Tensegrity

When Jun-Kyung was a bodyguard, he slicked his hair back so that he wouldn’t look sloppy. Later on, he got into the habit of putting his hair back even at home.

He naturally looked more mature than his age, but he went back to his fresh college days with a single bang. Jun-Kyung couldn’t help laughing.

“Executive Director, the fitting is over.”

Simultaneously with Allan’s declaration, Jun-Kyung turned to the executive director. Executive Director Min, who raised his head a beat late, suddenly stiffened when his eyes met Junkyung.

Junkyung wasn’t the only one who was nervous at his silence. Allen, who was expressing infinite confidence in his own abilities, quickly glanced up and down Junkyung. He looked to see where Director Min didn’t like it.

“Is this not it? There are other styles as well.”

Jun-Kyung could read embarrassment and lack of confidence in his very polite tone mixed with concern. Allen’s tension soon led to tension in his staff. The employee frantically searched through other clothes to grasp the silent roar fired by their immediate boss.

“I like it.” Jun-kyung was perplexed. He ruffled the hem of his shirt for nothing and bent and straightened his legs slightly, “It’s neat and easy to move around.”

The gaze of the opponent, who was quietly watching Jun-kyung, grew. Jun-Kyung was worried that if there was physical power in those eyes, it would knock down an elephant with just one shot.

“Junkyung? Do you want to try this?” Allen came rushing in.

What he brought out was a blue T-shirt and off-white cotton pants. It was a much more upbeat and casual style. Jun-kyung nodded and held out his hand.

“Wait a minute.” Executive Director Min, who had been silent the whole time, finally opened his mouth.

He stood up from his seat. When a person who is hard to ignore even when sitting stand upright, the illusion that the high ceiling of the presidential suite fell about a meter arose.

Can’t you say something and move? Are you not aware of the intimidation of your appearance? It can’t be. No, you may be doing it on purpose.

Director Min, who makes other people uncomfortable in many ways, did not give any hints, as always. It was comforting to know that Jun-kyung was not the only person who felt flustered by not knowing the intention.

Executive Director Min, who narrowed the distance with two steps, observed Jun-kyung for a moment. From top to bottom, and then back up, faint burn marks were created on the skin along the upward gaze. It was fortunate that there was enough ice in the refrigerator.

Executive Director Min, who stood silently for about 10 seconds, moved at his own pace, whether or not the rest of the three people’s nervousness reached its peak. His hands that were mostly in his trousers, except for touching the laptop, pad, and cell phone, lightly touched Junkyung’s forehead.

“You don’t like the hairstyle? Would you prefer to flip it over? Actually, Jun-Kyung’s forehead is so pretty that it suits him with his hair pulled back”.

Allen tactfully replied. Jun-kyung, who had guessed the situation, tried to brush his bangs quickly.

“Hold on. Stay where you are for a while”.

Executive Director Min took Jun-kyung’s hand and lowered them. Allen asked again, turning his head slightly.

“Director Min?”

“I love it. I like it very much.”

Executive Director Min stared at Jun-kyung the whole time. Following the sudden reversal of circumstances or exchanging hot gazes with Executive Vice President Min Hyun-seung was burdensome ,so Jun-kyung naturally looked to Allen next to him.

Allen quickly regained his confidence.

“Right? Junkyung looks much better with his bangs down. He looks like a college student, right? What do you think of the outfit?”

“Send everything you wear today to my house.”

Jun-Kyung wore dozens or even nearly a hundred.

“All of them? You don’t have to buy this much”.

“You said you liked everything when you tried it on.”

No, it wasn’t even for 4 seasons. If the seasons change, he’ll have to buy it again. Is he going to buy a hundred sets at once?

“I can’t even wear them all.”

“You don’t have to wear them all. Choose what you like and wear it”.

When the fitting was finished, Executive Director Min told the stylist to organize it quickly and leave. Allan happily packed up the clothes and props spread out with the staff and left the room. It took about 5 minutes, and during that time, Executive Director Min was holding Junkyung’s fingers the whole time.

“You don’t have to act like this”.

“Act?”

“Yes.”

Jun-Kyung took a step back from him, pulling his fingers out with a little force.

“I’ll take good care of myself, so don’t mind me”.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Acting like this will ruin the external image that Hyun-Seung Min has built up. You don’t have to express yourself in front of people by giving a gift at a great cost, touching my head, and holding my hand. I will do my best to make sure you don’t have to try so hard. Was there a misunderstanding somewhere in our agreement?”

