IH Ch 78

Chapter 78

“Living with you is the reason I even get to eat things like this.”

That passing comment strangely lingered in his ears. Jae-i, not wanting to just let it slide, stared at the remaining half of the cake and muttered gruffly,

“I’ll bring more next time.”

“……”

“Because I want to eat it too.”

He didn’t really need to add that last part, but he said it anyway. For some reason, it made him feel embarrassed. It was a clumsy way to cover it up, and he regretted saying it the moment it left his mouth.

As Jae-i’s expression stiffened awkwardly, Dohwa, who had been gazing at his side profile, turned his head. He had been curious about the large box Jae-i had brought in earlier. Could he ask about it? Fiddling with his fork, Dohwa scooted slightly closer to Jae-i.

“Then what’s that over there?”

Their arms lightly brushed. Though they quickly separated, Jae-i instinctively tensed his arm, replying as if it didn’t matter.

“If you’re curious, open it.”

“Is it okay if I do?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“……”

Everything inside that box was Dohwa’s clothing anyway. Jae-i had been unsure how to hand it over, so it was a relief that Dohwa had brought it up first. Hiding his thoughts, Jae-i pushed his empty cake plate aside and started nibbling on the ribs again.

Dohwa stood and walked over to the box, which was about as big as he was. Seeing the tape still intact, he placed his hand on it. It was a common delivery box. Yet he stroked the top of it gently, as if it were something precious, and then carefully scratched at the end of the tape with his fingernail.

Why was he being so overly cautious? You could just punch the center with a fist, cave it in a little, and pull the tape off. Jae-i was about to step in and open it for him when the tape finally peeled off. After removing it completely and opening the box, Dohwa looked down at Jae-i.

“These are clothes?”

“……”

From the look on Dohwa’s face, he hadn’t realized they were for him. Jae-i hesitated before replying.

“…They’re yours.”

Even after opening the box, it hadn’t occurred to Dohwa that the contents were his. He simply stared inside. So when Jae-i spoke, Dohwa didn’t respond right away.

“What is?”

“Clothes for you to wear.”

Dohwa blinked his round eyes and patted his own belly.

“But I’m wearing clothes right now.”

“They’re too big. The pants keep falling down.”

He almost brought up the first day, when Dohwa had tried to run and his pants slipped right off—but stopped himself.

It hadn’t been that long ago, but thinking about it still made him uncomfortable. There was no point in bringing that up. Instead, Jae-i stood up abruptly and went over to the box. The clothes were neatly stacked inside. It looked like more than he had ordered. He grabbed a handful and shoved them into Dohwa’s arms.

“Try them on. I need to see if they fit.”

Most people try on clothes before buying them, but Jae-i ordered based on measurements. Since he had a good frame, he could pull off almost anything. As long as it wasn’t too small, even slightly oversized clothes looked fine on him. But seeing Dohwa made him realize that wasn’t the case for everyone. Clothes that were too big weren’t just unflattering—they were downright unwearable.

Looking down at the bundle in his arms, Dohwa muttered,

“These are all mine?”

“It’s better to wear clothes that fit properly.”

They weren’t expensive or anything. Watching you walk around in oversized clothes just made me anxious—was what Jae-i had intended to say, but he trailed off.

Dohwa was staring up at him with a strange expression. It looked the same as usual, and yet his eyes seemed glossy, like they were gleaming. Almost sparkling, even.

Fidgeting with the clothes in his arms, Dohwa finally spoke.

“You know, I…”

His voice seemed to tremble slightly.

Jae-i tilted his head, wondering what was going on, just as something small and rectangular slipped out from between the clothes Dohwa was holding. It slid down and landed lightly between them. Both Jae-i and Dohwa looked down at it simultaneously.

“……”

At first, Jae-i frowned, thinking it was a pack of cigarettes. He squatted down and picked it up swiftly.

“…Not cigarettes?”

It was unopened. A black package with bold yellow English lettering scrawled across it, and at the bottom, the words “XXL Extra Large” were printed. What the hell is this?

He recalled that Ahn Yuna had mentioned adding sneakers and underwear to the order. Maybe it was a promotional gift because she bought so many things. Jae-i held it up to his ear and shook it hard. Something was definitely inside. He examined it again and ended up opening it completely.

“What is this?”

