Page 25 of Obsession of the Egoist
Could he be another member of Kuon’s family?
When Kuon threw a punch forward, Rick blinked, wondering what was going on. But since Kuon didn’t look in danger and the nose of the arrogant bastard burst with blood, he did nothing.
DESPITE THE TIGHT BANDAGE,wrapped around the blind eyes, Kuon’s fist didn’t miss its mark. The impact shattered Yugo’s vision and destroyed his balance. Half-twisting his body, he tried to soften the landing. His elbow, crushing the grass, turned green. A coppery taste filled his mouth, and warmth dripped down his chin. Wiping his nose with his palm, he blinked through the muddy vision. Red drops, slipping through his fingers, splashed against his black shirt.
Wow, such passion...An idiotic smile invaded Yugo’s face as he tried to stop the bleeding.
Kuon’s lips twitched, as a thick red rushed up his neck, and disappeared under his bandage. Yugo grinned, watching emotions change on Kuon’s face, from confusion to anger, and then to something else he couldn’t identify. When Kuon rubbed his mouth with his forearm, Yugo said, “Yes. I am here.”
A light headshake accompanied a painful twist of the weather-beaten lips before Kuon got to his feet and put his hand forward, stretching his fingers apart. He tilted his head to the side as if trying to navigate using his hearing only, then took a small step. The top of his tennis shoe hit Yugo’s thigh. Clenching his fists, Kuon dropped to his knees. Yugo blinked, gawking at the fist rushing down toward him.
Black pain eclipsed the daylight. Yugo swallowed the blood and clung to the dimming white spot somewhere at the edge of his shattered consciousness.
“I hate you, bastard!” Kuon’s voice trembled with emotions, and Yugo smiled.
“I know...” he barely managed. The tiny spot zoomed out, morphing into the spiraling sky. He stretched his hands to both sides. Trying to steady his sense of balance, he made no attempts to defend himself. Only now, lying on the grass under Kuon’s weight, did he realize how much he’d feared that his appearance would trigger no emotions in Kuon. Now, seeing the storming rage on Kuon’s face and hearing the familiar curse, he felt the tension bleeding out of his muscles.
Hope took root in his soul.
RICK’S MOOD DARKENEDas he watched Kuon’s face flip through emotions. His shoulders hunched forward. They shook as Kuon’s fingers grabbed the collar of the man’s shirt who sprawled on the ground. Kuon slouched forward until his forehead bumped against the stranger’s chest.
Failing to understand the situation, Rick felt helpless. His whole being wanted to drag the man away from Kuon, but the lack of information and the friendzone kept him glued to the spot. Kuon wasn’t in any danger, so he didn’t have a reason to step in.
“You know?” Unlike Kuon’s weak posture, his voice sounded strong, sharp even. It ringed with ice as emotions drained from his face. “You don’t know shit, Yugo.”
Kuon released the man’s jacket and got to his feet, his lips twitching with contempt. The stranger scowled.
“Why did you come? Why now? Haven’t you messed with my life enough already?” Chills rushed down Rick’s spine as he listened to the emotionless, measured words. Kuon’s lips stretched into a thin smile as he spoke in a distant tone he’d never heard before. “Two years have passed. What could you possibly want? Was I that good that you can’t forget me?”
Dismal laughter broke out from Kuon’s chest. Rick’s heart froze.
“The brothels would serve you better than me. Why the fuck did you come?” When Yugo said nothing, Kuon smirked. “Oh, I see. You’re bored again. You want a challenge, am I right? Look someplace else.”
When the man didn’t reply, Kuon yelled, “Why the fuck are you silent now? Say something!”
Rick couldn’t bring himself to blink. With every word, the face of the man Kuon called Yugo darkened. The arrogance drained from his features, hardening them with determination. He got to his feet and stretched out his hand, as if wanting to touch Kuon’s neck, but froze inches away, the inner fight twitching his facial muscles.
“Come home with me,” Yugo said, but Kuon shook his head and lifted his palm in the air. “Kuon…”
“No. What the fuck do you want?”
“You.” Kuon didn’t react, and Yugo’s cheek flinched. His voice quiet but firm when he added, “Return to me. All this time, I kept thinking about you. I can see that you couldn’t forget me either. I’m glad because this time I want things to be different.”
Yugo didn’t ask, but demanded, as if he had the right to do so.
Kuon laughed. His head dropped back as his mouth parted.
“You haven’t changed at all,” he finally managed, trying to catch his breath.
Hunching forward, he pressed his palms against his knee; his face lost all signs of merriment as sympathy took over. He straightened up and reached forward with both hands in an attempt to touch Yugo’s face. The man instantly accepted the gesture.
Rick frowned. He hated the moment of helplessness as he stood and watched Kuon’s fingers fumble over Yugo’s face.
“You aren’t joking, are you? I can’t feel a smile.” Searching Yugo’s face for another moment, Kuon dropped his palms. “You’re really something. You know, for a second I felt curious. Only for a second. Go home, or Mio will cry again.”
“You don’t have to worry about Mio. He is taken care of.”
“You miss the point. I don’t give a fuck.” Despite Kuon’s exaggerated lack of care, his lopsided smile kept slipping. “You know, I don’t even hate you. But if you keep annoying me, I might remember the things you’ve done to me. Back then, I didn’t know how to kill. Now I do. Don’t tempt me.”
