* * *
As the semester at Daehan University began, Jihoon, now in his third year, was immediately swamped with assignments.
Venting his frustrations beside Yeongdeok, he groaned.
“God, professors need to try doing their own assignments to realize how insane their schedules are. Do they think I’m only taking their class?”
“More complaining?”
“…Sorry.” Jihoon apologized, leaning his head on Yeongdeok’s shoulder.
“What are you working on, hyung?”
“Promoting the shop on social media.”
Jihoon glanced nervously at Yeongdeok’s phone, worried he’d written something ridiculous like, ‘All you fools who don’t know good chicken, come to my shop and be enlightened!’
To his relief, the post was perfectly normal.
[Yeongdeok Chicken reopens on September 14th!]
“Hyung… You… You’re writing in polite speech so naturally…”
Tearing up with emotion, Jihoon covered his mouth in disbelief.
Yeongdeok frowned slightly at his overreaction.
“What do you take me for? Treating customers like royalty is basic.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never done it before! Do you know how nervous I got every time you awkwardly tried polite speech?”
It seemed so, and Yeongdeok fell silent.
He could have blamed PetitRolang, but there was no end to blaming him.
No matter how many excuses he could muster, they wouldn’t hold up.
“Annoying.”
“Are you sulking? Cute.”
Jihoon grabbed Yeongdeok’s shoulders, shaking him lightly as if to cheer him up, but Yeongdeok kept his eyes glued to his phone screen.
September 14.
To anyone else, it was an ordinary date, but to Yeongdeok, it was meaningful—the anniversary of the day his monotonous life took a turn.
Like last year, he planned to start anew.
A strange sense of anticipation swelled in his chest.
ꔚ
On September 14, Yeongdeok reopened his chicken shop.
At first, like when he had initially started, the shop was eerily quiet, with not a single customer in sight.
But as time passed, people trickled in, remarking, “So, you’ve reopened?”
Around 6 PM, Gwak Dupal arrived with his friends, including DaerimdongFist.
“Hello, boss!”
Yeongdeok greeted them professionally. “Welcome. How many in your party?”
“What’s with this tone? Doesn’t suit you at all,” Dupal teased, shuddering as if creeped out.
DaerimdongFist chimed in, asking if something was wrong with him.
Deciding that speaking formally wasn’t worth the trouble with these guys, Yeongdeok reverted to his usual tone.
“So much to complain about, even when I treat you like customers.”
“That’s the Yeongdeok Chicken I know!” Dupal laughed boisterously, leading his group to a table.
After serving their order, more familiar faces entered the shop.
Jihoon, Eungyeol, Dalsu, and others—some strangers to Yeongdeok—poured in.
“Hyung, we heard you reopened. Smells great.”
“I’ve always wanted to try your chicken. Finally, I get the chance.”
While they settled in, Jihoon walked to the counter, donning a red apron as he said, “Looks like you’ve got some business. I’ll help out.”
Jihoon carried water jugs and cups to the table, but his friends couldn’t resist their usual mischief.
“Excuse me, boss, this part-timer’s glare is terrifying. Almost wet myself.”
“Shouldn’t you fire him? Customers might run away.”
In response, Jihoon slammed the water jug and cups onto the table with a thud.
“Shut it, you brats.”
“The part-timer is swearing at customers, boss!”
As the banter continued, the door opened again.
In stepped Wonjin, still in his business suit, holding a bouquet behind his back.
“Congrats on reopening, Yeongdeok.”
Wonjin handed him the bouquet, revealing bright yellow hydrangeas.
“What’s with the flowers?”
“Just thought they suited you. Picked them up on the way.”
“Thanks,” Yeongdeok said, cradling the bouquet.
He inhaled deeply, catching the faint, fresh scent unique to real flowers.
“Yellow hydrangeas symbolize…” Wonjin hesitated before finishing with a soft smile, “wishing happiness upon you.”
Though Yeongdeok wasn’t one to memorize flower meanings, he nodded earnestly, trusting Wonjin’s words.
After serving and chatting with his visitors—Dupal, DaerimdongFist, Wonjin, and the rest—the night wore on, and the shop quieted.
