By Zephyria 
Heat transferred from the palm touching Cha Jeong-won’s.
‘I just can’t get used to it.’
Every touch felt good, and it kept making his heart flutter.
Because of these feelings, the muscles around his mouth kept relaxing, and his lips kept threatening to part on their own, but seeing Woo Sun-woo across from him, he forced them shut.
Even though Cha Seo-jun had left, there were still other people present. He couldn’t keep giving himself away.
‘Who should I tell first?’
There was no reason to hide the fact that Cha Jeong-won was now his boyfriend……
“Huh?”
Haon suddenly lifted his head.
Why hadn’t he thought of it?
Ever since deciding to date Cha Jeong-won, all his nerves had been focused on his trembling heart. He was just happy that he no longer had to hide the fact that he liked him too.
Because of that, he had forgotten one thing.
Haon turned his head. His eyes met Cha Jeong-won’s, who was looking at him.
Until now, Haon had only thought about the misfortune that befell this person.
He had been so preoccupied with eliminating Cha Jeong-won’s misfortune, but thinking about it, under that pretext, he had taken the seat next to Cha Jeong-won that his destined person should have occupied.
If that person drifted away before even seeing Haon and approaching him, his unhappiness would be……
“Stop.”
Cha Jeong-won cut him off sharply.
Haon blinked.
“Your expression just now wasn’t good. So stop thinking about it.”
Even though he couldn’t possibly know what Haon was thinking, Cha Jeong-won had sensed it from his expression alone and cut him off.
As strength returned to their clasped hands, Haon’s heart settled a little.
When Haon smiled to say he was okay now, Cha Jeong-won straightened his posture.
Because of that, Woo Sun-woo and Cha Jeong-won’s gazes collided head-on.
‘Huh?’
Neither Cha Jeong-won nor Woo Sun-woo showed any sign of avoiding each other’s gaze.
It wasn’t just looking; they were staring at each other so blatantly that Haon felt awkward for no reason.
Why is this happening?
Woo Sun-woo’s face wore its usual gentle smile, but his eyes weren’t smiling. He took a sip of beer with his smiling lips and looked at Cha Jeong-won again.
Neither of them avoided it. No. It felt more like they were deliberately not avoiding it.
What reason could they have to be wary of each other? Haon’s mind raced busily, but it didn’t seem like an answer would come, so he finally blinked.
Haon subtly nudged Cha Jeong-won’s arm with his side.
‘Senior, stop looking.’
If you’re going to stare so intensely, stare at your boyfriend, not at someone else’s person.
Then Cha Jeong-won turned his head first.
“Have some beer.”
Seizing the opportunity, Haon picked up his beer glass. After clinking it against Cha Jeong-won’s glass, he drank first.
Even though he knew the beer had gone lukewarm, he swallowed it in one go. The carbonation scratched his throat on the way down, but his tension didn’t ease.
Then, as if he had really just remembered something, Woo Sun-woo clapped his hands together.
“Oh, right. Haon.”
Haon reflexively looked up.
“That group assignment from last time. I happened to overhear a bit.”
It wasn’t just one group assignment, but one immediately came to mind. The assignment to choose a commercial space and create a redesign proposal.
Woo Sun-woo continued, observing Haon’s expression.
“How about using our cafe?”
“Uh……”
How should he answer this?
“It’d be good for a site visit too. If you want, I can even let you into the staff areas.”
It was a tempting offer. Securing a store wasn’t just about securing any store. They had to analyze the flow and establish the brand tone, and for that, the more detailed the observation and the longer the stay, the better.
Woo Sun-woo smiled.
“If you do it at my store, you won’t have to go far. You’re already working there, so you’re familiar with the space. And if the proposal is good, I might even get to change the cafe’s interior thanks to you.”
Why did that proposal sound so sweet? Haon almost instinctively said yes.
But instead, he looked back at Cha Jeong-won.
Cha Jeong-won was the team leader for this assignment. If he said it was okay, it would be much easier to bring it up with the other team members.
Haon was already one step ahead in his mind.
But Cha Jeong-won’s expression had hardened even more after hearing the proposal.
Haon opened his eyes a little wider to read that expression.
Did he dislike it? Or was there something bothering him?
Before Haon could even open his mouth, Cha Jeong-won spoke first.
“We’ll think about it.”
He answered calmly, but he didn’t seem pleased.
Even if it wasn’t what he wanted, it wasn’t something Haon could argue about, so he decided to change the mood.
“Shall we have some beer?”
Choosing the easiest path.
After saying it, he thought it was funny. They were already drinking, and he was suggesting they drink.
Haon quickly raised his glass toward Woo Sun-woo.
“It was really tough today, but I hope it stays like this in the future too.”
More customers is a good thing, after all.
Only then did Woo Sun-woo’s smile properly come alive.
“If that happens, I’ll have to raise your hourly wage. You can’t quit in the middle.”
“I’m not that kind of person. And the hourly wage is already high enough; you don’t need to raise it further.”
