Black & Grey Vol. 2 Chapter 7

“It’s nothing serious. I just slipped a bit while doing judo. It hurts a little when I move, so I don’t think I can go out for dinner tonight.”

[Did you go to the hospital?]

“Come on, it’s not that bad. A day or two of rest should be fine.”

Yoochan said as he wiggled his toes out of his sneakers and looked at his toe. It was red and swollen, but not enough to warrant a hospital visit. As he arrived at his officetel, Yoochan reassured Jungeol while putting his foot back into his sneaker.

“If I rest my leg at home, it should be fine. I’m almost there. You should have dinner now, right, Hyung?”

[Yeah.]

“Go eat before it gets too late. You’ll be busy working tonight.”

[Okay. Are you home yet?]

“I’m in the elevator. Almost there.”

As Yoochan limped out of the elevator, he tilted his head, sensing something odd. It seemed like the conversation was over, but Jungeol hadn’t hung up. Yoochan, happy to hear Jungeol’s voice longer, chatted excitedly.

“Since we can’t eat together, should I pick the menu for you? How about bulgogi-flavored chicken? It’s really good with rice.”

[Sure. Chicken sounds good.]

“Right?”

[Do you have anything to ice your toe with? An ice pack or something?]

“Ice pack? I don’t have one, but I do have ice…”

Passing by the kitchen, Yoochan glanced at the large ice dispenser next to the fridge and suddenly stopped talking.

Jungeol’s tone seemed slightly concerned. It might have been his imagination, but it sounded like Jungeol was planning to bring ice. Yoochan’s eyes darted around. If he said he had ice, Jungeol wouldn’t need to come. There had to be no ice.

“I don’t have any ice… at all.”

Yoochan bit his lip, listening intently to his phone. He couldn’t believe what he heard next.

[Okay. I’ll be up in ten minutes.]

“You’re coming up? Now? Really?”

Yoochan, now inside his apartment, asked in surprise. Jungeol replied calmly.

[You said you don’t have ice.]

“I don’t… right.”

[Should I not come?]

“No, no, no, no.”

Yoochan shook his head frantically. He heard Jungeol chuckle softly. Yoochan, feeling his face heat up with excitement, shouted,

“I definitely need to ice my toe, so come quickly. No, wait, come slowly. Take your time.”

Realizing he needed to hide the ice dispenser before Jungeol arrived, Yoochan quickly corrected himself. Jungeol chuckled and said he understood.

As soon as the call ended, Yoochan limped around, carrying the ice dispenser. He needed to find a place to hide it quickly.

Even though he had told Jungeol to come slowly, it wouldn’t take more than a minute to get from the shop on the second floor to his apartment. Even stopping by the convenience store on the first floor to buy ice would only take five minutes. Struggling with the heavy dispenser, Yoochan headed to the balcony.

He tried to fit it into the storage cabinets on either side of the balcony. The dispenser was too tall to fit vertically and too wide to close the door horizontally. Considering breaking it with his foot, Yoochan decided against it, fearing the mess.

As he lifted the dispenser again, the coiled cord fell and landed right on his injured toe.

“Ah, damn…!”

Yoochan winced in pain. Struggling back inside, he spotted the walk-in closet attached to his bedroom. After removing the thick winter blankets, there was enough space for the dispenser. Yoochan placed the leaking dispenser inside, covered it with the blankets, and wiped the door before coming out.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Yoochan finally took a breath and noticed the fridge. Feeling uneasy, he opened it and smacked his forehead. The ice he had made before getting the dispenser was still there, filling a container.

Yoochan dumped the ice into the sink and turned on the hot water. Thankfully, the ice melted quickly. He hid the empty container in the cabinet and looked at his sweat-soaked clothes. Running around with the heavy dispenser had left him drenched. He couldn’t meet Jungeol smelling like sweat.

Turning on the air conditioner, Yoochan stripped and headed to the bathroom. His mistake was not bringing clothes with him. Just as he lathered his hair with shampoo, the doorbell rang.

“Hyung! Come in after entering the password!”

Yoochan said in a loud voice. Perhaps because of the sound of the water, Jungeol didn’t seem to hear and pressed the doorbell again. Yoochan turned off the shower and shouted again. He heard the sound of Jungeol coming in. After rinsing off the foam and drying his whole body, Yoochan was soon faced with a crisis. He had forgotten to put on his underwear and pants.

Yoochan clasped his forehead. Previously, Yoochan would have proudly wandered around the living room naked, saying, “What’s the big deal between men?” But now that he was aware of his feelings for Jungeol, for some reason, he didn’t want to show him that sight.

