RFL Ch 9

At that time, Shin Jongro was a man with long purple hair and lip piercings. Moreover, his tattoos, which started from his fingers, and his unique fashion sense were so distinctive that they could be recognized from 500 meters away. He was an unforgettable character.

Therefore, Jooyoung sent him away without even asking for his personal information. In a private investigation agency that mainly handled shady work, a memorable first impression was nothing but a hindrance. After waving him away and advising him to try out for auditions, Shin Jongro visited the office every single day for two weeks.

His greeting was always the same. “Hello, Boss. Please give me any work. I’ll do anything!” The bold and energetic greeting was always delivered without making eye contact.

Finding it peculiar and concerning, Jooyoung let him in one day. He felt sorry for him, drenched from the rain, and called him in to have some jjajangmyeon.

That day, Shin Jongro buried his head in the bowl and slurped the noodles. He devoured it as if he had never eaten it before. Clicking his tongue, Jooyoung casually asked, “Why are you so desperate for money? Did you lose it all on coins or stocks?” Then Shin Jongro looked up. His hair had changed to green.

“No. My parents suddenly passed away, so I have to… earn money for my younger sibling’s tuition and living expenses…”

The moment he heard the answer, Jooyoung’s vision went dark. Kim Sooin came to mind, and the first thought that struck him was regret. Damn it, I shouldn’t have asked. His face turned pale with regret.

Shin Jongro continued eating his jjajangmyeon, leaving Jooyoung in his shock. After scraping the bottom of the bowl, he cleaned and organized the table by himself. The way he thanked Jooyoung, saying it was his first proper meal in a while, stabbed at his heart. Jooyoung, who had been silently watching, grumbled, “If you saved the money you spend on your hair, you could eat several meals…” Shin Jongro smiled shyly. “My younger sibling is studying hairdressing.”

After hearing that, he couldn’t pretend not to know. “Ah, fuck!” Jooyoung cursed loudly and took Shin Jongro’s resume.

“This is why they say you shouldn’t take in black-haired beasts… but your hair is a rainbow, you little shit!”

He should have known from the first day of the tailing job when he showed up with pink hair… Jooyoung, his eyes wide open, threw the paper he was holding. The few sheets of paper fell limply to the floor.

“I’m sorry…”

Shin Jongro scrambled on the floor, flustered. Seeing him hurriedly picking up the fallen papers, Jooyoung felt sorry for him again and knelt down. “Just leave it, kid!” He shouted, and the papers he had gathered felt rough in his hand.

“I’m really sorry… can I, pay for it… from my salary…?”

“Kid, if you pay for it from your salary, you’ll have to work here for the rest of your life. Don’t mess with me.”

“I can work here for the rest of my life…”

Jooyoung rolled up the papers and hit Shin Jongro on the head. Thump, the silly sound made him feel a little better. Sitting back down on the sofa, he burst into laughter.

“Forget it, kid. You don’t have to pay for it yet anyway.”

“Why…?”

“The client said to keep it a secret from the other client.”

“…So, you want me to keep tailing him?”

At that, Jooyoung rummaged through his pockets. As he searched for his cigarettes, Shin Jongro pushed the ashtray closer. Jooyoung glared at him with narrowed eyes and put his electronic cigarette in his mouth. “Don’t you know about the indoor smoking ban?” He snapped, and Shin Jongro smiled sheepishly. His answer came belatedly along with a puff of smoke.

“He said he’ll pay you more, so just report fake information to the other client. It’s like we’re caught in the crossfire, sigh…”

“So it’s troublesome…?”

“Well, it’s profitable for now. Getting paid from both sides. We’ll at least earn enough to cover the damages.”

“Ah, okay…”

“But if the client finds out, we’re screwed. You should run away before that happens. Be careful, okay? And don’t mess with your hair again, got it?”

“Ah, no. I’ll change it.”

He wasn’t completely clueless. Jooyoung smiled and pushed the table. The table scraped against the floor with a loud noise. The startled Shin Jongro grabbed the papers that almost fell off the table.

“And also, shortlist a few people who fit these conditions.”

Jooyoung pointed at the stack of papers with his chin and stood up. Shin Jongro looked up at him with a blank expression.

“It’s a job offer from the client who was our target a few hours ago. He seems to need a fake boyfriend soon.”

He caught a big fish, but a poisonous one. Jooyoung grabbed his jacket and checked his bulging pocket. Fortunately, the square shape of the cigarette pack was clearly visible. He was about to leave when he stopped.

“Ah, but since he seems to have a lot of money, make sure to include Kim Sooin’s resume.”

“Your friend, Boss? Um… will that be okay? What if things get complicated?”

