* * *
Beom Sinje had been casually throwing out remarks that could easily be misunderstood all day.
Furious, Doyoung lunged at him to shut him up, only to have his wrist effortlessly caught in return.
“You brat, how dare you grab your hyung’s hand like that? Let go.”
Watching Doyoung flail in irritation, Beom Sinje eventually let go with an amused look.
‘Are we even supposed to be watching this?’
‘Maybe we should head over there and just focus on our work?’
After all, wasn’t it common wisdom to stay out of lovers’ quarrels?
By now, the guild members had silently elevated the relationship between Doyoung and Beom Sinje from that of mere brothers to something much closer.
One by one, they began to edge away, giving the pair space.
The lab was spacious enough, and they figured that disappearing somewhere out of sight would give the situation time to resolve itself.
Like cautious hunters retreating to regroup after spotting a boss monster, the guild members moved tactfully.
Meanwhile, Park Bora, still watching the unfolding drama with keen interest, locked eyes with one of the retreating guild members.
‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘And miss this spectacle?’
‘Tsk tsk… Outsiders shouldn’t meddle in the guild leader’s love life.’
‘Fine, I get it.’
Though none of these words were spoken aloud, their glances conveyed everything.
Finally, Bora sighed and trailed after the guild members, dragging along Lee Namsoo and Joo Min.
“I told you clearly. I have no intention of accepting your feelings.”
“Why not?”
“What?”
“Why can’t you accept them?”
“That’s because…”
Before Doyoung could formulate his response, Beom Sinje interrupted, unusually insistent.
“Do you dislike me?”
“Of course not!”
Dislike?
How could he dislike the person who had become his biggest focus these days?
“Is it because I’m a man?”
“I told you, it’s not about that!”
“Then what is it?”
Faced with Beom Sinje’s unrelenting questions, Doyoung felt compelled to explain.
He looked him in the eyes, ready to give a firm answer.
But then it hit him.
‘Why indeed? Why did I just say no without a real reason?’
A sudden wave of doubt settled over him.
‘Why had did I reject Beom Sinje?’
Doyoung pondered over the reason.
What would Beom Sinje say if Doyoung told him he had never thought about meeting someone?
He’d probably say, “Then why don’t you meet someone first and then worry about it later?”
Given the current atmosphere, that was entirely possible. Or what if Sinje asked if it was because he was younger?
“Is it because I’m younger?”
“Huh?”
If Sinje suddenly asked that, it would catch Doyoung off guard, as if Sinje were reading his mind.
“No, it’s just… not that.”
Honestly, Doyoung had never even considered that part.
Right. I hadn’t thought about that at all.
Perhaps it was because Sinje always seemed mature for his age, handling everything with cool-headed precision.
“If it’s not that, is it because you never thought about dating at all?”
“Huh?”
How could every question Sinje asked align so perfectly with Doyoung’s thoughts?
It was fascinating, but there was no time to dwell on it now.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to consider it while dating me?”
“You’re a bit scary.”
Sinje raised an eyebrow at Doyoung’s unintentional comment.
“Ah, no. Just…”
From his reaction, it seems he didn’t consciously bring it up either.
Which makes it all the more baffling.
“So, what do you think, hyung?”
“Well…”
Doyoung pondered again.
“It’s not that I can’t date you because you’re a guy and younger, and if it’s because I haven’t thought about it, why not use this as an opportunity?”
When did this guy get so good with words?
It seems like lately, Beom Sinje is starting to win arguments with me.
In the past, he would follow my words without much question, even if he was skeptical.
‘Now that he’s an adult, the cuteness is gone.’
Not that he was ever cute before, but there used to be moments of clumsy innocence typical for his age.
‘Now he’s more dependable and charismatic.’
It’s only natural since he’s the protagonist, but it still felt a bit regretful.
“Hyung, what do you think?”
Perhaps thinking Doyoung was hesitating, Beom Sinje asked again.
Thanks to that, Doyoung paused to think once more.
“What if I feel it’s not right and want to end it later?”
“I don’t mind.”
Though he had no intention of backing down once things started, Beom Sinje calmly lied.
“Hmm…”
Unlike last time, Doyoung didn’t outright refuse. His hesitation was a sign that he might give a positive answer.
As Beom Sinje expected, Doyoung’s heart was slowly leaning towards thinking it might not be a bad idea.
‘Looks like even if I say no, he won’t give up. Instead of making things difficult by asking like this, maybe…’
It could be a cowardly excuse, but accommodating his wish and thinking it over wasn’t a bad approach.
Besides, looking at it, they’ll continue being together anyway, so being dragged along like this might not be the worst.
“Alright, then just for a month.”
“Hyung, you’re cautious. Will a month be enough? Shouldn’t it be at least 100 days?”
Come to think of it, that makes sense too.
The time it took for a bear and a tiger to turn into humans by eating garlic and mugwort was also about that long.
Thinking that some time was necessary to recognize emotional changes, Doyoung adjusted the period.
“Hmm… Alright, 100 days.”
It felt like they were negotiating contract terms, but a smile bloomed on Beom Sinje’s face as he achieved his desired outcome.
“Then, starting today, we’re dating, right?”
“Sure, whatever.”
Responding indifferently, Doyoung took the first step.
However, Beom Sinje easily noticed that unlike his usual self, Doyoung’s expression showed signs of being flustered as he walked ahead.
Though he was barely managing to act calm, Beom Sinje could tell he was feeling embarrassed by the situation.
Instead of pointing it out, he silently matched his pace.
Feeling Beom Sinje’s presence beside him, Doyoung tried not to turn his head.
He seemed to succeed in maintaining composure, but…
For some reason, his heart kept pounding.
‘What the heck? Why am I like this? We just agreed to date for a bit.’
Yet, he couldn’t figure out why he felt so unsettled.
No, he knew.
It was because he had never experienced anything like this or even tried it before.
“Sigh…”
“Hyung?”
At his sigh, Beom Sinje immediately called out.
“It’s nothing.”
Shaking his head, Doyoung thought it was no big deal.
Or at least he tried to convince himself it was.
* * *
