DEARG Ch 25

After finishing the packed lunch, Jo Jihyun stood up from his seat. It hadn’t even been ten minutes since he left the hospital room, but he already missed Kang Seokwon. As he opened the door to the room, Kang Seokwon turned his head. The moment Jo Jihyun caught the relief flickering across his face, he felt a lump in his throat.

“I’m going to brush my teeth.”

“Okay.”

Jo Jihyun went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and came out. Kang Seokwon, who had turned his body entirely to face the door while waiting for Jo Jihyun, gestured for him to come closer. Jo Jihyun approached Kang Seokwon’s bed.

“Closer.”

Jo Jihyun took another step forward. Kang Seokwon reached out and touched Jo Jihyun’s lips. Startled by the sudden movement, Jo Jihyun flinched, his shoulders trembling.

“Toothpaste.”

Kang Seokwon showed him the foam on his fingertips. Feeling foolish for getting his hopes up, Jo Jihyun averted his gaze, his eyes darting nervously. Kang Seokwon called his name, “Jihyun-ah.” The moment Jo Jihyun looked up, their lips met. It was a very light kiss, nothing more than their lips touching and brushing against each other.

It was the first time. The first intimate contact since the accident. Even after their lips parted, Jo Jihyun stared at Kang Seokwon in a daze.

“What’s wrong?”

“…I liked it.”

Hearing his response, Kang Seokwon let out a small sigh.

“What’s the matter?”

Jo Jihyun asked with worried eyes.

Every night, Jo Jihyun wondered if Kang Seokwon might have grown to dislike him because of the accident. He knew it wasn’t true, but he couldn’t shake the anxiety creeping into a corner of his heart. It would be natural if resentment came later, considering Kang Seokwon had suffered such a horrific accident because of him.

“Too much.”

The casual words carried a subtle heat. The thin hospital gown clearly revealed his condition.

“Should I step out for a bit?”

“No. Looking out the window is enough.”

Kang Seokwon turned his head toward the window. Jo Jihyun stood awkwardly beside him, waiting for Kang Seokwon to turn back. A sound of a swallowed sigh reached his ears. Then, the man stretched out his uninjured arm, pulling Jo Jihyun’s neck toward him.

A deep kiss followed, incomparable to the earlier one.

“Is Jihyun staying here?”

“Hello.”

It was the guardian of a patient on the same floor. Though Jo Jihyun hadn’t been at the hospital long, most of the guardians had come to know him. Both the patient and his guardian stood out, and everyone was astonished that a student like him was single-handedly taking on the demanding task of caregiving, something even adults found challenging.

“Sera, it’s the Jihyun oppa you like.”

A girl, about six or seven years old, shyly hid behind her mother.

“She kept singing about Jihyun oppa, saying he’s even more handsome than the idols on TV.”

Jo Jihyun gave an awkward “Thank you” in response. He didn’t know how to react in these situations.

“Aren’t you going to say hi to oppa?”

The girl peeked out from behind her mother, hesitating. When their eyes met, she ducked back again.

“Oh, come on.”

The mother looked down at her daughter fondly, stroking her hair. At that age, every action was endearing.

“But don’t you have to go to school? You’re a high school student, right?”

“It’s fine.”

“You’re so young, it must be tough. How did this happen?”

She clicked her tongue. Among the guardians, it seemed the rumor had spread that the two were cousins relying on each other without parents.

“Guardian for Kang Seokwon.”

A nurse called Jo Jihyun.

“I’ll be going now.”

Jo Jihyun quickly stood and headed to the MRI room. Kang Seokwon came out in a wheelchair. Taking the wheelchair from the technician, Jo Jihyun bowed and asked.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Any discomfort?”

He’d heard that some people rarely have adverse reactions to contrast dye.

“I’m fine.”

Only after hearing the response did Jo Jihyun slowly push the wheelchair. He passed the mother and daughter at the entrance again. Jo Jihyun nodded politely and moved on. The girl ran up and tugged at his clothes.

“What’s up?”

“Eat this.”

The girl handed him a piece of candy and ran back to her mother. Jo Jihyun, holding the candy with a flustered expression, looked back. The mother gestured for him to go on. Kang Seokwon said nothing. While waiting for the elevator, Jo Jihyun asked him.

