SB Ch 18

October 18th

Beomjoon

Are you asleep? 00:01

Beomjoon

I just got off work.

[Photo]

There’s a halo around the moon. 00:03

I’m not asleep.

Mister, you’re pretty good at taking pictures lol 00:05

It’s beautiful.

Beomjoon

What have you been doing up until now? You’re someone who usually sleeps by 11.

Were you practicing? 00:05

Can’t practice at this hour. 00:06

Even with all the soundproofing work, people still complained it’s noisyㅡㅡ

Beomjoon

Really? With your playing, instead of complaining, they should be paying admission fees—that would be the proper thing to do.

They must not have an ear for music. 00:06

Lol 00:07

Beomjoon.

Beomjoon

Yes? 00:07

Ask me again what I was doing.

Beomjoon

What have you been doing up until now? 00:07

I was masturbating. 00:08

Beomjoon

You’re a pervert…

Should I come over?

🔮🌙

October 21st

Beomjoon

[Photo] 6:11

Beomjoon

It’s cold today.

If you’re going out, dress warmly. 6:12

Show me what’s underneath, too. 7:24

Beomjoon

Taking off the pants of a hardworking man. 9:01

Beomjoon

[Photo] 9:02

I’ll put it to good use. 9:03

Beomjoon

[Link]

I’ll count this as payment for the side dishes.

Are you free this evening? 11:21

Beomjoon

If you’re busy, after the performance is fine too. 11:25

[Photo] 12:10

I booked it, but we’re just watching the movie and heading straight home. 12:11

Beomjoon

Got it. See you later. 14:12

Practice is over. 17:46

Are you busy, Mister? 17:49

I’m bored. 18:13

I’ll be at your place.

October 23rd

Beomjoon

Is everything okay down there? I’m sorry I couldn’t check properly before leaving in such a hurryㅠㅠ 11:13

I don’t know.

It hurts. 11:14

I think I might die soon.

Beomjoon

Should I send a doctor? Are you at home? 11:15

911.

Beomjoon

I’ll call right away. 11:17

Just kidding.

Beomjoon

Are you trying to kill me? You scared me! 11:18

Did your heart drop? Want me to help you find it?

Beomjoon

Would you?

My eyesight’s failing; I can’t see very well anymore. 11:20

lmao, come on. 11:21

You’re seriously such an idiot.

Beomjoon

Do you know how often people tell me I’m smart outside?

You’re the one who keeps turning me into an idiot. 11:22

?? Don’t blame me. 11:26

You’ve been an idiot since the day we met.

🔮🌙

October 24th

Mister

What was the name of the place we stayed at when we went to Goseong last time? 10:39

Yewon wants to go there with her girlfriend, so I need to tell her. 10:49

Are you busy?

Beomjoon

[Link]

It’s here, but it might be hard to book without a membership. 12:04

If Yewon doesn’t have a membership, I can help with the reservation. 12:07

Yewon’s asking what you need haha 12:12

Do you charge a reservation fee?

Beomjoon

No need for money.

Just don’t call me a “rag” when you’re with her. Call me a pure, virtuous man instead. 12:13

Are you crazy? lolol

🔮🌙

Seo Haeyoon burst into laughter at the absurd text and lifted his head.

Yewon, who was aggressively demolishing a stack of pancakes in front of him, frowned and asked, “What’s so funny?”

“What did the mop say? Is he asking for money? How much? Tell him I can’t pay more than 10,000 won as a service fee.”

“No, it’s not that. Oh, hold on.”

Haeyoon lowered his head again, his fingers tapping away on the keypad. He was so focused on his messages that he didn’t even notice Yewon giving him a suspicious look. It wasn’t until much later that he flipped his phone over, picked up his fork, and finally addressed the now-cold eggs Benedict on his plate, cutting it in half as he spoke.

