* * *
Daesoo almost collapsed from weak knees. While he was filming, Jisoo had left him a text saying he was just borrowing a bowl, but in reality, he had completely emptied Daesoo’s house.
The two of them lived as neighbors, each occupying one of the two penthouses in their apartment building.
On his way back home, stuck in traffic, Daesoo checked his home’s CCTV and gritted his teeth as he saw Jisoo’s manager and coordinator taking everything from frying pans to luxury plates.
He considered calling the police but decided to handle it himself.
“Indeed… fists are closer than the law. Mr. Kim, hurry up.”
However, when he entered the house determined to confront Han Jisoo, he found an unexpected person there.
Ever since leaving Chunmong Pavilion, Daesoo had been thinking about Dansol.
Hearing that PD Choi had been sued and that the program was being investigated by the broadcasting commission, he regretted not doing anything that day and leaving the island.
So when he saw Dansol hugging Pansoo on Jisoo’s sofa, he thought he was seeing things from watching Dansol’s music shows too much.
“Uh… why are you here…?”
“Oh… after the photo shoot, I was told to come by for a bit… I was just about to leave!”
It was real. The real Dansol placed Pansoo on the sofa and stood up. Jisoo and Daesoo simultaneously grabbed Dansol as if they had planned it.
“Where are you going? You just got here.”
“Just stay, how about we have dinner together?”
“Jung Daesoo, you go eat at your own house.”
“But our kitchen is right here.”
Daesoo glanced at the cake plate and mug in front of Dansol.
“Order delivery!”
“And what about you? Can you even cook?”
Dansol, awkwardly standing between the two sparking with tension, started to pack his bag again.
“Um… you two talk… I’ll just…”
“Sit down.”
“Yes, sit down, Sol. Daesoo said he’ll make something delicious. We can watch TV in the meantime.”
Watching Jisoo naturally put his hand on Dansol’s shoulder, Daesoo frowned. He almost cursed out loud when he heard Dansol’s sweet voice.
“Daesoo hyung is cooking?”
Dansol was simply amazed. he couldn’t picture Daesoo delicately handling ingredients with his massive hands.
But to Daesoo, who was already head over heels, Dansol’s face lit up like a cat wearing boots.
“I can cook enough to eat. Stay and eat.”
Moreover, it had been a while since he saw Dansol, and he seemed skinnier, probably due to his busy schedule. Daesoo walked to the kitchen, fetched his cooking tools oddly placed in Jisoo’s kitchen.
“Jisoo, go get some wine from the wine cellar.”
Daesoo didn’t enjoy drinking but wanted to disrupt Jisoo’s cozy time with Dansol.
“Sol, would you like some wine?”
“Uh… yes.”
Though he was weak with alcohol, Dansol nodded, thinking the wine Jisoo offered would be expensive.
“A wine cellar, not just a fridge… Jisoo hyung must be really rich.”
While Jisoo went to the wine cellar, bored Dansol slipped into the kitchen. Daesoo was skillfully chopping ingredients.
“Where do you live, hyung?”
“There.”
Daesoo pointed to the pantry connected to the kitchen terrace. Following his gesture, Dansol turned his head and saw the penthouse of the opposite building.
“There?”
“Yes.”
“Do you also have a wine cellar at your place…?”
Dansol’s eyes grew serious, as if he were a real estate agent rather than an idol.
“No.”
“Oh… so not everyone has those, even in the same apartment.”
“I’m not a drinker like some people. I made it into an audio room.”
Of course, that made sense. Dansol felt foolish for worrying Daesoo’s pride might be hurt even for a moment.
“Hehe. But… didn’t you mention a thief earlier? Did a thief break into your place? Isn’t audio equipment very expensive…?”
“No, it was a petty thief, didn’t take anything really valuable.”
“Seems even thieves need an eye for good stuff….”
“Right.”
Daesoo scrutinized Dansol, who looked unusually youthful today. It didn’t seem to be just because he had lost weight.
“Did you cry?”
“Huh?”
“Your face is puffy.”
Dansol often found himself amazed at Daesoo’s sensitivity. he couldn’t tell if it was just his nature or if it was directed only at him.
