By Zephyria 
“Forget it! I already know how you feel!”
“Wait, hey!”
With that, he bolted out of the cafe. By the time Yeon-rok hurriedly stood up, only empty plates remained. When on earth did he eat two slices of cake? Wasn’t he managing his diet lately? Fortunately, the bill had already been paid, so Yeon-rok hurriedly followed after him, pretending to chase his angry and pouting lover. The cafe owner called out regretfully.
“Leaving already? Please come again!”
Letting the greeting go in one ear and out the other, Yeon-rok looked around. The bodyguards were standing outside the car, wondering what was happening. Their posture was somewhat awkward. It looked as though they had tried to stick close to Choi Hwan, only to be rejected.
“Young master, did something happen inside?”
“It’s nothing… No, I’ll explain later. Where is Choi Hwan?”
“He is over there.”
Following the bodyguard’s gesture, Yeon-rok saw Choi Hwan squeezed into a narrow gap in the alleyway, his head hanging despondently. Approaching him, Yeon-rok asked cautiously, just in case.
“Are you okay? You’re not actually angry, right? You’re acting, right?”
Even though he was certain the other man was acting, seeing him like this made Yeon-rok’s heart sink. He felt anxious just imagining the possibility that Choi Hwan was actually angry with him.
Choi Hwan, who had been tilting his head down, looked up. He seemed to have a pained expression for a fleeting moment, but when he locked eyes with Yeon-rok, he was simply beaming. When Choi Hwan reached out his hand, Yeon-rok naturally took it. As a name manifestor, it had now become a habit. Seeing the complex expression on Yeon-rok’s face, Choi Hwan smiled mischievously and said,
“Of course I was acting. How could I be angry with you? Let’s just go eat now.”
“Hwan, you’ve become quite mature lately, haven’t you?”
The director said this toward the end of the commercial shoot. Choi Hwan, who was drinking water given to him by Jo Jun-ho because he was hot and thirsty from the lighting, replied in an incredulous tone.
“I’ve been an adult for a long time already.”
“You brat. Do you think you’re an adult just because you’ve aged? I’m talking about your conduct, your conduct.”
What exactly is wrong with my attitude? Choi Hwan shrugged. He had been feeling a bit gloomy and lethargic lately; perhaps that looked like maturity. He just wanted to wrap up his schedule and everything else quickly and go home. Lately, he missed Lee Yeon-rok all day long.
“You used to be picky, complaining about whether someone’s status matched yours or not, but this time you didn’t say a word. It seems you’ve developed some patience. You’re even throwing fewer tantrums at your manager.”
Hearing the director’s words, Choi Hwan finally flinched. It was because memories of his past, which he wanted to forget, resurfaced. He answered sullenly.
“Since when is there such a thing as ‘status’ between people…?”
“Wow. Did you hear that? I guess he actually has grown up.”
The director laughed loudly as if proud, but Choi Hwan only grimaced with his handsome face. Jo Jun-ho, who knew why his actor was reacting that way, could be seen laughing silently. In the past, when Choi Hwan used to look down on Yeon-rok, Jo Jun-ho had advised him not to speak to people that way. He should have listened to those words sooner. Regardless, it was a belated regret.
“I’ll be going now.”
After greeting the director, he headed toward the parking lot. Just as he was about to get into the van without much thought, Choi Hwan suddenly stopped. His expressionless gaze shifted toward the car door handle. Jo Jun-ho sighed, pulled out a wet wipe, and habitually wiped away an unidentified liquid smeared on the door. Since this wasn’t the first or second time it had happened, Choi Hwan simply got into the car.
“I think we need to do another vehicle inspection this week.”
There were times when listening devices or GPS trackers were attached to the vehicle. These days, extreme fans were even more rampant due to a series of scandals, so it didn’t hurt to be cautious. Choi Hwan asked Jo Jun-ho, who was in the driver’s seat.
“What happened to that person? The one who sent the threatening letter to Yeon-rok.”
“I heard the trial is scheduled to be held soon.”
“Really? The security team says those kinds of letters keep coming.”
“Do you think it’s the work of just one or two people? Besides, stalking laws in our country aren’t that strong.”
At the manager’s words, Choi Hwan’s heart burned with anxiety. He had been truly happy when he officially announced that Yeon-rok was his lover, but he hadn’t fully considered Yeon-rok’s specific situation. It felt as though he had been momentarily blinded and deafened back then. Choi Hwan muttered anxiously.
“They wouldn’t actually do something to Yeon-rok, would they?”
“If we’re unlucky, they might.”
“Ah, Hyung!”
