Vol 1 Bonus track 1

[Translator’s note: There are a few book exclusive bonus tracks so I will be adding those. I will rearrange according to the volume after all the bonus tracks are released as if I arrange it now, it will be difficult for you guys to find it. I hope it’s okay with you.]

“All done.”

Inseop took the last file holder from the box and placed it on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Just seeing the neatly organized files filled him with a sense of satisfaction.

“What’s that?”  

When Lee Wooyeon noticed the box of leftover items after they’d sorted everything, he asked. Inseop mumbled that it was nothing.

“Nothing, but you carried it all the way from America?”  

“It’s just… things like photos.”  

“Family photos?”  

“…Yes.”  

“Then after you’ve sorted them, show me only the ones of you, Inseop.”  

“Understood.”

At the mention of family photos, Lee Wooyeon seemed to lose interest and turned his gaze away. Inseop silently apologized to his family. While there was indeed an album of family photos in the box, most of the space was filled with items related to Lee Wooyeon.

There were movie magazines introducing films Lee Wooyeon had acted in, brochures, and files with clippings of articles Inseop had diligently collected. He had debated whether to take it all back when setting up shop in America, but ultimately, he’d hauled Lee Wooyeon’s portfolio to Korea.

No matter how they were dating now, letting him discover the things he’d collected in the past was a different matter.  

…It might come off as creepy.

Inseop hid the files behind other books on the shelf. After finishing the reorganization and locking up, he noticed it was already past 9 PM. Feeling tired, he realized he hadn’t eaten.

“Wooyeon, dinner…”  

Inseop turned instinctively to speak, but then stopped. The small room was eerily quiet.

As soon as he’d arrived in Korea, the first thing Inseop did was look for a place. The location was convenient, with a reasonable price and size, and he felt satisfied considering his past in a rooftop room. But Lee Wooyeon found plenty of faults with the place.

It’s too cramped and old, looks like bugs would come out, the water drains too slowly, and it even looks haunted at night.  

After failing to fix the creaky window lock, Lee Wooyeon complained why Inseop was paying to live in such a rundown place.

 

‘Why not just stay at my place? I have plenty of spare rooms.’ 

The man helping Inseop organize his things sighed in exasperation and suggested it, but Inseop shook his head.  

‘Do as you please.’

Lee Wooyeon grumbled as he fiddled with the lock. In the end, he only fixed the torn screen.

‘…Do you not need to go back?’ 

Watching Lee Wooyeon casually occupy the spot next to him on the bed as if it were natural, Inseop asked cautiously.

‘Why? Do you want me to leave?’  

Though he said it like that, Lee Wooyeon pulled Inseop tightly into his arms on the narrow bed. Inseop stammered, saying it wasn’t that.

‘Aren’t you busy?’  

‘Not busy at all.’  

As soon as he arrived at Inseop’s place, Lee Wooyeon had turned off his phone, which had been ringing nonstop, and tossed it aside. Inseop worried that he might be putting him in a difficult position.

Seeing Inseop fiddling with his clothes without saying anything, Lee Wooyeon sighed and said, ‘I’ll go tomorrow.’ When Inseop nodded, he stifled a short laugh and tightened his arms around him with all his strength.

‘Wo- Wooyeon, I can’t breathe.’  

‘Is it because the bed’s too small?’  

‘No, it’s your arms, just a bit…’ 

‘Want me to hug you tighter?’

Lee Wooyeon pulled Inseop close, nearly crushing him with his large frame. Inseop panted, trying to push him off, but Wooyeon didn’t budge. He even tickled Inseop by nuzzling his neck with his nose.

“Wooyeon, it tickles… ah, wait, wait, ah…”  

It didn’t take long for the playful tussle to heat up. Pressure built in places that had only been gently touched before, and he started a devouring kiss. By the time he came to his senses, their clothes lay scattered in a mess at the foot of the bed. Eventually, it was only in the early hours that Inseop managed to pass out from exhaustion.

The next day, after a late brunch and a shower, Lee Wooyeon got dressed.

‘Should I throw this out?’  

Pointing at the recycling box by the entrance, Lee Wooyeon asked. Inseop responded with, ‘What?’  

