Explain to me what this is all about.
Wootae’s true feelings were clearly revealed in his expression as he sat across from them. But Dohyeong was calm.
“I didn’t call him.”
Because it was the same this time too.
“I came on my own.”
At Haesung’s words supporting him from the side, Dohyeong shrugged his shoulders. That’s what he said, right? was the meaning.
“…So why, of all times. At this time.”
Wootae’s expression as he let out a sigh looked quite serious.
Wootae, who had been thinking for a while, faced Haesung with a hardened expression.
“To be honest, I’m the type whose elbow bends inward, so I can’t say anything to Dohyeong. Jung Haesung-ssi. This situation itself has nothing that will benefit Dohyeong, don’t you know that best?”
Haesung didn’t say anything. Because nothing Wootae said was wrong.
Normally he would have given answers refuting each and every word. But today he couldn’t do that.
The fact that his actions were reckless, and what kind of repercussions this action would bring to Dohyeong. He wasn’t unable to predict it all.
“If a dating scandal breaks out again because of this. If articles come out saying the two of you got back together. What will you do then? Will you do the same thing as before then too? Kim Dohyeong is just a younger brother, it was to give advice as a senior. Just like the marriage was continued out of loyalty, this time too you just came out of loyalty to give comfort!”
“Hyung!”
“Yes, I was grateful you helped last time. It’s true we got through it safely thanks to Jung Haesung-ssi then. I told Dohyeong too. That Jung Haesung-ssi had foresight. That his head really works well. That being grateful is being grateful. But what is this now? Huh? Just because you blocked it once, do you think you can block it well this time too?”
His insides felt like they would burst, so he could hardly calm down.
He didn’t want to see Dohyeong get hurt anymore. Shutting himself in darkness blaming himself, living like he was dead with possibilities closed off—once was enough.
So Dohyeong probably couldn’t say anything to Wootae either. Just watching the two of them and hesitating, Haesung took a deep breath and bowed his head.
“I’m sorry.”
At his following words, it wasn’t only Dohyeong who was surprised.
Wootae was also startled and stepped back.
Is this really Jung Haesung? Why is he like this, really? His bewildered feelings were plainly embedded in his gaze toward Dohyeong.
“I’m also aware that it was too hasty an action.”
“…Ah, yes.”
This was the first time seeing Haesung like this. Maybe because he’d always only seen his aloof appearance, he couldn’t adapt to it at all.
“I tried not to stand out, but not thinking that was also a dangerous choice was… complacent. Definitely.”
At Haesung nodding, Wootae unknowingly straightened his posture.
Because if this continues, I have nothing to say. Ahem, clearing his throat briefly, he scratched his knee.
“No, well… if you admit it so readily-“
“I deliberately… borrowed a car and came.”
No wonder he said it was a car he’d never seen before. Dohyeong thought this while alternately looking at Haesung and Wootae.
But Wootae seemed even more unfamiliar with those words. Looking at Haesung with an incomprehensible expression, he asked as if puzzled.
“…To that extent?”
Was it something worth changing cars for? This?
But even at Wootae’s expression, Haesung didn’t give any answer. He just smiled faintly and kept his head deeply bowed.
It was an awkward situation to ask more. He couldn’t press further someone who was saying he’d been too hasty.
Plus, since he’d made an effort in his own way, there was nothing more to say.
“Let’s be careful from next time. Not just Jung Haesung-ssi, but our Dohyeong also has nothing good to gain from media exposure, right? The company is already having a headache…”
“Yes. I will.”
Seeing Haesung answer calmly, there was nothing to say again. As he awkwardly scratched his head, he heard another unbelievable statement.
“For now… I’ll travel together today.”
“Yes, together… Yes? What did you say?”
“I said I’ll travel together. What, is that wrong?”
It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but rather because it was too confident and calm.
Wootae blinked and looked at Dohyeong. You’re flustered too, right? He wanted to ask, but.
“That would be better.”
Since Dohyeong was also agreeing with his words, he was about to go crazy and jump.
What would be better? Just as he was about to press him with a frustrated heart, an explanation that made him agree came back.
“Reporters might swarm, and if hyung’s van comes this way it’ll only be advertising. Anyway, the destination is the same. Either we ride together from here and switch in the middle, or meet there. One of the two is better.”
“It’s better to switch near the arrival point. There are also people’s eyes in the middle.”
“Is that so?”
What is what. At times like this they’re in perfect sync again. At the sight of the two naturally conversing, Wootae’s mouth gaped.
“It’s okay, right, hyung?”
At Dohyeong’s following question, Wootae went huh? and asked back stupidly.
“Haesung hyung. It’s okay to ride together, right?”
Surely just a few days ago, didn’t he call him sunbae?
Not hyung, but sunbae, he seemed to have called him.
Plus, he seemed oddly deflated saying he seemed to like someone else…
Is this the ‘relationship of cheering for each other’s futures’ that Dohyeong talked about?
If so, it seemed he didn’t need to point out Dohyeong’s actions. Wootae, who had been thinking various thoughts, let out a big sigh.