“Should I throw it away?”

Whenever guardians or nurses gave him food, Kang Seokwon’s expression would inevitably harden.

“No. Why?”

“Don’t you dislike it?”

“It’s a kid.”

Jo Jihyun swallowed a laugh. The elevator arrived. He carefully pushed the wheelchair in to avoid jolting it when a voice called, “Wait a moment.” It was the girl’s family. The wife approached, pushing her husband’s wheelchair. Jo Jihyun quickly held the elevator button.

“Thank you.”

After confirming the family was inside, Jo Jihyun released the button.

“So, you’ll be discharged next week?”

The couple started talking.

“If nothing goes wrong, probably.”

“That’s great. You were tired of hospital food, right? I’ll cook something delicious when we get home.”

The wife smiled, and the husband patted her hand on the wheelchair.

“Our Sera had a tough time because of me, didn’t she? You won’t have to come to the hospital anymore.”

The father spoke tenderly, rubbing his daughter’s cheek. Suddenly, the girl burst into tears.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Sera? Did Daddy do something?”

Instead of scolding her for crying, he first asked what he’d done wrong. Jo Jihyun watched the scene quietly.

“Let her be. She’s upset because she can’t come to the hospital anymore.”

The wife laughed, glancing at Jo Jihyun. The husband nodded, understanding.

“You little rascal. Your dad’s sick, and you’re more interested in the handsome oppa, huh?”

The girl, teary-eyed, said, “No, Daddy,” and buried herself in his arms. The elevator reached the 13th floor.

“Go ahead.”

Jo Jihyun held the button. The family exited first. The girl, clinging to her father, whispered something.

“Hey, hey, Sera. You can’t just decide that. You have to think about the age difference. And most importantly, it depends on what oppa wants.”

The husband answered, looking at Jo Jihyun with a flustered expression. Jo Jihyun tilted his head slightly while pulling Kang Seokwon’s wheelchair out.

“What did Sera say?”

The husband whispered to his wife, laughing. She burst out laughing, incredulous.

“You’ve been to kindergarten, and now you’ve got no limits. What are we going to do with you?”

Jo Jihyun nodded to them and walked on.

“Jihyun, Sera has something to say.”

The wife nudged her daughter forward.

“Go on, get rejected quick. Then Daddy can sleep easy tonight.”

The husband laughed playfully. Jo Jihyun looked down at the girl. She pulled another candy from her pocket and handed it to him.

“It’s okay. I already got one.”

“Eat it.”

She politely offered it with both hands. Jo Jihyun reluctantly took another candy.

“I want to marry oppa.”

“Huh?”

“I want to marry oppa. They say people who love each other get married, like Mommy and Daddy.”

“You said you’d marry Daddy. They say raising daughters is pointless.”

The husband leaned back in his wheelchair, crossing his arms. Jo Jihyun blinked a few times, flustered, before answering.

“Sorry. I have someone I’m going to marry.”

No one expected that response from Jo Jihyun. Everyone froze, especially the girl who’d proposed. She burst into tears and ran to her mother’s arms, the safest place to soothe her failure and embarrassment.

“Sera, oppa has someone he loves, so it can’t be helped. You’ll meet someone even more handsome… and kinder later.”

The mother patted her daughter’s back and winked at Jo Jihyun, signaling him to go. He bowed and pushed the wheelchair again. Back in the room, he helped Kang Seokwon, draping his arm over his neck, onto the bed.

Jo Jihyun folded the wheelchair, placed it in the corner, and returned to Kang Seokwon. Kang Seokwon remained silent. His chapped lips caught Jo Jihyun’s eye.

“I’ll ask the nurse when you can have water.”

Kang Seokwon grabbed Jo Jihyun’s wrist.

“Do you need anything?”

“Who’re you marrying?”

“Huh?”

“Who’re you going to marry?”

“Obviously you, sunbae-nim…”

He answered casually, but realized how embarrassing it was. Heat prickled wherever Kang Seokwon’s gaze landed. Jo Jihyun averted his eyes, fumbling. Same-s** marriage wasn’t legal in Korea, and he hadn’t even asked Kang Seokwon’s opinion. It was a reckless statement in many ways. Jo Jihyun, head bowed, mumbled, “Let go,” and shook his wrist lightly.

