Swallow Hunting - Chapter 28.1
He had always been far from the type to study, so he worried a great deal about failing the written exam, but fortunately, he passed on his first try.
For the practical portion, he received a lot of help from Yohan. In an empty lot, he rode Yohan’s bike and was initiated into techniques bordering on acrobatics, such as moving forward, reversing, parking, turning, and weaving between obstacles.
“I didn’t see stuff like this on the test requirements.”
Hae-jun muttered after breaking through a line of cones placed at regular intervals like a dog doing agility training. Yohan approached him, picking up the few cones that had been knocked over.
“It’s good to know. Do you have any idea how many things you have to dodge in alleys? Have you ever run into a grandmother pushing a walker in the middle of a narrow street? If you hit her, settle or not, you are headed straight to prison.”
“But isn’t what you just taught me dangerous? Do you really ride in a zigzag like this on the road? What if the police chase you?”
When Hae-jun used his hands to twist and turn to demonstrate his point, Yohan brought his clenched fist down on Hae-jun’s crown. He didn’t put much strength into it, so it didn’t hurt.
“Just shut up and learn.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hae-jun fell silent, giving a salute with the edge of his hand held to his temple. When Yohan told him to do it just one more time before finishing, Hae-jun started the bike again.
“When did you say the test was?”
“Later this afternoon.”
“Do you have money to buy a bike?”
Of course not. His was a life where not a single penny remained in his hands even if he worked like a dog and lived like a beggar. All the money he earned was automatically transferred into the bank accounts of loan sharks.
“Can you rent bikes too?”
“Leasing ends up costing more than the bike itself. There’s a company that has its own bikes, so I’ll let you know about them. Although they take a huge cut of the commission.”
Nodding at Yohan’s words, Hae-jun put on his helmet and turned the handlebars. This time, he completed the run without knocking over any cones. “Wow!” Hae-jun shouted, raising both arms high in a cheer. If he was this skilled, he figured he might pass on his first try, just as he did with the written exam.
“You’re good.”
Yohan praised him while patting the buttocks of Hae-jun, who had just dismounted. It was a habitual gesture of his, so it shouldn’t have been surprising, but Hae-jun flinched violently. It had been several days since Lee Kang-ju stopped by the house, so that secret place was no longer sore. It was strange.
As Hae-jun stood there stiffly, Yohan looked at him suspiciously. His gaze was peculiar. It was the look a shaman gives a client who is keeping a vow of silence.
“You.”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“Whatever you are thinking, it’s not like that.”
Hae-jun started with a denial. Yohan smirked and waved his hand back and forth right in front of Hae-jun’s nose.
“Don’t tell me you got turned on by my hand?”
“Are you out of your mind…!”
It was a curse that welled up from deep within his heart. Goosebumps broke out, making the fine hairs on his forearms, neck, and cheeks stand on end. As he shuddered and moved away, Yohan burst into a roar of laughter.
“I’ll give you a cushion as a gift for your first day on the job. How are you going to sit on a saddle with those buttocks?”
“I said it’s not like that, you lunatic.”
“Yeah, sure, I bet it’s not.”
Yohan was the type of person who could find out the truth a thousand times over even if you lied a hundred times. Hae-jun gave up on the meaningless denial and handed the handlebars back to Yohan. Yohan climbed on skillfully. Hae-jun took his place behind him.
“I’ll go around for one more hour and then drop you off at the academy.”
“Thanks. I’ll treat you once I get some money.”
“I’m not eating anything unless it’s Korean beef.”
“I can’t afford that much.”
“That’s why I’m telling you to buy it when you have that much to spare.”
Yohan tapped the top of Hae-jun’s helmet and started the engine. Hae-jun grabbed Yohan’s waist and rested his head against his back. The old bike rattled as it left the empty lot.
***
There was a crisis where he stepped on a line and lost ten points, but he safely passed the practical skill test. Having received the passing stamp, Hae-jun was overjoyed and took a photo to send to Yohan.
[Awesome]
[I think I’ve got some talent]
He sent the messages boastfully, but there was no reply. Thinking the other man was busy working, he looked up at the chat window and—oh no—it wasn’t Yohan, but Lee Kang-ju.
“Crazy.”
Of all people, how could he have sent it to him? He tried frantically to delete the messages, but at that exact moment, the number 1 disappeared from his sight. It was a disaster.
Usually, the man ignored his texts saying he was busy, so why did he read this accidental one so quickly? Hae-jun bit his nails. He was half worried and half expectant about what kind of reply would come.
But then something unexpected happened. Instead of a text, a call came. Looking at the words ‘CEO Lee Kang-ju’ on the screen, Hae-jun took a deep breath. He calmed his heart and pressed the call button.
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