rested. They were from Dr. Yoonil.

Shin asked, “Where are we? Whose house is this?”

“Dr. Yoonil’s home.”

“… And who is Dr. Yoonil?”

“He is Woojin Choi’s doctor and Woojin’s mother’s good friend.”

“I have something I want to ask.”

“And I think I can guess what it is.”

“But I think I should be asking Woojin Choi and not you, Mr. Eejun Bae.”

“…”

“Waiting is very hard though.”

The ominous desperate feeling that things wouldn’t end well…

Eejun thought of Jihoon and bit his lips. He said to Shin, “Woojin Choi has been very good at being alone, even as a child.”

“…”

“He is a quiet and careful type. His face always looked very blank and it was very easy to tease him.”

“…”

“I liked Woojin since we were just kids. He was quiet, but he always said what needed to be said. He kept his distance from everyone, and I felt comfortable around him.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Woojin Choi is unwell.”

“… The genetic disorder you mentioned earlier?”

“No, not that. But he has been so worried about getting that illness that the worry itself is making him sick.”

“…”

“On top of that, that accident made Woojin weak too.”

“And who did that to him? At the swimming pool.”

“Woojin’s aunt.”

Shin’s eyes widened, “His aunt?”

“The Chairman’s only daughter. Woojin’s father’s younger sister.”

“… What?”

“Woojin’s aunt hated him for a very long time.”

“…”

“Enough to kill him.”

***

When Woojin opened his eyes, it was nighttime. Darkness filled the room. Still feeling a bit dizzy because of the medication, Woojin grabbed his head and blinked a few times.

He couldn’t tell what time it was, but he knew it had to be very late.

Woojin reached out to grab more of the blanket when suddenly, he realized someone was laying beside him.

Sturdy shoulders and large back.

A warm familiar body.

There was only one person in the world Woojin could feel comfortable being this close.

Shin Kim.

Slowly, Woojin moved so he could face Shin. He stared at his beautiful face.

Shim must’ve felt Woojin’s eyes because after a few minutes, his large hands reached out to hug Woojin’s shoulders and pulled him closer. This wasn’t the first time their bodies were close, but Woojin’s heart began to pound again. It was as if his body was trying to prove that he was still alive.

Shin murmured, “… You awake?” His voice sounded husky and deep. Slowly, Shin opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He frowned and caressed Woojin’s face.

“I barely slept the whole time you were gone. Maybe an hour or two a day at most.”

“…”

“You are such a player, Woojin. Making me want you so desperately like this.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then?”

Woojin stroked Shin’s forehead. Woojin always thought his forehead was very handsome. Neat and kind, but secretly hiding a fiery temper. After an audible gulp, Woojin replied, “I needed some time to think.”

“But I told you that night that I wasn’t demanding an answer.”

Woojin looked away, afraid that he might see regret in Shin’s eyes. But when Shin’s large hands continued to pat him, Woojin felt relieved. He began to believe that perhaps Shin Kim wouldn’t let him go even if they were apart for a long time.

Shin seemed like a man who remained calm and waited.

Woojin continued, “It was because I wanted to answer your questions.”

“…”

“… I just wanted to let you know.”

The beautiful warmth began to enter Woojin. His whole body, including his heart, felt alive, like the flowers blooming in the spring. Shin’s large hands touched Woojin’s neck gently. Woojin could tell Shin was trying to make him feel better.

“Jin Yoo… That was the name I used. Yoo is my mother’s maiden name.”

“…”

“I think my father wanted to hide the fact that he had a child.”

“…”

“My father had an illness. A genetic disorder. I was desperately hoping that I didn’t get it.”

“…”

“People told me that I didn’t have it. Everyone did.”

“…”

“But… I was always worried. Scared.”

Woojin sighed and continued, “My father… He sometimes thought that he was being chased. He believed that there was someone after him.”

“…”

“He often saw hallucinations.”

“Hallucinations?”

“Yeah… I think he thought someone was coming to kill him…”