By Zephyria Carrot Seller: It’s an awkward time, but I came to eat something
Carrot Seller: It’s right by the Seine River, so the view is so beautiful
Carrot Seller:
Carrot Seller: Because the person who plays with me is busy today
Carrot Seller: I’m going to bother other people instead of bothering Hong-seo-ssi
Carrot Seller: Did I do well? (11:08 PM) Carrot Seller:
Carrot Seller: They tease me, asking if I’m imitating young people haha
Carrot Seller: Even during business lunches, when I take pictures of food
Carrot Seller: The atmosphere softens. It’s thanks to Hong-seo-ssi haha (11:42 PM) Carrot Seller: Are you having fun? I’m in my room now
Carrot Seller: Even though the staff asked me to go for a second round
Carrot Seller: Because I don’t want to be an oblivious boss (1:36 AM) Carrot Seller: It’s about 7 AM here now
Carrot Seller: While watching the video of Layered Hong-seo departing from Bangkok Airport
Carrot Seller: I’m having another drink alone in my room
Carrot Seller:
Carrot Seller: My team member said it as a joke, but my silence made the atmosphere awkward haha
Carrot Seller: I did it on purpose
Carrot Seller: Because I wanted to hint that I was dating someone (2:13 AM) Carrot Seller: Now, we only have three left
Carrot Seller: I asked you to meet me five times, I was pretending to be tough for no reason (2:24 AM)
Although the saved name was ‘Carrot Seller’, one could never be too careful. He had explained beforehand that he might not be able to check his messenger often, and in the meantime, the messages he sent had steadily piled up.
The day they met at his home after the photoshoot. On his way back to the dorm, Choi Hong-seo had sent his first selfie, and since then, he had started sending photos frequently without being asked.
He would take pictures every time he ate something and send them, and he diligently sent photos of his work outfits taken in front of the mirror. However, his selfie skills showed no sign of improvement.
He had even taught him how to take selfies a few times, but it seemed less like a lack of skill and more like a lack of willingness to learn. His reason was that he simply couldn’t bear the embarrassment of posing while looking at the camera by himself.
Exotic scenery from Paris, food eaten at a company dinner, a selfie taken with a can of beer in his hotel room, a tablet playing a video of Choi Hong-seo uploaded by fans.
Among the photos sent over several hours, his selfie stood out distinctly. It was taken from below, and it was blurry because it was out of focus. Yet, thanks to his deep-set, exotic eyes, his straight, high nose bridge, and his defined lips, the photo wasn’t humiliating at all. It was fortunate that even with his terrible selfie skills, he was handsome no matter where or how he was photographed.
Even when they couldn’t meet, he was steadily growing closer to him.
He also learned that among his staff were his childhood friend from elementary school who had also studied abroad with him, and a long-time executive from ARA who was like a mentor to him. Therefore, it wasn’t a situation where no one could contradict his words, as many people might imagine.
He also learned that people like Lee Hae-sung had ordinary conversations. Talk about the weather, food, how boring meetings were…
Even though these were ordinary, even trivial, conversations, he found himself smiling every time he read his messages. Every single one of those trivial lines was so amusing. It was as if he were reading a thrilling novel he couldn’t put down.
Looking at his last message stating that only three of the five promised meetings were left, he began to type a reply.
Me: Please don’t look at those videos T_T
Me: I look ugly because it’s no makeup and a close-up (2:36 AM) Carrot Seller: I’ve already seen Hong-seo’s face without makeup
Carrot Seller: Why are you lying?
