Seeing him turn his body completely toward me and complain with such an aggrieved expression, the laughter I’d been trying to stop burst out again. As I kept snickering, Won Dogyeong seemed irritated, twitching his tightly pressed lips in dissatisfaction.
“What is it, do it then… Pfft.”
At my teasing provocation mixed with laughter, he glared at me, then propped one arm beside my head and brought his face close. The pose was definitely romantic, but his glaring eyes were burning with competitive spirit, so—sorry, but it wasn’t heart-fluttering at all, just funny.
“Ah, stop laughing.”
“Pffft, sorry. So what are you going to do now?”
The face in front of me that had been trying to look cool was gradually becoming more blank. I grinned and raised my arm to wrap it around his neck.
“Hm? So what are we doing now?”
“…If you keep that up, I’ll really do it.”
“That’s what I’m asking—do what?”
Won Dogyeong continued glaring at me as he slowly tilted his head down. I was trying to hold back my laughter, thinking I’d see just how far he’d go.
For someone who’d made such bold claims about keeping me by his side, Won Dogyeong had been acting ridiculously chaste. Two months had passed since that day when he’d said he’d work hard on meals or whatever to seduce me, and our skinship had only amounted to holding hands. Even that had happened haphazardly because of morning sickness, so that says it all.
There had definitely been an increase in minor physical contact compared to before. Things like leaning on shoulders, or when I sat on the sofa, casually lying down with my head on his lap.
But perhaps out of consideration for me, he seemed cautious about sexual contact.
The thing was, I was perfectly willing to try it if Won Dogyeong would just make a move.
It was separate from the awkwardness of redefining our relationship. We were both adults, it wasn’t like we hadn’t done it before, and if we were dating we’d do it all anyway—we’d already spent a heat together, for crying out loud, so what was there to hesitate about?
To put it bluntly, there was such a thing as physical affection too.
I didn’t think “taking it slow” meant taking it THIS slow.
Did he not want to do anything even though he said he liked me? Won Dogyeong seemed to have a real talent for restraint. If not that, then maybe he was aiming for something platonic…
I really hoped that wasn’t the case. Sorry, but I was more of a “use what you’ve got” kind of person, so platonic would be a bit difficult.
That said, it felt awkward for me to suggest doing something first. I still wasn’t sure if I liked him, so suggesting we just try kissing or whatever would feel too much like I was being a jerk.
It was the same now. I was definitely teasing him, but I wouldn’t pull this kind of joke if I had zero interest. It was practically me throwing it halfway to him to take.
However, as he hesitated and came down bit by bit, I couldn’t tell if he wanted to do it or wanted me to stop him, so when his lips finally came close enough that I could feel his breath, I ended up letting out a small laugh again.
“Pfft…”
“Ah, fuck it, I’m not doing it.”
Won Dogyeong snapped irritably and instantly retreated back to the driver’s seat.
Okay, this one was a bit too much, I’ll admit.
He started the engine with his lips stuck out in a pout and backed the car out. Beside him, I covered my mouth and laughed quietly, then sneaked a glance—he was thoroughly sulking, staring straight ahead.
I read the room, and as soon as we hit a red light, I grabbed his sleeve and shook it.
“Sorry… I was wrong.”
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah…”
“……”
Won Dogyeong looked at me as if dumbfounded. I slowly slid my hand down from his sleeve and lightly touched his hand.
“Want to hold hands?”
With an expression that said he was annoyed to death, he unfolded my hand, firmly interlaced our fingers, and muttered lowly.
“Later, when you do like me… I won’t let it slide.”
“I already like you.”
“…So annoying, really.”
Won Dogyeong drove while pouting, his lips stuck out about four inches, making his sulkiness blatantly obvious. Stubbornly staring only ahead as if protesting. He probably didn’t realize his ears had turned red.
I left that sulky face alone and turned my attention to my phone.
It seemed two people had arrived first—there was a message saying they’d order meat. They’d obviously already had a drink by now.
I’d been close with the three I was meeting today since our first year of high school, and they were all huge drinkers, so when we met, we’d routinely drink until sunrise. Ironically, I was the lightest drinker among them, so since I drank carefully, it was also my role to look after all of them, get them sobered up, and send them home.
Won Dogyeong could hold his liquor pretty well too, but the rest of those guys drank insanely well, so when he tried to keep pace with them, he’d always end up the most wasted and go home that way.
Yeah, meaning I’d carry him home.
After we all became working adults, under the excuse that pulling all-nighters was getting tough, we started gathering to drink from daytime. Even now it was 2 PM. If they’d just drink less it’d be fine, but they always had to see it through to the end, which was why it turned out this way.
The funny thing was, even drinking from daytime, we’d still often pull all-nighters. Mostly at my place.
Just in case, I’d cleaned up well before leaving today too.
“Nam Seongwoo and Kim Sekyung got there.”
“Park Hyeonho’s late again.”
