* * *
The things that make you grow closer to someone are often the little things.
Like now, for instance.
Learning that Saheon had quietly searched up restaurants and date spots just to spend a more special time with him—it tugged at his heart.
And seeing him wrinkle his nose in embarrassment as he admitted it only made Wookyung fall a little more.
“It wasn’t too spicy, was it?”
As Wookyung remained silent, Saheon was the first to speak.
“The broth had a good kick.”
“My tongue still feels kind of numb.”
Saheon stuck his tongue out playfully.
That mischievous gesture from such a handsome man made Wookyung’s eyes soften into a gentle curve.
He’d been smiling more often lately, especially when he was with Saheon.
Maybe it was because of the unexpected sides Saheon occasionally showed.
“Same here. If we see a grocery store later, we should get some ice cream to cool down.”
“Sounds good. Let’s walk around a bit and look for one.”
They’d just stepped outside after finishing their meal.
Wookyung looked up at the sky.
A few wispy clouds floated lazily, but otherwise, it was clear and bright.
“Alright.”
To be honest, it wasn’t exactly ideal weather for walking.
The temperature had soared past 34°C (93°F), and there wasn’t even a breeze.
He’d probably regret this in ten minutes.
But the fact that he could leisurely spend time with Saheon made him willing.
Chinatown wasn’t exactly exotic in appearance.
But between the old buildings, murals from ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, and snacks like mooncakes, honey candy, or clay-oven dumplings, it had its own charm.
“This stone here apparently marks the borders between old Japanese and Russian-Chinese territories.”
Saheon pointed to a set of uniquely styled stairs.
Curious, Wookyung walked over.
“Wanna make a bet?”
He blinked at the sudden proposal.
“A bet?”
Now? About what?
“Yeah. Rock-paper-scissors. Whoever reaches the top of the stairs first buys drinks. How about it?”
Not a race, but rock-paper-scissors to climb stairs?
And the winner buys drinks, not the loser?
What kind of logic is that?
It was ridiculous, and yet—
“Sure. One step at a time?”
For some reason, the idea made Wookyung smile, and he nodded quickly.
“There are a lot of stairs, so let’s make some detailed rules.”
So he’s not just methodical when he’s working, huh?
From the restaurant list earlier to this, even for a silly little game, Saheon wanted structure.
His lips curled up slightly, clearly enjoying this.
“How so?”
Wookyung didn’t mind playing along.
Seeing that sparkle in Saheon’s eyes made him want to join in.
“Scissors, two steps. Rock, three steps. Paper, five steps. Sound good?”
“Sounds fun.”
And so, standing before the stairs, the game began.
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
They both threw their hands out. Wookyung had paper, Saheon had rock.
Wookyung let out a small “Yes!” and dashed up five steps.
Next round: Wookyung threw rock, Saheon threw paper.
Wookyung climbed three more steps, quickly widening the gap between them.
“Wookyung, slow down! I’m gonna lose sight of you at this rate!”
Saheon shaded his eyes and looked up dramatically.
“You better keep up!”
Wookyung put his hands on his hips like it was a challenge.
He won again in the next round.
The game continued with Wookyung in the lead.
But as they neared the top, the gap between them began to shrink.
Nine steps became five, then three, then two…
“Saheon, be honest.”
Wookyung narrowed his eyes, glancing to the side.
Only one step remained.
They stood side by side on the same step.
“About what?”
“You’ve been throwing the game, haven’t you?”
“No matter how talented I am, I can’t rig a game like this.”
“Hmm…”
Even hearing that, Wookyung couldn’t shake the doubt.
Everything had just… lined up too perfectly.
‘How are we even tied at the very last step?’
He’d had the upper hand from the start.
The distance between them was five steps, sometimes even more.
But somehow, it had all closed up perfectly at the end.
‘Well, I guess even if he tried, you can’t really plan something like this.’
After all, even Saheon couldn’t predict what he would throw.
“Maybe I just really wanted it.”
