Simmering Heat Chapter 7.1

“Hello everyone! Welcome to DDP, the place brimming with the passion and energy of youth!”

Screech. A jarring noise echoed through the microphone as the woman on the podium finished her grandiose greeting. It was an overly cheerful welcome for a club notorious for all-nighters filled with meetings and work.

“You’ve all successfully made it here, beating the 5:1 competition ratio! You are now members of the DDP family! Woohoo! Applause!”

As the woman encouraged a response, vigorous applause erupted from the audience. Those standing in a row behind her clapped especially loudly, some even whistling.

They all wore matching black T-shirts with name tags displaying various titles. The large DDP logo on their chests was accompanied by a playful smaller caption: “Not Dongdaemun Design Plaza.” The audience chuckled. The T-shirts seemed to be specially ordered for the orientation day.

The operations team leader, also wearing the same T-shirt, skillfully adjusted the microphone cord and glanced at the presentation slides behind her. Satisfied with the correctly displayed screen, the woman turned back to the audience and smiled brightly.

“Now, since we’ve all met, it’s time for introductions, right? Of course, you’ve all greeted each other during the interviews, but since those were conducted by separate teams, there are probably a lot of unfamiliar faces. Now, we’ll introduce the operations team, who will be working hard to support your fun and passionate club activities during this semester. First, I’m Ko Gijeong, a computer science major from S University, and I’m the 7th term operations team leader! Nice to meet you all!”

The operations team leader bowed deeply after her enthusiastic self-introduction. Vigorous applause and playful cheers like “Awesome! Gijeong, buy us meat!” erupted from the audience.

“Living up to my name, I often buy meat. Anyone who wants a protein boost, feel free to become friends with me!”

She smoothly transitioned to the next slide, adding a touch of humor. Pleasant laughter rippled through the crowd of easily over fifty people. The orientation proceeded in a bright and cheerful atmosphere, befitting a gathering of youthful energy in the burgeoning spring.

“…….”

Except for one person.

Lee Taeun, standing amidst the crowd in the center-right of the auditorium, wasn’t in the mood to clap or laugh at silly jokes. The reason was simple: Cha Jinhyun was standing right next to him.

The orientation was held in a university auditorium on the outskirts of Seoul. Therefore, Taeun woke up early despite it being the weekend. It was at least an hour’s commute by public transportation, considering travel time and other buffers. He was still drowsy even after showering, yawning widely as he dried his hair. Cha Jinhyun, who had woken up late, came into the living room and gulped down water.

‘Where are you going? Oh, the orientation?’

‘Yeah. God, I’m so tired…’

His drowsiness was evident in his slow blinking.

‘Why are you up so early?’

‘They said to be there by 12, so an hour to get there, an hour to get ready… it’s not that early.’

Taeun listlessly answered Jinhyun, who was unusually inquisitive.

‘It only took me 30 minutes.’

‘What are you talking about? It takes 40 minutes just on the subway… And how would you know?’

‘Take my car. I’m going to the orientation too.’

Taeun’s hand, listlessly ruffling his hair, stopped.

‘Why are you going?’

His drowsiness, which even cold water couldn’t dispel, vanished instantly.

‘Because I got in too.’

‘What?’

‘I’m going to shower. Watch some TV or something.’

Leaving behind a completely baffling answer, Cha Jinhyun went into the bathroom. This had happened about three hours ago, and Taeun still couldn’t grasp the situation.

Why is he here? Well, he could be here, but… is that even possible? Cha Jinhyun’s attitude, as if he knew everything, also bothered him. Taeun stared blankly at Jinhyun standing next to him.

The introduction of the executive members began, and the operations team leader handed the microphone to each member as she stood next to them. The familiar yellow hair took the microphone and opened his mouth playfully.

“I’m Kim Sunghyun, the design sub-team leader. Let’s have fun this semester. I love you all.”

The executive members, lined up like crows on a wire, burst into laughter at the sudden confession of love. He’s really funny. Lee Taeun, momentarily forgetting his confusion, let out a quiet chuckle. That’s when…

“He’s my friend.”

Jinhyun, slightly lowering his posture to meet Taeun’s eyes, whispered in his ear.

“…What?”

“He and I are friends.”

More jarring than the sudden contact was the truth contained in Cha Jinhyun’s words.

“You and… him…”

Taeun looked at Kim Sunghyun, then at Cha Jinhyun, his head swiveling back and forth in confusion. He made eye contact with Kim Sunghyun in the process. Sunghyun, passing the microphone to the next person, waved his hand slightly downwards. Taeun couldn’t tell who the gesture was for.

“You haven’t given me any updates, so I was wondering if you were preparing yourself mentally.”

“….?”

“I thought I should help you out, so I asked him to get you into the club.”

“….”

“Are you touched?”

Taeun wanted to punch Cha Jinhyun in the face, who finished speaking with a faint smile. Touched? Touched?! It was utterly absurd.

His face flushed as he remembered the embarrassing story he had poured out to Kim Sunghyun. No way. He wouldn’t have noticed. Taeun hadn’t mentioned his name, nor had he said anything that could link it to Cha Jinhyun. Quickly relieved, Taeun, baffled by the situation, sputtered, letting out a series of empty breaths.

“Are you stalking me?”

“Who was the one who passed out drunk, scattering everything from their bag? And I got the offer to join before I saw that, so don’t get any ideas.”

In short, Cha Jinhyun had happened upon the club recruitment flyer in Taeun’s bag. And as he’d said, he’d accepted the offer to “help Taeun prepare to explain himself.” Something like that.

“Are you crazy?”

Taeun asked with 100% sincerity. He couldn’t believe Jinhyun would go as far as to join the same club just to tease him.

“Well, who was the one acting crazy first?”

“Hey, what did I do that was crazy?”

“You ignored all my calls and disappeared. When we met after three years, you didn’t even apologize. You asked if I’d grown taller. You followed me around, paying fines.”

Jinhyun counted off Taeun’s crazy actions on his fingers without hesitation. Taeun’s lips were sealed shut as if glued together. But that wasn’t the end. Cha Jinhyun started folding more fingers.

“Want me to say more? Singing loudly in the shower. Squeezing the toothpaste from the middle. Eating ice cream every day. Eating Jjolbyeong snacks every day. Pouring the remaining crumbs into your mouth straight from the bag. And spilling them. Watching trashy dramas. Making touched expressions while watching them…”

What the hell is he talking about? Taeun swatted down Cha Jinhyun’s right hand, which had already used all five fingers and started over.

“Damn it, you just hate me.”

“Me?”

Jinhyun, casually putting his lowered hand in his pocket, asked back as if offended. His expression was laced with playful sarcasm.

“If I hated you, would I be doing this?”

It was his usual low voice. Taeun tightened his facial muscles, suppressing a smile.

He liked those words. No, he liked them a lot. He knew it was a playful remark made possible by the solid boundary of friendship, but he couldn’t deny his feelings.

“So, our executive members will be joining your teams, so please be nice to them! If you have any complaints, please let any of us know and we’ll take immediate action.”

The introduction of the executive members seemed to be over. The operations team leader, taking the microphone again, continued the orientation in an even brighter voice.

“We’re already nearing the end of March, so I’ll explain the overall schedule for the 7th term activities. Today, we’ll be announcing team members and having some simple recreational activities. The first regular meeting and the first half MT are scheduled for April.”

