As Seheon turned the pages of his documents, he felt something foreign on his finger. A crocodile-patterned bandage was wrapped tightly around his index finger. As soon as he had arrived at work, Yoonshin had barged into his office and changed the bandage on the spot where he had been hurt last night. Against the white background, the green crocodile gleamed with black eyes, its jaws gaping wide at him.
Staring blankly at it, Seheon felt strangely self-conscious and tried to peel it off, but just then a knock sounded from outside.
“Yes, come in.”
When he answered in a low voice, the door opened. The person leaning halfway inside was Mihui.
“Attorney Kang, do you have a moment?”
From his seat, Seheon stared fixedly at her. The document envelopes—one held in each hand—were likely the reason for her visit. And they were probably quite important.
“That depends on how much time you need.”
“Just a moment.”
When he gestured for her to come in fully, she closed the door and entered, sitting on the reception sofa.
“Seheon, I heard you met with a management consultant this morning.”
“Yeah, today was the only day I had time. But what’s going on? Mondays are the busiest.”
“Just while I was at it. I heard Secretary Tak picked up headache medicine from the infirmary. All last week, too. When Tak moves, I figured you’re the culprit.”
There was no need to hide it, so he nodded lightly. At that, Mihui put on a rather worried expression.
“You’re a tough cookie who never takes medicine. What’s wrong? I feel like you’ve been like this ever since that company dinner. Did something happen with Attorney Do? The atmosphere that day was unusual.”
“What could possibly happen with him? Stop butting in and talk business. What are you holding?”
“Ugh, you’re no fun. Fine. Look, there are two documents for you. Which one do you want to open first?”
She raised both hands and shook the envelopes. The envelope in her left hand was very thin. The one in her right was relatively thicker, but still thin. Seheon gestured toward the left with his chin.
“That one.”
“A power of attorney came directly from Do Igyeong. You just need to sign it.”
“Directly? To you, Senior Song?”
“Yeah, she sent someone straight to my house yesterday evening. I considered contacting you right away, but it was too simple to bother you with on your day off, so I’m handing it over today.”
Only then did Seheon rise and approach the reception sofa. He leisurely perched himself on the armrest and took the envelope Mihui held out. As he removed the contents and skimmed through them, his face remained largely expressionless. Instead, a low, restrained vocal frequency met the air in the room.
“She wants me to act as her agent for overseas artwork contracts.”
“Isn’t that Director Do’s job? Artwork management.”
“Is this purely for acquisitions? Everyone in the industry knows Suhan uses artwork for tax evasion. I thought they even had a dedicated team for that at headquarters?”
“Who knows. You’ll have to talk to her personally to know more. There are limits to what documents can convey. She asked to set up a separate meeting. Igyeong wants to see you.”
It meant all his guesses were correct. In that case, it made no sense why she would entrust this to Doguk when she could hand it to people who had been handling such matters for a long time—a path that guaranteed both efficiency and security.
“Isn’t this strange? Why give this to me?”
“In my opinion, it’s a sign asking you to watch over her younger brother. She targeted you specifically, Attorney Kang, and the amount is enormous. It was the largest retainer fee I’ve ever seen for an individual case. And that’s not even counting the success fee.”
Seheon glanced out the window to confirm Yoonshin’s office was empty, then pressed his lips together. Mihui followed his gaze, observing the office beyond the window as Seheon had, before soon turning her eyes back to him. He was looking at the documents again, as if nothing had happened.
Perhaps trying to read the hidden side of things from the words written on the paper, he focused for a while before his forehead furrowed. Seheon crumpled the edge of the envelope and tossed the documents onto the table. Thud. The papers fluttered and landed precisely in front of Mihui.
“I’m not doing it.”
“I heard they’re very close. Professor Do was so busy that his sister practically raised him.”
“How long has it been since that kid became an adult, and she’s still trying to ply me with bribes? Is what I’ve already sunk into here not enough? She brought this in to settle a debt she owes you, Attorney Song. I’m not cut out for childcare, and if she demands I take responsibility for him too, I’ll have no choice but to flip the table. If you feel it’s a waste, pass it to another partner. Or give it to that fourth-year—let him have it.”
“But Director Do insisted on giving it to you?”
