Speak of The Devil

It was unfortunate that although his heart was full of desire, it was difficult to find a suitable partner who caught his eye more than he had expected. Even though he thought a face and body that matched his preferences would be enough. There were plenty of decent men who showed interest in him, but none of them seemed to fit his liking. So he realized one thing. Lee Nan seemed to fit his taste more than he had thought.In the end, unable to decide on a partner, Jung Yiyeon had no choice but to come out in a discomforting state with the accumulated desires unresolved to an unpleasant extent. He ended up just drinking alcohol awkwardly without any purpose. He thought it might be better to just go home and get some sleep.But why at that moment?“Mr. Jung Yiyeon?”Why on earth?“Mr. Jung Yiyeon.”Was it a chance encounter with Lee Nan?In a dimly lit alleyway away from the busiest main street, the person looking at him with widened eyes was Lee Nan. He was not wearing a suit, but jeans and a t-shirt, making him look younger. Perhaps that’s why Jung Yiyeon momentarily froze. So he couldn’t resist when Lee Nan grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer.Pushing Jung Yiyeon against the wall, the man kissing him had a strong smell of alcohol emanating from him. Just the smell made Jung Yiyeon feel intoxicated. Lee Nan, who licked his lips and sucked his tongue, was like a poisonous drink himself. It was hot and dizzying as if he had just drunk high-proof whiskey.Perhaps because he was drunk. Perhaps because the pent-up libido had surged impulsively. Jung Yiyeon grabbed Lee Nan. Unable to resist anymore, he couldn’t bear to see Lee Nan looking up at him with moist lips, pressing him for another kiss.Jung Yiyeon took him to a nearby motel as soon as he could. Even though his rationality constantly rang alarms, he couldn’t let go of the man’s wrist as he staggered along, following him without enthusiasm.As they entered the cheap, dingy room, Jung Yiyeon pushed Lee Nan onto the bed. Lee Nan, who was so drunk, couldn’t even control his body properly. Who and why did he drink so much with? The question crossed Jung Yiyeon’s mind, but he consciously ignored it. He only undressed the man, whose legs were wobbly, and spread them apart.This shouldn’t be happening. He was a rejected partner who wouldn’t accept his affection. A person who quit his job and left the company because of him. He shouldn’t be touched… But ignoring the warnings in his mind, his hands were gripping Lee Nan’s buttocks. There was no hesitation in widening and entering where he should not be going. In fact, there wasn’t even enough room to accommodate properly.“Ah…!”More urgently than ever before, Jung Yiyeon delved into Lee Nan. His eyes, blurred with intoxication, trembled, and a deep furrow formed on his forehead. The man beneath him, as if unable to endure the pain, gnawed on his lips and writhed beneath him.But Jung Yiyeon couldn’t stop. Suppressing his flailing limbs, he thrust deeply into him. It wasn’t easy to penetrate the tight, contracting walls, but the pleasure was overwhelming.The stifled moans of agony rang in his ears. The spread thighs even twitched with spasms. The man, who writhed under Jung Yiyeon, had no softness at all due to his unrelenting movements. But that, too, was only temporary.“Ugh, hnngh…!”Lee Nan’s hand moved downwards. Gripping the softened member due to the rough insertion and movement. As Jung Yiyeon’s movements shook him, Lee Nan excited himself. Wet sounds mixed in between the friction of flesh against flesh. Gradually, his body began to accept Jung Yiyeon more smoothly.What should I really do with this? Amidst the blend of heat, pleasure, and drunkenness, Jung Yiyeon was stunned. Lee Nan squeezing his buttocks and gripping his own member to match his movements… Just watching was overly erotic. The fact that he was watching made something feel precarious. It was like choking. His insides felt stifling as if he had swallowed something hot, and his throat was blocked.Then, the moment their eyes met.As if the intoxication cleared, he looked at him, and in that moment, he saw the incessantly trembling black pupils. Jung Yiyeon felt something hardening or freezing inside him. What it was, he didn’t know. But one thing was certain—it was extremely dangerous. Both the emotions he felt and the presence of Lee Nan in front of him.Today is the last day. This is the last time. He wouldn’t do such stupid things again.While resolving, Jung Yiyeon couldn’t stop. He wished for this time to end quickly. At the same time, selfishly, knowing it’s the last, he wanted to enjoy it a little longer. Jung Yiyeon felt disillusioned