UPLB Ch 20
by soapaEven though it was a place with a single menu, it was crowded. It was dinnertime, so most tables had alcohol alongside their meals. The noise was chaotic, like being in a bustling market.
“You said you’d buy me something tasty.”
“This place is good.”
“…”
“Don’t like it?”
“No.”
Choi Sungbin answered bluntly. Every time Yang Juwon acted so cluelessly, he could hardly stand the urge to break up. Whether the food was good or not didn’t matter. Who asked to be taken to an actual “tasty” place?
Yang Juwon, that jerk. He didn’t even know why Choi Sungbin was angry, and with no chance to talk, the smell of alcohol from the next table was enough to make him feel drunk.
As he struggled to control his expression, a tarnished aluminum pot was placed in front of him. The kimchi stew, set on the table’s burner, wasn’t even properly simmering yet.
“I’ll come back to serve it, so don’t open the lid.”
The mildly unfriendly staff stirred the contents of the pot once and covered it again. Choi Sungbin lowered his head. Damn it, I’m the idiot.
Does he really not know me? When have I ever gone hunting for good restaurants?
It’s quality over quantity, and atmosphere over quality.
He didn’t have high expectations for Yang Juwon, but this was just too much. After the staff left, he finally shot him a glare. He wanted to let out all his frustration, but he didn’t want to become the side dish for the next table’s drinks.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“Didn’t I look angry earlier?”
“Yeah. You seemed angry.”
“Then don’t normal people think to resolve it through conversation?”
“…”
“Why not go somewhere quieter? I can hear the mister at the next table complaining about his life while clutching a soju bottle louder than your voice.”
Oh. Yang Juwon belatedly moved his lips. He seemed to finally realize it. It was almost impressive that he’d genuinely brought him to a “tasty” place thinking it was a good restaurant.
Why was he so clueless, needing everything spelled out? It’s infuriating.
He felt so sorry for himself for liking someone like this. No tact. Not good-looking. No sense of style. No fun. Always just opening and closing his mouth like a fish.
Ha. Choi Sungbin let out a sigh, closed his eyes tightly, and opened them again.
“Hey, Choi Sungbin.”
“Yes.”
Can’t he call me a bit more warmly? Always Choi Sungbin, Choi Sungbin. He’s practically an expert at acting stiff.
“Can’t you tell me why you’re angry? You know I’m clueless.”
“How would I know you’re clueless, sunbae?”
He knew all too well, and that was the problem. What good is being nice if he’s got no tact at all, always subtly getting on his nerves?
“I’m not quick on the uptake. So if you don’t tell me why you’re angry, I won’t know.”
“Oh, you’re completely clueless but still want to smooth things over? Don’t feel like groveling today?”
“That’s not it…”
“…”
“I want to resolve this. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
His calm response left Choi Sungbin speechless. Honestly, he didn’t even know why he was this angry. Earlier, he was almost seeing red. He hadn’t meant to, but he’d hit Yang Juwon in the chest with the book’s corner.
It felt unfair. He didn’t think it was his fault. He’d just gone to see Yang Juwon at work out of pure intentions. Just to see how blankly he’d be sitting there, staring into space.
But damn… Choi Sungbin bit his lip as he mulled over his thoughts.
Did he think I went to watch him flirt with a girl?
Acting like he knows how to talk to girls. Not only that, but touching each other’s heads, fumbling hands, and practically about to kiss if it went any further.
“…”
He clenched his fist tightly. Before, he wasn’t always acting like a complete fool. He’d responded smoothly to Hyena’s invitation to drinks, and he didn’t back down when Changsu openly picked a fight. His mouth felt bitter, so he sipped water to soothe it.
“Don’t talk to people there, whether they’re guys or girls.”
“How can I not talk to them? We work together.”
“Then date her.”
“Why are you like this?”
A server approached their table, placing a cola on it and pointing to the counter.
“The owner said to give this to the handsome young men.”