“When should we do it?”

“…”

“When should we get married?”

He didn’t let a single word slip by. He responded with his whole heart, as if it were obvious.

“Legally, minors need parental consent, so it’ll take a year… Same-s** marriage isn’t recognized in our country.”

“I know.”

Kang Seokwon pulled Jo Jihyun’s wrist, kissing his fingertips. He pressed his lips to each finger, as if vowing eternity to a partner. Silent, invisible oaths were etched.

“When you’re better, sunbae-nim.”

Jo Jihyun answered with a smile. Kang Seokwon pulled him into an embrace. Kang Seokwon added, “And.”

“Throw away the candy.”

Jo Jihyun nodded and kissed him.

“Good night.”

As Jo Jihyun lay on the cot, Kang Seokwon returned, “Sleep well.” Jo Jihyun closed his eyes and counted numbers—a habit when sleep wouldn’t come. Before, he’d recall English words or math formulas, but now he didn’t need to. Only after reaching ten thousand did his consciousness slip into sleep. As he drifted off, a metallic creak sounded. At first, he thought it was a dream. But the sound grew clearer. Someone was opening the door. Strange. Who would visit the hospital at this hour? Did hospital doors make that sound? Before he could process the questions, a screeching creak of rusted hinges followed. Then, soft footsteps. He needed to check who it was. No, he needed to wake Kang Seokwon first. Something was wrong. But strangely, he couldn’t move a finger. He tried to speak, but only a faint wheeze came. A shadow loomed. Meeting the eyes staring down at him, he felt his blood drain.

Bloodshot eyes glinted, darting between him and Kang Seokwon. Jo Jihyun writhed desperately to wake Kang Seokwon. A cold hand caressed his face, tender, as if regretting unshown love. But the more it touched, the more his body stiffened with fear. As he opened his mouth to call Kang Seokwon,

“I’ll kill you here, like you said.”

The woman raised a blade. In the dark, it flashed toward Jo Jihyun’s face.

“――!”

Jo Jihyun jolted upright, shuddering. His body was drenched in cold sweat. He flailed to confirm where he was. His vision spun. The woman’s laughter lingered in his ears. Fear that she’d rush in with a blade froze his blood. His stomach churned. Jo Jihyun crawled off the cot and ran to the bathroom.

Clutching the toilet, he retched, trying not to make noise. After a while, he flushed. He rinsed his mouth and looked in the mirror. It was the same face as the woman in his dream. That’s why he hated his own face.

Jo Jihyun washed with cold water and lay back down.

“Did you throw up?”

Kang Seokwon asked, his voice devoid of sleepiness.

“I think dinner didn’t sit well. It tasted off. I’ll check expiration dates next time.”

Jo Jihyun rambled unprompted. He heard Kang Seokwon shift.

“Wanna come up here for a bit?”

Jo Jihyun gave a weak smile.

“The bed’ll collapse.”

“It can handle both of us.”

“How do you know?”

“I asked the nurse.”

Imagining the quiet man asking the nurse such things made Jo Jihyun laugh. He got up from the cot. Kang Seokwon scooted over to make room. Jo Jihyun lay beside him. Kang Seokwon reached out with his good arm, pulling Jo Jihyun’s shoulder close. Brushing back his sweat-damp hair, he asked.

“Nightmare?”

He was prescribed heaps of medication—painkillers and antibiotics. Most people would be knocked out by them, but Kang Seokwon noticed every sound Jo Jihyun made, even through the d**gs.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What was it about?”

Kang Seokwon had never asked about Jo Jihyun’s dreams before.

“What happened in it?”

He asked again. Jo Jihyun blinked, flustered, before answering.

“Someone getting hurt.”

“It’s just a dream.”

Jo Jihyun nodded.

His mother was detained, awaiting trial. It was an unusual decision for a first-time offender. His father had come, begging Jo Jihyun to testify in her favor. Jo Jihyun didn’t listen. She had to pay for her crimes. He could overlook what she did to him, but never what she did to Kang Seokwon.