“I’m not a dog raised on Suhan’s feed. If I’m not satisfied, I’ll send out not Do Yoonshin, but Do Yoonshin’s grandfather. Send this back.”
Sensing that saying more would only make matters worse, Mihui swallowed her disappointment. She had anticipated this reaction from the start. He already had more than enough money, and he must have calculated that accepting this favor would saddle him with something else later.
“But you’ll probably want to take this one. It’s about that construction company you’ve been interested in since last year.”
This time, Mihui whipped the yellow document envelope in her right hand toward Seheon and crossed her legs. She observed him with great interest as he carefully examined the documents. He was always solemn when reading the printed word. Only after some time had passed, when she judged that he had roughly grasped the contents, did she speak again.
“Does it whet your appetite?”
He looked at her without denying it.
“A request for acquisition consulting? So Yeongjin Construction is finally putting itself up for sale?”
“Overseas orders are sluggish, and the domestic division’s growth is stalled. The rumors have been circulating, so it seems almost confirmed. The prey you’ve been eyeing hungrily is finally exposed. Taesan Construction sniffed it out and said they want to buy it—we got a request to design the acquisition. They want us to drive the price down as much as possible and turn Yeongjin Construction into dirt-cheap shit. Should I have Secretary Tak schedule a meeting with Taesan Construction?”
“Let’s sweep through the data first. The meeting comes after. I’ll handle it.”
Smiling as if satisfied, she gathered the Suhan-related documents Seheon had tossed aside back into the envelope. Then she half-rose as if to leave.
“Okay. Then I’ll let Taesan know we’re willing to take the case. And I’ll think over Director Do’s proposal a bit more before handling it. You must be busy—good luck.”
“Senior Song, wait.”
He blocked the clumsily risen Mihui with his hand. Naturally, she sat back down on the sofa. Intuiting that Seheon had something to say, she propped her chin on her hand and stared at him intently.
“What’s this, stopping someone who’s leaving? Doesn’t seem like business.”
“It’s about Do Yoonshin.”
The moment she heard Yoonshin’s name, Mihui snapped her fingers as if she had just remembered.
“Ah, right. I almost forgot. Attorney Do went downstairs on my orders. A client was coming to the firm, so I told him to meet them. All the conference rooms, consultation rooms, and reception rooms are in use, and the VVIP room isn’t available, so he’s at the first-floor cafe now. Sorry for treating your associate like that.”
“A client? I don’t have any new cases. I was planning to start using him for my own matters.”
“Well, it’s a personal favor. My mother’s friend’s youngest son got into an accident. I couldn’t think of anyone but Attorney Do to handle it. It’s a drunk driving accident; he hit someone at the scene. He was driving slowly, and it wasn’t a major accident, but the other party just had to be……”
Seheon, listening seriously, slightly furrowed his brow as if he had roughly grasped the situation. The fact that there was no better chess piece than Yoonshin meant it was a case requiring the specialized area where he excelled.
“Senior citizen, pregnant woman, disabled person, or child. Which one?”
“A child.”
While Seheon calmly rubbed his face with his hands, Mihui added.
“And he got caught for a hit-and-run. He turned back after not getting far, but he did flee the scene. If Attorney Do takes it, I was thinking of making it a pro bono case.”
“We’ll need a settlement. An apology will matter more than money. That suits him.”
“It’s not a complicated case, so he should be able to work on your matters in parallel.”
“Got it. Anyway, about Do Yoonshin.”
Once again, his gaze was inscrutable as he glanced at Yoonshin’s empty office. Mihui’s expression grew similarly inscrutable, as if she almost understood Seheon’s thoughts in constantly looking toward the room despite knowing it was empty. Feeling her amusement, he frowned without hiding his displeasure.
“Have you heard anything about him getting married?”
“He said he didn’t have a girlfriend during his pre-employment interview. Why?”
“I think his sister arranged a matchmaking meeting for him recently.”
As if this were news to her, she tilted her head.
“I’ve never heard of it…… Is Attorney Do getting married?”
“He went to a matchmaking meeting.”
“It is about time for matchmaking offers to come in. His only real drawback was his affiliation, but now that he’s joined a decent firm. Wait. Why do you care? Did you two actually…… that day?”
