By Zephyria 
“I’m Yu-jun, working with Executive Director Yi-han.”
A man in a flawless suit with a minimalist design shook hands with Lee Hae-sung.
“It’s been a while. We saw each other once before at the Nox event, didn’t we?”
“I only saw you in passing back then, so I couldn’t greet you properly.”
“I’ve heard you’re an excellent professional. Han has told me a lot about you since then.”
With an expression that seemed to say, There is no way this bastard said that, the man glanced sideways at Yi-han, his friend and superior. Even while acting playfully in his own way, the man’s metallic expression remained entirely unchanged. This trait of his suddenly reminded Lee Hae-sung of Manager Kang, and he let out a small smile.
“I heard the news about the Palme d’Or. Congratulations on the award.”
“Thank you. And this is… the one who acted in <Cream Mansion>…”
Lee Hae-sung stopped mid-sentence as he was about to introduce his lover. Choi Hong-seo, standing beside him, had turned pale. He was trying to fake a smile to maintain his composure, but he couldn’t deceive Hae-sung’s eyes. His pupils trembled, filled with fear, as if he were staring at the Grim Reaper himself. He couldn’t look Yu-jun straight in the eye.
In that moment, Lee Hae-sung felt he understood why. He had been shortsighted. To believe so readily in the words “it’s okay” and a confident smile.
He gripped Choi Hong-seo’s hand tightly. The fingertips were ice-cold.
“Look at me. Hmm? It’s okay. It’s not a scary dream. I’m right here.”
Meeting Hae-sung’s eyes, Choi Hong-seo nodded. Jeong Ji-in, noticing that the atmosphere was unusual, asked cautiously.
“Hyeon-seo, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“No… I’m sorry. I just have a bit of anemia…”
“It’s because of Yu-jun. You look scary, so Hyeon-seo got frightened.”
Yi-han rubbed the back of his neck and nudged Yu-jun in the ribs.
“Hey, you, get going.”
The two of them left the terrace, engaging in a light scuffle like immature college students. Having practically chased Yu-jun away, Yi-han returned hurriedly to the terrace and paced around Choi Hong-seo while rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry, Hyeon-seo. I shouldn’t have called a stranger.”
“No, it’s okay. I really just had a sudden bout of anemia. I’m sorry for causing a scene. Um, may I use the restroom…?”
“Ah, of course. Come this way. I’ll show you.”
“Should I go with you?”
As Lee Hae-sung started to rise, pushing his chair back, Choi Hong-seo pressed down firmly on his shoulder.
“I-I can go by myself. Please just stay here.”
Feeling belatedly embarrassed for causing everyone worry, Choi Hong-seo scratched his cheek with his index finger and murmured in a low voice. Lee Hae-sung had no choice but to stay put, fearing that if he treated him like a child any further in front of Jeong Ji-in and Yi-han, he would truly be hated this time.
Watching the retreating figure following Yi-han, Hae-sung realized his glass was empty and stood up. Jeong Ji-in’s worried voice followed him.
“Is Hyeon-seo really okay?”
“Looking at his complexion, I think he’s feeling better. He used anemia as an excuse… but he’s still unstable sometimes.”
He had been in a coma for several months after jumping from Dongho Bridge, and after miraculously waking up, he had lost all memories prior to the accident… That was likely what Jeong Ji-in and Yi-han knew about Hyeon-seo. They would assume the unstable behavior just now was a lingering aftereffect of that.
“I think it was just a mild dizzy spell this time.”
“That’s a relief, then.”
Pouring white wine until the glass was a third full, Lee Hae-sung gently swirled the glass in his hand. He needed something stronger, but since it was before the meal, there were only light drinks.
“Hyeon-seo seems bright and without shadows, even though he must be confused about losing his memories.”
“Does it seem that way?”
“His own will plays a part, but I think your affection has played a huge role, Hyung.”
“I hope that’s the case.”
After swallowing the wine, Lee Hae-sung turned to look at Jeong Ji-in.
“He seems to rely on you a lot.”
“Do you think so? He’s such a sturdy child that he hardly needs my help…”
Like Hong-seo?
Jeong Ji-in’s heavy gaze seemed to ask that question. However, both Jeong Ji-in and Lee Hae-sung knew. Choi Hong-seo had seemed sturdy enough to not need anyone’s help, but the truth was otherwise. The image one sees is not the entirety of a person.
“It’s not always because something is lacking that one leans on the person they love.”
“……”
“From my perspective, you are someone who lacks nothing, Hyung. And yet, even you need Hyeon-seo.”
