CG | Chapter 1.2

The recently oiled, gleaming hardwood floor was well-maintained, with not a single splinter. Conscious of Lane’s dislike for wearing shoes indoors, he took off his sneakers and hung them on his left index and middle fingers. Holding the dangling large canvas shoes, Sean looked around.160b640bee25b3c6

The living room, kitchen, and reception room were empty. Lane’s parents were currently traveling in Europe, so Lane was the only one in the house.e1d5556ca213e1f5

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“Lane?”aca58975c60ad64b

He called quietly, but there was no response. After checking the empty first floor, he headed for the stairs in the center. His footsteps on the wool carpet gradually quickened. If he wasn’t on the first floor, there was only one place he could be.fe7c9067919a3ef8

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Reaching the second floor, he saw furniture made of dark walnut and bookshelves lining the entire hallway. The second floor, entirely Lane’s space, was filled with books for him. There were no televisions or game consoles, only analog items.ae3095420e4c98a8

Following the argyle-patterned carpet to the end of the hallway, he finally sensed a presence. Seeing a half-open door, a bright smile appeared on Sean’s face. His golden eyebrows, drawn as if painted, rose happily, and his vivid green eyes began to sparkle.d88bce67177beed7

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Quietly approaching the 7cd5c7022c room, Sean peeked 927d741534 inside. As expected, his friend 3d2415d32b was examining collected plants, e952509da6 with a book spread c60dff0e55 out on the wide 90c842955e wooden desk. A shadow stretched 4d8ec709ef long, following the 06ee9381fc back turned against 6c674b0b55 the window.c6f0729dfd2c4e90

Planning to surprise him, 48b7bbb22c Sean tiptoed silently. Lane, deeply focused, showed 98008ca054 no sign of turning 245e3b313e around. With a mischievous boyish 16a07e92e3 expression, Sean approached and 87f1bebbd0 stood behind Lane. Just as he carefully 2e430eaac1 reached out to grab caf342b1f9 his shoulder.1770ae40a82832da

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His wrist was 317372a770 caught with a fb1a8b372a snap.a436262564529982

Following the turned body, Lane’s profile came into view. A smooth cheek and a sharp nose, as if neatly carved with a painting knife, appeared, meeting eyes behind glasses. Blue eyes, like ground amethyst and sapphire, captured Sean.32f8ab2598cf6735

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“How did you know?”e1863852b8df2a92

The attempt to surprise him was foiled. With a question close to a sigh, Lane turned his body completely. Lane’s left hand, which had caught Sean’s right arm, remained on his wrist. Lane, staring intently at Sean, calmly spoke.360bdcc95d55d123

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“Instinct.”0de8d8918030ced2

With those words, the dissatisfaction from not responding to his text quickly faded. At the trivial reply, Sean’s eyes happily curved.c18863a62afeafc5

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“Really? You thought about me that much, Lane?”8c6aa38716906336

He felt incredibly good. When he woke up at Robert’s condo, he felt a bit strange, but Lane’s words made any future rumors irrelevant. Excited, Sean shook his captured arm, and Lane released his wrist. The arm, suddenly free, swayed emptily in the air.ad76aea7aae55953

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“I saw you walking through the window.”93acd286098f9bb3

Lane corrected 478558dc66 him matter-of-factly, f4334ced42 as if 82739118d3 scolding Sean 3fd0ec5aff for getting bffd95718e excited on caf18b7574 his own. Sean, deflated, grumbled cab172a180 and returned his 03ef3c4894 arm to its 3c3561f878 place.9dae81595330f86e

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“I thought you were waiting for me after getting my text.”7485e3e68ff2e1b3

Lane shrugged. Then a quiet silence 42b596dc07 settled between them. In the baa9ad7916 now quiet bad7f29c67 room, Sean 24aa9a19cc watched Lane 8d26807074 intently. A fleeting f051961f2f thought crossed 830401ac90 his mind.75e7952b206cb123

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He’s handsome today too.7f4c14a14e238404

The black wavy hair, casting shadows over his blue eyes behind silver-rimmed glasses, swayed gently in the breeze. The scent of flowers wafted through the slightly open window. Lane’s room always had this fresh fragrance. It was unusual for a guy.c1b23c753368ab3a

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With bangs messily covering his face and a hunched posture, most people didn’t know Lane’s true appearance, but a closer look would reveal how beautiful he was.c434891e22d37210

