Chapter 19: The Morning After and Unwanted Company

Chapter 19

‘That was truly an unforgettable retreat. And yet—this morning feels exactly like any other.’

By ‘any other,’ he meant the usual aching legs, a dull throb in his buttocks, a sticky sensation between his thighs, and that monstrous bastard who simply finished his business and vanished.

Suddenly, the realization struck him. ‘Ah, so that’s why I never felt abdominal pain on regular days.’ That son of a b*tch had rammed him until his rear was gaping wide, knocking him unconscious, and everything he’d ejaculated inside must have leaked out.

This profound realization and surge of anger jolted him awake. As his consciousness slowly returned, he felt a shimmering light through his eyelids, a soft darkness interwoven with a stinging sunlight.

In-tae winced, furrowing his brow as he opened his eyes. He stared blankly at the bright ceiling for a moment before twisting his head. Morning sunlight streamed in through the window.

‘That rotten bastard didn’t even bother to close the curtains.’

It was a familiar complaint. What did he expect from a man who left him in this state every night, never even bothering to pull up a blanket?

‘Still, it’s not like he finished up at night as usual. He kept at it until dawn. So, common sense dictates he’d at least close the curtains to let me sleep in this morning—but of course, he wouldn’t.’

He inwardly ranted, beating his own drum, only to conclude with a sigh. Just then, his phone, clutched in his hand, buzzed.

[Na Ye-eun]

Ye-eun had sent a warm text last night, asking if he’d gotten home safely and to contact her upon arrival. Naturally, he’d been in no state to reply. In-tae quickly pressed the answer button.

“Hello?”

Though no one could see him, he felt a pang of awkwardness and pressed his legs together as he spoke. With one hand, he fumbled for the blanket, pulling it over himself haphazardly.

–In-tae. Are you feeling alright? Everyone was worried when we couldn’t reach you all night after you left.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just fell asleep right away yesterday—couldn’t answer the phone.”

–That’s what it seemed like. Are you with Ban-ri right now?

“Nooo? Why would I be with him right now?”

He was momentarily flustered, but anger quickly and confidently overshadowed it. That bastard had simply finished his business and vanished like the wind.

–Ban-ri hasn’t been answering his phone either. We were worried something might have happened. Did you two part ways right after getting to Seoul yesterday?

“…Uh. He dropped me home… and left. He must have gotten home safely.”

–Really? Did he text you when he arrived? Ban-ri isn’t sick, so why isn’t he answering…

“No, he doesn’t usually do that—and his home is close. He definitely got home safely.”

In-tae glanced at the wall beside the bed. He couldn’t easily imagine what the man beyond that wall looked like. It was only natural, as he had never once been to Jung Ban-ri’s house.

–Still, it’s strange he hasn’t contacted anyone… And it feels awkward to call him again.

“He’s probably just tired and sleeping. There’s nothing to worry about.”

–Mmm. Well, that’s good then…

Ye-eun’s voice trailed off, still sounding worried. Worry often grows with affection. In-tae chuckled inwardly, feeling as if he’d found a kindred spirit.

“Even so, just in case, I’ll go check on him.”

He was about to hang up when Ye-eun hurriedly spoke again.

–Shall we get some hangover food together?

“Hangover food? Now?”

–Yeah. Near school. I know a good place for *haejangguk*. Does Ban-ri like that kind of thing?

‘No.’

He could answer definitively. Jung Ban-ri didn’t have favorite foods. As a man of minimal desires, he felt no satisfaction from eating delicious meals.

–Never mind. I guess Ban-ri wouldn’t eat *haejangguk*. Right?

After a brief silence, Ye-eun quickly changed her question.

Jung Ban-ri’s most frequently eaten meal was probably a well-prepared Korean set menu. That’s what was typically served at his house. However, it couldn’t be called Jung Ban-ri’s choice.

If a lavish spread of delicacies were placed before him, Jung Ban-ri would likely choose the one with the most balanced nutritional value. Taste would not be a consideration.

At the same time, if he had to eat with someone, he was capable of pretending to enjoy anything. He had an uncanny knack for picking out dishes his companion would enjoy.

“I don’t know. He seems to eat everything pretty well.”

He replied vaguely, recalling their last meal together. After coming to college, they had started eating separately. Initially, he had taken the man to nearby restaurants a few times but quickly stopped.

Meals near the university, while cheap, weren’t exactly healthy. The food, laden with seasoning, was initially tantalizing but quickly grew tiresome after a few meals. When it occasionally left him feeling bloated, he couldn’t help but miss the excellent food he used to eat at Jung Ban-ri’s house.

Of course, Jung Ban-ri always ate with an impassive face, but In-tae simply wished that even that man would eat good quality food.

–Then what does he usually eat for a hangover?

“I don’t really know what he eats.”

He was actually curious. Did Jung Ban-ri also look for food to soothe his stomach the morning after a drinking session? In-tae usually cooked ramen when he needed hangover relief, but he had never offered to share it with Jung Ban-ri. Ramen was not the kind of food he would recommend to him.

–Really? What about you, In-tae?

“Me—”

He was about to answer with ‘refreshing ramen, loaded with green onions, bean sprouts, and plenty of chili powder’ when his lower body suddenly felt a chilling sensation. He wondered if his weakened thighs had parted on their own accord.

