Chapter 100: Trigger
A sweet scent tickled the tip of his nose, and the soft touch of hair mixed with the cold sensation of a gas mask brushed against the back of his neck. Unconsciously, Cha Eui-jae shuddered. He wasn't slow to assess situations, but now his mind wasn't working properly.
Thump, thump, thump... The sound of a rapid heartbeat echoed loudly, whose heartbeat it was, he couldn't tell. Through the half-opened door, a faint crimson light and TV sound seeped out.
In the corner where the light didn't reach, Cha Eui-jae was held by Lee Sa-young. To be precise, he was half-kneeling awkwardly, half-sitting on Lee Sa-young's legs. Cha Eui-jae blinked quietly.
'...What is this?'
Even after roughly understanding the situation, that was the only thought that came to mind. His head was filled with questions. Why is this guy crouching by the door, suddenly pulling me and hugging me? Why? As far as he knows, the only other time Lee Sa-young initiated physical contact was when he was in pain in the dungeon.
Is he hurt somewhere? But there was no distinct smell of blood. If not, is it internal injuries...
Just as his mind was getting dizzy, a leather-covered thumb brushed against the back of Cha Eui-jae's hand. It seemed he still hadn't let go of the hand he grabbed earlier. Cha Eui-jae voiced his thoughts without hesitation.
"What's wrong all of a sudden? Are you hurt somewhere?"
A blunt answer came back near his ear.
"Just."
"You think saying 'just' explains everything? Hey, get up. What are you doing, moping in the corner like this?"
If he wasn't really hurt, there was no reason to stay held like this. Cha Eui-jae, answering curtly, shook off the hand that was holding him. However, instead of letting go, Lee Sa-young held on tighter, interlocking their fingers.