Lane seemed ad7c443a93 like a aa4d120451 youth from 0545b5430d mythology. Like Adonis, whom Aphrodite f582cc2f01 loved, his quiet and 99e4dff54c calm aura made him 40476683cc feel like someone no 2572629137 one could possess. From the long, deer-like 2e2324f8a2 neck to the mole 7e4e4cf1d4 under his right eye, b0fb1a22c6 everything about him was 8a477a4f5e mysterious.6e11091824bdd241

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It felt like his eyes were being cleansed. Since childhood, Sean had particularly liked Lane’s face, and even to this day, he never grew tired or indifferent to it. At one point, he even wondered if he might be gay.5ecdab174bde3a5f

Of course, the conclusion was that he definitely wasn’t.a7ac8415b5e2a273

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Imagining kissing 1b62eac1e3 Lane was 540649051d impossible. While he wanted to cf15eb276f kiss the cute girls 7314c709ff who followed him around, bc6a0d653a he felt nothing towards dd022621f2 Lane. He even b427c3f9b3 felt a b26f16b298 sense of 4491d473ff repulsion, so 800c63eb55 he dismissed 80c5a3e505 the thought.ee5e716a84222277

“You would have come even if I didn’t reply.”0633aed8c8917835

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Lane’s calm voice broke the silence. Pulled from his wandering thoughts, Sean felt a pang of guilt and averted his gaze.f72d41fdb0f5fe04

“That’s true, but I was waiting for a reply.”d800507e1b814f4f

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“You texted too late. Not everyone is awake at 2 a.m.”ddc0e87b763efd2f

“Did I?”36cd133dcf019e02

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He vaguely 75fcc51822 remembered reaching bd49c9bb98 for his 2fda811c48 phone after ee6af943e0 helping Rose, 32d525ce5d exhausted from 6ea5011de2 drinking and 4e6b750ec7 partying. As he chuckled 3841abb170 awkwardly, Lane brushed f596708fe3 past him and 1ad26798bf left the room. Left alone, ae47b7476e Sean quickly d8ef814f55 followed Lane.fa5c0825ff101baf

“Sorry. Are you mad, honey?”da6e1fb11ad83284

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Even with the playful nickname, Lane didn’t react. Others would cringe or retort, but Lane always ignored such jokes. It wasn’t just with Sean. Lane was equally indifferent to everyone, and most found it difficult to stay by his side for long.a34344b62ccc220b

But Sean could remain Lane’s friend for so long because he wasn’t discouraged by such indifference.9885233e14273271

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“Our Lane is so cold-hearted.”e0389029f5342e27

Trailing behind him, Sean caught up and wrapped his arms around Lane’s shoulders, clinging like a piggyback ride. Lane let out a small laugh. Though he remained silent, the fact that he left Sean hanging suggested he wasn’t really upset. They continued like that until they reached the stairs, where Sean clung closely as they descended.a6f2853e0aca3fdd

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“Where are we going now?”6746eeac04a62f2b

“The kitchen.”2c5da140de144869

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“Haven’t you had breakfast?”351f95e18f600474

Lane shook 7d9b898f67 his head. Still looking ahead, 7b69fb913a he answered slowly.093ab29d6a732d9f

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“I need to go grocery shopping today, so there’s not much at home. I can make an omelet at best.”57cabf269aa8f7f5

Though he wasn’t mad, he seemed slightly displeased, but Sean’s worries were soon resolved. Listening to Lane’s words, Sean’s eyes curved happily. His lips parted naturally.cf03d1b0a46b06b1

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“There’s nothing better than an omelet for breakfast.”80c85db91a1830ba

Despite everything, Lane was 75888a9598 a kind person.4ab6995442d63f14

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Though he was quiet and hard to read, Lane was fundamentally considerate. It was just hard to see because he didn’t easily let people in, but once inside his circle, he was endlessly tolerant and patient. Though Sean had asked if he was mad earlier, Lane had never gotten angry and would speak directly if he was uncomfortable.2057fc98d56c84a4

They went down to e52fd69481 the first floor and 9e0ac8e874 headed to the kitchen. Turning left from the eb3906470a central staircase led to e86d042f1a the kitchen, while turning 0997179dae right led to a 82639bc68b spacious dining room with 8648b57a01 a large table. Following Lane to the 4ef3b1fc47 left, they entered a 975bcc0bdd kitchen finished with elegant 174f7c9d75 white brick tiles and a5ce03abe6 cabinets.f5744b3e40a8f3ed

