The Guest Room

After driving for another ten minutes or so, the car came to a stop on a street lined with high walls in a residential district.

“Get out.”

Following Shin I-hyeok out of the car, Ju Hayan took in the street dotted sparsely with trees.

In her neighborhood, villas were crammed together and the alleys were narrow, yet here the road was wide even though the houses, each with its own garden, stood spaced apart.

She knew where this was.

It was a luxury residential area far above even the apartment complex where she had once lived with her family.

Whenever she rode the bus, she had only passed along the outer stone walls.

This was her first time inside.

While Team Leader Kim parked in the garage attached to the house, Ju Hayan followed Shin I-hyeok toward the entrance.

Beyond the gray wall lay a small garden covered in winter-withered grass.

“Sit wherever.”

Unlike the barren garden, the house itself did not feel bleak.

Black dominated the interior, but wooden tables and bookshelves softened the darkness.

The moment he stepped inside, Shin I-hyeok removed his coat and disappeared further in.

Ju Hayan glanced around cautiously before sitting on a black sofa.

Creaaak.

The leather made a sound, and she adjusted herself carefully, her eyes wandering.

The living room alone seemed larger than her entire semi-basement.

The fluorescent lighting was brighter, and instead of mold, a faint sweet scent lingered in the air.

She fought the urge to stand up and wander around in awe, rubbing her finger over the patterned leather instead.

Her cheap sky-blue padded jacket, bought on sale at a supermarket, looked glaringly out of place against the black sofa.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, she lifted her head.

Shin I-hyeok returned to the living room, now dressed in comfortable cotton pants instead of his suit.

It was the first time she had seen him like that.

He sat on the perpendicular section of the sofa, facing her directly, and fixed his gaze on her.

It felt less like he was looking at her specifically and more like he was taking in the entire scene—the sofa she sat on, the backdrop of the house—savoring it.

“Um….”

Since he showed no intention of speaking, Ju Hayan finally opened her mouth first.

“This place is…?”

“Home.”

“Ah.”

She had expected as much, but the confirmation was almost absurdly brief.

Home, indeed.

Anyone could see that.

“You live here?”

“Mm.”

“Your family…?”

“I don’t live with them. I believe I told you before.”

The house was large.

No—too large to simply call it that.

From where she sat, she could see three doors, and there was even a staircase.

If there was a second floor, it would be twice this size.

To think he lived here alone—how had he endured her semi-basement room?

“This house is amazing.”

“Well, it’s not bad to live in.”

He shrugged lightly, the words dissipating into the air like a casual aside.

Not bad?

That was an understatement.

He had said he was only staying here temporarily.

To secure a place like this for a short stay—she could not even begin to estimate his wealth.

After a moment of silence, she finally voiced what she had wanted to ask from the start.

“Then… why did you bring me here?”

“Hm?”

“Why bring me to your house?”

Yes.

She had wanted to ask since the car entered this affluent district.

At first, she assumed they were heading to her home as usual.

She had thought perhaps he simply did not have time to search for a jjimjilbang.

But the roads became unfamiliar, and once they turned into the residential streets, she realized the destination was different.

She asked politely, but Shin I-hyeok’s expression remained unmoved.

If anything, he seemed puzzled by her question.

“You said there’s no water at your place.”

“…Yes.”

“There’s water here.”

“….”

“It’s more comfortable. And it doesn’t cost you anything.”

Isn’t that reason enough?

He stopped surveying the room and turned to her.

But that was not what she had meant.

He was listing reasons for her to stay.

She wanted to know his reason for bringing her.

“You’re my collateral. I should take care of you.”

As if sensing her confusion, he added it lightly.

Collateral.

It had been a while since she heard that word.

He leaned back, bracing his hands behind him, the knit fabric across his chest pulling taut.

“Still… this is too much. I feel really sorry.”

She could not simply let it slide.

“Thank you for thinking of me. But I’ll handle my problem myself.”

“……”

“I’ll find somewhere else to stay. I’m sorry for troubling you so late.”

She bowed slightly, hoping her refusal sounded gentle.

If she left now, it would be fine.

She had stated her position, though she could not bring herself to meet his eyes.

After a few seconds, a sigh came from beside her.

“Ha….”

As if to say, this is why words are exhausting.

He stood abruptly.

“Get up.”

So he would let her go.

She rose, but instead of stepping back, he extended his arm.

Not for a handshake.

When she approached slowly, he draped an arm around her shoulders.

The touch was light, almost weightless.

He guided her away from the sofa—toward the inside of the house, not the entrance.

“You’ll stay upstairs. There’s a bathroom next to the room, so it won’t be inconvenient.”

“Ah, I—”

Flustered, she glanced back as he steered her toward the stairs.

Even twisting her body did nothing; the hand around her arm did not loosen.

His touch was gentle, yet she felt bound.

“The guest room isn’t used much, but it has the basics.”

“No, I’m really fine.”

“The bathroom is across the hall.”

Ignoring her protests, he opened a door.

The room was about the size of her semi-basement, but it was spotless—bed, desk, wardrobe.

She barely had time to take it in before clinging to him.

“Please, listen to me.”

“Is the jjimjilbang that appealing?”

Only then did he finally look at her directly.

They were closer than she realized.

Startled, she fell silent.

“Isn’t that also just for lodging?”

“……”

“It’s no different. This place has heating. Water. There’s even a bathtub.”

“But—”

“And there’s a bed. Seems like better conditions.”

“Still!”

“The only difference is you’d be undressing where strangers can see you.”

“……”

“You like that?”

His words left her speechless.

Technically, he was not wrong.

But bathing meant undressing; no one went there to stare at naked bodies.

And one entered properly clothed.

She tried to retort, but he cut in again.

“If you want, you can walk around naked here too.”

“…What?”

“If that’s what you want.”

He paused as if imagining something, then laughed to himself.

Shaking his head faintly, he guided her fully into the room and sat her on the bed.

“Still…” she murmured weakly.

“Hayan.”

He called her name softly.

She lifted her head and met his smiling gaze above her.

“I’m telling you to stay.”

“……”

“If you go along with it, I’ll be very grateful.”

His tone was gentle, almost like a request.

But beneath it lay a statement.

Only then did she understand.

He had already decided she would stay.

All she had to do was comply.

Their positions were not equal.

Realizing defeat, she lowered her head and nodded.

A hand landed on her hair.

“Good. That’s my girl. Go wash up. Everything you need should be in the bathroom.”

“……”

“Afterward, come downstairs. You should eat.”

“…Yes.”

He patted her head several times before withdrawing his hand.

Only after his footsteps faded down the stairs did she look around the room again.

Well-kept.

Annoyingly nice.

She pouted slightly.

Damn, this room is good.

After washing in the upstairs bathroom, she delayed awkwardly, drying her hair completely before going down.

It was her first time living in a house with stairs.

She walked more carefully than usual.

Shin I-hyeok was already seated on the sofa—the same spot she had sat earlier.

She hesitated a few steps away, unsure where to sit.

Before she decided, he extended his arm toward her.

“Sit.”

His hand remained outstretched until she came close enough, then gently grasped her wrist and pulled her beside him.

He looked her over.

Her hair, dried stiff and fluffy, still held warmth from the dryer.

He ran his hand through it as if stroking soft fur, his gaze dropping lower.

“You came out dressed.”

The casual remark made her recall their earlier exchange, and embarrassment crept in.

She did not walk naked even in her own home, much less someone else’s.

“…Yes.”

“Take it off.”

“What?”

She questioned her hearing.

Seeing her stare blankly, he clarified.

“Take off your pants. Let me check your wound again.”