She couldn’t come to the hospital to harm him or Kang Seokwon. Yet, anxiety crept in like an insect, burrowing into his mind.

“Do you ever have nightmares, sunbae-nim?”

Jo Jihyun asked, trying to shift his thoughts.

“Plenty.”

The unexpected answer came.

“What kind?”

“Being in the ring, facing an opponent, and not being able to move a finger.”

“Are you scared?”

Kang Seokwon shook his head.

“Not really.”

“Then what?”

“I get angry. At myself.”

“…”

“For being so powerless, it makes me furious.”

Jo Jihyun realized what he meant. Kang Seokwon never asked about his plans or their current situation. Jo Jihyun didn’t bring it up either. Nothing was decided, and there was no room to think about it. Kang Seokwon felt powerless for not solving everything for him.

“You’re doing well, sunbae-nim.”

Jo Jihyun spoke slowly.

“You’ve always done well, and you will going forward. You’re doing great.”

It was true then too. The doctors were amazed at Kang Seokwon’s recovery speed. Jo Jihyun believed it would be the same this time.

“I got an offer from a promoter in the U.S.”

“…”

It was news he’d never heard.

“The coach told me to win an Olympic medal first, but I thought it’d be fine to go to the U.S. right away. To do that, I needed to win the world championships next year. Titles matter there.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jo Jihyun apologized.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Jo Jihyun couldn’t answer. He felt everything was his fault.

“Jo Jihyun, let’s be clear.”

Kang Seokwon’s voice drew a firm line.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Whatever happens, it’s my decision, and my responsibility.”

“…”

“It might take a while, but I’ll make it to the U.S. someday.”

Step by step, he was destined to stand at the top.

“It’ll be tough until then. Can you wait for me?”

Jo Jihyun nodded.

“I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Kang Seokwon kissed his sweat-damp forehead.

“I’m sorry I can’t take you away right now.”

He always felt guilty for his perceived inadequacy. Even after giving his talent and everything he had, he felt helpless for having nothing more to offer.

“…Thank you.”

Jo Jihyun said, nestled in Kang Seokwon’s arms. He could hear his heartbeat. The world, moments ago twisted in chaos, began to settle into the rhythm of that steady beat.

Kang Seokwon tightened his grip slightly and patted Jo Jihyun’s back, as if urging him to sleep. With patience and persistence, Kang Seokwon moved his hand gently. Jo Jihyun’s breathing gradually slowed.

“…Meeting you again…”

“Again?”

Kang Seokwon echoed. No response came.

Looking at Jo Jihyun’s sleeping face, the man smiled silently.

“It’s time for your injection.”

As the nurse entered, Jo Jihyun jolted up, flustered.

“I’ll just, uh…”

“What?”

Kang Seokwon asked.

“No, I’ll step outside for a bit…”

The nurse smiled at Jo Jihyun.

That day, Jo Jihyun fell asleep on Kang Seokwon’s bed. When he woke in the morning, he heard the nurse’s angry voice. Did they know how dangerous it was for two people to be on the hospital bed? A fracture patient needed extra care, and the surgical wounds hadn’t even healed yet. What were the guardian and patient thinking? Kang Seokwon apologized but kept asking her to lower her voice to avoid waking Jo Jihyun. Though he was awake, Jo Jihyun couldn’t bring himself to lift his head. Finally, the nurse warned that next time, there’d be real trouble, and left the room.

Since that day, Jo Jihyun couldn’t meet the nurse’s eyes and felt awkward around her.

“You’re not still climbing onto the patient’s bed because the cot’s uncomfortable, are you?”

“No, ma’am. I haven’t done that since that day.”

Jo Jihyun replied earnestly. His innocent response made the nurse burst out laughing. Jo Jihyun’s face flushed.

“No discomfort, right?”

“None.”

Kang Seokwon answered, looking at Jo Jihyun, who was still red-faced and fidgeting with his clothes.

“Oh, and consider this if you’re interested.”

She handed over a piece of paper from the cart, explaining.

“It’s a letter to your future self. The hospital does this event every December. Write a letter, and we’ll send it to the address you provide next year. Want to do it?”

