By Zephyria 
“Two more draft beers here!”
“Coming right up!”
The customers who had taken over the place as if they owned it were all college students. Their drinking session, which had begun before sunset, only grew more heated as the night deepened.
Caught up in the young and vibrant atmosphere, Tae-hwi acted the sociable part and managed to find out the customers’ universities and majors. They were apparently in a film club, but the conversation they exchanged consisted entirely of dating stories.
Haon, diligently carrying draft beers, pricked up his ears every time he passed a table where relationship counseling had begun. There wasn’t much helpful information, but he listened intently to everything. Perhaps because he had started dating himself, he found himself interested in other people’s romances.
“Excuse me, sorry.”
It was around 10 PM.
The shop had become a bit quiet after those who wanted to leave had gone, leaving only those who intended to stay. Haon was diligently clearing empty tables, carrying dishes on a tray bit by bit.
“Excuse me. Hey, part-timer!”
A man who had been secretly watching him finally caught Haon’s attention after several attempts. He had been calling for a while, and since there was no response, he initially thought he was being ignored.
“Me, me?”
However, seeing how startled he was, it seemed he hadn’t been pretending not to hear. The man looked relieved and gave a bashful smile. His friends sitting around him watched the scene with expressions as if they were dying of amusement.
“Would you like a menu?”
Haon set down the dishes he was holding and hurried over to the man’s table.
“What’s good here?”
Instead of looking at the menu, the man asked Haon directly for a recommendation for appetizers.
“Uh… the most popular one is…”
It wasn’t a difficult question, yet the pretty part-timer pondered it very seriously. Watching this closely, the man held his breath as his smile widened. Based on his face, he thought he’d be a haughty character, but he had an unexpectedly innocent charm.
“If you’re full, the dried snacks are good, and if you want something with broth, our Nagasaki Champon is really delicious. And—”
Haon recommended the menu in a bright, gentle voice. He had only tried a few things himself, but most of the food in the shop was tasty enough to recommend. That was why the place always had so many customers.
“By any chance, do you have a partner?”
The man, who had been focusing on the pleasant voice that matched the handsome face, abruptly changed the subject. Haon’s expression froze, and he immediately looked uncomfortable.
“No, it’s just that you’re exactly my ideal type… I don’t usually ask things like this.”
The man, who looked to be around Haon’s age, rambled while glancing at his friends. At his desperate signal for help, his friends chimed in, saying he was a good guy.
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
Haon gave an awkward smile and tried to leave the spot.
Actually, this wasn’t the first time he’d been asked such a question. It was a question he had heard often while working numerous short-term part-time jobs. However, because it always ended badly, he had rejected them every time.
“I knew it, you do have a partner. How long has it been?”
Perhaps because of the alcohol, the man was quite persistent. He continued to pry even though Haon looked distressed.
“Then can’t we just follow each other? You use social media, right? I’m fine with anything.”
“No, I don’t use it.”
“Aw, come on. I won’t be a nuisance.”
Eventually, the man tried to grab Haon’s arm as he waved him off. Unfortunately, Tae-hwi, who was skilled at handling such situations, had stepped out for a smoke, leaving Haon to deal with him alone. The owner was busy organizing ingredients in the kitchen with Hyung-cheol.
“I won’t ask for your number. Just a follow, okay? Let’s just be Insta-friends. Without your partner knowing.”
It was just as Haon was about to shake off the man’s hand. Ho-yeong, who had come out from organizing boxes in the warehouse, stepped in and split the two apart in one stride.
“I’m the partner. What are you trying to do without me knowing?”
The moment the man saw Ho-yeong smiling brightly, he immediately let go of Haon’s hand and apologized. He looked intimidated by Ho-yeong’s large frame. His friends did as well.
“Thanks.”
Haon, who went back to finish clearing the tables with Ho-yeong, whispered very softly. Even though he had done nothing wrong, Haon looked crestfallen. He regretted not being able to shake the man off properly.
Ho-yeong simply shook his head in silence and quickly finished cleaning the tables. Despite having started later than Haon, he was fast and skilled at everything. Because he always had a smiling face, the atmosphere of the shop had become brighter since he arrived.
“Haon, you take a break too!”
Tae-hwi, returning from his smoke, walked in and gestured to Haon. Haon smiled, thanked him, and headed out the back door. He intended to go to the restroom but stood outside the building for a moment to catch his breath.
Because Tae-hwi had just passed through, the scent of cigarettes lingered in the air. I’ll go back in after exactly three minutes. Thinking this, he stared blankly at the black sky.
“…….”
It bothered him that he hadn’t been able to answer clearly when asked if he had a partner. In the past, he had been perfectly fine lying and saying he did even when he didn’t. But now that he actually had a partner, the words wouldn’t come out.
Was he really dating? It was because he wasn’t certain.
“Haon-hyung.”
Just then, Ho-yeong opened the back door and came out. Haon smiled with a welcoming face and thanked him again.
“Thanks for earlier.”
“It was nothing. Really.”
“Are you going to smoke?”
Haon, who had never even put a cigarette to his lips, tried to move aside. However, since Ho-yeong shook his head and stepped closer, Haon stayed put, wondering if he had something to say.
“I was worried you might have felt bad…”
“Huh? About what?”
“About me saying I was your partner.”
Ho-yeong scratched the back of his short hair and gauged Haon’s reaction. Flustered by this, Haon waved his hands, insisting it wasn’t the case.
“You were helping me! What is there to be sorry for! I’m the one who’s grateful!”