“He says to send the date and your phone number, and he’ll make the reservation. But in return, when you and I are together, I have to stop calling him a ‘rag’ and start calling him a pure, virtuous man instead.”

“Oh, he’s doing it for something like that? The virtuous gentleman sure is generous. Tell him I said thanks.”

Yewon clapped her hands with excitement, her eyes sparkling. She hadn’t expected the reservation to be arranged so easily. Without hesitation, she told Haeyoon the date she’d planned to go with her girlfriend. Haeyoon relayed the information to Chae Beomjoon, and in less than an hour, Yewon received a confirmation message on her phone about the booking.

“Woohoo, woohoo! Babe, I got the reservation!”

Yewon gleefully conveyed the news to her girlfriend, Park Hayeon, over the phone, showering her with exaggerated cuteness. Haeyoon, visibly uncomfortable, plugged his ears as Yewon giggled at his reaction. After hanging up, she finished her meal and asked with a smirk.

“Calling him ‘virtuous’ is too long. Let’s shorten it to ‘Mr. Virtue.’ He’s pretty efficient, huh? So, how’s it going with the two of you?”

“With Mister?”

“Yeah, it’s been almost two months, hasn’t it?”

“…Has it?”

Had it really been that long?

Surprised, Haeyoon pulled out his phone and checked the calendar. As he counted the days, he realized Yewon was right. He had first met Chae Beomjoon in early September, and now it was late October—two months had passed since they’d started spending time together.

Has it really been that long already…?

Time had flown by without him realizing. Between his packed schedule preparing for his upcoming performance and the exhausting physical intimacy he and Beomjoon indulged in whenever they met, Haeyoon often lost track of the days. Some weeks, he even forgot which day it was unless he had practice. It had also been a month since he last saw Yewon in person.

“How about you, Yewon? Are you finally done with all your work?”

Haeyoon had heard Yewon had been so busy dealing with a nightmare of a client that she barely made it home. Whenever she had free time, she prioritized seeing her girlfriend, so the two had only kept in touch via messaging until now. Fortunately, Yewon managed to wrap up her work just in time for Haeyoon’s first performance, and they squeezed in this brief meeting.

“Yeah, mostly? Ugh, seriously! I almost lost it because I wanted to strangle that jerk so badly.”

“Who? Oh… the little pest?”

The two used cryptic nicknames in case anyone was listening. Yewon nodded carefully when Haeyoon raised an eyebrow.

A little pest. Abbreviated to “Pest.”

This “Pest” was the client who had driven Yewon to the brink of insanity, giving her dark circles down to her chin. He was the primary reason she’d barely had a moment to herself recently.

Apparently, the client was utterly insufferable. When presented with Proposal A, he nitpicked it and demanded Proposal B. When shown Proposal B, he suddenly decided Proposal A was better. After countless back-and-forths, the project finally reached the shooting stage, only for him to throw a fit at the last minute, claiming he didn’t like the model and threatening to scrap the whole thing.

“You know what it takes to kill someone? Just the will to do it. Right now, I could strangle that bastard without a second thought.”

Yewon vented her frustrations, her face boiling with anger. She ranted about the client’s petty and ridiculous behavior as they moved from the restaurant to a nearby café.

🔮🌙

“Oppa!”

“Hi, Hayeon.”

At the café, Yewon’s girlfriend, Park Hayeon, joined them. Her professor—usually the target of her frequent assassination plots—was away at a conference, giving her a rare chance to relax.

“Oh wow, you’ve been doing well! Why does your face look so much better? See? People thrive when they’re in their hometowns!”

“Right? Babe, doesn’t Haeyoon look like he’s glowing lately?”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve gotten even more handsome.”

“Ha, hold on. Babe, is Seo Haeyoon handsome, or am I pretty?”

“What? Of course, my sister is way prettier. There’s no comparison.”

Seo Haeyoon didn’t particularly enjoy meeting Park Hayeon and Ahn Yewon together. It was hard for him to endure their antics for more than five minutes. Those two were the type of couple that would rush to the district office the moment same-sex marriage was legalized in Korea.