Choi Sungbin glanced at the counter. A friendly-looking middle-aged woman was smiling. He deliberately flashed her a charming smile. He was used to this kind of hospitality in restaurants.
“Thank you.”
Yang Juwon thanked the server. Choi Sungbin, who had been smiling at the owner, quickly returned to his sulky expression. The server opened the pot’s lid, grabbed the ladle sitting there, and stirred the contents. She told them to wait three more minutes before eating and then disappeared.
With steam rising from the simmering kimchi stew, their conversation continued.
“So, you don’t like me talking to other people?”
Saying yes would hurt his pride, and saying no made him feel like he’d go crazy just thinking about watching Yang Juwon flirt again.
Was this how it always was? The people he’d dated before didn’t care if he had a partner. So why did it drive him nuts just seeing Yang Juwon talk to someone else?
Choi Sungbin held out his cup. Yang Juwon opened the cola and filled it. Seeing him do what he was told without complaint made it seem like there was some demand for him. Who wouldn’t like being treated like royalty?
His face wasn’t exactly to his taste, but with so many unattractive guys out there, Yang Juwon was decent enough. Plus, he was tall.
He stared at him with a displeased expression. He’d better make things clear.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not trying to hit on that girl from earlier, right? You’re not the type women fall for. Who’d date someone like you? I’m only with you because it’s me. Those tricks are so outdated.”
“What tricks?”
“I saw you holding hands earlier. And asking her to touch your hair.”
“You ask me to touch your cheek.”
“Stop talking back, seriously. Before I go home.”
Choi Sungbin gritted his teeth as he spoke. Yang Juwon grabbed the ladle and held out his hand.
“Give me your bowl. I’ll serve you.”
Choi Sungbin handed over his bowl. Once he started, the complaints wouldn’t stop.
“And can’t you at least say you won’t do it? Why do you act like you’ve never been in a relationship?”
Yang Juwon, who was ladling the kimchi stew, paused and looked up. What? When scolded, he resumed what he was doing. Taking the bowl, Choi Sungbin sipped the broth.
“…”
Honestly, it was tasty, but Yang Juwon’s taste was so old-man-like and lame.
“By the way, I’m not that close with Ms. Hayoung.”
“You even know her name?”
“She was just taking paper out of my hair. I couldn’t ask her to throw it away after she removed it.”
“You’ve got legs. You could’ve gone to the bathroom to take it off. Why ask her to do it?”
“…Just eat for now.”
Choi Sungbin shook his head side to side. Feeling a bit awkward, he quietly ate. He decided to admit he’d been a bit obsessive.
He didn’t usually act this childish, so why was he like this? Everything was annoying, from start to finish. The countless stars in the night sky above must have been a dream. Reality was eating kimchi stew in an old restaurant.
Choi Sungbin looked at his wrist. A bracelet studded with stars caught his eye. It definitely wasn’t a dream.
Still sulky, he cautiously asked, “…Does your chest hurt a lot?”
“What chest?”
“From earlier, with the book.”
“Oh.”
Yang Juwon seemed to have forgotten already. Choi Sungbin felt like he was the only one holding a grudge. He clamped his mouth shut to keep from sighing.
“It’s fine.”
“Okay.”
Choi Sungbin poked at the side dishes, picking at the kimchi. Why give meat and no kimchi?
After eating well and leaving, his mood lifted a bit. He still acted a little angry. As soon as they left the restaurant, Yang Juwon pointed to an ice cream shop across the street and bought him ice cream.
It wasn’t until he bit into the sweet vanilla ice cream that Choi Sungbin’s anger finally subsided. He realized his anger faded when Yang Juwon focused all his attention on him.
Yang Juwon was annoying, but he was being just as pathetic. So childish.
They walked familiarly into the alley toward home. Yang Juwon, who had been walking silently, stopped under a streetlight. Choi Sungbin stopped beside him.
Clearing his throat briefly, the man continued.
“It’s hard not to talk to people I work with. We’ll be together for at least two months.”
“So?”
