Vol 1 Ch 7

Yeonjun bowed to Seo Jeongwon and got into the car. As soon as both legs were inside the passenger seat, Seo Jeongwon closed the door and headed to the driver’s seat. Yeonjun’s gaze followed Seo Jeongwon, who was striding towards the front of the car. Soon, the driver’s seat door opened, and Seo Jeongwon got in next to him.

 

He never, ever dreamed that there would be a day when they could be together like this again, so he was dumbfounded. Yeonjun secretly pinched the back of his hand. Perhaps because his hand was frozen, he couldn’t feel anything, and for a moment, he wondered if it was really a dream.

 

“Belt.”

 

“Ah… yes.”

 

Yeonjun, who had been pinching the back of his hand, startled and quickly pulled out the seatbelt. Seo Jeongwon, watching the strap crossing Yeonjun’s body diagonally, reached over and grabbed Yeonjun’s hand as if to cover it, and brought the buckle to him. Soon, the click of the buckle fastening echoed in the car. Yeonjun covered the back of his hand, where Seo Jeongwon’s hand had touched, with his other hand and bit his lip.

 

“Are you cold?”

 

“…I’m not cold. It’s warm.”

 

“They said there’s a cold wave advisory, so it is cold.”

 

“Why were you… out there in the cold?”

 

“I don’t usually get a chance to be outside alone unless it’s like this. I’m always with someone because of work, and when I’m alone, I’m almost always at home, so I don’t have time to be outside alone like this.”

 

The car narrowly escaped the alleyway. Yeonjun secretly watched Seo Jeongwon, who was driving with one hand on the steering wheel. He was always a busy person and a famous person, so he really wouldn’t have many opportunities to be alone outside. He wondered what Seo Jeongwon was thinking while having his alone time.

 

“Are you flustered?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“I acted like a jerk last time, but why is this bastard being so nice today? If I were you, I’d be thinking that.”

 

“I’ve never… thought that…”

 

Yeonjun was really flustered by the unexpected harsh words and looked at Seo Jeongwon. Seo Jeongwon, who turned his head to look at Yeonjun at the feeling of his gaze on his cheek, smiled slightly. It wasn’t acting, it was a real smile. It was quite cute to see him looking at him with bewildered eyes.

 

“So.”

 

“…….”

 

“Why don’t you ever think that way?”

 

“…….”

 

“I was bothered by that, I was concerned about that, and I came because I was curious. I’ve never seen someone who doesn’t think that way.”

 

Yeonjun looked at the back of his hand, which was red from being pinched so much, and took a small breath. He had never thought badly of Seo Jeongwon, not even once. If he were asked why he didn’t think badly of him, he really wouldn’t have anything to say. He just thought he was a good person, so he liked him.

 

And the last dinner was a truly happy memory for Yeonjun. It wasn’t Seo Jeongwon’s fault that he got indigestion, but his own fault for being so nervous at that wonderful occasion. Seo Jeongwon, who had come to find him again even though it was his fault, was truly a very good person. Yeonjun looked at Seo Jeongwon, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, with eyes full of warmth and excitement.

 

“There are more cars than usual today.”

 

At Seo Jeongwon’s mutter, Yeonjun looked out the window. He didn’t usually ride in cars, so he couldn’t tell if there were more cars than usual, but there were definitely more people on the streets than usual. It was hard to find people on the streets when it was this cold, but today, there were especially many people, especially couples.

 

“There are… a lot of people on the street.”

 

“Oh, really? Is it some special day?”

 

Seo Jeongwon glanced out the window absentmindedly and then turned his head forward again. Every time Seo Jeongwon moved slightly, a pleasant scent spread through the car. It was the same scent he smelled on the day he came to volunteer with the briquettes, and when they were in the van together. The subtle scent that permeated the car suited Seo Jeongwon very well. The pleasant scent from a good person made him feel sweet just by being with him.

 

After driving for about thirty minutes, they arrived at a hotel. It was a place where the lower floors were a department store and the upper floors were a hotel, so Seo Jeongwon entered the hotel area and got out of the car with the guidance of the staff. Yeonjun also got out of the car and bowed to the employee who opened the door for him.

 

The employee, who immediately recognized Seo Jeongwon, hurriedly guided him inside and whispered the word “VIP” into the radio. Soon, an employee who appeared to be of higher rank came out and greeted Seo Jeongwon. Seo Jeongwon glanced at Yeonjun, who was standing awkwardly next to him, and gestured for him to come closer. Yeonjun subtly moved a little closer to Seo Jeongwon’s side.

 

“We will escort you separately with this elevator.”

