It was already dark outside. Evening had passed, and the sky was pitch-black. Since it was in front of a hospital, cars busily came and went in great numbers. Thanks to this, it was crowded compared to other places, but that energy was not all human vitality. Rather, it was closer to the opposite.
The day-night temperature difference was especially severe today, making the night air unusually chilly. Feeling the cold keenly, gladly bestowed by the fast-approaching winter, Yun Shin exited the inpatient ward entrance. Fastening his collar, he sat briefly on a bench in front of the flower bed.
Huff. As he quietly watched the white breath escape his lips, he first called his client.
“This is Do Yunshin of Doguk.”
—Attorney? You said you were going to the hospital. How did it go?
“Yes, well, I just came out. There are a few things I need to brief you on verbally, so I called. Do you have a moment to talk?”
Meeting the parents of the child injured in the traffic accident in person, there were signs that the matter would be resolved smoothly. From the moment they first permitted a visit, he had suspected they could not be bad-natured or callous people. So he had deliberately looked for a connection to the parents to break through with familiarity.
Fortunately, the child’s mother had graduated from the same elementary school as Yun Shin’s cousin. He even remembered going there a few times as a child. Talking about the small school playground, he had naturally broken down the wall between them.
Yun Shin had always been good at that kind of thing. Because his father, and his sister too, had always done the same.
—It’s fine. You told them we’d pay a lot of money, right?
Money isn’t everything.
At the vulgar reply, Yun Shin quietly bristled inwardly and bit his lip. Then he answered.
“I think you need to apologize in person first. Sincerely.”
—Of course. If they’ll allow it, I’ll formally visit and apologize.
“I’m glad you’re willing to do that. As you mentioned, it would be better to offer a generous settlement. There’s no exact standard, but it’s usually calculated per week of treatment. So it varies widely. Considering the child’s overall circumstances and medical expenses, I estimated around 28 million won.”
—How about a clean 30 million instead?
“That should be enough for the parents to agree. Sincerity matters more than the amount.”
—Money is sincerity. If it’s not enough, I can pay more.
If the client was coming forward to resolve this actively, even if only with money, it was a small mercy. Yun Shin adjusted his grip on his phone and quietly rose from the bench.
“Then let’s adjust it upward. You’ll need to come to the hospital to apologize. The parents want me to visit with you, so pick an appropriate date. I’ll organize the documents and contact you again soon.”
—Yes, I’ll wait for your call. You’ve worked hard.
After ending the call, Yun Shin set off toward the taxi stand. He hadn’t brought his car, so he had to use other transportation. Taking his place at the back of the long line, he glanced at his phone’s call log. Evidence of yesterday’s call with Seheon remained at the bottom.
*So I can’t see him today after all.*
He had never responded to Yun Shin’s suggestion to meet briefly tonight. They had “again” kissed afterward, but he never went back on his words asking why they had to date.
Of course, Yun Shin could have reached out first. But it felt off to boast that he would never be the first to like someone, then immediately wag his tail. He didn’t want to look like he was burning up inside all alone.
Hiding his disappointment, Yun Shin tapped Seheon’s name with his fingertip and put the phone in his jacket pocket. Then he moved forward step by step, following the people ahead.
That was when.
Honk. Beep. A loud horn sounded from the right. Those waiting turned their heads. Yun Shin did the same. At the source of the sound, a luxurious sedan was stopped.
Soon, through the silently lowered driver’s window, Seheon came into view, gripping the steering wheel and looking this way. Perhaps due to his handsome features, people murmured.
“Attorney Kang?”
Surprised, Yun Shin quickly pushed through the crowd and ran toward the car. He stood before the driver’s window as if blocking the view of passersby and peered in at Seheon.
“What brings you here?”
“Did you break your hand?”
At the random question, Yun Shin reflexively examined both his hands and shook his head. He wondered if it was a question about why he hadn’t called, but it didn’t seem to be. Because they hadn’t made any promise at all. That made his appearance all the more welcome and surprising. He was confused whether the emotion supporting this joy was merely fondness for Seheon or something more advanced touching upon it. Either way, he was happy.
“No. It’s fine.”
“Good. I can’t do the corny thing of getting out and opening the door for you. Get in.”
“Did you have to put it that way? You could have just said get in.”
“You rise to the bait every single time, so it’s fun. Stop nagging and get in.”
Yun Shin, chewing his red lips, immediately ran to the passenger seat. As he opened the door and sat down, looking at his sharp profile, Seheon rolled up the window and leaned over.
