Simmering Heat Chapter 22.1

The chirping of birds signaled a welcome morning after a long while.

Right as he turned off his alarm for the seventh time, Taeun managed to pry open his eyelids, which felt glued shut. The blanket, pulled over his head to block out the light, wriggled like an eggshell about to hatch. Groaning and writhing in agony, he reluctantly sat up. His mind still foggy, he yawned widely with a bird’s nest of messy hair on the back of his head.

After a while, Taeun stretched to loosen his stiff body, glancing around with half-closed eyes. The silent room was already filled with sunlight, as if the sun was high in the sky. It was incredibly bright, like it was already past noon.

“Whoa.”

A short exclamation escaped him. As if he’d just realized something he’d forgotten, a startled Taeun fumbled for his phone.

What time is it? How many times did I turn off the alarm? Oh, no way…

Ignoring his suddenly dizzy head, he patted his soft blanket as if smoothing it out. His hand quickly landed on something hard. Just as he was about to flip over the rectangular object, clearly his phone…

“…Ah.”

Taeun paused, his eyes darting around.

His gaze slowly settled on his left wrist, still vividly aware of the foreign object there. He cleared his throat needlessly and lifted his wrist as if he always checked the time this way.

“10:10.”

He said the time aloud.

“It’s only 10:10.”

He repeated it, as if to convince himself. The faint imprint of a pillow against his cheek stretched as a grin spread across his face.

His heart, which had plummeted at the thought of oversleeping in the bright sunlight, slowly crept back up. Fortunately, he still had plenty of time before he had to leave. Taeun straightened his bent elbow and extended his left arm to admire the watch perfectly fitted around his wrist. The gift he’d received just hours ago was still there, even after waking up.

It was near dawn, at the tail end of a long conversation, as yet another silence settled between them.

Jinhyun, with an expression that suggested “finally,” held out a shopping bag. The atmosphere and timing made it clear that it was a gift. Inside the large bag were a small cake box and another shopping bag, piquing Taeun’s curiosity.

He was intensely curious about the contents. It was already late, so a few more minutes wouldn’t matter. Taeun asked if he could open it now. Jinhyun nodded a couple of times and opened it himself. A black box with a brand logo was revealed, and nestled inside was a wristwatch.

‘A watch?’

Taeun, who had been sitting blankly, raised an eyebrow at the unexpected gift.

‘I figured you didn’t have one.’

‘…….’

‘You asked me a few times before, how much something like this costs.’

As he spoke, Jinhyun lightly shook his left hand. The round face of the watch on his wrist glinted in the streetlight. Despite his use of “something like this,” it didn’t seem to be the same brand.

Did I? He couldn’t quite remember. Or rather, now that Jinhyun mentioned it, he thought he did.

He’d often found the watch on Cha Jinhyun’s wrist strangely alluring, and frequently stole glances at it. Each time he was caught, his excuse had been, “How much does something like that cost?” Apparently, this had been interpreted as a deep interest in watches. It was half true. It wasn’t that he had no interest; he’d simply been idly curious, thinking he might buy one when he graduated and started earning money.

That was years ago… He was surprised and grateful that Jinhyun had remembered and prepared this gift, but a slight sense of burden pricked him.

‘…Isn’t something like this expensive?’

Of course, the price would vary depending on the product, and although he didn’t know much about watches, he was certain it was expensive. He felt a bit uneasy about accepting it and hesitantly asked. Jinhyun, removing the watch from the box, replied casually,

‘Men spend money when they’re in love.’

‘…….’

The shameless bastard couldn’t control his mouth. Even though Jinhyun showed no sign of embarrassment, Taeun shuddered, feeling flustered.

‘I’m a man too.’

‘I know. If we date, we’ll be broke.’

Taeun responded with a random comment, and a similarly random reply came back. Who said anything about dating him…? Taeun grumbled inwardly. Jinhyun was preoccupied with adjusting the time on the watch, comparing it to his own. His focused expression was a little cute.

‘Give me your hand, I’ll put it on for you.’

Having loosened the watch strap, Jinhyun called to Taeun. He could have said he’d do it himself, but Taeun silently offered his wrist. For some reason, it was the moment his heart fluttered the most that night.

Finishing his brief reminiscence and after admiring the watch on his wrist, Taeun realized it was time to get ready and stood up.

He longed to lie back down and just stare at the watch, but it was a Saturday that felt anything but a holiday. He hadn’t missed a single club meeting, and there was less than half of the semester left. Feeling the increasing heat, he folded and put away his scattered blanket before heading to the bathroom.

After showering, his mind was completely clear. He roughly dried his hair and immediately put on his watch. “It’s 11 o’clock.” He didn’t forget to check the time frequently and announce it. “It’s 11:07.” He noticed a short note on the kitchen table when he went to get a drink.

