“I’ll put it in.”

Kwon Woo-kyung said as he stripped the condom from his finger. Beneath him, Seo Dong-eun nodded, his face flushed with feverish heat. His flat lower abdomen was a mess from the fluid he had spilled earlier. He had reached a climax just from having a finger poking inside his hole. Normally, he would have felt ashamed, but right now, Seo Dong-eun’s reason was clouded by a hazy sense of pleasure.

Kwon Woo-kyung, having placed a new condom over his fully erect member, leaned over. Even though he had loosened him up sufficiently, Seo Dong-eun always found it as difficult as the first time whenever the cock was inserted into his hole. As Kwon Woo-kyung lifted his body, resting slender calves on his thighs, the red, swollen, and slightly gaping opening was exposed. Spreading one side of his buttock, Kwon Woo-kyung lined himself up.

“Heuu….”

Seo Dong-eun shook his head, letting out a moan that was more of a whimper.

“Does it hurt?”

“…N-no, just… a little.”

It was clear he didn’t even know what he was saying. Yet, as if it didn't hurt, he even rubbed his forehead against the wrist held close to his face. These were actions he could never have done while sober. Acting spoiled—he hadn't even been able to do that ten years ago.

Because he had been kept asleep for several days with medication, it would be difficult for him to fall asleep without it. He would do just enough to tire him out so he could sleep. Kwon Woo-kyung’s rationality clung to that excuse.

“Haah…. Seo Dong-eun.”

A husky voice, scraping against his throat, broke apart with the name. Kwon Woo-kyung bit and licked Seo Dong-eun’s chin. Seo Dong-eun’s skin, naturally hairless, tasted sweet no matter where he touched it. A gaze that reacted to his name turned toward him. Since it was better not to see the sight of a mercilessly large cock repeatedly burrowing into his small buttocks, Kwon Woo-kyung kept Seo Dong-eun focused on him by pecking and biting at his lips.

“Ah, ahh….”

Short breaths burst out every time he was struck with a thud. Kwon Woo-kyung lifted his body to avoid putting too much weight on Seo Dong-eun’s upper body, but this instead seemed to stimulate his sensitive spots, leaving Seo Dong-eun unable to pull himself together. His own member, which had already climaxed a couple of times, was precariously erect and rubbing against his firm abdominal muscles. Despite this, it leaked only slightly and failed to reach a satisfying ejaculation.

“P-please, a bit more.”

“No.”

He was quite the beggar. Seo Dong-eun, who had lifted his legs to wrap them around Kwon Woo-kyung's waist, reached out his arms to embrace Kwon Woo-kyung’s neck. His flushed eyes and the even redder inside of his mouth were lewd. Not to mention the inner walls that pulsed around every thrust. He seemed unaware that he was even thrusting his hips back to match the motion. That only drove Kwon Woo-kyung even more insane.

“Ung! Ah! Ah, heuu… Ah, i-it’s good….”

“Is it good?”

Surrendering his body entirely to the other, Seo Dong-eun whimpered. Even so, he answered the question faithfully. He seemed to have remarkably remembered the instructions given before they began.

“Dong-eun.”

“…!”

Kwon Woo-kyung whispered, pressing his wet lips to Dong-eun’s ear. At that, Dong-eun’s lower half tightened sharply, and his waist arched high. Startled by the sudden reaction, Kwon Woo-kyung pulled back to check. Despite the passionate response, his pink member remained only vaguely erect, and nothing had been spilled. However, the reaction of the inner walls, which were tightly clenching what they held, was an unmistakable climax. It was beautiful to see him still trembling slightly, unable to escape the afterglow.

Kwon Woo-kyung slid his hands behind Seo Dong-eun’s shoulders and lifted him up. When their eyes met unexpectedly, Kwon Woo-kyung showered his bewildered face with kisses while gripping Seo Dong-eun’s buttocks.

“Ah!”

As he thrust upward, using only the strength of his hips and digging into the opened inner walls, Dong-eun’s eyes, still dim from the remnants of the climax, flew wide open. Kneading the cheeks that had turned red from slamming against his hard thigh muscles, Kwon Woo-kyung had to restrain himself from knotting. Nevertheless, pheromones leaked out bit by bit with the excitement. Kwon Woo-kyung watched Seo Dong-eun intently as he hung on and took him in. The alpha’s pheromones were clearly reaching him as well. Reacting to the pheromones, Seo Dong-eun made a sound as if he were about to hyperventilate.

