In the rearview mirror, Choi Hwan tilted his head and said this without any malice.
“Like from the 80s? 90s?”
“Haha, it probably came out about 10 years ago.”
Choi Hwan, who had carelessly turned a song that came out 10 years ago into an old pop song from 30 or 40 years ago, seemed to dimly realize his mistake only then. A moment of silence flowed. Yeonrok could finally understand what it meant for the mood to sour. Before the awkward silence could grow longer, he quickly shouted.
“Wow! I like this song too! This is the person who sang <Mr. Santa Dear>, right?”
When their gazes met in the rearview mirror, Yeom Cheonho smiled broadly. Yeonrok’s heart rattled unnecessarily.
“That’s right. I’m happy to share tastes with Yeonrok-ssi.”
Yeonrok chattered about how he liked this song and that song too, and sang along to the lyrics, lest the atmosphere be ruined. As he tried hard like that to earn his 3 million won, Choi Hwan had no intention of tossing the conversation back. Having no choice, Yeonrok tried a bit harder.
“Choi Hwan, what songs do you like?”
Choi Hwan, who had been staring blankly while just rolling his eyes, flinched and finally gave a response.
“Oh, I also like old pop songs. I have the same taste as Cheonho hyung!”
You bastard. What do I do if you keep calling them old pop songs…….
The person in question wasn’t even a full ten years older than them. Fortunately, Yeom Cheonho seemed generous or something, as he didn’t seem to care much about this degree of it.
The vehicle headed to a quiet cafe in the outskirts of Seoul. Perhaps they had reserved the entire place out of concern that crowds would gather due to the famous actor’s presence, as there wasn’t a single customer. Choi Hwan and Yeom Cheonho sat by the window with a good view. Yeonrok felt like a real manager as he followed Kim Jeongseong around and chatted quietly.
“Secretary hyung, I’ve been learning self-defense from the bodyguard hyungs lately and they say I have talent. Should I become a bodyguard too?”
“Hahaha, how about trying to enter a physical education university?”
“Eh, university? I’ll just end it as a hobby. Studying really doesn’t suit me…….”
Even while chattering with Kim Jeongseong, Yeonrok’s ears were open toward Choi Hwan and Yeom Cheonho. As he brought them drinks and recommended desserts every time the so-called mood soured, Yeonrok rubbed his chin.
Looking carefully, these two people really don’t match…….
Choi Hwan also made conversation about this and that quite warmly in his own way. Yeom Cheonho’s attitude and response were also quite active. However, that couldn’t last even a few minutes. It seemed like creaking sounds kept coming from somewhere.
Usually Yeom Cheonho was busy so he couldn’t spare long periods of time, so during those times Choi Hwan somehow covered it with acting, but being stuck together for this long seemed to reach its limit. So it mainly went like this.
“Hyung, did you watch the new dating show that came out recently? <Solo Camp>.”
“What’s a dating show?”
“Ah. Uh……. A broadcast where people who are kind of into it meet and pair up? Keu, if someone like hyung went on a dating show, you’d really become a legendary catfish.”
“……Pardon?”
Yeom Cheonho seemed to not understand even half of what Choi Hwan said. Yeonrok quickly brought over some freshly baked bread for him to eat. Someone who’s too busy working to even come home wouldn’t have watched dating shows, you fool……. And why is your explanation so cheap……. Fortunately, this time Choi Hwan made an effort and changed the topic entirely.
“What’s the next schedule?”
“I was thinking of going to view an interesting special exhibition being held at a museum I operate.”
“A museum? A special exhibition?”
The place they arrived at like that was an art museum located in Seongbuk-gu where an exhibition by a contemporary artist was being held. Yeonrok, who had been dabbling in painting in the hobby room lately, was watching the works with great interest, but while Choi Hwan pretended to find it interesting for the first few minutes, at some point his soul was leaving through his eyes.
“My favorite work is this one. Artist Kim Geumsang’s <Ascension>. It’s a painting that dramatically expresses people who worship modern capitalism and mammonism. It was won at a high auction price.”
Yeom Cheonho, who loved capitalism, looked at the work full of gold with affectionate eyes. To Yeonrok’s eyes, it only looked like dozens of people floundering in a golden river pouring from the sky. Perhaps Choi Hwan’s appreciation was similar, as he rambled things like “Wow, it’s really wonderful” and “So sick” from the side, but his face looked very sleepy. When Yeonrok poked his side, he barely came to his senses and said with a soulless expression.
“……When are we eating?”
After eating earlier than scheduled like that, this time they went to a place Choi Hwan suggested. It was a members-only club where loud music was booming from the entrance. Yeonrok could see the smile slightly disappear from Yeom Cheonho’s lips.
