Pig Government Official

-57-

Pretending not to like it while actually enjoying it, Jeonggwan pouted and slowly relaxed his arm. Naturally, his hand remained intertwined with Junjae’s. However, Jeonggwan quickly pulled his hand away when Junjae let his guard down. Simultaneously, disappointment flashed across Junjae’s face, but Jeonggwan ignored it, crossing his arms and speaking primly.

“Only I can do this.”

“…Do what?”

“Holding hands. Won Junjae-ssi needs my permission to hold my hand.”

“…Why?”

“Because that’s how I want it.”

A chuckle rippled through Junjae’s throat. Oh, wow. How can even this man’s laughter be so attractive? Jeonggwan inwardly showered praises at the low, laughter-tinged vibration that only he could hear. Even his laugh feels like it was designed by AI. Can a human really be this perfect? When he or Gwan-Jihoon laughed, it was loud and boisterous, making people say they could hear them coming from 300 meters away when they were in school…

Jeonggwan felt a bit of a crisis. To think such a perfect man wasn’t his yet. Ahem. Gauging Junjae’s reaction, Jeonggwan thought it was time to deploy the brainwashing strategy he had devised last night.

“Shall we listen to some music-?”

Jeonggwan awkwardly suggested, boldly fiddling with the car’s dashboard. Then, using the Bluetooth connection that Junjae had never used before, he quickly connected his phone to Junjae’s car. This was always the first thing he did when riding in Jihoon’s car, but this time it was part of Jeonggwan’s plan.

“Pop quiz.”

“…”

“What’s the title of this song that was a big hit before and fits our situation perfectly?”

Along with Jeonggwan’s question, a very familiar melody began playing through the car speakers. Perhaps because it was an expensive car, even though it wasn’t a grand song, the low, deep bass sounded majestic.

“…I don’t listen to music.”

“What? How do you live without fun? So boring.”

“…”

“But your face is super fun-!”

Jeonggwan’s giggles echoed in the car. A smile spread across Junjae’s lips as he glanced at Jeonggwan. Look at him laughing without even knowing what it means. Does he realize he’s complimenting himself? At Jeonggwan’s muttering, Junjae smiled again. In fact, Junjae didn’t even know it was a compliment. He just found it funny that Jeonggwan was cracking up by himself. Jeonggwan, who had been humming along with the song, sang along quite loudly at the highlight, seemingly knowing the lyrics, despite being in front of Junjae.

“These days, it seems like mine but not mine-.”

“…”

“What? You don’t know this song?”

“…The lyrics are unique.”

What a real cultural illiterate. Even my mom and dad know this song. Jeonggwan’s gaze scanned Junjae up and down as if he had discovered a peculiar oddball. Do rich people intentionally not listen to these things because of their image? But that’s not it… When I go to karaoke with Gwan-Jihoon, there’s an intense battle for the microphone…

“Do you know what this song is called?”

“…What is it?”

“Some.”

“…”

“Do you know what ‘some’ means?”

What? You don’t know? Jeonggwan asked, but Junjae just looked ahead without answering. Does he not know? Does he know? What’s going on? As Jeonggwan was about to turn his head to glare at Junjae, he noticed Junjae’s ears gradually turning bright red.

“You do know.”

“…”

“You’re naughty.”

Seeing Junjae blink rapidly as if flustered by Jeonggwan’s words, Jeonggwan giggled again. Ah, Won Junjae, your expressions are so obvious-. With his cheekbones seemingly about to fly to the sky, Jeonggwan turned his gaze to the window, a smile still on his lips. I’m dying of happiness seeing this handsome man being shy. Brainwashing strategy Chapter A. Great success. Jeonggwan was in such a good mood that he unconsciously nodded his head while humming along to the song.

“…”

Junjae just blinked, looking ahead, and as the traffic light conveniently turned red, he stopped the car and discreetly turned his head to look at Jeonggwan’s profile. He noticed the round, white cheekbones that were raised high in happiness and the lips that were moving, chattering and humming. Those lips that had flustered Junjae yesterday.

So this is what they call… “some.” Of course, Junjae knew what “some” meant. The exploration phase that couples supposedly go through before dating. Junjae felt his heart sink a little again. Before dating… Me, before dating Kim Jeonggwan? In fact, he should have strongly denied it, saying it was nonsense, but

“Tell me quickly-y-y-y-!”

