* * *
“Hello,” greeted Siyoung, bringing Hyun and Jooyoung together outside the restaurant.
Hyun’s stoic expression seemed to make Jooyoung a little uneasy.
“I’m Siyoung’s younger brother, Lee Jooyoung,” he said nervously.
“…”
“Shall we head in? I made a reservation. You shouldn’t stay outside for long anyway. Let’s eat and talk inside,” Siyoung suggested.
Though Jooyoung was usually outgoing, Hyun’s aloof demeanor made him uncharacteristically awkward.
Without further delay, Siyoung led them into the restaurant.
“I have a reservation for three under Lee Siyoung,” he informed the hostess.
“Yes, confirmed. I’ll show you to Room 4.”
“Are you sure it’s okay to be here? This place looks really expensive,” Jooyoung whispered to avoid Hyun’s gaze.
While they occasionally splurged on a nice meal, this restaurant seemed way beyond their usual budget.
“It’s fine. You’ve been stressed lately and not eating well. Since it’s pricey, make sure to finish everything, okay?” Siyoung replied firmly.
“But still…”
Jooyoung hesitated at the door, taking a step back when it opened to reveal an immaculately elegant private room.
The opulence left him momentarily stunned.
“What do you want to eat?” Siyoung asked, opening the menu.
While Siyoung was prepared for the steep prices, Jooyoung found them shocking.
‘How can a single meal cost this much? This is more than Hyung’s monthly grocery budget,’ Jooyoung thought.
“I… I’m not really that hungry,” he lied, embarrassed to discuss money in front of Hyun.
Predictably, Siyoung ignored him and ordered anyway.
As they waited for the food, Siyoung steered the conversation to its main purpose.
“This hyung here was the top student in our university’s Western Art Department. Ask him anything, get advice. It’ll help.”
“So, what’s the problem? Recommendation letters aren’t the only admission route,” Hyun said bluntly.
Despite Hyun’s curt manner, his knowledge of admission processes was surprisingly thorough.
He answered Jooyoung’s questions clearly, even addressing things Jooyoung hadn’t considered.
‘Unexpectedly kind,’ Siyoung thought, watching the two.
Jooyoung, initially timid and fumbling, grew more confident and animated as the conversation continued.
Though Siyoung couldn’t follow their technical talk, he was glad he’d asked for Hyun’s help.
It was worth the expense.
Jooyoung’s radiant enthusiasm confirmed that.
“I love that professor’s work! I even attended their exhibition and lecture last time. You’re so lucky to meet them.”
“Spend enough time around them, and you’ll stop thinking that,” Hyun replied dryly.
Siyoung had worried Hyun might say something harsh like, “Why can’t you figure that out? Are you dumb?” but his concerns were unfounded.
Hyun turned out to be a better person than Siyoung had given him credit for.
“I’m sorry for judging you too quickly,” Siyoung thought, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Eventually, Jooyoung glanced at his watch.
“I think I should go. It’ll take time to get back to the dorm. Thank you so much for today, Hyung.”
Jooyoung, beaming, excused himself, assuring them he could catch a bus directly to school.
“Don’t be late, and try not to stress too much,” Siyoung said.
“Do your best.”
“Hyung, good luck on your exams too. Thank you, Hyun Hyung,” Jooyoung added before heading off.
As the restaurant emptied, Siyoung approached the counter to pay.
He had braced himself for the cost, but his hands trembled as he reached for his card.
‘This is a month and a half’s worth of groceries for one meal,’ he thought nervously.
Just then, Hyun stopped him.
“What are you doing?” Siyoung asked, flustered.
“You look pathetic, shaking like that,” Hyun said bluntly.
“Look, I owe you for your help today. Let me handle this. It’s my way of showing gratitude,” Siyoung insisted.
For Hyun, the amount was likely inconsequential, but for Siyoung, it represented a gesture of pride and equality.
He didn’t want to feel pitied.
“Let me treat you today. If it bothers you that much, you can owe me a favor later,” Siyoung said with a forced casualness, handing over his card.
The meal was paid for, and the two left the restaurant in a slightly awkward silence.
But from that day onward, Siyoung’s perception of Hyun shifted.
He felt grateful for Hyun’s advice to Jooyoung and reflected on his own prejudices.
“Stop being annoying,” Hyun muttered when Siyoung expressed newfound friendliness.
Despite his prickly demeanor, Hyun tolerated Siyoung’s efforts to bond, and they grew close enough that spending time alone together no longer felt awkward.
Their growing friendship didn’t go unnoticed on campus.
Jooyoung, Hyun, and Siyoung had become a noticeable trio, even beyond their shared projects.
Whispers started circulating:
“Have you seen that kid hanging out with those three?”
“Isn’t he the guy who teamed up with them for that assignment? Lucky.”
“Yeah, but they’re still hanging out even after the project ended. I mean, Joo Yeonseok and Kim Jaeyoon are friendly enough, but Hyun? That guy keeps walls up like crazy, yet he’s not like that with him.”
“Hyun? No way.”
“Seriously, what’s his secret? Joo Yeonseok’s not exactly an open book either, but even he seems close to the guy.”
“Why? You jealous or something?”
“N-no! Not at all.”
The three were well-known across departments, and Siyoung’s association with them naturally drew attention.
While some admired him for breaking into the exclusive circle, others approached him with curiosity or envy.
“Hey, you’re hanging out with those famous guys a lot lately,” someone remarked one day.
Siyoung just smiled, now accustomed to the attention.
“…Sorry, but who are you again?”
“Oh, we’re in the same department and share a few classes… Don’t you remember?”
“Ah… Sorry. I’m not great at remembering faces. But why?”
“I just heard some stuff and thought about it. I realized I haven’t talked to you much. I figured it’d be nice if you were closer with others in our department…”
“I see.”
“We’re planning a three-day, two-night trip with our department during the break. If you’re free, why not join us?”
It was a shallow invitation from someone who usually didn’t care.
Siyoung had seen this kind of thing before and offered a polite but firm refusal.
“Sorry. I’m planning to take on more tutoring sessions during the break… I probably won’t have time.”
Some left with a disappointed look, while others occasionally got angry, as if it were some grave offense.
Siyoung didn’t care what strangers thought or said about him, so it didn’t matter.
But even for Siyoung, there were moments that caught him off guard.
“…”
“…”
He was used to people glancing at him, but being outright stared at was a first.
Facing a stranger’s hostile gaze, a face he didn’t recognize at all, Siyoung spoke up.
“Uh… I don’t know why you’re glaring at me, but… is there something you want to say?”
He usually ignored things like this, but the intensity made it impossible.
Once he spoke, the man responded almost eagerly.
* * *
