PAHO 37

“That day, I was just, very emotional. Without even considering whether it was a meaningful proposal or not, I just blindly said I didn’t need it.”

How could he not be angry after seeing them use someone who looked like him as a plaything, but that wasn’t important right now. Nam Gyeonhwa relaxed the tension in his neck and continued speaking as if drawing out the words.

“Director Na is right. Thanks to the blockade you issued then, my movements were concealed, and to this day, no one related to Samwon has approached me. In other words, the moment I try to leave this place on my own, it means it will be difficult to shake them off by myself.”

“So?”

“For me, it’s important that Haejin, my younger brother, gets proper treatment. That’s my top priority right now. So, I want to accept your proposal. I will definitely pay the price for the favor.”

There is always a reason for kindness. Whether it was conviction or pity, it was bound to have at least a nominal justification. And if the one offering that kindness was a self-centered member of the establishment, it went without saying.

While showering, Nam Gyeonhwa had accepted the fact that he was in a helpless position, and so he had decided to make the most of Na Taebeom’s friendly posture. To do that, he first had to say Na Taebeom’s judgment was correct, which would lend validity to his proposal and serve as a justification.

Na Taebeom, slouched sideways, tapped his propped-up chin with his hand. Judging by his listening expression, he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.

“Seeing you come back with such a changed attitude in just a few days, it looks like something didn’t go well for you.”

At the accurate observation, Nam Gyeonhwa swallowed a groan.

“…Yes, honestly, back then I was planning to get a fake ID and leave the city. I was rejected one after another and finally went to the stray dogs, but they couldn’t solve it in the end either.”

To be precise, it wasn’t just that they couldn’t solve it; the situation had gotten worse than before. The mass arrest incident at the Seoul station had turned into news that the vagrant group, considered a social problem, had been evading the police investigation network for a considerable period with bribes and sexual favors. As a result, public opinion in favor of strengthening the crackdown became solid, and the city’s control, which was already like an iron wall, became so tight that not even a needle could get through. He couldn’t move without a plan in this situation.

“So, on the condition that you protect Haejin, I’ll take the bait you proposed. Use me as you need.”

Unlike his calm face, his voice was strangely damp. Na Taebeom, with his chin propped on his hand, replied languidly.

“Use you as I need. I suppose you’re saying that on the premise that you have some value to be used.”

“I’m not without value. Especially if Director Na wants to provoke Samwon. As you’ve experienced a few times, I’m pretty good at running away when there’s an opening.”

Na Taebeom, bursting into a wide smile, slowly straightened up. He strode across the small distance and stood tall in front of Nam Gyeonhwa, who was sitting stiffly on the sofa.

Looking down at the neat face, he leaned over, placing a hand on the back of the sofa. He brought his head close to the unwavering face. The distance was so close that his hot breath touched his upper lip, making his throat feel parched.

“Looks like the puppy has finally figured out his place.”

His voice was lazy yet deep.

“The offer is still valid. But it’s no fun if I agree right away, so I should at least pretend to think about it for a few days.”

“……”

“The one who’s desperate right now isn’t me, it’s you. Isn’t that right?”

His eyes, steeped in the orange light, were like a beast’s holding the spark of arrogance. Nam Gyeonhwa, clenching his hands tightly around his knees, took a breath.

“Yes, I’m the one who’s desperate.”

“That’s right.”

Na Taebeom grinned at Nam Gyeonhwa, who was repeating his words like a parrot, and straightened his body.

“So, while I’m thinking, will you stay here, or will you leave?”

Nam Gyeonhwa swallowed an anti-inflammatory pill and closed his eyes, his back against the wall. Only after the stinging sensation on his tongue subsided could he finally breathe properly.

Glancing to his side, he saw a can of instant porridge. It was an emergency meal that Yeo Eunjae had packed for him separately, for Nam Gyeonhwa who had a habit of taking medicine on an empty stomach. I forgot again. With a bitter smile, he let his heavy body go limp.

Will you stay, or will you go? In response to the proposal that contained a strange intention, Nam Gyeonhwa chose to return to the medical center. There was no reason to be intimidated by the mischievous intent to test his reaction and willingly isolate himself in the room. Just because he was in a desperate situation didn’t mean he had to be obedient to every single thing.

After returning from Wiryeonggwan, Nam Gyeonhwa sought out Yeo Eunjae without even getting a check-up. Even when he abruptly asked for only anti-inflammatories and painkillers, Yeo Eunjae prescribed the medicine without a word. From that compliant gesture and his attitude of trying not to meet his eyes, he could tell that he had also figured things out for the most part. No, it would have been impossible for him not to know. The face drenched in a cold sweat and the body that seemed to have difficulty moving were enough for anyone to guess that something had happened.

As if mocking his expectation that a few pills would make him better quickly, Nam Gyeonhwa was sick for three days without being able to move. How long had it been since he had been this sick? The only useful thing among the genes he inherited from his unknown parents was his sturdiness, and having grown up in an environment where being sick led straight to death, he was usually good at enduring considerable pain, yet even he couldn’t get out of bed. He had such a hard time sleeping due to the fever that ravaged his whole body and the significant pain that Haejin even insisted on nursing him.

