After finishing lunch with Min Sanghan and returning to the lab, I had just picked up my lab coat when it hit me.
I had completely forgotten something until now.
“How about dinner sometime? With the Vice Captain too. Wouldn’t it be great if the young ones leading the next generation built a close bond?”
“I’d be happy to, but I’m not sure if I should be taking up your time, sir.”
“Taking up? If anything, I’d say I’m the one intruding on your precious time, Researcher.”
“Not at all.”
“Then, while we’re at it, I’ll go ahead and make a reservation somewhere nice.”
It wasn’t even that long ago—how could I forget? Frowning, I tapped my watch to check the schedule.
Unbelievably, it was tonight.
……I nearly stood up the Captain and Vice Captain without so much as a word.
I swallowed down the sigh that almost slipped out. It had been a while since I had both lunch and dinner plans on the same day. Unless it was something absolutely necessary, I didn’t often meet people outside, so this kind of day was rare. My head throbbed just thinking about dinner, and I instinctively massaged my temples.
[I’m having dinner out tonight.]
Just as I was about to send the message to Min Yugeon, I paused. Wasn’t he on night duty today?
In that case, there was no need to let him know.
Without hesitation, I deleted the message.
***
I stepped into the restaurant, guarded by what looked like bodyguards. The interior was spotless, and every table was empty—except one. Judging by that, they’d likely rented out the entire place for the evening. Just like the kind of people who didn’t need a private place to be private—they had the power to make anywhere private.
As I walked toward the only occupied table, I reflexively froze.
Why is there only one person?
The only one who stood up to greet me was the Vice Captain.
“You’re here.”
“Am I late…?”
“No, I just got here a little early.”
His shy expression was still strikingly bright.
“Ah. Please, have a seat.”
“Alright.”
As I sat and wiped my hands, the Vice Captain watched me with quiet amusement. When I met his gaze with a puzzled look, he grinned like he’d been waiting for the moment.
“Come to think of it, you were surprised that I’m alone, right?”
“……”
I didn’t answer, but my expression said enough.
“My mother had something urgent come up. She was really sorry she couldn’t let you know in advance.”
“I see.”
“I apologize as well.”
“No need. She must be busy…”
Then we probably could’ve postponed the dinner altogether. But I kept the thought to myself. It seemed like the Vice Captain had come alone out of courtesy, not wanting to cancel outright and seem rude.
When I didn’t speak, he fell silent too. A lull settled over the table.
Just then, the food arrived—perfectly timed.
Steam rose from the beautifully arranged dishes like something out of a model display, and the rich aroma immediately took hold of my senses. My forgotten hunger kicked in, and my gaze was instinctively drawn to the food. The Vice Captain chuckled softly and suggested we eat first.
I didn’t refuse and picked up my knife and fork. I preferred to finish eating first, especially when I wasn’t yet comfortable with the person I was dining with.
With wine to accompany the meal, we ate just enough to feel satisfied. It wasn’t as good as Min Yugeon’s home-cooked food, but it was more than decent.
“Would you like some more?”
“Thank you.”
Once I started idly picking up and putting down my wine glass after wiping my lips, the atmosphere began to loosen up a bit.
Sensing that I’d finished eating, the Vice Captain finally spoke.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never told you my name. I’m Yeo Wonjin. You can just call me Wonjin-hyung, if you like.”
“……”
Even if he says that like a neighborhood hyung… he’s still the Vice Captain. There’s no way I could just call him ‘hyung’ like that.
For a moment, I couldn’t control my expression and stared at Yeo Wonjin with a look that said, Are you serious?
Yeo Wonjin let out a quiet laugh. There was a faint hint of mischief in it. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe he was just naturally like this—either way, he looked a bit more flushed than before.
“If you ever want to, later on.”
“……I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Hmm…”
He hummed softly, interlacing his fingers and resting them atop the table. His fingers, long and perfectly shaped, were striking enough to draw admiration.
“I hope you won’t find me too intimidating. I really do want to get closer to you, Researcher Seo.”
A subtle flush rose to Yeo Wonjin’s cheeks.
“I’ve known about you for a long time.”
“……About me?”
“Yes.”
His broad torso, wrapped neatly in a suit, leaned slightly forward.
