BHB 54

A cheap body wash scent emanated from his body. A damp feeling lingered all over him. It wasn’t just because of the cheap body wash smell. That was just an additional reason added to his unpleasant mood.

Like putting his words into practice, Lee Taegang was only focused on the act of penetration, unlike the previous night. There were no passionate gazes, no meticulous kisses all over his skin, and no filthy words to arouse him. He was simply concentrating on thrusting and ejaculating. Then, as if he was done with his business, he hastily tidied up his lower body and left the motel room first. Only Yeowon, who had become a wreck from the continuous sex, was left sprawled on the bed.

It was a rather odd attitude, but Yeowon felt uncomfortable yet relieved. It seemed right. After all, the purpose of this act was to suppress Lee Taegang’s lewd desires and horniness. Nothing more, nothing less. No, it had to be that way. Even if they were having sex, the passionate gazes and heated whispers were unnecessary. It had to be that way.

Yeowon, who was just twirling his pen while listening to the lecture that didn’t even register in his ears, let out a deep sigh. Leaving aside other reasons, the fact that the sex was great was enough to bother his mind. For some reason, the thought that he had been too reckless wouldn’t leave his head. The answer he came up with to bring Lee Taegang back seemed to be an ominous sign that it was not the right answer.

“Yeowon?”

What pulled him back from his dazed state was the gentle pokes on him. 

Yeowon removed his hand that was propped under his chin and turned his head.

“What were you thinking so deeply about?”

Seeing the softly smiling face of Jeon Chaemin, Yeowon suppressed a deep sigh that was about to escape, as his confusion only grew deeper.

“…Nothing, just…”

As he trailed off, Chaemin did not press further and changed the subject. 

“Didn’t you hear the professor’s instructions earlier?”

“Ah, no.”

“We have to do the assignment together, you see.”

‘Assignment?’ 

He wasn’t the type to do it diligently, but this partner didn’t seem that way. In fact, Chaemin was known for his high grades in the department. Many underclassmen follow him around to take advantage of that.

“The deadline is next week, so the time frame isn’t that loose.”

“….”

“If you don’t really care about grades, I can just do it on my own if that’s okay…”

Sensing his indifferent response, Chaemin continued. Working on an assignment just the two of them. He wanted to avoid this partner, but he didn’t want to be a nuisance either.

“No, but I won’t be much help.”

In reality, Yeowon’s grades were at the bottom. He was barely scraping by to avoid academic probation. He was even known as the class dunce within the department.

Despite his nonchalant reply, Chaemin smiled softly.

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s true. You can ask Do Yeongjae.”

“I know you don’t really care about grades.”

“It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that I’m not that smart.”

“Even though our school isn’t an elite one, it’s not a place that just anyone can get into.”

“I got in by spending money.”

“…Really?”

Yeowon let out a small laugh at Chaemin’s careful question, his eyes wide in surprise.

“I’m just joking.”

“…Ah, what?”

“That kind of thing is only possible for the chaebol families.”

“But you’re known to be rich.”

“Just because someone is rich doesn’t mean they’re chaebol.”

“Your parents show up when you search online, and that level is considered chaebol, isn’t it?”

“Do my parents know about this too?”

“…I just overheard it somewhere.”

Chaemin lowered his head with a regretful expression, his eyes darting around.

“So you’re really interested in me, huh.”

“… Not just me, the other kids know about it too.” He trailed off, avoiding eye contact. 

At his awkward behavior, Yeowon let out a light laugh and opened his mouth, “So, what about the assignment?”

“Ah… We have to analyze the theme and meaning behind a movie or exhibition and prepare materials for a presentation.”

“Should I do the presentation?”

“Huh? Do you want to?”

“Sure, I guess.”

Though he didn’t particularly enjoy taking the lead, he wasn’t bothered by standing in front of people or giving presentations. He was more of a mess when it came to collecting data and making PowerPoint slides.

“Okay, then I’ll make the PowerPoint.”

“Alright.”

“But…”

As Chaemin was smoothly continuing, he paused for a moment. Yeowon looked at him blankly, wondering what it was.

“Should we watch the movie or go to the exhibition together?”

‘Why was he hesitating so much over that question?’ 

Yeowon nodded his head with an empty expression.

“Then, should we go separately?”

“No. I just… thought it might be burdensome if it’s just the two of us.” Chaemin spoke haltingly, constantly stealing glances at Yeowon. 

