Double Junk - 65

“Are they kids?”

“Not really… but the shadow looked quite feminine.”

Ajin tilted his head curiously.

“Then maybe they’re female entertainers.”

Seokju replied indifferently. Ajin shook his head.

“Sisters don’t wear tight clothes. It’s uncomfortable when working.”

“Then let’s assume they’re ghosts.”

Seokju tried to bury his face in Ajin’s neck. He wasn’t particularly curious whether the figures outside were entertainers or ghosts. As long as they didn’t disturb his time with Ajin, he wasn’t concerned.

However, Ajin seemed extremely curious about the owner of the shadow. He pushed Seokju away and, crawling down from the sofa, awkwardly approached the sliding paper door. Seokju’s and Myungjin’s rooms were neatly aligned in a straight line, with a makeshift bathroom and Myungjin’s room in the middle, all clearly visible.

As expected. Women in dresses or short skirts, removing their high heels, were ascending to Myungjin’s room. All of them wore heavy makeup, and their lips were painted in a shade of red typical of women in the entertainment industry.

The organization members greeted them with joy. Some members came down to the yard, flirtatiously escorting the women and engaging in playful banter.

“The ladies from the entertainment house have arrived. Did the boss call them?”

Ajin turned his head into the room and asked.

“No. Deokjae probably called them…”

Seokju answered casually while lighting a cigarette. Ajin turned his face towards the direction of the waiting room again. The long-haired woman, presumably the owner of the shadow that had grazed the paper door, entered Myungjin’s room last. Ajin stared at her intently.

“Why? Do you know her?”

Seokju asked while lighting his cigarette.

“No.”

Ajin denied and closed the door. The only women I know from such places are the dozen or so from the gambling den. What are the chances that they would be brought here? Even if that were the case, it was dark outside, and the distance was too far to see their faces clearly.

Ajin returned to the sofa. In the short time, a cold winter wind had crept into his neck, causing him to shrink. Seokju, with warm palms, gently stroked his cheek and neck. Ajin smiled with satisfaction.

Seokju, exhaling cigarette smoke, looked down at Ajin. The cat-like figure, huddled under the warm lower neck, looked adorable.

“Why do you call them sisters if you don’t know them?”

“Oh… it’s just a habit.”

“A habit?”

Seokju twisted his jaw as if finding it strange. It was indeed unusual to habitually refer to entertainers as sisters. Perplexed, Seokju’s face was met with Ajin’s gentle smile as he lightly touched his cheek with his palm.

“I’m sure you know there were sisters who sold their bodies at the gambling den I used to be in.”

“Yeah.”

“I was friends with those sisters. But every time I called them sisters, it felt… a bit awkward. You know, calling them entertainers instead.”

“…”

“Actually, none of those sisters chose to sell their bodies willingly. They were forced to do it for their younger brothers’ education, entangled in family debts, or sold off by their fathers in exchange for gambling debts. They were unfairly pushed into it… so it felt a bit… bitter.”

“…”

“Of course, I don’t pity anyone, but since they all have their own stories, it’s nice for us to treat them well and be cautious, isn’t it?”

Ajin flashed a dry smile. Seokju stared at him intently. Ajin, who held high regard for those who had carried the burden of the world’s misfortune, felt both frustrated and, at the same time, endearing.

Seokju gently stroked his eye area with his thumb, and Ajin changed his tone as he continued.

“But it’s been a while since the sisters came to the house.”

“Yeah, it was unnecessary before.”

“Was it unnecessary?”

“Yeah. Because you’re here.”

Seokju exhaled smoke, laughing lightly.

“…”

Ajin gazed blankly at that laughter. The smile subtly visible through the smoky air didn’t seem as magnificent. Occasionally, there were moments when Ajin keenly realized Seokju’s attractiveness, and each time, his heart trembled. It was a pleasant kind of tremor.

Fixing his cigarette, Seokju added while exhaling smoke, “Previously, it was because of me, a sleeping fool, that they called. Today seems special because it’s Myungjin’s birthday.”

“I see…”

Ajin nodded slowly. Even amid this, his gaze didn’t stray from Seokju. Seokju tilted his head, raising an eyebrow.

“Why are you looking at me so cutely? I want to kiss you.”

At that remark, Ajin swallowed a dry spit. Seokju, who didn’t miss the moment, squinted his eyes. A brief silence passed. Seokju firmly crushed the remaining cigarette in the ashtray. Then, he wrapped his arms around Ajin’s waist and pulled him closer.

“Why aren’t you saying you don’t like it? Is the boss crazy? Boss, you jerk! Boss, please behave! Say it like that.”

Seokju imitated Ajin’s soft, sharp voice. Ajin raised one shoulder, scratching his ear with his fingertips. It seemed like he was listening to Seokju’s words with his back turned. He wrinkled his nose once, then sighed. Seokju continued to mumble like he was talking to himself.

