TIN 101

The next morning. 

From early dawn, several large trucks arrived in the garden. They seemed to be transporting items received at the party, and the mansion was bustling with all sorts of activity. Boxes large enough to fit people moved constantly in and out of the mansion.

My condition couldn’t have been better. Thanks to kissing Joo Do-hwa, the suppressant’s side effects had vanished completely. If anything, I felt better than usual, as if I’d never been sick in the first place.

“You really have recovered.”

Visiting me as soon as the sun rose, Joo Do-hwa couldn’t hide his amazement at my condition. Normally, he would have called a doctor, but he didn’t mention even a word about blood tests. I’d worried he might suspect I was faking it, but fortunately, he showed no such suspicions.

He just sat on the bed to check, like yesterday.

“Let me see your eyes.”

“…”

When I checked in the mirror at dawn, they hadn’t changed much from yesterday. Still, I worried about meeting his gaze. Of course, there was no way to turn back now.

Whether fortunately or not, after studying my eyes for a while, Joo Do-hwa said, “They look fine at first glance…”

His face and gaze were utterly serious. Even if this was really the process of losing sight, his extreme concern was hard to understand. Whether he was worried about damaging my “pretty eyes” as he called them, or if a flawed doll would be troublesome, none of this was clear to me.

“We’ll get your eyes checked soon though. Just in case.”

“Yeah, okay.”

An eye exam was fine since it didn’t involve drawing blood. A doctor might notice something unusual, but they probably had little experience with dominants strong enough to change eye color. Without detailed testing, they wouldn’t be able to catch anything.

“You thought well. We can’t have you getting sick when we go to the sea.”

Joo Do-hwa smiled with curved eyes as if proud of me. Gently touching my eyelids, he even reassured me, saying, “There shouldn’t be any major problems.” His comfort meant nothing to me, but my heart foolishly raced at the mention of the sea.

“You should see the sea with healthy eyes.”

Next week, Joo Do-hwa promised to take me to the sea. From anyone else it would have been empty boasting, but coming from Joo Do-hwa, it was no longer just fantasy. He could take me to the sea, and there I would fulfill my cherished dream.

If there was just one concern…

“…Aren’t you going anywhere today?”

I asked him carefully. Today was the weekend, and parties were usually held every weekend. The parties where, as Joo Do-hwa said, “Yoon Ji-soo might come.” Whether that was true or false, I wanted to try this last possibility before leaving for the sea.

“Today I just need to handle some work briefly.”

However, Joo Do-hwa seemed to understand my question as relating to his departure. I could tell from how he casually touched my cheek while explaining he had a meeting later in the afternoon.

“Ah…Busy even on weekends.”

Though his absence didn’t matter either way, I just responded appropriately. No matter how generous he acted, I didn’t think he’d give me information about Yoon Ji-soo. It was all parts instinctive feeling, learned awareness, and rational judgment. I learned from experience to be wary around Joo Do-hwa.

What’s the point of bringing it up? He’d just act petty again.

“Work hard.”

I added slowly, lowering my eyes. Come to think of it, it had been a while since Yoon Ji-soo’s name had passed his lips. Whether because I was sick or for some other reason, all those words he used to whisper like bait had disappeared without a trace.

Once I started thinking about it, the worries became endless. Was going to the sea really the right thing to do? If Yoon Ji-soo was inland, then it would be harder for us to meet. What could I possibly accomplish alone at the sea?

However, no matter how much I thought about it, there was only one conclusion. First, I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

Life was always like that. Rather than making the best choice, you just choose the option that wasn’t the worst. In situations where nothing was certain, you live by avoiding the immediately disastrous paths, like playing hot potato.

Yes, so there must be no other way right now.

“You’ve gotten gloomy.”

“…”

I furrowed my brow with a start. He was getting better at reading my expressions. Having been told I was expressionless, I became startled whenever he seemed to see right through me.

“Are you lonely being alone?”

“No, why would I be lonely?”

I preferred being alone actually. Though my answer was completely sincere, it didn’t convince Joo Do-hwa. After contemplating something for a while, he smiled lazily and suggested, “Want to stay by my side?”