Dohyeong was right. If they moved separately here for no reason, they could face even bigger waves.
“Okay, let’s do that.”
Can’t be helped. Wootae, who had been nodding, took out his phone.
“I’ll talk to Manager Do.”
“Yeah. Thanks, hyung.”
“Thank you. Manager Ji.”
He was surprised again at Haesung’s thanks. Uh, yes. Answering briefly and nodding, Wootae stood up.
One way or another, his hands were already calling Seonghyeok.
After he left, Dohyeong fidgeted with their clasped hands then turned to look at Haesung.
As if tension was finally released, he bit his lips watching him yawn with his mouth wide open.
“This is also… the first time I’m seeing you tired.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Hyung.”
Haesung, who had been carefully chewing on Dohyeong’s words, smiled faintly.
“Did I really not show you anything?”
“Yeah. You didn’t show me anything.”
It was a firm answer, yet why did it sound so bitter? Haesung nodded slowly.
“I see.”
“Hurry and wash up, hyung. But what should we do about this? My clothes… won’t fit.”
“It’s okay. The wardrobe team isn’t there for nothing. I have spare clothes in the car too.”
Ah, Dohyeong nodded and smiled. He’d forgotten for a moment. The fact that Haesung was someone who had many schedules to handle while going here and there.
After a brief silence, Dohyeong carefully opened his mouth.
“Hyung, there’s one thing I want to ask…”
And Haesung’s gaze returned. His eyes nodding as if to tell him felt quite affectionate.
Dohyeong’s mouth moved several times, and just as he was about to speak.
“We finished talking, and we’ll meet at a rest stop near the gathering point…”
Wootae, who had been striding into the living room, couldn’t continue his words and looked at the two. Somehow the atmosphere was subtle, making him wonder if he’d mistimed things.
“…Should I step out for a moment?”
“Ah, no. No. It’s fine. I’ll go wash up.”
He thought it was rather fortunate. Since he didn’t have the courage to hear the truth, it was no different from forcing a question for no reason.
Dohyeong got up from his seat and entered the room, and Wootae watched his back then glanced at Haesung.
“You can use the bathroom outside… no, you’d know anyway.”
Thinking it was needless to say, Wootae muttered and awkwardly scratched his head.
Haesung stood up without saying anything and moved toward the bathroom.
Along with the sound of the door closing, Wootae let out a big breath and sat on the sofa.
“What on earth is he thinking?”
The doubt that wouldn’t easily disappear remained around Wootae’s mouth.
***
Wootae couldn’t believe the scene before his eyes.
“Should I take this too?”
Haesung was voluntarily carrying this and that luggage. Even wearing a mask with a hood pulled over, he was unmistakably a celebrity.
“Give me the bag you’re wearing too.”
The sight of him receiving luggage from Dohyeong was enough to believe if someone said they’d hired another manager.
“Hae… no, that. You don’t have to go this far.”
“It’s okay, so please get in. If I do at least this much, it won’t seem strange when someone sees.”
Haesung muttered quietly toward Wootae who blocked him without even being able to call his name.
“No, but still.”
“I have to do at least this much so no one will think I’m that person.”
So it meant to stop talking and let him do as he was doing.
Easy to say. A popular actor, top star. If someone saw a person with such modifiers carrying luggage and moving busily in front of them.
No one could be comfortable with it.
Wootae, who had been swallowing dry saliva, let out a deep sigh. Right, for now he had no choice but to accept this situation.
“I’m just enjoying it.”
At the words heard from beside him, he slightly turned his head.
“…I’m just, enjoying it.”
Dohyeong’s face answering calmly was also firmly hardened.
“So hyung should enjoy it too.”
Even while saying that, his expression wasn’t quite right.
Wootae quietly watched Dohyeong then shook his head. Making a groaning sound, he got in the driver’s seat.
It seemed more comfortable not to watch. Since Haesung was carrying all the luggage, his only thought was to just silently drive to the meeting place.
Finally, Haesung, who had moved all the luggage, got in, and he could see him turning his head and reaching out his hand.
“…Huh?”
Dohyeong, making a strange sound, pointed at himself with his fingertip.
“Right. Hurry and grab it. Aren’t we going to start?”
“Ah, alone.”
“Hurry.”
It seemed it wasn’t only Wootae who was thinking, why is he acting like this?
Dohyeong also looked at Haesung strangely, then hesitantly grabbed his hand. As soon as he got in the car, Haesung’s lips curled up satisfactorily.
Thud! Along with the sound of the door closing, Wootae went “Ugh,” made another groaning sound, and started the car.
He should just ignore everything else and focus only on driving. He vowed not to pay attention no matter what they said, but.
“Hyung.”
At Dohyeong’s voice, his body flinched involuntarily.
“You’re too close.”
At the following words, he glanced at the rearview mirror to see Haesung had already sat close beside Dohyeong.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“I won’t get used to it.”
“Then let’s endure it.”
That, is that really Jung Haesung?
Even while seeing Dohyeong’s eyes sending a request for help, Wootae could only silently focus on driving.
Really, why is that person like that? The question that wouldn’t leave was spreading together over the straight road.