 

It was his first time coming to such a hotel in his life. The ceiling was very high and luxurious. Yeonjun looked at the bright and wonderful surroundings and then quickly followed Seo Jeongwon.

 

When the employee opened the elevator door and held it open, Seo Jeongwon got on the elevator first. Yeonjun smiled at the employee and lightly greeted him before stepping inside. The employee, who made some kind of radio call for the last time, pressed the 77th floor. Yeonjun looked at the number 77, which was lit up, with a curious expression.

 

“It’s been a while since you’ve visited the restaurant.”

 

“Ah, yes. I’ve been a bit busy lately, and I couldn’t come because I was managing my diet. I suddenly thought of it after a long time and called, but it took quite a while to make a reservation. It used to be immediate.”

 

“Ah, that’s because today is Christmas Eve. Except for the spare rooms, the reservations have been fully booked for several months, so it took longer to check the spare rooms. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

 

“Ah… it’s Eve, today.”

 

At the employee’s words that it was Christmas Eve, Seo Jeongwon slowly tilted his head. Only now did he understand why there were so many cars on the road and why the restaurant reservation was slightly delayed compared to usual.

 

The elevator door opened on the 77th floor. The employee got off first, held the door open again, and waited for the two to come out. The employee had made a radio call in advance, so the main manager was waiting in front of the restaurant.

 

“Actor, it’s been a long time. Thank you for visiting our Stay the Lounge again like this. We will guide you to the room you reserved.”

 

The manager, who also greeted Yeonjun with a kind smile, guided the two. Yeonjun followed closely behind him, as if Seo Jeongwon was his lifeline, afraid of being separated from him.

 

As soon as they entered the room they were guided to, they saw a panoramic view of the Seoul nightscape. Yeonjun sat down, looking at the pitch-black sky and the sparkling lights below. Seo Jeongwon glanced at Yeonjun and ordered the most normal course that wouldn’t clash with anyone’s taste. Since he had to drive, he couldn’t drink alcohol, so he also ordered a non-alcoholic beverage, and the manager left the room.

 

“Did you know today is Christmas Eve?”

 

“…I didn’t know. I heard the employee say it in the elevator earlier.”

 

“I didn’t know either. I was wondering why the reservation, which is usually made right away, took more than five minutes. I wondered what was going on.”

 

“Me too. I thought it was strange that there were more people than usual even though it was cold… I wondered why…”

 

“Taking care of these kinds of days… No. I don’t need to ask.”

 

Seo Jeongwon, who was about to ask something, shook his head. Yeonjun looked at Seo Jeongwon with a curious face. Seo Jeongwon, who took a sip of water, leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. His face, resting on his long fingers, was so handsome and pretty that it dominated all emotions and thoughts in an instant, making everything Seo Jeongwon, so Yeonjun fiddled with his ears, which were getting hot for no reason.

 

“I was going to ask if you like to take care of these kinds of days and celebrate them, but there’s no need to ask. If you took good care of it, you would have known that today is Christmas Eve.”

 

“Since I’m alone… I don’t think I take care of it well.”

 

“I guess so. I hang out with people, but I work alone and stay home alone, so I don’t know how time goes by. I wonder what those days that other people celebrate and like have to do with me. And I’m not the type to take care of those things.”

 

“Actor-nim is very… busy. When you’re busy, you don’t even know how a week or a month has passed.”

 

“It was definitely summer, but when I come to my senses, it’s winter.”

 

Seo Jeongwon smiled with his chin resting on his hand. Yeonjun couldn’t take his eyes off Seo Jeongwon’s smiling face. He couldn’t say exactly where, but somewhere in his heart was ticklish. It was so ticklish that he didn’t know what to do, and his heart kept moving towards Seo Jeongwon and fluttering.

 

“It’s a coincidence, but still, Ha Yeonjun is having dinner with me, so I’m getting into the Christmas Eve spirit like other people. I don’t know how many years it’s been. I think I’ve always been filming on Christmas since I debuted.”

 

Even when he wasn’t talking and was just in front of him, he was so overwhelmed and amazed that he couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality, but seeing Seo Jeongwon talking and even smiling at him made his heart beat so fast that he couldn’t even speak properly. Yeonjun picked up the glass of water with his trembling hand. The water inside shook as he lifted the cup, he was trembling so much. Seo Jeongwon’s gaze reached Yeonjun’s hand.

 

“Are you nervous today too?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“You were like that when we first met, and you were like that last time too. You were trembling a lot.”

 

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

 

“I’m not saying that to hear an apology, I just want you to eat comfortably since we’re just having a meal together. I’m afraid you’ll get indigestion again.”

