Chapter 5: 2.2

An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

At the entrance of the villa, Jaeyoon recalled what Yoonjae had told him.

“Good, a weakness for a weakness!!!”

Jaeyoon arrived on time, only to be greeted by Sieon, who didn’t even look at his face and pointed straight at the interrogation-like room. It seemed like he was dressed to go out again. He stroked Soonson, who skipped over, wagging its tail, and scrutinized Sieon. The man raised his eyebrows seeing Jaeyoon not going in immediately and just standing there. Thinking that day really must have been a dream, Jaeyoon decided to forget the ‘innocent sheep’ Sieon.

“Excuse me, teacher.”

“Who’s your teacher?”

“… Then what should I call you?”

“Is there a need for that?”

“Of-of course, there is.”

His mouth hardly having opened, Jaeyoon once again placated himself. If things went on like this, it seemed like not only would he ruin the test, but he’d also ruin himself.

“I-I’ve… found out about that weakness.”

“What weakness?!!”

When he suddenly shouted, Jaeyoon was startled and bit his tongue.

“!!!!-“

Sieon clicked his tongue. Where did this idiot roll in from to give me a headache? He felt like throwing him off the veranda. Look at this, he’s waddling into the bathroom.

When Jaeyoon stuck his tongue out in front of the mirror, he struggled to endure the pain of his bitten tongue and groaned.

“Are you a twat?”

“Euu….”

When Jaeyoon came out, wiping away the tears from his eyes, Sieon sent him a look to quickly go in. Once Jaeyoon recalled yesterday’s nightmare, he tightly grabbed the bathroom door and wildly shook his head.

“You do all sorts of things.”

“…….”

“Go in obediently before I peel you off the door and throw you in. Okay?”

Struggling with his burning tongue, Jaeyoon racked his brain for a way to avoid it. Sieon clicked his tongue, thinking him pathetic.

As he savoured the steamy coffee smell, Sieon frowned in dislike, wondering why he should be listening to the words of such a moron. Though his speech was usually slow and inarticulate, he was stuttering more now, perhaps because he had bitten his tongue.

“That’s it. I found out about the embarrassing situation, so… you told me not to get caught by the enemy.”

Jaeyoon eagerly spoke while keeping an eye on Sieon’s expression, which grew grimmer as time went by.

“I mean, if that… side finds out about my weakness, then, what was it, we will be even. There’s no reason to waste time like this.”

This was the only hope for Jaeyoon. He figured that if they had weaknesses on each other, Sieon wouldn’t have a reason to appear, and Jaeyoon would be able to concentrate on studying with a peaceful heart. Jaeyoon hadn’t planned on saying anything in the first place – even though no one would believe him even if he did – but it would be better to give this handicap to this person who doesn’t trust him.

“What’s the point in me knowing your weakness?”

“That… I mean, an eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth, a weakness for a weakness. I also have to study, and that… you’re also busy, hyung.”

“Sure I’m busy, but I can just leave you in this house and go out. Is there reason for me to learn about you?”

He had forgotten he was such a person.

But Jaeyoon tried to carry on the negotiations patiently. On the surface, it looked similar to a deeply-in-debt person asking a loan shark to postpone the collection date and a creditor coldly refusing; and, of all people, it had to be Sieon’s weakness he had found out about, a weakness the other didn’t want anyone to know of.

Sieon just stared at his cousin’s friend, who was obviously shaking. Even the gaze of that dense fellow gave off the impression that he’d gotten caught up in something bad.

“…… You don’t have to keep a close watch on me or concern yourself with me, and I can also devote myself to my studies with an easy mind. I really didn’t have any other intentions, you don’t have to get angry… that… why don’t we end it with this exchange?”

He might not be as dumb as he appears, saying what he wants to say despite stuttering. Sieon took a sip of the coffee and thought about the fellow’s suggestion. It wasn’t bad. But he didn’t like it.

“What are the annoying things you don’t want others to know?”

When Sieon opened his mouth, Jaeyoon’s face brightened as if hope had arisen. It strangely got on his nerves.

“I can’t drink!!”

“Just-“

“I have no athleticism either!”

Just as Sieon clicked his tongue, he quickly cut his words off and added.

“I have bad handwriting.”

He’s really something. He stayed still, wondering how much he would talk – if he’d had dog ears, they’d both be raised – while the other was muttering in an increasingly faint voice.

“I’m also short.”

“…….”

“I can’t sing either.”

“…….”

