By Zephyria 
Mo Yeon-hu was so startled by Kwon Mi-eon answering the call before even one ring could properly go through that he nearly jumped out of his seat.
—Did you call me?
It seemed like only seconds had passed since he dialed, yet Kwon Mi-eon answered immediately as if he had been waiting. Mo Yeon-hu, momentarily flustered, fumbled with his words.
“No, I accidentally… pressed it wrong… while looking at the missed calls.”
—You saw my missed call and pressed it by mistake?
“Yeah….”
—Wow.
Then Kwon Mi-eon chuckled softly.
—I should leave missed calls more often.
His voice was affectionate.
Meeting in person and talking on the phone felt different. Perhaps it was because of Kwon Mi-eon’s characteristically cool impression. Even when he treated Mo Yeon-hu kindly in person, it was hard to accept it purely.
But now, hearing only his voice, the warm and friendly tone made Mo Yeon-hu’s ears tingle, causing him to flinch.
‘What’s with this between guys?’
He never spoke in such an affectionate tone with his friends. Mo Yeon-hu blurted out a sullen remark for no reason.
“Then I’ll block you.”
—…Huh?
Kwon Mi-eon’s soft laughter abruptly cut off.
“If you leave too many missed calls, I’ll have to block you. So you can’t call by mistake.”
It clearly felt like he was deliberately being curt, but it was an unconscious, reflexive reaction. The other person was being too gentle and affectionate, which somehow made him act the opposite way.
—Really?
But Kwon Mi-eon asked in a bewildered voice, surprising Mo Yeon-hu.
—Are you really going to block me?
Was that such a shocking thing? Hearing that voice, Mo Yeon-hu felt even more flustered.
“…You believe that?”
—Since you said it, I believe you.
Even if he looked innocent, it was absurd that someone with such a cynical face—who would likely interrogate him about whether it was a lie even if he told the truth—took his words at face value.
—Ah, it was a joke.
Belatedly, as if realizing Mo Yeon-hu had spoken lightly without much thought, Kwon Mi-eon replied in a casual tone. Strangely, his voice carried a hint of relief.
—But what have you been up to? Why haven’t you been reachable? What are you doing now?
Then, he immediately hung a barrage of question marks and asked about this and that.
‘Seriously, how long has it been since we parted? He’s really a weird guy.’
The affectionate tone was so palpable it felt like he could see the illusion of a dog’s tail wagging furiously. Mo Yeon-hu felt embarrassed, rolled his eyes, and deliberately cleared his throat.
“I was just gaming….”
—Do you like games?
Do I like games? Honestly, I started because of Ms. Mi-yeong, and it hasn’t been that long since I began.
‘But it’s fun.’
This was the first time he was doing something like this, even putting aside meeting friends.
‘Even to the point of forgetting to meet Ms. Mi-yeong.’
Lately, meeting Mi-yeong in Zombie Village was more fun and exciting than meeting her at the café. So, wouldn’t it be okay to say I like games?
—I like games too. We have something in common.
But what good does thinking that do?
“I don’t really like them.”
This wasn’t just about being contrary.
It felt like if Kwon Mi-eon said something, he’d instinctively disagree.
—Ah, come to think of it, I don’t like games either.
But what was this now?
“You just said you liked them.”
—Yeah, I think I liked them until yesterday. Now I don’t. I don’t understand why people play games.
“I don’t dislike them that much….”
—Sometimes I can understand it too.
The speed of his attitude change was so fast it was absurd. Even kids probably wouldn’t change their stance that drastically.
“You know you’re really weird, right?”
After a brief silence of a few seconds, Kwon Mi-eon asked seriously.
—…Am I very weird?
Hearing that voice, Mo Yeon-hu finally let out a small laugh, finding it absurd. It was because Kwon Mi-eon sounded genuinely concerned.
—You’re laughing.
“No, I’m not.”
—You laughed, hyung.
Kwon Mi-eon, who seemed to have heard it like a ghost, laughed along. As if it was something good that he was laughing, his mood lifted along with it.
—But, hyung. Earlier, when you answered the call, your voice didn’t sound good. Is something wrong?
Kwon Mi-eon seemed to carry the conversation very naturally. Just when there was nothing left to say, he’d bring up a new topic like a ghost.
‘My voice didn’t sound good?’
Mo Yeon-hu stared blankly at the screen. It seemed his voice had become subdued after keeping quiet for a long time while gaming.
“Just….”
As he was about to give a vague reply, he saw a chat message.
(CH03) Miu: Are you an idiot?
(CH03) Miu: Why are you refusing when others are rushing to accept something good?
