I 09

Chapter 09

Meeting Gyobeom’s eyes, Chayun drew in a sharp breath.

In his darkened black irises, an unidentifiable heat was flickering.

It was a distinctly negative emotion.

“…Why didn’t you tell me?”

At his chilled voice, she flinched, her voice shrinking.

“H-how could I tell you when you didn’t give me a chance?”

“Not you. Min Suho.”

“…?”

The hand that had been suspended midair slowly lowered like a falling leaf and came to rest on Chayun’s shoulder.

Suho’s eyes, upon seeing him, darkened heavily. An unusually deep shade for him.

“…”

An awkward silence flowed between the three.

It was Gyobeom who broke the suffocating stillness.

“I didn’t expect you to come here.”

Suho, as if the tension had never happened, swept away the shadow and wore a bright smile.

“Yeah, same here. I didn’t expect you to be here either, Gyobeom.”

“You should have told me then. Then I wouldn’t have been surprised.”

The area beneath Suho’s eyes twitched faintly.

“…It was your grandfather’s funeral. Things were so hectic.”

“Hectic.”

*Hmm.* As if pondering for a moment, Gyobeom let out a soft chuckle.

“Fine. Let’s call it that. Seems like that’d be easier for both of us.”

Suho gave an awkward smile.

*What on earth? Why are they talking about things only they know? If it’s going to be like this, you two might as well have met separately.*

As if reading Chayun’s mind, Suho’s gaze turned to her.

“I came a little early, didn’t I? Looks like you’re still tidying up the café.”

“Ah, I’m almost done.”

*If only this person hadn’t come, I’d have been finished by now.* Chayun glanced sideways at Gyobeom’s profile, but when he turned his head toward her, she quickly lowered her eyes.

“Hong Chayun.”

“Y-yes?”

“Why can’t you take your eyes off me?”

At that, Suho’s pupils widened momentarily.

“Wh-when did I ever!”

“Min Suho, you know too, right? Hong Chayun’s habit. Stammering when she’s guilty.”

“…Haha.”

Suho’s awkward laugh was as good as an affirmation.

Everyone around her knew that she was terrible at lying.

Her already red face now felt like it was about to explode with a *pop*!

“A-anyway, Senior, you should go now. We have prior plans.”

“Count me in.”

“Excuse me?”

Gyobeom’s gaze shifted to Suho.

“That’s fine, isn’t it?”

“…”

“It’s a gathering to catch up between seniors and juniors after a long time, right? Then I qualify too. In terms of standing, and in terms of justification.”

Gyobeom grabbed Chayun’s shoulder and pulled her closer. As a result, she ended up practically nestled in his arms.

“Hong Chayun and I even went to the same middle and high school. Isn’t that right?”

It was strange. Gyobeom was smiling, but why did it feel so chilling and frightening?

“Ah, well, that’s true, but…”

“Yeah, let’s go together.”

At Suho’s words, Gyobeom and Chayun’s gazes simultaneously turned to him.

“It’s been a while since the three of us got together. Right?”

Gyobeom looked down at her and grinned.

“Indeed. I’m looking forward to it.”

Chayun made a sad face.

*Is this combination going to be okay?*

—

***

As soon as they left the café, the trouble began.

“Take my car.”

Gyobeom gestured with his chin toward the black sedan he’d arrived in.

“Huh? But it looks like someone’s already in there?”

“Chief Tae.”

Chief Tae—that was Jinsu. The bald man who always wore sunglasses, Gyobeom’s executive assistant, and someone with an incredibly intimidating presence.

When he’d treated her wounds, he didn’t seem like a bad person, but…

The thought of riding in the same car as Jinsu and Gyobeom made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

She might suffocate before they even reached the restaurant.

“No, I originally had plans with Suho, so I’ll go in his car. You come comfortably.”

At her words, Suho covered his slightly flushed face with the back of his hand.

The fact that Chayun had chosen him over Gyobeom made his heart pound like it was about to burst.

Even if it was just a simple choice like whose car to ride in, Suho had always wanted to be the one Chayun chose.

Just like right now.

“…”

Unlike Suho, who looked like he was flying, Gyobeom’s gaze sank darkly, as if buried underground.

*…Did I let her go too long?*

“I’ll send the address to Chief Jinsu.”

“Forget it.”

“Excuse me? You’re not coming?”

One of Gyobeom’s eyebrows tilted askew.

“Why. Would you rather I not come? You seem happy about it?”

“Ah, no, I just thought if you’re busy, you don’t have to…”

“Don’t have to?”

“Don’t have to go out of your way to adjust your schedule, that’s all…”

“I’m coming.”

“Excuse me? S-senior?”

Gyobeom strode over on his long legs toward the passenger seat of Suho’s white sedan.

His gaze—*What are you doing, not coming?*—made Chayun and Suho exchange glances.

“Senior, will this be okay?”

“What do you mean? It’s good that the three of us are getting together after so long.”

“Somehow I feel bad.”

