By Zephyria 
“Judging by the current atmosphere, I think a lot of people will like it, don’t you?”
“I’m serious here. You’re just joking around.”
At his grumbling, Yoon Joo-ho ruffled his lover’s hair once more.
“It’s because there’s really no need to worry. Showing yourself as you are is more than enough to be cute.”
“Cu… Cute… That’s just because Jooho Sunvbae likes me, so that’s how he sees me.”
Song Hyun-soo’s ears flushed at Yoon Joo-ho’s sudden remark. They weren’t the type of couple who constantly whispered sweet nothings like ‘cute’ or ‘lovely.’ It was unfamiliar.
Yoon Joo-ho, who was leaning his head against the back of the sofa as if melting, looked up at Song Hyun-soo. And with clumsy hands, he swept back his bangs.
“Everyone else will like you too.”
“What grounds do you have for saying that… Ugh.”
Yoon Joo-ho suddenly grabbed both of Song Hyun-soo’s cheeks with one hand. Because of that, Song Hyun-soo couldn’t finish what he was saying. With his cheeks pressed in, his lips protruded as he met his eyes.
As he met his serious eyes, which were devoid of playfulness, Song Hyun-soo also fell silent.
It was a look that feared the actor Song Hyun-soo becoming known to the world and becoming famous. While wanting Song Hyun-soo’s success more than anyone else, Yoon Joo-ho was conflicted between the emotional contradiction of feeling anxious as if he would lose his lover at the same time.
『“Should I lock you up so you can’t debut and only let me see you?”』
Because he was the type of person who would mutter such things, even when he was inside the deepest part of his body.
While repeatedly pressing Song Hyun-soo’s cheeks and teasing him, Yoon Joo-ho chuckled. It was a disguise to hide his complicated emotions.
He spoke with a strong conviction, in a clear tone, but in a low and quiet voice.
“I know. Who’s going to make it, and who’s not.”
“……”
He’s not Santa Claus. How does Jooho Sunbae know everything?
That’s what he retorted inwardly, but it felt like Yoon Joo-ho might actually know. Because he had been at the top of this industry for 30 years.
“Hadihman Turnbae is… digeum konggattdiga…”
Yoon Joo-ho’s lips were pressed firmly onto Song Hyun-soo’s lips, who was resisting with slurred pronunciation because his cheeks and lips were pressed.
“Chatter, chatter. You talk too much.”
Releasing his cheeks, he now pressed down on Song Hyun-soo’s forehead. As if smoothing out wrinkles.
“The company will coach you on everything, whether it’s interviews or variety shows. So, stop frowning.”
“Is it possible to cram for that?”
“You’re an actor, aren’t you?”
“That’s true…”
“Then what you need to focus on is acting. The rest is secondary. Cramming is enough for that.”
What he said seemed right when he thought about it. Will it work out somehow? Yoon Joo-ho’s face suddenly came close to Song Hyun-soo, who was lost in thought.
“Or, should I give you private lessons?”
Eyes, nose, lips. Jawline. When a beautiful face, with no unattractive feature, filled his vision, the force and pressure were tremendous. Song Hyun-soo unconsciously moved his body back.
“…I’ll do it with the company.”
As if he expected that, Yoon Joo-ho chuckled and rubbed Song Hyun-soo’s earlobe.
“You said you didn’t want to go buy a bracelet, right?”
“Yes? Yes…”
“Then let’s take a nap before we go out.”
For once, Yoon Joo-ho, who had willingly given up on shopping, changed his position and lay down on the sofa. He laid his head on Song Hyun-soo’s lap and closed his eyes. Yoon Joo-ho’s long body crossed the large sofa that occupied one side of the spacious living room.
“Use me as a pillow. It’s a punishment.”
“What punishment? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You wouldn’t let me buy you a bracelet.”
Seriously.
Song Hyun-soo chuckled and gently stroked Yoon Joo-ho’s hair. The hair that had been cut short at the end of the <Dissolve> filming had already grown quite a bit. Unlike Song Hyun-soo, who had straight hair that would stick up when he woke up, his hair was soft.
Hmm… Yoon Joo-ho, who was lying with his arms crossed in front of his chest, turned over as if hiding his face in Song Hyun-soo’s lower abdomen. He asked in a low voice, as if whispering, so as not to disturb him.
“Should I turn on the TV?”
