By Zephyria 
If one were to insist on pinpointing what had changed since they became lovers, Kwon Young-je had recently stopped scheduling almost anything on weekends. He crammed all his work and appointments into weekdays, and the rest of the time was spent entirely with Hui-won. Even when an event was unavoidably scheduled on a day off, he considered it bearable since it meant sharing the same space and time. His mindset had completely shifted. Moments that were merely mundane became special simply because they were shared.
On a Saturday night, they got into the car after a conference. It was an official event, so both were dressed impeccably, shining more brilliantly than usual today. It felt almost a waste to just go home like this.
They were crossing the Hannam Bridge when Kwon Young-je suddenly looked out the window and spoke. “Is there some event going on?”
Hui-won also turned his head to look outside. In the distance, twinkling lights were visible at Han River Park. It was a rare sight, and Hui-won searched his memory.
“Ah, I heard the Illumination Festival starts today.”
“…….”
“It really feels like the year’s end.”
The brilliantly spreading clusters of light looked magnificent even from afar. Even though it was year-end, he hadn’t really felt it, but seeing the illumination sculptures, a symbol of winter, made the fact that this year was also ending feel directly tangible.
Hui-won was completely captivated by the illuminations and continued to stare out the car window for a long time afterward. The cityscape, as if a world from a fairy tale had been transplanted, was pleasant just to look at, bringing a smile to his face without effort.
“…….”
Kwon Young-je, sitting in the back seat, held in his eyes not the outside illuminations but the back of his secretary. His long fingers lightly tapped on his knee. Amidst the flowing silence, his contemplation continued.
“Let’s pull over for a bit. We’ll take a quick look and go.”
Just as they were almost past the bridge, Kwon Young-je spoke in an ordinary voice. Despite the sudden instruction, the driver quickly changed lanes and parked in a suitable spot. Shortly after, the rear door opened. Seeing Kwon Young-je get out of the car, Hui-won immediately opened the passenger door as well.
He followed him out, but Hui-won’s face was still full of questions. Did he really intend to just look and go? The Executive Director Kwon he knew was absolutely not the type to be interested in such things, which made it even more bewildering.
“Executive Director.”
“Tell Driver Jung to go home first. We’ll take a taxi back later.”
He threw out the words and started walking. Hui-won quickly told the driver to head home. Then, as if afraid to lose Kwon Young-je, he quickened his pace. Kwon Young-je, who had gone ahead about six steps, was waiting for him, half-turned.
The vast park was entirely dyed in white light.
Thousands of lights covered the trees and sculptures, and light rays shimmered on the calmly flowing black river water beside them. It was truly a winter night submerged in light. A splendid spectacle.
Despite the late hour, couples and families who had heard the rumors were everywhere. They were all preoccupied with taking pictures in front of the sparkling sculptures. Even though the harsh river wind froze their noses and cheeks bright red, happy smiles wouldn’t leave their faces.
In contrast, Kwon Young-je and Kim Hui-won looked somewhat drab. The two men in black coats were looking around as if they were on a temple visit.
“Why on earth are those food trucks there? Doesn’t it clash with the concept?”
Kwon Young-je wasn’t enjoying the festival at all. It was something you could just look at and think, ‘Oh, that’s pretty,’ but observing it with a businessman’s mindset, he pointed out every minor flaw without missing a beat.
Hui-won looked at the trucks lined up along the walking path. The food zone, lined up without much character, did feel a bit disconnected from the concept, as Kwon Young-je said.
“Where lots of people gather, there naturally needs to be food.”
“Shouldn’t they at least permit businesses that fit the concept? What does the Illumination Festival have to do with takoyaki?”
“The warmer the food, the better it sells. And takoyaki, hot dogs—those are steady popular items regardless of location.”
Hui-won gave a proper answer to each of his remarks, but Kwon Young-je still reacted as if he couldn’t understand. He didn’t even respond to comments about hygiene standards. Well, as expected of a rich family’s young master, he was being picky.
It was supposed to be a sort of date, but this way, the atmosphere wasn’t livening up at all. Hui-won didn’t have much expectation from Kwon Young-je. He deeply engraved in his mind that in this relationship, he was the one who should take the lead. It was just that putting it into practice wasn’t easy.