Here we go again. Grimacing, he took out his wallet to change the subject.

“What do you guys want to drink?”

“An Einspänner with an extra shot!”

“Same for me.”

“And cake?”

“That one, the melon fresh cream.”

“Go sit down.”

After checking the menu and gesturing for them to move, he got a cheeky response in return.

“Yes, oppa.”

“Yes, oppa.”

“Ahn Yewon, you’re dead…”

While it might have been fine for the younger Park Hayeon to call him that, hearing it from Ahn Yewon was practically picking a fight. Shivering from the thought, Haeyoon pushed them away with an irritated expression and placed their orders for drinks and cake.

As he waited near the counter and eventually carried the tray back to their table, Ahn Yewon and Park Hayeon stopped whispering to each other and looked up at him. Their stares were so blatant that it seemed like they were up to something.

“What? What is it now?”

Suspicious, he sat down, only to be hit with a question before even lifting his coffee.

“What have you been up to lately?”

“What do you think? Practicing. The performance is next weekend, remember?”

“You don’t practice 24/7. What do you do in your downtime?”

“Just hang out.”

“With who? Where? Doing what?”

“Are you interrogating me right now…?”

Haeyoon asked in annoyance, responding to Ahn Yewon’s persistent questioning. She flashed a bright smile as if denying any such intent, then cut a piece of cake with her fork and held it up to Park Hayeon’s lips.

Ah… Not wanting to see that display, Haeyoon turned to the window with his cold drink in hand. But as soon as he did, another barrage of questions came.

“Hey, other than Goseong, is there anywhere nice to go? Now that things are less hectic, we want to go on some dates.”

“That’s right, oppa. I’ve been rotting away in the lab so much that I feel like mold is going to grow on me. Any good suggestions?”

It was a reasonable question, but something felt off.

Taking a sip of coffee, Seo Haeyoon narrowed his eyes and looked over at the two. Both were smiling, showing no obvious signs of scheming, but he still found it suspicious.

“Park Hayeon, you’ve lived in Korea your whole life. Ahn Yewon, you’ve been back in Korea for two years. Why are you asking me? I’ve only been here for three months.”

When it came to good date spots, those two should know far more than he did. The fact that they were asking a single guy like him seemed particularly odd. When he voiced his doubts, Ahn Yewon scoffed with a smug look.

“Ha, of course I know better than you. But since we know too much, we thought you might suggest something unexpectedly good among the places you awkwardly know.”

“She’s completely right.”

Next to her, Park Hayeon nodded like she was headbanging. They looked like a con artist duo, but their reasoning wasn’t entirely implausible. After all, Ahn Yewon hadn’t known about the Goseong resort he visited with Chae Beomjoon recently. Although, it wasn’t exactly a place he stumbled upon awkwardly…

Could they really mean that? Nodding to himself, Haeyoon rolled his eyes thoughtfully before speaking up.

“Oh! Have you tried biking along the Namhan River?”

“Biking… along the Namhan River?”

“Yeah. It’s nice being so close to the river. It feels really different from the Han River.”

“Oh, really. So, have you biked along the Han River too?”

“Of course, it’s right by my place.”

“…Seo Haeyoon, didn’t you dislike doing outdoor activities? You used to just look at Central Park through the window, and I even told you to go out and see it properly.”

That was true. He did like Central Park, but he preferred looking at it rather than actually going outside to enjoy it.

The reason he ended up cycling along the Han River and the Namhan River was because of Chae Beomjoon. While talking about exercise, the conversation had shifted to cycling, and they childishly argued over who could ride longer. This eventually escalated into a near race along the Han River.

Seo Haeyoon won, but by the time they reached Jamsil Bridge, he was so exhausted that he didn’t want to do anything. In the end, he had to ride back home in the car of someone Chae Beomjoon had called to pick them up. That night, he stayed at Beomjoon’s place and enjoyed an incredible massage until morning.

