MPK Ch 8

The quietest time at the cafe was weekday afternoons. Students were at school, and being a small cafe tucked away in a residential alley, there wasn’t a huge lunch rush. Currently, there were three people in the cafe, including myself. The other two were studying for the civil service exam, each occupying a corner in the study zone, unlikely to emerge until nightfall.

Outside the window, the snow from the day before yesterday lingered in the shaded areas. The wind was calm today, gently swaying the branches. I felt like changing the cafe music to something more relaxed. I made myself a cup of hot tea and leaned against the counter.

No cups to wash, no chairs with wobbly legs to fix. I absentmindedly muttered the magic words.

“It’s quiet.”

As if summoned by my words, a white sedan pulled up in front of the cafe. One person each from the driver and passenger seats, and two from the back. A total of four customers emerged.

The people who got out of the front seats clearly shared my former profession. Watching them hold the cafe door and guide the others with a “Please, come in,” I felt a strong sense of camaraderie.

A middle-aged woman in a red two-piece suit and sunglasses, and a young man in a designer padded jacket stood at the open door. They looked around the cafe like discerning real estate agents, then approached me, their gazes fixed on me from behind their sunglasses. The bodyguards closed the door and followed. The ceiling heater whirred, sensing the influx of cold air.

The click-clack of high heels on the marble floor stopped in front of me, and the woman, removing her sunglasses with a flick of her wrist, lifted her chin haughtily.

“I’m Woo Baekyeon’s aunt.”

Ah. Woo Baekyeon’s relative. That explained the impressive entrance. I bowed my head, then looked up.

“Hello. I’m Jung Hankyung.”

“Yes. And this is his cousin.”

Neither of them resembled Woo Baekyeon much. Not just in appearance, but especially in their demeanor. Unlike Woo Baekyeon, who seemed indifferent to the world, his relatives seemed intensely interested in my cafe and me.

“He hasn’t come to greet us before or after the wedding, so I had to come see for myself what kind of person he married. Just because he snagged our precious eldest grandson doesn’t mean he’s suddenly high and mighty.”

“Um… are you referring to me?”

“Who else would I be talking about? Since we’re here, I’m going to get a good look at that stiff face of yours.”

The two of them sat down imposingly at a central table with a clear view of the counter. And then they just… stared at me. I had no choice but to approach them.

“Excuse me, but…”

“Everything my mother said is true, you know? And let me tell you in advance, I have no intention of leaving! This isn’t a place that kicks out customers, is it?”

“Ah, no. You can stay, but our cafe has a one-drink-per-person policy.”

The red lips curled into a disdainful sneer.

“Do you think I would drink anything they serve in a place like this?”

“If you don’t order drinks, you’ll have to pay an hourly rate. We also operate a study space here. We’re currently having an opening event, so the hourly rate is 3,000 won.”

“What? 3,000? Are you even open all night?”

The calculation of 30 million won for an overnight rental was terrifying.

“No, it’s 3,000 won per person per hour, and we offer a 500 won discount from the fourth hour onwards. If you order a drink, you can freely use the cafe area, even though you can’t enter the study zone.”

“…How much are your drinks?”

“Coffee and tea are in the 4,000 won range, and smoothies are in the 5,000 won range. We have a variety of options.”

“…..”

Were the amounts too insignificant for them to bother nitpicking further? Their gazes turned sour.

“Are you running a charity?”

“Mom, is he aiming for the foundation’s money?”

“Then… please order a drink or pre-pay the usage fee.”

I bowed and returned to the counter, and soon heard a tsk.

“Ha, what a catch. I didn’t realize the price of seeing our nephew-in-law, or whatever he is, was so cheap. Secretary Kim, go take care of it. Make sure he doesn’t say a word, no matter what I do here today.”

A female bodyguard approached the counter.

“A total of four people, how long will you be staying?”

“Just an hour each…”

“What do you mean, an hour! Cancel all my appointments for today! I won’t leave even if Baekyeon comes!”

“…Just two hours for now, please.”

The bodyguard whispered, her voice laced with hardship. I could sense her struggle. I swiped the card for four people for two hours each.

“If you don’t want a handcrafted beverage, would you like canned drinks instead?”

“No, thank you. They probably… won’t be staying that long…”

People often don’t notice because of the bodyguards’ imposing figures and stiff demeanor, but their voices are often filled with subtle sighs. Especially when they’re with difficult clients.

“…Are you alright, sir?”

She seemed a bit more kindhearted than the others. I lowered my voice to match hers.

“Of course. You know they’re relatively gentle for customers.”

“Ah… I heard you worked at First Guard. She… has her reasons, she’s not a bad person.”

“Secretary Kim, what are you talking about? Come here quickly if you’re done ordering!”

“Yes.”

We exchanged nods and parted ways. Ten minutes had passed since the four customers arrived. While I was dumping the cold tea from my mug and washing the dishes, I heard from behind me,

“With a face like that, did he turn Woo Baekyeon gay?”

“Doesn’t look like it to me. There are plenty of pale, pretty boys on TV these days. He might be popular with women, but he’s a bit bulky to seduce other men.”

“Mom, that’s such an outdated prejudice. These days, tastes are diverse. Woo Baekyeon might have a thing for someone less attractive than him. Mom, you run a business catering to young people, how can you have such poor taste?”

“Is that so… Then is this cafe’s style to young people’s liking?”

“…Ah… I’m not sure about this… Is this hip…?”

“I can tell there’s nothing refined about the interior.”

“…..”

I heard the blunt assessment of me and the bodyguard’s appeasing whispers, mindful of my presence. I accepted their warm concern, dried my wet hands, and returned to the counter, pretending I hadn’t heard anything.

Cafes are fundamentally spaces for relaxation and conversation. There isn’t much to do when you’re not busy. Drinks fill that void. A little while later, Woo Baekyeon’s cousin was lying on the sofa, tapping away on his phone, and his aunt was staring at the wall, which she’d already examined multiple times. I quietly served four lattes to their table. They’d said they didn’t want anything, but the level in the cups gradually decreased.

As the midday sun streamed in, I noticed dust on the surface of the picture frames. I was wiping them with a wet tissue when the aunt suddenly jumped up, stomping her foot.

“See? See? Did you think I wouldn’t notice your scheme?!”

“Excuse me? Me? Me?”

“Are you trying to take over the W Art Center by running this little place?!”