There’s an MT too? Taeun had thought of DDP as just a study group for people wanting to boost their resumes. He was briefly impressed by the schedule, which seemed quite fitting for a club.

“First, I’ll announce the team members. If there are any people with the same name, I’ll call you after the announcement, so please come forward and check your team. The teams were formed by the operations team, balancing your portfolios and interview results, so please keep that in mind.”

After the concise explanation, names started being called. Team 1, so-and-so. Team 2, so-and-so. No familiar names had been called yet, and neither had his. By then, Taeun could vaguely guess who his team members would be.

“Team 5. Design team: Kim Sunghyun, Lee Taeun, Jo Euna. Development team: Kwon Jaesung, Kim Hayeon, Ji Wonhyeok. Planning team: Shin Dajeong, Cha Jinhyun, Choi Yoona.”

Yeah, figures. Of course. Taeun muttered inwardly and glanced at Jinhyun. He was already looking at Taeun.

“Wow, what a coincidence.”

“Not funny.”

“Really? Cheer up.”

Crazy bastard. Lee Taeun sighed at his brazen behavior, but he wasn’t entirely displeased. It would probably be a tiring semester… but being with Cha Jinhyun could be considered a blessing.

“So, the team members who were called, please gather at the signs in the front! Let’s see, it’s 1:20 PM now. Please gather by 1:30, and after a short break, we’ll continue with the next event at 1:50! Thank you!”

The operations team leader bowed again after her concise instructions. The executive members behind her also bowed and dispersed. The somewhat quiet auditorium was filled with chatter.

“There they are. Our team.”

Why is he so clingy today? Taeun sighed inwardly at Cha Jinhyun, who had put his arm around his shoulder. He felt dwarfed by the guy who’d apparently grown another 2cm since they last met. Taeun wasn’t short by any means. It’s just that the guy next to him was much taller than average.

Taeun subtly lowered his body, suppressing his dry excitement and trying to escape Jinhyun’s arm. After taking a few steps, he looked back and saw Cha Jinhyun’s handsome face staring at him with a strange glint in his eyes.

“Aren’t you coming?”

At Taeun’s curt voice, Jinhyun followed him with a strange expression. It was a strange mix of annoyance and amusement.

🔥

People lined up neatly, finding their designated teams. Following the instructions to sit in a circle, nine circles were formed. Nine teams in total. Taeun kept glancing at Kim Sunghyun sitting next to him. Sunghyun, sensing his uneasy gaze, leaned closer and spoke.

“Just in case you’re wondering, that time was a real coincidence.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Taeun retorted curtly. Kim Sunghyun awkwardly scratched his neck at his tone, a stark contrast to their conversation on campus.

“Don’t hate me too much. Did Jinhyun tell you everything?”

“What do you mean everything? That you two conspired to be on the same team as me? Or that you got Cha Jinhyun into the club?”

“You got it all. Crazy bastard.”

Kim Sunghyun’s embarrassment was evident in his awkward curse. Lee Taeun turned his head. He felt like he’d been played, but at least they didn’t know his crush was the guy sitting across from him.

The team members, sitting in a circle, introduced themselves one by one, stating their university and major. Small interjections and responses filled the air. Lee Taeun stared at Cha Jinhyun, who was casually introducing himself across from him. He didn’t like how Jinhyun was sandwiched between two women. Whether intentional or not, Cha Jinhyun was sitting right between two female members.

“So, is everyone gathered? No one wandered into the wrong group, right?”

Yes! The crowd responded briefly to the operations team leader, who had taken the microphone again. Her voice resonated through the auditorium.

“I’ll assume you’ve all at least exchanged names during the break.”

Exchanged names, my ass. They’re already flirting, probably going to start dating after this. Taeun inwardly scoffed at the team leader’s silly joke. His burning gaze was fixed on Cha Jinhyun, who was chatting with the person next to him. He was oblivious to Sunghyun’s sympathetic gaze.

“Now we’ll start the recreational activities. We’ve prepared diligently, so please enjoy yourselves.”

Yes! Another obedient, childlike response echoed.

“So! We’ll start with a simple game of rock-paper-scissors. I’m sure you’ve all played it before. You’ll play rock-paper-scissors against me. Only one chance! Those who lose or tie, please quietly lower your hands. I’ll be watching to see if anyone isn’t participating!”

Taeun, who had been glaring at Cha Jinhyun, turned his attention to the podium, intrigued by the interesting start. Taeun loved playing games, especially recreational activities like this. He always tried to appear indifferent in front of others, embarrassed to show his enthusiasm, but he always participated with a burning competitive spirit.

“Rock…”

“Paper…”

As expected, the highlight of recreational activities is the host. He was on edge due to Ko Gijeong’s skillful manipulation of pace and tone. Taeun, fixated on her lips, quickly raised his hand the moment she shouted, “Scissors!”

“Wow, what the…”

The woman’s hand formed a fist. Taeun had thrown scissors.

Defeated from the very first round, Taeun lowered his hand slowly, unable to hide his disappointment. Lee Taeun was the only one eliminated from Team 5.

“Bwahaha!”

“Hey, don’t laugh.”

Kim Sunghyun burst into laughter at the sight of Taeun awkwardly lowering his hand alone. Annoyed, Taeun shot him a glare, but Kim Sunghyun didn’t care. He chuckled, his shoulders shaking like before. Kim Sunghyun threw scissors, Cha Jinhyun across from him also scissors. The outstretched palms of those who remained were incredibly annoying. Feeling suddenly impatient, Taeun quickly looked around. Seeing that at least half the hands were down, he felt better. Taeun cleared his throat, “Hmm…”

Several more rounds of rock-paper-scissors ensued. The number of people who had survived the first round, which had been more than half, dwindled rapidly. Soon, the only one left in Taeun’s team was Cha Jinhyun. He was casually raising his hand with a bored expression. Taeun straightened his posture and craned his neck like a sea turtle, his eyes darting around. One, two, three, four… There were about ten hands left scattered here and there.

“It looks like we have survivors from each team.”

Usually, games like this end with prizes to boost morale. Time to wrap up, I guess. What will I get? Taeun glanced at the last survivor of Team 5.

“Survivors, please come up to the podium. For teams without survivors, quickly play rock-paper-scissors, and the winner please come up.”

And just like that, Taeun’s prediction was completely wrong. At the same time, Cha Jinhyun’s indifferent face crumpled. He pretended not to notice and tried to lower his hand, but Kim Sunghyun wasn’t about to let that happen. Sunghyun stood up first and pulled Jinhyun’s arm, making a fuss.

“Is everyone up here?”

Kim Sunghyun waved his hand and shouted, “Noona, we’re still here!” Now Cha Jinhyun couldn’t back out.

“Ah, fuck, are you crazy?”

“Are you running away? Are you going to show us this pathetic side of you from the start?”

“You go, you crazy bastard.”

“I can’t steal someone else’s victory.”

The team members chuckled at their bickering. “Go!” Someone started cheering, and others joined in with playful jeers. Lee Taeun also awkwardly joined in, adding to the atmosphere. Unable to withstand the pressure, Cha Jinhyun stood up, irritated.

He grumbled curses at Kim Sunghyun as he turned to go up to the podium. And coincidentally, his eyes met Taeun’s. Lee Taeun unconsciously raised both hands, clenching them into fists and making a cheering gesture. Jinhyun smiled faintly. His long legs strode towards the podium.

