First Date (7)
Jeongbae shuffled the cards while listening to the customers’ laughter. Jokes that would normally pass by without issue were particularly grating on his nerves today. Whether they were dating or not, whether they were married or not. Those kinds of questions kept circling in his head.
‘Why do I keep denying it?’
Jeongbae asked himself. Because they really aren’t anything to each other? Because that’s the truth? But one side of his chest felt strangely stuffy. The word “marriage” that Jaehyuk had tossed out like a joke lingered in his ears. There’s no way he was serious, but it was strange that he didn’t find those words completely and utterly unpleasant.
Jeongbae muttered to himself as he returned to his position.
‘If this continues, I’m really going to fuck up my life.’
Home, the rice soup restaurant, Casino Pub.
Every space was being encroached upon by Yoon Jaehyuk. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a solution. What he hated more was his own true feelings. That he didn’t completely hate Jaehyuk’s teasing. That kind of thing.
‘I must be going crazy. I hate it. I hate it.’
Jeongbae shook his head frantically, forcibly erasing the thoughts that were trying to surface in his mind.
“Ah, Puppy Dealer. Long time no see.”
At that moment, he felt someone pulling out a chair and sitting down. Jeongbae broke out in a cold sweat. It was Baek Sangmin, the loan shark who had given him his business card before.
Carelessly swept-back hair and a shirt that fit his body perfectly. A flashy gold watch on his wrist. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the large alpha who leisurely pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Hello, how have you been?”
Jeongbae deliberately tried not to look in Jaehyuk’s direction as he chose a safe greeting.
‘Stay calm. We’re nothing to each other, so what is there to feel guilty about?’
“Country Dog, your eyes have gotten a lot better since I last saw you.”
“Pardon?”
“You used to be all innocent and gentle, but now you’ve got some sex appeal. Something worrying you?”
“No, not at all.”
Jeongbae smiled calmly, but his fingertips felt frozen. Sangmin crossed his legs and tapped the table.
“Manager, a glass of milk here. For the sexier puppy.”
The manager glanced at Jaehyuk with a troubled expression. The corners of Jeongbae’s mouth trembled. He didn’t look at Jaehyuk, but he could feel a gaze that seemed ready to devour him.
“I’ll have to decline today. I ate too much, so I’m full.”
“You cutely drank it just fine last time.”
Startled, Jeongbae forced himself to smile.
“I’m working, so… that’s…”
“It’s not alcohol.”
Sangmin leaned in slightly, looking over Jeongbae as if sniffing him.
“It’s good for you.”
Jeongbae felt suffocated. When he glanced at Jaehyuk, he was silently watching Jeongbae and Sangmin without a word.
A chilling expressionless face. A face showing not a single emotion. Jeongbae broke out in even more cold sweat.
Sangmin continued to focus on Jeongbae.
“You’ve really gotten prettier.”
He said in a low voice.
“It seems like… someone’s been taking care of you with devotion.”
His words seemed to be blatantly targeting someone. Jeongbae felt completely breathless.
Just then, the sound of someone tapping on the table came from somewhere. It was Jaehyuk’s fingers. Jaehyuk faced Sangmin with his characteristically emotionless expression. Sangmin turned to look at Jaehyuk and snorted.
“Hey there, young man. Got something to say? Why do you keep staring at people? It’s fucking unpleasant.”
“……”
“Say something. Are you in some kind of relationship with this dealer here?”
“He’s my wife.”
“Huh?”
For a moment, Sangmin’s face froze in shock.
“I said he’s my wife.”
This crazy bastard… Jeongbae bit down hard on his teeth.
“Sir, it’s not like that…”
Jeongbae tried to explain to the bewildered-looking Sangmin, but Jaehyuk was faster.
“We live in the same house, and I cook his meals. He’s the one who earns the money.”
“…What?”
“I’m a full-time househusband.”
His handsome face stared directly at Sangmin. Cold sweat poured down Jeongbae’s back. What should he do about this? That crazy bastard had finally gone and picked a fight with a customer. And of all people, it was Sangmin, who always came on to Jeongbae in an uncomfortable way.
“I see.”
Sangmin tapped the table and said.
“Let’s leave it at that for today.”
Fortunately, Sangmin didn’t seem to take it too badly as he leisurely picked up his cards. Only the air above the table remained particularly cold. Jeongbae barely managed to calm his wildly beating heart and caught his breath. He could feel his fingertips trembling faintly.
‘It’s over. Today… this is it.’
But the tension didn’t ease at all. It was because of the gaze he felt from the side. When he slowly turned his head, Jaehyuk was staring intensely at Jeongbae without a word, with his characteristic expressionless face.
Not the madness when picking fights, nor the jealousy when envious.
Rather, a more frightening face with no emotion at all.
Today felt particularly long. After that, Sangmin left after silently enjoying drinks and games for a while. Jaehyuk also said nothing with his usual expressionless face. But Jeongbae was already so drained that his hands were shaking.
“Jeongbae, hurry and go home. Jaehyuk is waiting.”
“I’ll just finish organizing this and then go.”
“Don’t do that, just go. The atmosphere turned bad earlier because a customer unnecessarily picked a fight.”
At the manager’s consideration, Jeongbae hurriedly gathered his things.
“Then I’ll leave early just for today.”
