When he could no longer endure it, he went to the hospital on his own. And eventually, for the first time in his life, he took medication.

But even that was useless. The result of forcing down strong drugs was ultimately ‘Yoon Hyena.’

‘Oppa.’

Yoon Hyena, who appeared in his dreams, seduced him. All she said was just ‘Oppa,’ yet this crazy b*stard got aroused by it.

The object of his first wet dream and his only object of l*st was right before his eyes—there was no way a beast whose mind had also broken could hold back. Because he was a son of a b*tch to begin with.

He tore off her clothes and pressed his lips all over her white body. Each time.

‘Oppa.’

Hyena whispered. When he put his finger into the wetland no one had invaded, when he pierced the tight place for the first time, she could only say one word.

The problem was himself, unable to stop even though he clearly recognized it was a dream.

‘You’re mine.’

Yoon Hyena was the only thing Kim Gunwoo—no, Do Gunwoo—had chosen for himself.

Gunwoo’s eyes flashed as he pushed his p*nis into the hot wetland without rest. One day, two days, three days—all night long, sometimes all day long, he repeated that act. Then when he opened his eyes, he suffered from unbearable self-loathing.

Shortly after coming to America, he heard about Hyena’s situation from his mother. Gunwoo gave his house to Hyena without hesitation. It was a house he’d bought for that purpose anyway.

He deliberately distanced himself physically and cut off contact, yet his head and heart were completely filled with Hyena.

On a night tormented by nightmares, unable to endure it, he called Hyena. At the ridiculous excuse that he couldn’t reach his mother, a sulky answer came. The excitement from the short call disappeared without a trace at the message that followed.

<I forgot to tell you. I got a boyfriend. I’ll be busy for a while, so understand if I can’t contact you.>

He’d imagined this scenario countless times. So he thought he could pretend it didn’t matter. But reality was different from his thoughts.

He shouldn’t covet her. She’d break. The feelings he’d only suppressed all along exploded. A son of a b*tch was only a son of a b*tch to the end.

***

Among the companies that made scout offers, he deliberately chose the company Hyena worked at. He didn’t forget to demand the team leader position in Hyena’s department. 

There were many places offering better conditions, but conditions didn’t matter. As long as he could be near Yoon Hyena, that was enough.

“We hope you have a pleasant trip.”

Gunwoo, who got off the plane receiving the stewardess’s kind greeting, looked up at the cloudless sky.

Korea’s weather, just entering the threshold of autumn, wasn’t much different from New York. But the approaching feeling was quite different. He knew the reason all too well.

Gunwoo, who’d been uncharacteristically immersed in sentiment, pulled out the sunglasses he’d tucked into his shirt and strode forward.

As he left the gate, he saw Sejun waving from far away.

“Hey, how long has it been? I was about to forget your face.”

Sejun, whom he was seeing for the first time in a year, hadn’t changed at all.

“I told you not to come out.”

“Come on, our friendship isn’t that shallow, is it?”

A chuckle escaped at Sejun’s banter. Sejun snatched the trunk Gunwoo was pulling and asked.

“Where are you going? Your place? Your parents’ house?”

“Hotel for now.”

“Why a hotel?”

“I have some things to sort out.”

Sejun asked, seemingly finding the answer unexpected.

“If you need to sort things out, wouldn’t your place be better?”

“I need some mental preparation.”

He needed at least enough mental preparation not to pounce on Hyena when he saw her.

At the unhelpful explanation, Sejun shrugged and led the way.

Korea’s autumn air, where Hyena breathed, seeped deep into Gunwoo’s lungs.

When he learned that Hyena having a boyfriend was a lie, he felt relieved. Because it seemed he still had a chance.

Ironically, that very day, the hospital contacted him. His biological father, the starting point of everything, was in critical condition.

He knew the body he’d abused his whole life had broken down and his days were numbered. But he thought it had nothing to do with him.

—He wishes to see you one last time.

‘Last time’—those two words shook his firmly closed heart.

In the hospital room he arrived at like that, he stared at his dried-up biological father on the bed with emotionless eyes. The appearance that could die at any moment reminded him of someone.

