By Zephyria 
The atmosphere was really X-like.
Honestly, it’s not like they’re fighting over a pretty noona… So, the fact that they’re facing off like this over ‘Ki Jae-eon’ itself was funny. No, it was absurd.
‘Now, if Jae-eon comes out and shouts, “Don’t fight over me!” it would be the perfect ending.’
Kim Ju-won naturally shook off the thoughts that were becoming crooked and slowly raised both hands lightly. It was a hand signal to not get serious.
“Calm down. It’s not like that. I might hit you if you’re not careful?”
It wasn’t just sarcasm. It was a truly murderous air where a fistfight could break out if they weren’t careful. As expected, he could see the strength slowly leaving Ahn Seo-myeong’s shoulders at the sharp remark. Look at that bastard, he’s ready to fight? Kim Ju-won was dumbfounded again.
“I’m telling you again, you’re misunderstanding. It’s not what you think.”
“Are you sure?”
“I like women. Ah, really, why are you being like this? You know the girls I used to meet before coming to the main office.”
Kim Ju-won’s flashy past quickly flashed through the two of their minds. Ahn Seo-myeong was familiar with his ex-girlfriends. Having many mutual acquaintances was really uncomfortable in times like this.
“Yeah, well. I know.”
“Then why are you being like this!”
“You never know what might happen. I didn’t know I would like Jae-eon hyung either.”
“Jae-eon?”
Kim Ju-won’s eyebrows twitched, and Ahn Seo-myeong added “-hyung” as if to fix it. Then he began to ramble as if making excuses.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve even thought about whether I’m into guys, but when I think of other people, it’s just disgusting.”
In other words, it’s not that I like men, but the person I liked just happened to be a man, or something like that?
“Well, I don’t think I need to tell hyung this. It’s okay if it’s not true.”
“……”
“I’m glad the relationship isn’t twisted.”
Ahn Seo-myeong shrugged his shoulders and turned around.
“Let’s go, Jae-eon hyung is waiting.”
The atmosphere was resolved in an instant. Ahn Seo-myeong, who had accepted Kim Ju-won’s explanation, was showing an attitude that he would not consider him an enemy.
Kim Ju-won stared at Ahn Seo-myeong, who was walking away casually, and scratched his neck. He remained silent as if contemplating something for a while. Then he wiggled one eyebrow and called him, “Hey.”
“But you know-.”
Kim Ju-won’s low voice echoed emptily under the dark night sky.
He said while facing the cold wind with his hands in his pants pockets.
“I’m going to take responsibility for him.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ahn Seo-myeong turned around abruptly. The sharp gaze hidden in his nonchalance was directed at Kim Ju-won without a moment’s hesitation.
“You’re definitely messing with me.”
Ahn Seo-myeong said, tilting his head slowly. It was a warning, not a warning, quoting Kim Ju-won’s words, “I might hit you if you’re not careful?” The original author snorted and muttered with a slightly angry expression.
“It’s getting murderous again.”
“Do you want me to misunderstand, or do you not want me to misunderstand? Make your attitude clear.”
“If I make it clear, you’ll hit me?”
“I’ll listen first.”
“You must be confident.”
“I have good endurance.”
Kim Ju-won waved his hand with an expression that he was done. It was a nuance that he was wondering what he was doing with him right now. He knew it was a meaningless battle of nerves.
“Let’s stop. I admit that the word choice was weird, but hyung also has a position. It’s because I have a lot to repay Jae-eon.”
“You don’t have to.”
Kim Ju-won scratched the back of his head as if he was in trouble at Ahn Seo-myeong’s firm answer. It was a gesture that he wouldn’t give up on this no matter what.
“I’m not talking about love, but about friendship. It’s my relationship with Jae-eon that has nothing to do with you… You should be polite now too.”
If you go any further, I’m really going to get angry? Kim Ju-won warned coldly. It was an expression that he didn’t want to argue any further. But even in the face of his cold gaze, Ahn Seo-myeong was steadfast. He didn’t know how to bow his head or apologize. Even the seemingly loose but definite hierarchy had disappeared. Was it because it was his first love? Ahn Seo-myeong was a bulldozer limited to ‘Ki Jae-eon.’
