- Side Story – [202X201] Call Connected
“Why don’t you like it?”
“I don’t like it—I just didn’t hear what the manager said earlier? He said we were being too loud.”
“I heard. So what? If it bothers you, I already told you we could go to my place.”
Choi Taewon crossed his arms and glared at him, his expression defiant. Kim Seongjun was so frustrated he didn’t even know what to say. The sheer audacity—walking into his place like he owned it, then acting all smug.
“Then what about 102? You’re close with the manager, aren’t you? Or wait, you’re just always so damn loud—”
“So?”
“What?”
Taewon’s voice was sharp. “You’re talking like you didn’t enjoy it. Like it’s all my fault? Who the hell was screaming like they were dying?”
Seongjun’s face burned. The memory of his own voice, hoarse from moaning, flashed through his mind. He had enjoyed it. Like a thief who’d discovered the thrill of stealing late in life, he and Taewon had been tangled up in each other almost every day. Taewon came over more often, but sometimes, Seongjun was the one who called him first. He had no comeback. He just stood there, mouth shut.
Taewon scoffed. “What’s the problem?”
The irritation in his voice grated on Seongjun’s nerves. Who the hell does he think he is? Just because he’s pissed, does that mean he gets to act like this? Can’t he just say he’ll be more careful? The thoughts swirled in his head, his brows furrowing as he snapped back.
“What do you mean?”
“Acting like the manager’s complaints are some new thing. You don’t remember all the times you were so loud he came knocking? Back then, you didn’t give a shit, so why the sudden concern?”
Seongjun’s jaw tightened. “Is that the same thing?”
“What’s different? What’s so embarrassing? Fuck, am I the one who should be embarrassed? Huh? That’s why you ignored me outside, pretended you didn’t know me, and now you’re acting like a dick inside too?”
Seongjun had ignored him once. But it was just panic. He’d been surrounded by homophobic classmates—people he couldn’t trust, people he always had to watch his words around. Their eyes had met, and he’d looked away. Just a flicker. He’d thought Taewon understood. If he’d had a problem with it, he should’ve said something then.
And now?
“A dick? You done talking?”
“Yeah. I’m done.”
Taewon’s voice was ice-cold as he turned and yanked open the front door. A gust of cold air rushed in, and then—slam—the door shut, cutting off Seongjun’s view. Only then did Seongjun’s frozen body jerk into motion. He took a step forward, then stopped.
“Fucking asshole,” he muttered, spinning around. His blood boiling, he stormed into the kitchen to splash cold water on his face. That’s when he saw it: a lone bottle of wine sitting on the table. His scowl slowly smoothed out.
“What the hell…? When did this…?”
He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. He didn’t remember buying wine, let alone leaving it here. Then he noticed the small card tucked beneath the bottle. He set the wine down carefully and picked up the card. The handwriting was a mess, scrawled in haste.
Happy Birthday.
Only then did Seongjun realize why Taewon had been so insistent about spending today together. Why he’d snapped when the manager texted about a barbecue party. Taewon had been throwing a fit like a child, and Seongjun had just gotten more irritable. The shame he’d felt when the manager warned them on the rooftop—he’d taken it out on Taewon for no reason. Taewon must’ve reacted just as badly, sensing his mood. But still.
“It’s not even my birthday today.”
He mumbled, glancing at the calendar. He celebrated his lunar birthday, so he hadn’t even realized today was his solar one. And Taewon had gone and gotten wine for him. He’d been so distracted by the free meat, so caught up in worrying about what others thought, that he hadn’t even noticed Taewon acting strange. He’d just been annoyed.
Seongjun put the card down and rushed out. He didn’t bother with his jacket—just kicked off his shoes and left, still in his slippers. It was only a few steps away. Right next door. 202.
Ring. He pressed the bell. Silence. Ring. Again. Nothing. Taewon was probably ignoring him out of anger. Seongjun jabbed the bell repeatedly—ringringring—but still, no answer. Without hesitation, he lifted the door lock cover and punched in the code Taewon had told him. The lock clicked, and he turned the handle.
But the apartment was dark. Taewon wasn’t ignoring him. He wasn’t there at all.
“Taewon!”
He called out, but there was no reply. Just in case, he stepped inside, pushing open the closed bedroom door. Empty. They usually met at Seongjun’s place, so he’d never really been in here. Everything felt unfamiliar. Just like this room, there were parts of Taewon he didn’t know. He’d assumed he knew everything. He shouldn’t have judged so rashly.
Standing in the dim room, lit only by the faint moonlight, Seongjun pulled out his phone. The call rang a few times. Just as he thought it would go to voicemail, Taewon answered.
[What.]
“Hey, Choi Taewon! Where the hell are you?”
[Ugh, my ears. What now?]
Seongjun’s simmering anger flared at the irritated tone. The way Taewon acted like he was pushing him away—it twisted something in his head. Bad thoughts crept in. Taewon’s surroundings were too quiet. He could hear the faint sound of a TV. Not a bar, not a club—someone’s house. No way…
“You little shit, where are you? Who are you flirting with—”
[Fuck, you called just to say that? It’s a friend’s place! Just a friend, damn it!]
Taewon’s furious outburst snapped Seongjun back to his senses. Since they’d officially started dating, Taewon had never given him a reason to doubt him. His own insecurity—his lack of experience, his fear of being the older, clumsy one—had almost made him say something stupid. That realization made him desperate.
“I miss you.”
[Huh?]
“I miss you, you bastard.”
[……]
“Sorry. I went too far. I was just… thinking about myself. You always seem so unfazed, so I just assumed you were fine. Guess I’m the idiot here. And… I’m sorry about earlier. Ignoring you. I was really just panicked. I should’ve apologized properly. It was my fault. It wasn’t because I was embarrassed of you. And… thanks for the birthday wish.”
Silence. Seongjun scowled, thinking Taewon was still pissed. He clenched his teeth, waiting. Then, finally, Taewon’s voice came through, subdued.
[Kim Seongjun.]
“What? You gonna start acting up again just ‘cause I’m being nice?”
[Heh. Yeah, hyung. Seongjun hyung. What am I supposed to do? Fuck, now I miss you more.”
“So why’d you leave after all that?”
[Who started it first?]
“You little— Just get back here, okay?”
[Can’t for a couple hours. This idiot went out for a bit, and I don’t have the key. Can’t lock up without it. The door lock’s broken, so I have to wait for him to… Oh, right. Connect the Bluetooth earbuds.]
“Huh?”
[Connect them and call me.]
Click. Taewon hung up without waiting for a response. Seongjun stared at the screen. He actually hung up.
“Crazy bastard… I only put up with you ‘cause you’re hot.”
Grumbling, Seongjun left Taewon’s empty apartment. Back in his own place, he flopped onto the beanbag in front of the coffee table. He found the earbuds next to his laptop, put them in, and connected them to his phone. A notification popped up.
Bluetooth connected.
Every time he saw those words, a mix of embarrassment, longing, and flustered memories surfaced. He shook his head and double-checked the earbuds were secure. Then he called Taewon. This time, the call connected almost instantly.
“Hello? Yeah, I connected.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
