Double Junk - 153

Realizing too late that Seokju had been left standing outside the gate, Ajin quickly stepped aside.

“Ah, come in, please.”

“Okay.”

Seokju’s spotless, shiny shoes crossed the threshold. He suddenly stopped.

“But Ajin.”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t manage to buy the medicinal cakes. Sorry. They hadn’t opened yet.”

Seokju genuinely apologized. His brows were furrowed in regret. Ajin blinked rapidly, puzzled by the mention of medicinal cakes, then recalled their brief conversation on moving day. Seokju had asked:

“Ajin, is it okay if I come over sometimes… just occasionally?”

“Once a week, or even once a month… I won’t stay long. Just a quick visit.”

Ajin had replied that Seokju should bring medicinal cakes. It seemed he still remembered. Ajin smiled faintly.

“It’s okay.”

Perhaps because he hadn’t brushed his teeth, his mouth already felt dry.

Ajin set down a pot of thickly brewed barley tea in front of Seokju. He had spent his life as a servant, so he had no interest in tea, nor did he like coffee. Thus, he had nothing to offer guests but barley tea.

“Thank you.”

Seokju smiled slightly. Following him, Ajin awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth and retrieved a round tin from the cupboard. It was filled with cookies. Seokju had brought them the other day. They were expensive cookies from a Western bakery.

Ajin placed them generously on a plate and set it on the table.

“These cookies were brought by Suncheol-hyung. They’re delicious.”

“…Really?”

Seokju picked up a cookie with a smile. His face showed a strange satisfaction. Ajin had seen this expression before. It was the same expression Seokju had when enjoying the food Suncheol brought, whether it was medicinal cakes or cola.

“Could it be… the boss bought them?”

Seokju’s jaw briefly stopped as he chewed the cookie, then continued moving. He glanced to the side and replied.

“No, Suncheol brought them.”

“So… you must have asked the boss to buy them, and used the boss’s money to get them.”

“…”

Seokju remained silent. It was a silence of confirmation. Ajin chuckled lightly. It wasn’t unpleasant. He was just curious about what Seokju had done secretly. Then he remembered the fried chicken Suncheol had brought recently.

“Did Suncheol-hyung also buy the fried chicken the other day?”

“Do you call him Suncheol-hyung?”

Seokju abruptly interrupted Ajin’s question. Ajin raised his eyebrows slightly at the off-center question, then nodded.

“Yes.”

“And me?”

“Huh? You, Boss?”

“Why am I the boss?”

“…Because you are?”

What a strange conversation. Ajin frowned slightly, bewildered. Seokju, in a subdued voice, said:

“I’m not your boss anymore.”

“…”

Ajin swallowed hard. The cold words made his throat tighten. His upper body leaned back. It wasn’t incorrect, but it felt surprisingly new. As Seokju bit his lip in apology, he said:

“Sorry. My words were a bit harsh. I didn’t mean to sound so… harsh, um…”

“…”

“Suncheol met you much later than I did. It’s a bit… disappointing and sad that he’s ‘hyung’ and I’m ‘boss,’ and… I’m also jealous.”

Seokju openly revealed his feelings. Yet, he wasn’t embarrassed or shy. He was always confident about his emotions. He had never hidden his love or anger.

Ajin’s stiff shoulders relaxed slightly. The word “jealous” coming from Seokju was rather… pleasant.

“So, should I call you Seokju-hyung as well?”

“…No.”

Ajin pressed his lips together. What’s the big deal? Did he expect to be called “hey” or “you”? Ajin couldn’t accept that. Even if he wasn’t well-educated, he was still Korean. He needed to show respect.

Ajin quietly stared at Seokju. Seokju, with hopeful eyes, asked:

“…How about Seokju-hyung?”

“Seokju-hyung” was a title used by all family members. Myungjin, Deokjae, and Suncheol all used it. Ajin didn’t want to hear such a common title from him.

Moreover, calling him “hyung” seemed closer. Ajin thought that calling him “hyung” with those red, plump lips would be so delightful it might make him swoon.

Seokju looked at Ajin with expectant eyes. Although he didn’t mean to pressure him, it came off as pressuring. Ajin, scratching the inside of his scarred wrist, tentatively asked:

“…Hyung?”

“Yes. Do you dislike it?”

