I 10

Chapter 10

The atmosphere, which had barely begun to thaw, froze over again.

*’I hope you stay the same’—what on earth does he mean by that, referring to my heart?*

Did Gyobeom know that her feelings for him still hadn’t faded?

Chayun desperately hoped not.

If he did, she felt she wouldn’t be able to show her face in front of him.

Whether he knew her feelings or not, Suho asked.

“What does that mean?”

“W-well, I wonder. Haha.”

As Chayun laughed awkwardly, Gyobeom’s gaze at her was laden with meaning.

Deliberately avoiding his eyes, Chayun turned her head toward Suho.

“How was America, Senior? Do you have any photos?”

“It was a business trip, so I didn’t take many notable photos. My uncle lives there, so I’ve visited those places often anyway.”

“Ah, right, right. You went for work. Haha.”

“Still, I did take a few. You can’t really tell if they’re Korea or America, though. Want to see?”

“Yes, I’d love to.”

Chayun moved her chair slightly closer to Suho, trying to escape Gyobeom’s gaze that was still boring into her like an arrow.

As Suho said, the photos of blue skies and trees made it impossible to tell whether they were from Korea or America.

It was such a peaceful, Suho-like perspective that Chayun found herself smiling.

“Senior, you haven’t changed either.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You were always like that too. Always taking pictures of just nature—huh?”

Suddenly her vision went dark.

“Wh-what is it?”

Gyobeom had covered Chayun’s eyes with his large hand.

“Save your eyes.”

“What’s more healing than nature…”

“Staring that close to a phone screen will ruin your eyesight.”

“Ah, fine, just take your hand off!”

As Chayun grabbed his hand and struggled—

Gyobeom’s dark eyes turned toward Suho.

Suho unconsciously tightened his lips.

Ever since high school, Gyobeom had possessed the power to subdue everyone with just his gaze.

The other person’s age or gender didn’t matter. Once he set his mind to conquering someone, they would lose their will and kneel.

The eyes with which Gyobeom now looked at him held a hostility reminiscent of a competitor eyeing his prey.

Gyobeom was an incredibly reassuring ally, but if turned into an enemy, he was an extremely formidable opponent.

Nevertheless, Suho felt he wanted to dare to stand against him.

As a friend, he still liked Gyobeom.

But as a man… if he had to compete, he didn’t want to back down.

That was how much he liked Chayun.

Even if the cost was great, he didn’t want to lose her. Never.

“…”

Seeing Suho not avoiding his gaze, Gyobeom let out a soft chuckle.

“Interesting.”

Thinking he was speaking to her, Chayun bristled.

“I don’t find it interesting at all. Let go of me.”

Slowly withdrawing his gaze from Suho, Gyobeom lowered his hand from Chayun’s eyes.

“Next time, be careful. Don’t get so close to just anything.”

“Suho’s photos aren’t ‘just anything’.”

“That’s exactly why.”

What on earth did “that’s exactly why” mean? Honestly, communication was impossible.

Really. Why did he suddenly cover my eyes? Thank goodness I didn’t do eye makeup today—if I’d gone heavy, what then?

Grumbling inwardly, Chayun met Gyobeom’s eyes and quickly looked away, flustered.

“You’re cursing me out in your head again, aren’t you.”

“Ah, no, I’m not?”

“Then at least don’t stammer.”

“Aren’t you busy today? Can you really afford to be here like this?”

“Because there’s nothing more important than being here like this.”

Chayun was about to ask what he meant by that when the food arrived.

*I think it’s better to eat quickly and get out of here.*

And the pasta noodles would get soggy.

Having made that judgment, she gave up on dealing with Gyobeom and picked up her fork.

“It’s hot, so be careful eating.”

At Suho’s gentle words, Chayun gave a faint smile and nodded.

“Yes, Senior, enjoy your meal too.”

Watching the scene, an unidentifiable emotion quietly stormed in Gyobeom’s eyes.

—

***

“I’ll drive you.”

At Gyobeom’s words, Chayun waved her hands.

“No, it’s okay. The bus stop is close.”

Despite her refusal, Gyobeom remained relaxed.

“I have something to discuss regarding your grandmother.”

At that, Chayun bit her lip firmly. He always brought out a card she could never refuse to get his way.

As long as her grandmother worked at Hyeonhamwon, Chayun couldn’t reject his offer.

Letting out a faint sigh, Chayun gave Suho an apologetic look.

“Senior, I’m sorry. I think I need to go.”

“…Yeah, okay.”

“Drive safely.”

“Got it. Text me when you get home.”

“Okay.”

Just as Chayun nodded—

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh? What do you mean, Gyobeom?”

“I’ll let you know when Hong Chayun gets home safely.”

As Gyobeom grinned, a black sedan glided to a stop behind him.

Jinsu got out from the driver’s seat, approached them, and bowed his head.