Of course, the people outside wouldn’t rudely stare into the car, but there were still many people around. He seemed ready to kiss without caring about such things. Feeling it wouldn’t do, Yun Shin carefully grabbed his wrist.
“Not here...”
When gently refused, Seheon narrowed his eyes and stared at Yun Shin. Then with his other free hand, he pulled the seatbelt and fastened it carefully, then twisted his captured wrist free. The moment he gripped the steering wheel again, Yun Shin roughly understood the situation. Embarrassed that he had jumped ahead and misunderstood alone, he turned his head sharply to the other side. His face was pale with shame, visible even in the glass reflection.
Having watched this entire sequence, Seheon gripped the steering wheel tightly and bit his lower lip. He held back a sudden surge of laughter, let out a deflating breath, and started driving. Yun Shin had worried he would openly mock him, but when he didn’t, Yun Shin’s stiff expression slowly softened.
How far had they gone? Yun Shin, blinking in embarrassment, mustered the courage to steal a glance at Seheon driving.
“How did you get here?”
“To take a hostage.”
“What are you going to do with me as a hostage?”
“Not sure. Still thinking. Tak Bi said you didn’t take your car, so I came while I was at it. I was getting off work anyway. We happen to live in the same neighborhood.”
“You came to pick me up? How did you know when the meeting would end?”
“You’d fill up the entire visiting hours the hospital allows, staying with them, then come out. Your type is obvious.”
It felt as if he was in the palm of his hand. It wasn’t like he didn’t know that. With no grounds to refute him, Yun Shin changed the subject.
“Have you had dinner?”
To this trivial question, Seheon responded in a surprisingly soft tone.
“Yeah, with a client. What about you?”
“I just grabbed something with the child’s parents. But why does the conversation flow so smoothly today? Snide remarks, sarcasm—you’ve got top-tier certifications in all of them. It’s awkward when you’re nice.”
Only then did he turn to Yun Shin, looking quite dumbfounded.
“Why are you being difficult even when you’re treated properly?”
“Some reflection on your usual cold and prickly attitude...”
“Not happening.”
“Weren’t commute hours your private time that you hated having interrupted?”
“I do. Still do.”
It didn’t sound like words said just to upset him. His expression and tone really seemed like he was having his private space invaded. Before, it hadn’t bothered him much when Seheon was cold, but strangely, Yun Shin felt a little hurt right now. Even knowing he was just answering honestly, it felt upsetting. He wasn’t used to getting hurt in relationships, so it was unfamiliar.
Unable to continue speaking, Yun Shin’s mouth closed. Before silence could engulf the space, Seheon added in a low, soon-stifled voice.
“You’re tolerable.”
His skinny shoulders flinched and rose steeply. This didn’t simply mean he alone was the exception. Seheon’s life still rolled on like a spinning wheel, but now it meant Yun Shin was inside it too. He had permitted this anomaly.
They say when you’re too surprised, you can’t react at all. That was exactly how he felt now. As if Seheon knew this well, he continued in a low, steady frequency.
“I know how you see me. Calculating, nitpicking, best at hurting people—you might be right about everything. But once I’ve decided, I don’t look back. We’ve crossed the line of being colleagues. Whatever you think, at least I’ve always wanted this.”
Yun Shin stared at Seheon’s profile as if mesmerized, and when he seemed about to turn his head, Yun Shin pointlessly averted his gaze to his own knee. He stared intently at his sharp kneecap protruding over his pants as if shining a light on it. Only when his eyes returned to the road ahead could Yun Shin steal glances at Seheon’s profile as before. As if feeling all that restless behavior, he continued speaking calmly.
“But having meaningful others in my life is unfamiliar. I’ve never been with someone else. The first time someone asked me to stay by their side was at a funeral.”
This was undoubtedly referring to himself. While Yun Shin’s lips moved, he added:
“Of course, where you stand is a transition period. If you plan to keep standing there, you’ll probably get swept up in the storm too.”
It seemed like a warning that he could hurt Yun Shin, and if so, they might both become overwhelmed. It also seemed to be advice to fall away from here if he lacked confidence.
Was he going on at length about being inept at deep relationships because he was a lawyer? Or was it because he was afraid inside?
Perhaps he really was a coward, just as Yun Shin suspected.
“You’re scaring me before we’ve even tried anything. But I’m different from you, Attorney.”
“Right. You’ve always had people around you in your life. If you want to be with me this time instead of those others, you’re tolerable, so you can interrupt my time.”
