#55
“Do these two really fight every time they’re together?”
“That’s right. And they seem to clash very emotionally and intensely. They’re also very direct. Both have firm positions, neither has a personality that backs down… and they’re both good with words, so it feels exactly like watching a drama.”
Ari, who was sitting next to Han Dajeong, sipped her portion of coffee. She also looked at the glass that showed the bottom in an instant with very regretful eyes.
“There’s something that makes me feel sorry just watching. While you two are sincerely fighting, I’m really, really sorry but… I want to pop some popcorn and eat it.”
Kim Yeseok, who had been listening to the conversation quietly, let out a deep sigh.
“Ari-ssi wants to eat popcorn? Ugh, I can’t. It’s too much. I feel like I’ll get indigestion just from being in a two-shot now.”
Juyeon looked at Kim Yeseok with sympathetic eyes and patted his back.
“Yeseok-ssi, was it episode 4 or 5… since then? You’ve been maintaining an empty stomach for 2 hours before filming screenings. Including water.”
“My goodness.”
Han Dajeong’s eyes widened.
“Really? Aren’t you hungry?”
Kim Yeseok answered solemnly.
“Well, hunger is better than indigestion. I hope you two reach an amicable agreement, whatever it is. Then I could at least drink coffee during filming…”
As if providing evidence for that lament, Kim Yeseok’s coffee cup sitting there untouched was pristine.
While the coffee was being close-up with somewhat melancholy background music, a delicate hand suddenly popped out and snatched the coffee cup. It was Ari, who had been eyeing the drink greedily.
“I knew you wouldn’t drink it today either! Then I’ll dispose of this in my stomach!”
Then, Mariella, who had been frowning and earnestly studying the screen, opened her mouth with a careful attitude.
“Right now, so… we were talking about the changes in Taeseong-ssi’s emotional line during the time from when Jin Woohyeon-ssi entered until he came back from this benefit date, right?”
“That’s right. As Jiwon-ssi saw, Taeseong-ssi’s changes are the most prominent.”
“But I think Han Jiwon-ssi’s changes are just as significant.”
Mariella hummed and continued.
“Isn’t there a saying like that? A speck in another’s eye, and in your own eye… what was it?”
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye. Luke chapter 6, verse 41.”
“Oh, that’s right. That’s it. Juyeon-ssi knows all sorts of things. I want to tell Jiwon-ssi exactly that.”
Mariella said calmly.
“Of course, Jiwon-ssi isn’t as openly expressive as Taeseong-ssi, but if I had to say, his interest seems to be in Sanho-ssi.”
“I agree somewhat too.”
Han Dajeong nodded.
“Jiwon-ssi is very good at analyzing situations accurately, but it feels like he doesn’t apply that strength well to himself. He knows Taeseong-ssi well, has known him for a long time, and reacts sensitively because he cares about him…”
“But he’s insensitive about himself?”
“Yes.”
“Look, in the previous scenes…”
When Mariella spun her finger in circles, gesturing for them to flip through screens, scenes with Han Jiwon were edited and passed by quickly.
“After dinner, he stayed on the first floor the whole time. Not really doing anything either. He kept looking outside and checking the time frequently.”
“Right. Before dinner, didn’t he also contact the production team? Asking when Sanho-ssi and them would come back.”
Kim Yeseok, who had been earnestly claiming ownership over coffee he couldn’t even drink, opened his mouth.
“That’s true? Looking at it this way, Jiwon-ssi waited more than Taeseong-ssi?”
“But both of them seem to have interest in Sanho-ssi while also not appearing to have completely lost their lingering feelings for their Xs.”
“Honestly, it’s love-hate feelings. If they weren’t interested, they wouldn’t fight like that.”
Kim Yeseok finally shook his head while looking at his own empty coffee cup.
“This is all because they have energy to do such things…”
“Their relationship and choices will depend on how much they reflect on their own feelings and express them honestly.”
Juyeon carefully raised his hand and said.
“I think they could be a little less honest in expressing to each other.”
As if supporting his point, rapidly edited scenes flashed by. Han Jiwon and Bae Taeseong engaged in verbal battles whenever they had a chance – on the stairway landing, in the kitchen, on the rooftop, and in front of the entrance. They fought so earnestly that the characteristic fast-forwarded voices chattered endlessly.
“Wow. The audio doesn’t have even a second of silence.”
“They’re so incompatible, yet they couldn’t even remain friends?”
“Those two seem like they’ll fight until they die.”
“I’m really curious. How on earth did those two date while fighting like this?”
* * *
Did these people date just to fight?
