Chapter 73
The first to arrive at the meeting place were Yuwon and Minhyeon. After settling into their seats, pre-ordering 5 servings of pork belly, and wiping their hands with wet towels, Jaejoon and Seongcheol arrived one after another.
They froze for a moment upon seeing Minhyeon, then burst into laughter with a “puhaha.” The awkward atmosphere instantly dissolved as they teasingly asked why he’d grown so tall and said they almost mistook him for someone else.
The four ordered plenty of meat and soju, and each had a bowl of rice placed in front of them. As they began sharing old stories while facing the sizzling pork belly, the conversation flowed endlessly despite their long separation.
“Hey, remember that candy Minhyeon was crazy about back then? The one that turns your tongue blue.”
“Yeah, I remember. I must have bought him a hundred thousand won’s worth.”
At Seongcheol and Jaejoon’s words, Minhyeon chuckled and nodded while sipping his soju. Then Seongcheol hurriedly raised his glass and said:
“Drinking alone makes it bitter. Come on, cheers. Cheers.”
Four soju glasses collided in the air with a clear sound. Yuwon only participated in the toast then quietly set down his glass. It wasn’t that he had no intention of drinking at all, but he didn’t want to face Jeonghyeok in a drunk state when he came to pick him up.
However, Seongcheol, who had cleanly emptied his glass, frowned and questioned him:
“Kim Yuwon, what’s with you? Are you still taking herbal medicine?”
“No, that’s not it. I’m just going to drink moderately.”
“Why are you suddenly taking care of your body? So fucking suspicious.”
“Someone has to send the drunk guy home. Do you remember me putting you in a taxi last time?”
“…Hmm, it’s hazy.”
“Hazy or not, if you get as drunk as last time, you’re dead, okay?”
Yuwon glared at Seongcheol with sharp eyes and growled. Thinking about how he’d supported that guy who could barely walk when drunk and received strange misunderstandings from Jeonghyeok, his insides still boiled with injustice.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Seongcheol smiled awkwardly and spoke to Minhyeon:
“Why is your hyung like that? On such a happy day like today, right?”
“Right. Hyung, please understand. Yuwon hyung is sometimes like that.”
Looking at Minhyeon who was unnecessarily taking Seongcheol’s side, Yuwon opened his mouth wide in disbelief. Then Minhyeon giggled mischievously. That appearance was exactly like when he was an elementary student getting blue tongue candy from his hyungs.
Right. The you I knew originally looked like this.
Suddenly, Minhyeon’s childhood that he’d forgotten came back vividly. Though he was a bit introverted, he had a personality that would often act up in front of his hyungs. He was just shy around strangers, but once he got close, he was very lively and playful.
Since they’d met again, he’d only shown a calm side, so he thought his personality had changed, but apparently that wasn’t the case. He was just pretending in situations where he had to be mature.
Watching Minhyeon giggle while bantering with Seongcheol, he thought it was good that they’d met like this today.
If they laughed carelessly while reminiscing about childhood like now, they could forget painful memories, even if briefly. There would be no need to forcibly act mature and wear masks.
Hoping that just for today he could return to his childhood self, Yuwon poured alcohol into Minhyeon’s glass.
“Wow, Kim Yuwon. What’s this? Only taking care of Minhyeon?”
“I’ll give you some too. Wait.”
Yuwon filled grumbling Seongcheol’s glass as well, then poured soju to the brim in Jaejoon’s half-full glass. The transparent liquid sloshed as if it would overflow.
After that, the sound of toasts continued without rest. When empty bottles gradually increased and it became difficult to stand them on the table anymore, the pronunciation of the three people except Yuwon began to gradually slur.
Among them, Jaejoon, who had been watching Minhyeon from earlier, quietly spoke up:
“But Minhyeon. I have something I’m curious about.”
“Yeah.”
“What’s the reason you suddenly appeared after no contact for several years?”
At the direct question, the atmosphere that had been excited until just now suddenly became calm. Seongcheol also seemed curious, blinking his reddened eyes from alcohol while staring at Minhyeon.
Finally, what was to come had come. Yuwon subtly checked on Minhyeon’s condition. Contrary to his worry, Minhyeon had a more comfortable face than expected. And he began to speak calmly.
“I’d been living alone with my mom for a few years, but mom passed away. After the funeral, I was left alone at home, and I could only think of Yuwon hyung. So I contacted him.”
