Boundless Love

15.

Haseo urgently shouted as he saw Choi Mujin entering the bathroom stall.

“This, this isn’t right!”

Even though no one was around now, what if someone came in later? Haseo waved his hands in panic, but he couldn’t overpower Choi Mujin. Before he knew it, Haseo was sitting on the toilet, facing Choi Mujin’s exposed underwear.

“Can’t we just do this at home?”

“Like this?”

Choi Mujin was being deliberately difficult.

“Aren’t you the one who should be embarrassed?”

“Not really. By the way, do you know my name?”

“Yes, I know it.”

Haseo wasn’t sure what to call him. He had called him “Mr. Choi” at first, but now he wasn’t sure if that was still appropriate, given Choi Mujin’s status. Choi Mujin offered an alternative.

“If you don’t want to use my name, you can call me ‘hyung’.”

“…Hyung?”

“I don’t mind it.”

Haseo closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again. Choi Mujin’s smiling face was incredibly charming, and Haseo’s heart raced. Why was his heart pounding like this? He suspected he might be sick. His grandmother was in the hospital, so maybe it was genetic.

Haseo ran a hand through his hair and then, without further hesitation, unzipped Choi Mujin’s pants. He decided to get it over with quickly. His heart was racing because he was in a confined space with a scary person, he told himself. He looked at Choi Mujin’s exposed genitals with a blurred gaze and started to stroke them with his hand. As it hardened, he took it into his mouth.

Haseo swallowed hard. He didn’t enjoy giving blowjobs, but if it meant getting more money, he would do it.

“Ugh.”

He moaned as Choi Mujin’s genitals filled his mouth. He looked up and saw Choi Mujin frowning down at him. Then, Choi Mujin’s gloved hand gently stroked Haseo’s hair.

“Cough!”

The gentle touch startled Haseo, and he choked. He quickly pulled out Choi Mujin’s genitals to avoid biting them with his teeth. Choi Mujin had been so different just a moment ago.

“Cough, cough.”

Haseo coughed several times, and Choi Mujin patted his back. The gesture was meant to be comforting, but it only made Haseo more excited.

‘Why?’

Haseo finally stopped coughing, but the mood had already changed. Choi Mujin had put his genitals away, and Haseo stood in front of the sink, dazed. He rinsed his mouth with cold water and splashed some on his face. That helped him feel a bit more alert. He looked in the mirror and saw his foolish expression.

“Are you okay?”

Choi Mujin stroked Haseo’s hair again, and Haseo’s heart started racing once more.

“I, I think I might be sick.”

“Where?”

“Where?”

His chest hurt, but he didn’t say it out loud.

“You should take care of your health. You don’t have much stamina, and you’ve been working nonstop. It’s no wonder you’re not feeling well.”

“You’re right.”

Haseo nodded.

“I’ll pay for your medical expenses, so get a health checkup. I don’t have a hobby of cleaning up corpses.”

The benefits were amazing.

“Yes.”

Haseo obediently replied and then followed Choi Mujin out of the bathroom without another word. He got into the car, where Park Dongsu was waiting in the driver’s seat.

“Hello.”

Haseo greeted him and then realized he was still wearing his work uniform.

“My clothes! I need to return the uniform!”

Haseo panicked, but Choi Mujin waved his hand dismissively.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Haseo felt a bit relieved. Choi Mujin spent a lot of money on a single night out, so the cost of a uniform wouldn’t be an issue.

“Let’s go.”

Park Dongsu started the car.

“Let’s stop by this guy’s place first.”

Choi Mujin gave the order, and Park Dongsu acknowledged it.

“Understood.”

Haseo hadn’t given them his address, but he wasn’t surprised. People like them would have investigated his background thoroughly. He leaned back in his seat, feeling the warmth of the car. He was so tired that he soon fell asleep.

The car stopped near Haseo’s neighborhood. The streets were narrow and winding, so they had to walk the rest of the way.

“It looks like we’ll have to walk from here.”

Park Dongsu got out of the car, and Choi Mujin looked at the sleeping Haseo before getting out as well. This neighborhood was familiar to him. He had grown up here and had visited several times because of someone he cared about.

“Ugh.”

Haseo woke up and rubbed his eyes. Park Dongsu opened the car door for him.

“Would you like me to escort you?”

Haseo shook his head.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t have much to bring.”

He got out of the car and started walking up the dark, narrow path. Choi Mujin watched him for a moment before turning to Park Dongsu.

“Should I follow him?”

Park Dongsu asked Choi Mujin, who shook his head.

“No, I’ll go. You wait here.”

Choi Mujin quickly caught up to Haseo.

“Huh? Why did you come out?”

Haseo asked, surprised.

“You didn’t have to. I was going to come back anyway. I can’t pass up an opportunity to make more money.”

He grumbled but kept glancing back at Choi Mujin.

“Do you know this neighborhood?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You seem familiar with it.”

“I am.”

They walked in silence for a while, and then Haseo saw a familiar blue gate. It had been recently repainted, and there wasn’t a single scratch on it. Choi Mujin stared at it for a moment before turning away.

Haseo was out of breath by the time they reached his house at the top of the hill. He opened the rusty metal door and stepped inside. The house was small and shabby, but it held many memories for him. He quickly gathered his belongings, stuffing them into a worn cardboard box.

“Have you always lived here?”

“Yes, why? Is it too shabby for you?”

Haseo asked sarcastically, but Choi Mujin replied calmly.

“No, I’ve lived in worse places. This place is clean.”

“…Worse places? Where?”

“This neighborhood. I was born here too.”

Haseo was surprised.

“There are worse places than my house in this neighborhood?”

“If you don’t clean, it can get that bad.”

Haseo finished packing his things. He wanted to say more, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t know whether to praise Choi Mujin for his achievements or offer him sympathy for his past struggles. Choi Mujin’s voice held no trace of nostalgia or regret.

“I’m ready.”

Haseo held a small, worn cardboard box.

“Don’t you have a bag?”

“This is all I can carry. I bought a bag at the market last time, but it ripped.”

Choi Mujin took the box from Haseo.

“It’s light.”

Haseo didn’t have much to pack—just some clothes and a few personal items. Choi Mujin carried the box out of the house.

“Let’s go.”

Haseo followed him silently. The walk down the hill was easier than the walk up, but he still had to be careful not to slip.

“How much is your rent?”

“50,000 won per month.”

“That’s cheap.”

The house had a kitchen, one room, and a single water tap for washing. The toilet was outside. But the landlord had been kind to Haseo, lowering the rent after his grandmother was hospitalized.

‘If I make it big someday, I’ll repay their kindness.’

The landlord had said that, but Haseo wasn’t sure if that day would ever come.