IH Ch 21

Chapter 21

“Then……”

Before the sentence was even finished, Hwang Jae-i abruptly turned on his heel and walked out. Left alone in the guest room, Dohwa blinked. Then he cautiously peeked his head outside. In that brief moment, Hwang Jae-i was already gone from sight. It didn’t seem like a good idea to linger around him unnecessarily.

Dohwa carefully stepped outside. He tiptoed until he reached a spot where he could see the living room, and there, he spotted Hwang Jae-i stretched out on the sofa. One arm was laid across his forehead, making him look exhausted.

“……”

It seemed like Hwang Suhyeon wanted to look after him, but Hwang Jae-i didn’t appear to appreciate it. It wasn’t that he disliked Hwang Suhyeon—he just seemed uncomfortable with anyone else occupying his space. Then what about me? Considering how his expression always stiffened whenever he looked at me, he probably disliked me just the same.

At that moment, Hwang Jae-i lifted the arm resting on his forehead and looked straight at Dohwa. His piercing gaze seemed to be telling him to get lost. Not wanting to provoke him further, Dohwa hesitated. His face suggested he had something to say, and in a low, subdued voice, Hwang Jae-i finally spoke.

“Hey.”

“Auntie said I could have some cake—”

“……”

“She said I should share it with you.”

That was what she’d said, for sure.

Not only had Hwang Suhyeon brought over delicious food, but she’d also brought several large cakes. Before storing them in the fridge, she’d shown each one to Dohwa and told him to share them with Hwang Jae-i once their stomachs settled. Although they could have eaten them right away, Dohwa had simply nodded without saying anything.

This wasn’t exactly the right moment to bring it up, but if he didn’t say it now, he might not get a taste of that cake. Just thinking about all those adorable little cakes being packed away into the fridge made his mouth water. As he swallowed the saliva gathering in his mouth, he caught a glimpse of Hwang Jae-i’s face twisting. It felt like he was being seen as some kind of glutton, so Dohwa turned his head away, pretending not to notice.

Though he’d used cake as an excuse, what really concerned him was something else—the box sitting in front of Hwang Jae-i. The one that Hwang Suhyeon had placed on the table contained the fan letters Dohwa had carefully organized and kept. She’d insisted Jae-i not throw them out and to read one or two whenever he had the time, but knowing his personality, who knew if he’d actually listen. And if he decided to throw them away…

Shuffling nervously by the wall, Dohwa glanced at Hwang Jae-i. His calm expression no longer looked particularly angry. Even when Dohwa quietly stepped into the kitchen, Jae-i didn’t say a word. Still tense, Dohwa’s eyes turned toward the fridge where the cakes were kept.

‘The ones here are the ones I brought, so it’s fine to share. But the ones in the back are Jae-i’s—if you touch those without asking, he might get mad. Just stick to the cakes up front. The plates and forks are over here. And then…’

Following Hwang Suhyeon’s directions, he took out two plates and placed a cake on each, then set them on a tray along with some forks he had set aside earlier.

Perfect. Taking a deep breath, he carefully carried the tray over. Instead of sitting too close to where Hwang Jae-i was lying down, Dohwa chose a spot near the box of fan letters. Kneeling on the floor, he gently placed the plates down and then sat with his legs folded. No sooner had he picked up his fork than a low voice called out.

“What are you doing?”

“……”

Isn’t it obvious?

Swallowing the words that had risen to his throat, he only lifted his eyes. Hwang Jae-i, still stretched out on the sofa, was staring down at him, as if glaring.

“I’m going to eat the cake. Auntie said I should sit here to eat it.”

Then he pointed to two trees positioned in the corner of the spacious living room.

“She said to eat while looking at those. Said it would help lift my spirits…”

She’d told him to take the cake if he wanted it, and added that he should eat in a wide, open space. Which meant the living room—here.

Hwang Jae-i spent most of his time in the living room. Whether or not that’s why his aunt had said it, Dohwa focused on the cake before him, complying with her suggestion.

It was a small, round, flat cake—about half the size of his fist. Despite its size, the details were intricate, almost too pretty to eat. But he hadn’t brought it just to look at it, so he sliced into the edge. Inside was a rich, dark brown. The flavor was nutty and sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

It was a taste he’d never had before, but he liked it. How could something be this delicious?

