Go Hoon’s gaze narrowed slightly. What on earth had he been saved as in that phone? The suspicion lingered, but he decided it wasn’t important enough to ask about.
“Go Hoon.”
“Go Woon?”
Most people reacted the same way. The sounds of ‘Hoon’ and ‘Woon’ were similar enough to cause confusion, so questions like this weren’t uncommon.
“It’s Hoon,” Go Hoon corrected, clearly emphasizing the pronunciation. Woo Gun-hyung nodded and asked:
“Single syllable?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
There was no mistaking the flirtatious tone. Was it just a habit of his? Not giving it much thought, Go Hoon replied flatly.
“It’s a pretty average name.”
“Then why does it sound pretty to me? Maybe it’s because of your face?”
Go Hoon’s brow furrowed, like someone who’d just been forced to hear something he really didn’t want to. Woo Gun-hyung chuckled at the reaction.
His eyes were drawn to the curve of the man’s lifted lips. He was strange. He gave off a sense of seriousness, yet seemed completely frivolous at the same time. The contrast immediately reminded him of someone else.
Why do I always attract people like this? Whether or not he was actually thinking that, Woo Gun-hyung simply shrugged and took another sip of his drink.
They talked a little longer, then checked the time. 9:11 PM. Probably best to head home. There was no telling when Bae Jung-yoon would be back.
Go Hoon stood from his seat.
“Doesn’t seem like there’s anything more to talk about, so I’ll head out.”
He half-expected the other man to try and stop him, but it turned out to be an unnecessary worry. Woo Gun-hyung simply nodded and grabbed his jacket.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
He hadn’t realized the man had driven. Go Hoon shook his head.
“It’s fine. You’ve been drinking.”
“I’m only offering the car. I called a designated driver, of course.”
“Even so, it’s fine. I’ll take the bus—it’s more convenient.”
He wasn’t comfortable sharing where he lived with someone he’d just met. Especially since it wasn’t even his place, but Bae Jung-yoon’s officetel. Still, Woo Gun-hyung wasn’t the type to give up easily.
“Then I guess I’ll be taking public transportation for the first time in a while.”
He clearly meant he’d follow Go Hoon and take the bus too. Why is he so persistent? The annoyance must’ve shown in Go Hoon’s expression, because Woo Gun-hyung grinned knowingly.
“Just tell me the station. I’ll only take you that far. Promise.”
He imagined getting on a bus with this man beside him… and somehow, it didn’t seem like a pleasant thought. Judging by the sparkle in his eyes, the man looked like he might just follow him home given the chance. As if he’d read Go Hoon’s wavering thoughts, Woo Gun-hyung spoke with firm finality.
“Just to the station. Okay?”
Go Hoon nodded, resigned.
“Okay.”
***
Woo Gun-hyung paid for everything. Since Go Hoon hadn’t even had a sip and was still a student, while he himself was a business owner, he figured it only made sense.
And then he added, “If you wanted to chip in, you should’ve at least had a drink.” The way he said it—so slick, so shameless—it was like he’d swallowed a whole nest of snakes. Go Hoon had no way to deal with someone like that.
The designated driver arrived less than five minutes after being called. Woo Gun-hyung handed him the keys and climbed into the back seat first, clearly considering that Go Hoon would get out before him.
9:15 PM
[When are you coming back?]
He sent a message to Bae Jung-yoon. No reply. What’s he doing that he can’t even check his phone? Go Hoon stared at the screen with narrowed eyes. Maybe his expression looked off, because Woo Gun-hyung spoke up.
“Waiting for a message?”
Go Hoon turned his head, glancing at the man leaned back comfortably in his seat. His gaze dropped to the phone in his own hand. Feeling awkward, he shoved it into his pocket.
“Someone I live with.”
“You live together?”
“It’s a complicated situation.”
Woo Gun-hyung let out a hum, his voice probing with curiosity.
“Ah… so are you one of those people?”
The end of his sentence was left unsaid, but it was obvious what he meant. He was probably asking whether the person Go Hoon was waiting for was someone who’d made him question his sexual orientation.
He’s pretty sharp.
Thinking that, Go Hoon instinctively glanced at the designated driver in the front seat. Fortunately, the man seemed entirely uninterested in their conversation.