“...”
“Ask if you’re curious about anything else.”
It sounded like he would answer as carefully and sincerely as possible. At this unexpected timing, as if he had laid out a mat telling him to lie down, Yun Shin’s mind went blank and muddled about what to ask first. Taking a deep breath, Yun Shin asked carefully.
“This is a date, right? I never asked for one, but the Chief came to pick me up. Right?”
“You’d know better—you’re the one who recited today’s after-work schedule first.”
“You can only answer with yes or no.”
Instead of answering, a smile burst forth—fresh enough to be unimaginable as his. He was definitely the same Kang Seheon as yesterday, yet subtly different. He looked like he was enjoying being with Yun Shin. Enough for Yun Shin to readily believe it.
Soon, checking the watch on his left wrist, he tilted his head slightly.
“It’s a bit awkward for stopping anywhere.”
“Yes? No?”
As if asking childishly what this was all about, Seheon sent a gaze mixed with scolding and shook his head. Stung preemptively, Yun Shin backed down.
“Then buy me coffee in front of my house.”
“Fine.”
“Did you come because you missed me?”
Seheon’s lips closed briefly as he changed lanes. Each time his lips moved, the soft skin touching them rubbed together. The moment Yun Shin felt the urge to touch them with his finger to see how much heat they held, Seheon suddenly grabbed his tie.
“Ugh...”
His head was pulled toward the driver’s seat. Yun Shin widened his eyes and gauged the situation. Since he was driving, he couldn’t struggle recklessly and endanger them both. Stunned into staying still, Seheon leaned in while stopped at a light and kissed him.
Their lips met lightly with a smack, clinging like melted jelly before pulling apart. Flustered, Yun Shin wiped his lips with the back of his hand without thinking, and Seheon, as if annoyed, faced him again and kissed him deeper. The tip of his tongue slipped through the slight gap, subtly grazing even teeth before gradually retreating.
He then nonchalantly resumed driving as if nothing had happened. Seheon’s response through his body was far easier to understand than words. The feeling of being wanted by someone buoyed his spirits. Still, Yun Shin defended himself with empty words out of embarrassment.
“You could have just said so. What’s with the danger while driving?”
“Who do you think this is for?”
“I’m your hostage. You should protect me first.”
“Why would I, for someone who’d never like me even if they died and came back to life.”
He had said he hated losing games, and he seemed quite dissatisfied with what Yun Shin had said. His reaction—paying it back equally and then repeating it again just to be sure—was adorable. Yun Shin burst into a smile. From the dizzying depths of his chest, joy and fluttering excitement welled up like a rising tide reaching full moon.
“That statement comes with a premise.”
“You seemed quite resolute for that.”
“It’s a simple problem that gets solved if the Chief likes me first.”
“Or maybe I’ll give my heart, and you’ll never end up liking me.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Really? Then you already like me.”
The moment he heard that dull retort, a thought flashed in his mind—this isn’t right.
“Wait. You’re trying to make it seem like I confessed first again. I won’t fall for it twice.”
He didn’t bother denying it, just shrugged his shoulders. Yun Shin watched him quietly, then turned toward the window and invoked his right to remain silent. He traced his own reflection in the window and Seheon’s faint form with his eyes.
When with him, his heart gradually found stability. Even though the tension between him and Seheon remained. He naturally wanted to have leisure in their relationship too. A desire to get to know him in detail surged forth.
Truthfully, Yun Shin loved this moment with Seheon. He was happy he had come to pick him up. He had appeared without dismissing Yun Shin’s words to meet briefly tonight, and it thrilled him. When he kissed him, his heart raced. He didn’t dislike the clumsy parts. He was grateful for the leeway given only to him. That he was the first human to step on the fertile land Seheon had cultivated made his heart swell.
He carefully raised his hand and touched his lips, where Seheon’s texture still seemed to remain. It felt unusually soft.
“You’re tolerable, so you can interrupt my time.”
Recalling that permission, Yun Shin bit his lower lip and eventually pulled the corners of his mouth up smoothly.
* * *
Saying he needed to stop by a convenience store near home, Yun Shin sent Seheon ahead to the café and appeared a few minutes later.
Having expected to wait longer, Seheon had smoked a cigarette outside and was entering to order coffee when he ran into Yun Shin at the counter. He seemed to have run quite hard; despite the very chilly weather outside, beads of sweat dotted his smooth forehead. Seheon turned around, quite dumbfounded, and with a large hand swept back Yun Shin’s bangs, letting out a hollow laugh.
