IPSTDS Side Story Chapter 3

Side Story Chapter 3

There were more people visible outside the café window than usual. Couples especially stood out.

Maybe it was because it was Friday night. Everyone’s faces seemed filled with anticipation, ready to enjoy the evening. Nahyuk found himself watching them with envy.

Just then, the sound of the door chime rang. As he turned his gaze, he saw a tall man walking toward him—even from afar, his presence was striking.

It was Kim Daon, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.

“Hyung, did you wait long?”

“No, I just got here too.”

Kim Daon sat across from him, scanning the surroundings as if checking whether anyone might interrupt their meeting.

What he probably didn’t realize was that everyone in the café was already looking at him.

Daon didn’t seem to care at all about the attention on him. That set him apart from men like Lee Kangil and Seo Dowoong, who were always overly aware of such gazes.

“Kangil’s not here, if that’s what you’re worried about. He didn’t follow me today—he left on a business trip overseas a few days ago.”

Only then did Kim Daon look relieved.

Kangil usually tagged along whenever Nahyuk met with Daon. The only exceptions were when unavoidable business trips like this came up.

“Wow, Kangil’s center must be doing really well.”

“Well… he’s even been on the news a lot, so yeah, I guess it is.”

Seeing the person you love succeed was a joy.

And yet, the more Kangil’s name spread, the more an inexplicable anxiety gnawed at Nahyuk.

Too many people knew just how exceptional his boyfriend was.

He had a face that appealed to everyone, regardless of age or gender. On top of that, he was talented, came from a good family… the only flaw was his less-than-perfect personality. But even that gave him a certain charm, the kind that drew people in to a “bad boy” image.

How many temptations must be coming his way?

A wave of gloom washed over him. Nahyuk let out a deep sigh without realizing it.

He was jealous instead of simply blessing Kangil’s success. Again, he sighed as if the ground would swallow him up.

“Kangil’s doing great—so why are you sighing? Don’t tell me he’s making you feel lonely?”

“….”

Daon’s quick perception left Nahyuk fumbling for an answer.

“I wouldn’t make you feel lonely, you know. I don’t have overseas business trips or anything like that.”

“You…”

“I’m still waiting for you, hyung.”

It had already been a year since he’d rejected Daon’s confession and chosen to maintain a hyung-dongsaeng relationship instead.

He’d even avoided seeing him often, worried it might be hard for Daon to let go of his feelings.

Today’s meeting was unavoidable—it was work-related. Ever since Nahyuk had connected Daon with Yoon Taesik, they occasionally crossed paths.

But despite all that effort, it seemed Daon hadn’t been able to move on.

Why couldn’t someone so perfect—even in personality—let go of him? Nahyuk couldn’t understand it.

“I told you not to do this. Find someone else…”

Before he could finish, Daon cut in.

“I have been meeting other people, just like you said. You know I listen to you, hyung.”

Nahyuk didn’t think he was lying. Daon probably was making the effort.

“But no matter what, you’re still the one I like most. I can’t change that. My feelings won’t listen to me.”

Yeah… someone like that isn’t easy to find.

But Daon, someday you’ll meet another person like that. I did too.

Nahyuk thought back to the colleague he had once loved so deeply—so much that even his name had faded now.

Back then, he hadn’t been sure if he could ever love anyone else. But somehow, he had met Kangil and ended up loving him.

He firmly believed Daon would one day experience a similar miracle.

“Alright, I won’t push you.”

“You say that, but do you know how flustered your face looks right now? It’s seriously cute. But fine, I won’t burden you with more. I don’t want us getting kicked out of the café.”

“Then should we get to what we were supposed to discuss today?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

Nahyuk explained the proposal Yoon Taesik had brought up.

As usual, it was about collaborating with Taekwang Construction’s hotels, given Daon’s popularity as a star cooking YouTuber.

Their previous collaborations had been so successful that Yoon Taesik was aggressively courting him for more. Daon didn’t shrink from the growing spotlight either.

Even though he’d said he wouldn’t be tied down with things like business trips, at this rate, overseas offers would surely follow.

“But shouldn’t you be talking to the marketing team about this? I’m in design—doesn’t it feel weird that you always come to me?”

“What’s the problem? You’re the one who connected us, so you have to take responsibility.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Kangil clearly hated me meeting with you privately. But… he’s been more considerate lately, so maybe it won’t be a problem.

Nahyuk narrowed his eyes. His physical frustration was starting to weigh on his mind too.

Was he really this pent-up? He almost felt like he was discovering a new side of himself.

His frown gave him away.

“If it’s too hard, tell me. I’ll comfort you without burdening you.”

Daon seemed convinced something was wrong.

“No, nothing’s wrong. You know I’ve gotten a lot healthier, right? When you’re healthy, the world really does look different.”

But Daon brushed past his words and replied,

“Anyway, what are you doing this weekend? Let’s have lunch together. Just lunch—dinner would feel like cheating. Just until the sun sets. You’re too skinny, it worries me.”

“I don’t…”

“I’ll cook your favorite dish.”

Wait—Daon’s cooking. That was tempting.

Nahyuk really loved Daon’s cooking. But because of Kangil, he hadn’t tasted it in a long time.

Kangil wasn’t coming back until Monday anyway, so maybe one weekend day would be fine…

Still, he should tell him in advance. And make sure the location was at his own house.

“Alright. Let’s do it at my place. Not yours.”

“Of course. You can even invite all the staff. Manager Song is doing well, right?”

“He’s fine.”

“Wow, awesome. It’s been a while since I’ve been to your ridiculously big house.”

“How long are you going to keep teasing me about that ‘ridiculously big house’?”

“Until you accept my feelings?”

Daon hummed a tune playfully after the joke.

Nahyuk sighed out of habit, wondering if maybe he should cancel Daon’s visit while he still had the chance.

* * *

While Nahyuk was lost in thought, time passed quickly and it was already the next morning—the weekend morning that Kim Daon had promised.

‘Could he already be here?’

After oversleeping, Nahyuk only splashed some water on his face and stepped out of his room. The moment he did, a delicious aroma reached his nose.

It seemed Daon had come early in the morning to cook. That guy really wasn’t one for sleeping in.

As soon as he went downstairs, he saw the household staff gathered around the kitchen. Every one of them was looking at Kim Daon with affectionate eyes.

He could almost hear them saying, If I had a son like that, I could die without regrets.

A handsome man who woke up early to cook a delicious meal.

‘If I had a son like that, I’d have no regrets either.’

Without realizing it, Nahyuk smiled as he walked up behind Daon.

“What are you making?”

“Hyung, you’re up? I’m making your favorite—an entire Korean full-course meal.”

Daon set down the ladle he was holding and turned toward him. Without hesitation, he reached out and lifted Nahyuk’s pajama top, which had slipped slightly.

“I—I can do that myself.”

Nahyuk hurriedly fixed his collar, but Daon’s hand had already brushed past his collarbone. Pretending innocence, Daon only flashed his harmless eye smile, though his gesture had been lightly flirtatious.

“Well… I’d love it if you showed your collarbone to me, but there are a lot of other eyes here besides mine.”

“Who’s even looking at my collarbone…?”

My staff are all staring at you, not me.

Daon chuckled and guided Nahyuk to the dining table. Then, like a flying squirrel, he quickly brought out a steaming cup of tea.

“Sit down and wait a bit. Have some hot tea in the meantime.”

Holding the teacup, Nahyuk watched Daon’s back as he worked in the kitchen.

If only Kangil were the one standing there instead… he thought, harboring a truth he could never bring himself to say to Daon.