By Zephyria Kang Da-hyun drove Seo Jeong-won to the city. He parked in front of the restaurant with the biggest crab model he had seen on the way, and as soon as he got out of the driver’s seat, he headed to the passenger side. Supporting Seo Jeong-won as he carefully got out, he suddenly took off his padded jacket and wrapped it around Seo Jeong-won’s shoulders.
“I’m not cold.”
“You look cold.”
“No, I’m not cold.”
“I know.”
Kang Da-hyun, who stubbornly put his clothes on Seo Jeong-won, moved his feet with a satisfied expression, embracing his shoulder. As they entered the restaurant, a friendly employee made a fuss, saying they looked like a beautiful newlywed couple. Kang Da-hyun did not deny it, but rather reinforced the misunderstanding by tightening his arm around Seo Jeong-won. Seo Jeong-won burst into laughter without realizing it.
“Give us the freshest one you have today!”
“Will you have snow crab or king crab?”
“Which one is more delicious?”
“Both are good. Are you not having sashimi?”
Kang Da-hyun seemed to hesitate for a moment, then met the eyes of the employee who was recommending the menu.
“If the smell or taste is too strong, it’s a bit much, which one is better? This is our first time trying this.”
“The king crab has a richer flavor. But king crab is too much for two people. It’s better to go with snow crab.”
“How much should we order? For two people?”
“To eat until you’re full, about three crabs. Let’s go down and pick them out together.”
Kang Da-hyun thought the amount seemed too small. Seo Jeong-won even had to eat for two now, so how much could they possibly get from those thin legs? Kang Da-hyun, deciding to order four or five, diligently followed the employee.
Meanwhile, Seo Jeong-won, who was guided to the table alone, received all the attention from the restaurant staff. From questions about whether he seemed young and if he had graduated, to comments about a child having a child, or guesses about whether he was carrying a daughter or a son based on the shape of his belly.
“Still, they must be very close. Look how well he takes care of him.”
“Yes? Ah…”
“You can see the affection dripping from them. Does he have morning sickness?”
“He did. But… it’s not like that.”
Seo Jeong-won’s small denial did not reach those who were talking about him. He was about to deny it further, but he closed his mouth tightly as the staff’s attention scattered. After waiting a little longer at the window seat he was guided to, Kang Da-hyun returned. He looked excited, his eyes sparkling.
“The crab is really fucking big. Disgustingly big. And it looks exactly like the one on the sign.”
“Really? But this is my first time eating it. Have you had it before? How do you eat it? Not like blue crab, right?”
“We’ll have to figure that out now. Wait a minute. They wouldn’t just give us something that big without anything.”
Kang Da-hyun had eaten a lot of blue crab, but this was his first time with snow crab. He looked around, observing how people ate crab with a serious expression, then nodded as if he understood.
“They give you these weird scissors and a spoon. I guess you scrape it out with those. Just stay still. I’ll take care of it.”
“…Okay.”
Kang Da-hyun, who was moving his hands in the air as if practicing how to extract the crab meat, noticed Seo Jeong-won looking only at him and opened his mouth. He blurted out whatever came to mind, then recalled a morning drama his mother had been enjoying recently and explained the plot. It was the story of an Omega who was misunderstood for having an affair.
“I saw it in a morning drama Mom is obsessed with, and the pregnant Omega had terrible morning sickness and could only eat a very limited number of things, you know?”
“Yeah.”
“But he really wanted peaches. But the husband wouldn’t even let him have that!”
Kang Da-hyun frowned and talked about the scene he had seen, and several employees who were waiting nearby joined the conversation, cursing the bad guy in unison.
“Is it that bad?”
“It’s no joke. I ended up watching it all the way to the end. In the end, the husband groveled.”
Seo Jeong-won’s eyes gradually began to shine at the stimulating story. Kang Da-hyun looked at his interested face and felt bitter, wondering if Seo Jeong-won’s situation was really that different from the protagonist in the drama. He tapped the paper cup filled with water, and when a sigh was about to escape, he quickly swallowed it with the water.
“Don’t you have morning sickness?”
“I do. But I’m okay now.”
Seo Jeong-won didn’t want to talk to Kang Da-hyun about his morning sickness or pregnancy as much as possible. He remembered Kang Da-hyun’s words that even the visible information was an overload.
“Were you busy during Chuseok? Sorry I couldn’t help.”
“Man, I thought I was going to die then.”
He explained in detail how well the apples had sold during Chuseok, and said that even though it was tough, he wished it was a holiday every day. He joked that he would become a limited-time rich man during the season, but he would rather be a rich man every day. At those words, Seo Jeong-won couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
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Fortunately, the ordered snow crab was prepared for easy eating, and the two devoured it as if they were possessed. When they came to their senses, a spicy red crab ramen was placed on the table.
