Chapter 37
"It's gotta be turned a bit to get warm water. I’ll go first."
"Amazing how you’re still playing host."
Mu-gyeong mumbled just loud enough for it to be heard, nodding slightly as he hung his coat and jacket on the rack. His movements were unhurried, incredibly neat. Hongju quietly watched as he removed his gloves and tucked them into his pocket, then flicked open the buttons on his shirt.
President Mu-gyeong was completely out of place in this shabby room, yet somehow he didn’t feel entirely out of place either. While Hongju stood blankly, staring at his broad back, Mu-gyeong, who had been unbuttoning his shirt, turned his head slightly to the side.
"Watching me undress?"
"Ah, no."
Hongju quickly averted his gaze, frantically rummaging through a drawer for underwear. He fled into the bathroom, clutching the clothes to his chest, and took a short, deep breath. When he turned on the shower, freezing water came gushing out. But his flushed face didn’t cool easily.
Was it because he knew Mu-gyeong was waiting outside? For some reason, he took longer than usual to finish his shower. Even after grabbing a damp towel, Hongju stood frozen in front of the closed door for a while.
"......."
Occasionally, there had been slight noises from the other side of the door, but now it was quiet again. Did he leave? Still holding the towel, Hongju hesitated before slowly opening the door.
"Uh..."
Mu-gyeong stood with his arms crossed, gazing out the window. Had he been like that the entire time Hongju was washing? It was a semi-basement—he could only see car tires outside. Maybe there was some smell in the room and he was airing it out? Hongju quietly sniffed the air, but only a faint deodorizer scent hung there.