“I don’t remember exactly when it started, but I think it was back when the Captain—my mother—first mentioned you. At first, I was simply curious. Then I came to think you were remarkable… and after that, I just started wanting to get to know you as a person.”
What exactly did the Captain say about me…? I blinked slowly. I had barely managed to persuade her to restart the project. She never offered me personal support the way she did my parents, nor had she ever shown any particular interest. Up until the demonstration, I thought she had no expectations of me at all.
It seemed, at least outside the context of the project, she had formed a fairly favorable opinion of me.
But Yeo Wonjin’s words were frankly overwhelming.
“I’m not that impressive.”
“No.”
He refuted that, firmly.
“You’re the person who’s accomplished the most meaningful work on this ship. No one else has proven, as you have, that we might truly reclaim the surface one day.”
“…….”
“There was a reason my mother ultimately approved and backed the Military Beast Project again.”
His eyes held no trace of deception.
I took a sip of water in silence.
“You’re not good with compliments, are you?”
Yeo Wonjin lifted the corners of his mouth with a soft smile.
“You’re cute.”
“…….”
Did I just hear something bone-chilling?
I stared at Yeo Wonjin, wondering if I’d misheard.
He was still looking at me with that same serene smile. No one could say something like that and then look so unbothered—clearly, I must’ve heard wrong.
Wiping the sour look from my face, I let Yeo Wonjin guide the conversation to a new topic.
For someone like me, who rarely initiates conversation, Yeo Wonjin was a surprisingly easy person to talk to. Usually, he’d lead with a question or comment, and I’d respond briefly, allowing the conversation to flow. He had a habit of saying things that could occasionally be misinterpreted, but he was quick-witted and never crossed the line. It felt like I was studying his communication style—trying to learn from it.
What had started as light drinking went on longer than expected, and the alcohol began to catch up with me. I started to worry that if this kept up, I might actually slip and call him hyung by accident. I checked the time out of the corner of my eye.
The numbers were blurry and hard to make out, so I rubbed at the corners of my eyes. Had it gotten that late? I really was drunk.
“Researcher?”
Yeo Wonjin called me. I turned to him a beat too late.
“Yes. Ah—sorry.”
“It really has gotten late, hasn’t it.”
He must have checked the time too, murmuring low.
“Shall we head out?”
“Yes.”
As I stood, I swayed and instinctively reached out to the table. I nearly grabbed a wine glass, but Yeo Wonjin, startled, quickly caught my arm from the front, preventing a disaster.
“Are you alright?”
“……Thank you.”
Carefully slipping out from between the table and chair, I tried not to stumble, but my legs weren’t quite cooperating. As he grabbed his coat, Yeo Wonjin rushed over and supported me. The moment his body touched mine from behind, it felt so comfortable—like sinking into a bed—that I leaned into him without meaning to.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Just lean on me.”
Yeo Wonjin gripped my shoulder firmly, steadying me. I lifted my gaze to meet his face just inches away. His flushed cheeks looked so close they could brush the tip of my nose. Despite his own inebriation, he seemed perfectly composed, which was baffling.
One of the guards outside spotted us through the window and quickly opened the door. But when Yeo Wonjin raised a hand to signal that everything was fine, the man halted immediately. Supporting me with surprising stability, Yeo Wonjin started walking carefully.
“I’ll take you home, Researcher.”
“I appreciate the offer, but… it’s alright. I’ll just call the friend I live with.”
“Sorry?”
“There’s no need to worry about me. You should head off first.”
“……”
…Ah, that’s right. Min Yugeon.
I caught the faint sound of Yeo Wonjin muttering under his breath near my ear.
I fumbled to operate my watch with a swaying hand, then paused and turned to him again.
Did he just say Min Yugeon?
Did I ever tell him that I lived with that guy?
“Now that I think about it, Researcher…”
Still smiling gently, Yeo Wonjin took hold of my wrist.
“It’s really late. Don’t you think he might already be asleep? How about coming to my place instead?”
“……? No, that’s alright.”
“I just didn’t want you to worry—my mother isn’t there. I live alone.”
“…….”
“It’s not far from here, either.”
His face made the offer more persuasive than words ever could. I frowned and cradled my head. My dulled senses, sluggish enough to forget that Min Yugeon was on night duty, now clamored for rest.
My slow, spinning thoughts simply refused to keep working.