***

Of course, Joo Do-hwa’s question wasn’t a simple ‘suggestion.’ When he asked if I wanted to stay beside him, it was essentially an order to stay whether I wanted to or not. As if to prove this, after lunch he led me to his study.

Joo Do-hwa’s study was located at the far end of the second floor. The interior, filled with simple monochrome furniture, didn’t feel too dark thanks to the large window in the wall. A laptop and tablet were placed on the desk, and there was a large table and sofa in one part of the room.

“Sit there.”

After seating me on the sofa, Joo Do-hwa sat at his desk and began working. It was no wonder he’d been wearing a suit since morning. The way he opened his laptop suggested he really did have a meeting.

“Is it okay for me to be here?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Read a book if you’re bored.”

“Ah, can’t read…?” Joo Do-hwa muttered quietly, glancing at me. I was sitting awkwardly on the sofa, watching him. Finding something amusing, he chuckled when our eyes met.

“Next time I’ll buy some picture books to keep here.”

I could read text, and even as a child, I wasn’t particularly fond of picture books. If anything, Joo Do-hwa might have been the one who reluctantly sat me down and read to me. And above all, there wouldn’t be a “next time.”

“Just entertain yourself however you like. I’ll finish soon.”

“…”

Though I wanted to return to my room as soon as possible, the atmosphere didn’t allow for it. From when he brought me to the study until now, Joo Do-hwa had seemed subtly excited. Indeed, his bright red lips wore a gentle smile.

It seems like you’re the one who’s lonely been alone all this time.

Should I say things have loosened up, or become relaxed? The atmosphere softening day by day wasn’t exactly welcome. Though better than when he threw tantrums and acted on whims, this new vibe had its own complications.

As things stood now, it felt like he’d gladly let me go out if I asked. Though I’d need to go with Joo Do-hwa, the fact that only that was required showed he’d become more lenient than before. Almost as if he was letting his guard down.

“…”

After staring at Joo Do-hwa for a while, I leaned back against the sofa. Joo Do-hwa was just starting his video conference. “I can hear you, go ahead.” His voice saying that was much lower and more serious than usual.

He really does work, huh. Though I knew he wasn’t a six-year-old kid anymore, his serious expression was fascinating.

I looked around the study carefully while listening to his meeting. Though I considered reading a book, I didn’t want to reveal that I could read. If he asked where and how I learned, that would be awkward to explain.

“We’ll compile the data for that matter next week…”

His voice, familiar with giving and receiving reports, echoed in the quiet study. Feeling oddly empty, I hugged a nearby cushion, which made me feel more comfortable. The only problem was that my eyes started closing too.

Maybe because of being sick so long, sleepiness swept over me as my body relaxed. Had the flu turned into narcolepsy? It felt that sudden. Through my increasingly hazy consciousness, I heard Joo Do-hwa’s voice intermittently.

The German buyer…

If the sea route gets blocked first…

The route we opened last time…

“…”

His voice was really nice. When he wasn’t saying awful things, it was as soothing as a lullaby. He could probably speak so comfortably and in such a relaxed manner because no one would dare interrupt him.

“…Since we agreed to…”

I wasn’t even aware I was dozing. Though my head felt like it was tilting, consciousness returned for just a brief moment.

My head would drop, I’d straighten it, then drop again and straighten it. After repeating this countless times, I heard someone chuckle.

“Sleepy?”

“…”

I looked up at him with heavy eyes. The meeting had ended at some point, and Joo Do-hwa was typing while snickering. Though I tried to pretend I wasn’t sleepy by rubbing my face, I couldn’t hold back an emerging yawn.

“Yeah…a bit sleepy.”

Why am I so drowsy? Until yesterday, all talk of being sleepy was lies. I’d been tense with worry about whether they’d notice my changing eye color, or take blood samples while I slept.

“Hmm…”

Just as I was thinking it might be better to sleep for a bit, Joo Do-hwa hummed thoughtfully. Then he stood up holding his laptop. As I watched him blankly, he came over and sat beside me.

“…?”

Then he wrapped his hand around my head and pulled it toward him. My tilting head landed precisely on his thigh. Though I tried to jump up in surprise, he was faster in covering my eyelids with his palm.

“Then sleep for a while.”

…Like this?