Kang Hyeon couldn’t tear his eyes away from the shine in Yoon Do-yeong’s eyes. Fresh out of the shower, his skin glowed with a dewy vibrance, tinged with a healthy flush. His lips, curled with a faint smile, were a striking shade of red. Silky hair, still damp, clung to his fingertips, then slipped effortlessly through them. It felt as if the warmth of spring sunlight lingered on his fingers where the hair had touched.
As Kang Hyeon gently ran his fingers through Do-yeong’s hair, he found himself reaching further, almost entranced. His fingertips brushed against Do-yeong’s forehead, carefully sweeping the bangs aside to reveal his full face. At the tender touch, Do-yeong’s eyes narrowed slightly in contentment. He nuzzled his head lightly against the palm moving his hair, then tilted his chin so his cheek met Kang Hyeon’s hand. Kang Hyeon’s fingers trembled faintly. Do-yeong’s skin, where it barely touched, was incredibly soft and warm. Even the vibration of a message on his smartphone didn’t register—his entire being was absorbed by the bewitching sight before him.
But Do-yeong’s eyes were on Kang Hyeon’s phone.
“Who is it?”
“…Not sure.”
“Who is it?”
“I haven’t even looked yet.”
Kang Hyeon, feeling oddly flustered, finally tapped the screen. At the same time, Do-yeong spoke again. Still resting his head on Kang Hyeon’s thigh, he persistently pressed the question, his eyes sharp with stubborn focus.
“Who is it?”
“I’m looking right now.”
While checking the message, Kang Hyeon glanced at Do-yeong’s face. The sudden shift in atmosphere made him slightly tense, and the words left his mouth quicker than intended.
“CEO Goo Seong-do.”
“What’d he say?”
“He’s asking if I’m free tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“I think Director Yoo Ji-ha wants to see me again.”
“What time?”
“…He said in the morning, if possible.”
Understanding that meant they’d have to leave right after breakfast, Do-yeong nodded.
“Where do you need to go?”
“…He said to come to the office.”
“Mpia?”
“Yeah.”
“Is there somewhere I can be?”
“Wait in the car for a bit.”
“Then let’s go eat something nice for lunch after.”
“…Okay.”
Letting out a faint sigh as if reluctant, Do-yeong stood and made a call.
“We’ll be checking out at 9 a.m. tomorrow. I’ve got frozen food, so please prepare a cooler box.”
After hanging up, he sat in thought for a moment, then smiled softly.
“Let’s sleep early tonight. Gotta be in top shape for the audition.”
It was only 9 p.m., and they hadn’t even fully soaked in the tranquil charm of the traditional hanok house when the lights were turned off. Something about Do-yeong seemed to be constantly shifting, subtly but noticeably. That unplaceable feeling heightened Kang Hyeon’s senses.
Lying side by side under the blanket, they stared blankly at the ceiling. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, the room’s outlines slowly came into view. Do-yeong, apparently feeling warm, pushed the blanket off and walked to the window, opening it slightly to let in the cool breeze before returning to bed. He lay down without covering himself, then seemed to heat up again and sat up, slipping off his bathrobe and draping it over his waist before lying back down.
In response, Kang Hyeon got up and lowered the room temperature. When their eyes met, Do-yeong watching him, Kang Hyeon brushed his hand over Do-yeong’s head as if to lull him back to sleep. His voice, though gentle, carried a subtle firmness.
“Cover up.”
“In a bit.”
“…Are you wearing underwear?”
“Can’t you see?”
“…”
“I am wearing some.”
“Go to sleep.”
Adjusting his posture, Kang Hyeon shut his eyes, feeling Do-yeong shift beside him. He could still sense the lingering softness of Do-yeong’s skin and the silky brush of his hair on his fingers. Wanting to preserve that feeling, he gently curled his hand and drifted off to sleep.
The faint rustle of movement stirred his eyelids. Turning toward the sound, he saw Do-yeong putting on his coat.
“Where are you going?”
“Go back to sleep. I’m going to see the sunrise.”
“Sunrise? It’s still dark.”
“Yeah. I have to head up now to catch it.”
“…Why?”
“Gotta make a wish.”
“…”
“Be right back.”
Do-yeong whispered and turned on his phone’s flashlight before stepping outside. Kang Hyeon sat up, staring blankly for a moment.
Letting out a deep sigh, he got to his feet. It was far too dark to let Do-yeong go alone. Using that simple, flimsy excuse, he threw on his coat. Stepping outside, a crisp chill wrapped around his body. He looked around for Do-yeong, who had already vanished from sight. In the distance, he spotted him ascending the stone steps toward the mountain. He thought about calling but instead followed. Maybe Do-yeong had wanted to be alone.