I’m thinking this seriously. That seemed to be right. Han Jiwon and Bae Taeseong must have dated in order to fight. Otherwise, they couldn’t fight at every opportunity like this.
The reasons for fighting were really dozens, and surprisingly, not a single one overlapped. From seemingly quite important reasons like jealousy, injuries, and personality differences… to Han Jiwon picking a fight with Bae Taeseong for using mismatched chopsticks even though he knew they were a pair because he found it bothersome, Bae Taeseong being sarcastic about watering plants but not wiping the floor, sitting in the center without considering others even though there was space on the sofa…
“Hyungs. Did you perhaps leave your 20-year-old selves on the third floor because they were too heavy?”
Bae Taeseong and Han Jiwon answered simultaneously as if they had planned it.
“Would I have?”
“Would I have?”
“It seems like it.”
Eventually, I took drastic measures. I decided to squeeze in between the two Alphas who were sitting on the left and right sides of the sofa fighting.
When I quickly sat down, the two people gave up their remaining space as if they had never been fighting over it.
“Taeseong hyung, is your shoulder okay?”
“Yeah.”
“No.”
“Are you Bae Taeseong himself? Why are you answering?”
“Because whenever Bae Taeseong himself opens his mouth, he lies, so I’m answering. Who else would answer? Deceiving someone who can be deceived.”
“What lies? Where did all your image management go? Look at how you’re talking.”
“Stop!”
I raised both hands high and simultaneously slapped the backs of Bae Taeseong and Han Jiwon’s hands.
“Again! Again! Taeseong hyung. Is your shoulder okay?”
“…It’s just because I overdid it for one day. Something like this will get better if I eat one more bowl of rice and sleep two more hours.”
“What kind of stupid thing to say is this? Your shoulder is damaged, so why with carbohydrates… mmph.”
“Jiwon hyung says you should get physical therapy.”
“…”
“You’ll get physical therapy, right? It’s my wish.”
“…Yeah.”
I tapped the hands of Han Jiwon, who kept his mouth tightly shut, and Bae Taeseong, who reluctantly nodded. At least they were 9-year-olds who could be reasoned with, so that was fortunate.
“I think Jiwon hyung told you not to box. Right?”
Han Jiwon answered.
“I said it’s not allowed because of the shoulder injury. Especially when boxing to relieve stress, you use your shoulders more than usual. It’s an important time with the Olympics coming up, so if his body gets worn out from something that’s not his main event, only he loses out.”
“You said that before too. That you injured your shoulder during a high school competition. That you almost had to quit your athletic career.”
“…Did I say that?”
Han Jiwon burst into laughter.
“You said all sorts of things on your date?”
“Why? Are you jealous? You just had one meal and were done, but I even took him out?”
“Stop before I bring a whistle.”
Only after hitting their hands one more time each did the conversation resume.
“There’s a reason Jiwon hyung opposes it that much. You actually said you’d dispose of your motorcycle, so why didn’t you quit boxing?”
Han Jiwon asked in a flustered voice.
“…You disposed of your motorcycle?”
“Not yet, but he said he would. Because hyung opposed it… Oh. Sorry. Was this a secret?”
“Ah, shibal.”
“What? But why didn’t you quit boxing? If you’re going to do it, quit both.”
“Because when things go wrong, I want to beat up something, that’s why.”
“Who said anything about the beating up part? Your shoulder will give out, your shoulder. Is your future dream to be a masochist instead of a fencing athlete?”
“Whether my shoulder gives out or not, whether I ruin the Olympics or not, I don’t care… mmph.”
“Fine. Leave him alone. Let him ruin the Olympics, mess up his shoulder, and quit being an athlete while he’s at it. Just switch to being a boxer. Hit sandbags morning and evening when you’re bored… mph.”
“Stop saying things you don’t mean, Taeseong hyung. And Jiwon hyung, stop nagging too. You’re sweet to everyone else, so why are you only like this to Taeseong hyung?”
After watching them fight several times, I had definitely learned when to cover their mouths.
“If you might make it to the Olympics, that’s amazing. I wish you wouldn’t box… but if you absolutely must, I hope you’ll properly share your condition and get treatment. You’re sensitive about injuries.”
“…”
“Jiwon hyung said he specializes in athlete rehabilitation.”
“…”
“I really want to see Taeseong hyung’s wonderful performance on the Olympic live broadcast…”
How about it…
I looked at the two people alternately while making a pitiful expression I’d never made in my life.
Eventually, both of them nodded as if they couldn’t help it.
I smiled brightly while secretly thinking to myself.
‘Annoying 9-year-olds.’
Grow up a bit, hyungs.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
