Double Junk - 127

Episode 127

Ajin was assigned the first room on the right side of the main entrance. It was the room right around the corner from the entranceway.

Though it was quite a distance from Seokju’s room on the left side of the house, they were positioned linearly, so Ajin’s room could be glimpsed through the corridors or between pillars. However, since it was completely separate from the study room and courtyard where Seokju usually wandered, unless intended, they were unlikely to run into each other.

The room was plain but had everything necessary. It was spacious enough for the two of them, with two beds that looked new, a small bookshelf, and a desk. The desk had a pot filled with sharpened pencils, and the bookshelf was neatly lined with storybooks and middle school textbooks.

The wood floor gleamed, well oiled, and next to it was a bell-flower shaped lamp.

While helping Flower Lady sit on the bed, Myungjin gave some explanations.

“You don’t have to work. The meals will be brought at set times, so you can just take them or ask for them. No one in this house will find your requests burdensome, so speak up right away if you need anything, alright?”

“Yes.”

“You probably already know, but the hearth is right below this room. There are people tending the fire, but since you get cold easily Ajin, if needed you can add logs directly. The firewood is all chopped and piled to the side.”

“Yes.”

“And well…you don’t know the ins and outs of what’s where in this house, so there’s nothing extra to explain. Any other questions?”

“No, none.”

Ajin nodded repeatedly. As Myungjin said, he was well acquainted with the layout of this house. He knew everything from the number of spoons in the kitchen to the number of pillars supporting the roof. No explanations were needed.

“Mmm…..”

Myungjin scratched the scar under his chin with the thumb of his withered hand, his eyes darting around awkwardly. He hadn’t wronged Ajin, but seemed unnecessarily self-conscious.

Clearing his throat loudly, he put his hands behind his back.

“What about lunch? Would you find it inconvenient to eat outside? Should I have the meal table brought to your room?”

“…Thank you.”

Ajin bowed deeply, his black hair falling forward then swinging back into place.

“Ah, no need for thanks between us. Rest well.”

Myungjin patted Ajin’s shoulder and left the room, but not before flashing a smile and waving his hand. Ajin responded with a faint upturn of his lips.

After carefully closing the door, Myungjin heaved a deep sigh. Seeing Ajin’s gaunt form unsettled his heart. He scratched his chin again as he crossed the corridor, heading towards Seokju’s room – no doubt Seokju was anxiously awaiting news.

But there was no need. As he rounded the corner, Seokju was standing right there, pacing back and forth like a husband awaiting his wife’s delivery.

Spotting Myungjin, Seokju quickly approached with his long legs striding needlessly forcefully.

“How’s Ajin?”

He asked urgently. Myungjin walked past him, putting some distance between them and Ajin’s room.

“He got settled in fine. Unless he ran into a ghost on the way from the courtyard to his room.”

“What do you mean ‘settled in fine’? Explain in more detail.”

“No, sir. I was in Ajin’s room for 3 minutes. What details could there be? I just said to let me know when he wants meals, or if anything is inconvenient, and then left.”

“So? What did Ajin say?”

“Yes, yes, and thank you, he said.”

“How did he seem?”

“Looked like complete shit, sir.”

“……..”

Seokju closed his mouth tightly, one well-sculpted eyebrow raised sharply – unsatisfied with Myungjin’s answer. Sighing repeatedly, Myungjin stopped in front of the main wooden floor.

“Of course he wouldn’t be in a good mood. He didn’t come here because he wanted to. He looks depressed, sad, weighed down. And Flower Lady doesn’t seem too pleased about coming here either, keeping her mouth tightly shut.”

“…Yeah, that’s to be expected.”

There was no other way. Seokju gave a bitter smile. He glanced at Ajin’s door, briefly visible between the pillars, then turned his head away, as if even looking was a guilt.

Myungjin examined Seokju’s face from various angles. The handsome features looked quite worn down. A lot had happened, and the mental anguish on top of the physical strain had clearly exhausted him. His skin was rough and the whites of his eyes were reddened.

“Ajin will be alright. So you should also get some rest, sir. I haven’t seen you properly sleep since getting out of the police station. You’ve been constantly by the hospital room…”

“Yeah, I should.”

Seokju turned towards his own room and began walking slowly. Myungjin matched his pace. But strangely, a faint smile kept appearing and disappearing at the corners of Seokju’s mouth. Just moments ago his face seemed full of sadness, but now he was smiling again, rather oddly.

