The Nation’s Eunuch

With a harsh screech, a black sedan came to a halt, and before the driver could even step out, the rear door flew open.

Yang Daehwan burst forth from within.

He was the CEO of HM Entertainment, the agency Inwoo belonged to. Initially, he had been Inwoo’s manager. Later, he branched out to establish his own company, growing significantly after recruiting Inwoo due to their existing connection. Eventually, by managing a string of high-profile celebrities, his agency solidified its reputation as a prominent player in the entertainment industry.

But today, Inwoo, who was like a son and a precious jewel to him, had been involved in an accident while throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game.

CEO Yang canceled all his afternoon appointments and rushed to the hospital. As expected, the hospital’s front parking lot was swarming with reporters.

Evading their watchful eyes, he exited his car and hurried inside the hospital. Upon reaching the 15th-floor VIP room, he saw Dakyung standing at the entrance, conversing with a nurse.

Spotting CEO Yang, she immediately approached him.

“CEO Yang, you’re here?”

“What in the world happened? How’s Inwoo?”

“He’s in his room now.”

“Is he awake?”

“Yes.”

Oh, Inwoo, my boy.

As CEO Yang moved to enter the room, Dakyung frantically grabbed his arm, lowering her voice.

“Just a moment.”

Seeing Dakyung hesitate while holding him back, CEO Yang’s heart sank. He had been told the injuries weren’t severe.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Dakyung glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, before finally speaking.

“Well, he’s not badly hurt, but…”

“But what?”

“It’s just…”

“Spit it out, kid! Don’t keep me in suspense!”

“It won’t stand.”

“What?”

“It won’t stand, he says.”

“What won’t stand?”

“His d*ck.”

CEO Yang’s jaw dropped. Dakyung, despite having just uttered such a blunt word, appeared remarkably calm.

In a quiet, even tone, she began to explain. The doctor had found no external injuries, yet Inwoo was in a serious state, unable to achieve an erection.

As he listened, CEO Yang’s face crumpled slightly.

“He… he tried touching it, even in that state?”

“How would I know? But it’s more serious than you’d think. When he came out of the bathroom earlier, his eyes were bloodshot.”

“He cried?”

Dakyung shrugged. She couldn’t say for sure, but his expression was no different from a patient who had just received a terminal diagnosis.

To confirm with his own eyes, CEO Yang quietly opened the hospital room door and peered inside. He saw Inwoo’s back, clad in a patient gown, sitting on the bed and gazing out the window.

His shoulders were slumped, a clear sign of his utter lack of spirit.

A shadow fell across CEO Yang’s face. He rarely, if ever, saw Inwoo looking so dispirited.

Just then, Inwoo sensed a presence, turned around, and spotted CEO Yang.

“You’re here?”

Caught peeking, CEO Yang offered an awkward smile and stepped into the room.

“Oh, uh, yes. I’m here.”

Up close, Inwoo’s complexion was utterly pallid.

“Are you alright? You should lie down. Kid, do you know how shocked I was watching the game? My heart nearly stopped. It’s a miracle it wasn’t worse.”

Approaching, he rubbed Inwoo’s shoulder, trying to soothe him.

Oh, our Inwoo probably strained his shoulder throwing the ball earlier.

As CEO Yang turned his head, his eyes fell upon a pile of gifts and fruit baskets stacked in a corner.

“Wow, as expected of our popular actor. Look at how worried his fans already are.”

Inwoo gazed at the gifts. There were more from his casual flings than from actual fans, but he saw no need to mention it.

CEO Yang, however, continued to prattle on by himself.

“Since this happened, let’s just take a few days to rest properly. It’s actually a good thing, isn’t it? You wanted to rest, didn’t you? Hmm?”

“Hyung…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I want to die.”

Inwoo’s lower lip trembled. CEO Yang, concealing his alarm, moved in front of Inwoo and clasped both his hands.

“The doctor said you’re fine, didn’t they?”