“What… is that?”

“Our family’s art museum… why don’t you even know that?”

“It’s the name of an art museum… If you don’t want me to take it over, wouldn’t it be better if I didn’t know about it?”

“…..”

“Should I search it up…?”

“No!”

I don’t know what misunderstanding I caused, but is there anything less fitting for me than an… art museum? I wouldn’t even know what to do with it. The picture frames on the wall, which caused this misunderstanding, were purchased for 50,000 won each.

“Um… I heard about the W Art Center for the first time today, and I have no intention of taking over something so intimidating, and even if I did, I would be kicked out immediately because I know nothing about it. So you don’t have to worry.”

“…Really?”

“More than anything, Woo Baekyeon would never give me an art museum.”

“Why? Isn’t he head over heels for you because of the Name?”

“No, Mom. If he gives him an art museum, it means giving him money and power, so he’s giving him this tiny little shop to keep him under his thumb.”

“That gloomy bastard…!”

Tiny little shop?! I can tolerate being called less attractive than Woo Baekyeon (I don’t even get angry), but it’s very upsetting to hear my cafe, which I scrub and clean for two hours every day until my back aches, being called tiny. Ignoring my inner thoughts, the aunt, who had been staring intently at the counter, stood up.

“I’m sure you understand now. Someone like you is not fit for our family.”

It had been exactly 40 minutes since they entered the cafe. The cousin also stood up as if he had been waiting. Their click-clacking footsteps towards the door suddenly stopped.

“You there?”

A manicured finger pointed at me.

“It’s best if you don’t mention me to Baekyeon.”

Didn’t you say earlier that you wouldn’t leave even if Woo Baekyeon came…?

“Yes. Thank you for visiting.”

I stepped out from behind the counter and politely saw the customers out.

💍

“Woo Baekyeon, your relatives came to the cafe.”

Since I got off work early, I ran into Woo Baekyeon in the living room. I took the opportunity to tell him everything.

“What? Who? Tell me in detail.”

Woo Baekyeon’s expression turned unpleasant. I’m glad I didn’t keep it a secret.

Between Woo Baekyeon’s aunt getting angry and Woo Baekyeon getting angry, which is scarier? The answer is Woo Baekyeon glaring at me with icy eyes under the same roof. Imagining him crossing his arms and asking, “Why didn’t you tell me? Are strangers more important to you than your spouse?”, makes me report everything immediately.

“It was your aunt, I think. She came with her cousin, a young man who looked like a college student.”

“Did anything happen? Did they say anything strange?”

“Um… including two bodyguards, a total of four people bought two-hour passes.”

“…..”

Remembering the hefty profit I made today, I instinctively gave a thumbs up.

“I told them it’s either one drink per person or an hourly rate, and they chose the hourly rate. But they left much earlier than the time they paid for.”

“Anything else besides that?”

“Not really?”

Complaining to Woo Baekyeon, who lived alone in this penthouse, about his aunt calling my cafe tiny wouldn’t get me any sympathy. I’d forgotten about the rest while dealing with the after-school rush. Oh, there was something about an art museum, what was its name?

“Woo Baekyeon. For the record, I’m really bad at drawing. I have no talent whatsoever.”

“Judging by your lack of finesse, I can imagine, but you don’t need to confess your shortcomings.”

His cold words cut off my train of thought. Woo Baekyeon’s aunt was really worried for nothing. As if Woo Baekyeon would ever give me an art museum. Woo Baekyeon, who had been staring at me, let out a short sigh through his full lips.

“It’s fine as long as nothing unpleasant happened. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

“Huh? Ah… um. You don’t have to stop them from coming.”

“Weren’t they difficult to deal with?”

It would be a lie to say they weren’t, but…

“Every customer counts, and how can I turn away customers who generously pay the hourly rate? Besides, there are plenty of customers who are much harder to deal with.”

Since they’re only related to my spouse by marriage and will become strangers after the three-year contract period, I didn’t think much of it.

Come to think of it, if we keep seeing each other so rarely for three years, it won’t really feel like we’re living together. I thought we’d get closer.

Feeling a sense of disappointment, I reached out to Woo Baekyeon. I gently touched his cheek, which was still creased with a frown, with my knuckles.

“Don’t worry about it. Tell them to come if they want. You don’t know this, but ‘All the hard work is for the CEO.’ These days, I’m in the middle of a success story, transforming from Assistant Manager Jung to CEO Jung.”

“…..”

Woo Baekyeon stared intently at my hand resting on his face. Ah, um, I went a bit overboard, didn’t I?

“Really nothing happened at the cafe?”

Instead of moving my hand away, he mirrored my action, placing his hand on my cheek. Three fingers lightly brushed against my skin. Woo Baekyeon looked at me, as if demanding an answer in this strangely intimate gesture.

“Yeah… I was really okay…”

His fingertips slowly traced down my cheekbone, then along my jawline. A little further down was where my Name was.

“I won’t do anything drastic, but be careful. I’m not on good terms with my relatives.”

“Hey, hey… I’m not the type to be intimidated by anyone. Don’t worry. But if there’s a real problem, I’ll definitely call you, so you have to come help.”

At that moment, a faint but unmistakable smile flickered across his face.

“Jung Hankyung, do as you please.”

His gaze, as he looked at me, was softer than usual. Before I could figure out what it meant, the fleeting warmth in his expression, like a speck of warmth in the winter wind, disappeared, and Woo Baekyeon removed his hand from my chin.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Uh, what? Have I been overworking myself? Why is my heart… beating so fast…?

…Woo Baekyeon got off work early too, and I’m free today, should I suggest we… do it after a long time? The Name symptom might act up again and tell us to get it on.

“Hey, uh, Woo Baekyeon.”

“Yes.”

Woo Baekyeon looked back at me. Since we were about the same height, our faces were always close. Just as I was reflected in the center of his eyes, he must be reflected in mine too.

No matter how much I think about it, I must really like Woo Baekyeon’s face. His aunt’s assessment was wrong. I didn’t turn Woo Baekyeon gay, Woo Baekyeon’s face broadened my preferences. And his personality, it’s actually quite cute once you get used to it.

Even if we don’t have sex, wouldn’t it be fun to hang out together for a day since we live in the same house? Watch a movie, have a drink, or something.

“If you have time…”

…Ah.

I stopped mid-sentence. Even though we were already too close, I took half a step back.