“I told you, that was a misunderstanding. I just need to know about him, that’s all.”
“Hmm.” She fell into deep thought, seemingly dredging up and reviewing all the information she knew. She narrowed her brow seriously and pressed her lips tightly shut. However, nothing in particular seemed to come to mind.
Seheon had only asked because Yoonshin’s consistently cynical attitude toward matchmaking had caught his attention, but he hadn’t expected much from the start and soon waved it off as if to say never mind.
“If you don’t know anything, that’s fine.”
“Yeah, I don’t know anything about Attorney Do’s marriage. However……”
“However?”
“It came up since we’re talking about marriage. Lately, there are rumors of marital discord in that family. I’m talking about Mr. and Mrs. Do Igyeong.”
Most couples in the business world were bound by some form of contractual arrangement. However, those two were one of the rare cases who had married for love, so they were treated as an anomaly. The general public paid considerable attention to their movements. Because of this, even before the wedding march finished playing, all sorts of baseless rumors circulated. Knowing this, he reacted without much concern.
“Haven’t there always been rumors of discord in that family? It’s already been ten years.”
She waved her hand.
“This time it’s different. It came straight from Attorney Do’s brother-in-law—no, Representative Yu Jeongwon of Suhan Holdings. He said he’s having a hard time handling his wife.”
This gave him something to think about, and he slightly furrowed his brow.
“Having a hard time handling her…… He talks like he’s the victim. Either he really is the victim, or he wants to become one.”
“It is strange, isn’t it? Representative Yu married well and packaged himself nicely, but you and I both know he’s a thug to the bone with an elitist consciousness.”
“They have two children?”
“Two sons. Neither has even started elementary school. I don’t think things will get seriously twisted. They have children, who are young, and especially since Igyeong is so capable, she doesn’t seem like someone to act rashly. But now that Attorney Do is at our firm, we can’t just ignore rumors about that family anymore. Keep that in mind.”
“I will. Got it. You can go.”
As if telling him good luck, she lightly patted Seheon’s shoulder and left his office. When the door closed, he, who had been perched on the armrest, leaned back fully into the soft sofa. Sitting as motionless as a still life while his mind turned over thoughts, intense sunlight poured in and seeped into the office.
He lowered the blinds on the exterior window side and connected the internal line. Secretary Tak’s voice was heard immediately.
—Yes, Attorney.
“Senior Song just left me a power of attorney. It came from Taesan Construction, related to the acquisition of Yeongjin Construction, so have the team seniors gather data. And Attorney Song probably assigned a pro bono case to Do Yoonshin. When he comes up, he’ll have received materials from the client, so copy them and send a set to me as well.”
—Understood. But is your headache better? You suffered all last week. If it weren’t for Attorney Do, you might have let your headache pass without even realizing.
The culprit behind the persistent mental fog and stinging pain was Yoonshin. Recalling the deep kiss he had shared with Yoonshin last night, Seheon touched his lower lip with his finger. The moment something even softer overlaid that tender sensation was still vivid. Whenever he brushed over it with his fingertip as if it had happened just moments ago, the memory revived within his body.
For an instant, he felt blood rushing to his heart. Furrowing his brow, he replied belatedly.
“Much better. Nothing to worry about.”
—Then I’ll just organize the data and send it to you. Anything else?
“That’s it. I’m fine.”
Having ended the call, he leaned comfortably on the sofa. Perhaps because of the information Mihui had given him, the moment he had encountered Yoonshin in the library on the second floor inevitably came to mind.
At that time, Yoonshin had clearly been holding a divorce casebook in his arms. Naturally, the image of him bursting into tears when meeting his sister, his consistently troubled attitude since that day, and the strange impatience and sense of injustice in his eyes all combined to make Seheon feel as if the puzzle pieces were slowly falling into place.
〈I’m at a dead end right now.〉
Was the relationship between his sister and her husband so strained that it warranted such extreme expressions? Given that it was a second-generation chaebol divorce, and given a couple who had long boasted an image of overflowing love to the outside world, the social repercussions would not be insignificant. But in the end, they were strangers; even if they endured pain, they could just separate.
