* * *
A few days later, in Dojin’s room at the guesthouse in the late afternoon.
Dojin was practically holding his breath in front of his laptop.
His fingertips trembled slightly from tension.
It was the announcement day for the design contest results, a project he had been working on day and night with Yoonwoo ’s recent feedback.
How many times had he pressed the refresh button?
Even the sound of him swallowing seemed loud.
Finally, when the words ‘List of Winners’ appeared on the screen, Dojin swallowed hard and scrolled down.
The moment he found his name and the title of his work, he jumped up from his chair and shouted.
“I did it! I did it! Wooow!”
He instinctively clenched his fists and cheered.
Then, he spun around the room a few times, unsure what to do with himself.
It was the Excellence Award, completely unexpected!
The prize money was quite substantial, too.
His heart was pounding like it would burst.
An electrifying joy spread throughout his entire body.
The design, which had felt so daunting just a few days ago, had magically opened up thanks to a few words of advice from Yoonwoo.
This result would have been impossible without his sharp critiques and clear direction.
‘It’s all thanks to Yoonwoo ! Truly all thanks to Yoonwoo !’
The first person that popped into Dojin’s mind was Yoonwoo.
He wanted to run to him and share the good news first.
And more than anything, he genuinely wanted to express his gratitude.
Yes, since he received the prize money, he would treat Yoonwoo to a proper meal!
Yoonwoo hasn’t been eating properly, so he should buy him something expensive and delicious.
What would he like?
Sashimi? Or Black Pork?
Ah, oily food might still be too much for him.
Then how about pasta somewhere with a nice atmosphere?
Just thinking about it brought a huge smile to Dojin’s face.
How wonderful it would be to see Yoonwoo enjoy the food.
Maybe… he might even see that faint smile he showed him last time.
At that thought, an uncontrollable flutter of excitement, transcending mere gratitude, tickled his heart.
Startled by his loud shout, which carried through the open door, Gaeul, who was playing below the porch bench, crouched low and perked up his ears.
Then, with eyes wide and round, he looked at the suddenly shouting Dojin with caution.
“Oh my, Gaeul-a, did I scare you? Sorry, sorry! Your brother was just so excited.”
Dojin finally noticed Gaeul, lowered himself, and apologized with an awkward laugh.
But Gaeul seemed genuinely startled and let out a small hiss before quickly turning and dashing to a corner of the yard.
His gaze then landed on Yoonwoo , who was quietly reading a book spread open on his lap on the other end of the bench.
The soft light of the evening sun, which had unknowingly approached, shone on his pale face and delicate profile.
The sight was so tranquil and beautiful that Dojin paused for a breath.
Dojin approached Yoonwoo with an overwhelming feeling in his heart.
His expression was much more excited than usual, almost ecstatic.
“Mr. Yoonwoo ! I won an award! It’s the Excellence Award in the design contest!”
He called out, catching his breath and boasting like a child.
“It’s truly all thanks to you, Mr. Yoonwoo ! I wouldn’t have stood a chance if you hadn’t given me feedback! Thank you, thank you so much!”
Yoonwoo, who had been focused on his book, looked up, slightly surprised by Dojin’s sudden shouting and excitement.
His face still looked a bit pale and tired, but a rare, subtle smile seemed to cross his lips.
“…Is that so? That’s good. Congratulations, Dojin.”
His calm voice held genuine congratulation.
The fact that his small help had brought Dojin such great joy also transmitted a small warmth to Yoonwoo.
“Thank you!”
Dojin was even happier at Yoonwoo ‘s congratulations and smiled radiantly.
He hesitated for a moment, fiddling with his hands, then carefully spoke.
“Um… Mr. Yoonwoo. So, about that…. I received some prize money. If you don’t mind… how about having dinner together tonight? I really want to treat you. I want to express my gratitude properly….”
He checked Yoonwoo ’s reaction, his face slightly flushed with anticipation and nervousness.
Yoonwoohesitated at the sudden dinner invitation.
Going out of the guesthouse, especially at dinner time, to an unfamiliar restaurant and eating with someone was still an unpleasant prospect for him.
However, it was difficult to refuse the genuine goodwill of this young man who was so happy and grateful, saying he won the award because of him.
Moreover, he was also the person who helped save Gaeul.
