Double Junk - 196

196

“…Really?”

“Yes, I’m the happiest person in the world.”

Ajin giggled like a child.

It was a perfect life no matter how he thought about it. He had his family, Miss Flower, and Seokju. That alone was enough to overflow with happiness. On top of that, their home was grand, and they had plenty of money. They didn’t have to worry about dinner for the day, envy others for what they ate, or fear the distant future.

When he first opened his eyes to this world, it had been overwhelming and terrifying. But now, he loved everything about it. He wondered if the benevolent Dragon King had brought him here to let him enjoy the happiness he hadn’t experienced in his past life.

Ajin’s cheeks glowed with joy. Seokju gently caressed them with his thumb. The soft and smooth skin was irresistibly endearing.

“You look happy.”

Ajin raised his head at those words. His navy-blue eyes sparkled beautifully.

“Really?”

“Yes. You look great.”

Ajin blinked slowly. For a moment, he just stared at Seokju. Seokju quietly accepted his gaze. Occasionally, his dark pupils twitched slightly, though Seokju wasn’t sure what it meant. However, the faint upward curve at the corner of his lips made it clear that he was in a good mood.

“What about you, hyung?”

“Huh?”

“Are you happy too?”

“…”

Seokju’s lips formed a straight line. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy—it seemed more like he was startled by some realization. He looked as though he had just become aware, for the first time, that he was happy.

“I…”

Seokju couldn’t easily finish his sentence. His voice faded, carrying traces of confusion and guilt. Ajin rested his cheek against Seokju’s broad shoulder again. Slowly, he traced the sharp line of Seokju’s jaw with his index finger, as if trying to comfort him.

“I hope you’ll be happy too, hyung.”

At those words, Seokju closed his eyes tightly. The hand hidden behind Ajin clenched into a fist and then relaxed. Eventually, he buried his nose in Ajin’s hair and gently stroked his slender back. Seokju felt like his body was melting into Ajin’s warm embrace.

“I am happy.”

“…”

“Happier than I deserve to be.”

“…”

“I’ve always been happy, as long as I was by your side.”

Seokju pressed a kiss to Ajin’s hair. The affectionate gesture made Ajin smile softly. Twirling the strap of Seokju’s ID badge, Ajin said,

“From today, let’s go to our home.”

“Our home?”

“Yes. A home where just you and I live together.”

“…”

Seokju raised an eyebrow before lowering it. Then, with a somewhat tense expression, he nodded.

“Alright.”

Ajin looked up at Seokju with a bashful smile. It was just the idea of going home, but somehow, it filled him with joy.

In this life, there were so many places for him to go. Seonhwa’s home, the place he would share with Seokju, and even Jeju Island, where Miss Flower was. Every single one of these places welcomed him with open arms. In those spaces, he wasn’t a stranger; he was family, a friend, and a lover.

In his past life, there had been nowhere for him to go. He would often end up sprawled on the floor, staring into the void. That endless emptiness and loneliness had been agonizing, yet somehow bearable.

Ajin shook his head lightly, banishing the memories of that distant past. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. His brows furrowed briefly before smoothing out again as he climbed onto Seokju’s lap, settling himself on his thigh. Then, once again, he leaned in toward Seokju’s tempting lips.

Seokju gently cupped Ajin’s neck, responding to the kiss. Their breaths intertwined, noses brushed, and tongues explored one another.

“Mm…”

Ajin let out a soft moan, rubbing his lower body against Seokju’s stomach. It wasn’t enough—he wanted more.

As he tugged Seokju’s shirt out from under his pants and ran his hand underneath it, his breathing grew heavier.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the office door.

“Boss, it’s Secretary Hwang.”

It was Myungjin.

Startled, Ajin hurriedly climbed off Seokju. In his haste, he almost lost his balance and slammed his head against the solid marble table. Seokju caught him just in time, carefully placing him back onto the sofa. With a large hand, he gently smoothed Ajin’s tousled hair. Then, without wasting a second, he gathered the scattered documents and retrieved the pen that had rolled to the edge of the table. His movements were swift and precise.

After tucking in the edges of his shirt, which had come loose, Seokju stood upright beside Ajin. Just as he finished, the door clicked open, and Myungjin’s head peeked in.

“Is Secretary Kang here? Oh, there you are. Secretary Kang, it’s time for the meeting.”

“Yes, I’m on my way.”

Seokju nodded with his usual stoic expression. He snapped the documents together with a sharp tap. Ajin sat frozen, staring blankly ahead.

“Well then, I’ll be heading out for the meeting.”

After bowing politely to Ajin, Seokju turned around. His polished shoes clicked against the floor three times before Myungjin pointed to his neck with a hesitant expression.

“Secretary Kang, your ID badge…”

“Yes?”