with his own contradictory attitude. While doing something reprehensible to Lee Nan, he couldn’t stop because of his own desires. It made his head spin.After finishing, Jung Yiyeon disposed of the condom and slipped on his clothes. He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, gasping for breath. Damn it. Swearing that he rarely used seemed like it would burst out of his mouth. He couldn’t put into words the wretchedness of the current situation, now that his sexual desires were sated.If only he could hear Lee Nan’s breathing, now as rough as his own. Jung Yiyeon got up from his seat. Since he couldn’t figure out what to say to Lee Nan, he didn’t say a word. It wasn’t the right time for that. Neither Lee Nan nor himself should have been like this.With bone-deep regret, Jung Yiyeon fled the motel as if running away. He was furious. Furious at himself, at Lee Nan. After the intoxication and lust had disappeared, all that remained was discomfort.There would never be such an incident again. He wouldn’t accidentally encounter anyone like today. He wouldn’t even step foot in that neighborhood. He would make sure to never get involved with Lee Nan again.Throughout the journey home, Jung Yiyeon made promise after promise to himself.But life never goes as one desires. One night, his phone rang, and Jung Yiyeon received a message. Why was he holding his phone to see such a message? As if he had been waiting for a contact.There would never be a meeting with Lee Nan. Reaffirming this once again, Jung Yiyeon ignored the message. He didn’t feel good about the unnecessary message. He felt frustrated and suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue, so he decided to leave work. Jung Yiyeon put on his jacket and left the office.And as he was about to head home.While waiting at a red light, Jung Yiyeon took out his phone again.His hand sent a reply automatically. Damn it, this shouldn’t be happening. He knew it shouldn’t, yet he couldn’t stop.Maybe it was because he had been accumulating desires for a few days since having sex with Lee Nan. This would truly be the last time. Maybe he wouldn’t even have sex if they met again. He would apologize for before and tell Lee Nan not to contact him again. That’s why they were meeting. Jung Yiyeon deceived and rationalized to himself with unreasonable excuses.But the moment he spotted Lee Nan waiting for him on the roadside. The sight of the man with reddened cheeks getting into his car and the strong smell of alcohol filling his nostrils. This time, even the luxury of going to a motel disappeared. Since it was late, Jung Yiyeon found a discreet place and parked his car.This is the last time. Jung Yiyeon truly vowed that this would be the last time. He scolded himself for smelling the alcohol emanating from the man sitting on his lap with his member inside him, and wondered who he had been drinking with, feeling unnecessary discomfort. This relentless pounding without any conversation, without any consideration for the other party, had to be the last time.Both Lee Nan, who couldn’t let go despite the pain, and himself, who indulged in his greed despite knowing it caused pain, were not normal. Even the kisses they shared were not normal.This is the last time. This time is really the last time. Truly, the last time.Last.Last.After countless repetitions of last sex, Jung Yiyeon finally admitted that he was addicted to this sex like a drug. He even went so far as to designate the residence as their meeting place and summon Lee Nan.He was aware that something was wrong. He questioned why he couldn’t ignore Lee Nan’s calls, but he couldn’t find an answer. Without facing the reasons, his body was drawn to Lee Nan.Mistakes tend to become familiar when repeated.At that point, Jung Yiyeon thought it wouldn’t be a big problem to continue this relationship as long as Lee Nan wanted it. After all, didn’t Jung Yiyeon want a partner who could satisfy his desires without being bound by the name of love?Knowing this about himself, if Lee Nan wanted him, Jung Yiyeon judged that it wouldn’t be bad.Of course, there were times when he felt disgust towards his selfish self. It wasn’t pleasant that Lee Nan always smelled of alcohol. It was also concerning to see Lee Nan’s body gradually withering in his arms.But Jung Yiyeon consciously tried not to care. He made cowardly excuses, saying that tender attitudes would become a torture for him. He selfishly took advantage of Lee Nan, hoping Lee Nan would leave first.Sometimes he felt like waiting for a message, but he attributed it to lust. He believed his emotions were always within controllable boundaries.Until he saw Lee Nan’s tears.That day, Jung