Chapter 12: The Tiger’s Charm and a Troubled Heart

“How does it taste?”

Gaettong looked at Jin, who was holding a skewer full of meat and smiling radiantly.

The market street buzzed with activity on this bustling market day.

Amidst the chaotic mix of overflowing food aromas and human chatter, only Jin stood out clearly.

“Hurry and try it!”

Jin, holding an identical skewer, had already plucked a piece of meat from its end and urged Gaettong to eat. Gaettong hesitated before taking a bite. It was the first time he had ever tasted such rich, fatty meat.

He had never dreamed meat could be this delicious.

Before he could even savor the flavor, it vanished instantly, prompting Gaettong to quickly grab another piece.

“It’s good, isn’t it? Eat slowly. Next, let’s have a bowl of refreshing sikhye.”

Unable to even reply that it was delicious, Gaettong swallowed the meat he’d just bitten into, barely chewing, as Jin walked half a step ahead of him.

He quickly moved his feet, fearing he might lose her amidst the bustling crowd.

“Deoksam, let’s go look at some accessories.”

As they ventured deeper into the market, the crowd thickened, and the hawking of merchants made it difficult to hear Jin’s voice, even when she spoke right in front of him.

Gaettong had no idea where they were going, and the edges of the path were busy with peddlers setting down their bundles, leaving no room to step.

Far from enjoying the sights, it was a struggle just to keep up with Jin and Deoksam, who weaved through the narrow paths like nimble loaches.

‘What if I lose Jin and Deoksam in this chaotic place?’ he wondered.

He was fairly good with directions and thought he could find his way back, but he certainly didn’t want to be accused of failing to attend to his master properly.

“Oh my, it’s the Flower Young Master.”

“They said the Flower Young Master comes every market day, and it wasn’t a lie. What will they buy today?”

“Keep a close eye and buy quickly. If word gets out that the Flower Young Master bought something, it’ll sell out in no time.”

Jin’s steps halted, presumably having reached their desired destination. Gaettong stood a little behind, creating a respectful space to avoid any accidental bumps with passersby.

The voices of women admiring the vibrant fabrics and accessories displayed on the market stalls reached Gaettong’s ears.

“How can their skin be so fair? Could they actually be a young lady from some noble house, cross-dressing?”

“Who knows? They say he never goes near gisaeng houses, and last market day, the young lady from Minister Kim’s household offered a love letter, but he politely refused. There are even rumors they’re an ‘eumin’.”

“Goodness, ‘eumins’ aren’t exactly common. Or perhaps they already have someone special?”

Though not intentionally eavesdropping, Gaettong found himself unconsciously listening to their conversation, as it seemed Jin was their topic.

“Such delicate hands. Is that the yellow butterfly pin?”

“Wait and see. They picked it up and put it down, so they might buy something else.”

Lowering his head to look, Gaettong saw a pair of pale hands busily moving over the colorful, natural-dyed accessories.

To Gaettong, everything looked exquisite and beautiful, yet Jin was so deeply engrossed in thought, head bowed in concentration, that the slender, fair line of her neck was clearly visible.

He wasn’t particularly paying attention to the chattering women beside them, but if asked to name the most beautiful person he had ever seen, he would instantly answer, ‘the Young Master.’

“Our Flower Young Master, we have a rare item that just arrived from Qing. Shall I show it to only you?”

“Oh, what has arrived?”

The merchant’s words seemed to pique Jin’s interest, and Jin, who had been idly touching accessories, immediately nodded.

“It’s a bracelet made from tiger leather.”

As the merchant stealthily pulled a long, patterned strap from beneath his baggage and handed it over, Gaettong’s gaze also followed.

“Is that truly tiger leather?”

“Indeed, it is. When hunters catch a tiger, they skin it clean and present the hide to high-ranking officials. But the ones with many scars cannot be considered such prime goods.”

The merchant leaned in close, as if sharing a secret, his lips almost touching Jin’s ear. Jin, too, listened intently, her small lips pressed together, as if the merchant’s words held crucial information.

“Those are the ones that become accessories like this. What’s more, this particular piece is from a young cub caught after following its mother. The softness—oh, it’s beyond words! You’ll only understand once you touch it yourself, Young Master.”

The merchant swiftly wrapped the leather bracelet around Jin’s wrist.

“Look at this. Isn’t it fascinating?”

Gaettong, who had been standing behind Jin, observing and listening to the merchant’s explanation, recoiled when Jin suddenly turned around and extended her arm towards him.

Surely Jin wouldn’t do such a thing, or even if she did, it wouldn’t inflict significant harm.

Yet, having always been accustomed to being hit, Gaettong instinctively retreated to a defensive stance.

“Why are you acting like that? Don’t you like it?”

Gaettong stared blankly at Jin’s innocent expression, watching her hand touch the bracelet fastened to her arm.

“Come closer.”

“Young Master, I…”

As Jin abruptly stepped forward, closing the distance Gaettong had created, and pulled his wrist, pressing the remaining bracelet against it, Gaettong quickly tried to speak.

“Our Young Master certainly knows a thing or two. For someone who only handles a brush, like our Flower Young Master, several thin ones are pretty, but for someone who uses their body, a wide one like this on the wrist…”

“Yes. That looks good. Let me see it.”

The quick-witted merchant produced a wider bracelet, and it ultimately found its place on Gaettong’s wrist.

“But, Young Master, this…”

“I want both, so what can I do? That one doesn’t suit me, so you wear it.”