Seokju asked back. Then, a moment later, he realized his ID badge was hanging backward over his neck. Without any sign of embarrassment, he reached behind, grabbed it, and turned it to the front.

“…….”

Myungjin blinked at Seokju, silently asking what on earth he had been doing for the badge to end up that way. But Seokju didn’t answer. Instead, he tightened his slightly loosened tie. He walked past Myungjin and left the CEO’s office first.

“Let’s go.”

“Oh, yes. Sir, I’ll step out now.”

Myungjin bowed lightly toward Ajin’s retreating figure. Soon, the door clicked shut. Left alone, Ajin slid down like a deflated balloon. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, then covered his eyes with his palm, chuckling quietly.

Black Longing

“Good afternoon. I am Ajin Han, the CEO of HS Studio. Thank you all for taking the time to attend this event. The scorching summer is finally nearing its end. The sweat you poured out during this summer will surely return as a great masterpiece, like a tidal wave. HS Studio will do its utmost to ensure that this wave reaches not only Korea but all of Asia, and even the world. Once again, thank you. Today, we are celebrating the release of a project that HS Studio has invested in and produced, a great achievement that…”

Reading off the densely written script, Ajin suddenly closed his eyes tightly. The crumpled paper, worn from hours of holding it, trembled in his hand. He took a short breath and looked back at the script, but he couldn’t figure out where he had left off. The words on the page swirled like a vortex.

Feeling a headache pounding at his temples, Ajin flopped onto the sofa. He slowly shifted and rested his face on Seokju’s thigh.

It was a rare work-free weekend. Yet instead of playing with Sunhwa, dating Seokju, or visiting Miss Flower in Jeju, here he was, wrestling with this awkward script. He felt utterly defeated.

“Ugh… I can’t do this. I really can’t. Can’t you do it instead?”

With a pout, Ajin waved the paper in frustration.

Next weekend, the company was hosting a party to commemorate the release of a blockbuster drama they had spent years preparing. The event had drawn significant domestic and international attention. As the company CEO, Ajin was required to give an opening speech, which he found utterly daunting.

He had never given a long speech or stood as a representative before a crowd. Seokju had shown him videos of speeches from past events for reference, but Ajin had to run to the bathroom before the video even ended — not from nerves, but because he suddenly felt the urge to pee.

Ajin sighed deeply, puffing out air as Seokju, setting down his tablet, gently ruffled his hair.

“No can do. This is something you need to handle yourself. You’re the CEO.”

“Then you be the CEO starting tomorrow. I’ll talk to Mom about it.”

“Ajin.”

“Aww… Fine…”

Ajin squirmed, rubbing his face against the paper. His heels bounced against the sofa.

“I’m too dumb for this… I can’t do it…”

“Why would you say you’re dumb? You’re smart. I’ve taught you before, so I know. You’re just avoiding it. If you put your mind to it, you’ll do great.”

Hearing that, Ajin abruptly sat up. His blue eyes were filled with irritation.

“Avoiding it is the problem! That’s the biggest problem! I really don’t want to do this!”

“…….”

“I’m just a puppet CEO! I’m not even the real one!”

After venting his frustration, Ajin groaned weakly and slumped forward. His chest felt hot, and his flushed cheeks burned unpleasantly. Tossing the script haphazardly under the sofa, Ajin clung to Seokju.

“I’m hot.”

“Should I turn on the air cond-“

“Not that. Kiss me.”

“…….”

“If you kiss me, I’ll keep reading the part about taking Asia and the world by storm.”

Ajin smiled mischievously as he looked up at Seokju. It was a look Seokju had grown used to seeing recently. Whenever Ajin clung to him, claiming he was too hot, he would flash this playful, adorable smile. It was as if he were silently saying, ‘How could you possibly say no when I’m smiling like this?’

Not that Seokju would ever refuse Ajin in the first place.

From Seokju’s perspective, indulging Ajin’s antics was hardly a loss.

Seokju leaned down and lightly kissed Ajin’s lower lip before pulling back. It was a quick peck, but Ajin looked dissatisfied. His pout made him resemble a sulky child. Stifling a laugh, Seokju wrapped an arm around Ajin’s waist and pulled him closer. Ajin’s expression brightened instantly as he eagerly looped his arms around Seokju’s neck and leaned in.

Their lips met briefly, then parted, and the teasing peck quickly deepened into a full kiss.

A few minutes later, Ajin lay sprawled on the sofa while Seokju loomed over him like a predator. As they kissed passionately, Ajin sucked on Seokju’s wandering tongue, his hands roaming over Seokju’s muscular arms and slim waist. Then, slipping his hands under Seokju’s loose loungewear, he ran his heated palms down Seokju’s sculpted sides. Seokju’s heavy breaths spilled into his mouth.