“……”
—I’ll get there as fast as I can.
“……Okay. I’ll wait at a café nea—”
Mid-sentence, Ji-gyeong snatched Kang Hyeon’s phone from his hand. He gave a quick gesture as if asking for just a moment and disappeared into the master bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Kang Hyeon, flustered, knocked on the door, but Ji-gyeong ignored him and raised the phone to his ear.
“Do-yeong hyung. How’ve you been?”
—What the hell do you think you’re doing?
“Today’s the day the decision gets made.”
—……
“Whether to reject or accept. I’ll go through it first. That way, it’ll be easier for you.”
—……
“I’m trying to keep things civil between people like us. So just sit tight and behave. If you want to play the ‘friend’ role and flirt with him like it’s some half-assed romance, then don’t provoke me.”
By the end of that sentence, Ji-gyeong’s voice cracked involuntarily. From the other end, Yoon Do-yeong’s voice came cool and composed.
—If you keep my secret, I’ll do something for you, too.
“…….”
—When things are really desperate for you, I’ll help—just once.
“I don’t need it.”
—Fine. Got it. Ten minutes. That’s all I’m giving you.
“Don’t rush me—no matter how long it takes. And if you even try to contact Hyeon hyung once during that time, be ready to get outed.”
—I said you’ve got ten minutes.
Ignoring the low, threatening tone, Ji-gyeong ended the call. He took a moment to collect his contorted expression, then stepped back into the room. Kang Hyeon looked at him, eyes full of confusion.
“What were you talking about with Do-yeong?”
“I told him not to use you as a manager.”
“That’s not what it was about.”
“Fine, let’s say it wasn’t. But still, what’s the big deal about letting someone finish a conversation? And why go sit in a café in this cold when you can just wait here inside?”
“He just said it’d be easier to find me at a café on the main street.”
“If he’s coming to the company building, I could’ve gone down! Why tell you to come out?!”
Ji-gyeong didn’t bother hiding the irritation on his face.
“If you’re not expecting anything from Do-yeong hyung, stop hanging around him. Honestly, it’s not just me—anyone watching would think you’re way too attached.”
“Attached? That’s not—”
Ji-gyeong suddenly burst out.
“I’LL DO IT FOR YOU!”
As Kang Hyeon looked at him in disbelief, Ji-gyeong grabbed both his shoulders. The pressure of his grip tightened with every word, enough that Kang Hyeon’s brow furrowed slightly. But Ji-gyeong, swept up in his emotions, didn’t even register his reaction.
“Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. A house, a car, clothes—everything. You just focus on shaking off that ‘unknown actor’ label for the next two years.”
“Why are you doing all this? I’ll figure it out myself.”
“I’ll take all the dirt on myself if I have to, but I won’t let anything touch you!”
“Ji-gyeong.”
“Hyung. Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”
“Enough.”
“Hyung, this is a real oppor—”
“Don’t force it.”
“…….”
“I’m not looking to lean on anyone. If I’m failing auditions, it means the roles just weren’t right for me. And for the project’s sake, it’s better someone else more suited takes it.”
“I told you! It’s a rigged game!”
“Then I’ll play in my own league.”
“…….”
“I can’t say I respect your choices, but I understand you’re doing all this for me.”
Kang Hyeon smiled gently as he pried Ji-gyeong’s hands off his shoulders.
“Thanks.”
He meant it. He gave Ji-gyeong’s shoulder a light pat and picked up his phone, tapping on Yoon Do-yeong’s name. Ji-gyeong suddenly asked, his tone sharp:
“Do you like Do-yeong hyung?”
The unexpected question froze his hand mid-motion before the call could go through. Kang Hyeon didn’t answer. It would’ve been easy to just say yes, as a friend. But the words wouldn’t come.
Had he made it too obvious?
Ji-gyeong had always said he was too nice to Do-yeong. Maybe he was. He just wanted to treat him well. But that aching guilt in his chest and the pressure in his head made it hard to think straight.
Just once—he’d wanted to admit it. To someone.
Instead, he just kept staring, trying to figure out what Ji-gyeong’s question really meant.
Seeing him hesitate, Ji-gyeong let out a bitter laugh. His lips twitched like they were about to twist into something else, but he controlled it and asked again.
“Is it true?”
The sincerity in that question forced a defensive response out of Kang Hyeon.
“That’s a ridiculous thing to ask.”
“I like you, hyung.”
“…….”
“No—I love you. Really love you. It’s driving me insane. I don’t know what to do with myself when I see you.”
Kang Hyeon froze, eyes wide. Only now did it hit him that Ji-gyeong had planned this—bringing him here, setting everything up.
At first, he thought it was just about wanting to help, maybe shortcutting the path to success. But now, all of Ji-gyeong’s actions took on a different meaning.
His expression was deadly serious. His gaze trembled with anxiety. He was biting his lower lip raw, fists clenched tight, waiting for a response.
