Sunshine Shower Chapter 66

‘I told him about the breakup on purpose…’

The reason Kim Seonju mentioned the breakup to Kim Hyunseung was calculated. He knew that once Hyunseung found out, he would likely drink heavily. Then, after the dorm curfew, he would probably head to Seonju’s studio apartment. Although Seonju hadn’t expected Hyunseung to suggest staying at his own place instead.

The reason Woo Yeonjae didn’t want to send Moon Seoyoon back to the dorms was clear.

Woo Yeonjae disliked the idea of dorm life. The thought of sharing living space with people he wasn’t related to—people he hadn’t known for over 20 years—was repulsive. He hated the idea of sending his one and only childhood friend to such a place. More than anything, he loathed the thought of Moon Seoyoon being out of his sight.

‘The first time is hard, but the second and third are easy.’

His plan was to increase the number of times he invited Seoyoon to his studio until he stayed there permanently. Even Professor Moon would probably allow it, even if he didn’t approve of Seoyoon living alone.

“Your shift ends at 9 today, right?”

Woo Yeonjae asked, even though he already knew the answer.

“Oh, I’m not going to work today. I’m having dinner with some friends.”

“Friends?”

As he was about to exit the chat filled with pointless chatter, Yeonjae paused at the unexpected reply and slowly turned his head.

“What friends?”

Who was he meeting to call them ‘friends’?

“My juniors. We finished our group project, so we decided to grab dinner. I’m treating them.”

At that, Woo Yeonjae calmed his sharp nerves. If it was about the group project, it had to be with Seo Jieun’s group.

“Where are you eating?”

“We haven’t decided yet. Maybe some barbecue? Probably somewhere near campus.”

Near campus. The place mentioned in his messages briefly came to mind. It was a spot where he had been invited under the pretense of consoling him about his breakup. He hadn’t planned on going, but showing up wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Really? We might run into each other then.”

“Who are you meeting?”

“Some seniors wanted to catch up.”

“Oh…”

“I wasn’t planning to go… but I guess there might be something for me to do.”

Among the names that had popped up in the chat, one caught his eye. Woo Yeonjae continued the conversation in a tone that feigned innocence.

“Anyway, I’ll be around, so if anything happens, let me know.”

“What could happen to a guy who’s already done his military service?”

Moon Seoyoon laughed as if he had heard something ridiculous. Maybe it was because they had known each other since childhood, but to Yeonjae, Seoyoon still seemed like a kid, no different from before his military service.

“Well, you never know, you might get wasted. Aren’t you meeting Seo Jieun? She’s a heavy drinker. So is Park Yeeun.”

“And what if I do?”

Seoyoon laughed again. Yeonjae looked at him and gently smiled back, eyes narrowing kindly.

“What do you think?”

He would conceal his true nature so smoothly, it wouldn’t even be noticeable.

“I’d take care of you, of course.”

As usual, the drinking gathering was dull. Woo Yeonjae played along, responding to jokes and engaging in conversation as needed. He also made sure to drop the bits of information his companions wanted to hear, typically trivial details about the job market that might interest job-seekers.

“Since you all invited me out to cheer me up, I’ll cover the bill today.”

“Wow, Woo Yeonjae, you’re generous. Big guy with a big heart? We’re eating well tonight.”

“Nah, it’s nothing.”

It was better to accept the gesture openly than to pretend to decline. As he ran a finger along the rim of his untouched glass, Yeonjae began to speak. His other hand rested lightly on his chin.

“But I didn’t expect Cheolmin to be here.”

“What? Why Cheolmin?”

The loudest guy in the group exaggeratedly called out for Cheolmin. Yeonjae glanced at the man sitting in the corner, flashing him a warm smile.

“Last time at the student meeting, you refused my drink, so I thought you didn’t like me.”

“Huh? Hey, Cheolmin! You turned down Yeonjae’s drink? Why?”

“Oh, no, it’s not that…”

Tilting his head slightly, Yeonjae’s cheek pressed into his fingers, making his eyes crinkle.

“Maybe it’s because I’m not pretty enough. You did say you only accept drinks from pretty girls.”

The mood suddenly turned cold, not because of what Cheolmin had said, but because of the mockery in Yeonjae’s tone.

“Oh.”

Yeonjae straightened up, his expression shifting to one of slight distress. His handsome face took on a look of mild concern.

“You didn’t invite me here just to do that, did you? I’d be pretty disappointed in you guys if that were the case…”

“Hey, hey, Yeonjae. Come on, we wouldn’t do that to you. Nah, not at all.”

“Yeah, that’s not it. Ah, damn Cheolmin. He still hasn’t gotten rid of that bad habit.”

It was easy to ostracize someone from a group, especially if they were barely hanging on to begin with.