Dohwa concentrated solely on the cake. With each tiny bite, his cheeks flushed pink. His delight was obvious, and Hwang Jae-i’s brows furrowed ever deeper.

Unbelievable. Even with me staring directly at him, he ignores me like I’m not even here. That takes skill. Or maybe he’s aware but deliberately pretending not to be.

Now sitting up, Hwang Jae-i rested his arms on his thighs and glared at Dohwa. Let’s see how long you can pretend I don’t exist. But regrettably, Dohwa was fully immersed in eating. Even though he was savoring it bit by bit, he hadn’t stopped for a second, and half the cake was already gone.

That greedy little thing—don’t tell me he’s planning to eat mine too once he finishes his?

“……”

With that sudden thought, Hwang Jae-i looked at the cake, which had undoubtedly been chosen with him in mind. It was the exact same kind Dohwa was eating now.

A special Mont Blanc made by a famous chef, available only during this season. Among everything his aunt had brought, this had caught his eye first. He’d planned to eat it before anything else, and somehow, Dohwa had picked that one. He’d thought Dohwa just gobbled up whatever was handed to him, but it seemed he did have a sense of taste. Slipping down from the sofa, he walked over quietly.

He sat cross-legged in front of the table. Then, picking up the adorably small Mont Blanc with his hand, he popped the whole thing into his mouth. Immediately, a gasp echoed beside him.

What now? He turned toward the source of the sound and found Dohwa staring at him in genuine shock. What? His gaze silently asked, but the flustered boy only looked back and forth between his own plate and the now-empty one, then cupped his hands around his cake as if to protect it from being stolen.

“……”

He’d received a lot of wary looks in his life, but this was the first time it was over food.

Did he think I’d actually take the leftovers from his plate? The fridge is practically overflowing with over a hundred different desserts!

It was ridiculous—yet for some reason, Hwang Jae-i suddenly felt the urge to tease. He reached out his hand.

“Give me that.”

“W-Why?”

His already big eyes grew even rounder in shock. At the same time, he pulled his plate closer to himself, trying to hide it. Hwang Jae-i said flatly,

“It’s mine.”

“……”

Startled more than before, Dohwa’s gaze flickered as he hesitantly replied.

“But Auntie said we’re supposed to share it, half and half…”

“It wasn’t even bought for you in the first place. I was supposed to eat the whole thing by myself.”

And though he didn’t say it out loud, the thought ‘My aunt bought it for me’ felt too childish to voice. Still, whether he realized how petty his actions and words were, Hwang Jae-i remained completely shameless.

Dohwa looked between Hwang Jae-i’s large hand and his plate. He’d been eating slowly and carefully, so about a third of the cake still remained. Though more than half was already in his stomach, and you could say he’d had his share…

Fidgeting, he put down his fork and quietly picked up the plate to offer it. But when Dohwa meekly handed it over, Jae-i’s expression stiffened.

“……”

Because he’d eaten it so neatly, the cake still looked tidy despite the bites taken out of it. He could have just taken it and shoved it into his mouth if he really wanted to mess with him…

But the way Dohwa’s downcast eyes looked—not at him, but at the cake—left him with an unpleasant feeling. Why did it feel like he was the one doing something wrong? Well, maybe he was being a bit of a bully.

With that thought, Hwang Jae-i pushed the plate back with a flick of his fingers and tried to get up.

“Ah, ah—!”

In a panicked voice, Dohwa dropped the plate. The cake tilted and fell in slow motion. With a soft splat, it hit the floor, while Dohwa just barely caught the plate.

A silence fell between the two of them.

“……”

For the first time in a while, Hwang Jae-i felt completely at a loss. While he remained frozen, a small white hand darted out and picked up the fallen cake from the floor.

“You…!”

Before he could fully process what was happening, Dohwa stuffed the cake into his mouth.

“……!”

With lips tightly sealed, Dohwa chewed diligently. Hwang Jae-i stared in disbelief, and then reached out toward him.

“Why did you eat that?!”

Dohwa sprang to his feet to avoid his hand and continued chewing. Then—gulp—he swallowed, and opened his mouth wide to show.

“I ate it all!”

“……!”

A round mouth. A pink tongue. Tiny teeth.

Showing off his completely empty mouth, Dohwa closed it again and began backing away slowly. Watching him, Hwang Jae-i felt a surge of emotion he couldn’t quite describe.