Hyun Woo

Five months had passed, and strangely, I was more comfortable than ever. The mosquitoes and the cat I had gotten used to — in fact, I liked to believe the cat loved me more now than him, since she always slept beside me. The only thing that bothered me was that damn sofa. I had asked him if we could buy a more comfortable one, but he outright denied it, saying it was a waste of money. With no space for another bed, I had to continue sleeping on the sofa… until one night he kicked me awake.

“Hey, it’s getting colder now, right?”

“You woke me up at 2 AM for a temperature check?” I mumbled sleepily.

“Come sleep on the bed.”

I jolted upright. “What… what did you say, master Minho?”

“Come.”

I followed him, still dazed. “This bed is big enough for two people. Since it’s winter, you can sleep here until the weather changes. I’ve put these pillows in between — dare you cross them and take my space, understood? This is your blanket.”

I nodded vigorously to all his commands.

“Oh my god, I’m so happy!” I blurted.

“Why are you happy? It’s not like a girl asked you to sleep with her,” he said in his usual unimpressed tone. “Beware — if you snore or make any mischief, I’ll kick you out.”

“What if I fart?” I asked seriously.

“Then I’ll kick you out of the house,” he replied flatly, turning to his side of the bed. I settled on mine, clutching my blanket, oddly content.

Though he liked to act strict, he always took care of me in small ways. His food was delicious, and I’d noticed he always gave me extra chicken, claiming he didn’t like it much. I also knew he loved horror movies but avoided them because, according to him, I was too afraid — which wasn’t true at all. He underestimated my bravery. So one night, I challenged him to watch one, promising I wouldn’t be scared.

“Do you need help going to the washroom at night? Wake me up,” he teased as we settled in.

“Very funny. I just hope you don’t wet your bed — it’s only Tuesday, Sunday is still far,” I mocked back.

“What about you? You’re wearing those diapers we bought last week,” he shot back.

“Yes, I am. Don’t worry,” I said, which made him laugh again. I liked his laugh.

“Hey, Hyunwoo,” his tone suddenly turned serious. My heart skipped — had I done something wrong?

“Yes?” I answered hesitantly.

“Exams are starting next month. We need to study seriously, okay?”

“Yes, master Min Ho.”

“I’ll help you in maths, like you asked. But you have to behave,” he said firmly. Should I tell him it was just one of the lies I’d told him — that I was good at studies? Would he be angry? Maybe I’d confess tomorrow, at lunch, when he was usually in a good mood as loved eating.

“Hey, are you listening?”

“Yes, master.”

“Cut the master crap and move your leg — you’re crushing mine.”

“Why don’t you like my long legs, master? They’re so pretty,” I teased.

“What use are your long legs to me?” he grumbled, turning to the other side.

“They look really pretty in a skirt. Have you noticed?” I said, pushing further.

And then came that laughter again. In the silent night, it sounded beautiful as always.

By the third period, his mood had changed. He just listened to the lectures, not even glancing at me when I threw a paper plane his way. By evening, it was unbearable. As he was about to leave for his shift, I tried to stop him, but he dodged me and left.

He returned later than usual. I was waiting with dinner, but he ignored me, went straight to the bath, and then to bed. I packed the food carefully into the fridge — he hated when I wasted it.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I stormed into the bedroom.

“Could you stop the silent sulking and tell me what’s wrong? I, Hyunwoo, never give this much attention to anyone, mind you. But I can’t stand your sulking face anymore. Just blurt it out.”

He glared, pulled the blanket over his head. I yanked it off and held his wrists. “Will you speak out or not?”

“You know what I found out today?” His eyes burned. “That someone has won many Maths Olympiads. Your sister was boasting to her friends. And that someone is you, Servant Hyun woo.”

“I was going to tell you today. I was just kidding last time when I said I needed help in maths. I meant to clear it up with you, believe me.”

“Let go of me.” His voice was sharp. I loosened my grip, and he pulled free, turning away to sleep.

I couldn’t argue anymore. I was wrong. I turned off the lights and went to the sofa. The air in the bedroom was heavy.

Sunday morning, he was preparing breakfast. I hadn’t slept a blink. I walked up behind him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied. What can I do so you forgive me?”

His shoulders sagged. “Really?” He turned, dragged me to the study table, and pulled out a fat stack of notes. “Do you know what this is? Notes I prepared for you over two weeks — between shifts, early mornings — so you could study maths. It’s not that I regret it. It’s that all of it was wasted on a lie. That’s what hurts.” He sat down, defeated.

I bent at his knees, holding them. “What can I do so you’re less angry? I’ll do anything. I won’t watch football matches. I won’t pick my nose anymore. I won’t put my legs on yours at night. I won’t sing loudly in the bathroom. I’ll do all the chores myself. I’ll even fail the maths exam, then use your notes to pass it. Will that work?”

“Really? You won’t pick your nose? That’s gross — even yesterday…” he started.

“Yes, I’ll stop. I’ll do everything I said, as long as you forgive me.”

“Fine,” he sighed. “Let it be. I’m tired.”

“Should I press your legs, your feet?” I offered, starting to massage.

“Get lost. I hope you didn’t pick your nose before touching me, right?” He looked disgusted.

“No! I’ve been begging for forgiveness since I woke up.”

“Is that so? You woke up early on a Sunday? Let me check where the sun rose from.”

“Very funny,” I muttered as he got up to finish breakfast.

“I won’t forgive you next time if I find you’ve lied again, Hyunwoo.”

My appetite vanished at those words.