DFLT 12

It was only the beginning. They said that once the venue was decided, the detailed decisions would follow.

“I think this place would be good.”

After closely examining the photos and descriptions of the four venues, Yeonoh pointed to one and spoke. But then, didn’t Do Sehyun let out a scoff?

“How would Mr. Ji Yeonoh know? Have you gotten married here before?”

Yeonoh realized one thing that Seo Heonyoung and Do Sehyun had in common: speaking without thinking. It was clear that neither of them had a filter installed in the part of their brain responsible for language.

“…No, haha. I spoke out of turn.”

“I’ve booked tours for two places next weekend and the other two the weekend after.”

“What? We’re visiting all four?”

“Would you rather book blindly based on photos? Don’t we need to check if the transportation is convenient for guests, what the dining options are, and run simulations for everything? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime wedding.”

Right. It made no sense to choose a venue for such a significant, once-in-a-lifetime event based solely on photos. He was right. Suddenly realizing how little he knew about these things, Yeonoh felt embarrassed and lowered his head, answering softly.

“…Yes, you’re right.”

“I really wonder what hyung was thinking, dragging Mr. Ji Yeonoh into this.”

Would it have been easier if they’d worked with someone else in the secretarial office who was married? A sense of self-doubt crept in.

Only after scheduling the tours could Yeonoh finally feel free. He’d woken up early on a weekend morning to prepare, but by the time all the schedules were done, it was well past lunchtime. As Yeonoh, wilted like a piece of gum stuck to asphalt under the scorching summer sun, wandered the streets, his phone rang from his pocket. It was a call from Dojin.

“Oh, sunbae.”

—Why does our Yeon-tofu sound like that? Did someone mess with you?

“No, no. I haven’t eaten yet. I was just about to. Haha.”

—You haven’t eaten? It’s already 3 p.m.!

“I got held up with some errands.”

—No way, that won’t do. Where are you? Stay right there.

Dojin, reacting urgently to Yeonoh’s mention of not eating, asked where he was and promised to be there in 15 minutes. True to his word, he showed up with his car right on time.

Before Yeonoh knew it, he was sitting across from Dojin at a barbecue restaurant.

Staring at the raw short ribs sizzling on the grill, Yeonoh couldn’t help but lick his lips. He wanted to maintain some dignity in front of Dojin, but Ji Yeonoh, starving after missing a meal, was as instinct-driven as an Australopithecus.

“Su-sunbae, let me do it.”

Before the drool pooling at his mouth could fall, Yeonoh, with an apologetic look, stopped Dojin from naturally reaching for the tongs and scissors.

“I’m the one who suggested eating, so why are you grabbing the tongs?”

“You brought me to such a nice place, so of course I should do it. I’m good at this.”

“Tch!”

Dojin, as if training a puppy, sharply sucked in air through his lips, strongly signaling his disapproval. At company dinners, Yeonoh was always the one setting the table and flipping the meat, so sitting still and waiting felt awkward. But appreciating Dojin’s kindness, he smiled brightly and waited for the meat to cook.

“Here, this one’s done.”

Dojin placed a perfectly cooked piece of meat on Yeonoh’s plate.

“Oh, thank you!”

As Yeonoh popped the golden-brown meat into his mouth, the tender, juicy flavor burst out, melting in his mouth.

“This is so good…”

“Really? It’s tasty?”

Yeonoh, nearly moved to tears, let his words trail off in awe. Dojin’s eyes filled with pride. Nodding vigorously at Dojin’s question about the taste, Yeonoh confirmed it.

“Eat a lot.”

“You eat too, sunbae. It feels like I’m the only one eating.”

“Mm, I’m eating too.”

Starting with the meat, they had steamed eggs, rice, and stew. Though his hunger had long been satisfied, Dojin insisted on feeding Yeonoh cold noodles too, which he firmly declined. By now, the meat left on the grill was drying out, untouched, as Yeonoh was too full to eat more. Only after his primal needs were met did a lingering worry surface.

