Ch 32

“Wake up and come out slowly if you’re awake. It’s time for breakfast.”

As Ji-an watched Ideun, who had just patted his head and carried Bobo out of the room, he raised a hand to touch his head where Ideun’s hand had been. A sweet taste lingered in his mouth, and his chest felt warm and soft. A smile crept up to his lips, but he quickly clenched his hand into a fist and gave himself a light smack on the head.

What was the point of letting these feelings grow? They were just going to drift apart anyway.

Realizing that lingering in the warm bed would only deepen his attachment, Ji-an hurriedly got up.

After a shower and a change of clothes, Ji-an entered the living room. His gaze fell on Ideun, who was by Bobo’s side as the cat dug eagerly into its breakfast, its front paw resting on the edge of the plate.

“Are you heading to work today?” Ji-an asked.

“It’s the end of the year. You expect me to go to work?”

Ji-an couldn’t help but think about how, not long ago, he used to look forward to holidays. Working on holidays came with extra pay, after all.

“Isn’t your schedule something you manage yourself?” Ji-an teased.

“Eat your breakfast first,” Ideun said.

Ideun reached out to pet Bobo, who was eating hungrily but not quickly, only to be hissed at. Shaking his head, he headed toward the kitchen. Ji-an, meanwhile, moved closer to Bobo.

“I don’t usually eat breakfast,” Ji-an said.

“Start eating now. There’s mushroom soup and morning rolls. We’re going out later, so keep that in mind.”

“Out? Where to?”

“Shopping for clothes, a watch, maybe even a car. We’ll also need to register you at a driving school.”

Ji-an, who was holding a pack of cat wipes and waiting for Bobo to finish eating, stiffened slightly. These were just random things he’d said in passing, ways to avoid drawing Ideun too deeply into his complicated situation and emotions. He wanted Ideun to believe he was here only for the comforts—his money, his house. It would make it easier for Ideun to let go when the time came for Ji-an to leave.

There was no need for both of them to carry these memories. Ji-an would remember enough for both of them.

“Wow! You’re really going to buy all that for me? Amazing. Guess I have a good eye for people. I mean, I knew you were rich, but after seeing your grandmother’s place… It’s true, generational wealth is the real deal.”

“Seo Ji-an.”

“What? Are you going to lecture me again? You already know this is just how I am. Don’t expect me to suddenly become all polite and refined. It’s not going to happen. Your grandmother said the same thing. You’re much younger than her, so you shouldn’t act like such an old-fashioned nag.”

After carefully wiping Bobo’s mouth and front paws, Ji-an stood and walked to the island counter. Seeing the beautifully plated food, complete with a matching spoon and butter knife, his smile widened.

“I’m not seeing you any differently than how you are right now.”

“Okay, so do we do one of those VIP rooms? You know, where the super-rich don’t shop on the floor but in a private room, with staff bringing everything to them?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Ideun’s calm reply made Ji-an give him a thumbs-up.

“But today, it might be better to stick to that plan, even if you don’t want to.”

“Why? I’d rather walk around the store and try things on myself.”

“Before shopping, we’re stopping by the hospital.”

Ji-an looked him over carefully as Ideun spoke, tearing apart a morning roll.

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

“Yeah.”

“Where?”

From his casually styled hair to his unblemished, striking face and neutral-toned knitwear, Ji-an couldn’t find anything amiss. He didn’t even look like he had a cold, much less an injury.

“My foot.”

“Your foot?”

Ji-an nodded in understanding, then did a double take. When had he hurt his foot? He’d been perfectly fine walking around yesterday evening. As Ji-an leaned back slightly to sneak a look at Ideun’s foot, Ideun tapped his head gently, stopping him.

“Not mine. Yours.”

“My foot?” Ji-an blinked, suddenly recalling the fall he’d had two days ago. He’d slipped and hit his foot, which was now slightly bruised and swollen. It hurt a little when he walked, but it wasn’t anything serious—or so he thought.