Yiyeon was a little angry. He was surprised by the sudden phone call. It was a day when all the relatives gathered. He was startled when the person who usually sent messages suddenly called, and when he heard that they wanted to see him, he suddenly felt choked up.Something heavy pressed on his chest.At first, he had no intention of going. He didn’t want to be swayed, and he didn’t want to swing Lee Nan with an indecisive attitude. But after the call ended with a promise to wait, Jung Yiyeon couldn’t keep his composure.Since Lee Nan had never said he would wait like this before. Eventually, Jung Yiyeon couldn’t help but go to Lee Nan.He was angry at himself for reluctantly going to Lee Nan. He was also furious at trying to rationalize going to see what happened to Lee Nan, arguing that there was no problem in just checking.What the hell was going on with Lee Nan? When he arrived at the residence with these thoughts, Lee Nan seemed perfectly fine.His expression was a bit strange. He looked like a dog drenched in rain. It seemed like a soaked dog unable to enter the house, looking at its owner and wagging its tail happily.Now, is it possible that he’s been swayed by a man who doesn’t have a spine and came all the way here to indulge in alcohol? Although there was no smell of alcohol from Lee Nan, Jung Yiyeon misunderstood. It was embarrassing to realize how easily he fell for an unexpected phone call.This is really dangerous now. Jung Yiyeon finally realized that the water that had been rippling near his ankles had risen to his chin. He had come too far and too much.He wanted to leave. But such an attitude provoked Lee Nan, and with a pale, horrified face, Lee Nan sharply revealed his emotions. Questions like “Have you ever cared about my feelings?” and “Didn’t you come here thinking about it in the end?” were directed at Jung Yiyeon.Maybe the fuse had blown. He couldn’t control the irritation and anger towards someone he didn’t even know.But he never imagined he would burst into tears. Not from anyone, but from Lee Nan. This secretary.His eyes were red all around his pale, horrified face. Tears filled his eyes despite being soaked in mascara, and streamed down his cheeks without pause. What he was holding back wasn’t a groan, but a sob.At that moment, it felt like someone had hit him hard on the back of his head.He remembered the expressionless face that didn’t reveal a single emotion. There was a time when he enjoyed watching him gradually express more emotions by smiling faintly, frowning, twitching his eyebrows.But he had never dared to imagine a crying face as much as this.He cried.He cried with all sorts of mean words and despicable actions.Lee Nan was right. He had never cared about Lee Nan’s feelings. Despite knowing that he liked him, he lusted after his approaching body. He pretended not to know what mood he was in when he drank and contacted him. He didn’t know how he lived after leaving the company.But why is his heart so agonizing with these tears now? Why is he so helpless right now…“…Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”Whispering, Jung Yiyeon kissed Lee Nan. He embraced Lee Nan, who cried bitterly, and whispered not to cry while patting him. But because he couldn’t stop crying, Jung Yiyeon had to calm him down in a slightly different way.That night, Jung Yiyeon’s heart flipped like turning over a palm. He regretted his actions so far. He wanted to correct them if he could. He wanted to try walking a different path from before.Until then, Jung Yiyeon thought his feelings were just that much. He thought it was just that much.At least he shouldn’t make someone five years younger than him cry. Somehow, the sight of their face turning red as they sobbed looked quite endearing. Even as his heart sank heavily at the sight of tears, there was a tingling sensation somewhere.Yes, there was no need to act so despicably towards someone who harbored feelings for him. If Lee Nan couldn’t resolve this so easily, then giving him enough time was also an option. After all, if he was liked enough to make someone cry, what could he do?Whenever he met Lee Nan, the warning sirens that had always been ringing loudly in his mind finally fell silent. It seemed like he could go back to how things were before. Back to a time when they embraced each other more passionately than any other lovers, yet without any sense of burden.Perhaps he, too, was longing for that time. It was indeed enjoyable, and spending time with Lee Nan back then brought a certain fulfillment.In fact, he even felt like he wanted to hold Lee Nan in his arms and put him to sleep. He couldn’t understand why those tears weakened him so much, but seeing