The operations team leader, Ko Gijeong, and nine representatives from each team lined up on the rather high podium, starting with Team 1. The gender ratio was exactly half, alternating male and female. Their varying heights created a curious spectacle, like a hop-scotch game. Cha Jinhyun, from Team 5, was standing in the middle, his tall stature making him stand out.

Looking at him standing tall in the center, Taeun had a silly thought, ‘He looks like a middle finger…’ He then cleared his throat to suppress his laughter. Just like during the introduction of the executive members, Ko Gijeong handed over the microphone and asked the representatives to introduce themselves, starting with Team 1. It was soon Cha Jinhyun’s turn.

“Wow, we have a real looker this time. You’re not a theater and film major, are you?”

Ko Gijeong pointed at Cha Jinhyun, feigning surprise with exaggerated gestures. “Boo!” Kim Sunghyun’s lone booing sounded distant to Taeun. He was focused entirely on Cha Jinhyun standing on stage.

“I’m Cha Jinhyun from Team 5, majoring in Business Administration at D University. I’m planning to transfer departments soon.”

Cha Jinhyun answered calmly. The audience, sitting in circles, burst into laughter at his nonchalant joke. “He’s handsome!” a shout echoed from somewhere, and Jinhyun smiled faintly.

Taeun chuckled along and casually looked around. The gazes directed at Jinhyun were filled with goodwill, admiration, and perhaps something more. What’s beautiful to my eyes is beautiful to others’ eyes too. Taeun suddenly felt anxious.

‘…Is that bastard flirting here too?’

His arrow, strangely, was pointed at Jinhyun.

“I’m so proud that the atmosphere is so good from the start. Please understand that we couldn’t bring everyone up due to the limited space on the podium. We have group games prepared later, so don’t worry and have fun!”

The introductions seemed to be over after the 9th team. Ko Gijeong, with a satisfied expression, gave her closing remarks.

“Now then, the nine people on stage, please bring one partner from your team!”

At the sudden command, the auditorium buzzed with confused murmurs. Taeun, watching from below, was also taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

“The team that comes up first gets a gift certificate!”

At those words, the nine people on stage scattered instantly. Taeun saw Cha Jinhyun running his hand through his hair, seemingly annoyed, as he descended from the podium. He was walking towards Team 5. Thanks to his long legs, he closed the distance quickly despite his seemingly unhurried steps.

Is he going to bring Kim Sunghyun for revenge? No, that bastard is a constant flirt, so he might bring someone else. He might have already picked someone. Taeun’s mind raced.

University club recreational activities were, after all, a playground for adults to quickly spark romance. I have to watch that? Taeun’s eyes narrowed as he imagined Cha Jinhyun playing games on stage, laughing and having fun with someone else, while he watched from below. What a frivolous guy. A loose guy! A worn-out piece of trash! Taeun cursed viciously at the innocent Jinhyun, grinding his teeth.

I’d rather be stuck in the bathroom with suspected constipation than watch that. As Taeun made this bizarre resolution, his upper body suddenly lurched forward. A hard kneecap bumped into his stiff back. Taeun reflexively turned his head.

“Hey, let’s go.”

Jinhyun stood there with a rebellious posture, his hands in his pockets. Taeun’s mouth, abused from all the biting and grinding, fell open slightly. His bewildered face, looking up at Jinhyun, was full of question marks.

“Me?”

As if asking what he was questioning, Jinhyun nodded. Lee Taeun stood up, dumbfounded.

Me?

He felt like a court lady chosen by the king. Taeun, who had just been calling Jinhyun a total playboy, cheered without any backbone.

Me!

🔥

There is a famous experiment widely known as “Pavlov’s dog.” A part of behaviorist psychology, the theory argues that environmental factors influence the decision-making of humans and animals. Everyone has probably heard the story: “A scientist named Pavlov rang a bell and gave a dog food, repeating this process. Eventually, the dog started salivating just at the sound of the bell.”

Now, replace “Pavlov” with Cha Jinhyun and “dog” with Lee Taeun. A renowned scientist’s experiment transformed into a clumsy man’s unrequited love. This was an unplanned experiment, a mystery of body and mind that started when Taeun’s feelings took root.

First, Taeun’s fingertips tingled when he saw Jinhyun. Repeating this, just looking at his picture made his chest ache. Second, his mouth went dry when their bodies touched. Now, just a whiff of his scent made his insides burn. Third, he was happy when he was with him. So Taeun smiled whenever he thought of him.

There was no neutral stimulus in this experiment. The clumsy setup, consisting only of unconditioned stimuli and unconditioned responses, resembled its subject.

“I believe you’ve all brought capable partners. The atmosphere today depends on you!”

There were other Pavlovian responses for Lee Taeun. If Cha Jinhyun was the Pavlov who delivered hundreds and thousands of unconditioned stimuli, other things caused conditioned responses through repeated neutral stimuli. For example, there was his mother. Taeun had been pinched on the lips whenever he was scolded as a child. That’s why he still flinched at his mother’s gestures.

“The first game is ‘Telepathy Connection!’ You can probably guess what it is just by the name.”

And now, one of Taeun’s Pavlovian triggers was right before him. The host of the recreational activities.

It might sound absurd, but the analogy was apt. Whenever a host with a microphone called his name on stage, a fierce competitive spirit ignited within Taeun. Elementary school field trips, summer bible school, middle school retreats, high school festivals. It was a conditioned response born from countless stimuli.

Stepping onto the podium, Taeun clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm his racing heart. The operations team leader, after confirming that everyone was gathered, announced the prize.

200,000 won. A whopping 200,000 won in cash. At the announcement that the winning team would receive 200,000 won after a few games, Taeun made up his mind. First place. Nothing else mattered. Taeun took a short breath, rotating his wrists and cracking his knuckles. Jinhyun’s expression, watching him, was displeased.

“I’ll give you two keywords. You have to choose one and shout it out within one second. Simple, right? For example, if I say ‘Mom vs. Dad!’ you immediately choose one and say it.”

Jinhyun, who had been watching Taeun with a dubious expression, scoffed at the first game introduced.

We’re screwed from the start. No matter what the keywords were, he and Lee Taeun had so little in common that it would be faster to count their similarities.

“Since you’ll be working together with your partner, we need to see how well you communicate, right? Most of you are meeting for the first time today, which makes it even more fun! Now then, let’s start with Team 1! No strategizing. Partners, please stand to the right, and everyone else to the left!”

Cha Jinhyun didn’t care either way. Since it was a survival format, it would be better to lose in the first round. He’d come up to play along since it was their first meeting, but he wasn’t the type to enjoy these group games. Let’s just get this over with. He was about to casually move when a hand grabbed his sleeve. He turned around.

“Hey.”

Lee Taeun, with a determined expression, called out to him in a serious voice.

“Trust me.”

Taeun’s eyes held an unusual glint. What’s he talking about? He thought, but Jinhyun reflexively nodded at his unfamiliar seriousness. Satisfied, Taeun let go of his arm. An inexplicable anxiety crept over Jinhyun at his puzzling behavior.

The game started with simple keywords like Looks vs. Personality, Dog vs. Cat, and then mixed in keywords seemingly related to the club, like Usability vs. Accessibility. Many people lost their chance, hesitating at the sudden technical terms.

‘They put some thought into it.’

Cha Jinhyun, watching with boredom, made a bland observation. Across from him, Taeun was watching the game with sweaty palms.

