Double Junk - 195

It seems like the Dragon King saved our aunt, no, our Miss Flower. The Dragon King is really kind. A truly kind person. Or, maybe not a person. Anyway, we should be thankful.

In the joyful news, Ajin, who had been tapping his feet under the chair, suddenly looked pained. His whites of his eyes, which had barely returned to their original color, turned red again. The tears fell in an instant. His swollen lips trembled sadly.

“Sniff…”

Seonhwa and Miss Flower gaped in surprise at Ajin suddenly bursting into tears.

“Jina, why are you crying again? What’s wrong with you…?”

“Shouldn’t you be the one going to the hospital, Ajin? Why are you crying? Anyone would think there’s a funeral at home.”

“Isn’t it different? Huh? Our Ajin is so different from usual, right?”

“This seems like more than just a memory problem. The kid seems completely different now.”

“That’s right, that’s right. He doesn’t read books, he asks for a dictionary, and these days he goes to work really well.”

Seonhwa said these trivial things very seriously. Miss Flower became serious as well. She rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward.

“Ajin, are you seeing things? Did your energy weaken? Are there some strange creatures hanging around? How’s your sleep? Are you sleeping well? Are you having any strange dreams?”

“Oh my, sister. When have we ever seen Ajin sleep well? Plus, this heat… it’s not just any heat. He can’t sleep at all. Maybe we need to do a ritual. Could you look into it for me?”

“Should we really do that…? I’ll—”

Ajin shook his head vigorously. He wiped his tears with his palm and smiled brightly.

“I’m fine.”

“……”

“I don’t need any of that. It’s just… it’s just that I’m so happy to see Miss Flower.”

As his eyes narrowed into a smile, the tears that had gathered on his lashes trickled down his cheek. Ajin quickly wiped them away and smiled again.

“But Miss Flower? Did you see anything, or anything strange?”

At his sudden question, Miss Flower frowned.

“See? What would I see? Am I a shaman?”

“That’s fine then.”

Ajin giggled. Miss Flower stared at him silently. Seonhwa sighed deeply.

“Son, I’m a little upset. You didn’t recognize me, but as soon as Miss Flower showed up, you started crying because you were so happy to see her, and you have so many questions…”

Hearing this, Miss Flower twisted her lips into a small smirk, then spoke with a tone that seemed to be teasing.

“Well, maybe you should’ve taken better care of him. I’ve cooked for Ajin more than you have. He knows who’s food he grew up on.”

“Ah, really, sister. Are you going to be so old-fashioned? These days, it’s all about raising with money, you know?”

“Shut up. Kids should be raised with food.”

It was a conversation filled with love for Ajin. Ajin laughed heartily. Then, he looked around at everyone sitting at the table—his mother, his aunt, and Seokju. They were such perfect people, in such a perfect moment.

Ajin made a flower shape with his hands and, in a playful manner, called out to Miss Flower.

“Miss Flower.”

“Why?”

“Make me kimchi pancakes.”

At those words, Miss Flower’s mouth lifted into a wide smile. She slapped Seonhwa on the back.

“See? I told you, kids should be raised with food.”

Seonhwa glared at her with narrowed eyes. Miss Flower, standing up leisurely, ruffled Ajin’s hair.

“I’ll make it for you now.”

Seonhwa quickly stood up a beat later.

“I want to make it too.”

“Don’t mess it up and spill the kimchi, just sit there.”

“I’m making it too!”

The two bickered as they headed to the kitchen. Watching them walk away, Ajin smiled brightly.

It felt like he might die from happiness.

……

Seokju, who was sitting next to him, looked at the radiant Ajin, whose smile was in full bloom. Then, Miss Flower brushed his tousled hair aside. Ajin’s smile turned toward Seokju, and Seokju smiled back at him.

Ajin spent the entire week with Miss Flower. He stuck close to her as she stayed at the family home, never leaving her side. However, he still had to go to work, so he would quickly go to the office and then rush to see Miss Flower after work.

Ajin threw a fit when Miss Flower said she was going to leave. Thanks to him, she stayed in Seoul for a week instead of the three days she had planned.

During that week, Ajin had breakfast with her, walked in the fresh garden with her, followed her when she went to buy baking ingredients, drank coffee with her, and watched the morning drama she liked. He wanted to sleep with her, but was chased away with the excuse that it was creepy for such a grown-up kid.

Miss Flower’s personality had not changed, as it had always been. She wasn’t overly affectionate, but she wasn’t sharp either. Her tone was blunt, but her eyes were full of affection. And Ajin liked it that way. She was still the Miss Flower he knew.

Ajin sat diagonally on the sofa in the boss’s office, tapping his phone. He was sending a message to Miss Flower, who had left for Jeju Island early that morning.