him looking exhausted also felt pitiful. Had Lee Nan been drinking and neglecting to eat all this time? His now thinner frame bothered him more than ever.At some point, Jung Yiyeon found himself thinking about Lee Nan all day without realizing it. Whether it was his tightly closed lips faintly forming a smile, or the way his eyes sparkled beneath his glasses. Even the sarcastic faces he made without realizing it, or the moments when he secretly confessed his affection with a pale, horrified face as if standing on the edge of a cliff. The most recent memory was of Lee Nan reeking of alcohol but not smiling, and the final memory was of him unable to hold back tears.Jung Yiyeon became anxious. He thought it was probably because of the guilt of making a grown man cry. The belated regret that he didn’t have to act so badly tormented him.In the end, Jung Yiyeon went to find Lee Nan. Hearing that Lee Nan still wanted him made him feel like some unpleasant emotions within him were being washed away. At that time, he didn’t realize that his restlessness and discomfort were actually anxiety. How fortunate it was that even after being hurt, Lee Nan still showed affection. But since he didn’t even know his own feelings at the time, what else could he have known?He didn’t know that it was his last chance. If he were to make excuses, it was because he was too preoccupied with work issues. He didn’t want to care about anything else, and amidst his annoyance and frustration, he kept thinking of Lee Nan, making it hard to focus. He needed a way out of the stress. Every time he felt that way, Lee Nan came to mind. Feeling like he just wanted to sit him down beside him, he called Lee Nan late at night.Lee Nan came running as if he had been waiting. That alone was enough for the night. Lee Nan, with his flushed cheeks, was simply adorable. He felt like he wanted to cherish him to the fullest.He laughed at himself for changing his mind so suddenly, but in the end, he found himself wanting to treat Lee Nan well. He no longer wanted to leave him alone in bed. It seemed fine to feed him what he liked, talk about what happened before, or rather, what would happen in the future. And he wanted to wake up together in the morning.However, while Lee Nan was off to shower, an unexpected guest arrived at the residence. It was none other than Min Seo-won. Upon hearing that Jung Yiyeon had been informed by Executive Director Jung Sang-yeon, he felt extreme discomfort. The lingering surveillance and restraining gazes still unsettled him, and he was infuriated by Jung Sang-yeon’s intrusive probing into his attachment to Lee Nan.He was tempted to send Min Seo-won away immediately. If Lee Nan hadn’t come out at that moment, he would have sorted it out then and there. But fate wasn’t on Jung Yiyeon’s side. It seemed as though he was being punished for exploiting Lee Nan’s emotions and neglecting him all this time.“No, it’s not like that,” Jung Yiyeon denied Lee Nan in front of Min Seo-won, still oblivious to his own wrongdoing.“Don’t link me with this secretary in that way. We have no relationship,” was an irksome remark from Min Seo-won, but it was also true. Despite drawing the line that he wouldn’t reciprocate feelings, Lee Nan continued to cling, and they had only had sex a few times. Perhaps that was still the case.Then Lee Nan’s voice rang out. “I just came to say something…”When Jung Yiyeon looked back, Lee Nan had the same expression as he did during his secretary days, unreadable. Ah, our Lee Nan is indeed quick-witted. Jung Yiyeon, who didn’t realize that the blank expression was his true emotion, foolishly even admired it.“I knew the CEO’s tendencies, but it’s a bit rude to treat me like I’m gay,” the small smile that followed was perfect. He even deluded himself into thinking it was a performance full of overflowing sensibility.“Well then, I’ll take my leave,” Lee Nan left the residence as is, and Jung Yiyeon didn’t stop him. He felt sorry to let him go like this, but he thought dealing with Min Seo-won took precedence.Until then, Jung Yiyeon never doubted that he held emotional superiority. After all, it was Lee Nan who had come to him, seeking solace despite being the one who caused him pain.But from the next day onwards, there was no contact from Lee Nan. He didn’t answer calls, didn’t show up when sought out, not even a glimpse.And just like that, Lee Nan vanished before Jung Yiyeon’s eyes.It was already Wednesday evening. The window was pitch black outside, and the company seemed to be bustling with people preparing to leave. Even Jung Yiyeon, who had worked late into the night on Monday and Tuesday, left the office on time today.After removing