This was definitely something to be flustered about. Though they could perhaps be called close friends, even Wonyoung couldn’t handle Heegang, yet this man was trying to attract his attention because he liked him. The man before his eyes was also quite a unique individual. He seemed like quite the looks-supremacist.
However, even while thinking such thoughts, Wonyoung couldn’t help but feel his shoulders rising.
“Well…… our Heegang does have charm. Should I say he’s a perfect creation made by God? Or that I’m amazed every time I see him? Also, though his personality is a bit peculiar, he’s an incredible romantic.”
“……”
“It’s awkward to say with my own mouth, but for Baek Heegang, there’s only Narae. So it would be better for you to give up.”
“I do?”
“Eek!”
Wonyoung, who had been continuing his words, nearly had his soul leave his body at the familiar voice that suddenly appeared. When he turned his head, he saw Heegang appearing with a mischievous smile. The biggest problem above all was that he seemed to have heard everything he said.
‘Damn……’
Wonyoung tried to run away with his face bright red, but his body, tied to the coat, swayed and fell like a log. If Heegang hadn’t caught him, he would have fallen flat on the ground.
“Are you okay, Rae?”
“……”
Damn, damn, damn. Wonyoung could tell without even looking that his face had turned crimson. His ears and neck must have also turned red. Wonyoung wanted to beat up this clueless body of Narae’s.
“I brought you new clothes. They’ll suit you perfectly. Let’s change quickly.”
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Heegang held out the clothes he brought for Wonyoung without much comment. Wonyoung, finally able to move freely with the coat untied, quickly went inside the van and changed clothes first. Even his breath was hot from embarrassment.
This time he didn’t forget to look in the mirror. However, Wonyoung was disappointed upon looking in the mirror. The hoodie Heegang gave him was bright pink with a large picture of a rabbit eating a carrot on the chest. On top of that, it was an oversized fit that looked like he’d drown in it.
‘……Fuck.’
Should he ask for it back? In that brief moment, Wonyoung agonized thousands of times, but the conclusion was that it was better than the temptation shirt. He just wanted to escape this place quickly.
When Wonyoung came out wearing the clothes, Heegang approached happily as if he’d been waiting anxiously. The senior actor had already disappeared somewhere. Though there was reasonable suspicion that he might have killed or buried him or something, Wonyoung didn’t ask separately.
By his standards, that senior was also quite annoying.
‘Treating Baek Heegang like some kind of toy……’
But was this something to feel bad about? After thinking for a moment, Wonyoung understood his emotions with the answer ‘it’s natural since we’re friends.’
Soon Wonyoung spoke to Heegang while subtly covering the rabbit pattern.
“You should hurry and go film now. You wasted time because of me, right?”
“No. It’s break time.”
“You should finish quickly, it’s cold too.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t fight with your senior. Though getting along well is also a bit much. Just maintain a business relationship.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Heegang was really replying obediently like a gentle sheep. Only then did Wonyoung realize. Right now, Baek Heegang was about to die from happiness.
Look, look at those corners of his mouth. They’ll reach the stratosphere.
Then Wonyoung suddenly realized that the corners of his own mouth were also trying to rise slightly and hurriedly lowered them.
“A-anyway! I have to go to work now. The boss must be waiting.”
“Really?”
“Thanks for the chocolate latte. It was delicious but I could only drink one sip.”
“Rae.”
“Ah, I have a call.”
Just as Heegang was about to say something, a call came from the boss. When Wonyoung answered the phone, he heard crying sounds from the other end.
“Rae-ssi, sorry but are you coming? We got another bulk order……”
“Again? What kind of day is today. Anyway, I’ll come right away.”
Wonyoung hurriedly hung up and said goodbye to Heegang.
“Then I’ll be going. The boss is looking for me. Work hard, and be careful not to catch a cold.”
“Okay. Ah, right.”
Heegang unwrapped the scarf he was wearing and tied it around Wonyoung’s neck.
“You be careful not to catch a cold too, Rae. See you again.”
Hearts popped up from Heegang, who smiled brightly. Wonyoung couldn’t say anything to that smiling face and just gave him a smile before turning around.
It seemed like he’d failed from the very beginning.
And Wonyoung’s premonition was, this time too, exactly right.
* * *
“Kyung Taerim-ssi……?”
“Good afternoon, Narae-ssi. Sit down.”
Wonyoung, who came to deliver coffee thinking ‘no way, no way,’ let out an empty breath seeing the third-generation chaebol sitting elegantly on a park bench.
Come to think of it, he should have noticed from when one of the twelve cup orders asked to be delivered to a different location. Who would have thought that being alarmed at seeing the delivery address was his former workplace and passing it to the boss would come back like this? Wonyoung sincerely regretted it.
Both Kyung Taerim and Baek Heegang were very cunning bastards.