As he left through the door, he felt a large presence at the entrance of the alley. Jaehyuk, who had left his seat earlier, was waiting for Jeongbae as usual.
“Let’s hurry and go. Did you wait long?”
“Quit this place.”
Jaehyuk said abruptly. Jeongbae slowly put his hand to his forehead. How should he explain? That if he didn’t work here, making a living would immediately become difficult.
It was strange. He was in a position where he should be kicking Jaehyuk out, so it was something he could easily say, but strangely, he didn’t want to. Was it because of how Jaehyuk had called himself “wife” earlier? As if he really had become the breadwinner earning money. Jeongbae just gave a bitter smile.
“That bastard earlier. He’s dangerous.”
Jaehyuk’s voice was low and serious. But Jeongbae’s thoughts were different. That kind of flirting wasn’t dangerous, it was just teasing because he saw him as easy prey. His looks, his status.
“I’m not that popular.”
Jeongbae deliberately laughed playfully.
“Look at this. I don’t even have teeth.”
It was half joking, half serious, but Jaehyuk didn’t laugh.
“No. I fell for that expression.”
Jeongbae was left speechless. Jaehyuk’s large hands covered both cheeks, and his lips slowly descended. A kiss that merely touched briefly before separating. Without pulling his face away, Jaehyuk looked carefully at Jeongbae’s face with his pitch-black eyes, as if capturing something precious.
“You’re pretty. Don’t say things like that.”
After saying that, Jaehyuk took Jeongbae’s hand. Normally he would have shaken it off, but strangely, he wanted to leave it be.
On the way home in Jaehyuk’s car. Neither said a word, but it wasn’t awkward. Outside the window, the neon signs of the night streets flashed by. The car stopped at a red light. Jeongbae was absentmindedly looking out the window when he noticed Jaehyuk’s hand resting on the center console. Long, well-shaped fingers. Those hands that had just enveloped his cheeks.
Jeongbae glanced down at his own hands. They were small and rough. The voice that had said he was pretty, despite having no teeth and being ugly, echoed in his ears.
The light changed and the car began moving again. An old ballad flowed from the radio. Jaehyuk’s fingers lightly tapped the steering wheel. Not keeping time to the music, just like an idle habit.
‘This is strange.’
Jeongbae muttered to himself. Just a few weeks ago, Jaehyuk’s very presence beside him had been a disaster, but now having him in the same space felt like a natural part of daily life. Even his breathing was familiar.
“What are you looking at?”
At Jaehyuk’s low voice, Jeongbae startled and turned his head.
“Oh, nothing. Just.”
“My hands?”
“……”
Jeongbae couldn’t say anything. The corners of Jaehyuk’s mouth lifted slightly. That characteristic smile within an expressionless face, ambiguous whether he was smiling or not.
“You can hold them.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jeongbae hurriedly turned his head to look out the window. He could feel the tips of his ears getting hot.
The car turned into a familiar alley. As they got closer to home, one corner of Jeongbae’s chest warmed. When they got home, Dogyeom would be waiting. The three of them would discuss what to order for delivery, bicker and fight, but eventually sit side by side and eat.
Jeongbae slowly rubbed his chest with his hand. The feeling of something warm filling up. One corner of his heart felt reassured.
“Hyung, why are you so late? I’m hungry.”
When they entered the house, Dogyeom had also finished work and was rolling around the living room. He could have eaten alone, but he was like a puppy, always waiting for Jeongbae to come. Jeongbae patted Dogyeom’s head.
“Yeah, Dogyeom. What should we order for delivery today?”
At the mention of ordering delivery food, Dogyeom sprang up.
“Great! How about chicken? Three whole chickens?”
“Huh? That much?”
“One chicken per person.”
The house that had always been full of cold air was now bustling with energy. Jeongbae thought he was fortunate to have Dogyeom. And… he sneaked a sidelong glance at Jaehyuk, who was silently opening the delivery app to place an order.
‘No, I’m the one who’s crazy. I should be thinking about kicking him out, right now.’
Jeongbae scolded himself and began cleaning up the living room that Dogyeom had messed up. Snack bags and clothes strewn about. He really was no different from a beagle.
“Hey, Viper. Make mine half-and-half.”
“Got it.”
Dogyeom hovered around Jaehyuk, meddling here and there. Jaehyuk handled the cheeky Dogyeom quite well. Considering his arrogance and rudeness, it was surprising. Even though he only said annoying things and treated him roughly, Jaehyuk took care to feed him well.
Dogyeom also didn’t just charge at Jaehyuk recklessly since he kept giving him food. The fact that he was a law student at a prestigious university probably played a part too.
While stroking the forehead of Dogyeom, who was using his knee as a pillow and chattering about what happened during the day, Jeongbae fell into thought for a moment.
‘Maybe I should look for a different job after all.’
It wasn’t just because of Jaehyuk or Sangmin. No matter how much it was entertainment, he didn’t particularly like dealing cards either. But right now, he had already given notice that he was quitting the rice soup restaurant too. It would be difficult to sort things out immediately.
“Wow! The chicken’s here!”
At the sound of the doorbell, Dogyeom sprang up and dashed out. “One chicken per person” wasn’t complete nonsense—both Dogyeom and Jaehyuk’s eating speed was no joke. Jeongbae placed a chicken leg in front of each of them.
A sense of stability. He felt like his feet were firmly planted on the ground. It was a fairly happy ending to the day.
