“Just…”
“I’d really prefer it if you were clear.”
“Hyeon-hyung gets cold easily. And out of all of us here, he’s having the hardest time.”
“The hardest time? Based on what?”
“You know I landed a supporting role in that fusion sageuk drama, right?”
At Lee Ji-gyeong’s confident tone, Yoon Do-yeong simply looked at him for a moment before letting out a small smile. He himself had done a fair number of commercials and taken on several roles, but it was the drama he’d filmed right before enlisting that really brought him recognition.
Even so, Yoon Do-yeong was quickly forgotten by the public. Sure, a few people still recognized him from time to time, but no one ever approached him. Thanks to that, he’d enjoyed a relatively peaceful college life. But after filming the historical drama, people began recognizing him again, and the constant attention became uncomfortable.
Now that Ji-gyeong had landed his first supporting role, he seemed to be under the illusion that this would skyrocket his popularity. Whether his acting had actually improved since college was anyone’s guess. Do-yeong just hoped he wouldn’t cause trouble for the staff or his co-actors.
Despite those thoughts, Do-yeong’s expression remained warm.
“I heard from Hyeon. I’ll definitely check it out.”
“That’s not the point. The point is, Hyeon-hyung is still a nobody. So when someone who’s got everything complains about how hard things are, can you really expect him to sympathize?”
“…I know Hyeon’s been really considerate toward me.”
“Then can’t you show a little consideration too?”
“What exactly have I failed to consider for you?”
Do-yeong emphasized the word you, staring directly at Ji-gyeong. His face was composed, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp, unsettling intensity. Ji-gyeong’s brow twitched, caught off guard by the unfamiliar look. As if he’d been waiting for just that reaction, Do-yeong’s tone turned icier.
“Am I someone you feel so comfortable with that you can take out your irritation on me by using Hyeon as an excuse?”
His calm but pointed remark made Ji-gyeong falter. His voice wavered with regret.
“…I wasn’t trying to be irritating.”
“We all agreed to come to the beach. You agreed too, remember? You brought him here.”
“‘Brought him’?”
That phrasing put a sharp edge in Ji-gyeong’s tone.
“The beach I originally had in mind takes three hours to get to. It’s isolated—mostly locals go there. No shops, no tourists. But there’s a famous little restaurant about thirty minutes out, so it’s perfect to eat and then enjoy the quiet view. You can park right next to the sand, so if it’s cold, you can just stay in the car. Watch the sunset, talk, relax.”
“…So you’re saying we came here because of me?”
“No.”
Do-yeong gave a faint smile, just lifting the corner of his lips.
“Hyeon picked this place. Because you were hungover and struggling. I just respected Hyeon’s decision.”
With that, Do-yeong turned his eyes to the crashing waves. The wind howled around them, whipping through his hair. Letting it hit him full force, Do-yeong turned back to Ji-gyeong, now cold and expressionless.
“If you’re cold, do you want to go wait in a café? I can book you a hotel nearby if you’d rather rest. Or…”
With a serious face, only the corner of his mouth curled up again.
“I can call you a cab. Want to go ahead without us?”
Ji-gyeong’s expression froze completely.
“Hyung… you don’t like me, do you?”
Do-yeong burst into a bright, open smile at the blunt question. Ji-gyeong’s lips slowly twisted in response.
Meeting Ji-gyeong’s eyes, Do-yeong beamed, his gaze calm and oddly joyful, as if the sight of Ji-gyeong’s barely concealed discomfort genuinely pleased him.
“If you knew what Hyeon and I went through today before coming here… if you knew the conversations we had… you wouldn’t have come. It just so happens that today is Hyeon’s birthday. That’s the only reason I didn’t say no.”
“……”
“I’m already being more than considerate toward you.”
Do-yeong maintained his warm smile as he cut straight to the point. Then, as the waves receded, he stepped forward.
“Fix your expression. It’s Hyeon’s birthday.”
Ji-gyeong stepped aside slightly to let him pass. Just then, Kang Hyeon returned, handing each of them a can of hot coffee and a heat pack before opening a bag of snacks for the seagulls.
Do-yeong warmed his cold hands on the can, then suddenly cupped Kang Hyeon’s flushed cheeks. Hyeon flinched but didn’t pull away. Do-yeong squeezed gently, pushing his cheeks together so his lips puckered out.
“Your palms are warm, but your fingers are still cold.”
His eyes gleamed mischievously as he slowly let go. Kang Hyeon, still flustered, stared at Do-yeong’s red-tipped fingers before awkwardly handing him his own heat pack.
“Hyung, my hands are cold too.”
Ji-gyeong, holding the snack bag, reached out expectantly.
“I already gave you a heat pack.”
“Don’t be a buzzkill. Just hold them and warm them up, will you?”
Kang Hyeon let out a disbelieving snort.
“My hands are colder.”