Walking slowly amidst the bustling crowd, something suddenly caught Hui-won’s eye. Thinking he absolutely couldn’t miss it, he grabbed Kwon Young-je’s arm and pulled without hesitation.
“Executive Director, come here for a moment.”
“What is it.”
Hui-won dragged him along without explanation. Inside an old tent, a fish-shaped pastry mold was clattering away busily. The fish bread vendor, armed with work gloves and arm sleeves, looked overwhelmed, dealing with the swarming customers and baking fish bread.
These days, it’s not easy to find a place selling fish bread. In front of the street stall he hadn’t seen in a long time, Hui-won couldn’t hide his excitement. He immediately rummaged through his jacket pocket.
“Sir, how much for the fish bread?”
“One for a thousand won, three for two thousand. We have red bean and custard cream.”
Ah… shoot, no cash. Hui-won, checking his wallet, subtly shifted his gaze. Kwon Young-je was looking at the fish bread mold with a troubled expression, arms crossed.
“Executive Director, do you have any cash?”
“…….”
“Could you lend me just two thousand won….”
Without a word, Kwon Young-je took out his wallet from his jacket pocket. The leather wallet tossed to Hui-won was thick. Opening it, it was densely packed only with fifty-thousand-won bills.
“…….”
Hui-won silently closed the wallet and returned it to its original owner. Expecting anything was a mistake. There was no way Kwon Young-je would carry thousand-won bills.
“Do you accept bank transfer?”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
The fish bread vendor brought over a laminated sheet that had been lying far away and showed it to them. On the laminated sheet, smeared with black grime, an account number and name were printed in large letters.
Kwon Young-je looked at it with a displeased gaze.
“Only accepting cash means intentionally evading taxes…”
“Ssh, Executive Director. That’s enough.”
Hui-won stopped him from the side. It was only the title ‘Executive Director,’ but it felt like scolding a child acting spoiled. Hui-won completed the transfer in an instant and showed the vendor the transfer confirmation screen.
“Three red bean breads, please.”
A plump paper bag was handed over soon. Opening the bag, the unique savory smell of freshly baked fish bread wafted out. Afraid the warm heat would escape, Hui-won hugged the bag tightly to his chest and smiled contentedly.
“Have you ever tried fish bread?”
“No.”
Hui-won took out the most perfectly golden-brown baked fish bread and handed it to Kwon Young-je. It was quite hot, having just been baked.
“Here. It’s hot, so be careful not to burn your tongue.”
“You eat it.”
“Come on, just try one bite.”
He forcefully pushed the fish bread toward the man who stubbornly wouldn’t open his mouth. Pestered so much, Kwon Young-je reluctantly took a bite of the fish bread head. His expression, chewing only the dough without any red bean, was utterly dissatisfied.
“What kind of taste is this?”
“It’s the taste of memories. I’m starting to feel sorry for you, Executive Director, growing up without even eating fish bread.”
Hui-won unabashedly nibbled away at the fish bread Kwon Young-je had bitten into. It was just delicious. Being a bit hungry, he finished one in an instant.
They walked along the endlessly stretching park path. With so much to see, the cold wasn’t too bothersome. A nicely set-up photo zone appeared. In front of a sculpture resembling a miniaturized ice castle, couples were lined up in a long queue to take proof shots.
Hui-won stopped for a moment to watch the people taking pictures. That’s what lovers are like. Since these fleeting moments would all become memories, it was natural to preserve them in photos.
In contrast, not a single trace of anything lover-like could be glimpsed from them. With such a bleak atmosphere flowing, even if they were standing shoulder to shoulder, who would see them as lovers? Hui-won swallowed a laugh inside and took a big bite of the last remaining fish bread.
“…….”
His gaze met Kwon Young-je’s just then. He too had been taking in the sight of the happy-looking couples. Perhaps having similar thoughts, a subtly indescribable expression had seeped into Kwon Young-je’s face.
In a brief silence, he reached out and wiped the corner of Hui-won’s mouth. The hand brushing away the crumbs was uncharacteristically delicate.
But Hui-won froze like a herbivore caught in a trap.
“…What are you doing?”
At the awkward response, Kwon Young-je immediately furrowed his brow.