[Make sure you eat, Happy Birthday^^]

It was written on a sticky note placed next to some cash. Only then did Taeun realize he was home alone. Seo Jaeoh was nowhere to be seen, either out somewhere or working a weekend shift. After standing in front of the note for a moment, Taeun shoved the money into his pocket and went to the sink.

The few dishes were quickly washed. He gathered and folded the clothes drying on the rack, opened the window, briefly ran the vacuum cleaner, then went back to the bathroom to pick up any stray hairs. He collected the empty water bottles, removing their labels. Finally, he tied up all the trash bags and washed his hands. Time had flown by while he finished his chores.

After changing into his going-out clothes, he sat on the sofa for a short rest. Lost in thought about what to get for a Teacher’s Day gift, Taeun glanced at the packed luggage by the balcony. He was leaving tomorrow. He felt relieved, yet somehow melancholic.

Just as his mood began to sink, his vibrating phone snapped him back to reality.

It was time to go.

🔥

He’d told Cha Jinhyun to do as he pleased, and as if waiting for those very words, Jinhyun had done exactly that. Thus, Taeun couldn’t dissuade him from picking him up, despite his efforts. The incoming call was probably because of that. Taeun stared indifferently at his persistently vibrating phone.

…What happens if I don’t answer? After pointless deliberation, he stepped out the door and pressed the answer button.

“…….”

—Hello.

After a silent pause, a low voice confirmed the connection.

…What happens if I don’t say anything? Curiosity stirred a strange stubbornness within him. Taeun remained silent as he waited for the elevator.

—Nice to hear you breathing.

“…Crazy.”

His plan to stay silent evaporated at the cheesy remark. A low chuckle sounded from the other end, as if Jinhyun found something amusing. It tickled his ear.

—Did you sleep well?

The guy who always started with the main point was asking after his well-being first. Taeun simply replied, “Yeah.” “I didn’t sleep well,” he added, then asked, “Did you shower?” Taeun again simply said, “Yeah.” “Good job.” He was even praised for getting up and showering.

—Get ready and come down, I’m downstairs.

He’d expected as much. It was a bit ridiculous how Jinhyun was coming over as if it was his own home. And Taeun was curious again.

…What happens if I say no? Curiosity and a sudden surge of petulance drove him. He didn’t bother suppressing his childish stubbornness.

“I’m taking the bus.”

—Hmm….

A troubled voice suggested Jinhyun had encountered an obstacle. It was strange. Instead of “Cut the crap and come down,” it was “Hmm….” It was very strange, and it tickled his ear.

—Then just tell me which bus you’re taking.

After a brief silence, Jinhyun offered a peculiar solution. Taeun, already in the descending elevator, paused when he reached the first floor. Hiding slightly behind the stairs, he peered out the glass door. He easily spotted the familiar figure.

“Why?”

—So I can follow you.

“…So, why?”

—Because I like you?

“…….”

A brief, meaningless exchange ensued, and yes, it tickled his ear. He had to deal with the trash bag in his hand, so Taeun ignored him for now and went outside. He walked to the garbage disposal area next to the building, eyeing Jinhyun in the distance. He was kicking at pebbles on the ground, phone pressed to his ear, head bowed. He’s not smoking for once, Taeun thought as he tossed the heavy bag into the designated container.

—Are you outside?

Cha Jinhyun reacted immediately. He must have heard the rustling and surrounding noises.

Taeun didn’t answer and walked towards him. His footsteps were deliberately loud and swaggering. He felt self-conscious and awkward, so much so that he could sense his own body stiffening. He wanted to hide the watch on his wrist.

The moment his eyes met Jinhyun’s, who was quickly scanning his surroundings, the call ended. The figure became clearer as he approached. Dressed in a thin shirt and a light blouson, Jinhyun looked like a car model. He was still an annoying and infuriating bastard, but objectively, that’s how he looked. Taeun tried to manage his expression as he thought,

…What happens if I just walk past him?

So, Taeun pretended not to see Jinhyun and walked past him toward the entrance. Hands shoved in his pockets, he swaggered along, but before long, his arm was grabbed.

“Where are you going?”

He’s grabbing me. He’d figured he might, and he did. Feigning nonchalance, he turned around and said,

“Oh, were you there?”

It was a blatant lie that wouldn’t fool anyone. But he couldn’t very well admit he’d just tried to walk past him. Cha Jinhyun, who should have called him out on it, just chuckled.

“We made eye contact.”

“I didn’t know it was you.”

“This face isn’t that common.”

That was true. He couldn’t argue with Jinhyun’s annoyingly confident assertion.

Jinhyun pressed the unlock button on his car key and naturally headed towards the passenger side. Why was he going to that side when he should be going to the driver’s side? Taeun watched silently. Then Jinhyun opened the door as if he was about to get in. Taeun, watching with a nonchalant expression, was a little bewildered. Why was he trying to get in there?

‘Does he want me to drive? …But I don’t have a license?’

All sorts of thoughts ran through his mind as he just stared. Jinhyun, who was standing there looking dumbfounded, stared back at Taeun.

“What are you doing?”

