Hakyung, a young man whose spirit was as lively as his movements, quickly dropped to his knees, his eyes wide with a mixture of hope and a touch of mischief as he followed the lead of the man he affectionately called the CEO.”
“Grandma,” he began, his voice ringing with a newfound determination, “I want to marry the CEO. Please, please give us your permission!”
He had just spent what felt like an eternity trying to convince her, talking until his throat was dry about how incredibly premature such a notion was.
Yet, it seemed his fervent words had fallen on deaf ears, entirely lost to the boundless enthusiasm of her eldest grandson.
His grandmother, a woman of deep affections and even deeper exasperations, clutched at her trembling head, a visible tremor rippling through her silver hair.
A moment of stunned silence gave way to a booming exclamation that echoed through the room, “You… you darn stubborn brat!”
The CEO, whose presence was always both commanding and comforting to Hakyung, had subtly shifted, almost imperceptibly placing himself between Hakyung and the grandmother’s booming fury.
This protective stance, a silent acknowledgment of their burgeoning bond, only served to further exasperate the older woman, leaving her utterly dumbfounded.
Her grandson, bless his naive heart, seemed to have fallen for the man all over again in that very instant, his eyes practically dripping with adoration, as sweet and thick as honey.
A long, drawn-out sigh escaped his grandmother’s lips, followed by a hollow, almost disbelieving laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of the scene unfolding before her.
She took a deliberate step back, conceding a small victory.
“First,” she declared, her voice a little softer now, “go to the sea once, meet the CEO’s parents, and then we’ll talk.”
“Can’t we just finish it now?” Hakyung pleaded, his voice a desperate whine.
“Tsk!”
The sharp, admonishing sound from his grandmother was enough to make Hakyung yelp, his shoulders hunching as he instinctively scurried behind Muheon, seeking refuge in his larger frame.
Muheon’s lips curved ever so slightly at the warm, trembling body pressed so close behind him.
After a carefully measured beat, he spoke, his voice calm and even, “My parents passed away when I was young.”
His grandmother’s stern demeanor softened instantly, replaced by a look of profound regret.
“Oh, my. Is that so?” she murmured, her voice filled with genuine sorrow.
“Yes,” Muheon confirmed, his tone unchanging.
“That’s why I inherited the business early.”
His grandmother felt an immediate surge of remorse, her heart aching for the young man who had clearly endured so much.
She was at a complete loss for how to express her profound sympathy.
Hakyung, too, was stunned.
He widened his eyes, realizing for the first time that the CEO’s parents had passed away so early.
Muheon, observing the almost identical reactions of the grandmother and grandson – a shared look of shock and pity – chuckled inwardly.
This was an opportunity he simply couldn’t afford to miss.
It was true, he mused, that the previous Imoogi, his predecessor, had been old and nearing the end of his long life when Muheon was born.
And it was equally true that he had been forced to take on the immense responsibilities of their ancient lineage and business at a remarkably young age.
However, the picture he was painting for them, of a difficult, unhappy life filled only with work and devoid of love, was far from the reality.
His life, while perhaps unconventional, had never been truly desolate.
Yet, to achieve his desired outcome, he needed to subtly exploit the deep empathy of the strong dolphin family, to find the weak spot in their compassionate hearts.
“I see…” his grandmother murmured, her voice laced with concern.
“You’ve suffered a lot on your own, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” Muheon replied, his voice taking on a wistful, almost melancholic tone.
“That’s why I wanted to get married as soon as possible. But I haven’t met anyone until now… No,” he corrected himself, his gaze fixing on Hakyung with an almost mournful tenderness, “it seems I’ve been living alone all this time to meet Hakyung.”
The wistful gaze was a masterstroke, a bonus effect that elevated his performance.
It was an act so convincing that his own family, the ancient Imoogis living in the West Sea, would have been utterly dumbfounded, perhaps even falling over in shock at his theatrical prowess.
Yet, Muheon himself felt neither awkward nor embarrassed.
He didn’t even betray the slightest change in his expression, his face remaining perfectly impassive.
It was almost as if shamelessness was, in fact, the greatest virtue of the Imoogis, a cornerstone of their formidable nature.
He didn’t need to elaborate further.
His words, coupled with his subtle demeanor, seemed to convey the entirety of his supposed lonely and desolate life, leaving an impression that everyone understood.
And, conversely, it painted a vivid picture of how incredibly happy he was now that Hakyung had appeared to illuminate that solitary existence.
At this heartbreaking confession, Hakyung grimaced, his features contorting with profound sympathy, and he tightly clutched Muheon’s large, strong hand.
He now understood the reason the CEO had initially exuded such a fierce and terrifying aura: it was because he hadn’t been loved.
He, Hakyung, had lost his parents early too, but thanks to his grandmother’s boundless love, he had never felt truly lonely.
The CEO, on the other hand, must have had absolutely no one by his side until now.
Then, from now on, Hakyung vowed silently, his resolve firming, I should love the CEO a lot, and a lot more.
It was an astute and remarkably commendable thought for such a young man.
With that decision, the slight, lingering fear he harbored regarding the sea completely vanished, replaced by a blossoming sense of purpose.
