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A restaurant on the outskirts of Seoul, which had gained considerable fame on social media, was crowded with people even on weekend mornings. If Jang Yeonhu hadn’t paid extra to secure a reservation at a place that didn’t normally take reservations, they would have had to wait at least two hours. Han Jaekyung, who had been selfishly gobbling up the meat grilled by his companion, casually opened his mouth.
“Which department did you say you’re in again?”
“Product Planning Team. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“Just… I thought I’d heard it before but couldn’t remember.”
“You’re being silly. Here, eat up.”
It was clear that he had been quite tired lately. The dimples that formed on Jang Yeonhu’s cheeks as he picked up meat for Jaekyung and smiled were exactly the same as always. As Jaekyung’s chewing slowed down while his eyes scrutinized every corner of Yeonhu’s face, a worried voice immediately flew his way.
“Why aren’t you eating well today, Jaekyung? Don’t you like this place?”
“Hmm…”
From remembering Jaekyung’s casual mention of wanting to eat lamb chops and immediately driving him here as soon as the weekend came, to meticulously grilling meat without taking a single bite for himself and piling it all in front of Jaekyung—today, as always, Jang Yeonhu was nothing less than Jaekyung’s excellent personal sucker.
When Jaekyung didn’t answer immediately and dragged out the time, concern gathered like storm clouds in Yeonhu’s gentle, downturned eyes. Seeing that expression made Jaekyung feel like the irritation that had built up over the past few days was starting to dissipate.
Jaekyung curled up the corners of his mouth as if bestowing a favor. It was the kind of clean smile that Jang Yeonhu, who was hopelessly devoted to him, rarely showed. Today, it felt especially admirable, and he did seem to have been having a tough time lately…
“No, it’s delicious.”
“I’m glad. Eat a lot. Okay?”
After Jaekyung swallowed the meat he’d been chewing while saying it was delicious, the worry on Yeonhu’s face cleared up. With his deeply indented dimples, thick eyebrows, and clear eyes, he looked less like a conglomerate heir and more like some good-natured country puppy. It must be difficult to maintain such a boyish appearance at this age… Jaekyung appraised his personal sucker while chewing diligently.
“Excuse me, one cola here please!”
As soon as Jaekyung’s meat-eating pace slowed, Yeonhu ordered a carbonated drink as if he had some kind of sensor. The tall man, nearly 190cm, was already attracting occasional glances from people, but when he raised his hand, all eyes in the restaurant turned toward him at once.
His neat hairstyle and the navy cardigan he wore underneath looked refreshingly crisp even to Jaekyung. Of course, they were both handsome, but Jang Yeonhu and Han Jaekyung were opposite types. While not overwhelmingly beautiful or intimidating in appearance, Yeonhu had a uniquely amiable atmosphere and gentle eyes that allowed him to blend in well with any background without feeling out of place.
People invariably took an instant liking to Yeonhu. That liking would explosively expand the moment they learned of his social status.
This time was no different. The people filling the tables whispered carefully, keeping their voices low. Though Jaekyung couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, he could easily guess the content.
At best, comments about his good impression, or how nice it would be to have such a son or son-in-law—gentle compliments he’d heard to the point of nausea while being attached to Yeonhu all this time.
The restaurant employee seemed to see things the same way; although they had only ordered one additional cola, the returning tray also bore a kimchi pancake that wasn’t even on the menu, under the pretense of being a service item.
“Handsome young men, eat up. Let me know if you need more.”
“Haha, thank you. We’ll enjoy it.”
…Since when did that guy become so smooth?
Seeing Yeonhu chatting comfortably with anyone seemed strangely unfamiliar. While nibbling on the corn salad that came as a side dish, Jaekyung stared blankly at him.
“…Hmm? Is there something on my face?”
“Yeah. If you know, wipe it off.”
Feeling inexplicably annoyed, Jaekyung roughly wiped Yeonhu’s smooth cheek with a tissue despite nothing being there. Since he had barely eaten anything and had only been grilling meat, no grease even came off on the tissue. Yeonhu wasn’t called a sucker for nothing. He received the unstained tissue from Jaekyung and showed that characteristically kind smile of his. If it had been Jaekyung, it would have been meant to mock the other person, but Yeonhu was different.