Jinhyun asked.

“What?”

Taeun replied.

It was truly a baffling scene.

Jinhyun, slightly furrowing his brows in confusion, finally seemed to understand and sighed. Then, he pulled Taeun, who was still stubbornly standing there, towards the passenger side. This time, he held his hand, not his arm.

“From now on, when you get in my car, you wait until I open the door for you, and then you get in.”

“Ah….”

Taeun finally understood. So, right now… What was this called? It was something he’d often seen in dramas or award shows. Cha Jinhyun wanted to do that for him…

…What happens if I say no?

He considered it for a moment, but the embarrassment made him want to escape the situation. He quickly got in, and Jinhyun kindly closed the door for him before walking around the hood to the driver’s seat. The engine started, and the side mirrors unfolded.

…What happens if I get out now?

Now all sorts of crazy thoughts were popping into his head. Taeun didn’t bother acting on this one. More importantly, they needed to leave soon if they wanted to be on time.

“What time is it?”

As if reading his mind, Jinhyun casually asked. Taeun glanced at him sideways. The digital clock was blinking right next to the dashboard, so his intentions were obvious.

“It’s right there.”

“It’s broken.”

“Lies.”

“It’s true.”

It was a blatant lie. Even a quick glance showed the time was accurate.

“12:30.”

So, Taeun pointedly took out his phone and checked the time. However, the watch on his wrist would have undoubtedly caught Jinhyun’s eye. This much kindness was enough.

Something else was bothering him.

They’d disperse as soon as they arrived for their respective seminars, and by the time they regrouped, he might forget to ask… It was better to ask before they left. Taeun casually added,

“…Hey, are you going to come here again in the future?”

Jinhyun’s hand, about to release the parking brake, froze. The way his eyes darted to the side to gauge Taeun’s reaction revealed a strange anxiety.

“Can’t I?”

It was strangely satisfying to witness Jinhyun’s usual composure momentarily crumble. He’d said he’d get used to it, but Taeun was still very unfamiliar with all this.

“Don’t come here.”

“Why?”

Why? Because he wouldn’t be here tomorrow.

It was ridiculous, moving around Seoul like he was on some sort of scavenger hunt, but going back to his old place was even less appealing. He wanted to stay away for at least a month and see what happened. Besides, he’d already paid the deposit, so he couldn’t back out now.

And if he told Jinhyun the truth…

Cha Jinhyun would start nagging about wasting money, telling him to come home. Or worse, he might decide to move out himself.

If he moved out, it would be to his parents’ house, his mother would think they’d fought, she’d call Taeun’s mother, and his mother would call him and make a scene. The future unfolded vividly before Taeun’s eyes. His ears, which had been tickling, now ached with a phantom noise.

So, it was best to be vague. Lee Taeun spoke nonchalantly,

“You’re being impertinent.”

Suddenly accused of being impertinent, Jinhyun’s face contorted. It wasn’t so much a grimace of displeasure as an expression of bewildered disbelief, as if he’d encountered an alien.

“How so?”

He then asked how he was being impertinent, as if he’d fix it if Taeun explained.

Usually, Jinhyun would ignore such teasing or retort sarcastically with something like “What nonsense?” But there was no sign of that. Taeun, who had been about to bark “Woof woof” if he was ignored or asked about nonsense, instead scratched the back of his freshly washed head. Jinhyun asked again.

“Is it my tone?”

“…….”

“Why can’t I come here? Mr… Hmm.”

The sound of him suppressing the next syllable was strained. Only the snorting through his nostrils betrayed his irritation. And Taeun found this a little…

“Are you not going to tell me?”

…amusing.

He was curious what would happen if he pushed further. So, he decided to push, just a little bit more.

“No questions allowed.”

“…….”

The result was immediately visible. By now, he should be cursing, saying, “What the hell?” But instead, Jinhyun just pursed his lips as if he were about to bite them off and chew them to pieces. No, actually…

“What about requests, not questions?”

…he was trying a different tactic, resorting to trickery.

“What request?”

“I’d like to humbly inquire as to why I can’t come here.”

“That’s a question. No questions.”

“Ah.”

Jinhyun let out a groan that sounded close to a moan, then just stroked his eyebrows like a dog needing to relieve itself. He stared out the window for a moment, seemingly in contemplation, his cheek twitching, before sighing and straightening up. He finally released the parking brake. It seemed he was finally ready to leave. Taeun also settled back in his seat, turning to face forward just as…

Jinhyun suddenly leaned over and moved towards the passenger seat. His face, close enough for Taeun to feel his breath, filled his vision.

Like déjà vu, the early morning hours flooded Taeun’s mind. Their shameless kissing on the street was only possible in the deserted pre-dawn hours, and now it was broad daylight. The situation was entirely different.

‘No way.’

Having made up his mind in a split second, Taeun quickly covered his lips with his hand. It was an instinctive reaction, conscious of the public eye, befitting a civilized human being.

Then it happened.