–What do you like?

His body was suddenly pulled down, and simultaneously, Ye-eun’s voice faded.

“Ugh!”

Then, a hot, hard object pierced the numbed area in a single thrust.

“What the hell?”

–Hello? In-tae? Can you hear me?

Ye-eun’s voice came from above his head. He desperately reached out but couldn’t grasp his phone. His fingers tingled and curled as a heavy weight crushed his inner flesh.

In-tae glared at the face slowly drawing closer. Jung Ban-ri slammed one hand beside his head and effortlessly reached for the phone with the other.

–Huh? In-tae—

The moment his long finger flicked, Ye-eun’s voice was abruptly cut off.

“You crazy bastard. Get off me!”

He forcefully pushed against Jung Ban-ri’s flat chest. He was beyond caring if the man was a germaphobe; he could see nothing but red. Jung Ban-ri’s upper body moved back just enough for a fist to fit between them, but his lower body remained pressed against In-tae’s.

The phone vibrated again. He checked the screen, and sure enough, it was Ye-eun. Unable to press the answer button, he glared at Jung Ban-ri with wide eyes.

“Get out.”

“It’s better if you don’t talk on the phone.”

“Stop spouting nonsense and get out.”

“I’ll just hang up again anyway.”

“What are you talking about? Why would you hang up?”

“If you tell her we’re still together, won’t she ask what we’re doing? Like at the retreat?”

“……”

“Then what will you answer?”

Blocking his every retort, Jung Ban-ri stared, as if demanding an answer. In-tae retorted defiantly.

“I’ll tell her I’m coming right now! Even faster than at the retreat. Hurry.”

“……”

“So get out quickly and get lost.”

He emphasized the final syllable, brimming with strong resolve. Let him try to retort. Jung Ban-ri replied without raising his voice.

“You want to, don’t you?”

“Who says?”

The moment he scoffed, Jung Ban-ri abruptly pulled back the blanket. Then, he paused, seemingly flustered.

There were times when his completely lifeless d*ck could be this glorious. In-tae spread his thighs as if to show it off. He never thought the day would come when he could silence Jung Ban-ri without saying a word.

“Your face was red, so I thought you wanted to,” Jung Ban-ri mumbled, tilting his head. The way he cocked his head made it seem like he genuinely believed In-tae was in heat. He must have mistaken In-tae’s flushed face from embarrassment during the call with Ye-eun.

“Oh, really? Is that what you thought? But what a shame. I’m not an animal like you. Humans inherently possess self-control—Ah!”

Jung Ban-ri slammed his lower body against In-tae with a wet smack. Burying his cock deep inside, he moved his hips, relentlessly grinding against a certain spot. A tingling sensation immediately spread near In-tae’s navel, and his lower abdomen instinctively tensed.

“Hmph!”

An unwanted moan escaped him. It wasn’t just his vocal cords that betrayed his will. In-tae resented his healthy body and excellent virility, just a little, today of all days.

“See? I was right.”

Jung Ban-ri smirked. To play tricks and even feign expressions just to provoke him.

Damn it, I’m going to make a human out of you yet.

****

He had always wanted to wake up with Jung Ban-ri at least once in his life. How happy would they be, lying in bed, stirring together, pondering what to eat for breakfast? They might even cuddle lazily, then subtly start again. Perhaps then, they would finally have a slightly more relaxed and leisurely s*x life… but that was utter nonsense.

Engaging in it in the morning only made it clearer. He was merely satisfying his desires… with that indifferent face.

‘I want to be alone with you.’

That phrase, which might sound poetic to anyone unfamiliar with Jung Ban-ri, was stripped of all sentimentality in front of him, reduced to its mere dictionary definition.

‘I want to satisfy my sexual urges with you right now.’

In-tae recalled a time when he hadn’t yet known that fact.

‘H-handle it now? H-how could I?’

During a tutoring session, when Jung Ban-ri told him to relieve his urges, In-tae was utterly aghast. Yet, looking back, even if he had immediately dropped his pants in front of the man, Jung Ban-ri would have sat beside him with the same impassive expression. He might have even reviewed the next problem to save time.

Indeed, when In-tae emerged from the attached bathroom after relieving his urges that day, Jung Ban-ri continued the lesson diligently, as if nothing had happened. He would praise In-tae by stroking his head, massage his shoulders when he seemed tired, and idly trace his neck while reading problems when In-tae lost focus. Then, if In-tae got excited again, Jung Ban-ri would send him back to the bathroom, seemingly helpless.

At first, In-tae was conscious of Jung Ban-ri being just outside the bathroom. No matter how much he tried to control himself, the moment he touched his own penis, Jung Ban-ri’s face, his hands, and even a body he had never seen, would vividly come to mind. Unable to control his wild imagination, he bit his lip instead. He worried he might inadvertently call out to him. Even after completely stifling his sounds, his heart pounded with anxiety. Like a thief whose own shadow startles them, he felt as though Jung Ban-ri could see right through him, even if he didn’t show it.

However, after several similar incidents, he naturally realized the truth. To Jung Ban-ri, Yoon In-tae’s urges were simply something to get over with, nothing more. Just as his own urges were to him.

Therefore, being with Jung Ban-ri until morning simply meant it was a day dedicated to f*cking.