“Just saying… And if I say I’ll avoid talking and then we meet again, you’ll feel bad, right? Since I didn’t keep my promise.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“Want to try this?”
Yang Juwon held out the ice cream he was eating. Green tea flavor.
Choi Sungbin, still pretending to be upset, showed a sulky expression. Then he slowly opened his mouth and ate the ice cream. Yang Juwon smiled. Why was he smiling?
“…Cute.”
He muttered softly. Choi Sungbin wanted to ask what was cute but held back. For someone so clueless, his effort to smooth things over was admirable, so he let it slide.
“Just behave yourself.”
“Got it.”
“I hate childish behavior like that. Trying to make me jealous on purpose.”
“…”
“…”
The man made a strange expression. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t scowl. Nor did he look serious. He seemed to be mulling over what was said.
Choi Sungbin, meeting his gaze, realized the meaning of his own words. Telling him not to make him jealous meant he was jealous.
Sure enough, Yang Juwon asked, “Were you jealous?”
“No.”
He answered as soon as the words were out. Right. Yang Juwon muttered to himself.
He was jealous. He was so angry he nearly lost it. Honestly, he wanted to break up.
He didn’t know why he had to get so worked up over a guy like Yang Juwon. In the past, the person he’d have been interested in wouldn’t be a dull guy like Yang Juwon but the woman next to him. Yang Juwon wouldn’t even have been on his radar, not worth a second thought.
“I got annoyed because you were wearing the clothes I bought you to flirt with a girl.”
“Uh…”
“If you do it again.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll break up with you.”
Yang Juwon didn’t respond and started walking again. The dark night hid his expression. Why no reaction?
Was he upset about the breakup comment? Why was he suddenly quiet?
Choi Sungbin hurriedly followed his steps. He held out the hand with the ice cream.
“Switch with me. I want to eat that one.”
“Okay.”
Yang Juwon swapped without hesitation. Not seeing his expression made Choi Sungbin anxious. He wiped his lips once and moved closer to him.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“Show me your face.”
Only then did he look up. It was the usual face. That was a relief.
Choi Sungbin, with a displeased look, watched the man occupying a corner of the room. Even after eating so much kimchi stew, he still seemed unsatisfied. On the way home, Yang Juwon stopped at a convenience store. Saying he’d drink lightly, he bought six cans of beer and stood at the counter. Maybe because he had no friends, drinking alone seemed natural to him.
Tch—. He opened the can, and foam rose.
Drunkard jerk.
Acting like he wants to chug alcohol.
Even with Choi Sungbin there, Yang Juwon played a variety show on his phone. Everyone was laughing and chatting, but he wasn’t even smiling. He took a sip of beer and ate some snacks.
‘Can’t he see me?’
Sitting there idly, Choi Sungbin finally spoke up.
“Is that what you call drinking lightly?”
“I’ve got work tomorrow.”
“You’re not going to drink all of those, are you?”
Only then did the man’s gaze turn to him. The silence was affirmative, and Choi Sungbin bit his lip. What, it’s fine to drink?
But why was he eating and watching a video alone while Choi Sungbin was sitting there staring at him?
Was he used to this now? Or was he upset about something said? He seemed fine.
Everything was just so annoying.
“And why are you watching a video while drinking?”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m in the same space as you, so why are you drinking while watching a video? You could just talk to me.”
Yang Juwon didn’t respond. Choi Sungbin, used to this frustration, let it go. After pouting for a moment, he finally spoke.
“Don’t you want to drink?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Choi Sungbin deliberately jutted out his chin. He glared at the man with all his might. Did he have to spell it out?
If he was going to drink, why not talk with him instead of silently watching a variety show?
Yang Juwon stayed put for a moment before pausing the video. The noisy chatter stopped, and Choi Sungbin crawled to sit across from him.
“Want to talk?”
“About what?”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to drink and chat.”
If he said no, Choi Sungbin would take all the beer and throw it out.