Even though it wasn’t his own turn, Taeun sighed in sympathy for the teams that lost without scoring any points, and his jaw dropped in surprise when a team got several answers in a row. Such an easy guy to read. He was spending more time watching Taeun than the game when Team 5’s turn approached.

“Here we go! The soon-to-be theater and film majors, Team 5! Now that I see him, your partner is quite handsome too, isn’t he?”

Ko Gijeong’s voice boomed through the auditorium, trying to lighten the mood. One of the executive members, sitting in the corner as an assistant, jeered, “Don’t play favorites!” Ko Gijeong turned towards the voice and winked playfully. “For guys, looks are everything, right?” Taeun, standing in the center, just smiled awkwardly.

He seemed quite pleased with the obviously playful compliment. An easy guy, and a funny one. Jinhyun shook his head loosely, looking at Taeun’s puffed-up cheeks. One of the assistants behind them handed them microphones.

“Now, shall we begin! I have high expectations for your visual power!”

Ko Gijeong stood to the right of the two men, adjusting the cards with the keywords. Fuuu. Taeun’s deep breath was filled with tension. Why is he so nervous, he’s going to lose anyway. Jinhyun looked at Taeun, his chest heaving next to him, and raised his microphone.

“Planning vs. Improvisation!”

The first keyword boomed from the speakers on both sides. Cha Jinhyun, anticipating a crushing defeat, spoke indifferently.

“Planning.”

“Planning.”

Cha Jinhyun was the only one who frowned at the identical answer. Cheers of “Oooooh!” erupted from the audience. They were the first team to get the first keyword right. Jinhyun looked at the side of Taeun’s head next to him in disbelief.

‘Planning… Lee Taeun?’

This wasn’t a game about wishful thinking. An uneasy worry crossed his mind. Should he explain the rules properly now? He was watching Taeun with this concern when Taeun glanced up at him and nodded slightly. How was that? His nodding face seemed to be asking for praise. His expression was full of confidence.

“Wow, great start. Team 5, looking good.”

No way. A bizarre possibility crossed Cha Jinhyun’s mind. Taeun looked forward again. Jinhyun reluctantly averted his gaze, unable to shake off his uneasiness. The second keyword was announced.

“Summer vs. Winter!”

“Winter.”

“Winter.”

“….?”

This was truly absurd. Jinhyun’s head snapped around reflexively. Taeun rolled his eyes at Jinhyun and mouthed ‘Why?’ brazenly. The hypothesis that had crossed Cha Jinhyun’s mind was confirmed. He finally realized Taeun’s intention.

Is he crazy? How badly does he want to win?

A bewildered breath escaped his lips. Winter? Lee Taeun? He was dumbfounded. This was the same guy who, during the record-breaking cold wave in high school, had grumbled about wanting to live in Southeast Asia.

So this guy was choosing the same answer as him to win the game, even going so far as to predict his preferences. Ha, Jinhyun let out a small, empty laugh. His lightning-fast reflexes were admirable.

“Soju vs. Beer.”

“Beer.”

“Beer.”

“Woohoo!”

The crowd roared as they got three keywords in a row. Cha Jinhyun looked at them with pity. Is this how those at the pinnacle of power, deceiving the masses, feel?

Lee Taeun was a staunch soju loyalist, proud of his sophisticated palate. Jinhyun didn’t have a particularly high or low tolerance, he enjoyed the atmosphere of drinking parties more than the alcohol itself. And Lee Taeun enjoyed both. He’s the same con artist who claimed beer was just a soft drink and, if he had to drink, would mix soju and beer. The pride of a soju loyalist was nowhere to be seen in his nonchalant “Beer” answer.

Should he say that Taeun had a good grasp of the game’s nature, usually left to chance? Jinhyun was first baffled by Taeun’s bizarre strategy, and then surprised by his uncanny ability to predict his answers.

“Wow, what a perfect match! I’m already looking forward to Team 5’s work.”

The operations team leader, fooled by Lee Taeun’s scheme, gushed with amazement. Even couples often disagreed in this game. They must be thinking this is either an incredible coincidence or a match made in heaven. Cha Jinhyun felt a strange pang of guilt.

“Documents vs. Meetings!”

It was a keyword about work style, like the previous team’s.

“Documents.”

The identical answers, spoken simultaneously, sounded as if they came from one person.

Ridiculous. Cha Jinhyun remembered freshman Lee Taeun’s clumsy reports and laughed openly. He heard Taeun mumble “What” next to him.

“Con artist.”

Jinhyun answered with an upturned mouth. Impressed by Team 5’s flawless performance, Ko Gijeong quickly recited the next keyword, as if determined to find a mismatch.

“Drama vs. Movie.”

“Movie.”

“Movie.”

Bullshit. Cha Jinhyun scoffed inwardly. Who was the one glued to the TV every night, watching dramas?

“Innocent vs. Sexy.”

“Sexy.”

“Sex…y.”

This time, Lee Taeun seemed slightly unsure, glancing at Jinhyun and wiping his chest in relief.

“Friendship vs. Love!”

“Friendship.”

“Love.”

And suddenly, Taeun’s winning streak, like a fish out of water, came to an end.

Taeun, who had confidently answered “Love,” slowly tilted his head up at Jinhyun, as if in disbelief. The audience, holding their breath, let out sighs of disappointment.

“Team 5, that’s it for you! That was amazing. You’re in the clear lead! I wonder if any other team can surpass Team 5!”

Ko Gijeong signaled the end of the game with the paper in her hand.

“Alright, applause, applause!”

Applause erupted from the audience at her bright, encouraging voice. The two stepped back, accompanied by the applause of the slightly disappointed crowd. Team 6 took their place in the center of the podium, their faces clearly burdened by the previous team’s performance.

“Why did you lie?”

Taeun asked grumpily as soon as they stepped back. His face, full of resentment, was also filled with questions.

“I think that’s my line…”

Who was the one who’d been lying throughout the game? Jinhyun glanced at him briefly before averting his gaze and replying.

“You and friendship? Don’t make me laugh. You’ve ditched me for your girlfriends countless times.”

“And I always came back.”

“That’s just because your dates were over.”

“Well, whatever.”

Jinhyun shrugged dismissively. Taeun, still unconvinced, grumbled in an annoyed tone.

“Seriously, it’s ridiculous. Him and friendship, what a joke…”

“Why are you so mad?”

Taeun’s voice gradually rose as his anger flared up. Jinhyun pressed the back of his hand against Taeun’s chattering mouth, lest he disturb Team 6’s ongoing game. The babbling ceased. Taeun flinched and stepped back slightly.

“What about you, then?”

Jinhyun broke the brief silence with a meaningless question. Taeun, who had taken half a step back, returned to Jinhyun’s side. He considered the unexpected question briefly.

“Me? …Friendship, of course.”

He chose an answer that wouldn’t sound awkward coming from him.

“And yet you ignored me for three years? Ah, that’s sad.”

Jinhyun shrugged, his voice devoid of any sadness. Taeun, speechless at the playful jab, turned his head to avoid Cha Jinhyun’s gaze.

Because for you, it’s not friendship. This time, he answered only inwardly.

Ko Gijeong’s high-pitched voice blared from the speakers incessantly. Team 6’s halting responses, like a buffering song, sounded quite comical. Cha Jinhyun, watching with dry amusement, chuckled occasionally. But Taeun wasn’t smiling. He suddenly felt wronged.

He’d been rolling around in love for years, never tiring of it, yet the guy holding his heart so lightly tossed around irresponsible questions about love and friendship.