“Hey, I’d be thrilled if things got complicated. He’s not that kind of guy.”

“Ah, okay…”

“Just in case, let’s tell the client that he’s an ugly omega ahjussi. That way, he’ll think it’s just a job without getting suspicious.”

Feeling strangely uneasy, he craved a real cigarette. Clicking his tongue, Jooyoung quickly headed outside. The electronic cigarette couldn’t dispel the feeling that kept lingering.

❤︎₊ ⊹

He really doesn’t recognize me.

Jaeyi thought, making eye contact with Kim Sooin for the third time.

Quite some time had passed since Kim Sooin entered the cafe. The hem of his neatly dressed coat and his polished shoes had circled this area several times. Yet, Kim Sooin didn’t recognize the person he was supposed to meet.

There was only one man sitting alone in the spacious cafe. Yet, Kim Sooin looked as if he was thinking, “It can’t be him, can it?” He stopped right in front of Jaeyi, hesitated, then turned away with an awkward greeting. This time, he looked at Jaeyi for a slightly longer time, but his gaze shifted again. His awkward-looking back made Jaeyi chuckle.

He hadn’t expected to be recognized at first glance. It had already been more than 10 years, and Jaeyi had almost doubled in height since then. It was a difficult situation to be recognized immediately. So, it was something else that was bothering him.

“I highly, highly recommend this person! He’s practically an expert in this field!”

The agency employee had emphasized the separately attached resume, giving him two thumbs up. As if no one could compare in this area.

That’s when Jaeyi realized for sure. That the Kim Sooin the agency owner had desperately called was indeed the Kim Sooin he knew.

A proper ID photo was attached to the resume. The face, now a full-grown adult, much older than Jaeyi remembered, was still handsome. The smile, which inspired both trust and好感, was especially refreshing and pleasant.

“His visuals are outstanding, right? A-actually, he’s not a candidate I show to just any client. He’s for VIPs only!”

But to think Kim Sooin was being treated like a VIP recommendation… He seemed like a completely different person from the one Jaeyi remembered.

He was someone who had smiled innocently, saying he believed in love and destiny. What kind of life had he lived? He hadn’t changed much, to the point where Jaeyi could recognize him immediately just by looking at the small photo on the resume…

Jaeyi glared at Kim Sooin, making eye contact for the fourth time, with irritated eyes.

“H-he’ll do a great job of looking like a real couple. I’m not sure about alphas… but still…! You can trust him.”

Had he only been a fake boyfriend for omegas or betas until now? Is that why he kept turning away, even though he knew Jaeyi was the only one sitting alone in this cafe? The thought made him feel irritated.

This time, Kim Sooin’s gaze lingered even longer. His lips parted slightly as if he was about to say something. But that was all. He made a face as if thinking, “It’s not him again.”

He must look too different from the people Kim Sooin usually dealt with. Suppressing a cold breath, Jaeyi picked up his phone. While dialing the number and waiting for the call to connect, he searched his hazy memories. He couldn’t quite recall his voice.

— Hello, this is Kim Sooin.

Yet, the moment he heard it, it felt familiar. It was a soft and pleasant voice.

— You’re here, right? I’m sorry, I was wandering around inside the cafe.

The low voice ringing softly in his ear sounded somewhat experienced. He spoke as if flustered, but his tone was that of someone who wasn’t easily fazed. His skillful demeanor, which only someone who had interacted with many people could possess, reminded Jaeyi of someone. It was an unpleasant connection.

— Could I perhaps ask… what you’re wearing today…?

Jaeyi pushed his chair back and stood up without saying a word. His steps headed straight towards the man standing in the middle of the cafe, talking on the phone.

“You’re here to see me, right?”

As he tapped him on the shoulder, Kim Sooin turned around with surprised eyes. The changed height difference was novel, but he wasn’t in the mood to act welcoming. A needless outburst came out before he could think.

“Are you always this slow at grasping situations? That’s not good.”

“I’m not like this when I’m working.”

Despite Jaeyi’s almost provocative first greeting, Kim Sooin remained calm. He responded with a very kind smile and a clear answer. It was a purely professional attitude, excluding any personal familiarity or other emotions.

…He really doesn’t recognize me.

Jaeyi muttered again in disbelief. He thought that he could just erase that short memory too.

Despite thinking that, Jaeyi couldn’t act mature throughout the interview. He kept wanting to provoke Kim Sooin and see his honest reaction.

Kim Sooin didn’t waver at all. He smiled calmly at everything Jaeyi said. His firm, mask-like smile was beautiful, but the more beautiful it was, the stronger the disappointment became. It was because it kept reminding him of someone he didn’t want to associate with Kim Sooin.