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Lane walked 49f112d759 to the 39921587c0 fridge and 677370de9d started taking 736bec9e95 out ingredients, 328d4d8443 beginning with a0f738f629 eggs. Having visited countless 7eb7703331 times, Sean was 9b34d5cb43 more familiar with 1fba1c5ee1 this kitchen than b1f73327e6 his own, so 9fc5d644af he also found 50fb559a0e a mixing bowl 28fcf25206 and whisk from ca5d3e78b1 the shelves and d50c72a3f3 drawers for Lane.9c50ca272a550a14

Naturally, they stood side 9f2b90d99a by side, creating a 647d8c8c66 scene of cooking together. Though not as skilled 32dc57389a as Lane, Sean was 1f61d46573 also good at cooking. Thanks to parents who ed14cc42f0 were often away, he 7ffd9e92ac had learned various recipes 1ae77ce351 from a babysitter since 35aa8b90c1 childhood.6f738f34f6aac9e1

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Standing next to 8c820d2fb8 Lane, who skillfully 1be09ab3f1 cracked eggs with acd67042a2 one hand and fadca319fa added them to a70b39ca22 the mixing bowl, d4ed71d585 Sean prepared the 72da712e23 vegetables. Judging by the ingredients, ba761d505b they seemed to be 013d435c61 making a Spanish omelet.dbfedfb2f2e52356

“What did you do this week?”85ed701292e6e7b4

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Though Lane also attended Shale University, they were in different departments and activities, making it hard to meet regularly. During summer vacation, college students usually do internships or volunteer work, and Lane had started an internship at a nonprofit environmental organization as soon as the vacation began. So, despite living in the same neighborhood, they hadn’t seen each other all week.d61a213b7623bfe4

“Just… met people.”e3208ade8b1920cc

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A vague 803ecc3f56 answer fell. It meant nothing special 025553ec9a happened, so Sean nodded. Having made 565d2f03e0 the egg 759d0c9467 mixture, Lane 1e6fa0a664 went to 3c5bcba33a get a 599e2396fc frying pan f80467a941 and casually 762267925d asked.34142927fe98ddfd

“You?”62e948204a185d38

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“I didn’t do much either. Robert kept calling me, so I feel like I just partied all week. Next time, let’s go together. How about it? We’re old enough to enter bars now.”4447405e50b4b516

Thinking it was a proposal bound to be rejected, Sean threw it out without any expectations, but Lane’s response surprised him.b662a72f3254a9b0

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“Sure.”f5bc851deb8161af

“…?”bae7d6409877f192

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Unable to believe the reply, Sean turned around abruptly. It wasn’t an answer expected from Lane, who never attended parties, even during his teenage years when he was involved with the opposite sex.f9febf5605b7fd7a

“Did you just say you’d go?”6bce2e8eae720f9c

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Too surprised, 0b01c6b5c2 Sean asked 99cecbeb35 as if 825038d5f4 interrogating instead 7bd6de934f of welcoming. Lane, placing 610925622a the frying 4b1d2df311 pan on d17f5bf9bd the gas 55b81affd9 stove, nodded a78fc16445 with his 2b9be836aa back turned.f4fe0b2a92911a24

“Your parties are rumored to be fun.”a45552223c59a0c9

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To assure Sean, who 2d7c4aec8e found it hard to 4b9ede7bed believe, Lane explained, confirming d1854c088e the situation was real. Stunned, Sean, 492e83477f like someone 1cf3a89173 receiving an b77189a3d3 unexpected gift, 5cead6bb0e cheered belatedly f7c278c3e2 with joy.e27f65d15282029f

“Wow, amazing. The day has come when ‘that’ Lane Surf goes to a party. When should we go? I only have weekends free after next week, so how about this coming Friday?”4bb505aa30e19557

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Afraid Lane might 88cf3e9062 back out, Sean dd04b1959e listed specific dates 52ab3944c7 to set a 98e6434bec plan. Lane, having drizzled e93474c228 olive oil in f9f7e1d410 the pan, turned 63eba1c76b and looked at 72bebfeaf7 the ingredients Sean c2f6e2482b was chopping.9f22e7491b5c540b