Kang Seokwon looked at Jo Jihyun.

“Want to do it, Jihyun?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m okay…”

Kang Seokwon silently took the paper.

“Do we just write and give it back?”

“Write the address and hand it in. Here’s an envelope.”

The nurse passed him an envelope. As she left, she patted Jo Jihyun’s shoulder, as if finding him adorable.

Once she was gone, Kang Seokwon gestured for Jo Jihyun to come closer and handed him the paper.

“I’ll get you a pen.”

Jo Jihyun pulled a pen from his pencil case.

When he’d gone to Kang Seokwon’s place to pack essentials, he brought books and the pencil case. He wondered if studying was necessary now, but opening a book unexpectedly calmed him. Watching Jo Jihyun solve problems alone, Kang Seokwon asked if studying was a hobby, not a habit. His voice carried a hint of amusement.

“What’re you going to write?”

“Dunno.”

Jo Jihyun held the pen over the paper but couldn’t think of anything. Focused on surviving each day, he hadn’t considered next year. Though he’d lived these days before, the future felt distant.

“Jo Jihyun.”

“Yeah?”

“Wanna switch?”

“Is your pen not working? I’ll get another.”

Jo Jihyun rummaged through his pencil case.

“No, I mean who we’re writing to. I want to write to you, not myself.”

Jo Jihyun finally understood Kang Seokwon’s intent.

“You write to me. How’s that?”

“Sounds good.”

Jo Jihyun nodded with a smile.

What he wanted to say to Kang Seokwon a year from now.

Jo Jihyun wrote, “To sunbae-nim.” A flicker of fear passed through him.

Would he still be with Kang Seokwon a year from now? Would Kang Seokwon be searching for him?

“What’ll happen?”

Jo Jihyun mumbled to himself.

“I’ll train, you’ll study. Same as now.”

Jo Jihyun nodded, gripping the pen.

“I’ll train at the athletes’ village.”

Kang Seokwon continued.

“If I get selected for the Olympic team.”

“Of course you will.”

His mother would face trial. Nothing should threaten Kang Seokwon’s future anymore. Yet, unexplainable anxiety kept surfacing. Would the future change?

“I’ll miss you a lot.”

Jo Jihyun looked up at Kang Seokwon’s words. Realizing he was talking about next year’s training, Jo Jihyun blinked and lowered his head.

“Me too. I’ll miss you a lot.”

“Come see me then.”

“I will.”

Kang Seokwon’s words eased his anxiety. Staring at the paper after writing the salutation, Jo Jihyun turned to him.

“What’re you writing?”

“Read it later yourself.”

“Okay.”

Jo Jihyun smiled and moved his pen.

He only hoped he’d still be with Kang Seokwon a year from now.

Jo Jihyun put down the phone with a somber expression.

“It seems like it’ll be tough. They reviewed it, but without clear evidence of neglect or abuse, it’s hard to proceed. Your school life, grades, and others’ testimonies don’t help.”

Clear signs of abuse include neglect, how much a child is left to fend for themselves due to parental failure. By that measure, Jo Jihyun was a “well-managed” case. He attended school regularly, had excellent grades, dressed neatly, and never caused trouble. On the surface, his life seemed perfect.

“What about the counseling results? Since mental state matters for parental rights termination, I took a psychological test recently. There are signs of anxiety and depression, and panic disorder too. It’s concerning, especially with the family history I mentioned. Can’t that be used? No, your anxiety doesn’t directly prove parental abuse. We need clearer evidence.” The counselor’s voice was full of regret. For the first time, Jo Jihyun explained everything he’d been through to a third party. Each time he recounted his mother’s verbal abuse, the counselor showed sympathy. “We need to counsel your mother too, but her current situation makes it difficult. Can’t this incident affect it? We won’t know until the trial’s outcome. Your father insists it was an accident.” At that, Jo Jihyun closed his eyes. If the hit had been slightly off, Kang Seokwon would have died instantly. Yet his father saw it as his wife’s misfortune. “Would photos or specific evidence help?” The counselor said it would help significantly. “Understood.” The call ended.

“Where’d you go?”

