“CEO, why are you only telling me the most important thing now! And why is your friend doing all this for us? Is it okay to accept it?”
To think someone twenty-four years old could be more suspicious than he, who had lived for hundreds of years.
From his words alone, he sounded like an old man who had been through countless hardships, which was absurd.
But on the other hand, his cautiousness around his surroundings seemed quite astute and even admirable.
Muheon kept letting out chuckles, finding Hakyung’s nagging lips so endearing.
Muheon gently rubbed Hakyung’s furrowed brows, trying to soothe him.
“This level of consideration isn’t a burden for us. He’s doing it because he has the means. I can repay him just as much later.”
“I-I don’t have the means to repay that much.”
Hakyung pouted.
Now that they were married, not only the CEO but he, too, would have to repay what they received, but it was out of the question for him.
Hajo, listening to their conversation, cocked his head.
He wondered how much money the CEO, who married his brother, actually had.
He also wondered if the CEO could release an album for his brother if he wanted to sing.
Hajo had always wanted to make his brother’s voice, which Kim Taeyoung had stolen, known to the world.
For now, it was just uploading YouTube videos, but he had no doubt that his brother would become incredibly famous someday.
His initial apprehension towards Muheon was short-lived.
Hajo looked at him and grinned. Muheon’s eyebrows twitched at Hajo’s innocent smile, replacing his earlier terrified expression.
“Mae-hyung-su-nim! (Brother-in-law-sister-in-law)”
“Hmm…?”
“Hajo, what are you talking about?”
Both Muheon and Hakyung’s eyes widened at the unexpected title.
Despite their bewildered reaction, Hajo just smiled brightly.
“Well, the CEO is married to you now, so he’s family. I just sorted out the title. I was thinking ‘Mae-hyung’ (brother-in-law) or ‘Hyung-su-nim’ (sister-in-law), so I just combined them.”
“Uh-huh. Is that so?”
“Yeah. Is it okay?”
Muheon’s lips curled up as he looked at Hajo, who was grinning affably.
Confirming that the CEO’s reaction wasn’t negative, Hajo shifted his gaze to Hakyung.
He then linked his arm through Hakyung’s and started acting cute, which he rarely did.
“Hyung, Hyung! Can’t we get married there? I want to eat a delicious buffet too… Huh? They say if you get married there, they give you expensive meat!”
“Really?”
“Yeah! Grandma would love it too, right?”
“Do you think so? Hawaon will like it too, right?”
“Of course!”
Hakyung’s ears perked up when Hajo actively supported the wedding.
His eyes sparkled, especially at the mention that Grandma and Hawaon would also like it.
He might get nagged by Grandma about how a small bird trying to follow a crane will split its crotch, but deep down, she would be happy if her eldest grandson got married in such a magnificent place.
Hakyung’s heart rapidly swayed.
Hajo diligently fanned his brother from the side, helping Muheon.
Finally, when Hakyung’s permission came out as, “Then, should we at least go see it?”
Hajo winked at Muheon.
Muheon, seeing the unspoken signal from his brother-in-law, shrugged.
Unaware that Hajo was diligently laying the groundwork for his brother’s album, Muheon simply savored the word “Mae-hyung-su-nim.”
It seemed he would never be able to contend with the naming sense of the Kang dolphin family throughout his life.
Although it was Hwang Ran’s meddling, they decided to accept his goodwill and diligently proceeded with the wedding preparations.
Hakyung toured various bridal shops with Muheon and even went for food tastings to see what dishes would be served.
He also visited several cafes, which were a must for those about to get married, and joined them with the CEO.
As he diligently prepared for the wedding, a post caught Hakyung’s eye.
“How do you all use the title for prospective bride/groom?”
The gist of the post was this: The poster visited their prospective spouse’s home and received advice from their future mother-in-law that now that they were getting married, they shouldn’t just call each other by name for convenience, but rather add “ssi” (Mr./Ms.) after the name or set a respectful title.
The comments below the post were a string of people saying they had also heard such things from elders and therefore used simple titles like “yeobo” (honey/dear) or “jagi” (darling) instead of names.
Hakyung’s mouth dropped open.
Come to think of it, even though he and the CEO were already married, their titles were still “CEO” and “Kang Hakyung.”
Oh my goodness…!
Even though the CEO and I are married!
