Episode 62

 

Seongjae crossed his arms as he asked, looking almost ridiculously serious—like this was some kind of interrogation. Trying to show it was nothing important, Haeun answered with deliberate nonchalance.

“Huh? Just replying to someone I know.”

There was nothing particularly difficult about explaining how he’d ended up texting Yejun. 

If Seongjae asked, it wasn’t like he had any reason to lie. But still, that prying tone—half accusatory, half demanding—rubbed him the wrong way. It wasn’t just confusing, it was also a little… unsettling. 

Maybe because Seongjae wasn’t just a fellow group member anymore. He was also a romance route in a BL game. That fact kept poking at Haeun’s brain in the weirdest ways.

“So who exactly?”

But even with Haeun giving the most casual response possible, Seongjae didn’t let up. If anything, he pressed harder, his tone getting even more abrasive. 

For a moment, Haeun felt the same dread he had when his dad caught him with a motorcycle for the first time. That was exactly the vibe—less like a teammate, more like an angry parent. Or… something else, which Haeun didn’t even want to imagine.

Every time Seongjae took a step closer, Haeun instinctively stepped two back. Eventually, they found themselves in a quieter, more secluded corner of the department store, away from prying eyes.

That was when it hit him. The guy standing in front of him wasn’t his dad. And he wasn’t some middle schooler getting scolded anymore, either.

“You think you’re gonna understand just ’cause I tell you?”

Haeun shot back, finally pushing back a little.

Sure, Seongjae might know who Yejun was. But still—what kind of question was that? It wasn’t like Haeun didn’t have any friends or people who could message him. 

Just the assumption alone—that no one would contact him—was insulting enough. Like, excuse you, I’m a future top idol over here?

Haeun’s irritation bled into his voice. Seongjae let out a scoffing laugh.

“Come on, how am I not supposed to be curious? What, is it Kim Gyowon again? Or did you get yourself a girlfriend?”

“The hell are you on about?!”

Haeun snapped, voice rising sharply. 

A girlfriend? Did Seongjae have any idea how dangerous it would be if a rumor like that got out? They were in the same group—wasn’t he supposed to be more careful with what he said? 

Haeun quickly glanced around to make sure no one had overheard.

All this, just because he chuckled at Yejun’s overly dramatic message. How did things escalate so far?

And the fact that the only other option Seongjae had brought up—besides “girlfriend”—was Kim Gyowon, of all people, made the whole thing even more absurd. 

It wasn’t like he was constantly texting Gyowon, either. But Seongjae’s sharp, weirdly territorial questioning made it all seem way more ridiculous than it should’ve been.

“Then why can’t you just tell me who it is?”

Seongjae wasn’t backing down in the slightest, even as Haeun stared at him like he’d completely lost it. It was relentless. Like, even parents with a rebellious teenage son didn’t go this far. 

And honestly? That level of intensity… Haeun had only ever seen that kind of behavior from an overly possessive ex-girlfriend.

He let out a long sigh and finally said.

“Dude, seriously. What is this? You checking my phone now? Are we dating or something?”

“…What?”

Now that hit the mark.

Seongjae’s face twisted like he’d just heard the most offensive thing in the world. His already pale face went even whiter, and he visibly shuddered.

“The hell are you saying? Have you lost your mind or something?”

It was such a strong, genuine reaction that Haeun almost laughed. There was no way to fake that level of disgust. He had just tossed the line out half to mess with him, but seeing Seongjae recoil like that… it was oddly reassuring.

It was a relief. If Seongjae had blushed, stuttered shyly, or hesitated awkwardly, Haeun wouldn’t have known what to do. 

He had just started to feel like they were getting close—if they’d somehow ended up on that kind of route, the disappointment would’ve been unbearable.

Up until now, he hadn’t dared to push back or turn the tables, afraid he might accidentally hit some weird trigger. But now that he was reassured, Haeun’s expression lightened, and he started to question things properly.

“No, but seriously, it doesn’t make sense. Why are you acting like this? You waited in front of my door, grilled me about who I’m messaging… and now this—dragging me out like you’re trying to keep an eye on me or something.”

“……”

Seongjae had offered a somewhat reasonable explanation, but there had to be another reason why he insisted on bringing Haeun along. It was like a parent trying to keep their kid away from bad influences by constantly dragging them around—no breaks allowed.

As expected, Seongjae didn’t deny it right away. Maybe he felt a bit guilty. If he’d really wanted to cover his tracks, he should’ve prepared some excuse in advance. 

In the end, he was just as unpolished as his straightforward personality suggested.

“You know you’re acting super weird, right? I mean, what am I to you—your kid? Your boyfriend?”

Seongjae went quiet, a strange expression flickering across his face like he’d been hit right where it hurt. His eyes darted around, clearly thinking hard about something. 

He didn’t look like he was trying to come up with an excuse or fabricate an answer. If anything, he seemed just as confused as Haeun was—like he himself didn’t fully understand what was going on either.

Then, as if he’d reached a conclusion, Seongjae finally spoke.

“Honestly, you… kinda act like someone who needs to be watched.”

