Chapter 87 (2/2)

Woojin couldn’t remember exactly when, but he stopped having his nightmares or any other kinds of dreams. He suspected it was when he began to give his heart to Shin Kim. Woojin remembered the nights when he woke up in the middle of the night sweating and trembling.

It was Wednesday today. Chungju was not too far from Seoul. The fact that he missed Shin so much probably meant that his love was at its peak. Perhaps eventually, their love would cool down.

He felt expectant and strange on his way home after work. He ran up the stairs in his condo to get to his place. Woojin wasn’t the type that easily became excited, but it was different today. When he opened the door, the sudden warmth greeted him, making his eyes almost water.

Shin was wearing a bright blue shirt. It was one of the first items Shin left at Woojin’s place early on in their relationship. It sometimes smelled like Shin, so it was one of Woojin’s favorite shirts. Shin asked Woojin, “Did you eat dinner?”

Woojin loosened his tie and began to take his shoes off. This whole situation felt so surreal that Woojin remained bent, pretending to stare at his shoes. Shin quickly came to the door and stood in front of Woojin. He asked, “Are you ill?”

“No.”

When Woojin stood up, Shin was there. Suddenly, Woojin remembered all the emotions he held inside of him for a long time. Loneliness, sadness, emptiness… All these feelings he didn’t even know he had. He realized how much pain he had in his life as he saw how Shin looked at him warmly.

Woojin set down his briefcase on the floor and reached out to hold Shin’s wrist. He murmured, “You don’t look like you are too happy to see me…”

Woojin looked at Shin for a long time before touching Shin’s face.

“Now I can touch you.”

“…”

Woojin buried his face onto Shin’s chest and they embraced each other. Shin seemed a bit surprised, but his arms automatically hugged Woojin. Their hearts beated together.

Love was a funny thing. Enjoying Shin’s warmth on his cheeks, Woojin whispered, “I could smell your warmth.”

“From where?”

“As soon as I got off the subway.”

“Liar.”

“I’m serious.”

Woojin rubbed his face against Shin’s chest while Shin played with Woojin’s hair.

Shin said to him, “I want to see your face. It has been so long since we last saw each other. Can you look up?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

Woojin laughed as he replied. Lately, Woojin had been laughing a lot. Even Minji noticed this, but she seemed indifferent.

“Woojin, I see that you laugh a lot more now. But you know, you don’t have to laugh.”

“Pardon?”

“But you do look very pretty when you laugh. You are a cute man, Woojin.”

Woojin could see the obvious resemblance between Shin and his older sister. Woojin finally looked up at Shin, but quickly looked away. Shin asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Then kiss me first.”

“You and your sister… you guys are both playboys, aren’t you?”

“… That Minji Kim… did she tell you something about me?”

When Woojin smiled widely, Shin couldn’t believe how beautiful he looked. It was an amazing feeling to be loved by the one you loved the most in the world. Shin felt truly lucky. He whispered to Woojin, “You have become even lovelier during the last few days.”

“See? The way you talk sounds like a complete player.”

“And my sister? Does she talk like this too?”

“Yes.”

“Could it be that you have fallen for her?”

“Nope.”

Woojin felt happy. He enjoyed Shin’s warmth with his entire body. They had all the time in the world. They had to. If they could live like this forever, it would be a true happy ending.

And even if this didn’t last… Just the fact that they spent this time together was enough. It had to, because this was love.

True love.