For some reason, he didn’t want to deny it. Junjae was aware of the glances he’d been getting lately. They say Won Junjae is interested in some pig these days. They say he goes to see that pig every day. They say he even went to see it at dawn yesterday. All of his actions were quickly becoming fodder for gossip mongers, with no secrets. That’s why he dressed as usual today. There had been a summons from his father early in the morning. His father had been so angry that he was postponing today’s blind date to go see that pig-like omega, that if his mother hadn’t stopped him, he would have been ready to throw a flower pot at Junjae.

‘This is what they mean by the trusted axe cutting one’s foot. Why should I hear that you’ve fallen for someone who doesn’t match you in education, family background, or looks? You’re truly smearing mud on my face. Go to the blind date today immediately. I’ll smooth things over with Chairman Kyung.’

Junjae had been no different. He had thought exactly the same about Kim Jeonggwan as his father, down to the last detail. That this pig was someone who didn’t suit him in any way. That you and I are different kinds of people. But strangely, every time I see you, every time you smile. You make me weird. You make me want to deny what I’ve denied about you. The things you’ve said, even if they might be nothing to you, all hit me hard. I always thought I lived in a different world from others.

“Sigh… It’s still a masterpiece even after years.”

“…”

“How is it? The song’s good, right?”

You make me think I’m living in the same world as you. Maybe I too… can live like you.

So, normally, he would have apologized to his father like an idiot, unable to breathe properly, saying he would do as told. But today, for some reason, was a bit different. Of course, he still felt suffocated and couldn’t raise his voice to his father, but

‘…Please, don’t say that.’

For the first time, he voiced an opposing opinion to his father. It wasn’t even done consciously; it just suddenly came out of his mouth. He was surprised at himself for saying it, and he could clearly see how shocked his mother and father were.

He doesn’t know what will happen now. His angry father might call in Won Seongje again to provoke him, or he might just set a wedding date without even having him go to the blind date. But strangely, he wasn’t worried at all. It felt like everything would be okay now.

“…It’s nice.”

* * *

Jeonggwan cut the raspberry macaron, which was quite large compared to regular macarons with six raspberries embedded in the cream, into six pieces. He offered a piece to Junjae on a fork, telling him to try it.

“…”

However, Junjae didn’t readily accept it and just stared at it. As if it shouldn’t enter his mouth. Watching this, Jeonggwan seemed to recall something and nodded, saying “Ah-.” He then brought that piece to his own mouth. Then, with a suddenly fierce frown, he asked Junjae:

“Is it true that you didn’t eat the dessert made by the Tokyo Confectionery School professor?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Gwan-Jihoon said that Won Junjae-ssi hasn’t eaten desserts since childhood because they’re too sweet. Even desserts made by a Tokyo Confectionery School professor.”

Junjae’s eyes showed a hint of amusement at Jeonggwan’s cross-examination with narrowed eyes. As if to say, is this why you’re making such a serious face? But Jeonggwan didn’t miss this and frowned even more, saying how can you laugh when this is such an important matter.

“…I just. I haven’t liked sweet things since I was young.”

“That’s what I mean. How is that possible? You should like them when you’re young.”

“…”

“I’ve always had snacks at home, both when I was young and now.”

“…Didn’t you get scolded?”

“I did. But what can you do when you want to eat? You eat while getting scolded, that’s what.”

Jeonggwan might have been mistaken, but Junjae’s eyes seemed to waver for a moment.

“I told you before. That I talked back while lying down.”

“…”

“Anyway, try to like sweet things from now on.”

“…”

“Because you have to go eat them with me.”

Junjae remained silent, just looking down at Jeonggwan. What is it? Does he dislike going to eat sweet things that much? This won’t do. Dessert cafes are essential for dates, so we must go…

“It’s non-negotiable.”

When Jeonggwan spoke firmly as if this was something he couldn’t compromise on, Junjae smiled briefly at him. But that smile was somewhat…

“…Okay.”

Should I say it looked lonely? Jeonggwan quietly stared at Junjae without saying more. From the perspective of Jeonggwan, who claimed to have level 300 emotional intelligence, this wasn’t about disliking going to eat sweet things.

“…”

One of Jeonggwan’s eyebrows raised. This was… how should I put it, a smile of Won Junjae realizing something disheartening? It’s too abstract to express properly, but anyway, for a moment just now, Won Junjae looked very fragile and precarious.

“Let’s eat together.”

Jeonggwan offered the piece of macaron on the fork again. Whatever had made him feel disheartened, this seemed to be the best Jeonggwan could do right now. Eating something delicious together to cheer up.

“…”

Junjae’s eyes deepened as he looked at Jeonggwan.