* * *
The next morning, Yeongdeok woke up feeling refreshed and well-rested, confirming his theory that he really did sleep best at Jihoon’s place.
He had a clear mind and bright eyes as proof.
“You… Actually, I think there’s something about your place. Like, some feng shui that makes for good sleep,” Yeongdeok muttered nonchalantly, seated in the kitchen.
“There’s no way that’s true. What are you even talking about?” Jihoon snapped, irritated.
“But it has to be something like that. Why else would I only sleep well at your place?”
“So you’re just going to keep sleeping over here?”
“Yeah, seems like it.”
“Seriously, don’t say such ridiculous things. Because of you, I—I’m just…”
Jihoon’s voice caught, irritation clear in the lines on his nose, but Yeongdeok replied with his usual calm.
“I’ll pay rent, if that helps.”
“It’s not about money, it’s just…”
As Jihoon tried to argue, he saw the glimmer of determination in Yeongdeok’s innocent-looking eyes and realized no words would get through to him.
Damn it.
Jihoon knew he was already defeated.
“Fine. Do whatever you want. But the rent is one million won per night.”
“Are you a loan shark?”
Truthfully, Jihoon didn’t trust himself to win a battle of words with Yeongdeok.
Even if he somehow won verbally, he knew he couldn’t overcome Yeongdeok’s sheer persistence.
And, if he was being honest, Jihoon didn’t mind Yeongdeok staying over at his place.
It was just the storm of emotions it stirred in him that kept him sleepless.
ꔚ
Eungyeol, Jihoon’s childhood friend and the main character in ‘No to obsession’, was supposed to live a tragic life in the original story.
But because Yeongdeok, who had come back in time, wasn’t playing his role as the antagonist, Eungyeol was now leading the simple, ordinary life of a college student.
Today, he had plans to meet Seonwoo, who had reached out to him, saying he had something to discuss.
It would be the first time Eungyeol saw Seonwoo since the last time they met together with Yeongdeok and Jihoon.
‘Why would Seonwoo suddenly reach out to me? What could he possibly want to talk about?’ Wondering about this, Eungyeol dressed neatly and headed out.
As he entered the cafe where they agreed to meet, he quickly spotted Seonwoo, a striking figure with snowy-white hair, standing out even from a distance.
Noticing him, Seonwoo looked up from his phone and greeted him with a beautiful smile.
“Eungyeol, glad you’re here.”
“It’s been a while, Seonwoo.”
“Yeah, it has. How about we order something to drink first?”
Standing up, Seonwoo courteously guided Eungyeol to the counter.
“What would you like? It’s on me.”
“Oh, there’s no need…”
“Come on, let me. It’s my treat for making time for me.”
Not wanting to seem ungrateful, Eungyeol accepted and thanked him.
“In that case… I’ll have a mint chocolate frappe and a carrot cake.”
“You turned down my offer but ordered cake too?”
“Oh—well, then, just the drink…”
“I’m joking.”
They waited by the dessert case until their order was ready and then returned to their seats with the tray.
“So, how’ve you been?”
Seonwoo asked as they settled down.
“Oh, same as usual. Just struggling a bit with schoolwork… How about you, Seonwoo?”
“Me? Well, I’ve been okay.”
Since they last saw each other, Seonwoo had undergone many internal changes, finally acknowledging his lingering feelings for Yeongdeok and letting go of past resentment.
It was for this reason he’d called Eungyeol here—to apologize.
“Sorry to reach out so suddenly, but there was something I felt I had to say.”
After a steadying breath, Seonwoo fixed Eungyeol with a resolute gaze.
Eungyeol, confused by the serious atmosphere, wondered what he could possibly want to say.
“I wanted to apologize. For everything, Eungyeol.”
With that, Seonwoo stood and bowed his head deeply, drawing curious glances from nearby tables.
Embarrassed by the attention, Eungyeol quickly urged him to sit back down, though he didn’t quite understand the reason for the apology.