Yoochan opened the door slightly and called out to Jungeol.

“Hyung! Jungeol Hyung!”

Jungeol, who was holding a pack of ice, looked up. Yoochan pointed to the veranda with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m sorry to ask this, but could you bring me one of my panties from the clothesline on the veranda?”

Jungeol curiously scanned Yoochan’s arms and legs that were slightly visible through the crack in the door, then put down the pack and went out to the veranda. Jungeol, who soon came back with a pair of underwear, held out the underwear and looked curiously at Yoochan, who was hiding his body tightly.

“Thanks.”

And just as Yoochan was about to stick his body tightly behind the door and reach out his arm to grab the underwear, Jungeol’s still hand suddenly opened wide and Yoochan’s wrist was tightly grabbed in an instant.

“Oops!”

Yoochan flinched, looked at his captured hand, and then looked up at Jungeol with surprised eyes. As the startled Yoochan let go of the doorknob, his naked body was revealed behind the open door. Jungeol slightly curled the corners of his lips and released Yoochan’s wrist limply. And after glancing at the awkwardly standing naked Yoochan, he looked directly at Yoochan and said.

“Again?”

Leaving Yoochan dumbfounded, Jungeol left for the kitchen without hesitation, leaving behind only one meaningful word.

“…”

Yoochan, unable to even close the door, repeated Jungeol’s words with a blank expression. He thought about what “again” meant, and then Yoochan realized belatedly. He was saying, “Why are you acting shy now after showing me your butt and everything dangling between your legs last time?”

With a flushed face, Yoochan quickly closed the door and put on his underwear, embarrassed. Yoochan tilted his head, wondering about Jungeol’s expression a moment ago. It was just a joke to grab his wrist and the corners of his lips were definitely raised mischievously, but his eyes didn’t seem to be smiling. It wasn’t just a simple expressionless look.

‘He seems a little angry…’

With a puzzled expression, Yoochan put on his underwear and went out, peeking at Jungeol. Fortunately, Jungeol’s expression was the same as usual. Seeing Yoochan come out, Jungeol nodded towards the sofa and said.

“Sit down.”

“…Yes.”

Yoochan gathered the pants that had fallen in front of the kitchen and sat on the sofa as he was told. Jungeol looked at the empty space next to the refrigerator where something had been cleared away, then wrapped an ice pack in a dry towel he had found on the veranda and asked.

“Are you hurt badly?”

“Ah, yes! I’m fine. It’s just a little sprained.”

Feeling awkward about just waiting, Yoochan rubbed his face and then rubbed his muscular chest. Because he had just taken a cold shower, his erect nipples were caught in his palm.

Yoochan, who had forgotten to put on a t-shirt while only thinking about his panties, was about to get up to find something to wear when Jungeol approached with the ice pack. Yoochan, who was about to go to the closet, sat back down calmly as if he had rewound. Jungeol sat next to Yoochan and said.

“Put your leg up.”

“What?”

“Let me see. This side?”

“Ah! Here. This side.”

Yoochan replied, putting his injured leg on the sofa. Yoochan, who had thought Jungeol would just look, eventually let out a gasp at the lukewarm touch that wrapped around his sole.

“Ah, Hyung…!”

Jungeol touched his little toe with indifferent eyes and asked.

“Does it hurt?”

Startled, Yoochan belatedly replied.

“No. It’s okay. It hurts a little when you pull it this way.”

“It doesn’t seem like it’s broken, looking at the swelling.”

“I told you it’s okay. It’s really just a sprain.”

The touch that fiddled with his toes felt awkward, so he replied as boldly as he could. Jungeol nodded as if that was enough, but he didn’t let go of Yoochan’s foot. In the meantime, a slightly protruding fingernail tickled the side of Yoochan’s foot.

“Ugh.”

Yoochan curled his toes, forgetting about his sore toe. Jungeol, who had been looking at the swollen part of his little toe, raised his gaze with an amused expression. Before their eyes met, Yoochan lowered his head first.

Thump, thump, thump.

His heart was beating faster and faster. Feeling dizzy from the suggestive atmosphere, Yoochan rubbed his cheeks hard.

“Ah, it feels so good… It feels so good, but I’m going to be in big trouble if I stay like this.”

Yoochan looked down at his crotch that came into view. Although it wasn’t noticeable yet, he knew that in a few seconds, that guy would unconsciously stretch and set up a huge tent in his loose sweatpants. Yoochan lowered his already flushed face and shouted inwardly.