‘I was going to take it out on my way.’  

‘Oh…’  

Only then did Inseop realize Lee Wooyeon was saying he was going home. Noticing this, Wooyeon smiled slightly, his eyes crinkling.

‘Why? Don’t want me to go?’  

‘No, it’s fine. You should go.’  

In truth, Inseop didn’t believe Wooyeon would actually leave.

Though he’d stayed the first night at Inseop’s request, Wooyeon didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving. He would say things like, ‘Since I ate lunch, I’ll stay for dinner,’ or, ‘Since it’s late, I’ll leave in the morning,’ or, ‘I’m tired, so I’ll rest a bit before I go.’ Then, once the bed was delivered, he said, ‘I’ll sleep over for one more day as a celebration,’ and before he knew it, it had been ten days.

Inseop had expected him to find another flimsy reason to stay again tonight.

‘I’ll call you later.’  

At the entrance, Lee Wooyeon kissed him on the cheek in farewell. When Inseop tried to follow him out to see him off, Wooyeon half-jokingly warned him that unless he wanted a car make-out session, he should stay inside. Then, he shut the door and disappeared.

…He really left.  

Inseop stared blankly at the now empty house before shaking his head. Lee Wooyeon was back where he belonged. Feeling lonely was unnecessary; this was only natural.

 

Inseop dried his hair with a towel and sat in front of the fan. He considered cooking but decided against it, so he started browsing nearby delivery restaurants. As he was scrolling through the Western food category, his phone rang. It was Lee Wooyeon.

Inseop quickly answered.  

“Hello.”  

<It’s me.>

A low voice reached his ear.  

“Ah, yes. Wooyeon.”  

Just hearing the voice of the man he’d spent over ten days with made his face flush. Inseop rubbed his cheek, silently praying his pounding heart wouldn’t be heard through the phone.  

<What were you doing?>  

“I was just sitting.”  

<Thinking about me?>  

“I finished organizing my stuff.”  

…Yes. I was thinking about you, Wooyeon.  

Suppressing the words he couldn’t bring himself to say, Inseop forced a calm response.  

<So cold.>  

Wooyeon’s light laughter followed. Inseop felt his face grow even warmer, pressing his toes to the floor.  

<Have you eaten?>  

“I was about to.”  

<What were you doing all this time, not even eating?>  

The man clicked his tongue in disapproval.  

“I was just about to eat.”  

Feeling as though he’d committed a terrible error by skipping a meal, Inseop fidgeted, answering timidly.  

<What are you going to eat?>  

When he didn’t immediately respond, Wooyeon let out a low sigh.  

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of it.”  

Inseop bit his lower lip slightly. He didn’t want to seem like a careless person who couldn’t even take proper care of himself.  

“I have ramen, rice… I could make a sandwich.” Inseop listed whatever came to mind.  

<Sure. Got it.>  

“…Did you eat, Wooyeon?”  

<Yes. I ate something light and then went to work out.> 

Inseop mumbled, “I see,” realizing Wooyeon had already finished his meal and workout by now. He felt the contrast between them. Silence fell briefly.  

<Feels like it’s been a while since we talked on the phone.>  

At Wooyeon’s casual remark, Inseop replied, “It does.”  

Since Wooyeon had come to see him in the U.S., they’d spoken almost every night.  

They didn’t say much. Just talking about the day’s events, what they ate, what they read. Sometimes Wooyeon would tease him, but their calls were usually ordinary.  

Since Inseop had returned to Korea, they hadn’t had a chance to talk on the phone because they’d been together until he found a place to stay.  

<Did you know?>  

Wooyeon’s voice, tinged with a smile, continued.  

<Your voice sounds even younger over the phone.>  

“I-Is that so.”  

Inseop stammered, taken aback. He hadn’t thought about it that way. Rather, he’d worried his tone might come across as too stiff without face-to-face interaction.  

<That’s why I feel a little guilty making you do naughty things over the phone.>  

“…”  

…For feeling guilty, you sure did it a lot.  

Recalling countless conversations filled with mischief, Inseop kept his mouth shut.  

