Chapter 56
“It’s working fine. That’s a relief.”
Fortunately, Ji-won seemed only interested in the screen’s condition and didn’t notice Kwon-ju’s behavior at all, expressing genuine delight. “I was looking at old KakaoTalk conversations with hyung.” While Kwon-ju was relieved that Ji-won hadn’t recognized his profile picture, Ji-won had already moved on.
“Let’s go in.”
Even though Kwon-ju had been the one to suggest coming, Ji-won once again took the lead. After paying the entrance fee, Ji-won bought an americano to go from the small café at the entrance and looked at Kwon-ju as if asking where they should head first. Only then did Kwon-ju take the initiative, leading them with a serious expression to where colorful fish were displayed.
“……”
“……”
They silently stared at the large tank, with Ji-won simply drinking his americano diligently, his face showing no particular enjoyment. Kwon-ju unconsciously almost started picking at the tender skin beside his fingernails and forcibly sealed his right hand away in his pocket.
Meanwhile, Ji-won, oblivious to the other’s anxiety, wasn’t thinking much of anything. He wasn’t particularly bored or wanting to leave, but he wasn’t exactly enjoying himself either. After standing there for about five minutes without a word, Ji-won glanced at Kwon-ju, who showed no signs of moving, and casually asked.
“Do you like looking at these things?”
Though he wasn’t enjoying it at all, Kwon-ju nodded with a positive expression to establish some common ground. He then stepped forward from where he’d been standing back to allow Ji-won better viewing and answered.
“Yes.”
“Do you like fish?”
Ji-won was curious why they were standing fixed in front of the fish tank when everyone else just glanced at it in passing. There were penguins and otters elsewhere, yet they continued lingering near the large tank with various colorful fish swimming around. While this was pretty in its own way… isn’t this not typically what people come to see?
“I heard hyung likes fish too.”
“Oh… me?”
I do like fish… raw, grilled, seasoned, all kinds. But that’s only when fish is food, not when it’s swimming in a tank. Is this what people usually think of when someone says they like fish?
At the questioning voice, Kwon-ju instantly stiffened. “He likes fish.” The image of Suhyeon saying this with complete confidence floated hazily in his mind.
“Who told you that?”
“Suhyeon sunbae.”
“I like eating them.”
“Ah.”
Kwon-ju’s reaction froze momentarily as he realized the truth. She meant fish dishes. Then that sunbae should have just said “fish dishes.” Whether mackerel or salmon, there must have been something specific he liked. Kwon-ju recalled Suhyeon laughing good-naturedly without thinking she was unusual.
Watching Kwon-ju belatedly recover from his confusion, Ji-won smiled kindly and patted his shoulder.
“Well, it’s the same thing anyway, so I do like them. Keep looking around.”
Since they’d come because Kwon-ju wanted to see the aquarium, it didn’t matter whether Ji-won liked it or not. As Ji-won brushed it off casually, Kwon-ju quickly worked out a new plan on the spot.
“Let’s go over there now.”
“Sure.”
Having already come because he’d insisted, Kwon-ju couldn’t just suggest going home now. He tried to raise the excitement by going different places, but the penguins snatching food weren’t particularly fascinating for two men in their early twenties. In the end, it turned into an aquarium date where neither side was enjoying themselves—both were just bored.
“……”
What is this…
Having returned to near the entrance, Kwon-ju vacantly watched people coming in. Families and couples were happily exploring. Nowhere could he see a combination of just two adult men. Ji-won too must have felt this happy, innocent energy in the air.
He’d ruined it, completely. He should have reserved a good sushi restaurant instead. If Ji-won felt uncomfortable, he could have naturally pretended to ask for advice. Thinking about it again, this was all due to his own stupidity, so he couldn’t blame anyone else.
“Um, hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry. I suggested we come, but it feels like we’re not doing much…”
“No, we’ve seen everything. Wasn’t it fun for you?”
“No, I enjoyed it.”
“I enjoyed it too.”