“I only have one double eyelid1….”

“…….”

“I’m not good at math, either.”

“…….”

“Ah! I have an allergy to cat’s fur.”

“Are you introducing yourself?”

“…….”

Jaeyoon sat in the small room, only flipping the book pages. He tried erasing the situation from a little while ago from his mind, but it was slowly coming back and tormenting him. Ugh~ A self-disparaging cry came out automatically. How could he not have any significant weakness? No, he had plenty, but all were below Sieon’s standards. No, there was too big of a gap with that man’s secret. From his point of view, they were all weaknesses, but it felt like he was shrinking while saying them aloud. It wasn’t even self-abuse time; it isn’t easy to admit what you’re lacking on your own. However, his sincere heart had been rejected at once without a spare glance.

Complaining about him wasting time on useless things, Sieon left without beating up(?)2 Jaeyoon, as if he was running really late. He’d even shown generosity today and hadn’t locked the door. Although the reason was ‘I don’t want my house to be dirtied because of a dunce’, Jaeyoon, who was grateful for it, tasted bitter despair and felt like he was becoming stranger and stranger.

“He is so handsome, so why is his personality…”

… so wicked… Timid Ha Jaeyoon couldn’t even utter such words.

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Now that he thought about it, it seemed like he understood why the man didn’t have even a single nickname and could only be called by his real name, despite all the rumours. Such an abnormal personality couldn’t really be called anything. After having experienced Sieon for a few days, his feelings boiled down to,

“Do you think the world is fair?”

Although he had a personality so odd it made you want to scream until you passed out, on the surface he gave off a different impression. As if he’d just popped out of the TV, he had a chiseled face and was so tall and cool, that even another man like himself would feel envious. But if he got caught staring agape at the man, he felt Sieon would probably see it as Jaeyoon trying to pick a fight. Of course, the aftermath would be terrifying.

“Still, he’s quite handsome.” 

Jaeyoon involuntarily mumbled, recalling Sieon’s appearance from when he’d gone out just a moment ago. Then he looked around in astonishment at what he had just said. 

I’m crazy, crazy, crazy.

When his face suddenly heated up, Jaeyoon thought he should at least wash it and came out. Hearing a scratching sound, he looked around and saw Soonsoon scratching and groaning at the front door. Since the dog, which had good potty training and only used the veranda as his toilet, just kept staring at the front door, he wondered if its owner had returned. He opened the door, only to find an unfamiliar woman who, when seeing him, looked surprised.

“Who are you?”

“…Who are you?”

They asked each other at the same time.

 “This here… Isn’t it Sieon-seonbae’s house?”

As she was checking the house number, the woman scrutinized Jaeyoon with suspicious eyes.

 “… He went out, he isn’t here.”

“Ah… you’re his dongsaeng3. I heard he had a cousin.”

As if relieved, the woman with long, straight hair came in through the front door, smiling brightly. The reason why he couldn’t stop the woman was that she seemed to know Sieon well. He worried that he’d done something useless, but the woman gave of a well-dressed and classy appearance, so he didn’t consider her suspicious. Moreover, it was clear from her words that they had a ‘seonbae-hoobae’4 relationship. 

 “Ah, he still has this dog.”

Seeing the act of pretending to know and petting Soonsoon, Jaeyoon undoubtedly trusted this visitor.

“You don’t resemble your hyung at all, are you a high school senior?”

“Ah, yes… But I’m n-”

“Can I have a cup of tea?”

“Yes.”

He really wanted to say, ‘I’m his cousin’s friend’ and strongly deny the blood ties she was mistaken about – although, he knew his real cousin, Yoonjae, would also feel the same – but when the guest had confidently made her demand, he answered her politely and moved to the kitchen.

Jaeyoon, who was about to use the silver sink but pulled back unsure whether he could touch it or not, looked around. Unlike the dreary living room, the kitchen was clean and neat, and he hesitated to touch anything, wondering if that person even had any tea. After opening one or two cupboards, he found there was no such thing as green tea, only coffee, the instant type. Feeling like he’d get scolded if he took it, he said he was going to the supermarket and ran out. Since he had to self-teach(torture), he couldn’t even turn one page of his workbook, so he felt pathetic now, wondering why he was entertaining some guest.

The woman drank gracefully, as if the instant coffee were some high-quality coffee beans. He would have to make up for the entire amount of today’s study after he returned, but as he couldn’t just leave the guest unattended, Jaeyoon only dawdled.

