CH 146

Chapter 146 - Change of Heart

“Is this your statement of claim?”

“No, my request is that you not laugh at what I say next.” Yoonshin tightened his grip, crushing Sehun in his arms. Perhaps this claim was adjusted to what Sehun considered the fair market value as he stayed still. Consequently, Yoonshin could express himself perspicuously amid Sehun’s silence. “I lost the game.”

“…”

“I like you, Senior Attorney,” Yoonshin said.

His earnest words rang clear in the air, and Sehun was wordless throughout. Sehun merely stood stiff and straight, continuing to hold his silence. Yoonshin waited patiently. He knew, without a doubt, that Sehun’s heart was wavering because of him. However, it was a different issue whether Sehun would take a step toward a value so abstract as a deep and meaningful relationship with another person.

In one aspect, this would mean Sehun would have to put down his way of life so far—it had to be a tough decision to make. From what Yoonshin observed so far, he could begin to understand Sehun’s defensiveness and why he couldn’t readily open up to Yoonshin. Sehun had been alone since he was young, and he was used to that. He finally started to tolerate solitude, his old friend, but he was apprehensive about dragging a stranger into his life.

Still, Yoonshin was an honest person. He wasn’t one for hiding things. Hence, this issue was easily solved when the person who wasn’t skilled at hiding his feelings raised the flag first.

“Yoonshin Do.” The rumbling in Sehun’s chest as he called out Yoonshin’s name, the out-of-character affection leaking out, his steady breathing—Yoonshin liked them all. Through the lens of general moral standards, Sehun might not be a great person. But Yoonshin already started to like him. He was too far along to turn back.

Just then, they heard a ding, and the doors to the elevator of Building B opened. Yoonshin let go of Sehun and met the eyes of Sehun, deep and still as a lake.

“We’re already dating, and I know your feelings, so I’m not that anxious. I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell it back to me. You’ll probably want to be alone this evening, so I’ll see you next year.”

Sehun, who had been frozen to his spot, looked down at the flower in his hand. While he was distracted, Yoonshin pushed Sehun’s back toward the doors of Building A.

Yoonshin walked backward, his eyes fixed on Sehun, and noticed that Sehun’s expression was different than usual. Yoonshin didn’t think that this was the first confession Sehun received, but Yoonshin could tell that the older man was clearly being affected by his clumsy confession. Once again, he reaffirmed that Sehun liked him back and that their hearts were already connected.

“Happy new year and dream of me tonight.” Yoonshin nodded his head lightly and people came into the lobby. He disappeared behind the surge of bodies.

Sehun stood vacantly and started to go back creakily like an unoiled robot.

When he got back home, he walked to his dressing room and tossed the single bloom on a shelf. He was about to take off his coat when he paused.

Sehun leaned against his wardrobe and stared pensively at the white petals of the lily. A deep and distant feeling tolled in his head like the bells signifying the end of the year. It almost felt like the soft fragrance of the lily wafted to Sehun, tickling his nose.

Sehun had thought all along that Yoonshin would make the most out of Sehun’s feelings. He had thought that Yoonshin would use their mutual, honest feelings to make Sehun act for him. Sehun was extremely uncomfortable about that, yet he didn’t want to sever their connection just yet. He had always been stuck in limbo between his desire to approach Yoonshin and his pride in not wanting to be treated as a tool.