“…”

“It’s like amnesia. People lose and regain their memory if they get hit on the head, right? It’s the same here. Amnesia. He’s just forgotten how to stand up for a moment.”

CEO Yang looked at Dakyung, seeking her agreement. Right, Dakyung?

Instead of replying, Dakyung frowned. How could he spout such convincing nonsense?

She was about to retort, ‘How would I know, having no d*ck myself?’ but decided against it. CEO Yang was sending her a clear signal with his eyes, urging her to agree.

“That’s right. Why else would they be a doctor? If they say it’s fine, then it’s fine.”

“See? Don’t be too downhearted. It’s not like it fell off; it’s still attached, isn’t it? Right, Dakyung?”

Dakyung shot him a look, signaling him to rein it in.

“I want to be alone… Everyone, please leave.”

Inwoo, utterly drained, climbed back onto the bed and lay down, turning his back to them. CEO Yang, standing awkwardly, gestured to Dakyung.

“Alright. Get some rest. Should I get you something to eat?”

“I don’t feel like it…”

“Your favorite eel rice bowl—where was that place again?”

“The one at Samseong Station?” Dakyung replied, and CEO Yang snapped his fingers.

“Yes, that’s it. I’ll go there and get you an eel rice bowl, so just rest. Who knows, eating your favorite might help you recover quickly.”

Instead of answering, Inwoo pulled the blanket over his head, offering no response. CEO Yang looked at Dakyung, signaling her to do something, but Dakyung had no ideas either.

It seemed better to simply leave him alone. After exchanging a silent glance, the two exited the hospital room.

Pushing off the blanket, Inwoo lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. The hospital room was quiet, save for the soft drip-drip of the humidifier.

After a moment, he glanced towards the door, then slipped his hand inside his patient gown pants. He massaged and prodded, but ‘it’ didn’t stir.

Rubbing, shaking, and trying to rouse it proved useless.

f*ck.

He bit his lip, pulled his hand out, and closed his eyes. It was usually so sensitive; even a breath would make it spring to attention.

This is a dream.

As he denied reality with a despondent expression, a soft knock sounded.

Knock, knock.

Was there no one outside the room?

He watched silently as the door opened, and someone stepped inside. Inwoo, rising to a sitting position, narrowed his eyes.

It was a tall man in suit pants and a white shirt, standing awkwardly at the doorway, holding a flower basket in one hand and a fruit basket in the other.

“Who are you? You can’t just walk in here.”

At Inwoo’s rather cold tone, the man looked flustered and bowed his head deeply.

“H-hello. I… we met at the baseball field.”

Seeing the man’s helpless demeanor, Inwoo suddenly remembered who he was. His face instantly contorted.

Having removed his uniform and cap, Inwoo hadn’t recognized him at first, but a closer look confirmed it was indeed Seo Junwon.

Seo Junwon stood at the entrance, unable to enter or leave, nervously gauging the situation.

“Um… I spoke with your manager… and they said… it was okay to come.”

Ha. Inwoo let out a bewildered laugh.

Seo Junwon, who had been observing, paused as he stepped inside with the flower basket. He looked at the mountain of gifts and fruit baskets piled in the corner, then back at the basket in his own hand.

Should I have bought something else? he wondered, regretting his choice belatedly. He carefully placed his basket in a corner, then scrutinized Inwoo’s complexion.

“Inwoo-ssi… Are you alright…?”

“Do I look like it?”

“…”

“Thanks to you, I’ve gone from being the Nation’s Actor to the Nation’s Eunuch. Thank you so much.”

Inwoo’s voice was flat, devoid of inflection, as if he were simply reading from a book. Seo Junwon’s gaze briefly flickered to Inwoo’s crotch before quickly darting away.

Who could have imagined the ball would fly exactly there? He remembered nothing from that moment. As he threw down the bat and rushed towards Inwoo, it felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath him.

“I am truly sorry!”

