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Upon hearing that Kim Jeonggwan had received a bronze medal, one person made a dejected face, while another was about to order a congratulatory banner. As everyone knew, one was Park Jihoon, Jeonggwan’s self-proclaimed best friend, and the other was Won Junjae. Jihoon lamented that the temperature difference between the cafe kitchen where they practiced and the competition venue might have been too great, while Junjae insisted that third place was an excellent achievement and wanted to hang a banner in Jeonggwan’s neighborhood. Jeonggwan and Jihoon had to talk him out of it.
Eventually, Junjae reluctantly went back to his office to resume work, and Jeonggwan, who had been waiting for Jihoon to leave, immediately shared the concern he’d been wanting to discuss.
“You know Professor Min, right?”
“Of course I do. When I tried to get into that school for my studies in France, he rejected me. Said even if I paid, my skills weren’t good enough.”
“… That professor invited me to France.”
“What…? You’re this year’s legendary recommended student?”
“It seems so. Should I go or not…?”
“Of course you should go!” Jihoon exclaimed, jumping up with excitement in his eyes. That school was renowned even in France. It was so difficult to get into that even if you offered a lot of money like Jihoon did, they wouldn’t grant admission. In fact, graduating from the school was even harder than getting in.
Even if one managed to get in somehow, the intense classes and high-level techniques required made it difficult to keep up without putting in a lot of effort. So many people dropped out that it was said to be harder to graduate than to get in. Graduating from that school could secure a job as a pastry chef at any famous hotel in Korea.
That’s why Jeonggwan was conflicted. The French pastry school could be completed in two years, so if he studied hard, came back to Korea after two years, worked as a hotel pastry chef for another two years, and then opened his own shop, it would take about four and a half years in total. He had already asked Junjae to wait 4-5 years, so that wasn’t the problem. However…
“Then it’ll become a long-distance relationship…”
The thought of his relationship with Junjae turning into a long-distance one bothered him. One might think that as long as their hearts are in the right place, long-distance wouldn’t be difficult, but Jeonggwan absolutely hated the idea of a long-distance relationship. His previous relationship with Jung Taegeon had also been long-distance, and it had been emotionally draining. Not being able to see each other when they missed each other, not being able to eat tteokbokki together when feeling down, blowing out birthday candles alone. Even then, it was China, and it was hard to see each other’s faces. This was France, with a flight time 4.5 times longer.
“… What if hyung cries?”
“… Is Junjae hyung a child? He won’t cry just because he can’t see his boyfriend.”
“I think I might cry if I can’t see hyung when I miss him.”
“Bullshit…”
Jihoon looked at him with disbelief, but Jeonggwan was serious. He missed Junjae every day even though they saw each other daily, so if they were suddenly separated, he felt like he’d spend nights crying for days on end. Being in a foreign country where the food wouldn’t suit him and everything would be difficult, how sad would it be not to be able to meet the person he’d want comfort from the most?
If Junjae wasn’t busy, they might exaggerate and say they’d meet once a month, but Junjae was so busy that he worked even during their weekend dates. So to see Junjae, he’d have to wait until the school break, but he found out that because it was a two-year program, there was only one break per year. That meant he could only see Junjae for an extended period once a year…
“Will hyung really not cry…? I’m already tearing up just thinking about it.”
“… Will I cry? I’m thirty-two, after all.”
Haah-. Jeonggwan sighed deeply and slumped onto the table. When Professor Min first made the offer, he had been momentarily elated thinking, “I’m the legendary recommended student…!” But as soon as he thought about being separated from Junjae, he became dejected. He had been hoping someone would give him reasons not to go, saying “That school isn’t all that great! You don’t have to go!” so he could pretend to reluctantly decline. But seeing Jihoon’s reaction, it was clear this was an opportunity that doesn’t come often in life.
“If hyung cries and begs me not to go, I won’t…”
“Just tell hyung first. Surprisingly, he might really cling to your legs, cry messily, and say you can’t go.”
But knowing how difficult the reality of a long-distance relationship could be, Jeonggwan thought that if Junjae really begged him not to go, he wouldn’t. His future was important, but so was Junjae.
“You have to go right away.”
“…”
“If you’re going as a recommended student to a place that wouldn’t even let Jihoon in with money, you absolutely have to go.”
However, far from tears, Junjae’s response was a resolute insistence that he should go, almost to the point of seeming cold-hearted. Moreover, as if fanning the flames, he was clapping and saying how amazing our Jeonggwan is.
