By Zephyria 
In the rearview mirror, Choi Hwan nodded his head and said without any malice.
“Isn’t it a song from the 80s or 90s?”
“Haha, it’s probably been out for about 10 years.”
Choi Hwan, who had carelessly turned a song that had been out for 10 years into an old pop song from 30 or 40 years ago, seemed to realize his mistake. A moment of silence flowed. Yeon-rok could finally understand what it meant for things to get awkward. Before the awkward silence could get any longer, he quickly shouted.
“Wow! I like this song too! Isn’t this the person who sang
When their eyes met in the rearview mirror, Yeom Cheon-ho smiled. Yeon-rok’s heart pounded for no reason.
“That’s right. I’m glad you have the same taste as Yeon-rok.”
Yeon-rok chattered, saying that he liked this song and that song too, and even sang along to the lyrics, fearing that the atmosphere would be ruined. He worked so hard to earn his three million won, but Choi Hwan didn’t seem to want to pass the conversation on. Without a choice, Yeon-rok tried a little harder.
“Choi Hwan, what kind of music do you like?”
Choi Hwan, who had been just rolling his eyes and staring blankly, flinched and finally reacted.
“Oh, I like old pop songs too. I have the same taste as Cheon-ho Hyung!”
You little bastard. How can you keep calling them old pop songs…….
Moreover, the other person wasn’t even ten years older than him. Fortunately, Yeom Cheon-ho was generous, so he didn’t seem to care much about this.
The car headed to a quiet cafe near Seoul. Perhaps fearing that people would flock to see the famous actor, they had rented the entire place, as there wasn’t a single customer. Choi Hwan and Yeom Cheon-ho sat by the window with a good view. Yeon-rok, feeling like a real manager, chased after Kim Jeong-seong and chatted quietly.
“Secretary Hyung, I’m learning Self-defense art from the bodyguards these days, and they say I have talent. Should I become a bodyguard too?”
“Hahaha, how about trying to get into the physical education department?”
“Nah, college? I’ll just end it as a hobby. I’m really not good at studying…….”
While chattering with Kim Jeong-seong, Yeon-rok’s ears were open to Choi Hwan and Yeom Cheon-ho. Every time things got awkward, he brought them drinks and recommended desserts, and Yeon-rok rubbed his chin.
Come to think of it, these two really don’t match…….
Choi Hwan was also quite friendly and brought up various topics. Yeom Cheon-ho’s attitude and reaction were also quite active. But it didn’t last more than a few minutes. It was as if he could hear a creaking sound from somewhere.
Yeom Cheon-ho was usually busy and couldn’t spend a lot of time together, so Choi Hwan had somehow covered it up with acting, but it seemed like there was a limit to being together for so long. So, it was mainly like this.
“Hyung, have you seen the new Dating Show these days?
“What is a Dating Show?”
“Ah. Uh……. It’s a show where people who are pretty good meet and pair up? If someone like Hyung went on a Dating Show, you’d be a legendary catfish.”
“……Excuse me?”
Yeom Cheon-ho didn’t seem to understand even half of what Choi Hwan was saying. Yeon-rok quickly brought him some freshly baked bread to eat. How could someone who was too busy working to even come home have watched something like a Dating Show, you idiot……. And why is the explanation so cheap……. Fortunately, this time Choi Hwan made an effort to change the subject completely.
“What’s the next schedule?”
“I was thinking of going to see an interesting exhibition at the museum I run.”
“A museum? An exhibition?”
The place they arrived at was an art museum located in Seongbuk-gu, where an exhibition of a modern artist was being held. Yeon-rok, who had been dabbling in painting in his hobby room these days, was excitedly admiring the works, but Choi Hwan pretended to be interested for the first few minutes, and then his soul seemed to leave his eyes at some point.
“My favorite work is this one. Kim Geum-sang’s
Yeom Cheon-ho, who loved capitalism, looked at the golden work with affectionate eyes. To Yeon-rok, it only looked like dozens of people were struggling in a golden river pouring from the sky. Choi Hwan seemed to have a similar impression, muttering things like “Wow, that’s really cool” and “Awesome” next to him, but he had a sleepy face. Yeon-rok poked him in the side, and he finally came to his senses and said with a dazed expression.
“……When are we eating?”
After eating earlier than planned, they went to a place that Choi Hwan had suggested this time. It was a members-only club with loud music blaring from the entrance. Yeon-rok could see a slight smile disappearing from Yeom Cheon-ho’s lips.