It seems he was worried that Yeowon would be burdened by the fact that he was gay. 

Seeing his shrinking posture, Yeowon felt a sense of responsibility, realizing his own reckless behavior.

“…It’s not like that.”

“…”

“Since you’re the senior, I should be the one feeling sorry, so let’s drop this.”

Yeowon wiped his face with a genuinely apologetic expression.

“Ah, no. I didn’t mean it that way… I just thought it might be a bit awkward.”

But they had already crossed that stage. It was he himself who had already experienced that awkward gay sex.

“Let’s just not talk about that anymore.”

“… Okay.”

As Yeowon firmly ended the conversation, Chaemin nodded his head and smiled faintly.

“So what about it then?”

“Hm?”

“The movie or exhibition?”

“Ah… I actually bought tickets for a photo exhibition of an artist I really like. If you’re interested, we can go together.”

‘Why was he asking so awkwardly when we had to work on the assignment together anyway?’ 

Yeowon nodded his head with an indifferent expression. “Okay, then send me the time and date via message.”

“Sure!” Chaemin beamed, nodding his head enthusiastically. 

He must really like that photographer. Seeing his smile like that, a vague uneasiness crept up again. What kind of relationship did this naive Chaemin have with Lee Taegang? And if Lee Taegang, with whom he had sex, knew that Yeowon, himself, had also had sex with him… what kind of expression would Chaemin have?

As he walked out of the classroom, stifling a long yawn, a rumbling in his stomach indicated that it was lunchtime. Checking the time, Yeowon realized there was still a significant time before his next lecture. 

Absent-mindedly, he asked Chaemin, who was walking with him, “Wanna go grab some food? I’m hungry.”

It was just a polite question since he was there.

“Okay, I’ll treat you.” Chaemin readily agreed. 

Yeowon slowly nodded and started walking. That’s when he noticed a familiar silhouette across the hallway. It was Lee Taegang, walking out of the department office alongside the TA.

Yeowon was very well aware of who the TA walking out with Lee Taegang was. She was the senior in the department that Lee Taegang dated before going to the military. They didn’t date for very long, but as a couple, they were quite a popular one within the department, matching well both physically and in appearance. As an upperclassman who was friendly with everyone, and as Lee Taegang’s girlfriend, Yeowon had been close with her as well.

Yeowon glanced back and forth between the TA, with whom he was engaged in a friendly conversation, and Chaemin beside him. Finally, his eyes landed on Lee Taegang.

How ironic. The people Lee Taegang had been involved with were all around him. The TA he dated, Chaemin with whom he had been intimate, and himself, Yeowon, who was essentially his sex partner now. 

Yeowon had never thought of Lee Taegang as promiscuous, but now, seeing the full picture, he seemed nothing but a depraved person. A discomfort, like a hangnail, rose up from the depths of Yeowon’s unsettled mind.

“The professor contacted me, so…” As they drew closer, the TA paused mid-sentence. That’s when Lee Taegang’s gaze, which had been averted, shifted to Yeowon and Chaemin. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

The TA greeted them first, followed by Chaemin’s polite response.

“Aren’t you going to greet us?” As the TA bluntly addressed the stiffly standing Yeowon, he awkwardly nodded his head. “You’re back from the military, huh? Still as arrogant as ever, I see, even when meeting your seniors.”

Yeowon had been known for his arrogance among the seniors since his freshman days. But it wasn’t like they had a bad relationship. Though not overly polite, he wasn’t disrespectful either, and thanks to his good looks, he was somewhat popular among the female seniors.

“What did I do this time?”

“Nothing, it’s just that you seem even better-looking after coming back from the military.”

“Oh, stop teasing me.”

“You like it, though. Ah, right. Didn’t you fail to submit the required assignment again? Didn’t you see the announcement?”

Yeowon averted his gaze and started to slowly back away.

“If you don’t submit the assignment this time too, you won’t be able to complete the course requirement? Don’t you want to graduate?”

As the TA called out to the retreating Yeowon, Lee Taegang interjected, “Noona, let’s talk about this later.”

“Ah, okay. I’ll let you know if I find out anything more.”

After concluding their conversation, the meaning of which was unclear, the TA gave a light greeting to Chaemin before leaving the three of them behind. The ones left were the three men, bound by an incredibly uncomfortable relationship.