# Chapter 31
He had heard yesterday that Seungho and Jaan would be going on a mission. That meant it would be just Doyoon and Hajin until Jinwoo returned.
There was still time, so all he needed to do was make Hajin pay proper attention to him during that period.
“Aren’t you going to get dressed?”
“…I am.”
Doyoon couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in for a challenging journey.
After reluctantly getting dressed and coming downstairs, Doyoon felt a strange sensation at the neatly set table, which was better prepared than he had expected. He couldn’t even remember the last time someone had made a meal for him.
Feeling a ticklish sensation in his chest, Doyoon unnecessarily ruffled the back of his hair.
“Please put this down.”
Hajin, who had already ladled soup, held out the bowl to Doyoon, who promptly rushed over to take it.
After placing the bowl down as instructed, Doyoon sat across from Hajin, picked up his chopsticks, and said, “Doesn’t this make us seem like newlyweds?”
“…If that were the case, I’d be quite the unconscionable person, wouldn’t I?”
Unlike Doyoon, who was grinning happily, Hajin’s expression was troubled, as if the mere thought made him feel guilty. Seeing this response, Doyoon’s cheerful smile turned into a sullen expression.
“Anyone would think we have a fourteen-year age gap or something.”
Hajin wanted to point out that even a nine-year age difference would be criticized in society, but he held back, fearing Doyoon would genuinely be upset. After all, they weren’t actually dating.
Hajin, who would have screamed in frustration had he known what Doyoon was thinking, and Doyoon, oblivious to this fact, peacefully finished their meal.
Doyoon eagerly considered how to make the most of this limited time. Once Jinwoo returned, their time alone would end, so he couldn’t waste this opportunity.
Thinking about how to naturally close the distance between himself and Hajin, he brought out a game cartridge he had bought as a gift for Hajin but hadn’t been able to use yet.
“Hyung, want to play a game together?”
“I’ve never played games before. Would that be okay?”
That was actually ideal. Doyoon tried to suppress his smiling lips and nodded.
“It’s just for fun, you know, just for fun.”
“In that case…”
Confirming Hajin’s nod, Doyoon quickly connected the game console to the TV.
Unlike Hajin, who looked awkward even holding the controller, Doyoon appeared skilled, selecting games with one hand while holding the controller.
“What game should we start with? Since it’s your first time, should we begin with something simple?”
The game he chose was Mario Kart. Hajin, holding the controller with both hands and looking somewhat lost, tried his best to understand Doyoon’s explanation, but it wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped.
“Let’s just try it. You learn games by playing them.”
“Okay…”
Hajin honestly wondered if he would improve, but seeing how excited Doyoon was, it was difficult to voice his concerns.
‘A few rounds should be enough.’
However, Hajin gradually became immersed in the game he had started with such casual expectations.
“Wait, how do I exit this?”
“Why can’t I do it?”
“Ugh, is this thing broken?”
As his character kept finishing last and getting attacked by items, Hajin’s frustration sparked a competitive desire in him.
He became so focused that it even surprised Doyoon.
“Hyung, should we try a different game?”
“No. Let’s continue.”
“Umm…”
Doyoon, who hadn’t known Hajin had such a competitive side, regretted suggesting the game. His original plan was to spend some pleasant time together and reduce the distance between them.
But looking at Hajin now, far from closing the gap, he was filled only with the determination to beat Doyoon.
‘He barely reacted to anything normally, yet he turns out to be competitive.’
Gripping the controller tightly, Hajin’s shoulders twitched in sync with the character turning corners, looking like someone desperate to win.
‘…He has an unexpectedly cute side.’
While secretly observing Hajin with his eyes and only moving his fingers, Doyoon momentarily made a mistake, and Hajin, not missing the opportunity, finally succeeded in overtaking him.
As Hajin’s character brushed past Doyoon’s and crossed the finish line, he unconsciously clenched his fist in delight.
But then a deep sense of self-consciousness hit him.
‘…What am I doing?’
Though he didn’t shout, Hajin had been physically expressing his joy. Realizing he was overly immersed, he unclenched his fist in embarrassment.
It was just a game, and his opponent was nine years younger. Despite the difference in skill between them, he felt ashamed for genuinely trying to beat such a young opponent.
“Wow, you didn’t miss that chance.”
He felt embarrassed even at that compliment. Hajin tried to calm his reddening face as he put down the controller.
“Ahem, let’s stop here.”
“Already?”
“I think I’ve had enough fun for now.”
