ACTSV chapter 45

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Jinwoo just slightly frowned but didn’t respond, feeling no need for a conversation, and shifted his gaze.

Since hearing about him working at the cafe, Jinwoo had wanted to visit.

He wanted to see him working, but never found the time.

Both worked during weekdays, making it hard to find time. Seeing him like this was nice.

It would have been better to come alone rather than with these uninvited guests.

‘He’s doing well.’

No matter how much Jingyeom’s personality softened after losing his memory, not everyone could work in customer service.

It required constantly dealing with customers, which he thought would be hard for Jingyeom.

He was worried, but Jingyeom seemed to be adapting well.

Though Jinwoo couldn’t watch closely as the other employees were busy, Jingyeom seemed fine.

“Are you worried?”

“A little.”

Jinwoo smiled bitterly at Secretary Yang’s question.

“Really? He looks like he’s doing well to me.”

“I think so too. But I still worry.”

Jinwoo’s deep brown eyes, looking at Jingyeom, were filled with warmth.

He had a satisfied smile, like a parent watching a child by the water, both anxious and proud.

Secretary Yang glanced at Jinwoo’s profile with a peculiar expression.

‘He can make that face too.’

Secretary Yang knew that Jinwoo’s expression only softened when there was news from Baek Jingyeom.

Even though it was never good news, Jinwoo always reacted immediately.

After exchanging a few messages, his expression would return to normal.

Nevertheless, Baek Jinwoo only reacted to Baek Jingyeom. It felt strange and pitiful at the same time.

He wasn’t devoid of emotions but seemed to avoid happiness consciously.

Like someone who punishes himself, he seemed to avoid feeling emotions.

Watching him, Secretary Yang thought, ‘He lives a tough life.’

Before Jinwoo started working as a secretary, there was a light background check on him.

It wasn’t thorough, but observing Jinwoo’s continued dedication made Secretary Yang think there might be more to it.

He once saw the background on Jinwoo’s phone by chance.

A photo of someone’s ID held by pale fingers.

Though he didn’t see it clearly, the owner of the photo was obvious. So he didn’t ask.

Lately, Jinwoo had changed.

‘He smiles a lot.’

He seemed more relaxed than before. He smiled more often while looking at his phone.

It was nice to see some liveliness in Jinwoo’s otherwise tough life.

Secretary Yang smiled contentedly and took a sip of coffee.

The recommendation from Jingyeom suited his taste.

As he put the cup down and looked up…

‘It’s chaos.’

The two men in front of him were also looking in the same direction as Jinwoo.

They even had their bodies turned, facing the same way.

Both had their long legs stretched out into the walkway, causing people to hesitate and turn back.

Secretary Yang tried to enjoy his own time but had to turn his head at the irritated voice in his ear.

“…Who is that guy?”

The muttered voice belonged to Jinwoo.

Jinwoo tightened his grip on the chair’s armrest.

Curious, Secretary Yang looked towards Jingyeom. He was tidying up during a brief lull.

A man, seemingly a colleague, stood next to him, making Jinwoo narrow his eyes.

Thinking it was a severe case, Secretary Yang turned his head but then rolled his eyes unintentionally.

Wonbeom’s eyes were always sharp, but now there was a subtle menace emanating from them. It wasn’t just a look but a visible force in his eyes.

Even Soohyuk, who rarely frowned, looked oddly displeased.

When Secretary Yang turned to Jingyeom, the man next to him touched his shoulder.

That made the three men’s expressions turn grim.

‘Don’t kill a man just for touching a shoulder.’

He inwardly prayed for the man’s soul and gulped down his coffee.

But contrary to Secretary Yang’s wish, the situation worsened.

While Jingyeom was sorting a pile of receipts, Sangil approached and massaged his shoulders with both hands.

Startled, Jingyeom flinched and moved aside to avoid his hands.

Realizing he was avoiding him, Sangil awkwardly lowered his hands.

“It’s okay. I’ll just drink water.”

“Alright. But you always wear long sleeves these days. Aren’t you hot?”

“The air conditioning was too cold when I wore short sleeves last time.”

“True, the air conditioner is directed this way. There’s a cardigan inside. Wear it if you get too cold.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll wear it if it gets cold.”

Jingyeom nodded and resumed his work.

Sangil stood still for a moment before looking at the table with the four men.

Their eyes met. He smiled and nodded lightly but received no response.