“This is crazy. I see why it’s so expensive.”
“Me too. It’s a taste I’ve never had before in my life.”
“This is red crab. Should I peel it for you?”
“No, just the noodles for me.”
At Seo Jeong-won’s refusal, Kang Da-hyun ate even the red crab thoroughly. The two, who had emptied even the plum tea that came as dessert, got up from their seats feeling pleasantly full. Kang Da-hyun once again draped his outer garment over Seo Jeong-won’s shoulders and confidently headed to the cashier. He was surprised to hear the amount, but he pretended to be calm and swiped his card.
The two slowly walked out to the parking lot and got into the car. Kang Da-hyun treated Seo Jeong-won like a glass art piece from beginning to end.
“Thanks for the meal. It was really delicious. I should be buying you this, thank you.”
“It’s enough if you enjoyed it.”
“It was really delicious, really.”
“Want to drink something else?”
Kang Da-hyun changed the subject, feeling embarrassed. He intended to go into a cafe if he saw one on the way back to Seo Jeong-won’s house. But unfortunately, perhaps because it was getting quite late, it was difficult to find a sign that was open.
“I have coffee at home, decaf though. Is that okay?”
“Beer… you don’t have any, right?”
“Should I buy some at the convenience store on the way?”
“That’s a great idea.”
Kang Da-hyun gave a thumbs up. The car smoothly drove down the road. He seemed to be increasing speed, but suddenly he gradually slowed down. He didn’t know if he was mistaken, but a car seemed to be following him.
“Or am I wrong.”
“Huh?”
“No, no. I can’t see a convenience store.”
Kang Da-hyun swallowed his words, afraid that Seo Jeong-won would get scared if he said anything. He drove a little further and saw a convenience store sign, so he turned the steering wheel and entered the parking lot without even turning on his blinker. Immediately after, he checked the rearview mirror and saw the car continue straight. Kang Da-hyun, relieved that it was just his misunderstanding, turned to Seo Jeong-won and chuckled.
“You’re sleepy, aren’t you?”
“Huh? No, I’m not.”
The heater, the warm seat, the fullness and comfort, and the familiarity all combined to relax Seo Jeong-won’s tension. He nodded off, and his eyes fluttered open at Kang Da-hyun’s voice.
“I’ll buy a reasonable amount.”
“Okay, together…”
“Sleep, it’s okay.”
At those words, Seo Jeong-won’s eyelids slowly lowered. He leaned his head against the car window and let out soft breaths. “Sorry,” he mumbled softly, and Kang Da-hyun’s heart grew complicated as if he were looking at something pitiful. Shaking off the rising sympathy, he quietly closed the door and quickly ran towards the convenience store.
Since he would be drinking alone anyway, he bought only two large cans of beer and chose snacks such as jerky, squid, and a small cup of ramen. And for Seo Jeong-won, who would be bored, he also picked out some chocolates, jellies, and cookies and put them in the shopping basket.
“Do you need a bag?”
“Yes, please.”
After paying, he hurriedly returned to the car, where Seo Jeong-won was still asleep as before. Kang Da-hyun quietly got into the driver’s seat, exited the parking lot, and merged onto the road, but he still didn’t wake up. It had been a long time, and Kang Da-hyun didn’t want to wake Seo Jeong-won, who was sleeping with a comfortable expression, so he very carefully headed to his destination, his house.
At the sound of the wheels rolling over gravel, Seo Jeong-won finally opened his eyes with a dazed look. He scratched his cheek awkwardly and blinked his eyelids, which were still heavy with sleepiness.
“Ah, I really slept well for the first time in a while.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Sorry, you’re here for the first time and I’m sleeping.”
“Don’t say such things. Don’t be so ticklish, just sit still for a moment.”
Kang Da-hyun, who tapped Seo Jeong-won’s shoulder as soon as he woke up and apologized, got out of the driver’s seat. He was actually a little disappointed. That they had already arrived, and that Seo Jeong-won had woken up so quickly.
He sighed, grabbed what he had bought, and opened the passenger seat door. He told him to be careful because it was dark, and almost hugged him as he supported him. Seo Jeong-won also took the strength out of his body and leaned comfortably. Kang Da-hyun subtly inhaled the soft fragrance that spread from their naturally close bodies.
“Can you walk alone?”
“Of course. Thank you.”
It was a sign that he could let go now, but Kang Da-hyun moved his feet while holding Seo Jeong-won as if he didn’t understand. A small burst of laughter mixed with the night breeze and the sound of the waves, scattering softly.