Recalling that day, Seo Haeyoon shrugged and responded casually.

“Yeah… but I ended up going somehow.”

“I seeee…”

Ahn Yewon’s voice trailed slightly, dragging the last word. What’s that? Something felt off again, but her expression was the same as always. Thinking he might be overthinking, Haeyoon leaned back in his chair and tried to recall something else. Ah, the movie theater.

“You know the movie theater next to Seoul Forest? I think it’s called Comfort Seats or something. I don’t remember exactly, but they have seats where two people can sit together. Have you two been there?”

“…You mean those bed-like seats?”

“Yeah. They’re comfortable. You can even sleep if the movie’s boring.”

It was a place he’d visited not long ago. Beomjoon had requested it in exchange for covering the cost of side dishes, and since it happened to be a movie Haeyoon wanted to see, he readily agreed, thinking it would be a good mental break.

Though he was initially worried about hygiene, the leather-like material of the seats made it less of a concern. He remembered covering himself with the blanket Beomjoon had brought and watching the movie in comfort. While the movie itself was dull, the experience had a different kind of thrill.

“Seo Haeyoon.”

“Huh?”

“Are you hot? Your face is about to burst.”

“No, uh, maybe a little.”

Thinking about that memory, Haeyoon pressed his cold cup to his cheek. Watching him cool off, Ahn Yewon stared intently before scooping up some cake with her fork. She stabbed at the cake as if displeased, took a huge gulp of her Einspänner, and asked.

“What did you do in Goseong? Was there anything to see at the resort? You ate outside, right?”

“The restaurant at the resort was decent, so we didn’t go out. We just had sashimi once. I don’t think there was much to see, though. It was good for walking and relaxing. Oh, there was a private pool at the villa. It was pretty big, warm, and clean.”

The villa’s private garden setup offered excellent privacy. The advanced drainage and water systems ensured fresh water daily, making it… suitable for various activities without feeling uncomfortable.

“Is the beach close?”

“It’s right in front. Perfect for fireworks.”

The best part was that the beach was just a five-minute walk from the lodging. Thanks to the terrain, the private beach was completely secluded, making it incredibly tranquil. He had spent a long time there listening to the waves and watching the stars. The next day, during happy hour, they even enjoyed some fireworks provided by the staff.

“Ah… you even did fireworks?”

“It’s over, totally over.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, a sarcastic sneer interrupted him. What’s with their tone? Curious, Haeyoon turned to see the two of them with their heads together, staring at him as if they’d figured him out. Once again, they looked like scheming villains plotting something.

“What’s with your tone? So annoying.”

When he pointed it out…

“Since when have you been dating that mop—no, Mr. Purity? And why didn’t you tell me?!”

An absurd question came flying his way.

Did I hear that right? Seo Haeyoon frowned.

“What?”

What are they talking about? Who’s dating who?

Me? With Mister?

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

A ridiculous laugh escaped Seo Haeyoon at the absurd accusation. However, Ahn Yewon took it as a bluff. Does she think I won’t figure it out? With that expression, she spread her hand wide open and started counting off “evidence” of their supposed relationship on her fingers.

“You meet up every single day off! You watched a movie in a couple’s seat! You rode bikes along the Han River and Namhan River! You even went on a two-night, three-day trip to Goseong!”

“That’s…!”

“If that’s not dating, then what is? Tell me, have you ever done that with just a hookup before?”

“…….”

Haeyoon clammed up under Yewon’s relentless barrage. His large eyes rolled before settling into a look of confusion.

He, too, had realized something odd.

In the past, every relationship he’d had began with a physical connection that eventually developed into a romantic one. Once they became a couple, dating naturally followed. But if someone asked whether he’d spent so much personal time with someone before officially agreeing to date them…

The answer was no.