Feeling awkward, he squatted and tapped Jingyeom on the shoulder while he was retrieving receipt paper from the counter drawer.

“Jingyeom.”

“Yes?”

“Those people… are they friends?”

“No. More like… acquaintances?”

“Bring them a cream roll and say hi.”

The lunch rush was over, and though customers kept coming, a short break was fine.

Surprised by the unexpected consideration, Jingyeom asked if it was really okay.

“Just don’t stay long.”

“Yes!”

Jingyeom quickly stood up from his seat and hurriedly placed the receipt behind the cash register.

While he was at it, he took out the milk cream roll and set it up with a plate and fork on the tray.

Jingyeom smiled brightly, thanked them, and approached the four people with hurried steps.

Seeing the four large men in their well-tailored suits gathered around drinking coffee, Jingyeom felt an inexplicable sense of intimidation.

He shook off the feeling of being overwhelmed and moved forward.

Jinwoo got up from his seat as Jingyeom approached. Jingyeom, surprised by this, quickly asked,

“Why? Are you leaving already?”

“No. Hyung, sit down.”

“It’s fine. You sit. I have to leave soon.”

Jingyeom set the tray he had brought down on the table and pulled Jinwoo’s arm to make him sit again.

Then he turned to Secretary Yang, whom he hadn’t properly greeted earlier.

“Hello. I’m Baek Jingyeom, Jinwoo’s older brother. I feel like I didn’t get to greet you properly earlier.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yang Won-yeong, a colleague of Jinwoo.”

“Please take good care of our Jinwoo.”

“He’s such a capable friend that I don’t have much to help with.”

There was some textbook-like exchange of pleasantries.

But Jingyeom’s face was filled with satisfaction. It was nice to see a colleague after always seeing Wonbeom and Soohyuk.

Pleased by the comment that Jinwoo was doing well, Jingyeom’s shoulders lifted.

Feeling unusually good, he lightly tapped Jinwoo’s suit jacket.

“You two didn’t have any coffee. Was it not to your taste?”

Wonbeom’s cup was almost untouched, and Soohyuk’s cup was in the same state.

Moreover, Wonbeom was still in the same position he had been in when he first sat down.

His legs crossed and his arm resting on the armrest.

It seemed that sitting with one leg crossed like that would make it numb, but he appeared fine.

Jingyeom also checked Jinwoo and Secretary Yang’s cups.

They were empty.

It seemed that the beans he had recommended with some thought weren’t to their liking.

Seeing the corners of Jingyeom’s eyebrows droop, Soohyuk quickly picked up his cup.

“It’s good. I’m sipping and savoring it slowly. But… about that man who was next to you earlier.”

When Soohyuk spoke up, Jinwoo’s expression changed.

It was something he had been about to ask himself.

“Who is it? The boss? An employee?”

“No. It’s the manager. That’s why he gave this to me too. It sells well. There are even customers who come just to buy this.”

Jingyeom had emphasized twice that it was really delicious, recalling how he had tried it last time.

It wasn’t the answer he had wanted, but it seemed unlikely he’d get more than that.

“I should go now. Jinwoo, enjoy your meal, and I’ll see you at home later.”

“Okay. Don’t get hurt.”

“Got it. Enjoy your coffee.”

Since he was told to leave, he hurried back to the counter, thinking it would be rude to stay too long.

After Jingyeom left, silence fell over the table. Jinwoo also stiffened his expression, as if he had never smiled.

On the table, the milk cream roll Jingyeom had left behind remained untouched in its original form. No one reached for it.

However, someone picked up a fork—Secretary Yang.

“Isn’t anyone else going to eat?”

When no one responded, he ruthlessly plunged the fork into the smooth bread.

The amount of cream oozing out from the pressure was considerable.

The plate quickly became messy. Although cream rolls are generally difficult to eat neatly, the unrestrained handling made it even messier. But the taste was excellent.

“It’s delicious. Really, no one else is eating? Secretary Baek, are you not eating?”

“……Please eat a lot. And clean your mouth afterward.”

“I can wipe it all off at once after finishing. So, does that mean I get to eat it all by myself?”

Glancing at the two silent directors, Secretary Yang started eating directly from the plate. It seemed to suit his taste.

Jinwoo couldn’t bring himself to touch the roll, knowing the person who had given it was the same one who had placed his hand on Jingyeom’s shoulder earlier.

He wanted to avoid eating it entirely and just throw it away, but that would be impolite, so he left it to Secretary Yang to finish.

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