Still, it wasn’t Kim Sooin’s fault. It wasn’t his fault that he didn’t remember Jaeyi, or that he was a little fake, or that he seemed to take love lightly now. Knowing this, Jaeyi used the interview to vent his frustration. It was unfair.

To avoid becoming even more pathetic, Jaeyi decided to stop caring about Kim Sooin. He planned to interview other applicants for the fake boyfriend job and didn’t attend the gathering Pyo Hyungyeon invited him to.

He knew he would occasionally hear about Kim Sooin after the next semester started, but it didn’t matter. He intended to stop paying attention to that name. As if he had never known him.

But Kim Sooin wasn’t a man he could easily erase. He made his presence known not only in Jaeyi’s mind but also in reality.

“Ah, that Kim Sooin bastard!”

It was the first day he had resolved to erase that name. Before he could even enter the office, Kim Sooin stopped him in his tracks. Jaeyi, frowning deeply, stopped where he was.

Beyond the open glass door, he could see the agency owner struggling. His feet, kicking in the air as he lay on the sofa, moved frantically between the gaps in the wooden partition.

“Why? Did he hang up on you again?”

Blue hair was sitting across from the sofa. He asked with a smile, as if it was a familiar sight. The dangling feet stopped. The owner slammed his shoes against the sofa and glared at Blue Hair.

“Yes, he doesn’t even listen anymore. What should I do with this disrespectful bastard?”

Despite his appearance, the owner had a foul mouth. Especially when it came to Kim Sooin, curses were never absent. According to Blue Hair, it was because they had known each other for a long time, but Jaeyi thought differently. The agency owner definitely hated Kim Sooin.

“Just give up, Boss… Do you think it’ll work out if you force them together when he doesn’t want to meet?”

“Hey, is this just a date? It could be a lottery, so you have to at least scratch it. And hey, if you don’t have a job and need money, you have to do things you don’t want to do, right?”

Otherwise, how could he ask someone to do something like prostitution?

No matter how long they had known each other, the owner was a businessman. A businessman who sold shady services. For such people, long-time acquaintances were only one of two things: a useful product or a good customer.

Kim Sooin was probably the former. No matter how much trouble he caused by not listening, he was a card the owner couldn’t discard because of his excellent product value.

Stopping his train of thought there, Jaeyi bit his lower lip. He closed his eyes and tried to suppress the emotions slowly stirring within him.

“Don’t you think so? How can you make money if you only do what you want? And hey, since when was he so picky? He’s the type who’d sleep with anyone if he felt like it!”

“Really? He didn’t seem like the type who’d like that kind of thing.”

“No way. He’s easy! He accepts everyone, even those worthless kids who ask him for fun.”

But the more the owner spoke, the more the desire to intervene boiled within him. A deep furrow formed between Jaeyi’s eyebrows.

“Then why doesn’t he just meet someone rich, get to know them, and sleep with them if things go well? Why is he refusing? He doesn’t even appreciate it, that little shit!”

“Hmm… he might feel repulsed. It’s… you know…”

“Why, because it feels like prostitution? If he’s going to take his pants off anyway, what’s wrong with getting paid more for it? And I didn’t tell him to date an eighty-year-old! These are people everyone wants to meet, people lining up to date him. Others can’t even get introduced because of their looks, but he’s getting easy access because of his face! He doesn’t even appreciate it, damn it… I’ll make sure to set it up this time.”

Although both were engaged in shady businesses, Blue Hair seemed a little more reasonable. Jaeyi, subtly rooting for Blue Hair, opened his eyes. He couldn’t just stand at the entrance forever.

He deliberately took a heavy step with his feet, which had been still for a long time. A loud footstep echoed in the otherwise silent office.

“Oh, shit, you scared me!”

Thanks to his angry stomps, he quickly reached the sofa. The startled owner jumped to his feet, and Blue Hair hurriedly stood up. Jaeyi didn’t stop him as he stammered something about remembering he had something to do and rushed away. His business was with the owner anyway.

“Uh, uh, when did you get here?”

The owner gasped, clutching his chest. His eyes, looking up at Jaeyi as if blaming him for startling him, were filled with resentment.

Jaeyi looked down at his teary eyes with an impassive expression. Don’t interfere, mind your own business. Ignoring the countless resolutions forming in his mind, he opened his mouth.

“I changed my mind about the job I gave you.”

The owner didn’t respond to his abrupt remark for a while. He blinked rapidly, then clapped his hands.

“Ah, what, the fake boyfriend thing? Did you choose someone?”

Jaeyi simply nodded. It was a short and clear answer that left no room for confusion. Yet, the owner’s face was full of question marks.