“Eu, ha-ak!… Eu-ut!”

Destructive urges flared at the sight of Dong-eun trying to keep up despite finding it overwhelming. When Kwon Woo-kyung bit his neck, Dong-eun’s body slammed into his as if he couldn't take it anymore. Out of habit, Kwon Woo-kyung buried his face in Seo Dong-eun’s neck. He didn't stop thrusting deep inside, as if chasing imperceptible pheromones. It was enough to give him goosebumps, the way the warm, soft inner walls wrapped around his cock.

“……Ahuuu!”

As he struck that familiar spot, Seo Dong-eun’s body throbbed and convulsed once more. The penis that had only been pitifully leaking pre-cum finally surged, spilling out semen. Even so, the thrusting motion did not stop. Seo Dong-eun was now practically in tears. Thin fluid gushed out continuously from the agonizingly long climax. The climax was unusually long. By the time Kwon Woo-kyung finished his own drawn-out ejaculation, Seo Dong-eun had already blacked out. Caressing his sweat-drenched spine and shoulders, Kwon Woo-kyung drained every last drop of pleasure. The inner walls twitched as if responding to the recoil of his supple waist.

Though he didn’t want to pull out, Kwon Woo-kyung carefully laid Seo Dong-eun down before withdrawing his member. As he found the forehead hidden beneath wet hair and pressed his lips and nose against it, a sweet scent filled the air. At this rate, it was obvious he would pounce again. Kwon Woo-kyung sucked on those defenseless lips and tried to sit up.

“……?”

If his hand hadn't been caught, he might have. Despite not even being able to open his eyes, Seo Dong-eun was still holding onto one of Kwon Woo-kyung’s fingers. In that moment, Kwon Woo-kyung couldn't even manage a hollow laugh. The uncontained alpha pheromones lingered, vibrating through the air, mingling with a fresh scent. For a while, even after confirming he was completely asleep, Kwon Woo-kyung couldn't leave his side. Dawn was breaking.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The convenience store was quieter than usual. Before, it had been consistently busy, with groups of customers coming in regardless of the time. This was Seo Dong-eun’s first time working part-time at a convenience store, so he had assumed that was just how things were. But as it turned out, rumors had spread that a movie was being filmed nearby, and fans of the actors had flocked there—and they were almost all Kwon Woo-kyung’s fans.

Was that why the customers had suddenly vanished? Kwon Woo-kyung had left for the countryside at dawn to film. When he guessed that those people might have followed Kwon Woo-kyung, it made him feel strange for some reason.

Being idle led to all sorts of thoughts. Seo Dong-eun shook his head vigorously. Then, checking his remaining work time—about an hour—he scratched the back of his neck. His eyes kept lingering on the clock, probably because he had nothing to do. Time felt like it was flowing particularly slowly because of that, too. He shouldn't be feeling this way just because he hadn't seen Kwon Woo-kyung for a few days.

The reason he repeatedly checked the number 9 on the clock was also… It absolutely wasn’t because Kwon Woo-kyung was supposedly arriving around that time.

“I’m losing my mind. Haah….”

In the end, Seo Dong-eun let out a hollow laugh. Even as he gave himself various reasons, the conclusion always came back to one thing. Making excuses was ridiculous and all for nothing. It had only been about two days since Kwon Woo-kyung had left, after showering him with clothes and satisfying his own greed like a madman. Yet his face was already growing faint in his mind. Even though he could just search his name on a portal site—no, even though there were several items with his face printed on them right here in this convenience store.

He had lived for ten years without seeing him, Seo Dong-eun thought, letting out sigh after sigh, self-mockingly. He was afraid to admit it. He was terrified there would be no turning back. So he had to stay like this. It was better for him.

“Oppa, goodbye!”

The next shift worker waved goodbye loudly. When he pulled the phone out of his pocket to check the time, it was already well past his quitting time. He had intentionally made work for himself and ended up staying thirty minutes longer than his shift. He wondered what on earth he was doing.

“……?”

As he bowed his head in farewell, several missed calls were logged on his phone. Seeing as they weren't from a saved number, they were likely spam calls. Yet, for some reason, they weighed on his mind. It was because things like this had happened often lately. He briefly considered sending a text but decided against it. If it was an urgent matter, they would call back.

