While waiting for Min Siheon to get home, I was looking at my phone when I received messages from some guys I hadn’t thought about in a while.
They were my high school friends—the ones I’d practically been postponing meeting because I’d been too busy worrying about the classmates who were characters inside this novel. Since we’d always been so close, it felt like I couldn’t keep putting it off any longer.
Naturally, as we exchanged updates, a drinking appointment was set. Once we’d decided on the time and place, we said our goodbyes.
I was staring at my now-quiet phone with a slightly excited heart when a familiar name appeared on the screen.
[Min Siheon]
“Oh, Siheon.”
Speak of the devil. The caller was Min Siheon, whom I’d been waiting to hear had gotten home.
—You picked up fast. Were you waiting for my call?
“Yeah, I guess. You were taking so long I was about to call first. Did you get home safe?”
—Yeah, just walked in. But why do you sound so happy? That glad you went separately from me, Jungwoo? I’m starting to feel a little hurt.
As if to prove he’d just arrived, I heard the click of what sounded like the living room light switch.
True to his usual perceptiveness, he’d sharply picked up on my mood with just a few lines of conversation.
I had to tell him anyway. In fact, it worked out better this way. I’d been about to tell him I was going to meet my friends.
Until earlier, I’d been worried whether this king of jealousy would actually let me go meet them. But thinking about it calmly, these were guys I’d known for years since high school.
Romance? Please. Most of them were practically sworn off dating.
And there wouldn’t be a single girl there. We’d just drink, laugh like idiots, and call it a night. Getting his permission shouldn’t be that hard.
“You get hurt over the smallest things. I’m not happy because I left you—I got a message from my friends right before talking to you.”
—Friends?
“Why do you sound so surprised? I have friends, you know? Guys you don’t even know.”
—I’m not surprised. I just haven’t heard about them before. …So? Who are they? Why’d they contact you?
“Just guys I’ve been close to since high school. There were four of us, including me—we used to hang out all the time. We all ended up at different universities, but we’d meet up occasionally. It’s been a while, so they suggested getting together to celebrate the end of the semester.”
—Ah.
I heard a soft thud, like he’d flopped down somewhere. The living room sofa, probably. I’d stayed over at his place enough times that I could tell what he was doing just from the sounds.
When I focused back on the call, I heard Min Siheon trailing off.
…There it was again. That sulky tone. It was the same voice he used whenever I said I had other plans and tried to move separately from him.
Min Siheon really seemed to hate being apart from me.
After listening to the long silence, I let out a small, breathless laugh. No matter what, I was planning to go. So soothing him came first.
“Reporting in. Date: ○ month ○ day. Location: a bar in Daehangno. Probably evening, and I’ll be home no later than 3 a.m. Four people total, including me. All male, and not a single romantic vibe to be found among them. Obviously, excluding me. I’m dating you, after all.”
I threw in a line that definitely leaned toward flattery. But what was I supposed to do? I couldn’t neglect my boyfriend just to meet my friends.
Even as I told the truth, embarrassment crept in. Maybe it was because he was so quiet on the other end.
Breaking the long silence, a cool, resonant laugh rang through the speaker. Low, heavy, and strong—very Min Siheon.
—Haha.
“Huh? You laughed. That means you’re giving permission, right?”
Seizing the moment, I pressed him hard. The mood had just turned good—I intended to take full advantage.
Since I’d gone this far, it seemed Min Siheon couldn’t quite bring himself to refuse. He didn’t exactly sound thrilled, but he said he understood and gave his permission.
—Yeah. You probably haven’t seen them since the semester started. You should meet your friends, Jungwoo.
“You’re serious? No taking it back later?”
—Mm. But…
“But?”
Apparently, Min Siheon had something else in mind.
As our conversation dragged on, I realized I’d been led right into it.
—If you go out that day, I’ll have to figure out who I’m spending my time with.
“…You’re unbelievable.”
—You know I don’t really have friends here besides you guys.
Min Siheon, you cheap bastard—are you trying to break me with pity? His voice sounded needlessly pretty and forlorn, which only made it worse.
I’d heard it a few days ago when we met up with Go Heemin’s group, so I couldn’t ignore it.
He’d definitely said he didn’t have many friends in Korea after living in the U.S.
He was already shy and strict about personal boundaries. If I went off to meet my friends, he’d probably spend the day alone.
Should I tell him to meet someone else? I ran through the people we both knew, then quickly shook my head. Telling him to meet Go Heemin made no sense.