“Why are you taking it out on me, you brat? You should be grateful to President Yeom. There’s a limit to the security services our company can provide.”
“That’s just something that man is obviously supposed to do.”
“This kid? You’re still a long way from growing up. A long way.”
“You don’t know anything, Hyung!”
The 24-hour security, which was more like surveillance, provided by Yeom Cheon-ho had nothing to do with his malicious fans. If anything, it was related to that cult and his enemy, Yeom Cheon-ryul. Nevertheless, Jo Jun-ho knew nothing about the Hwamyeong Cult. Even if Choi Hwan was naive about the ways of the world, he knew it was best not to get entangled in such things. In his own way, he cared for his manager.
In the past, Choi Hwan never considered other people’s circumstances. He didn’t have the luxury to do so, nor did he have any interest in others. As he first became interested in a person named Lee Yeon-rok, his way of life gradually reorganized.
Looking back, Lee Yeon-rok’s life was quite high-difficulty, wasn’t it? Not only did he have to deal with a human like Yeom Cheon-ryul, but he also ended up with Choi Hwan’s malicious fans and Moon Gyeon-woo’s stalker. Yet, generously, he didn’t get angry about the reasons for it.
However, just because the other person didn’t get angry didn’t mean Choi Hwan’s guilt or anxiety had disappeared. If this situation continued, Yeon-rok might eventually get sick of him. He let out a deep sigh and returned home.
“I’m home!”
He gave a friendly greeting upon returning, something he had never done before. This was because Yeon-rok was usually in the living room, the drawing room, or the indoor garden. However, there was no answer. Had he already gone to the headquarters of that cult?
Choi Hwan liked almost everything about Yeon-rok, but there were times when he disliked his sociability. Still, to use that friendliness to get close to cult members… Choi Hwan clicked his tongue and wandered around looking for Yeon-rok.
“Lee Yeon-rok?”
The reason there was no answer was that Lee Yeon-rok was holed up in his room, diligently enjoying his hobby. Today’s activity was assembling a 3D puzzle, and he was clutching his head, seemingly finding it difficult.
“Oh, you’re here? It’s already this late.”
Yeon-rok put down the 3D puzzle, which was shaped like interlocking geometric rings. Choi Hwan asked with curiosity.
“Can I try solving this?”
“Do whatever you want. I’m going to go change my clothes.”
A short while later, Yeon-rok returned after changing and was surprised. In the meantime, Choi Hwan had solved the 3D puzzle. The two parts that wouldn’t budge no matter how much he struggled with them had been separated.
“What? How did you solve it?”
Instead of answering Yeon-rok, Choi Hwan fiddled with the 3D puzzle and asked what he had been wondering.
“Are you going to see Moon Gyeon-woo again?”
“I told you, I’m not just going to see Gyeon-woo Hyung.”
Yeon-rok made excuses as he finished preparing to leave. Seeing Yeon-rok wearing the clothes he had bought for him made him feel a bit proud. He had only imagined how cute Yeon-rok would look in those clothes, but they suited him even better than expected.
In Choi Hwan’s eyes, Yeon-rok had a typical ‘cat-like’ face. The corners of his eyes and the lines of his body were sleek and extended, making him look slender overall. Because of this, he looked good in whatever clothes he wore, making it fun to dress him up. Thanks to that, lately, the days he spent looking for clothes for Yeon-rok increased more than the days he looked for his own. Reassembling the 3D puzzle back to its original state and returning it to Yeon-rok, Choi Hwan said,
“I’m coming too.”
“What about your schedule?”
“I’ve finished everything urgent. I’m on break for a while.”
Choi Hwan spoke confidently. Unable to find any hint of a lie in his words, Yeon-rok nodded and muttered.
“No wonder you ate two slices of cake at the cafe last time.”
Choi Hwan grumbled, “I should enjoy it at least when we’re on a date,” and looked away.
Yeon-rok gave Choi Hwan a warning.
“It’s fine if you come along, but you can’t go around picking fights for no reason.”
“I got it. I absolutely won’t pick any fights.”
Since he answered obediently, Yeon-rok’s suspicious gaze finally softened a bit.
Throughout the car ride, Choi Hwan stole glances at him whenever he had the chance. Yeon-rok had a very healthy appetite, but enviously, he didn’t gain weight easily. He had clearly seen him eat a cup of ramen as a late-night snack before bed yesterday, yet his jawline was sharp without a hint of bloating. However, the cheeks visible above it were puffed out from eating the snacks the bodyguard had given him, which was quite cute. Choi Hwan leaned in stealthily.
“I’m sleepy and tired.”