I Became a Villainous Character with a Limited Lifespan

Episode 58

“You met Ju Jae-young.”

“How do you know that too?”

“You think the bodyguard… never mind. Forget it.”

Tae-sung sighed looking at Seon-hu’s surprised face. He thought maybe it’s better for him to believe bodyguards only do guarding.

“He contacted me after a long time. Said he had something to ask…”

“He could have just called if he had something to ask.”

Tae-sung said while tugging at his necktie. He still didn’t like Jae-young. Didn’t he say they were dating Han Seung-hyun?  

‘Well, I don’t completely believe it but…’

“What did you talk about?”

“He was asking about Han Seung-hyun.”

Tae-sung stopped his hand in surprise and looked at Seon-hu. Seon-hu took Tae-sung’s necktie without much thought. 

“I was surprised, it was an unexpected combination. He doesn’t tell me details but I was surprised to see Jae-young act like that for the first time.”

“So what did you say?”

“I don’t know much either… I just told him what I told you. It was a really strange feeling. He always acted like he would never date in his life.”

Tae-sung thought for a moment that it was fortunate Seon-hu was oblivious. Only Seon-hu probably didn’t know how his close friend looked at him.  

On the flip side, he became a little curious what side Jae-young showed in front of Seon-hu for him to see it that way.

“But it doesn’t seem to be going well. From the way he talked and the vibe.”

“Why do you think that?”

“When I asked if they were dating, he said no with a sad-looking face.”

Seon-hu said, recalling Jae-young’s expression today. They clearly didn’t seem like just acquaintances, but for someone recalling the person they liked, his face looked pained. 

“It’s the first time I’ve seen him like that, it was…awkward to say.”

To Seon-hu, his friend’s change looked that way, but to Tae-sung it only painted a more suspicious picture.

‘…We have that kind of relationship.’

‘If someone heard that… they’d think you two have some grand relationship.’

‘What does a grand relationship mean?’

‘They’d think you sleep under the same blanket together.’

‘What if we do?’

Tae-sung recalled his old conversation with Jae-young. Come to think of it, he never said they were dating. He skirted around it vaguely. 

‘They must be sex partners or something.’

What was his aim that he would go to such lengths? Tae-sung couldn’t even fathom it.

“It feels weird. Jae-young and Seung-hyun, I never imagined that combination…”

“Next time he contacts you, can you let me know too?”

“That’s not hard, but I’m not sure if he will contact me again. He’s strangely closed off about his own matters.”

Seon-hu shrugged. Tae-sung wondered if he should say something. After brief hesitation, he shook his head. Regardless, with time he would find out what the two were scheming. He didn’t want to scold Seon-hu from the start. 

‘Even if I dislike Ju Jae-young, at least he’s not someone who would harm Seon-hu. No matter what Han Seung-hyun does, he’ll probably stop that much.’

“He may not be the person you think he is.”

“I don’t know about others but I know Jae-young. We’ve spent so much time together.”

“That bothers me a little.”

Tae-sung said while lightly tickling Seon-hu’s waist. Seon-hu twisted his body slightly at the ticklish sensation.

“What nonsense. I’m telling you Jae-young and I are like brothers.”

“Well…”

Maybe for you, but not for Ju Jae-young. But there was no need to point that out. Tae-sung nodded and headed inside.

‘I don’t know what he’s thinking but I definitely won’t let him take advantage easily.’

Tae-sung thought as he took off his outerwear.

***

Seung-hyun, who was the subject of many people’s interest and questions, was spending time doing nothing. He had no will or energy to do anything.

‘Was I too harsh to the person who was worried about me…’

He kept tossing and turning, thinking. He couldn’t forget Jae-young’s hurt expression as he said mean things to him.

Even if it’s hard now, should I tell him that I like him too? But that I don’t have much time left. Even if it’s selfish, should I do that?

‘No, I shouldn’t. He’ll find out someday anyway…’

He couldn’t be unaware forever. At least after I die, he’ll know. But even in the same situation, the feeling of acceptance would inevitably be different. 