So it was one of two things. Either Yoonshin, daring as he was, was an endlessly weak pushover at heart, or there was another fatal problem between the couple hidden beneath the surface.
Seheon tilted his head back, looked around the immaculate interior, and slowly closed his eyes.
* * *
At the first-floor cafe of the law firm building, Yoonshin met with the client and carefully reviewed the evidence the man had brought. He had come down in a moment’s confusion due to Mihui’s earnest request, but he was not at all inclined toward this.
Seheon often compared their work to shopping. Because practicing law was a type of service industry. Thus, it was easy for clients to mistakenly believe they had absolute authority as the buyers, but that was not the case. If the sellers decided not to sell, that was that. And a case like the one this person had requested was exactly the type he would never take on if it were from outside.
Honestly, Yoonshin felt the urge to storm out of this meeting and go back upstairs. He flipped through the papers, then soon met the eyes of the man before him.
“I only just received word on my way down. I’m not fully informed of the details, so, um…… First, you were driving under the influence and hit a child on the road, then fled. You left the child hit by your car behind. You also damaged the scene.”
Perhaps sensing force in his words, the man made excuses in a shrinking tone.
“I was so surprised. It was dark…… But I went back and reported it. I have the call transcript.”
The man flipped through a few more pages and showed him the back. Yoonshin fixed his gaze on it. The contents of the call with the 119 responder had been transcribed onto the document. Perhaps the claim of being surprised was true, as the incoherence in his speech and the responder repeatedly asking questions were clearly revealed on the paper.
“What about CCTV footage at the time? Why isn’t it in the evidence list? There’s usually some these days.”
“It’s a national highway on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province. The police said there wasn’t any because it’s a remote area.”
“I see. Do you have any photos or video of the scene?”
“I didn’t have the presence of mind. But there is a dash cam in the car. Here. I came to give you the original. But Attorney Song said this wouldn’t be entirely favorable to me.”
Yoonshin took the memory card and placed it inside the document envelope for now. Then he scanned the documents again. He photographed the section containing the witness’s name and contact information, as well as the contact number of the injured child’s mother, with his phone camera.
“This witness saw you fleeing the scene?”
“Yes. They also saw me returning to the accident scene.”
“You’ve kept the witness’s name and contact information.”
Yoonshin took out the child’s photo tucked into the file and stared at it blankly.
“And the patient has an eight-week recovery prognosis…… There’s a fracture. The condition isn’t good.”
“The child is very young. I guess bones break easily even with a light hit.”
Upon hearing that reply, he looked coldly at the man.
“Did you say this in front of the child’s parents too? That the bones broke easily because it’s a child?”
“No, because it’s the truth.”
“Fault clearly lies on your side. It may have been a minute amount, but you were definitely drinking, and you took several actions that could be mistaken for a hit-and-run. In that situation, you, the client, have already lost trust. Traffic accidents are matters of personal legal interest, so an unconditional settlement is the best course. An apology alone wouldn’t be enough…… You mustn’t act like this.”
This wasn’t a civil matter; a criminal settlement agreement couldn’t be obtained with money alone. Sincerity was needed. And perhaps if this were himself from about a year ago, he would have been serving as the agent for the injured child, comforting the family. Attorney Song seemed to be aware of all this, which was why she had reached out to him instead of asking other outstanding lawyers or taking the case herself.
“I have parts I feel wronged about too. The drinking really was minimal, and I was driving slowly. Also, I turned back and reported it with my own hands, and helped the child up.”
“The injured child’s parents can’t hear or see any of that. Don’t feel wronged. Someone got hurt because of your mistake. A child’s future is at stake. Their body has been damaged.”
“I’ll pay as much settlement money as they want. Within reason. Their family seemed to be struggling financially?”
Yoonshin quietly bristled and fell silent, so the man added.
“I’ll give them double what they expect. No one hates money.”
But Yoonshin remained silent.
“Attorney?”
As a lawyer affiliated with a law firm, he had already learned from Seheon that he couldn’t always take only pure-as-white clients. Recalling those low-pitched words, he barely composed himself and answered belatedly.
“Anyway, I’ll meet with the other party. They may want a direct apology. If a situation arises where you must face the victim’s family, do exactly as I say. Let them vent their anger. If they hit you, take it. If they grab your hair, endure it. That will leave some room for leniency.”
