Clap - 8

“When it fully develops, it will start to come out gradually. I can’t wait for it, can you?”

“What if it smells bad?”

“No, that won’t happen. Jaemin won’t disappoint us.”

They exchanged a conversation only they understood. Jaemin, with trembling arms, touched the floor and lifted his body. His reddened eyes stared at the two of them. Three pairs of eyes met haphazardly.

“…It seems like it will happen.”

Ichan muttered in a trance-like voice. And at that moment, Jaemin collapsed into their arms as if possessed.

The scents of their perfumes enveloped Jaemin like a thick fog.

***

Jaemin woke up in a place that wasn’t a dental clinic or home. It didn’t look like a busy emergency room either. It was a quiet, spacious, and clean house belonging to someone, or maybe ‘someones.’

Jaemin slowly got up, feeling something firm holding his wrist. It was a ring.

With hesitant eyes, Jaemin stared at his wrist. A ring? Isn’t this expensive? That was his first thought. He didn’t care what kind of medication it was or why he was being injected with it. It was scary to think he had to pay for something he didn’t want.

Jaemin untangled his wrist. The needle deeply embedded didn’t even flinch. So, he used his nails to peel off the band.

“Oh, you shouldn’t do that.”

A familiar voice stopped Jaemin. It was Ihyun holding a tray.

“…Doctor?”

Jaemin called out groggily. Why was this person here…? Then it dawned on him. He had collapsed while cleaning. Jaemin touched his forehead. The boiling fever seemed to have subsided, leaving a lukewarm temperature.

“Just stay quiet until it’s all done.”

Ihyun firmly pressed the band back on.

“What is this?”

“Um… It’s like a supplement.”

Jaemin wrinkled his nose. A supplement that looked like a supplement but wasn’t a supplement. Jaemin stared at the ring, and Ihyun shook his hand as if to focus his attention.

“Shall we eat?”

He brought porridge. It was filled with meat and finely chopped vegetables. If someone had made it by hand, it was made with great care.

But Jaemin wasn’t hungry. His throat felt dry as if he had downed a glass of alcohol, and his head hurt. Normally, he would have to eat to get rid of the hangover, but not now.

“Where is this?”

Jaemin had many questions, contrary to his usual self. Perhaps he felt a strange vibe instinctively. Ihyun, who usually smiled warmly, seemed eerie.

“It’s our house.”

He said ‘our house,’ not ‘my house.’ It was obvious they were living together. It must be Ichan. Jaemin tentatively searched under the blanket. He wanted to get out of here. The nauseating scent of Ihyun, poking his whole body like needles, made him feel sick.

“I’ll leave now. I’ve caused enough trouble.”

“No, it’s okay. We’re doing this because we want to. Just relax.”

I’m not okay. I’m not comfortable at all. Jaemin wanted to scream. His senses were overly sensitive. The fever that had momentarily subsided started to rise again. Even if he stayed still, it felt like his teeth were clattering with chills.

“No. It’s better to rest at home.”

Jaemin stubbornly tried to get up. But before his butt could even lift off, he was pushed back onto the bed. Ihyun grabbed his wrist.

“Stay here. Here.”