Thanks to Allen’s way of speaking, Jun-Kyung came up with a grammatically-breaking honorific that is rarely used. Director Min’s expressionless face, which was the default value, shifted slightly to the negative side.

“I didn’t say anything about being inconvenienced,” Director Min replied.

“It is my own judgment.”

“Ho Jun-Kyung.”

“Yes.”

It’s been a long time since he was called by the three names straight, so the answer was automatically engraved working as a bodyguard. After calling him in a stern tone, Executive Director Min gave no special rebuke or other instructions.

Jun-kyung, who looked down politely, didn’t know what kind of expression he was making, but it was clear that it couldn’t be good.

Director Min’s thick chest wrapped in a silk vest swelled slightly. Are you going to take a breath and shout something out? There was tension.

“… That’s it”.

Contrary to expectations, it ended very bland. Before Jun-kyung could even raise his head, Executive Director Min returned to the table. The phone rang just in time, so he answered the call and concentrated on the pad at the same time.

Various sensitive topics such as projects, new product development, research institutes, and supplier selection came out through the mouth of Executive Vice President Min. Even from a former bodyguard, it seemed like a top-secret matter such as information that could be a disaster if it leaked into a competitor.

‘Can I listen to these trade secrets?’

He didn’t want to sit still on the sofa. He quietly lifts his ass and walks into the bedroom so that no footsteps are heard.

“Where are you going?”

Jun-Kyung thought there was an invisible wall between them.

“I thought it would interfere with your work. I will wait in the bedroom.”

“It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Director’s Min eyes were cold, noting what he didn’t like.

“Yes.”

He glued his butt back to the sofa and watched Director Min work. From morning shopping and swimming to getting cramps and trying on different outfits, his eyelids slowly started to close.

He tried to sit well, but couldn’t keep his head up. His eyelids were too heavy. He’s not short of stamina. Could it be because of swimming? Or for some other reason?

‘Oh, I’m pregnant.’

The doctor had warned him that he would sleep a lot. He fully understands why exercising was not ideal. Compared to usual, today’s activities are not activities, but he feels so sleepy.

The shaky body leaned sideways on its own. He dozed off in earnest with his chin on the sofa armrest.

Director Min’s low voice on the phone sounded like a lullaby. From the finger tapping the pad to the sound of the keyboard keyboard,there was no way he could be fully asleep, but contrary to his will, Jun-kyung fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke up in the middle of the night, he was on the bed. Is this his human consciousness that allows him to find bed even when asleep?

Director Min’s presence was felt with the light through the slightly opened door. Jun-Kyung checked the time on a small digital clock next to the bed. It was past 2 am. Even though he’s a director of a large corporation, does he work overtime until this hour? Obviously, it must be because of the forced schedule adjustment.

‘I knew the date felt rushed’.

Even if he bites his cheek inside, there is no other way for Jun-kyung. He can call his parents to reschedule, but it’s hard to reschedule with Director Min. Above all, he felt very sleepy.

Jun-kyung fell into a honey-like sleep again.

Jun-Kyung woke up after a good night’s sleep.  Unlike yesterday, the space next to the bed was empty. After taking a shower, Jun-Kyung found Executive Director Min was still working, sitting at the table in the same outfit as yesterday. The greeting for work came out naturally.

“Hello, good morning.”

“Did you sleep well?” The voice that came back was a little dry and harsh. It seems because he stayed up all night.

“Did you stay up all night?” Jun-Kyung asked.

“No, I slept on the sofa for an hour at dawn”.

That’s what you call staying up late.

“I’m going to get some bottled water from the fridge, do you want one?”

“Thanks.” He thought Director Min would call a staff like yesterday, so his natural answer was a relief.

He found the espresso machine while taking out two bottles of water. The lifestyle of Koreans. Excited, he held up his glass and took a shot.

Whi-ing.

The warm-up button began to sparkle as the silver espresso machine turned. Come out quickly, black and white. He filled up an ice cup to drink an iced Americano.

“Jun-kyung is on a caffeine ban for the time being.”

A warning flew in from afar. At the same time as he reflexively turned back, the ice clattered into the crystal cup.

“Caffeine is not good for mothers. There is a high risk of miscarriages”.