S Chapter 83

Chapter 83

‘Look at that expression, it feels like ten years of indigestion just cleared right up.’

The Runner-up, with eyes like tiny beans, alternately looked at Yang U-dam and the instructor, then rubbed his eyes with his fist, as if wondering if he was still dreaming.

‘He’s trying so hard. But that won’t change anything.’

It was childish, but Shin Jukyeong even felt a small sense of triumph. His tightly constricted chest felt like it was finally clearing. It felt like he’d had an amazing hangover cure, even though he hadn’t drunk any alcohol. Ah, this is what living feels like. Shin Jukyeong secretly curved the corners of his lips upwards.

Just then. The Runner-up collapsed again, frothing at the mouth. It seemed reality was simply unbearable in his sober state.

The Runner-up was finally dragged out by the instructor. He exited in an unseemly manner, being pulled along like some luggage. Shin Jukyeong gazed blankly at the closing door.

That guy. He wouldn’t pick a fight again, would he? Right. He should, if he has any conscience.

‘Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, he saved his life, after all. If he acts disgracefully, I won’t let it slide.’

Muttering a warning to himself, he turned back towards his brother. The school bullying seemed to be resolved, and he was just about to feel relieved. Shin Jukyeong paused when he saw his brother’s face.

The reason? It’s simple.

‘……Why is he sulking?’

For some reason, his face had become very sharp. Although he tried to feign an expressionless face, the look in his eyes beneath lowered lids and the air around him were very cold. No, why look so far? You could tell just by looking at his cheek, plastered with pique.

“U-U-dam?”

Even when he carefully called his name, there was no answer. His brother didn’t hide the fact that he was in a bad mood. At times like this, he was unmistakably nineteen.

But cute is cute, and he didn’t know why he was sulking. For Shin Jukyeong, it was a completely unexpected emotional turn.

‘What is it? Why suddenly?’

Even searching his memories, nothing came to mind. Shouldn’t he be overjoyed instead? Wouldn’t that be the natural flow? After all, he’d been acknowledged by professional Hunters.

“U-dam……”

“……”

The answer Shin Jukyeong wanted soon flowed naturally from the sulking boy’s lips.

“Hyung.”

“Huh? Uh, uh.”

“You wouldn’t even lift my shirt. Why are you trying to lift that bastard’s shirt?”

‘Damn it, it’s not like I’m advertising that I like all men.’

Yang U-dam barely managed to swallow the harsh words that had surged to the tip of his throat. It was patience uncharacteristic of him. He wanted to blurt out everything he felt, but contradictorily, he didn’t want to hurt him. So, he chose to remain silent.

He didn’t know why he did that. He just wanted to.

Yang U-dam instead jutted out his lips, tapped his foot, and let out a short snort. What was important to him right now wasn’t his unpleasant feelings, or his favorably reversed reputation, or the Runner-up’s flattened pride. It was solely Shin Jukyeong. His attitude.

No matter how he thought about it, it made no sense.

‘Someone you like offers themselves to be touched, and you refuse it?’

Moreover, he was busy pushing him away with a reluctant expression, but then went directly to that squid-like guy and said what? ‘Are you okay? Let me see your shirt?’ And pulled that kind of trick…

‘Ha, I really don’t get it. Does he want to touch something so dirty?’

If you’re going to touch something, of course you’d want something pretty. And I’m the pretty one! He’s throwing away such a great opportunity? Idiot. How can he not take it when it’s given?

‘The more I think about it, the more resentful I feel.’

Yang U-dam’s expression grew even more menacing. His anger rose in a gradient.

His movements also became more agitated, matching his mood. His eyes burned fiercely, and his foot tapped with increasing speed. If he were a cat, he would have expressed his displeasure by continuously thumping his tail against the floor.

Like an angry cat, he ignored Shin Jukyeong. Even when Shin Jukyeong, flustered, called his name, ‘U-dam, U-dam,’ he didn’t answer once. Even repeatedly thinking about it, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d been pushed aside for that squid… no, that cuttlefish.

Just as Yang U-dam’s heart, engulfed in a deep sense of defeat, was cooling like midwinter, his gaze unexpectedly fell upon one side of Shin Jukyeong’s face. On his smooth skin, a red scratch was visible.

“A wound……”

Yang U-dam’s lips parted, and a low voice emerged.

“Huh?”

“There’s a wound. Here.”

He grabbed Shin Jukyeong, who had approached him without realizing, and made him sit next to him. The two of them were close once again. Yang U-dam stretched out his hand without hesitation and stroked the injured area. His rough thumb brushed against the swollen skin.

Is human skin originally this hot? Yang U-dam couldn’t tell if his own body temperature was high, or Shin Jukyeong’s.

