By Zephyria 
“Don’t you think being this overprotective is a bit pathetic?”
At the relentlessly sarcastic remark, Winston smiled faintly and replied.
“Not at all. If I really wanted to be overprotective, Yu-jin would be with me right now. Here, in this spot.”
Meaning he wouldn’t have let his partner out of his sight. While his protective behavior might have been touching in a way, it couldn’t sway Keith’s heart. Rather, Winston Campbell’s actions were starting to grate on him.
“You dragged out the contract negotiations so meticulously, and now you want something else? There are many ways to repay a favor.”
He was needling Winston about the time, before reconciling with Yu-jin, when Winston had consulted Keith. Winston responded lightly, his face still wearing a smile.
“I’m grateful for that, even though it wasn’t much help.”
Adding a comment he didn’t need to make, he soon wiped the insincere smile from his face and spoke seriously.
“I didn’t come to add something to the contract. I do want something from you, though.”
“You have a request?”
When Keith deliberately rephrased the question, Winston frowned briefly but soon reluctantly accepted the term.
“Yes, a request.”
Keith was inwardly surprised by his compliant attitude. What’s up with this guy? What on earth does he want?
The question and the answer arose simultaneously. And as expected, Winston brought up the anticipated topic.
“No matter what happens, prioritize the original author. That’s my request.”
“That’s already in the contract.”
Keith answered indifferently, but Winston, still with a serious face, repeated.
“‘Yu-jin.’ Prioritize Yu-jin.”
Keith silently studied his face for a moment. As if to ask, what’s the difference? It was true. The original author was Yu-jin, and Yu-jin was the original author. What kind of wordplay was this?
But for Winston, it was different. They were utterly, completely separate entities.
“Outside of the work as well, respect Yu-jin’s wishes. Yu-jin isn’t the type to stubbornly insist on what he wants, so you should be able to coordinate sufficiently through conversation. However, if he can’t be convinced or has questions, explain and persuade him until everything is resolved.”
He then added.
“With the utmost respect.”
In reality, when an original work is adapted into another medium, the author’s opinions are often ignored. People say they’ll respect them, but the actual reality changes frequently, so such concern was understandable.
“In short, you’re telling me not to do anything that would hurt your partner’s feelings, right?”
“It’s different from that. I said ‘respect’.”
At the indifferent tone, Winston’s voice grew slightly rough, as if anger was rising. But Keith still didn’t understand.
He’s making such a solemn-faced ‘request’ over something so trivial?
It was unbelievable and absurd, but thinking differently, it was also natural. If it were about Yeon-woo, Keith would undoubtedly act the same way.
It’s overprotection after all.
Just as he thought he wasn’t much different himself, Winston spoke.
“Yu-jin still can’t easily accept the good fortune happening to him.”
It was probably because the many wounds he’d received in the past acted as a defense mechanism. And a significant portion of that responsibility belonged to Winston.
That’s why he couldn’t help but be hypersensitive to Yu-jin’s thoughts and feelings. So that Yu-jin could now have confidence in himself and proudly accept what he had achieved. Until he accepts that this isn’t all just luck, that Yu-jin is qualified to have all this and has lived diligently enough for it.
“So you have to make him feel it more. How amazing he is.”
Keith quietly observed Winston’s face as he spoke emphatically. Since he himself, and most people around him, naturally knew how great they were and proudly displayed it, he wasn’t familiar with or understood this type. Moreover, Yu-jin had already been nominated for several literary awards and had actually won some. It was absurd that the author who wrote such books had so little confidence in himself.
Naturally, he couldn’t empathize with Yu-jin, but there was someone else he could empathize with. Winston himself. If Keith’s partner, Yeon-woo, felt such emotions, Keith wouldn’t be able to sympathize or agree, but it was utterly clear he would do anything for him. Just like Winston Campbell before his eyes.
“Haa.”
Having thought that far, he let out a short sigh and spoke.
“Alright, it’s not that big of a deal.”
At Keith’s words, Winston frowned and corrected him.
“It is. Very.”
I guess so, seeing as you came all the way here.
Keith thought cynically but didn’t drag it out and asked again.
“So, is that all? You want me to treat your partner with the utmost hospitality?”
“Yes. Treat him with the full respect he deserves as the original author of ‘Children of November’.”
Winston didn’t deny the sarcastic remark and went a step further, adding a condition.
“Exceptionally so. By you, personally.”
This bastard.
Keith visibly frowned at the acquaintance who dared to cross a line. But Winston bowed slightly as if he’d said something perfectly natural.
“You would have made the same ‘request’ if it were your partner in this situation.”
That was something Keith had already thought. But if someone dared to peek into his mind and say it, anyone would feel displeased. Keith was no different, so instead of readily admitting it, he brought up something else.
“All good, but for that, I’d have to get ‘exceptionally’ close to your partner, right? Are you okay with that?”
“With what?”
For the first time since arriving, Winston frowned. Pleased with that expression, Keith leaned back leisurely against the sofa and continued.
“I, of course, would have no thoughts, but what if your partner develops other feelings?”
“…Ha.”
Winston let out a short sigh of disbelief. Is this guy in his right mind?
“If you want to cheat, find someone else. You’re not Yu-jin’s type.”
He responded dryly, but his face was filled with displeasure. Keith didn’t hide his enjoyment and shrugged.
“Well, who knows? Relationships are unpredictable, after all. Of course, I’ll do my best to keep my faith with you, but…”
Thoughts flooded his mind, Yu-jin would never betray me, don’t talk nonsense, who are you to speak of faith, but Winston didn’t need to get angry. Because the arrogant smile Keith had directed at him soon stiffened into a pale, frozen expression.
“Yeon-woo.”