As the embarrassed man excused himself to the restroom, Yeonjae didn’t bother acknowledging him.

He checked the time with a flick of his wrist. He had no intention of staying with these pointless people for long.

“I think I should head out. I wasn’t feeling well over the weekend, and I’m still not fully recovered.”

“Did you miss class because you were sick? You should have told me earlier. No wonder you didn’t drink.”

“I couldn’t miss out when you seniors invited me. I should’ve had at least one drink, but I drove here. Sorry about that.”

The men all reassured him that it was fine. Woo Yeonjae slowly stood up from his seat.

“I’ll pay on my way out, so feel free to order anything else you’d like.”

“Sure. Let’s meet again soon. Thanks.”

“It’s nothing. If I hear any more news, I’ll let you know. See you next time.”

With a practiced smile, Woo Yeonjae easily made his exit.

As he descended the stairs, Woo Yeonjae sent a message to Kang Sooha.

[You said you were drinking tonight. Where are you?]

[You’re coming too, hyung? We’re at Kkokko Padak.]

[Got it.]

It was easy to track Moon Seoyoon’s whereabouts. It hadn’t been long since the semester started, and he’d already found out through mutual contacts which café Seoyoon was working at with some juniors. Of course, there were easier ways to get that information.

‘But that would be overkill.’

As always, he controlled the urge that briefly flared up. This much was enough for now. No matter how close they were, excessive interference between friends would look suspicious.

“This should be fine…”

He always had to think carefully to gauge what was normal.

“It’s getting harder.”

Muttering to himself, Woo Yeonjae got into his car. He planned to catch Seoyoon before he returned to the dorm, if possible.

The car soon stopped in the parking lot. Bored, Yeonjae tapped the steering wheel a few times, then instinctively turned his head. A familiar alley between the bars came into view. A figure he recognized caught his attention.

After years of knowing Moon Seoyoon, there was no way he wouldn’t recognize him. His instinct had been right.

“…”

His sharp gaze swept through the alley.

Moon Seoyoon wasn’t alone. He was in someone’s arms.

The moment he realized that, Woo Yeonjae recognized the man holding Seoyoon as Nam Tae-eun.

“Ah…”

A frustrated sigh slipped out from his parted lips.

Watching Moon Seoyoon in someone else’s arms was anything but easy. It wasn’t just difficult—it was infuriating, as if his entire being was consumed by disgust, like being covered in filthy dust.

“Who the hell hugs a guy like that?”

Woo Yeonjae’s scathing remark wasn’t directed at Moon Seoyoon. It was aimed at the man embracing his childhood friend.

The unusual situation triggered a flashing red alert in his mind.

It was a kind of danger signal.

One that he couldn’t control.

His hand froze as he moved to unbuckle his seatbelt. What would he do if he got out now? Slowly, he bit his tongue, his pupils narrowing as he watched Seoyoon pull away from Tae-eun’s embrace.

Both the moment of being held and the moment of separation seemed too familiar. That irritated him even more. The veins on the back of his hand bulged as his grip on the steering wheel tightened, his sharp teeth digging into his flesh.

He knew exactly what would happen if he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out. He’d unleash the violence he kept so well hidden.

‘Hey, damn it. Don’t hit people out in the open. You’ll end up in jail. Why do your punches keep getting stronger?’

It had been eight years since his father had told him to start boxing, though not quite as a suggestion.

He wasn’t afraid of the consequences. The real issue was that Seoyoon might be scared. He’d probably turn pale and beg him to stop.

“Hah…”

If he suddenly appeared and started throwing punches, Seoyoon would undoubtedly take the other person’s side. If Seoyoon then went on to help the guy up and turn his back on him, Yeonjae knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back.

Once again, he bit down on his tongue. He had managed to restrain himself so far and didn’t want to expose his flaw so easily—especially not to Moon Seoyoon.

More than anyone, Woo Yeonjae knew that once he crossed the line, there would be no turning back. What he needed wasn’t patience, but control over himself. Like being tightly bound by a seatbelt he could easily unbuckle, but choosing not to.

“Damn, this is pissing me off…”

The line he had drawn was one that could easily be crossed if someone pushed him the wrong way, but Woo Yeonjae had no intention of breaking his own rules. Even a single misstep would terrify Moon Seoyoon.

If he destroyed the relationship he had carefully built over 17 years in that way, he knew he would regret it someday.

He watched as Moon Seoyoon emerged from the alley and entered a nearby building. The source of his anger had already disappeared.

Woo Yeonjae took a deep breath. The tension in his hands only eased a few minutes after a message arrived.

[Hyung, when are you coming? We’re about to head out.]

It was still relatively early for a Friday night. He glanced at the building where Seoyoon had gone before slowly moving his hand.

The seatbelt unbuckled with a soft click.