“Snap out of it, you idiot. Hyung is right in front of you, if you get hard now, you’re screwed.”

He tried to suppress it with superhuman patience, but his body wouldn’t listen. Yoochan straightened his back, pretending to be uncomfortable, and quickly grabbed the cushion next to Jungeol and subtly covered the front. Whether Jungeol noticed or not, Jungeol finally let go of Yoochan’s foot and picked up the ice pack that had been placed on the table, placing it on Yoochan’s foot.

“Let’s eat after you’ve iced it.”

The cool sensation touching his sore little toe, which had been burning, made Yoochan look at Jungeol with a happy expression at those words.

“Are you eating with me?”

Jungeol leaned against the back of the sofa and looked at Yoochan. It was as if he was saying, “Are you unhappy with that?” With his eyebrows furrowed silently, Yoochan quickly added with a silly smile.

“Ah, I’m just happy that I don’t have to eat alone. But what are we going to eat? Is there anything you want to eat? Shall we order something? Ah, or should I just make you some home-cooked food? You said my egg rolls were delicious. I’ll make it exactly the same as last time.”

“…”

Remembering Yoochan’s egg rolls, which were both shocking in taste and appearance, Jungeol stared at Yoochan for a moment as if he had lost his words, then gently persuaded him.

“You’re hurt, so rest. I’ll do it.”

Yoochan’s foot wiggled under the towel, which was now damp as the ice melted. He had never been embarrassed about being shirtless in front of a man, but he felt strangely embarrassed thinking that Jungeol was watching him.

He wanted to hide his body behind the cushion in front of Jungeol, but the cushion was too small to cover Yoochan’s body. Moreover, after hearing the word “again,” he thought Jungeol would say something else if he hid his body again.

Thinking that it would be less strange to act boldly in this situation, Yoochan deliberately exposed his side and flexed his muscles.

“Hyung! My obliques have improved a lot, haven’t they? I’ve been working out really hard lately.”

Jungeol, who had been looking at the towel wrapped around the ice, looked at Yoochan’s side and raised the corners of his lips amusingly. Yoochan’s heart beat uncontrollably again at Jungeol’s smiling face.

“I think we can stop now. My foot is cold.”

Yoochan quickly added, as a reaction was likely to occur below, which had finally calmed down.

“Shall we prepare dinner now? I’m starving.”

“Okay.”

Jungeol removed the towel wrapped around the ice pack and checked Yoochan’s little toe again. While Jungeol touched his toe, Yoochan had to desperately hide his body by hugging the cushion.

Yoochan, who had finally put on a t-shirt, sat at the dining table and waited. Jungeol found the kimchi that Yoochan only touched when he ate ramen from the bottom of the refrigerator and fried it with sesame oil.

Yoochan, who wanted to have mackerel kimchi stew for a change, gave Jungeol a can of mackerel that was hidden in a corner. Jungeol skillfully adjusted the amount of water in the pot, which contained a whole can of mackerel, and opened the freezer door, asking,

“Is there any garlic?”

“Garlic? Why garlic?”

“To put in the stew.”

“Wow. You put garlic in the stew? I’ve never seen garlic in stew before. Isn’t the texture weird when you eat the stew?”

Although Jungeol had asked for minced garlic, thinking that Yoochan didn’t know much about cooking, he kept quiet. As the kimchi stew bubbled, Jungeol took out a few eggs and Yoochan found some dried vegetables that he didn’t even know existed in the storage.

Jungeol started cooking in earnest. He took a large bowl out of the cupboard, cracked the eggs, and mixed them with a whisk from the storage. The sound of oil sizzling in the frying pan could be heard as Jungeol poured the egg mixture into the pan. Yoochan knelt on the chair and raised his body to watch Jungeol make the egg rolls.

“Oh, you pour it in layers…”

Jungeol chuckled quietly at Yoochan’s admiration over something so simple. Yoochan must have been burning the outside and leaving the yolk undercooked by pouring all the mixture in at once. Now that the rolled omelet was more evenly cooked, Yoochan approached and asked,

“Can I try a bite?”

Instead of answering, Jungeol stepped aside and used a spatula to cut off a generous end of the rolled omelet, handing it to Yoochan. Yoochan took the piece with his even teeth, eyes widening as he gave a thumbs up.

“This is honestly so delicious. It’s way better than mine.”

Jungeol thought that anyone could make a better omelet if they cooked it properly, but he kept the thought to himself. While Jungeol plated the omelet and checked the stew, Yoochan took out a few side dishes and set them on the table, asking,

“Hyung, how long have you been cooking?”