“…Sunbae, what is marriage?”

Yeonoh propped his chin on both hands, sighing as he spoke. The words had slipped out, caught in a mix of emotions.

Since Heonyoung and Sehyun’s marriage was confirmed, the thought hadn’t left his mind. Though he’d resolved to let go of his unrequited love, his feelings flipped like the palm of a hand day and night, leaving his heart aching daily.

It was for the best—use this chance to move on from a hopeless crush. He’d fall asleep with that thought, but the moment he saw Seo Heonyoung in the morning, his nerves would tense up, and the resolve he’d built overnight crumbled like a sandcastle.

On top of that, he couldn’t forget the irritated look Sehyun shot him when he’d naively picked a wedding venue. How pathetic he must have seemed. He’d joined TG vowing to learn if he didn’t know, but not knowing even this felt like he was tarnishing Heonyoung’s reputation.

Clang! A metallic sound broke his thoughts. Dojin, who’d dropped the tongs on the floor, stared at Yeonoh with a shocked expression.

“You… getting married?”

“What?”

Momentarily confused, Yeonoh realized his words could be misunderstood and opened his mouth to clarify.

“No, sunbae, that’s not—”

“With who? Since when?”

Dojin’s face looked as if he’d lost his country. Clearly, a huge misunderstanding had occurred, and Yeonoh wondered how to untangle it. Admitting it was his boss’s wedding would be like confessing his unrequited love for said boss.

Maybe he could say he was just thinking about marriage because he’s of age. As Yeonoh opened his mouth, his phone on the table lit up with an incoming call.

[Executive Director]

It was from Heonyoung. He must be curious about the meeting with the planner. Just moments ago, Yeonoh was lamenting about marriage, but seeing those three characters on the screen made his heart flutter again. He was hopeless.

“…I’ll just take this call.”

“You have to take it now?”

“…”

“Can’t you answer my question first?”

As Yeonoh searched for a suitable response, the call disconnected, only to ring again within three seconds. Dojin, glancing at Yeonoh’s troubled face, relaxed his serious expression.

“Who’s this boss tormenting you even on weekends? Now I’m really curious. Come back and tell me who it is.”

Leaving an apologetic glance, Yeonoh stepped out of the restaurant to answer.

“Yes, Executive Director.”

—Sounds like you’re outside. I heard the meeting ended earlier.

It seemed Sehyun had already updated him. Caught off guard, Yeonoh scratched his head and quickly replied.

“Yes, I had a small errand… I was going to update you in person on Monday, but about the venues—”

—Heard that too.

“Oh… I see.”

If he’d already been informed, why was Seo Heonyoung calling? Surely not just to hear his voice.

—Didn’t you hear about the fire at the Daejeon materials factory?

“What?”

Yeonoh, startled, forgot he was speaking to Heonyoung and blurted out the question. The Daejeon factory was producing their new laptop, set to launch in less than two months. Pre-orders were already taken, with online and offline sales and events planned.

Yeonoh switched to speakerphone and searched online, but no news had surfaced yet. It must be under an embargo.

—Secretary Shim is on his way. We need to head to Daejeon, so pack light and be at my place in an hour.

“…Understood.”

Yeonoh touched his forehead. He had a feeling it would be a tough day.

He politely declined Dojin’s offer to drive him home. After being treated to meat, how could he ask for a 30-minute ride? With no time for a shower due to the distance, he changed clothes, packed two days’ worth of outfits and toiletries, and rushed out.

“Hyung, Mom says we’re having chicken for dinner. Where are you going?”

Serwon, watching TV in the living room while scooping watermelon straight from the rind, looked up with a question mark above his head.

“Special assignment.”

“Again? That company works you to death. Best bang for their buck, huh, hyung?”

“Shut up. I’m going.”

Shaking his head at the teasing, Yeonoh left. A taxi would get him there on time, so he hailed one. As soon as he got in, exhaustion hit. After sweating through wedding preparations all morning and eating his fill of meat, fatigue and fullness weighed his eyelids down.