* * *
As they walked on, the night deepened.
Wonjin, realizing it was getting late, opened a taxi app, intending to send Yeongdeok home.
“Yeongdeok, I’m thinking of calling a taxi. Is the shop your destination?”
“…”
“Yeongdeok?”
At that, Yeongdeok kept staring at the still, quiet road.
Whether by taxi or bike, they’d have to ride along the street to get home anyway.
If there wasn’t much difference, it’d be better to accept Wonjin’s offer.
“Take me home yourself.”
“Huh? You really don’t have to…”
“It’s fine.”
Hearing Yeongdeok agree, Wonjin’s serious face lit up.
He quickly replied with enthusiasm.
“Alright, I’ll go get my bike.”
He set off quickly, returning in less than five minutes with the bike he’d parked at a nearby stand.
Handing Yeongdeok a helmet, Wonjin said,
“Could you tell me your address?”
Yeongdeok fumbled with the helmet strap under his chin and recited his address.
Once Yeongdeok climbed onto the back seat, Wonjin gripped the handlebars tightly.
“Let’s go.”
When Wonjin pulled the throttle, the bike roared to life and sped forward, cutting through the wind.
Maybe it was because he was feeling better after spending time with Wonjin.
Yeongdeok found the sensation of riding down the empty road surprisingly refreshing.
Unlike riding in a car or truck, the wind pressing against his face felt exhilarating.
The scenery constantly changed as the bike moved, and soon a wide river unfolded before Yeongdeok’s eyes.
He blinked at the dark, abyss-like waters.
As he was lost in thought, a loud noise interrupted him, and a gang of motorbike riders roared past them at high speed.
Yeongdeok muttered, “So loud.”
“They’re driving so recklessly. One mistake, and that’s it. You better not drive like that either, Yeongdeok.”
Wonjin started lecturing about the importance of careful driving.
Having the conversation take an odd turn, Yeongdeok had no choice but to listen.
Annoying brat… Yeongdeok shot him a glare, but the helmet blocked the fierce look from reaching Wonjin.
After riding for a while, the clock passed four a.m., and they finally arrived at Yeongdeok’s house with a screech of brakes.
As Yeongdeok removed his helmet and stepped off the bike, Wonjin spoke.
“Thanks for spending time with me today.”
Yeongdeok handed back Wonjin’s jacket, which he’d borrowed.
Wonjin, who had almost forgotten about it, thanked him again.
“Get some good rest. Call me if anything comes up.”
“I will.”
Yeongdeok finished saying goodbye and crossed the parking lot.
As he walked away, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
Seeing this, Wonjin, who was preparing to leave, asked curiously,
“Did you forget something?”
“…Thanks.”
It was a short phrase.
But Wonjin was momentarily stunned, as if he’d been hit in the head.
He felt that speaking now would only produce an embarrassing, trembling voice.
Calming his racing heart, he replied as evenly as possible,
“It’s… nothing. Take care going in.”
“You too.”
Wonjin sped away, despite having lectured Yeongdeok about cautious driving.
Watching him disappear, Yeongdeok finally went inside.
ꔚ
After washing up and changing into something comfortable, Yeongdeok turned off the light and collapsed onto his bed.
He tried to sleep but couldn’t.
Ever since meeting PetitRolang, his mind had been restless.
When sunlight started piercing through his eyelids, Yeongdeok sat up.
His eyes hurt from the lack of sleep, but he doubted he’d get any rest if he lay back down.
To clear his head, he stepped out of his apartment and leaned against the hallway railing, looking down.
Below, the parking lot bustled with people moving busily, all sporting tired eyes, probably on their way to work.
The view from here had long since become familiar, with nothing particularly vibrant to catch the eye.
While he was taking in the dull scenery, he heard the sound of a door lock disengaging.
Turning around, Yeongdeok saw Jihoon stepping out of the neighboring apartment, holding a bag of food waste.
Jihoon, blinking in surprise at the sight of Yeongdeok already awake at this hour, remarked, “What’s this? You’re up early. Why not sleep in a bit more?”
“And what about you? Why are you up so early?”
“I’ve got a morning class today. Since you’re up, how about we have breakfast together? It’s been a while.”
Without waiting for a reply, Jihoon quickly ran down the stairs to dispose of the food waste, his footsteps echoing loudly as he went down and then came back up just as quickly, barely out of breath despite the climb.
“What do you feel like eating? Got any cravings?” Jihoon asked as he unlocked his door.
Yeongdeok, who wasn’t particularly hungry, only cared that it wasn’t something strange, as long as it provided the necessary nutrients.
“As long as it’s not something weird, anything is fine.”
“Alright then. Let’s keep it simple since it’s breakfast.”
Jihoon washed his hands and started preparing food in the kitchen.
His hands deftly put together a salad with cabbage and cherry tomatoes and made a rolled omelet with carrots and green onions.
Seated at the dining table, Yeongdeok silently watched Jihoon’s back as he cooked.
Jihoon even fried up the last of the spam he’d been saving, arranging everything on a white plate for a modest but decent breakfast.
After scooping a generous portion of rice from the rice cooker, he set the dishes on the table.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“You said we’d keep it simple, but this is as basic as it gets,” Yeongdeok remarked, unimpressed.
“There he goes again, always complaining. Just shut up and eat for once.”
Hearing Jihoon’s exasperated tone, Yeongdeok picked up a piece of the rolled omelet with his chopsticks and ate.
Jihoon, who expected some criticism, watched anxiously, but today, Yeongdeok ate quietly without making any complaints.
Normally, he’d be nitpicking, saying it was too salty, bland, sweet, bitter, or poorly made.
Although Jihoon had told him to keep his mouth shut and eat, it felt strange now that Yeongdeok was actually eating in silence.
In the end, Jihoon dug his own grave.
“Is it good? You’re unusually quiet today,” he asked hesitantly.
“Are you seriously expecting praise for a rolled omelet and some fried spam?” Yeongdeok replied with a look that asked if he was serious.
Jihoon regretted asking, knowing he wasn’t going to hear anything good.
The meal continued peacefully.
Jihoon was busy watching Yeongdeok eat, while Yeongdeok was focused on finishing his meal, so neither spoke a word.
Once breakfast was over, and with most of the food eaten by Yeongdeok, Jihoon pulled on bright red rubber gloves to start cleaning up.
“Do you want me to help?” Yeongdeok offered.
“No need. You’re a guest, so just sit tight,” Jihoon replied, shooing him out of the kitchen.
He then moved the empty plates and dishes to the sink and began washing them.
As the sound of running water filled the apartment, Yeongdeok sat on the living room sofa, staring blankly at his own reflection in the turned-off TV screen.
The sound of water stopped, and Jihoon came into the living room, shoving his laptop and textbooks into his bag.
“Hyung, I’m heading to school now. Why don’t you come out with me?”
Hearing this, Yeongdeok got up from the sofa.
Jihoon carefully packed his notebooks and pens, then slung his bag over his shoulder, ready to leave.
Even as he put on his shoes and stepped outside, Yeongdeok remained quiet.
Jihoon noticed that his usual energy was off. He was definitely feeling unsettled about quitting his part-time job.
* * *
This novel is a masterpiece
not wonjin lagging after a simple thanks too omg😭 they’re all so gone
when are we going to counterattack?😤
Thanks!
the mls are shining so dazzingly except white haired guy smh, he really has to prove himself fast