[Did you arrive in Jeju?]

The reply came quickly.

[Yes.]

It was a short answer. Ajin quickly sent another message.

[What about lunch?]

[Not yet.]

Another brief reply. Ajin quickly typed, [When will you come back to Seoul? Or should I come to you?] But before he could finish, another message arrived.

[Ajin, your aunt’s been away for a long time, so I’m busy. You should work too.]

Ajin’s thumb froze.

“Tch…”

The chubby lips pouted. After thinking for a moment, he sent the last message.

[Don’t get hurt, Aunt.]

[Kiss emoji]

Then he turned off the screen. Miss Flower hated being interrupted while working, even in her past life. When he bothered her while she was cooking, she would smack his arm with a spatula.

Ajin pulled at his tight necktie with his finger and gave a small laugh. He remembered the good old days when he used to sneak tofu pancakes while getting a slap from Miss Flower. As he reminisced about the distant past, he narrowed his eyes.

Knock knock. Someone knocked on the office door.

It was probably Seokju, but Ajin straightened up just in case. Then he answered quietly.

“Yes.”

The door opened, and as expected, Seokju appeared. He was holding a thick black folder in his hand.

“Boss, there are a lot of approvals for you to sign today.”

“Yeah—”

Ajin leaned back on the sofa again. Seokju neatly placed the folder on the coffee table. Then he took a fountain pen from the desk. Ajin reluctantly took it.

All Ajin did at the office was greet the employees and scribble his name, but for some reason, it always felt tiring and annoying.

Ajin quickly scrawled his name, “Han Ajin,” as usual. After signing eight documents, the approvals were done.

“Thank you.”

Seokju bowed slightly and closed the folder. His employee ID hung loosely from his neck. The dangling ID had Seokju’s photo on it. He looked younger than he did now.

Cute. Ajin thought this without realizing.

Suddenly, Ajin grabbed Seokju’s ID. Startled by the sudden action, Seokju stumbled toward Ajin. His foot kicked the coffee table, causing a couple of folders to fall to the floor with a clatter.

“Boss.”

Seokju struggled to keep his balance but was pulled forward by Ajin, who wrapped his other arm around Seokju’s neck. He ended up leaning into Ajin.

Ajin tilted his head back and immediately kissed Seokju on the lips. Seokju stiffened, gripping the armrest of the sofa.

Ajin stuck out his tongue and licked Seokju’s lower lip, like a cat.

Seokju sighed deeply. The sigh seemed to scold him for this kind of behavior at work, but then, his large hand gently cradled the back of Ajin’s head.

Ajin smiled unknowingly and clung to Seokju. Seokju supported Ajin’s waist and thighs, sitting him up on the sofa, then moved like a flexible predator and climbed on top of him.

The kiss deepened immediately. The sound of their kiss filled the room. Their tongues mixed, and saliva tangled together. Today, Ajin was particularly active, pushing his tongue into Seokju’s mouth.

At first, Seokju kept the kiss light, but when Ajin provoked him, he exhaled sharply and turned his head. Since he was on top of the smaller Ajin, his broad back curved as he resisted. Ajin slid his hand into Seokju’s jacket, gently feeling the muscles through his thin shirt.

“Mm…”

Hot breaths mixed with lukewarm ones. Ajin’s neck heated up. The stimulating action made the heat inside him uncontrollable, even though he was close to the cold Seokju. His neck and jaw throbbed as he tilted his head back and moved his tongue.

Ajin furrowed his brows slightly, and Seokju quickly noticed the discomfort. He grabbed Ajin’s waist and flipped him over. Now, Seokju sat on the sofa, and Ajin was on his lap. Seokju, still kissing Ajin, loosened his tie and unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt.

“Hah…”

The loosened clothes helped cool the heat a little. They continued kissing. Ajin traced Seokju’s handsome jawline and earlobe. Feeling his firm thigh under him made him feel a strange sensation.

After staying close for a while, they finally pulled away, and the clock had moved a little closer to the next hour.

Ajin massaged his numb lips and giggled. This was the first time they kissed at work. Seokju always refused. He used to say something about not mixing business with personal matters, but Ajin didn’t listen to him. He knew Seokju couldn’t resist him anyway.

Seokju looked at the smiling Ajin with a soft gaze. He brushed his cheek and straightened Ajin’s wrinkled shirt collar.

They stared at each other for a moment. Then Ajin rested his cheek on Seokju’s shoulder. Seokju sunk into the sofa back, making it more comfortable for Ajin to lean on.

“Hyung.”

Ajin, tasting Seokju’s flavor, called out quietly. His fingers traced the smooth lines of Seokju’s shoulder.

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been really happy lately.”