Yesterday, Haon had dinner prepared by Inho, and they sat together on the living room sofa to watch a movie before naturally retreating to their respective bedrooms. The day seemed to pass unusually quickly.
Haon did his best to avoid acting awkwardly. He focused on his meal during dinner and tried hard to follow the movie’s storyline, widening his eyes to concentrate. Throughout the evening, Haon made a conscious effort not to think about Inho. Every time their eyes met, Haon’s heart would race, causing him to avert his gaze. As a result, Haon didn’t get a good look at Inho’s face all evening.
Even now, as they rode in the car together, Haon’s gaze was fixed outside the window, avoiding Inho’s reflection. He tried to focus on the passing pedestrians instead.
“The weather is nice today too,” Inho said, breaking the silence. He was driving Haon to his weekend part-time job. Although Haon insisted he was fine, Inho had grabbed the car keys, saying he wasn’t okay with Haon going alone.
“You seemed to eat a lot for lunch. Let me know if your stomach feels uncomfortable,” Inho added. Haon had finished all the food Inho served him, even scraping the bowl clean after he was full.
“Maybe we should have had some tea. We still have some time. Would you like to get a cup?” Inho asked, glancing at Haon during a brief stop at a traffic light. Haon shook his head, indicating he was fine. His voice was barely audible, so he nodded or shook his head to respond.
Yes, no, I’m fine.
These three phrases were all Haon could manage to say, repeating them like a parrot. He wanted to contribute to the conversation, but his mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
However, he couldn’t just sit there in silence. If he did, they might not have a proper conversation until they reached the store.
“Today is…” Haon began, determined to say something. He cleared his throat and clenched his fist, trying to find his voice.
“You look great today too…”
The words tumbled out before he could stop them. Haon froze, wishing he could disappear. He imagined himself as a mouse, squeaking quietly by Inho’s side.
Maybe Inho would hate that. Maybe it would be better to be something small and cute, like a sparrow or an ant—something so insignificant that Inho wouldn’t even notice. In truth, Haon just wanted to be anything that wouldn’t bother Inho.
“We’ve arrived,” Inho said, snapping Haon out of his thoughts. Haon looked up to see Inho smiling at him, gesturing toward the store entrance. They were already there.
“I’ll pick you up at one o’clock,” Inho said.
Inho unbuckled Haon’s seatbelt and said, “If anything happens, make sure to call me.”
Haon found himself nodding in response to Inho’s gaze. He had intended to say that Inho didn’t need to pick him up, but the words didn’t come out.
“Inho…” Haon attempted to salvage the failed conversation. There was still time before he had to start work, so he didn’t need to get out of the car immediately. They had a little more time to talk.
“What are you doing today?” Haon finally managed to ask a proper question. He had intended to ask this earlier but had stumbled over his words when he saw Inho’s face.
“Well, today…” Inho paused, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he thought. It seemed he didn’t have any specific plans.
“I think I’ll just rest at home,” Inho said.
Haon nodded, reminding Inho to eat dinner properly. He worried that Inho might not eat well when alone, as he seemed to eat less than his physique and activity level required.
“I should get going,” Haon said, preparing to leave the car. He couldn’t think of anything else to say. Despite feeling awkward together, Haon felt a pang of regret at the thought of parting ways. His hand slowed as he reached for the door, even though he knew they would see each other again in the evening.
“Be careful. Thank you for the ride,” Haon said, bowing his head. Inho smiled softly and suddenly reached out his hand. Haon instinctively leaned in, expecting Inho to touch his face.
Instead, Inho gently brushed Haon’s hand, as if wishing him a safe journey. “You look great today too, Haon,” Inho whispered playfully, making Haon blush. Haon quickly exited the car, feeling flustered.
Haon stood outside the store, watching as Inho’s car drove away. He felt a strange sense of longing, his heart pounding as he slowly began to walk.
“Uh…” Haon reached for the store’s door, only to find it already open.
“Welcome back,” Tae-hwi greeted him with a smile, having opened the door from inside. He had been watching the entire scene through the transparent glass door.