Previously, their interactions were limited to when they wanted physical intimacy. If they met, it was for that purpose. Occasionally, they’d wait for each other at home or share a meal, but activities like watching a movie or riding bikes outside? Those things never happened.

“You haven’t, have you? You haven’t! You never did!!”

“Wow, congrats on the relationship, oppa!”

Beside Yewon, Park Hayeon clapped gleefully with an innocent smile. Hold on a second… Seo Haeyoon, now nursing a headache, pinched the bridge of his nose and waved them off.

“Can you just calm down for a moment?”

After silencing them, he thought carefully and managed to find a flaw in their logic.

“No, it’s just…”

However, the presence of Park Hayeon made him hesitate. When he glanced at her, she quickly covered her ears with her hands, signaling she wouldn’t listen.

Not that it’ll actually block out any sound…

Hiding his embarrassment, Haeyoon leaned closer to Yewon and explained in a low voice.

“It’s just that… the foreplay’s been drawn out! Biking, movies, trips—it all ends in sex anyway. We’re definitely not dating.”

“Ha!”

Yewon let out an exasperated laugh, then reached over and clasped her hands tightly over Hayeon’s ears, ensuring she couldn’t hear a thing. With her voice laced with mockery, she said:

“Well, I watched a movie with Hayeon and went back to—”

“Oh, for crying out loud, stop it right there!!”

Haeyoon, unwilling to hear the rest, cut her off with a shout. The outburst made them giggle, but then Yewon abruptly dropped her smile, her expression turning serious.

“Seo Haeyoon, I think the purest guy at the club might have feelings for you.”

The word pure automatically translated in his mind to troublemaker, but that didn’t lend her statement any credibility.

It was such an absurd claim that Haeyoon didn’t even bother responding. But Yewon continued speaking, undeterred.

“I mean, I did recommend Mister Purity to you, but this isn’t the outcome I was hoping for.”

“What kind of outcome? That’s just a conclusion you came up with on your own.”

“And you said yourself you weren’t going to date anyone, just keep it physical! So why are you like this now?”

“What are you talking about? That’s exactly what’s happening!”

Despite Haeyoon’s denial, Yewon stubbornly insisted he was in a relationship with Chae Beomjoon. Frustrated, Haeyoon protested, but Yewon just scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Her expression clearly said, No matter what you say, you two look like you’re dating to me.

Birds of a feather, indeed. Just like her friend, Yewon was stubborn to the core. Once she formed an opinion, she wouldn’t budge until she confirmed the truth herself.

Letting go of Hayeon’s ears, Yewon grabbed the ice from her Einspänner and crunched on it with a terrifying intensity. Then, she added:

“Seo Haeyoon, I get it—you’re generous, and you’d probably give someone the boyfriend position just because they treated you nicely. But seriously, snap out of it. That guy is not it. He’s not boyfriend material, period. He flirts with everyone, men and women alike! Do you really think he’d change just because he’s dating you?”

Even though Haeyoon denied it repeatedly, Yewon wouldn’t drop the subject. It almost seemed like she wanted him to date Chae Beomjoon. Haeyoon frowned, feeling irritation bubbling up from deep within.

“…Park Hayeon, is your girlfriend always this unreasonable?”

“They get along perfectly fine, though. Oppa, listen to unnie. She says that guy isn’t the one for you.”

Both were hopeless. No wonder they’ve been together for so long. Frustrated, Haeyoon swallowed his annoyance and let out a sigh as he explained.

“Whether it’s true or not, I’m telling you, it’s nothing like that. Mister and I just clicked from the beginning! In so many ways, he’s a fun guy to talk to, like a friend. That’s why we keep hanging out, but there’s absolutely no romantic feelings involved.”

“Clicked? Hey, wasn’t it you who got mad at me, saying Mr. Innocent has a personality as weird as mine? Don’t you remember?”

“That was because of a misunderstanding back then. Anyway, it’s not like that.”

