“Two more draft beers here, please.”
“Yes, right away!”
The customers occupying the seats as if they owned the place were all university students. Their drinking session, which had started before sunset, grew more heated as the night deepened.
In the young and vibrant atmosphere, Tae-hwi, feeling cheerful, acted affably and even learned about the customers’ universities and majors. They seemed to be part of some film club, but the topics of conversation were all about romance.
Haon diligently carried draft beers, pricking up his ears whenever he passed a table where love counseling had begun. There wasn’t much helpful advice, but he listened to it all intently. Perhaps because he had started his own relationship, he was also interested in other people’s love lives.
“Excuse me.”
It was past 10 p.m.
The restaurant, where those who were going had left and only those who were staying remained, had become somewhat quiet. Haon was clearing the empty tables, diligently carrying a tray with dishes stacked little by little.
“Excuse me! Hey, part-timer!”
A man who had been secretly watching him finally caught Haon’s attention after several attempts. Since there was no response even after being called many times, he initially thought he was being ignored.
“M-me?”
However, seeing his startled reaction, it didn’t seem like he was pretending not to hear. The man sighed in relief and gave an awkward smile. His friends sitting around him watched the situation with faces that said they were dying of amusement.
“Shall I bring you a menu?”
Haon put down the dishes he was holding and quickly approached the man’s table.
“What’s good here?”
Instead of looking at the menu, the man directly asked Haon to recommend some dishes.
“Um… the most popular one is…”
It wasn’t a difficult question, but the pretty-faced part-timer pondered very seriously. The man, observing him closely, held his breath and broadened his smile. He had thought he would have a cold demeanor just from his looks, but he unexpectedly had a naive charm.
“If you’re full, the dried snacks are good, and if you need soup, our Nagasaki-style seafood noodle soup is really delicious. And—”
Haon recommended the menu in a soft, clear voice. He hadn’t tried many of them himself, but most of the dishes at the restaurant were delicious enough to recommend. That was why the restaurant was always crowded.
“Do you happen to have a boyfriend?”
The man, who had been focused on his voice that was as pleasant to listen to as his handsome face, suddenly changed the subject. Haon, caught off guard, immediately showed discomfort.
“Ah, it’s just that you’re really my ideal type… I usually don’t ask things like this.”
The man, who looked to be around Haon’s age, muttered while glancing at his friends. At his desperate signal for help, his friends also chimed in, saying he seemed like a nice person.
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
Haon gave an awkward smile and tried to leave the spot.
Actually, this wasn’t the first time he’d been asked such a question. Throughout his numerous short-term part-time jobs, it was a question he had often heard. However, because it had never ended well, he had always just refused.
“So you do have a boyfriend. How long has it been?”
Perhaps because he had been drinking, the man was quite persistent. Even as Haon wore a troubled expression, he didn’t give up and kept pressing.
“Then, can’t we just follow each other? You have SNS, right? I’m okay with anything.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. I won’t bother you.”
Eventually, the man even tried to grab Haon’s arm, which was waving him off. Unfortunately, Tae-hwi, who was usually skilled at handling such situations, had gone out for a smoke, so Haon had to deal with him alone. The owner was busy organizing ingredients in the kitchen with Hyung-cheol.
“I won’t ask for your number. Just a follow, okay? Just an online friend. Secretly from your boyfriend.”
Just as Haon was about to shake off the man’s hand, Ho-young, who had come out of the storage room after organizing boxes, approached in one stride and stood between them.
“I’m his boyfriend. What were you trying to do behind my back?”
The moment the man saw the smiling Ho-young, he immediately let go of Haon’s hand and apologized. He looked intimidated by Ho-young’s large build. His friends too.
“Thanks.”
Haon, who had gone with Ho-young to finish clearing the table, whispered very softly. Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, Haon looked dejected. He regretted not having pushed him away properly.
Ho-young simply shook his head silently and quickly finished cleaning the table. Even though he had started working later than Haon, he was quick and skilled at everything. He always had a smile on his face, and since he had come, the atmosphere of the restaurant had become brighter.
“Haon-ah, you go take a break too!”
Tae-hwi, who had finished smoking, came in just then and gestured to Haon. Haon smiled his thanks and went out the back door of the restaurant. He was going to the restroom but paused outside the building to catch his breath. The smell of cigarettes lingered in the air because Tae-hwi had just been there.
‘I’ll just stay out here for three minutes and then go back in.’
Thinking that, he blankly stared at the black sky.
He was bothered by the fact that he hadn’t clearly answered the question about having a boyfriend. In the past, he would have easily made up an excuse that he did, even when he didn’t. But now that he actually had one, the words wouldn’t come out.
Was he really in a relationship? That was why he wasn’t sure.
“Haon-hyung.”
Just then, Ho-young opened the back door and came out. Haon smiled with a welcoming face and thanked him again.
“Thanks for earlier.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Going for a smoke?”
Haon, who had never even put a cigarette in his mouth, was about to step aside. However, he stayed put because Ho-young shook his head and came closer. He wondered if Ho-young had something to say.
“I was worried that hyung might have felt bad…”
“Huh? About what?”
“About me saying I was your boyfriend.”
Ho-young scratched the back of his short hair and cautiously observed Haon’s reaction. Even more flustered by this, Haon waved his hands, denying it.
“You were helping me! What are you sorry about! I’m the one who’s grateful!”
