* * *

Even though they were just talking about their daily lives, it felt like they were watching a comedy show with how much laughter filled the air.

Amidst their chatter, a phone rang, interrupting the flow of the conversation.

Realizing it was his phone, Seonwoo apologized, raising a hand in a polite gesture.

“Sorry, I need to take this call.”

As Seonwoo left to answer his phone, a brief silence followed, but soon enough, the lively chatter resumed as though nothing had happened.

The conversation naturally shifted from daily life to the topic of novels, a fitting subject for the café’s theme.

And when it came to novels, one name always came up.

“What do you think PetitRolang’s next work will be?”

Choa was the first to bring up PetitRolang, and Soseki joined in enthusiastically.

“I’m curious about the genre. They handle every genre so well…”

“Personally, I hope it’s BL. It’s been so long since we’ve had one from PetitRolang.”

Gwakdupal’s mention of BL startled Choa, who glanced around nervously, checking to see if her brother had overheard.

She seemed worried about what might happen if he did.

Watching Choa’s anxious behavior, Gwakdupal thought to herself that even if Seonwoo liked Yeongdeok, it wouldn’t be such a big deal if he found out about Choa’s love for BL.

But not wanting to meddle unnecessarily, she kept the thought to herself.

“I’d love a BL too, but I’d be happy with fantasy as well. I’ve created so much fan content with the characters from PetitRolang’s works.”

“Oh, I’m the same. Have you read PetitRolang’s In Reality, I Was a Loser, but in This World, I’m an SS-Rank Player?”

As they continued talking about PetitRolang, Yeongdeok sat silently, staring at his untouched strawberry latte.

Again with PetitRolang.

Despite his growing irritation, Yeongdeok listened closely, unwilling to miss any potential information about the author.

As he listened, Gwakdupal noticed his discomfort and glanced at him.

“Is it still uncomfortable for you to talk about PetitRolang, Yeongdeok?”

With that careful question, the group’s attention shifted to Yeongdeok.

He wondered why she was asking.

If he said yes, wouldn’t they just get angry, as they always did, for criticizing the author they idolized?

But something had changed.

The way they were looking at him now, there was a sense of camaraderie, as if they would understand whatever he said.

Why are they looking at me like that?

The unfamiliarity of it made Yeongdeok feel strange.

His lips moved on their own.

“You all…”

He wanted to ask them.

Had they never once doubted PetitRolang’s existence?

The way his every move was passed down like legend, with no tangible proof?

Didn’t they find that odd?

In the past, he would’ve just blurted it out without hesitation.

But now, strangely, the words wouldn’t come.

Why was he hesitating?

Was he afraid they’d think he was crazy and avoid him?

No, that couldn’t be it. Yeongdeok had never cared about being disliked by others before.

While Yeongdeok questioned himself, Seonwoo returned to the table.

“Sorry for being away.

What were you talking about while I was gone?”

“We were discussing novels. You should try reading PetitRolang’s fantasy works; they’re really good.”

DaerimdongFist responded confidently.

Although many details were left out, there wasn’t a single lie in her words.

“Fantasy novels, huh? But what’s up with Yeongdeok’s expression? You don’t look so good.”

Seonwoo reached out his hand toward Yeongdeok, as if to check if something was wrong.

As his hand got closer to Yeongdeok’s face, a vivid memory flashed in Yeongdeok’s mind—the image of PetitRolang reaching out to him in a dream.

Seonwoo’s fingertips lightly grazed Yeongdeok’s forehead.

It was such a faint touch, but Yeongdeok flinched in surprise, pulling his head back sharply.

Seonwoo, equally startled, awkwardly withdrew his hand.

“What was that?”

At the sound of Seonwoo’s puzzled voice, Yeongdeok’s wide eyes slowly returned to normal.

His composure started to return.

“Don’t touch me so casually.”

Yeongdeok replied sharply, straightening his bangs with a proud gesture.

Seonwoo tilted his head, wondering if he had imagined what had just happened, as Yeongdeok’s reaction was no different than usual.

With Seonwoo back at the table, the conversation about novels faded, and casual small talk filled the air once again.

Even though they hadn’t done anything particularly special, time flew by.

The gathering, which they hadn’t had in a while, ended as quickly as ice cream melting on a hot summer day.

ꔚ

“Aww, when will we see each other again?”