He scratched the front of his brow and turned his head away, quietly staring out the window. That seemed to be all the answer Woo Gun-hyung needed.
“What kind of person are they?”
He asked offhandedly. Oddly enough, the question didn’t feel intrusive. In fact, something about Woo Gun-hyung made it feel strangely easy to open up. Maybe it was the impression that, despite his playful tone, he wasn’t the type to gossip.
Honestly, when would he ever get the chance to talk about this with anyone else? Especially not someone close—it was exactly the kind of thing that felt harder to say to those around him. Maybe that’s why this near-stranger felt safer. Easier.
Even so, Go Hoon hesitated. It wasn’t easy to sum up Bae Jung-yoon in a few words.
He was complicated. He could seem affectionate one moment, then suddenly turn cold. Gentle on the outside, but unexpectedly harsh underneath. The kind of person who kept you on edge. If he wanted something, he had to have it—utterly self-willed.
There were so many things about him Go Hoon couldn’t make sense of. So many moments when it felt like they were speaking different languages. There were times he wanted to push him away. And yet, before he knew it, they were suddenly closer again.
That’s why he couldn’t stop thinking about him. Why his gaze kept drifting back. Why he constantly felt this urge to peel him open, to figure him out.
“…He’s a pain in the ass.”
After mulling it over for a long time, that was the best Go Hoon could come up with. A pain in the ass. What made it worse was—despite the frustration—he couldn’t bring himself to dislike him.
Yeah. That was the real problem.
He could piss you off like no one else… and still, you couldn’t hate him.
Hearing that, Woo Gun-hyung let out a soft chuckle and muttered,
“Yeah… there’s no cure for that.”
Go Hoon couldn’t argue. There’s that saying—when someone’s not even that attractive, but you start finding them cute, you’re already screwed. Not that Bae Jung-yoon was unattractive—far from it—but the idea fit all the same.
“Those feelings are the most dangerous, you know.”
Woo Gun-hyung clicked his tongue and gave a sympathetic smile, eyes narrowing with interest. Clearly, he found Go Hoon’s situation entertaining.
Go Hoon didn’t respond. He already knew. These feelings were dangerous. He had every reason not to fall for someone like Bae Jung-yoon.
There was no doubt he’d be the one getting hurt.
And yet, despite knowing that, he was still drawn in—just like Woo Gun-hyung said. A hopeless case.
One day, the guy had suddenly turned into a cat. And now… now he was losing his mind.
Of all people, why him? How the hell did things end up like this?
He slipped into a moment of genuine self-reflection, but no answers came. Just a growing weight in his chest.
Woo Gun-hyung didn’t push further. He fell silent, and so did the car. Before long, they arrived at the station.
Go Hoon stepped out, leaning slightly to meet the man’s gaze through the door.
“Thanks for the ride.”
Woo Gun-hyung grinned and nodded.
“I’ll be in touch.”
Go Hoon stared at him for a moment, then gave a small nod and closed the door. The car pulled away and soon disappeared from sight.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the business card again.
[Woo Gun-hyung.]
He stared at the name printed in clean, understated font before finally turning to go.
He walked briskly, heading home. As expected, the officetel was dark. A part of him felt relieved, though he still checked his phone again. The message he’d sent Bae Jung-yoon remained unread.
After showering, he sprawled on the living room sofa, staring blankly at the TV. Before he realized it, it was past 11.
He’s later than I thought.
Still no word. While waiting, Go Hoon slowly drifted off to sleep.
Somewhere in the middle of a dream, he heard a low voice.
“Hoon-ah…”
“…Don’t turn this into something sad.”
The voice felt far away—so faint, he couldn’t make out what it was saying. Just as he focused all his attention, straining to hear, he felt a hand.
A weight pressed gently against his throat—cold, deliberate.
Just a little more pressure, and his breath would stop. His instincts screamed at him to escape, but his body wouldn’t respond—like sleep paralysis.
He couldn’t see anything. But somehow, Go Hoon knew.
That hand— It belonged to Bae Jung-yoon.
He didn’t know why. He just knew.
Why the hell do I feel like my life’s in danger?
The question filled his mind.
The fingers on his neck tightened.
And in that instant—Go Hoon’s eyes snapped open.
