LS Ch 50

Contrary to his words, Jewoo couldn’t see Yiwon’s face for the next three days. Although he said they could use the recording studio starting today, things weren’t that simple. The acquaintance lending them the studio would have their own schedule, and Kang Yiwon was busy. He was preparing for an upcoming concert and catching up on other tasks that had been postponed during the drama filming, making him seem overwhelmed.

“Heading home now. Can I call you? I want to hear your voice.”

It was past 11 PM when Jewoo received a message saying Yiwon was finally off work. He sighed softly. Today must have been particularly busy, as Yiwon’s usually frequent messages had been fewer than normal. Jewoo wondered if he had eaten properly.

Instead of replying, Jewoo pressed the call button. The phone barely rang before Yiwon’s voice said, “Hello.”

“You’re home late. Did you have dinner?”

Given the time, Yiwon should have had dinner and maybe even a late-night snack, but Jewoo asked just in case.

“Sort of. With the members at the practice room.”

“What kind of practice goes this late?”

Jewoo expressed his concern, and Yiwon laughed.

“As a trainee, I practiced even later. Sometimes I’d sneak in and practice alone until 3 or 4 AM.”

That meant Yiwon had been doing this since middle school. Being an idol wasn’t easy; it required such dedication. Perhaps it was this passion that made Kang Yiwon who he was today.

“You’ll collapse from exhaustion.”

“Are you worried about me?”

Yiwon seemed pleased that Jewoo was concerned about him. Despite having been out all day until 11 PM, his voice was cheerful.

“Make sure to eat well. You need to keep your strength up.”

“I should be worried about you. Now that the drama is over, are you eating properly?”

During filming, Jewoo had deliberately eaten less to avoid looking bloated. Remembering this, he laughed weakly.

“I’m eating well.”

“What did you eat today?”

Jewoo couldn’t answer right away. He had woken up late and skipped breakfast. For lunch, being alone, he had just a salad from the fridge. He spent the day reviewing a script he got from work and watching a movie he hadn’t seen yet. It was past 8 PM when he felt hungry and had a simple meal with side dishes from the fridge.

He hadn’t moved much all day and didn’t feel hungry. He only ate when he felt like it. Reflecting on his day, Jewoo realized he wasn’t in a position to lecture Yiwon.

“No answer? You didn’t eat properly either, huh?”

The laughter disappeared from Yiwon’s voice in an instant.

“I was home all day. Unlike you.”

It’s not different. That won’t do. From tomorrow, take a picture of everything you eat and send it to me.

“Is that really necessary?”

If you don’t, I’ll buy food and bring it to you myself.

The threat made Jewoo chuckle.

“You don’t even know where I live.”

If I wanted to, I could find out anytime. I’ve never been there, but Sihyeon hyung said he has.

Yiwon recalled a conversation with Sihyeon and Yejun during drama filming. Sihyeon, whom they had known before the shoot, had once visited Jewoo’s home. It was just a passing comment, but Yiwon had remembered.

Thinking about it, this is too much. Sihyeon hyung has been there, but as your boyfriend, I haven’t even been invited yet.

The conversation was taking an odd turn. A moment ago, Jewoo had been worried about Yiwon’s health, but now, it had somehow turned into Yiwon’s jealousy flaring up.

“Come over next time. Whenever you have time.”

Not that he thought that time would ever come.

Then I’ll go tomorrow.

“Tomorrow?”

He hadn’t expected such an immediate response, and his voice shot up.

What’s with that reaction? Were you just inviting me out of politeness?

The perceptive guy caught on just from Jewoo’s tone, as if he were standing right in front of him. Jewoo let out an awkward laugh.

“It’s not like that.”

Do you have work tomorrow?

“Yeah.”

Then how are you planning to come over?

I was just saying that to see how you’d react.

Jewoo sighed at the ridiculous reason but let it go, only for Yiwon to continue.

Hyung, you don’t have any other schedules tomorrow, right? Make some time. I think we can use the recording studio.

