“…I didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
Do-yeong lifted the corners of his mouth awkwardly and tapped the steering wheel with his fingers before continuing.
“They can just extend the loan term.”
“You’re going to take care of it?”
“Hyun-sook noona really looked out for me when I was a kid actor. I had a hard time fitting in with the other cast members, so she helped me practice scripts and even brought me snacks. When my manager switched to Chief Choi, CEO Goo stepped in and handled things on my mom’s behalf. He taught me everything.”
“He seems like that kind of person.”
“Right? He works hard, but more than that, he’s just a genuinely good person. I’ve only got a few months left on my agency contract. Before I start my own company, I’ll need someone to support Chief Choi as my manager. And if I’m going to ask someone, it makes sense to ask someone who’s already helped me before—like CEO Goo. I figured I’d try to get close to him.”
As he pulled into the parking lot of a large supermarket, Do-yeong kept talking.
“Honestly… I’m doing this for my own convenience.”
“…Yeah.”
Kang Hyeon’s gentle response made Do-yeong’s eyes gleam. The corners of his lips curled slightly, and the edges of his eyes softened into a smile.
“Let’s go shopping.”
“Don’t buy too much.”
“I won’t go overboard.”
They arrived at a massive supermarket near the villa. Do-yeong cheerfully pushed the cart around, excitedly picking up groceries, while Kang Hyeon’s face remained blank. He watched Do-yeong toss items into the cart, occasionally glancing around cautiously, but often his gaze drifted out of focus, lost in thought.
That changed when they reached the cake display.
His eyes sharpened, and he stepped away from Do-yeong to pick out his favorite: a fresh cream cake. He bought it and waited for the packaging, then turned back.
The cart was overflowing with food.
“Are we evacuating or something?”
“If we can’t finish it, we’ll just pack it and take it home.”
“Don’t even think about leaving any of it at my place.”
“…Then where am I supposed to put it?”
“Put it back.”
“But I want to eat all this…”
“Why is everything you want frozen food?”
“People are starting to stare.”
Do-yeong quickly wheeled the cart toward the registers.
“There’s no way we can finish all this.”
“Going back and putting everything away would take even longer.”
“Just dump it in the return cart.”
“Why make the employees work harder? What if I get a bad rep for making a scene here?”
At that moment, the sound of a camera shutter and a student’s gasp came from somewhere nearby. That shut Kang Hyeon up. He rushed through the checkout, lips pressed tight.
Once they’d loaded up the trunk, their fingers were marked with deep grooves from the heavy plastic bags. Do-yeong, still inexplicably thrilled, started humming a tune.
They hit the road again, this time heading down a quiet, forested mountain path marked with a sign that read “Private Property.” After ten minutes, a wide parking area appeared—and beyond an endless stone wall stood a sprawling hanok estate.
“It’s huge.”
“Yeah.”
Do-yeong made a call as he spoke, and shortly after, the gate opened. A middle-aged man came out to greet them warmly. He even brought a large cart to help move the groceries.
As the man hauled the bags away, Do-yeong guided Kang Hyeon past the gate.
Stepping over the large stepping stones, the first thing that caught the eye was a beautifully curved pine tree. Beside it, large stones were stacked in layers, and decorative jars had been arranged in front like flowerpots—it was surprisingly tasteful. Beyond the rocks, a wide lawn and flower beds stretched out, with stone steps leading up into the woods like a hidden trail. The contrast with the high, view-blocking walls made it feel like a true escape. It was the kind of scenery that made the word healing pop into your mind.
“Whose villa is this?”
“My uncle’s.”
Do-yeong strolled across the brown winter lawn as he spoke.
“There’s an outdoor pool that works even in winter. I came here a lot when I was little, but eventually the higher-ups started using it for meetings, and I stopped coming.”
“What does your uncle do?”
“He’s a public servant. Works in the tax audit division.”
Kang Hyeon followed him through the immaculately maintained garden that could’ve passed for a public park. Past waist-high decorative trees on either side, they reached a two-story hanok with a large terrace.
It was a fusion-style hanok: traditional elegance with modern glass windows. The caretaker arrived with their luggage, and Do-yeong, eyes narrowing into a polite smile, said:
“We’ll be staying quietly. I’ll call tomorrow when we’re ready to check out. Please feel free to rest.”
“Ah, of course. As I mentioned on the phone, the barbecue setup is out back. There’s a variety of meats in the fridge. All the basics are there—lettuce, sauces, sides—you should be fine. But call me if you need anything.”
Do-yeong, clearly wanting no interruptions, pulled out an envelope from his coat and handed it over with a soft smile.
“Thank you. Enjoy your evening.”
The man took it with both hands, bowed deeply, and left. Kang Hyeon watched Do-yeong in silence, then carried the shopping bags into the kitchen and started shoving them directly into the fridge, bags and all.
“You knew the place was fully stocked. Explain why you bought so much.”
“……”
“Answer me.”
When Kang Hyeon spoke with more weight, Do-yeong looked sheepish as he shoved the rest of the groceries into the fridge, then cautiously replied:
“You don’t eat enough… You’re too light.”
Ever since holding him at the seafood market and feeling how light he was, it had lingered in Do-yeong’s mind. But Kang Hyeon’s expression darkened.
“So I look like someone who can’t even take care of myself?”
“What? No—why would you say that?”