 

“…I won’t get indigestion.”

 

“Really?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Seo Jeongwon smiled again. Yeonjun’s heart was now trembling and shaking so much that it was about to fall off with the smile that followed every conversation, not just once.

 

As if to give Yeonjun time to catch his breath, the door opened with a knock. Yeonjun took a deep breath without Seo Jeongwon noticing as he watched the pre-dinner bread, soup, and salad being set on the table. Dining alone with Seo Jeongwon, who had come to find him in person on Christmas Eve… He felt like he knew why there was such a thing as a Christmas miracle.

 

“Have some.”

 

Looking at Seo Jeongwon, who was gently offering, Yeonjun took a spoonful of soup. It was warm and soft, and it felt like his body, which had been cold since last night, was melting away.

 

“Does it suit your taste?”

 

“…Yes. It’s delicious.”

 

“That’s a relief. Eat a lot.”

 

“Yes…”

 

It wasn’t as if he was being cautious like before, or the atmosphere was stiff, but since they weren’t very close and well-acquainted, a friendly conversation didn’t continue throughout. Knowing that Seo Jeongwon had been constantly initiating conversations to keep the conversation going, Yeonjun wondered what to say first.

 

He wanted to do something for Jeongwon, who had given him a big gift. But he also knew that there was nothing big he could do for Jeongwon, who had nothing and no ability. So Yeonjun thought even more. It was because he didn’t want to ruin this atmosphere at least.

 

“Tell me if there’s anything you want to say to me or anything you’re curious about.”

 

“Ah… uh…”

 

“Is the scandal between Yeo Eunju and me real? You can even ask things like that. I heard you fought with the staff at the wrap-up party, is that true? And what else is there? Oh, you’re A, the actor who the director threw the script at and cursed at, you can even ask that.”

 

“…So-something else…”

 

“Something else? Well, there’s more than one or two of those things. Feel free to speak.”

 

“Uh… I’m curious about what you do when you’re home alone.”

 

Compared to all the sensational rumors that came up when you searched Seo Jeongwon’s name on the portal site, it was a very ordinary and trivial question. He was reminded of how even his relatives would ask him if he was the person in that article when they met him, and who he was really dating. Even his parents had never asked him how he was doing when he was alone. Seo Jeongwon stared at Yeonjun’s face for a moment at the question that came from a deep interest that he had never heard from his family.

 

He had even set the stage for him to ask about the sensational and high-level rumors that everyone in the world easily consumed as gossip and talked about as if they were true, but all he was asking was what he did when he was alone… Seo Jeongwon was dumbfounded, but on the other hand, he found the harmless approach of a person without malice, whom he had met after a long time, refreshing. It was because he had never seen such a person since he started working as an actor and entered the entertainment industry.

 

“When I’m filming a drama or movie, I’m just busy resting when I get home. I fall asleep as soon as I get home on really tiring days, but I have a bit of insomnia. It’s not severe, but there are times when I can’t fall asleep for a long time, so I watch movies and watch dramas that are said to be good these days to monitor them.”

 

His face, which was putting a spoon to his mouth and listening intently even though it wasn’t a great story, was cute. He wanted to tease him with difficult words. He wanted to see his surprised and flustered face again. He was also curious about what kind of face he would make if he went beyond that level. Would he cry? Would his whole body tremble? Unlike the calm answers coming from his lips, his mind was impure.

 

“When I’m resting between projects, I mainly exercise. I go whenever I have time while filming, but I can’t do it properly because I hardly have any time. I exercise, and well, I just stay cooped up at home. I don’t really like being with anyone.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“What do you usually do, Ha Yeonjun? I heard you live alone.”

 

“I… watch reruns of the dramas that Actor is in… I also look up articles, clean… do laundry…”

 

“Don’t you meet your friends?”

 

Yeonjun’s lips parted at Seo Jeongwon’s question. He had been bullied and had no friends in middle school, and although he wasn’t bullied in high school, he didn’t have anyone close enough to call a friend, so he was at a loss for how to answer Seo Jeongwon’s question. It seemed strange that not a single name came to mind when he heard the word “friend.”

 

“I don’t really meet friends. And I don’t have many.”

 

“…The kids don’t like me…”

 

He could have just said he met them often and brushed it off, but Yeonjun couldn’t even tell a lie that could be glossed over. Seo Jeongwon took a sip of his drink, hearing the words that flowed out honestly, albeit in a small voice.

 

“Why don’t they like you? I’d think you’d be popular. People like nice and pretty kids, don’t they?”

