Gentle Giant 54

Gentle Giant Chapter 54

What could he have been dissatisfied with? Maybe he didn’t like coming to our house in the first place? Just when Dain was getting scared and restless at Sujeong’s expression.

Buzz buzz.

Dain’s phone started vibrating. Dain asked for understanding from the others and answered the call.

“Oh, Juho.”

-Hyung. You’re doing the group project at home?

“Yeah. There wasn’t really a good place to talk, so we came to my house.”

-I see. Then should I go to the dorm today? I’m worried it might be uncomfortable for you to talk with me there…….

“No! Just come here. It’s fine.”

-Yes. I understand. I’m leaving now so I’ll arrive in about 30 minutes.

“Okay, come safely.”

-Yes! See you later, hyung.

Thanks to Juho’s kind words and the fact that he was coming soon, Dain finally relaxed.

Though he knew Juho didn’t like being with other people, Dain was in a state of fear because of Sujeong’s attitude just now. He felt like he would only feel at ease with Juho by his side.

After hanging up, Dain had the group members who were standing around awkwardly sit down and quickly brought out a table and set it up. It was a small table, but it wasn’t bad for four people to sit around.

After Dain brought juice from the refrigerator and gave everyone a glass, they began talking about the group project in earnest.

“Um, our group is supposed to research and present on ‘Problems and Solutions Regarding the Multi-faceted Evaluation System.’ Since there are probably many cases from local governments and other countries, and there should be plenty of papers and materials……”

Sujeong spoke about the project content first. It seemed like he had already looked into the topic and presentation method that the professor had emailed to each group leader.

Dain, who had been taking notes following what Sujeong was saying, looked at the other group members. Everyone seemed like they couldn’t quite grasp what they should do first just from hearing the topic. Dain cautiously raised his hand and spoke.

“Um, as the group leader said, rather than finding something new, we need to research what’s currently being implemented and look at the problems and solutions accordingly…… Ahem, how about having two people do research, and dividing it into PPT creation and presenter like this?”

Though his voice gradually got quieter as he felt the others focusing on him, Dain succeeded in stating his opinion to the end. As the highest grade student, he wanted to be a senior who participated actively even a little rather than just following the other juniors.

The group members who heard Dain’s words nodded in agreement. Especially Jiyoon shook up and down every time Dain said something, like a bobblehead doll.

“As Dain sunbae-nim said, two people for research, one person for PPT, one presenter. Let’s do it this way, and we’ll meet separately to discuss familiarizing ourselves with the professor’s Q&A content.”

“Yes!”

“Then…… what would each of you like to do?”

Sujeong asked while looking at the others.

Dain wanted to do research. If he did the presentation, he felt like he would ruin the group project they worked hard to prepare, and he was too clumsy with computer work to do PPT creation. Just when he was wondering if it would be okay to say he wanted to do research first.

“Me! I want to do the presentation!”

Minjun spoke first.

“I’ve taken on quite a few presentations since my freshman year! I think presentation would be more comfortable than research or PPT creation. Haha!”

“Ah! Then could I do the PPT? I’m really, really confident I can make an amazing PPT!”

After Minjun spoke, Jiyoon also raised her hand. With the two of them taking on presentation and PPT, naturally the research fell to Dain and Sujeong.

Dain looked at Sujeong’s face sitting next to him. He still had an expressionless face, so it was impossible to know what he was thinking.

“Th-then Sujeong hoobae-nim and I will do the research…… would that be okay?”

Dain asked carefully. He thought he’d be a bit hurt if he heard it wasn’t okay here.

However, it seemed like unnecessary worry, as Sujeong accepted Dain’s opinion and neatly summarized everyone’s roles.

“Yes. Then Dain sunbae-nim and I will do research, Minjun will present, and Jiyoon hoobae-nim will create the PPT. Let’s do it this way. First, Dain sunbae-nim and I will decide on the research and let Jiyoon hoobae-nim know.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Jiyoon answered spiritedly. The group members had decided on the approach direction for the topic and somewhat divided the roles, so there wasn’t much else to say. Since they weren’t people who had previous friendship, they were just awkward with each other.

Dain and the other group members were pondering how to break this atmosphere. Just when Dain was thinking about ordering chicken since they had gathered anyway and was looking through a delivery app.

Beep beep.

Electronic sounds were heard continuously and the ‘click’ sound of a door opening echoed through the quiet room.

“Hyung, I’m here.”

“Juho!”

At Juho’s voice, Dain quickly got up from his seat and stood in front of him in one step. Seeing Juho’s face immediately made his nose bridge scrunch up unconsciously, showing how tense he had been among the other people.

Juho gently ruffled Dain’s hair with an affectionate touch. Then he only glanced over the other people standing there awkwardly with his eyes.