“No… it’s not that… it’s just… too…”

“Too much?”

“…No.”

Doesn’t it seem too close? We’re not that close. This thought tickled the roof of his mouth, but he didn’t voice it. He didn’t want to hurt Seokju’s feelings. He had no intention of adding salt to the wound for someone who had come rushing over early in the morning just to see his haircut. After all, it was just a title.

“Try calling me that.”

Seokju said casually, with a look that seemed to ask if he was waiting or hoping. He put a half-eaten cookie into his mouth, trying to act indifferent.

“…”

Ajin hesitated, his lips moving but no words coming out. Given the age difference of more than ten years, the title “hyung” didn’t quite suit Seokju. But then again, he couldn’t call him “uncle” either. It didn’t fit his face.

After thinking it over, “hyung” seemed to be the best option. Though “boss” was more comfortable, if Seokju didn’t like it, what could he do?

Ajin swallowed hard and slowly spoke.

“Seokju… hyung.”

At the soft voice, Seokju straightened his back. He took a deep breath, his chest puffing out. The tie around his neck wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, he felt he might be happy just suffocating like this. He was almost in a state of bliss.

“…Yes, Ajin.”

Seokju answered with Ajin’s name, his face glowing with ecstasy. That emotion was clearly visible in Ajin’s eyes. Ajin, biting and then releasing his lips, called him again.

“Seokju hyung.”

“Yes, Ajin.”

Seokju answered with a smile. His index finger was tapping the table busily. Then he squeezed his strong thighs and pulled his innocent ears. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

Ajin’s eyebrows rose and fell quietly. It was the first time he had seen Seokju like this. Though Seokju had always shown a relaxed and mature demeanor, he now seemed like a naive young man in love.

It was surprising and fascinating that even after seeing all of Seokju’s sides, Ajin could see him this way.

“…It’s new.”

Ajin said with a tone mixed with a hint of teasing.

“Indeed. It’s new. It feels nice to be new.”

Seokju nodded. He gulped down the cold barley tea. His face was as bright as spring sunshine.

Ajin chuckled softly and drank the barley tea as well. The nutty flavor was quite pleasant.

Seokju suddenly asked for a tour of the house. Even though he had decorated the house himself and had been here just a few weeks ago, he seemed curious. Ajin didn’t understand but willingly showed him around the house. They headed to the yard, which had the most to see.

“Are you sleeping well?”

Ajin asked as he took off the folded shoe’s heel with his finger.

“Huh?”

Seokju, holding Ajin’s wobbling elbow, repeated the question.

“Sleep. Are you sleeping well?”

Ajin, having put his shoes back on, straightened his back. Seokju took a deep breath and hesitated before finally admitting.

“No.”

“…”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

Seokju forced a smile. Ajin stared intently at his face. Seeing him in the bright sunlight revealed his condition. Though not as bad as when he had a nosebleed, his skin looked rough, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

As Ajin opened his mouth to express concern and nagging.

“I heard you’re diligently tending to your vegetable garden.”

Seokju changed the subject. Fortunately, Ajin’s gaze quickly shifted to the garden. It was his current interest.

“Yes. It’s my first time growing anything, and time flies by.”

Ajin limped over to the garden, with Seokju following him. Standing in front of the garden, Ajin pointed to the small plants and chattered.

“This is spinach, and this is green onion.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And look at this. The green onions have already sprouted. They grow faster than what the book said. Maybe it’s because they get plenty of sunlight.”

“Yeah, it seems so.”

“In the summer, I’ll plant cucumbers and cabbage. I want to try growing other things too, but since it’s my first time with farming, I’m a bit scared. I’d feel sorry if these lives died… So, I plan to do it one by one.”

Ajin seemed to have already made plans for the whole year. He talked about what he would plant in the fall, how there are indoor plants for winter, and that he might get some pots. Seokju listened, as this was the most talkative Ajin had been since his visit.

Seokju listened to the chatter with pleasure.

“It sounds fun. Maybe I should have made the garden bigger.”

“No. It’s just right. I can manage it on my own.”

“…Okay.”

A bitter smile appeared on Seokju’s lips. The word “alone” from Ajin was strangely painful. He wasn’t sure if he felt pain because Ajin was alone, making him feel sorry, or if he was disappointed that Ajin wasn’t giving him a chance to be with him.