By Zephyria 
As soon as Cha Jeong-won finished speaking, the atmosphere around them shifted slightly.
Until a moment ago, the mood had been rolling along loosely with the single word ‘company dinner,’ but now a peculiar atmosphere hung in the air.
Haon found himself looking at Woo Sun-woo without even realizing it.
Cha Jeong-won had no rightful place to join a company dinner strictly meant for people who worked at the cafe.
Still, since he said he wanted to go, the decision rested with Woo Sun-woo, the owner.
Woo Sun-woo smiled with a faintly pained expression. As if it was troublesome but there was nothing to be done.
“I’ll just… next time…”
“Yeah, sure. We’ll probably see each other often anyway.”
Woo Sun-woo made the decision before Haon could finish his reply.
Well, they’d probably keep meeting at the same cafe to work on their group project anyway.
“Thank you.”
Haon, who accepted the situation, gave a greeting and nodded towards Cha Jeong-won. He was glad they could go together, however it came about.
“So, where should we go?”
At Haon’s question, Cha Seo-jun raised his hand as if he’d been waiting.
“Chimaek. Chimaek. On a day like today, it’s gotta be chimaek.”
Woo Sun-woo laughed and shook his head.
“Isn’t chimaek too noisy? Let’s go somewhere quiet. There’s a bar nearby. The atmosphere is definitely good.”
Before those words even finished, Cha Jeong-won interjected calmly.
“Convenience store.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s each have a beer at the convenience store.”
It was a transparently obvious statement.
Cha Seo-jun immediately countered.
“Hyung. That’s not a company dinner.”
Woo Sun-woo also chuckled softly.
“That feels more like a punishment.”
There was no change in Cha Jeong-won’s expression. He looked like he genuinely thought it was the best choice.
Haon, watching this, swallowed a laugh that threatened to escape. Cha Jeong-won was just that kind of person.
In the end, Haon stepped in to mediate.
“Then, how about a nearby pub? Not too noisy, they have chicken. And a place that sells beer as tasty as a convenience store’s.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Cha Seo-jun pouted. Woo Sun-woo shrugged his shoulders once.
Cha Jeong-won looked at Haon briefly, then gave a short nod. Feeling that was like permission, Haon felt oddly relieved.
He just wanted to stop the company dinner atmosphere from getting weird; forcing it might have led to even stranger comments.
＊ ＊ ＊
The pub was a five-minute walk from the cafe.
The warm light from the sign illuminated the street, and through the glass door, people sitting closely together were visible.
Haon paused briefly before entering. Wondering if there might be no seats, he was checking when Cha Seo-jun stepped forward.
“Hyung, I’ll get the door.”
Haon reflexively nodded. As soon as Cha Seo-jun opened the door, he naturally nudged Haon inside.
It felt so natural that Haon just as naturally entered the pub.
Coincidentally, one four-person table facing the wall was empty.
“Hyung, over here.”
Cha Seo-jun gave Haon’s shoulder a light push, seating him in the inner seat. Haon, without realizing it, was easily pushed and sat down. Simultaneously, Cha Seo-jun plopped down in the seat next to Haon.
Haon was surprised, only blinking his eyes.
Cha Jeong-won, who had been entering slowly, stopped when he saw Cha Seo-jun and Haon. He looked somewhat tired for some reason.
Cha Jeong-won tried to sit in the inner seat, but Woo Sun-woo was faster. Woo Sun-woo smiled brightly at Haon across the table. Cha Jeong-won stood still for a moment, then sat in the empty seat without a word.
‘He’s sulking.’
Haon noticed why Cha Jeong-won’s expression had hardened.
What was so upsetting about not being able to sit in the next seat?
But Haon also felt a tiny bit disappointed himself.
Without even looking at the menu, Haon spoke to Cha Jeong-won first.
“Sunbae, have water, not alcohol. You must be tired; drinking alcohol at a time like this will make you get drunk quickly.”
Cha Jeong-won looked at Haon. His gaze seemed to soften momentarily.
Haon felt relieved for a second. That made him want to take care of him even more.
“Let’s order water first. I’ll…”
Before Haon could finish his sentence, Cha Seo-jun slapped the menu shut.
“Let’s have soju.”
Haon turned his head.
“You said chimaek, now suddenly soju?”
“Maybe because I was running around so busy today, soju sounds good.”
Woo Sun-woo laughed as if agreeing.
“Right. You really did great today. Haon, you too.”