the cast from his arm, Jung Yiyeon, who had been driving himself to and from work, sat blankly in the driver’s seat of his parked car. The seatbelt was fastened, but the engine was still off.It had been three days. Three days since he hadn’t gone to see Lee Nan.Of course, they exchanged messages occasionally and had phone calls in the evening. Most of the time, it was just brief conversations asking about each other’s well-being and mentioning how they couldn’t meet again today due to overtime.Since they started dating, these three days felt tediously long to Jung Yiyeon, who tried to see each other every day if possible. Did it feel as long for Lee Nan too? Sometimes, he found it troubling to ponder over such times.Jung Yiyeon knew he was doing something childish. He realized he could just go see Lee Nan if he missed him, instead of avoiding him under the pretext of overtime. He even found himself wondering what he was doing, suppressing his desire to see him.After all, Lee Nan was someone who wouldn’t mind. He probably wouldn’t even know Jung Yiyeon was upset, even if he did. And even if he did, he wasn’t someone who would care.It wasn’t as if he felt resentful or wanted to break up. Of course, feeling upset was an unavoidable emotion as a human, but ultimately, Jung Yiyeon knew that everything was his fault. It was him who, by using despicable threats and confinement, had forced someone he didn’t like to sit beside him. It was absurd to even hope for affection from such a person. He knew that one couldn’t force someone’s feelings, no matter what.Recalling the desperation of that time, Jung Yiyeon regained his composure. Despite being rejected and criticized by the person he didn’t like, he clung on. No matter how hard he tried to please him, he was ultimately rejected, leading to the decision to confine Lee Nan. He felt like he was going crazy back then. Like he would die if he continued like that. He wasn’t in his right mind because he wanted to keep him by his side.And that feeling still hadn’t changed.Even if Lee Nan upset him or hurt him, he never once thought about breaking up. It was just that he felt a twinge of disappointment because he had grown accustomed to the peaceful times they had spent together. It was all because his heart had softened without him realizing it.Knowing that the other person was meeting someone else didn’t suddenly spark interest, nor did his inability to let go. Everything, even resorting to insane means to keep him by his side, was all because Lee Nan was the only one. Lee Nan was the one who showed him that he could go crazy for someone. He was the only person Jung Yiyeon wanted, even if he had to use despicable means.Even now, the bitter emotions that had tormented Jung Yiyeon for the past few days were nothing. When he recalled the moment he denied his relationship with Lee Nan in front of Min Seo-won and Lee Nan suddenly disappeared, wasn’t everything in front of him just distant? For Jung Yiyeon, an eternity passed, and when he finally found him again after so much time had passed, the door closed right in front of him. Lee Nan turned away with a face and voice devoid of emotions. Nothing compared to the emotions he felt at that time.In the end, Jung Yiyeon couldn’t help but lose in this relationship. Because he loved Lee Nan. Because he wanted him so much that there was no one else he had ever loved this much in the world. Jung Yiyeon would always be the one who couldn’t let go, and he would inevitably feel thirst and longing for Lee Nan, who wouldn’t fully belong to him.All of this was just a mess, as expected.With his thoughts sorted out, Jung Yiyeon started the car. His childishness, which had caused him to avoid himself for a few days just because he got upset over wanting to send himself home and meet other friends, was only amusing. Eventually, after just a few days, his desire to see Lee Nan grew even stronger.He should have contacted in advance and then left. There was time to be at home if nothing else happened. But today, for some reason, Jung Yiyeon couldn’t see any parking spaces in the apartment complex parking lot, which made him feel a bit anxious as he circled around the apartment complex looking for a spot.Suddenly, Jung Yiyeon received a call on his ringing phone.It was Lee Nan.“Oh, hey.”“Huh? No. I got off early today. I’m right in front of your place, but I can’t find a parking spot…”A short sigh. After that, Lee Nan didn’t continue speaking.