Kang Seokwon asked as Jo Jihyun entered the room. Whenever he left without saying where, Kang Seokwon showed unease.

“I had a quick call.”

“With who?”

Jo Jihyun hesitated.

He hadn’t told Kang Seokwon about filing for parental rights termination.

“Who’d you call?”

“I spoke with a welfare worker about my mother. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It probably won’t turn out well.”

Even if his mother lost her rights, his father remained. They couldn’t restrict his father’s guardianship rights.

Kang Seokwon sighed softly.

“Sorry for making you worry.”

“Don’t say that.”

Jo Jihyun approached Kang Seokwon’s bed. Kang Seokwon caressed his cheek.

“Food?”

“I’ll eat later.”

Jo Jihyun hesitated, then called, “Sunbae-nim.” Kang Seokwon responded, “Yeah.”

“I’m going to school for a bit.”

“Why school?”

“To submit my withdrawal.”

Kang Seokwon’s expression darkened.

Jo Jihyun had already called his homeroom teacher, explaining he couldn’t attend school for a while due to personal circumstances. The teacher didn’t say much. It was a small community; rumors must have spread. Since Kang Seokwon wasn’t attending either, the story likely gained traction.

“What about transferring?”

“I’ll take the GED. It’s easier.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

Kang Seokwon felt guilty about Jo Jihyun dropping out.

“Honestly, I should’ve said earlier.”

Jo Jihyun continued slowly.

“I don’t like classes. Too many boring teachers. What student likes going to school?”

Kang Seokwon swallowed a laugh, knowing Jo Jihyun was deliberately keeping it light. He pulled Jo Jihyun into an embrace.

“I’m really fine. I don’t care about school.”

“Still.”

Jo Jihyun gently kissed Kang Seokwon’s lips, lingering before pulling back.

“Your birthday’s in a few days. I need to buy stationery for the letter.”

“How much are you writing?”

“A lot.”

Kang Seokwon lightly bit Jo Jihyun’s lower lip and released it. Jo Jihyun knew what he wanted. His anxious gaze carried heat.

He checked the clock. It wasn’t time for blood pressure checks or injections. No tests or doctor’s rounds today.

Jo Jihyun softly s**ked Kang Seokwon’s lips, a sign of consent. Kang Seokwon lowered his head, kissing him. His hand gripped Jo Jihyun’s nape, fingers tracing his spine. The sensual touch made Jo Jihyun tingle below. Wanting to be closer, he leaned into the bed without thinking. The bed creaked.

Jo Jihyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s fine.”

Kang Seokwon tried to pull him back.

“Wait.”

Jo Jihyun pushed his hand away. Kang Seokwon withdrew with a stiff expression. Jo Jihyun grabbed a chair and placed it against the door. It couldn’t lock, but this would block entry.

“Should we close the curtains too?”

Jo Jihyun asked. Kang Seokwon sighed softly.

“What’s wrong?”

Why aren’t my bones healed yet?

Jo Jihyun laughed at his slightly grumpy mutter. “Still a long way to go,” he replied, approaching. Kang Seokwon drew the curtains. A large shadow fell over Jo Jihyun’s body.

“Are you sure about this?”

The homeroom teacher asked repeatedly while accepting the withdrawal form. The parental consent section bore his father’s signature. When Jo Jihyun handed the form to his father at the hospital, he signed without a word, then began talking about his mother’s trial. “Your mom’s in trouble. She’s frail, physically and mentally. You need to understand, please.” His father bowed, saying nothing about his son’s well-being, where he was staying, or his plans after dropping out.

“Your grades are so good; it’s such a waste.”

Jo Jihyun bowed to the regretful teacher and left the staff room. He went to the classroom. Due to building renovations, the second-years were using the third-year classrooms. Luckily, he didn’t run into anyone. He packed his locker’s contents into his bag, including a file with photos and medical records. He wasn’t sure how much it would help with parental rights termination, but it would impact the trial.

He slung the bag over his shoulder and looked around the classroom. He felt nothing. As he opened the back door to leave, he came face-to-face with someone.

“Jo Jihyun.”

Choi Kiyeol’s urgent voice made Jo Jihyun frown slightly.

“You’re dropping out? For real?”