The path up the mountain was surprisingly manageable. Wooden stairs had been installed for ease, and handrails lined the steeper slopes. It was more like a nature walk. Do-yeong moved quickly, as if familiar with the way. Kang Hyeon, unfamiliar with the trail, could only follow at a slower pace, watching his figure grow smaller in the distance.
Eventually, the path veered right, and from there, they had to climb over larger rocks. Fortunately, the sky had lightened enough to see ahead. Kang Hyeon stumbled slightly climbing one of the taller rocks but pressed on in silence.
Then something felt off. He turned to his left and spotted Do-yeong beyond the dry branches of a tree. With the sky now clear, he was perfectly visible. He seemed to be watching the sunrise through the trees. Kang Hyeon took a step toward him—then froze.
With a solemn expression, Do-yeong was clasping his hands in prayer. Then, suddenly, he kissed the ring on his finger. His lips pressed against the ring firmly, not parting, and they began to move as if murmuring something—still against the ring.
Kang Hyeon’s eyes widened.
Who kisses a friendship ring with that much longing? Now that he thought about it, Do-yeong had even asked him to put the ring on for him when he received it. No—he’d worn it on his ring finger from the start.
Thump. His heart skipped.
That bright smile from last night, resting on his lap.
That face, pressing into his fingers as if asking to be touched.
Thump. Thump. The cold air made his thoughts feel even sharper.
Was Do-yeong’s prickliness at the mention of Ji-gyeong… out of jealousy?
As the idea took root, Do-yeong’s subtly displeased voice echoed in his ears.
“You really are clueless sometimes, you know?”
Ji-gyeong always said that, too—that he was clueless. Turns out, Ji-gyeong had liked him all along.
Maybe… these feelings weren’t just his alone?
His heart began to race wildly, driven by a hope he hadn’t dared name. He placed a hand over it. Ji-gyeong’s confession echoed in his mind, and he saw himself mirrored in that moment. The anxiety tried to crawl back in, but the warmth in Do-yeong’s actions felt too genuine to be just kindness out of guilt.
A friendship ring—and a diamond.
A birthday gift and a rose begonia, whose flower meaning was unrequited love.
The increasing physical affection.
His thoughts, tangled in a spiral of hope, grew noisier. One corner of his heart, fluttering with expectation, began to ache with a dark unease.
What if… to Do-yeong, the ring wasn’t about friendship?
No—even if it was just a friendship ring, that was fine.
He was done being the selfish “friend.”
Chances were, Do-yeong liked someone else. But right now… he couldn’t exclude himself from the possibility. The idea seemed foolish, and yet—he wished Do-yeong would draw the line for him. That way, his heart could finally find some peace.
If only he could find the right moment to be honest.
If only he could confess with the same courage Ji-gyeong had shown.
…So what if things became awkward afterward?
He’d been ready to distance himself anyway.
There was no reason not to, was there?
Just like Ji-gyeong, he could move on cleanly.
Whatever the outcome, maybe it was time… to be honest.
That resolution sparked courage. Caught in his thoughts, Kang Hyeon unknowingly took a step forward. At the sound, Do-yeong turned his head. Their eyes met, and he quickly lowered his hand, offering a soft smile. But the look in his eyes—
It was unbearably sorrowful.
Kang Hyeon took in the sight of him fiddling anxiously with the ring, and with a heavy heart, forced his lips to move. Thankfully, his voice came out hoarse and cracked—masking the tremble in his chest.
“…Did you make your wish?”
“Yeah.”
“What was it?”
“That I’ll do my best. That I’ll give it everything I have to become the person they want me to be.”
“…Good.”
“Yeah.”
Do-yeong smiled sheepishly and gazed at the view through the trees. The sun had risen above the cloud-wrapped mountains, radiating a vivid orange glow. The early mist gave the clouds a soft, velvety look.
Kang Hyeon, dazed by the dreamy sight, murmured absently.
“Let’s head down.”
He climbed down the slope, reaching out a hand once he stepped off the high rock. Do-yeong, trailing behind, saw him and hurried over to grasp his hand. When he was safely down, Kang Hyeon reached for his collar. His ears, flushed from the cold, caught his gaze. Silently, Kang Hyeon pulled the collar up to shield them. Do-yeong, accepting the touch without a word, closed his eyes gently.
Could a friend really respond to such a gesture… with a look that tender?
After straightening the collar, Kang Hyeon turned around. His once-blank expression was now tinged with nervous anticipation, the corner of his mouth twitching up ever so slightly.
“That person you like… do you see them often?”
“I try to. But I’m really busy right now, so only here and there.”
“How long are you busy for?”
“My schedule’s packed until the end of May.”
“Then once it clears up, you’ll be seeing them more often.”
“Yeah. I’m gonna chase after them.”