“If I have time?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just remembered I have something to do.”

“…Okay.”

Woo Baekyeon simply nodded without any change in expression. I awkwardly rubbed my neck with the hand that had touched Woo Baekyeon.

Stop it, Jung Hankyung. You already made enough impulsive mistakes in Jeju Island. Woo Baekyeon doesn’t seem to be thinking anything of it, so what are you going to do if you get all worked up and have regrets after three years? It’s better to just keep things as they are, without doing anything unnecessary.

💍

For a while, people started coming into the cafe and looking around as if it were a tourist attraction. Some came to check out the new cafe in the neighborhood, and others to carefully examine the study space.

“Hmm…”

When their gaze finally landed on me and they whispered to the person next to them, it was obvious they were Woo Baekyeon’s relatives, even without them saying so. Some even approached me with questions.

“Are you interested in the fashion industry?”

“I’ve been wearing the same clothes for three days…”

“Hospital management?”

“I’ve been a patient for so long that I don’t want to go anywhere near a large hospital for the rest of my life…”

The visits from his relatives became less frequent after two weeks.

However, the succession of lavishly dressed visitors drew the attention of the neighborhood residents. Thanks to them, I started getting customers even during the quiet morning hours.

Although there was no rain in the forecast, the gloomy winter sky persisted for several days. I never thought running a customer-facing business would always be peaceful. But today was a particularly sweat-inducing day.

“They refilled the coffee for the person before me, why won’t you do it for me, huh? Are you discriminating against older people or something?”

“No way. That student purchased a long-term pass and used a refill coupon for another cup. It wasn’t a free refill.”

“I don’t understand all that complicated talk, just refill it once. It’s not that much. We all bought a drink each because the owner insisted on the one-drink-per-person rule earlier.”

If it were simply a matter of giving an elderly person who desperately wanted more coffee another cup, it wouldn’t be a problem, but the person in front of me was part of a group of hikers occupying a large table. If I made an exception now, next time, the whole group would say, “It was fine last time, why not this time?” Imagining that future brought back the anxiety I felt earlier when they ordered only two Americanos and tried to take out paper cups from their bags.

“Oh, come on, sir. I can’t make a living like that. You know how high prices are these days, and the rent is sky-high.”

“You’re young. Young people can work! You’re working running a cafe, but we’re all retired and have nothing to do at home.”

“Ahahaha… ah, welcome.”

As I forced a smile, the cafe door opened. The sound of a rolling suitcase accompanied the customer’s footsteps. It was a stylish middle-aged man with neatly styled slicked-back hair, silver-rimmed glasses, a cashmere scarf, and a long coat.

The customer demanding seven refills remained standing in front of the counter, even with the new customer’s arrival. Then, the new customer, looking at the menu through his glasses, asked,

“What’s the most delicious? What’s the most popular these days?”

“If you like sweet drinks, the sweet potato latte is popular in winter.”

“Hmm. Sweet potato sounds good.”

A hand holding a card reached out towards me. I could feel the chill of the outside air from the sleeve covering his arm.

“Then, please charge me for eight sweet potato lattes, including the seven for those people over there and one for me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Huh?”

“Hurry. My hands are cold. Take it quickly.”

“Who’s paying? Do you know them? No, why are you suddenly buying us drinks?”

The new customer smiled and put his arm around the demanding customer’s shoulder. Being much taller, the new customer’s arm easily reached.

“I was dragged here by my group, and I didn’t want to cause trouble for the owner, so I was in a bit of a dilemma. Being the youngest of my siblings, I completely understood the situation. Just think of it as a small stroke of luck and enjoy your drinks.”

“No, I have money too. Why would I let a stranger buy me a drink?”

“I had a good day today and wanted to treat someone, anyone. But I don’t have anyone to celebrate with in Seoul.”

“…If that’s the case… then, well, thank you.”

“Owner, did you hear that? Eight lattes, please.”

“Ah, yes…”

Slightly dumbfounded, I started making the lattes. Meanwhile, the generous customer took a seat right next to the counter. It was the worst seat, right next to the whirring coffee machine. Seats similar to where I used to study when I was 18 were always unpopular, so it was strange to see it occupied during off-peak hours.

As I served the seven sweet potato lattes, I gave each person a complimentary rice cracker. And I placed two crackers on the tray for the generous customer. It was a small gesture, but I wished him endless wealth and prosperity in my heart.

The hikers seemed to feel awkward and finished their lattes much faster than their previous drinks, then got up from their seats. The customer who had been so demanding earlier came to the counter and said, “I’ll buy a lot next time,” before leaving.

I felt completely drained, probably due to the sudden resolution of the tense situation. As the large group left, the cafe became quiet again.

“Owner. Come here for a second.”

I heard the generous customer’s voice from beside me. I readily went over.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Ah, it’s nothing much. Which of these do you like the most?”

Thud!

With that question, a large suitcase was opened on the cafe floor. It was filled with teddy bears, game consoles, a miniature Eiffel Tower, and other unidentifiable boxes.

“I should have unwrapped them beforehand. This is a pillow cover. It feels nice against the skin. And this is… oh, a watch. Oh, a sterling silver cutlery set. This is perfect for the cafe. Is there anything else good? This is supposed to be a lucky stone. I paid 7,000 francs for it.”

I didn’t know what currency francs were, but I flinched back from the red gem thrust towards me.

Damn, this guy is an even bigger problem customer! I have a feeling a jade mat will appear from the bottom of that suitcase.

“Ah, found it!”

The customer pulled out what he was looking for from the pile of luggage as if pulling a carrot from the ground, and placed it in my hand. A gold bar gleamed brightly in my palm. Gold? Is this real gold? While I was stunned, he placed the lucky stone in my other hand. Both my hands sparkled as if I was wearing a superhero gauntlet.

“Do you like it?”

“Excuse me? No, what are you doing? Please put it away now that you’re done showing off.”

“You don’t like it? That’s a problem. I brought all this to give as a gift, and those two were the best ones.”

I wouldn’t receive this many gifts even on Christmas. What does this person do for a living?

“Who… are you giving it to?”

“Hmm?”

The customer pointed at… me with his hand.

“…Me? Why?”

“It’s a gift.”

“I’m asking why you’re giving me a gift…!”

Wow, this is bad. This is a really strange person who doesn’t make any sense.

“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Baekyeon’s uncle.”

