Projection Novel (Completed) - Chapter 119

Annoying. What did it matter to him whether he was sick or not?

Sejin fell silent, his mood plummeting. Seeing this, Cheon Sejoo seemed to remember something, smiled, squinted, and reached out to Sejin.

“Why are you making that face again?”

After saying that, without giving Sejin a chance to dodge, he ruffled his hair for the second time since the last. Sejin instinctively flinched. The soft hand brushed through his thin hair, but unlike what he imagined, the feeling wasn’t bad at all. No, on the contrary, it was…

“….”

Wasn’t it? Was this nothing? Caught up in a strange emotion, Sejin tried to shake his head to dispel the distracting thoughts, then gathered all his courage and reached out his hand just as he had done.

When his hand touched Cheon Sejoo’s forehead, who was blinking as if surprised, he felt a distinct heat. Even without a thermometer, it was easy to tell he had a fever. Immediately, Sejin’s shoulders puffed up.

“You have a fever.”

His voice rang out triumphantly. Clearly sick, what else was he going to lie about? Just as he was about to sneer and withdraw his hand, a large hand unexpectedly pressed gently on the back of his hand. Cheon Sejoo was holding the hand that was touching his forehead. Their fingers intertwined as if they were holding hands.

“Your hand is really cold. Can I hold it like this for a while?”

Sejin bit his lip, looking at the boy who was smiling, his face flushed, right in front of him. His heart started pounding again.

Until now, for Sejin, contact with men meant pain. Other than violence, he had never experienced any other touch. Yet, contact with the person in front of him wasn’t painful, he wasn’t scared, nor was he uncomfortable. There was only a slight urge to avoid it, but he didn’t want to turn away from him. It was strange.

Even though two boys like this were a bit odd, the other person was sick. Just for a little while… Sejin silently endured, listening to his heart pounding louder than usual.

Unlike when he leaned against the sofa, he looked a little more comfortable, as if he was pleased with the coolness emanating from his hand, a peaceful smile on his face. That smile stirred Sejin’s heart.

“…Do you want some medicine?”

He didn’t know when, but Cheon Sejoo had tightened his grip on his hands. In response to the cautious question, he kept Sejin’s hand, lowered it, and gently pressed his cheek into his palm, then tilted his head and replied:

“Hmm?”

His lips touched his palm. His hot breath tickled Sejin’s skin. Sejin couldn’t pull his hand away, stammering his question again:

“Medicine, I asked if you’d take it.”

“…I already took it. At school.”

If he was already sick at school, he should have gone home to rest, why was he lingering here like this? Was it worth getting wet in the rain to come here? Would helping a poor person earn him volunteer points? Sejin, who was unaccustomed to receiving kindness from others, looked at him with a dissatisfied gaze and asked:

“Then why didn’t you go home, what are you doing here? Are you that free?”

Cheon Sejoo chuckled softly. Haha, he shook his shoulders, laughing, and then after a while, turned to Sejin and replied.

“I’m not free. I’m a 12th grader.”

“Then if you’re busy, go to school, why do you keep coming here?”

Actually, he knew the reason. Sejin knew that he belonged to the school’s self-governing group and was forced to come here. However, he didn’t answer immediately. When Sejin turned, a handsome, expressionless face appeared. Had he said too much? Sejin became self-conscious and belatedly fell silent.

If Cheon Sejoo got angry and didn’t come anymore, the time he had to endure until evening would be boring and tiring again. He regretted his slip of the tongue, but contrary to his worry, Cheon Sejoo smiled belatedly and asked:

“You’re worried about me, aren’t you? The person who should go home and rest is here.”

That sentence seemed to hit a sore spot, making Sejin’s cheeks flush, feeling exposed. He was embarrassed, annoyed, and surprised that the other person recognized his concern. Sejin avoided his gaze and said curtly:

“…Understand it however you want.”

It was a cold answer, but Cheon Sejoo didn’t seem bothered. He raised his eyebrows, smiled brightly, and said:

“I was afraid you’d wait.”

“Who?”

“I was afraid if I didn’t come, you’d wait for me.”

Sejin’s mouth immediately stiffened.

A sweet sentence, like pouring honey. What was wrong with this person? Why would he say something like that? Sejin felt flustered, immediately withdrew the hand that was touching his cheek, then hid his warming hand under the other, trying to appear indifferent as he replied:

“I… wasn’t waiting.”

“Really?”

“Not waiting at all.”

“I know.”

But that smile clearly didn’t believe him. Sejin puffed out his cheeks, staring at him. Cheon Sejoo still casually shrugged and then raised his hand to ruffle Sejin’s hair again. This time, he didn’t dodge. Sejoo gently ruffled his obedient hair and asked:

“Shall I buy you something tomorrow?”

“Don’t come again. Seriously.”

“I probably won’t be sick tomorrow.”

“It’s not that I’m worried about you!”

“I’ll buy castella cake, okay?”

“…..”

Does this person even listen to others, he just talks about himself. Why does he always do what he wants? Sejin suddenly got annoyed, frowned, and stood up, causing the egg tart he had completely forgotten about to fall with a thud to the floor.