“Why? Is something wrong?”A sigh-like word flowed from the other end of the phone.He probably peeled off a few speeding tickets. After ending the call with Lee Nan, Jung Yiyeon returned home without hesitation. There wasn’t much visible evidence of Lee Nan suddenly being at his place without any prior notice.What on earth could have brought him here all of a sudden? After not meeting for a few days and only exchanging short messages on their phones, was Lee Nan also longing to see him? Jung Yiyeon’s mind was spinning with happiness circuits of its own accord, and thanks to that, his heart felt like it was about to burst, thumping wildly as if it would explode. The elevator seemed to be going up slower than ever before.And when he arrived home, opened the door, and stepped inside.Jung Yiyeon was taken aback. It was because of the unfamiliar travel trunk that had been brought in.“You’re here?”Jung Yiyeon silently stared at Lee Nan approaching him. Lee Nan, welcoming him home. It was the sight he had always dreamed of, but one that Lee Nan had never offered. Whenever Jung Yiyeon went to work, Lee Nan went home, and since Jung Yiyeon always went to pick him up in front of his house, this was something new.“Yeah.”Just because he had come home from work. Yet, inexplicably, his heart swelled uncontrollably. Jung Yiyeon couldn’t help but reach out to Lee Nan and pull him into a hug. Holding the slender body that nestled into his arms, Jung Yiyeon felt like his heart was melting at the warmth radiating from him.“I missed you.”“Haha, I thought you were mad at me, Jung Yiyeon.”“…”It was a laughter-laced voice, but the content was unexpected, so Jung Yiyeon momentarily froze. Blinking, he looked at Lee Nan, who chuckled lightly.“It seems to be true.”Jung Yiyeon didn’t utter a word of denial.“Is this the type of person Jung Yiyeon is? If something bothers you, do you disappear?”“…But we kept in touch. It wasn’t disappearing.”“Then has your affection cooled off?”“Don’t joke like that.”When Jung Yiyeon spoke solemnly, Lee Nan chuckled again. Jung Yiyeon took Lee Nan’s hand and playfully tapped the travel trunk.“What’s this?”“It’s clothes.” …What clothes? Surely, these weren’t the clothes Jung Yiyeon left behind at Lee Nan’s house. An ominous thought clouded his mind. He felt uneasy, fearing Lee Nan might say something about not wanting to allow him into his space. Jung Yiyeon couldn’t fathom what Lee Nan was thinking.Seeing Jung Yiyeon’s confusion, Lee Nan asked, “Are you busy with work?”“It’s… pretty much the same.”“You said you don’t even have a stake in the company anymore, so why work so hard?”Jung Yiyeon had heard similar remarks before. Since starting a relationship with Lee Nan, Jung Yiyeon deliberately reduced his workload to avoid overtime and make time for dates with Lee Nan. So when Jung Yiyeon said he was busy with work, it was a pretext.With a short sigh, Jung Yiyeon spoke truthfully, “I didn’t want to overwhelm you emotionally. That’s why.”“Oh, afraid I’ll start a fight just by looking at my face? You were right to be mad.”“Yeah. But you hate that kind of thing, don’t you? What if I get fed up and refuse to see you?”Jung Yiyeon would never utter words of breaking up. He feared that if Lee Nan suggested ending it, it would be over. Avoiding fights and not expressing hurt feelings were all because he didn’t want to break up.“If I say I won’t see you, will you let me go?”“No.”The situation would likely repeat itself. Lee Nan wanting to leave, and Jung Yiyeon trying to hold onto him. He could act even more despicably and maliciously. But Jung Yiyeon didn’t want that, as Lee Nan would truly come to despise him. All he wanted was to love and be loved like any ordinary lover.Lee Nan seemed to understand Jung Yiyeon’s feelings and remarked, “Even though you’re like this, you keep holding everything in. I wonder when Jung Yiyeon became so patient.”It was a painful observation. Jung Yiyeon’s patience had strengthened after a series of events. After proposing sex ten times to try to turn Lee Nan’s heart around, despite being scorned, his patience had built up, relentless and enduring.Thinking back, Jung Yiyeon could now overlook and endure everything. Just by Lee Nan coming like this, just by being by his side, he could endure it all. Of course, there were times when what Lee Nan offered felt terribly inadequate, leaving him thirsty and restless.“I don’t want you to hate me.”Receiving not hatred but hints of affection from Lee Nan was enough. After all, Jung Yiyeon had made mistakes in the past, so it was solely his responsibility to endure until Lee Nan loved him.Now, the resentment he had harbored toward Lee Nan seemed absurd. After all, it was his desperation.For a moment, Lee Nan seemed tongue-tied. Whenever his eyes wavered while looking at him, Jung Yiyeon’s heart swayed heavily. Surely, Lee Nan wouldn’t say that his feelings were burdensome…? He must know how much he loves him. He wanted to believe that Lee Nan wouldn’t suggest breaking up now, claiming his feelings were burdensome.Finally, Lee Nan’s lips parted.