I’m not saying I believe it, but it just feels off.
He said he was “used to it” before.
“...Just to check, you know.”
If I really find any marks…
“I could at least tell the teacher…”
But the body that came into view was perfectly fine. No, “fine” isn’t even the right word. His broad shoulders, straight collarbones, and flawless skin without a single blemish looked like a well-raised body.
“Abuse? Abuse my ass.”
There wasn’t a single sign of it anywhere.
“It looks like he’s been cared for like a precious jewel.”
Kim Joo-won’s expression darkened.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there was nothing to pick on. By Kim Joo-won’s strict standards on muscles, Gi Jae-eon was rather skinny. For his height, he’d need to bulk up at least eleven kilograms to reach average weight.
Still, aside from that, his body was undeniably decent.
“Doesn’t lift weights? Good bone structure though.”
Kim Joo-won’s disinterested gaze scanned him but suddenly froze. His pupils widened as if they were about to pop out.
“What the hell is that?!”
Thunder clapped in Kim Joo-won’s head.
“How can a guy’s nipples be pink?!”
His mouth dropped open in disbelief. He rechecked, and yes—they were pink. Crazy. Damn, curses just slipped out. This was shocking enough to report to a broadcaster.
“Pi-pink.”
All the guys he’d seen before had dark, filthy nipples he’d want to tear off. Why did this bastard have cherry blossoms blooming on his chest? And spring was long gone! Kim Joo-won was thrown into chaos. His expression was like a cat that just smelled skate fish for the first time — utterly baffled.
In his world, a pretty male chest? Impossible.
Right then—
“Ah…”
Splash.
Gi Jae-eon twisted his upper body quietly. Hesitating, he touched his shoulder to cover his chest, clearly uncomfortable with Kim Joo-won’s stare.
Huh? What a showoff.
“Why cover your chest, damn it? You’re killing the mood.”
Plop.
Only the sound of water droplets echoed in the strange silence. Kim Joo-won’s lips trembled at the awkward atmosphere.
“...Something’s really off here.”
Perplexed, Kim Joo-won watched as Gi Jae-eon shrank his body tightly.
Hot, flushed skin, lowered gaze, wet lips.
Water droplets slowly slid down from his wet hair along his cheekbone to his collarbone... Why am I even describing this?
“No…”
“...”
Gi Jae-eon’s face grew gloomier, like someone humiliated. His already sad expression deepened into what looked like contempt.
Or maybe it really was contempt.
“Huh?”
Wow, was I just mistaken for a molester? Better to just drown with my nose in a basin than be seen like that. Am I really that kind of scum? I’m supposed to be blessed by the gods.
“There’s a limit to misunderstandings…”
Kim Joo-won hurried to defend himself.
“Hey, hey, I’m not that kind of person.”
And I like women, okay? That was a short, unnecessary explanation.
Why I was rambling here, I had no idea, but I couldn’t let it slide. What was more annoying was Gi Jae-eon’s next reaction.
That frustrating guy pursed his lips, paused, then muttered in his irritating tone, “...Ah, yeah. I guess you’d like that.”
What? I think the misunderstanding’s cleared, but…
“Why the hell am I pissed off?”
It felt like being recognized as an honorary simp, and that didn’t sit well.
“Am I about to come out?”
The simps he’d seen so far were all ugly bastards, or had personalities beyond repair.
“I don’t belong there.”
Thinking about appearance issues felt weird. Then suddenly, “Why do I care about this guy’s stuff?” came to mind.
It was embarrassing to be swayed by a guy—Gi Jae-eon, no less. Kim Joo-won ground his teeth, deleting those useless worries from his memory.
“No reason to get worked up and act dumb…”
Just embarrassing. And it’s all the teacher’s fault.
Muttering curses at poor Kim Young, he pouted.
“Body’s all loosened up, should I just go out now?”
Kim Joo-won hesitated, then shook his head.
“...No, that’s not it.”
Otherwise, it’d feel like I’m running away.
At least I gotta give back what I got, so I can sleep soundly tonight.
If I’m screwed, the other should be too. Fair’s fair.
Kim Joo-won called to Gi Jae-eon with a sly smile dripping with bitterness.
“Hey.”
His attitude was rough, but his teacher Kim Young believed he had a deep heart.
“Aren’t you getting shit-talked by the others?”
Gi Jae-eon moved his lips but then hung his head like a wilted plant, saying nothing. He didn’t look surprised.
“What? You know or don’t know?”
Kim Joo-won narrowed one eye and continued.
“Fine. Since we’re talking, I’ll ask.”
“...”
“Why the hell are you really here? You came for exchanges or whatever but just shut yourself in your room.”
“...”
“They say you ignore the others when they call? Hey, I told you before — this isn’t a place to indulge your whims. If you came, at least pay your share with food, you bastard.”
When Kim Joo-won said “bastard,” he sharply splashed water at Gi Jae-eon. It was deliberate and deeply insulting.
But Gi Jae-eon just tilted his head, wiped his stinging eyes a few times, and made no protest.
Plop... drip...
Rubbing his hand, the skin under his eyes turned oddly red, mixing with his natural dark circles to create a strange look. Alive but lifeless. To Kim Joo-won, it looked like fake pity.
“Enough already. What, are you on vacation or something?”
His harsh voice echoed around the bathhouse.
Kim Joo-won gave Gi Jae-eon a sharp glare through half-open eyes. If it were other kids, they’d already be apologizing with tears.
He honestly hadn’t intended to go this far.
He just wanted to give a slight jab, but ended up genuinely pissed.
“That bastard acts like he’s ignoring all of Bonryeong.”
Kim Joo-won glared a few more times before reluctantly looking away. Stretching his stiff neck, he swallowed his lingering frustration.
Then silence fell.
Only the bubbling water could be heard, and the bathhouse was deathly quiet.
Kim Joo-won rubbed his heated chest and glanced at Gi Jae-eon without looking.
The guy who he thought might reflect was still fixed on the ripples, lips tightly closed. Kim Joo-won snorted incredulously.
Did he put glue on his mouth?
“Damn, I’m talking alone.”
He felt his energy drain. Talking to the wall would be a hundred times more satisfying. After all that scolding, he should at least pretend to reflect or make excuses. But this was like a straw sack.
“Or does he just not want to talk?”
Kim Joo-won laughed bitterly, finally spitting out his long-simmering complaints with no hesitation.
“And if you had any conscience, you’d at least have called Seo-myeong. Running away before the surgery’s even done — aren’t you ashamed?”
Gi Jae-eon’s shoulders twitched.
Yeah, look at that. Kim Joo-won raised his eyebrows.
“Guess even you think you’ve been a jerk, huh?”
“Th-That’s... sorry.”
Gi Jae-eon finally spoke after keeping silent. His eyes darted anxiously as he apologized. Surprisingly, it seemed sincere.
“So you’re not completely without conscience?”
What a complicated character.
But he still refused to say why he hadn’t called.
Kim Joo-won shrugged tiredly.
Fine, if you don’t want to talk, don’t. Talking with you just raises my blood pressure.
He gave up cleanly and stood.
“I’m leaving.”
Splash!
Because of his big frame, water splashed violently around. Gi Jae-eon squinted as droplets hit his eyes, revealing a broad, flawless naked body from misty shoulders down to thick thighs.
“Phew.”
Kim Joo-won stretched his muscular arms and caught his breath. His abs tightened and loosened with each movement. With a towel over his shoulder, he trudged out of the bath, then suddenly spun around. Tapping under his eye, he said to Gi Jae-eon:
“Hey, get your shit together and go sleep. You a panda or what?”