Oh, the relatives series isn’t over yet.

“I couldn’t attend the wedding because I was overseas. I felt so bad about it that I picked out some gifts. Wahahaha! Oh dear, you looked so scared I thought I did something wrong. You didn’t know who I was.”

“Haha… then are these gifts for Woo Baekyeon?”

“Hmm? No, no, these are all for you, and of course I prepared something separate for Baekyeon. Oh dear, will he be upset? I mean, I’m meeting you for the first time, but Baekyeon is my favorite nephew whom I’ve adored since he was young, so I put more thought into his gift…”

“Of course, it’s fine! And I’ll accept your gift in spirit. What you brought is too much, it’s a burden…”

“Hmm? What’s burdensome? I didn’t bring a building or a car. Oh, do you dislike superstitious things like lucky stones?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just… a bit much for me.”

“It’s a gift from an elder relative, just accept it comfortably. Or do you need cash as a belated wedding gift?”

Woo Baekyeon’s uncle took out his wallet from his inner pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. Ah, he’s definitely Woo Baekyeon’s relative! He’s just as eager to give away money!

“You really don’t want to accept it?”

“…..”

Come to think of it, he does resemble Woo Baekyeon a little in his appearance. He’s tall, and his sharp eyes and overall face shape are similar. But in terms of demeanor, they’re as different as a hot spring and the Antarctic Ocean.

“Then… this. The lucky stone. Can I just accept this one?”

7,000… what was the unit? Anyway, how expensive could a stone be? The uncle seemed disappointed but thankfully didn’t insist further and closed the suitcase. I placed the lucky stone next to the coffee machine.

“Uh, uh, no. Not there, put it on the shelf over there. I heard it needs to absorb the natural energy from sunlight to be effective.”

Ah, should I have chosen the miniature Eiffel Tower instead…? I sighed inwardly and placed it on the shelf by the door as instructed. Hmm? It actually looks quite pretty under the light. The dull red gem turned into a sparkling cherry color.

“Do you like it?”

The uncle was looking at me with a proud smile as I examined the lucky stone. The answer he wanted to hear was already written on his face. Well, it’s a bit unusual, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.

“Thank you. I’ll put it to good use.”

“I hope it really brings you good luck. You have to prosper. It must be tough for a young CEO like you to start a small business in these difficult economic times.”

“You’re… a good person, sir.”

“Wahahaha, I wish Baekyeon thought so too. The gift should have arrived at his office by now, I wonder if he’ll be happy.”

“Well… I guess so.”

The uncle’s face brightened at my noncommittal answer.

Is he asking about Woo Baekyeon’s well-being as a way to give me a gift? I repeated what I had said to all the relatives who visited before.

“I… have no desire for anything from Woosung Group. Woo Baekyeon said he’ll never give me anything anyway. You don’t have to worry.”

The uncle looked at me curiously, then said “Aha,” and burst out laughing.

“I see others have come before me. I’m the youngest and the black sheep of the family, so I’m not in a position to worry about such things. Baekyeon is just a cute nephew to me, I have no intention of giving him a hard time like the others.”

Come to think of it, he’s the youngest relative to visit so far. He probably isn’t even 20 years older than Woo Baekyeon. Is he the… free spirit of the Woosung family? As I blinked at him, he returned a goofy smile that was starting to grow on me.

“Actually, despite saying all this, Baekyeon dislikes me. Since I’m the youngest uncle, I often teased him to the point of tears. We had a big fight during his adolescence, and he’s been cold to me ever since.”

He suddenly sighed.

“After his parents passed away in that accident, I thought of him like a son.”

“…..”

I couldn’t readily sympathize. Regardless of how kindhearted he is… he clearly has a personality that clashes with Woo Baekyeon. There’s no way someone as sensitive as Woo Baekyeon would like someone who’s this intrusive.

The uncle returned to his seat, turned towards me, and rested his chin on his hand.

“By the way, owner, aren’t you curious why the chairman’s children, his own daughter and sons, are making such a fuss over their nephew, Baekyeon?”

‘Come to think of it…’

Woo Baekyeon is only 27 years old. But listening to the stories from the relatives who visited me, it seemed like he had taken everything that should have belonged to his elders. They all had various titles like CEO, managing director, etc., so why is Woo Baekyeon, who is much younger, seen as such a threat?

…But can I even ask about this? On the surface, I’m supposed to be married to Woo Baekyeon because of our great love. Not being interested in family matters and being completely unaware of them are two different things, aren’t they?

“Baekyeon probably didn’t tell you because he likes you. He’s the type to hide things he doesn’t want to show. But you should know what you need to know.”

Oh, if he’s setting it up like this, I have no choice but to eavesdrop.

“Is there some kind of family secret?”

“Oh my, family secret. Don’t try to find out about that. Knowing about chaebol family matters will only get you hurt. Especially a family like Woosung Group! It’s best if you just peacefully run your cafe.”

“Is that so…”

“Of course. It’s a scary family. There have been many unsettling incidents since the old days.”

“What kind of incidents?”

“There have been endless sibling rivalries since the first chairman. Our father, the current chairman, practically rose to his position through a bloody fight. That’s why he made up his mind. There’s no time for such petty squabbles when the group needs to grow! It’s better to establish the eldest son as the absolute authority so the other siblings can’t say a word!”

He told me not to ask, but he’s spilling everything… He must have really wanted to talk about it. But this story about Woo Baekyeon, which I was hearing for the first time, piqued my interest. The explanation continued in the quiet corner of the empty cafe.

“Baekyeon was born the eldest son of the eldest son. On top of that, since his father passed away early, he inherited his share as well, and the chairman stood in for his parents. He has a hundred times more than his other cousins, no, what’s a hundred times? He has much, much more.”

“Ah…”

“And it’s not like he’s incompetent, he keeps breaking records for being the youngest to achieve this and that. He even boosted his public image through marriage and aggressively jumped into management. The chairman, who only favors his eldest grandson, is still healthy and looks like he’ll be around for another 20 years. So, understand that his relatives are sensitive about their shares dwindling.”

After hearing the story, I suddenly remembered something. Woo Baekyeon saying that his grandfather, the chairman, was the one person he didn’t have to worry about in the group’s internal power struggles.