“Unbelievable.”
As he turned away nonchalantly, Hui-won quickly stuck to his side. He had belatedly realized the meaning of the action. A giggle kept leaking out uncontrollably.
“You doing something you never do… Were you just taking care of me? Did seeing those couples stimulate you?”
“Be quiet.”
“We are on a date right now, right?”
Knowing full well, when he probed persistently, Kwon Young-je openly sighed. The thought that he’d done something unnecessary made his wrinkled brow seem unable to smooth out. Nevertheless, his steps slowed. So that Hui-won walking beside him could walk comfortably at his own pace.
Walking side by side, the backs of their hands subtly brushed. Kwon Young-je silently intertwined their fingers. The tightly frozen fingers were surprisingly cold, but Hui-won, without showing it, wrapped his hand around his. The corners of his mouth relaxed, and silly laughter kept flowing out.
“This attempt was pretty good.”
“I’ll take all the praise.” “It’s actually better because there are so many people.”
“Right.”
Usually, Kwon Young-je attracted attention wherever he went, but at this outdoor festival venue, he was being overlooked. With so many things to see and the place crowded with people, it was a reflexive benefit they gained.
Thanks to that, they could hold hands and walk in step like an ordinary couple. Their clasped hands gradually grew warm with shared heat.
Walking a bit further, the food zone ended, and the atmosphere changed to something quite neat. Beyond that, booths selling cute souvenirs were lined up.
Scanning the stalls as they walked, the two suddenly stopped in front of a large tent. It was a game booth where you shot targets with a gun. Even that seemed a novel sight, as Kwon Young-je slowly looked around inside. His serious gaze finally landed on the dolls lined up on display.
“Are those for sale too?”
“Probably prizes?”
As his gaze remained fixed on the dolls, the booth owner, quick on the uptake, approached and tried to solicit them.
“Five thousand won for one game! Hit five targets and you get a doll!”
“Five…”
“Card or bank transfer both work!”
There was no way Kwon Young-je would fall for such solicitation. Hui-won was about to glance and move on, but his eyes widened in shock as he saw the man take out his wallet from inside his coat.
“You’re really going to do it?”
“Yeah.”
Kwon Young-je handed over his credit card as if it were nothing. The platinum card with black coating was having the lowest amount in its history swiped.
The owner explained the game method. It wasn’t particularly difficult. Just shoot ten times and knock down five of the sticks lined up in front.
After listening to the explanation, Kwon Young-je stepped up to the counter. Hui-won looked at him with worried eyes. What confidence. Kwon Young-je, you didn’t even serve in the military.
Did he want the doll, or did he want to try the game? What was certain was that neither was typical behavior for Kwon Young-je.
“Have you ever shot before? Even if this is just a toy gun.”
“I’ve done clay shooting a few times.”
Fancy experience. He was left speechless.
Meanwhile, Kwon Young-je had picked up the gun. Indeed, his posture of shouldering it was the same as when clay shooting. Perhaps thanks to his elegant bearing, even the cheap toy gun looked like a plausible shotgun.
He aimed the barrel straight, staring at the distant target with an unwavering gaze. After steadying his tense breath, he slowly placed his finger on the trigger. His serious demeanor made one hold their breath naturally.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Pea-sized pellets shot out.
“…….”
Hui-won stared blankly at the unchanged target row. At least one should have hit… The result was so pathetic he didn’t even feel like teasing.
“…That was close. They all missed by a hair’s breadth.”
Kwon Young-je slowly lowered the barrel. His pride seemed quite hurt, as if his will to continue had withered even though he still had two more chances left.
“Don’t console me. That makes me feel worse.”
“If you shoot like that, it’s natural you won’t hit. Your aiming was wrong from the start.”
Hui-won approached and took the gun from Kwon Young-je’s hand.
Hah, really. I wasn’t going to show this much. But I have no choice. At the muttering that sounded like talking to himself, Kwon Young-je shot him a sidelong glance.
“Do you know how to do it, then?”
Hui-won hung a loose smile at the corner of his mouth. The way he gripped the gun definitely looked different.
“Sergeant Kim Hui-won. Discharged after completing full service with the 28th Infantry Division, Republic of Korea Army.”