A whirring sound came from very close by. Then, click, the cheerful sound of a seatbelt buckling rang out.

“…….”

Taeun lowered his head and stared blankly at the grey strap now securely fastened across his chest. He slowly looked up at Jinhyun, who was still close. The sulky pout had vanished, replaced by a wide grin. So, he was just trying to fasten his seatbelt…

“…No smiling.”

Mortified, Taeun blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Do I not have hands? Do I not have feet? He could have just asked. Embarrassment made him babble, his words muffled against his palm.

“Want me to make it less embarrassing?”

How could he make it less embarrassing when he’d already been caught? Taeun just glared at him. In response, Jinhyun pecked the back of his hand before sitting back. It was certainly a way to turn a misunderstanding into something else, but…

“That’s… forbidden.”

If he let this playful behavior continue, he would undoubtedly be swept away. Taeun had a feeling, his heart pounding.

“There are so many things I can’t do.”

“Complaining about all the things you can’t do is forbidden.”

“Yesterday you said I could do as I pleased.”

“No talking back.”

Back in his seat and buckled in, Jinhyun let out an exasperated puff of air through his teeth.

🔥

He had the opportunity to woo. All that remained was execution. Jinhyun replayed the permission granted the previous night, adjusting his slouched posture. Although countless attendees of the planning department seminar were engrossed in the lecture, his mind was still lingering in the early hours, relishing the profound emotion of that time.

The relationship, which could have easily ended then and there, had its lifeline extended by Taeun’s generosity. If it weren’t for Taeun’s inherently easygoing and forgiving nature, it might have truly come to an end. The thought weighed heavily on Jinhyun’s mind.

While his own temperament had played a part in Taeun’s decision, it wasn’t simply kindness that had given him this chance. Even the most resilient person would waver after facing repeated rejections. …He’d known that, and had tried to exploit it. Jinhyun swallowed, trying to rid himself of the bitter taste in his mouth.

The brave one had found the courage. Taeun’s decision to give him another chance was a bold move. This was his last opportunity.

His heart, which had felt lost in a vast, directionless wilderness, now had a landmark. The darkness had receded, replaced by light, and his closed-off vision had cleared. His goal was clearer than ever, and he now had an obligation to live up to expectations. He had to give it his all if he didn’t want to squander this hard-won chance. Yes, his all…

“So, I hear each team has already begun planning their projects. I’ll now take any questions you might have regarding this. Yes, the person with their hand raised.”

He had to give it his all, yet here he was, wasting time.

Glancing at the mentor whose name he could barely recall, Jinhyun put down his pen, which he’d been idly twirling, and pulled out his phone, hiding it under the desk. He stared at the message on the screen.

[Are you really not going to tell me?] 13:53

[Lee Taeun: (emoticon)] 14:26

Unfortunately, staring at it didn’t change the reply.

The damn pink rabbit was still clutching the microphone and yelling “Really” and “I’m sorry,” as if taunting him. He was glad he got a reply to a message he expected to be ignored, but that rabbit was seriously annoying.

He knew he should be focusing on showing his best side, yet he couldn’t suppress his curiosity. After they’d dispersed to their assigned classrooms, he’d sent the terse text, driven by his dwindling patience.

Don’t come to ‘that house.’ It was the implication that everywhere else was fine, but not there, that bothered him.

Even when he repeatedly asked why, Taeun either ignored him or abruptly changed the subject. Or he’d spout cryptic pronouncements like “You’ll find out in time,” as if he were some wise, enigmatic NPC in a game. He was clearly avoiding the question. If it were nothing, he’d just say it. His evasiveness only made it more suspicious.

So, even though he tried not to… he couldn’t help but connect the roommate and Taeun, trying to deduce the reason. Preventing the rampant spread of these wild imaginings was a constant struggle. He’d even witnessed them on a movie date… no, enjoying cultural activities together, and even sharing a bed… no, appearing to share a bed. The combination of a seemingly scheming older guy and the unsuspecting Lee Taeun made his stomach churn.

Besides, did Taeun like to drink? Jinhyun knew from experience that with enough alcohol and the cover of night, age and even gender were no obstacle. So, maintaining a positive mindset that nothing was happening was incredibly difficult, bordering on torture…

He sighed, a fishy smell rising from the depths of his rotten thoughts.

‘…Get a grip.’

He forcibly cut off the train of speculation, or rather, delusion, that had begun to derail. He reminded himself that it was only recently he’d hurt and pushed Taeun away with his unfounded jealousy.

Once is a mistake, twice is a habit, three times is intentional. Even if those thoughts arose, he needed to filter them out. He couldn’t remain stagnant. And it was unreasonable to expect Taeun to date someone like that. Thinking rationally and suppressing his baser instincts, he realized he’d been jumping to conclusions.

…But even so, sharing a bed was a bit much.