Saheon’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Wanted what?”
“To reach the end… side by side with you.”
“Ugh…”
There he goes again, saying such cringey stuff so casually. Wookyung shivered a little.
Saheon burst into laughter, clearly amused.
Standing so close, Wookyung could feel the slight shake of his body as he laughed.
And eventually, a faint smile tugged at his lips too.
“Well then, shall we decide who’s going to reach the final step?”
“Let’s.”
At Saheon’s suggestion, Wookyung nodded.
They both called out one last time.
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
They threw their hands out again.
“Ah…”
“I win,” Saheon said with a smile.
Wookyung chose scissors, Saheon chose rock.
Claiming victory, he lightly stepped onto the last stair, then reached out to grab Wookyung’s wrist and gently pulled him up.
Caught off guard, Wookyung climbed the remaining step and looked at him with a suspicious gaze, but—what could he do?
The game’s result was already decided.
“Want to sit on the bench for a bit? I don’t see any ice cream around, but there’s a vending machine over there. I’ll grab us something to drink.”
And hey, the winner was treating, after all.
Wookyung nodded and willingly walked toward the shade of a nearby tree.
Even though he hadn’t climbed all that many stairs, the heat had drenched him from the back of his neck to his spine.
He tugged at his collar to fan himself, but it didn’t help much.
“Phew…”
He blew out a small breath and looked toward Saheon standing in front of the vending machine.
A tall, broad-shouldered man lost in thought—it was a pleasing sight.
And whatever drink he chose for him, it was sure to be cool and sweet.
The two sat on a bench in the park, chatting about this and that, before heading toward the nearby seaside.
“This doesn’t feel like an island at all. It feels more like some amusement resort.”
That was Wookyung’s impression as they walked down the well-maintained path after parking the car.
From the very start—with the booming music, energetic DJ, and popping amusement rides—he’d felt it.
Probably the weekend crowd was adding to the effect, too.
“Yeah… I see what you mean.”
Saheon scanned the lined-up restaurants, seafood joints, cafes, and arcades and nodded in agreement.
“Shall we try going over there?”
When they reached a theme park with a giant Ferris wheel, Wookyung spotted a walking path.
A sign read: “Path to Sunset Overlook.”
The sun was just beginning to set—it felt like perfect timing.
And it seemed like it’d be quieter than the bustling beach.
“Sounds good.”
Once Saheon agreed, Wookyung turned immediately.
The slope was a bit steep, but not too hard to climb.
As expected, the heat probably discouraged most people from making the trek—there was hardly anyone around.
Thanks to that, the two casually linked their pinky fingers as they walked.
After about 15 minutes of climbing, the sky gradually opened up, and a glass-covered overlook came into view.
But that wasn’t where Wookyung’s attention was.
“This way.”
Saheon looked down at the hand pulling him.
At some point, Wookyung had taken his hand completely—not just loosely hooked pinkies like before, but a firm, full grasp.
His chest ached in that deeply uncomfortable, dangerously tender kind of way.
After about five more minutes, they reached the top.
They were still holding hands.
The sky had turned a vivid crimson, and the sun had mellowed enough to simply watch in silence.
This time of day had a way of making everything feel more emotional.
Saheon turned to the side again.
Wookyung was bathed in soft, warm light. That’s when he noticed his lips—slightly parted.
Something stirred in him.
A powerful impulse—strong enough to break through all the composure he usually tried so hard to maintain.
“Wookyung.”
Their eyes met.
And those beautiful eyes—especially dazzling today—made his desire flare even more.
“Can I kiss you?”
Even he could hear the tension in his own voice, though it was politely asked.
Did Wookyung know how much his heart was racing?
And then, Wookyung gave an answer he could hardly believe.
“Yes. I’d like that.”
The moment he said yes, Saheon’s hand tilted Wookyung’s chin upward just a little.
And then—soft, warm, tender lips met his.
It was their first kiss.
* * *
I just sitting here giggling like a little girl!
Same girl, same 🙏