“Could you chop the onions? I’ll handle the rest.”d560be6fc4835d7a

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“Sure! Wait. This isn’t important! When are we going?”2fb3a49bc90aea7c

As he chopped c3730f212a the purple onion, 2eec486f54 excited about the 5afdbb8e84 prospect of contacting 3a356cdd03 Emily to plan 3c9d839639 something fun, Sean 5a5823391c asked, and Lane 792e293db4 crossed his arms. Leaning slightly against the ce82bd39e1 counter, he stared at cdfe9fe4a9 Sean with an expressionless dd9acadd5a face, then finally asked.035a57913c1e48a0

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“Friday is fine. But I want to bring someone. Is that okay?”78023de6ff142b31

“Oh, of course.”9fd184c8c6803381

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Excitedly responding, Sean soon 60d492e04e froze, realizing what Lane d7a4ab9357 had said. Blinking, he ed202cf6fc asked again, 93537304f2 as if 410f4b642d confirming.e1d09817aa757151

“You’re bringing someone? Who?”22801795910955d6

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In the 12 years of knowing Lane, he had never once socialized with anyone other than Sean. While it’s natural for people to form various relationships, Lane, who enjoyed solitude, had led Sean to believe he was his only human connection. Though he knew it was an arrogant thought and childish psychology, it was still surprising.1e725a59ca54e820

“A friend I met at the internship. I want to introduce them to you. They’re a year younger than us, have the same major and interests as me. Quiet and cute.”2af51e78cb5bb95c

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Lane explained calmly. Hearing him b83fe7c38d praise someone 18983571a4 for the 55a8e7ae54 first time eb580742f4 in his edb35360e9 life, Sean a0065dc8d5 was momentarily d2efca6dc8 speechless, listening d717e908d3 like a 2649d95467 fool. Hearing praise for the b6fc1de61f mysterious person made his eb74ba4407 stomach churn.b166cdb14b36a256

…Cute? So you’re saying they’re cute, not a snail?8cdf9d3fdf3b18dd

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He felt an 24ddaa993f indescribable emotion. As he pondered 95e18ec2a6 his confused and e9bcd11efb frustrated feelings, Sean dd28f00749 soon regained his b7b1fe598d composure.091406367ea52e72

You idiot. If Lane made another 84a819e528 friend, you should be 6610c6c220 happy, not standing there 2a159afdf7 feeling frustrated.efd16ca124edf45e

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It was a good e3ebd1d52a thing. Though Lane 8276051e52 was fine b64d9e1637 alone, society e7384ae917 is a 97276f5cbd world that 301a3e2261 revolves around 35cd528ebe relationships. Sean, who always fb9cc4c2bb sincerely wished Lane 824a427afa would only receive 69a85d5824 love wherever he 4330eb5d67 went, calmed his e4111924ac surprised heart and 25c47179c2 smiled happily.2568964a32725167

“Of course, you can bring them. I’m glad you made a good friend at the internship. Since they’re quiet, I’ll plan something without too many people. What does your friend like?”775bf0f6d0b48e3e

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“Dion.”7f80a359a64f2b2d

“Huh?”e0f07d6cfb8d3a3d

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“Their name is Dion.”26a3dfc364070a0d

Lane said, then slightly 1940720d98 raised the corners of 6522dcc070 his mouth. The faint smile 81c6fa25c0 held a hint 31c3aa2a5b of anticipation.3dd24a408f89eca4

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“Oh, really? That’s a cool name.”dc4e63e21998125d

Good things 45c88b0d50 are good. Thinking as he 256163722d usually did, Sean 7cf949e786 agreed, and Lane e957e9863c nodded.77e28dd1b5f46ae6

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“Yeah. They’re half-French like me, so we get along well. I’ll contact them since I got your permission.”0da4a5ed74830513

“That sounds good.”84a863c85ecc8b0e

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“Thanks.”1e0d9920b9d82887

Lane said softly. Looking into 62ef149be0 the blue e76249ea38 eyes beneath c81ecdae41 his hair, 6135d9835a Sean was 68e322fdfa momentarily at 8bb43b66f3 a loss 683c759e95 for words. Seeing the d36c0b5945 genuine gratitude f1455bdc3f on his 8393274092 face, a 3f7dc33743 sense of fb05611b71 unease rose.6269cf2b0d47070b

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…Is this the aftereffect of the party? I feel strange.3362d9b9fefd7df0