 

Seo Jeongwon blatantly scanned Yeonjun’s face slowly with his eyes. He wasn’t the flashy type, but he had a neat and pretty face that anyone would describe as clean-cut. He had never looked at his face long enough to memorize his features, so he just remembered him as cute and pretty, but he was only now realizing how beautiful he was. Seo Jeongwon was usually indifferent to others to an extreme degree.

 

“I thought you were pale because you were sick, but I guess not.”

 

“……”

 

“You’re naturally pale.”

 

Yeonjun’s eyes wavered under Seo Jeongwon’s blatant gaze, which didn’t leave his face for a moment. He was very embarrassed that such a sculpted person, handsome beyond words, was looking at his face. Seo Jeongwon didn’t care whether Yeonjun was embarrassed or not and stubbornly kept his gaze fixed on his face. Seo Jeongwon liked everything that was the prettiest and most radiant.

 

“It’s nice that people without friends met today. If you have someone to meet on Christmas Eve, that’s all that matters. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a friend or a lover.”

 

Seo Jeongwon didn’t ask Yeonjun about friends anymore. He could roughly imagine how he had been doing from that small comment that the kids didn’t like him. There was no need to expose it in this setting. There was no need to remind him and ruin the atmosphere, and it wasn’t something he needed to know. He wanted to finish the evening while maintaining the slightly better atmosphere than last time. He hadn’t come out for life counseling. This much goodwill for others was enough.

 

The main course came out as the conversation lulled. Beautiful and appetizing garnishes and steaks were placed in front of the two men. Seo Jeongwon, who declined the manager’s offer of wine, looked at Yeonjun as he picked up his fork and knife.

 

“This place is better than that other place. Honestly, that place was too chewy last time.”

 

“It looks delicious… I’ll enjoy it.”

 

“Eat a lot.”

 

“…Yes. Please enjoy your meal too, Actor.”

 

The sound of forks and knives moving echoed in the space where only the two of them were. Yeonjun followed Seo Jeongwon’s lead, cutting the steak and putting a small piece in his mouth. It was delicious last time too, but maybe because Seo Jeongwon said this place was better, it really did seem more delicious. He was even happier because Seo Jeongwon seemed to be enjoying his meal today.

 

“It’s delicious.”

 

“I’m glad. I like it today too.”

 

Seo Jeongwon smiled slightly, and his gaze lowered. Yeonjun looked at Seo Jeongwon, who had an elegant and unapproachable aura. Seo Jeongwon had a unique atmosphere that made him seem noble.

 

“You said you started liking me after seeing my acting, right?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“I think you said you started liking me after seeing <It’s Okay, Tomorrow>.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I really liked Yoo Jungho’s acting.”

 

“So you like me when I’m acting. I should have invited you to the set instead of a place like this.”

 

Yeonjun pondered Seo Jeongwon’s words. It was true that he had started liking Seo Jeongwon after seeing him act, but he didn’t just like ‘Seo Jeongwon in the moment of acting.’

 

“At first, that’s how it was. I only knew Yoo Jungho’s name about you… When I watched that drama, I wondered how you could act like that. It didn’t seem like acting. That’s how it was back then, but gradually I just started liking you as a person.”

 

Seo Jeongwon stared intently at Yeonjun’s face as he spoke in a soft voice with a slightly flushed face. Every time he said he liked him, he felt an urge to maliciously torment him to see if he could still like him. He already knew he was a bad person, so such thoughts weren’t surprising.

 

“…I had a really hard day at school, and I was walking home, and my legs were so sore, and I was so tired that I sat down at the bus stop to rest for a bit… There was an advertisement of you there. I saw it every time I was having a hard time. I know it’s a coincidence, and I know I’m giving it meaning on my own. But… still, I was so happy to see you whenever I was having a hard time.”

 

Seo Jeongwon slowly tilted his head, facing Yeonjun’s emotions that were pouring out. Yeonjun, who was nervous and didn’t know what to do, was expressing his feelings for him in a clear and gentle voice, just like last time. Usually, people are embarrassed to say what’s in their hearts, especially confessions, and they’re good at saying everyday things, but Yeonjun was different.

 

“I leave the radio on when I work at the convenience store. These days, your public service announcements come on often… I like it. I feel energized when I hear your voice…”

 

“You like it that much?”

 

“Yes, I like it so much…”

 

He seemed embarrassed, but his words of liking him were unwavering. Hearing him say he liked him over and over was quite a nice experience. It was the worst thing to waste his time like that to someone who kept expressing his feelings for him like this. It was also the worst that he wanted to make him cry and keep teasing him, but it was still better than that day. After all, he was making up for it by creating a good time again now.