* * *
He had expected it, but actually seeing Pyo Yoontae seriously worrying about Seo Jeongseo—and on top of that, looking like a love-struck fool completely smitten with his boyfriend—made Hayan feel annoyed.
For a moment, he considered just turning around and leaving, but by then, he had already arrived at the restaurant.
Pyo Yoontae naturally held the door open, but upon seeing Hayan, he scowled and walked in first without waiting.
Hayan followed him inside.
He didn’t particularly want to hear it, but since he was the one who had started the conversation, he had no choice but to offer his advice.
“If that’s how you feel, why didn’t you just tell him not to go to the MT?”
(MT = Membership Training, a group bonding trip often taken by students or company employees.)
“How could I? Jeongseo was so excited, packing his bags and everything.”
“Then just sit tight and wait. It’s not like Seo Jeongseo is the type to do anything just because someone’s being clingy. He doesn’t even have that kind of awareness.”
That was a fair point, and Pyo Yoontae found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
A brief silence fell between them as the server came to take their order.
They both ordered the large pork cutlet.
Absentmindedly, Pyo Yoontae poured water for Hayan, just as he would for Jeongseo, only to realize it a beat later and set the glass in front of himself instead.
Since the only person he ever spent time with was Jeongseo, he kept subconsciously treating others like him.
“You don’t trust Seo Jeongseo?”
Dark, piercing eyes locked onto Pyo Yoontae.
Hayan was sharp, and when he stared at him like that, it felt like he could see right through him.
Pyo Yoontae averted his gaze and took a sip of water.
“It’s not that. I know Jeongseo likes me. He’s not the type to be afraid of showing his feelings.”
…Though sometimes, he tries to hide them in the strangest ways.
Before he realized it, Hayan was listening intently, his expression serious.
“Then what exactly is bothering you so much?”
“…I guess, it’s just… Jeongseo seems a lot more indifferent than I am. He doesn’t really care about what I do or who I hang out with. Sometimes, I even feel like he wants me to spend time with other people instead of just him…”
As he spoke, a memory surfaced—words he had once said to Jeongseo.
“I like that you think of me, but don’t let it become a burden, Jeongseo.”
“You can take your time and like me a little more at your own pace. When you feel like it’s enough, you can tell me then. I’ll be okay with whenever that is.”
It had only been about a year ago when he had said that, acting like he was so composed.
And yet, here he was now, sulking.
Pyo Yoontae trailed off, feeling pathetic.
Just then, their pork cutlets were placed in front of them.
Hayan glanced at Pyo Yoontae, slicing into his own food before letting out a small laugh.
“So basically, you’re upset because Seo Jeongseo isn’t obsessing over you or getting jealous the way you want him to. You’re not actually worried—you’re just sulking on your own. That’s what this is, huh?”
The teasing smirk cut straight to the heart of his insecurity.
Pyo Yoontae’s face soured, but he couldn’t refute it.
It felt like he’d been smacked on the back of the head with the brutal truth.
He wasn’t completely free of worries, but Hayan was right—he was unconsciously pouting because Jeongseo hadn’t decided to skip MT just to stay with him.
He knew he was more possessive and obsessive than Jeongseo.
But he had always assumed that, because his love was bigger, he could control it.
Pyo Yoontae had always been good at hiding his emotions.
But when it came to Jeongseo, that ability completely crumbled.
“…Wow. I’m seriously so childish.”
“You were always childish. More than Seo Jeongseo, even. Ever since high school.”
“…Do you want to die?”
Pyo Yoontae glared at Hayan, gripping his knife, but Hayan simply chewed on his pork cutlet without a care.
He casually popped a piece of pickled radish into his mouth before continuing.
“Well, everyone has their own way of being in a relationship. And anyway, anyone with eyes can see that Seo Jeongseo likes you the most.”
“Obviously. Do you have any idea how much Jeongseo loves me?”
The gloomy air around Pyo Yoontae instantly lifted.
If it was coming from Hayan of all people, it had to be an objective truth.
Even though he had never doubted Jeongseo’s feelings, it still felt good to hear it from someone else.
Hayan made a face at Pyo Yoontae’s shameless response, but he still said what he intended to.
“And if it really bothers you that much, just be honest with Jeongseo. It’s not like he’d get mad at you for being possessive. If anything, he’d take you seriously. So why are you keeping it all bottled up and making yourself miserable?”