Even after getting up from being sick alone in an isolated hospital bed for three days with body aches, muscle pain, and mild stomach cramps, a pain like a needle piercing his flesh would rise up in his lower parts when he least expected it, and there were often times when sticky bodily fluids mixed with blood stained his underwear.

The body aches, the bloodstains on his underwear—all were aftereffects of the sex with Na Taebeom. No, could that even be called sex? It would be more appropriate to say he was beaten with a dick instead of a fist. Of course, he couldn’t just blame Na Taebeom since he had climbed on top half-willingly, but apart from that, he couldn’t deny that the sex was painful. But in a way, it was a relief that it was painful. It was better for his peace of mind for it to be painful and over with, rather than being forcibly aroused and indoctrinated to get used to the pleasure.

“Excuse me, Mr. Nam Gyeonhwa.”

He, who had been staring up at the fluorescent light with a hand on his stomach, turned his head at the sudden voice calling his name. Gwon Jongdae was standing hesitantly at the entrance to the hospital room, which was made of partitions and curtains.

“Oh, I heard you were sick, so I came to visit. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

He pushed aside the curtain and came in, smiling awkwardly.

“Uh, have you had lunch?”

At the word lunch, Nam Gyeonhwa looked at the paper bag in his hands. Judging by the picture of porridge printed on it, it seemed to be porridge bought from a specialty shop. He didn’t have much of an appetite due to the subtle feeling of a foreign object remaining in his stomach, but Nam Gyeonhwa shook his head.

“Not yet.”

“Oh, you haven’t? Um, this is chicken and ginseng porridge. I bought it from a specialty shop, do you have any allergies or anything?”

“No. I like chicken porridge.”

“Oh, you like it? That’s a relief. I chose it because I thought it would be a safe choice for a patient’s meal.”

At the gesture urging him to take it, Nam Gyeonhwa accepted the paper bag. A warm heat emanated from the outside of the bag. He was getting tired of eating porridge for several days, but he couldn’t refuse the kind gesture of someone who had bought it for him.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to buy something like this.”

“Not at all. I was going to come empty-handed, but juice seemed a bit off. I got it in separate portions, so you can keep them and heat them up in the microwave one by one.”

Gwon Jongdae, who had been rambling, fidgeted with his lips. It seemed the hospital visit was an excuse and he had some other business. Nam Gyeonhwa pretended not to notice, opened the lid of the plastic container, and took a spoonful with a spoon.

“Thank you for looking after Haejin for me last time.”

“Oh, no, I didn’t do anything but stand outside the door while Haejin was sleeping. Rather, Mr. Nam Gyeonhwa, you went through a lot, no, uh, anyway, I also went there under orders, so it’s fine.”

“Did Director Na say anything after that?”

“Uh, about that.”

Gwon Jongdae scratched the back of his head and glanced up and down.

“Actually, I came today because the director had something to say.”

“Yes.”

“First of all, Mr. Nam Gyeonhwa, have you, uh, registered your move-in here in Nakdo?”

“No. I haven’t registered. I’m staying at the hospital for now.”

“Ah, well, the director mentioned something about the proposal. He said that before proceeding with the employment process, your residence must be confirmed, so he asked me to check first.”

“I’m sorry, but what does it mean for my residence to be confirmed?”

“Well, all people staying within the autonomous district are required to register their place of residence.”

Nam Gyeonhwa narrowed his eyes. It was an unwritten rule in Nakdo, which was designated as an area outside the jurisdictional zone, not to get deeply involved in people’s personal information, like where they were or what they were doing. News reports about newlyweds who couldn’t afford apartment prices in the metropolitan area or office workers employed by Seoul companies living in the numerous rented rooms in Nakdo and faking their residency were not a new thing. The anonymity of Nakdo was also a contributing factor that allowed the so-called stray dogs to use the underground as a base to travel to the surface of Seoul.

But now, to suddenly be required to register all residences, even someone as ignorant of Nakdo’s affairs as he was could tell that it was a departure from the existing rules. However, the person delivering this message was Gwon Jongdae. As Na Taebeom’s driver and confidant, it was unlikely that he would have made up such an obvious lie for no reason, so it was clearly a one-sided notification from Na Taebeom.

“If you don’t have a place of residence yet, the, uh, director asked me to ask if you would be willing to temporarily reside at Wiryeonggwan for the time being.”

At the following words, Nam Gyeonhwa swallowed his porridge with a gulp. He covered his mouth, which had almost choked, and caught his breath.

“Temporarily, reside?”

“This place, it’s a medical center, but it’s basically an emergency room created under the arena. Once the autumn equinox passes, Ms. Yeo will get busy with the matches, so it might be inconvenient for you to stay here long-term. So, that’s, probably why he mentioned temporary residence, I think.”

“I just need to find a place to live and let you know, without submitting any documents, right?”

“Pardon?”

Gwon Jongdae asked back, looking disconcerted. In response to his faltering attitude, as if this was an unexpected reaction, Nam Gyeonhwa, who had swallowed the half-cold porridge as if drinking it straight from the bowl, continued.

“I’ll contact a real estate agent and sign a lease for a studio apartment within this week, so please tell him that I don’t need the temporary residence.”