“Did you think I’d run away?”
Huff, huff. Yun Shin, catching his panting breath and repeatedly exhaling, finally answered.
“I just, my heart was in a hurry.”
“Afraid I’d wait? What an angel.”
“No, I was afraid the Chief would leave me behind. Even on a first date, if things go wrong, you’re someone who’d ruin it and then some... that can’t happen.”
“Someone who’d do what and then some?”
“You didn’t know? I don’t think you’re very good at self-objectification sometimes.”
As if he had no strength to answer further, Yun Shin shook the convenience store bag in his hand, then settled into his usual corner seat. Seheon, who had been staring at Yun Shin in bewilderment, only sat beside him after receiving his ordered coffee. He set down the cup with a clack and observed Yun Shin wiping his forehead with the back of his hand as if piercing through him. Then he opened his mouth. His tone was relatively calm.
“Let’s check your liver levels.”
“I’m healthy. I submitted my health exam before joining.”
“No, let me see how swollen it is. I’m very curious about the results.”
Instead of answering, Yun Shin stared at Seheon and bit his lower lip tightly. He seemed to be internally agonizing over whether to retort or not. Then he gave up and put the convenience store bag on the table.
Inside were lemon-flavored candies to soothe the throat, ointment, cotton swabs, and band-aids. He took out the candies and put them in his jacket, then unwrapped the medical supplies and extended his hand toward Seheon.
Looking down at his palm, which still held some redness from the temperature difference, he jerked his chin.
“So what?”
“Give me your hand. I need to change your band-aid.”
“I’m going home soon anyway, I’ll wash up, there’s no need.”
“If I change it now, we can stay together longer than you think. Hurry and give it here.”
Since Seheon didn’t readily offer it, Yun Shin took a more proactive approach. As if completely forgetting the warning not to touch him carelessly, he pulled that large hand toward himself. He then peeled off the band-aid wrapped around his long index finger.
“What happened to the one I put on? Crocodile.”
“You’re still wearing the one from this morning? Guess you have no concept of hygiene.”
“Your hands are always clean and neat, Chief. I’ve felt it from the start. You wash them often, yet despite that they’re soft... It doesn’t seem like you use anything. Is it your constitution?”
The burn from hot water remaining at the tip of his long finger had almost healed. Relieved, Yun Shin squeezed ointment onto a cotton swab and applied it to the red spot. While he very carefully opened a new band-aid and covered the spot, Seheon said nothing. Having neatly stuck the ends of the bright yellow sticker, Yun Shin was about to let go when he suddenly rounded his finger over Seheon’s neatly trimmed nails.
Feeling his hand flinch, Yun Shin panicked and lost his grip. But this time, Seheon reached out and held on again. Their fingers clumsily hooked together like interlocking clasps. He pushed his fingertips into the valleys between Yun Shin’s fingers, pinching the soft flesh.
“Chief?”
His face red, Yun Shin reflexively looked around to see if anyone was watching. It was a corner seat, and as always, there was almost no one around. However, at the end of the table behind Seheon, a young woman was studying with her laptop open. She was some distance away and had something in her ears, so she probably couldn’t hear them, but it was still risky to do this in the neighborhood.
Thinking he needed to push him away before the strange atmosphere was noticed, he twisted his hand. But strangely, he couldn’t put any strength into it. His voice naturally shrank.
“Ugh, let go now...”
“You’re the one who started it.”
He tried to argue when he had done that, but his mouth quickly closed. From a certain perspective, everything he had done while holding Seheon’s finger could have felt that way. No, in a way, it was a perfect formula. Looking back, while he had been completely absorbed in changing the band-aid, Seheon had been staring at him quite persistently.
Troubled, Yun Shin averted his eyes and continued to look over Seheon’s shoulder. Whether knowing he was checking their surroundings, Seheon glanced back and then released his hand with an unhappy look. Yun Shin unnecessarily rubbed his own neck with his palm and cleared his throat. Then he took a sip of the warm coffee Seheon had ordered for him. But the taste was different from what he had imagined.
Frowning slightly, Yun Shin protested to Seheon.
“Didn’t I ask you to order a hot café latte?”
Seheon tasted the black Americano in his own mug cup and replied nonchalantly. The yellow band-aid on his finger suited him absurdly well.
“I did.”
“What’s with this intense syrup taste?”
“Do you like it?”
“I do, but would I ask with this expression? Why do you torment me like this, so childishly.”
“I like that your saliva tastes sweet when we kiss.”