<Haha. Should we do something naughty on the phone again?>  

“Th-That’s alright. I don’t want to do that anymore.”  

<Why not?>  

“You… did it. …A lot. Yesterday.”  

Inseop’s voice shrank to a whisper. Last night’s activities had left him with a lingering ache.  

<Just because we did it yesterday doesn’t mean we can’t do it today.>  

Wooyeon countered. Inseop hesitated before quietly apologizing.  

“I’m sorry.”  

<What are you sorry for?>  

“It’s just… there’s no rule like that, as you said. I think I was a bit selfish in assuming so. I didn’t know better. I’m sorry.”  

As clumsy as he was with relationships, he was even more so with dating. He started by apologizing for his mistakes. Suppressed laughter came through the phone.  

“…Wooyeon?”  

<Hahaha.>  

A moment later, unable to contain himself, Wooyeon burst into laughter.  

<Hahaha. Damn, seriously, you’re killing me. Hahaha.> 

His laughter didn’t subside for a while. Finally, he caught his breath and apologized, saying, “I was just joking.”  

<How did your parents even let someone as naive as you come to Korea?>  

When he’d first decided to come to Korea, his parents had strongly opposed. He had said it was only to take care of something and he’d return, but this time was different.  

 

‘So, when will you come back this time?’  

 

He hadn’t been able to answer his mother’s tearful question.  

<If it were me, I would’ve never let a guy as innocent as you go.>  

They didn’t want to. They were upset and worried… they cried a lot.  

Inseop couldn’t bring himself to answer honestly, only managing a soft, awkward laugh.  

<It’s nice.>  

He muttered as if sighing, making Inseop say, “Pardon?”  

<Talking with you like this. I like it.>  

At the sudden confession, Inseop’s ears turned bright red. He replied, “I like it, too.” Then, feeling it wasn’t enough, he quickly added,  

“It reminds me of when we were in the U.S. and it’s nice.”  

<Nice? Damn, back then, I was dying wanting to see you.>  

“…I wanted to see you, too.”  

No matter how much they talked or texted, he always missed him. He had worried that distance might cool his feelings, but it was a foolish thought. He had always thought of Wooyeon, adored him fervently. When he spotted Wooyeon waiting at the airport, his heart had pounded like it was going to burst.  

<Want me to come over if you miss me?>  

“Please, just go to sleep.”  

At Inseop’s shy response, Wooyeon burst into laughter again.  

<Haha. Alright.> 

Wooyeon unexpectedly yielded.  

<Make sure to eat dinner.>  

“Yes.”  

<And lock the doors and windows before you sleep. Not that any sane burglar would want to break into that dump.>  

“Yes, got it.”  

Inseop chuckled softly.  

<Call me if anything happens.>  

At the tone of someone lecturing a child, Inseop answered with deliberate maturity,  

“No need to worry.”  

Wooyeon chuckled lightly and then said, “I’ll hang up now.”  

After ending the call, Inseop let out a breath and lay on his bed. His shoulders ached from the tension. Often, he couldn’t help tensing up in front of him, fearing he might say something wrong.

He had to eat something. 

Inseop searched for delivery restaurants on his phone again but gave up. It felt burdensome to order delivery so late at night.

He got up and opened the refrigerator door. There was leftover salad from yesterday. Thinking he shouldn’t waste food, he took out the salad. Slowly, he chewed on the cold vegetables. It tasted strangely bland.

After drinking a glass of milk, Inseop brushed his teeth and lay down on the bed. Before closing his eyes, he sent Lee Wooyeon a message wishing him a good night.

[Good night. Call me when you wake up.]

The reply came immediately. Living in the same time zone made things like this nice. Little daily routines flowing at similar times, things he hadn’t been able to do freely in America due to the time difference.

Inseop set his alarm and placed his phone on the bedside table. He closed his eyes. Contrary to his expectation that he would fall asleep quickly, sleep didn’t come even after a long time.

Was it because he wasn’t used to the pillow yet?

He tossed and turned, trying to find the optimal position. He closed his eyes again. In the pressing silence, only the sound of the refrigerator motor could be heard.

I need to sleep.

Inseop turned his body to the side. It was always the direction Lee Wooyeon lay.