“Since I started living on my own.”

“At what age did you move out?”

“At twenty.”

“So, it’s been seven years.”

Nodding to himself, Yoochan rested his chin on his hand, gazing contentedly at Jungeol’s back. Looking at Jungeol’s sturdy arms, Yoochan casually commented,

“I really like people who can cook well. It feels homely… Oh, I mean girls like guys who can cook. Guys who can cook are really popular with girls these days, you know what I mean?”

Realizing his mistake as soon as he spoke, Yoochan hastily corrected himself. Fortunately, Jungeol didn’t seem to mind and approached with the pot. Yoochan quickly stood up to get a trivet.

“Ssss.”

Taking a spoonful of the kimchi stew that Jungeol had made, Yoochan sighed in satisfaction as if he had just taken a sip of beer.

“I love kimchi stew with mackerel pike, but I haven’t had it in a while. I tried making it myself once, but it turned out weird. Bland. So I just left the canned fish in the corner.”

Enjoying the stew, Yoochan kept eating with gusto. Jungeol, chewing on the rolled omelet, watched Yoochan curiously and suddenly remembered something.

“It looks like your tattoo appointment is scheduled for this weekend.”

“Oh, really? That’s sooner than I thought. I thought it would take a few more weeks. By the way.”

Excited about getting his tattoo, Yoochan remembered Manager’s suggestion about the leopard’s eye color and asked,

“Hyung, do you do color tattoos? Yesul Noona suggested making the leopard’s eyes blue. I think it might look cool.”

“I can if you want.”

Jungeol nodded, picking up his chopsticks.

“What do you think, Hyung? Would it look better in black and gray, or should we add color to the eyes for a focal point?”

“Before that.”

Jungeol, chewing his food, wiped his lips with his thumb and spoke seriously.

“Let me ask you one last time. Are you sure you want this?”

“Oh, of course. I’ve been waiting for months to get this tattoo.”

Yoochan answered without hesitation. Jungeol leaned back in his chair and continued,

“You know the saying, ‘Tuning’s end is stock,’ right? This can’t be undone.”

Yoochan paused, mid-bite of his mackerel pike. Jungeol, genuinely concerned, added quietly,

“Even if you want to take your shirt off comfortably later, there will be people staring and those who think negatively about it. Are you okay with that? Do you really want to do this?”

Listening quietly, Yoochan resumed chewing his mackerel pike and replied with a serious expression,

“I really like getting attention.”

Left speechless, Jungeol watched as Yoochan laughed and added,

“Just kidding. I trust your skills, so let’s go for it. You’ll make the leopard look just as good as stock, right, Hyung?”

While Jungeol stared at Yoochan’s mischievous smile, Yoochan suddenly exclaimed,

“Oh, so what about the leopard’s eyes? That’s the most important thing right now.”

“I’ll add color to the design and send it to you. You can choose.”

Yoochan nodded enthusiastically, looking forward to it.

When the two finished their meal, Jungeol received a call from Manager and stood up. Yoochan, who had been about to heat another instant rice to have more of the delicious kimchi stew, asked in surprise,

“Already leaving?”

“Yeah. The customer is waiting. Finish your dinner. Don’t come out.”

Yoochan, unable to insist, wore a disheartened expression. He followed Jungeol to the entrance and leaned his head weakly against the shoe cabinet, saying,

“Hyung, you don’t seem to sleep here much these days. You don’t come when I’m at school either. Is Gaang not bothering you anymore?”

“Taeho and I are working on his separation anxiety. When it’s tough, I just listen to music with earphones and sleep.”

Come to think of it, Jungeol did look less tired than before. Yoochan felt relieved but also a bit sad, thinking Jungeol wouldn’t need to come here for some light sleep anymore.

“Well… that’s good… Gaang is getting trained… and you’re sleeping well…”

Seeing Yoochan’s disappointed expression and empty words, Jungeol narrowed his eyes playfully and asked,

“Should I stay over tonight if you miss me?”

“Yes. I mean, yes?”

Yoochan, slumped against the wall, hesitated and asked. The word “what?” flashed in his mind. He wondered if Jungeol was testing him. Yoochan, nervously wide-eyed, said something he didn’t mean,

“No, no need? It’s less boring with you, but I prefer sleeping alone. I was just worried about you. Don’t misunderstand.”

Jungeol’s eyes momentarily showed disappointment but quickly hid his emotions and reached for the front door.

“Okay, I’ll be going.”

Just as Jungeol was about to leave, he turned back and added,

“Don’t forget to put the water dispenser back.”

