Chapter 58. The Sound Youth Makes When It Drowns (14)

It was Lee Jaeheon—and just like earlier, his face was full of barely contained anger as he stared straight into her eyes.

“Why were you with CEO Park?”

For a moment, she stood there, stunned. Then she frowned, tilting her head.

“Is that supposed to be a question?”

“Why did you come to dinner with a guy who’s all messed up over you, huh? Eunkyo.”

His tone had turned short and snappy. The absurdity of it made her laugh—once out of disbelief, and again in frustration.

“Didn’t you see Kim Haeda? I came to eat with Haeda. Mr. Park’s just footing the bill. What about you, huh? What the hell was that king game? So childish. You’re still making people kiss for fun or whatever?”

The wave of resentment and irritation broke out of her before she could stop herself. Jaeheon bit his lower lip, then stepped closer.

He extended both arms, placing them gently on her shoulders, close enough that their toes nearly touched. His eyes locked onto hers.

“I want to kiss you.”

“…Didn’t you say you only kiss when you’re turned on?”

She narrowed her eyes, glaring up at him. His lips curled into a smirk as he leaned in, kissing the corner of her mouth and her cheek lightly before whispering by her ear:

“With you, just making eye contact turns me on. Want me to prove it right here?”

As he pressed closer, she could feel the firm bulge of his arousal just above her belly button. She pushed against his chest with both hands and shook her head.

“Are you trying to get arrested for public indecency?”

He looked like he was about to laugh, raising his brows playfully—then his gaze dropped to her battered, peeling burn bandage.

“Why haven’t you taken this off yet?”

Gently, he took her hand and peeled off the bandage himself, then softly blew on the swollen wound.

“I was going to. That’s why I was heading to the pharmacy. It’s getting too bad to ignore.”

He was silent for a moment, clenching his jaw. Then, in a low murmur, he said.

“You really have a talent for driving me insane, sunbae…”

Letting go of her hand, he held out the other one.

“You heard it earlier, right? If I don’t get taken care of, I go off the rails. So get your head on straight and take care of me.”

So… he did hear it.

“Hah… Are you serious right now? You believe that crap?”

“Nope. Don’t believe it.”

‘Me neither.’

With a long sigh, Eunkyo took his hand. He laced their fingers together and started walking briskly out of the alley.

Eunkyo followed, dazed, through the thick heat and golden dusk.

Funny, really—people didn’t seem to pay much attention to others. Even someone like Lee Jaeheon, who usually drew stares wherever he went, now passed unnoticed.

People’s eyes were surprisingly indifferent, light as the breeze—so light that maybe, just maybe, there was no need to care.

“…Didn’t you say you wanted to kiss me earlier?”

As the pharmacy came into view, she slowed and asked. Jaeheon glanced down at her, raised an eyebrow, and sighed.

“Kissing would’ve just led to more. I wouldn’t have been able to stop.”

“…Oh.”

She ducked her head.

“After dinner, I’m going to the studio.”

“…Got it.”

“I’m going to shower, too.”

“Go ahead.”

“Sex?”

His bold question made her ears flush bright red. She glared sharply at him, picked up the pace, and quickly raised a hand to cover her blushing mouth.