He clicked his tongue as he parked the car in the empty lot in front of the BBQ restaurant we’d just arrived at.
Park Hyeonho was the embodiment of lateness. Even in high school, he’d been late so habitually that showing up on time was rarer.
When he was really late, he could be an hour behind, so we’d just think of him as not there and move on. We’d forget about him and welcome him when he showed up. Knowing it was his fault, Park Hyeonho would follow along without complaint even if we’d already eaten or moved locations.
“Gotta get cold noodles.”
I hummed a tune thinking about meat as I crunched across the gravel in the lot. I wasn’t even a vegetarian, but after scraping by on fruits and porridge for nearly two months, I was excited to be able to eat anything again.
I’d originally been a light eater, but only after experiencing morning sickness did I realize what a wonderful thing it was to enjoy food.
“Not rice?”
Won Dogyeong asked as if surprised. I was usually team rice over cold noodles for BBQ restaurant meals. For once I was craving cold noodles, but hearing that made me want to eat rice with soybean paste stew too.
“Want to split half and half?”
“If you want to eat it, eat it all. I’ll eat whatever’s left.”
I didn’t think I could eat it all. My appetite had returned, but my shrunken stomach was still recovering. He spoke so confidently, but Won Dogyeong wasn’t a big eater either. If I left anything, Park Hyeonho who’d arrive late would probably devour it.
Since they’d reserved a private room, I followed the staff member inside through the winding path. Won Dogyeong knew a lot of these kinds of restaurants. Everyone was fine with it since it was more convenient for talking.
Slide—
When I slid open the door, Nam Seongwoo and Kim Sekyung, who were already pouring soju they’d opened, brightened up and patted the cushions telling us to sit. It was floor seating, so we took off our shoes and entered the room.
After scanning the two sitting there and Won Dogyeong in turn, I couldn’t help but say this:
“I’m the only one dressed like an elementary schooler.”
These bastards must have conspired without me because they’d come dressed up more than usual. When it was just Won Dogyeong I didn’t think anything of it, but now that they were all like this, I briefly wondered if I’d dressed too casually.
“You don’t look that young.”
“Yeah, younger-looking than you though.”
I sneered at Nam Seongwoo who was smirking sarcastically, and sat down. Nam Seongwoo was the legendary old-faced guy who’d been mistaken for someone in their late twenties even in high school. As if he didn’t expect me to snap back, he made a face like he’d eaten shit and spat out curses.
“Whatever, just have a drink first.”
Kim Sekyung arbitrarily filled the soju glasses in front of us, pouring generously. As if to demonstrate what surface tension was, he filled the glasses right to the brink of overflowing before finally setting down the bottle with satisfaction.
“I’m not drinking.”
“What the fuck?”
Kim Sekyung’s eyes widened. Good thing Yongyong couldn’t hear yet. Once the baby had ears, I’d have to stop meeting these guys.
“We brought the car. We’ll give you guys a ride later too.”
Normally they’d take the last train home on their own or call a taxi, but since we’d brought the car for once, I pulled out my trump card. If anyone wanted to object to being driven right to their doorstep, come at me.
“Call a designated driver.”
“How are we gonna call a driver for five people, dumbass. You gonna ride in the trunk?”
Nam Seongwoo clicked his tongue as if pathetic and gestured at Won Dogyeong to raise his glass. It seemed he’d let it slide since we’d give them a ride.
“I’m not drinking either though?”
However, when Won Dogyeong, who’d been sitting there blankly, stated flatly, Kim Sekyung screwed up his face like a demon again.
“What’s your deal? Go ahead, make an excuse.”
“Don’t feel like it.”
“No, fuck, if two of you aren’t gonna drink, why the hell are we even meeting~!”
I smacked the heated Kim Sekyung for being loud and poked Won Dogyeong sitting across from me. When I mouthed “just drink,” he hesitated as if he’d actually wanted to drink. I brushed off his whispered “it’s fine” and said I’d drive, and he smiled apologetically.
“Is that okay?”
I nodded at Won Dogyeong while grabbing lettuce and stuffing it forcefully into Kim Sekyung’s complaining mouth.
“Hey, Won Dogyeong says he’ll drink. Shut up for a bit.”
Whether his mouth was stuffed with lettuce or not, Kim Sekyung brightened at the news that someone would drink and grinned as he raised his glass. Alcoholic bastard. That guy would definitely have at least one health crisis after turning thirty.
“Cheers to Park Hyeonho who just woke up~.”
Among the brimming soju glasses, I clinked my plastic cup of barley tea. Won Dogyeong, who’d downed his first glass in one shot, smiled brightly, seemingly pleased with the alcohol after so long.
Before Yongyong came along, the two of us had drunk together occasionally, but it had been nearly three months of forced sobriety, so it must taste good. Judging by the momentum of the other guys, it looked like I’d be the only one going home with a clear head today.
I just hoped they’d all walk straight to the car at least.
