* * *
Jingyeom became a full-time employee at the café, and his relationship with Soohyuk continued steadily.
They kept it a secret, meeting only when Jinwoo worked late.
Naturally, this led to Soohyuk growing more frustrated, though Jingyeom’s gentle coaxing always soothed him in the end.
There was only one person missing from Jingyeom’s life.
Tak Wonbeom.
One weekend, lying on a bench during a break, Jingyeom glanced at his phone.
As he messaged Soohyuk, his gaze fell to the untouched chat with Wonbeom, and he let out a sigh.
“Is this okay…?”
How many times had he asked himself that question?
Since that day, he hadn’t contacted Wonbeom once.
Time had passed, yet the silence remained.
He couldn’t bring himself to reach out, nor could he leave things unresolved.
The lingering unease gnawed at him, but he had no idea how to fix it.
There was no one to ask for advice, and it was driving him mad.
Lost in thought, he heard Jinwoo calling out.
“Gyeom, let’s go.”
“Ah… I don’t want to.”
“But we have to. Get up.”
When Jinwoo extended his hand, Jingyeom, who had been staring at him, took it and stood up.
He didn’t want to visit the hospital, but regular checkups were a must.
The last visit had been for his head, but this time, it was for his routine examination, so he had to see Hoonil.
Originally, he should have gone on a weekday, but taking time off so soon after becoming a full-time employee didn’t feel right.
So, he rescheduled the appointment for Saturday.
The usual tests were neither frightening nor time-consuming.
Hoonil smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the monitor.
“You’ve been managing yourself well. Everything’s normal. No need to increase the dosage.”
“But isn’t there anything that can help with my slow healing? The cut on my lip last time took forever to heal.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that. Just try not to get hurt. That’s the best solution.”
Hoonil’s firm response was correct, so Jingyeom nodded in understanding.
“I’ll schedule your next appointment for a month from now, so come back then.”
“Other patients only come frequently at first, then switch to every six months. Why do I have to come every month?”
As he slipped off his white coat and put on a cardigan, Hoonil answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Because your body’s weak.”
“…Tch.”
“Come on, let’s go. There’s a decent restaurant nearby.”
It had been a while since he’d had lunch with Hoonil.
As expected of an area near the hospital, there were plenty of places to eat.
Hoonil chose one that was relatively clean.
As they walked through the lobby, passing the pediatric wing, Jingyeom suddenly asked as if he’d remembered something.
“Doc, about those wish papers… Did you make the tree?”
“Oh, that? I did. I hung your wish on it too. I’m sure it’ll come true.”
Though it seemed like Hoonil was just saying that casually, strangely enough, it felt believable.
It really felt like it would come true.
Jingyeom smiled warmly at Jinwoo without realizing it.
“That would be nice.”
When Jinwoo looked at him questioningly, Hoonil chuckled, patting Jinwoo on the back to change the subject.
“By the way, Baek Jingyeom, you still call me ‘Doc.’ Didn’t you say you’d call me ‘Hyung’ instead?”
“Oh, right. It just doesn’t feel natural. Must be because I’m used to calling you ‘Doc.’”
“Call me whatever’s comfortable. Don’t overthink it.”
As Hoonil lightly tousled Jingyeom’s hair, the latter nodded earnestly.
With that, they arrived at the restaurant in an amicable atmosphere.
However, sitting inside was someone Jingyeom was glad to see, but Jinwoo would have preferred to only run into at work.
Jinwoo had agreed to lunch but hadn’t expected someone else to join.
That someone was Sun Soohyuk.
“You actually came?”
At Hoonil’s comment, Jinwoo turned around.
“What’s going on? Did you plan to eat together?”
“Nope. He called when he found out Jingyeom had an appointment today, and I mentioned we’d be having lunch here. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d actually show up. Really.”
Jinwoo narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t hard to tell that Hoonil’s claim of surprise was a lie.
His lack of nervousness and subtle grin gave it away.
Regardless, the guest was here, and suggesting separate tables now would seem strange, so they sat together.
Hoonil, who was about to sit next to Soohyuk, felt Jinwoo’s glare and smirked before plopping down in his chosen spot.
“What’s your problem?”
Soohyuk clicked his tongue briefly, winking at Jingyeom, who offered an awkward smile and a slight nod before taking a seat opposite Soohyuk.
“We sure see a lot of each other on weekends, Director. You dropped by the house last week, the week before that, and now here again.”
“Looks like we’re destined to share meals. Don’t you think so?”
Jinwoo’s annoyance at Soohyuk’s presence was written all over his face.
But Soohyuk only had eyes for his beloved Jingyeom, his gaze so overwhelming that Jingyeom awkwardly avoided eye contact.