“…Did you come all the way here just to say that?”

Of course not. He had originally come to receive additional applications for the fake boyfriend job. Since there were no suitable candidates other than Kim Sooin, he had planned to discuss whether they could review more applicants.

But he changed his mind exactly three minutes ago.

“I’ll contact the successful applicant directly.”

“Yes, yes, sure. But are you really leaving after just saying this?”

There was no reason for him to stay longer because of the easily overturned decision. But he couldn’t explain that.

Jaeyi quickly turned away despite the owner’s bewildered voice. Hiding his awkwardness, he walked away as quickly as he had arrived. Then he suddenly stopped. It was in front of the same black wooden partition as before.

“I have a question.”

“Ah, yes.”

“What does ‘ssang-ssang-ba saekki’ mean?”

“…Excuse me?”

“You use that curse word often.”

Their eyes met through the shadows between the wooden slats. The owner opened and closed his mouth for a while, then burst into an awkward laugh.

“Ah, th-that’s not a curse word. It’s a term of endearment, a nickname.”

“Nickname?”

“Yes, you know, calling someone… with affection.”

“……”

“Ssang-ssang-ba is, well, you know that ice cream? The chocolate flavor, that’s its name. Kim Sooin, he really likes… ice cream. And he’s so sweet… he’s a sweet guy.”

The owner, unlike usual, rambled and blushed. His transparent reaction, like an elementary school student whose crush had been revealed, made Jaeyi chuckle.

He left the office, leaving behind the rambling excuse. It sounded like a childish confession, and he didn’t want to hear it.

Getting on the elevator, Jaeyi opened the dictionary app. Forgetting to even press the floor button, he typed in the word “nickname.”

The search results were similar to the meaning he understood from the context of the conversation. There were no unusual or unfamiliar words. But one character caught his eye.

애(愛). It meant love.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Just as the agency owner said, Kim Sooin was indeed a sweet person.

He was skilled at leading conversations, coming up with “nicknames,” and persuading others. He made Jaeyi go along with it even though he knew he was being played, and he made Jaeyi want to trust him even though he seemed untrustworthy. He had a dangerously sweet taste.

“You like sweet things, don’t you?”

Jaeyi’s eyes widened in surprise. When he couldn’t answer immediately, as if Kim Sooin had read his mind, Kim Sooin smiled.

“The pasta is sweet.”

His first words after Jaeyi had rummaged through all the drawers since morning to cook were a complaint. Raising an eyebrow, Jaeyi replied softly, “Absolutely not.” At his short English reply, Kim Sooin laughed.

“Ah, I should have thanked you first. My bad, Hyung.”

“Okay.”

Giving a short reply with a critical look, Jaeyi snatched Kim Sooin’s fork again.

“I told you I can eat by myself.”

“When are you going to finish eating if you pick it up one strand at a time? You have to go to work.”

“It definitely takes a little longer. I almost fell asleep again while washing my hair.”

When Jaeyi offered him a spoonful of pasta, Kim Sooin obediently opened his mouth. His deliberate “Ahh” sound was reminiscent of a certain scene from the bed.

Jaeyi pushed the spoon in with a frown. The large spoon barely fit between Kim Sooin’s parted lips. Kim Sooin frowned as Jaeyi’s hand brushed against his mouth.

“Ah, ow…”

Although it had been a slightly mischievous act, Jaeyi hadn’t meant to hurt him. As Jaeyi stopped his hand in midair, startled, Kim Sooin waved his hand. He shook his head as he chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth.

“It’s okay, it’s not torn now.”

His reply, which came only after he had swallowed, was laced with laughter.

“It’s probably torn because of someone yesterday.”

His playful attitude irritated Jaeyi again. Letting out a short sigh, Jaeyi put down his utensils.

“Can’t you just rest today? Your pheromones are still unstable.”

“No, we’re short-staffed. And I’ll be a burden for a while because of my hand, so I have to at least go to work.”

“Then I’ll go to work for you.”

“Why, to pay for your services?”

“Seriously…”

He always had to say things like that. As Jaeyi glared at him, Kim Sooin shrugged. His wide white t-shirt slipped down, revealing the bite marks on his skin. He was truly unguarded.

Thinking blamingly, Jaeyi still softened a bit. Seeing the red marks, he couldn’t bring himself to argue. He quietly picked up his fork again and twirled the pasta.

“Forget it, you wouldn’t be of any help even if you came.”

“How do you know if you haven’t tried me?”

“Do you even know how to work at a cafe?”

“…I’m not even pretending to be nice anymore.”

Jaeyi shook his head slightly and offered the spoon again. This time, he carefully tapped Kim Sooin’s lips instead of pushing the spoon into his mouth. Kim Sooin, choosing a smile over a retort, ate obediently.