“Such an expensive item is hardly appropriate for me.”

“Whether it’s appropriate or not is my decision.”

Since it was the Young Master’s command, Gaettong couldn’t remove the bracelet from his wrist, and his expression became utterly serious.

A smile bloomed on Jin’s face as she touched her own bracelet, multiple thin strands wound together, then reached for Gaettong’s, a single broad band resting boldly on his arm.

“Please calculate the total for these.”

Deoksam, having already witnessed the bickering pair’s struggle over whether to wear the bracelets, paid the sum without a moment’s hesitation. Jin occasionally bought him things that caught his eye while they were out, so he didn’t think much of it.

“A tiger leather bracelet?”

“But who is that person? I’ve never seen them before today.”

“Which household’s young master are they?”

All eyes were drawn to the two, who were suddenly bickering over accessories in the middle of the market.

“I swear, this Young Master will be the death of me. What are they doing with Gaettong in the middle of the market?”

Deoksam couldn’t bring himself to lay a hand on Jin, so he sternly patted Gaettong’s back, herding the two towards a quieter spot.

“Why, do you want to tell me I’ve done something wrong again?”

Jin toyed with the bracelet with her fingertips, glaring icily at Deoksam, who was about to launch into a lecture.

“What will people say if two grown men are touching each other’s wrists and forearms in the middle of the market? Do you want to be misunderstood as ‘yangin’ and ‘eumin’? If you just wanted to buy Gaettong one, you could have just given it to him.”

“What I do in the street is none of your concern.”

Jin had expected tiger fur to be stiff and rough, but the feel and color were surprisingly pleasing. She stroked Gaettong’s wider bracelet, preferring it to her own thinner one.

“Even without this, the Young Master’s beauty already draws too much attention. What will happen if misunderstandings block your marriage prospects?”

“Honestly, you talk too much. Can’t you just keep quiet like Gaettong? My ears are aching, truly. Stop nagging and let’s go buy some honey cakes. It’s almost time for the samulnori performance.”

“And you, you’re just going to listen to the Young Master when they tell you to?”

Deoksam, rushing to follow the Young Master who had already turned and walked away, finally snapped a remark at the obedient Gaettong. ‘What fault is it of Gaettong’s? The problem lies with the self-indulgent Young Master.’

****

A faint smile touched Tae-jun’s lips as he felt the soft fabric in his hand. The first thing Jin had bought him in the market was a leopard print bracelet…

Recalling the bracelet he had kept until the very end, Tae-jun looked down at his left wrist.

As he opened his hand, just as Do-ha had placed it there, the leopard print pattern immediately caught his eye.

It seemed his eccentric habit of loving flashy things and enjoying what others rarely did remained unchanged, both then and now.

“How is this supposed to be a good luck charm? It’s clearly something that invites misunderstandings.”

A fleeting smile played on Tae-jun’s lips as he held it up with his fingertips, examining it closely.

“Aren’t you going to answer the phone?”

Do-ha had been staring at his phone screen for a long time when Jia’s voice startled him, prompting him to quickly press the call button.

“Yes, this is Seo Do-ha.”

“Have you had dinner?”

“No, not yet…”

“Then, come down to the lobby.”

Do-ha clutched the phone, which had disconnected after a curt message, and paused his steps on the way to the dressing room.

He felt foolish for having almost rushed out barefoot, simply because of a phone call.

Even his heart, now pounding wildly with joy, felt a pang of sadness.

Was it a love-hate relationship, directed at someone he couldn’t have, someone who wouldn’t accept his feelings?

As time passed, Tae-jun filled his thoughts, but whenever Hye-jin’s image surfaced alongside him, the heart that had been leaping with joy was left with only pain.

‘Ha. I’m going crazy, seriously.’

Lacking even the courage to call back and refuse the meeting, Do-ha trudged towards the lobby, his emotions a tangled mess.

Seeing Tae-jun waiting in front of the elevator he was about to take, Do-ha’s heart swelled, and he lowered his gaze to the floor, unsure how long Tae-jun had been there.

“Shall we go to a nearby Korean restaurant instead of going far? Is Korean food alright?”

As a mixed-use building in the heart of Seoul, it boasted a variety of dining options, from famous chain restaurants to sought-after hidden gems. Do-ha simply nodded at Tae-jun’s suggestion.

“Are you not hungry?”

Do-ha, who had avoided looking at Tae-jun since they met, sighed softly at his slightly gentler voice than usual.

“I used it well. Thanks to it, the contract was successful. That’s why I’m buying dinner.”

When it was lent, it was clearly just a piece of fabric, but Do-ha’s eyes wavered slightly as he watched Tae-jun hand over a gift box. Tae-jun was unnecessarily kind and gentle, even though he wouldn’t accept Do-ha’s feelings.

Suddenly, all of Tae-jun’s actions towards him felt like a pretense.

From the inexplicable morning calls to cutting the galbitang meat for him, to eating the oxtail soup. Even now, returning the ‘good luck charm’ after lending it, Tae-jun’s actions never seemed like those of someone who disliked him.

“You just need to give me the good luck charm back.”

“I must repay you for sharing your luck, Do-ha.”

Do-ha, who had not looked at Tae-jun since stepping out of the elevator, finally lifted his gaze to Tae-jun’s face.

“So…”

As Do-ha began to speak, his lips trembling, tears welled in his large eyes and began to fall.