He walked down the street, lost in those trivial thoughts. Night was falling, and the world outside was shrouded in dark shadows. To think that a part-time convenience store worker was returning to a hotel. The sense of unfamiliarity whenever he saw the massive hotel exterior seemed unlikely to change until he left this place.

Out of habit, Seo Dong-eun tucked in his collar and hunched his shoulders. Then, at the soft touch at the back of his neck, his hands moved of their own accord. His fumbling fingertips brushed the soft fabric.

All the many clothes Kwon Woo-kyung had bought and given him were like this. Like the knit sweater and the coat he was wearing now, they were all light, soft, and warm. Even though a biting wind was blowing, his bones didn't ache like they used to. Consequently, he didn't have to walk as hunched over as before. Seo Dong-eun looked at his reflection in a shop window on the street. It was still awkward. The stylish coat and his appearance in it.

“It must be expensive.”

How would he pay this back? Was it even a debt that could be repaid? Good clothes made his body feel light, but apart from that, his heart grew heavy.

With the year-end just around the corner, the streets were brimming with the season's characteristic excitement and wistfulness. His eyes stung from the beautiful Christmas lights. The hotel's exterior, already boasting a magnificent night view, became even more dazzling with the addition of more lights.

Seo Dong-eun stood at a street corner where the hotel was visible, staring blankly at the large rectangular structure of light. Even the facets of the brilliant city shining before the end of the year eventually led his thoughts back to Kwon Woo-kyung.

“One month.”

No, even less than that. Perhaps a number similar to the remaining days of this year would gather and flow between Kwon Woo-kyung and Seo Dong-eun. Once a new number rose in the world, the current moment would eventually become a thing of the past, just like everything else in the world.

Seo Dong-eun rubbed his stinging nose and clenched his fists. The giant tree set up at the street corner sparkled wherever his gaze fell. In the rain of brilliant, distant light pouring down, Seo Dong-eun blinked slowly. Yet the afterimage was so vivid that he couldn't easily leave that spot. He tried moving his eyelids even more slowly. Until the dust of light disappeared, so that when he opened his eyes, they wouldn't fill with tears.

Meanwhile, time passed quietly. He couldn't stay like this any longer. Seo Dong-eun started to turn but stopped again. No one noticed the man standing in a secluded corner, away from the busy pedestrians, tapping the ground with his foot. The texture of the earth transmitted through the soles of his feet was solid. With his feet firmly planted on the ground, within the world he inhabited. He would not forget. As he reminded himself of this, he took another step.

Only then could he move forward. But the number of days left in his heart was etched so deeply that it could not be erased in the end.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“You’re back?”

Kwon Woo-kyung entered, accompanied by the cool outside air. He was about to change into indoor slippers as usual, but he stopped and looked up. His gaze was sharp as he identified the person who had greeted him and stood before him.

That expression was so chilling that Seo Dong-eun instinctively guessed he had done something wrong and stepped back. However, that was also blocked by a hand that shot out in an instant.

“Yes.”

Returning a much-delayed answer, Kwon Woo-kyung stepped fully inside. Even then, he had not let go of Seo Dong-eun’s wrist. Helplessly pulled along, they ended up in the living room, and before he could blink, he was seated on the sofa. Seo Dong-eun stared at Kwon Woo-kyung’s profile as he appeared lost in thought, still holding his hand. Perhaps it wasn't an action scene today, as no small scars or the usual blood makeup were visible on his face. That was a relief.

“It’s not bad.”

He wanted to ask what wasn't bad, but since the man started moving his hands, he missed his chance to speak, distracted by the movement. A large palm stroked up his arm from his wrist. The hand soon reached his shoulder and touched the hair covering his ear.

“……Heuu.”

He tried to hold back at the ticklish sensation, but a sound escaped. He hurriedly bit his lip hard, but it was already too late.

“What did you do today?”

“I went to work and came back. More importantly, this….”

“What?”

The nonchalant voice asking the question was annoying. The touch that handled and kneaded him as if he were a doll was the same as ever.

“Did you eat?”

“……Yes.”

When he nodded readily, a faint smile returned. Meals were delivered to the room at set times. It was obvious who had requested it. So there was no reason to skip meals.

“Good job.”

“……Did you have a meal?”

As if praising him, the hand that had slipped under his clothes gently caressed his ear. Enduring the strange sensation, Seo Dong-eun finally managed to ask. Uttering that one sentence was harder than enduring the man’s mischief.

“Hmm, why? If I say I haven't, what are you going to do for me?”

“…….”