This time, Wonyoung set down the coffee with a firm attitude.
“Here’s the coffee you ordered. Then please enjoy.”
However, Wonyoung, who was turning around, couldn’t go further.
“Are you eating lunch before working?”
It was because his stomach answered instead at the question Taerim threw.
Grumble grooowwwwl.
[Wonyoung’s stomach churns from hunger. Status has become ‘Starving’.]
[Status: Hungry (✽´ཫ`✽)]
“Phew……”
Wonyoung took a calm deep breath. He didn’t have time to get angry at things like this anymore. Or did he? No……
“Kukuk……”
Wonyoung, who had been fumbling in shame and confusion, finally collapsed at the laughter heard from behind.
‘Game creator, die!’
Narae must have been possessed by a ghost that starved to death. If not, there was no way a mere stomach would act out like this without reading the situation!
As Wonyoung sat hunched over with his face covered, Taerim said:
“Let’s have lunch before you go. I’ve asked for understanding from the cafe.”
“From the boss?”
“Yes.”
Wonyoung pretended to ponder then walked plod plod to the bench and plopped down next to Taerim. Being hungry…… was the truth.
Seeing Wonyoung sit down, Taerim smiled briefly then opened the picnic basket beside him and took out a sandwich.
“Eat.”
“……”
As Wonyoung stared blankly instead of receiving it, a bit of difficulty appeared in Taerim’s gaze.
“Do you dislike sandwiches? I knew you liked them. Or would you prefer triangle kimbap?”
“No, just…… it doesn’t suit Kyung Taerim-ssi.”
“Ah, was that it?”
Taerim answered casually and handed the sandwich to Wonyoung. Then he took out a new sandwich and took a bite. Seeing that, Wonyoung took back what he just said. This man suited sandwiches well too. With the coffee in one hand added, he momentarily thought he was in New York.
As the two men sitting side by side were awkwardly eating sandwiches, Taerim suddenly spoke.
“Your clothes, they’re cute.”
Only then did Wonyoung belatedly curl up as if to cover his clothes. He knew it wouldn’t actually cover them…… he was definitely becoming a damned abangsu.
“……This…… isn’t my taste. There was an accident……”
“Narae did a Narae, huh.”
“Pardon?”
“They say it like this these days, don’t they? It’s perfect for you.”
Grumble grooowwwwl.
Wonyoung, who had been trailing off ‘What……,’ bit his lips at his stomach’s urging.
“……I’d better eat quickly.”
“Yes.”
Wonyoung munched on the sandwich, hoping this heated face would cool in the cold wind. Then Taerim sighed and this time took out apple juice from the picnic basket.
“But what’s with eating so urgently like that? Drink while you eat.”
Wonyoung, whose cheeks were puffed up like a hamster filled with sunflower seeds, mumbled ‘Thank you’ and drank the apple juice. He just hoped the grumbling sounds would disappear quickly.
Taerim, who was taking in that sight one by one, chuckled and took a sip of coffee.
Then awkward silence again. When the grumbling sounds finally subsided, Wonyoung looked at Taerim drinking coffee and after pondering for a while, carefully asked:
“Um, there’s no scent…… are you okay?”
“Are you going to feed me or something?”
“That’s……”
I’m not sure. That was the answer that came to Wonyoung’s mind. But it was also an answer he couldn’t say out loud. If for Heegang, Narae was his only world, then for Taerim, Narae was his only hope. One that bloomed precariously at the edge of a cliff.
He knew it was better not to speak carelessly if he couldn’t take responsibility to the end.
He also knew it was better not to ask such questions.
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I don’t believe in things like fate.”
“That’s……”
“I don’t think you’re my fate. I did think that way once, but I know now that you’re not.”
Though it was in a way a natural thing to say, Wonyoung’s heart sank. A pointless feeling of hurt suddenly surged in.
“So.”
But the moment Taerim said that, the situation flipped. Before he knew it, Taerim had come close to Wonyoung as if he would kiss him at any moment.
“I can’t just stay still, can I? I’ll do anything to have you. Even something underhanded like this.”
“……Di-Director, Director-nim.”
“Director-nim again? I prefer my name more.”
Taerim smiled and lowered his eyes, looking down at Wonyoung’s lips. Those plump lips would probably taste like apples this time. Soon those lips opened slightly and a trembling voice flowed out.
“Kyu-Kyung, Kyung Taerim-ssi.”
“Taerim-ssi. Repeat after me.”
Wonyoung barely managed to repeat with lost eyes.
“……Taerim-ssi.”
“Well done.”
The corners of Taerim’s mouth curved into an arc. At the same time, sparkling petals flew around in the middle of winter, making his smile shine even more. Wonyoung blamed the innocent CG effect for no reason and deeply lowered his reddened face.
