LG Chapter 46

Translator: She.Wee

Chapter: 46

 

Perhaps due to the rain last night, the sky was clear today, and the air was crisp without a trace of dust. Fluffy clouds floated in the blue sky. Kyungsoo, feeling cheerful in the rare good weather, opened the window with excitement.

“…Cough, ugh, it’s cold.”

Kyungsoo coughed lightly and quietly closed the window again. Though new buds sprouted from the ground and flower buds were forming on the branches, the chill lingered. He had even woken up in the middle of the night due to the cold and put on an extra layer of clothing.

Still, it felt like a waste to stay indoors on such a nice day. Surely, everyone, including Cheon Noeul, would feel the same way. So, he called Noeul, his unofficial romantic interest.

“Kyungsoo hyung! Did you sleep well?”

“You’re supposed to say hello first.”

“Hello.”

“Yeah, I slept well. What are you doing now?”

“I’m gathering materials to make a choco bouquet. Hyung, are you going to join too?”

“Oh, uh….”

Of course. Kyungsoo was foolish to expect otherwise. He replied with a resigned “Okay,” turned on his computer, and then went to wash his face.

The game’s main screen displayed the protagonist wearing a chef’s hat and eating chocolate. The Valentine’s event, running from early February to late March, was one of those events couples in the game obsessed over. Not only were there limited-edition outfits covered in candy from head to toe, but couples who held a wedding ceremony during the event while holding the fashion weapon item “White Chocolate Bouquet” would receive the title “Chocolatier’s Blessing.”

[Global Chat]

Ji9star: ? Meowie, what are you doing here?

neutaaaa: Hi hi

Kyungsoo, who had been auto-attacking the Choco Ball event monsters, replied:

MeowieMeowMeow: Gathering materials…

Ji9star: For what?

neutaaaa: Didn’t you already get the Choco outfit?

Exactly. He had collected the limited-edition fashion items long ago.

MeowieMeowMeow: Someone said they wanted the bouquet…

At those words, even strangers who were hunting monsters nearby reacted with ‘woah’. To obtain the Choco Bouquet, one had to collect 999 of each type of ingredient, which explained why people were horrified by the thought of a Valentine’s wedding.

But when you thought about it, it wasn’t a big deal. The only difference during the wedding event was that the monsters appeared wearing candy-covered clothes.

Ji9star: Who else would do such a pointless grind? Lol

Sunset: ㅇ///ㅅ///ㅇ

Ji9star: Oh

Ji9star: Ahahaha, no wonder Meowie has been grinding so hard lately. So cute! I want the god-tier bouquet too;;;

MeowieMeowMeow: Watching you switch attitudes pisses me off.

neutaaaa: Hahahahahahahahahaha

Kyungsoo’s stomach growled. He had set his auto-skills and was about to get up when he hesitated and sat back down. For some reason, he didn’t want to eat alone today.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: How much longer?

[Couple] Sunset: Still far from finishing the cream ball and jelly slime, but the rest is almost done, haha.

[Couple] Sunset: By the way, the weather’s really nice today, huh?

Yeah, it was way too nice to stay cooped up inside. Shouldn’t you go outside because the weather’s nice? Kyungsoo nodded slightly.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: Yeah.

[Couple] Sunset: Perfect day for a proposal, right?

“…….”

That stupid wedding again. Kyungsoo had no intention of marrying Noeul in the game yet. The guild members would definitely tease him for rushing into it, and honestly, it felt too soon.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: We’re not even officially dating yet. Isn’t it a bit early for marriage?

[Couple] Sunset: Not at all?

Noeul couldn’t be that dense. Normally, he was way too sharp, so why was he being like this now? Kyungsoo decided to drop a hint.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: There’s something we need to do before marriage.

[Couple] Sunset: ㅇㅅㅇ?

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: Here’s a hint: it involves “date.”

[Couple] Sunset: Update? Lol

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: Fuck you. Don’t you dare talk to me.

Kyungsoo’s fingers hit the keyboard a little harder than necessary, but he was only joking.

[Couple] Sunset: Hahahaha, kidding.

[Couple] Sunset: So, what do you want to do?

Kyungsoo paused to think. A date was basically doing anything together in person, right? Going for a walk, watching a movie, riding bikes by the river, singing karaoke, or just grabbing something to eat—they were all dates. So, he just blurted out what came to mind.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: Just a walk.

[Couple] Sunset: Meet me at the Märchen Bridge.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: ?

Kyungsoo teleported there immediately. Was there even an event NPC there? There were closer ones—why go all the way there?