Honestly, he’d rather have Taeun at his place and be the one sharing a room with that snake. Even if it was all a misunderstanding and he was overreacting, he couldn’t shake his anxiety. It was Lee Taeun who had so skillfully seduced (as Jinhyun saw it) someone who had been living a perfectly normal heterosexual life. Even if it wasn’t happening now… with even the slightest bit of interest, it was only a matter of time before anyone would fall for Taeun.

He needed to address this, he decided, and contemplated his reply. He settled on an emoticon that conveyed his feelings.

[(emoticon)] 14:34

A light blue hippo and a yellow chick, hands clasped in a pleading gesture, looked pathetic. He kept staring at his phone, and soon the read receipt appeared. But despite seeing the message, Taeun didn’t respond.

“…Is he busy?”

Regardless, Jinhyun wanted to keep the conversation going. Compared to his previous hesitation even to make a phone call, this was progress. The urge he’d been suppressing bubbled up uncontrollably.

He wanted to constantly check in, report his every move, and engage in pointless, trivial conversations. More accurately, he wanted attention. Even though he knew it was greedy.

The pleading hippo wasn’t enough to grab Taeun’s attention. That was a failure. Fiddling with his silent phone, he looked through the cutesy images again and chose one to send.

[(emoticon)] 14:38

[You and me last night] 14:39

He added a brief explanation.

Two small penguins clung to the sides of a white creature, seemingly pecking at its flesh. The word “CHU” above them indicated they were showering it with kisses. He’d have preferred something more romantic, but this wasn’t bad as a stopgap.

[Lee Taeun: There are three] 14:41

[Lee Taeun: Who’s the other one?] 14:41

This one seemed to work. After a pause, he got a reply. Jinhyun smiled, his lips curving up at the corner. The unexpected focus of the question was endearing.

[The ones kissing you are all me] 14:41

[That’s what I wish for anyway] 14:41

He mixed humor and sincerity, adding a belated remark lest he be called impertinent again.

[Lee Taeun: lol] 14:42

[Lee Taeun: They say if a person changes suddenly, it’s because they’re about to die.] 14:42

He hadn’t expected praise, but apparently, this kind of affection was so unfamiliar to Taeun that he was talking about death. Jinhyun replied with sincerity.

[I’ll die if I change again] 14:42

[You kill me] 14:42

[Lee Taeun: ㅡ.ㅡ;;] 14:43

[Lee Taeun: (emoticon)] 14:43

The character that had been receiving the penguin’s kisses returned in a different form. It was sitting down, jaw dropped, staring at something with a horrified expression.

Unfazed, Jinhyun countered with a kiss emoticon. Taeun responded with the horrified emoticon. Jinhyun sent a kiss. Taeun sent horror. Kiss. Horror. Kiss. Horror…

At some point, the two began exchanging messages at a frantic pace, as if testing their reflexes.

It was a fair play, almost as if they’d agreed upon it. They didn’t send two in one turn or steal each other’s turn, instead responding with monstrous speed when their turn came. The chat window scrolled at a terrifying speed as their strange competition heated up. Jinhyun sent his 46th kiss, and it was Taeun’s turn to express his 46th horror.

[Lee Taeun: Hey] 14:45

[Lee Taeun: Stop] 14:45

[Lee Taeun: Sending] 14:45

[Lee Taeun: I’m tired now lol] 14:45

The emoticons disappeared, replaced by text. Unable to withstand the barrage of kisses, Taeun had surrendered.

Seeing this, Jinhyun’s facial muscles melted like ice on a hot stove. He clenched his jaw, afraid he’d make a strange noise if he relaxed.

I’m tired now. Was he crazy for finding that slightly suggestive? Taking advantage of the lightened mood brought on by their silly exchange, Jinhyun whispered his hidden desire.

[I want to do it again] 14:46

[Lee Taeun: No] 14:46

[No?] 14:46

[Lee Taeun: Duh] 14:46

[Lee Taeun: Yesterday was just] 14:47

The conversation paused as Taeun trailed off. Jinhyun waited, slightly tense, wondering what he’d say next.

[Lee Taeun: Like an opening event, so to speak] 14:49

“What’s he talking about?”

Jinhyun, struggling to contain his amusement, muttered to himself. A sweet chuckle laced with laughter escaped him.

[Lee Taeun: Don’t seduce me with your body] 14:49

[Lee Taeun: That’s cheating.] 14:49

Coming from the guy who had initiated things three times by practically throwing himself at him like a rhino in heat. He couldn’t complain about not being allowed to do the same, so he didn’t type out his retort.

[Okay, I’ll work on it.] 14:49

Instead, he replied obediently. Although playful, his words held genuine intent.

After that, the replies stopped. Not wanting to bother Taeun while he was presumably listening to the lecture, Jinhyun turned off his phone and placed it face down on the corner of the desk. He then turned his attention to his laptop, which he’d opened for appearances’ sake. He placed his right index finger on the trackpad and slowly traced a circle.

A person who needed to “work on it” had no time to waste. As the mouse cursor moved, he considered what he needed to do. It could be boiled down to two things.

