Ch 17

“Nyaa.”  

“Yeah. Bobo, I’m here.”  

“Nyaaang!”  

…I’m the one getting trampled on, but why are you getting upset?

Ji-an’s quiet morning began with Bobo’s whining for food. Barely able to open his eyes, Ji-an stumbled out of bed, reached for the cat milk from the cupboard, and poured the vet-recommended portion for Bobo’s weight. As he walked to a sunny spot with the dish, Bobo relentlessly darted toward his feet.  

“Nyaung!”  

Do you think you’re the king of beasts, like a lion? Right as Ji-an set down the dish, Bobo plunged into it, getting milk all over his little face. 

I gave you milk to drink, not to wash your face.  

Maybe it was because he had lost his mother and suffered through cold and hunger in the dead of winter, but Bobo had a heightened response to food—and to cold. He refused to sleep in the box Ji-an had padded with blankets for him, always whining until he was lifted onto the bed, where he’d curl up right against Ji-an.  

The problem wasn’t the cuddling; it was that Ji-an worried he might accIdeuntally hurt Bobo in his sleep. Even after making a cozy space beside his pillow, Bobo still wasn’t satisfied. Ever since they met, Ji-an had not slept deeply, all for Bobo, who insisted on sleeping close, even clinging to his neck.  

“Don’t shake it! Don’t…!”  

Ji-an reached for a wet wipe to clean Bobo’s face, but before he could get it, Bobo shook his little paw right in the milk dish, splattering milk everywhere.  

“Fine. Do what you want. At least you use the bathroom.”

Slumping down on the floor, Ji-an scratched his head while waiting for Bobo to finish. He glanced at his phone.  

Already past 10 a.m.? No wonder Bobo was making a fuss for food.  

Ji-an, who had neither visitors nor anyone to contact, expressionlessly deleted the promotional messages. Then, he checked the acceptance notification.  

Seriously… I already told them I’m not taking it. Why are they messaging me again about the terms? Their job post clearly listed ‘9 to 6.’ If they had flexible hours or remote work, they would have stated that.  

And anyway, with a three-month probation, I’d have to go in and learn; I’m not a seasoned hire. No remote work for a newbie like me.  

Having agreed to Ideun’s proposal last night, Ji-an still felt weighed down at the thought of actually contacting the company. Whatever happened, he was not going to work there. Calling back just to say no would be annoying. But how would he verify anything? He never even told him the name of the company… Yeah, he never told him. So there’s no need to call.  

Suddenly smiling, Ji-an messed with his hair.  

“Oh, I’m so smart. A natural genius, right, Bobo?”  

Ji-an, sprawled on the floor, saved the number as [Ajusshi], opened the message window, and thought, We’re not close enough to chat on a messaging app, are we? Not like we’ll be seeing each other.  

[Hello, this is Ji-an Seo.  

I looked into what we discussed.]  

He quickly typed the message and tossed his phone on the bed, then used a cat wipe to clean up Bobo.  

Seeing the empty milk dish, Ji-an noticed the stack of items on his kitchen counter. Wow, there’s more stuff than he’d thought. He’d put off organizing when he got home, only refrigerating what needed it, leaving the rest on the counter. 

Little Bobo hadn’t yet figured out how to jump onto the counter, but he’d soon have to clear anything Bobo could reach.  

Ji-an’s gaze landed on the bag of medicine.  

“Why even buy this?”  

Just as he was putting it in the upper cupboard, a cough escaped his mouth. Man, he thought he was getting better. Picking up the thermometer, Ji-an unwrapped it and glanced at the instructions before pressing it to his forehead.  

Bee-beep.  

“Huh? Why do I have a fever?”  

The display showed 37.8°C, so Ji-an checked it again, but the reading stayed the same.  

He didn’t feel sick. Holding his forehead didn’t change anything, so he alternated between the cold medicine and fever reducer, peeling a banana to eat while he read the instructions.  

“Slight fever… so I don’t need to take it.”

After deliberating, he set the medicine aside and watched Bobo play with a small ball.  

With nothing to do he considered taking a shower, but feeling too sluggish, he scooped Bobo up as the kitten trotted by.  

When you’re sleepy, sleep is the best.  

Lying back, Ji-an set Bobo on his face, where soft fur tickled his skin. The tiny warmth of Bobo’s heartbeats and breaths covered his face, making for a perfect makeshift shade.  

Now, if only he’d stop wriggling.  

As soon as Ji-an loosened his hold, Bobo dashed off. Ji-an groped for his phone on the bed.  

[So, what did you decide?]  

Argh! Doesn’t he work? He said he was busy.  

Ji-an had texted, but Ideun had replied with a message app chat. AccIdeuntally opening it, he erased the read notification, and Ji-an chewed his lower lip, debating his reply.  

Should I just tell him I didn’t check? Or that the terms didn’t fit? Either way, I’d be lying.  

[You didn’t like the terms?]  

“Ahh! What the…”  

Right as he received another message, the read notification disappeared again. Ji-an threw his phone down, wrapped himself in his blanket, and started brooding over Ideun.  

Ignore him? Or should I respond?  

He’s probably checking now because he has a free moment. Being the main character of his own life, he should focus only on his work and his relationship with Haneul.  

After last night, he’d paid back his debt. There’s no reason to get more entangled.  

As Ji-an continued to wrestle with his thoughts, he began to relax under the cozy warmth of his blanket, his breath steadying and his mind settling into calm.

* * *

“Seo Ji-an, don’t you like seeing me often?”  

Entering the bustling bar, Ji-an lightly tapped his hand against Jungwoon’s outstretched one and dragged over a chair to sit.  

“Right? You should’ve invited me out more.”  