“Hey.”

“What.”

“Take back what you just said.”

He didn’t bother suppressing his petulant outburst.

“I choose love.”

Taeun spoke, trying to keep his emotions in check as he watched Team 6 finish their game and return to their seats. Cha Jinhyun didn’t respond. Taeun averted his gaze, feeling awkward, only to find Jinhyun’s unreadable eyes quietly fixed on him.

Did I sound too serious? Lee Taeun, feeling inexplicably anxious, layered his voice with nonchalance.

“…Since you choose friendship, I choose love.”

Did a throwaway remark, meant as an excuse, have to hurt so much?

Taeun clapped exaggeratedly, trying to force his sinking mood upwards. Team 7 came up, and Cha Jinhyun still didn’t respond. He simply continued to stare at Taeun with his dark eyes.

🔥

By the time Team 5 emerged victorious from the auditorium, the sun was hanging low in the faded sky. It was too early for dinner, but having secured 200,000 won for a celebratory meal, they decided to have a small toast. Kim Sunghyun was instrumental in this, insisting they couldn’t just go home. Three or four people with prior engagements left, and six remained. It was only natural that Cha Jinhyun and Lee Taeun, the key players in their victory, were among them.

After a brief discussion, they headed to a nearby barbecue restaurant, a perfect place for an early dinner and drinks. The interior of the newly opened restaurant was almost deserted. The owner, who had been humming in the kitchen, hurried out to greet the unexpected guests.

“What are you doing standing there?”

“….”

As the owner gestured towards a table by the window, everyone started moving, except for Lee Taeun, who hesitated. Kim Sunghyun looked at him questioningly, but Taeun just mumbled, “Uh, I’m coming…” and continued to fidget. His eyes darted back and forth between the table and something behind him.

Oh dear… Kim Sunghyun sighed inwardly and strode forward.

He naturally guided the other team members towards the sofa, leaving two chairs empty before sitting down. A flicker of joy crossed Taeun’s face as he inched forward like a snail. He quickly approached and sat down on one of the chairs. One seat remained empty. It was the seat next to Lee Taeun, and the seat for Cha Jinhyun, who was smoking outside.

‘I see it all, I see it all…’

Kim Sunghyun thought, picking up the menu in front of him.

It was a common scene in group settings. People subtly trying to sit next to the person they liked. Sunghyun, perceptive in these matters, would often switch seats or strategically leave a seat empty, just like now.

“Hey, let’s look at this together.”

Taeun, sitting next to Sunghyun, leaned in and tugged on one side of the menu. He seemed to have lost all sense of awkwardness after their club activities, approaching Sunghyun without hesitation. Should he say he’s simple-minded…? Sunghyun moved the menu between himself and Taeun and looked down at him, his neck craned and head bowed. He looked very serious about choosing meat.

“Wow, the prices are a bit steep. Who looked this place up? We’re going to use up all 200,000 won today.”

Laughter rippled across the table at his joke as he waved the prize money envelope with “1st Place” written on it.

“What would we have done if we hadn’t won first place?”

Lee Taeun, muttering playfully, looked happy, his lips slightly upturned.

“I also want to eat pork skin… do you like pork skin? It’s perfect with soju.”

He seemed preoccupied with the cost and the menu. Taeun’s hands flipped back and forth between the first and last pages of the menu.

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Me too.”

“Then should we order 6 servings of samgyeopsal and add more later?”

He gathered the menus from the others and placed them neatly in the center of the table.

“Oh, excellent choice.”

Taeun agreed exaggeratedly. He doesn’t seem shy. Kim Sunghyun thought, remaining silent. Well, this was the same Lee Taeun who had been sobbing about being stood up on campus. “I agree,” Kim Sunghyun said, closing the menu.

“What should we drink…”

“Just order a little. I’m not drinking.”

They were all scanning the last page with the alcoholic beverages listed when a flat voice suddenly cut in. Screech. The sound of a chair scraping against the floor accompanied Cha Jinhyun as he sat next to Taeun. A faint scent of air freshener, likely sprayed to mask the smell of cigarettes, spread around him.

“Why!”

Taeun whipped his head around, his voice full of disappointment.

“Did you lose your memory or something?”

“Why are you picking a fight again?”

“How did you get here today?”

“Ah.”

Taeun, who had been grumbling, suddenly shut his mouth.

So they came together by car. Sunghyun, his chin resting on his hand and observing them, made a suspicious sound. His eyes, fixed on the two, were dark and deep like the ocean floor. Taeun, slightly turned towards Jinhyun, was oblivious and pressed the call button. Six servings of samgyeopsal, two bottles of soju, three bottles of beer. A strange silence fell after he finished ordering.

“You two knew each other before?”

Shin Dajeong, from the planning team, was the first to speak. Taeun flinched, startled by the curious gazes of the others, who seemed to have been wondering the same thing. Cha Jinhyun answered for Taeun, who was opening and closing his mouth wordlessly.

“We’ve been friends since elementary school.”

“Wow.”

A bland exclamation escaped the lips of those waiting for an answer.

“I see. No wonder you two were so in sync.”

“I heard a lot of people apply with acquaintances, I also applied with a friend. But we didn’t end up on the same team.”

Taeun smiled awkwardly at their naivete, accepting the coincidence of childhood friends being on the same team without a shred of doubt. Is this the dark side of a corrupt society? He felt a pang of guilt, even though he hadn’t orchestrated it.

“The last one was really amazing.”

“Taeun-ssi looked like he was about to die. Are you okay now?”

A mixture of surprise and playful banter filled the air. Lee Taeun nodded, chuckling.

The “last one” referred to the “Partner Lift Endurance” game. Since it was a survival format, only four teams remained for the final game.

The team that lasted the longest wins. As soon as the game was explained, the two members of Team 5 played rock-paper-scissors, and as expected, Taeun lost. The game began with the generous rule that as long as their feet didn’t touch the ground, any carrying method was allowed, be it piggyback or bridal style.

Lee Taeun carried Cha Jinhyun, who was at least half a head taller than him, on his back. Ko Gijeong’s hearty laughter echoed through the gymnasium at the comical sight of him resembling a baby turtle with an oversized shell. Taeun’s arms, confidently offered, started trembling after three minutes.

‘Hey, I’m going down soon.’, ‘Why are you so weak?’, ‘I’m more tired. Let’s just lose.’ 

Cha Jinhyun whispered annoying comments in Taeun’s ear. Taeun, clenching his teeth and enduring, was dying, his already overheated body further tormented by Jinhyun’s breath tickling his ear.

But after passing the five-minute mark, the physical pain was offset by the pounding in his chest. By then, two teams had forfeited, leaving only Team 5 and Team 8. Just a little longer. Taeun comforted himself, encouraging his numb arms and legs.

‘You’re sweating. I’m getting down.’

Of course, Cha Jinhyun’s annoying complaints continued.

‘Just shut up.’

Even Taeun, who had been silent until then, couldn’t help but respond in a cold voice. The man’s chuckling breaths tickled the back of Taeun’s neck.

After a while, Team 8 finally collapsed. The moment their victory was confirmed, Taeun immediately let go and collapsed. Jinhyun’s large hand landed on Taeun’s head, panting. His hand, gently stroking Taeun’s hair as if offering praise, tickled. Taeun, steadying his trembling legs, stood up abruptly. It was a victory hard-earned.

“Anyway, it’s a good start. I heard there were cases where team members didn’t get along. It was especially bad last year. I hesitated to apply after hearing that.”