“Do I have to go that far?”
“You drove drunk and fled the scene, and you won’t even do that much? I’ll calculate the settlement generously, accounting for aftereffects, so keep that in mind.”
“Ah, I understand. Please help me settle this as cleanly as possible. I’m going to do great things.”
“Haven’t you already done a great thing?”
“Pardon?”
“Make an effort.”
Having fixed his gaze on the man’s face for a moment, Yoonshin quietly swallowed a heavy sigh inwardly. Then he took out a file as if to have him sign the power of attorney and extended it toward the man.
* * *
Clutching the materials to his chest like a bundle, Yoonshin stood by the window on his office floor and called someone. Perhaps because it was an unknown number, the other party only let their voice be heard after making him wait a long while. Relief spreading across his face, he cautiously opened his mouth.
“Hello, ma’am. This is Attorney Do Yoonshin from Law Firm Doguk. I am the representative of the party at fault in the accident. I was wondering if I could visit you at your earliest convenience.”
Listening to the other party silently and carefully, Yoonshin replied as if it were out of the question.
“That won’t do. I’m not suggesting we rush into a settlement right now. The priority is that your child receives safe treatment. Is he doing a bit better? I’m very worried, as a child still growing has suffered a fracture.”
Holding the phone between his shoulder and ear, he stood in an awkward posture and reached out with one hand. When he touched the window frame and barely managed to open the creaking window, a frigid winter wind rushed in as if it had been waiting.
“Of course. I won’t bring any documents. Yes, today would be fine for me. Ah…… Would that time work? Thank you. I’ll contact you before I leave. Yes, please go inside.”
Having ended the call politely, he quietly gazed beyond the half-open window. He drew the clear air into his lungs, then shut the window with a regretful hand gesture and strode away.
After walking down the hallway for some time, he found himself in front of the secretarial office. Secretary Tak greeted him as if he’d been waiting, stood up, and held out his hand.
“Attorney Do, please hand over all the materials here. I’ll copy them and return them right away.”
Yoonshin obediently handed him the envelope, hiding his exhaustion as he replied.
“There’s a dash cam memory card inside, so please make a copy of the video. Keep the power of attorney in storage. And could you look into the profiles of both the child’s parents? I want to see if there’s anything—school ties, regional ties, blood ties—I can use.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
Whir. Listening to the copier running, he leaned his arm on the partition and instinctively looked toward Seheon’s office. Its master was no different than usual.
With impeccable attire and posture, he was busily immersed in documents, pen spinning—a rather grave appearance. That figure was impeccable and convincing. It was fascinating—a genetic combination that could only be innate, never acquired.
Yoonshin rested his chin on one arm and stared intently at Seheon, his long eyelashes twitching suddenly.
*Are we dating?*
He tilted his head a bit more into his palm and opened his eyes narrowly.
*Not yet?*
They had kissed, but he hadn’t heard any concrete confession of liking or a formal proposal to date. He hadn’t voiced it either, still uncertain of his own heart. They weren’t minors; as two adults with legal capacity, physical contact was perfectly possible even without defining the relationship, so the equation held either way.
*Does he like me?*
He was curious about Seheon’s thoughts, but he was already staring so rudely; he didn’t want to add anything more to that impression, so he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
*How do I get him to ask me out on a date?*
He still wasn’t sure if Kang Seheon was even capable of a passionate romance. Before that, it was doubtful whether he had the time for such things.
They had run into each other almost daily within the building for the past few months, but they had almost no time to truly get to know each other seriously. They had merely observed one another from their respective positions. Such formed perspectives were merely subjective opinions and couldn’t be called correct answers.
Still, one thing was certain. Regardless of what kind of person Seheon was, and regardless of his feelings, Yoonshin was instinctively drawn to him. He thought it might be because they were so opposite.
Yoonshin did not enjoy fighting. He had become a lawyer simply because he liked unraveling knots. When dealing with people whose natures were so incompatible that communication failed, he preferred to smile perfunctorily and avoid the situation rather than accumulate conflict. He never clung persistently to anyone the way he did with Seheon.
Seen in that light, the discomfort he had constantly felt toward Seheon from the very beginning might have been an animalistic instinct that emotions could be redirected toward an unimaginable destination.
