He must’ve sensed just how eager I was—welcoming him with open arms, figuratively and maybe a little too literally. If he was being that direct, I probably gave myself away. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Go Hoon rubbed the back of his neck.
“Was I that obvious?”
He tried to play it off, but Bae Jung-yoon wasn’t letting it go that easily.
— Were you waiting for me to call?
His voice came soft and persistent through the phone, laced with a subtle hope, like he was waiting for a particular answer.
Go Hoon hesitated, unable to respond right away.
Of course he’d been waiting for Bae Jung-yoon. He had something to say—something that still hadn’t been resolved between them.
Like those photos Jung-yoon had taken of him in secret. They still hadn’t had a real conversation about that. That’s why Go Hoon had spent the morning combing through campus, looking for him.
But now, when confronted with that question, saying “yes” felt impossible. It would come off far too sentimental—completely different from what he meant.
It was that damn tone of Bae Jung-yoon’s. The kind that made even casual words sound loaded with meaning.
While Go Hoon silently mouthed half-formed replies, unsure what to say, Park Ki-cheol exhaled a slow puff of cigarette smoke and shot him a look that clearly said, What are you waiting for?
Turning away, Go Hoon cleared his throat and jumped straight to the point.
“I’m at a bar just outside campus. Ki-cheol sunbae and Yeo-jin are here too. If you’ve got time, why don’t you come by?”
Instead of answering the question, he changed the subject.
Please come. Please…! If it weren’t for his part-time job, he would’ve stayed and kept watch himself. But he had to head to work soon.
There was no telling how long the drinking would go on—and it wasn’t like he could just force it to end—so the best move was to explain things to Bae Jung-yoon and ask him to step in for now, to keep an eye on Yeo-jin in his place.
He didn’t want to drag Jung-yoon into something this awkward, but he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t shake the look in Kim Yeo-jin’s eyes as she was pulled away by Park Ki-cheol.
There was a strange sense of responsibility weighing on him. He just couldn’t ignore her silent cry for help.
— ……
But even after the invitation was out, Bae Jung-yoon didn’t say a word.
“Bae Jung-yoon? Are you still there?”
Maybe he doesn’t want to come after all. Just as that thought crept in, a reply came.
— Got it. I’ll be there soon.
No questions. No hesitation. His response was so brief, it left Go Hoon momentarily stunned.
— Give me ten minutes. I’ll be there. Just wait.
It felt like the sky itself had answered his call.
***
Just like he promised, Bae Jung-yoon arrived at the bar not long after. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like the full ten minutes had passed.
The moment he pushed open the wooden door, Go Hoon could feel nearby women glancing in his direction, eyes trailing after him as he entered.
“Yo, Jung-yoon!”
Park Ki-cheol raised his hand with enthusiasm, greeting him more warmly than Go Hoon expected.
He’d been worried that inviting another guy—especially a guy—might annoy Ki-cheol, but instead, the reaction was unexpectedly upbeat.
Maybe Ki-cheol had already given up on cozying up to Kim Yeo-jin tonight and figured he’d rather kick back with a handsome, well-off junior. In his eyes, Bae Jung-yoon was someone useful to have around.
Whatever the reason, it worked out well for Go Hoon.
“Good evening, sunbae.”
Bae Jung-yoon greeted both Park Ki-cheol and Kim Yeo-jin in turn, then took the seat next to Go Hoon as naturally as if it had been saved just for him.
The moment he sat down, the dynamic at the table shifted. Ki-cheol and Yeo-jin’s attention immediately turned to him. Conversation had started to dry up, the mood getting sluggish—but with Jung-yoon’s arrival, the table sparked back to life.
Go Hoon finally felt like he could breathe again. At least Ki-cheol’s nonstop questions had stopped. But the relief didn’t last long.
“Hoon, I didn’t keep you waiting too long, did I?”
With a soft smile, Bae Jung-yoon placed a hand on Go Hoon’s thigh. The touch was so smooth, so effortless, that even though Go Hoon’s leg flinched reflexively, he couldn’t bring himself to brush it off.
He was the one who’d called him here, after all. Acting annoyed would’ve felt wrong. Forcing himself to ignore the warm, broad hand covering his thigh, he tried to keep his voice steady.
“You really got here fast.”
“I happened to be resting at home.”
“Did you drive?”
“No, I walked. By the way, have you been drinking a lot? Your face looks kind of red.”
Without warning, Bae Jung-yoon reached out toward him. Before Go Hoon could react, the back of his hand—warm and slightly clammy—grazed his cheek.
“I haven’t had much.”
Instinctively, Go Hoon tilted his head back. But Jung-yoon’s hand followed, refusing to let him pull away.
“Your face is burning up—you definitely had more than just a little.”
The hand that had trailed after him now moved smoothly from his jawline down to the nape of his neck. The light, ticklish touch made his shoulders instinctively twitch.
Unable to take it anymore, Go Hoon reached out and gently took hold of Bae Jung-yoon’s wrist, easing his hand away as softly as he could.
“That tickles, Bae Jung-yoon.”