Ji-an moved his foot experimentally, about to say, “It’s nothing,” but the look in Ideun’s eyes stopped him.

“I didn’t ask earlier because you didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Should I ask now?”

“No,” Ji-an replied quickly.

Seeing Ideun’s serious expression, Ji-an picked up his spoon and took a bite of the soup.

“If you’re in pain, it’s only natural to see a doctor. If you’re tired, rest. Don’t do things you don’t want to.”

“People don’t live like that,” Ji-an muttered, trying to argue.

“If you’re sleepy, sleep. If you don’t feel like sleeping, don’t. Stay up late watching movies or playing games—no one here will scold you. Same goes for work.”

Ji-an pouted slightly, finding his words annoyingly persuasive. Why did he have to be so thoughtful and considerate? It only made things harder. And this was the same person who had called him out to eat late at night?

“Are you really telling me to just eat and relax? I got that job on my own merit. I’m capable, you know. Every place I’ve worked at loved me. What would I even do all day with Bobo? Four hours is the perfect work shift. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t acknowledge knowing you at your company. Not even if someone asked me directly. I’d deny it till the end. Plus, working there will boost my career and make future job applications easier. I’m going to work, so don’t argue with me.”

Ji-an knew this temporary situation wouldn’t last forever. He had plans, and while he could go along with most of Ideun’s suggestions, giving up his job wasn’t an option. The thought suddenly struck him—what if Ideun had interfered with his employment?

“Wait, you didn’t have anything to do with me getting hired, did you?”

Ideun’s timing hadn’t seemed suspicious, but Ji-an couldn’t shake the thought.

“I didn’t. That was all you. I won’t interfere with your job.”

Relieved, Ji-an let out a small sigh. But when Ideun placed a card on the table, his cheeks puffed up in frustration.

This made him feel like a kept man. Even without Ideun saying a word, Ji-an understood what the card was and why it was being offered.

“I’ll max it out,” Ji-an declared, snatching the card.

“Only if you’ve got the ability,” Ideun replied with a calm smile.

* * *

“It’s really fine.”

“This product is currently out of stock, so only preorders are possible. Please wait a moment. I’ll bring another design that is in stock.”

“Ji-an.”

Ji-an, who had been watching the back of the staff disappearing somewhere, quickly turned to look at Ideun, narrowing his eyes. If there was someone who couldn’t take a joke, it was undoubtedly Ideun.

Having a leisurely breakfast, preparing to go out, and leaving the house were all fine. Even though Ji-an repeatedly explained that it was just a bruise from bumping into something, Ideun insisted on taking him to the orthopedic clinic, where he had to get an X-ray. The diagnosis was that his muscles were slightly strained and he needed rest, so an elastic bandage was wrapped around Ji-an’s foot.

As soon as they arrived at the department store, Ji-an found himself wearing a pair of white sneakers costing over a million won. He never expected that these sneakers would be the starting point of a shopping spree. When Ideun suggested shopping in a private room, Ji-an dismissed the idea as unnecessary, though he later thought it might have been more convenient.

Every time they entered a luxury store known by name to anyone, numerous items were placed before Ji-an and then taken away. He couldn’t even see the price tags, and whenever he hesitated or couldn’t make a choice, different items were brought in to replace them.

His worn jeans, hoodie, and padded jacket disappeared, replaced by new jeans, a hoodie, and a lightweight coat.

“Ajusshiiii~”

Even in the third luxury store, Ji-an had only browsed through the items without actually purchasing anything. Faced once again with the expectant gazes of the staff and Ideun, Ji-an’s voice involuntarily turned into a playful whine.

He felt as though this was the only way to escape the endless cycle of shopping.

He considered using his injured foot as an excuse, but since all he did was move from one store to another and sit on the sofa inside, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Seeing Ideun chuckle at his drawn-out tone, Ji-an became certain that his act had worked.

“I’m tired.”

When Ji-an whined in a tone he would never use under normal circumstances, Ideun responded gently, “What’s tiring?”

