Page 123 of Scarbound

Noeul set his phone aside and tried to return to his notes. Less than a minute later, it lit up again.

Duri: Ji-Woo sent me a new drawing.

A photo appeared on the screen: one of Ji-Woo’s character designs, this time with a ridiculous dragon perched on the character’s shoulder.

Noeul: Why does it have so many teeth?

Duri: Because it’s cool.

Noeul: It has twelve teeth in one row.

Duri: Exactly. Cool.

Noeul laughed again.

They kept talking after that. About Ji-Woo’s portfolio. About a movie Duri had watched and hated. About the music Duri was working on. Duri sent him a short recording and told him not to laugh.

Noeul listened to it twice before replying.

Noeul: It’s good.

Duri: That’s all? Come on, hyung, give me something.

Noeul: Fine. I like the beginning. It sounds like driving somewhere at night.

There was a long pause before Duri replied.

Duri: That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my music.

Noeul: Don’t get used to it.

Duri: Too late.

By the time Noeul checked the clock, it was past two in the morning.

Noeul: You should sleep.

Duri: You first.

Noeul: That’s not how it works.

Duri: It is now.

Noeul: Brat!

Duri: Good night, hyung!

Noeul: Good night, Duri!

Noeul smiled at the screen.

Every time his phone lit up, his stomach tightened instinctively.

But it was always Duri.

By Monday afternoon, Noeul was tired of waiting for something that might never happen. Maybe this time there would be no punishment. The word itself irritated him now.

Punishment.