This… from an outsider’s perspective, it would seem like Woo Baekyeon is incredibly lucky, but thinking about him made me feel a bit complicated. He doesn’t seem like the type to comfortably sit on a manufactured throne. Of course, I don’t know Woo Baekyeon that well…

A new customer arrived, so I got up. After their order was served, I placed a cup of coffee and a packaged cookie on the uncle’s table.

“This coffee gets a lot of compliments too. Try it. The cookie is store-bought, but it goes well with it.”

“Hmm? You said no refills, what’s this for?”

“For resolving the troublesome customer earlier. And for everything else.”

Actually, he was the first relative to call Woo Baekyeon “Baekyeon” instead of “Director Woo.” That subtly bothered me. Even I called him “Woo Baekyeon.” Now that I’m aware of it, it feels a bit strange, I should call him Baekyeon the next time I see his relatives. We have to look like a loving Name couple in front of others. Actually calling him that… hmm, that would require his permission rather than my choice.

“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”

The uncle picked up the cookie with his right hand and opened the package with his left. Wait a minute. Come to think of it, he was resting his chin on his left hand earlier too.

“You must be left-handed.”

“Ah.”

He glanced at the hand holding the cookie.

“I’m ambidextrous. I was born left-handed, but back then, being left-handed was treated like a disease, so I painstakingly corrected it.”

“Ah…”

“You wouldn’t believe it, young CEO? There were times like that.”

“I guess so. I used to play baseball, so I envied left-handed people, and even when I was young, left-handed friends were called artists with developed right brains.”

“Times change quickly.”

It was nearing midday, but the sky was hazy as if the sun was already preparing to set. It was a sign that midwinter was fast approaching. I suddenly noticed a Christmas poster hanging in the convenience store across the street.

It’s already the end of the year.

When the new year comes, it’ll be our second year of marriage. It felt surreal. Just like he said, time flies.

💍

Living the luxurious penthouse life sometimes made me feel a bit spoiled. Like savoring solitude while overlooking the night view of the Han River, for example. During the day, I’m surrounded by people, but at night, it’s empty… Instead of a glass of bitter wine in my hand, I held a protein shake to make up for my recent lack of exercise.

Woo Baekyeon hadn’t shown his face for a while again. I ran into him a few times when I came home early after leaving the cafe in someone else’s hands, but he quickly went upstairs. It felt like those encounters were getting even shorter as the end of the year approached. I was starting to have more free time with the cafe running smoothly, but he still seemed busy. The “lonely chaebol act” I started out of boredom in the empty living room lasted about a week before ending with a harsh reality check. With a warm back and a full stomach even in the middle of winter, I was doing all sorts of nonsense.

But as I indulged in the overflowing abundance, I finally had a thought that resembled a chaebol’s desire for indulgence.

Today, instead of a perfectly balanced meal, I wanted some street food, with MSG replacing nutritional value.

From that street food stall two blocks away from First Guard, near the parking lot.

A plate of tteokbokki with thick kimbap and vegetable fritters, the owner’s pride and joy, cut into pieces, and some sundae with intestines. And when the plate is about 70% empty, order some more fish cakes in a paper cup with hot broth.

The more I recalled the specific details, the more my mind was consumed by street food. It was a famous place even among nearby office workers; if you said, “Let’s go eat tteokbokki at the stall,” everyone knew where you were talking about. At First Guard, we even joked about quietly assassinating any broadcasting cameras or YouTubers who came to the stall.

This is no good. Today is a day where nothing, not even the finest delicacies, could distract me from street food stall tteokbokki. But it would be a bit pathetic to eat alone in front of my former workplace…

“Sungjoong, do you want to go eat tteokbokki at the stall tonight?”

“Wow, street food stall tteokbokki, it’s been so long. Hyung-nim, but I can’t. I had a meeting with the team leader recently, and he said he won’t let me come back unless I lose weight.”

“Huh? Did you gain weight? I can’t really tell.”

“It’s because of the winter clothes. Honestly, I have gotten a bit out of shape. I haven’t been working out at all. Ah, but should I just eat today and start a strict diet tomorrow?”

“I can’t pay you enough to quit First Guard just to work part-time here, so I have to support your diet…”

As an older brother, I can’t lead him astray from his career. Sungjoong wailed that I shouldn’t have even mentioned street food stall tteokbokki then.

I guess I have no choice but to go alone. Even if I run into someone from the company, it’s not like I left on bad terms, so I’ll just exchange some awkward greetings.

“Hey, can I leave work early today? I’ll pay you extra for the hours.”

“Sir? Oh, no, it’s okay. I’ve eaten so many smoothies and cookies while working here.”

This guy, I see why the team leader was so serious about his weight gain.

“Just today, please. I’m leaving now.”

“Yes. Have a good night, sir.”

The so-called lucky stone on the shelf by the door sparkled, as if seeing me off. The bright red color deepened my craving for tteokbokki.

Gangnam-daero, with the evening rush hour still some time away, wasn’t crowded. While I was busy going back and forth between home and the cafe, winter had deepened. It was now the season where I could wear turtlenecks every day without getting a heat rash, and scarves were a natural accessory, making it easier to hide my Name. A sharp winter wind suddenly blew between the buildings. I walked down my old route to work, the wind making my hair stand on end like a dandelion.

I briefly considered getting takeout instead of eating at the stall in this weather. But if the penthouse owner found out, he’d probably give me a look that said, ‘Jung Hankyung, why are you eating trash?’ I should just eat at the stall.

Braving the winter wind, I was getting closer to the tteokbokki stall, step by step. Just past that group of office workers, around the corner of my old office building, and I’d be there.

“Jung Hankyung?”

Ah, I guess I’m bound to run into at least one colleague, I thought as I turned, then stopped dead in my tracks.

The owner of the house was outside. That is… it was Woo Baekyeon.

“Jung Hankyung, what are you doing here?”

Woo Baekyeon was in the middle of a group of office workers. Looking closely, the group consisted of his secretaries and bodyguards, the same ones I’d seen during the wedding preparations.

I guess I’ve only seen Woo Baekyeon inside the penthouse lately. He looked unfamiliar with his hair slicked back and a perfectly tailored suit buttoned all the way up. He looked perfectly at home amidst the skyscrapers of Gangnam, making it hard to ask him what he was doing here. Remembering my own purpose for being here, I mumbled my reply.

“Well, my old workplace is just a bit further down this road.”

And I’m on my way to the tteokbokki stall there…

“Did First Guard call you? Are they still bothering you?”

