* * *
The soft vibration sounded like thunder in my ears.
The fact that he was getting calls every 30 seconds made it pretty obvious: someone from the guild was desperately trying to reach him.
He didn’t just disappear without telling anyone… right?
Given his track record, it was hard not to doubt him.
Still, you can only ignore it so many times—at this point, even I was getting uncomfortable for him.
“The cleaning’s basically done anyway. You can head out now.”
I ended up grabbing the mop from him myself.
Only then did Do Soohyuk finally take his phone out of his pocket and check it.
After a short call in the kitchen, he came back out, pulling on his jacket—yep, seemed like something urgent came up at the guild.
“Um… thanks for today.”
Since he’d genuinely helped out today, I awkwardly offered my thanks.
Soohyuk suddenly held out his hand toward me—just like he had done many times in the dungeon.
But unlike back then, when I’d instinctively grabbed it without hesitation, I couldn’t bring myself to move.
I was overly aware of people watching us, and more than anything… I was confused.
I couldn’t explain it, but meeting him again today made it clear that something had changed.
The problem was—I had no idea what it was.
“I’ll be going, then.”
When I just stared at his outstretched hand, unsure, Soohyuk quietly withdrew it.
He turned and walked away without hesitation, but I couldn’t look away from his retreating back.
“What, did he want you to pay him for the day or something?”
Woo Jaehyun muttered, watching Soohyuk’s back with a scoff.
Then he turned to me, raising one eyebrow.
“Hyung, what’s with your face?”
“What about it?”
“It’s just… kinda weird.”
He didn’t finish his sentence but kept peering closely at me.
Feeling like he’d see right through me, I scowled and shoved his face away.
“Forget it. Let’s get ready to head home.”
Just as I turned away, trying to shake off my thoughts, Cha Rui walked up with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just swallowed it.
“I’ll take you home.”
“Home? It’s fine, I brought my bike.”
I’d come on my own just fine this morning.
No need to make a fuss.
Even without the bike, with a blink-step skill, I could get home in a flash—it wasn’t far.
And honestly, I wasn’t someone who needed protecting, even if I was technically a supporter.
When Lee Donghyuk came, he only had leverage because of my father.
If it had been just me, I could’ve handled it on my own.
“I’ll take you.”
But then Jaehyun chimed in too, and now I had no real excuse to refuse.
I gave in and agreed to let them walk me as far as the apartment complex.
After closing up, the three of us slipped out and picked up the pace through the residential area to avoid the crowd.
These guys stood out too much to take on a public route.
It’d take a little longer, but it was way better than drawing attention.
With one on each side of me, we started talking seriously about the day’s work, until we stopped in front of a convenience store.
“You guys like ice cream?”
At the sudden question, both of them blinked at me, confused.
Honestly, it was hard to imagine either Cha Rui or Woo Jaehyun eating something like ice cream.
“Still, you worked hard today. This much, I can treat you to.”
In the old world, I used to buy ice cream whenever I felt emotionally drained.
There was something about cold sweets that helped relieve stress and pressure.
Today wasn’t that rough, but since we were already here… I wanted to share a little happiness with them.
Ding~
“Welcome to⋯ oh!”
As I stepped into the convenience store first, the part-timer, previously scrolling on his phone, shot up in surprise.
Then he saw the two guys following me in… and nearly had his eyes pop out.
Embarrassed by the reaction, I quickly headed to the ice cream section and waved them over.
“Pick whatever you want. Doesn’t matter if it’s expensive.”
What the hell—today was special. I’d even allow cones.
I dug through the freezer, wondering what I wanted, but the two of them just stood there awkwardly.
Curious, I glanced over—and sure enough, both of them looked completely lost among all the ice cream options.
They were clearly overwhelmed, and honestly, it was kind of funny.
“Seriously, how do you even run a guild when you can’t pick out an ice cream?”
“Can’t you just pick for us?”
Jaehyun leaned on my shoulder with a cheeky smile.
