This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 195

The moment I stepped into the room, I couldn’t help but see that situation.

Leaning against the door, my heart began to pound like crazy.

However, there was something that worried me even more—

“Umm…”

Dogun’s lips were moving restlessly since earlier.

Could it be because the grilled pork party we had yesterday ended unexpectedly messy?

Was it that lingering regret that made him continue it, even in his dreams?

The constant motion of his lips was incredibly distracting.

I just couldn’t tear my gaze away.

As I kept my focus on Dogun’s lips, the scene from yesterday started swirling in my mind.

The image of Dogun, eyes wide open in shock, and Bora shamelessly pressing her lips against his.

Given that I was already concerned about Dogun’s lips, adding that thought was overwhelming.

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from his lips.

My heart raced even faster than before.

‘If only it were me there…’

If I were in Bora’s place, wouldn’t that be nice?

To be honest… I felt envious.

I wasn’t talking about having kissed Dogun.

‘That too was pretty enviable…’

But more so, it was about the boldness to do such a thing, even with others watching.

That was what I envied the most.

What if I had that kind of courage?

I could have confessed my feelings to Dogun long ago.

Of course, just because I confessed doesn’t mean everything would go smoothly…

But it was undoubtedly different between not even having the guts to try and having the courage to do so.

Perhaps because of those thoughts, I sighed.

“Haah…”

What on earth was I doing this early in the morning?

Like a thief, sneaking into Dogun’s room while he was asleep…

But I couldn’t help it.

I wanted to see Dogun’s face that badly.

So I risked coming all this way, yet here I was, feeling like I was doing something wrong.

‘No.’

It wasn’t just a feeling—I was actually doing something wrong.

After all, Dogun was busy sleeping, and I had snuck into his room without permission.

Thinking that made my gaze fall on Dogun’s lips even more.

‘After all…’

The water had already spilled, hadn’t it?

So… closing my eyes, wouldn’t it be okay just this once…?

That whisper began to swirl around my mind, compellingly fixing my gaze on Dogun’s lips.

As I continued to stare at his lips, which were busily moving, I suddenly became curious.

What do his lips taste like?

You know how they say first kisses taste like lemons?

Is that true?

Could Dogun’s lips taste like that too?

…I was curious.

Even though I knew he might wake up at any moment, I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.

So… I removed my back from the door and cautiously moved closer to Dogun.

While I made a small noise, it seemed insufficient to pull the still-sleeping Dogun out of his dream.

Up until I reached the edge of his bed, Dogun remained completely unresponsive.

And as I got closer, I started sensing things I’d previously overlooked.

For example… his breathing.

Was he that tired from yesterday?

‘Well, after all… he did do most of the cleaning…’

His breathing had a peculiar, slightly rough quality, oscillating between snores and breath.

Feeling inexplicably cute, I gazed down at Dogun, who was turned towards the window…

As he lay on his side, perhaps the discomfort from the bandage made his arm feel tingling.

“Uh… Mmm…”

With a soft moan, Dogun turned onto his back.

The problem was… things became more apparent.

When he was on his side, the position had concealed it, but now, laying flat, something suddenly rose up under the blanket.

It was as if I was looking at a tent we had set up during a camping trip back in middle school, where our friends had all pitched in.

And maybe it was because I was looking down at Dogun from so close…

“Hyik?!”

Unlike when I was pressed against the door, I realized I had to be careful since I was too close, but I couldn’t stop the sound that escaped my mouth.

It was a surprise, after all.

Even if it were someone else in my place, I probably would have reacted the same way.

Thanks to that, my heart was pounding with a slightly different sensation than before, but at least there was one good thing: Dogun hadn’t woken up.

So… I managed to buy a bit of time to calm my startled heart.

Once I collected myself a bit, a wave of embarrassment flooded me, claiming my face.

It was embarrassing.

The sight right before me was too much to ignore.

I learned in class that what boys experience in the morning is merely a physiological occurrence…

“Ugh…”

But seeing it in real life was a whole different level of impact.

Because of that, I couldn’t gather my thoughts.

Even knowing that staring too long would only make it more awkward, my gaze kept drifting toward Dogun, who was covered by the heavy blanket.

My cheeks had been burning fiercely, and that was likely the reason.

And I suppose, because I was aware of that ‘awareness’, everything around me started coming into focus.

For instance, Dogun’s scent wafting around…

I didn’t know what flower it was, but it smelled like a sweet, slightly tangy floral scent that took over Dogun’s room.

And so… every time I took a little breath in, it would flow into me.

Perhaps that was the reason.

I suddenly became strangely anxious.

For reasons unknown, I felt fidgety.

It felt very strange.

So… it was a bit surprising, but I found myself slightly resentful towards Dogun.

Of course, I knew he hadn’t intended for things to happen this way…

But wasn’t it weird how he showed something like that so carelessly?

Just a moment ago, I hadn’t felt the slightest discomfort, but now it felt unbearable to sit still.

Even if I tried to remain still, my thighs kept twitching of their own accord.

That’s why I thought I had to leave this place.

Staying here felt like it might get truly weird.

‘Geez…’

Why on earth did he have to show me that?

As I stole glances at the still snoozing Dogun, I was about to get up when suddenly, the thought struck me.

Leaving just like this felt a bit unjust.

I had merely come to see Dogun’s face for a moment, so why should I have to deal with all these weird feelings?

And just as I thought of that, an urge to repay Dogun for this weirdness surged inside me.

But how… how could I repay him?

As if summoned by that thought, my gaze fell once more on Dogun’s lips, which had been captivating me earlier.

The instant I noticed them, my body, consumed by impulse, began leaning toward Dogun on its own.

As if someone with immense power was guiding time to flow slower.

Thus, those lips I had been watching slowly drew near.

Finally, the moment they filled my view completely…

Knock, knock—

“Dogun? Are you still sleeping?”

The sound of softly tapping on the door echoed into the room, followed by an all-too-familiar voice.

The moment I froze in response…

“…!”

Dogun opened his eyes.

And just like that… I locked eyes with him.