Yoochan’s expression stiffened instantly. Jungeol added with a smirk,

“If you’re going to hide evidence, do it properly.”

“…Ah.”

As Jungeol closed the door, Yoochan rubbed his blushing cheeks with his palms and ran to the living room to call Jungeol.

[Why.]

Jungeol’s voice echoed, indicating he was still in the hallway.

“What’s up with you, Hyung!”

Swallowing his embarrassment, Yoochan asked,

“Why did you ask if I had ice when you knew about the water dispenser? You asked first, so I ended up saying I didn’t have any.”

A low chuckle came from the phone.

[I knew you had the dispenser but wasn’t sure if it made ice.]

Jungeol must have realized it was an ice dispenser after Yoochan hastily hid it. Feeling like his feelings were completely exposed, Yoochan sank to the floor and punched the sofa in frustration, wanting to hide in a hole. Jungeol asked,

[Where did you put the dispenser?]

“…In the closet.”

Yoochan replied, burying his face in his arm out of embarrassment. Jungeol’s voice came with a chuckle,

[Your clothes will get wet. Take it out.]

“…Okay… See you tomorrow, Hyung…”

[Alright.]

Jungeol stood in front of the 14th-floor elevator as he ended the call.

Though he had been smiling during the conversation with Yoochan, his expression turned contemplative once it ended.

Jungeol didn’t press the elevator button and rubbed his forehead. Realizing he had rushed over after hearing Yoochan was hurt felt ridiculous to him now.

Even though he had clearly heard that it wasn’t a serious injury and was just a minor sprain, Jungeol felt the need to see for himself that Yoochan was okay.

It was indeed a minor sprain, as Yoochan had said. In fact, there was no need for an ice pack.

It was understandable to call a close friend and ask about his condition, especially since he lived nearby the shop. But buying ice and going over was excessive, even by his own standards.

Jungeol frowned as he pressed the button. He couldn’t understand why he had rushed over, but what he couldn’t understand even more was why he had grabbed Yoochan’s wrist and acted petulantly when Yoochan suddenly distanced himself and hid his body.

It was not something to be angry about. He had quite liked the awkward kiss with the sweet fruity taste, and naturally, he had gotten aroused. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed afterward, but Yoochan had clearly drawn a line.

For some reason, it was natural for Yoochan, who had decided to end their relationship, to not want to show his body anymore. Even though he understood it intellectually, a childish stubbornness grew inside him.

So, when he found the traces of Yoochan cleaning up the water purifier, he was oddly pleased. The thick line had been drawn on Yoochan’s claim that the kiss that night was just drunken nonsense and a mistake. As soon as he found the flaw, he deliberately did things he wouldn’t normally do to provoke Yoochan.

He deliberately touched Yoochan’s foot and tickled it. Checking the injured area was just an excuse. He watched as Yoochan bit his lower lip in reaction and hid behind the cushion in embarrassment, and only then did he finally let go of his foot. Once he was sure that Yoochan liked him, he regained his composure.

“What’s the goal?”

Jungeol licked his lower lip, feeling parched. There needed to be a plausible reason or purpose for deliberately confirming that Yoochan still liked him and provoking someone who had decided to give up on him. There needed to be a clear reason other than the flimsy excuse that he had gotten excited because of the kiss.

“…Do I like him?”

Jungeol’s jaw hardened at the sudden thought.

“Baek Yoochan?”

The elevator stopped at the second floor and the door opened. Jungeol didn’t move until the door closed.

* * *

As soon as the machine stopped, Jungeol was lost in thought.

Frowning, Jungeol straightened his shoulders and turned his stiff neck. After working almost non-stop for about seven hours, he felt thirsty. After taking a sip of water and loosening his wrists, Jungeol put the machine back on his skin, which was entirely his own canvas.

Usually, just a short stretch was enough to clear his mind. But for the past few days, Jungeol’s concentration had been easily broken. As soon as the sound of the machine stopped, other thoughts came to him.

However, he couldn’t just leave the spilled ink without wiping it off. The ink that had been embedded in the skin and the ink that hadn’t mixed together, making it difficult to see the design. With a few delicate touches, small droplets of black ink splattered from the gap between the blunt needle of the machine and the skin.

Jungeol stopped the machine and quickly wiped away the spilled ink with a disinfected cloth. As if waiting for that moment, an annoying thought found Jungeol again.

Jungeol moved the machine with a troubled expression. Even though the machine didn’t stop, Jungeol was naturally thinking about Yoochan.