Ji-won quickly assured Kwon-ju he’d had fun, seeing how deflated he looked, worried that he hadn’t enjoyed himself despite coming along for Kwon-ju’s sake. Ji-won wondered if he should buy some souvenir to give him, and as he turned his head, there actually was a gift shop right in front of them. Through the transparent glass, Ji-won spotted clownfish headbands and unconsciously thought, I want to see him wearing that.
“I’ll just go to the bathroom quickly.”
Ji-won snapped back to reality at Kwon-ju’s voice and nodded a beat late. As Kwon-ju turned to walk toward the bathroom, he suddenly stopped, came back, and placed something in Ji-won’s hand.
“What’s this?”
Ji-won smiled when he discovered the packet of jellies in his hand. It seemed Kwon-ju wanted him to eat them while waiting. He’s so considerate about small things. This kindness, which Ji-won had never experienced before, made him feel strangely good.
Ji-won genuinely thought today had been fine. Although he wasn’t particularly fond of watching animals, just being in a place Kwon-ju enjoyed was enough. He’d always felt bad about just receiving things. If he could repay him even a little with this, it made him happy.
But could this really be called repayment? Especially after making him drop his phone as soon as they met. While thinking about this and putting the jellies in his mouth one by one, he noticed a fresh fruit juice shop ahead. It was a place that had been highly recommended when he briefly searched before coming.
Looks delicious. As he was looking at the cups in the customers’ hands, Kwon-ju, returning from the bathroom, naturally stood beside him. Still not taking his eyes off the shop entrance, Ji-won asked.
“Are you thirsty?”
It seemed he wanted to go to the café. Although Kwon-ju wasn’t particularly thirsty, he just nodded.
“They say it’s good there. Want to check it out?”
“Sure.”
Sure, sure. Always the same answer. Without even properly looking at the café Ji-won pointed to, Kwon-ju obediently followed him inside. Only after seeing the menu did he realize—this was a fresh fruit juice shop.
“……”
The texture, the intense fruit flavors he didn’t even like. It was a drink he wouldn’t normally touch. Chocolate, is there chocolate… With his perfect 20/20 vision, Kwon-ju still deliberately scanned the blurry menu searching for something he could drink, but everything was just fresh fruit juice.
“Thank you.”
Having given up on chocolate, Kwon-ju chose strawberry instead. He politely received the cup with both hands from the employee and immediately began drinking as soon as he sat at the table. It was better to get rid of what he disliked quickly.
He must be really thirsty… Ji-won smiled contentedly watching Kwon-ju’s drink steadily rising through the straw. Then he took out his phone and opened the Arc Serenity homepage.
“Did you see the discussion board? All job classes might get balanced soon.”
“Spirit Master too?”
“Spirit Master isn’t the important part right now. Holy Knight needs to get revived even a little with this opportunity.”
Ji-won put his phone down on the table. Thinking Ji-won wanted to show him something, Kwon-ju carefully leaned his head closer. Our heads might touch. While it wouldn’t be a big deal for guys to have their heads touch, for Kwon-ju it was extremely nerve-wracking, so he tried his best to maintain distance to avoid any contact.
“Here, look.”
Ji-won noticed this desperate effort to keep distance and just handed over his phone. Only then did Kwon-ju comfortably check the screen, while Ji-won put the straw in his mouth, watching him. Does he dislike contact that much? Hiding the deep feeling of disappointment, Ji-won shared the general consensus.
“Everyone’s saying Holy Knight should be fixed first. I think you can look forward to it.”
“Really?”
Having heard multiple times that it was a hopeless class, Kwon-ju had planned to gradually strengthen all his items to +15 when he had time, and responded with surprise. Do games just suddenly improve classes that weren’t performing well? Well, considering how he’d managed to save his own hopeless brain by solving problems all day until his wrists burned, there was no reason Holy Knight couldn’t make a comeback.
“Not immediately, but around when we take our finals? They haven’t done a balance patch in ages.”
So the day ends with game talk again. Kwon-ju rinsed his mouth with water from the counter and secretly glanced at Ji-won’s profile once every ten seconds as he talked while looking at his phone. Although the aquarium outing he’d carefully planned had failed, this wasn’t bad in its own way. Being able to comfortably face each other at this distance. He’d like to get closer, but for now, this alone was overwhelming.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