“Eugh.”

Shin Jukyeong let out a short groan, then immediately pulled his upper body back. Again. He’s avoiding me again. Anyone watching would think he had done something inappropriate. For example, a kiss……

The stream of his thoughts, flowing like water, abruptly stopped there.

A ki-ss?

A few of Yang U-dam’s many memories flashed and came to mind. These were things he had kept deeply buried in the abyss of his mind. For instance, the skinship they shared in his dreams, or the secret kisses he’d given using Hypnosis.

He knew from the start that it wasn’t normal. Between brothers, they’d usually jump to kill each other if their hands even touched.

Did he somehow become tainted because Shin Jukyeong saw him romantically? Is that why he’s having these idiotic, crazy thoughts?

If he had to make an excuse… yes, that would be it. It was the most plausible explanation. That he had played along a few times and gradually became tainted, like clothes getting wet in a drizzle, was the most natural. But suddenly, truly suddenly, another thought occurred to him.

Was the problem really only with Shin Jukyeong?

Could he definitively say yes?

Yang U-dam’s Adam’s apple bobbed significantly. He was quick-witted, and sensitive to changes in everyone, including himself. Therefore, there was no way he didn’t know what emotions he was feeling now.

Alright, let’s be honest…… He admitted it.

‘He’s on my mind.’

It wasn’t ‘he’s annoying me,’ but ‘he’s on my mind.’

His emotions had changed like that without him even realizing. Why had it turned out this way? To resolve his bewilderment, or perhaps to convince himself, he decided to slowly trace back the changes in his feelings.

At first, he had merely found it disgusting and annoying. He had only wanted to wield the fact that Shin Jukyeong liked him as a weakness. Especially since he was Shin Taekyung’s son.

He wanted to hurt him mercilessly, to crush him. He felt he would only be satisfied if he saw that handsome face distorted in despair. Hadn’t he actually spat out harsh words a few times?

But from what moment? When did something new start to overlay those negative emotions?

‘Indeed, when did it start?’

As Yang U-dam’s eyelashes lowered, a long shadow fell across his cheek. He fell into deep thought with a melancholy expression.

From the moment he offered an unfamiliar morning greeting?

From the time in the Infirmary when he boldly leaned his body in?

Because of the confessions he kept throwing at him, even when ignored?

Because he came to save him through the rain?

‘Ah, I don’t know.’

There were too many moments; none stood out as the one. The one thing he did know was that the guy’s affection, which used to be nothing but discomfort, wasn’t so bad now.

Of course, he couldn’t say it was the same kind of feeling Shin Jukyeong desired. To put it simply, he just liked receiving ‘affection’.

After all, it was the absolute affection he had craved so much. Warm attention filling his empty heart. He had been starving for a long time and finally tasted it. It was only natural that he didn’t want to lose it.

……To explain it, it was closer to an addiction.

An oasis found by chance while walking through a desert. Like not being able to forget the taste of water once sampled amidst a parching thirst.

Yang U-dam concluded that he was filling the void left by his parents through Shin Jukyeong.

However, there was one problem: he didn’t want any further development in their relationship.

He liked receiving Shin Jukyeong’s blind love, but he didn’t want to be his lover. An unequal relationship where he could get the affection he wanted without having to take responsibility for his feelings.

Yang U-dam had no desire to advance further from here, nor did he want to lose what he had. Even if people pointed fingers and called him selfish, it couldn’t be helped. Wanting to only enjoy the good things was a natural human desire.

‘It’s not that I’m bad.’

His head tilted slightly. His fine hair fluttered, tickling his eyes. His gaze, hidden from view, dropped low. Words flowed like wind through his thin lips.

“Hyung, from now on, you’re going to forget everything.”

But Shin Jukyeong is human too. If someday, truly, he can’t endure any longer and wants compensation…… Then, to avoid losing this affection, he would have to make an effort too.

‘This is practicing in advance for that day.’

Yes, practice. Just ordinary practice.

With that thought, Yang U-dam’s head gently moved.

‘Hyung, from now on, you’re going to forget everything.’

He wondered if he was going to practice Hypnosis again.

Since it was right after resolving an incident, perhaps some residual excitement remained. His sudden use of his ability, as if he wanted to show off his power somehow, even made Shin Jukyeong let out a faint chuckle.

Shin Jukyeong found his brother cute in his heart and pretended to be hypnotized, letting the strength drain from his body. There was no reason not to play along if he wanted to show off his strength.

But he never imagined his brother would actually kiss him. It was a completely unexpected development. Of course. Yang U-dam, using Hypnosis on Shin Jukyeong to kiss him… no. A peck, and on the lips at that?

Of course, it was very brief, a fleeting touch that quickly separated, but it was still startling.