Haon had firmly made up his mind to learn more about Inho today. He was determined to ask all the questions he hadn’t been able to the other night when he’d gotten drunk.
As if Inho had sensed Haon’s resolve, he picked up a bottle of liquor and two glasses with an intrigued look on his face, leading the way to the living room. It was clear he’d figured out what Haon wanted.
“I’d love to give you the whole thing, but let’s stick to just this much for today.”
Inho, who sat down on the sofa first, poured some wine into Haon’s glass. Since Haon hadn’t eaten anything, he only filled the glass halfway.
“Once you’re fully recovered, we’ll empty a whole bottle together.”
Inho smiled as he promised to stock up on more later, and Haon, a bit flustered, raised his glass with a shy twitch of his lips. He was slightly embarrassed—he must’ve come off as someone who really liked drinking.
It wasn’t the alcohol he liked—it was drinking together that he enjoyed.
“What should we do while we drink? Hmm, want to watch a movie?”
Inho picked up the remote, even though he had no intention of turning the TV on, and turned to Haon. Like before, he wanted Haon to say what he wanted to do.
“I can’t really think of a movie right now… What kind do you like, Haon-ssi?”
“I… uh, more than a movie…”
Haon mumbled softly and brought the glass to his lips with both hands, taking a small sip. As the sweet, almost juice-like flavor spread through his mouth, courage bubbled up.
“I want to do that thing again… asking each other questions like we did that night.”
“Sounds good, let’s do it.”
The answer came so fast it was like someone had pressed a button, and Haon’s face lit up. He was glad he’d brought it up and took another small sip of wine. He was being careful not to get drunk this time, deliberately pacing himself.
“But you have to answer honestly. No lying.”
Inho, who was already chugging liquor like it was water, added a rule. He’d already downed half the whiskey glass he’d filled to the brim.
“Yeah, I’ll be honest.”
Haon replied with a serious look and resolute tone. He hadn’t needed that promise to begin with—he was always going to speak the truth.
“You ask first.”
Haon offered Inho the first turn, adjusting his grip on the wine glass. There were too many things he wanted to ask, and he needed a bit more time to sort through them.
Inho gave a soft smile, then downed the amber-colored liquor in one go and leaned back into the sofa, relaxed.
The two were seated close enough that their knees almost touched but not quite. Inho kept the distance as he began the conversation.
“Did you really just lend her your phone? No other conversation?”
Inho’s expression darkened slightly as he asked about the conversation with Jang Eun-young. It was such a subtle shift that someone as oblivious as Haon barely noticed.
“She just… asked basic stuff. My name, my age, and what I do for a living.”
As Haon’s soft voice lingered in the air, Inho refilled his own empty glass. The slow pour of the liquor matched the deepening stillness in his dark eyes, as if sinking into the depths of a nighttime sea. And, as always, Haon didn’t notice.
Haon paused for a moment, pressing the cool, rounded surface of the wine glass against his cheek. As he recalled the conversation with the woman, a faint warmth crept up his face. It wasn’t because of the alcohol.
“It seems like Inho really cherishes you, Haon-ssi.”
That single line had caught in his mind, looping endlessly and leaving him dazed. Inho, used to Haon’s quiet moments, simply emptied his glass and waited calmly.
While Inho was finishing his second drink, Haon snapped out of it and sipped awkwardly from his own glass. Then, he finally brought up something truly important.
“Actually… before she left, she gave me a business card.”
Though it took a while to say it, Haon had never intended to keep it from Inho.
He felt bad about going against Inho’s mother’s request, but he didn’t want to keep secrets from Inho. It just took him a bit of time to bring up something she’d told him not to mention.
“She said to contact her if I ever needed help. But… she also told me not to tell you.”
Haon pulled the card from his pocket and handed it to Inho. Only then did the weight on his chest ease. Once again, he felt like he’d done the right thing by saying it out loud.
Inho, gripping the now-light glass in his hand, didn’t bother looking closely at the card. His gaze stayed fixed solely on Haon.
“…Thank you. For telling me.”
Inho’s voice was sincere.
Thank you, he murmured again, the sound half-muted behind the rim of his glass.
Haon, sneaking a glance at him, sipped alongside him. It could’ve just been his imagination, but Inho’s usually calm eyes seemed a bit unsteady.
“So… what should I do with it?”
Still holding the card a little awkwardly, Haon asked. If Inho told him to throw it away, he was prepared to do so right then and there, in front of him.
“I didn’t save the number.”