“Friendship?”
So, instead of backing down, he made sure to point out Kim Ju-won’s feelings.
“Yeah, friendship.”
Fortunately, as if he had received a satisfactory answer, Ahn Seo-myeong nodded slowly.
“Okay. There’s no room for me to interfere with that. Do as you please.”
“……Really, jeez.”
Why do I have to get this confirmed? Kim Ju-won complained in a tired tone.
“Hyung.”
“Ah- it’s disgusting! Stop calling me that, you bastard.”
“Just keep being friends.”
“Wow… You’re relentless.”
“Then there’s no reason for our relationship to get worse.”
“I think it’s already dirty enough?”
“Is that so? That’s a shame.”
Ahn Seo-myeong turned his back without any lingering feelings, as if he felt refreshed. His steps were so light, it seemed he might fly away. Is that bastard really crazy? Kim Ju-won shook his head, wondering why Ahn Seo-myeong was acting so out of the blue.
“This is my fate……”
After lamenting like that, Kim Ju-won trudged back to the dorm.
‘Huh?’
An absurd scene awaited him at the dorm.
The cocky younger guy who had been so sharp and aggressive was now acting like a docile puppy, clinging to Ki Jae-eon’s side and calling him “Hyung, Hyung.”
Is that really the same guy from earlier? Kim Ju-won glared at Ahn Seo-myeong with a displeased look and went to his spot. “Oh, you’re back?” Ki Jae-eon greeted him. Kim Ju-won forced a smile and replied, “Yeah, sleep well,” before pulling the blanket over his head.
‘So, you’re not even trying to hide it anymore? Yeah, do whatever you want.’
For some reason, he felt empty, like a solo person stuck between a couple.
“Haaam-.”
Kim Ju-won stretched his stiff body and took a deep breath as he stepped out of the airport. Korean air is the best after all.
“Ah, I want kimchi jjigae.”
He naturally craved spicy Korean food.
‘I also like spicy doenjang jjigae or sundubu jjigae. Or even just street food.’
No matter how good the food was in Japan, it couldn’t be helped. His stomach only wanted kimchi, gochujang, and doenjang.
‘Should I suggest eating tteokbokki?’
But he was stuck with picky eaters… While he was pondering alone, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Huh?”
He expected it to be Ki Jae-eon, but it was Ahn Seo-myeong.
The guy who hadn’t said a word to him during the entire flight, why now?
“What.”
An unintentionally blunt answer came out, but Ahn Seo-myeong shrugged, unfazed, and said, “Just because.”
“I’m sorry for being so sensitive yesterday.”
“Is that your way of apologizing?”
“Honestly, I’m not that sorry?”
“Hey, you little…”
“Just kidding.”
As if I’d believe that’s a joke with that tone.
Does this guy think I’m an idiot? He narrowed his eyes, but that was it. A younger brother was apologizing and backing down, so it would be uncool to add more.
“Alright, whatever.”
Kim Ju-won answered, trying to act cool as if it was all in the past. Then, Ahn Seo-myeong said, “Then Hyung, please come to me more often too. It would be even better if you flaunted our friendship as much as possible,” acting uncharacteristically childish. What, why are you being so creepy? Kim Ju-won looked at Ahn Seo-myeong with a strange gaze.
“Were you lonely?”
“No. As if.”
Ahn Seo-myeong frowned and answered sharply. Then, he quietly pointed behind him.
“I’m worried about Jae-eon Hyung.”
“……”
“He couldn’t eat properly this morning because he was so conscious of us. He already doesn’t eat much.”
“Wow… Wow!”
“I’ll take that as you understand.”
Would it be okay to make an innocent person worry just because we’re in a bad mood? Let’s be considerate of each other. Ahn Seo-myeong, the fox, smiled slyly and whispered.
“I really feel like I’m going to throw up.”
“Then do it.”
“Hey, so you do care about other people’s feelings?”
“Only for people I like? More than that, smile a little. Jae-eon Hyung is coming.”
“Ugh… Get lost, you crazy bastard!”
“Yes.”
Kim Ju-won thought as he watched Ahn Seo-myeong walk away.
That bastard is crazy.
“Yeah. He’s totally crazy, completely lost it.”