I gave him a sideways glance, then turned to Cha Rui, who was silent as ever—but the way he was pursing his lips made it obvious: he was waiting for me to choose for him too.
Honestly, they weren’t kids, but they sure were high-maintenance today.
Shaking my head, I grabbed two random ice creams and tossed them into their arms.
“Here. Just eat the one that matches your hair color. Too much trouble otherwise.”
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
The guys, now speechless, were each holding a popsicle—one beige, the other red.
The sight almost made me burst out laughing, but I bit my lip and barely managed to hold it in.
Well, if you don’t like it, get something else yourself.
After finishing up at the register, I stepped outside and took a small bite of my ice cream.
“Ah, refreshing. Nothing beats this nougat bar.”
Even if Changbeom kept teasing me for having an old man’s taste, nothing tasted better than this.
I had worried it might not suit Seo Inho’s taste, but thankfully, we didn’t have another peach ice cream disaster.
As I hummed in satisfaction, Cha Rui stared at me, still holding his watermelon popsicle.
His eyes flicked back and forth between the nougat bar and my face, as if fascinated by how I could enjoy something like that.
“What? Don’t tell me you’ve never had this before?”
“You said you didn’t like it either, that it was for old people.”
“D-Did I?”
I felt a sting as if he’d branded me again with the ‘old man’ label, but honestly, I expected it.
Still, for someone who supposedly didn’t like it, wasn’t it going down pretty well?
Just another victim of preconceived notions.
“I like it now. Want a bite?”
I practically shoved the nougat bar right in front of his face, almost demanding he try it.
Cha Rui looked a little flustered, but then awkwardly took a bite.
I was watching him, feeling a bit proud, when suddenly Woo Jaehyun grabbed my wrist in a flash.
Before I could react, more than half of my nougat bar was gone.
“……”
You little—
I smacked him hard on the back as he chewed away without a care in the world, but of course, all it did was hurt my palm.
But hey, giving up now wouldn’t be like Min Jeha.
Just as I was steeling myself to take another swing, a watermelon popsicle appeared in front of me.
Cha Rui was offering his, like he was trying to calm me down.
That one bite of watermelon ice cream managed to ease my boiling frustration—if only just a little.
“Here, try mine too.”
Apparently realizing he had a conscience, Woo Jaehyun sheepishly held out an injeolmi-flavored ice cream.
Seeing my chance, I took the biggest bite possible—only for a sudden ice cream headache to slam into me. I’d eaten too much cold too fast.
Already annoyed, I now had to deal with Woo Jaehyun snickering at me, saying I was being greedy for someone with a small mouth.
I couldn’t take it anymore and ended up chasing him around for a while.
By the time all our bickering over one ice cream had finally died down, we were already in front of my place.
“…Huh, we’re here.”
So much for keeping things casual—I’d dragged both of them all the way to my apartment entrance.
How did that even happen?
I awkwardly brushed my cheek as Cha Rui silently reached over and straightened the hood of my jacket.
“Go on in. Text me when you get there.”
“……”
“Maybe I should just move in here.”
Woo Jaehyun ruffled his messy hair and stared up at the building like he was seriously considering it.
With both of them acting so relaxed, I suddenly wondered—had this all been part of their plan?
Still, regardless of how we ended up here, it didn’t feel right to just send them off after everything today.
Whether it was helpful or not, I felt like I owed them something—just a little token of gratitude.
“I don’t usually say this kind of thing first, but…”
I hesitated mid-step, glancing back at the two of them.
“If you’re not busy… want to come in and eat?”
It wasn’t like they lacked money—these guys were loaded.
So it’s not like they needed anything material.
The only thing I could offer right now was a meal.
I was planning to cook something nice for my dad anyway; adding a few more spoons wouldn’t be a big deal.
It was just a casual offer, but… neither of them responded.
They just stood there, staring into space like their brains had short-circuited.
“It is lunchtime. I get it if you’re busy though—”
“Yeah.”
“I’d love to.”
Right as I was starting to think I should offer something else, they both blurted out their answers at the exact same time.
And this time, they were… way too quick about it.
* * *
