CBR 41

“It’s way too intense.”

When he rebelled, Jaewon’s eyebrows twitched.

“I even adjusted this to match your level, so what are you talking about? If you want to show off your resume anywhere saying you’re somewhat decent at math, you need to sweep awards at all kinds of competitions and Olympiads every year, be called a genius when you’re young, and during vacations go to a Las Vegas casino and win around $200,000 at blackjack…”

Jaewon, who had been blabbering like a flowing river, suddenly gasped and clamped his mouth shut. The moment he realized there was actually a person who perfectly fit the conditions he had unconsciously listed, a terrifyingly handsome face came to his mind.

‘I must be out of my mind.’

He hurriedly took out an imaginary eraser in his mind and rubbed the guy’s face away. Even though he erased it painstakingly, those towering, eagle-like eyes and the mole underneath them stubbornly remained. Clenching his teeth, he finished erasing them as well. By the time he barely pulled himself together, the surrounding air had cooled down so chillily it felt like cold water had been poured over it.

“Who are you talking about right now?”

A pitchless voice broke the silence. The monotone voice, sounding like a machine sound, was alien. Haeyul didn’t even blink his eyes, looking like a paused screen. Even though Jaewon himself was in a state of panic, he put on a nonchalant expression to avoid showing it.

“Talking about who? I’m just saying that’s an example.”

“Is that so?”

Jaewon answered rather apathetically, uselessly flipping through the workbook. At that, Haeyul, who had been watching him with persistent eyes, smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.

“Then we have a promise.”

“What promise.”

“If I get a Level 1 grade, we’re going to love each other.”

Jaewon stuck out his lower lip and nodded with a bleary-eyed expression. Only then did Haeyul’s eyes curve into crescent moons, looking satisfied. He repeatedly went through the process of double-checking.

“You have to keep it.”

“Of course.”

Naturally, Jaewon had no intention of doing so. The study of mathematics was profoundly endless, meaning there were only those who had given up and those who hadn’t given up yet. Until the main characters’ romance reached a happy ending, the probability of a math-giver-up getting a Level 1 grade was extremely low. Even if he luckily achieved the goal, all Jaewon had to do was use his success story as a stepping stone to recruit new tutoring students.

Hiding such sinister motives, Jaewon proceeded with the lesson as Haeyul, who had turned into a gentle lamb, enthusiastically studied math.

“That’s it for today. For homework, just do up to the marked parts.”

Time flew like an arrow, and before they knew it, it was time to end the tutoring session. As soon as the clock hit the exact hour, Jaewon stood up and prepared to leave. Haeyul, looking up at him disapprovingly as he packed his bags swiftly, spoke up.

“What’s the big hurry? Anyone watching would think I’m trying to eat you alive.”

“Clocking off work cannot be delayed by even a single second.”

Although that was the superficial reason, Jaewon intended to avoid being alone with him outside of work hours as much as possible.

“Stay and eat before you go.”

As he pushed through the bushes to move forward, Haeyul spoke to him from behind. Jaewon tightly knotted his loosened shoelaces and turned around to stand up. Haeyul, who had been leaning diagonally against the wall with his arms crossed, added:

“There’s braised short ribs, soy-marinated crab, Sinseollo, and Gujeolpan too.”

“It’s tempting, but it’s not time for me to eat yet.”

“Will you die if you eat when it’s not mealtime?”

“Overeating is a shortcut to adult diseases and a short life.”

When Jaewon put on an iron armor like the pine trees on Namsan, Haeyul bowed his head and then raised it again. Uncrossing his arms and standing straight, he took large strides toward him.

“Then don’t eat, just stay and hang out before you go. There’s a lot to play with at home.”

“I’m busy. I have somewhere to stop by.”

Jaewon gave a brief answer and pulled the front gate handle. The door, which was opening smoothly, slammed shut again. The hand pushing against the door had blue veins popping out.

“You’re playing damn hard to get.”

The voice that had been coaxingly gentle turned cold. The smile had disappeared from the face that had been grinning like a fox.

“It’s tantalizing.”

His gaze poured down vertically. Haeyul stared intensely at him as his tongue swept over his molars. That sight resembled a snake discovering its prey, hissing and flickering its tongue. Jaewon looked at him blankly before flicking his forehead.

