By Zephyria 
“There was no mention of Hyung.”
Han Seung-jae was still staring at the pocket watch necklace lying on the table. Kwon Gwi-jun murmured calmly.
“I apologize for the unpleasant incident that happened previously.”
Kwon Gwi-jun had apologized to Han Seung-jae regarding that matter several times. However, he was often ignored, even at gatherings. It was perhaps only natural that Han Seung-jae refused to meet him.
“And I suppose I should apologize to Seon-yu this time. Neither of you know that I came here.”
Kwon Gwi-jun slowly stood up. As he did, he let a comment slip.
“I noticed he couldn’t eat the food.”
Only then did Han Seung-jae lift his head to look at Kwon Gwi-jun. Although he hadn’t specified who he was referring to, there was no way Han Seung-jae wouldn’t understand.
“Seon-yu is the type of kid who thinks everything is really okay if someone tells him it’s okay. He probably didn’t notice.”
Han Seung-jae leaned back loosely against the sofa as he answered Kwon Gwi-jun.
* * *
Vrrr—
Jin Seon-yu rummaged through the clothes he had taken off. He had just returned home with Seo Yi-kyung. He hadn’t run into Jin Tae-won or Jin Seok-young. That was because he had waited and watched from a distance until the two of them had left for work before entering.
Jin Seon-yu took out his vibrating phone, checked the screen, and showed it to Seo Yi-kyung. Seeing the name Kwon Gwi-jun, Seo Yi-kyung, who had been leaning against the head of the bed, shifted his body slightly. However, because his left arm was in a cast, he awkwardly pulled his upper body back.
“What’s with Kwon Gwi-jun? A sudden apology? What, did something go wrong? Is that person not buying it?”
Since Jin Seon-yu was standing some distance away, Seo Yi-kyung couldn’t hear the conversation clearly. Unable to remain sitting still on the bed any longer, Seo Yi-kyung swung his legs down. Noticing this, Jin Seon-yu walked over, sat beside him, and tilted his head.
[Tonight at 7 PM.]
Seo Yi-kyung pricked up his ears at Kwon Gwi-jun’s voice coming through the phone.
“They’re buying? How much did you tell them the price was?”
As Jin Seon-yu asked in a slightly raised tone, Kwon Gwi-jun’s nonchalant voice returned.
[They said they’ll decide after meeting in person.]
“Seeing it in person?”
Jin Seon-yu’s eyes darted. He turned his head sideways to look at Seo Yi-kyung and muttered.
“The pocket watch necklace?”
[More importantly, don’t come.]
“Why? I should go and explain.”
[You’ll only be a hindrance if you go.]
“You’re always telling me I lack tact, but do you think I lack that much tact?”
Lest Kwon Gwi-jun actually call him tactless, Jin Seon-yu quickly added his business.
“Where are we meeting? Tell me the location first. And Yi-kyung is sick, so he can’t go alone. You saw him earlier; I’m going to put him in my car and go with him later.”
As if lightly suppressing Jin Seon-yu’s fluid words, Kwon Gwi-jun murmured slowly.
[A car will go to your house.]
Hearing that much, Seo Yi-kyung pulled his tilted head back slightly. It was strange. How did Kwon Gwi-jun know that he was staying at Jin Seon-yu’s house? Moreover, Seo Yi-kyung had remained silent throughout the call. Despite that, he was speaking with the certainty that Seo Yi-kyung was right next to Jin Seon-yu.
Jin Seon-yu grumbled a few more words to Kwon Gwi-jun, but he only repeated the same thing.
[I told them to let Seo Yi-kyung ride in that car alone. The person doesn’t like it when people are late for appointments, so be careful not to be late.]
Jin Seon-yu ended the call with a pout. Assuming Seo Yi-kyung had heard the conversation right beside him, he spoke.
“Will you be okay going alone?”
Seo Yi-kyung nodded. He wasn’t in a position to be picky, nor was it something to think deeply about.
“If they say they won’t buy it, come back immediately. Even if it’s not Gi-jun, I’ll ask other people I know.”
“Thanks.”
Seo Yi-kyung pushed the strange feeling he had momentarily felt deep into his chest.
‘Let’s not have unnecessary suspicions.’
Having spent time beside Han Seung-jae, who rarely trusted people, it seemed he had developed a peculiar habit of suspecting things blindly. Furthermore, it was Seo Yi-kyung who needed the money right now. Isn’t a deal about the party with the greater need adjusting to the other?
* * *
While the branch manager stood before him, Han Seung-jae flipped through the report he had submitted. As he fiddled with the pocket watch necklace gripped in his hand, the clinking sound of metal colliding echoed. Suddenly, Han Seung-jae checked his wristwatch.