Haon did have some sense of tact. It might not compare to most people, but it was there.
He’d figured out at least that Inho and his mother didn’t have a good relationship. The fact that even her visits to the house made Inho uncomfortable said as much. But why? What had happened between them?
“Keep it. You might need it someday.”
Haon, who didn’t believe that would ever be the case, nonetheless returned the card to his pocket. Since Inho said to keep it, he wouldn’t throw it away—but he had no intention of saving the number either.
“Don’t you have something else to tell me?”
Inho leaned into the arm of the sofa, turning to face Haon head-on. His once somber eyes now sparkled with amusement. It was the brightest expression he’d worn all day.
Haon smiled along with him, gathering the now-sweetened saliva in his mouth and tilting his head slightly. Something else to tell him? Other than receiving the business card, there hadn’t been anything particularly noteworthy in the conversation.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
A small chuckle escaped Inho’s damp lips.
With an exasperated look, he rested his chin on his hand and studied Haon’s pale face. It was such a gentle face, he felt like just looking at it could cleanse even the darkest corners of his mind.
‘How can someone look so kind?’
That thought crossed Inho’s mind every time he looked at Haon. Of course, it always came hand-in-hand with he’s beautiful, too.
“Ah…!”
Haon suddenly gasped, mouth open wide as their eyes met. As he abruptly adjusted his posture, the wine in his precious glass sloshed dangerously near the rim.
“N-Next Thursday is your dad’s birthday!”
He had completely, completely forgotten that important fact. He’d been so distracted by the business card from the woman, he hadn’t even thought to count on his fingers like he usually did.
“She told me to make sure you attend—really insisted on it…!”
So startled the alcohol’s taste vanished from his tongue, Haon automatically reached up to smack his forehead out of habit.
But before he could, Inho caught his hand and smiled, saying he already knew. He must’ve spoken to his mother earlier when he came downstairs.
“Sorry. It’s such an important thing, and I completely forgot.”
Of all things to forget—his father’s birthday, no less.
“Don’t worry about it. It comes around every year anyway.”
Inho shrugged it off like it was nothing, pouring himself a third glass. Even for someone with a high tolerance, he was drinking faster than usual tonight.
Haon glanced at the quickly dwindling bottle and thought, ‘Wow, Inho-ssi really must like alcohol.’
But then he wondered—did he drink because he liked it, or because he needed it?
“Now it’s your turn, Haon-ssi.”
Inho, with a loose smile, brought the glass to his lips again—despite having just taken a drink.
“Um…”
Haon suddenly reached out and grabbed Inho’s wrist.
“Maybe… slow down a little there.”
His grip was timid—soft enough that Inho could easily shake it off if he wanted to. Haon wanted to be firmer, but he worried it would kill the mood. Or worse, that Inho might never want to drink with him again.
“That’s not where I go.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s Inho. Not ‘there.’”
Inho tilted his head, slowly leaning toward Haon, smiling with crescent-shaped eyes. He tapped his own chest lightly.
“Seo Inho.”
He tapped his chest again, repeating the name already etched into Haon’s heart.
He’d drank quickly—no doubt about it. Yep, he was definitely tipsy now. Haon subtly tightened his grip on Inho’s wrist.
Inho gave a soft chuckle and nodded as if to say okay, setting his glass down. His expression was full of amusement.
“Whose turn is it?”
“Mine.”
Haon followed suit, lowering his wine glass and raising his hand.
At last, it was his chance to ask Inho something. Last time, all he’d managed to find out was his taste in food—such a waste. But tonight, he wasn’t going to let the chance slip by. He’d ask everything he’d been dying to know.
“Ask me anything. I’ll answer honestly, too.”
Inho adjusted his relaxed posture and sat up, giving Haon his full attention with a serious expression. He was genuinely curious—eager to hear what Haon would ask this time. The anticipation alone was enough to make him want to smile.
“Sorry?”
But he missed it—got too caught up trying not to grin. Haon had spoken too softly.
“I didn’t catch that. Can you say it again?”
Inho leaned in closer, tilting his head toward Haon.
At some point, their knees had come into full contact. The distance between them had naturally shrunk without either of them noticing the physical closeness.
“Why…”
Haon cleared his throat and reached for his wine glass again. With the liquid courage in his system, he tightened his core and tried again, mustering up his voice. He was fully prepared, but once more, his words came out barely above a whisper.
“Why don’t you date Omegas?”
Thankfully, the question must’ve reached Inho this time—judging by the shift in his expression.