Jiyoon stepped back with a “Hiek” sound, Minjun looked at Juho with a face full of curiosity, and Sujeong looked at Juho with his still calm face.

Dain received the paper bag in Juho’s hand and tilted his head.

“Juho, what’s this? Why is it so heavy?”

“Ah, I bought some sushi on the way. You didn’t say anything about eating, so I wondered if you might be doing the project without eating dinner. Did you eat?”

“Ah, no! I was just thinking about what to order to eat…… thank you!”

Dain’s pupils sparkled as he looked up at Juho, seemingly moved by his kind consideration. Juho, who barely pushed away the thought of wanting to lick those pupils clean, gave a good-natured smile.

“That’s a relief. I heard it’s a famous restaurant near the company here. Eat together with the group members.”

“Yeah! Oh, come here. These are faces you’re seeing for the first time except for Jiyoon, right?”

Dain led Juho over.

“This hoobae-nim here is Lee Minjun. He’s a sophomore so he’s the same age as you, Juho! And this is Kim Sujeong hoobae-nim! Also a sophomore.”

At Dain’s introduction, Minjun, who had been observing Juho with rolling eyes, quickly offered a greeting with a smiling face.

“Ah, hello. I’m Lee Minjun.”

“Hello. I’m Lee Juho.”

Juho also returned the greeting, and bowed his head to greet Sujeong as well. Sujeong also offered a greeting.

After receiving Sujeong’s greeting, Juho briefly examined his face. It was the face he had seen when he went to dinner with Dain. Thinking about how Dain had been scared because of the strange bastard who came with him made even seeing his face annoying, but he pretended not to know for now.

Dain distributed the sushi Juho bought to the group members. The table was too small so they had to huddle together to eat, but he was grateful that everyone didn’t show signs of discomfort.

Especially thanks to Minjun and Jiyoon constantly talking and brightening the atmosphere, they finished dinner in a quite warm manner.

Juho must have bought such a large set that Jiyoon naturally left some, and even the male students barely managed to finish everything.

Dain also rubbed his protruding belly from eating too much. Seeing Dain like that, Juho laughed and placed his hand on top of Dain’s hand to rub his belly together.

“Hyung, is your stomach very full?”

“Uh, huh?! Juho. Yo-your hand……!”

“Yes?”

“You need to move your hand……!”

Dain whispered quietly and quickly removed Juho’s hand. What are you doing when other people are here! Dain’s eyes scolded Juho.

But I was just touching his belly together…… Juho’s lips became crooked. However, Dain pretended not to notice Juho pouting because he was being mindful of the group members sitting around them.

The couple that was famous on the community for a while. Though content about the two people suddenly disappeared from the community one day, they’re still being lovey-dovey.

Minjun, who was watching the two people bickering in front of him, thought absentmindedly.

Honestly, except for his scary first impression, sunbae Jung Dain was just an ordinary…… actually more timid student than what you’d see around.

However, his boyfriend Lee Juho was different. Just his appearance itself transcended ordinary. He was exactly 12 times more overwhelming than the photos that had been posted on the community.

If even he, who wasn’t a beast-man, was overwhelmed by the atmosphere like this, he wondered if Sujeong or Dain sitting next to him might find him a bit scary when looking at him.

Dain sunbae was dating that Lee Juho anyway, but it was interesting that Sujeong seemed more unfazed than expected.

Minjun looked at Sujeong drinking water and shook his head. He still lacked the depth to fully understand that Kim Sujeong. Minjun cut off thoughts that might grow endlessly if left alone and spoke.

“Sunbae-nim, should I go buy some ice cream?! You treated us to such good dinner, so let me treat for dessert!”

“Yes……?”

“Is there a pick-your-own ice cream shop around here? It would be perfect if we eat ice cream and then part ways!”

“Ah, yes! Yes yes. Then I’ll go together too. I’ll guide you.”

“Then I’ll go too! Let’s go together, sunbae-nims!”

Dain followed Minjun who was getting up. Seeing the two of them move, Jiyoon quickly followed behind Dain. The thought of staying here alone with Dain sunbae’s boyfriend was too scary.

And naturally, Dain stopped Juho from getting up from his seat.

“Juho, you just stay home. You just finished work and came, so you must be tired. I’ll be back quickly. Sujeong hoobae-nim, please rest too!”

“Hyung, will you be okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been to the ice cream shop often.”

“Hmm. Alright. Be careful coming back.”

“Yeah yeah.”

After Dain waved his hand gently to Juho, he left through the front door with Minjun and Jiyoon. Juho, who had been watching Dain’s retreating figure with regret, turned around and sat down.

Lee Juho and Kim Sujeong. For a while, no words were exchanged between the two. The one who broke that quiet air was Sujeong, who had been maintaining a calm expression throughout.

“Are you in a mate relationship with Dain sunbae-nim?”