“No, no. What are you talking about? I’ve never been bothered. I just suddenly felt like visiting a restaurant I used to frequent when I worked here.”

“What about the cafe?”

“My friend who looks after the cafe during the evenings and closing time said he could stay a bit longer…”

Pant, pant, pant

A strange sound interrupted our conversation. A Maltese and a Shih Tzu, out for a walk, were pawing at us. Their owner, pulling on their harnesses, looked flustered.

“No, they suddenly… I’m so sorry. Hey, stop!”

The brave Maltese squeezed between his suit pants and placed its tiny paws on Woo Baekyeon’s shins. While the owner was distracted, the Shih Tzu also ran over and claimed the other leg. Woo Baekyeon looked down at the dogs for a moment, then bent down and stroked their chins. The dogs’ tails wagged faster than propellers.

“Oh my god, Kim Mandu, you hate strangers so much, what are you doing? Ah, I’m so sorry… huh, th, thank you. Mandu, Hodu! Come here!”

The cute Mandu and Hodu were forcibly escorted away in their owner’s arms. The owner and the dogs didn’t take their eyes off Woo Baekyeon until they were gone. I heard a small mutter from the owner as they hurried away.

“This guy, Mandu. He’s not shy, he’s just… discerning.”

“Director, shall we move this way?”

“Leave them. It happens often.”

Woo Baekyeon seemed quite used to it. That’s right. He’s Snow White. No wonder stray cats and birds are always around him.

“Why are you here?”

Woo Baekyeon gestured with his chin towards the signboard of the building next to us. It read, “Woosung Electronics Gangnam Branch.”

“Is this where you work?”

“Mostly, unless I have outside appointments.”

“Aha, our workplaces used to be quite close.”

“So, Jung Hankyung. You’re on your way to dinner?”

“Huh? Yeah. You don’t have to prepare my dinner tonight…”

“Come with me.”

“Huh?”

“Is it far from here?”

“No… uh… it’s right around the corner. It’s a place called Pojangmacha Tteokbokki…”

I enunciated “tteokbokki” with emphasis, but Woo Baekyeon simply nodded, saying that’s fine.

“No, what about your work?”

“I was on my way home from work.”

“Huh? Why are you leaving work so early? It’s only 3 pm.”

“…Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“Our company has a flexible work system.”

“What’s that?”

“You can come to work whenever you want, as long as you complete eight hours of actual work per day. I came to work at seven, so I can leave at three.”

“Wow, I’ve always had a job without fixed working hours, I didn’t know big corporations had such good benefits…”

No, but is 7 am to 3 pm even possible? There’s no way other people could complain… or could they? Not in his case.

“Lead the way to the tteokbokki place.”

“Uh… okay.”

‘Is, is this… right? Is this okay?’

That thought resurfaced as I seated Woo Baekyeon on a worn-out leather chair in the shabby tteokbokki stall. Even the owner, who was stirring the tteokbokki, paused, her eyes fixed on the man in a three-piece suit who gracefully took off his coat.

“Two servings, please.”

“Uh, uh, okay! You can eat two servings by yourself, are you sure you only want that much?”

“Yes, he doesn’t eat a lot. Wow, I really missed your tteokbokki. Please hurry!”

The owner’s cooking utensils finally started moving again. I was glad the stall was empty. If it were crowded, all eyes would have been on us.

Woo Baekyeon, oblivious to my deep relief, slowly looked around the stall. His gaze lingered on the densely packed scribbles of who’s dating whom and declarations of eternal friendship. His gaze finally settled on the disposable utensils I had placed on a tissue for him.

“Will the food be out soon?”

“Yeah. It should be ready once the fritters are done. Why?”

“We have to leave by five.”

“We have plenty of time. Why five? Do you have another appointment?”

Woo Baekyeon glanced up at me for a moment before answering.

“I have to be home before sunset.”

Oh, so he’s Cinderella, not Snow White.

Woo Baekyeon tentatively touched the wooden chopsticks with his left hand. The hand that should bear my Name was covered by a leather glove.

Now that we’re sitting face to face at this small table, I can see the resemblance between him and his uncle.

Hey, Woo Baekyeon. Your somewhat talkative uncle came to visit, gave me strange gifts, told me about your family, and seemed like he wants to get along with you.

…No, wait. Woo Baekyeon dislikes him, and he’s the only one who likes Woo Baekyeon, so what’s the point of mediating?

“Here’s your two servings. A service of sweet potato fritters since you’re here after so long. Enjoy.”

Just then, the owner approached with a brighter-than-usual voice and placed down a plate of tteokbokki, a plate of sundae, and a plate of fritters. It was exactly the sight I’d been craving since morning.

“Two servings… you said?”

Woo Baekyeon looked dumbfounded at the plate, which was the size of a mixing bowl. The owner, who had been looking curiously at us, answered.

“Two servings, First Guard style. Bodyguards eat a lot, so we have a separate unit for them.”

“…Ah, I see.”

“You haven’t been here for a while, so I asked around, and I heard you quit. Are you working on something new with this friend?”

“Yes. Something like that.”

“You’re young and kind, so you’ll do well. Enjoy your meal.”

Woo Baekyeon stared in disbelief until the owner, after giving her curt blessing, returned to the kitchen.

“You were planning to eat all of this by yourself…?”

His finger, which had been hovering over the food on the table as if gauging the amount, slowly picked up a pair of wooden chopsticks and split them apart. I hurriedly stopped his chopsticks, which were reaching for the tteokbokki.

“Hey, hey. Wait a minute.”

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s not that. Do you… know what this is?”

“Tteokbokki, sundae, various fritters. Why wouldn’t I know?”

“You’ve never eaten it before.”

“Ha.”

Woo Baekyeon smirked and, as if to prove a point, pushed my chopsticks aside and picked up a piece of tteokbokki. I stared blankly as the bright red rice cake was cut in half and disappeared into Woo Baekyeon’s mouth.

“…Hey, I won’t say anything if you spit it out.”

I handed him three rough tissues, but he just scoffed and put the remaining half of the tteokbokki in his mouth. Although the food was completely different from what he usually ate, he chewed and swallowed quietly, as if he didn’t even register the taste. When the small movements of his lips and cheeks stopped, thankfully, there was no sign of him gagging or anything.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Jung Hankyung, I’ve had street food before.”

“When?”

“When I was eighteen.”