It was an undeniable truth. Lee Hae-sung nodded with a smile.
“Seeing how he brings out new sides of you, Hyeon-seo must be someone you need. Probably.”
“New sides?”
“It was just my own imagination, but I thought you would be purely gentlemanly and polite even when dating. But you’re quite mischievous with Hyeon-seo.”
“Ah… his reactions are so cute that I keep teasing him. I need to regulate it well so I don’t get hated.”
“It’s pitiful because he seems so nervous… but that’s also cute, so I understand how you feel, Hyung.”
“It’s hard to believe he’s only one year apart from Han.”
“Han is cute too. It’s just a different kind of cuteness than Hyeon-seo’s.”
Lee Hae-sung chuckled at Jeong Ji-in’s defense of Yi-han. Jeong Ji-in himself gave a hollow laugh, appearing somewhat bashful.
The sky over Paris was gradually blending with shades of pink. Ridiculously, Lee Hae-sung missed Choi Hong-seo. He felt anxious during this brief moment when he wasn’t by his side. This side of him was certainly a ‘new side’ of the human Lee Hae-sung. One that even he himself hadn’t known.
Leaning against the terrace railing, Lee Hae-sung looked down at a couple sitting side by side on a bench in the Luxembourg Gardens and murmured as if to himself.
“Ji-in, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For welcoming our Hyeon-seo.”
“He is your lover, Hyung. He’s welcome anytime.”
After watching the kissing couple for a moment, Lee Hae-sung took a sip of wine and turned back to face Jeong Ji-in.
“They look a lot alike, don’t they?”
“……”
Jeong Ji-in’s surprised face said that he hadn’t expected Lee Hae-sung to bring that up first. However, quickly composing his expression, he gave a smile of agreement and nodded slowly.
“Yes, they do. They look very much alike.”
“That’s why I became interested in him. That’s the truth.”
“……”
This time, Jeong Ji-in couldn’t recover his expression so easily. Lee Hae-sung had admitted it and nailed it down: he had taken an interest in Hyeon-seo because he resembled Choi Hong-seo.
“But the catalyst isn’t that important.”
“……”
“There are plenty of relationships that turn ugly after a meeting that felt like fate or a movie.”
As far as Lee Hae-sung knew, Jeong Ji-in was not a person who easily judged others. He was someone who understood the truth that human affairs do not run as neatly as picking an answer on a multiple-choice test. Even such a man seemed to find it difficult to accept Lee Hae-sung’s statement.
Still, aren’t they too similar? Not just the appearance, but the way of speaking, the expressions, even the temperament. Even if someone intentionally tried to mimic him, they couldn’t be this similar… Hyung, are you really okay keeping that child by your side?
Jeong Ji-in’s gaze conveyed deep concern rather than condemnation.
Whether to speak or not, whether now was the right time or not. He seemed to hesitate. His lips parted, he swallowed hard, and he moistened his lips with his tongue, stalling for time before finally speaking with difficulty.
“Hyung, by any chance… do you…”
But he couldn’t bring himself to finish and closed his mouth tightly again. It was Lee Hae-sung who finished the sentence for him.
“You want to ask if I’m using him as a replacement for Hong-seo, right?”
“……”
Jeong Ji-in’s eyes shook violently.
“What do you think, Ji-in?”
“……”
“Do you think there is anything in this world that could actually replace Hong-seo?”
If there is no one who can replace Hong-seo, then you should end this meeting all the more. It is cruel to the other person, and it does nothing for you, Lee Hae-sung. — Jeong Ji-in knew too well to spout such righteous words. He was someone who had watched from very close by how much Lee Hae-sung had suffered and wandered after Choi Hong-seo’s death.
“Um, Hyung.”
At the sound of Choi Hong-seo’s cautious voice, both men turned simultaneously. Choi Hong-seo—Hyeon-seo—was standing at the entrance of the terrace.
Hae-sung Hyung and Ji-in Hyung. Realizing that both were his seniors, Choi Hong-seo corrected his address.
“Ji-in Hyung. Han Hyung wants you to come to the kitchen for a moment. He says they’re starting to prepare the dinner meal…”
“Is that so? Thank you. Please keep resting, Hyeon-seo.”
Jeong Ji-in smiled at ‘Hyeon-seo’ without a hint of discomfort and left the terrace. He was not the kind of person to glare at the innocent Hyeon-seo just because he had cherished Choi Hong-seo, or because Lee Hae-sung had chosen him as a replacement.
It was because he had that much trust in Jeong Ji-in that he had brought Choi Hong-seo here today. Because he was not a person who would cause him pain.