Who?

Five

Kevin watched Chanhee pouting and eyeing his paper drafts. He walked beside Chanhee and peeked at what Chanhee was looking at so frustrated.

"Isn't that your final draft?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah." Chanhee sighed.

"What's the matter? Did Jacob not like it?"

"No, it's me. I don't feel satisfied." 

Kevin tilted his head and proceeded to lean against Chanhee's desk. Chanhee laid down his head on Kevin's lap and fiddled with his hands. 

"What part is it?" Kevin asked.

"It's kind of silly. I just think the killing method for this character is too simple. He had tortured the protagonist mentally for years as her teacher. I feel like a simple stab won't justify her wrath."

"Then more stabs?"

Chanhee giggled at the suggestion and looked up. Kevin had an offended pout. Chanhee pressed a kiss on Kevin's hand and laid back down.

"Being betrayed by someone you trusted and being tortured by someone you should feel safe with. That is an incurable trauma for the protagonist. I don't think even stabbing countless times would relieve her."

"Then... what are you thinking of?" 

Chanhee stared out the window. His eyes followed the way the clouds floated and the small petals and leaves passing by. His gaze ended up on the cockroach scurrying past the window sill. 

"Cockroaches are very tenacious. They can live for weeks even without a head. It's disgusting."

Kevin listened, stroking his hair as Chanhee blurted out words. He was used to it. Chanhee would fall in deep, thinking up scenarios. But Kevin liked the fact that Chanhee was comfortable enough with him to open up freely.

"Do you think a human would be able to endure something like that?" Chanhee said, looking up at Kevin.

"Chopping off his head? No."

"Of course I'm not gonna chop his head off. He would die instantly and that's not what the protagonist wants. I meant scaring him with small stabs and maybe amputating his hands or legs? Maybe?"

Chanhee's voice became uncertain by each word. Kevin smiled and cupped his cheeks.

"If being nasty and putting that man in misery is what you want then it works."

"Will it? But then, if the protagonist gets discovered, she'll get seriously punished by law."

"How about you try asking Hyunjae? He's studying law, isn't he?" Kevin shrugged.

"He's pausing it. It's a small protest against his family who forced him to take it." Chanhee grumbled.

He got up and stretched out his arms with a big yawn. Kevin caught his arms and wrapped them around him, peering at Chanhee. 

"Sounds like you have a lot of research to do." He grinned.

Chanhee nodded and sank into Kevin's embrace. The two stayed still for a while before Kevin tapped him on the arms. 

"I need to step out for a moment."

"This late?" Chanhee glanced outside. 

"Some problem with the shop's security, I don't know. The building owner called me. Don't worry. I won't be late but don't wait up for me. And don't work too late either."

Chanhee nodded. Kevin smiled and pecked him on the lips. Then he left Chanhee alone in his den. 

After Kevin left, Chanhee turned back to the window. To be specific, the window sill where he saw the cockroach from before. He stared emotionlessly at the busy creature sprinting back and forth.