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“Excuse me. I’ll prepare the beer and appetizer plates first.”
The employee served the draft beer. Embarrassed to continue such embarrassing words, I obediently lowered my hand with only the thumb folded and waited until the employee left.
I could still say more. Although falling for him was in an instant, because of that I came to like everything about Woogyun and discovered many hidden charms too. Wanting to quickly tell Cha Geonhyeok about them, I revved up the engine on the tip of my tongue. “I’ll bring the snacks right away,” the employee who greeted us left the table’s side. I was about to raise my hand that I’d placed on my thigh right away, but Cha Geonhyeok was faster than me.
“So you just like everything.”
“Well… That’s right.”
It was correct. Everything about Woogyun was good enough that only my mouth would hurt if I spoke about it. From one to ten. Having smiled pleasantly, I grabbed the beer glass with my clumsily raised hand and held it out to Cha Geonhyeok. He, who had been about to drink alone, responded to my toast proposal.
We drank beer. Was it because I was drinking after a long time? “Keu,” a sound came out naturally. Regretting drinking only once, I gulped down a few more mouthfuls and set down my glass. Cha Geonhyeok, who removed his mouth from the glass first, was finishing off the puffed rice.
“If things go well with him, treat me.”
“Yaa… Don’t make me jump to conclusions.”
I spoke in an ambiguous voice that was neither good nor bad, then pressed down hard on the water droplets forming on the outside of the beer glass. Cha Geonhyeok, who stretched out his arm, put a grain of puffed rice in my mouth.
“Seems like you’ve already done it several times.”
“I haven’t.”
I answered vaguely while chewing and gulping down the puffed rice. I rolled my eyeballs. I leaned my upper body forward and lowered my voice.
“But, just in case… If things really do work out by some slim chance, I’ll treat you to a full course.”
There was a lot to be thankful for to Cha Geonhyeok, who was a hidden collaborator and secret diary. I thought he wouldn’t be much help, but thanks to him I sat at the same table with Woogyun at the festival, and on the weekend I met with just Woogyun for a not-date date. Even if things didn’t work out well, it was right to treat him someday.
“You’ve been drinking the kimchi broth, you have.”
Cha Geonhyeok said with a mischievous face. I, who frowned shallowly, kicked around Cha Geonhyeok’s shin with my foot. To Cha Geonhyeok, who raised his eyes crookedly, I shamelessly said, “It was a mistake.” Fortunately, one snack dish was placed on the table just in time, so the atmosphere came to a conclusion.
Whether it was worth doing brief market research, the stir-fried pork with bean sprouts that came out before the soup was delicious. Since we hadn’t eaten dinner, Cha Geonhyeok and I extended our chopsticks toward the snacks as if eating a meal. So when the next soup dish came out, not only the alcohol glasses but even the iron plate dishes were cleanly emptied.
With one more beer each ordered in front of us, we passed the time having small talk. Cha Geonhyeok wasn’t the talkative type. That’s not to say I was very talkative either, but when I was with him, conversations never stopped or uncomfortable silences never passed. We might unexpectedly match well. If not that, then Cha Geonhyeok had the talent to make others comfortable. But, he doesn’t seem to have it from the outside.
“What are you looking at?”
“Your face.”
I answered Cha Geonhyeok by only opening my lips while propping my chin with both hands. Having asked what I was looking at, as if my gaze wasn’t burdensome, Cha Geonhyeok moved nonchalantly. He looked at his phone once and drank alcohol. He threw his gaze toward the table where noise burst out with a crash and took out a cigarette. Our eyes met. He smiled softly.
“Is it fun?”
“Worth watching.”
“Oh my, I’m honored.”
Cha Geonhyeok, who spoke dryly, grasped the cigarette and lighter in his hand. It seemed he was going to the smoking room.
“Lee Yunhae? What, you two are drinking together?”
And Gong Minyeong appeared. With Woogyun next to her, speaking to me very naturally.
I had momentarily forgotten the purpose of coming here because I was eating and drinking deliciously with Cha Geonhyeok. Thanks to that, I looked at Gong Minyeong with surprised eyes appropriate for the situation that would make a great actor step aside.
“Oh, I’m with Cha Geonhyeok… Did you guys come to drink too?”
“Yeah. Hi, Yunhae-ya, Geonhyeok-ah.”
I asked Gong Minyeong but Woogyun answered. He greeted me too. I rubbed my cheek once with the back of my hand and said “Hi,” greeting him. A small snort sound came out. I turned my eyes briefly. Cha Geonhyeok was smiling crookedly while turning the lighter wheel. Did he catch on to our scheme? That was the first thought that came to mind, but judging from his expression, rather than that, it seemed I was funny for becoming small in front of Woogyun. I was a bit embarrassed.
“If you guys are going to drink more before leaving, want to join tables? Jang Woogyun and I aren’t on a date or anything like that, we just came. Just.”
Gong Minyeong, who noticeably appealed that she had nothing going on with Woogyun, proceeded with the operation. I cleared away the bag I’d placed on the seat next to me without delay.
“Sure, I’m fine with it. What about you?”
