Chapter 144

"Wow, today was incredible too."

After finishing work and taking off his dirty clothes, one guy let out a "whew" sigh. Since they had responded to calls again today without fail, everyone was a mess. As they were hurriedly taking off clothes and going to wash, thinking about quickly finishing their showers and going home, DeAndre among them hesitated and looked at Dane.

"Dane, are you washing here today?"

At those words, Dane, who had been about to take off his t-shirt, hesitated. Everyone's attention focused on him.

"Why, what's up?"

"What, what about Dane?"

Through the guys who were obtusely sticking their faces forward, DeAndre said.

"I mean Dane, you've been going home without washing here for a while recently. But not today? Are you washing here again now?"

The latter words were directed at Dane. As Dane slowly released his grip on his shirt hem, the other guys nodded and exchanged words on their own.

"Come to think of it, that's right. That was strange too."

"Dane used to wash really thoroughly everywhere because of his cat."

"Right, Darling was it? In case that cat drank the remaining ash or something."

"Why didn't you wash and just went home during that time?"

"I don't know either. Dane, why did you do that?"

At the unwelcome attention, Dane quietly closed his cabinet door. Putting only his wallet in his pocket and trying to just leave, DeAndre asked again from behind Dane.

"What? You're just leaving again?"

"Weren't you going to wash here today?"

"Dane, where are you going? Dane!"

Following that, other guys joined in too. Dane stopped walking and looked back. At everyone's puzzled stares, he said with his usual expressionless face.

"Mind your own business."

At his retreating figure as he turned and left, the remaining guys could only tilt their heads in puzzlement. Meanwhile, Dane's heart, as he walked toward his car with large strides as usual, was beating madly unlike his calm exterior appearance.

Damn it, because of that bastard.

Small bruises still remained here and there on his chest. The previous stinging pain and discomfort had long since disappeared, but these damn bruises lasted so long they just wouldn't go away. It was absolutely not something you could call a rough one-night stand. Who in the world would mess up a one-night partner's chest like this?

Thanks to this, he had continued not washing and going home to shower at home until now. Fortunately, the large house had many bathrooms too, so he could shake off all the dust and ash before entering his room to meet Darling.

He had to reluctantly go home with his dirty body for a while like that, but now it was roughly to the point where he could make excuses. So he had tried to shower and go home like before, but it was ruined because of the obtuse DeAndre.

"Haa."

He shook his head with a sigh. Today was the day Greyson was dragged to the committee, so he had some leisure time. When public opinion was easily reversed by Dane's explanation at the time, Greyson was quite surprised. At that reaction, Dane chuckled and said this.

<This is what you call the image built up over time.>

Immediately Greyson frowned. At the expression that said 'It's definitely not a diligent image,' Dane gave him the answer.

<I absolutely don't do things that would put me at a disadvantage.>

Greyson was dumbfounded, but there were good things that came from that incident too. When Dane's house burned down and he had nowhere to go, Greyson provided a temporary place to live, and the colleagues once again highly evaluated Greyson. Along with vows to never judge so rashly again, their commuting together also became natural. Thanks to this, Greyson's words about them being lovers ended up as just a simple joke. The constraint of 3 hours a day had also somehow fizzled out because Greyson was keeping his promises quite well. Instead, texts continued to come endlessly.

This time too, after sending a single period, Dane headed to the outdoor shower as usual as soon as he arrived home. The shower installed next to the swimming pool was a facility designed to quickly wash the body and swim immediately, but Dane was using it for a different purpose.

"Huh?"

After washing his body thoroughly as usual and throwing his dirty clothes into the laundry basket placed to one side, he came outside and hesitated. At some distance, a dog was standing blankly looking at Dane.

What...?

After being puzzled for a moment, he suddenly realized with an "ah."

"Alex?"

When he called the name, the dog perked up its ears and reacted. As expected. He had only known of the dog's existence while living here but had never actually seen it, so he couldn't remember immediately.

"So you're Alex, hello."

That dog, which must have been quite fierce at one time befitting the name of a guard dog, was now quite docile, perhaps due to age. Of course, that just meant it wasn't baring its teeth and showing hostility, but seeing the dog clearly standing at a distance and being wary, Dane somehow wanted to become friends with it.

Let's see, what might there be?

Since he was keeping a dog, there must be treats or toys too. The problem was where in this large house those things might be.

Dane hurriedly turned around and went into the house. He first found Darling and gave her a kiss to show he was back, then took care of her food and water before coming back outside.

The place he immediately headed to was Greyson's room. He thought there might be toys left somewhere in the room, but in the interior that was cleanly cleaned without a speck of dust, not even anything similar could be seen.

Not even a frisbee...

Hmm, as he was stroking his chin, he suddenly saw something sitting alone on a decorative shelf to one side.

"Oh."

Dane, who let out an audible exclamation, readily headed in that direction. As expected, he wasn't wrong. It was a can of dog treats that Dane had given to Greyson at some point.

What? Did he forget to give it?

Anyway, it worked out well. Thinking he should give this instead of a toy, Dane lightly threw it in the air and caught it again with his hand. When he went out whistling, fortunately Alex was still in that spot.

"Here, here, here."

Making clicking sounds with his tongue, he crouched down and lured Alex. To Alex, who was standing blankly in the same spot as if wary, Dane brought the hand he had hidden behind his back forward and shook it lightly.

He could see Alex flinch when he spotted the can. Dane smiled mysteriously and slowly opened the can. The moment the lid separated with a "pop" sound, Alex ran toward Dane with surprising speed.

* * *

"Boobs, boobs. Boobs, boobs."

Greyson sang excitedly while tapping the steering wheel to the beat.

"Booooooobs!"

After hitting the steering wheel with a "bang," he smiled contentedly and continued humming the music. The reason he was so excited even while returning home after attending the committee was only one thing. Because Dane would definitely be waiting when he got home. As soon as he got back, he should bury his face in Venus and receive comfort. Since Dane sent a period earlier, that means it's okay. Of course!

"Booooooobs!"

After repeating the chorus once more, he smiled contentedly at the sight of the mansion that came into view. He skillfully cornered and parked the car, then readily came outside. By now Dane would be in his room with Darling...

"Huh."

He who was about to enter the house immediately stopped walking for a moment. Unexpectedly, Dane was outside by the swimming pool. If he had been thinking of swimming, he would have worn a swimsuit or shorts, but he was wearing his usual old training clothes and a stretched-out shabby t-shirt.

While tilting his head but happily moving his steps, Greyson then discovered the dog in front of Dane.

Ah, Alex.

Only then did he seem to understand the situation. Since Dane loved any kind of animal, it was only natural for him to take interest upon seeing a dog.

Smiling and approaching with light steps, Greyson was just about to open his mouth. Just as he was about to call out "Dane," he froze in place.

* * *

Dane watched with a gentle smile as the old dog busily ate treats in front of him. Despite its fierce appearance, seeing it wag its tail after being won over by the treat can made it seem even cuter. As he gently stroked its head, he suddenly thought.

Now only a week remains...

Three months had passed faster than expected. Since incidents had erupted daily during that time, it was even more understandable to feel that way. Anyway, there weren't many days left now.

After mulling over past events one by one, he moved his hand that had stopped. As he was lost in deep thought, he suddenly felt a presence. When he turned his head, he saw a familiar face at a distance of a few steps.

"Uh..."

Just as he was about to ask "You're back?", Greyson trembled all over with a pale face. Surprised by the unexpected reaction, Dane stood up.

"What's..."

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!"

Greyson, who had turned pale, grabbed his head with both hands and let out a horrified scream.