As Haon strongly denied it, Ho-young’s expression relaxed as if a weight had been lifted. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at the floor, as if he still had something to say.
“That person from before… you’re not actually dating him, are you?”
It was a question that seemed to expect a certain answer. Hearing it, Haon’s expression quickly darkened.
“Do we look that bad together…?”
“Yes.”
At the blunt reply, Haon’s heart sank further. He knew it well. Inho was someone who was too good for him by anyone’s standards. Even knowing this, it felt depressing to have it confirmed.
“Hyung, you’re too good for him.”
“…Huh?”
“That person seems too frivolous. Hyung, you deserve someone more upright and kind.”
Haon, dumbfounded as if he had heard something unbelievable, murmured softly.
“He’s incredibly kind. The kindest person I’ve ever met…”
Trailing off, he gathered his courage and listed Inho’s good points one by one. He said that Inho was more kind and considerate than anyone, and upright enough to donate a lot.
As he continued to praise Inho for a long time, he ended up liking him even more. Haon’s reddened earlobes spoke volumes.
“Okay… I won’t say he’s bad.”
Ho-young seemed a little taken aback as he watched Haon, who was speaking at length for the first time. He also seemed a bit wistful.
“Does that person like hyung too?”
Ho-young, who had been about to step back, asked one last question. His attitude was quite serious, unlike someone who had just become an adult.
Haon couldn’t answer easily this time either. Even though he had received a direct confession from Inho just the day before, he couldn’t confidently say yes.
“I guess he said he did.”
Then, the silence was broken by Ho-young suddenly letting out a deep sigh. He refused to hear the answer, as if it were obvious even without hearing it. Even though he was the one who asked.
Ho-young took a deep breath and looked straight at Haon. As his lively expression returned, his still somewhat baby-faced features looked even more innocent.
“Hyung, you’re overflowing with charm just by breathing quietly, so please have confidence.”
Wh-what? Haon, unable to bring himself to ask again, stared blankly at Ho-young, who was saying such embarrassing things. The praise was so excessive that it just sounded like a joke.
“There’s no one hyung couldn’t win over. I bet my entire meager fortune on it.”
It was a nonsensical remark, but strangely comforting. Haon laughed, telling him not to say such strange things, but deep down, he took his playful words to heart.
Perhaps he had wanted to hear those words. The obvious consolation that he was a wonderful person in his own right was a great comfort to Haon at that moment.
“And my oldest sister is a real detective, so if anything happens, call her right away.”
When Ho-young mentioned that his second sister was a judo athlete, Haon clapped and laughed, saying she was amazing. It was as if Ho-young’s bright energy had seeped into Haon, lifting his spirits.
“I’ll definitely buy you something delicious! Let’s meet up with Tae-hwi hyung too.”
He was also grateful to Tae-hwi hyung, so he felt he should definitely treat them both to a meal. Especially Ho-young, he should treat him twice. Haon wanted to become much closer to him.
***
Haon, who had finished work before 1 a.m., left the store with light steps. He naturally assumed that Inho wouldn’t have arrived yet, so he moved leisurely.
“You worked hard.”
However, Inho was already in front of the store.
“Why are you out here!”
Surprised to see Inho standing outside, Haon quickly ran towards him. He was leaning against the passenger seat door, watching Haon come out.
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
Just now? It seemed like he had been there for quite a while…
“Get in quickly. You must be tired.”
Inho opened the passenger seat door and waited until Haon got in. He shielded Haon’s forehead with his hand so he wouldn’t bump it, and then naturally closed the door.
Tae-hwi, who had been secretly watching this from afar, slapped Ho-young on the back repeatedly, making a fuss. It was a sight that anyone would envy.
Of course, to Ho-young, who still hadn’t taken off his colored glasses, it just looked like Inho was showing off.
“Did anything happen?”
Inho started the engine and habitually checked Haon’s face. Seeing that he looked tired, he worriedly looked at him, and Haon scratched his neck, pondering his answer.
Should he say something happened…?
The man who had persistently asked if he had a boyfriend came to mind, but he didn’t bother to mention it. Nothing significant had happened anyway.
“It was just a bit busy.”
“If you’re tired, sleep. Don’t worry about me.”
Inho once again reclined Haon’s seat like he had done before. Haon smiled shyly and glanced at Inho before casually asking, “What about you, Inho-ssi?”
Inho, wearing a pleasant smile at the now quite natural address, turned on some soft music.
“Nothing happened to me either.”
“Did you stay home the whole time?”
“Yes, I lazed around all day. While Haon-ssi was working hard to earn money.”
Haon chuckled softly at Inho’s playful tone and praised him, saying he did well. Imagining Inho lazing around all day made him feel drowsy too. It was a pleasant drowsiness.
Seeing Haon’s expression, which was brighter than before he went to work, Inho’s smile also deepened.
“Sleep now.”
He wanted to talk a little more, but he decided not to speak until they arrived home so that Haon could rest his eyes.
“Inho-ssi.”
Then, Haon spoke first. His gentle eyes, as if they held stars plucked from a country sky, shone particularly brightly. Inho watched him with pleasure, waiting for him to continue.
“This… um, the upcoming Monday.”
“Yes, on Monday.”
The voice, with each syllable carefully enunciated, made Inho smile even more. He felt like he would be happy no matter what came out of those lips.
“That day… would you like to go to the aquarium with me?”
And the words that followed brought Inho even greater joy than he had anticipated.
“I’ll buy the tickets.”
