Pig Government Official

-65-

Junjae’s confession softly echoed in Jeonggwan’s ears, and Jeonggwan’s eyes, looking up at Junjae, trembled greatly. Although he already knew that Junjae liked him, somehow this confession sounded a bit different. Even knowing that he was selfish and greedy…

“…”

Saying he likes him because he’s like that. Jeonggwan’s face gradually turned red. He had said things like “Lick me” or “Don’t lick me” without batting an eye, but to think that this calm confession could make a person feel so embarrassed.

Moreover, had the name Jeonggwan always sounded this nice? He had complained countless times about why only he had such a difficult name to read and write compared to his brothers’ relatively common names, but the name Jeonggwan coming from Junjae’s lips was just… pleasant to hear.

“…Are you angry because I spoke informally?”

At the man who was once again speaking while watching his reaction, after pushing forward so charismatically earlier, Jeonggwan, who had been rooted to the spot like a statue, suddenly came to his senses.

“…!”

And then he just ran away. Of course, his heart had already hidden away at home, but Jeonggwan’s weight class was just 1g heavier, so he unfortunately couldn’t be agile. Thus, in reality, he couldn’t even take three steps before Junjae immediately grabbed his arm. Junjae, looking even more surprised than Jeonggwan, pulled him close, holding both of Jeonggwan’s arms with his two hands.

“…What’s the problem?”

And then he stared down at Jeonggwan’s face as if he really couldn’t understand why he was acting like this. But that gaze was so affectionate that it felt like he might get diabetes, even though eating all those macarons hadn’t affected him. Jeonggwan wanted to hide somewhere right now.

“…What,”

So he just buried his face in Junjae’s chest. He could feel his ears burning. It felt like his head was filled with pink. Even when he first heard Jung Taegeon’s confession, he had only thought, “Huh, as planned”…

“…”

And usually, Jeonggwan would be curious about how Junjae would react to his actions and would lift his head to check his face, but this time he just quietly raised his arms and hugged Junjae’s back tightly. He wasn’t hugging him with the intention of thinking “If I do this intentionally, Junjae will get worked up.” He just wanted to stay like this, quietly embraced. Somehow feeling sorry and grateful to this man who said he liked even all of his flaws. And… because he liked this man. It felt like some unknown lump that had been buried deep in his chest for a very long time was gently melting away.

The corners of Junjae’s mouth, who was hugging Jeonggwan’s back in return, curved up into a long smile. When Jeonggwan suddenly tried to run away, he felt his heart sink, thinking maybe he disliked his confession, but seeing Jeonggwan blush and lean into him, he felt relieved and so…

“…Ha.”

Cute. The way he acted all playful and flirty, but when he approached seriously, he became shy. It was indescribably lovable. He hugged Jeonggwan even tighter.

Clearly, just two months ago, he was a man he had expressed disgust towards, calling him a pig, but now he had fallen head over heels to the point where even seeing the pig cup Jeonggwan had gifted him made him smile, reminded of Jeonggwan. Back then, he had clicked his tongue at Won Sejin or Park Jihoon standing next to Kim Jeonggwan, thinking they were out of their minds…

“…I like you.”

To think that the one who had lost his mind the most was himself.

* * *

Jeongwon was supposed to be enjoying his day off, but his head was spinning from the group chat notifications of the security team (minus the team leaders) that had been exploding for an hour straight. Something about Won Junjae’s jealousy tactic for his blind date working. It was all about Junjae and Tubby finally becoming an official couple. Even as someone kept shouting “Daebak” (amazing), all he could do was read and ignore in silence.

Security Team 1 Yoon Semin – Daebak. He’s taking him home now. Tubby’s life is made…

Security Team 2 Lee Hyejun – Nah; They won’t get married;ㅎㅎ

Security Team 1 Koo Mojun – Get married(clap) Get married(clap)

Security Team 2 Kim Jiwon – Wow. I just woke up from my day off; They’re dating?

Security Team 2 Jeon Nuri – Seems so…? They were hugging in front of the hotel.

Security Team 1 Team Leader Keum Youngju – Heeeeek!

Security Team 3 Park Jinwook – What? Team Leader Keum, why are you in this chat?