“Oh… right. You said you went to school in Korea back then. Did your friends drag you there?”

“No, I went alone.”

“No way. Don’t lie.”

“It’s true.”

“Why?”

It was hard to imagine Woo Baekyeon in a school uniform, eating tteokbokki alone. It felt like the setting should be a classic restaurant with classical music playing.

Woo Baekyeon in a school uniform, though. I wonder if his uniform was green? That was the color of the prestigious high school near my school, so that’s what came to mind first. Knowing Woo Baekyeon’s personality, he would have worn his shirt, blazer, and tie perfectly… But still, I can’t picture him at a street food stall.

“It was when I returned after living in England for about six years. I felt like everyone in Korea was going to hurt me.”

“…Hmm?”

Woo Baekyeon, not in a school uniform but in a stiff suit, looked at the food, lost in thought.

“Someone could easily poison the food prepared by the chefs at home or at fancy restaurants. But if I went to a place I would never normally visit, they wouldn’t be able to do anything. That’s how I discovered tteokbokki, hamburgers, jjajangmyeon… I even tried processed snacks and instant foods.”

Perhaps it’s bodyguard instinct, but as Woo Baekyeon started revealing his story, I first checked the owner’s location. Fortunately, she was talking to a takeout customer at the counter, which was separated from the seating area.

It felt strange. I know Woo Baekyeon rarely shares personal information with me. Considering our marriage is a three-year contract, it’s understandable. But I didn’t expect him to suddenly reveal something that could be considered a weakness.

“Did someone… poison you before?”

“No.”

“…..”

“I don’t know for sure. Whether I was drugged, or just deeply asleep from exhaustion. After that, everything was scary. Even though I knew no one could touch me as long as my grandfather was around.”

“Are you okay now?”

“Now that I’ve moved out and I’m directly managing the household staff…”

Woo Baekyeon abruptly stopped mid-sentence. His downcast gaze rose, filled with tension. Ah… he seems to be thinking, ‘Why did I say that?’

Silence fell as he suddenly clammed up. I scratched my cheek and picked up the scissors next to me.

The bright yellow squid fritter was cut cleanly in half. I put one piece in my mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed.

“Mmm, it’s delicious, and nothing’s wrong. Eat.”

And I placed the remaining half on Woo Baekyeon’s spoon.

“Tell me if you’re worried about eating something. Even at home. I’ll be your food taster.”

Food taster. Now that I’ve said it, it suits him, the prince.

“But what if something happens to you?”

“I’ve never had an upset stomach from eating spoiled food in my life. Even if there’s something strange mixed in, my stomach can handle it. I’m much more resilient than a princess, even if I catch something.”

One of Woo Baekyeon’s eyebrows rose. Did I say something wrong? Ah, he thinks I’m bragging.

“I can usually distinguish tampered food by smell or sight. Didn’t you know bodyguards learn this kind of thing? So, if you’re scared, feed it to me first. I’ve been eating tteokbokki, hamburgers, and jjajangmyeon, which you said you’ve eaten for meals, all together in one sitting since middle school.”

I picked up a piece of sundae and liver, waved it in front of Woo Baekyeon, and put it in my mouth. It was the same moist, delicious taste I’d always known, and I swallowed without any problems.

Seeing this, Woo Baekyeon let out a small sigh.

“I don’t suspect the food at a place you suddenly brought me to.”

Woo Baekyeon ate the half of the squid fritter I gave him. Then he poked a piece of sundae with his chopsticks as if they were a fork. I thought he would cut the sundae in half and eat it delicately, but he popped the whole thing in his mouth.

Woo Baekyeon continued to move his chopsticks slowly but steadily. The owner came over and gave him a paper cup of fish cake broth. She placed mine casually in front of me, but placed Woo Baekyeon’s carefully within reach, next to his bowl.

“My, my, what a handsome young man. Are you a celebrity? You said you wouldn’t eat much earlier, but you have quite the appetite, young man.”

Woo Baekyeon blinked. I doubt anyone has ever spoken to him like this before. He looked at me as if asking for advice, but I pretended not to notice. His gaze sharpened slightly. After a moment of contemplation, his grand reply was,

“I’m not a young man, I’m married.”

I choked slightly.

“Oh? Already? Why were you in such a hurry to get married?”

“As you said, it was a bit rushed.”

“Oh dear… I see. You look like you have a story to tell.”

The owner nodded and returned to the counter. Woo Baekyeon, who had admirably handled the unexpected situation and resumed eating, looked a little smug.

The three plates of tteokbokki, sundae, and fritters were completely empty. Woo Baekyeon, who usually ate like a bird, had eaten almost as much as I did today. And he elegantly wiped his mouth with the rough tissue. I stopped Woo Baekyeon from handing over his card at the cash-only stall and paid with a 50,000 won bill.

Before I could fully savor the accomplishment of finally buying something for Woo Baekyeon, I was given a ride in his limousine waiting outside. As the car started and we entered the sunset-lit road, Woo Baekyeon, with his arms crossed, called out to me.

“I was going to ask you this over dinner at home today.”

Woo Baekyeon tilted his head, his arms still crossed.

“Jung Hankyung, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Huh?”

Ah, he’s talking about his uncle… right? Should I have told him? He did seem different from his other relatives.

“I was going to, but I thought it would bother you, so I just let it go.”

“I’ll be the judge of that, so tell me. And why would I be bothered by something like that?”

“Is that so…”

“…..”

Woo Baekyeon leaned over and picked up a glossy shopping bag from beside his long legs, then handed it to me.

“It was your birthday.”

“Huh?”

“I found out too late to do anything about it.”

Dumbfounded, I looked at Woo Baekyeon and the shopping bag. Ah, the end of the year. It’s the end of the year. Come to think of it, my birthday is before Christmas. I completely forgot with all the cafe work. Last year, I would have received perfunctory congratulatory messages from various people, but after the Name incident, I changed my number and didn’t check my personal phone much, only the new one I got for work.

Ah, so that’s why he asked why I didn’t tell him… about my birthday…

“Why that look? You don’t like it?”

“No. It’s just… completely unexpected… can I open it?”

“Yes.”

From the moment I took the box out of the shopping bag, I knew my hands were slightly trembling. The corners of my lips also couldn’t be contained, as if I was a child excited about receiving a gift.