Reading his expression carefully, Yang Juwon nodded. Of course. Choi Sungbin almost smiled but reached for an unopened can instead. He opened it, and with a sss—, foam rose.
“I’ll have some too.”
“You can’t handle alcohol well.”
“Not much.”
Choi Sungbin took a tiny sip and pulled away. Ugh, it tastes bad. He couldn’t understand why anyone would drink this.
“Ugh, it’s gross. Why do you drink this stuff? It’s bad for you. You’ll die early drinking like that.”
“…”
“They say beer causes gout.”
Yang Juwon drank his beer without responding.
“You’re not going to get alcohol-related dementia, are you? You drink a lot, sunbae. Never blacked out?”
“Blacked out?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re the one who blacked out.”
“…”
He frowned as soon as the words were out. It wasn’t wrong, but why did he have to talk back? He wasn’t even being mean. Why get upset when he was just worried?
“Why are you being sarcastic?”
“I’m not being sarcastic. I’m stating a fact.”
“…”
“And you’re the one complaining about me drinking while you’re doing it too.”
“I don’t want to hear nagging from someone who downs five or six bottles of soju. If you’re going to drink, go out and do it, not in front of me.”
Of course, if Yang Juwon went to drink alone, Choi Sungbin would follow.
He didn’t want to nag, but it kept coming out. He wanted to match his mood and talk while drinking, but it ended up like this.
As the conversation dragged on, Yang Juwon finally clamped his mouth shut and furrowed his brow. It seemed like an instinctive reaction, barely noticeable.
Choi Sungbin stopped talking and watched him. Wow, he could make that expression too. Somehow, it wasn’t bad—it was amusing.
“Let’s cheers.”
Raising the beer he’d barely touched, Yang Juwon lifted his can with a reluctant look. Choi Sungbin let out a clink— and giggled. Why was this so funny?
Listening to Yang Juwon frown and grumble kept making him laugh. It was probably because he thought it was okay to some extent.
He wanted to do more.
“You’re making such a face just because I nagged a bit?”
“You don’t usually drink, so why suddenly start?”
“You’re complaining even when I drink with you, seriously.”
“…You don’t have to drink with me.”
Choi Sungbin took another sip of the beer. Ugh, it tastes bad. Naturally, he asked why anyone would drink this stuff, and Yang Juwon didn’t respond. Instead, he hunched his shoulders and ate the snacks bought as a side.
That posture made him look even more pitiful.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“Sit up straight. Straighten your back too.”
At those words, Yang Juwon slowly straightened his back. It was much better than when he was slouched. Choi Sungbin always complained about his looks, but he couldn’t understand why a decent-looking guy was so withdrawn.
“Why do you always let your bangs grow out?”
“Just because. No real reason. I don’t care much about it.”
“Could you even see?”
“If I can’t see, I just push my bangs back.”
Choi Sungbin pictured the man brushing back his long bangs. People around him might have been surprised. Who would’ve thought a face like that was hiding behind the curtain of hair?
Ugh, it pissed him off.
“Why do you always wear hoodies and oversized jackets?”
“I don’t care about that either.”
“Everything’s ‘I don’t care.’ No wonder you’re not popular.”
Choi Sungbin saw the snack in the man’s hand and opened his mouth with an “ah.” Yang Juwon looked between the snack and him before putting it in his mouth. He hated using snacks as a side for drinks, but he was too full to want anything else.
“Keep feeding me snacks.”
“Now?”
“Just give me some while you’re eating.”
“Got it.”
Yang Juwon had already finished a can of beer. He wasn’t an alcoholic, so was there a need to chug it like that? As he reached for another can from the fridge, Choi Sungbin handed him the beer he was drinking.
“Drinking like that, you’ll disappear without a trace. And if you drink that much at once, your face will be all puffy in the morning, and you’re already not…”
“Eat this.”
Yang Juwon shoved a snack into his mouth. He fed him three in a row without stopping. Choi Sungbin had asked to be fed, not to have his mouth stuffed to shut him up, but he obediently ate anyway.