He had asked just in case, but the answer he received wasn't much different from Seo Dong-eun’s expectations. The hotel residence was fully equipped with kitchen facilities for cooking. It went without saying, but the facilities were even better than those in Seo Dong-eun’s rented room. Yet there were no signs they had ever been used. Even now, the refrigerator was full of ready-to-eat foods like porridge, salads, and fruit meant for Seo Dong-eun, but there wasn’t anything for Kwon Woo-kyung. It was clear he had never eaten inside the residence, even when he was living alone. He should have at least eaten something outside, but that didn’t seem to be the case either.

“It’s a joke. Why are you overthinking it? I’m fine. It’s not like I’m going to eat anything at this hour.”

In addition, he had never seen Kwon Woo-kyung voluntarily eat anything alone. When they ate together, his intake was impressive, so he found it strange that he didn't take care of his own meals. Dong-eun had even once asked Han Ho-seok about it.

‘Woo-kyung doesn't usually eat well while filming. Especially now, since it’s the latter half of filming, he’s managing his weight. His role in this movie is that of someone who has to let go of a terminally ill lover. He needs to look as haggard as possible.’

He had thought the lines on his face looked particularly prominent lately, but still, wasn't work something one did to make a living? He heard there were still several weeks left before filming concluded; how much thinner was he planning to get? Seo Dong-eun was quite upset, but he couldn't show it.

“You said you ate. Why do you look hungry? Are you peckish? Or is there something you want to eat?”

“No. I’ve eaten. It’s just that you haven't had a meal, Mr. Kwon Woo-kyung….”

“Mmm. So you had that face because you were worried about me. How thoughtful.”

The laugh vibrating low in his throat sounded very pleasant. The touch, stroking through his fine hair, was also warm and sweet. His shoulders hunched instinctively. A ticklish feeling spread quickly past his shoulders and down his lower back. His nose kept twitching.

“Ah, I just thought of something I want to eat.”

“……?”

With an arm draped over Dong-eun’s tense shoulders, Kwon Woo-kyung leaned in. The breath brushing near his ear was so ticklish that merely enduring it was overwhelming. When he lifted his gaze, Kwon Woo-kyung was saying something with his lips pressed against his ear.

“Bungeoppang.”

The soft sound from those red lips traveled through the air and brushed the fine hairs on his skin. Seo Dong-eun squeezed his eyes shut and shivered. Soon, his mouth fell open a step late as he recognized the word.

“……What?”

“We didn’t get to eat it that day. Bungeoppang. I want to eat that too.”

“Should I, should I go buy some?”

“Wait here.”

He seemed ready to call someone immediately. Seo Dong-eun stood up hastily. It was obvious who Kwon Woo-kyung would contact at this late hour. It was embarrassing to call a manager for something like this. Especially since he felt he knew why the man had specifically mentioned bungeoppang. He wanted to do it for him. That was all.

“No! No, I will. I’ll go buy— Ah!”

But his legs couldn't support his body as he stepped onto the floor without thinking. His knees buckled with a creak. Seo Dong-eun stumbled, leaning against the wall. The pain he had forgotten for a while struck him with twice the intensity. In an instant, his vision repeatedly flashed between white and black.

“Mr. Seo Dong-eun!”

Hair soon clung to a face that was quickly growing damp with cold sweat. His pale face rapidly lost its remaining color.

“Dong-eun, Seo Dong-eun? Look at me. Are you okay?”

“…Yes.”

Nodding his head, Seo Dong-eun tried to straighten his body, but his hunched back wouldn't easily unfurl. His knees felt so cold and painful that the clothes, which had felt light and warm just moments earlier, suddenly felt cumbersome.

“I’ll get you some medicine.”

“What? No, I’ll…”

Before he could answer, Kwon Woo-kyung stood up. He strode toward the bedroom. Ever since a doctor had visited without Dong-eun’s knowledge, Kwon Woo-kyung had been keeping medicine on hand specifically to ease knee pain. It was all for Seo Dong-eun, even though the person it was intended for had never taken it of his own volition.

Kwon Woo-kyung had said the painkillers he'd specially obtained lasted a long time and put little strain on the body. Han Ho-seok had bragged about them for quite a while when he delivered them. They weren't the kind of painkillers one could easily find at a pharmacy. Seo Dong-eun, who had endured pain for a long time, knew that as well.