Around midnight, Choa appeared, beaming.
“Oppa, congratulations on reopening!”
“Choa, what are you ordering?”
“Garlic chicken, two servings. Heard it’s the best.”
“For takeout?”
“Of course! Two is too much for me alone.”
Yeongdeok packed the chicken neatly and handed it to her.
She thanked him with a smile before dashing out, calling back to someone outside, “Oppa, I got the chicken!”
As he listened, Yeongdeok chuckled. “Still as indirect as ever.”
Once the shop calmed, Jihoon approached, tired but content. “What’s got you smiling?”
“Nothing.”
“Guess I’m out of shape—feels like my energy’s drained.”
Though he moved like a zombie, Jihoon laughed, saying it was satisfying work.
By the time the clock struck past 2 AM, it was time to close.
The bell jingled one last time, and a man entered, hood pulled low.
“Welcome.”
“…”
“What would you like to order?”
“One fried chicken.”
The man’s voice was oddly familiar.
Suspicious, Yeongdeok studied him, prompting the man to pull his hood even lower.
Deciding to focus on his work, Yeongdeok prepared the chicken and brought it out.
The man clumsily wrestled with a drumstick, the crispy batter crunching loudly as he took a bite.
After finishing, he approached the counter to pay.
As Yeongdeok handed back his card, the man spoke softly.
“Your chicken… it’s still delicious.”
“…What?”
“This is what you’re meant to do, isn’t it?”
Before Yeongdeok could reply, the man disappeared into the night.
Chasing after him, Yeongdeok found the street empty.
“Still wandering around aimlessly, huh?” he muttered, clicking his tongue.
Returning inside, Jihoon greeted him by wrapping his arms around Yeongdeok’s neck.
“Finished organizing the storage. Time to head home?”
Realizing it was far past 2 AM, Yeongdeok sighed.
“That useless PetitRolang made me close late again.”
“What? What happened?”
Ignoring Jihoon’s concern, Yeongdeok leaned in and brushed their lips together.
Startled, Jihoon quickly checked their surroundings but, realizing the street was deserted, closed his eyes and deepened the kiss.
Pulling away, Yeongdeok smiled. “Let’s finish up and head home.”
“Once we’re home, can I kiss you again? That wasn’t enough.”
“Do as you please.”
“And then…”
Jihoon placed his hands firmly on Yeongdeok’s shoulders.
His eyes, tinged with determination, carried a resemblance to the seductive gaze he had worn back at the hotel.
“Can you start calling me by my name instead of ‘you’ now?”
“Your name? Are you asking me to call you Seo Jihoon?”
“No. Just Jihoon—drop the last name.”
Yeongdeok gave him a familiar look of exasperated disbelief, as though questioning why Jihoon would even request such a thing.
Yet, this time, Jihoon didn’t seem willing to back down.
Reluctantly, Yeongdeok opened his mouth and spoke, carefully.
“Jihoon….”
“Hmm?”
“Jihoon-ah.”
The corners of Jihoon’s lips twitched before a radiant smile spread across his face.
He beamed, almost overwhelmed with emotion, his joy shining through.
“Yes, hyung.”
“Still, calling you ‘you’ feels more natural.”
“That’s just too cold.”
“It doesn’t roll off my tongue.”
“You’ll get used to it over time.”
Having gotten what he wanted, Jihoon finally let go of Yeongdeok’s shoulders.
With the last bit of cleanup done, the two locked up the store and stepped outside.
It was something they’d done countless times before, but after several months, it felt refreshingly new.
“Hyung, reopening the store—congratulations. I mean it.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s keep doing our best together from here on out.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
Without anyone saying who started it, their hands naturally intertwined as they strolled along the dark and empty pre-dawn streets.
As Yeongdeok held Jihoon’s hand a little tighter, imagining the future they’d build together, he heard a small chuckle from Jihoon beside him.
For some reason, the early morning felt exceptionally beautiful today.
The End
* * *
is it done?
checked that the 6th volume is left cant wait!
Tô sem pontos de novo