It was a strange experience. Yoochan, who always appeared in similar sportswear, exchanged trivial jokes, had ordinary dinners, and left, appeared much more vividly in Jungeol’s mind.

The first image that came to mind was his slightly raised chin, a confident expression as if he had never been discouraged in his life. It was the image of Yoochan entering the shop with confidence and greeting everyone boldly. The image of him playfully flirting with Taeho and the Manager, with whom he had become quite close, followed immediately.

Sometimes he would act like a child. He would whine in a voice that didn’t match his size when he was sulking, and when he was cornered, he would roll his eyes and stutter a little. Even though he couldn’t pronounce his words properly, he would look at his opponent with a captivating gaze and muster the courage to confess.

“…I really like you.”

Jungeol finished the last line, thinking about Yoochan’s confession. Thanks to holding the tattoo machine more than chopsticks since he was twenty, he was able to finish without any mistakes, even while having other thoughts.

After saying that he would take a picture when the swelling went down, Jungeol got up. He looked tired, as if Gaang had bothered him a lot the night before. In fact, Jungeol had been quite stressed for the past few days because of the thoughts that were interrupting his concentration.

— …I really like you.

Thinking of Yoochan, whose eyes were serious and whose expression was sad, even though his lips were smiling, Jungeol frowned and went outside to take a break.

And then.

“Wow, so that guy was cursing at me and my girlfriend and trying to fight us. I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing, could I? So, I stepped on the stair railing and flew up about one, two, three steps, I think. Anyway, after doing that, I kicked the bigger guy’s head hard and knocked him out.”

Jungeol stared at Yoochan with a speechless expression as he told his flamboyant story in a loud voice in front of several employees and customers. Yoochan, who didn’t seem to know that Jungeol was there, kept talking excitedly.

“At that time, it was probably seven to one? Maybe eight to one?”

“Hey, don’t lie, man. You said it was six back then.”

At Taeho’s remark, Yoochan shrugged his shoulders and lifted his clothes to scratch his muscular waist.

“Really? Well, it was two years ago, so minor errors like that don’t matter. Anyway, I took down about three guys back then. If only my arms hadn’t been caught at that exact moment, I would have… Oh, Jungeol Hyung! Are you done?”

Yoochan, leaning on the counter, noticed Jungeol looking over and waved his hand cheerfully. Yoochan’s childlike demeanor made Jungeol deep in thought.

“Oppa, I put the iced Americano in the fridge!”

Jungeol moved at the Manager’s words, who was lying comfortably on the sofa with his legs up. Yoochan’s intense gaze followed Jungeol as he walked to the fridge. Just then, Jinwoo, who was eating a snack, suddenly spoke.

“Yoochan, why do you always wear sportswear even though you have a lot of money?”

“Yeah. Last week, you said you were going to buy a shirt but didn’t.”

When Taeho continued to ask, Yoochan furrowed his brow and replied.

“I clearly went out to buy a shirt, but when I got home, all I had was another jersey tracksuit. I really thought I was possessed by a ghost. And all my friends do sports too, so when we go out, all we see are sportswear. Ugh, I really need to buy clothes.”

“Ask Jinwoo to pick for you. He dresses well and likes shopping. He’s quite the fashionista.”

The Manager smiled and pointed at Jinwoo, who readily agreed.

“Should I pick for you? I’m free this weekend.”

“If Hyung picks, I’m all for it. Where do you buy your clothes, Hyung?”

When Jinwoo mentioned the shopping center’s name, Yoochan’s eyes widened.

“Wow, there’s a really great Thai restaurant near there. Haven’t been there in ages.”

“I know where that is. Shall we eat lunch there while shopping on Saturday?”

“Ah, but Saturday…”

Before Yoochan could answer brightly, a somewhat sharp voice interrupted.

“Yoochan has an appointment with me on Saturday.”

Jinwoo raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at Jungeol. It was clearly an annoyed voice. Wondering if he made a mistake, he looked at Jungeol, who had the same expression as usual.

Thinking it was his misunderstanding, Jinwoo answered.

“Right, right. You did say Saturday. I forgot.”

“Hyung, shall we go eat now?”

Yoochan asked with shining eyes. The Manager teased him upon seeing his excited expression.

“Gosh, Yoochan. Do you like Jungeol Oppa that much?”

“…No, yes? I mean, no?”

Yoochan answered a bit late, looking flustered. The Manager exaggeratedly widened her eyes and asked.

“What? You don’t like Jungeol Oppa? That’s harsh. Think of all the meals Oppa treated you to.”

“No, Noona! That’s not what I meant. Of course, I like him as a Hyung!”