It was painful to watch. This was probably how he’d look if he ever confessed to Do-yeong.
His mind went blank. He didn’t know how it had come to this. He had to let Ji-gyeong down gently—but all he could think of was “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t want to give false hope, but he didn’t want to hurt him either. Ji-gyeong was mirroring his own feelings too closely—it felt cruel.
So he chose his words carefully.
“I’ve never thought of you that way.”
“Then start thinking of me that way—from now on.”
“That’s not possib—”
“No! No!! Don’t answer yet!”
Ji-gyeong clutched his head with both hands, breathing deeply. On the verge of tears, he kept biting his lips like he had no idea what to do. Kang Hyeon waited silently, giving him space to calm down.
Finally, Ji-gyeong slowly ran a hand across the script on the table and forced the words out.
“Hyung… I’m just… I’m not okay right now. It’s already messing with my acting. So…”
He grabbed the script and shoved it toward him. His hand was trembling so hard that his veins stood out.
“Once I finish filming this drama, then answer me.”
“……Ji-gyeong.”
“Let’s just stay how we are until then. Okay?”
Seeing him like this made Kang Hyeon feel like he was staring at himself. Trying not to make it worse, he gave an honest but gentle response.
“I can’t return your feelings. But if you ever want a drink, just call me—like always.”
“God… you really don’t get it, do you. I told you not to answer yet.”
“False hope hurts more.”
“I SAID DON’T SAY IT YET!!”
“……Calm down.”
The script crumpled in Ji-gyeong’s hand. Just looking at it, Kang Hyeon could guess what it meant—how it was obtained, what it had cost. How far had he gone for a house, a car, someone else’s role?
Only now did Ji-gyeong’s words—“I’ll do everything I can in these two years”—weigh down on his chest. What had he sacrificed? What was left?
Kang Hyeon said nothing.
Maybe he’d never met someone like CEO Goo Seong-do. Maybe he worked even harder than Kang Hyeon had but still couldn’t make it. Maybe this was his last resort.
He could only hope the road Ji-gyeong had chosen wasn’t a complete hellhole. But any advice now would just sound condescending. That would only humiliate him more.
After a long silence, Kang Hyeon finally spoke.
“To me… you’re a good friend and a junior I care about. That’s it. Let’s leave it at that.”
“…….”
“My answer isn’t going to change.”
“Fuck… I told you not to say it.”
His voice nearly cracked apart. Kang Hyeon, still gentle but resolute, said:
“Don’t love me.”
He folded his arms and dropped into the dining chair.
“Got any instant coffee?”
“Make it yourself.”
“Is this my place? It’s yours.”
“I’ll make it taste like crap.”
“Go ahead.”
Kang Hyeon gave a bitter chuckle and flicked a pretend finger-flick toward him. Ji-gyeong slammed the script down on the table in frustration. Kang Hyeon stared at the crumpled pages for a moment, then looked out the window.
Ji-gyeong poured water into the kettle, sighing heavily as he wiped his face with one hand. The water boiled quickly. He made the coffee and handed it over. Steam curled up from the cup—it was the perfect amount of water.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Whatever.”
Ji-gyeong bit his lip, then shoved the crumpled script at him.
“Just take the role. I already secured it for you.”
“Ji-gyeong.”
“…….”
“Let’s just support each other. That’s enough.”
At the rejection, Ji-gyeong pressed his lips tight. The silence hung heavy until a phone vibrated from somewhere. He pulled his phone from his wine-colored coat, checked the caller, and quickly answered.
“Yes, this is Lee Ji-gyeong.”
His eyes narrowed, clearly irritated by what he heard.
“I’ll be down soon.”
He hung up, then looked at Kang Hyeon.
“……Let’s finish our coffee, then go.”
He let out a shallow sigh, and Kang Hyeon nodded, sipping the coffee. Ji-gyeong started gathering the clothes he’d laid out earlier and stuffed them back into the shopping bag, handing it to him.
“They’re your size. Just wear them.”
“…….”
“My shoulders are too damn wide—no chance I could fit.”
“Oh, so mine are narrow now?”
“Narrower than mine.”
He stuffed the bag into Kang Hyeon’s arms and walked to the front door.
“I’m not seeing you off, just going to the car to get the chocolates I forgot.”
“Okay.”
When Ji-gyeong turned and shot him an annoyed glare, Kang Hyeon flicked another fake finger-flick. Ji-gyeong let out a dry laugh, and Kang Hyeon gave him a small smile in return.
As they stepped out toward the parking garage, Yoon Do-yeong’s car came into view through the glass doors. Ji-gyeong saw it first. His eyes went cold.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Let me hug you. Just once.”
“…….”
“Pretend I’m your little brother who just got dumped and needs a hug.”
He opened his arms, beckoning.
“Don’t leave acting like a clueless asshole. At least ease your little brother’s heart before you go.”