Sejin flinched and quickly picked it up. After a moment of hesitation, he went into the kitchen and precisely cut the egg tart in half with a knife. They say “give an extra cake to someone you hate,” so he was giving it because the other person was sick. He rationalized it that way and then gave half to Cheon Sejoo.

“Eat it.”

Cheon Sejoo didn’t take it immediately. He looked at Sejin’s small hand holding the egg tart for a moment before taking it, saying “thank you” softly, and then looked up at Sejin standing in front of him.

His gaze was clearly obvious. Sejin didn’t avoid it, looking directly into his eyes. When the two looked at each other for a few seconds, Cheon Sejoo spoke up and asked:

“Shall we go to school together tomorrow morning?”

Sejin’s cheeks immediately went cold. Finally, that sentence came. He knew he came to see him for a reason, but because he hadn’t said anything for over a week, he had accidentally harbored a little hope. That’s why he asked him why he kept coming. But in the end, there was no surprise. He must have received instructions from the homeroom teacher or someone else to bring him to school, not because he was worried about him.

They weren’t even acquaintances to begin with. He didn’t know why he had expected anything. A little disappointment welled up in his heart. Sejin turned his head and went back to his seat, stuffing the entire piece of egg tart into his mouth, not bothering to taste it, chewing and swallowing, then answering:

“If you take me to school, what will the teacher give you? Something written on your report card?”

For the past month, many people had come to see Sejin. From the homeroom teacher to an unnamed classmate elected as class president, even the police came to verify child abuse, but none of them truly cared about Sejin. Their temporary, purposeful concern made Sejin hate them bitterly.

In the end, this person was just the same. Sejin continued in a cold voice:

“Don’t do useless things anymore. I’ll go by myself when the time comes.”

Not long ago, Kwon Yongbeom drank and went crazy again. He thought he had gotten better lately, but he ended up hitting both Sejin and his mother. For the first time in his life, Sejin fiercely resisted him. Although he was beaten harder, at least it surprised Kwon Yongbeom and made him stop.

After that, he, as usual, took money from his mother’s wallet and left the house. For some reason, he left a five-thousand-won bill at the door. Seeing that it was too unusual, Sejin stayed home to keep watch. He worried that dying people often do things they’ve never done before, fearing that Kwon Yongbeom might have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and would go crazy and burn down the house.

But more than a month had passed since that day. There was no news, so it seemed he intended to disappear for a few more months. Therefore, Sejin was now mentally prepared to return to school. If it weren’t for Kwon Yongbeom, he wouldn’t have intended to drop out of school anyway. At least at school, he could eat a full meal at lunchtime.

“Are you angry?”

That was all Cheon Sejoo said, probably in response to “I’ll go by myself when the time comes.”

Does it matter whether he’s angry or not? In the end, he doesn’t truly care about him. Sejin bit his lip, went to the door, and opened it.

“Go home.”

“I’ll be quiet.”

“I told you to go.”

“Are you going to kick out a sick person?”

A moment ago, he insisted he was fine, but now he was using his illness as an excuse to nag endlessly. Sejin glared annoyed at Cheon Sejoo. Only when his knife-sharp gaze shot towards him did he sigh and stand up. He quietly packed his things, but perhaps due to his fever, his movements were a bit slower than usual.

Should he bring him some medicine? Sejin thought of that, then shook his head. Doing that wouldn’t gain him anything. Anyway, that person came here only for school, not out of concern for him.

Sejin pressed his lips together, staring only at the ground. Soon, Cheon Sejoo slung his backpack over his shoulder, walked past Sejin, and headed towards the door. He bent down, putting on his shoes on the old reddish-brown tiles.

His shoulders were still soaked. It was all because the umbrella was too small for Cheon Sejoo’s tall frame. Seeing that scene, his heart suddenly felt uncomfortably stirred. Sejin clenched his lips for a moment, then couldn’t help but speak.

“If it rains tomorrow, just go straight home.”

“Home?”

“…Your home. Don’t come here when it rains.”

He meant there was no need to get soaked in the rain to come here. Sejin bowed his head, gesturing with his chin towards the doorstep, implying that if he heard, he should leave. At that moment, Cheon Sejoo, who had been standing still, chuckled softly and replied.

“I don’t have a home.”

He didn’t understand what kind of joke he was trying to pull now, so he looked up, but he just stood there, smiling quietly. It wasn’t a teasing smile, but a serious, sincere face.

“I live in an orphanage.”

“….”

That one sentence made Sejin freeze, blinking in stunned silence.

Now that he thought about it, at the beginning of the year, he vaguely heard some friends gossiping that among the 12th graders, there was an orphan who lived in an orphanage, was handsome and smart, and was well-liked by everyone…

So it was him. Finally, the questions he had about him for so long were answered. His old clothes, backpack, personal belongings. Each time, he only bought snacks worth a thousand won…

Realizing that, Sejin’s face suddenly flushed hot.

He was receiving food from someone who had even less than him, no, in fact, was even more disadvantaged. Sejin suddenly felt like a foolish scumbag, even a bit angry. He had no money, yet he tried to empty his pockets to buy gifts just to curry favor. Looking at Cheon Sejoo like that, he felt he was truly pathetic.

