This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 408

I know.

I know that the things I’m doing now, and the ones I plan to do in the future, might seem quite random and out of the blue to Dogun.

Honestly, how could I not know?

I’m doing all this while considering that possibility.

If it’s bothering me that much, shouldn’t I just stop doing things that are worth worrying about?

It’s truly a pity, but regrettably, it seems that’s not going to happen.

It couldn’t be helped.

It couldn’t be helped because… I’ve realized it.

I thought I was doing well, keeping up in the lead, but in reality, I was just embroiled in a battle for last place.

And the opponent in that battle?

It was Bora, whom I didn’t even consider as a competitor, unlike Chae-rim or Yoonseo, who I still see as formidable opponents.

How did I find this out?

Well… I saw it.

So, it must have been during the time when Dogun was still unconscious.

Given the circumstances, finding time during the day was hard, and being aware of others’ gazes, I ended up visiting Dogun’s hospital room right after the visiting hours had started to wrap up…

The moment I opened the door to step inside, I accidentally peeked through the slightly ajar door.

Considering that visiting hours at the hospital were nearing an end, Yoonseo, who should be getting ready to head home, was instead changing Dogun’s clothes as he lay there, still deeply asleep.

Honestly, up to that point?

It wasn’t a big deal.

I’ve done far worse things than just changing clothes, so why would that matter?

So, I thought it would end there, but… the problem came next.

They say kids who keep things bottled up inside are the true sly and perverted ones. Had Yoonseo imagined this type of situation in her head several times?

Given the circumstances, one would expect her to at least flinch or hesitate once, but Yoonseo showed no signs of that whatsoever.

Instead of hesitating, she effortlessly peeled away the patient gown that wrapped around Dogun like peeling an ice cream or banana.

Then she started reaching for Dogun’s underwear.

Honestly, up until that point?

I thought Yoonseo would stop.

And it’s understandable; no matter how long they had been childhood friends for over ten years, this was an entirely different kind of issue.

So, even if she looked so bold and skilled right now, I thought she wouldn’t hold out for long…

But she didn’t stop.

Instead of pausing, it seemed like she considered time too precious to waste, literally yanking down Dogun’s underwear in one go…

Did her actions respond to Yoonseo’s touches? With Dogun’s stuff slightly larger than usual, he gazed down at it, and then… began to stroke it gently.

It was like… those gestures you make when petting a child’s head, and instinctively I realized something.

After three years of living in a somewhat distant manner, I thought there would be an awkward atmosphere between Dogun and Yoonseo for a bit after reconciling, but something… profound had changed between them.

And that profound change was likely related mostly to… physical or sexual matters.

Even without tangible evidence, I felt this was unmistakably the case.

It must be related, because otherwise, it just wouldn’t make sense for Yoonseo to casually touch and even stroke Dogun’s stuff like that.

Speaking of the thing sitting between Dogun’s legs?

It was something that any woman would have to be overwhelmed by upon seeing it.

Honestly, any woman would likely be struck speechless, as humans generally tend to be cautious around large things.

Especially if that large thing is incredibly hard and even warm!

No need to elaborate on that.

So based on the same principle, it would have been perfectly normal for Yoonseo to show a slight reaction, but instead of being overwhelmed, she was stroking it like she would when petting Miya…

In the end, it could only be one of two things.

Either she had gotten familiar with the enormity to the point of petting it repeatedly…

Or she had… realized that there was no reason to be afraid of it…

And just as that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly understood.

While I’d been taking it easy and being complacent, it seemed that those two had indeed crossed the line.

And if that were true?

Then Chae-rim probably crossed the line too.

How could I be so sure?

Well, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that Chae-rim was somewhat of a genius in that regard.

She must have noticed the change between the two of them right away, and immediately crossed the line as well.

So what does that mean?

The position I thought was a respectable third place, alongside Chae-rim, had to awkwardly slide back behind those two.

And that was the very reason for my actions.

“Why…? Is it that you don’t like exercising with me?”

“No, it’s not that, but… it’s just that it feels a bit…”

As if she was about to say it was unexpected, she swallowed her words instead.

Thanks to that, Dogun’s statement got awkwardly cut off, but he continued speaking without skipping a beat.

“To be honest, I always felt like your flexibility was lacking every time I saw you, Dogun.”

“Isn’t that just how guys are?”

“What are you talking about? There are plenty of guys who are flexible.”

“…Really?”

She looked a bit doubtful.

Seeing that made me think that if I pushed a bit further, she’d likely nod, so I seized the moment and pressed on.

“Anyway! Who knows how long we’ll be here? Wouldn’t it be better to learn something instead of just letting time pass uselessly?”

And then I added, almost as if teasing her, “Aren’t you getting bored just staring at your mobile phone?”

“Well… I guess that’s true.”

Perhaps she found some of it relatable.

Finally, Dogun nodded.

Once I got Dogun’s agreement, the next part flowed smoothly.

Of course, there were a few stumbling blocks along the way.

“Alright, then first change into these clothes.”

“Huh? What if I just wear these…”

“Then go ahead. But if your clothes tear in the middle, don’t blame me?”

“…I’ll be quick, so please wait just a moment.”

Considering Dogun’s personality, the most troublesome part was indeed the clothing matter. No matter how much he disliked the outfit, it seemed safer to endure a small embarrassment to avoid a ripping noise while exercising.

After accepting the clothes I handed him, Dogun dashed to the bathroom attached to the hospital room and quickly changed.

Of course, it seemed like he had second thoughts once he actually put them on, as he walked back with a slightly awkward gait compared to when he entered.

“Umm… Senior?”

“Yeah?”

“Are… the pants a bit… small?”

“Really? I thought I got them in your size… Are they really that uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that bad…”

“Maybe it’s just because they’re new? It’s usual for t-shirts to feel a bit snug when you first buy them.”

“Is that so…?”

Since Dogun cautiously complained about being uncomfortable, I said that, but in reality, they were definitely small.

Of course, it was true that they were bought in his size, but I had picked them from a brand known for running small.

Why go to such lengths?

Well… that was my excuse to see what I could attempt with it.

Honestly, that was pretty much the only reason.