After finishing their meal, they left the house together. It was much earlier than his usual work hours.

“Why are you going so early?”

“I have to go early. Look at my hand.”

Just because of work, Kim Sooin got in the car today without a single refusal. No, he didn’t just not refuse, he practically hopped in first. Jaeyi, who had been contemplating whether he would have to use pheromones as an excuse to blackmail Sooin into accepting a ride again, was truly dumbfounded. For Sooin, who had even refused to get in the car the day he threw up, to willingly get in for an early work shift… he acted all smart but was actually quite foolish.

“It’s the person who suddenly quit who’s at fault. Why should the injured person feel sorry?”

Wasn’t he living a fake life, only caring about his own livelihood? Jaeyi asked irritably, unable to hide his annoyance. Despite his curt tone, he was fastening Kim Sooin’s seatbelt for him since Sooin’s hand was injured.

“Even if you quit, you should work until they find another employee. How can you just leave without notice? It’s irresponsible.”

“……”

“Because of that kind of person, we’re short-staffed. Why should the injured person feel pressured?”

But Kim Sooin, who would have normally responded with a sly smile, was silent. Even after the car started and they drove for a while, he remained quiet. The side profile Jaeyi glanced at even looked flustered, which irritated him. For someone so shameless to make such an expression… it bothered him that Sooin seemed to be feeling excessive responsibility and guilt.

It wasn’t like he wanted to get injured, and the bastard who quit without notice was probably carefree, so who was worrying about whom… Frowning wasn’t enough, so he let out a frustrated sigh. Then Kim Sooin muttered softly,

“He must have his reasons.”

As if taking his side. The smile he made as he fiddled with his fingernails was awkward. At the unfamiliar expression, Jaeyi felt deflated. It seemed like Kim Sooin was kind to everyone except him. There’s even a saying in Korea about becoming attached to people.

“So, let bygones be bygones?”

“Why is our Jaeyi being so argumentative from early in the morning?”

At least he reacted to Jaeyi’s involuntary sarcasm. Having calmed down a bit, Jaeyi turned the steering wheel gently and asked,

“So, are you not going to teach me? How to live life smoothly.”

Kim Sooin was slow to answer this question as well. He looked around, avoiding Jaeyi’s gaze like a child who had done something wrong, then belatedly asked,

“Hmm, don’t you need a fake boyfriend anymore?”

“…Why?”

“Well, from my perspective as the one helping you, it’s easier if it’s just a one-time thing. And you won’t have to dress up like that and go on blind dates, so I thought it would be better for both of us.”

Kim Sooin spoke as he glanced at Jaeyi’s brown suit. It was impossible, but he liked the look in Sooin’s eyes, as if he was jealous. Moreover, the content of his proposal was reasonable. If he had heard it a few weeks ago, he would have accepted immediately.

But the situation was different now. He no longer needed a fake boyfriend.

— [Are you not going on blind dates… because of the friend you’re seeing these days?]

It was the day the family dinner for three was finally confirmed. His father, who had called under the pretense of deciding on the exact place and time, asked kindly. Jaeyi tried to end the call curtly, saying he wasn’t seeing anyone, but his father wasn’t that naive.

— [Haha, son. Did you think I wouldn’t know… after taking him to Beckham?]

His father hadn’t just hired a watcher; he had also planted someone in the hotel’s monitoring team. At the despicable laughter coming from the receiver, Jaeyi felt his vision blur. The conversation he had with Kim Sooin suddenly came to mind.

“Which parent asks about their child’s sex life?”

“Normally, they don’t, but if it’s a family trying to arrange a marriage for their twenty-one-year-old son, I think they might be curious. They might be worried about their descendants.”

Kim Sooin’s sarcastic remark, which Jaeyi had dismissed with a scoff, turned out to be true. His father had prepared more ammunition than he thought.

He could no longer deceive him with a fake boyfriend. And he definitely couldn’t bring Kim Sooin as his real boyfriend. His father had recited Kim Sooin’s entire profile just because he had spent a night at the hotel with him. It was a kind of threat.

— [That friend… seems to have quite a difficult situation. Do you know about it? Or are you perhaps even more drawn to him because of it?]

The insidious question sent a chill down his spine. Jaeyi forced a chuckle.

“Since when did you care about who your son sleeps with?”

Despite his cold retort, Jaeyi eventually accepted the blind date. He was worried that Kim Sooin, who was really nothing to him, would be affected.

He had accepted the unwanted blind date to get out of this situation. He had no intention of asking Kim Sooin to go back on his word and thread himself back onto the needle.