Jo Jihyun recalled a classmate glancing at him during his meeting with the teacher in the staff room.

“You’re really dropping out?”

“Yeah.”

Choi Kiyeol grabbed Jo Jihyun’s wrist.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

Jo Jihyun shook him off. Goosebumps rose on his skin. If Choi Kiyeol hadn’t broken his umbrella that day, he wouldn’t have encountered his mother. If he hadn’t told her about school rumors, she wouldn’t have come to the school. Even without those reasons, Jo Jihyun didn’t want to talk to him. Their business was done, yet this persistent entanglement felt ominous.

“I’m going.”

Jo Jihyun stepped past Choi Kiyeol. Choi Kiyeol blocked his path.

“You can’t just disappear like this. What about me?”

He sounded betrayed, as if they’d had a good relationship. Jo Jihyun’s eyes widened in disbelief. Choi Kiyeol, face flushed, continued.

“I ran here as soon as I heard you were at school. If you disappear like that, I…”

Choi Kiyeol’s gaze lingered on Jo Jihyun’s neck. He reached out and grabbed his collar.

“What are you doing?”

Jo Jihyun tried to push him away, but Choi Kiyeol was relentless. He pulled down Jo Jihyun’s collar, spotting marks on his neck and shoulder, and let out a hollow laugh. “D**n it,” he spat coarsely.

“Filthy s**t.”

“…”

“You already gave it up to Kang Seokwon?”

Jo Jihyun looked at him and answered calmly.

“You really never change.”

“What?”

Anger darkened Choi Kiyeol’s eyes.

“You’re so curious about what I do with sunbae-nim?”

Choi Kiyeol punched Jo Jihyun’s face.

“Shut up!”

Jo Jihyun fell onto a desk, which collapsed with a crash. He stood, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

“Don’t hit my face.”

“What?”

“I don’t want scars.”

He could hide marks on his body, but not his face. If Kang Seokwon saw, he’d be upset for days, unable to swallow his anger. Jo Jihyun didn’t want to worry him.

“No, don’t touch me at all. Next time, I’ll report you to the police.”

Jo Jihyun slung his bag over his shoulder again. As he moved to leave, Choi Kiyeol grabbed his hair from behind.

“――!”

Choi Kiyeol covered Jo Jihyun’s mouth and shoved him to the floor.

“D**n it, why do you give it to him and not me? What’s so great about that b**t**d!”

Choi Kiyeol bit Jo Jihyun’s neck, rubbing his aroused lower body against him. Revulsion and nausea surged. Jo Jihyun struggled desperately to push him off, but the size difference was too great.

“Curious, huh? If I say I’m curious, will you tell me? When and where did that b**t**d first screw you? Did you spread your legs for him from the front? Or did he take you from behind? Answer me.”

With one hand covering Jo Jihyun’s mouth, Choi Kiyeol snarled.

“How did it feel when Kang Seokwon was messing with your backside?”

Jo Jihyun bit down hard on his hand. Choi Kiyeol screamed, “Argh,” and let go. Jo Jihyun tried to stand but collapsed immediately. A punch slammed into his solar plexus. He couldn’t breathe. As Jo Jihyun gasped, Choi Kiyeol unzipped his pants.

“You filthy b**ch, I’m not letting you off today.”

With that, Choi Kiyeol punched Jo Jihyun’s stomach repeatedly.

“What? Don’t hit your face? D**n it, you know your face is so d**n pretty, don’t you? I’ve j**ked off thinking about it all night. You think I’m the only one? All the other guys probably did too.”

Choi Kiyeol lifted Jo Jihyun’s shirt. His eyes gleamed as they fixated on the small protrusions. He groped Jo Jihyun’s chest, hurriedly pressing his lips to the sensitive spot while muttering.

“Jihyun-ah, d**n… you’re so fucking hot.”

Blood from his nose trickled into his mouth, choking him. Jo Jihyun coughed, barely exhaling. Choi Kiyeol rubbed himself against Jo Jihyun, grunting like a dog in heat. Jo Jihyun’s head spun, suffocating. He thrashed, trying to push him off. The small movement only excited Choi Kiyeol more, his breathing growing rougher. “Jihyun-ah, Jihyun, d**n, really.” He grabbed Jo Jihyun’s face, trying to kiss him. Jo Jihyun swung his arm, shoving him away. Choi Kiyeol grabbed and twisted Jo Jihyun’s arm.

