We decided not to cross the line.

Episode 98. Negotiation (2)

I thought to myself as I looked at the relieved expression on his face.





'It'd be better not to talk about that...'





"And there's one more important thing.

In case anything unforeseen comes up,

I don't think living in the same house is a good idea.

You understand what I mean, Hoonji?"





Because of his special situation, I was

always careful.





"Since it's not Korea, I never even thought of that."




He seemed to have let go of his stubbornness much more than before.





"And...

What did you tell your parents before you came?

You didn't tell them about me too, did you?

Didn't you just tell them you were going abroad to recharge

and come back?

It's better not to make them worry for no reason."





After saying that,

I watched his expression closely.

He fell into thought for a moment.





"Then I'll give in a step.

I think Ja-씨 is right.

This time, let's do it your way."





'Ah... thank goodness.

I was wondering what I'd do if he kept being stubborn.'





"As expected, Hoonji 씨 is a wise man.

He knows how to listen to other people's opinions too."





"No...

I'm not the kind of person who insists on just anything.

Ja 씨, you know that, right?

The boss calls me an ox when it comes to stubbornness...

I'm not that kind of reckless person."




"I know, I know.

Taehyung 씨 doesn't have much of an eye for people...

I could tell right away, though?"





Taking advantage of the moment when the mood had grown much softer,

there was something I wanted to push on him hard.




"And while you're staying here, Hoonji 씨,

I hope you don't just spend all your time resting."





"Then what... are you telling me to work or something?"





"No. I'm not saying you have to work...

Keep taking English lessons from me.

And maybe you should learn Spanish or another language,

just one more.

Since Miguel is here, you can ask him to help."





"Ah... language..."




"We never have this much free time,

so since you came all prepared,

you should pay me tuition too.

If the lessons are free, you keep putting them off,

and you end up listening halfheartedly.

I'll ask Miguel for help."






"Instead, can I rest properly for about a month before starting?

Since I started this life,

I've never rested like this once."





"Of course.

For about a month, do whatever you want, Hoonji 씨.
 
You more than deserve it."





"Okay.

If I rest well for a month,

I'll study English and Spanish hard too."





Just as when I first came to Spain alone,

the fact that I would be living with him was nerve-racking and worrying.

But,

the things that had been out of sync at first were being sorted out a lot.






"Since we won't be living in the same house,

let's each take care of our own things ourselves.
 
Laundry, cooking, things like that?

Instead, if you're not confident about cooking, I'll handle it.

Then Hoonji 씨, you take charge of cleaning."




"I'm confident about cooking though?

You know because you've tasted it, right?"




"Ah... right.
 
Hoonji 씨 used to be good at cooking, haha"




'I don't think I can bring myself to eat

that bean sprout soup-like thing again...

Have I lost my sense of taste?

Where does that baseless confidence come from?

How do I make him unable to cook? '




I ended up being handed another big assignment.




"But... there are way more things to do than I expected.

Rather than you,

I think I was the one who had fantasies

about living together.

I never thought about these things..."




"I need time to work during the day,

so I want you not to interrupt me then.

While you're here, Hoonji 씨, I hope you also travel alone

and spend your time a little more freely and productively.

And,

let's respect each other's space.

When the other person isn't around,
 
don't punch in the code and go in carelessly.

You can do that, right?"




"Do we really have to act like strangers like that?

Whenever Ja-씨 draws a line like that,

I sometimes feel like you're being too cold."




"If we don't have rules like these,

we might end up hurting each other later,

or feel like something is rude at some point.

I want us to keep hold of this fluttering feeling we have now

for a long time."

 


He made a dejected face.




"Is there anything you want to ask me for, Hoonji 씨?"





After thinking for a moment, he opened his mouth.





"I...

I just want you to always be kind to me.

That's all."





"Wow... that's actually the hardest request of all.

How can a person always be kind?

There are times when I'm down, and times when I'm angry..."



"Still, I'll try my best, at least with Hoonji 씨.

Is that okay?"




He nodded.




'Ah...

Can I really handle this not-quite-living-together life?'



"If it's going to be like this, then just quit everything."