As it came time to part ways, Soseki frowned, unable to hide her disappointment.

“We’ll see each other soon. Why, in just two months, it’ll be…”

“Summer break!”

At the mention of summer break, Soseki beamed with excitement, clearly looking forward to it, without sparing a thought for the final exams that would come first.

As they left the café and walked together, the group gradually went their separate ways.

“We’ll take the subway, so see you next time.”

Gwakdupal and DaerimdongFist waved lightly as they headed towards the subway station.

Soseki crossed the street, explaining she had to catch a bus.

Left in the middle of the sidewalk were Seonwoo, Choa, and Yeongdeok.

“Are you heading back to the shop, Yeongdeok? Want a ride? I brought my car.”

Seonwoo twirled his car keys around his finger, clearly offering a ride, but Yeongdeok found the gesture irritating.

“No need. I can just take the bus.”

“But I want to give you a ride.”

“You’d be better off looking after your sister.”

“I can drop you off first, then go with Choa.”

“Yeah, come on, get in the car, Yeongdeok! You even came to my recital, but I never got to give you a ride back.”

Choa pulled on Yeongdeok’s arm, encouraging him to come along.

Though her strength wasn’t enough to drag him, she was so small and delicate that Yeongdeok couldn’t bring himself to shake her off.

She looked as if she might break if he wasn’t careful.

Reluctantly, Yeongdeok followed the Baek siblings and ended up in the back seat of Seonwoo’s car.

Everything had happened so quickly.

“You’ve got no manners, Yeongdeok. Shouldn’t you sit in the passenger seat?”

Seonwoo grumbled under his breath, complaining about how this must be because Yeongdeok was born into a rich family.

It seemed like a joke, but since Yeongdeok hadn’t even wanted to get in the car in the first place, hearing such comments was simply absurd to him.

“I had no intention of getting into this car. It was your little brother who dragged me into the back seat.”

“Yeah, don’t blame Yeongdeok oppa. He came all the way to the concert, and all you’re doing is picking petty fights.”

As Choa took Yeongdeok’s side, Seonwoo’s eyebrow twitched. She wasn’t even Yeongdeok’s real sister, so why was she defending him?

“And you—how long do you plan on holding me like this? Let go.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry.”

Choa was startled to realize she was still gripping Yeongdeok’s arm, and quickly released it.

Watching them through the rearview mirror, Seonwoo pouted, annoyed at how Yeongdeok seemed to treat people differently.

“You’re quick to shake me off, but with Choa, you wait until she lets go first.”

“You think you and she are the same? Look at the size of you.”

“So now you’re nitpicking about that? Wow, oppa, that’s just pathetic.”

With Choa also joining in on criticizing him, Seonwoo twitched the corner of his lips upward in irritation.

He felt both his brother and Yeongdeok were treating him too carelessly.

“Yeah, fine. It’s all my fault. So where do you want me to drop you off, Mr. Cha Yeongdeok?”

“The shop.”

“Got it.”

Seonwoo pulled up the navigation route to the chicken shop as Yeongdeok had requested.

While they drove along the wide road, Choa was busy chatting away to Yeongdeok, completely ignoring her actual brother.

“I’m so happy I get to ride in the car with you, Yeongdeok oppa.”

Yeongdeok, who wasn’t saying anything particularly interesting, and was just sitting there silently, couldn’t understand why Choa would say such a thing.

What a strange girl, he thought, coming to that conclusion about her.

He decided that, since things had turned out this way, he might as well try to relax and get comfortable for the rest of the ride.

But Choa’s incessant chatter kept him from finding any peace.

While Seonwoo focused on driving, every time the light turned red, he would glance at the rearview mirror to check on Yeongdeok and Choa.

Yeongdeok seemed a bit annoyed by her, but he still gave short replies, managing to somewhat humor her.

Just seeing the two people he cared about getting along so well made Seonwoo’s heart swell strangely.

It almost felt like they were a close-knit family, and Seonwoo couldn’t help but imagine a future where he could keep watching scenes like this if he grew closer to Yeongdeok.

That thought made his desire to be with him even stronger.

He was certain it would be nothing short of bliss.

Seonwoo could feel his body heat up as his unchecked desire surged.

He cracked the window slightly, letting in a breeze, but even that wind couldn’t cool his rising heat.

He scratched the back of his neck, trying to calm himself down.

* * *