“Jaeyi, are you tired of Hyung now?”

Unaware of Jaeyi’s situation, Kim Sooin smiled playfully. His eyes, twinkling as he brought his face close, were full of mischief. Jaeyi frowned and turned his head away.

“It’s better to just go on the blind date.”

“Wasn’t that why you hired a fake boyfriend in the first place…?”

“Right.”

The car entered a narrow alley. A white cafe stood at the end of the uphill road. He could see the sign for <Cafe Home>, where Kim Sooin worked. Below the cursive “Home,” it read, “A cafe as warm and cozy as home.”

“So you’ve given up now? You’re going to get married?”

Kim Sooin’s voice was cautious. Liking that, Jaeyi smiled faintly. The car slowly stopped in the parking lot in front of the cafe.

“No. Someone like me shouldn’t get married.”

“…Someone like you?”

“There are people… who shouldn’t get married.”

Jaeyi shrugged and got out of the car first. He walked around the hood and opened the passenger door. Kim Sooin’s face, visible through the open door, was strangely stiff.

“Want a hand?”

He extended his arm as if escorting him, and only then did Sooin’s stiff expression relax. Chuckling briefly, Kim Sooin pressed the seatbelt button. Click, the elastic band snapped back into place.

“Now that that’s settled.”

Kim Sooin pushed Jaeyi’s arm away and got out of the car. He closed the door more roughly than usual and lifted his chin.

“Come in for an interview.”

Along with a proposal far beyond his expectations.

Hadn’t he said just this morning that Jaeyi wouldn’t be of any help even if he came to the cafe? Jaeyi blinked repeatedly, unable to hide his bewildered expression. But Kim Sooin didn’t look embarrassed. Rather, he insisted stubbornly,

“You said you wanted to learn.”

“…You said no yesterday.”

“When? I said I’d think about it.”

He had said he would think about it, but Kim Sooin’s eyes back then had clearly been looking for an escape route. He had been looking for ways to refuse and making excuses. But he had suddenly changed his attitude.

“You learn social skills by working. And this hand, it got like this because I was trying to stop your fight.”

He hadn’t even listened when Jaeyi offered to take responsibility, so why now? Jaeyi looked at Kim Sooin, his eyes full of questions. But there was no further explanation. As if telling him to just accept it, Kim Sooin turned around and headed towards the cafe first.

Jaeyi, left alone, pondered briefly. If he worked there as a regular employee, it would be easy for his father to find him. He was worried, knowing how persistent his father was, even bribing the hotel’s monitoring team. Still, his eyes kept going to Kim Sooin’s wrist. Seeing the black brace, his decision became simple.

Let’s work here for a short time, until his hand heals. Let’s go on the blind dates as instructed and avoid any conflicts for now.

As he reached this serious conclusion, Kim Sooin, standing at the cafe entrance, waved his hand.

“Jaeyi, why aren’t you coming? Are you scared?”

The irritating words, contrasting with his bright smile, were so like him.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Soyoung, the cafe manager, was a straightforward woman. The moment Jaeyi mentioned he had a friend to recommend if they hadn’t found a new employee yet, she exclaimed, “He’s hired!” When Jaeyi pushed for an interview, saying they should at least meet him, she ran out the door. She returned in a flash, holding the “Help Wanted” sign that had been on the door.

Just like that, Song Jaeyi got the job before he could even give a proper greeting. The locker assignment and apron handover were also done in a flash.

After being dragged around by Soyoung for a while, Song Jaeyi finally made it to the counter. It was after Soyoung had left for the day. Song Jaeyi, looking half-dead, muttered,

“I can’t do this for long. Only until Hyung’s hand heals.”

The apron string, loosely hanging around his neck, was dragging on the floor like a rope. Sooin approached him with a smile.

“You said you’d work in my place this morning. Were you just saying that?”

He picked up the string and wrapped it around Jaeyi’s waist, which was thin compared to his broad chest. He wanted to tie it into a pretty ribbon, but he didn’t have enough hands. As he fumbled with his braced hand, he whispered to Jaeyi to hold the other string. Song Jaeyi puffed out his chest as if holding his breath.

“I’ll do it.”

Song Jaeyi muttered in a suppressed voice.

“What I said this morning was serious. I was planning to work for Hyung.”

“Then why do you look so glum now?”

“…Because it feels like it’ll be tiring to work with Hyung.”

It bothered Sooin that Jaeyi, after being constantly criticized for his lack of social skills, was now blaming himself, saying he shouldn’t even get married. He wondered if he had been too harsh, and if Jaeyi was hearing similar things at home. That’s why he made the impulsive offer, but he was already starting to regret it.