Why was he thinking of Kim Hyoju…? Taeun gulped down water at the sudden thought of her bright face. He thought it best not to mention that she was his friend.

“You knew Sunghyun-ssi before too, right? You seemed close earlier.”

“Ah, I only knew Jinhyun. We go to the same university.”

“Really? Is it just me, or does everyone else already know each other?”

Light laughter followed Shin Dajeong’s silly joke. Side dishes were set on the table, followed by pre-grilled samgyeopsal and bottles of alcohol. Jinhyun naturally picked up the tongs and placed the meat on the grill. The cheerful sizzle of the fatty meat filled the air.

“I’m glad our team doesn’t have that problem. Oh, should we drop the formalities? It feels weird speaking formally when we’ll be seeing each other often. It’s not like we’re at work.”

“Right. We feel left out when everyone else is speaking casually.”

“Haha, okay then. I feel bad for those who aren’t here.”

Sunghyun adjusted his posture and replied nonchalantly. Taeun, next to him, was busy mixing soju and beer, lining up five beer glasses, and could only manage a slight nod.

“Uh, Jinhyun… ssi, are you okay with that too?”

Shin Dajeong asked cautiously as she received her beer glass. She seemed to feel a distance from Cha Jinhyun, despite being in the same planning team, as he silently focused on cutting the meat. Jinhyun smiled faintly and replied, “Yeah, call me comfortably.” Taeun, who had been observing them, put a metal chopstick into his beer glass and clinked it against the side like a triangle. White foam frothed in his glass, bubbling vigorously.

“Cheers, cheers!”

Taeun raised his glass and spoke. The slightly awkward atmosphere quickly shifted to a cheerful dinner party. Multiple glasses clinked together, and people, excited, started dropping formalities and redefining their relationships. Only Kim Sunghyun remained unusually quiet in the bustling atmosphere.

What should I do with him…

Sunghyun looked at Taeun, whose thoughts were so transparent they were practically written on his face, and swallowed his sympathy along with his drink. He glanced to the side after finishing half his drink and saw Taeun, who had downed his drink in one shot, already mixing another.

“Taeun oppa, you’re a really good drinker.”

“Hehe. I am, I mean, I’m okay.”

Taeun shrugged, responding to the compliment from across the table. He happily poured more soju. While everyone else was halfway through their first drink, Lee Taeun was already on his second.

“I think it’s ready to eat.”

Jinhyun said, moving the nicely browned meat to the edge of the grill. Everyone picked up their chopsticks and transferred the meat to their plates. Jinhyun picked a few pieces and placed them on Taeun’s plate. Kim Sunghyun, who had also taken a few pieces for himself, flinched at the sight.

What’s going on between them…? Sunghyun’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. But Taeun, as if it were an everyday occurrence, accepted his plate without a word. He poked around the meat with his chopsticks, seemingly looking for something.

“It’s boneless, just eat it.”

Cha Jinhyun, watching him, said casually. Kim Sunghyun’s face contorted further.

…Well, they’ve known each other for a long time, so that could just be a habit. Sunghyun chewed on the soft meat, dismissing it as nothing. But still… Was Cha Jinhyun the type to take care of his friends like that? It was an unfamiliar sight to Kim Sunghyun.

Meanwhile, Taeun skillfully wrapped a piece of meat in lettuce, stuffed his cheeks, and chewed diligently. His cheeks were so puffed up it looked like he was struggling to chew, but he swallowed it easily and even took a gulp of his drink. Kuuuh. He let out a satisfied exclamation after downing his soju and beer mixture in one go. It was a hearty display of eating, rarely seen even on “mukbang” internet broadcasts.

Taeun, oblivious to the gaze fixed on the side of his face, started mixing another drink. He was already halfway through a bottle of beer. Kwon Jaesung, seeing this, offered his glass, suggesting they drink together. Taeun happily accepted, joking, “Let me show you how to mix it properly.” The atmosphere livened up with the playful voices mixing together.

Kim Sunghyun simply observed the situation, his first drink still untouched. The dinner was meant for team bonding, but a different thought had started taking root in his mind.

“Hey, pace yourself.”

Cha Jinhyun whispered quietly, lightly gripping Taeun’s busy arm. His voice was low enough not to be heard across the table.

“Are you jealous because you can’t drink? Let’s just call a designated driver.”

“It’s not about driving, it’s about pacing yourself.”

“Why should I?”

“Who’s going to take care of you if you pass out?”

Kim Sunghyun, listening to their quiet exchange, finished his deep contemplation. He’d wondered how he ended up liking such a straight guy, but after a brief observation, he’d figured things out. Sunghyun downed the rest of his drink and tapped Taeun’s shoulder.

“Taeun-ah, do you smoke?”

He knew it was unnecessary meddling, but his hand moved on its own. Because he’d been there. He couldn’t just stand by and watch, knowing what kind of ending awaited Taeun.

“Huh? Uh… I didn’t bring any today.”

“I’ll lend you some. Let’s go.”

Kim Sunghyun pulled out a white cigarette pack from his pocket and shook it lightly. Taeun, seeing a different brand from his usual, opened his mouth with a hesitant expression.

“I only smoke 1mg…”

“Then just smoke a little. One-fifth.”

Suggesting a bizarre solution, Sunghyun grabbed Taeun’s arm and stood up. Taeun, pulled up with him, glared at Sunghyun with a displeased look, like a puppy reluctant to leave its owner. The others, all seemingly non-smokers, simply waved them off. As they headed for a smoke break, Cha Jinhyun started to get up.

“You come out later.”

“What?”

Kim Sunghyun stopped him, pressing down on his shoulder. Jinhyun furrowed his brow, bewildered.

“We have something to discuss, designer to designer. Okay?”

He added a touch of playful banter to his nonsensical excuse, leaving Jinhyun speechless. Jinhyun didn’t intend to follow them anyway. The gazes lingered on the two as they headed for the exit.

A silly thought suddenly crossed Jinhyun’s mind. The truly simple thought that Kim Sunghyun liked men.

‘No way.’

He shook his head slightly, dismissing the stray thought. But the thought, once planted, took a different direction, sparking a strange curiosity. A trivial question about Lee Taeun, for instance.

Jinhyun briefly reviewed their shared history. Taeun, as he’d known him for years, was straight. He’d had a crush on an older girl in high school and occasionally went to blind dates in college. So, Lee Taeun was undoubtedly straight.

Jinhyun recalled Taeun, just hours ago, weakly muttering about choosing love since Jinhyun chose friendship. They’d known each other for over ten years. It wasn’t a relationship that could be described as unfamiliar. But lately, he’d felt a strange unfamiliarity with Taeun. For example…

“….”

Jinhyun forcibly stopped his train of thought and poured himself a glass of water. He filled another glass and drank it all down, his chest feeling tight. His heart remained unsettled, a nagging feeling of unease lingering.

🔥

The smoking area, tucked away in a corner, was sparsely furnished with a single paint bucket. Taeun took the cigarette Sunghyun offered and put it in his mouth. He wondered what Sunghyun had to say that required him to be pulled aside.

‘Something to discuss, designer to designer… is he trying to test my skills?’

A slight tension brushed against his skin at the thought.

Well, Kim Sunghyun was the design sub-team leader, after all. Taeun gathered his hazy basic design principles, preparing himself to answer any question. The three primary colors of light… digital resolution… principles and elements of design… this and that… such and such… His mind raced, collecting the long-forgotten knowledge. He struggled to recall his freshman year theory classes, dredging up faint memories.