Reassure Taeun so he’d never ask “How long will you like me?” again. Act lovable so he could be loved again. The latter was simple, but the former was quite perplexing.

To reassure him, he had to build trust. And to build trust, he had to constantly demonstrate a feeling deeper than affection, perhaps of an entirely different nature. Something like love. As he carefully considered this, he rested his chin on his hand and rubbed his thumb against his Adam’s apple. His eyes, half-hidden beneath his lowered lids, darkened with contemplation.

He didn’t doubt his feelings. The challenge was how to embody and demonstrate this abstract concept. It was difficult. He had to refine raw ore into a brilliant gem, but he had no experience doing so. How could he show something intangible, something he couldn’t even grasp or see? Lost in thought, he couldn’t help but think of Taeun.

The missing ringtone, the comment he left while drunk, thinking of Taeun despite the weather forecast predicting rain, always offering to be Taeun’s “knight in shining armor” when they were drinking together, the shadow lurking near his house late at night, the coffee during exam season, the fried chicken after exams, the mobile coupons arriving at just the right time. These sporadic gestures of affection were Taeun’s way.

And Jinhyun decided to try his own way.

He cleared his blurry vision and opened the presentation software. Then, he unpropped his chin and brought his hand to the keyboard. He clicked on the text box on the blank page and typed, character by character:

<Relationship Improvement Plan>

Well begun is half done, as they say. Just filling in the first page made him feel pretty good.

He’d single-handedly reduced a perfect score to a negative one, so his top priority was damage control. He also needed to clearly demonstrate the extent of his remorse and how seriously he was taking their relationship. Anyone could talk the talk; sweet nothings were as easy as spitting out honed words. Empty words wouldn’t be enough.

To build trust, he needed something more… concrete. Something that could demonstrate his sincerity, listing arguments and evidence to showcase a finished product.

Adding a new slide and moving to the second page, Jinhyun wrote down the table of contents. The first section was a self-introduction aimed at showcasing his appeal. It was something he’d never do in his right mind, but if he could gain even a sliver of interest with this level of absurdity, it was a win.

His initially slow fingers now danced across the laptop keyboard with the fluidity of a swimmer gliding through water. His focused expression as he immersed himself in this work, completely unrelated to the club activities, was more serious than ever. The man who’d been sitting with a bored expression, suddenly picking up his phone and grinning, now displaying unwavering concentration, was a truly multifaceted spectacle of madness.

🔥

“Hey, aren’t you curious about the time?”

At the inevitable question, Kim Sunghyun made a flicking motion with his pinky finger. He was counting how many times he’d heard this question. Four? No, maybe five.

Only Taeun and Sunghyun were in the reserved study room. Jo Eunah, the youngest member of the design team, had gone to the bathroom and hadn’t returned. The other team members had all apologized for being slightly late. Thus, Sunghyun was left to deal with Taeun’s nonsensical questions alone.

He glanced at the neatly gleaming watch on Taeun’s wrist. The sleek design, a round face with a leather band, flaunted its newness. And it wasn’t just the look; he could almost smell the distinct scent of a brand-new item. Sunghyun snorted softly, his gaze lingering on the logo within the watch face.

‘That crazy bastard… he practically gave him an engagement ring.’

It was easy to guess that the watch on Taeun’s wrist was a gift from Cha Jinhyun. The reasoning was simple:

One, although they hadn’t known each other long, Lee Taeun had never shown any interest in expensive watches. Therefore, the watch was likely a birthday gift.

Two, the meeting time was early afternoon, making it unlikely Taeun had met anyone else beforehand. He wouldn’t have had time to receive such an extravagant gift.

Three, that narrowed it down to last night, or after midnight.

And Kim Sunghyun was the one who’d heard, just twenty-four hours earlier, about the thoughtful plan to wish Taeun a happy birthday right after his part-time job ended. From whom? From the idiot who complained about going broke buying the gift while simultaneously bragging about it. His claim of becoming a pauper wasn’t entirely an exaggeration.

In any case, Cha Jinhyun’s painstaking efforts seemed to have paid off, considering Taeun’s current fussing. Ignoring Taeun’s incessant chatter, Sunghyun recalled the past couple of hours.

Taeun had been checking his watch every chance he got during the seminar. Not the time, but the watch itself. He’d tap the face, suddenly polish it with his sleeve as if startled, mutter “It’s a bit hot today” while rolling up his sleeve, then, after about a minute, surreptitiously roll it back down, only to roll it up again, saying “Why does my wrist hurt?”

He couldn’t outright brag, but he couldn’t stay still either. Watching Taeun mumble flimsy excuses with feigned nonchalance, Kim Sunghyun thought,

Those two are a pair of crazy lovebirds…

It was good that his friend’s unrequited love had finally taken a turn for the better, but he suddenly felt incredibly lonely. How long had it been since he’d dated? Calculating the time, the unit wasn’t months, but years. He felt a pang of regret for spending over a year alone in his youth. He was the one who needed a date, not Lee Taeun. Sunghyun’s gaze drifted back to Taeun.

