* * *

The unexpected comment left Joobin wide-eyed in shock.

Yoochan, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed.

With a low laugh, he started patting Joobin’s back slowly, as if it were no big deal.

“When? Since when did you decide to quit? Were you even thinking of quitting?”

“I thought it was about time.”

“Why?”

“You don’t like it, do you?”

Joobin’s eyes widened again, but this time, he closed his mouth, feeling overwhelmed.

His eyes, glistening with emotion, looked so cute that Yoochan could barely contain his laughter as he patted Joobin’s back.

Of course, when Joobin had told him to quit before, Yoochan hadn’t done it.

So it’s understandable how shocking this must be.

Looking at the somewhat dumbfounded Joobin, Yoochan asked, “Aren’t you going in? They said you’re up for the next shot.”

“Oh, yeah, I should go.”

“Do your best. I’ll be here, chewing nicotine gum.”

“…Nicotine gum actually doesn’t help. You’re not trying to lose weight either, so you should just eat something sweet instead.”

“Wow, you were really waiting for me to quit, huh?”

“…”

“You’re just spilling out all kinds of information now.”

Yoochan chuckled and nodded.

Joobin, on his way to the set, turned back several times to check on Yoochan.

The sight of Yoochan not even glancing at the smoking area was enough to fill Joobin with pride.

Come to think of it, Yoochan hadn’t even asked, “Where’s the smoking area?”

He wasn’t a chain smoker, but he usually reached for a cigarette when bored.

Joobin hadn’t even noticed the change.

After thinking about it, Joobin realized Yoochan hadn’t smelled of cigarettes recently.

All he could smell was the pleasant pheromone scent and the cologne he’d given Yoochan as a gift.

How could I have missed that?

Joobin bit his lip, trying hard to suppress his growing smile. He was in a good mood—so, so good.

“Because you don’t like it?”

It wasn’t just his imagination.

Yoochan had basically said he wouldn’t do something Joobin hated.

Sure, Yoochan had always been considerate during their relationship, but this was the first time he’d so openly said, “I won’t do it because you don’t like it.”

It made Joobin’s heart flutter.

There was no need to think too deeply about why Yoochan made this change.

It seemed like Yoochan wanted to give their relationship another shot.

Joobin wasn’t sure why Yoochan hadn’t explicitly asked to get back together yet, but he decided to go with the flow.

If nothing happened, he could always be the one to bring it up later.

After all, he was always the one to suggest things to Yoochan.

He didn’t break up with him, and he couldn’t say no to him either.

Feeling good, Joobin walked into the studio. Just before he stepped in, he heard Yoochan call out, “Joobin! I’ll be at the lodge!”

That brought a big smile to Joobin’s face.

“Your relationship seems pretty solid, huh?”

Kim Joyoung’s playful voice came from nearby, teasing as usual.

Joobin immediately scowled, earning a joking jab back, “You little brat.”

“Mind your own business.”

“Seriously though, what does Yoochan even see in you? You’ve got such a bad attitude.”

“You think you and him are the same? I treat him well.”

“Sure, sure.”

“Why are you picking a fight?”

“I’m bored. Let’s hang out.”

“Go find a friend.”

“I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”

Joobin showed his annoyance openly, but Kim Joyoung, as usual, wouldn’t leave him alone.

That’s how they became friends in the first place.

Even though they didn’t seem to get along, everyone knew their friendship wasn’t that bad.

Avoiding Kim Joyoung, Joobin made his way into the makeup room and sat down in front of the large mirror.

Closing his eyes under the bright lights, he listened to the sounds of Joyoung bustling around.

Then Joobin opened his mouth.

“Wanna drink with me and Yoochan later?”

“Oh, I’m in! Tonight?”

“Yeah. But just a little—got filming tomorrow.”

“Sounds good!”

Even though his eyes were still closed, Joobin could imagine the way Joyoung’s eyes lit up in excitement.

At that, Joobin playfully pushed Joyoung’s shoulder, telling him to back off.

Though Joyoung jokingly resisted, Joobin gently pushed him away again.

Finally, Joyoung gave in and stepped back.

Without his playful nature, Joyoung wouldn’t be himself.

Joobin smiled as he finished getting his makeup done.

[Joobin♥: Hey, do you have time later?]

“Of course, I do.”

Gong Yoochan smiled as he typed his reply.

Did Joobin have something special planned for the evening?

The studio and accommodation they were staying in were tucked away in a remote part of Taean, so there wasn’t much in the way of entertainment around them.

The most exciting thing they’d done before was bowling in the hotel’s basement, but aside from the arcade and the billiards room, there wasn’t much else to do there.

Still, since Joobin had visited Taean more often than he had, Yoochan figured he’d take the lead.

Sprawled out on his bed, he idly stared at the conversation window, where the “read” mark had appeared.