Kim Sunghyun lit his own cigarette first and then held the lighter under Taeun’s chin. Taeun awkwardly lowered his head and took a light drag. The tip of the cigarette glowed black and white as it burned.

“It’s a bit strong.”

Taeun’s face crumpled as he took a puff and exhaled, nodding. He’d only had two glasses of soju and beer, but his head felt heavy as if he’d downed three bottles of soju. Taeun took the cigarette pack from Sunghyun’s hand and examined it. He thought it was 5mg since Sunghyun told him to smoke one-fifth, but it was 8mg. Ugh, Taeun’s mouth turned down as he returned the pack, his shoulders shaking.

“How is it living with Jinhyun?”

Lee Taeun, who had been expecting a passionate discussion about design, stared blankly at Sunghyun at the unexpected topic. So he knew they lived together. Well, he did say he was Cha Jinhyun’s friend… Taeun readily accepted the fact and opened his mouth to answer.

“It’s just…”

But why is he asking this? He trailed off, taking short puffs of the cigarette like a fish.

“It’s like… I’ve never lived so cleanly in my life…”

“I can imagine.”

Sunghyun leaned against the wall and replied casually.

“That bastard, even when we pulled all-nighters for projects, he’d always shower somewhere. I thought, what kind of guy is this?”

Lee Taeun relaxed his awkward tension at Kim Sunghyun’s casual tone. Cha Jinhyun was the biggest link between them. And mentioning common ground with the other person is a common way to start a conversation.

So Cha Jinhyun is the bait. Taeun finished his calculations, skipping several steps, and briefly agreed. He had to be fully prepared, as he didn’t know when a sudden question might come.

What should I say if he asks what design tools I can use? I’m proficient in all major graphic design tools. And besides those… Taeun, organizing his answers, suddenly felt a surge of resentment. Why am I having another interview?

Kim Sunghyun was silently smoking. Is this a psychological pressure interview? The executive interview after the group interview? …Was my portfolio that bad? Lost in his worries, he waited for Sunghyun to speak.

“It must be tough living with someone you like.”

Pop. Taeun’s mind, inflated like a balloon with various thoughts, exploded. The sudden bombardment left a desolate wasteland, erasing even the words he wanted to utter. Puff. All that came out was a white cloud of smoke, dispersing like cotton candy.

The cigarette between Taeun’s fingers trembled slightly. The ash, precariously clinging to the tip of the white stick, fell to the ground, just as his heart had moments ago.

“Oops, sorry for making you so flustered.”

“…Uh, no, I mean, what… huh?”

“I just figured it out on my own. Jinhyun doesn’t know.”

“….”

He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

With his current reaction, he had practically admitted to Kim Sunghyun’s words. Taeun’s pale face flushed red in the sunset glow. His dark eyes darted around aimlessly, rolling across the ground and up to the sky. Sunghyun waited patiently for him to speak, saying nothing. The cigarette in his hand burned like the setting sun, marking the passage of time.

“How… did you know?”

Admitting his feelings in front of another person was only possible when the burning ember was about to touch his finger. Taeun flicked it away, extinguishing it, and tossed it into the dirty paint bucket. He wanted to hide. A strong urge to hide, even in a dirty, spit-and-butt-filled ashtray, welled up within him. His face was still flushed, even though the sun had almost disappeared behind the mountains.

“It was hard not to notice. Maybe I’m just a bit sensitive?”

…Is it that obvious? Lee Taeun rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. The pungent smell of cigarettes clinging to his skin stung his nose. It was an unpleasant smell.

“Oh, and I’m adding this so you don’t think I’m outing you, but I’m gay. Now we’re even, right?”

“…What?”

Hahaha. Sunghyun burst out laughing at Taeun’s honest reaction.

What is going on? Taeun tried to make sense of the chaos in his mind caused by Kim Sunghyun’s continuous bombardment. Kim Sunghyun is gay, he knows I like Cha Jinhyun, he called me out here alone… A plausible possibility bloomed quietly. Taeun’s eyes, fixed on Kim Sunghyun, slowly narrowed.

“Taeun-ah.”

“….”

“I know what you’re thinking… but it’s really not like that, so please don’t.”

“…It’s not?”

“Yeah. Cha Jinhyun is not my type.”

His assertive voice was firmer than ever. Seeing his sudden seriousness, Taeun cut off the bud of suspicion he had been subtly nurturing.

“Then, why…”

“Ah…”

Kim Sunghyun hesitated, scratching the bridge of his nose and biting his lip. His hesitation, a departure from his usual lighthearted demeanor, felt like a warning. Sunghyun continued after a short sigh.

“I know this is really nosy of me… and I’m kind of regretting it now. But since I’ve started, I’ll see it through.”

“….”

“Just give up. Don’t torture yourself.”

Kim Sunghyun’s weighty words, despite his usual playful and eccentric nature, weighed heavier on Taeun than ten words from anyone else.

Taeun felt embarrassed, like a child who’d wet himself. Kim Sunghyun’s advice poured over him like cold water, soaking him to the bone. Reality greeted him as he woke up, drenched. It was a familiarly chilling temperature, but this time, it was colder.

“No matter what you do, that bastard will never see you as a romantic partner.”

His casual yet assertive tone was suffocating. Taeun wanted to cover his ears. It wasn’t yelling or threatening, but it felt like he was cornered, struggling to listen.

“The day you got stood up. That was Cha Jinhyun, right?”

“….”

“He went to dinner with Seungyeon that day. Uh, Jinhyun’s junior. I don’t know if they’re a thing or what, but anyway, she’s a girl.”

“….”

“They’ll probably start dating soon? You’ve known him longer than I have, so you probably know better, but…”

Kim Sunghyun said, taking out another cigarette. He clicked his tongue, feeling apologetic even though it wasn’t his fault. He suddenly remembered the day Cha Jinhyun first mentioned his roommate. The joke he’d made about Taeun’s sudden disappearance.

“We have to do club activities together, and this is a bit… If I’d known you liked Cha Jinhyun, I wouldn’t have put you on the same team.”

‘He likes you.’ 

It was a thoughtless remark, meant to tease Cha Jinhyun. He wouldn’t have made such a joke if he’d known it would lead to this situation. Kim Sunghyun didn’t want to feel this uncomfortable either.

Taeun unconsciously reached out, feeling suffocated, as if a pile of straw was pressing down on him. Sunghyun silently offered him another cigarette. He lit it and inhaled briefly, the acrid smoke flowing down his throat and into his lungs. The thick tar spreading through his body fueled a pointless stubbornness.

“…I eat with you too.”

That was all he could muster. Taeun fidgeted at his own pathetic answer. The sizzling sound of the cigarette burning was clear in the silence. It was hard to tell what was burning.

“Right. And you eat with me. And you’re eating with them inside right now.”

“….”

You’re nothing. Was he mistaken in hearing that? Taeun silently puffed on his cigarette. A pathetic rebelliousness bloomed. I’m different. We’ve known each other for over ten years, shared countless firsts. We used to tell each other everything, knew everything about each other. So, we’re really close…

“What’s the difference?”

“What difference?”

“It’s simple. She’s a girl, and you’re a guy.”

Really close friends.