“Well… I understand,” his grandmother finally conceded, her voice softer still, tinged with a reluctant acceptance.
“I understand both your feelings well. So, first, go to the sea. And then we’ll decide.”
“Oh, Grandma, really!” Hakyung wailed, his stubborn whining, a habit that had supposedly disappeared after elementary school, bursting forth with renewed vigor.
However, his grandmother remained unyielding.
Her grandson, and his boyfriend, were so utterly smitten with each other that they couldn’t see anything beyond their immediate desires.
But what would happen once they actually went to the sea and discovered how vastly different they truly were?
It was unknown.
They needed to experience the harsh reality of their differences firsthand.
Even if Hakyung pouted, her “no” remained a firm “no.”
Unlike Hakyung, who was clearly sulking, Muheon, surprisingly, agreed with her words.
“Understood,” Muheon said, his voice calm and reassuring.
“First, I will take good care of Hakyung by his side so he can safely adapt to the sea. I will do so until Grandmother feels completely relieved and entrusts him to me without a single doubt.”
And for that very purpose, he was mercilessly pressuring Sang-oh, ensuring all the necessary preparations were expedited.
His grandmother’s heart, despite her outward reservations, leaned once more towards the consistently reliable and faithful man.
However, she was careful not to show any outward sign of approval.
If she displayed even a hint of permission, her bulldozer-like, stubborn grandson might immediately bolt to the district office, intent on registering their marriage without a moment’s hesitation.
***
On the way back, having secured his grandmother’s half-hearted, partial permission, Hakyung’s bottom fidgeted restlessly on the car seat, practically bouncing with excitement.
“CEO,” he chattered, unable to contain his eagerness, “when are we going to the sea? And how many days of vacation will we get? I only have one day of annual leave, is that okay?”
“It’s fine,” Muheon replied, his voice calm and indulgent.
“When do you want to go to the sea? Let’s go when you want.”
“Then is tomorrow okay? Oh! No! That won’t work! Then let’s go after three days!” Hakyung exclaimed, a flurry of ideas tumbling out.
Muheon’s eyebrows twitched, a subtle ripple of amusement crossing his features, as Hakyung, who moments ago seemed ready to command the car to turn straight towards the ocean, suddenly backed down a step.
“Why?” Muheon asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
“To go to the sea, there’s a lot to prepare, you know,” Hakyung began, his voice a little softer, as he meticulously avoided Muheon’s piercing, knowing gaze.
“My clothes will keep getting wet, same with my shoes, and I have to bring all my snacks too.”
He rattled off the excuses, the common, mundane preparations that filled his mind.
In reality, those things could be thrown together in a single night if he truly put his mind to it.
What Hakyung was really preparing, with diligence bordering on obsession, were adult toys
He had done his research, discreetly asking around and Browse online forums.
The general consensus, he’d discovered, was that for same-sex partners, receiving a little “help” was often beneficial, even recommended.
And the CEO, as Hakyung understood it, was in a “special” category, which only intensified his determination to prepare even more thoroughly.
He was determined to leave nothing to chance.
He wouldn’t back out this time, not when they were finally at the sea, would he?
A frustrated huff escaped him, steam practically shooting from his nose.
Muheon’s consistent aloofness, his refusal to go beyond kissing, still gnawed at Hakyung, despite the CEO’s recent display of affection.
“Alright, I get it,” Muheon conceded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
“Tell me when you’re all ready.”
“But you don’t seem to have anything to prepare, CEO?” Hakyung couldn’t help but ask, a trace of playful accusation in his voice.
“Not really…?” Muheon replied, his tone feigning innocence.
“Hmph, honestly!” Hakyung exclaimed, his frustration bubbling over, a sudden burst of anger that made him huff and puff.
Muheon tilted his head, observing Hakyung’s sudden pique, but he didn’t show much reaction, his composure unruffled.
Such was the unpredictable nature of river dolphins, he mused; their moods were known to shift like the currents of a whimsical stream.
***
The next morning, Hakyung bounded into the office, radiating an almost palpable excitement.
“Mr. Geoung!” he chirped, addressing the older, kindly manager.
“I’m off! You can leave the ledger processing for when I get back, so don’t worry about it!”
Geoung, a man whose calm demeanor was as steadfast as the ancient mountains, chuckled warmly.
“Okay, got it. Have a good trip, young man.”
“Yes!” Hakyung practically skipped towards another colleague.
“Brother Geunlim, I’m off!”
Geunlim, a man whose vibrant red hair seemed to burn with an eternal flame, grinned widely. |
“Be careful, Hakyung. If you meet our elder brothers there, send them my regards, okay? Hakyung, come back quickly so we can go to that cafe I found that serves the best coffee!”
Hakyung nodded, a smile on his face.
He figured he’d recognize Brother Geunlim’s brothers by their distinctive hair color – a trait that clearly ran in the family.
He looked at Bu Geunlim’s flaming red hair, thinking of the other red-haired individuals he might encounter.
Hakyung, who was embarking on a week-long journey to the sea with Muheon, received a boisterous and affectionate send-off from his colleagues at the company.