His biological father, who’d been coughing continuously, belatedly discovered Gunwoo and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Bl-ood… mo-ney… cough cough.”

Not knowing repentance even at the moment of death.

He bowed his head toward his biological father, who was barely breathing while making rough sounds.

“Thank you. For disappearing from my life like this.”

“Wh-what… cough cough.”

The coughing grew worse. Worried he might not hear his voice, Gunwoo brought his mouth right to his biological father’s ear.

“May you suffer eternally in that place.”

Medical staff rushed in beside him as he left the hospital room. The man who’d strangled him all along disappeared from Gunwoo’s life forever like that. It was the moment all burdens peeled off like a shell.

He toasted to his biological father’s death. He perfectly disguised that cold-hearted feeling so Hyena wouldn’t catch on. Mocking himself for being a son of a b*tch to the bone, he disarmed Hyena, who was weak to sentiment, and ultimately had her. 

It was a time when both body and mind melted. Hyena drew a line calling it ‘s*x partners,’ but she wasn’t a free spirit who could have relationships without feelings. Even if it took time, someday he would completely win her heart.

But contrary to his initial thoughts, his peace of mind gradually disappeared. Especially after learning that Deputy Manager Park, who exuded a clear energy similar to Hyena’s nature, was hovering around her.

Everything else could be obtained through effort, but that alone was impossible. Just like he couldn’t change the blood flowing in his body.

***

After confirming Hyena’s feelings, everything changed. The mind that had only thought of himself as dirty gradually retreated. Each time Hyena whispered ‘I love you,’ slowly.

The morning he coincidentally met Deputy Manager Park in the elevator, he spoke to him as he greeted him.

“I’m dating Hyena.”

It was a calm confession like a conventional greeting. Deputy Manager Park, surprised by the sudden confession, widened his eyes.

“What?”

“You can tell other people.”

“…”

“Don’t ever hit on my woman again.”

Gunwoo, who left a brutal warning, got off the elevator first. Regrettably, Deputy Manager Park kept his mouth shut about that incident. The opportunity to naturally let people know that Yoon Hyena was Do Gunwoo’s disappeared like that.

Then he’d have to set the next target.

Gunwoo faithfully executed the thoughts that came to mind. Against Manager Lee, who scrutinized his every move. Watching him frantically pick up what was deliberately dropped without knowing it was quite entertaining.

As time passed, his obsession with Hyena grew more and more. To the point where he couldn’t stand being apart even for a day.

The day of the team leader workshop, unable to endure it, he returned home. At first, he just planned to sleep while holding her. 

But when he saw Hyena, who’d boasted she’d sleep comfortably in her own room’s bed, lying in his bed, he ultimately couldn’t hold back and embraced her.

She, who’d cried and writhed in extreme pleasure, fell asleep like the dead. She didn’t even move at the touch of his hand sweeping back her fallen hair.

How pretty her sleeping face was. Gunwoo pressed his lips everywhere visible. His p*nis gained strength again.

‘Should I just shove it in like this?’

After pondering, he decided to give Hyena, who’d been tormented all night, some time to rest. 

Of course, his patience was short. Gunwoo, who’d followed her into the bathroom and was carrying Hyena out, had to face his mother and Aunt Jeongseon looking at him with surprised eyes.

The shock of the two who witnessed the unexpected situation was great. 

After sending Hyena back to her room, Gunwoo approached Jeongseon and knelt down. The two, surprised by his behavior they were seeing for the first time, widened their eyes.

“It has to be Hyena.”

“…”

“Only Hyena allows me to breathe.”

Would they oppose because of the dirty blood flowing in his body? A trace of fear consumed his heart. Beyond that fear, Jeongseon’s voice was heard.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to say right now. I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the foot by an axe I trusted.”

Since they’d trusted him and entrusted Hyena to him, it wasn’t unreasonable to feel that way. But those words felt exactly like rejection. Gunwoo bit his lips.

“Honestly, I’m just as flustered.”

When even his mother joined in, his anxiety grew.

“The most important thing is your feelings, so we can’t say anything, but…”

Jeongseon, who let out a small sigh, added.