“So you like Jungeol Oppa?”

“As a Hyung! Hyung! Hyung!”

The Manager seemed to have taken a liking to teasing Yoochan. Yoochan, realizing he was trapped, shook his head wildly and then asked Jungeol.

“Ugh, Hyung. Let’s go eat quickly. Noona keeps teasing me.”

Yoochan urged Jungeol, approaching him. Jungeol, pretending to be angry, looked at Yoochan’s expectant face and answered while leaning on the counter.

“Once the swelling goes down, we’ll wrap up and take photos of the customers.”

“Then I’ll wait with you. I don’t have anything to do anyway.”

“Let’s take a break today.”

“Why?”

Yoochan’s expression quickly darkened.

“Can’t we go out for a bit? Or I’ll bring a sandwich. We couldn’t eat together yesterday because you were working all day.”

“Eat with Taeho first.”

“Oh…”

Seeing Yoochan visibly disappointed, Taeho reacted angrily.

“Wow, Baek Yoochan, you really dislike me that much? Hyung’s feelings are hurt. I’ve been so good to you.”

“It’s not that I dislike you… It’s just that I’m so happy thinking about eating with you alone, Hyung… Ha…”

No one believed him, even with a face that looked like the world had collapsed. Jungeol stared at Yoochan, who looked deeply disappointed, and then playfully placed his hand on Yoochan’s head. Yoochan flinched slightly at the unexpected touch and looked up. Their eyes met, and Jungeol spoke.

“I have some things to think about. Let’s meet when you get your tattoo.”

There was no point in holding him back any longer.

Yoochan answered with a gloomy face. Just then, Jungeol’s customer at seat number 1 called him. Jungeol gently slid his hand from Yoochan’s head, lightly squeezed his shoulder, and let go. Yoochan watched Jungeol disappear behind the black curtain and then forcibly turned his gaze away.

The shock of the canceled intimate dinner with Jungeol was so great that Yoochan was sighing deeply even at school the next day. After a lecture that he couldn’t remember how it ended, Yoochan was sitting on the gym mat, stretching lightly, when Jinhong approached him stealthily. Jinhong seemed to have something to say, hovering around Yoochan, scratching the back of his head. Eventually, Yoochan, who was annoyed, spoke first.

“Why?”

“Well, it’s nothing, but…”

Jinhong, who seemed to have been waiting for Yoochan to speak first, quickly asked.

“Didn’t things go well with that person?”

“That person?”

“You know who.”

Jinhong whispered as he got closer.

“Ms. Jo Soonja.”

Yoochan lowered his gaze and replied.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Don’t even mention it, it’s so obvious. Your status message, profile picture, Facebook posts, they’re all because of her, right? What happened? Did Ms. Soonja say she doesn’t like you? There’s no border in love, but there’s an age difference? That’s really harsh. If age was an issue, she shouldn’t have started.”

Thanks to Jinhong’s misunderstanding, Yoochan sighed deeply, and Jinhong encouraged him.

“Just confront her, man. Don’t suffer in silence. Ha, you don’t look like it, but you’re surprisingly soft-hearted.”

When it came to his own matters, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Yoochan wasn’t the type to hold back what he wanted to say. Whether it was sports, tattoos, or love, once he was hooked, he went straight for it and never feared speaking honestly.

But that easy task didn’t go as planned in front of Jungeol. He wanted to make it obvious, but when Jungeol found out, he was scared of the aftermath and took a step back. Yoochan knew well that it didn’t look cool and seemed rather pathetic, but he had no other way.

“Yoochan, you’re getting a tattoo this week, right? When did you schedule it?”

Daehan, who seemed to know that his friends were there, approached the two with his bag on his back.

“Wow, you’re finally getting a tattoo alone?”

Jinhong, who didn’t know that Yoochan was getting a tattoo this week, quickly erased his worried face and frowned.

“You traitor. I begged you for a friendship tattoo, and you’re getting one alone. Hey, Dae-han, say something.”

“I don’t care. I have to go to work.”

“So what? It’s none of my business.”

“Oh, that punchline was honestly good.”

Yoochan, who had been serious, intervened with a fist bump.

“Right? It was good, wasn’t it?”

Jinhong, who seemed to have forgotten his sulkiness, smiled and fist-bumped Yoochan. Just then, Yoochan’s phone vibrated.

“…Oh.”

Seeing Jungeol’s name, Yoochan hurriedly checked the message. It was a question about which leopard eye color he had chosen from the various options Jungeol had sent the day before yesterday.