“Then I’ll be heading in now, Managing Director.”

“Good work.”

With a “Yes,” Jinsu gave a slight bow to Suho and Chayun as well, then immediately jogged off somewhere.

“Uh-uh? Where are you going?”

“Off work.”

“But you left your car…”

“He’ll take care of it. Let’s go.”

Gyobeom wrapped his arm around Chayun’s shoulder and gently guided her into the car.

“Senior, go safely!”

“Yeah, you too.”

*Click.* After closing the passenger door, Gyobeom stood facing Suho.

“Thanks for coming to the funeral.”

“Of course. It’s only natural.”

“And thanks for looking after Hong Chayun.”

“That’s also only natural.”

Suho drew in a breath and smiled.

“Then I’ll leave Chayun in your care. Take her home safely.”

Gyobeom stared at him silently for a moment, then spoke.

“I’ve always wondered. When you’ll take off that mask.”

“Haha. I have no idea what you mean.”

“You know.”

At his meaningful words, a faint tremor ran through the corners of Suho’s upturned lips.

“Do you really think acting like that will get you what you want?”

“…”

“Think carefully. As a friend, you’re a pretty decent guy.”

Gyobeom tilted his head slightly and loosened his tie a little.

“But for me, Hong Chayun comes first.”

In an instant, his dark eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

“This is as far as I’ll tolerate. Quietly keep your distance. Don’t make Hong Chayun feel your presence.”

With a voice that was chillingly murderous, Gyobeom warned quietly, then turned and headed toward the driver’s seat.

“Gyobeom.”

At Suho’s call, he stopped and turned his head halfway.

“You know what?”

“…What.”

“I’ve rarely failed to get what I want either.”

Since meeting Gyobeom, Suho had felt frustration for the first time in his life. A bitter sense of defeat and a terrible inferiority complex had trailed along like creeping vines.

It had always been his share to receive admiring gazes and envious praise—yet Gyobeom, without doing anything, snatched them away so easily.

Still, he hadn’t resented him. Because Gyobeom was genuinely a cool guy, even from a man’s perspective.

He had no interest in anything outside his domain, but for those he considered his people, he became a steadfast protector, inspiring not just favor but loyalty.

He had an exceptional talent and charm for drawing out loyalty beyond mere liking.

Though he’d always felt like the second-best because of Gyobeom’s overwhelming presence, Suho had been proud to be his close friend.

But from the moment he set his heart on Chayun, his feelings toward Gyobeom changed.

It was pitiful and sad, but his desire for Chayun was even stronger.

It was then that Suho finally understood his grandfather’s words—that to achieve a goal, one must not be particular about means or methods.

“Take care, Gyobeom.”

“That sounds rather ambiguous.”

“Did it sound that way to you?”

“I trust you’ll come to the next meal too.”

“The next meal?”

“My wedding.”

With that, Gyobeom strode to the car.

Not long after he got in, the black sedan quickly pulled away.

Staring at the empty spot as if nothing had ever been there, Suho bit the inside of his lip.

*You’ll be the one coming first. To my and Chayun’s wedding.*

—

***

It was easy to tell that Gyobeom’s mood was poor once he was in the car.

Through his terrifying gaze fixed only on the road ahead, and the heavy silence that had settled.

Moistening her dry lips with her tongue, Chayun fidgeted with her clasped hands.

This was unbearably uncomfortable.

She wanted to get out right away.

She had no idea why she was here alone with that person.

Those thoughts filled her mind like smoke.

“Hong Chayun.”

At the low voice that broke the silence, Chayun started, then cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment.

“Wh-why are you calling me?”

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Min Suho.”

A question mark appeared over her head. *What kind of question is that?*

“He’s kind and warm. He takes good care of people.”

“So. Do you like him?”

“Uh… is there anyone who wouldn’t?”

*Huh.* That’s strange. Chayun held her breath.

Why did it seem like Gyobeom’s hands on the steering wheel had tightened?

Veins seemed more pronounced on the back of his hand than before. Was she imagining it?

“Is that what you want? Kindness, warmth, that sort of thing?”

As soon as the car stopped at a red light, Gyobeom turned his head toward Chayun.

“Tell me.”

“Wh-what…”

“I’m asking if that’s what you want.”

*Ah. I must have really gone crazy.*

Why did she see something in Gyobeom’s eyes as he quietly pressed her?

An emotion similar to kindness, warmth, those sorts of things.

“No.”

“No?”

“At least not from you, Senior.”

She could see the tension in Gyobeom’s brow. In his lips pressed into a straight line. In his hands gripping the steering wheel.

“I don’t know why you’re acting this way, Senior, or what meaning your words today carry. But there’s one thing I know for sure.”

“…What could you possibly know.”

Chayun’s voice carried sadness, and an even greater resignation.

“That I should never expect anything from you.”