“Ga-yeong noona said something similar.”
So to your eyes, too, I look like someone who forgets to eat? He swallowed the words, sighing quietly. For some reason, all the ways Do-yeong tried to take care of him today felt overbearing—too much. It was starting to feel like pity.
Do-yeong studied him for a moment, then casually asked:
“Do you take care of Ji-gyeong like this too?”
Kang Hyeon didn’t answer. He didn’t know why Ji-gyeong was suddenly being brought up, but part of him did think of how attentive Ji-gyeong had been.
Maybe it was because he liked him. When you love someone, you want to do everything for them—even if you have to crawl through mud. If Do-yeong had been poor and ordinary like him, would he have felt the same?
His gaze drifted to the bracelet Ji-gyeong had given him. Accepting a gift like this when he didn’t intend to return the feelings felt wrong. He was still tangled in thought when Do-yeong’s voice cut in.
“Do you like the bracelet?”
“It’s not that.”
“Should’ve gotten you one myself.”
“I said it’s not like that.”
Kang Hyeon sighed and walked into the inner room. He didn’t have the energy to admire the hanok’s elegant interior. He simply lay down on the floor in what looked like a bedroom.
He should’ve never accepted the bracelet in the first place. He should’ve returned it the moment Ji-gyeong put it on him. But when Do-yeong pulled that “you can’t pick and choose gifts” line, he caved. That half-heartedness came back to bite him.
He pulled out his phone and messaged Ji-gyeong:
[I’ll return the bracelet.]
[I feel selfish, like I’m accepting your feelings when I don’t mean to.]
[I love you.]
[Stop it.]
[If you return it, I’ll chase you down]
[How does that make any sense?]
[The feelings are mine—why do you get to decide what to do with them?]
[Just accepting the bracelet makes me happy. Can’t you respect that?]
[I have a lover.]
[I know. Do-yeong hyung told me.]
Kang Hyeon froze at the mention of Do-yeong.
More messages followed.
[It’s Valentine’s Day. I confessed and got dumped. I’m fucking depressed. I’m going to block your messages until I sort my feelings out. Don’t contact me. I’m so fucking sad.]
[Okay.]
[I fucking love you.]
[Shut up.]
[What, does my text have voice narration? Shut up? Want me to really make some noise?]
After that, he sent a barrage of heart emojis. It was clear this wasn’t going to be a rational conversation.
[Are you drinking?]
[Second bottle of soju.]
[Don’t drink too much.]
[Fuck you. Stop giving me hope. Don’t act all caring. If you’ve rejected me, don’t check in on me. Whether I drink myself into a coma or drop dead, every one of your messages makes me feel like shit. You try getting dumped by someone you love. See how it feels, asshole.]
Kang Hyeon gave a bitter smile. He got it. He really did.
[Don’t contact me. I’m seriously having a hard time.]
[Okay.]
[I still love you.]
That was the last message. Kang Hyeon stared at the chat window for a long time before turning off his screen at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Was that Ji-gyeong?”
“Yeah.”
“‘I love you’? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Do-yeong’s voice had a slight edge to it. He’d clearly seen the last message.
“…Ji-gyeong says that kind of stuff as a joke sometimes. Says it to Ga-yeong noona too.”
Kang Hyeon threw out the excuse and stood up. He could feel Do-yeong’s eyes on him but didn’t make eye contact as he walked past.
“I’m hungry. Where’s the barbecue set up?”
“…Backyard.”
Kang Hyeon walked in the direction he pointed, started loading charcoal into the fire pit, and lit it with a torch. Next to the grill was a pool, but he barely glanced at it. He just stared at the smoke rising from the grate and placed the meat Do-yeong handed him on the grill.
Do-yeong swam in the pool, chatting away, but Kang Hyeon only responded with short replies, focused on grilling.
It left Do-yeong feeling hollow and frustrated. He bit down on his lower lip.
When Do-yeong asked him to join him in the pool, Kang Hyeon said he felt a bit sick and kept tending the grill. His mind was a mess, but he couldn’t completely ignore Do-yeong either. He fed him freshly grilled meat and brought him a bathrobe when he looked cold after coming out of the water.
“Hyeon-ah, what about the sausages we bought?”
“Oh, hang on.”
As he reached for the sausages and set them on the grill, his fingertips brushed the hot grate and he recoiled.
He stared at the singed skin, murmuring to himself,
“…I should’ve worn gloves.”
He should’ve known he’d get burned, but still didn’t protect himself.
Just like how he knew loving him would hurt, but still stayed by his side for his birthday.
It was all because he hadn’t been honest. Hadn’t set clear boundaries.
“…Do-yeong. I’m not feeling great. I’m going to bed early tonight.”
“Oh… are you feeling sick?”
“Just tired.”
“Want some meds?”
“I’m okay.”
He cleaned up quickly and went to the bedroom. Letting out a deep sigh, he stepped into the bathroom. He carefully placed Ji-gyeong’s bracelet on the shelf and stood under the shower, letting the water pour down.
Cool streams flowed over his chest and ran down to the floor. As he stood there, unmoving, he thought:
Maybe this water can wash away my rotting thoughts—maybe dilute my cowardice.
Elsewhere, floating in the center of the pool, Do-yeong stared up at the darkening sky.
“Hyeon… you’re not being honest with me.”