He recalled Dojin’s image of holding the bloody Gaeul gently as they rushed to the hospital and silently standing by his side during the anxious wait.
Thinking of it as a way to repay that gratitude, his heart shifted.
“…Yes. That sounds good.”
Yoonwooreplied briefly, nodding his head.
Of course, he completely failed to notice the subtle emotions, like the uncontrollable excitement or the clear expectation toward him, that flickered across Dojin’s face.
“Really?! Wow! Then I’ll see you in a bit!”
Dojin smiled brightly, looking as though he had conquered the world.
While Yoonwoo was thinking, ‘Is winning a contest really that exciting?’, Dojin quickly rushed back to his room.
It was time to prepare for their dinner date.
There were still a few hours left until dinner.
Dojin spent the time pacing nervously in his room.
First, he had to make a reservation for a restaurant.
He took out his phone and sent a message to the group chat with his Jeju friends.
[Hey guys, recommend a restaurant with a nice atmosphere, good for a special occasion! I want to treat someone very grateful to dinner…]
As soon as he sent the message, replies poured in from his friends.
[Ooh~ Kim Dojin~ Who is it? Finally dating? lol]
[A restaurant with a good atmosphere? Looks like a date! Which Omega is it?]
[No wonder he’s been in such a good mood lately~ There was a reason for it~]
Dojin’s face turned bright red at his friends’ teasing, and he vigorously shook his head.
[What are you talking about! I’m just buying dinner for someone I’m really grateful to! She’s not my girlfriend!!]
[Wow~ The stone Buddha Kim Dojin must finally have spring in his step~ I can hear all the Omegas at our school crying from here~ lol]
He quickly made excuses, but his friends didn’t seem to believe him.
[So who is it? No recommendation if you don’t tell us! Ji-soo who was hitting on you? Or Ji-hye? Send us a picture!]
After a long struggle, one friend finally recommended a beautiful Italian restaurant with a view of the sea.
Dojin, despite his flushed face, quickly called the restaurant and made a reservation for the best window seat available.
“Yes, I’d like to book a table for two around 7 PM. Please make the table setting look nice. It’s for a very important person.”
As soon as he finished the reservation, his heart started beating faster.
Now he was actually going to have dinner with Mr. Yoonwoo !
He nervously wandered around the yard and pretended to help his father with the guesthouse work to pass the time.
But his mind was entirely focused on the dinner.
What would Mr. Yoonwoo like?
Would he like the restaurant’s atmosphere?
What should he talk about so it wouldn’t be awkward? What if he said something wrong?
As the sun began to set, Dojin hurried to take a shower and began his serious preparations.
He chose his clothes carefully, like a boy getting ready for his first date.
Clothes that looked neither too casual nor too over-dressed.
He took out the few non-work clothes he had in his closet and laid them on the bed, contemplating seriously.
This one looked too young, that one was too drab…
After repeatedly trying on and taking off clothes, he finally found a combination he liked: a neat gray knit sweater, looking almost new, and tidy beige cotton pants.
He fixed his hair in front of the mirror.
Usually, he would just let it dry and leave, but today was different.
He used a hairdryer to add volume and even dabbed a tiny bit of wax awkwardly.
His face felt hot for no reason, so he washed it again with cold water, and just in case, secretly applied a bit of his father’s aftershave and lotion.
Finally, he sprayed cologne just once, very lightly.
Too much might bother him.
He felt an uncontrollable mix of excitement and tension bubbling up from his entire body.
‘Will Mr. Yoonwoo … like it even a little? No, I just hope… he can enjoy the meal comfortably.’
With that expectation in mind, Dojin checked his appearance in the mirror one last time and left the room.
Outside, the world was already painted red by the beautiful sunset.
He stood in front of Yoonwoo ’s room door, took a deep breath, and carefully knocked.
“Mr. Yoonwoo , it’s Dojin.”
A moment later, the door opened, and Yoonwoo appeared.
He was dressed comfortably and neatly, but his face looked slightly more vibrant than before.
Dojin’s heart pounded again at the sight of him.
With a slightly nervous face, he asked, with the most natural smile he could muster:
“Um… Mr. Yoonwoo , shall we… get going now?”
His voice was filled with the tension of wanting to look good and the swelling anticipation for the dinner they would share.
* * *
