“Yes?”
“Yesssss?! Really?! Ahhh!!!”
Receiving a call that really was from the police station and not voice phishing, Kwon Yunsu screamed into the air.
“They caught the scammers!”
Saying that, everyone raised their glasses with joy seeing Kwon Yunsu whose eyes were even glistening with tears.
No matter how you looked at it, this kid was the flower of the club.
***
「Good work. There’ll be good news when you get home.」
When he left the office after finishing the shuttle work more tiresome than exam studying, there was such a text from his cousin-hyung.
“Fuck.”
Lee Euishin immediately cursed. It was the day Kwon Yunsu’s exam ended. Just as he firmly told him to come as soon as it ended, he also planned to leave as soon as the sun set, but his cousin-hyung’s wife brazenly shoved a work list at him and threatened.
‘Baek Gyeonghun says today’s the last day, so use him as much as you want? Take it. Let’s run until 10.’
He was so angry he almost fainted. But he endured because he thought that cousin bastard wouldn’t easily say that word “last.” With bloodshot eyes, he glared at the woman before taking the documents and sitting down. Annoyance was annoyance, but he had to look at the situation properly. If something came up requiring a lawsuit in his life, he’d definitely come find this woman.
Time passed slowly and Lee Euishin was annoyed at himself for being easily distracted. It was always Kwon Yunsu who disturbed his concentration. Thinking of the kid who sent his winter clothes to his family home and was diligently cleaning his room more than usual, he wanted to immediately wring that pretty neck. If Kwon Yunsu showed any signs of being awkward or uncomfortable with him today, he’d immediately enter the final battle.
‘It’s a shame I can’t see you often.’
And as he left the office receiving a greeting that didn’t even sound like words, a text from his cousin-hyung arrived. Don’t even try to hide that it’s rigged—the couple was annoyingly unlucky together.
Anyway, he immediately got in the car. The late-night weekday downtown was relatively quiet, but impatience was rising to his throat. It was the day summer vacation started. The shuttle work had ended with good timing, there was nothing more to wait for. He was sick and tired of patience now.
What is Kwon Yunsu doing now? Since he’s never ignored words delivered with bone, he’ll be obediently at home for now. If he received a call from the police station, he must be excitedly bouncing around. Since there’s no one else he confessed to about being scammed, saying it was embarrassing and shameful, he’ll have to share that joy entirely with him. Maybe as soon as he opens the front door, he’ll rush into his arms saying ‘Euishin-ah!’ When the team he’s cheering for achieves good results, scores a dramatic goal, or when the opposing team makes a mistake—when excitement peaks over soccer-related matters, Kwon Yunsu would suddenly reach out his arms and rush over. He wished he could always be by Kwon Yunsu’s side when he couldn’t contain his joy.
Quickly searching the surroundings, Lee Euishin stopped by a dessert shop that took orders until late and bought a cake. Though he hated sweet things, Kwon Yunsu ate anything well, and cake was food to celebrate special days. He’d generously congratulate the happy Kwon Yunsu, hear him say several times how amazing it was that it was resolved so quickly, then casually mention that his hand touched it. You were busy because of that? Because of me? When he said that looking dazed, this time he’d definitely create a soft atmosphere and properly kiss him. And tear down the wall.
Lee Euishin didn’t know how much he looked like a foolish newlywed going up the elevator holding a cake box.
“……”
The unpleasant sense of déjà vu came right after getting off the elevator. No, it wasn’t déjà vu or an illusion. Standing in front of the entrance door and holding his breath, the noisy sound leaking from inside immediately pierced his ears.
His chest, which had been swelling with anticipation, cooled rapidly. Mechanically pressing the button and opening the door, scorching heat and clamorous noise poured out together.
There, gathered in full, were the soccer idiots who shouldn’t come near on this sacred night.
***
“But they were caught really fast. I saw on the internet that individual scammers get caught quickly, but they seemed like professional operators. Setting up several ghost companies. Didn’t they say you should empty your mind for about half a year?”
“Yeah, I heard that too…”
Having heard that, he hadn’t made a single call to the investigating officer asking about the progress. It had only been eleven days. For Kwon Yunsu, treating that effort as if it hadn’t happened, as if it was never his portion to begin with, preparing for exams was breathless enough.
