Chapter 138
The word ‘lover’ echoed in Seo-jung’s ears. It was just a few minutes ago that he had decided to try to act like a normal hyung-dongsaeng relationship with Cha Yoon. But now, ‘lover’? It would have been stranger to remain unaffected after hearing such words. Noticing Seo-jung’s stiff expression, the quiet Cha Yoon spoke up.
“We’re not actually lovers.”
As Cha Yoon drew the line on their relationship and corrected the fact, Seo-jung’s lips quivered. Just as he was about to feel relieved, the workshop owner continued.
“Ah, so you two are still in the flirting stage. Then you might not know.”
Seo-jung tightly closed his eyes. Is this what they call being caught between a rock and a hard place? When they said they weren’t lovers, now it was ‘flirting’.
“I thought it was strange that you were using formal speech with each other, unlike most young people these days. But it turns out you’re in the flirting stage.”
Unaware of Seo-jung’s feelings, the workshop owner nodded as if everything now made sense.
“Here, I’ll give you a ring sizer. Would you like to measure each other’s ring sizes? Knowing your partner’s ring finger size while dating can be really helpful later on.”
The workshop owner took out a ring sizer from the drawer and winked as if giving advice to a couple just starting to date.
Seo-jung couldn’t understand the workshop owner at all. Isn’t it common to think of two men together as just friends? But contrary to Seo-jung’s expectations, the workshop owner naturally used words like ‘lover’ and ‘flirting’ without any prejudice.
Not only that, far from looking at them strangely, he even smiled as if he was more excited than they were. There was no intention of mockery or ridicule. He just looked like someone who had seen one of the countless couples about to start dating.
It wasn’t just the workshop owner’s reaction that deviated from expectations. Seo-jung looked at the faces of the production staff standing behind the cameras, but they too were no different from usual. They just focused on their work, wearing the same expressions he had seen throughout their time at the X House.
What’s going on? Shouldn’t they at least frown when seeing a scene like this? Is this how Alice felt when she fell into Wonderland? When everyone around seemed so nonchalant, it made him feel like he was wrong for worrying.
At the same time, Seo-jung heard something crack once again. It was the same sound he had heard last evening. He wanted to look into this more deeply, but he couldn’t be lost in thought while keeping someone waiting.
While Seo-jung was organizing his thoughts, Cha Yoon’s gaze remained fixed on him. Being misunderstood about their relationship – this was the situation Seo-jung had been trying hardest to avoid. So he thought he should step in once more. Just as he always had during their past relationship, he was about to open his mouth.
“I’ll measure the size right away.”
Surprised by Seo-jung’s words, Cha Yoon stared at him with wide eyes. It was an expression that showed he hadn’t expected Seo-jung to answer like that at all, but Seo-jung just turned his gaze towards the workshop owner with an unperturbed face. Seo-jung was a person who could read the atmosphere. It seemed more ridiculous to strongly deny in a situation where no one else perceived any problem.
“Cha Yoon-ssi, I’ll measure first and let you know.”
Having made his decision, Seo-jung quickly measured his finger size and handed over the ring sizer.
“I’m a size 17. Cha Yoon-ssi, can you measure and tell me your size too?”
Cha Yoon fiddled with the ring sizer he received, then measured his fourth finger as Seo-jung had done.
“I’m a size 19.”
It’s the same as before. As the number that vaguely came to mind matched the number that came out of Cha Yoon’s mouth, Seo-jung nodded.
“Now that we’ve measured the ring sizes, let’s start the main work. If you need any help, please let me know.”
Seo-jung was the first to pick up the wax. Cha Yoon watched for a while as Seo-jung started working, recalling what the workshop owner had explained, before picking up his tools.
Making a ring for the first time was more difficult than expected. Unlike the workshop owner who easily shaped the wax, the tools didn’t move as they wanted.
Seo-jung focused solely on carving the wax for a while, unable to pay attention to anything else. After being immersed in the work for quite some time, he straightened his back only when the wax had taken on a shape somewhat similar to a ring. Just a little more trimming and it should be done. Seo-jung nodded as he checked the fairly thin, well-carved wax. As he was stretching and rubbing the back of his neck, he noticed Cha Yoon beside him.