Sejin clenched his fists, staring at him. Catching Cheon Sejoo’s gaze as if asking, “Now what?”, he retorted in a harsh voice.

“Great. Then don’t come again. I don’t want to receive anything from someone who doesn’t even have a home.”

Cheon Sejoo broke his serious expression with a short laugh. His face, still flushed with fever, turned away, chuckled, and then suddenly raised his hand to ruffle Sejin’s hair. His voice was gentle as he said:

“You’re really good at saying the opposite of what you mean.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Tell me the truth. If you feel guilty about receiving food, just say it.”

“I told you not to do that anymore!”

He angrily batted his hand away, but the hand, clinging like a leech, refused to let go. Sejin stepped back, trying to avoid the hand that kept returning to the crown of his head again and again. Finally, Cheon Sejoo withdrew his hand as if he had played enough, and smiled, saying goodbye:

“I’m leaving. Bye.”

Go then. Sejin didn’t reply, turning away. Cheon Sejoo called out from behind him, his voice tinged with playfulness:

“Castella~”

“It’s going to rain tomorrow too!”

“This time I’ll bring a bigger umbrella.”

“I told you not to come!”

He had no money, yet he still wanted to buy something else. After hearing about the orphanage, he suddenly didn’t want to eat anything anymore. When he turned his head to emphasize again that he shouldn’t come, Cheon Sejoo had already left the door. The only thing left in Sejin’s sight was the neat shirt sleeve pulling the door shut.

A few hours later, as Sejin was curled up on the sofa, swallowing saliva while watching a cooking show on TV, Kim Hyun Kyung returned home from work. She only stopped by for a moment before starting her night shift.

“Sejin.”

“Mom!”

As soon as the door opened, Sejin rushed to hug her. Even though her son was past his childhood, Kim Hyun Kyung still hugged the small, adorable boy as she always had, then smiled and handed him something.

“What is it?”

“The lady at the restaurant gave it to you.”

Sejin used to help out at the restaurant where his mother worked. That time, the restaurant had a large catering order, and fearing his mother would be tired, he went to help with odd jobs. Perhaps out of affection, the head chef there often prepared side dishes for Sejin’s mother to bring home. Although it wasn’t as delicious as his mother’s cooking, it was enough for him to eat heartily.

In the box were seasoned bean sprouts, stir-fried potatoes with sausage, pink fried sausage, and a 500ml carton of milk. The expiration date was only one day away, but the use-by date was still far off, so it was fine.

Sejin happily went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

“Are we eating now?”

As he arranged the food, the boy asked his mother. He intended to warm up the fried sausages, but Kim Hyun Kyung shook her head, took off her shoes, and immediately changed into another pair placed on the floor, preparing to go out again.

“No, I have to go now. Someone took an unexpected day off today, so I have to get there as early as possible. Is Sejin okay at school? It’s raining so heavily. Your uniform isn’t wet, is it?”

“…No. I used the umbrella carefully. But if you go now, when will you eat?”

Sejin lowered his head, lying without a hint of expression. Kim Hyun Kyung looked at her seemingly dejected son, then chuckled affectionately, stroked his head, and gently coaxed him.

“I’ll eat there with the ladies. Remember to eat a lot, okay? Tomorrow I’ll bring more food home, there’s a lot to do.”

“Yes…”

“I’m going now. Love you.”

“I love you too.”

Kim Hyun Kyung kissed her son’s cheek and left the house. Left alone, Sejin began to cook. He took out 10 pink sausages, put 3 back, then took a handful of bean sprouts, a lot of stir-fried potatoes, and ate them with two bowls of rice. To feel fuller, he chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

After eating, Sejin locked the door, tidied up the already clean house, and then crawled under the covers to sleep. He woke up briefly at dawn when he heard his mother return, then slept until around seven o’clock.

Sejin carefully got out of bed, avoiding waking his mother, and began to prepare breakfast. He cooked a pot of soybean paste stew with the remaining potatoes, onions, and tofu in the refrigerator. He took out the pickled kimchi, warmed up the sausages, and arranged stir-fried potatoes, mixed bean sprouts, and mixed vegetables that he had prepared himself. Just as he finished setting out the chopsticks and spoons, his mother woke up and came out of her room.

“Thank you, son.”

“Eat a lot, Mom. You seem to be getting thinner lately.”

“Me? Then I must be growing!”

“At that age, what more could you grow…?”

At his mother’s absurd joke, Sejin could only smile helplessly. Breakfast ended in that warm atmosphere. Sejin put on his uniform, slung on his backpack, said goodbye to his mother, and left the house. But instead of going to school, he turned onto the path near his home.

The walking path behind the house where Sejin often spent time before his mother went to work was still wet from yesterday’s rain. Although it was morning, the rain hadn’t completely stopped, feeling like it could pour down at any moment. The sky was gray.

He wondered if summer would come after this rain. As he quietly walked along the path, fragrant with damp earth, a few drops of rain suddenly splattered on his forehead. Sejin looked up, thick dark clouds gathered, roaring and then pouring down rain like a deluge. It seemed like it would rain for a long time.