“…”
“Then hyung met with me right away? I wanted to see you hyungs too, so I begged him to arrange this meeting.”
It was an explanation that omitted the story of how he’d coldly avoided contact at first, then was eventually tricked by the Director into meeting reluctantly.
Minhyeon smiled brightly while looking at Yuwon. Did I do well with the story? Facing his proud expression made him feel heavy guilt.
As the stiff atmosphere continued, Seongcheol dramatically broke the silence:
“Hey, you did well! Kim Yuwon is your hyung, so of course he should take care of you. You did well to contact him first.”
“Right. You must have suffered a lot emotionally.”
Jaejoon comforted Minhyeon with a slightly calmed voice. Only Minhyeon, the person in question, was smiling brightly as if nothing was wrong.
“I don’t like the atmosphere getting down when we met after so long. Let’s drink quickly, hyung. I’ll pour for Seongcheol hyung first.”
“Ugh, why is it so awkward when you pour drinks?”
Seongcheol rubbed his clearly flustered face once, then held out his glass to Minhyeon. After Seongcheol, Jaejoon and Yuwon received drinks in turn, and finally Yuwon filled Minhyeon’s glass while saying:
“Drink moderately. If you try to keep up with Choi Seongcheol, you’ll be done for.”
“Don’t worry. I’m really strong with alcohol.”
“Sure you are.”
When he snorted at Minhyeon’s bluff, Seongcheol interjected from the side:
“Do you still think Minhyeon is a little kid? He’s a grown adult who can drink by himself. Don’t interfere, okay?”
While saying that, he clinked glasses with Minhyeon and poured soju into his mouth.
“Minhyeon, don’t mind what Kim Yuwon says and drink quickly. Come on, bottoms up.”
At Seongcheol’s urging, Minhyeon also downed the drink he’d just received in one go. Yuwon was startled and grabbed Minhyeon’s wrist.
“Hey, Kim Minhyeon! I told you not to drink like that.”
“I’m fine so don’t worry, and hyung should drink with Jaejoon hyung.”
Excited about something, Minhyeon decided to seriously compete with Seongcheol in drinking. Even Jaejoon, whom he’d trusted, was ordering another bottle of soju.
In the boisterous atmosphere, Yuwon took a sip of water for no reason. Somehow he had an ominous feeling that he’d have to take care of these guys again today.
***
In the end, Jeonghyeok, who hadn’t received a reply from Yuwon, was in a low-pressure state throughout the drive. He was waiting silently without deliberately calling, but he was on the verge of breaking his resolution.
Thinking about it, it really wasn’t a big deal. At that age, when meeting with friends and drinking, not checking your phone wasn’t unusual. He had been like that at that age too, and even thought it was natural.
But selfishly, he found himself endlessly expecting from Kim Yuwon.
He wanted him to contact him regularly every hour about where he was, who he was with, and what he was doing. I feel empty without you, but are you having fun where I’m not? He wanted to say such disgusting things without hesitation.
Driving on roads surrounded by mountains, Jeonghyeok rolled down the car window all the way. He felt like his distracting thoughts would disappear only if he felt the cool breeze.
He’ll contact me when they change locations. Let’s wait for now. Pushing too hard isn’t a good method either. While comforting himself, Jeonghyeok glanced at his phone several times whenever he stopped at signals. The black screen was annoyingly quiet.
The phone that had been quiet all along rang just as he left the suburbs and entered Seoul. He hoped it was the contact from Yuwon he’d been waiting for, but the caller wasn’t Yuwon but Taeju.
Jeonghyeok connected the call with an indifferent face. Then an urgent voice burst through the car speaker.
―Ah, hyung-nim. Where are you right now?
“I just got on Gangbyeonbuk-ro. Why?”
―Well…
Taeju, who was uncharacteristically hesitating, continued with a sunken voice.
―Site Manager Kim collapsed.
“What?”
―I’m also on my way to the hospital right now, and according to his wife, it was a heart attack… He’s in critical condition.
At the sudden bad news, Jeonghyeok’s face hardened. Critical condition? Why would someone who was fine suddenly…
Site Manager Kim’s hearty laughter from when they met recently echoed in his ears. Did you get a wife? Are you finally going to let me eat noodles? His voice full of anticipation could be heard too.
Jeonghyeok, who couldn’t say anything for a while, quietly adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and barely opened his mouth.
“…Send me the hospital address.”
When he stepped on the accelerator without hesitation, the car shot forward with a roaring engine sound.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