“Well, it’s not… that difficult… to kiss.”

“…”

Seokju briefly held his breath. Then, with a dry laugh, he said, “If it’s not difficult, let’s do it again sometime.”

Seokju wrapped his hand around the back of Ajin’s head. Ajin closed his eyes, leaning back slightly. Seokju, with a faint smile, kissed his lips.

The two shared a leisurely kiss. In this peaceful moment with no interruptions or urgent matters, their exchange of kisses was sweet. Ajin found this night spent alone with Seokju quite enjoyable.

After a while of kissing, Ajin, breathing heavily, leaned back, resting his head on Seokju’s chest. Seokju waited, and when Ajin’s breathing calmed down, he once again kissed him lightly. They repeated this process dozens of times, and the time approached midnight. The noisy outside sounds also softened. It seemed like the organization members had gone to their respective rooms.

“Should we call it a night too?”

Seokju sucked on the tip of Ajin’s chin before letting go and asked. Ajin, with heavy eyelids, nodded.

Leaving only one lamp on, the two turned off all other lights in the room. Seokju spread his arms and lay down, and Ajin snuggled in beside him. Seokju, stretching his arms, skillfully inserted himself between Ajin’s soft thighs. Ajin, willingly or unwillingly, watched Seokju’s face over his shoulder.

“What are you thinking?”

Seokju tapped the tip of Ajin’s nose. Ajin, seemingly waiting, opened his mouth.

“I’ll go see Miss Flower tomorrow at what time, Auntie?”

“Hmm… It’s better to see her before the surgery, right?”

“Yes.”

“The surgery is scheduled for 10 AM, so let’s have breakfast and head there right away.”

“Yes.”

“And stay until the surgery is over. When Miss Flower wakes up, come straight home. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Ajin affirmed each statement. Seokju chuckled. The clarity of Ajin’s thoughts was so apparent that Seokju couldn’t help but smile. He swept Ajin’s hair aside and asked.

“Since we’re out, how about taking a stroll in Jongno downtown?”

“Um…”

Ajin pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

“I just want to go home.”

Seokju couldn’t contain the rising corners of his lips. Ajin was too adorable. He wasn’t afraid of cars anymore, it seemed. Still scary, as ever. It was good news for Seokju.

Seokju hugged Ajin tightly. Ajin’s shoulders shrank inward due to the overwhelming force.

“Ugh… Boss, you’re suffocating me…”

“Endure it.”

Seokju planted quick pecks on Ajin’s neck. It was a strange moan from Ajin, a mix of ticklish and uncomfortable feelings, that accompanied the pecks.

Kwaaah…!

Beyond the thick wall, from afar, a scream echoed. It was faint but unmistakably someone’s scream.

“…”

“…”

Seokju and Ajin both stiffened simultaneously. Seokju moved first. Letting go of Ajin, he reached for the gun he always kept near his head. Ajin followed suit, sitting up with his upper body.

“Don’t come out.”

Seokju cautioned him. Ajin pressed his buttocks back down.

Seokju silently opened the door and went outside. Leaving the door slightly ajar, he surveyed the surroundings. It was to find the origin of the noise. The barrel of a gun searching for the source of the disturbance flashed coldly.

Ajin clutched the blanket tightly. Just when he hoped it was just a drunken organization member stumbling and falling, a thought crossed his mind.

Crash, Thud!

Something broke, and something else toppled over. It was a much louder sound than before.

Seokju’s head turned abruptly. Then, his eyes widened, and his mouth slightly agape. Even from a distance, Ajin could clearly see Seokju’s face changing rapidly. A black shadow was cast over Seokju’s usually composed expression.

It was despair.

As Ajin, too, recognized the unusual situation, he sprang up like a rebound. Awkwardly hurrying legs carried him out of the room.

Ajin, as soon as he stepped out, as soon as he turned his head, needed to grasp the situation, and without thinking, he had to wear the same expression as Seokju.

Blood stained the corridor. The owner of the blood lay unceremoniously on the corridor floor.

It was Myungjin.

Had he come out after breaking down his own door? He was sprawled amidst torn wooden pieces, entangled like a puzzle. A rugged and serrated kitchen knife was embedded in his chest. He seemed to be trying to protect his chest, as his hand was wrapped around the crude yet sharp blade. But his fingers… Three were missing. It looked as though he tried to block the knife, resulting in the loss of his fingers. Several chopped fingers were rolling on the cold floor.

The areas around his side and forearm, where the struggle had occurred, were deeply cut, with blood flowing. His sudden attack had left Myungjin’s face bewildered. The eyes, still wide open, stared at the intruder in the room, who was undoubtedly the assailant.