When Haon denied it vehemently, Ho-yeong’s expression relaxed, seemingly relieved. He looked down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck as if he had more to say.
“That person from before… you’re not actually dating him, are you?”
It was a question that seemed to expect a certain answer. Upon hearing it, Haon’s expression quickly sank.
“Do we… not look like a good match?”
“No.”
The blunt answer made Haon shrink even further. Haon knew it well. In-ho was someone who, by any standard, was too good for him. Even though he knew, receiving the confirmation made him feel gloomy.
“You’re too good for him.”
“…Eh?”
“That guy looks too flighty. You deserve someone more upright and kind.”
Stunned by what he had just heard, Haon eventually muttered softly.
“He’s actually very kind. The kindest person I’ve ever met…”
His voice trailed off, but he gathered his courage and listed In-ho’s strengths. He said In-ho was kinder and more considerate than anyone, and an upright person who even donated a lot.
As he spent so long praising In-ho, he found himself liking him even more. Haon’s reddened earlobes spoke for him.
“I get it… I won’t say he’s a bad person.”
Ho-yeong looked a bit bewildered, seeing Haon pour out words for the first time. He also seemed a bit bittersweet.
“Does that guy say he likes you too?”
Ho-yeong, who was about to step back, asked one last thing. His attitude was quite serious, unlike someone who had just become an adult.
“…….”
Once again, Haon couldn’t answer easily. Even though he had heard a direct confession from In-ho just the other day, the words “yes” wouldn’t come out confidently.
“I’m sure he said he does.”
Then, a deep sigh from Ho-yeong broke the silence. He refused to hear the answer, saying it was obvious even without hearing it. Even though he was the one who asked.
“Hyung.”
Ho-yeong took a deep breath and looked Haon straight in the eye. As he returned to his energetic expression, his face, which still had some baby fat, looked even softer.
“You overflow with charm just by breathing, so have some confidence.”
W-what? Unable to even ask back, Haon froze and stared at Ho-yeong, who was saying such embarrassing things. It was such excessive praise that it sounded like a joke.
“There’s no one who wouldn’t fall for you if you seduced them. I guarantee it, betting my entire meager fortune.”
It was an abrupt thing to say, but it was a joke that was strangely comforting. While laughing and telling him not to say such strange things, Haon secretly took his joke to heart.
Perhaps he had wanted to hear words like these. The cliché comfort that he was a wonderful person enough was a great solace to the current Haon.
“And my oldest sister is actually a detective, so contact me immediately if anything happens.”
At the mention that his second sister was a judo athlete, Haon clapped and laughed, saying it was amazing. Perhaps Ho-yeong’s bright energy had seeped into him, as Haon felt energized.
“I’ll definitely buy you something delicious! Let’s meet up with Tae-hwi-hyung too.”
Since he had a lot to be grateful for to Tae-hwi as well, he felt he must buy both of them a meal. He decided he should buy Ho-yeong two meals in particular. Haon wanted to become much closer with him.
* * *
Haon, who finished work before 1 AM, left the shop with a light step. Assuming that In-ho wouldn’t have arrived yet, he moved leisurely.
“Good work today.”
However, In-ho was already in front of the shop.
“Why are you outside!”
Surprised to see In-ho standing outside, Haon ran toward him. In-ho had been leaning against the passenger door, watching Haon come out.
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
Just now? He looked like he’d been here for a while…
“Hurry and get in. You must be tired.”
In-ho opened the passenger door and waited for Haon to get in. He shielded Haon’s head with his hand so he wouldn’t bump his forehead and then naturally closed the door for him.
Tae-hwi, who had been secretly watching from afar, made a fuss, slapping Ho-yeong’s back. It was a scene anyone would envy.
Of course, to Ho-yeong, who hadn’t yet removed his colored glasses, it just looked like he was showing off.
“Did anything happen?”
As he started the engine, In-ho habitually checked Haon’s face. At his worried gaze, saying he looked tired, Haon scratched his neck and pondered his answer.
Should he say something happened…
The man who had persistently asked if he had a partner came to mind, but he didn’t bother to mention it. It wasn’t as if something serious had happened.
“There were just a lot of customers.”
“If you’re tired, sleep. Don’t worry about me.”
In-ho reclined Haon’s seat for him, just like last time. Haon smiled shyly, glanced at In-ho, and asked tentatively.
“What about you, In-ho-ssi?”
With a pleased smile at the now-natural honorific, In-ho turned on some calm music.
“Nothing much happened for me either.”
“Were you at home the whole time?”
“Yes, I lounged around all day. While Haon-ssi was working hard to earn money.”
Haon let out a small laugh at In-ho’s playful tone and praised him, saying he did well. Imagining In-ho lounging around all day made Haon feel drowsy as well. It was a pleasant drowsiness.
Seeing Haon’s expression brighter than it was before work, In-ho’s smile deepened in turn.
“Hurry and sleep.”
He wanted to talk more, but he decided not to speak until they arrived home so that Haon could close his eyes.
“In-ho-ssi.”
Then, Haon spoke first. His gentle eyes, looking as if stars from a rural sky had been embedded in them, sparkled exceptionally. In-ho looked at this with pleasure and waited for the words to follow.
“This… uh, this coming Monday.”
“Yes, Monday.”
The voice, with each syllable carefully emerging, made In-ho smile even more. He felt that whatever came out of that mouth would be purely delightful.
“That day… would you like to go to the aquarium?”
And the words that followed brought a joy even greater than In-ho’s expectations.
“I’ll buy the tickets.”