“You must have a lot to tell me,” Tae-hwi said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. He had been eagerly waiting for this moment since last week when he saw Inho pick up Haon. He was dying to know how Haon had met such an amazing man.
“Why didn’t you get out of the car right away?” Tae-hwi asked, leading Haon to the storeroom to get ready for work. Judging by Haon’s expression, Tae-hwi sensed that something had happened between them. Tae-hwi was very perceptive.
“We just… talked,” Haon said, his face already flushing bright red.
Tae-hwi raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Just talked, huh? A little spice would make it even better.”
He let out a playful laugh, but it was abruptly cut short by a smack on the back of his head from Hyung-cheol, who was passing by on his way to the kitchen.
“Leave the kid alone,” Hyung-cheol scolded.
“I’m just showing interest!” Tae-hwi protested, rubbing the back of his head.
Hyung-cheol shook his head. “You’re going too far.”
While the two bickered, Haon quickly slipped into the storeroom and put on his apron. He waited for Tae-hwi to join him.
“Haon, do my questions make you uncomfortable? Should I stop asking?” Tae-hwi asked sincerely as he entered the storeroom, still rubbing his head. Despite his playful demeanor, he genuinely cared about others’ feelings.
“I… I have something to tell you,” Haon admitted. He knew Tae-hwi could be a bit much sometimes, but he also knew he meant well. Right now, Haon needed someone to talk to, and Tae-hwi was the perfect listener.
“You’re dating him, aren’t you?” Tae-hwi said, a knowing smile on his face.
Haon’s eyes widened in shock. “H-how did you know?!”
Tae-hwi laughed. “I had a feeling. Anyway, congratulations!”
He wanted to chat more, but they were short on time. A large group reservation was coming in early today. “What’s the problem? Give me the short version.”
Haon fidgeted with his apron, hesitating. “I… I don’t know what it means to be in a relationship…” he confessed. Truthfully, he was confused about everything—how to act around Inho, how to understand Inho’s feelings for him. It all felt overwhelming.
“And… I don’t know…” Haon trailed off, sighing. He felt like he was the only one taking things too seriously.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice interrupted. Nam Hoyoung, the youngest staff member, had arrived for his shift and was trying to enter the cramped storeroom.
Tae-hwi sighed and pulled out his phone, handing it to Haon.
“Write down your number. We’ll talk later on the phone,” Tae-hwi said, handing Haon his phone.
“Oh, okay,” Haon replied, quickly entering his number. It was the first time he had given his number to a coworker.
“Haon, don’t forget to change your shoes before you come out,” Tae-hwi reminded him, pointing to Haon’s sneakers as he left the storeroom. The store provided separate shoes for the staff to wear while working, as the kitchen floor could get slippery.
Haon quickly changed his shoes, not wanting to forget. Meanwhile, Hoyoung was also getting ready for work, stowing his large crossbody bag in the corner.
“Is everything okay now?” Hoyoung asked Haon, his expression serious and concerned.
“Huh?” Haon looked up from tying his shoes. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Thanks for worrying about me.” He remembered how Hoyoung had tried to help him when Inho came to the store. With everything that had happened during the week, he had forgotten to thank him.
“That man seems like a really good person. You don’t have to worry!” Haon assured him.
“If you say so,” Hoyoung replied, still looking uncertain.
Haon’s complexion seemed better than the previous week, but he still had a bandage on his left cheek where a bad bruise had been. It was clear that someone had hit him.
“Haon,” Hoyoung said, catching Haon’s attention again.
“Yeah?” Haon replied.
“About the taxi fare you borrowed…” Hoyoung began.
Taxi fare? Haon blinked in confusion before suddenly remembering. He jumped, literally leaving the ground for a moment.
“I… I owe you money! How much was it? I’ll pay you back right now! I’ll give you extra!” Haon exclaimed, fumbling for his wallet.
Hoyoung stopped him and, like Tae-hwi, held out his phone. Instead of asking for money, he asked Haon to treat him to a meal sometime.
And just like that, Haon’s contacts list grew by two more names: ‘Tae-hwi’ and ‘Hoyoung’.