(CH03) Miu: Don’t you know that’s actually a loss in life??
(CH03) Miu: Just take it when it’s offered?
It was Miu’s chat, every word of which was irritating. The moment he saw it, a sullen expression involuntarily appeared on his face, and his lips pouted.
“Someone called me an idiot.”
—An idiot?
What exactly is idiotic about it? Even if I don’t take things like money, since we’re in the same Alliance, helping each other out to this extent is perfectly fine.
“Yeah. They said I’m an idiot who can’t even take what’s offered.”
Even though he pretended it didn’t matter, it seemed to have bothered him inwardly. Without realizing it, Mo Yeon-hu grumbled, then caught himself.
‘Ah, she’s Ms. Mi-yeong’s cousin.’
Did I just badmouth the cousin? In a panic, he tried to brush it off as nothing, but the other side of the phone was quiet.
“…Kwon Mi-eon?”
Since he had been responding immediately until just now, Mo Yeon-hu asked curiously. Kwon Mi-eon reacted.
—Who called you an idiot… that person?
‘That person?’
What was this now?
“You’re asking who said that?”
—Yes. Tell me.
He hadn’t expected Kwon Mi-eon to ask who it was. How should he answer?
He couldn’t honestly say, “It’s your cousin.” So he stayed silent, and Kwon Mi-eon let out a deep sigh on the other end of the phone.
—That person is… no, they’re a weirdo. Why would you be an idiot? Where else would you find someone as smart and good as you? Your personality is so good that when I look at you, nothing but praise comes to mind…… What kind of life did they live to say such nonsense about you? They’re really an absurd jerk.
“…….”
—Hyung??
“Ah.”
I was spacing out. Belatedly snapping out of it, Mo Yeon-hu flinched.
—So… what’s their name?
Even though it wasn’t the first time someone had taken his side in his life, hearing Kwon Mi-eon defend him felt strange the entire time.
—Ah, really, I’m just curious who it is. Pure curiosity. Anyway, I’m simple-minded, so I’ll forget right away if you tell me? So just tell me the name. Who is it?
It sounded like he’d rush over and scold them as soon as he knew the name. Listening to his increasingly lengthy, low voice, Mo Yeon-hu, who had been absentmindedly fidgeting with his fingertips because his ears kept tingling, paused.
The small mirror next to the desk—his reflection in it was slightly flushed.
‘Ah, seriously, what am I doing!’
Did I blush while talking to Kwon Mi-eon on the phone?
Mo Yeon-hu felt too embarrassed to continue the call, even though he wasn’t facing anyone.
“Uh, uh. Hey—sorry. Something urgent came up.”
—Something urgent? Hyung, wait a moment.
“I really have to hang up now.”
—So when are we going to…
“Hanging up!”
Kwon Mi-eon seemed about to add another question, but Mo Yeon-hu was faster.
Click! He immediately hung up. It was probably the quickest he’d ever been in recent times. After hanging up, Mo Yeon-hu stared blankly at the screen, then raised his hand and rubbed his ears vigorously.
“Why am I like this.”
Frowning, Mo Yeon-hu felt his earlobes, and even the back of his neck, burning hot despite having ended the call.
Just then, a message chimed in.
K > 
rnjsaldjs47
XX month XX day, 11:50 PM
If I leave a missed call, will you call me again?
The same line as the phone call made him let out an involuntary scoff.
‘What is he saying….’
Mo Yeon-hu, rubbing the back of his neck, sent a reply.
Nah, blocking you
ㅠㅠ
(Emoticon)
The emoticon that flew back immediately showed a dog flopping onto the floor and crying. It suited Kwon Mi-eon perfectly. Staring at the emoticon, Mo Yeon-hu asked.
Where do you get that?
(Emoticon)
This one?
Yeah
There’s a gallery icon
Press the smiley next to it and scroll through
It says “the cutest dog in the world”
Mo Yeon-hu followed Kwon Mi-eon’s instructions. Sure enough, the dog emoticons he used were gathered there.
Do you buy it?
No, it’s free
You can use it right away when you press itㅎㅎ
(Emoticon)
Looking at the dog lying on its back, wagging its tail as if overjoyed, Mo Yeon-hu casually browsed the others. Among them was the dog emoticon Kwon Mi-eon used the most—hugging a heart and wagging its tail furiously.
Wanting to look at it a bit more closely, he pressed it.
(Emoticon)
He accidentally sent it.
‘It sends right away when you press it.’
It was novel since he hadn’t used Starsta much. But then.
ㅋㅋㅋHyung
Did you just send me a heart?
What is this now?