He poked Taeun’s shoulder, saying “Aren’t you curious?” “Why are you ignoring me?” “You don’t have to be curious, just answer me.” Taeun, who had been playfully jabbing back, finally seemed to give up and started amusing himself, muttering “Rice, barley, barley, barley… rice.”

Even this elementary school kid would be lovey-dovey soon. The other one was already practically dying to wrap and eat him up.

Indomitable. The guy who had desperately clung to his unrequited love seemed to be on the verge of victory. He’d stubbornly refused any other introductions, insisting it had to be that guy, determined to conquer his impossible love, jumping into the fire and somehow managing to tame it. How many years had it been? Five? More? His persistence was undeniably admirable.

He’d helped out of loyalty, or maybe amusement, but… wasn’t it a shame to waste such devotion on someone with Cha Jinhyun’s fickle approach to relationships?

Overcome by a sudden wave of loneliness, Sunghyun, seeking a way to silence Taeun’s teasing, playful, and still-babbling mouth, threw caution to the wind and blurted out,

“Hey, Taeun. Dump Jinhyun and come to me.”

“Are you crazy?”

A sharp reply came instantly, not from beside him, but from behind.

“Oh my.”

At the familiar voice, Kim Sunghyun sighed and turned around. Taeun, who’d been sitting with his back to the entrance, also instinctively turned his head. Jinhyun, who had entered without a sound, was looking down at Sunghyun with an expression that screamed, “You’ve got to be kidding me, you asshole.”

Instead of denying or explaining, Kim Sunghyun simply shrugged. Taeun didn’t seem to be paying any attention to his joke anyway.

“Seriously, you… I sometimes wonder what the hell you are.”

“The same kind of gay bastard as you.”

Kim Sunghyun grumbled back, feeling strangely annoyed. It was a brilliant retort, worthy of first place in a hypothetical “Shut Your Mouth” competition.

And Taeun, quietly listening to the sudden exchange between Jinhyun and Sunghyun, naturally became curious. Sunghyun’s flippant reply felt odd. The same kind of gay bastard? Was he suddenly coming out? No, wait. Did Kim Sunghyun know Cha Jinhyun was gay? No, no. Did Cha Jinhyun know Kim Sunghyun was gay…? Was it just a joke? Was this how they usually joked around? It was an awkward topic to bring up, so he hesitated to speak.

“Let’s be good gays who uphold professional ethics, okay?”

Jinhyun continued, seemingly without any intention of backing down, while Taeun’s mind raced. He watched as Jinhyun strode over to his friend, guiding him down the right path.

What about the others? Sunghyun watched, wondering why Jinhyun had come alone. Then, Jinhyun, standing behind Taeun, suddenly placed a triangular party hat on his head. The elastic band of the hat, covered in round pom-poms, tightened around Taeun’s chin. Taeun, who had been sitting dumbfounded, finally spoke.

“What…”

…are you doing?

His lips, parted to speak, froze.

Click. The lights went out as a switch was flipped, plunging the room into darkness. Jinhyun immediately reached out. Tap, tap, tap. His lightly closed fist knocked on the closed door three times.

It was a signal.

As Sunghyun, who had grasped the situation, quietly stood up and a bewildered Taeun looked around, the noise outside the door grew louder. Then, the closed door swung open. The team members, who were supposedly late, burst in together.

“Uh…”

A low sound escaped Taeun’s lips.

The first thing that caught his eye in the dim light was light. He registered six candles, burning yellow and red, just as a familiar melody reached his ears.

Happy Birthday.

🔥

The unexpected surprise party slightly delayed their work. It was that ambiguous time, well past lunch and a bit before dinner, when they were all starving. The members of Team 5 cut and shared the cake, using it as an excuse to chat.

“Wow… guys, am I being ostracized? I’m trembling with betrayal right now.”

Kim Sunghyun was still complaining about being excluded from the plan. He dramatically dabbed at his eyes with an imaginary handkerchief.

His complaints were mainly directed at Jo Eunah, who was also in his department, for pretending to go to the bathroom and then conspiring with the other teams. It was a deeply unfair accusation, as she’d been caught by the others setting up the cake. Jo Eunah vigorously ripped open a bag of chips, protesting, “No, listen to me!”

The long table was laden with a cake box, various drinks and snacks, triangular rice balls, and sandwiches. As if that weren’t enough, someone rummaging through a large bag complained, “What the… Who bought ten bags of Jjolbyeong snacks?”

Taeun stuffed his face with cake, ignoring the commotion. It was easy to guess the culprit who’d bought all those same snacks. It was probably the guy sitting right next to him. He was acting nonchalant, occasionally responding to questions with a casual air.