Besides, it’s hard to work together for long anyway. Haon was of the principle not to make promises he couldn’t keep.
When Haon mixed in some unnecessary bravado, Woo Sun-woo nodded as if agreeing.
“Really? Then should I improve the benefits? What are your hobbies, Haon?”
“Hobbies?”
At the lightly tossed question, Haon fell silent, lost in thought.
“I……”
Haon was about to speak but glanced at Cha Jeong-won.
Cha Jeong-won also looked curious, but his expression showed he wasn’t pleased that the question had come from Woo Sun-woo.
Seeing that, Haon strangely felt like laughing. So senior makes this kind of face too.
“Actually, it’s nothing special.”
Haon deliberately stalled, fiddling with his beer glass.
“I like looking around stores, and I like looking at furniture. Seeing how places are decorated?”
“That’s a total occupational hazard.”
“Right. But it’s fun. Since I can’t take them home, I at least take them into my mind.”
As Haon said this and gave more of his gaze to Cha Jeong-won, Cha Jeong-won’s eyelids relaxed very subtly.
It was a subtle signal asking, ‘Isn’t that what we’ve been doing together all this time?’
Haon slightly moved his finger, carefully scratching the inside of Cha Jeong-won’s finger. Then Cha Jeong-won intertwined their hands more deeply.
Woo Sun-woo picked up his glass and spoke again.
“Then all the more reason it would be good to use our cafe for the assignment. Good for you, good for me.”
Simultaneously with those words, Cha Jeong-won’s gaze fixed on Woo Sun-woo again.
This time, Haon felt it too. It didn’t seem like he was looking just because he was uncomfortable; it felt more like he was checking something.
Haon’s heart grew strangely anxious. So he gripped Cha Jeong-won’s hand tighter.
Cha Jeong-won, still holding Haon’s hand, tilted his head very slightly. He spoke quietly, only for Haon to hear.
“If it’s good for you.”
“Huh?”
“If it’s good for you, we’ll do it.”
Even though they were short words, for a moment, it felt like his heart sank.
Suddenly, he craved alcohol even more.
“Shall we order a bottle of soju?”
When Haon spoke, Woo Sun-woo nodded as if he’d been waiting.
“Let’s do that.”
Cha Jeong-won said very quietly.
“Just one bottle.”
＊ ＊ ＊
When they opened the bar door and stepped out, the warmth that had remained inside rushed out all at once.
Haon hunched his shoulders once and took a breath. It felt like his mind was clearing.
Woo Sun-woo stopped a step ahead.
“Both of you, get home safely. Do well tomorrow too.”
“Yes. You too, boss.”
When Haon bowed his head in greeting, Woo Sun-woo raised his hand and waved lightly.
Woo Sun-woo turned and walked away. Haon watched his retreating back for a moment, then shifted his gaze.
Cha Jeong-won was beside him.
The person who had firmly insisted on ordering only one bottle of soju was now drunk as if that had never happened.
Cha Jeong-won asked first.
“Are you going home?”
Haon was about to nod but stopped. Without realizing it, he squeezed Cha Jeong-won’s fingers once more.
“I want to stop by the convenience store first.”
Cha Jeong-won looked at Haon. He didn’t ask why. That made Haon’s heart flutter even more.
Haon unnecessarily cleared his throat once.
Cha Jeong-won gave a light nod and opened his mouth.
“Then let’s go.”
The two began walking side by side.
Just having their steps in sync felt strangely stabilizing.
Haon occasionally stole glances at Cha Jeong-won’s profile. Under the streetlight, clear shadows fell below his eyebrows and the bridge of his nose.
The two entered a nearby convenience store. The store’s characteristic bright light poured over them.
Haon went inside and stood in front of the refrigerator. Rows of beer cans stood lined up. His fingers brushed against the cold surface of the cans.
When he picked two suitable ones and came to the counter, Cha Jeong-won wasn’t there. Wondering where he went, Haon looked around and spotted a familiar back of the head through the glass door.
Cha Jeong-won was already sitting at the makeshift table in front of the convenience store.
A scratched tabletop and two plastic chairs. It was a spot that caught the wind head-on.
Cha Jeong-won had his elbows on the table, waiting for Haon.
He thought that someone waiting could look this neat.
Haon approached the table and set down the cans. The cans made a small tok sound as they touched the tabletop.
“This is yours, senior.”
Then he opened his own beer can. The sound of the tab opening rang unusually loud in the night.
“Cheers.”
He put the can to his lips and took one big gulp. The carbonation popped on his tongue and coolly pierced down his throat. His breath felt refreshed for a moment.
“Wow…… This is what alcohol is.”
As Haon muttered to himself, Cha Jeong-won picked up his can and took a sip. He also quietly exhaled.
Haon’s gaze was drawn to that breath for no reason.
After a few more sips, Haon finally looked to the side. Cha Jeong-won was looking at Haon. Haon hesitated, then spoke first.
“I’ll tell them we’re dating.”