The typing indicator popped up, then disappeared, repeatedly.

Maybe Joobin was trying to carefully choose his words, but the message still hadn’t come in.

[Joobin♥:
How about we have some drinks later? Kim Joyoung said he’s bored and wants to hang out.]

“Ah, so it’s not just the two of us?”

Yoochan made a small sound, slightly disappointed.

He had assumed Joobin wanted to hang out one-on-one.

Though he was a bit let down, he didn’t mind too much.

Yoochan planned to stay in Taean for about a week.

He could always leave earlier if Joobin got tired of him, but since he came all the way to spend time together, he intended to stay as long as he could, packing three suitcases for the trip.

One of the suitcases even contained a gift from the department store he had visited before departing.

It wasn’t a gift with any deep meaning—just a watch he found that would suit Joobin, who was fond of watches.

He didn’t really have a reason not to buy it.

“Sounds good.”

Yoochan sent the reply and casually tossed his phone aside.

Since both Joobin and Joyoung didn’t particularly enjoy crowded places, they’d probably end up drinking at the basement pub, he thought.

He’d give Joobin the gift later.

With that settled in his mind, Yoochan got up to start getting ready.

He had a drama meeting earlier and had received plenty of scripts in advance, but when it came time to work, he just couldn’t focus.

Instead, he threw himself into distractions.

He decided to take another shower, even though he had taken one that morning, and then dressed more comfortably.

Afterward, he popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth while waiting for Joobin to finish his shoot.

There was something irresistibly cute about Joobin’s comment that he needed to eat something sweet.

Yoochan had even researched ways to help him quit smoking, picturing the big guy awkwardly fumbling to ask for help, which only made him seem cuter.

Smiling to himself, Yoochan popped another piece of chocolate into his mouth and grabbed his wallet.

As the oldest and the senior in their group, he figured he should at least pay for the drinks.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Assuming it was Joobin, Yoochan flipped the phone over only to see a message from Jang Giyoung.

His mood soured instantly. Yoochan opened the message with a scowl.

[Director:
Yoochan, is something going on between you and Kim Woosun? Did you two have a fight?]

Yoochan had assumed the message would be about the drama they were scheduled to film, so the sudden mention of Kim Woosun threw him off.

Had they fought?

It wasn’t exactly a fight. It was more like a one-sided cutoff.

“I didn’t fight him, but I did tell him to stop contacting me.”

Yoochan responded truthfully, furrowing his brows as he wondered why Jang Giyoung was asking about this.

Why was he suddenly bringing up Kim Woosun?

They weren’t even in the same agency anymore, and Jang Giyoung had never shown much interest in Woosun.

If he had, he would have asked, “How much time is left on your friend Kim Woosun’s contract?”

But he’d never done that.

“No way.”

Yoochan’s face darkened as he sat up.

Don’t tell me they’re casting him in the same drama?

If so, that would be one of the few things guaranteed to trigger Joobin.

Yoochan’s expression grew even colder.

“Why do you ask?”

His message was met with a near-instant reply.

[Director:
I heard he’s been asking around because he hasn’t been able to reach you. Why’s he doing that? Anyway, I just wanted to check in. I’ll keep an eye on the situation.]

“What a nutcase.”

Yoochan muttered as he frowned harder and sent back a curt “Got it” before setting his phone down.

He had clearly told Woosun not to contact him anymore, even making it clear he wouldn’t respond in the future.

Had Woosun thought he was joking?

Yoochan could feel frustration bubbling up from the pit of his stomach.

His chest felt tight, and his head throbbed as Jang Giyoung’s words about Woosun “asking around” floated in his mind.

It was probably something he thought Yoochan should know, especially considering how important reputation was in their industry.

The fact that Woosun was asking around made it feel like he had a plan.

Should I reach out myself?

But that would just play into Woosun’s hands, wouldn’t it?

Yoochan decided to stifle his boiling frustration and let it go, just this once.

After all, he had been harsh and had acted a bit cruel, so perhaps he should let it slide this time.

Still, he felt that the director should know the full context, so he sent a few more messages detailing the events involving Joobin, Woosun, and the aftermath.

He described how Woosun had repeatedly tried to interfere in his relationship with Joobin, how he had failed to push him away, which had upset Joobin, and how he had finally told Woosun to stop contacting him.

Jang Giyoung read the detailed account quickly, but the reply was disappointing.

[Director:
Haha, so you’re planning to win Joobin back?]

That was all.

The director clearly didn’t think Woosun’s antics would have any significant impact and didn’t take the matter seriously.

No wonder Joobin always got so worked up about this.

With an incredulous smile, Yoochan sent back a laughing emoji, silently telling him to think what he wanted, and right then, his phone buzzed again.

[Joobin♥]

This time, it was the message he had been waiting for.

* * *