He followed Noeul’s warp to the Märchen Bridge city. After entering the portal in the center of town, a long bridge stretched out before him.

“Don’t tell me…”

[Couple] Sunset: Okay, start walkingㅇㅅㅇ

Noeul started walking across the bridge. Like a puppy, Kyungsoo followed closely behind while trying to deny the obvious. No way… Noeul wouldn’t seriously consider this a date, right?

[Couple] Sunset: Now walk back to the other side.

When they reached the end of the bridge, Noeul turned and started walking back. Kyungsoo couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: LMFAO

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: You can’t be serious right now, right? LOLOL!

[Couple] Sunset: LOLOLOLOL!

Seeing Noeul laughing along, it was clear he had just been messing with him. Kyungsoo couldn’t hold back anymore.

[Couple] MeowieMeowMeow: C’mon! Come out right now.

[Couple] Sunset: Sure, hehe.

Kyungsoo started getting dressed to go out. Somehow, he already felt a bit excited.

After meeting up for an early lunch and strolling along the Han River, the two, battered by the relentless wind, had no choice but to retreat to Noeul’s house. Noeul tried to warm Kyungsoo’s red ears by cupping them in his hands, but since his own hands were just as red and chapped, it didn’t help much.

“Let’s go biking when the weather gets warmer later.”

“I’m not very good at riding a bike…”

From his appearance, he seemed like he would be good at it, but apparently, his athletic skills weren’t as impressive as they looked. Kyungsoo, teasing, tilted his chin up slightly and offered advice.

“Then you can ride a four-wheeler.”

“Just let me ride behind you, hyung.”

Kyungsoo narrowed his eyes and imagined himself pedaling a bike with Noeul seated behind him. He liked the idea of Noeul holding onto his waist, but knowing him, his hands wouldn’t just stay put. They’d probably start wandering, slipping under his clothes or tracing along his back. Reluctantly, he decided to give up on his romantic bicycle date fantasy.

Cough… Ahem.

He kept coughing intermittently. Maybe it was the poor air quality lately. Noeul, noticing, pressed his hand to Kyungsoo’s forehead to check. His damp hand, still carrying the faint scent of soap, made part of Kyungsoo’s bangs wet.

“Stop it, I don’t have a fever.”

“Hyung, you’re definitely catching a cold…”

“I don’t catch col— Ah, ah?”

Noeul suddenly pushed Kyungsoo onto the bed in his room. His eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly up to something.

“Transfer it to me. They say colds get better if you pass them on.”

“…?”

Noeul perched on the bed beside him and hugged him tightly.

“Do you think it’ll transfer like this?”

“I told you, I’m not sick. And even if I were, why would you take it?”

“I’ll get sick for you instead.”

“Cut it out.”

Even when Kyungsoo tried to push him away, Noeul clung back persistently. Knowing he’d keep trying different ways to cling on, Kyungsoo just sighed and let him be. They shifted to the middle of the bed, and Noeul soon lay down with his head resting on Kyungsoo’s thigh.

Noeul started tracing letters on his thigh with his finger. Though Kyungsoo was looking at his phone, all his attention was focused on the ticklish sensation from the letters being drawn.

‘Hyung.’

“What.”

As soon as Kyungsoo responded, Noeul’s face lit up with delight. Kyungsoo briefly considered patting his head but held back, thinking Noeul would get too smug if he did.

“Wow, I got it right! Next one.”

‘Why…don’t…you…’

The ticklish feeling lingered on his skin like an imprint.

‘Why don’t you carry anything in your bag?’

After deciphering the longer sentence, Kyungsoo debated ignoring it but eventually snapped back irritably.

“What’s it to you? I’m the only one not carrying stuff. It’s fine.”

“Ah.”

Kyungsoo smacked Noeul lightly on the forehead. Noeul clutched his reddening forehead with both hands, then mumbled something about a math problem, challenging Kyungsoo again.

‘7500 – 7000 – 100 – 400 = ?’

“……”

When had he ever deducted all that? Kyungsoo’s eyes wavered.

“What’s the answer?”

I don’t know, damn it.

He feigned ignorance.

“…No clue. Skip, next question.”

“The answer’s zero.”

Suddenly, Noeul sat up, pinning Kyungsoo down on the bed. Startled, Kyungsoo flipped over and yanked the blanket over his face.

“Fuck off, I’m going home!”

“See? You knew what I meant! And hyung, you’ve been acting weird since earlier—”

“Ahh!”

Noeul’s hand snuck under the blanket. Covering only his face wasn’t enough. Even as he squeezed his legs together, it didn’t help. Noeul traced along his body over his clothes, teasing.