Choi Hwan was like a fish in water. He had been so soulless at the art museum, but here he was running around excitedly.
“Hyung! Hyung! These are my friends!”
Choi Hwan brought people who looked like they were always hanging out at the club. Curious, somewhat familiar faces rattled off questions like “Your face is crazy,” “You’re going to get hit on a lot,” “Hyung, let’s be friends,” “Can you drink well?” “But who’s that, the manager?” “Is he a third-generation chaebol?” Yeom Cheon-ho, who had been answering the beagle-like guys with short answers, seemed a little dazed.
Yeon-rok realized. These two people had completely different worlds and tastes.
Perhaps because the pounding music was making his head ring, Yeom Cheon-ho pressed his temples for a while. Feeling guilty, Yeon-rok found Choi Hwan, who was having fun at the club, leaving his lover behind, and poked him hard in the side.
“Do you want to play at the club in front of your lover?”
“What? I can’t hear you because of the music!”
“You idiot!”
“Do you want to die?!”
“I’m going to tell your manager Hyung! Aren’t you going back to your seat right now?!”
Only after hearing those words did Choi Hwan seem to come to his senses and return to his seat, saying this to Yeom Cheon-ho.
“Hyung, should I make you a delicious drink?”
Yeon-rok, who had barely salvaged the situation and was picking up snacks, sighed. His head was throbbing.
“No, it’s okay. You can drink if you want, Hwan.”
This time, Yeom Cheon-ho politely declined with a soulless smile. Not being completely oblivious, Choi Hwan reluctantly left the club with a regretful face. After that, they moved to a cocktail bar as if they had made a tacit agreement.
Yeon-rok didn’t even care if things got awkward anymore. He thought it would be nice if they kissed or something and just went home quickly, and sipped on a sweet cocktail.
“Well, it wasn’t the right outfit to go to the club today.”
Choi Hwan, who still couldn’t let go of his attachment to the club, said that, and Yeon-rok glanced at him. He thought he was dressed well enough, but he said this.
“Your clothes are too nerdy.”
Oh, I see. The snacks are better here than at the club? Yeon-rok turned his attention away again, and the two finally found a suitable topic of conversation.
“But Hyung, you seem to really like that brand of clothes.”
“Isn’t it plain and good? I personally prefer products from Royalfran.”
“Royalfran’s jacket line is well-made. I’m an ambassador, so I have to wear only this for a while. I saw the Camille Season Collection these days and there were a lot of things I wanted, but I can’t even wear them.”
That was luxury clothes. For the first time today, they were on the same page, talking about how this top was and how that pants and shoes were, and then suddenly Choi Hwan sniped at Yeon-rok.
“He really looks like a manager the more I look at him today.”
“Hmm.”
Yeom Cheon-ho didn’t deny it, but just folded his eyes and drew a heart-fluttering eye smile.
“It’s a talent to wear luxury goods in that state, a talent.”
Yeon-rok listened to Choi Hwan talking behind his back with one ear and let it out with the other, diligently picking up snacks. It was so delicious to put fruit cheese on crackers. While he was doing this, Choi Hwan crossed his arms and looked at Yeon-rok like this and suggested.
“Hyung, our schedule ended early today, so why don’t we go and fix him up a bit?”
He was talking about people as if they were slices of raw fish. He couldn’t just let it happen. I’ve learned Self-defense art these days. Yeon-rok snorted and picked up cheese on crackers again. But he felt betrayed by Yeom Cheon-ho’s answer that followed and dropped it with a thud.
“……Shall we?”
Yeon-rok finally burst out with dissatisfaction.
“Why do I have to be doing this on your date? My haircut isn’t included in the three million won, is it?”
Whether Yeon-rok protested or not, Choi Hwan forcibly pushed Yeon-rok into his regular shop. It was too chaotic because the shop staff, as well as everyone around, recognized Choi Hwan. Yeon-rok sent a look of help to Yeom Cheon-ho.
“You said long hair isn’t bad, right?”
“Yeon-rok will look good with short hair too.”
Yeom Cheon-ho, who was as eye-catching as the famous actor Choi Hwan, said kindly and took off his cap. When he came out like that, Yeon-rok had no choice but to sit in the beauty chair. It had been a long time since he had cut it, so he had no choice but to enjoy the free service…….