By Zephyria 
Having barely escaped and returned to his group of friends, Gu Hae-bin was already engaged in conversation with another group of similar age nearby. Kim Seon-woo, noticing Eun-ha’s rapidly deteriorating complexion, chuckled before drifting towards another group of peers upon being called. All that remained was Park Hyun-ji, standing at the bar table, picking at desserts.
He indicated the group across the table, mentioning that they would all be moving to another location together soon. They were planning to go to Gu Hae-bin’s Pub for drinks and fun.
‘All together’ of course included Eun-ha.
Eun-ha immediately declined. Having met Mom’s expectations, he was planning to head back soon. He was so tired that he was confident he would fall asleep the moment he hit the bed.
He lightly massaged his weary shoulders, looking down at Park Hyun-ji, who seemed perfectly fine as usual.
Then, he glanced at the group of people who were laughing and talking.
Despite not being particularly weak, he couldn’t keep up with the energy of such lively people.
“I knew you’d say that.”
Hyun-ji, unfazed by Eun-ha’s refusal, took a sip of his Non-alcoholic cocktail.
“And you know I won’t let you go easily, right?”
“…I really can’t today.”
“Don’t say ‘I can’t today’ like you don’t say that every day.”
“I really can’t, what can I do?”
“Why can’t you?”
Eun-ha cleared his throat for a moment, quickly conjuring up a suitable excuse.
“I have other things to do… and I’m tired. Let’s catch up another time. Today—”
“When is ‘another time’? When is that? Next year? The year after? Maybe in 50 years? Then you’ll be an old Grandfather complaining about aching bones and won’t want to hang out? Should we all just die and meet as ghosts at a funeral?”
“……”
“If you were someone who came out when I called, I wouldn’t be begging you like this.”
“……”
“You know my birthday is next month, right? Are you coming to the party?”
“…I have to go to that.”
“Would it hurt you to come out when I call, even if there’s no special occasion?”
“I wish I could. But I’m busy.”
“What are you busy with! You’re not learning a trade, you’re not studying? You’re just lazing around like Gu Hae-bin, who opened a store and does nothing all day.”
“…You’re crushing my bones.”
“Let’s hang out sometimes. I’m just sad. Really.”
Leaning forward, Park Hyun-ji poked his face out, looking pitiful. He was trying to make Eun-ha feel sorry for him. As if Eun-ha wouldn’t be swayed by a friend begging like this.
Eun-ha deliberately looked away, turning his attention to the people exiting the atrium entrance.
“…I understand what you’re saying, but I’m really busy. I have to go today.”
“What are you so busy with? Are you dating someone? Are you hiding someone at home?”
“Ah. I am raising something.”
“What is it? Who is it? A lover? Or a pet? If it’s something like that, I’ll accept it.”
“A houseplant.”
“……Seriously, you’re not even funny.”
Park Hyun-ji let out a chuckle as if he was dumbfounded but also found it a bit funny. It wasn’t meant to be a joke… Does that mean plants don’t count?
The argument continued for several minutes. Eun-ha grew increasingly impatient. He had to escape before they all headed to the Pub. But he couldn’t think of a good excuse. Vague words didn’t work well because they were old friends.
Those who had known Eun-ha for a long time knew him well. They knew that Eun-ha had no other friends besides them, and that Eun-ha, having finished a tiring event, wouldn’t abandon them to go to other people.
They also knew that in recent years, Eun-ha had been avoiding personal gatherings with them almost blatantly.
That must be why they were holding on so strongly now. They couldn’t possibly be unaware of that distance, even if they didn’t show it.
A reason, a reason… Ah. Eun-ha, who had been looking around aimlessly, fixed his gaze on one spot and his eyes widened, as if he had found a clear answer.
Yeon-jun was standing at the end of his gaze.
He didn’t really want to get involved with that person, but it was only for a moment. Eun-ha was someone who could distinguish between personal feelings and practical considerations. Since that person seemed to be the best option right now—he couldn’t help it.