“Just buy anything. I can’t decide.”

“Should we stop shopping?”

Exhausted from less than an hour of shopping, Ji-an nodded quickly, not knowing what ripple effects his decision might cause.

As Ji-an got up from the sofa, where he had been sitting as if held captive, a staff member stopped him, saying, “Sir, please take a look at just one more item.”

He was led to a pristine glass display case.

“This is a nationwide sold-out product, and we only have one piece left in our store. It’s not too burdensome in price, has a design favored by younger customers, and I think it would suit you perfectly.”

Even at a glance, the watch radiated an aura that screamed, “I’m expensive.” Ji-an instinctively shook his head, but the dazzling white watch was already fastened around his wrist.

“It looks good on you. Not heavy either. What do you think?”

Honestly, it was beautiful. When Haneul and Jeongwoon boasted about their watches, he had only been drinking, but he had also wanted a watch like that. Still, he couldn’t just have someone buy it for him. Besides, if he really wanted, he could afford it himself without touching anyone else’s money.

“Well, Ajusshi, I mean…”

He wanted it, but Ideun had already bought him an entire outfit from head to toe. If Ideun would just move away for a moment, he could recklessly buy it himself, but there was no way to send Ideun, who was glued to his side, somewhere else. Ji-an’s voice trailed off again.

“Seo Ji-an?”

“Mm?”

Hearing the familiar voice calling him, Ji-an turned his head and froze at the sight of Haneul’s expression, which looked even more shocked than his own. Haneul’s gaze shifted from him to Ideun standing beside him, then back to Ji-an. Ji-an was certain that Haneul, in that brief moment, had taken in everything he was wearing and even noted the watch on his wrist with its slightly rolled-up sleeve.

“Hello, hyung.”

As expected of polite Haneul, he quickly hid his surprise and greeted Ideun with a bright voice as usual.

“Noh Haneul. What do you think of this?”

The awkward moment was fleeting. Hearing the voice he knew well, Ji-an instinctively took a step back instead of looking at where it was coming from. However, his instinctive attempt to escape only made things worse.

He ended up moving closer to Ideun, his back touching Ideun’s chest. When Ideun’s hand casually rested around his waist, Ji-an spotted Jeongwoon and Minseok approaching behind Haneul.

All three of them were omegas from affluent families, so it wasn’t strange to see them shopping in a luxury store together at the end of the year. They had often been seen discussing new watches, clothes, or other items. But to their eyes, Ji-an was sure he looked out of place.

“Oh? Ji-an?”

Just as Haneul had done, their gazes moved from Ji-an to Ideun and back again. Ji-an awkwardly raised a hand to rub his cheek.

“Are you all here to shop? I’m just about to leave… Well, have fun.”

“It’s the end of the year. We planned to shop and have some good food. Didn’t expect to see you with Ideun hyung.”

“Hello. We met just a few days ago…”

As Ideun and his friends exchanged greetings in the awkward atmosphere, Ji-an sighed inwardly and began to take off the watch he was wearing.

“Noh Haneul, didn’t you say you were planning to buy that watch?”

Ji-an, who had been desperate to escape, froze at Minseok’s words.

“They said it was sold out everywhere and that this was the last piece. They told you to hurry, didn’t they?”

Would it have been easier if he hadn’t seen or heard anything?

“We’ll take this watch as well, and please deliver the other items we discussed to the house.”

Ji-an, who had neither taken off the watch nor put it back on properly, looked at Ideun, who was now fastening the watch securely on his wrist.

“Well then. Enjoy your shopping.”

Ideun’s hand, which had just fastened the watch, now enveloped Ji-an’s left hand completely. His hand was large and warm. Moreover, he had neatly handled the situation for him, prompting Ji-an to try his best to smile naturally.

“Hyung, could I talk to you for a moment?”

Although none of them were oblivious and the goodbyes were appropriately polite, as if they intended to revisit the situation later, Haneul’s voice caught Ideun and Ji-an just as they were about to part ways.