Like him? Sure, Chae Beomjoon occasionally threw out compliments that felt more like flattery, but he also constantly teased and annoyed Haeyoon. There’s no way. A sigh slipped out. Haeyoon knew Ahn Yewon was stubborn, but clashing with her like this made him feel so frustrated his head started to throb.

Feeling drained, Seo Haeyoon shook his head and sank into his chair. Ahn Yewon stared at his face for a moment before adopting a lighter tone, asking:

“So, you’re saying Mr. Innocent doesn’t like you, for sure?”

“Yeah, no.”

“And you?”

“What about me? You know me.”

Ahn Yewon knew very well that there was no room in Seo Haeyoon’s heart for anyone—or anything—other than his beloved double bass. Acknowledging this, Yewon muttered, “True enough,” then added:

“Alright, but still, be careful. Mr. Innocent’s behavior lately has been unusual. From what I know, he’s got a good sense of things but isn’t the type to go out of his way for someone—not to the point of trips or anything….”

Come to think of it, Ahn Yewon knew several people who had spent a night with Chae Beomjoon. It seemed she had casually inquired about him after hearing about Haeyoon. So, it was hard to ignore her words entirely.

He’d been so casual about suggesting unique places for…things, Haeyoon had assumed that Chae Beomjoon often went on trips with others. But now she was saying that wasn’t the case?

A hint of suspicion surfaced but was quickly suppressed. If I voice this, Yewon will just take it as proof he likes me and dig in even harder.

“Anyway, don’t give him any room to misunderstand. Only contact him when absolutely necessary!”

…But messaging Chae Beomjoon and talking to him on the phone was a little fun. It had recently become something of a hobby for Haeyoon.

“And don’t just let him into your place whenever!”

Whenever one of them was busy or had a late night, the other would drop by their house to wait.

Both Haeyoon and Chae Beomjoon knew each other’s home passcodes. Their houses were already stocked with each other’s clothes, toothbrushes, and other items.

It’s convenient, isn’t it? We have sex almost every day anyway….

“And stop doing things that feel unnecessarily like dates! Like cycling, for example!”

Chae Beomjoon knew all the best restaurants. Having only recently returned to Korea, Haeyoon didn’t know many good local spots. Beomjoon’s knowledge came in handy, and since all the places were great, they’d even be suitable to bring his father to someday. No harm in getting familiar with them ahead of time.

And cycling…wasn’t that just exercise? Sometimes they even went jogging together in the early mornings. That was the furthest thing from the sweet date-like atmosphere Yewon was imagining.

“And, hmm…”

“Kissing!!”

“Huh?”

When Ahn Yewon faltered, Park Hayeon, who had been quietly nodding along with the conversation, interjected. With the giddy excitement of someone watching a fun drama, she elaborated:

“No, but think about it! In novels, it’s such a cliché, right? When you’re just sex partners, you don’t kiss! That kind of thing! Oppa, you’re not going around kissing that guy all the time, are you? Because if you are, then it’s serious!”

Kissing? Did that mean something specific? Haeyoon hadn’t really thought about it, but now Park Hayeon’s comment made it seem significant. Recently, the two of them had been kissing pretty much all the time.

…Did we do that in September, too? Trying to recall made a creeping sense of unease settle over him. He couldn’t quite remember. Was it always like this? Or had it started at some point?

Worried that his hesitation might catch Ahn Yewon’s sharp eye, he was relieved when the topic shifted. Amused by Hayeon’s enthusiasm, Yewon began playfully fussing over her.

“Oh, right, right. Our Hayeon is so smart. When you kiss during a fling, that’s it—it’s Day One of the relationship. Ah, you’re brilliant.”

“Am I smart?”

“Yeah, yeah, our darling is the smartest in the world~”

Watching the two of them goof around, Seo Haeyoon felt his thoughts, which had been tangled and restless, settle down, replaced by a faint sense of nausea. With a grim expression, he fidgeted with his coffee cup, now filled with melted ice. It seemed like he would have to go home and think things over carefully.