“I need some time to accept this.”

Even after seeing the two off, he couldn’t move easily. Just imagining losing Hyena made his heart tighten. 

The person who awakened such unfamiliar emotions in him was only Hyena in the world. So he absolutely couldn’t give up.

Did that feeling get through? His parents’ permission came down. It was extremely fortunate.

Sejun, who called after a long time, skipped greetings and suddenly asked.

—Do you have something going on?

“Why?”

—There’s a high school classmate who works at your company. Moon Sanghyun. We’re not that close, but he called and asked about you.

Moon Sanghyun was an employee in the sales team that Manager Lee frequented these days. A bitter laugh escaped naturally. He does exactly what he does.

—Yesterday he suddenly called asking if you were adopted, and I was so surprised. From how he acted, it didn’t seem like he only called me—shouldn’t you warn people in advance?

“Why would I?”

—Well, if rumors spread. There are so many people who look through colored glasses.

“Just leave it. It’s the truth, so there’s no reason to hide it, right?”

Sejun, who’d been silent for a while seemingly surprised by the firm answer, soon gave up.

—If that’s what you think. Well.

Hanging up the phone, he hoped rumors would spread at the company. If that happened, soft-hearted Hyena would be even more unable to let him go.

It was the moment his twisted heart stretched again.

A few days later, the fact that he was adopted became known at the company. It was a rumor deliberately spread by Manager Lee, full of venom. It was an action meant to deal damage, but he didn’t care at all. 

He had zero interest in what other people thought from the beginning. That incident made Hyena even more unable to budge from him, so for him it was rather a welcome matter.

Now all that remained was to remove Manager Lee, who’d fulfilled his role, from before Hyena’s eyes. It was something he’d planned since hearing from Yoo Jeong that he was tormenting Hyena.

There were so many crumbs scattered here and there that it wasn’t difficult to clean up. But just cleaning up wasn’t satisfying. To make him unable to set foot in this field, a decisive blow was needed.

Finding the clue was by chance.

“What? A lawsuit?”

About to call Hyena out from the emergency exit, he heard a familiar voice and checked below. Manager Lee was standing on the lower floor. It was such a deserted place that he’d never seen anyone come here before.

“Who would believe a mere contract employee’s words? They’ll think it’s just venting about not getting a contract extension. Right, you submitted your resignation yourself. But can you prove that was because of me? If I say it was by mutual agreement, that’s the end. Honestly, you enjoyed it together too.”

Well, look at this.

“And frankly, even if that matter becomes known. Who’ll lose more? At most I’ll get a few months’ pay cut. But you, you’re not even married—will you be okay?”

The more he listened, the more absurd it was.

“Hey! Kim Yeongju. Are you done talking? Fine, do it if you can.”

Manager Lee, who hung up irritably, spewed out a string of curses and left the emergency exit.

‘Kim Yeongju.’

Repeating the name of the person who provided the decisive puzzle piece in his head, he picked up his phone. Soon Hyena’s voice, tinged with confusion, was heard.

—I told you not to call at work.

“I’m at the emergency exit.”

—So?

“Just saying.”

—I’m busy, so I’m hanging up.

Hyena hung up mercilessly. But he knew she would appear soon. She could never shake off his hand.

Gunwoo stared at the small window. Through the frosted window, a cloudless sky entered his view. It was exactly like Yoon Hyena.

“Yoon Hyena.”

Gunwoo whispered. At that moment, the emergency exit door opened.

“It’s troublesome if you keep calling me out like this…”

Before she could finish speaking, he pulled Hyena into his arms. Her soft female body wrapped into his body. He inhaled deeply the scent of the one person who allowed him to breathe.

“Yoon Hyena.”

I love you.

The feelings pressed down tightly leaked out of his mouth. It was a word he’d never uttered even once because of his disgusting biological father who used the word ‘love’ as an indulgence.

Gently embracing Hyena, surprised by the unexpected confession, Gunwoo whispered once more.

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

His lover, who responded tearfully, hugged him back. It was an ordinary yet special afternoon.

end of side stories.