“Sunbae, why do you like me?”
Feeling awkward just eating snacks, he stole a few sips of Yang Juwon’s beer and was already tipsy. He rocked his head back and forth, leaning against the wall.
Yang Juwon drank his beer without answering. Choi Sungbin furrowed one brow.
“Can’t you just say it? Nothing comes to mind? It’s not that hard, is it?”
“No, no.”
“Then why aren’t you saying anything?”
“I was thinking about how to say it so you’d like it.”
“Not me. The me that you like.”
The man’s short eyelashes lowered briefly. Even through the buzz, his face was far from pretty. It felt a bit pitiful, maybe…
Like a stray dog at a countryside house. Kind of sad, pitiable, making you want to look at it more, play with it one more time. Yang Juwon was exactly that type.
“Just… my eyes kept going to you. At first, it might’ve been your looks, but since you’re so different from me, I kept looking.”
“How is it now that we’re together? Do you like me more?”
Feeling an inexplicable tension, Choi Sungbin gauged his reaction. At some point, he’d started caring about his mood.
“…Cute.”
“That’s it? Don’t you think I’m, like, kinder lately…?”
Why doesn’t he say he loves me? Is it not that serious anymore? Questions piled up in his head.
If anything, he seemed nicer lately. He used to act recklessly, but not now. Or at least less so.
Choi Sungbin clenched and unclenched his fist. Why did he have to say something today? Ugh.
It was all just lowering his own score. But if he went back, he’d probably do it again.
He wanted Yang Juwon to stay by his side. Only by his side. To care only about him, focus only on him, look only at him.
The inexplicable anxiety and jealousy stemmed from that. Naturally, it couldn’t always be that way.
He wasn’t joking at all; he thought he’d lose it.
“Hahaha.”
Yang Juwon suddenly burst out laughing. Choi Sungbin lifted his head from leaning against the wall. There wasn’t a single thing to laugh about, so why?
He continued.
“You’re not exactly kind.”
“…What?”
Flabbergasted, he asked back, but Yang Juwon just kept drinking. He was definitely drunk. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be laughing and talking nonsense.
He’s drunk. Definitely drunk.
“Are you drunk?”
He shook his head.
“I’m a bit tipsy, but I’m fine.”
“You seem drunk.”
“I’m not. Why do you think I’m drunk?”
“Can’t you see I’m trying?”
“Trying what?”
“To be nice.”
Hahaha, Yang Juwon burst out laughing again. He didn’t laugh often, so when he did, it made Choi Sungbin smile too. But not now.
It felt like he had a ticking time bomb in his mouth, and he was anxious about what he’d say next.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“…”
“I know everything.”
“Know what?”
“That you’ve got a bad personality. So you don’t have to…”
Damn, is he really my boyfriend?
“What do you know to be blabbing about?”
Choi Sungbin finally hardened his expression and lowered his voice. Was this guy crazy? He knew it was childish to get annoyed after asking questions, but being clueless was a crime too. Who asked for a personality evaluation right now? Talking about his personality when he was the one following people around.
He stood up. He grabbed the beer Yang Juwon was drinking and poured it down the sink. An “uhh—” followed, a dumb sound.
It was the last can, and there wasn’t much left. Drinking six cans of beer made him lose all sense and spew nonsense.
Choi Sungbin leaned against the sink.
“Your personality’s not great either, sunbae.”
“Why are you suddenly mad?”
“You’re the one acting like a psycho and stalking, but you don’t care about that and call my personality bad. Who asked about my personality? If it’s so bad, why are we dating? I’ll go find someone with a good personality.”
“…Are you mad?”
“Yeah, I’m really pissed off.”
That jerk. Choi Sungbin deliberately showed he was upset. It wasn’t time to sleep, and he didn’t want to, but he went straight to the bedding.
He lay down with his back to Yang Juwon. He closed his eyes. His attention was entirely on the sounds behind him. There was rustling.
It took longer than expected. This wasn’t right.
‘Why isn’t he comforting me?’