Seo Junwon stood at the edge of the bed like a criminal, hands clasped respectfully in front of him.

“I never dreamed the ball would fly like that. I’m so, so sorry.”

“And I never dreamed I’d become an eunuch.”

“I’m sorry… If you want me to kneel, I’ll kneel right here.”

He looked as if he would genuinely kneel if Inwoo allowed it. Inwoo, who had been staring silently, let out a small sigh.

“It’s fine… It’s not like you did it on purpose.”

“I will compensate you somehow. Whether it’s material or emotional, I’ll do anything. I’m truly sorry.”

Anyone would think he’d committed high treason.

Seeing the large man cower and repeatedly bow ninety degrees, Inwoo felt his anger somewhat dissipate.

After all, hadn’t he been the one to tell Seo Junwon to hit the ball in the first place? He could have just pretended to swing, but he had insisted Seo Junwon actually hit it.

As he thought this, a tug in his lower abdomen signaled a need to urinate, likely due to the IV drip.

“It’s fine, you can go now. It’s not like you did anything wrong.”

Moving to the edge of the bed, he lowered his legs to go to the bathroom. As he looked for his slippers, Seo Junwon quickly darted over, picked up the carelessly discarded slippers, and moved to put them on him.

Inwoo paused, looking at him. Kneeling on one knee, Seo Junwon resembled a prince out of Cinderella.

Their gazes met.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I thought you might have trouble putting on your shoes.”

Seo Junwon neatly placed the slippers in front of him, then quickly stood up and stepped back. Inwoo quietly looked up at Seo Junwon.

He must be around 190 centimeters tall.

At the stadium, he had just seemed tall, but now, dressed properly, his physique was impressive.

His face, upon closer inspection, was also handsome. He had long, monolid eyes, a prominent nose, and lips that were adequately full and smooth. Though a bit sharp, he possessed a generally refreshing and well-defined appearance.

As Inwoo stared intently, a blush spread from Seo Junwon’s nape to his ears. He quickly averted his gaze, biting his lower lip. Then, he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

One of Inwoo’s eyebrows quirked upwards.

This feels a bit too suspicious to be mere fan devotion.

“Why are you sweating so much? It’s not even hot.”

Inwoo pulled a tissue from the nearby box and offered it to him. Seo Junwon took it, then laughed awkwardly.

While he dabbed his forehead, Inwoo slipped on his slippers and stood up. However, the towering Seo Junwon was blocking his path.

Inwoo looked at him, implying he should move, but Seo Junwon just stared back blankly, still holding the tissue.

“Could you please move? I need to use the bathroom.”

Seo Junwon, embarrassed, stepped aside, and at the same moment, Inwoo clutched his forehead and swayed in that direction.

Ah, dizziness.

Seo Junwon swiftly caught him in his arms.

“Are you alright?”

Inwoo subtly opened his eyes. The parts of his body touching Seo Junwon were as hard as stone.

Oh, this is even better than I thought.

As Inwoo reached out a hand, Seo Junwon flinched. Inwoo peeled a small piece of tissue from Seo Junwon’s forehead.

“This was stuck here.”

“Thank you. I just got a bit dizzy.”

“Yes…”

As Inwoo, who had been cradled in his arms, smoothly vanished into the bathroom, Seo Junwon exhaled the breath he’d been holding and unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons.

When he placed his hand on his left chest, his heart pounded as if having a seizure.

Did he hear it? Please calm down. Please.

As he patted his chest, the bathroom door opened a crack, and Inwoo’s face peered out.

“Seo Junwon-ssi.”

Seo Junwon flinched, quickly dropping the hand that had been on his chest.

“Yes?”

“Could you come here for a moment?”

“Me… me?”

“You said you’d compensate me for anything, didn’t you?”

“Yes?”

As Seo Junwon wore a bewildered expression, Inwoo, with only his head visible, smiled sweetly.

“Come in here and do it. The compensation.”