# Chapter 35
“So you’re meeting Yeomin today to hear his answer?”
“Yeah.”
Director Ahn, who had come to enjoy a cozy(?) lunch with his nephew after a while, was surprised as soon as he arrived. It was because Jiho was dressed much more meticulously than usual.
He wondered if this was really an occasion to dress up for their meeting, but there was a reason for it.
‘He’s trying to impress Joo Yeomin.’
Hair styled back, wearing a shirt he rarely puts on, and even a watch? Wait.
“That’s my watch!”
“Is it? I thought it was mine. I’ll just wear it.”
“Don’t scratch it. Only three pieces came into the country.”
Director Ahn warned him, but Jiho had a face that wouldn’t listen even with his ears.
Jiho was in such high spirits that he could hardly focus on what he was saying.
“So should I count today as day one? Or should day one be the day I confessed?”
He’s wasting time with these kinds of worries.
Director Ahn was exasperated. Aren’t these the kinds of concerns you have after your confession is accepted?
Apparently, in Jiho’s mind… the possibility of being rejected didn’t even exist.
“Whether it’s day one or day one thousand, it’s still just a contract relationship.”
“Now who was it that gave me hope that a contract relationship could turn into a real one?”
“Who said such a thing?”
Whether Director Ahn was backing out now or not, Jiho was already deeply immersed in the idea.
“Even a bad law is a law, even false virtue is virtue. And even a contract relationship is a relationship. Got it?”
“Quite the philosopher, aren’t you.”
He’s already making such a fuss now; it’s already exhausting to think about how much more of a fuss he’ll make if he actually starts a real relationship with Yeomin.
Director Ahn deliberately changed the subject.
“Jiwoong seems to be working hard on his tutoring these days. I guess Yeomin must be teaching him well.”
“…”
Bad subject change. Director Ahn immediately regretted it when he saw Jiho’s expression.
Jiho had an uncomfortable look on his face. Well, originally there weren’t many things in the world that Seol Jiho liked. No… there were none at all.
He was always the type to say “I hate it,” “It’s mediocre,” “It’s annoying.” He got bored quickly and was always merciless when discarding things.
“This won’t do. When we start dating, I’ll have to tell him to quit tutoring first. Hyung will be too busy being with me.”
“What about Jiwoong?”
“Why are you asking me? Find a tutor for Seol Jiwoong yourself.”
“You brat! You were the one making a fuss about assigning Joo Yeomin as Seol Jiwoong’s tutor!”
Annoyed, Director Ahn deliberately needled Jiho.
“Jiwoong seems to follow Yeomin quite well. You know how picky he is about people. He’s so particular.”
“…”
“He’s changed tutors at least seven times before, but this time he hasn’t asked for a change. It’s surprising.”
“…”
“Yeomin seems to be enjoying the tutoring too. Why not just leave it? I don’t think he’ll quit just because you tell him to.”
If he were that compliant, Jiho wouldn’t have needed to resort to ridiculous terms like “arranged marriage” and “contract relationship” in the first place.
Director Ahn’s goal of provoking Jiho seemed to work, as his expression was quite a sight to behold.
When he was rejected by Yeomin without knowing the situation, Director Ahn had felt sorry for him, but seeing him like this made him lose that sympathy again.
“If he doesn’t quit, you can just fire him. Isn’t that what you do?”
“I’m always the villain. Sigh.”
‘In dramas and novels, villains just have to look imposing and give orders, but I’m always running around doing as I’m told… even against my will, why…’
Whether Director Ahn was lamenting or not, Jiho seemed fixated on the story about Jiwoong.
“Right. Come to think of it, that’s strange. Seol Jiwoong. I deliberately assigned him a tutor I thought he’d quickly dismiss, but he hasn’t asked to quit?”
“…”
“That’s annoying.”
The relationship between the Seol brothers of Ian Group was always like walking on thin ice. They were the ultimate incompatible pair who never shared even a toy or the backyard when they were young.
From the start, when Jiho recommended (forced) Yeomin as Jiwoong’s tutor, this was Director Ahn’s biggest concern.
One is a reckless lone wolf with no brakes, and the other is a logically annoying, also my-way type.
Yet strangely, their tastes were similar, so the Seol brothers would always choose similar things when given gift lists since they were young.
Director Ahn agreed with Jiho’s opinion.
“Right. It would be better if Yeomin quit tutoring as soon as possible.”
That would be better for both of you and for me…
Director Ahn nodded.
* * *
After staying at Taeyang’s house for a night, Yeomin packed his bags again.
Taeyang came out to see him off.
“Are you going home? But you said your house repairs aren’t even finished yet.”
Yeomin couldn’t bring himself to answer. But Taeyang already had a knowing look.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to Seol Jiho’s house?”
You’re going to crawl back there? It seemed as if Taeyang was reproaching him.
Yeomin didn’t respond to unfavorable comments. He deliberately ignored Taeyang’s words, pretending to adjust his bag.
But as if Yeomin’s excuses weren’t needed, Taeyang understood on his own.
“It is a house worth going back to. It was really nice. I could’ve believed it was a drama set.”
“I’m going. I’ll call you.”
“Sure. If you can~”
When Taeyang tried to come out to the apartment entrance, Yeomin adamantly refused and sent him back.
After finally getting rid of Taeyang, he came out to find Jiho’s car already waiting.
Worried that Taeyang might see, Yeomin quickly got in the car. Then he startled.
“…What is this?”
He’d been surprised at how dressed up Jiho was when he gave him that bouquet and talked nonsense, but today’s Jiho was beyond handsome—it was ‘too much.’
The car was even filled with the scent of perfume.
“You look really…”
“Is it noticeable? I went to a salon.”