Despite having joined the company relatively recently, and now taking a full week off, which might typically elicit grumbling or resentment, everyone spoke to him with such genuine warmth and sincerity.
This outpouring of kindness left Hakyung truly touched, even a little overwhelmed, making him feel at a loss for how to fully express his gratitude.
He bowed repeatedly, a deep, respectful incline of his head, to his colleagues, offering heartfelt farewells before finally getting into the car.
This time, Ki Sang-oh was at the wheel instead of the CEO.
“Mr. Sang-oh, thank you,” Hakyung said, his voice brimming with genuine appreciation.
“Thanks for what, now… Hm!” Ki Sang-oh’s face flushed a deep red at Hakyung’s polite and exceptionally courteous greeting.
He subtly glanced into the rearview mirror, his eyes darting towards Muheon.
The CEO, his brows furrowed in a slight frown, seemed displeased with the prolonged farewells between Hakyung and the staff, a clear indication that his patience was wearing thin.
Sang-oh quickly started the car, eager to depart and avoid further displeasing Muheon.
It seemed best to get them to the sea quickly, allowing the two of them to finally have their much-anticipated time alone.
The drive to the sea wasn’t as long as Hakyung had imagined.
When they finally arrived at a spot close to Incheon, Hakyung stepped out of the car, breathing in the fresh, cool breeze that carried the scent of salt and anticipation.
He stomped his feet lightly, a childish gesture of sheer excitement.
In the past, merely sensing the salty air would have sent shivers of terror down his spine, paralyzing him with fear.
But at some point, subtly and gradually, that fear had dissipated, replaced by a sense of calm acceptance.
This profound change, he knew, was entirely thanks to the CEO.
Muheon’s mood, once perhaps a touch reserved, softened perceptibly as he watched Hakyung, who was now smiling brightly, a large backpack brimming with luggage slung casually over his shoulders.
“Let’s go,” Muheon said, his voice a low, encouraging murmur.
Ki Sang-oh, who seemed to be taking on the dual role of driver and oceanic guide, was the first to step into the water, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
Muheon followed, holding Hakyung’s hand securely on his own.
But as soon as Hakyung saw his sneakers begin to sink into the water, a familial tremor of fear coursed through him, making him involuntarily recoil and step backward, his previous excitement momentarily eclipsed by apprehension.
When Hakyung instinctively recoiled, stepping back, Muheon, with a puzzled expression, also turned back.
He quickly discerned the tension and terror etched on Hakyung’s face.
Instead of rushing him, Muheon simply waited patiently by his side, a silent pillar of support.
Muheon, more than anyone else, understood the traumatic events that Hakyung, this strong river dolphin, had endured.
Knowing this, he simply offered quiet encouragement, a silent cheer for Hakyung to overcome his deeply ingrained fear.
For a long moment, Hakyung repeatedly dipped his toes into the sea and pulled them out, testing the waters, literally and figuratively.
Finally, he squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and declared with a solemn, determined voice:
“I-I’m really going! Don’t let go of my hand, okay?”
“Yes, I’ll never let go. Don’t worry,” Muheon replied, his voice firm and unwavering, a promise as solid as the earth beneath their feet.
Hearing Muheon’s resolute answer, Hakyung tightly gripped his large, warm hand and took one more courageous step forward.
But could he really breathe in the sea?
This persistent, nagging question still lingered in the back of his mind.
It was as Hakyung took a huge, fortifying breath, the lingering anxiety still present, that a colossal shimmer suddenly bloomed before his eyes, a vibrant distortion of light and air.
In a blink, an instant, it swiftly sank into the depths of the sea, carrying them with it.
The water, only moments before, had been clearly shallow, barely reaching his knees.
Yet, in just one single second, they were deep underwater?
Hakyung’s mouth dropped open in astonished disbelief, only to snap shut moments later as he realized his mistake.
Contrary to his absolute expectation of a mouth full of biting, salty water, his face and entire body felt completely dry, untouched by the ocean.
What in the world was happening?
This was something straight out of a fantasy movie or a fantastical novel, utterly beyond his comprehension.
At the simultaneous, magical unfolding of events, Hakyung’s tightly closed mouth slowly began to widen again, his expression a mixture of awe and bewilderment.
Yet, no seawater entered; instead, the only sounds he could hear were the soft, echoing laughter of the man beside him and Ki Sang-oh.
“Surprised?” Muheon asked, his voice made a low, rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate through Hakyung as he held him tightly in his embrace.
Wrapped securely in the man’s strong arms, Hakyung found himself unable to speak, instead resorting to frantic hand gestures and foot wiggles, desperate to convey the words that were trapped in his throat.
Muheon’s smile deepened, his laughter growing richer and more resonant at the baby river dolphin’s adorable, playful antics.
He nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Yeah,” Muheon encouraged, his voice soft, “you can talk.”
“Pffft!”
A huge, explosive breath, powerful enough to visibly stir the surrounding air, burst from Hakyung’s mouth all at once.
He had been holding his breath out of sheer terror, even though he now realized there was no water to drown in.
The sight of the timid river dolphin, still so tightly coiled with apprehension, was utterly endearing.