“Stay still. No one’s coming to help you. No one comes this way.”

Choi Kiyeol sneered viciously. Jo Jihyun glared at him with fierce eyes.

“Every time you make that face, it drives me wild. Jihyun-ah, huh? Make that face again.”

Choi Kiyeol tried to turn Jo Jihyun’s chin to kiss him, but Jo Jihyun bit his lip and resisted with all his strength. Hurt pride made Choi Kiyeol scoff.

“You act all sweet when someone’s nice to you, but you’re a pain till the end? Fine, I’ll do it my way.”

He reached for Jo Jihyun’s pants.

“Stop it, are you insane?”

Jo Jihyun hadn’t imagined he’d be stupid enough to do this in a classroom in broad daylight. At least before, he’d gone to the trouble of luring him to an empty gym.

Choi Kiyeol laughed as he tugged Jo Jihyun’s pants down.

“When you changed, everyone stared when you dropped your pants. Know why?”

Choi Kiyeol flipped Jo Jihyun over. He pulled down Jo Jihyun’s underwear. Swallowing hard at the exposed pale skin, Choi Kiyeol’s eyes glinted.

“You’re all skinny, but this part’s so plump, d**n… it’s hotter than a girl’s p**sy.”

He rubbed himself against Jo Jihyun’s backside. His hot, filthy breath grazed Jo Jihyun’s neck. Lost in a frenzy, Choi Kiyeol kept calling, “Jo Jihyun, Jihyun-ah,” in an excited voice. Jo Jihyun blinked. His vision blurred. He couldn’t lose consciousness. As Choi Kiyeol said, no one was coming to save him.

“Jihyun-ah, ha, d**n… I’m going crazy. Jihyun-ah, can I put it in? Huh? I’m gonna do it. I want to put it in your p**sy.”

Jo Jihyun’s hands trembled. Just a bit more, if he reached… Jo Jihyun gritted his teeth. Engulfed in arousal, Choi Kiyeol bit his neck, exhaling heavily. Rubbing himself against Jo Jihyun’s backside, he searched for an opening. Jo Jihyun, suppressing the revulsion crawling through him, gripped his hand tightly.

“Argh――!”

Choi Kiyeol’s scream echoed as blood splattered. He stared in disbelief at the pen stabbed into his thigh, then at Jo Jihyun.

Jo Jihyun adjusted his clothes and stood. Grabbing his bag from the floor, he bolted out of the classroom. His legs shook, and he stumbled several times. Footsteps followed—Choi Kiyeol was chasing him. He needed to get to where people were. His panicked mind couldn’t think straight. He ran aimlessly, but a rough hand grabbed his bag from behind.

“You’re dead.”

As Choi Kiyeol yanked the bag, Jo Jihyun fell backward. Choi Kiyeol grabbed his collar and dragged him down the hallway. If he was pulled back into the classroom, it was over. Jo Jihyun punched Choi Kiyeol’s bleeding leg. Choi Kiyeol screamed, “Argh,” and doubled over. Jo Jihyun sprinted down the hallway. He saw the stairs. If he could just get down, he’d reach people.

“You d**n b**ch!”

Choi Kiyeol grabbed Jo Jihyun’s hair. It was horrific. No matter how he tried to escape, he was stuck in place, repeating the same cycle. He could endure whatever awful thing Choi Kiyeol did to him. But Kang Seokwon… in the end, because of him, Kang Seokwon――.

Jo Jihyun clenched his teeth. It would never come to that. He swung his arm at Choi Kiyeol’s face. Sparks flew from Choi Kiyeol’s eyes as his nose was hit unexpectedly. What happened next was completely unforeseen.

“――!”

Enraged, Choi Kiyeol shoved Jo Jihyun. Even Choi Kiyeol looked shocked. Jo Jihyun’s balance gave way, and he fell backward down the stairs. As he tumbled, he thought, good.

This was the end of Choi Kiyeol.