“No, it’s distracting.”
A smile spread across Song Hyun-soo’s face as he stroked Yoon Joo-ho’s hair.
Yoon Joo-ho no longer needed the TV to fall asleep.
Perhaps Monroe was full of snacks and taking a nap, as there was no sign of life from its room either. A languid afternoon was slowly passing.
■
As the car made a right turn from the road into the alley, the familiar scenery of the restaurant came into view. Yoon Joo-ho, who was in the driver’s seat, took off his sunglasses and said.
“Let’s drink moderately today, Actor Song.”
“What do you mean, drink moderately?”
“You always drink too much on the days you meet them.”
“Did I?”
Yoon Joo-ho carelessly placed his sunglasses on the center console.
“You did.”
“……”
“Like an excited puppy who doesn’t know what to do.”
For some reason, his words felt pointed. Song Hyun-soo carefully examined his expression, but he was silently staring ahead.
Come to think of it, it seemed like that was really the case. He always felt happy on the days the four of them met, as it felt like the memories of living together and going through thick and thin while filming <Dissolve> were continuing without end.
“Okay. I’ll be careful today.”
“Yes, you better be. You have an important event coming up.”
“The production presentation? Yes, it’s important.”
Yoon Joo-ho, who was driving the car into the empty lot next to the restaurant, turned to Song Hyun-soo with a dumbfounded expression.
“Going to greet them.”
“Ah… that.”
“Ah… that?”
Not liking the way he was talking as if it was nothing, he repeated Song Hyun-soo’s words while raising his eyebrows. Sensing danger, Song Hyun-soo needed a place to escape.
“Oh? That looks like Shin Hyo-jin’s car.”
Song Hyun-soo’s voice rose as he discovered another car slowly entering the empty lot behind them. Perhaps they recognized Yoon Joo-ho’s car as well, as the window in the second row went down, and a welcoming face appeared from inside. Song Hyun-soo hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out as soon as the car stopped.
“Shin Hyo-jin!”
As he waved his hand largely above his head, Shin Hyo-jin laughed cheerfully in a cool voice. As she got out of the car and approached, she also bowed to Yoon Joo-ho.
“Jooho Sunbae, you’re here?”
“Yeah.”
“I saw the photoshoot. The reaction was hot.”
Yoon Joo-ho, who had walked around the front of the car, placed his hand on top of Song Hyun-soo’s head.
“This guy’s hotter than me these days.”
“Everyone around me is talking about Hyun-soo.”
“Come on… No way.”
Song Hyun-soo scratched his cheek with his index finger and shrugged his shoulders.
“Jooho Sunbae always gets a good response to every photoshoot anyway. But Hyun-soo is doing so well even though he’s a new face. The chemistry with Jooho Sunbae was fresh too. So, it’s only natural that people are going crazy wondering who he is.”
Shin Hyo-jin, who had pressed her cap down so deeply that her eyes were barely visible, linked arms with Song Hyun-soo and scanned Yoon Joo-ho’s SUV. And then she looked up at Song Hyun-soo with a puzzled expression.
“But, did you two come in the same car?”
“Ah, well, Jooho Sunbae…”
Without realizing it, Song Hyun-soo’s eyes sought out Yoon Joo-ho. As if asking for help. But before he could come up with a plausible excuse, Shin Hyo-jin shrugged her shoulders and accepted it on her own.
“Well, you live in the same mansion. It’s easier to move together if the times match.”
“Haha… That’s right. I can save money by getting a ride in Jooho Sunbae’s car.”
Song Hyun-soo awkwardly agreed and reached out for the shopping bag that Shin Hyo-jin was holding.
“What’s that, Shin Hyo-jin? Give it to me, I’ll carry it.”
“No, it’s not heavy.”
“Oh? Maybe… my birthday present?”
“Yes, it’s your present.”
The two of them linked arms and started walking towards the restaurant.
“Juyeong is already here.”
“Already? What’s the occasion?”
Yoon Joo-ho slowly followed behind the two of them from a few steps away. Song Hyun-soo glanced back at him. He wondered if he was showing that he was upset because she had linked arms with Shin Hyo-jin, but he didn’t seem to be showing any particular signs of that. He smiled at the thought that he was growing up in his own way. Shin Hyo-jin, who heard his small laughter, looked up with a ‘why are you laughing’ face, but Song Hyun-soo just smiled.