At first, Cha Yoon seemed to have trouble concentrating, but now he was immersed in making the ring. That expression that only appeared when he was focused was the hint.
As he was taking in the sight of Cha Yoon working diligently, Seo-jung spoke to him before he could even think.
“Cha Yoon-ssi, are you enjoying it?”
“Yes, it’s fun.”
The answer came back without any hesitation.
“And because I’m thinking of giving it to hyung, I want to make it even prettier.”
Cha Yoon’s eyes softened and the corners of his mouth lifted. Seo-jung couldn’t help but hold his breath. It was because that look overlapped exactly with the 22-year-old Cha Yoon from before his memories returned.
As he stared blankly, unable to take his eyes off that face, he heard a small cracking sound. This time, it wasn’t a sound from his heart.
Hurriedly looking down to check the wax, as expected, one end had broken off. Seo-jung wasn’t the only one who noticed this.
“Hyung, what’s that? Did the wax break?”
“Looks like it. Ah, why did it suddenly break?”
As he was floundering, holding only the wax in one hand, not knowing what to do, Cha Yoon spoke.
“You forgot what the teacher said earlier about not putting too much strength in your hands, right?”
“It’s not that I forgot…”
Why did I do that? As Seo-jung muttered, Cha Yoon smiled and said,
“It’s okay. Since it’s wax, if we melt it, it should stick back together.”
Saying this as if telling him not to worry, Cha Yoon called the workshop owner. Cha Yoon was right. After checking the condition, the workshop owner brought a tool, heated the broken wax, and quickly joined it back together.
Even after receiving the firmly reattached wax, Seo-jung’s mind was still filled with the image of Cha Yoon’s innocent smile. When Seo-jung showed no particular reaction even after getting the wax back from the workshop owner, Cha Yoon glanced at him.
“It’s like new again.”
“…Yes, it is.”
“Now you can continue working, right?”
“……”
“You have to make it pretty for me too.”
Since you’re giving it to me. Cha Yoon gave a meaningful look before turning back to his workstation. Seo-jung watched his profile for a moment before looking down at the wax in his hand.
As Cha Yoon had said, the newly joined wax was still warm, not yet cooled. Seo-jung fiddled with the joined part for quite a while after that.
Time passed quickly, and soon the work was finished. Cha Yoon and Seo-jung took off their aprons and tidied up their spaces. The workshop owner, who had been watching the two near the workstation, came over and placed paper and pens in front of each of them.
“At our workshop, we offer free engraving of messages inside the ring. If you have any message you’d like engraved, please write it here.”
Engraving…. Seo-jung stared down at the paper. What should I write for Cha Yoon? Unlike Seo-jung who was pondering, Cha Yoon wrote something on the paper without much hesitation.
What is he writing? As Seo-jung approached Cha Yoon out of curiosity, Cha Yoon, sensing his presence, put down the pen and flipped over the paper.
“Don’t look now, see it when you actually receive the ring.”
Being told he couldn’t see made him even more curious. Seo-jung silently stared at the paper Cha Yoon was holding.
“You can’t see it even if you look like that.”
Though he said it firmly, Cha Yoon’s resolve seemed to waver as he quickly handed the paper away. As the workshop owner received Cha Yoon’s paper, a soft “Oh my” was heard from between his lips. This only intensified Seo-jung’s curiosity, but there was nothing he could do as it had already left Cha Yoon’s hands.
A moment later, after Seo-jung had also handed over the paper with his engraving message, the owner explained the schedule.
“It takes up to a week for the rings to be completed. If they’re finished after you’ve left Jeju Island, we’ll send them to the address you’ve provided here. Thank you for your hard work today.”
“Thank you for your efforts as well.”
“Please take good care of the rings.”
“Yes, I’ll make them beautifully and send them to you.”
Take care on your way back. With the workshop owner’s farewell, Cha Yoon and Seo-jung left through the door.
Outside, the sun was already high in the sky. Checking the time, Cha Yoon turned to Seo-jung and asked,
“Shall we go for lunch now? Maybe because we worked so hard, I’m hungry.”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Now that it was mentioned, he did feel hungry. As Seo-jung nodded slightly in response, Cha Yoon smiled.
“Let’s hurry and go eat something delicious, shall we?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