Startled, Yun Shin covered Seheon’s mouth with his palm. Then Seheon shot him an intense look asking what he was doing. Hesitating, Yun Shin reluctantly removed his hand. Then, as if checking, he touched Seheon’s smooth forehead. He had endured it once, but not a second time. Smack. He cruelly swatted Yun Shin’s hand away.
“What are you doing now. Don’t touch.”
“You’re getting emotional right now.”
“I’m not emotional, which is why you’re not hurt. Think logically.”
“Seeing how you’re crossing the line when there’s someone nearby, I wondered if you’re feeling unwell somewhere. If you lose your mind sometimes or something...”
Tsk, clicking his tongue, he leaned toward Yun Shin and spoke as if whispering, but very clearly.
“You might think it’s over when you let go. But once you touch me, I want to keep fumbling. I warned you. I’m not used to not being able to control myself. If I flip and start unbuttoning your shirt right here, that’s half your responsibility. If you understand what I’m saying, nod.”
He seemed to mean that he didn’t know his own limit speed, so if Yun Shin was burdened by external displays like this, he shouldn’t keep pressing the switch. Nodding, Yun Shin asked out of pure curiosity.
“What if I wanted something platonic?”
“You’d better find another partner.”
“Have you ever imagined sleeping with me? I’ve been wondering...”
“I’m doing it right now.”
“What?”
“You’ve been naked since earlier. And you just got fucked by me.”
He had suspected as much, but hadn’t expected such a raw-form answer. Surprised, Yun Shin’s mouth shut tight. His cheeks reddened, beginning to resemble the color of his lips. Watching that figure head-on, Seheon added in a low voice, as if tempting him.
“Every time I thrust in, you’re drooling and panting. You must like it.”
Their clearly met gaze was intense enough to be burdensome. Though the tone was subtle, the content was quite explicit, so Yun Shin swallowed dryly. Shame surged and he quietly lowered his head. Then Seheon glanced at his red ears and finished his coffee as if to stop. He seemed to feel he had to stop here. Silence lingered.
Having developed a certain sense of psychological crisis, the two simultaneously turned toward the window to cool the suddenly erotic atmosphere. They soon admired the night scenery outside the window.
Sitting side by side watching the night view was far more romantic than expected.
When Yun Shin first entered the law firm, his clothes had been thin, but now the weather was reaching winter. It felt like seasons had passed twice. Many things had happened in that time. While reflecting on the past events flashing by like a kaleidoscope, Seheon suddenly spoke.
“What are you planning to do about the blind date after?”
Ah. A sigh like an exclamation slipped through his slightly parted lips. He had been drunk on the sweet air and forgotten reality for a moment. Stealing a glance at Seheon’s mood, Yun Shin answered full of apology.
“Of course I have to put an end to it. But I can’t wrap it up cleanly right away.”
“Why.”
“I have my circumstances. I need some time before I can bring myself to reject her. I’m really sorry. But I’ll never see her again, so I hope you’ll wait a bit.”
Thinking only of the position they had confirmed with each other, he knew he should reject her as soon as possible. No, he should have already cleanly ended it. They hadn’t completely read each other’s deep inner thoughts, but they had crossed the ridge anyway, so that was the best path for everyone.
However, his relationship with her wasn’t simply a man-woman matter, so he couldn’t bear to separate his sister from the situation and cut it off right away. Unless his sister’s situation changed overnight, he didn’t know if an answer would come out later either. Given Seheon’s personality of clear-cut endings, he wouldn’t understand Yun Shin having caused this situation.
“You can’t accept this, can you.”
Instead of answering, he remained silent for a while as if lost in deep thought. He seemed to be guessing why Yun Shin was like this. Then he opened his mouth calmly.
“If a guy like you is stringing things along here and there, there must be circumstances. You don’t seem willing to tell me in detail. This means generally honest you is controlling the pace out of necessity. So it must be quite a complicated problem.”
“You can curse at me.”
“Because you want to feel better?”
That was exactly it. He had known from the start that Seheon would see through him.
“You won’t, right?”
“I plead the Fifth.”
The usual him would have hurled more colorful abuse, or subtly mocked and scolded, or directly stepped in to demand the situation be sorted out immediately. But at this moment, Seheon did none of that. Instead, he exuded a nuance of understanding Yun Shin’s cowardice. He seemed to know something, or perhaps was just being capricious. Whatever the case, he gave an ambiguous answer, drank a bit more coffee, and leisurely turned his body again. He seemed to have suddenly remembered a topic.
