Kai stared at his reflection in the mirror. His focus immediately zeroed in on his reddish, swollen lips. He cursed the way Ray had kissed him, which he interpreted as the most “aggressive” way possible.
Kai knew that, like him, Ray was straight. But when they kissed, Ray acted as if he didn’t care who he was kissing. Kai figured Ray might have been imagining him as one of his exes—or one of the cheerleaders whose beauty was famous throughout the entire school.
Kai repeatedly wiped his lips with toilet paper. He hated how his mind was a mess with images of them kissing. Ray hadn’t let him take a single breath, leaving him completely overwhelmed as the younger guy kept savoring the sweet taste of his lips.
Kai continued rubbing his lips with the tissue. He’d already rinsed them with water, too. That was the only way he knew to erase Ray’s lip marks. But not the memory. The moment kept replaying in his mind.
Kai regretted taking the initiative to pull that guy’s hand and kiss him the only way he knew how, based on his experience watching Korean dramas. His fingers brushed over his lips again, though he’d lost count of how many times. His first kiss… The one he’d fought tooth and nail to save for the woman who would become his wife someday had been gambled away for the mission he had to carry out. That captain, cold as a double-door refrigerator, had stolen it.
Arrgh… Kai groaned in frustration. He felt tainted. His lips were no longer pure, and the sacred first-kiss moment he’d preserved in his mind had been shattered. He felt like a traitor, even though that woman didn’t exist yet.
Just like Kai, Ray was sitting on his bed with conflicted feelings. He repeatedly wiped his lips with tissue, hoping Kai’s kiss would stop taking over the part of his memory that was supposed to hold only sweet memories. Of course, that unplanned kiss was the worst kiss he’d ever experienced in his entire life.
And yet, Ray seemed to have to reconsider. If it really was the worst memory, why did he keep being haunted by an unforgettable sensation? It felt different from the kisses he’d shared with his ex-girlfriends. The kiss with Kai had been completely uneven. Kai was clearly still an amateur, kissing him while gasping for breath, while Ray was a “good kisser,” just as his ex-girlfriends had always bragged. Yet Ray had actually liked the incredibly thrilling sensation. Even now, his heart was still pounding.
For a moment, Ray questioned himself about a lot of things. Did kissing a guy make him gay? Had he switched over to being gay now? Was he still normal? Was he still straight after that kissing incident? Was he still attracted to girls? And other questions that began to make him doubt his own identity.
Ray lay down, hoping his eyes would soon close and tonight would quickly be replaced by tomorrow’s sunlight. Even though he had no idea what he was supposed to do when he saw Kai again tomorrow—his “new boyfriend.”
Kai walked slowly toward the school courtyard. The morning air was still cool. The students’ footsteps rang out melodically, their sounds having become deeply familiar ever since Kai first set foot at the school.
His gaze fell on the figure at the far end—the one who had turned his world upside down overnight.
Ray, that cold guy, looked confident, as if nothing had happened the night before. They stared at each other without a word or even a hint of a smile.
Ray felt his heartbeat become irregular. His heart was pounding like crazy. He was even afraid his nervousness would still overwhelm him when he spoke to Kai later.
Kai was ready to act again. He put on the sweetest smile he could manage, hoping he could always be the perfect boyfriend for Ray.
Kai walked toward Ray with an exaggerated swagger and his best smile.
“Good morning, babe.”
Ray clenched his fists. His face turned sour. “Watch your mouth! Stay two meters away from me while we’re at school!”
Kai ignored him. Instead, he moved even closer.
“I just wanted to make sure my boyfriend slept well last night.” Kai gently touched his lips. “Because I couldn’t sleep—my lips hurt all night.”
Ray folded his arms. His eyes stared intently at Kai, as if observing every detail of his face. He hated it when his gaze dropped to Kai’s lips, which really did look more swollen and red. Once again, that kiss stole his focus.
“Rubbing your lips with toilet paper wasn’t a smart way to erase my marks, Kai.” Ray smiled mockingly, wearing the victorious grin of someone who knew exactly what Kai had done to remove his lip marks.
Kai fell silent for several seconds, impressed that Ray’s guess had been dead-on. “I’m just not used to a strange sensation there.” Kai tried to speak as calmly as possible, hiding the nervousness quietly spreading through him.
“Strange?” Ray smiled crookedly. His arms remained folded. “Want me to replace that strange sensation with something more familiar?”
Ray’s teasing tone finally made it impossible for Kai to hold back the irritation he’d been bottling up ever since that stiff guy had taken over his thoughts. Kai moved even closer, shortening the distance between them.
“Are you brave enough to kiss me here? In front of everyone?” Kai asked, his gaze as sharp as an eagle’s.
Ray’s stare was no less sharp as he looked at the cute-faced guy in front of him, who could also look much fiercer when he was angry.
“You’re the one who dragged me into this game, Kai.” Ray’s eyes didn’t shift from the guy in front of him even once. He hated how everything about Kai’s face somehow made his heart race faster. Since when had he admired another guy’s good looks when he himself had a face just as attractive?
“But I’m the one who decides when we play and when we stop,” Ray continued, his voice firmer.
Kai was at a loss for words. He wanted to argue back, but Ray’s dominant aura seemed to paralyze him.
“Get the swelling down before tomorrow night.” Ray closed the distance again. This time, he whispered beside Kai’s ear. “I don’t want to go on a date with someone who looks traumatized,” Ray finished.
Hearing that soft voice pierce his eardrum instantly gave Kai goosebumps. Kai swallowed. The distinctive scent of Ray’s oud perfume became something familiar and addictive. The minty freshness of Ray’s breath made Kai remember once again how the younger guy had stolen his first kiss the night before.
Ray smiled—another mocking, devastating smile. He walked away from Kai, satisfied that he could feel the other guy’s heart pounding every time he came close.
Kai stood stunned, watching Ray walk away. His hands clenched into fists. “Bastard! I’m supposed to be the one in control, not him!”