“Ah, right!”

Just then, as Ahn Yewon was chatting animatedly with Park Hayeon, she suddenly raised her voice. Now what? Seo Haeyoon glanced at her warily as she stretched out her hand with a mock-pouting face.

“Tickets! Don’t you have any?”

“Tickets?”

“Your first performance!”

“Oh…”

After joining the orchestra, Yewon had boasted that she’d definitely come to watch Haeyoon’s first concert and encouraged him to practice hard. He had indeed tried to secure tickets, but this particular concert wasn’t one he could invite her to. Remembering that he hadn’t told her yet, Haeyoon awkwardly lowered his gaze.

“Hey, do you think I wouldn’t want to invite you? But it’s a VIP-only concert.”

“What?!”

“What? It’s a pretty big concert, and they’re doing that?”

“Yeah, apparently…”

Although Chae Beomjoon had said he’d try to get tickets, it wasn’t even certain he’d be able to attend himself, let alone secure another for Yewon. Swallowing his disappointment, Haeyoon nodded, and Yewon scrunched up her nose in a sullen pout.

“That’s disappointing. It’s your first concert since coming to Korea, so I really wanted to see it.”

“Me too! It’s been way too long since I last saw you perform.”

Seeing the two of them more disappointed than he was, Haeyoon felt a little better. He laughed as if he had forgotten the interrogation from earlier. Then, remembering his next performance, he checked his calendar and asked them both.

“Oh, what about Christmas then? Are you free? There will be complimentary tickets for that concert. They’re not great seats, but… If you want better seats, I can get them for you.”

“It’s fine. Just give me one of the complimentary ones. What date is it? Christmas Eve?”

“The concerts are on the 24th and 25th, but the complimentary tickets are for the 25th. Is that day okay?”

“Of course! Then let’s have a Christmas party together, just the three of us!”

…He didn’t particularly want to. Just imagining a drunk couple being all lovey-dovey in front of him was enough to make his stomach churn. Even as Haeyoon looked at them unenthusiastically, Park Hayeon giggled and enthusiastically started planning the Christmas party with Yewon. They say people in love start to resemble each other, and it seemed like Hayeon was becoming just as headstrong as Yewon.

Anyway… with things as they were, the only person who would come to Seo Haeyoon’s first concert in Korea was one individual.

Chae Beomjoon.

The mere thought of that name made his heart flutter. Seo Haeyoon covertly bit his lip, trying to hide the corners of his mouth curling up. His gaze, tinged with doubt, slowly shifted.

It was only now dawning on him—something felt off.

🔮🌙

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

The keypad chirped four times, and with a final press of the star key, the lock disengaged with a melodic chime. Seo Haeyoon stepped inside, his expression contemplative as he tilted his head.

A pleasant aroma wafted through the entryway. He had thought Beomjoon wouldn’t be home yet.

“Mister?”

He called out, but there was no reply. Quietly taking off his shoes, he peeked through the door leading further inside. At the edge of the kitchen, a shadow flickered.

So, he’d come home early. It seemed Beomjoon had decided not to notify him in advance, perhaps intending to surprise him.

Feeling playful, Haeyoon tiptoed quietly. He soon spotted Chae Beomjoon busy at the induction cooktop.

Beomjoon was wearing a casual t-shirt and cotton pants, with an apron tied snugly around his waist. The ribbon of the apron highlighted his toned figure, and his slightly damp bangs suggested he had recently showered. His unblemished, sun-kissed skin glowed faintly, and his expression radiated contentment.

“His behavior lately does seem suspicious…”

Recalling Yewon’s earlier words, Haeyoon wondered, Is this because of me? Driven by curiosity, he raised his heels and crept up behind Beomjoon, planning to startle him.

“Wahh!”