Friends who, no matter how long you know them, it’s natural not to develop even the slightest romantic feelings. And I’m a treacherous betrayer. A coward harboring impure feelings, hiding a secret I can’t share. Taeun fidgeted silently, kicking at a small stone. The rolling pebbles bumped against each other, looking painful.

“So am I a man or a woman?”

He was used to pain. Enough to laugh it off. Taeun put on a playful smile, masking his pain. The forced smile, barely reaching his eyes, felt awkward.

“…Cha Jinhyun is unusually soft on you, but there are plenty of other people who would treat you just as well. Want me to introduce you to someone? I know a lot of people.”

“I… prefer natural encounters.”

Kim Sunghyun sighed deeply, as if trying to vent his frustration.

Unfortunately, persuading Taeun seemed difficult. Sunghyun knew that advice fell on deaf ears when someone was in love. Still, trying to stop someone walking towards a cliff was a basic human decency.

“That bastard doesn’t swing that way, you know.”

“Then I’ll make him swing.”

Taeun blurted out without thinking. It was the epitome of miscommunication. Kim Sunghyun chuckled, dumbfounded by the outrageous reply. His boldness was admirable.

“So he doesn’t have a girlfriend right now?”

All Sunghyun wanted, by creating this opportunity, was for Lee Taeun to understand his words. And Taeun did understand. Just with a slightly different focus.

“I’ve been wondering. Thanks for the valuable information.”

“Should I… consider this a positive response?”

Kim Sunghyun felt resigned at his stubbornness. Fine, do as you please…

“I won’t let it interfere with club activities. I’ve hidden it well for five years. Even if something happens, I won’t… you know, make it obvious here. I don’t want to be a nuisance because of this…”

Taeun started wrapping up the conversation, as if preparing to go back inside. The sun had completely disappeared below the horizon, and the sky was starting to turn indigo. Their smoke break had long overstayed its welcome. Sunghyun straightened up from the wall.

“…If you want to be introduced to someone later, let me know. I’m serious.”

“Yeah. Then introduce me to Cha Jinhyun.”

“You’re really something else.”

Is this what happens when unrequited love drags on? Kim Sunghyun didn’t dislike Taeun like this. He just felt it was foolish.

“It’s hard to like that bastard when you’re sane.”

Taeun smiled, a bit more relaxed than before. His amiable face shimmered under the dangling light above.

When they returned to their table, the other team members, now tipsy and boisterous, showered them with playful jeers. They demanded to know where they’d been and what they’d been doing, insisting Taeun down a shot before sitting down. Taeun readily complied, neatly downing the deadly mix of mostly soju and a splash of beer. He sat down with a silly groan, Cha Jinhyun’s gaze following him.

Kim Sunghyun sat down nonchalantly, having barely touched his drink. The other team members, seemingly amused no matter what, briefly teased him before resuming their merry drinking. What the… So that’s all it takes. Taeun, who had been the only honest one, suppressed his resentment and chewed on a freshly grilled piece of meat. As if considering his preference, pieces of pork skin were sizzling on the grill.

The early dinner party ended well past midnight. They exchanged numbers and even created a group chat before finally wrapping up. It was perfect teamwork, not forgetting their main objective even while drunk.

Taeun walked to the parking lot with Jinhyun. An awkward silence hung between them as neither spoke. Only their shadows moved side by side under the yellow streetlights. Feeling slightly embarrassed walking so close, Taeun playfully merged and separated their shadows.

Then, thump, his face bumped against Cha Jinhyun’s shoulder. As if planned, they both stopped walking. Jinhyun looked down at Taeun silently. It seemed like he had stopped Taeun to say something, even though he hadn’t intended to.

“Hey, Jinhyun-ah.”

Taeun met his gaze calmly and spoke. Was it the alcohol, or Kim Sunghyun’s meddling? Courage, from an unknown source, warmed him like a flowing stream.

“Have you seen Dragon Ball?”

He said and slowly started walking again. Cha Jinhyun followed. It was a strange opening for someone about to ask for a date.

“I think so. I don’t remember it well.”

“You know the fusion technique? Not Super Saiyan, but the one where they get even stronger. They touch fingers and merge into one.”

Taeun moved his index fingers busily, trying to explain the special technique “Fusion.” Jinhyun, watching him, furrowed his brow slightly.

“Are you drunk?”

“This bastard, he always says I’m drunk whenever I say anything…”

“Then speak clearly.”

Jinhyun’s clear eyes, devoid of any intoxication, scanned Taeun. Taeun suddenly suppressed a surge of desire and turned his head. I want to kiss him. The quiet alley, the dark and damp night street, subtly stirred his senses.

“You know you have to eat with me twice this week, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I want to merge those two meals. Fusion.”

So Taeun spoke even more casually.

“What happens if we merge them?”

“Well, we can watch a movie… eat… drink…”

“Ah, you want to hang out.”

No, I’m asking you on a date.

Taeun bit back the words that rose to his throat and simply replied, “Yeah.” Jinhyun didn’t answer immediately, just silently walked for a while. “When,” a casual reply came as they almost reached the parking lot entrance.

“…Tomorrow.”

It was a definite win that Cha Jinhyun didn’t have a girlfriend yet, but the possibility of him getting one soon was a foreseeable obstacle. In the end, it was a zero-sum game. He wanted to try something before it was too late. Taeun was extremely anxious.

“I have plans tomorrow.”

And as expected, nothing in life came easy. Taeun swallowed a curse.

“Then… after your plans.”

“I’ll be tired.”

“Then the day after tomorrow.”

“What movie is so important that you’re making such a fuss?”

Fuck, it’s to see you. You. Taeun, suppressing the urge to stomp his feet, pressed him for an answer. Jinhyun took out his car keys from his pocket and replied casually, “Fine, then.” The cheerful chirp of the car unlocking echoed. Taeun, having secured a promise, clenched and unclenched his fist, resolving to collect cockroaches and release them in Jinhyun’s closet if he got stood up again.

Taeun got into the passenger seat, hoping his terrible revenge wouldn’t be necessary. The long car started, and Lee Taeun fastened his seatbelt and leaned back against the seat. The amount he’d drunk tonight wasn’t even enough to be considered drinking, but his body felt heavy and tired. I’ll go home, shower, and go straight to bed. He closed his eyes with that thought. But even after some time, the car didn’t move.

“What did you talk about with Kim Sunghyun?”

A low voice came from the driver’s seat as Taeun opened his eyes in confusion. He turned his head slightly and looked at the owner of the voice. His eyes met Jinhyun’s, who was leaning his head against the car window and looking at him. It was a gaze he couldn’t place, unsure how long Jinhyun had been watching him.

“Just… stuff.”

“What stuff.”

“Why are you curious?”

Taeun asked back, avoiding the question. He told me not to like you. He couldn’t say that, and coming up with a plausible excuse on the spot was even more difficult. It was better to avoid the question than give a clumsy answer that would be easily seen through. He was worried about Jinhyun pestering him for an answer, just like he had when he was curious about Taeun’s crush.

“….”

“….”

“Yeah, why am I curious?”

The reply was unexpectedly anticlimactic, rendering his worries pointless.

‘What?’

Taeun furrowed his brow and tilted his head. Jinhyun lifted his head from the car window and straightened his posture. His large hands gripped the steering wheel and gear shift. The black car smoothly pulled out of the parking lot.

“…Aren’t you going to ask anymore?”

“No.”

Taeun, who had been silently watching the driver’s seat until they exited the parking lot and entered the main road, asked quietly. The answer, as expected, was short and anticlimactic.