Rather than parting from a passionate lover, it’s better to have a relationship where he can briefly grieve thinking “so that’s how it was” and move on. A relationship where he can be sad for a few days and quickly return to daily life.

If it was something that effort could improve, he may not have been able to resist telling him the truth. Seung-hyun was not a foolishly kind and considerate person. 

He had greed and desires too. If there was hope, he may have gambled with his remaining time. But this was a gamble with no odds of winning.

‘If only it wasn’t Han Seung-hyun.’

For the first time, he wanted to go back. If he went back, he wouldn’t have gotten involved with Jae-young. If he hadn’t met Jae-young, if he had run away so he wouldn’t take an interest in him.

If he had thoughtlessly continued the friendship and instead pushed him away, he wouldn’t feel like he does now. Then he could have enjoyed the extra time he was given without regrets about his short remaining time.

He wanted to return to his initial feelings. Seung-hyun thought that and let out a long sigh. 

‘What’s so good about someone like me.’

No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t understand. Everything he had said to him recently was only mean words, and he had no memories of treating him well before that either.

On the other hand, it wasn’t so strange that he came to like Jae-young. Wouldn’t anyone inevitably like that kind of person?  

Not only his handsome, likeable appearance, but his easygoing vibe that would make anyone feel comfortable. His tall height and dominant alpha traits. A chaebol who was removed from bothersome business competition.

It was like that even excluding his appearance and background. His playful yet not crossing-the-line attitude, his kind treatment even to the person who poured harsh words on him, his worried face.

He clearly had checked that his fever had gone down completely not long ago, but Seung-hyun shook his head vigorously at the feeling of heat rising to his face again. The more he thought, the more unnecessarily complicated his feelings became.

It didn’t matter how it looked to others. He didn’t care if Tae-sung mistakenly thought he was setting up some grand plan, or if Seon-hu was confused about his identity.

But he wanted to be a good person to Jae-young. He wanted to become as kind as Jae-young was to him and explain the reason behind each of his actions.

After holding onto meaningless thoughts for a long time, Seung-hyun let out a deep sigh. It still didn’t feel real that they had defined their relationship as sex partners, a title that made him feel strange just thinking of his name. 

And the fact that Jae-young chose to stay by his side despite that somewhat insulting term.

Seung-hyun reached out and turned on his cell phone. He still hadn’t been able to reply to Jae-young’s text.

[Ju Jae-young: Did you get home safely?] 5:45 PM  

The message window had a read receipt on it. He didn’t hide that he had read it, but he didn’t reply. It was because after parting like that, he couldn’t gauge what he should say.

He was also a little surprised Jae-young texted first. While feeling anxious about him who didn’t fear failure, he was inwardly satisfied. 

‘I shouldn’t be like this.’

He had to let go but he couldn’t. He wanted to be let go of but he was happy not to be let go. It was a contradictory situation.

After staring at the screen for a long time, Seung-hyun hesitantly sent a late reply.

[Yes] 8:12 PM

It was an insincere reply that was days late. He knew it would be seen as strange but he just wanted to do that. This much should be okay, right? Just as he was about to put his phone down awkwardly, it vibrated as if it had been waiting.

“Oh my gosh.”

Seung-hyun looked down at his phone. The caller was obvious. Seung-hyun, hesitating on whether to answer or not, pressed the receive button.

“…Hello.”

At least he thought he should express gratitude for being taken home. As if not expecting the call to be answered right away, there was no response from the person on the other end of the phone for a while.

―…….

“…If you have nothing to say, I’m hanging up.”

―No, no. I didn’t think you’d answer.

Jae-young’s flustered voice came through the phone. What state of mind did he call in if he didn’t even expect it to be answered?

―Are you… feeling okay?

A careful voice tickled Seung-hyun’s ears. As if the quarrel at their last meeting never even existed. It was a voice that was only kind.

“…Yes.”

Seung-hyun smiled bitterly, thinking he disliked that voice a little.