「Wowww todayyyy at lunsch . waht? suoperr goodd . but dont bee latte. cuming noww gonna chekc my phonne nowww」 10:22pm
Seonwoo let out a laugh while checking the message Yoonjo sent. It was cute how he tried to contact him diligently even when drunk, and it was lovely that he thought of him in the midst of it all.
The message full of typos was also proof that Yoonjo was completely drunk. Yoonjo probably wouldn’t even remember sending this message. Because of that, Seonwoo touched Yoonjo’s phone just a little bit. That being the message deletion.
It was because he could clearly picture Yoonjo rolling on the floor over a message like this when he was doing his best to look good to him. In truth, touching someone else’s phone without permission was an act close to a crime, but still, he didn’t want to see Yoonjo troubled.
“You look like you’re in a good mood?”
At Woojin’s question, Seonwoo placed his phone on the table. Naturally checking the tablet, he responded without even glancing at Woojin.
“Because the weather’s nice.”
“You know Seoul’s temperature is 39 degrees today, right?”
“Because it’s hot?”
“You’re someone who hates the heat terribly.”
“…Then maybe it’s because I’m under the air conditioner.”
The last answer came out a bit slowly. At this, Woojin stared at Seonwoo as if glaring at him. After looking at the same screen for a long time, Seonwoo couldn’t withstand the intense gaze that seemed like it would bore through his cheek and raised his head.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Why did you suddenly say you’d do it?”
“It’s just a survival report, nothing more.”
“First of all, you’re standing in front of a camera, and you were reluctant about that. As for me, since you said you’d do it… honestly, I’m happy about it. Of course, that’s my opinion as a manager. If I speak as a friend….”
Pausing for a moment, Woojin let out a short sigh and continued.
“I’m worried something might have happened.”
Seonwoo, who tapped his knee a few times with his fingertips, looked toward the window where sunlight streamed in well and reluctantly replied.
“Because I’m really going to quit this time.”
“Are you serious?”
Though it was a tone that sounded surprised, somehow Woojin’s expression was calm as if he had already expected it. Seonwoo had acted like he would quit at any time. From his first debut until now, he was seen that way all the more because of his consistently unchanging attitude.
“It’s about time to quit. Actually, if it weren’t for the investment company’s request, I wouldn’t have appeared at all.”
They said they absolutely had to see his face or they wouldn’t stamp the contract. It might seem like nonsense, but he understood.
It was because they needed the fame attached to the name Ki Seonwoo, even just a little. In reality, didn’t the first work succeed spectacularly?
“…What are you going to do about him?”
It’s not even a name that shouldn’t be called…. Seonwoo muttered unconsciously and turned the tablet screen.
“If it’s Yeongyeom, he’ll be fine.”
“What are you going to do if he does that again this time too?”
“Tell him to go ahead.”
“Hey… you really…”
“Anyway, people who want to borrow my name are everywhere. The investment company and the agency act that way for the same reason. They have to grab onto whatever they can when they can sell me at the most expensive price. What do you think will be left after I come down from this position?”
It was a cold tone. At the same time, it was also correct. It was a world where dozens of stars rose in a year. It was rather exceptional that articles or columns still appeared from time to time even though Seonwoo had been holding his breath for 5 years.
“Tell everyone to do as they please.”
He thought, what’s the big deal for Woojin to be like that? Humans were desiring beings. Just as Seonwoo wanted Yoonjo, it was natural for others to want something from Seonwoo.
Then suddenly, very suddenly, he had this thought. Did he taint Yoonjo with unnecessary actions and ruin that child’s future? Should he have held back more? In fact, Yoonjo was… just curious about him….
“Seonwoo-ya, you have a call.”
“Ah…. Yeah.”
Just as he was about to fall deep into thought, the vibration rang at perfect timing. When he checked his phone, the name [Yoonjo(✌’ω’)✌] appeared on the screen. After hesitating for a moment while watching Woojin’s reaction, Seonwoo answered the phone.
“When did you change the name?”
– Ah, you just discovered it? It’s cute, right? Two V’s, snap snap. What are you doing, hyung?
“I’m working. Checking the schedule… a bit. Is something wrong?”
– Hey, do I have to call only when something’s wrong? I can just call because I miss you. Hmm…. Then you must be busy right now…. But you’re still coming at 2 o’clock, right? I’ll be waiting at the main gate. I’ll run super fast to get there! Ah, they’re saying my class is starting now. I called hoping I could hear your voice for a moment, but the timing is awesome.
“No. If you want to, you can call anytime. I’ll answer.”
– Still, you should concentrate when you’re working. I’m hanging up now.
Toward the end, it was almost a whisper, as if class was really starting. Though the call had long ended, Seonwoo couldn’t easily take the phone away from his ear and stayed still. What kind of thoughts was he having about such a bright person…. He only felt pathetic about himself.
Seonwoo, who smiled bitterly, unnecessarily rubbed his phone with his fingertips before looking at the schedule again. After looking at the screen for a long time, Seonwoo found the strangely long schedule questionable and raised his head.
“Woojin-ah, this schedule is a bit strange…. Why are you looking at me with those eyes?”