Jiho said this with a shy smile.
‘Why are his cheeks turning pink?’
Yeomin wanted to beg him to stop smiling like that.
He had worried it might be awkward to see Jiho’s face again, but that was needless concern. There wasn’t even time for that—his mind was already in a haze.
“You haven’t eaten, right? I’ve made a reservation at a nice place.”
Jiho spoke about his plan as he started the car. His voice was very excited.
Yeomin asked something he’d been curious about.
“How long were you waiting here?”
“Two hours?”
What? He waited here for two hours?
“I told you not to come early. Did you come early to monitor me in case I ran away?”
Yeomin deliberately grumbled. But Jiho was still in a good mood.
“Of course not. I just couldn’t bear how much I wanted to see you, Hyung.”
It was understandable that Jiho was in a good mood. He personally came to pick him up, they were about to go eat, and he’d been to a salon so he was probably the most handsome person within a 10km radius…
‘Wait, what am I thinking?’
Handsome? Yeomin suddenly got goosebumps. It must be the perfume Jiho was wearing that was clouding his judgment.
He wondered if he should say he’d get out and walk, or maybe go back to Taeyang’s house, but…
Grumble.
Jiho immediately recognized Yeomin’s stomach growling and hurried.
“Are you very hungry? Should I drive faster?”
“It’s fine… just follow the speed limit…”
Ah, how embarrassing…
Even at moments like this, the clock in his stomach was honest, which was sometimes embarrassing for Yeomin.
* * *
Seol Jiho, who said he’d made a reservation at a nice place. Seol Jiho, who dressed himself in a suit to go to a nice place but completely failed to consider Joo Yeomin’s attire…
When they arrived at the truly fancy, splendid, and upscale hotel dining that Yeomin had never been to before in his life, Yeomin was reminded of his own appearance.
Even leaving his luggage in the car, he was wearing a department jacket and stretched-out sweatpants. At least he wasn’t wearing slippers?
“…”
“What’s wrong? Hyung, maybe,”
“…”
“You’re really hungry?”
He wasn’t the type to notice embarrassment. He really has no empathy. Yeomin shook his head.
Soon, the staff kindly guided the two to a private room.
“Let’s eat first and then talk. You’re hungry, aren’t you, Hyung?”
“No, let’s talk first.”
Yeomin insisted firmly. He wanted to sort this matter out quickly and eat with a comfortable mind. He didn’t want to get indigestion from an expensive meal.
“Shall we, then?”
Jiho smiled brightly. With his hair half-parted and styled, he looked just like some idol.
‘He seems better than most celebrity photos hanging on the streets…’
Yeomin deliberately avoided looking at Jiho’s eyes and spoke calmly. He couldn’t let that face bewitch him and make him waver.
“Seol Jiho, I thought about your proposal.”
“So what did you decide?”
“For now, it’s ‘okay.'”
“Hyuung-“
As Jiho was about to get emotional, Yeomin stopped him with a “tsk!” Not the time to get emotional yet, dude.
“But let’s discuss the conditions together.”
“Of course. It’s a mutual contract.”
Jiho smiled brightly. It was like the smile of a music show ending fairy.
Yeomin added more conditions.
“And the moment your family tries to interfere with our relationship, I’m walking away immediately. No contract extensions, nothing. You have to promise too. That’s the only way I’ll contract with you.”
“You’re really decisive even at times like this, Hyung.”
“Of course. It’s my life at stake.”
Even if it’s just a contract, do you think it’s easy to decide to date a guy? I’ve never even decided to date a girl!
Yeomin didn’t bother saying this to Jiho. If he mentioned that this was his ‘first relationship,’ Jiho would be too happy.
‘I really hate that…’
After hearing all of Yeomin’s words, Jiho smiled very brightly.
“Then today is our day one, right?”
“…”
“No, now that we’re lovers, should I call you ‘babe’ instead of ‘Hyung’?”
“…If it’s necessary, you can.”
Although the word ‘babe’ gave him goosebumps all the way to his forearm, Yeomin agreed. Thinking of it all as a contract and work actually made it better quickly.
Thinking of it as earning an hourly wage while eating, even a date-like setting like this wasn’t that uncomfortable.
Jiho spoke with a cautious tone.
“I’ll think more about the pet name. I’d like something more special.”
“…Can we eat now?”
“Order more if there’s anything you want.”
Only then did Yeomin pick up his spoon. As he scooped a pre-set appetizer into his mouth in one go, Jiho called the staff to request the main course.
Actually, Yeomin had shared meals with Jiho countless times, and he thought he was somewhat used to eating while receiving his gaze, but…
“Why do you eat so messily? It’s cute.”
Is it because today is supposedly day one or whatever? When Jiho suddenly wiped his mouth with his hand, it somehow felt stickier than usual.
In the past, Yeomin would have swatted that hand away immediately, but now he quietly accepted the gesture.
Jiho seemed quite surprised by this. Yeomin, finding Jiho’s surprise interesting, said with a bit of bite:
“Your lines are getting more and more excessive.”
“Really? I just expressed my honest feelings. How would you like me to talk, Hyung?”
“I’m not sure. But not like this.”
“I’ll research it. To find what you like to hear.”
Why are you doing this prince charming cosplay today of all days? Yeomin felt like something had solidly lodged inside him.
It was like someone was forcibly pushing something into his open mouth. Not just food…
“Eat a lot, Hyung.”
This guy was forcibly, stubbornly pushing in huge emotions that Yeomin couldn’t possibly digest or handle.
Was he planning to feed him until he was fat and then eat him? Or did he want to see Yeomin’s stomach burst?
Yeomin was a little worried about his future.