“You thought I wouldn’t notice how you flinched every time I wrote on your thigh?”

“…I didn’t know.”

“Liar. How could you not notice?”

Honestly, he hadn’t realized it at the time. But now that he thought about it, the strange sensation when Noeul touched him had been there. He’d just been too distracted by the letters to notice.

‘Why do I even like this guy…? I’d rather just die…’

He felt like he was losing ground more and more. As the teasing touch continued, he finally peeked out from under the blanket. Noeul, who had one hand still gripping his thigh, met his gaze and blinked prettily.

“What the hell… Is he trying to seduce me now? Why is he even blinking like that…?’

Kyungsoo felt his heart pounding uncontrollably. He swallowed hard, but then a sudden cough escaped, making Noeul burst into laughter.

Annoyed, Kyungsoo glared at him and snapped.

“Fine, damn it. What are you even trying to do?”

Probably just trying to steal a few kisses, right?

It didn’t seem like anything too complicated. What else could he even do? Maybe grab his hands or blindfold him if he wanted to get kinkier… But Noeul did something completely unexpected.

“Right here.”

“…?”

There?

Noeul’s hand moved lower, between two curves, to a very suggestive place. Though he hadn’t touched it directly yet, Kyungsoo immediately realized what he meant. Before Noeul could press any further, Kyungsoo quickly grabbed his wrist and shook his head.

“…Not there. You’ve got the wrong spot. Let me show you the right one.”

“But it is, though? I even looked it up—hey! It actually works!”

“It works my ass! There’s no way it works like that!”

Trying to calm himself, Kyungsoo took a deep breath—only to break into another cough. Still, it wasn’t like it made sense. If anything went there, someone was definitely getting hurt. And as much as Noeul was annoying, seeing him cry wouldn’t be pleasant. Well, maybe a little—but it wasn’t worth the risk.

“Noeul, listen carefully.”

“I’m listening.”

“I think you’re really misunderstanding something. If we try that, you’ll definitely get hurt. I don’t want you getting hurt, okay?”

“I appreciate the concern, but it’s fine. As long as we prepare properly, you can handle it. I’ll be careful, hyung.”

“…Why would I get hurt?”

Noeul seemed to be seriously mistaken about something. After all, Kyungsoo is never going to be the bottom.

“The one who’s going to get hurt… is you. Come to your senses.”

“You know, I learn things pretty quickly.”

“Stop talking nonsense, you bastard. I’m the one putting it in.”

“You don’t actually hate doing this with me, right? I knew it. So, you do like me after all—”

“Shut up!”

Kyungsoo shouted loudly, shaking his head.

“I’m the one putting it in, got it? Say you understand. Hurry up!”

“You sure dream big. Ugh, but I like it.”

Kyungsoo completely forgot that he had been trying to convince Noeul not to do it. Instead, he stubbornly insisted that he would be the top. Noeul didn’t back down either, and in the end, they decided to settle it with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Kyungsoo clenched one eye shut and threw out his fist.

Luck wasn’t on his side.

“Guess it really is too soon for today, huh?”

“…….”

Noeul, who easily won with a piece of cloth, gave a soft smile as if he had expected this outcome. Then, he placed a short kiss on Kyungsoo’s stiff lips. His hands, which had been wandering all over, wrapped around his waist. Kyungsoo’s mind became a tangled mess.

“Ugh…”

By the time he barely came to his senses, their tongues were already entwined again. Kyungsoo flinched and pulled away, speaking with a shaky breath.

“Th-The game was supposed to be best of three…”

“If I win all three, huh, we’ll do it right now.”

“Ugh… No, wait, sorry… keep going…”

Noeul buried his face in Kyungsoo’s neck, breathing heavily. He trailed damp kisses along his neck, moving up his jawline until their lips met again. Kyungsoo, arms wrapped around Noeul’s neck, peeked open his eyes.

How the hell did it end up like this? Are you out of your mind? …I’m screwed. Seriously screwed.

“Mhmm, Kyungsoo hyung…”

Noeul’s voice, moaning softly in his ear, his flushed profile visible just by shifting his gaze, and the faint scent of sweat mixed with his usual fresh fragrance all sent Kyungsoo’s head spinning. A strange sensation crawled up his spine.

Though he stifled his groans, internally, Kyungsoo was screaming and crying.

For some reason, Noeul let him go without much fuss, and when Kyungsoo returned home and was showering, he suddenly recalled Noeul, biting his red lips with teary eyes. His heart skipped a beat. He stayed under the warm water for a long time before finally stepping out of the bathroom.