“I don’t want to stress him out over my own selfishness.”
Hayan narrowed his eyes.
“Hey. Are you dating by yourself? You’re in this with Seo Jeongseo. When you like someone, it’s normal to be greedy and to expect things from them.”
Golden eyes wavered slightly.
Pyo Yoontae didn’t want to admit it, but somehow, Hayan’s words were comforting.
And that annoyed him even more. So he snapped back irritably,
“…What do you even know about relationships? You don’t even date.”
All he ever cared about was studying and success.
Hayan simply stabbed the last piece of pork cutlet with his fork.
“You don’t need to be in a relationship to know this stuff. It’s common sense. Unlike certain people with terrible personalities.”
Pyo Yoontae found Hayan’s smug expression irritating, but for once, he didn’t argue.
Because he was right.
Just as they were finishing up their meal, Pyo Yoontae’s phone vibrated on the table.
Their eyes instinctively went to the screen.
A picture of a brown weasel sprawled on its back, belly exposed, appeared next to the caller ID: “ㅇㅅㅇ.”
Hayan glanced at it before commenting indifferently,
“It’s Seo Jeongseo, right?”
“Oh, gimme that.”
Pyo Yoontae instantly brightened and swiped to answer.
“Hey, Jeongseo. What are you up to? Did you eat?”
“Mhm! I had something light, but later we’re grilling meat! Did your class just end?”
Jeongseo’s voice was so loud that even Hayan could hear it.
He really must have been excited while packing his bags—just hearing his voice made it easy to picture his beaming face.
Realizing that, even Hayan found it hard to argue that Jeongseo shouldn’t go to MT.
“Meat sounds good. My class got canceled last minute, so I ran into Hayan and we grabbed a meal together.”
“With Hayan? Lucky! Next time, let’s all eat together!”
Hayan stared at him for a moment before leaning forward and speaking into the phone.
“Seo Jeongseo, I heard you’ve been super busy with your new friends. Pyo Yoontae’s sulking because he’s jealous—”
“Shut your mouth.”
Perfect timing—someone called for Jeongseo on the other end of the line, and he seemed distracted.
Pyo Yoontae shot Hayan a murderous glare, but Hayan just smirked and leaned back.
A moment later, Jeongseo said he had to go since his seniors were calling him, and the call ended.
As Pyo Yoontae got up to leave, a thought struck him.
“…How did you know it was Jeongseo?”
His name wasn’t even saved properly—had Hayan memorized Jeongseo’s number?
Pyo Yoontae gave him a suspicious look, but Hayan just shrugged.
“The profile picture was him. And honestly, knowing you, who else would you save as ‘ㅇㅅㅇ’?”
Pyo Yoontae stopped in his tracks.
“…You’ve seen Jeongseo’s real form?”
His actual, undisguised beast form?
Pyo Yoontae’s pupils trembled slightly.
Was it back in their first year?
But Seo Jeongseo hadn’t been close to anyone back then, so the chances were slim.
Then when on earth…?
Desperately, Pyo Yoontae tried to recall any situation where Hayan could have seen Seo Jeongseo’s true form, but nothing came to mind.
“Our second-year field trip, remember? Jeongseo and I shared a room. The day after we hiked Hallasan, he passed out and slept like a sprawled-out weasel. Everyone in the room saw it. When we woke up, people were huddled around him, and I was so dumbfounded…”
Hayan trailed off, looking ahead nervously, as he felt the sharp intensity of Yoontae’s gaze.
With a suddenly serious expression, Pyo Yoontae asked again.
“Everyone except me saw Jeongseo in his weasel form?”
Ah. That was a slip-up.
Hayan had assumed Yoontae already knew, but clearly, he didn’t.
Startled, Hayan hurried to explain.
“No, well… We were all exhausted from the hike, remember? There were other people from different rooms who transformed too. And anyway, I quickly picked him up and tossed him into the bathroom, so no one saw much.”
But even as Hayan spoke, Pyo Yoontae looked utterly shocked.
He seemed half out of it, paid for their meal, and left without even saying goodbye.
Hayan scratched his cheek awkwardly as he watched Yoontae walk away with sluggish steps.
Was that really something to be that shaken up about?
Hayan found it strange, but the only person he could ask was already gone.
* * *
