# Chapter 150
## 13. How a Coward Acts
“Confess.”
Hyegang said casually. It was the complete opposite reaction to Iyeon, who had solemnly declared, after much hesitation and embarrassment, that he had fallen for Je Sano.
Since Hyegang had previously suspected they were already dating, he wasn’t particularly surprised by Iyeon’s confession of feelings. Rather, his reaction was more like “I knew it,” which even hurt Iyeon’s pride a bit…
Wait, isn’t this a familiar pattern? Iyeon felt a strong sense of déjà vu but still diligently objected.
“No, listen. I’m not planning to confess.”
“Why?”
If you like someone, shouldn’t you confess? When Hyegang presented this conventional wisdom, Iyeon suddenly put on a wistful expression.
“Some things in this world are better just to admire from afar…”
“…What?”
“You know, they say life is a comedy when viewed from a distance, but a tragedy up close. Romance is similar.”
“Have you ever even dated? I doubt it.”
Straight to the point.
“…Anyway, now’s not the time. I need time to savor these emotions.”
Is this hyung in his right mind? Did he get hit somewhere when the basement exploded? Maybe his head… Hyegang looked at Iyeon suspiciously. Though Iyeon was spouting nonsense with a shameless face, he seemed at least sincere about not wanting to confess.
“So you’ll just pine forever?”
“No, I heard that feelings of attraction have, like, an expiration date.”
“…Huh?”
“I somehow read online that when you start liking someone, certain hormones are released. Dopamine, adrenaline, phenethylamine, stuff like that… But it seems they don’t last forever.”
He’d really researched it thoroughly.
Hyegang didn’t know whether to be impressed or pitiful that someone who never looked at the internet without Hyegang around had voluntarily sought out such information, so he kept quiet for now. Iyeon filled the silence again.
“So just looking might be… fine, right?”
His face was so innocently sincere that Hyegang didn’t even feel like scolding him. Instead of asking what exactly was “fine” about it or why he was being so passive, Hyegang said something else.
“I’m surprised.”
“About what?”
“You can be quite aggressive sometimes. I thought you’d immediately confess if you liked someone.”
“…Is that a compliment?”
“It’s an analysis.”
He wasn’t teasing; he was sincere.
“You like family-like things too. Having a lover means having someone closest to you. Since you’re already living with Sano-hyung, if you started dating, it would really be like family.”
Hyegang had also noticed how Iyeon looked at Hyeseong. He had watched him help Subin, Sua, D.S, and Mirae. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he helped those people, but Iyeon clearly yearned for family. So Hyegang thought he would want to date someone right away if he had the chance.
“What do you mean, family?”
Iyeon chuckled. His expression had changed to something strangely cynical, and Hyegang just blinked quietly. It was slightly different from his usual demeanor of taking everything in stride.
“I prefer being alone. It’s more comfortable… Being just friends with Je Sano is enough.”
It was an excessively definitive statement. Hyegang slowly closed and opened his eyes. After examining Iyeon with an expression of incomprehension, he soon slightly furrowed his brow.
“Hyung, right now…”
“Why are you so late?”
“Ack!”
Iyeon jumped at the sudden gloomy voice. The drink cups in both hands wobbled, causing the dark liquid inside to slosh around.
After a simple dinner, rock-paper-scissors had determined Hyegang as the designated beverage runner, but Iyeon had been caught like dried fish to be a porter while needlessly teasing him—the story about lying for two years always worked brilliantly. Even as Iyeon reluctantly got up, he suggested to Sano to come along to make company, but thanks to Sano ignoring him with a face that said “how pathetic,” only the two of them had just returned from the cafe in the next building.
“Why are you out here?”
Iyeon grumbled while trying to calm his startled heart. The distance from the office on the rooftop to the building entrance on the first floor was quite cumbersome to travel. There was no way Sano, who usually preferred to lounge comfortably on the sofa if there was nothing urgent, would have come out to greet them…
“Phone.”
Sano indifferently waved his mobile phone. Ah. Both of them nodded in unison.
After capturing Taejin, Sano had become strangely busy. He still commuted with Iyeon as before, but their conversations had been interrupted several times by his phone ringing just when they’d start to forget about it. Because of that, they hadn’t been able to work on some requests together… Recently, even Jongchan and Jonghee had come to the office to pick him up.
Iyeon had vaguely learned what Sano was doing through a chance opportunity—it was about Taejin’s trial. Jonghee had contacted Iyeon personally to ask about Taejin, wondering if he would be willing to stand as a witness.
‘A witness?’
‘Yes. The probability is low since Sano-nim probably wouldn’t want it… but at the same time, he wants the harshest punishment possible.’
Saying she was asking just in case, Jonghee seemed quite sincere. Iyeon nodded glumly. He wasn’t sure how much he should say, but he also wanted Taejin to receive proper punishment. He needed to take responsibility for his actions.
‘Has a trial date been set?’
‘Not yet. The transferred Lee Taejin complained of pain in his side, and after examination, it was found that his ribs were broken. The date will likely be postponed until he can move around.’
‘…’
Iyeon closed his mouth with a guilty expression. Apart from the final blow to knock him out, Sano had barely touched Taejin. If they specifically mentioned his side, it was most likely the trace of the wrecking ball Iyeon had thrown.
Of course, the situation had been urgent, but it was half out of anger too. No one knew that better than Iyeon himself. He felt embarrassed for having been swayed by emotions belatedly.
‘It’s an injury that poses absolutely no threat to his life, and it will likely be recognized as self-defense during combat, so don’t worry.’
As if reading his mind, Jonghee’s calm recitation startled Iyeon, who averted his gaze and trailed off with “Well, um…” Jonghee, expressionless as always, concluded with a simple “Well then.”
That was over a week ago.
I’d like to know how things are going… Iyeon firmly suppressed his rising curiosity.
Judging by the fact that Jonghee had contacted him secretly instead of Sano asking directly, it seemed Sano didn’t think Iyeon needed to know about it. If that was the case, it was obvious that even if he asked, Sano wouldn’t give a proper answer. As Iyeon nodded silently and tried to pass by, Sano suddenly reached out his hand. With a tap, one of the cups Iyeon was holding was grabbed by a large hand.
“So clumsy.”
Perhaps because of his earlier surprise causing the cup to shake, a few drops of coffee had splashed onto Iyeon’s skin. While picking up his share of the drink, Sano brushed his fingers across Iyeon’s skin. Iyeon barely restrained his hand from jerking away at the warmth of the gentle touch.
Sano pulled his fingertip, now stained with the dark liquid, and licked it clean. The red tongue looked particularly vivid today, causing Iyeon to unconsciously stare blankly at the sight. Suddenly, he felt short of breath.
“We have a guest inside. I’ll be back soon, so don’t leave and wait.”
Before Iyeon could do anything, Sano briskly said what he needed to say and left. His rapidly striding back of the head moved so fast that it quickly disappeared into the distance.
Hyegang, who had been watching this scene dispassionately, roused Iyeon, who was still standing dazed.
“Hyung, snap out of it. Let’s go in too.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah…”
Following Hyegang, who led the way into the building, Iyeon looked back once more. Sano had already disappeared into the far side of the street and was nowhere to be seen.
“…”
In truth, there was something else he wanted to ask.
They had finally caught Taejin. That cursed connection from ten years ago. The villain they had searched for so desperately. Before he could fully savor the relief this fact brought, a strange sense of disappointment washed over him.
What next?
Iyeon couldn’t answer that question.
To be precise, he had nothing to answer with. Perhaps he instinctively felt it.
That now, with this major matter concluded, was the perfect time to leave.