“…….”

His fevered mind had finally cooled down.

Shit, my life is officially over!

Exhausted from his own overthinking, Kyungsoo collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

—

Monday morning arrived.

Noeul: “ㅠㅠ Hyung, I caught a cold.”

“…….”

Kyungsoo, who had completely recovered from his own coughing fit, was now left drowning in guilt.

The rain, which had started as a drizzle in the morning, began pouring heavily by the time the fourth period began. The sound of raindrops tapping against the leaves echoed through the classroom. Kyungsoo absentmindedly folded and unfolded the corner of his notebook before sneaking his phone under the desk to check the screen.

Me: “Do you want me to go to the hospital with you?”

It was a message he had sent in the morning, yet Noeul still hadn’t replied. He hadn’t even read it.

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of fourth period, Kyungsoo called Noeul. Normally, he picked up within a few rings, but today the wait felt longer than usual. Just when Kyungsoo thought it might go to voicemail, the call connected.

“Hello…”

A low, husky voice answered. But it was unmistakably Noeul.

“What the hell? Why does your voice sound like that?”

“Hyung? I… just woke up…”

“I thought you said you don’t sleep during the day.”

“I had a fever… I left early and went to the hospital… Ugh, so now I’m at home.”

He sounded drowsy, his speech slower than usual, with occasional fits of coughing interrupting him.

“So, don’t come over today. You’ll catch it too…”

Was his body always this weak? Catching such a bad cold over nothing… there had to be something wrong with his immune system.

“Don’t worry. I won’t go. Just rest up.”

“Yeah… Hyung, sleep well too…”

“……Yeah.”

I’m literally at school right now, you idiot. Sleep well? Do you even realize what you’re saying?

When the call ended, Kyungsoo let out a bewildered laugh.

—

After the final class of the day, Kyungsoo bought a bowl of vegetable porridge from a shop near the school and headed to Noeul’s house.

The thought that Noeul lived alone and had no one to take care of him made his legs move on their own.

He entered the passcode Noeul had once given him—258789—but a short warning beep sounded. It seemed the code had been changed.

Waking him up while he was sick felt a bit cruel. Should I just leave the porridge at the door?

Just as he was considering it, the door suddenly swung open.

“Hyung?”

Noeul, with his hair sticking up in all directions and his forehead damp with sweat, blinked at him in surprise. Kyungsoo instinctively raised his hand and placed it on his forehead.

It wasn’t burning hot, but there was definitely still a fever.

“Get inside. You’ll catch a chill.”

“…The doctor said I have the flu.”

“It’s fine. I won’t catch it.”

“You sure look the part… wearing all that gear.”

Kyungsoo had double-layered his mask just in case. He gently nudged Noeul back inside and followed after him.

The house felt just as cold as outside.

He’s sick and still dressed like that in this freezing house? No wonder his cold got worse.

Kyungsoo made him sit at the dining table, then removed his coat and draped it over Noeul’s shoulders. Noeul blinked up at him, looking oddly touched.

“I thought you wouldn’t be eating since you’re sick, so I brought this. Eat everything, and I’ll leave after that.”

“What about you, hyung?”

“I’m good.”

“I was hoping we could eat together…”

Noeul muttered absentmindedly, picking up the spoon.

Meanwhile, Kyungsoo adjusted the thermostat, making sure the room warmed up. He noticed a damp towel on the floor next to the bed—probably the reason his forehead had been damp earlier.

This idiot must’ve thought wetting a towel and napping would help.

Seeing the slightly messy bed and the neatly organized desk, Kyungsoo’s eyes fell on a photo frame that hadn’t been there before.

Happy Birthday, Me

Inside was a note from his birthday, half-written and abandoned.

Of all things, he framed this?

Satisfied that the room was finally warm, Kyungsoo returned to the living room—only to find Noeul, who had finished his porridge, sitting in front of his computer.

When their eyes met, Noeul smiled sheepishly.

“I’m feeling better now!”

Translation: I’m better enough to game.

“You wanna die?”

“Just 300 more slime balls and I’ll get the White Choco Bouquet—ow!”

“You really wanna die, huh?”

“No…”

Kyungsoo grabbed his cheek and gave it a firm tug. Noeul squirmed, eyes watering slightly.

“Hyung, I’m a patient…”

“Then act like one and get back in bed.”

Noeul hesitated, mumbling softly, “But the Valentine’s event ends tomorrow… I need to get married in the game…”

“Bed. Now.”

“Yes, sir…”