“If you can convince me, I’ll let you go, okay?”
“Actually, I have a prior engagement today. It’s almost time, so I really have to go.”
“A prior engagement? Suddenly… Don’t lie. You’re going home, aren’t you? It’s not like I haven’t seen you slip away like an eel before—”
“It’s true. I’m having dinner with Baek Eun-taek’s grandson. Ah. There he is. I have to go. It was fun today. See you next time.”
“What? Hey! Wait a minute…!”
Barely dodging Park Hyun-ji’s hand, who was trying to grab him, Eun-ha blindly chased after Yeon-jun, who was heading towards the lobby entrance. He gradually quickened his pace to catch up with Yeon-jun’s large strides. Finally catching up, he stood next to Yeon-jun and made his presence known. Yeon-jun, who had casually turned to look, paused a beat later. He slowly stopped walking.
“Keep walking.”
“Pardon?”
“Aren’t you heading out?”
“I am, but…”
“Then let’s go out together. Just get me out of here.”
Yeon-jun, with a clear look in his eyes, glanced back before looking at Eun-ha again and nodding slightly.
Eun-ha gave him a social smile. He babbled whatever came to mind. Thank you. Really. Should we go quickly then…
It was a performance for Park Hyun-ji, who must have been storming back to his friends. Yeon-jun occasionally responded to Eun-ha’s constant chatter. Please look at me. Yes? …Like this? Yes. Like that. But what are you doing? Let’s just go.
That’s how he managed to get safely outside the lobby. But feeling unsafe, Eun-ha kept walking. He had to go further so they couldn’t even catch him. Just as they knew Eun-ha well, Eun-ha knew them well too. They were all stubborn in their own ways. He had to run away as hard as he could when he saw an opportunity.
It was when he was halfway down the long, wide, gentle slope that he remembered Yeon-jun, whom he had momentarily forgotten. He thought something was strange.
Stopping abruptly, he turned around and saw Yeon-jun, who had been following closely behind, stop as well.
Why all this time… Eun-ha wanted to facepalm, but he shook off the thought. This person was innocent. At least for now. Rather, he was in his debt.
“I’m sorry. I was flustered… Thank you. I owe you one. You can go now.”
“Were you in a difficult situation?”
“Um. A little. My friends were being annoying.”
Yeon-jun sent him a silent gaze. Uncomfortable with it, Eun-ha offered a distancing greeting again. “Thank you.” He consciously turned his head. Where did he park? He was about to glance around.
“Then… I helped Hyung, right?”
“Pardon?”
Eun-ha quickly turned to look at him again. He thought he had just said something… but he didn’t catch any of it. The important thing wasn’t that.
“Hyung?”
Suddenly?
“Ah. That seemed like the most appropriate title…”
“……”
“Do you dislike it?”
Eun-ha moved his lips. He looked at the man, who kept making him speechless, incomprehensibly. They were nothing to each other. So there was no need for an appropriate title. The title itself was useless. But….
As the silence grew longer, Yeon-jun’s eyes slightly clouded over. ……He couldn’t bring himself to say he disliked it to his face. Even though he knew it was unlike him to get caught up in this.
“…I don’t mind.”
An unwelcome answer. Yeon-jun’s face, which had been losing energy, brightened in an instant. His eyes held a strange light, as if he was about to smile. He revealed his quiet joy, as if he didn’t even realize he was showing it. Like someone who didn’t know the ways of the world at all…
Eun-ha was dumbfounded again. That absurd feeling was no longer new to him.
Just as he was about to swallow a hollow laugh, Yeon-jun said, quite docilely.
“Okay, Eun-ha Hyung.”
“……”
“……”
“…Well. Okay. Then I’ll be going now.”
“Ah. I just asked you a question.”
“What did you say?”
“You can speak casually to me.”
“I’m more comfortable with honorifics.”
“Ah. Okay…”
“……”
“Anyway, Hyung.”
“Yes.”
“…So, you owe me one, right?”