To be caught this quickly. He was still dazed. They say the more professional the operators, the more remote getting the money back is, but just implementing justice was enough to resolve his grudge. Those bastards must eat prison food for exactly as much time as he spent squeezing out busy time to pore over papers until his eyes fell out and being filled with dreams of going to Europe. Among the caught gang, he hoped the scary ahjussi who slammed his face into the front door was definitely included.
After receiving the call from the police station, the drinking session heated up rapidly, and what they’d bought in bundles wasn’t enough—even the alcohol in the refrigerator was gradually hitting bottom. At this rate, they’d soon have to send one guy on an errand through rock-paper-scissors. Naturally, he planned to volunteer.
“Kwon Yunsu can stretch his legs and sleep now. Don’t cry while kicking walls anymore.”
“How did you know I cried while kicking walls?”
“Even if you said you cried looking at the Han River while holding a beer can, no one would be surprised, elementary schooler who goes around with everything written on his face.”
At those words, he suddenly thought of Lee Euishin.
Did he pay such attention knowing those signs?
Thinking about it, after that incident, Lee Euishin reduced his mean behavior much more, watched his every move annoyingly closely, and even prepared meals himself. When going to the police station to write the statement, if it hadn’t been for him, he wouldn’t have been able to present all the evidence he had. Why hasn’t he contacted yet? When did he say to come right away? Seeing he came with this bunch hanging on, he’ll get scolded, but still, isn’t this too late? Not sharing such good news with him…
“Why? Should I let you call Lee Euishin?”
“I think it’s too late.”
When he replied while holding his phone, Shin Jaewoo reached out to stop him.
“He’s the homeowner, so he’ll come on his own. Don’t do that, Yunsu-ya. When Lee Euishin comes, we all have to clear out and get up.”
“Right, he’ll act like he’ll eat us alive and kick us out.”
“…Who are the people who barged in knowing that personality?”
When he replied resentfully, Song Taesu, who was sprawled out, replied with a squid leg in his mouth.
“We came trusting you.”
Kim Younghwan also added cheerfully while gulping down beer.
“If we say we came with Kwon Yunsu in front, he won’t grind us up right in our faces.”
“…Won’t he grind me up first?”
“No.”
To the muttered words like a joke, it was surprisingly Shin Jaewoo who shook his head. He was a guy who rarely joined in talking about Lee Euishin this way and that.
“Even if Lee Euishin’s temper is fucking terrible, he’s incredibly weak toward you.”
…Since it was Shin Jaewoo, who got mercilessly beaten by that terrible bastard, saying it, he couldn’t even refute.
“Right. He’s really weak toward Kwon Yunsu. It’s not just once or twice I’ve seen his expression soften. How did you guys become such a sweet relationship?”
“Kya, sweet! Totally like that!”
Song Taesu’s clowning sound embarrassingly tickled his ears.
If he said what Lee Euishin did when he was sick, the atmosphere would get even weirder. …That really was strange. Pretending not to notice his reddening face, Kwon Yunsu replied confidently.
“I have the right to that. Who puts up with that bastard’s personality? I’m like a good filter protecting the world from Lee Euishin’s evil…”
“Ahh!”
“Uhahahahahaha!”
“Seriously.”
After a wave of ridicule swept through, the first to speak was Ahn Shinwook.
“Let’s speak properly, Kwon Yunsu-ya. It’s not that you put up with Lee Euishin, he’s the one looking after you. Isn’t it amazing that that ice prince is attached to you like a nanny and even let you into his house?”
“Look at the state of this house too, it feels like the clean-freak owner is desperately enduring his house getting messy because of a pretty puppy he dotes on.”
“Ha, that analogy is excellent, hyung. It fits so well.”
“…Then I’m the owner.”
Muttering weakly, Kwon Yunsu emptied the beer can in one gulp. It matched the thoughts he’d been having lately without being able to refute at all. Looking back with a drunk mind at the days that flowed from spring to summer, it was an even stranger feeling. Kwon Yunsu sprawled on the living room floor and closed his eyes. Someone supported his head, and when he opened his eyes, it was Shin Jaewoo. Hello, Shin Jaewoo. Is your face a bit better now?
“Thanks.”
Patting Shin Jaewoo’s arm, Kwon Yunsu said.
“For what?”
…For Euishin letting it go without reporting.
“You poured water and prayed, so the scammers were caught quickly.”
From now on, I’ll pray for you. For you to get a pretty boyfriend.
Shin Jaewoo silently stroked his hair, and Kwon Yunsu briefly closed his eyes.
“What the fuck.”
…And Lee Euishin’s grumpy voice heard from above.
