Chapter 46: The Line You Shouldn’t Cross

Hyunjin…

Hyunjin said nothing for a moment, simply staring at the two of them.

Hyunwoo panicked, not knowing what to do.

To be showing something like this to someone who already feels insecure— it was truly the worst.

Hyunwoo felt like absolute garbage.

Hyunjin, listen, this is—

……

Hyunjin, who had been standing silently, began to move.

He walked straight toward them, his gaze locked on Seunghyuk.

And suddenly, Hyunjin’s expression sharpened— vicious.

You son of a—!

…!

Hyunjin raised his hand and slammed it down onto Seunghyuk’s back.

A loud crack filled the room from the sheer force of it.

Even Hyunwoo, who had been under Seunghyuk, flinched in surprise.

What do you think you’re doing?!

……

But Seunghyuk didn’t let out even a groan.

Not a change of expression.

He simply glanced once at the furious Hyunjin and calmly lifted his body.

So Hyunjin is the type who blames his own partner, not the third party when he thinks there’s cheating, huh.

Well… fair enough.

Hyunwoo, absurdly, acknowledged that in his head.

Hyunjin, it’s not like that—

Hyung, stay quiet!

…Yeah.

Hyunwoo immediately shut his mouth.

Quiet people are always the scariest when they snap.

He had never imagined he’d be afraid of Hyunjin.

Lee Seunghyuk. Come out. Now.

…!

But no— letting the two of them fight would be bad.

They were doing so well, and now they might fight over some ridiculous misunderstanding.

And it’d all be because of him.

Hyunwoo hurriedly tried to sit up.

W-wait— urk.

But sitting up too quickly only triggered the nausea again.

His stomach twisted painfully.

He briefly thought, If I throw up on the bed that’ll be a real disaster.

Hyung, are you okay?

Hyung, are you okay?

Urgh…

The two spoke the same words at the same time.

And they each grabbed one of Hyunwoo’s arms— Seunghyuk on his right, Hyunjin on his left.

The situation was ridiculous, but his body came first.

With their support, Hyunwoo barely made it to the bathroom.

…Ha.

The sky looked yellow.

No— the ceiling.

After emptying everything, Hyunwoo collapsed back into bed, barely conscious.

The white ceiling looked like the sky this time.

Hyung, want water? Or your favorite drink?

Anything… cold…

Okay, I’ll get it.

Hyunjin, anxious, returned with both iced water and a drink.

Hyunwoo drank the water first.

Haa… Where’s Seunghyuk?

…He went out to buy medicine.

Right…

Hyunjin’s expression hardened again at Seunghyuk’s name.

Hyunwoo remembered Hyunjin’s fury from just moments ago.

He forced his tired voice to move.

It… it’s a misunderstanding. He was just helping me change clothes and it ended up looking like—

I get it, so don’t talk. Just rest. Your stomach’s still upset.

…Okay.

Hyunjin right now was nothing like the Hyunjin who had yelled earlier.

Maybe it was because Hyunwoo looked sick.

Selfishly, Hyunwoo felt relieved at Hyunjin’s gentleness, and closed his eyes.

……

Hyunjin watched him sleep for a moment, then stood up to wash the empty glass.

Beep.

……

……

And that was when Seunghyuk returned with the medicine.

The two stared at each other.

Seunghyuk spoke first.

Where’s Hyunwoo?

…Just fell asleep.

……

Seunghyuk glanced down at the medicine bag in his hand.

It’d be better to have him take the medicine before sleeping… but waking him wasn’t ideal either.

As Seunghyuk hesitated, Hyunjin spoke, voice cold.

Come with me.

……

Seunghyuk studied him briefly, then nodded.

The two went into Hyunjin’s room.

Ha…

Hyunjin raked his hand through his hair.

He still hadn’t recovered from what he saw.

He faced Seunghyuk directly.

You crossed a line. You know that, right?

……

You shouldn’t have done something he didn’t want.

Even though Hyunjin didn’t see everything from the start, he believed Hyunwoo’s reaction.

And Hyunwoo had clearly looked startled.

If you pull something like that again, I won’t let it go.

……

But Seunghyuk didn’t flinch.

His face was calm. Too calm.

Hyunjin grit his teeth.

He wanted to break that expression with his fist— but noise would wake Hyunwoo.

Seunghyuk looked at him, unshaken.

If the situation were reversed, I’d be angry too.

But that situation will never happen.

Hyunjin froze.

Seunghyuk continued.

How do you know whether he hated it or not?

What?

You weren’t inside his heart.

…!

His tone was quiet— but cutting.

Hyunjin’s fists tightened.

He needed to argue— but couldn’t.

Hyunwoo had loved Seunghyuk before.

He had even proposed.

Feelings don’t just disappear.

Hyunjin didn’t want to admit it— but he knew.

So don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.

You—!

Their pheromones clashed sharply, neither side backing down.

I’m not planning to stay just “a good little brother” to him.

…!

You can do that if you want.

Urgh…

Hyunjin’s balance faltered.

If he stayed like this— he would remain just that.

Only a good dongsaeng.

He couldn’t deny it. Not this time.

Move. I need to give him his medicine before it gets too late.

……

Seunghyuk lifted the medicine bag calmly.

Hyunjin stared at him, then slowly stepped aside.

The distance between them widened.

They both knew it instantly.

The temporary truce was over.

From now on— they were simply predators.

4th Arc: A Dogfight

The next day, when Hyunwoo opened his eyes, morning light filled the room.

Thankfully, today was a day off.

Hyunwoo sat up quickly, then relaxed once he saw the date on his phone.

Ugh, my stomach…

Once the relief faded, the pain returned.

He remembered he had thrown up again yesterday.

Two days of barely eating and only sleeping had wrecked him.

He curled up on the bed.

Ah… I have to go to the hospital today.

It was his final check-up.

His arm had almost fully healed. The stitching would come off today.

He had peeked earlier— the wound was nearly closed.

It didn’t hurt much anymore. Just a little stiff when he moved.

Soon he’d be able to drive on his own again.

He had burdened others enough.

Hyunwoo sighed deeply.

I should shower… and then the hospital…

Knock knock.

…?

Hyung, you awake?

…!

At the sound of the careful voice, Hyunwoo sat up quickly.

O-oh. Come in, Hyunjin.

……

The door opened.

Hyunwoo tensed immediately.

He remembered everything from last night.

Feeling better?

Uh… yeah.

Even if he wasn’t, he had to pretend.

Hyunwoo forced a smile.

Hyunjin watched him carefully.

Really? You’re not about to throw up again?

Yeah. Sleeping helped.

Good. I made breakfast, so come eat a little.

Uh…

You need to eat something to take medicine.

……

Medicine.

Hyunwoo remembered Seunghyuk giving him pills last night.

There should still be some left.

And as the memory returned, so did the awkwardness.

He avoided Hyunjin’s eyes.