Ignoring the tingling sensation spreading through his body, Taeun cut a large piece of cake with his fork. The unexpected turn of events had long erased the strange banter between Kim Sunghyun and Cha Jinhyun from his mind. All that remained was the surprise party thrown by his team members. Taeun took another bite of the soft cake, savoring the moment.

As soon as the birthday song ended, everyone encouraged him to make a wish. Taeun clasped his hands together, closed his eyes tight, and whispered his wish. When he opened his eyes, they told him to blow out the candles, which he diligently did. It didn’t end there. There was a cake cutting ceremony, a commemorative photo session, and he even had to give a speech, holding a plastic knife like a microphone.

‘How do you feel?’

The team member acting as emcee had asked.

‘Like I could fly…’

He was still embarrassed by his silly response.

Taeun was completely susceptible to the well-intentioned attention of others. His mood soared, breaking through the clouds. He laughed along with the others, who were amused by his goofy answer. The sudden event was bewildering, joyful, and surprising. He hadn’t told anyone it was his birthday, so how did they know? The answer came quickly, and it was what surprised Taeun the most.

“A good friend is worth ten lovers, I swear.”

“I agree.”

The mastermind behind the brief surprise was Cha Jinhyun.

Taeun couldn’t respond to his team members’ conversation and remained silent. The Cha Jinhyun he knew wasn’t the type to go to this much trouble for a friend.

He might participate if someone asked, but he wasn’t one to initiate these things. He’d usually dismiss such occasions as childish, being the epitome of a romance-less individual.

Yet, that very person had apparently contacted his team members early that morning. He’d said he wanted to do something special for Taeun’s birthday because he knew he liked these things. He’d even added that detail as if showing off special knowledge.

Taeun realized anew that the impenetrable wall he’d been unable to break through, despite his numerous confessions, tearful pleas, and desperate attempts to escape, had finally crumbled. Because they’d somehow started with physical intimacy, these small gestures stood out even more.

His heart fluttered. The fluctuating curve of his emotions resembled the graph of his unrequited love. But it wasn’t as melancholic this time. This feeling, this situation, was entirely new. It was a pleasant, exhilarating sensation, like a small raft adrift at sea, a giant whale dancing beneath it.

What was this? Taeun stared intently at the man sitting next to him, as if searching for an answer. Sensing the blatant stare, Jinhyun turned his eyes to meet Taeun’s gaze.

“Is it good?”

Jinhyun asked, a paper cup held to his lips. His voice, soft and gentle, was low enough that the others couldn’t hear. Perhaps it was because they were sitting close together amidst the crowd, but the ordinary question felt like a whispered secret. Taeun simply nodded.

At his quiet affirmation, Cha Jinhyun smiled and continued his questioning.

“Are you feeling okay?”

He wasn’t just okay, he was happy. It would be hard not to be happy after receiving such a celebration. Taeun nodded.

“Do you like the gift?”

He wanted to glue it to his wrist. He nodded again, trying not to appear too pleased.

“You don’t want to work, right?”

Honestly, he was feeling a little lazy, so he nodded, thinking, You have times like this too…

Was what Sunghyun did earlier a joke? Nod. Don’t indulge him too much. Nod. Are you thirsty? Nod. Are you full? Nod.

The questions were ordinary, yet they tickled him. He didn’t want them to stop, though. His mind, softened and hazy, could barely register what was being asked. He was half-listening, diligently nodding, when a quieter, lower voice whispered,

“Should we kiss later?”

Taeun, about to nod, froze mid-motion, his neck extended like a turtle. It was an admirable trick.

He’d brought up kissing earlier, and now again. It was amusing how unfamiliar yet endearing he found this playful side of Jinhyun, especially in such a crowded setting. Taeun straightened his awkwardly bent neck, put on an indifferent mask, and asked,

“Do you really want to kiss me that much?”

He asked because he wanted to hear it again and again. It was pathetic, but he couldn’t help it.

“Yeah.”

The immediate, unwavering response was concise and firm, just the way he liked it. His stomach fluttered again, the whale inside seemingly turning somersaults.

“I want to do all sorts of things.”

“…….”

But at the added comment, Taeun looked away, pretending not to hear.

The vague wording and suggestive tone implied physical intimacy beyond a certain point. He wasn’t ready for that yet. The most powerful and yet most useless kind of confidence was the confidence of inexperience. Was Jinhyun only able to say such things so easily because he didn’t know any better? Taeun dwelled on his unspoken anxieties. Cha Jinhyun confidently spoke of “all sorts of things,” but was it really true? He wasn’t sure. He thought, instead of treating every type of intimacy like a task to be conquered and potentially hurting each other in the process…

…maybe it was okay if they never slept together? That was his honest feeling.

Just the act of Cha Jinhyun asking for kisses was enough. He’d lived fine without it so far, and if the urge ever arose, he could take care of it himself… He preferred playing it safe rather than gambling.

‘Is that what they call platonic love?’

Taeun, searching for a compromise, came up with a suitable term. It was a ruthless solution that would likely send Jinhyun reeling if he heard it.