He quietly opened his eyes. He stared at the yellowed wallpaper, stained with time. The place was so small that even if he was upset or sulking, it was just a step away.
“Sungbin-ah.”
A gentle voice called as arms wrapped around his shoulders, and Choi Sungbin’s body stiffened. It was rare for Yang Juwon to call him Sungbin instead of Choi Sungbin. He could probably count the times on his fingers.
His mind went blank, and he widened his eyes. A breath came closer. Weight naturally settled on his shoulder.
He wanted to be comforted, but not like this. This guy was trying to smooth things over with physical affection.
His shoulder muscles tensed, starting from the back of his neck. Choi Sungbin finally sat up. He faced the man.
“…”
Seeing Yang Juwon’s eyes wide with surprise, he realized something was off. Did he overreact? But he started it.
He couldn’t hide his flustered voice.
“Why, why are you getting so close?”
“…Just wanted to see your face.”
“You were going to kiss me.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Liar…”
Denying it made him even angrier. Was it wrong for a couple to kiss? Seeing him wave his hands in panic made his frustration boil.
Anyone would think he was forced every time. Which was true. Yang Juwon had never initiated.
…This wasn’t right, was it?
“I’m not mad. If I get mad here, it just makes my personality worse, right?”
“Why are you talking like that?”
“I said I’m not mad. What’s wrong?”
Despite clearly showing he was upset, he denied it when asked. Ugh, so childish. He knew he was being ridiculous. What he was doing was straight-up psycho.
If Yang Juwon didn’t pay attention to him, it sucked. If he did, it sucked too.
He looked at the floor for a moment before raising his gaze. The eyes of the man he always thought was dumb shone today.
Was he always like this? Or did he look that way because Choi Sungbin liked him? Could emotions change how someone looked?
As he stared with a sulky face, Yang Juwon reached out. He gently held his hand.
Choi Sungbin stayed still. He wasn’t going anywhere, so why hold on? The problem was he was helplessly giving everything to this man.
Maybe he was just feeling hurt. That’s probably why he was angrier. The dissatisfaction, calling him unattractive, treating him worse than others—it was all because he felt hurt.
So dumb. He hated this feeling. For a guy like this…
“It’s just you, as you are, that doesn’t matter. Even if your personality’s a bit rough, it’s fine. That’s what I wanted to say.”
His face flushed. How could he say such embarrassing things without changing his expression? Was it his nature? Or was it because they grew up differently?
He said he grew up with loving parents. They’d stroke their son’s cheek, whisper goodnight, and even now, they’d send side dishes so their grown son wouldn’t go hungry.
Choi Sungbin’s upbringing was completely different. He felt ashamed of that. As if his messed-up personality was all because of a lacking environment.
“…”
Choi Sungbin looked at the man silently. Do you like me that much? Do you like everything I do? Even if I’m mean or get annoyed, can you accept it all? How long will you accept it? Forever? What if it becomes a habit? What if I can’t live without you, sunbae? Questions he wanted to pour out piled up.
He couldn’t ask them all. Instead, he muttered with his head lowered.
“…Hug me.”
The man rustled closer and embraced him. He wasn’t drunk, but the beer made his body warmer than usual. His breath was a bit uneven too.
Choi Sungbin quietly accepted the hand slowly stroking his back. No matter how he thought about it, he was glad it was this man. With that thought, he closed his eyes.
He slowly pulled away from the embrace. Choi Sungbin naturally grabbed his cheeks. Their noses brushed as he tilted his head.
He lightly pressed their lips together and pulled away. Watching the man move away from the embrace, he shifted his gaze.
His anger was gone. With a softened voice, he called out.
“Sunbae.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you need anything?”
Emotionally, he knew he was lacking, so he wanted to make up for it materially. But Yang Juwon shook his head. Why didn’t he need anything? He seemed to need a lot.
Was he not greedy or just clueless? Choi Sungbin looked at him disapprovingly and clicked his tongue.
“Oh.”
