LS Ch 42

He left the house to go to the practice room, but his feet felt heavy. Since his debut, it had been about seven years, and he had never felt this reluctant to go to work as he did today. He asked Jewoo several times if he would come along, but it didn’t work. Jewoo cut him off saying there was no reason for him to go since all of Yiwon’s group members would be there. After being told that he was disgusted by someone who didn’t keep work and personal life separate, Yiwon reluctantly turned away.

Upon arriving at the practice room, his group members greeted him warmly after a long time. Recently, they had been focusing more on individual activities rather than group activities, so even among members of the same group, there were those he hadn’t seen in a month. Today was a rare gathering since there was a concert organized by their agency scheduled for a month later.

“Did you finish filming the drama?”

When one of the members asked, and he answered yes, they remarked that he seemed to have lost some weight. Perhaps it was because of the stress from Jewoo disappearing without contact, but he didn’t bother to explain.

“Did you shoot the drama with that guy?”

One member asked, putting an arm around Yiwon’s shoulder and pulling him closer. When Yiwon nodded, the member grinned.

“How was it? Living with him. Was it what you expected?”

“It was even better.”

The vague expression of ‘good’ made the member’s eyes narrow.

“Something’s fishy about you.”

At the playful comment, Yiwon just laughed.

“Oh, what’s this? There’s something going on, isn’t there?”

“Later. I’ll properly introduce him when there’s a chance.”

The mention of an introduction made the other members, who were warming up nearby, gather around.

“Are you talking about Han Jewoo? Did you get close?”

Did they just get close? He wanted to say they had become more than that, but his mouth itched to speak. While he was shy around strangers, the members who had shared the ups and downs of trainee life with him were like brothers to Yiwon.

“I’ll set up a meeting soon.”

“If you bring him, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

The oldest member replied. All of Yiwon’s group members were fond of Jewoo and eager to meet him in person, knowing well how long Kang Yiwon had been interested in him.

“Yiwon.”

During dance practice, Doyoon came looking for Yiwon. At the gesture to come out for a moment, Yiwon excused himself from the members and left the practice room. As soon as the door closed, the booming music faded away.

“What’s up?”

“They want you to sing Geonhwon’s theme song from the drama OST. You’ll do it, right?”

Although he was asking for his intention, the answer was almost predetermined. When Yiwon agreed, Doyoon opened his tablet PC to check Yiwon’s schedule. Almost every day had one or two engagements, making it hard to find a free slot.

“The only thing we can skip is the concert preparation.”

Doyoon frowned, contemplating. With only a month left for the concert, the songs they had performed during their active times didn’t require new choreography or memorization. There was a performance specifically for the concert, but they’d have to ask for understanding from the members and practice separately at night.

“It’s two songs…”

Doyoon glanced at Yiwon hesitantly. Waiting quietly to hear what he had to say, Doyoon sighed lowly.

“One song is a duet. You have to sing it with Han Jewoo.”

What’s the problem with that, Yiwon thought, but Doyoon still had a troubled look.

“We’re thinking of scheduling the recording separately from him.”

At that moment, Yiwon let out a low groan, understanding that Doyoon didn’t want them to meet, having seen how anxious Yiwon had been over Jewoo.

“No need for that. Just coordinate with Jewoo’s side so we can record both songs on the same day.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

What could not be okay? Even if Jewoo hadn’t accepted him by now, Yiwon would have wanted to schedule the recording on the same day just to see him.

“I’ve been in touch with Jewoo.”

At the mention of contact, Doyoon tilted his head slightly while looking at him.

“What does that mean?”

Both his question and the look in his eyes were loaded with meaning. Yiwon just smiled without giving a direct answer.

“Kang Yiwon. Are you, by any chance…?”

Doyoon stopped speaking, frowning, after saying that much. He had tried to ask the same question not long ago but didn’t finish.

“Are we dating?”

Yiwon finished the sentence for him. Doyoon just stared at him with a stern expression.

“Well, maybe?”

Responding with a slight smile, Doyoon’s frown deepened.

“There’s no point in trying to stop you.”

Yiwon preempted before Doyoon could say anything.