“Did you… plan to meet Gyobeom today?”

Chayun’s eyes went wide as she waved her hands frantically.

“No! Not at all. I had no idea Gyobeom was coming today. I was just getting ready to close when he suddenly…”

Just then, Gyobeom’s voice came through.

“Are you coming or not?”

His gaze as he looked back at them was somehow terrifying.

“Let’s just go.”

“Okay.”

And so Suho drove, Gyobeom sat in the passenger seat, and Chayun sat in the back.

Turning the steering wheel smoothly, Suho asked Chayun.

“Chayun. Did you decide what you want to eat?”

“Ah, I heard there’s a place nearby that does seafood pasta really well.”

“Right, Chayun loves seafood pasta.”

“Was I being too selfish?”

“Of course not. Ever since you got me into it back in college, I’ve loved it too. I even made a point of stopping by seafood restaurants in America.”

A sharp voice coldly cut through the amiable atmosphere between the two.

“When.”

“Excuse me?”

“When in college.”

*Why is he in a bad mood again? Honestly, I can never figure him out.*

“Just, um… I think it was after an MT…”

“Yeah, that’s right. And after finals. Right?”

“Ah, yes. That was really delicious. We were the only ones who showed up at a restaurant looking all scruffy in hoodies.”

A faint crack appeared on Gyobeom’s face.

He muttered quietly to himself.

*We.*

*Only we…*

*Tap. Tap. Tap.* He intermittently drummed his index finger on the car door handle.

“Right. But thanks to you, I wasn’t embarrassed at all.”

“Me too, Senior. Though you looked fine even dressed like that, I looked like a total mess.”

“What are you talking about. You just looked pretty.”

At Suho’s words, Chayun’s face flushed bright red.

“Ah, th-thank you. I guess this is what people mean when they say you’re nice, Senior. Hahaha.”

As Chayun laughed awkwardly, Suho bowed his head and let out a small laugh.

“…Ha.”

At the sight, Gyobeom let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and disbelief.

Chayun flinched and bit her lips inward, while Suho turned his head toward Gyobeom as the car stopped at a red light.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just impressed by how well you two play together.”

“Chayun and I did get along well. Right?”

“Excuse me? Yes, haha. Th-that’s right.”

“Seems like that’s not the case. You’re stammering.”

“…That’s not true.”

Chayun muttered timidly and clamped her mouth shut. *Let’s not react. Looking at my track record, I always end up getting cornered by Gyobeom anyway.*

Chayun’s gaze turned toward the window. Everyone passing by on the street looked so happy, laughing and chatting.

*Sigh. How did things end up like this?*

Why did Gyobeom even come to the café? Surely he didn’t actually come because… he missed her…

*There’s no way. He must have some need for me again.*

Just like back then.

—

*”Meaning? Father said it himself. That I need to know how to handle people. So I was just using her as practice.”*

—

*What is he planning to use me for this time?*

As that thought crossed her mind, her excitement sank like a lie.

That day was vivid as if it were yesterday, yet at other times, it would be completely forgotten.

On days like today, when Gyobeom appeared before her and stole her senses away, the memory of that day would suddenly vanish without a trace, replaced by fluttering anticipation.

But in the end, the only thing that remained was resignation.

This time would be the same. So instead of acting foolishly and wavering, she needed to figure out what Gyobeom’s real intentions were.

It was true she hadn’t completely severed her feelings for him—but she no longer wanted to be swayed by him.

“…”

Suho glanced at Chayun through the rearview mirror.

Her profile, lost in thought as she gazed out the window, was so pitiful it made him want to hold her.

What was she worrying about? If only she would lean on him. He would stake everything he had to solve it for her.

Was it about Gyobeom?

Even if it was, Suho was confident he could resolve it.

*If only you’d confide in me. I can do anything for you.*

—

***

The three arrived at the restaurant.

As she walked in with the two men, Chayun bowed her head at the gazes converging on them.

*Ah, I’d forgotten for a moment.*

The price of walking with two men who stood at the pinnacle of completely different kinds of charm—she had to endure the piercing stares that assessed her.

*Yes. I’m just an ordinary person who doesn’t match up to them.*

Bowing her head like a sinner, Chayun headed toward the innermost corner table, where she’d draw the least attention.

The three sat down. Since it was a round table, no matter where they sat, they could clearly see each other.

“Chayun, you’re so consistent.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

“Your preference for corner seats.”

Chayun gave an awkward smile.

*No, I like window seats. It’s just that when I’m with you two, I head to where I’ll get the least attention.*

“I think Hong Chayun has changed quite a bit.”

Gyobeom, who had been silent the whole way there, suddenly spoke.

“Or am I mistaken?”

“Huh? Ah, well… some things have changed, and some haven’t…”

“I hope you stay the same.”

Gyobeom rested his elbows on the table, laced his fingers together, and rested his chin on them as he gazed steadily at Chayun.

“Especially Hong Chayun’s heart.”