Besides, he still seemed wary of Kang Taeyoon. I had a feeling that even if the earth split in half, I’d never see those two sitting together amicably.
Then Yoo In-ho…? The last face I recalled made me click my tongue. No way.
I’d seen the SOS signal in Yoo In-ho’s eyes when he stood up to go to the convenience store, looking like he was dying of awkwardness. As if those two would ever make separate plans.
In conclusion, Min Siheon had no one to be with that day.
He was a grown adult with his own apartment. Technically, it was ridiculous to worry about this. But that’s just how people are.
And when the person in question deliberately leaned into the pity angle, it was a huge obstacle for someone like me, who went weak for Min Siheon.
…This bastard. So that’s why he agreed so easily. I knew it felt too simple.
As I fell silent, tangled in my thoughts, Min Siheon let out a pleased chuckle. Not loud like before—just a soft, quiet laugh.
Maybe my groaning had carried over the line, because his gentle breathing tickled my ear.
What’s so funny? I swallowed the complaint along with a sigh, unable to actually say it to him.
“Should I just not go?”
—I’m not telling you to go that far.
“Then what do you want me to do? You did that on purpose.”
—Yeah, can I be honest? I did it because I don’t want to send you off.
“Hey, when you say it like that, what does that make me?”
At his serious tone, I lowered my head. Sitting on my bed, pressing my forehead, I realized his loneliness ran deeper than I’d thought.
Come to think of it, it had taken him quite a long time to open up to me properly. And considering my past mistakes alone, I owed him better treatment.
But if I suddenly canceled, my friends would absolutely lose their minds.
All three of them knew my home address. There was a real chance they’d break in.
Minhyuk wouldn’t, but the other two were highly concerning.
After a brief moment of deliberation, I came up with a clever solution. I’d introduce Min Siheon to my friends.
“Then… do you want to come with me?”
—Mm, is that really okay?
“Why wouldn’t it be? You’re my friend too… well.”
Sensing what I left unsaid, Min Siheon prompted me to continue.
I was a little uneasy, but this felt like the best option for now.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to introduce you as my boyfriend right away. I haven’t seen them in a while, so I think I need to give it some time. …So.”
—Mm, I get it. I just show up as your friend.
“If you’re uncomfortable, it’s fine.”
—Not at all. It’s much better than sending you alone.
Of course, someday I intended to properly explain my relationship with Siheon to them.
I had no intention of hiding it forever. If Min Siheon agreed, I wanted to tell my friends officially.
If he hadn’t held onto me so tightly, I would’ve approached this more carefully. But for now, I decided to take the first step and somewhat impulsively pulled him into it.
After ending the call with Min Siheon, I messaged my friends, saying I wanted to bring along a university classmate I’d been hanging out with lately.
***
And that was how we ended up here now. Back then, it had seemed like a pretty solid plan. But seeing Min Siheon actually face-to-face with them, I was starting to regret it.
More than anything, this bastard Min Siheon was way too shameless. I remembered the way he subtly tried to take care of me while pretending not to.
Every time, I’d been anxiously watching my friends’ reactions. He was behaving in ways he’d never dare to in front of Go Heemin’s group. If it looked like it might lead to skinship, I desperately blocked it.
Despite his rough language, Kim Jae-han was actually shy. Since Min Siheon was “my friend,” he forced himself to keep the conversation going.
Choi Sung-kyun, on the other hand—unsurpassed in slyness—looked like he was thoroughly enjoying the show.
While waiting for Min-hyuk, who was joining a bit late, I continued this silent battle with Min Siheon.
He’d promised to behave. Yet under the table, his hand clung to mine, and cold sweat slid down my spine. My heart must’ve jolted a dozen times.
How much time had passed when—creak—the door beside us slid open. Since we were in a private room-style bar, I knew immediately who it was.
“Yo, you’re here?”
“Kim Min-hyuk, you’re fucking late!”
“Sorry. Something came up. Jungwoo, long time no see.”
“That bastard’s calling for Cha Jungwoo first again. You’d think he was Cha Jungwoo’s guardian.”
“Like this is new. I’m used to it.”
Kim Min-hyuk—the friend I’d been closest to in this group. Still tall. Still annoyingly handsome.
I wanted to greet him properly, too… but with my hand tightly held under the table, I couldn’t even stand up. When I glanced sideways, Min Siheon was lifting the corner of his lips in a slow smile.