Inside was something sealed in flat, metallic foil.

Normally, he would’ve stopped here. But this time was different. He tore it open, grabbed the rubber ring, and pulled. Something extremely thin and limp dangled down.

“……”

Still, he had no idea what it was. He thought about taking a picture and sending it to Ahn Yuna to ask. Just then, Dohwa crouched beside him. Setting his precious clothes gently to the side, Dohwa took the item from Jae-i, folded it roughly a few times, shoved it into the box, and then pushed the whole thing far away. As if it were something dirty.

Jae-i blinked at him. Dohwa, wearing a clueless expression, hesitated before asking,

“Did you buy this for me too?”

“…I don’t even know what that is.”

So it wasn’t a matter of buying it for anyone in the first place.

But Dohwa seemed to know what it was. As he reached for the item again, a small hand caught Jae-i’s wrist. The gesture told him not to touch it. Jae-i silently obeyed as Dohwa gripped his wrist tighter. After some hesitation, Dohwa finally spoke.

“I mean, even if you didn’t know… that thing definitely won’t fit you. It’s too small. So just return it or throw it away.”

“What is it?”

The moment he asked, Jae-i remembered something Ahn Yuna had said while helping him with the order.

“……”

He had knowledge of what the item was called, but since it had nothing to do with him—something he’d never use—he hadn’t bothered to learn more. So even after seeing it now, he had no image to associate it with. But then he remembered Dohwa’s expression, his words, and the stretchy form of the item… and a chill ran down his spine.

[Alright, Jae-i. Calm down.]

“……”

He had already calmed down enough. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have just been thinking of suing Ahn Yuna—he’d have stormed over and grabbed her by the collar.

Now that he understood what the item, which he’d mistaken for cigarettes, really was, Hwang Jae-i bolted to his room. The first person he contacted was his aunt, Hwang Suhyeon. She handled all legal matters on his behalf, and this time would be no different. He was really going to sue Ahn Yuna.

Up until now, he had only ever responded to lawsuits filed against him—he had never sued anyone himself. Suhyeon was initially startled by this, and even more so when she heard the target was Ahn Yuna. But then she burst out laughing.

To Jae-i, this was a grave matter. He had already made it clear how unpleasant he found the mention of condoms—so to hide one among his packages like this? It felt like she’d seriously underestimated him. That’s the only explanation for pulling a stunt like this, he muttered in a flat voice.

“I’ve already calmed down plenty. So please, that woman, Ahn Yuna—”

[To sue someone, there needs to be a clear reason and purpose. You can’t just say ‘sue Ahn Yuna’ without anything solid.]

“……”

[When people work closely together, disagreements happen. Conflicts arise. But you can’t go around filing lawsuits over every little thing. Especially in a case like this—you’re the one most familiar with being hit by groundless lawsuits, aren’t you?]

“……”

[And you won’t want to hear this now, but there’s no one better than Yuna. She’s worked with you ever since you became guildmaster. If she quits, where will you find someone that capable again? Just let it go.]

She was telling him to put up with it because there aren’t many people willing to deal with his nasty temper and still work with him.

Nothing she said was wrong. Ahn Yuna had been reliable and efficient throughout their years working together. She had served as a buffer between Hwang Jae-i and the outside world better than anyone else.

Still—about that condom…

[And you’re not someone who would say these things lightly. So what’s really going on?]

He wanted to be honest about everything. That that lunatic, Ahn Yuna, had sent him a condom. That he discovered it while Dohwa was there. That he had no idea what it was, and had even opened it and inspected it.

…But he couldn’t say it. Jae-i pressed his face into his palm and repeatedly bit and released his lower lip. The truth was, he wasn’t so much angry at Ahn Yuna’s stunt as he was shocked that he hadn’t recognized the condom. Even without interest, how could he not have known?

And yet Dohwa had recognized it instantly.

“……”

[Jae-i?]

His prolonged silence prompted Hwang Suhyeon to call out in concern.

[What’s going on? Did something serious happen between you and Ahn Yuna?]

Was it the kind of conflict that would make working together impossible? That level of dispute might warrant a lawsuit. But not over a single condom.

Realizing that this was something he’d have to resolve on his own, Jae-i lifted his head. Suppressing the sigh that had risen to his throat, he replied,

“No.”