*Strangely, I feel I can rely on you.*
He felt that Seheon would remain in that place with a detached attitude, arrogant as always, sometimes difficult, yet occasionally listening to what he said, giving hints along the way.
Yoonshin’s cheek twitched as he surveyed Seheon’s delicate, distinct features. Then his gaze reached his red lips, which were biting down slowly as if on something bothersome.
It was his first time kissing another man. Yet far from disliking it or feeling uncomfortable, it had been thrilling.
With that thought, a flush slowly rose on his smooth cheeks.
At that very moment, apparently having finished copying, Secretary Tak turned back toward the partition and returned the materials and a copy to Yoonshin.
“Attorney Do, here you go.”
Taking them, Yoonshin leaned forward and whispered.
“Thank you. By the way, did Attorney Kang say anything about assigning me work? I’ve reviewed all the team cases, and he told me to attend meetings for matters he personally directs. He told me to wait, but I’m getting anxious.”
“As a matter of fact, an order came down this morning. It seems to be a new case, not something from before. I think you’ll soon be assigned to an acquisition consulting matter.”
“An acquisition? Who’s selling what?”
"It's Yeongjin Construction. Taesan Construction wants to acquire them after hearing rumors they're up for sale, so they requested we draw up the structure as naturally as possible. Chief is excellent at designing frameworks. Since it's an M&A targeting a listed company, they need many experts, so they're recruiting key players from other teams right now."
"Players? Isn't our team handling it?"
Secretary Tak shook his head as if to say that was absurd.
"There are so many specialized fields needed. It's proceeding on such a massive scale that our team couldn't handle it even if everyone jumped in. Especially taxes—acquisition tax, transfer tax, registration tax, every kind of tax applies, so there's a mountain of work. It's much better to pull people from each team."
"So it's like a special task force?"
"Yes. That's how M&As are usually done. Sometimes we work with other law firms too. Attorney Do is assigned there. You're a labor law specialist, right? I'll send you the materials by email soon."
Until now, what he had done was mostly individual work, or at most small-scale matters requiring just a few lawyers, so such large-scale collaboration felt unfamiliar. Only now did he feel like he had truly become a member of Doguk. Meeting Secretary Tak's eyes with a mix of anticipation and concern, he took the opportunity to ask one more thing.
"For some reason, I feel like you'd know this. December 31st. Do you happen to know what day that is?"
"December 31st? It's the end of the year. It's not even a weekend this year, so we can't rest."
"There was an X marked on the desk calendar in Chief Gang's office. It's not his birthday. Is it the first trial date or something? Or perhaps his parents' memorial day?"
"Ah, Chief Gang. As far as I know, it's neither. It's just a day off."
Yunsin, unable to immediately wrap his head around this, opened his eyes wide.
"He marked a day off that far in advance?"
"Well, actually, I don't know the exact reason. Every year, no matter what happens on that day, he takes it off. I don't know any more than that. Maybe he wants to rest up after a hard year? And brace himself for the coming year too."
"There's something even Secretary Tak doesn't know?"
"I suppose so. I don't have anything more to tell you. Honestly, he hardly talks about anything but work with me. Since he's quite close with Chief Song privately, why don't you ask him?"
Then there was no reason for him to linger here any longer. Yunsin showed the document copies as if to say thanks for the advice and started toward his own office. But feeling somehow reluctant, he immediately turned around. When he knocked on Seheon's door, a low, restrained voice answered from inside, "Yes."
Opening the door very politely, Yunsin poked his head inside. Seheon, who had had his eyes glued to the documents, finally raised his head when the visitor showed no signs of speaking after opening the door. Then he leaned back against the chair back until it creaked, adjusting his posture.
"So. Keep straddling the doorway like that. It's exactly like your life."
"Are you saying I'm indecisive?"
"Why, feeling guilty?"
"Honestly, yes."
While he let out a hollow laugh, Yunsin slipped inside, closed the door, and moved toward Seheon's desk. Hugging the documents to his chest, he stood beside him and stole glances at the papers Seheon was looking at. Seheon crossed his arms, then folded his legs in an insolent posture, observing this scene intently.