But Doyoon had no intention of letting Hajin go like this. Seeing his embarrassment, he realized they weren’t getting closer—if anything, they were growing more distant, which couldn’t happen.
“No way. You win at the end and then try to leave? Just one more round. This time, the winner has to grant the loser’s wish.”
Hajin, who was about to refuse at the mention of a bet, questioned Doyoon’s proposal.
“Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
Doyoon grinned smugly in response.
“Usually, yes. But you’ve only won once. It would be unfair if you had to grant a wish when you’re obviously going to lose.”
Hajin thought it took some talent to look so insufferable with such a handsome face.
“You’d better start thinking about what wish you’ll make.”
Hajin picked up the controller again. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared about Doyoon’s provocation.
But Hajin had just won once after several defeats, and unlike his usual self, he was excited.
This was precisely why adults warned against gambling, but ironically, Hajin, who had never played games before, easily succumbed to the competitive urge.
“I’ll return those words to you.”
Doyoon had to struggle to keep his twitching lips under control as he watched Hajin holding the controller seriously.
How could someone close to their team leader’s age be so adorable?
For a moment, he felt like letting Hajin win outright. But Doyoon, with something specific in mind, shook his head to refocus. There was a reason he had deliberately provoked Hajin.
3, 2, 1, START!
With the starting signal, Doyoon quickly surged ahead. Hajin also started without fumbling, seemingly more accustomed now. But his start was slower than Doyoon’s.
For the first lap and even the second, Doyoon maintained his lead over Hajin. Despite it being a game, his smooth cornering appeared effortless.
However, the situation reversed during the final lap.
If it had been a pure speed race, Doyoon would have smoothly crossed the finish line in first place, but this was an item race.
“Huh?!”
It meant the situation could be reversed with a single stroke of luck. Doyoon had been leisurely adjusting his speed, maintaining a precarious lead as if taunting Hajin.
But that advantage was short-lived. Doyoon’s character was hit by an item Hajin had launched and came to a complete stop.
Hajin didn’t miss his chance. Doyoon’s character only stopped for a few seconds, but it was enough time for Hajin to overtake him and widen the gap.
In the end, like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, Doyoon lost to Hajin due to his own complacency.
Hajin smiled slightly as he watched his character cross the finish line. But he soon realized the reality when he heard Doyoon laughing beside him.
“You won, hyung?”
‘What a fool I’ve been…’
Indeed. The terms of the bet were that the winner had to grant the loser’s wish.
Due to his wounded pride, Hajin hadn’t thought about the implications of those terms, and now he would have to face the consequences.
Despite the clear situation where Hajin had won and Doyoon had lost, their reactions were opposite.
Hajin was sighing at his own belated realization of his stupidity, while Doyoon was smiling triumphantly as if he had won.
Unable to face that smile, Hajin said in a deflated voice, “…Don’t suggest playing games anymore.”
“Come on, you’re good at it, why act like that~”
That remark was even more annoying. Hajin put down the controller, unable to hide his sullen expression.
“So, what’s your wish? I won’t grant anything strange.”
“Of course I know that much. My wish is…”
Just as he was about to voice the wish he had planned from the moment he set this trap, a loud alarm sounded from Doyoon’s pocket.
“Ah, why now of all times…”
Pulling out the phone stuffed in his pocket, Doyoon answered the call roughly.
“Yes. This is Doyoon.”
As the call continued, Doyoon’s expression became increasingly crumpled.
“So you want me to come now? But Hajin hyung will be alone! No! It’s my day off!”
Doyoon protested loudly, but it seemed to have little effect as his expression remained as crumpled as a ball of foil.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
After ending the call irritably, Doyoon exhaled deeply and turned to Hajin with a disgruntled face.
“I have to go to the Association… Damn those people, they can’t handle their own work and then they blame others.”
Hajin, who understood well the horror of being called into work on a holiday, patted Doyoon’s shoulder comfortingly.
“Will it take long?”
“Those idiots messed with something they shouldn’t have, so it’ll probably take a day. At least the team leader is returning, so don’t get too close while I’m gone.”
Though the last part of his statement seemed oddly disconnected, Hajin assumed it was just because Doyoon hated having to go to work, so he saw Doyoon off at the front door.
“Take care.”
“I’ll be back.”
After watching Doyoon reluctantly leave, Hajin tidied up the game equipment.
By the time he had finished cleaning and had a cup of coffee, he heard the front door open.
When he went to the entrance, he saw Jinwoo, looking somewhat tired, taking off his shoes.
“Ah, Hajin-ssi.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
