NTH 33

“Be quiet.”

“Ahaha! It’s Princess Nana!”

“I’m letting you go.”

Even as he said it, Nana was clinging tightly to his neck, perhaps afraid of falling. Jeha set Nana down in front of the bathtub, which was, in Nana’s words, ‘as big as one in a public bathhouse.’

“Now take off your pajamas and get in.”

“By myself?”

“What did you say?”

When Jeha asked back, not understanding Nana’s question, Nana answered with a bright expression.

“This bathtub is so big, it would be a waste of water if only I get in.”

“It’s not a waste at all, so use it to your heart’s content by yourself.”

“Then I’ll be bored. Let’s get in together, please?”

“What, what do you mean, hah.”

“It would be nice to lather each other’s backs with bubbles, don’t you think? I don’t have any friends or siblings, so I was always so envious when I saw scenes in TV shows where men go to a jjimjilbang or sauna together.”

Nana looked up at Jeha with the eyes of a child begging for a toy. If he were to coldly refuse after he had said all that, he felt like he would become a very heartless person. His heart also softened at the thought that he was not in good condition.

Jeha, stroking Nana’s hair, said in a magnanimous voice.

“Alright. Just for today.”

“Okay!”

Nana hummed a tune and cheerfully unbuttoned his pajamas and took off the top. He had thought it when he was changing his clothes, but his body was so thin and slender that it automatically evoked a feeling of pity.

Nana, who had flung off his pants and underwear without a moment’s hesitation, poured the bubble bath he had bought into the tub and carefully stepped in. After soaking his body in the large bathtub, Nana stirred his hands to create a large amount of fluffy bubbles and said innocently.

“What are you doing, not getting in quickly.”

Jeha had no choice but to turn around and hesitantly take off his clothes. He could feel Nana’s gaze piercing his back like a sharp arrow.

“Wow, your body is really good when you’re all naked…”

Nana, who had been chattering, stopped talking and his mouth fell open as Jeha walked towards the bathtub. Realizing where his gaze was fixed, Jeha quickly got into the water out of embarrassment. Nana crawled over and sat crouched next to him.

“Wow. Wow. Amazing. What on earth did I just see.”

“You’ll get dizzy if you stay in for too long, so wash up and get out when you’re moderately warmed up.”

“Isn’t it heavy to walk around with that thing hanging there?”

“I don’t know.”

“I thought mine was pretty big too, but I can’t even hold a candle to yours. What’s so good about it being that huge? Does it all go in when you do it? Have you ever had people treat you like a pervert because it just sticks out over your clothes when you’re just standing still?”

“You’re full of so many questions.”

Instead of answering the questions, Jeha scooped up some water with his hand and poured it on Nana’s chattering neck. Nana gently leaned his head on Jeha’s shoulder.

“Don’t you have any questions for me now?

“Are you planning to answer if I ask?”

“Then let’s take turns asking and answering questions. How about that?”

“Whatever.”

“Then I’ll go first. You said you didn’t have a girlfriend when I asked before.”

“Yes.”

“Still don’t have one?”

“No, but why do you ask?”

“If you had a girlfriend, she might not like me living here with you, even if I’m a housekeeper and we’re both men.”

“I don’t have one, so don’t worry about that. Now it’s my turn, right?”

“Yeah. I’m curious about what you’re curious about me.”

Jeha, who had been hesitating for a moment while looking at Nana hugging his knees in the water with sparkling eyes, opened his mouth.

“Where were you all last week?”

“Ah…”

As it was not a common occurrence for Nana to be at a loss for words, Jeha felt a slight anxiety. Nana, who had scooped up a handful of white cloud-like foam and was fidgeting with it, spoke a moment later in a casual voice.

“I was held captive at CEO Cheon’s office.”

“You couldn’t even go home?”

“Yeah.”

“What did you do there?”

“Just, you know, things like running errands. Cleaning the office, making instant coffee for people who came for loans.”

“Is that all? You weren’t hit or subjected to any harsh treatment?”

“Yeah…, no. But you’ve asked me four questions now. So I’m going to ask you three times in a row.”

He said this in a playful voice and smiled bashfully, sweeping back his hair. His smooth forehead shone like milk.

“No, this is just one question…, fine. Do as you please.”

When Jeha answered with a voice that had a hint of injustice, the excited Nana blinked his eyes.

“Were you worried about me while we were out of touch?”

“Yes.”

“Are you relieved that I’m back?”

“Yes.”

“Then, do you want to kiss me now?”