"If you're in my space, state your business first. Don't steal."
"Who said I was stealing?"
"Don't you like taking things?"
At the suggestive tone, Yunsin's cheeks flushed faintly for a moment. It sounded as though Seheon knew about the time Yunsin had secretly entered this room before. The conflict between the mind that thought he should come clean, even if belatedly, and the thought that he didn't want to ruin the unusually soft atmosphere between them, scattered his honest intentions.
"Um, Chief."
After much deliberation, he tried to open his mouth to confess the truth, but Seheon cut off the topic abruptly.
"What is it you were going to say? Since you interrupted my work, it better be something equally important."
It was the first time he had met someone who suited such a domineering tone so well. He had felt a similar impression from his brother-in-law long ago. But if his brother-in-law's arrogance stemmed from delegated power he had possessed since birth, Seheon's differed in that his confidence was built solely on his own capabilities. He couldn't say which was right or wrong, but to his eyes, Seheon's seemed more rational.
Yunsin obediently took his eyes off the documents and this time stared directly at Seheon. Whether Seheon enjoyed the gaze or was made uncomfortable by it, he responded by staring right back. They exchanged nothing but glances, and Yunsin didn't know why it felt so awkward. In the end, Yunsin was the first to raise the white flag.
"I'm going to leave work early today to go to the hospital."
As soon as he got to the point without preamble, Seheon's brows furrowed slightly.
"Is the sick person you or someone else?"
"If it's me, would you be worried?"
"Then it's someone else."
Yunsin, whose shallow trick had been completely seen through, glared at him.
"Why don't my attacks work?"
"Because we're in different weight classes."
Unable to deny it, changing the subject was the best option.
"Well, since you didn't say anything first, I'm doing it again this time. Do you want to meet briefly tonight? I'll buy you coffee."
"Where do you get such nerve. 'Want to meet?'"
Yunsin carefully mulled over the words to identify the problem with his phrasing, then asked again with a doubtful expression.
"Will you... meet with me?"
"I'm busy."
Having answered immediately, he made as if to focus on the documents again, as if he had nothing more to hear or say.
Flustered, Yunsin placed the documents he had been carefully holding against his chest onto the desk and propped his arms on top of them, drawing Seheon's attention back to himself.
He, who had said he disliked gluttonous people, had kissed him greedily last night like someone who had been starving for days. Thanks to that, Yunsin still felt the illusion that Seheon's tongue was inside his mouth. A tingling sensation filled the narrow space. The papillae had collided countless times, wearing away the rough outer skin until only a slick texture remained.
Even after reducing him to such a state, Seheon was shamelessly indifferent.
"Aren't you number one at provoking pointless obstinacy?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Are you really not going to see me? Don't we do things like dates?"
"Why would I go on a date with you?"
"Wow...."
At an answer even more extreme than he had expected, Yunsin let out an exclamation as if truly speechless. Of course, Seheon's words had a point. If one searched for the reason to date, it was true that everything between them was not clearly defined.
However, late last night, he had felt that some part deep inside had connected with Seheon, as if electric current were flowing. They hadn't shared such a profound conversation. It might not have been a grand emotion. Even so, something that had clearly existed couldn't be erased as if it had never happened.
"Do you hate talking to me?"
"No. I like it."
"...."
"Do you have some complaint?"
"No."
"A moment ago, you certainly seemed to. Exclaiming 'wow....'"
"I said no."
I like it.
It was a word he had neither guessed nor imagined would come from Seheon's mouth, so Yunsin's lips sealed shut. His face seemed to burn slightly. His thought process hardened like a frozen drainage channel, and he couldn't think of what the right response should be. While he struggled to hide his bewilderment, Seheon flicked his finger and pointed to the remote on the reception table.
"Fourth-year. Lower the blinds, lock the door, and come here."
As Seheon often did, Yunsin had tried to pick a quarrel, but coming to his senses, he found himself moving as if entranced, picking up the remote. Before lowering the blinds, Yunsin glanced out the window in case it looked strange. Fortunately, the employees were all engrossed in their work and paid no attention to this side.
Soon he locked the door and finally lowered the blinds. In the midst of this, he sensed a presence behind him.
It was Seheon.