Sooin smiled with his eyes and nodded. As he muttered, “Yeah, I think so too,” Song Jaeyi glared at him, as if he hadn’t even considered his own words. “What’s so tiring about working with Hyung? I’ll do all the dishes and cleaning.” His outburst made Sooin laugh. He was so childish at times like this.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Still, once he started working, Song Jaeyi became serious. With a face that looked like he had never held a sponge in his life, he washed dishes all day. And whenever he had free time, he tidied up the tables and even swept the floor. He was unexpectedly good at working.

“He’s much better than the guy who quit recently, right? That guy kept breaking cups.”

His coworker shared a similar opinion. She approached Sooin and tugged on his arm.

“He can’t make coffee yet, but he can learn, and more importantly, he’s handsome! And hardworking.”

Adding a giggle, she nudged Sooin’s arm. Sooin’s eyes widened at the sudden nudge. His coworker looked at him with an even more mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Hey, you don’t need ‘it’ anymore, right?”

Hmm, as he made a puzzled sound, she nudged him in the side. Sooin groaned softly and bent down. Her whisper reached his lowered ear.

“Are you two dating?”

It was a ridiculous assumption. Sooin chuckled softly and shook his head.

“No way. This time, I have a feeling it’s really different.”

I’m really telling you it’s not. Despite his reassuring words, his coworker shrugged. “I don’t believe you,” she said firmly, pointing at Song Jaeyi with her chin.

“Who are you kidding? The way you treat him is different from usual.”

Different how? Sooin looked in the direction she was pointing with a puzzled expression.

Song Jaeyi was cleaning up after a group of customers who had just left. He could see Jaeyi’s deeply furrowed brows even from afar. His hands, wiping the round table and putting away the chairs, were rough.

Thump, thump, a nearby customer looked at him irritably at the noise. Sensing the gaze, Song Jaeyi stared back at the customer. At his shameless gaze, as if asking, “What are you looking at?” the customer shook his head and turned away. Thinking he was unbelievable, Sooin chuckled softly.

“It’s not that I’m treating him differently…”

Well, the situation itself was certainly unique. From their strange first encounter to the part-time job and the one-night stand. He had even brought Jaeyi home despite resolving not to get involved with him again, and today, he had even helped him get a job. He was strangely fickle around Song Jaeyi.

Still, it wasn’t because he had special feelings for him. He had really thought of their first time as a one-night stand, and the second time was because of pheromones. Both instances were beneficial to him. Even today’s job offer was simply a win-win opportunity to teach him social skills and fill the staffing shortage. Regardless of how it appeared to others.

“It’s because Jaeyi is a bit… special.”

Unable to explain the whole situation, Sooin just smiled. He deliberately made his smile more gentle so as not to seem too distant, and his coworker clicked her tongue. Shaking her head and sighing, she muttered,

“See? I told you it’s different…”

Despite his explanation, the misunderstanding deepened. Sooin chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. The only conversations he had with Song Jaeyi today were about work, like where the sponges and towels were. So where did his coworker sense the difference? As he pondered absentmindedly, his coworker nudged his arm again.

“Oh, your boyfriend is coming to get jealous. I’m getting out of here!”

He turned around to see Song Jaeyi walking towards them, having finished cleaning the tables. His footsteps were deliberately heavy. Jealous, my foot. Sooin, who was about to respond with a laugh, closed his mouth.

Song Jaeyi quickly filled the space vacated by his coworker, who left with boisterous laughter. His expression was still full of displeasure. He asked, his beautiful eyes narrowed,

“Why are you playing around instead of working?”

He really is jealous… Sooin let out a sigh of laughter. Then he quickly turned back to the sink and picked up a towel.

“I’m working, I’m working. I’m doing it now.”

“Don’t use that hand.”

“……”

“Let go, I’ll do it.”

Before he could even wipe a single drop of water, the towel was snatched away. Sooin had no choice but to step back because of the force Song Jaeyi was applying with his sturdy body, as if telling him to move. Instead, he stood next to him and muttered defensively,

“I told you to work, kid.”

“What’s ‘kid,’ ‘kid’?”

It was a different tone from when he had asked why Sooin was suddenly taking the bus. This time, it wasn’t a question asked out of genuine ignorance. Song Jaeyi threw the towel into the sink and grumbled,

“Hyung, your way of speaking isn’t very nice. Sometimes, you’re really rude.”

He himself was speaking rudely while diligently wiping the few cups that had piled up. Sooin chuckled dryly at the sight. This was bad. He found Jaeyi cute even when he was saying things like that.

Was he really giving him special treatment, just like his coworker said…?

Feeling a sense of crisis, Sooin took a step back. Recalling his original purpose of working together, he drew a faint line.