“Thanks. As always, only our Jaekyung thinks of me.”
It’s fortunate that he’s my sucker; if some other guy had latched onto such a sucker, it would have been a real problem. Easily conjuring up thoughts without even a trace of conscience, Jaekyung snorted.
Whenever he saw Yeonhu—polite, kind, and incredibly nice even to someone as sharp and prickly as himself—Jaekyung felt complicated. On one hand, he felt pleased thinking, “So this guy who lacks nothing is desperately attached to me,” but on the other hand, he felt envious of Yeonhu’s wealthy background and the warm affection of his family that allowed him such generosity.
Either way, these were sentiments too excessive for a mere orphan who had managed to gain the young master’s favor and had lived as a parasite to him all his life.
After that, the relationship between Jang Yeonhu and himself hadn’t changed much, or so…
Han Jaekyung was letting what might be his last chance slip away in such an obvious delusion.
Even when the frequency of their contact had noticeably decreased, even when their meetings, which used to happen three or four times a week, had drastically reduced.
* * *
Today too. Today too, Jang Yeonhu seemed to be busy, not replying to the message asking if he was dead. But Jaekyung didn’t mind much. Starting next week, he would be dispatched to work at Woojin Group’s Legal Team, and if that happened, they would probably run into each other constantly in the same building. While it might be unavoidable not to meet when they were far apart, as long as they were in the same building, there was no way Yeonhu wouldn’t come looking for Jaekyung.
“Excuse me. I’m Han Jaekyung, who’ll be working in the Legal Team starting next week.”
“Ah, Attorney Han. Hello. I was informed in advance. But what brings you here at this hour…”
Only a security team employee on night shift was standing in the lobby, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Jaekyung smiled brightly, saying he had a lot of documents to move and wanted to see the facilities in advance. As always, winning people’s favor with that smiling face was as easy as eating cold porridge. The security staff member also nodded and granted him entry permission. “The Legal Team is on the 17th floor, take the high-rise elevator.” Unsolicited kindness included.
However, Jaekyung’s finger did not stop at the 17th floor when he boarded the high-rise elevator as instructed.
“Hmm, Planning Team, Planning Team…”
Thanks to the floor guide posted in the elevator, it wasn’t difficult to find where Yeonhu would be.
He said he couldn’t meet because he was busy with overtime work, but here Jaekyung was, coming to meet him first. That bastard Yeonhu… would he cry his eyes out saying he missed Jaekyung as soon as he saw him?
Thinking about that somehow made Jaekyung’s chest feel warm, and he even found himself giggling alone in the empty elevator.
On the silent corridor where all employees had gone home, the sound of his leather shoes walking was particularly loud. Following the arrow marked “Product Planning Team,” Jaekyung’s stride grew larger and faster with each step. In his mind, there wasn’t even the slightest thought that Yeonhu might not welcome his visit.
When he reached the Planning Team, there was only one desk with the lights still on. Of course, it must be Yeonhu’s seat, what else? If not, he could just ask. Jaekyung approached that desk quickly, about to say “Excuse me,” but…
“Assistant Manager… what if, hnnng, what if someone sees us?”
“Everyone else left a long time ago, who’s going to see?”
“Still…”
Beyond the partition, two people in neat dress shirts were passionately kissing. Since it wasn’t work hours anyway, and he himself was gay, whether others kissed or had sex at the office was none of Jaekyung’s business. Clearly, it should have been none of his business… but.
“Never mind that, focus.”
“…Yes.”
“And what did I tell you to call me after work?”
“…”
“Eunseong.”
“Y-yes… Yeonhu hyung…”
This couldn’t be happening. The one showing a loving smile and saying “Well done” with a look that seemed about to melt was definitely,
“Hey, Jang Yeonhu. What are you doing here?”
The very same person who until just a few days ago had volunteered to be his faithful sucker,
“Ack! W-who are you!?”
“…Jaekyung.”
That very Jang Yeonhu.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