Haeun, now indignant, opened his mouth to protest, but Seongjae didn’t give him the chance.

“You get into trouble if I leave you alone. Like that time at the music show…”

“I told you I was sorry about that! How many times do I have to say it?!”

On top of that, what Seongjae had brought up was something Haeun had absolutely no excuse for—no matter how many times it came up. He snapped back in irritation, but Seongjae, who’d just been at a loss for words, suddenly cut him off with unshakable firmness, like it was nothing.

“Just shut up for a sec.”

“……”

The sharp tone made Haeun fall silent without thinking. 

Unlike Haeun, who was inwardly grumbling and cursing, Seongjae let out a deep sigh as if trying to calm himself. Then, in a much more composed voice, he continued.

“No, okay, fine. I get it. I get why you think I’m acting weird—but you’re the one who started acting strange first. You used to be clueless and mild-mannered, and now suddenly you’ve lost all your filters, stirring up trouble left and right.”

“You think I wouldn’t be worried seeing you get pelted with eggs by antis and acting like you don’t care?”

“That was just…”

“I’m worried you’ve gotten mixed up with some reckless, trashy jerk, and that’s why you’re turning out like this. Even if I don’t like our group, we’re still in this together—you know that, right?”

It was harder to cut in now than when Seongjae had been glaring and interrogating. Maybe because everything he was saying made too much sense. 

Haeun’s rebellious streak hadn’t come from anger at the questioning—it was from how much he’d been worried about the why. Now that he was reassured, Seongjae’s words hit even harder.

So Haeun decided to just ask, plainly, once and for all. As Seongjae’s rant began to taper off, he cautiously asked,

“So, then…”

“Then what.”

“You’re not into me or anything, right?”

Seongjae froze for a very brief second, then immediately screwed up his face in total disbelief. 

It was obvious he had to double-check that he’d heard right—it sounded that absurd to him. Haeun, now fully at ease, felt relief wash over him.

“You serious right now? Are you one of those delusional freaks or what?”

Seongjae yelled. Even though they’d already drawn some attention by backing into this quieter corner, raising his voice any more would definitely attract more looks. 

And with their current suspicious getups, that was not a good idea. Haeun reached out, pressing down on Seongjae’s mask, and held a finger to his lips with the other hand.

“Shhh. People are staring.”

It was only because he was finally feeling calm again that he could act this way. The tense mood that had been hovering between them instantly deflated. 

Even Seongjae, who’d been high-strung the whole time, seemed to lose steam at Haeun’s words. He let the tension in his shoulders go as he muttered,

“This is all your fault.”

“But it is just that, right?”

Haeun ignored his sigh and pushed for confirmation again.

“What?”

“There’s no other reason, right? You’re not, like, jealous or anything, are you?”

“This little punk… Seriously, have I been too easy on you?”

Seongjae now stared at Haeun like he was completely out of his mind. 

Well, who told him to be born as a target character in a BL game? 

Haeun figured his own wariness was completely justified. Standing with his shoulders squared in confidence, he was met with Seongjae’s voice, now adopting a slightly scolding tone.

“You’re not… going around reading fanfics or anything, right?”

“Fanfics?”

“Even if you start getting curious, don’t. Seriously.”

Haeun clicked his tongue at the fake-serious glint in Seongjae’s eyes.

“What the hell are you on about.”

He casually stepped aside, slipping out from the corner they’d ended up in. Seongjae didn’t try to block him or press any further. And yet, Haeun was the one who chose to speak first again.

“Anyway, as long as it’s not that, then fine. That message just now—it wasn’t from Kim Gyowon. It was Yejun—”

“You have a friend named Yejun?”

Seriously, cutting him off right when he was about to explain? What a waste of good intentions. Unfortunately, Park Ha didn’t have a friend named Yejun… or really, any friends to speak of. Haeun just shrugged.

“No? Yejun from Black Bers, remember?”

“…Why would he be messaging you?”

The tension that had finally started to ease felt like it had never left, as Seongjae’s voice began to harden again. Haeun, pretending not to notice, answered as casually as ever.

“Who knows, maybe he felt sorry for me? He said he’d buy me a meal, but our timing’s been off.”

Unlike Haeun’s nonchalant tone, Seongjae’s expression was turning serious again. But his face softened a bit with what Haeun said next.

“Anyway, you’re the reason I couldn’t go. You threw a fit and dragged me out.”

“Hmph… sounds like a blessing in disguise.”

The scoff was half-hearted, almost tired. For once, it seemed like Seongjae’s suspicion had finally subsided. His shifting moods all day had been as unpredictable as boiling soup, but now he seemed to settle. 

Haeun laughed under his breath and started walking, and Seongjae followed behind, muttering like a nagging parent.

“Hanging around with someone from Black Bers is just asking for trouble. It’s not like you’ll even get anything out of it. Just stop replying.”

“But food. I get food.”

“Are you a pig or something?”

Seongjae clicked his tongue, exasperated. 

Haeun just grinned and gave an obnoxious little oink, feeling proud of himself. And then, unexpectedly, Seongjae’s voice dropped—quieter now, softer.

“…You could just eat with me instead.”