“Did you contact Pyo Hyungyeon?”

“No.”

“Try apologizing to him first. It’ll be resolved quickly.”

“Why should I?”

Song Jaeyi replied curtly and wiped his hands on his apron. His gaze, as rough as his touch, fell on Sooin.

“Honestly, I don’t know why I should make up with him. That Sunbae was in the wrong, and people know it. Everyone hates him.”

Usually, Song Jaeyi spoke briefly and in a flat tone. But today, his tone was laced with annoyance. He seemed like a different person from yesterday, when he had eagerly asked for social skills lessons. Sooin sighed, wondering what had upset him again.

“Lesson One, sometimes losing is winning.”

As he raised his index finger like a stern teacher, Song Jaeyi scoffed, letting out a short breath.

“How can you win if you lose? If you lose, you lose.”

“That’s what I mean in the long run.”

“I don’t understand even in the long run. What’s so good about getting along with that bastard? Honestly, he has even worse social skills than me. He’s the one who should be taking this lesson.”

The rapid-fire words silenced Sooin. Everything he said was right, so there was nothing to refute. Moreover, the words he added with a slightly roughened breath were the final blow.

“Hyung should be more angry at him than at me.”

The key point always comes last. You were feeling hurt. Sooin, realizing this, rubbed his face.

“Jaeyi.”

“Why.”

“You need to have expectations to feel angry.”

Sooin spoke calmly, suppressing the laughter that was trying to escape.

“The reason why people put up with Pyo Hyungyeon even though they all hate him? It’s simple. They have no expectations, so they don’t get disappointed. They don’t have the energy to fix him, and they’re worried about causing more trouble if they provoke him. Since there’s no point in talking to him anyway, they just put up with him until they can get rid of him.”

Song Jaeyi, who had been stuffing a handful of straws into a cup, stopped. His softened eyes glanced at Sooin.

“Then do you have expectations for me?”

Song Jaeyi asked, brushing aside the hair that had fallen over his eyes. His neat forehead and thick eyelashes drew Sooin’s attention even more. Sooin swallowed a nervous breath.

“Really? You don’t want to just get rid of me when the time comes, and you have the energy to fix me.”

“……”

“You’re asking if you have expectations for me.”

In a life where misfortune is a habit, expectations are a luxury. Because when you have expectations and hopes, you dare to be happy.

Sooin couldn’t answer readily. Just then, the chime of the bell rang as the cafe door opened, and Sooin turned his head. Standing as if pushing Song Jaeyi aside, Sooin smiled.

“Welcome, can I help you?”

A persistent gaze lingered on his friendly smile. It was too insistent for him to ignore.

Fortunately, customers started pouring in. It was because of a sudden influx of group customers and pre-orders. The cafe instantly became crowded.

As the noise grew louder, Hyerin, who had run away to avoid Song Jaeyi, came out of the break room with a puzzled expression. Her eyes widened at the long line, and her steps quickened.

“You really were born with luck when it comes to work.”

She muttered as she rushed over and started making coffee. Since it was an undeniable fact, Sooin just laughed.

One had an injured hand, and the other was a newbie who didn’t even know how to pull a shot. Because of this, they were slower than usual in processing orders. Sooin, who would have normally felt frustrated, felt at ease today. He didn’t even have time to talk to Song Jaeyi, let alone have random thoughts. Time flew by like an arrow.

Because they had been so busy, closing time felt earlier than usual. Sooin deliberately delayed his shift change and stayed at the cash register. He was planning to send Hyerin home first and push Song Jaeyi along with her.

“Hyerin, can you show Jaeyi how to clock out?”

Hyerin looked puzzled but didn’t question him. “Okay,” she replied halfheartedly and took Song Jaeyi with her. Sooin didn’t hand over the cash register until long after they were gone.

Sooin slowly walked towards the break room. By now, they would have finished clocking out and changing. It would be best if he didn’t run into them, but even if he did, he planned to just greet them and naturally part ways.

But as if mocking his calculations, Hyerin and Song Jaeyi were standing in front of the break room. They were leaning against the wall, looking at their phones as if waiting for someone. Sooin stopped in surprise.

Noticing his presence, they both looked up at the same time. Two pairs of eyes stared at Sooin. Hyerin was the first to move.

“Ah, well. I have something to tell you.”

Hyerin hesitated, glancing at Song Jaeyi, then rushed over as if giving up. Sooin’s waist naturally bent as she pulled down on his arm. Hyerin whispered in his lowered ear,

“Geonhui is coming tomorrow. Mi-jeong asked if there’s anyone who can cover her shift.”

“Ah…”

“I just… thought you should know.”