It wasn’t about whether he had eaten, what he had eaten if he had, or suggesting they meet for dinner tonight. It was work-related. Disappointed, but still glad to receive a message from Jungeol, Yoochan replied.

Yoochan: Hyung, you choose for me.

The number 1 disappeared. He waited for a reply, but it didn’t come. Thinking Jungeol might be busy again, Yoochan stared at the message for a while and then sent another one.

Yoochan: Hyung, choose the one you think is prettier.

Yoochan gasped. The number disappeared immediately, indicating that Jungeol had seen the message. With trembling hands, Yoochan sent another text.

Yoochan: But if it’s a bother for you, Hyung… I’ll just choose myself.

The number disappeared again right away. Yoochan’s heart swelled with excitement. The thought that Jungeol was reading his messages thrilled him, but the fear of being rejected crept in. Unable to keep watching, Yoochan closed his eyes tightly. Then his phone vibrated again.

After taking a deep breath, Yoochan slowly opened his eyes. He squinted and checked the edge of the message first. Yoochan’s eyes wavered as he read the message.

Jungeol: Sure. I’ll choose.

Jungeol: Don’t make any other plans for Saturday night. I have something to talk about.

* * *

“Next!”

At Yoochan’s loud voice, the male student at the front of the line came out hesitantly. He was slightly shorter than Yoochan but had a burly build.

Yoochan raised his arms and stepped forward without hesitation. As the male student hesitated, Yoochan’s right hand grabbed the student’s judo uniform collar tightly. The student reached for Yoochan’s uniform, but it was too late. Yoochan pulled the student close and tripped him with his calf.

“Next!”

The student who had been thrown aside moved away, and the next man stepped up to Yoochan. As the man reached out to grab Yoochan’s collar, Yoochan crossed his sleeves and turned his body.

With a light hip thrust, Yoochan flipped the man, who was holding onto him, into the air and onto the floor. The man groaned and rolled to the side, clutching his waist.

“Next!”

Without showing any signs of fatigue, Yoochan adjusted his belt and called out.

This time, the student was as tall and well-built as Yoochan. Having seen the previous two students get thrown, he approached cautiously, narrowing his eyes. Circling clockwise, he alternated extending his arms, feigning grabs at Yoochan’s collar and elbow but not committing.

Yoochan, seemingly annoyed by the student’s hesitant behavior, lowered his arms and tilted his head, standing on one leg. He was deliberately staying still. After waiting a few more seconds, Yoochan finally spoke up.

“Donhee, I told you that if you hesitate, you’ll get caught. Don’t be scared.”

“Ah, Hyung, you’re being so serious today.”

The student, called Donhee, whined.

“I have a competition next week, and I’m afraid I’ll sprain my fingers grappling with you. Last year, Kyungin’s fingernail got torn off because of you, and his uniform was covered in blood.”

It wasn’t that bad; Kyungin’s fingernail had just split a bit, leaving a small bloodstain on Yoochan’s white uniform. Yoochan chuckled at his large high school junior’s exaggeration and hid his arms behind his back.

“Okay, okay. You’re scared of grappling, right? Then you grab first.”

As soon as Yoochan finished speaking, Donhee’s expression changed, and he stepped forward, reaching for Yoochan’s collar. But Yoochan stepped back with his left foot, dodging, and hooked Donhee’s extended arm under his armpit, turning his body and tripping Donhee’s calf. Donhee fell to the floor, landing on his butt, and shouted in frustration.

“Hey, you said you’d let me grab you!”

“Yoochan Oppa is so unfair. Boo.”

The middle school girls watching from the sidelines booed, giving thumbs-down. Yoochan squinted and smiled, then stood at ease.

“Just kidding. This time, I’ll let you get a technique in. Promise.”

Donhee, who had been eyeing Yoochan suspiciously, approached slowly and grabbed Yoochan’s collar and elbow tightly.

As promised, Yoochan kept his hands behind his back and stayed still, allowing Donhee to apply a technique.

Donhee pulled Yoochan’s collar and turned his body, flipping Yoochan with a hip thrust. As Yoochan fell, he twisted his waist and grabbed Donhee’s collar. Instead of falling, Yoochan landed safely on his long legs. Realizing his mistake, Donhee watched as Yoochan quickly bent his left knee and rolled forward.

Thud.

The sound of a heavy body hitting the floor echoed as Donhee, landing on his back, winced in pain. The assistant instructor stood up and shouted loudly.

“Baek Yoochan! Take it easy! I asked you to guide the high school class, not compete!”

“I was taking it easy. Donhee isn’t in the hobby class, you know.”