“Let’s get it straight, you were always too busy when I called.”  

People say university students get to enjoy drinking and partying, but it seemed like Ji-an’s situation was the opposite. With a smile, he accepted the glass Jungwoon offered. Back then, he’d wanted to join in but was too busy, whereas now, he had nothing but time.  

“I’ll just go out a lot before I start working. Is this all the snacks you’ve got?”  

“Oh, did you get some good news after all those applications?”  

Ji-an picked up the menu at the side of the table and started to order a fruit platter but was quickly stopped by his friends, saying, “Who eats that?” “I do”, he muttered. Still, he went ahead and ordered tofu kimchi, spicy stir-fried pork, a soda, and some extra makgeolli.  

“The offer seems good, and they want me, so I’m not sure what to do.”  

“What’s it like?”  

“Though maybe it’s better to keep working part-time for a bit longer.”  

“What kind of reasoning is that? You finally got an offer, and you’re thinking of part-time work?”  

“…True.”  

The bar was filled with the sound of laughter and empty talk, and the drinks went down smoothly, lifting everyone’s spirits. The familiar buzz of the holidays made Ji-an feel lighthearted, like he’d left behind the weight of responsibilities he usually carried as the family breadwinner, not to mention the constant stress of waiting for calls from Secretary Baek.  

His outstanding debt had been settled with the insurance money he received after his aunt’s death. His bank account had a few hundred million won, and he even had a new little family member to look after.  

The world hadn’t completely turned its back on him after all. One of the companies he’d applied to had even reached out, saying they liked his portfolio and offering a contract position. Since he wasn’t in desperate need of money and would only have to work about six hours a day, he figured his cat Bobo could be left alone for that long.  

He’d always lived a busy life, and while he enjoyed having Bobo around, it was hard to fill the days just lazing around at home.  

“Now that you have free time, come out more often. Do you know how many people want to get to know you better?”  

“No way…”  

“Oh, come on. That’s how it is with talented people like you.”  

Following Jungwoon’s lead, Ji-an clinked glasses with his makgeolli cup, drained it, then leaned back, tilting his head. Maybe his tolerance was lower now—had he really drunk that much already? He blinked slowly at the person walking toward him from the bar’s entrance.  

“Ji-an’s already drunk?”  

Watching the person settle in the empty seat next to him, Ji-an slowly straightened up.  

“I’d rather have a beer. Could I get an extra glass, please?”  

With a perfectly straight posture and an effortlessly charming smile, Haneul looked over at Ji-an, teasing him about already being tipsy. Haneul seemed almost holographic. Ji-an’s mouth felt dry, and the light buzz he’d felt before seemed to vanish instantly.  

The last person he wanted to see right now was Haneul.  

Why did he feel like a guilty party with nothing to be guilty of?  

“Did you have a nice time with your boyfriend last night?”  

“My dear boyfriend already had other plans with someone, but we managed a little car date.”  

Wiping his hands with a wet tissue from his bag, Haneul opened a fresh beer bottle and poured it into his glass. Ji-an’s hand reached for the makgeolli.  

“A gift?”  

“Why would I need one? I’m not a kid.”  

There’s no chance of slipping away now, so I may as well drink, Ji-an thought, just as Haneul winked and clinked his glass with Ji-an’s. Ji-an’s heart skipped a beat.  

“It’s Christmas—no gift? That’s wrong. I mean…”  

“Shut up. Don’t start bragging.”  

“Who else would I brag to but you? Should I flaunt it to single Ji-an here?”  

“Then, so what? What’d you get?”  

Watching Haneul boast about his new watch and Jungwoon scoffing that he already owned one, Ji-an placed his cup down, having barely taken a sip.  

He didn’t know much about watches or luxury goods, but he could tell that the gleaming watches on their wrists were worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Ji-an glanced down at his own bare wrist and pulled down his sleeve.  

“Oh, by the way, Ji-an got accepted at the place he applied to.”  

“Where?”  

“A startup company…”  

Ji-an reached for a cherry tomato but froze when he heard Haneul mention that his boyfriend also ran a startup, followed by the company’s name. The tomato slipped from his fingers, landing on the table.  

“No way… Ji-an actually got in there? That’s insane.”  

“…Really?”  

The usual upward curve of Haneul’s lips seemed to falter slightly. After a brief silence, Haneul smiled brightly and patted Ji-an on the shoulder, congratulating him. Ji-an felt his chest tighten.  

“I didn’t know.”  

Honestly, he didn’t. If he had known, he wouldn’t have accepted the offer when HR called that afternoon. He had actually already declined once before. But mentioning that now would only sound like a weak excuse.  

“Could happen. No big deal. Your grades were solid, anyway. What department are you in?”  

“Design.”  

“You know design?”  

Drawing had been his passion long before the incIdeunt, and he’d even majored in it. He’d simply been too overwhelmed to draw since arriving here.  

The conversation had somehow turned to him, and feeling awkward, Ji-an drained the last of his makgeolli.  

“Betas are different, after all—securing jobs and all. What about you, Haneul?”  

“Me? I’ll probably get married in spring or fall next year. I’m not in a rush, but he’s a bit older, and his work’s well-established, so there’s no reason to delay. That’s my plan. What about you?”  

“I’ll be honest; I expected a proposal yesterday, but…”  

Ji-an, who had been feeling Haneul’s gaze on him, gritted his teeth as Haneul turned to face Jungwoon.  

“Ji-an’s glass is empty. Can you drink more?”  

“Oh? Yeah… I can drink. I’m a good drinker, aren’t I?”  

With Jungwoon and Haneul now chatting, Ji-an had no choice but to accept the drink Haneul poured, half-heartedly joining in on the conversation, hoping to find a chance to slip away.