Choi Hwan was truly like a fish in water. Though he’d been so soulless at the art museum, here he was excitedly bouncing around.
“Hyung! Hyung! My friends are here!”
Choi Hwan brought over people who looked like they’d always be hanging out at the club. Faces full of curiosity, somewhat familiar, continuously spewed questions like “Your face is fucking awesome,” “You’re gonna get totally hit on,” “Hyungnim, be friends with me,” “Do you drink well?,” “But is that person a manager?,” “Are you a third-generation chaebol?” Yeom Cheonho, who was dealing with the beagle-like guys with short answers, seemed to become slightly mentally confused.
Yeonrok realized. These two people had completely different worlds they’d lived in until now, and completely different tastes.
After a while, Yeom Cheonho also pressed his temples, perhaps because his head was ringing from the booming music. Yeonrok, who felt unnecessarily self-conscious, left the lover alone and found Choi Hwan excitedly wandering around the club and strongly poked his side.
“Do you want to play at a club in front of your lover?”
“What? I can’t hear well because of the music!”
“You stupid idiot!”
“Want to die?!”
“I’m tattling to Manager hyung! Aren’t you going back to your seat right now?!”
Only after hearing those words did Choi Hwan seem to come to his senses somewhat and return to his seat to say this to Yeom Cheonho.
“Hyung, shall I mix you a delicious drink?”
Yeonrok, who had barely managed the situation and was picking at snacks, let out a sigh. His own head was ringing.
“No, it’s fine. If Hwan-ssi wants to drink, please go ahead.”
This time Yeom Cheonho politely declined with a soulless smile. Since he wasn’t completely clueless, Choi Hwan left the club with a reluctant, regretful face. After that, perhaps having reached a silent agreement, they moved to a cocktail bar.
Yeonrok didn’t care anymore whether the mood soured or not. Thinking that he hoped the two would just kiss and go home quickly, he sipped his sweet cocktail.
“Well, the clothes weren’t really appropriate for going to a club today anyway.”
Since Choi Hwan, who still hadn’t given up his attachment to the club, said that, Yeonrok glanced over. He thought that outfit was well put together, but he said this.
“The clothes are too nerdy.”
Hmm, I see. The snacks here are tastier than at that club earlier though? As Yeonrok stopped paying attention again, the two people finally found a suitable conversation topic.
“But hyung, I see you really like that brand’s clothes.”
“Isn’t it decent and good? Personally, I prefer products that come out from Royal Franc.”
“The Royal Franc jacket line is well-fitted. I’m an ambassador so I have to wear only this for a while. Looking at the Camir seasonal collection lately, there are a lot of things I want but I can’t even wear them.”
It was luxury brand clothing. For the first time today they hit it off and chatted about how the top was this way and the pants and shoes were that way, when suddenly Choi Hwan targeted Yeonrok.
“The more I look at that guy today, the more he really looks like a manager.”
“Mm.”
Without denying it, Yeom Cheonho folded the corners of his eyes and drew a heart-fluttering eye smile for no reason.
“Wearing luxury brands in that pathetic state is also a talent, a talent.”
Whether Choi Hwan was talking about him in front of his face or not, Yeonrok listened with one ear and let it out the other while diligently picking at snacks. Putting fruit and cheese on crackers was totally delicious. As he was doing this, Choi Hwan looked at Yeonrok with his arms crossed and suggested.
“Hyung, since today’s schedule ended early, want to go get that guy groomed?”
He’s talking about a person like handling sashimi. I can’t just take it lying down. I’ve been learning self-defense lately too. Yeonrok snorted and carefully put cheese back on his cracker. But he felt betrayed by Yeom Cheonho’s following answer and ended up dropping it.
“……Shall we?”
* * *
Yeonrok finally burst out in complaint.
“Why do I have to be like this on you two’s date? Cutting my hair wasn’t included in the 3 million won, was it?”
Whether Yeonrok resisted or not, Choi Hwan stubbornly pushed Yeonrok into his regular shop. Not only the shop staff but people from all directions recognized Choi Hwan, so it was too hectic. Yeonrok sent a look for help to Yeom Cheonho.
“You said long hair wasn’t bad either?”
“Yeonrok-ssi will suit short hair well too.”
Yeom Cheonho, who attracted gazes no less than the famous actor Choi Hwan, spoke affectionately while taking off his cap. Since even he came out like this, Yeonrok had no choice but to sit in the styling chair. It had been a while since he needed a cut anyway, so he just had to enjoy the free service…….