“You seem to be in a good mood,” Myungjin commented, tilting his head.

“It’s good. Shamelessly, it feels good,” Seokju affirmed with a nod.

“Because of Ajin?”

“Yeah. Having Ajin in my house. Whether he’s depressed or sad, I’m just happy he’s in my house. I know I shouldn’t be, but I can’t help how I feel.”

Seokju used his thumb and index finger to press down the corners of his mouth that kept curling upwards. But his stubborn lips continued tracing that curve no matter what.

Myungjin clicked his tongue at the foolishly infatuated sight.

“Aigo, Ajin would be horrified and disgusted if he knew.”

“Probably. ‘Is the director crazy?’ He’d probably say that.”

Seokju laughed, recalling how Ajin’s voice would get particularly sharp when cursing. He used to swear so much back then. These days, not a word – just complete disregard, which shamefully left Seokju feeling wistful. He missed hearing Ajin’s voice, even hurling insults, missed those conversational moments.

Seokju lightly elbowed Myungjin’s arm.

“It’s fine. As long as you keep your mouth shut, Ajin won’t find out.”

“Yes, like I’d go tattling to Ajin about you, sir.”

“Yeah, I know you won’t.”

“You really…like him that much?”

“Yeah.”

Seokju nodded without a moment’s hesitation. Staring at his room door growing nearer, he muttered a stream of remorse, lamentation, self-loathing, guilt, and repentance.

“Thinking about it now, I liked that kid even when I was misunderstanding him.”

“……”

“That’s why despite accusing him of theft and betrayal, I couldn’t go so far as cutting off his arm, killing him, or driving him away – I just kept him by my side, clinging to him.”

“……”

“I had to see him sleeping, see him crying with my own eyes. So unless something major came up, I came home early every day. I thought I was anxious about him misbehaving or running away while I was gone. But no, I just wanted to see that kid.”

Seokju narrowed his eyes, recalling something Iswoon had once told him:

‘If you had only loved Ajin, there would have been no need to deceive or be deceived. Whatever Ajin did would have been justice and righteousness.’

The more he reflected on it, the truer those words rang. He should have realized sooner how deeply he loved Ajin.

Brushing back his hair, Seokju continued speaking.

“I should have just forgiven him. Since it’s you Ajin, I should have let it all go. No matter what you did, I still like you. I should have said that.”

“……”

“It would have been easier then. Ajin wouldn’t have had to suffer, cry, or long for death.”

“…….’

“Even if my misunderstanding was revealed, I could have apologized much more easily. I’m sorry I doubted you. But I still loved you. You knew that, right? I could have just shamelessly pushed forward like that.”

Seokju took a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. But regrets were no help, especially to the broken Ajin. What Seokju needed to build was the future ahead.

Arriving at his door, Seokju suddenly spun around.

“I should go to the kitchen.”

“Are you hungry? Then I’ll quickly go and-”

Myungjin, about to escort him, flinched back a step. Seokju shook his head and strode down the hallway.

“No. Not for me, to check Ajin’s meal tray. The doctor said he needs to eat well. Told me to feed him lots of meat.”

“……….”

“I’ll have to stop by the market on my way back from the company tomorrow. Need to buy plenty of meat. The doctor also said seaweed is good. If I make seaweed soup with lots of meat, Ajin will eat it well. He likes soupy stew with lots of ingredients. Ah, and ox bone. Need to buy ox bones too. Simmer them in the pot overnight and feed it to him.”

Myungjin’s mouth twisted oddly. He couldn’t get used to Seokju’s rapidly shifting moods, changing by the minute.

“Are you raising a pig or something? Or maybe a wrestler?”

“I’d have nothing more to wish for if Ajin got nice and plump like a pig.”

“……You really are raising a pig, huh?”

Myungjin clicked his tongue. Though clearly mocking, there was a hint of a smile on his lips too.

He liked seeing Seokju openly express his emotions. Having lived a lifetime pretending not to be hurt even when hurting, pretending not to be lonely even when lonely. But thanks to Ajin, those emotions had blossomed.

Perhaps even his current state was him holding back somewhat. But occasionally his heart would explode and that bowed head would perk up. In any case, it was a welcome change.

“But you know, I really love meat too, sir.”

Raise me into a wrestler instead of a pig, yes sir? Yes sir? Oh, sir! Myungjin hurriedly followed Seokju.