 “Ah, right. My name is Seo Inyoung and I’m Sieon-seonbae’s junior.”

“I’m Ha Jaeyoon.”

Exchanging greetings without hesitation, Inyoung smiled pleasantly.

“Jaeyoon-ssi, you’re really cute. I can’t believe you’re seonbae’s younger cousin.” 

Ha Jaeyoon, 18, a man already this old but he’d actually been called ‘cute’ by a woman. He wasn’t sure if he should feel happy with this awkward compliment. What should I say to keep the conversation going with a person I’ve met for the first time? Jaeyoon, whose shy personality – especially in front of a beauty – was on full display, couldn’t find the right words. Mercifully, Inyoung seemed to possess a friendly personality, and thanks to Soonsoon, who was rolling around below and acting cute, the atmosphere was somehow moving along.

“You’ve probably gathered as much already, but I like Sieon-seonbae. When I saw him on the day of school admission, I fell for him at first sight.”

When Inyoung shyly confessed, Jaeyoon, who didn’t even expect there’d be aliens who’d fall for such a person – never mind being quick-witted! -, was greatly shocked. His jaw hit the ground automatically.

“How is Sieon-seonbae from Jaeyoon-ssi’s view?”

“Yes?”

“That person is a bit… odd. That is also a charm, of seonbae’s.”

Such mercifulness even when choosing her words… Her heart was as kind as if she’d volunteered at a refugee camp in Africa for several years.

 “In the eyes of a cousin, seonbae doesn’t have any lover or anything, right?”

“…….”

From the way Inyoung was looking at him, expectantly and batting her eyelashes, he felt a silent, oppressive pressure to say he doesn’t.

“Yes?”

“Pro… bably…”

His character was an impossible one. If he had a lover, then she was either truly a saint like Mother Teresa or an alien; if not, then it would have to be a human who was in the same league, he concluded. However, if he yapped about things he was unsure of, he was afraid of the consequences coming back to bite him, so he mixed in some uncertainty. Inyoung was greatly pleased even with that. Jaeyoon sincerely thought it was a shame. Unconsciously, he grabbed Inyoung’s hand and prayed earnestly.

 “!!-”

“I-I beg you.”

Please, save that evil person with [the power of love]!!! 

Frankly, it didn’t seem like Sieon would get won over any time soon, but he didn’t doubt that this person, with an understanding as vast and deep as the sea, would be able to lead him to the path of light. Doesn’t she already know about Sieon? But she’s still so single-mindedly devoted!! He even seemed to see the illusion of a halo subtly shining around Inyoung’s head.

“What’re you doing with this crazy girl?”

Then they heard the sinister voice.

“Seon-seonbae-nim.”

Inyoung’s voice, which was oozing with gentleness, trembled. Thinking she was nervous, Jaeyoon felt sorry for her. Well, who wouldn’t be nervous in front of that man?

Sieon seemed to have returned from his outing and stood at the entrance, looking down at the two people. Telling at a glance that he was in the worst possible mood, Jaeyoon tried to calm his pounding heart. Soonsoon, who always welcomed its owner, had noticed it first and fled the room. Trying to imitate the behaviour of the experienced dog, he averted his eyes and got off his butt, wanting to go back to the room and pretend he didn’t have a clue what was going on, but the evil voice arrested Jaeyoon’s feet.

TN:

1) double eyelid – Yet another Korean indication of beauty. Double eyelids are not very common whence it’s seen as something prettier?

2) beating up(?) – Was in the original text, it just means JY (author) isn’t sure about the word even if it’s right, it’s common in Korean variety shows in captions, take it as a quirk (idk if it’s used anywhere else so yeah), also I’ll be indicating it like this from now on so take notice now as I won’t explain it anymore ^^

3) dongsaeng – Younger sibling if related by blood, generally is just a title you call someone younger than you who’s an acquaintance that you’re on a friendly terms/close with.

4) seonbae-hoobae – senior-junior

(Still looking for TLC if you’re interested ^^)

I’m SO sorry for taking so long again, I don’t really have much of an excuse this time, I was just preoccupied with SHINee/J.DON comeback for two weeks, I’m sorryy~ ^^;; Also just a heads up, I think this chapter is gonna be split to 4/5 parts

Unrelated but I think next time I’ll pick up a project I’ll just translate ahead before posting so I can actually stick to a somewhat of a consistent schedule lol, again I’m really sorry I’m such a lazy prick xDD

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