Security Team 3 Jin Hamin – VIP x Tubby couple unbelievable…

Security Team 1 Kim Yunjung – No way;

Jeongwon, not wanting to know more about his employer and brother’s love story, put down his phone. He had thought they might start dating soon… but they settled it today. He had expected it might happen since his brother was a severe face-con, but Won Junjae was really unexpected no matter how he thought about it. Will he be able to handle our Jeonggwan… The food expenses will be high too…

Jeongwon sighed, got up from his seat, and opened the front door. His dad, who was watering cherry tomatoes in the yard, smiled at him asking if he had just woken up, but seeing that face made him feel complicated again. Because his smiling face was exactly like Jeonggwan’s. Jeongwon shook his head and picked up the large broom in the yard and went out the gate.

“Why are you suddenly sweeping outside?”

“Uh… Jeonggwan’s boyfriend is coming.”

“…Huh?”

“So… I’m going to sweep some leaves…”

Huh?! Dad Jeongmin’s eyes widened while holding the watering can. Jeonggwan’s boyfriend…! That handsome, tall guy with glasses from last time is coming again today! Back then, he was wearing a headband and an apron because he was working, so he didn’t look his best, but this time he needed to look good with his hair and clothes well-groomed. You never know. He might become a father-in-law. Jeonggwan’s dad put down the watering can and hurriedly went into the house.

“…What’s going on?”

Jeongwon looked at his suddenly busy dad with strange eyes, then started sweeping the fallen leaves. Ah, someone spit gum in front of the house…! Jeongwon, who rarely gets angry, frowned severely and started pushing the hardened gum with his broom. What if someone steps on this…!

“What am I really doing…”

Suddenly, he had a moment of realization. He disliked how his body moved automatically, without anyone telling him to, just because the young master was coming to their house. But strangely, his hands didn’t stop.

* * *

Sitting in the back seat holding hands with Junjae, Jeonggwan’s lips kept twitching. Earlier, he had become embarrassed for some reason, turning into a burning sweet potato and stupidly unable to do anything, but now that he had calmed down, that characteristic slyness was gradually creeping back up.

So, looking at Junjae, who had made a storm of confessions earlier but now seemed embarrassed and kept looking out the window, he wanted to play a prank. He wanted to tease him verbally, but still feeling a bit shy, he just wiggled the hand that was holding Junjae’s. Junjae, thinking Jeonggwan was trying to let go, tightened his grip as if to say don’t pull away. But his gaze was still fixed on the window.

Giggling inwardly, Jeonggwan looked at Junjae and wiggled his hand once more. This time, Junjae interlocked their fingers. His face was still turned away, but his increasingly reddening ears revealed what Junjae was thinking. The interlocked fingers made Jeonggwan’s heart skip a beat for a moment, but eventually he let out a soft laugh. Finally, Junjae turned his head.

“…What is it?”

“Nothing… I’m just happy.”

“…Wh,”

“Yes?”

“…What, are you happy about?”

He seemed to ask casually as if it was nothing, but Junjae, as if expecting a certain answer, couldn’t look into Jeonggwan’s eyes and was just staring at their joined hands.

“…”

Normally, Jeonggwan would have played hard to get like a bouncy ball at least a hundred more times here, but seeing Junjae waiting for his answer, unable to look at him properly as if nervous, he didn’t even dare to do so.

Moreover, everyone, including Jeonggwan, had thought that Junjae must have dated extensively and his emotions must have been worn out, but Junjae was surprisingly very pure. It was at a level of rarity hard to find in this field.

And he guessed that it was because his sense of self hadn’t properly formed due to long-term abuse, living with his emotional doors closed, and only now was he breaking out of his shell. Therefore, Jeonggwan could no longer take Junjae’s feelings lightly, even as a joke.

Previously, he had vaguely and easily thought he wanted to date this person because of his excellent appearance, and disliking seriousness, he thought of everything as similar to a joke. Afraid of getting hurt alone if the relationship deepened, he just thought of it lightly. Thinking, if we date, we date, if not, then not. That he wouldn’t be the one at a loss.

But he didn’t want to cause anxiety to this man with his light selfishness. To think he would feel the emotion of seriously liking someone again. Although this relationship might not go smoothly and could end badly. But Jeonggwan decided to be serious about this relationship. Although getting hurt again is scary, for the sake of this man who likes even his flaws.

“I like you, Won Junjae.”

“…”

He decided to face it seriously himself as well.

“Let’s date.”