The topic of the recording studio came up again. It wasn’t strictly necessary—Jewoo just needed someone to check if he was singing the song correctly. He had been listening to the track on repeat, but he wasn’t entirely confident. He only needed someone to point things out, but Yiwon insisted that since they were practicing anyway, they should use the recording studio.

How about 4 p.m.? I’ll come pick you up.

“No need. Just send me the address, and I’ll go by myself.”

He wasn’t a kid, and Yiwon was already busy enough without having to chauffeur him around. Yiwon didn’t argue further when Jewoo assured him he could manage on his own.

I wish time would go by faster. I’m dying from not seeing you for a few days.

Jewoo smiled at Yiwon’s whining. He liked Yiwon best at times like this—when he was different from his on-screen persona, when he felt more real, more human.

Hyung, don’t you miss me?

“Well…”

Three days apart wasn’t enough to make a fuss over. Just as he was about to give a half-hearted reply, Yiwon immediately caught on.

It’s always just me who misses you. Always just me who loves you more.

“That’s not true.”

Then say it.

Jewoo blinked, unsure what exactly Yiwon wanted him to say. Then, in a low voice, Yiwon called out—

“Jewoo hyung.”

Do you miss me?

Today, Yiwon seemed fixated on hearing that phrase. Jewoo had a feeling he wouldn’t let it go until he got the answer he wanted. But strangely, the more Yiwon pushed for it, the less Jewoo wanted to say it.

“Hmm… who knows?”

You’re so mean.

Yiwon’s voice turned sulky.

“We’re seeing each other tomorrow anyway. It’s only a few hours away.”

Tomorrow is tomorrow. Every remaining hour until then feels like an eternity to me.

“I’ll tell you in person tomorrow.”

Are you deliberately making me suffer?

“I don’t even know how to do that.”

Feigning innocence, Jewoo told him to rest since it was late. Yiwon clearly didn’t want to hang up, but Jewoo cut the call before he could protest. Left to his own devices, Yiwon would probably cling to his phone all night. Jewoo didn’t mind, but Yiwon really needed rest. The last thing he wanted was to visit his boyfriend in the hospital because he collapsed from exhaustion.

Jewoo put his phone down and turned to the TV. The paused screen still showed Yiwon’s face. It was a clip from a romance drama Yiwon starred in last year. The show had been popular, though opinions on Yiwon’s acting were mixed.

Honestly… even if Jewoo currently found everything Yiwon did adorable, he couldn’t call his acting in that drama good. However, every time the camera zoomed in, especially when Yiwon smiled at the female lead, his face alone was enough to make hearts race. No wonder he kept getting cast in romance dramas—his face alone made the choice obvious.

“But this time, I won.”

Watching Yiwon gaze at the female lead, Jewoo muttered to himself with a grin. The smile was there, but the eyes lacked emotion.

But in the drama he had just filmed with Yiwon, it was different. As Geonhwon, Yiwon’s eyes carried more depth than anything in his previous roles. Just his gaze alone could convey heartbreak.

Because this time, it was real.

Thinking back, that was probably the biggest reason for Yiwon’s improved acting. And there was one more thing—something Jewoo hadn’t noticed before because he hadn’t watched Yiwon’s past dramas. But within the first episode, he caught on immediately.

Yiwon hadn’t been using his real voice. Whether it was to match his prince-like image or because of his idol background, he had been speaking in a higher tone than his natural voice. It made his line delivery sound awkward. His acting wasn’t the only issue—the way he used his voice played a part too.

But in the drama they filmed together, there was no need for that. Since it was a historical drama, a lower voice suited the role better. And that was Yiwon’s real voice.

“Once the drama airs, Yiwon’s popularity is going to skyrocket.”

He was already so famous that it was hard to see him, and things would only get worse. Since they were both men, no one would suspect them of dating, but that was only if they could even find time to meet.

Dating wasn’t easy. Especially not when your boyfriend was a star.