“You have to play hard to get so there’s a thrill in catching.”

His fiercely slit eyes turned wide and round. Thinking that face was quite cute, Jaewon opened the other side of the door and stepped outside.

“I’m really not gonna leave you alone.”

A low growling sound echoed behind his back. Flipping a glance backward, Haeyul was glaring as if he would devour him whole. His face, beautiful as if from another species, was smeared with raw desire. Seeing his fresh, green behavior, Jaewon burst into a short chuckle.

“Just do your homework properly. I’m going to inspect it.”

Without even looking back, he waved his hand. He walked straight down the hill road, caught a bus at the stop, and headed to the bustling downtown area. It was to acquire a boost item.

“Welcome.”

Stepping through the department store revolving doors, an interior adorned with white marble unfolded. Receiving the bright halogen lights, Jaewon headed toward the perfume section.

“Nice to meet you, customer.”

After bowing his head to the clerk who greeted him affably, he turned his gaze to the display counter. In the shop, beautiful perfume bottles of various colors were neatly displayed. Jaewon examined the counter with a sharp eye like a hawk targeting prey.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“Where is the Cool Water scent?”

“Pardon?”

The staff member, who had paused as if a switch had been flipped off, soon guided him smoothly.

“Ah, ah, if you are referring to the Davidoff product, it’s this way.”

The staff member led Jaewon to a secluded and secretive spot. Where her fingertip pointed, there was a blue bottle. Bearing the light of the deep sea, it was radiating a mysterious and brilliant luster.

Jaewon picked up the perfume bottle, sprayed it onto a blotter strip, and pumped it twice into the air. As he caught the cool scent scattered in the air, countless expressions flashed through his mind.

“Will you take this one?”

The staff member waiting beside him asked as if seeing right through his inner thoughts. Just as he was about to nod as if spellbound, voices were heard from behind.

“Isn’t that right?”

“No…”

“I think that’s right.”

Not far away, a group of schoolgirls were glancing at Jaewon and whispering. When they made eye contact with Jaewon, they flinched, then suddenly puffed out their chests and approached with a majestic gait.

“Well, look who it is. Isn’t that the King’s Man?”

A voice filled with deep sarcasm echoed through the store. Jaewon tried to ignore it, but because the voice was like an oriole’s and her diction was insanely clear, it sank straight into his ears.

“How come you’re alone today?”

“Where is the King who followed you around so closely?”

“Where did you ditch your tail? You were practically wagging it right in front of Dojun.”

Surrounding Jaewon, they each threw in a line and sneered. The way they popped their chewing gum and swayed on one leg was quite threatening. Jaewon, who had been processing them on self-mute, discovered a remarkably beautiful silhouette among them.

“Isn’t that cutie? Seeing you here again.”

When he cheerfully greeted her as an acquaintance, Min Yerin, who had been hiding behind the schoolgirls, turned her head away with a prim expression.

“Why are you greeting Yerin? You really have a thick skin.”

“Unbelievable, really.”

“After snatching Dojun away like that, don’t you think you’re too much?”

Accusations poured in from all directions. Jaewon felt a sudden surge of anger at the absurd slander, but since they were still young teenagers, he decided to reason with them nicely.

“Snatched what? If you’re so frustrated, why don’t you guys run as shuttle bread boys yourselves?”

“What…!”

“And you, you’re way too pretty, so it won’t work out with Kim Dojun anyway, so give up early.”

Jaewon turned his head and offered advice toward Min Yerin. At the words to give up, her beautiful face distorted strangely. It was an expression of not knowing whether to laugh or get angry.

“By the way, it’s great you guys came along. Smell this for a sec.”

Jaewon, struck by a good idea, beamed and sprayed perfume at them.

“How’s the scent?”

“What is this? Cool Water?”

“Ugh… Who wears Cool Water these days?”

“Looks like he grave-robbed it from a tomb.”

While the schoolgirls who smelled the scent contorted their faces in disgust, Min Yerin was the only one wearing a peculiar expression.

“How about you?”

“…I think I like it.”

When Jaewon asked with sparkling eyes, Yerin muttered awkwardly. Her sulky face was showing a flush. Confirming the difference in taste between the main character and the extras, Jaewon wore a victorious smile.

“Then that’s enough. Please give me this one.”

“What, why…”

“And this one too.”