The man spoke a beat late. Did he need something? Choi Sungbin tilted his head.
“I want to see your place.”
“…My place?”
“Yeah…”
Choi Sungbin rubbed his palm with his fingers while clenching his fist, repeating the motion.
No one had ever been to his place. Except for the housekeeper who maintained it, no one he knew personally had ever set foot there.
Even Hyena, who he’d known for a long time, had been upset about that, hadn’t she?
If he had to give a reason, it was habit. A hotel wasn’t home, so they could spend time and part naturally afterward. For casual relationships, he couldn’t let things get too personal.
Letting someone into his private space was quite a burden. As he stayed silent, Yang Juwon let out an “oh” and parted his lips.
“If it’s a hassle, it’s fine…”
“Let’s go tomorrow.”
It’d be fine, right? They were lovers.
“I drank tonight, so after work tomorrow, I’ll pick you up, sunbae. We’ll go to my place and sleep there. I’ll drop you off at school in the morning.”
“Sounds good?”
He stared at the smiling face. He seemed to enjoy these small moments of conversation.
But Choi Sungbin had never done that. If someone was upset, it was easier to give an expensive gift than apologize.
“…”
What was there to like about this? It was just a house. They were always together.
If he’d known Yang Juwon would like it this much, he would’ve suggested it first. It was just a habit, not some grand meaning.
Choi Sungbin pictured his place. It was several times larger than this one, but it was a studio with a sliding door. At least he could see everything Yang Juwon was doing.
“I’m happy you’re taking me to your place.”
“If you’re happy, you can give me a kiss.”
“My breath probably smells like beer from drinking so much.”
“If I cared about that, I wouldn’t have drunk six cans of beer at home…”
Before he could finish, Yang Juwon leaned in and pressed his lips against his. Earlier, he’d stuffed snacks in his mouth; now it was his lips.
It was surprising but not bad.
📝
The weather wasn’t great. Like most summers, some days were so hot and humid it was hard to stand still, while others were drenched in pouring rain all day.
Standing in the College of Social Sciences lobby, Choi Sungbin glanced out the window. Was it going to rain? It was fine when he left.
He’d come to pick up an assignment he’d submitted since the timing worked out before meeting Yang Juwon.
“Come to the main gate after you’re done. I’ll be there on time.”
The library where Yang Juwon worked didn’t have parking spots even during the break unless you went early in the morning. It was easier to spend some time here and pick him up. The main gate was closer to his place too.
When was the last time he went home? It had been at least two weeks. He’d stopped by before the exam period to grab something and hadn’t been back since.
It was just going home, but going with someone felt unfamiliar. Especially with Yang Juwon, of all people. What was the big deal? He was a bit excited.
What was so special about taking him home? He could just think of it as a hotel. It was just a house. The excitement wasn’t great.
What should they do at home? Should they eat there, buy food on the way, or eat before going?
Ugh, annoying.
Worrying about this stuff was irritating. Yang Juwon probably didn’t even care. That guy…
They’d argued about clothes this morning too. While sneaking glances, Yang Juwon tried to wear the clothes he’d bought him, but Choi Sungbin took them away, so he went to work in his usual shabby outfit.
“Trying to look good for someone, that jerk…”
He ended up muttering a curse. Wear them on a date or something. At home, he wore clothes that barely passed as clothes.
He stopped by the department office to pick up his assignment. The weather was still muggy. Was it going to rain?
It didn’t matter much. He could just drive.
The problem was Yang Juwon. He couldn’t remember if he’d brought an umbrella this morning.
The weather was fine when Choi Sungbin left, so Yang Juwon likely didn’t bring one either. It’d be nice if it didn’t rain before they met, but even if it did, well, he wasn’t an idiot—he’d buy an umbrella.
“…”
He was meeting Yang Juwon at the main gate, so he had some time. Should he go to the campus café or wait at Yang Juwon’s place and pick him up? He didn’t want to go to the library. There was no place to park, and if it rained, moving would be a hassle.