No sooner had he said it than Do-yeong snatched Kang Hyeon’s hands and shoved them inside his coat. Then he handed back the heat pack and gently rubbed the backs of Hyeon’s frozen, reddened hands. Hyeon quickly pulled away, flustered, and clutched the coffee can with both hands.
Annoyed, Ji-gyeong hurled a snack at the seagulls. Meanwhile, Hyeon tried to play it cool, lifting his arm with another piece of food. A seagull swooped down and snatched it from his fingers.
“Ooh~! Me too!”
Ji-gyeong raised his hand high, mimicking him, and the two became engrossed in feeding the birds.
Do-yeong watched the pair with amusement, then slowly stepped backward. The cold sea water lapped at his ankles. Without hesitation, he kept walking back, then suddenly let himself fall sideways into the waves.
He locked eyes with Ji-gyeong the moment he went down.
“Do-yeong!”
Kang Hyeon shouted, throwing down the snack bag and coffee before sprinting toward him. Do-yeong stayed down, gripping his ankle like it was injured.
Hyeon rushed into the surf and pulled Do-yeong up, who muttered weakly, “I twisted my ankle.”
His coat and pants were soaked, water dripping everywhere. Ji-gyeong’s brows furrowed at the sight.
Do-yeong limped out of the water, his gaze fixed on the drenched hem of his coat. Kang Hyeon quickly tried to wring it out and shouted to Ji-gyeong.
“Find a clothing store!”
He then wrapped Do-yeong tightly in his arms and led him toward the parking lot. Ji-gyeong frowned, pulling out his phone.
“There’s a shopping center near—”
“This won’t do. Let’s just go to a hotel nearby. Get it laundered and rest.”
Do-yeong cut him off with a gloomy expression.
“You’re hungover and freezing too, right? Let’s have some tea and warm up, then come back out for the sunset.”
“……”
“…Sure.”
Kang Hyeon answered after a beat, since Ji-gyeong was too stunned to speak. He was uneasy about drawing attention by shopping for clothes and worried about Do-yeong’s grim expression.
As they neared the parking lot, people had begun to gather, unlike earlier when it was quiet. Smartphones were pointed their way.
“Did he fall into the water?” someone whispered, concerned.
“Wow, he’s really handsome,” said another.
A middle-aged woman even offered them a blanket.
“Yoon Do-yeong!!!”
“Over here! Here!!”
A sharp voice called out, and Kang Hyeon instinctively moved to shield Do-yeong as they hurried through the lot.
“What a damn prick.”
A sudden harsh voice made Kang Hyeon glance over. Two young men, watching Do-yeong with scorn, were muttering under their breath.
“All we did was call his name, and he glared at us like that.”
“Apparently he’s rude as hell. Heard he’s infamous for that even among celebs.”
Kang Hyeon loosened his scarf and draped it over Do-yeong’s head, blocking their view.
“What the hell…”
The guy who’d been trying to get a shot of Do-yeong cursed under his breath, but Kang Hyeon ignored him and wrapped an arm around Do-yeong’s shoulders, quickening his pace. Ji-gyeong stepped ahead to help clear a path, repeating, “Excuse us, coming through.”
Someone in the crowd murmured, “Is he a celebrity?”
“Yep! He’s gonna be in the fusion sageuk drama Return of the Moon!“
Ji-gyeong smiled brightly, even waved.
“He’s playing the role of the dethroned crown prince! It airs this summer!”
Still projecting his voice for self-promotion, Ji-gyeong ushered Do-yeong into the back seat and quickly got Kang Hyeon into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver’s seat himself.
“Give me the keys.”
“Switch seats with me.”
Kang Hyeon stepped up, knowing Do-yeong didn’t like others driving his car. But Ji-gyeong turned back and raised his voice.
“Do-yeong hyung. It’s Hyeon-hyung’s birthday. Let him rest. I’ll drive. I’m a good driver.”
The moment he emphasized birthday, Do-yeong handed over the keys.
“Thanks, Ji-gyeong.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Suddenly, the tension between Do-yeong and Ji-gyeong seemed to vanish. For Hyeon’s sake, they put on their most cordial masks, acting like the model senior and junior.
Do-yeong sat on the inner side of the back seat, leaving space for Hyeon, removed his soaked coat, and made a call.
“We’re heading to the hotel. Can you book a room for me?”
After ending the call, he slumped back into the seat, resting his head.
“Are you okay?” Kang Hyeon asked, taking off his own coat.
“No.”
“Here, use this.”
He handed over his coat and turned up the car heater.
“You feeling really bad?”
“I just need to rest a bit.”
Do-yeong closed his eyes, clearly overwhelmed. Kang Hyeon stared at him for a moment, then unbuckled his seatbelt and started to move into the back.
“Hyung! I’m driving! That’s dangerous!” Ji-gyeong exclaimed.
“Then drive carefully,” Kang Hyeon shot back.