He forced a small smile, trying to mask how flustered he actually was. Their eyes locked midair. Only then did Jung-yoon blink his dark eyes and finally withdraw his hand.
“It tickled? Sorry.”
The apology came in a low, near-whisper. Go Hoon rubbed his neck where Jung-yoon’s hand had lingered, the skin oddly warm, as though the touch had left a physical mark. The residual heat slowly spread out from that spot.
He was definitely flushed. Now that the group had grown by one more person, the tension he’d been holding onto had begun to loosen, and with it, the alcohol was starting to hit harder.
“Geez, you two—what kind of cheesy reunion is this?”
From across the table, Park Ki-cheol, having watched the exchange, pulled out a fresh soju glass and slid it over to Bae Jung-yoon.
“Go Hoon barged in and made everything awkward, but you showed up just in time, Jung-yoon. Let me pour you a drink. Here—take it.”
“Thanks, sunbae.”
Jung-yoon accepted the drink with both hands and a soft smile. Ki-cheol beamed, clearly pleased by the courteous response.
It was a night-and-day difference from how he treated Go Hoon.
Maybe it was the magnetic pull Jung-yoon had on women that gave Ki-cheol that puffed-up pride. He looked smug, like he wanted everyone to know—See this guy? He’s my junior. We’re tight.
With that, the mood at the table shifted. The atmosphere, which had been stretched taut, finally relaxed. Even Go Hoon could feel it—conversation started flowing naturally again.
Eventually, as it always seemed to among guys, the topic turned to the military. With three veterans at the table, it was bound to happen.
“Hey, punk. You just got out, and you’re already soft. What happened to your discipline, huh? Stand up and recite the Soldier’s Creed!”
Drunk and getting bolder, Park Ki-cheol tossed out a ridiculous command. But Go Hoon wasn’t one to just follow orders. He crossed his arms and shot back.
“Soldier’s Creed? Come on. We all know you don’t need to memorize that crap. Just go ‘ugh-ugh, ugh-ugh!’ and you’re good.”
Mimicking the jumbled slur of military chants, he drew a laugh from Bae Jung-yoon, who clearly found it relatable. Across from them, Kim Yeo-jin—the only one at the table who hadn’t served—looked intrigued.
“Soldier’s Creed? What’s that?”
“It’s like this memorization drill you do in the army,” Jung-yoon explained playfully.
“Ohh,” Yeo-jin murmured with a faint smile, her curiosity satisfied.
Go Hoon glanced at her. She looked totally at ease now.
And it made sense. With two physically capable men at the table, she probably felt there was nothing to worry about. The earlier tension between him and Park Ki-cheol had also cooled a bit with Jung-yoon’s presence buffering the space.
Sipping at her beer, Kim Yeo-jin picked up her phone and slowly stood.
“I’m just gonna run to the bathroom for a bit.”
“Oh! Me too. Let’s go together,” Park Ki-cheol said, springing up like he’d been waiting for an opening.
“It’s dangerous to walk alone at night. Let oppa come with you.”
You’re the danger, you asshole. Go Hoon nearly said it out loud. He was about to stand up too, but his eyes met Yeo-jin’s.
Should I come with you?
He asked with his gaze.
She gave a small shake of her head.
It’s fine.
Even with that silent reassurance, Go Hoon hesitated. Something about letting them go off alone just didn’t sit right.
But following them to the bathroom with Ki-cheol wasn’t appealing either. He didn’t need another round of fake brotherly advice wrapped in bullshit.
It’s just a quick bathroom break. Nothing’s going to happen.
Trying to calm himself, Go Hoon watched their backs as they slipped out the door.
“Hoon.”
A soft voice pulled him back. He turned his head.
Bae Jung-yoon was leaning toward him slightly, one arm hooked over the back of his chair, trying to keep his voice from being lost in the noise.
“You don’t have work tonight?”
His voice cut through the background chatter with surprising clarity. Go Hoon turned on his phone and checked the time—it was already 7:30. No wonder Jung-yoon was wondering why he was still here.
“Yeah… I should probably head out soon.”
He’d already been thinking it was time to go. Now that Jung-yoon was here, it felt safe to leave things to him. …Maybe just wait a little longer—explain things quickly and make sure the others came back first.
With that decision made, Go Hoon kept sneaking glances toward the door before turning to Bae Jung-yoon again.
“Jung-yoon.”
“Yeah?”
“I think I’ve gotta leave in a bit. Could you… stay with Yeo-jin and make sure she gets home okay?”
His voice was quiet, serious. Jung-yoon gave him a puzzled look.
“It’s kinda hard to explain everything right now, but—”
Go Hoon paused, his eyes darting toward the door again. A sudden suspicion flared—What if Ki-cheol’s somehow listening in?
“Hoon.”
Bae Jung-yoon studied him for a moment, then called his name again, this time lower, softer. But Go Hoon didn’t catch the shift—his attention was still elsewhere.
“Hoon.”
This time, a large hand gently took hold of his chin.
“What are you looking around for so much?”
His head was turned, his gaze pulled back—straight into Jung-yoon’s calm, steady eyes.
“I’m the one you’re talking to right now.”