In such moments, he resembled a keen predator, detecting the smallest tremor in a herbivore.
“I ate late-night snacks and slept. I didn’t hear about today’s schedule.”
Daesoo clicked his tongue at his added words, worried he might seem like an inexperienced rookie.
“Is your company treating you well? I heard some companies exploit idols with slave contracts.”
Dansol held back from saying, “My company is THAT company.”
It wasn’t time yet to reveal how trashy the company truly was.
For now, there was no need to tarnish the image of a company that still pretended to be decent.
“Will this do?”
Just then, Jisoo returned, arms full of wine bottles as if he had emptied the cellar.
“Are you going to drink all that?”
“Why?”
***
Contrary to Daesoo’s concerns, the wine bottles Jisoo brought were soon emptied. And contrary to Dansol’s concerns, Daesoo’s cooking was top-notch, and the dinner with delicious dishes and wine extended quite long.
“Wow… the expensive wine… doesn’t even make me feel drunk…”
“Right? Our Sol isn’t drunk yet…”
“You’re both drunk.”
Drinking only sparkling water, Daesoo rubbed his throbbing forehead as he watched the two tipsy people in front of him.
Dansol sniffed continuously as he approached Daesoo.
“I smell it… the scent of success…”
“What? What smell?”
“Sol, you keep talking about some smell…”
“This… is the scent of success. The herb scent lovingly kept in the coat pocket of a seasoned herpa who has reached the top several times… promoted by the most expensive brand in the department store!”
“Our Sol… must be sensitive to scents… Want something? Hyung will… give it to you. Follow me.”
Jisoo, trying to head to the makeup room, tripped over the carpet and sprawled out. Watching this, Dansol started to cry.
“It’s useless! The damp basement smell in the rainy season… can’t be masked by such weak luxury perfumes… What I need is… a powerful antimicrobial deodorizer…”
“Hyung will take care of everything… oh dear…”
Daesoo sighed deeply, watching the two continue their nonsensical conversation.
“Joo Dansol, get up. I’ll take you home.”
“Yes… I had a great time…”
Stumbling, Dansol stood up and bowed to Jisoo, who was still lying on the carpet.
Even while drunk, Jisoo was displeased to see Dansol being dragged away by Daesoo, so he grabbed Daesoo’s ankle firmly.
“Uh… I’ll… I’ll take her…”
“A drunk person can’t take his anywhere.”
Daesoo lightly brushed off his hand, opened the drawer by the entrance, and grabbed one of the many car keys inside.
***
“Where do you live?”
“Mmm… Mapo-gu… Puhh…”
With Dansol in the passenger seat, Daesoo thought he needed to secure his with the seatbelt to keep his from squirming around. However, his drunken body kept sliding on the soft leather seat.
As Daesoo turned his head towards Dansol, he suddenly lifted his head, bringing their faces uncomfortably close.
Their breaths tickled each other’s lips. Dansol’s breath carried the sweet scent of sparkling wine.
“…Senior.”
Just as Daesoo, mustering some unknown courage, tried to move closer to his lips, a notification beeped—ding!—causing Dansol to turn his head.
Embarrassed, Daesoo pulled back.
“Senior… this…”
Ding!
Shortly after, another notification beeped on Daesoo’s phone, possibly from a group message.
Producer Choi Mijin: Thank you for your patience. Filming for [RO Match Survival in the Island] will resume in two days on Monday. We will introduce the new rules and members on the day of filming. Please rest well, and see you in two days.
“Huh, new members? Did you know the rules are changing?”
When Daesoo spoke to Dansol, he was already fast asleep, breathing softly. Daesoo, feeling helpless, rested his head on the steering wheel for a moment before taking Dansol’s phone from his pocket and making a call.
“Hello, is this Dansol’s manager? This is Jung Daesoo. Dansol is too drunk, and I’m trying to take his home, but I need his address… Oh, never mind. I’ll take his myself. Thank you, and sorry for calling so late.”
Having convinced the manager who insisted on coming to pick his up, Daesoo glanced at the sleeping Dansol and started the car.
The supercar, capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h, quietly and smoothly crossed the speed bump, disappearing into the night as if carrying a baby.
* * *
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