“Still, if you’re going to sulk for days on end, let’s talk about it.”As Jung Yiyeon, it was a somewhat unexpected remark.“As you know, I really hate and find it exhausting when you do that…”Lee Nan smiled faintly, as if there was no other choice.“If you don’t sulk like this, can we live together?”It was a valid point. The process of fighting and making up was undoubtedly exhausting, but it was the way they could adjust to each other. While their feelings might change when faced with actual conflicts, Jung Yiyeon was undoubtedly grateful that Lee Nan was willing to speak up about his emotions first.…But now…?“…What does that mean?”“What?”“What do you mean…If I don’t sulk, can we live together?”Lee Nan still wore a vague expression.“If I don’t sulk. Would you live with me then?”The travel trunk standing in the hallway. In that moment of realization, Jung Yiyeon felt as if stars were twinkling before his eyes. Joy surged in his chest, which housed a rapidly beating heart.“Lee Nan…!” Jung Yiyeon pulled Lee Nan into a tight embrace. He was so happy that he couldn’t believe it wasn’t a dream. He almost wanted to pinch himself.“Hah. Is it a wise decision to come into the house of the person who imprisoned me and live here?”Jung Yiyeon understood Lee Nan’s intention to live together perfectly.“Of course. It’s a very wise decision. I’ll do well. I’ll take care of you wholeheartedly day and night.”“Yeah, we’ll see how well you do.”In response to the offer of giving him a chance, Jung Yiyeon grabbed Lee Nan’s cheek and peppered kisses on his face. Though they said these things, now Jung Yiyeon could see a glimpse of Lee Nan’s sincerity.Lee Nan had thought that he didn’t love him. He thought that because Lee Nan didn’t love him, he wouldn’t understand his anxious heart, wouldn’t care for him, and wouldn’t have the will to show concern. Even now, Jung Yiyeon still didn’t fully understand Lee Nan. It wouldn’t be right to presume to understand his feelings and judge them as he pleased.“Will you be organizing your place then?”Jung Yiyeon wasn’t one to miss such an opportunity. He wanted Lee Nan to leave only one place for himself by his side.Lee Nan frowned slightly for a moment, appearing to be in thought. Jung Yiyeon felt a twinge of anxiety again. Even though it was going to be an empty house, he wished Lee Nan would tidy it up. Just in case he ever thought of leaving Jung Yiyeon, he would have nowhere to go, so maybe he would think twice before leaving.“…Sure. I’ll tidy it up.”At the finally refreshing response, Jung Yiyeon grinned broadly. He was so happy and content that he knew there wouldn’t be another day as joyful as this. Despite the turmoil of the past three days, everything felt just right.Lee Nan understood Jung Yiyeon’s wounded heart. By coming first, he applied a balm to Jung Yiyeon’s injured heart. Bringing even his belongings when he came to live together was to soothe his anxiety.Lee Nan was also making efforts for this relationship. Just like the commitment he made that day to go all the way with Jung Yiyeon.“Have you eaten dinner?”“No, not yet.”“Me neither. I’m hungry.”“What do you want to eat? Let’s go out. Let’s go eat something delicious.”“Why do we always eat out? There’s plenty of food in the fridge, just eat that.”“Still, it’s the first day we agreed to live together.”“No, it’s not? You shouldn’t let your guard down until my house is completely organized and I move in, right?”“…Wow. You’re really too much, playing with people like that.”Grumbling, Lee Nan laughed. His face, smiling as if he enjoyed teasing and tormenting Jung Yiyeon, was so refreshing. It was a sight to behold. So what could he do? Jung Yiyeon just kept falling for it.“Change your clothes and come out. I’ll be preparing the meal.”“…Ah. That was such an exciting line just now.”Unable to resist, Jung Yiyeon peppered kisses on Lee Nan’s face, who laughed heartily. His heart was pounding with excitement, unable to contain the overwhelming happiness.Of course, there would be ups and downs for the two of them in the future. Moments of bitterness, and perhaps moments where he himself tormented Lee Nan. But regardless, they had decided to face it together.Living like that, wouldn’t the future Jung Yiyeon imagined eventually come? The day when the two men stroll under the sunset, painting the beach red, talking about their day. Before they knew it, the two men, whose hair had turned slightly gray, would still be holding each other’s hands, looking at each other with eyes filled with love.