“Did you get a lover? Is that why you said you’d make a comeback? Did you fall in love? When? You were only in the countryside the whole time. There are only grandmas and grandpas there. The only young person is the kid next door, but he’s too young… Hey, you don’t mean….”
Woojin, who had been spouting off, shot up from his seat looking at Seonwoo who didn’t deny anything. He started banging the desk with his palm and shouting.
“Hey, man! You need to think about your age! Aren’t you crazy?”
“That’s… the situation is a bit complicated….”
“Complicated my ass! The fact is! You’re messing around with a kid nine years younger! Do you know what will happen if the CEO finds out about this! No, we don’t even need to go that far. Right now, grab someone from outside and ask them! You’ll become a crazy bastard in an instant!”
After mentioning the CEO, his voice dropped sharply. It was a cautious attitude as if Jeong Suyeon might really be listening. Seonwoo licked his dry lips with his tongue and answered quietly.
“Later, I’ll explain everything later. Can you just be here for now?”
“Seonwoo-ya…. Honestly, I’m someone who could applaud even if you married Dongtae. But really…. What are you really planning to do, acting so recklessly like this?”
At the part about acting recklessly, Seonwoo couldn’t find appropriate words to respond. It was because things related to Yoonjo mostly started with impulse and ended with impulse. It was a part he had never experienced even once when he was with Seo Yeongyeom.
He always anticipated what was ahead, moved according to plan, and was busy constantly trimming his surroundings so as not to deviate from the path. The problem was that when he was with Yoonjo, those thoughts didn’t occur to him at all.
Seonwoo stared at Woojin then placed the tablet on the table.
“I don’t know. It’s the first time I’ve been like this. Still… if you happen to meet Yoonjo, don’t show any sign that you know. Like you said, he’s still a kid… and if it’s just something only the two of us know, then when Yoonjo returns to his original life later, there won’t be any impact. Please.”
Toward Seonwoo who smiled pitifully as if he would disappear at any moment, Woojin couldn’t say anything more. He sat down obediently, only moving his lips several times.
“What’s strange about the schedule?”
Looking at Woojin who changed the subject with grumbling, Seonwoo answered casually with thanks. Turning the tablet toward Woojin, he pointed to the 2 nights 3 days schedule part.
“As far as I know, this broadcast is enough for one day, so why is it 2 nights and 3 days? It’s too long.”
“Ah… that, the director over there is doing some kind of special this year, but I didn’t receive detailed information. They said they’d tell me when I get there.”
“I don’t know what kind of special an educational program would do…. Anyway, got it.”
“Take Yoonjo.”
At the sudden words, Seonwoo couldn’t hide his puzzled look. That was because Woojin’s attitude looked clearly different from just before when he was calling him crazy or whatever.
“Why? Yoonjo is in the middle of the semester, so it’s difficult. There’s no way he’d suddenly have vacation a month later.”
“Since it includes the weekend, tell him to skip one day on his own.”
Encouraging delinquency was quite natural.
“Weren’t you cursing just a moment ago?”
“Anyway, take him.”
It was suspicious that he wouldn’t answer the reason in the end. Because he kept telling him to take him, Seonwoo had no choice but to say he would ask for his opinion instead. It was also because he thought he probably wouldn’t go anyway.
Contrary to Seonwoo’s thoughts, Yoonjo gave a different answer. And in the place where he went to pick him up, as soon as he got in the car.
“Wow, amazing. I’m definitely going! Even if I can’t eat, go! Definitely go!”
At the words that came back immediately as if he’d never considered anything like worrying, Seonwoo dry-washed his face. He was sure that even during summer vacation, he’d said he had to study hard because he needed to get a scholarship, but that determination seemed to be nowhere to be found.
“What about your scholarship?”
“What do you take me for, hyung? Anyway, it’s a month away, right? I have it all planned out. I’ll take care of my grades and take care of love!”
At “go,” Yoonjo lightly shook his index finger as if shooting a bullet. Then he quickly pressed Seonwoo’s chest with his fingertips and pulled away.
“I have to put Ji Yoonjo inside here bang bang like shooting bullets. That way, wherever you go, you won’t be able to sleep thinking of me. Then I’ll call, right? And you’ll answer right away? Ah… it’s really a dream….”
“…Can you explain which part is a dream?”
“Wow… hyung, you really have no romance, no romance. This won’t do. Hyung, please just send me one text message right now.”
“Why do I have to do that…. Fine, okay. I’ll send it right away.”
Seonwoo, who was about to casually refuse, quickly agreed. It was because of Yoonjo gripping his phone tightly and tensing his lips.
「Why did you tell me to send it?」 2:12pm
The 1 immediately disappeared. Wondering what it meant, he turned to look at Yoonjo. Yoonjo, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, was now half-bent over looking up at Seonwoo. When their eyes met, Yoonjo smiled so brightly his teeth showed.
“I’m always waiting for you, hyung. I’ll show you the miracle of being contacted within 30 seconds anytime, anywhere. This is what a dream is.”
At that cute appearance, Seonwoo unconsciously reached out his hand. After lightly pressing Yoonjo’s cheek as if squashing it, he grabbed his nape and immediately pulled. He simultaneously bent his waist a little and attached his lips to Yoonjo’s ear.
“Then I’ll have to show you my heart within 30 seconds.”
