Side Story 1.13

Did leopards mate for life?

As soon as Kwon Taegyeom settled into the private room and pulled out his phone to call his wife, Yoo Jinwoo found himself pondering this question.  

Or was it wolves?  

While waiting for the lengthy call to end, Jinwoo idly searched terms like “leopard monogamy” in the phone’s portal search bar. He swung his crossed leg impatiently, radiating boredom, but the call showed no signs of wrapping up. Watching the nauseatingly affectionate display between the couple was starting to irritate him.  

“Did you eat?”  

‘Of course; look at the time,’ Jinwoo thought, folding his arms and grumbling internally. He couldn’t understand why they had so much to talk about when they saw each other every day.  

Listening to Kwon Taegyeom ask trivial questions about daily life, all while his eyes crinkled in delight at his wife’s voice, was something Jinwoo still hadn’t gotten used to—even after years.  

Was this really the same cold-blooded man I had known for so long? 

At first, Jinwoo had been dumbfounded. Now, he was somewhere between amazed and resigned.  

Who could have predicted that this man, who had spent his life showing no interest in women, his face always set in stone, would fall head over heels in love like this?  

The shamelessly tender conversation carried on, oblivious to Jinwoo’s presence. It was absurd. Then again, when had this brazen man ever cared about Jinwoo’s feelings?  

“You.”  

Suddenly, a sly smile spread across Taegyeom’s handsome face. Jinwoo couldn’t help but wonder what kind of conversation had led to such an indecent expression. He couldn’t take it anymore.  

Interjecting into the couple’s private conversation, Jinwoo said loudly, 

“Leeseo! It’s Yoo Jinwoo!”  

Leaning close to the phone, Jinwoo greeted her cheerfully. His voice was loud enough to echo, as if he had swallowed a megaphone. Annoyed, Taegyeom glanced at him briefly before reluctantly switching the call to speakerphone.  

– Ah, hello, Jinwoo. How have you been? I heard you arrived in Korea today.  

“Yes, thanks to my tyrannical boss, I was trapped on a plane for fourteen hours. And as soon as I landed, here I am, without a moment’s rest.”  

– Oh dear… You must be exhausted. Jet lag is no joke.

“Exhausted, yes. I keep telling you, your husband is a cruel man. I’m convinced you’ve been completely deceived by his charming looks and fake modesty.”  

“Enough nonsense.”  

Taegyeom cut him off sharply, his expression warning Jinwoo to stop. From the speakerphone came a soft laugh, as if Leeseo knew exactly what was going on. Jinwoo, undeterred, continued.  

“Anyway, since I’m back in Korea, let me treat you to something delicious this weekend. I heard you’ve been struggling with morning sickness.”  

The man who was indifferent to everything else in life became absurdly overprotective when it came to his wife. News of Leeseo’s severe morning sickness during her early pregnancy had even reached Jinwoo in New York.  

Whenever Jinwoo tried to express concern out of basic human decency, Taegyeom would snap at him to mind his own business. It was infuriating. His cousin’s growing jealousy and possessiveness were becoming a serious problem. Jinwoo had even advised him to see a doctor, but his words were dismissed as either jealousy or nonsense.  

Honestly, it was astonishing how Leeseo managed to handle Taegyeom’s obsessive devotion.  

In an era of low birth rates, simply spotting a pregnant woman on the street inspired respect and admiration. And when it was his cousin’s wife, who had been unable to eat properly due to severe nausea, Jinwoo naturally felt concerned. Besides, he had always felt a peculiar fondness for her.  

The woman who had both broken and saved Kwon Taegyeom. Perhaps he had known from the start. The strange tension and intense sparks between them had been impossible to miss.  

Lucky bastard.  

While Jinwoo had spent years agonizing over his feelings for a woman, only to be rejected, Taegyeom had married the love of his life and was now expecting a child. It was enough to make Jinwoo tear up with envy.  

Subtly wiping at his eyes, Jinwoo asked, 

“How are you feeling these days? Does morning sickness last the entire pregnancy?”  

– Oh, some people have it throughout, but I’m much better now.  

“That’s good to hear. Think about what you’d like to eat this weekend. I’m planning to splurge while I’m in Korea.”  

Leeseo laughed, her voice light and cheerful. Jinwoo straightened his shoulders, pleased by her reaction to his silly joke.  

As their friendly conversation continued, Taegyeom’s face grew visibly displeased. His perfectly arched eyebrows tilted, betraying his irritation. Though he smiled faintly, it was more menacing than warm.  

Noticing this, Jinwoo clicked his tongue. If he pushed any further, he might get punched. And a fistfight with this beast of a man was the last thing Jinwoo wanted.  

“Well then, I’ll see you this weekend, Leeseo.”  

– Yes, take care.  

“I’ll chat with Jinwoo for a bit before heading home. Don’t wait up for me.” 

Taegyeom said as he ended the call.  

Just then, an employee brought in their order. A thick, juicy hamburger was placed in front of Jinwoo. When asked if he wanted some, Taegyeom simply shook his head.  

As Jinwoo devoured the burger, complaining about how airplane meals never felt like real food, he began sharing the information he had gathered.  

***

“Wait, what? It’s over already? Hey, let’s order one more.”  

“Enough. Let’s call it a night.”  

“Ah, hold on. I haven’t finished my story yet…”  

Jinwoo fumbled for the call button to summon a staff member but suddenly dropped his head, slamming it onto the table. The whiskey glass, now empty except for ice, rolled across the surface beside him.  

After a long flight, with his fatigue still lingering, he had almost single-handedly emptied a bottle of single malt whiskey. It was no surprise that he passed out, sprawled over the table. Watching Jinwoo bury his face into his arms, Taegyeom calmly sipped the remaining whiskey in his glass. A soft sigh escaped his lips.  

What had started as a work-related conversation had inevitably devolved into Jinwoo lamenting his misfortunes. While Taegyeom had suspected that Jinwoo had been quite serious about the woman, the shock of being rejected seemed to have hit him harder than expected. He couldn’t stop mentioning her name—Miso, Miso—over and over again.  

With a face dripping with regret, Jinwoo had worked himself up, sulked, and wallowed in melancholy, downing glass after glass like the tragic hero of a melodrama. It wasn’t long before his eyes glazed over, unfocused.  

Grinning foolishly, he muttered, 

“You’re the only one who’ll listen to this kind of thing, Taegyeom.” 

He even tried to hug him while spouting embarrassing nonsense. His drunken antics were truly something else.  

“Han Miso… You’re really so cruel.”  

Here we go again.  

Still slumped over the table, Jinwoo mumbled to himself. He had repeated the same lines so many times that Taegyeom could predict every word before it came. Taking a sip of cold water, Taegyeom rinsed the lingering taste of alcohol from his mouth. Meanwhile, Jinwoo’s monologue continued.  

“Fine. I’ll let it go. You said you don’t like me, so what else can I say to you?”  

“…”  

“I’ll let it go… Just stay by my side. Don’t even think about running away.”