But before Haeyoon could act, Beomjoon spun around and yelled first, startling him instead. “Ack!” Haeyoon jumped, clutching his chest, only to be pulled into Beomjoon’s arms as he laughed heartily.

His heart was pounding. Truly flustered, Haeyoon weakly punched Beomjoon’s shoulder.

“You scared me!”

“Did I? Have you showered? You smell good.”

“I’m serious, you scared me!”

Sniffing the scent on his neck, Seo Haeyoon pushed the man away, hitting his chest a few more times. Chae Beomjoon accepted the playful punches with a laughing face, then lowered his head when Seo Haeyoon finally stopped huffing and puffing. Their noses gently brushed against each other.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

Their lips met next. Seo Haeyoon felt Chae Beomjoon lovingly nibble on his lower lip as he rolled his eyes upward.

Yes, he remembered now.

In the early days of their relationship as friends with benefits, random kisses like this had never occurred. Their kisses were either foreplay or afterplay, marking the beginning or end of their intimacy.

But lately, kisses had been happening at any time.

When they met, when they parted, or even when going out to eat or grab coffee. If they found a secluded spot, playful kisses ensued. Even in the movie theater Seo Haeyoon had mentioned to Ahn Yewon, they had silently stolen a kiss.

“Isn’t that a total cliché in romance novels? Like, ‘When you’re just friends with benefits, you don’t kiss!’”

“And then the moment you kiss, boom, you’re officially dating.”

Of course, they had never made a rule against kissing. It was simply an unspoken norm that had naturally developed due to their dynamic as friends with benefits in the beginning.

So why was kissing such a natural occurrence now? Could it be because Chae Beomjoon genuinely liked him? That seemed too simple an explanation, especially since there were other plausible reasons.

Chae Beomjoon was good at kissing, and Seo Haeyoon enjoyed those kisses. It wasn’t that he liked Chae Beomjoon—it was the kissing itself that he liked.

That alone could be a sufficient reason, couldn’t it? For someone like Chae Beomjoon, who always said his partner’s satisfaction was his top priority, it wasn’t surprising if he initiated kisses simply because Seo Haeyoon enjoyed them.

Logically speaking, that explanation made more sense. From what he’d heard, Chae Beomjoon had been living the life of a playboy for over 20 years. Thinking he would suddenly develop feelings for someone he’d been seeing for just two months felt incredibly far-fetched.

In any case, nothing could be certain from just this one behavior. Remembering Chae Beomjoon’s bold declarations, Seo Haeyoon decided not to jump to conclusions.

“When did you get off work?”

“About an hour ago. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I didn’t call.”

Pausing their kisses, Seo Haeyoon asked as Chae Beomjoon smiled and wiped his lips with a damp hand. Seo Haeyoon, with a mischievous look, bit the hand playfully before sprawling lazily on the living room sofa.

“Do you have lessons today?”

“Nope.”

Because of the short-term lessons he had started to prepare for his upcoming performance, Seo Haeyoon had barely been able to see Chae Beomjoon over the past week. Today, though, he had managed to carve out some time for personal practice to adjust his condition before the performance.

Perhaps feeling the absence of that week, Chae Beomjoon hovered around Seo Haeyoon the entire time the roast pork cooked in the oven.

He rolled up Seo Haeyoon’s pant legs to gently massage his calves, pressed his feet to relieve tension, and worked on loosening his stiff shoulders and arms. He was so skilled that every part of Seo Haeyoon’s body he touched melted into relaxation.

“Ah, this feels so good….”

Lying there, Seo Haeyoon thought again.

This is suspicious too.

Back in September, such affectionate touching would have inevitably led to sex. How could either of them resist when their bare skin brushed against each other?

But recently, light physical contact like this often didn’t escalate. Chae Beomjoon seemed more focused on relieving Seo Haeyoon’s fatigue rather than initiating intimacy, touching him tenderly and purposefully.