The reason he couldn't take them easily, however, was that they reminded him of those days ten years ago. Even though he knew it wasn't the same, the associated scenes often made him feel nauseated.

“Here. Take it. What are you doing in this condition? Just sit still.”

Kwon Woo-kyung spoke firmly as he handed over the pill with some water. His expression was also very stern.

As if wringing his nerves, the pain shook his mind. It felt as if his body, still bearing the scars of that day, were screaming at him—asking how he could forget, how he could dare to be happy. It dragged Seo Dong-eun, who had been floating in a brief dreamlike peace, back down to crawl on the floor of reality.

He didn't want to take it, but there were eyes watching him. Seo Dong-eun brought his palm to his mouth. As he opened his mouth and swallowed the pill, Kwon Woo-kyung, who had been watching to make sure he did, turned away. Even while calling his manager, Kwon Woo-kyung didn't take his eyes off Seo Dong-eun. Saliva pooled in his mouth, and his throat tightened, forcing Seo Dong-eun to cover his lips. If he endured like this, things would eventually get better. The nausea would vanish, and the pain would subside. If this was what Kwon Woo-kyung wanted, surely he could endure this much. At least, that was what he thought then.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

At the sound of a knock on the front door, Seo Dong-eun stood up. Kwon Woo-kyung, who was about to head to the door, gave him a stern look. The look meant for him to stay seated, so Seo Dong-eun had to remain awkwardly perched on the edge of the sofa.

Following the commotion, Han Ho-seok entered the residence. He immediately approached the sofa where Seo Dong-eun sat.

“Haha. They said the bungeoppang was all sold out. I’m a bit late because I had to go find some. But I brought them back while they’re still warm, so enjoy, Dong-eun.”

Han Ho-seok handed over a shopping bag with a good-natured laugh. He naturally assumed the one eating the bungeoppang would be Seo Dong-eun. Not knowing any better, Seo Dong-eun took it reflexively and widened his eyes as he looked inside. The ones Seo Dong-eun had mentioned before were just the kind sold on the street for a thousand won for a few, but what Han Ho-seok had brought was nothing like that.

“…Is this also bungeoppang?”

When he asked cautiously, Kwon Woo-kyung, standing beside him, took it away. As he unwrapped the box, which was even packaged in hanji paper (traditional Korean handmade paper), the savory-sweet scent unique to freshly baked bread wafted out. The bread revealed was indeed fish-shaped.

“What is this?”

Kwon Woo-kyung asked bluntly, demanding an answer. Han Ho-seok, forced to face the stares of both men alone, scratched his head awkwardly.

“You told me to buy bread! Bungeoppang. They said the nearby department store didn't have any, so I searched the whole neighborhood and finally managed to buy some. I even begged them to let me in because it was closing time. Is that not it?”

Regardless of whether the shrinking manager was mumbling, cold eyes glared at him fiercely. There had been a miscommunication between the two. Still, he had bought it at this late hour; was there any need to make him feel so embarrassed? Seo Dong-eun hesitated before sliding the bungeoppang box toward his chest.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Oh? Y-yeah, right? It’ll be delicious. Haha, there’s nothing else you need, right? I’m going. I’m leaving now, Dong-eun.”

Seo Dong-eun returned the nod with a bow of his own. At the same time, he didn't forget to hide the box behind his back, as if afraid it would be taken away. Han Ho-seok quickly picked up on the atmosphere. Now was the time to turn around. He hurriedly left the residence. He didn't even look at Kwon Woo-kyung, as if he weren't even there.

Thump. The front door closed, and an awkward silence lingered in the room. Kwon Woo-kyung, who had been staring at the door with his arms crossed, turned his head to the side. His eyes met Seo Dong-eun’s, who had been shifting his gaze, gauging his mood.

“You two seem close.”

“…?”

“With my manager. I’ve noticed this since last time. You have great social skills, Seo Dong-eun.”

“M-me?”

Pointing at himself, Seo Dong-eun widened his eyes. Looking at him, Kwon Woo-kyung turned around. He seemed like he was about to walk away, but then he reached out and took the bread box from Seo Dong-eun’s hands.

“This isn't what you said you wanted to eat back then. Throw it away.”

“What? Why, why? He went through so much trouble to buy it.”

He tried to follow diligently behind the long-striding Kwon Woo-kyung, but it was difficult with his limping leg. His slippers dragged across the floor. At the sound, Kwon Woo-kyung stopped. His gaze, turning, stung. Seo Dong-eun flinched and froze in place.