When his praise flew towards him, Haon reflexively smiled. Before that smile could fade, Woo Sun-woo continued.
“If customers keep coming like this, we might even expand the cafe. It’s all thanks to you, Haon.”
Haon stopped before replying. He wondered if he should just take this as a customary remark.
“It’s because the coffee tastes good.”
“The beans haven’t changed, so the coffee taste has always been the same. But customers have increased since you joined.”
“Really? Did I get hired really well? That’s strange…”
As Haon trailed off, Cha Jeong-won’s gaze sharpened and hardened again. Seeing that expression, Haon suddenly felt a stronger urge to recommend water.
“Sunbae, shall I get you some warm water?”
Just as an employee set down a water bottle and left, Haon caught his breath and took out a cup. But for some reason, his face felt prickly under the surrounding gazes.
At first, he thought they were just looking. But as time passed, the stares didn’t stop.
People at the next table would turn to look even while laughing, and those sitting far away would avert their eyes for no reason, then look again.
Haon wondered if he had something on his face and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Ah.”
The lineup of people he came with was quite dazzling.
Cha Jeong-won was too obvious to even need explaining, and Cha Seo-jun, who resembled him but was cute in some way. Woo Sun-woo, with his gentle impression, also stood out.
“I’m the only plain one.”
At Haon’s complaint, Cha Jeong-won’s eyes narrowed.
“You had another strange thought, didn’t you.”
It seemed like whatever he said would be considered nonsense.
“Thoughts are my own free will, you know.”
Haon pretended it was nothing and moved on, while gauging the distance between himself and Cha Jeong-won with his eyes.
It was definitely far.
We should be close.
If possible, touching would be nice, but there were too many obstacles on the table, so maybe he should try touching below.
Since he couldn’t see under the table, finding Cha Jeong-won’s leg seemed harder than expected. What if he accidentally touched the wrong guy’s leg and swept it away?
‘Should I still give it a try?’
Luck might be on his side. If he gets caught, he could just say it wasn’t him…
That’s when it happened.
Cha Jeong-won got up from his seat.
Haon reflexively raised his head. Did something happen?
Cha Jeong-won turned towards Cha Seo-jun.
Instantly, a large shadow fell over Cha Seo-jun and Haon.
In that moment, the sounds of the pub seemed to grow strangely distant.
It wasn’t that the music faded, but he felt that way.
Cha Seo-jun raised his head. The look in his eyes as he looked up at Cha Jeong-won was resolute. With an aura of absolutely not backing down, Haon felt uneasy for some reason.
‘Don’t tell me… Is he going to say we’re dating now?’
Of course, it wasn’t something he couldn’t say.
He would have to say it someday. But revealing it in this situation as a reason to vacate the seat was weird.
Haon felt his palms sweating for no reason. Woo Sun-woo also didn’t know what was happening, but perhaps because the atmosphere seemed suspicious, he couldn’t take his eyes off them.
Then Cha Jeong-won spoke.
“Isn’t your phone ringing?”
At the abrupt words, Haon blinked first.
Cha Seo-jun also looked dazed for a moment, then glanced down at his own pocket. Cha Jeong-won pointed towards the pocket with his fingertip.
That was the moment.
A vibration sound.
Not from the table, but Cha Seo-jun’s pocket really rang.
Cha Seo-jun quickly rummaged through his pocket and pulled out his phone. His expression wavered as he saw the name on the screen.
Cha Jeong-won didn’t miss that expression.
Cha Seo-jun answered the call.
“Yes, yes… Right now?”
Cha Seo-jun bit his lip once.
After hanging up, Cha Seo-jun got up from his seat. Flustered, he tried to look at Haon but ended up looking at Woo Sun-woo and said, “Boss, I think I have to go.”
Woo Sun-woo also became flustered in turn.
“Now?”
“Yes. Something urgent came up.”
Woo Sun-woo seemed to notice Cha Seo-jun’s expression was different from usual.
“Alright, let’s have the company dinner next time.”
Cha Seo-jun nodded. Then he forced a smile towards Haon.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Even as he answered, his heart felt complicated.
As Cha Seo-jun left, Haon stared blankly at the now-empty seat beside him. Then Cha Jeong-won moved.
As if that seat had been his all along, he naturally sat down next to him.
Haon, who was about to make a joke like ‘Sunbae came to sit next to me,’ drew in a sharp breath.
Cha Jeong-won’s hand firmly grasped Haon’s hand.