“You joined the drama on purpose, didn’t you?”

This time, Yiwon answered with a laugh. Doyoon held his forehead, seeming to have a headache.

“If the CEO finds out, he’ll flip.”

“There’s no need to tell him.”

“Well, but…”

“My contract ends this year, right?”

When Yiwon asked with a grin, Doyoon’s face stiffened.

“Are you threatening with contract renewal?”

“No way.”

Though he was smiling, it was clear he would use the contract as leverage if the CEO made an issue out of his relationship with Jewoo. In the end, Doyoon raised both hands, indicating he didn’t want to get involved in this matter. Yiwon chuckled, glad that Doyoon was at least turning a blind eye, which earned him a scolding not to enchant people with his smile.

🎞️✮⋆˙

He went to the practice room around 2 PM, and by the time it ended, it was already past 7 PM. Although the schedule only had two hours allocated, it got extended because everyone got hungry, and they decided to wrap up to go for dinner.

“Eh? Are you leaving just like that? Not eating together?”

As Yiwon was quickly changing and packing up, a member grabbed him, suggesting they eat together.

“I have plans. Next time.”

“You’ve been sweating dancing; you’re not going to shower before leaving? What kind of plans do you have?”

To the member’s question, Yiwon just waved his hand dismissively and turned away. He was anxious about whether Jewoo would still be at home. Driving to a place that took less than 10 minutes, he thought about calling but decided that using that time to drive faster would be better.

Upon reaching the apartment, parking, and riding the elevator up, the floors seemed to change unusually slowly today. As soon as he opened the front door, he called out “Jewoo hyung,” but there was no answer.

Did he leave without saying anything?

Just as he was about to feel disappointed, he saw Jewoo lying on the sofa, fast asleep. Even though it was hot outside, the indoor air was chilly from the AC, yet Jewoo was sleeping in a sleeveless T-shirt. Yiwon touched his arm, confirming it was cold from the AC, but Jewoo didn’t seem to mind the cold.

Yiwon went to the bedroom to fetch a thin summer blanket and covered Jewoo with it. He didn’t know when Jewoo had fallen asleep, but he was sleeping soundly, unaware of being touched. Sitting on the floor, looking at him, Yiwon felt half inclined to wake him up for a proper conversation and half wanting to just watch him sleep because he looked so pretty.

Why do I like this person so much? Because he liked him, Jewoo seemed even more beautiful. Objectively, Han Jewoo had a very handsome face, though he seemed unaware of it. Looking at the roles he had taken, they were not the kind that fans would cheer for but roles that showcased various facets. Sometimes he played a psychopathic criminal, other times a warrior rolling in the mud, so his beautiful face didn’t stand out.

That’s why Yiwon thought Jewoo was even more remarkable. In his early to mid-twenties, when most would want to take on only cool roles, Jewoo didn’t care about that and was always true to his characters. He blended into his roles so naturally that he often went unnoticed, which was always a pity. He had both the talent and the looks, yet he wasn’t getting the recognition he deserved.

Though he never told Jewoo, Yiwon had watched every single work Jewoo had appeared in without missing any. He even remembered dramas where Jewoo had only a brief appearance.

What reaction would he get if he said he had been watching him for seven years? Would he be creeped out? He might find it repulsive, so he kept silent. Moreover, Jewoo didn’t remember him. On the day of the drama poster shoot, Jewoo acted like he was seeing Kang Yiwon for the first time.

Even though he tried not to expect much, finding out Jewoo didn’t remember him at all was disappointing.

“It took me so long to get here. Seven years, huh…”

He murmured while gently stroking Jewoo’s cheek.

Seven years ago, Jewoo still had a youthful aura and was slimmer, looking even more delicate than now. And like now, he smiled a lot back then, enchanting the clueless Yiwon.

“What do you mean by seven years ago?”

Jewoo grabbed Yiwon’s hand that was caressing his cheek. He must have woken up and heard Yiwon’s mumbling. Jewoo sat up, matching eye level with Yiwon while holding his wrist.

“Have we met before? Seven years ago?”

He asked again, looking straight into Yiwon’s eyes.