“Can’t I just eat it…?”

I think it’ll be delicious, he muttered, his voice lacking confidence. It was not only a gesture of gratitude for the effort it took to buy it, but it was also true that his mouth was watering after smelling the savory scent of bread for the first time in a while. Was it his own inferiority complex that made him see pity in the other's eyes? He felt it was only natural for Kwon Woo-kyung to look at him that way, since he was finding the bread appetizing in the middle of all this.

“Do you really want to eat it?”

“…Yes.”

At the uncertain tone, Kwon Woo-kyung ran his hand across his face. His face, as he touched his mouth, was still stiff, almost devoid of expression.

“I really…”

Muttering something unintelligible, Kwon Woo-kyung rubbed his face again. He scratched above his eyebrow and added something inaudible. Ah, now my leg really seems to hurt, he thought, and just as the thought occurred, Kwon Woo-kyung pulled his arm. He was seated on the soft, comfortable sofa, practically being embraced by him. Spreading the bread box out on the table, Kwon Woo-kyung picked one up. Then he held it to Seo Dong-eun’s lips.

“Ah, open up. Come on.”

A playful note crept into his tone and into his tapping, as if knocking. His cold eyes also sparkled, as if they had never been otherwise. Seo Dong-eun never had the strength to refuse Kwon Woo-kyung in the first place. With a sense of resignation, he opened his mouth. The bread entered his mouth, and a large hand stroked his lower back and hip as if to praise him. Feeling the subtle contact, his back arched slightly. Hup. A strange sound was muffled along with the bread.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

Kwon Woo-kyung stared blankly at Seo Dong-eun as he mumbled an answer while chewing. His eyes remained fixed on Seo Dong-eun’s lips the entire time.

“Ah.”

“…?”

“Give me some too. It looks delicious.”

“Ah, yes. Here.”

“You have to feed me. After all, I delivered it all the way to your mouth.”

I never asked you to. Seeing him do such embarrassing things so nonchalantly, perhaps it was no big deal to Kwon Woo-kyung. Seo Dong-eun couldn't even hide his flushed face and awkwardly held out his hand. Then he realized he was about to feed him the bread he had been eating.

“…!”

“Mmm. It’s not bad.”

He tried to pull his hand back quickly, but the other's face moved first, toward the hand halfway raised. Even his front teeth lightly brushed his fingertip before he pulled away. Chewing the bread, Kwon Woo-kyung’s lips curled up, looking pleased. Even if it was bigger than a normal bungeoppang, he wondered whether such a piece of bread would satisfy this large alpha. Seo Dong-eun cautiously picked up another piece and brought it to Kwon Woo-kyung’s mouth. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't refuse and ate that too. His heart fluttered with a feeling resembling pride. Seo Dong-eun curled his lips and clenched his fists tight.

“Next time, let's eat what you wanted. The ones sold on the street.”

“…Yes.”

“But, don't you think you should go to the hospital for your leg?”

“…?”

Kwon Woo-kyung spoke while casually dusting off his hands and offering Seo Dong-eun bread again. It was a natural transition, flowing like water. Caught off guard, Seo Dong-eun took another fish-shaped piece of bread from him and just stared at his face.

“Let’s start with a thorough examination. Even if it’s something from a long time ago, a new check-up now might yield different results.”

Kwon Woo-kyung’s gaze dropped to his knee, then came back up. Until now, Kwon Woo-kyung had never directly mentioned his leg. That was why Seo Dong-eun could remain indifferent. But apparently, that wasn't the case.

“….”

He couldn't answer easily. No, he regretted telling him about his leg and the accident in the first place. It had been a pointless thing to do. He hadn't wanted him to show this kind of interest in him.

“Seo Dong-eun.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, but I’m okay. It’s not severe enough to interfere with my daily life. It just hurts once in a while, and it gets better quickly if I take painkillers.”

“You could at least try rehabilitation.”

“That’s…”

Vrrr, vrrr. Vrrr, vrrr.

A vibration mingled with the voices. The screen of Seo Dong-eun’s phone, which had been set on the table, lit up.

“Answer it.”

The ringing didn't stop. Eventually, Kwon Woo-kyung reached out. Seo Dong-eun took the phone from him and hurriedly stood up. He felt a persistent gaze on his back as he gripped the phone and headed for the guest room, but he thought it was rather fortunate. He didn't want to dwell on that accident or the stigma he had gained from it.