Hakyung abruptly stood up and scurried towards Muheon’s study.
Even when he opened the door without knocking, Muheon welcomed Hakyung with a smile, showing no sign of surprise.
Hakyung, once again captivated by the handsome CEO’s face, snuggled into his embrace and rubbed his forehead against him.
“CEO, CEO.”
“Yes. What happened that you came running like this?”
Muheon gently removed the tangled hair from Hakyung’s forehead and asked.
Hakyung no longer wore his hat at home.
This was thanks to his realization that this house was a safe space with his beloved husband.
Because of this, Muheon could see Hakyung’s cotton-candy-like hair at any time.
His heart ached, finding the pink hair, which swayed into his vision every time Hakyung turned his head, so endearing.
He needed to live long and healthily… such useless worries also crept in.
He knew other Imugis or sea creatures would scoff at such a thought, but for Muheon, who had a young husband, it was an unavoidable concern.
Muheon, hiding his turbulent thoughts, tidied Hakyung’s hair and urged him with an “Hm?”
Only then did Hakyung finally speak.
“I just saw a post in a cafe! Now we’re married, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Hajo even changed your title last time, and I think it’s time for us to change our titles too!”
***
Hakyung’s eyes suddenly blazed with an unknown passion.
His fontanel even seemed to flutter, indicating he was thoroughly excited.
First, Muheon agreed with Hakyung.
Then, he showed curiosity about what the river dolphin would call him.
“So, about that…”
His words trailed off in embarrassment.
Hakyung squirmed, twisting his body and wiggling his lips.
Muheon kissed those small lips with a “smack” and then poked Hakyung’s side.
“Why are you taking so long to tell me what you’ll call me?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special…!”
“But I’m curious.”
Muheon smiled broadly, his hand moving from Hakyung’s side to his bottom.
He subtly caressed Hakyung’s plump rear.
Whether the bottom muscles, devoured by the large hand, tensed or not, Muheon urged Hakyung on.
Hakyung, nervous from Muheon’s teasing, chuckled softly and brought his face close to Muheon’s ear.
“Yeobo.”
The short two syllables traveled through his eardrum and settled in his brain.
It was fleeting, but his body tingled.
The fact that he had become Kang Hakyung’s “yeobo” was moving.
Muheon, who hadn’t realized he was such an emotional Imugi until now, nodded, thinking it was understandable when it came to Kang Hakyung.
“Heh.”
A breathy laugh escaped Hakyung’s lips.
Perhaps it was because he had only called Muheon “CEO” since he met him, but it felt awkward and a bit clumsy.
And the CEO was the same.
If Hakyung said “yeobo,” shouldn’t Muheon respond with something more?
Just a short nod was all he got…
Just as a slightly disappointed Hakyung thought he should just stick to what he usually did, a low, ticklish voice fell into his ear.
“Yes, Jagi.”
Hakyung’s eyes widened, wondering if he had heard wrong, and he looked at Muheon.
Muheon looked directly into Hakyung’s eyes and repeated it once more.
“Jagi, how’s that?”
“Oh, uh… it’s the best.”
Hakyung gave a thumbs-up.
A term of endearment from the CEO?
Oh my, is this why people get married and keep rabbit-like… no, snake-like husbands by their side!
Hakyung, clinging to Muheon’s neck, pleaded for it one more time.
His bottom, touching Muheon’s thigh, stimulated Muheon.
Muheon, who hadn’t expected Hakyung to be so delighted by just one word from him, chuckled softly. Hakyung even brought his ear to Muheon’s lips.
He just wanted to hear it again and again.
“CEO, no, Yeobo, you would have been really good as a voice actor.”
“Me…?”
“Yes, but no, you can’t. Only I should hear this voice. No speaking in front of other people.”
Suddenly, Hakyung, filled with anger, covered Muheon’s lips with his hand.
The river dolphin’s jealousy had popped out in an unexpected way again.
Finding even that cute, Muheon quickly nodded.
He licked the palm of the hand covering his lips. The salty and sweet taste was very pleasant.
“Ugh!”
Hakyung flinched at the sudden tongue attack.
He looked down at his shiny, saliva-covered palm and bit his lip.
He had to hit that mischievous tongue with his own mouth.
Chop, Smooch.
The ticklish and sensual sounds of “Yeobo” and “Jagi” kissing continuously filled the study.