‘Why agree to a secret relationship if you keep making it so obvious?’ Jingyeom silently grumbled to himself.
It wasn’t lost on Jinwoo that there was something going on between the two.
The frequent weekend visits, Jingyeom’s diminishing enthusiasm at seeing Soohyuk, and above all, the way Jingyeom’s gaze toward Soohyuk had changed—these were not things Jinwoo could ignore.
But he refrained from showing that he’d noticed.
A strong sense of foreboding told him it was better not to.
Still, Jinwoo couldn’t hold back his disdain as he spoke.
“Destiny? More like an uninvited intrusion. That’s hardly destiny. It’s just someone trying too hard to force coincidences.”
“Is that so? Then I guess you’ll be seeing a lot of me on weekends from now on, Secretary Baek.”
“What? That’s… not what I meant…”
Jinwoo wanted to add unbearable but held his tongue.
He also noticed that Soohyuk had changed.
His earlier blatant attempts to woo Jingyeom had softened, replaced with a confident ease.
His demeanor, tone, even his expressions seemed gentler, yet more calculated.
‘Why am I even analyzing this guy?’ Jinwoo furrowed his brow, frustrated by his own observations.
Sensing the tension, Hoonil seized the moment to interject.
“Let’s just order!”
He opened the menu and recommended a dish he’d enjoyed previously.
“The kimchi stew here is great. Jingyeom, you can have it too. A little indulgence now and then is good for stress.”
“Is it okay for a doctor to say that?”
“It’s better than stressing over dietary restrictions. Eating what you enjoy in moderation is fine. One meal won’t hurt.”
Hoonil’s nonchalant response to Soohyuk’s remark was backed by the fact that Jingyeom’s health stats from the day’s checkup were normal.
Besides, the restaurant catered to its location by offering less salty, adjustable-spice dishes.
However, the meal itself was far from peaceful.
Both Soohyuk and Jinwoo seemed locked in a subtle competition to care for Jingyeom, pestering him from opposite sides.
Hoonil was the only one who managed to enjoy his meal.
“Seriously, you two, tone it down. Jingyeom might end up with indigestion.”
“I’ll take care of Jingyeom. Director, just focus on your own meal.”
“It’s fine. I had a big breakfast. Secretary Baek, just enjoy your food.”
“…Unbelievable.”
Deciding it was pointless to intervene, Hoonil met Jingyeom’s gaze and blinked deliberately, as if to say he’d done his part.
After the meal, Hoonil felt content, but Jingyeom’s stomach felt uneasy.
‘At this rate, I won’t live long…’ he sighed, realizing he’d placed too much faith in Soohyuk.
After becoming a full-time employee at the café, Jingyeom couldn’t contact people as often as before.
His routine consisted of standing for long hours, returning home utterly exhausted, and falling asleep early.
It was only natural for Soohyuk to feel frustrated.
Jingyeom understood this too well, so even when Soohyuk suddenly showed up unannounced, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
“I’ll have to arrange to meet him outside soon.”
If this continued, Jingyeom feared his lifespan would shorten dramatically, caught between Soohyuk and Jinwoo.
Hoonil had gone to the hospital, and Soohyuk offered to give Jingyeom a ride home, so they headed off in his car.
“I’m not your chauffeur, you know.”
“Of course not, Director. How could you be a chauffeur?”
“Then why are both of you sitting in the back?”
Soohyuk glanced at Jingyeom through the rearview mirror, his tone slightly sullen.
He’d hoped to sit next to Jingyeom and pretend it was a mini date, but Jinwoo had ruined everything.
Before Soohyuk could seat Jingyeom in the front passenger seat, Jinwoo had pushed him into the back, robbing him of the opportunity.
“Jingyeom said his stomach was feeling upset during dinner, so I thought I should massage it. For that, I need to sit next to him.”
As it turned out, Jinwoo was holding Jingyeom’s hand, applying acupressure points known to aid digestion.
While Jingyeom wasn’t in severe discomfort that required medicine, his stomach was unsettled enough that Jinwoo, with his stronger hands, was a better choice than doing it himself.
Unaware of the hand massage, Soohyuk clicked his tongue briefly, watching them through the mirror.
He’d noticed earlier that Jingyeom didn’t look well and had assumed it was due to his own persistent advances, but now he realized it was because Jingyeom wasn’t feeling well.
“If you’re feeling really bad, should we turn around? Do you have medicine at home?”
“I have some at home. I’m fine.”
Hearing Jingyeom’s voice made Soohyuk smile briefly, though it quickly faded as he remembered the upset stomach.