I asked while looking at Cha Geonhyeok. And I spoke with my eyes. Say okay. Hm? Just say you understand. Got it? Just say you understand! Look, Woogyun is waiting over there!
“Whatever.”
Cha Geonhyeok’s permission fell. Gong Minyeong went and sat next to Cha Geonhyeok as if water flowing. If that happens, who’s left? My Gyun is left. Where’s the empty seat? Next to me.
“Yunhae-ya, seeing you coincidentally here like this feels fresh.”
Woogyun said while sitting next to me. For some reason, strength went into my toes.
“Yeah, it’s fresh…”
“Should I hang your bag in the back for you?”
Woogyun pointed at the bag placed in my arms.
“No, I’ll do it.”
Answering quickly so as not to cause trouble, I was turning my body when I accidentally saw Woogyun’s hand. I swallowed dry saliva. While hanging the bag on the backrest, I looked once more. On Woogyun’s wrist was a bracelet. The string bracelet I’d given him as a gift last time.
“…You’re wearing this.”
After hesitating, I brought it up. Woogyun smiled while rolling up his long sleeves.
“I wore it yesterday too. Is it okay?”
“Yeah… It suits you well.”
“What’s that?”
Gong Minyeong, who had been flipping through the menu placed on one side of the table, took interest in our conversation. Woogyun raised his wrist and showed the bracelet to her and Cha Geonhyeok.
“Yunhae bought this for me. Isn’t it pretty?”
“Not bad. Jang Woogyun, are you drinking beer too?”
As if taking interest in the conversation was to open the floodgates, Gong Minyeong quickly moved on to the next topic. Kind Woogyun followed her conversation without showing any sign of being offended.
“Yeah. Draft beer. Since more people came, should we order one more snack?”
“Sure. What did you guys eat? Is there anything you want to eat again?”
There were two people on this side, but Gong Minyeong only showed the menu to Cha Geonhyeok and asked. Her gaze ticklishly touched Cha Geonhyeok’s face. She really must like him. Gong Minyeong’s attention seemed to be all on Cha Geonhyeok.
“Order anything.”
Cha Geonhyeok, who had failed once in trying to go to the smoking room, answered Gong Minyeong and stood up.
“Really anything?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll order what I want to eat.”
Gong Minyeong smiled while flipping through the menu. Woogyun, who pulled his chair to sit, also joined in choosing snacks. I was looking at them amicably turning the menu pages when I saw Cha Geonhyeok’s back heading toward the smoking room. Suddenly, he turned around. He nodded his head while looking at me. Does he have eyes in the back of his head…?
“I’m going to go to the bathroom.”
Hearing Woogyun’s voice answering “Okay,” I got up from my seat.
Cha Geonhyeok was standing leaning against the wall next to the smoking room door. As I approached closer, one person came out of the smoking room. Cigarette smell leaked out thickly. Standing in front of Cha Geonhyeok, I exhaled once with a “Heung.” What Cha Geonhyeok smoked wasn’t that strong, but what that person smoked was a bit harsh.
“Will you step aside?”
“Hm?”
I asked back to Cha Geonhyeok who asked out of the blue. Cha Geonhyeok, who took out the hand he’d put in his pocket, flicked under my chin.
“I’m asking if you’ll take Gong Minyeong and leave.”
“……”
I was at a loss for words at the unexpected statement.
“Go, or not.”
Why is he so different from how he looks… He’s kind.
“…Don’t go.”
I answered while looking up at him. Really? He asked again with his expression. I answered once more with certainty in my eyes, “Yeah, don’t go.”
Although there was a threat resembling Gong Minyeong’s proposal, in the end I was no different from having used Cha Geonhyeok. For such a me to tell Cha Geonhyeok that since I’d used him all up now, go ahead and leave for my convenience—I couldn’t do that. That would be a real punk move. Ah, but just in case…
“You don’t want to go, do you?”
“Of course not. How long has it been since we got here?”
Having finished speaking, Cha Geonhyeok took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. I impulsively grabbed him as he was about to enter the smoking room. Cha Geonhyeok lowered his eyes.
“What.”
“Since you’re not leaving… No, this sounds a bit strange. Anyway, if I act weird, say something to me.”
This place was a bar, not a restaurant or cafe. Sitting next to Woogyun and being nervous, I might unknowingly chug beer, and the possibility that I’d make an unexpected mistake or blurt out my thoughts out of nowhere couldn’t be ignored. Although it was a sudden thought, I was worried in my own way. So I spoke seriously, but Cha Geonhyeok looked at me with eyes that said I was being ridiculous. Fortunately, not discouraged, I steadfastly continued speaking.
“If I seem to be drinking too much, stop me, and set the mood well… No, asking for this much is too much. Right. Just stay by my side until the drinking session ends. If I do something weird, stop me. Got it?”
“Got it, got it.”
“Hey, you can’t get drunk first, okay?”
“I said I got it. Go quickly.”
Cha Geonhyeok, who brushed off my hand, went into the smoking room. It’ll be okay, right? I went back while patting the back of my neck.