Carrot Seller: It’s fortunate for me that I can get news about Hong-seo’s profession as a singer in this way
Carrot Seller: Ah, is the housewarming party over? (2:40 AM) Me: No, I just came out to the balcony for some fresh air
Me: It’s my first time living in a house with a balcony
Me: I can see the Han River from the balcony. It’s amazing (2:42 AM) Carrot Seller: I’m glad you seem to like the house ^^
Carrot Seller: Now that I’ve received a reply from Hong-seo, I should change and shower
Carrot Seller: Don’t worry about me and have a good time (2:45 AM) Me: You must be tired? (2:45 AM) Carrot Seller: Just asking if I’m tired makes me feel less tired
Carrot Seller: What kind of magic is this? (2:46 AM) Me: If I really ask if you’re tired, does your fatigue disappear? (2:46 AM) Carrot Seller: Of course ^^ Because you’re asking out of concern for me (2:47 AM) Me: Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? (2:47 AM) Carrot Seller: I wish this were a video call right now
Carrot Seller: What kind of expression would you have made to play such a cute prank
Carrot Seller: You never do this when we’re together ^^ (2:49 AM)
He could almost see the warm smile he had when he looked at him, a smile of fondness and gentle observation.
He wasn’t the type to act spoiled even to older people, nor was his environment one that allowed for such behavior. Yet, strangely, Lee Hae-sung was gradually bringing out aspects of Choi Hong-seo that he hadn’t even known existed.
It was only through messages where their faces weren’t visible that he dared to play pranks, but his relationship with him was clearly developing. However, on the other hand, anxiety and uncertainty still lingered.
Looking at his messages, which found joy even in a simple prank, Choi Hong-seo bit his lip and subtly changed the subject.
Me: Hurry up and wash and rest comfortably
Me: I’ll contact you again after the guests leave (2:53 AM)
Leaning against the railing, he ran his hands through his hair. The past few days had been a conflict between the urge to get closer to him and the resignation that the outcome would be the same no matter what. That conflict seemed to deepen after hearing about Go Ji-woon’s sponsor.
“What are you doing here.”
Startled by the sudden voice, Choi Hong-seo stiffened and turned to look. Upon confirming it was Jeong Ji-in, he relaxed his expression.
“Oh? Just getting some air… Did you finally escape from them because they were bothering you?”
Choi Hong-seo put his phone in his pocket and smiled.
“Escape? I just came out to sober up a bit.”
While discussing Choi Hong-seo’s casting for
“Are you… still reading a lot of comments these days?”
“Huh?”
“Jae-woo was worried, saying you’re always glued to your phone.”
“Ah… You really have to give Jae-woo Hyung credit for worrying. No, I don’t read comments much these days. I don’t even have time to read them. I’m busy, so that’s one good thing.”
“Then what is it. Are you really dating someone?”
“……”
Choi Hong-seo laughed silently at the word “dating.”
He remembered Lee Hae-sung’s words about a team member asking if he was dating. What would he say if he told him he heard the same thing?
“Hyung… have you ever gotten involved… with someone you met for work?”
“Involved? Emotionally?”
“Well, something like that…”
“No, I haven’t. Are you really seeing someone? An actor? Or a singer?”
“No, not an entertainer.”
Leaning his back against the balcony railing, Choi Hong-seo turned to face the river.
“It’s just… there’s someone who’s being really nice to me, and I’m bothered by it, but honestly, it’s someone who could never lead to dating… or anything like that.”
A VIP and a member of an idol group. And both are men.
Could there be a future in such a relationship?
He no longer doubted Lee Hae-sung’s sincerity. But his own situation was making things more complicated. It wasn’t just that he was a younger, same-sex idol, but he was also practically a slave with many weaknesses held by CEO Myeong. Even without much education, he knew that a relationship with such a big secret couldn’t possibly work out well.
“What do you mean, someone who can’t date. If you date, you date.”
Choi Hong-seo let out a weak chuckle at Jeong Ji-in’s clear-cut answer.
“Is that so? I’ve only ever worked… I really don’t know about these things. I guess you don’t either, Hyung?”
If it were as simple a matter as Jeong Ji-in said, it would have been good. Or, it would have been good if he hadn’t been attracted to him. All he had to do was wait for the five meetings to end and return the business card he had carefully kept in his wallet.
Only three of the five promised meetings were left.
Not three, but only three.
The very fact that he thought there were only three left showed that he was already feeling regret.
He just… wished he would come back from his business trip quickly. That’s what he wanted right now.
The river flowing before his eyes seemed to move exceptionally slowly.
■