He drove slowly, trying to maintain a steady speed.
Even though he could only sneak glances at Jingyeom through the rearview mirror at traffic lights, he wanted to see his face as much as possible.
By the time they arrived at Jingyeom’s house, his condition seemed to have improved.
“If it gets worse, call me. I’ll bring Hoonil hyung over.”
“Teacher’s busy.”
“Even so, nothing’s more urgent than you.”
“Got it. Thanks for today. Drive safely!”
As Soohyuk and Jingyeom exchanged a few words, Jinwoo stood silently, his suspicions solidifying into certainty.
Ah, those two are much closer than I thought.
This has gone beyond anything I can intervene in.
Still, he didn’t want to simply stand by.
Especially not when it came to those hands.
Soohyuk naturally patted Jingyeom’s head, his hand slowly moving down to stroke his cheek.
Jinwoo brushed Soohyuk’s hand away.
“That’s one thing, but this is another.”
Then he gently pulled Jingyeom’s arm, increasing the distance between him and Soohyuk. For a brief moment, Soohyuk and Jinwoo exchanged a sharp glare.
“Thanks for the ride. See you on Monday.”
“…Yeah.”
Soohyuk’s icy gaze toward Jinwoo softened as he turned to Jingyeom, smiling as if nothing had happened.
“See you again.”
“Darling.”
As always, the final word was mouthed silently.
Jingyeom gave a small nod and went inside with Jinwoo.
While Jinwoo claimed he had some reading to do, Jingyeom stepped outside to rest, wrapping himself in a blanket as he lay on the patio.
“…When would be the right time to tell him?”
He didn’t think it was the right moment yet, but the growing guilt gnawed at him.
Whenever he was with Soohyuk, he couldn’t stop smiling.
It wasn’t that anything particularly funny happened, but just being with him made him smile over the smallest things.
Even something as simple as a meal was made special, with Soohyuk always finding a place that showed careful thought and consideration.
He even informed the restaurant of what Jingyeom couldn’t eat beforehand, ensuring Jingyeom could dine worry-free.
He loved slipping his hand into Soohyuk’s coat pocket during a walk, the way Soohyuk gazed at him lovingly during casual conversations, and even the playful moments when Soohyuk leaned in for a kiss, only to be gently pushed away in a mock struggle that left both of them smiling.
Through Soohyuk, Jingyeom had come to understand why people fall in love and enter relationships.
Having someone who brought joy and excitement to life was an exhilarating feeling he’d never experienced before.
But the more he cherished these moments, the more guilty he felt toward Jinwoo.
Deceiving him weighed heavily on his heart.
Every day, he debated whether it would be better to come clean, sometimes agonizing over it hundreds of times.
Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to decide.
“….”
If this dragged on, it would only be Soohyuk who suffered in the end.
While he respected Jingyeom’s decision to keep their relationship a secret for now, there was no telling when Soohyuk might reach his limit.
“Haa…”
Wrapped tightly in his blanket, Jingyeom received a message from Soohyuk, confirming he’d gotten home safely.
Soohyuk: Are you home? (2:28 PM)
He glanced toward the front door to ensure it was securely closed before quickly replying.
Me: You worked hard today! You didn’t eat much earlier—are you okay? Not hungry? (2:29 PM)
Soohyuk hyung : I’m fine, but I’m worried about youㅠㅠ Is your stomach really okay? Should I come over now?
Me: I’m all better now~ Don’t come! Just rest up at home! (2:30 PM)
(Yawning emoji)I’m going to take a nap too.
Soohyuk hyung: Don’t sleep too long. You won’t be able to sleep tonight.
Me: Got it! I’ll message you when I wake up! (2:31 PM)
Jingyeom wanted to hear Soohyuk’s voice but knew calling now would risk Jinwoo overhearing.
Yawning widely, Jingyeom shuffled back inside.
Jinwoo, who had been reading on the bed, was already fast asleep.
“He must’ve been tired.”
Although it was the weekend and he could’ve slept in, Jinwoo had woken up early again today.
“If he sleeps like that, he’ll feel sore later.”
Jingyeom hesitated to adjust Jinwoo’s posture for fear of waking him, so he simply draped a blanket over him and propped a pillow next to him as a precaution.
Satisfied despite the awkward positioning, Jingyeom spread out his usual bedding on the floor and lay down.
“Yawn.”
The yawns wouldn’t stop.
He hadn’t done much today, but the fatigue from the workweek was catching up.
Without setting an alarm, he trusted he’d wake up on his own and quickly drifted off to sleep.
The room was bathed in bright sunlight through the uncovered curtains, but both men remained in a deep slumber.
* * *
Cute