“The bronze medal was impressive enough, but being a recommended student is even more admirable.”
“… Thank you.”
“What do you want to eat? Let’s eat whatever Jeonggwan wants today.”
They usually ate what Jeonggwan wanted anyway, but somehow Junjae seemed even more excited than Jeonggwan. No, at this rate, it seemed like he had been waiting for Jeonggwan to go study abroad. A seed of doubt sprouted in Jeonggwan’s heart.
“… Why aren’t you crying, hyung?”
“Huh?”
“I’m already feeling heavy-hearted…”
“… Why? Are you worried the food won’t suit you?”
“… Am I a pig?!”
Jeonggwan burst out angrily at Junjae’s unexpected question. He was already feeling heavy-hearted at the thought of being far apart, yet Junjae was talking about whether the food would suit him or not. It was truly bewildering. It’s not like he was raising a pig or anyth… Wait, is he?
“I’m sorry. Jeonggwan isn’t a pig.”
“… No, actually, I am.”
“… Then you’re the cutest one.”
“… Thank you.”
This isn’t right… What kind of conversation is this? Jeonggwan sighed softly and leaned his forehead against Junjae’s chest. Junjae really seemed to have no worries at all. Even if Jeonggwan said he was going to space, he’d probably be delighted, saying “How amazing! Our Jeonggwan is going to space!” This felt less like affection between lovers and more like parental affection. Like, “Look everyone, our child is so talented.”
One way or another, the decision for Jeonggwan’s study abroad in France, which only Jeonggwan seemed to find regrettable, was made quickly, contrary to Jihoon’s expectation that the couple would cry and fuss.
* * *
Many people congratulated Jeonggwan on his study abroad in France. Kyung Juhwan, saying it was insane, bought Jeonggwan a set of travel luggage from the luxury brand L. The eldest, Kim Jeonghyun, fulfilled Junjae’s unfulfilled wish by ordering a banner and hanging it at the neighborhood intersection. It read, “Congratulations to the youngest of the Kim family on admission to French pastry school.” The second son Jeongwon and third son Jeongmin, not ones for excessive displays, quietly wrote congratulatory letters and handed them over. Jihoon, insisting that his friend shouldn’t be outdone in the fashion capital of Paris, bought a bundle of clothes as if he was cleaning out a department store. Secretary Oh bought handmade chocolates that Jeonggwan liked, only to receive a glare from Junjae.
Among them, the person who celebrated Jeonggwan’s study abroad most grandly was, contrary to expectations that it would be Junjae, an unexpected individual.
“I’ve purchased a mansion near the school. I’ve also hired a chauffeur.”
“Isn’t that… too much?”
It was none other than Junjae’s father, Won Youngjae. Won Youngjae was visibly delighted upon hearing the news of Jeonggwan going to study at a French pastry school. Originally thinking that distance makes the heart grow fonder, he couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for them to naturally drift apart without his intervention. Therefore, Won Youngjae decided to provide an environment that would make Jeonggwan want to settle down there. He had purchased a renovated mansion near the school, and had already hired a luxury sedan with a dedicated chauffeur and a housekeeper.
“If you need anything there, use this to buy it.”
“… Thank you.”
“Since you’re going, don’t have any lingering attachments to Korea. Learn properly there.”
“… Yes.”
“If you become interested in another alpha, contact me first.”
“… That’s a bit…”
Won Youngjae seemed to be hoping that Jeonggwan would meet another alpha there. He handed Jeonggwan his card, unable to hide his pleased smile. Junjae couldn’t express his dissatisfaction with his father and could only hold Jeonggwan’s hand tightly beside him. As if to say that absolutely mustn’t happen.
“Foolish boy.”
Won Youngjae, looking at this scene with distaste, waved his hand at the two, telling them to leave, and went into his study. Only the two of them and Junjae’s mother, Song Heejin, were left in the living room. They thought Heejin would soon follow her husband, but for some reason, she didn’t leave her seat and just kept looking at Jeonggwan as if she had something to say.
“Hyung, go out first. I’ll be right there.”
“… Okay.”
If it had been his father left alone with Jeonggwan, Junjae would have absolutely refused, but knowing that his mother wasn’t the type to speak badly like his father, Junjae nodded obediently and got up first. Still, he seemed somewhat worried and kept looking back at Jeonggwan, reluctant to leave. Finally, when Jeonggwan frowned and told him to leave quickly, he disappeared. Heejin, who had been watching this scene, picked up her teacup and gave a small smile.