Before he knew it, Seheon had come up and embraced Yunsin's slender body from behind. Then he tilted his face and pressed soft lips against the long neck. Yunsin leaned his head back, resting his weight on Seheon's shoulder, and reached his arms back to hold him in return.
Though he had told him to come over, Seheon's impatience was evident in how he couldn't endure even that brief gap before pressing their bodies together. Thanks to that, Yunsin felt rather smug. Even so, not having heard Seheon's exact thoughts about him yet made him feel somewhat at a loss.
"I want to see your face."
Yunsin, swallowing his ragged breath, was about to turn his head back when Seheon gripped his nape and held him facing forward. Soon, long fingers fumbled at the inside of his shirt collar. He felt every spot Seheon touched burning hot in real time. While the flustered Yunsin barely suppressed his rising excitement, Seheon's low, resonant voice scattered by his ear.
"Who do you think will say it first?"
He hadn't specified any particular situation, but the context made it immediately clear. He was sizing up who would be the first to express feelings of liking, or an even deeper emotion. Even after having kissed, he still intended to weigh and calculate his options. It was so like him. Yunsin, anxious on Seheon's behalf as well as his own, ended up asking a question he hadn't intended to.
"Um, we are dating, right? I think you need to make that clear first before I can answer."
Seheon furrowed his brow slightly, as if wondering why Yunsin was suddenly asking this.
"Didn't I say we should?"
"You didn't."
"Then you can say it. I'll consider it heard."
"I haven't said it either?"
"That's why I said I'll just consider it heard. I know exactly what you're thinking. That you want to date me."
He desperately wanted to deny it, but he couldn't because it was true. Seheon was right. He wanted to define the relationship. And if possible, he had wanted Seheon to be the one to say it.
It seemed Seheon deliberately made his counterpart speak first. In a daze, Yunsin ended up suggesting they date first, and it became as if Seheon had merely accepted him. Hiding his vexation, Yunsin declared with burning resolve.
"Even if I die and come back to life, I'll never like you before you like me."
"Say it again. Slowly and clearly."
It seemed his declaration had struck a nerve. The smooth features hardened like a roughly carved wooden statue. Yunsin, who confirmed this through a sidelong glance, shrank his shoulders and opened his mouth, but Seheon pressed his body forcefully against him.
"I'll never like you before— ngh!"
Into the ear of Yunsin, who let out a cry, Seheon's sinister voice pierced.
"You said you'd never sleep with me. It came from your own mouth. Remember?"
It was part of the conversation they had during their first meal together. At that time, he had simply expressed his resolve never to slip up at Doguk in such terms.
"Of course I remember. But what I said then—!"
"It seems you really don't want to sleep with me, hm? Then are we dating but not actually liking each other yet?"
To deal with someone like Gang Seheon, who considered every possibility and ultimately neutralized his opponent, Yunsin knew his own heart had to be even smaller. At the same time, he needed to learn how to wisely use his relationship with him. If the emotional balance tipped, he would be completely dragged into Seheon's pace and hardships would arise one by one. Yunsin didn't want to ruin things that way.
"The one who says 'I like you' first will be you, Attorney."
"I'll throw those words right back at you. I have a strong competitive streak. I'll definitely make you say it first."
Seheon declared decisively and without hesitation grabbed Yunsin's hair. Then he gripped and pulled to make Yunsin turn his head toward him. Feeling pain, Yunsin turned his face to the side and took a deep breath.
At the same time, his eyes gleaming darkly, he kissed him.
"Ngh! Mm."
His tongue launched a civil war in the depths of the cavernous mouth, tangling wetly with Yunsin's. The tips of their tongues overlapped fiercely, like rough sparks flying.
Hot air seized and enveloped their bodies. As if quietly sinking together, or simultaneously rising to the surface, their tightly pressed bodies rubbed against each other without breaking contact.
Yunsin gripped his elastic waist more tightly. The more he did so, the more strength entered his hands. He moved his body, matching Seheon's rhythm as best he could. The kiss deepened.
He already had enough intuition that fastidious, arrogant Gang Seheon would be a difficult opponent both as a superior and as a lover. Therefore, he had already crossed the point of no return.
If a sudden downpour fell, he—without an umbrella—would have to face the rain.