“You went to the hospital. How’s the kid?”
Recalling the case materials he had seen in Seheon’s office once, Yun Shin replied as if probing.
“I haven’t reported on the case yet, but I get the feeling the Chief already knows everything.”
“Exactly. Since you don’t, I have to find out myself. I’m already busy to death, so don’t add to my workload and report properly.”
Dumbfounded, Yun Shin tilted his head. When he first joined the firm, he had received several work rules through Secretary Tak. Recalling that memory, he defended himself.
“I heard pro bono cases don’t need to be reported to superiors.”
“I make the rules. You report everything to me unconditionally.”
“Only me?”
“Yes, only you.”
Yun Shin opened his lips to ask why. But before he could speak, Seheon stole the initiative and added.
“You’ll ask why. Because I want to know. Report everywhere you go from now on. Even one omission, and I dock your salary by 10 million won.”
“Then you do the same, Chief. I won’t ask what you do 24 hours, but at least where you go on outings... on holidays, or when you’re out on business.”
“Depends on the situation.”
“I’m unconditional? That’s unfair.”
“If it’s unfair, become an associate attorney.”
“This is separate from rank.”
“No. To me it’s an extension. You have both the duty and responsibility to obey my orders.”
Honestly, he had known Seheon would say that. From the start, Seheon allowed himself many things he didn’t allow others. Having inwardly decided to adapt to this fixed hierarchical relationship, Yun Shin had grown used to it. Since he said he’d tell him what was necessary depending on the situation, it might be better than the worst-case scenario. He glared at him but eventually compromised as if he had no choice.
“The child is fine. The mother’s side graduated from the same elementary school as my cousin. We talked about that, and later I subtly brought up settlement talks. Fortunately, it seems it’ll be resolved well. I’ll get the maximum settlement amount and deliver a sincere apology.”
Before he even finished everything he wanted to say, disappointment was already evident on Seheon’s face. He touched his forehead with a large hand as if annoyed. Yun Shin had no idea why, since he was answering questions about the case’s progress.
“Why that expression?”
“Why are we back to square one?”
“What?”
“This time you can’t even grasp the problem. Is it because I’ve been too lenient? I’ve explained repeatedly over months. You’re a Doguk person now, so you need to properly distinguish between ally and enemy.”
It wasn’t an angry tone. If anything, it was rather emotionless. But clearly, there was some reproach within it. Listening to the answer and thinking it over, Yun Shin roughly grasped Seheon’s thoughts. He had been teaching and training him in the qualities of a big law firm attorney and was finally trying to use him on solicitation cases, but Yun Shin’s attitude had returned to victim-centrism, making him feel it was futile. As they say, seeing one reveals ten; he was pointing out Yun Shin’s fundamental attitude.
He actually had excuses. Attorney Song had personally requested a clean resolution, so he had only thought about how to smooth things over. At the same time, he had sought a way to embrace the injured child’s pain. But he understood that in the end, it wouldn’t look favorable in Seheon’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. But I did my best...”
“You probably did. For the victim.”
“I considered the client’s position too. You don’t have to believe me, but it’s the truth.”
“Ha, can I even give you work? This is a small public interest case, but my cases have higher stakes.”
“I can do it. I’ll prove it.”
Seheon probably wanted to retort that the basic attitude shouldn’t differ whether the case was big or small. But instead of responding that way and making the subtly uncomfortable atmosphere even sharper, he held his tongue. He didn’t want to waste this brief moment alone together like that. Only then did he truly realize he was dating him.
Whether knowing this or not, Seheon, who had been quietly watching Yun Shin, calmly opened his mouth.
“Attorney Song hates embarrassing situations very much. He pretends to be nice but is more coldly judgmental than me when it matters. Wrap it up well.”
Yun Shin, chewing over Seheon’s advice as if engraving it in his bones, suddenly felt a sense of disparity and paused.
“You call him senior there?”
“Is there a problem?”
“You asked me if I’d slept with him, treating him as someone you could turn your back on anytime despite being that close? I wonder who you trust, Chief.”
He had expected Seheon to gloss over this question as usual, or vaguely deflect. Because Seheon didn’t enjoy curiosity about private matters. But today was different.
He seemed to have much to contemplate, staring seriously at his reflection in the window. Not satisfied with that, he rested his chin in his hand and sank deep into thought. Yun Shin felt he needed time and waited silently, drinking his sweet coffee.
“I like that your saliva tastes sweet when we kiss.”
Recal