I opened the lid of the box on my lap. Inside were a deep purple garment and a black one. The purple one was a loose-fitting turtleneck sweater. The sweater felt incredibly soft against my skin, thick yet not at all scratchy. Having received hand-me-down Hermès before, I instinctively tried to check the tag, but there wasn’t one.

No, wait.

Today, I want to receive this gift without knowing how much it costs. I put the sweater back down and pulled my current shirt over my head.

“What are you doing?!”

“Ah, what’s the big deal? We’ve already seen everything there is to see.”

“…!”

Woo Baekyeon closed the gap in the curtain separating the front and back seats. I slipped the new sweater over my head. The fit was perfect, as if it was tailored to my measurements, both the shoulders and the sleeves. The height of the turtleneck, covering my Name, was also perfect. Above all, it was so incredibly soft that a pleasant drowsiness washed over me.

Even if I had missed my birthday this year, I would have just thought, ‘Oh, my birthday passed,’ around cherry blossom season.

A birthday gift from someone I live with and share meals with.

“I like it.”

I just… chuckled for some reason. No, I don’t have to hide my feelings like Woo Baekyeon. Honestly, I was really happy. So happy that it bordered on being moved.

“I really like it. I’ll wear it well. Thank you, Woo Baekyeon. Wow, I see why people do surprises. Receiving an unexpected birthday gift is really touching. See? My eyes are a bit watery.”

“…It’s, not that big of a deal.”

“Hey, of course it must be expensive since you’re the one who gave it, but I’m touched because it shows that you put thought into it. You remembered that I always cover my neck and that it was scratched during our honeymoon, didn’t you?”

“…..”

Woo Baekyeon just tightened his crossed arms. He wasn’t denying it.

“This is the kind of gift only family can give. You knew my situation without me having to explain, and you gave me exactly what I needed. That’s why I’m so touched.”

“…..”

“Woo Baekyeon, when’s your birthday?”

“…July 8th.”

“Ah, that’s far away. Just wait. I’m going to surprise you in the summer.”

Woo Baekyeon’s gaze remained fixed on me. Judging by the way he muttered “Surprise” several times in perfect English pronunciation, he might have been bothered by my Konglish pronunciation.

“For the rest of the winter, I’ll rotate between these two and the scarf you gave me.”

“If there’s anything else you want…”

“Huh? What did you say?”

I was pulling the black sweater over my head after taking off the purple one, so I missed what he said. Woo Baekyeon had no mercy for my situation.

“Nothing.”

“Ah, what was it? Just repeat it once.”

“I’m not telling you.”

Fine, fine. The black one was a bit more form-fitting. It looked similar to what I usually wore, but the texture was much softer.

“Woo Baekyeon, I’m not just exaggerating, I’m really touched. I think it’s been ten years since I received birthday wishes from family. It’s definitely different from friends or colleagues.”

Even though it was a rushed, chaotic marriage, it felt truly special.

“I’ll wear these every day, alternating between them.”

“How’s the cafe doing?”

“Well, it’s going smoothly. I’m hoping the directors and CEOs around the area will pre-pay larger amounts in the new year. As a way to improve employee welfare for the new year?”

“Is… that so?”

Now that I’m home early, I should take care of some things online… no, wait. It’s a waste to go straight home with this excitement. It’s a rare day when both I and Woo Baekyeon got off work early.

“Woo Baekyeon, do you have to work when you get home? Are you busy?”

“Why are you asking?”

Oh, the reaction isn’t bad.

“If you have time, want to hang out? Watch a movie or something, and since we ate tteokbokki at a weird time, let’s have dinner around 8 pm. I’ll buy you something delicious as a thank you for the gift.”

I know a restaurant with a decent course menu. It would suit both Woo Baekyeon’s taste and the atmosphere.

“Movies… are watched in a theater, right?”

“Ah! Do you hate crowds? Then something else.”

“…No. I want to go home. I have work to do.”

“…Uh… okay.”

It can’t be helped… but why does he look like I’m the one who rejected him? He looks a bit frustrated…

I should remember his birthday in July. I’ll have to get him something nice.

As I was looking out the window at the setting sun, I thought I felt his gaze on me, so I turned my head. But Woo Baekyeon was also looking outside, just like me. His expression was back to its usual icy composure. I must have been mistaken.

💍

Cafe “Today is the Day” opened energetically today as well. Perhaps because it was getting colder, my body felt stiff. But it probably wasn’t just the weather. It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper workout… I tried to count the days but stopped, feeling despair. My hard-earned muscles must have deflated like a punctured balloon.

Twenty minutes before opening, realizing my lack of exercise, I stood in the open space in front of the counter and mimed swinging a bat. I took a stance, using the marble tiles as home plate, and swung at an imaginary ball. Have I really gotten that out of shape? What’s the point of working out your whole life if you get stiff after a few months off? I jumped up and down a few times, then threw a punch at the air. I followed it up with a high kick. Hmph, I continued boxing until recently after starting it to prepare to be a bodyguard. Just one more time.

“Owner, what are you doing?”

Engrossed in my fierce battle with the air, I came face to face with a customer who arrived ten minutes before opening. The customer, with a broad smile, took the seat next to the counter as I covered my flushed face with my hands.

“Ahem, you’ve been coming here often lately, Uncle.”

He brought a book with him today. Since his first visit, the uncle had been coming to the cafe at least twice a week, if not every day.

Especially this week, he’d come every day except for one. Even that one day was a day I wasn’t at the cafe, so it felt like I saw him every day.

“Ah, at first, I came hoping for some scraps from Baekyeon, but your coffee is so good that I keep coming back! And today, I even get to see a spectacular action scene!”

“Please keep it a secret between us.”

“A secret between us, I like it. Honestly, there’s no one else I can talk to. I cut ties with my father a long time ago, and my other siblings are all the same.”

The uncle grinned.

“A secret between us, does that mean you don’t tell Baekyeon either?”

“If he knew I was caught doing high kicks in the air first thing in the morning, I can already imagine his expression, so why would I?”

“Hahaha, right. Good! Ah, owner, you’re such a unique character.”

The uncle’s hearty laughter echoed through the cafe. As expected, the only thing he shared with Woo Baekyeon was his face; their personalities were polar opposites. I wonder if Woo Baekyeon will ever show me a smile like that before we part ways.

“That looked like taekwondo earlier. Did you do taekwondo too, owner? I thought you said you played baseball?”