IRLPLBIO Chapter 11 Part 2

“No, it’s not. Yes, you’re right. You must be studying hard since you’re a student. So, what should I get you? Milk? Job’s Tears tea? Cocoa?”

“Cocoa, please. Don’t skimp on the powder, put plenty in to make it rich and thick.”

“It’s a vending machine, so I can’t do it as I please…”

“Wh-a-a-at?”

“Ah, alright, alright. But, student, how do you know the Dae-yeong Group? The secretary’s office called.”

“I said cocoa!”

“Alright, I get it. What a voice… Just wait a moment!”

Jae-gu, who had been grilling the police officer to an ambiguous extent that made it hard to tell if he was being a nuisance, turned as if he heard footsteps. He soon spotted Kwang-cheol standing at the door and waved his hand. The sullen expression he had moments ago instantly softened.

“Oh, you’re here? You came quickly.”

He even spoke casually. Anyone watching would think he was someone who had frequented police stations dozens of times and slipped away like an eel.

Im Ho-sin, who came with Kwang-cheol, approached Han Ga-yeon, who was speaking separately with a detective. Han Ga-yeon, with a complicated and ambiguous expression, greeted Im Ho-sin.

“Is it a big accident?”

Han Ga-yeon slightly shook her head at Im Ho-sin, who asked cautiously. Then she gave a brief glance and gestured towards outside. They needed to have a private conversation away from the detective’s ears.

“Over there…”

Im Ho-sin gestured towards Jae-gu.

Although an incident had occurred, Jae-gu was not the perpetrator, so it would be fine to step away for a moment. When Han Ga-yeon nodded towards outside, Im Ho-sin quickly followed without a word.

“…Brother.”

Kwang-cheol, who had quickly approached Jae-gu, swiftly scanned his condition. One side of Jae-gu’s head, which had been fine just moments ago, was closely shaven. A large gauze pad was affixed above it. It was a treatment to stitch up the torn scalp. Furthermore, there was a band-aid near his mouth, and one of his cheeks was swollen red.

“Who did this?”

Kwang-cheol’s voice dropped low. It was clearly a question, but the end of the sentence fell endlessly downwards.

He felt a strange chill, then detected a heavy scent. Jae-gu unknowingly sniffed. Since he was sitting, it was as if his face was pressed against Kwang-cheol’s stomach, who was standing.

“Brother.”

Kwang-cheol’s lips twitched. Unable to tell if he was happy or flustered, Jae-gu awkwardly mumbled, “Sorry.”

Kwang-cheol’s hand gently rose. It was to examine Jae-gu, but it was hard to bring himself to touch Jae-gu’s face, where un-wiped blood was dried, swollen, and faintly bruised. Kwang-cheol’s fingertips, hesitant as they fumbled in the air, trembled slightly.

“You don’t have to be that careful.”

Jae-gu took Kwang-cheol’s hesitant hand and placed it firmly on his own face.

Kwang-cheol, momentarily surprised, soon caressed Jae-gu’s cheek. His touch was even more careful than when touching a melting snowflake. Even though he felt a surge of anger at the Alpha scent clinging to Jae-gu, he couldn’t properly grip him, fearing Jae-gu would be hurt if he applied pressure.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“No, not really…”

He felt a ticklish sensation. It was as if a fever was rising along the spots Kwang-cheol touched.

Jae-gu, embarrassed, cleared his throat, pretending to cough, and touched his face. His cheek was warm.

He unconsciously rubbed his cheek against Kwang-cheol’s palm, which was still cupping his face, then flinched and darted his eyes around. He was embarrassed, having unknowingly acted cute.

The fortunate thing was that Kwang-cheol didn’t tease him, and Kwang-cheol’s palm, which was touching him, was also gradually getting warmer, just like his own.

“…Your hand is cool.”

“Th-then this hand too…”

Kwang-cheol, uncharacteristically stumbling over his words, placed his other hand on Jae-gu’s face as well. Jae-gu, pleased, rubbed his cheek against Kwang-cheol’s palms, cooling his heat.