Secretary Park observed this from the corner of his eye. He had lost count of how many times it had happened. The fact that it had become significantly more frequent in the afternoon was likely not just Secretary Park’s imagination.
As the number of times Han Seung-jae checked the clock increased, the branch manager’s speech grew faster, as if he were being chased.
“This is the projected net income for the first quarter of this year. We expect this to be a 27% increase compared to the same period last year.”
“Don’t include things you can’t be sure of; only say what you can take responsibility for, Branch Manager.”
“Yes, I apologize.”
Han Seung-jae was listening to every single word the branch manager said. Once the branch manager left, breaking into a cold sweat, Han Seung-jae looked down at the watch in his grip. Kwon Gwi-jun had informed him before leaving the room that the cover would open if he pressed the button.
When Han Seung-jae pressed the button, the cover opened to reveal the time, which had just passed 4 o’clock. He looked at the second hand of the watch, which was not different in the slightest from his own wristwatch. Soon, he closed the cover and clenched the pocket watch in his hand.
* * *
At the sound of a knock, Jin Seon-yu, who had been sitting in a chair, stood up. Seo Yi-kyung, who had been leaning on the bed wondering what to say to persuade the person, also turned his head.
“Already?”
Jin Seon-yu’s doubtful voice followed as he continued the conversation with the person knocking on the door.
“Yi-kyung, they say someone has arrived downstairs.”
Seo Yi-kyung stood up, swinging his legs off the bed. Jin Seon-yu first closed the door and then picked out clothes for Seo Yi-kyung to wear.
“Weren’t we meeting at 7? Why is the car here already?”
Jin Seon-yu wandered around the room haphazardly, handing clothes to Seo Yi-kyung. He even tried to add accessories. Seo Yi-kyung waved his other hand, trying to calm Jin Seon-yu down.
“Why? I have to be dressed up like this to be able to say everything I want to say.”
“I think it’s too much.”
However, Jin Seon-yu’s clothes felt a bit distant for Seo Yi-kyung to wear. Moreover, they were uncomfortable clothes since his left arm was in a cast. Jin Seon-yu put back the sunglasses he had picked up with a lingering hand.
“Then at least throw this on.”
Jin Seon-yu stepped back and held out his coat. Seo Yi-kyung took the coat. He thought it wouldn’t look good to meet someone wearing only a shirt. After all, he was meeting someone because he wanted to sell a high-value item. While he didn’t need to look perfect for the person, he didn’t think he should look lacking either.
Just before opening the door, Jin Seon-yu snatched the coat from Seo Yi-kyung’s hand and draped it over his shoulders. He said it would be better than trying to put one arm through since he had a cast.
“I think it would be better if I went with you.”
“No. I can go alone.”
“Still… your arm is uncomfortable.”
“We’re just going to have a conversation, so this should be fine.”
Jin Seon-yu looked worried as they walked down the stairs. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he whispered to Seo Yi-kyung.
“But, seeing as they sent the car this early, don’t you think they intend to buy the watch?”
At Jin Seon-yu’s words, Seo Yi-kyung fell into thought. Jin Seon-yu spoke as if helping with the deal.
“First, ask for a huge amount.”
“….”
“Try doing what I say. Then, little by little, lower the price.”
Seo Yi-kyung recalled how Jin Seon-yu had blindly asked Kwon Gwi-jun for 5 billion won. But the opponent had been Kwon Gwi-jun. He was a friend of Jin Seon-yu and someone who had feelings for him. That was why it had been possible.
Seo Yi-kyung imagined himself saying such a thing to an anonymous stranger and then stopped. It might end with the opponent standing up and leaving the moment he heard that.
However, it was difficult to ignore Jin Seon-yu’s eyes, which were full of anticipation.
“Alright. I’ll try that.”
Seo Yi-kyung answered as if accepting Jin Seon-yu’s advice for now. At that, Jin Seon-yu patted his chest and walked down the stairs.
“Why am I the one getting nervous? I think it would be better if I just followed you.”
Having reached the first floor, Jin Seon-yu asked the helper who had come upstairs.
“Is the car parked outside?”
She stepped closer and asked back.
“No. It’s not a car, but the guest is over there.”
She turned around and pointed to a spot. Then, a person sitting on the sofa came into view. As if hearing the voice, the man stood up.
“They said they are family.”
“Family?”
Jin Seon-yu looked closely at the shabby-looking person and then turned his head back. Seo Yi-kyung, his expression frozen stiff, was staring at that spot.
Seo Dong-hu took a step forward.
“We finally meet.”