When Seonwoo finally sat again, Eungyeol looked around cautiously before asking,
“Apologize? For what, exactly?”
“Did you use Eungyeol for Cha Yeongdeok’s sake?”
“Oh, that.”
As if he already knew, Eungyeol replied calmly, making Seonwoo blink in surprise.
“Did you know I have feelings for Cha Yeongdeok?”
“Of course. Whenever you looked somewhere, it was always toward Yeongdeok.”
Seonwoo thought he’d only been giving Yeongdeok a hard time.
Was his interest that obvious?
Lowering his head, he apologized to Eungyeol again.
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Thanks to you, it’s been entertaining.”
Eungyeol waved his hand dismissively, smiling brightly as if to say the apology was unnecessary.
“So, you have feelings for Yeongdeok too, Seonwoo…”
Eungyeol took a bite of his carrot cake, thinking back on his childhood friend who had once admitted to liking Yeongdeok.
Wow, Yeongdeok sure is popular.
“When do you plan to confess?”
“I was going to last time we met…but with the situation Yeongdeok’s in, he doesn’t seem to notice me at all. Even after we kissed, he thought I was just messing with him.”
“Pff…”
Eungyeol quickly covered his mouth to stop the cake from spilling out.
Wait—what? A kiss?
“So…you actually kissed him? With Yeongdeok?”
“I couldn’t resist while looking at him. I’ve liked him for so long.”
Learning more than he wanted to know about Seonwoo’s personal life, Eungyeol felt awkward.
He wondered if Jihoon knew this.
That guy likes Yeongdeok too—shouldn’t he do something about it?
“You’ve been so indirect this whole time. What changed?”
Thinking back to Seonwoo’s petty attempts to stir up trouble around Yeongdeok, Eungyeol asked with curiosity.
He had thought Seonwoo would go on ignoring his own feelings until the day Yeongdeok met someone else and got married, then regret it terribly.
“It was Yeongdeok’s bluntness. I never really liked his attitude, but something he said hit me deeply.”
Although Eungyeol didn’t know what exactly happened between them, he thought he could understand Seonwoo’s feelings a little better.
People are like that—they may be let down by a single mistake after a thousand kind gestures, but a single act of kindness after a thousand dismissals can feel miraculous.
Eungyeol, too…felt moved when Yeongdeok had reached out to him during the festival, realizing he was someone who cared for others after all.
“I think I understand what you mean.”
Eungyeol nodded with a smile, making Seonwoo frown.
“I’d honestly prefer if you never did.”
“Are you feeling threatened by me? It’s scary to see you change, Seonwoo.”
Eungyeol laughed playfully, but Seonwoo’s face remained serious.
When Eungyeol stopped smiling, Seonwoo finally chuckled and said it was a joke.
It didn’t feel like one, but Eungyeol let it slide.
“Anyway, I’m really sorry.”
“So that’s why you treated me to drinks and cake. If I’d known, I would’ve ordered more.”
“Go ahead; I’m paying for everything today.”
“Oh, then can you buy me a house?”
“Don’t joke.”
“Does this look like a joke to you?”
As they joked like old friends, Seonwoo’s phone rang.
“Who could that be…?”
Assuming it was his father, Seonwoo frowned but then lit up when he saw it was Yeongdeok.
Yeongdeok had never reached out first before.
His heart started pounding.
Watching, Eungyeol instantly knew the message was from Yeongdeok, judging from Seonwoo’s expression brimming with excitement.
“Uh, Eungyeol…”
“Go ahead and respond; I’ll just check my phone too.”
“Thank you.”
Thanking Eungyeol, Seonwoo quickly began typing, engrossed in his conversation with Yeongdeok.
* * *
Love
I need moreeee
I didn’t expect eungyeol to be aware of seonwoo’s antics lol
Thanks
i do like the increase of eungyol now, it really feels like we’re reaching end game soon