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TWKH Ch 23
by mimi“Sunbae.”
Since they lived in the same officetel and had the same destination, Jehyun decided to go to Yeouido with Baekyung. At the agreed time, the elevator stopped on the 14th floor as it descended to the first floor, and Baekyung got on. Finding his smiling face cute, Jehyun smiled back and pressed the close button.
“Aren’t your legs cold?”
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“No. Sunbae, aren’t you hot?”
“No, I’m just right.”
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In mid-April, Baekyung was wearing a beige sweatshirt and shorts that reached his knees. He wore sporty sneakers, and what stood out was that, unlike other guys, Baekyung’s legs were clean-shaven. As Jehyun’s gaze lingered on his legs, Baekyung glanced down and then smiled sheepishly.
“Oh, it’s a habit….”
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“A habit?”
“Yes. I used to swim until middle school. I was an aspiring athlete, and the national team coach said swimmers should get into the habit of shaving from a young age….”
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“Oh, you swam? No wonder your shoulders are broad.”
So that’s why you shaved. Jehyun looked at Baekyung’s legs curiously and then suddenly reached out to his arm.
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“Wow, your arm is clean too.”
“…Do people grow hair there?”
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“Huh?”
Seeing Baekyung’s clean hand, Jehyun laughed and spoke, and Baekyung asked curiously. Jehyun nodded as if it was obvious. Jehyun had something akin to alopecia, so he didn’t grow hair anywhere except his head and eyebrows, but his brother, Shin Jehwan, had hair like an ape. He always struggled with shaving his arms and legs.
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“Some guys seem less evolved. Like my brother.”
Explaining this, Ha Baekyung tilted his head, then reached out and grabbed Jehyun’s hand. Warmth enveloped his palm, and Baekyung, tilting his head, closely examined Jehyun’s smooth, hairless hand.
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His small breaths tickled the back of Jehyun’s hand. When Jehyun flinched his fingers, Baekyung smiled with his eyes and said,
“Sunbae doesn’t have any.”
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“Oh, I was adopted. And I don’t grow hair.”
“You don’t grow hair? Just on your arms? Or….”
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“Uh, well. Everywhere….”
Answering thoughtlessly, Jehyun suddenly fell silent. Baekyung’s blatant gaze lingered near his mouth and then moved downward. Seeing his gaze travel past his chest to somewhere it shouldn’t, Jehyun felt embarrassed and quickly reached out. Pushing Baekyung’s face away, he smiled awkwardly.
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“No, I’m quite hairy.”
It was a lie.
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But Baekyung, though his face was pushed away, didn’t back off. Instead, he tilted his head, raised his hand, and curiously touched the corner of Jehyun’s mouth.
“…Sunbae doesn’t even have a beard shadow?”
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It was a gentle touch. Baekyung’s fingertips smelled very nice. However, despite the pleasantness of the touch, the feeling of someone else fiddling around his lips was very unfamiliar.
If Seo Eunjae or other classmates had done that, Jehyun would have cursed and pushed them away. But since it was the angelic Baekyung, he couldn’t. Shin Jehyun hesitated, unable to do anything, and when the elevator reached the first floor, he quickly ducked out past Baekyung.
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“Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”
His face burned as he hurried through the officetel lobby. His heart pounded from the unexpected touch, even though it was nothing significant.
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What’s the big deal about guys touching each other’s beards? In the Marines, they had even scrubbed each other’s backs while naked. It was a necessity due to the grueling training.
It hadn’t bothered him then, so why now, when they were fully clothed? Jehyun bit his lip to calm himself as he walked.
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Fortunately, his racing heart settled quickly. By the time they reached the subway station, Jehyun had returned to his usual pale, expressionless face.
“Oh, Oppa! Ha Baekyung!”
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Since they had a set meeting time, it was inevitable that their paths would overlap with the juniors from Korea University. Jehyun joined the juniors he met at Korea University Station and boarded the subway to Yeouido.
“Let’s play truth or dare on the way.”
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“Sober? Did you guys already have a first round?”
Jehyun asked, looking incredulous at the juniors’ suggestion. The girls found his reaction hilarious, laughing loudly and bombarding him with questions without giving him a chance to escape.
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“Oppa, how many people have you gone to see cherry blossoms with?”
The question was unusual. Jehyun quickly realized that one of these cute chicks had a romantic interest in him. Feeling awkward, he smiled and answered.
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“Me? About thirty-seven?”
“Oh, come on!”
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“Not lying. Oh, now it’s one, two, three, four, five, forty-two.”
“What? Not in a group like this! Just with a girl!”
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“Would you believe me if I said none?”
“No.”
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“Then let’s move on.”
The juniors seemed to think Jehyun was being cheeky. But he wasn’t lying. Shin Jehyun had never gone to see cherry blossoms alone with a girl.
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Though popular among seniors and juniors, Jehyun subtly kept his distance. He was friendly and kind enough to make someone wonder if he was interested, but if they tried to confirm it by contacting him personally, he would politely decline.
This was because he was usually busy studying for midterms and playing games during this time. He could make time if he wanted, but he had never met anyone worth prioritizing over studying and gaming. Caplet had always been the top priority in Shin Jehyun’s personal life.
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“What about Ha Baekyung?”
“Probably more than ten.”
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“Twenty!”
“No, he might not have any. He seems to have high standards.”
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As Jehyun laughed it off, the next target was Ha Baekyung. How many girls had Baekyung gone to see cherry blossoms with one-on-one? Jehyun was curious too and looked at him. Baekyung frowned and confirmed Jiwon’s last comment.
“None.”
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“What, really?”
“Yeah. It’s not that I have high standards…. It’s exam season. I studied.”
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“Midterms? You managed both regular and college entrance exams?”
“I’m a special admission student.”
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“…….”
At Jiwon’s comment about being a regular exam fighter, Baekyung shook his head. A brief silence followed. Hyun Jiwon was the first to speak.
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“My mom told me not to associate with kids who ace both regular and college entrance exams.”
“Ha Baekyung is the real deal.”
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Ha Baekyung had scored a perfect on the college entrance exam. Seo Eunjae mentioned it during orientation, and Baekyung confirmed it, so it wasn’t a lie. But he got in through special admission, meaning he had studied both regular subjects and the college entrance exam in high school.
“Are you even human?”
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“How is that even possible?” Jehyun’s sudden question made Baekyung turn his gaze to meet his eyes. There was an indescribable emotion in Ha Baekyung’s bright eyes. Jehyun smiled and gently patted Ha Baekyung’s head.
“If you were my son, I’d hang a banner in the neighborhood.”
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“…My brother already did.”
“Wow, amazing!”
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Baekyung’s reluctant reply made his classmates burst into laughter. Jehyun also laughed along and rested his chin on Baekyung’s shoulder. Ha Baekyung stood still, unable to move at the natural skinship.
* * *
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When they arrived at the meeting place near the National Assembly, a few more people had joined the group. There were a few freshman boys and two of Jehyun’s classmates.
After exchanging greetings and starting to walk along the cherry blossom path, the group naturally split due to the large number of people. Shin Jehyun and Baekyung fell to the back.
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“Can there really be this many people?”
Yeouido was overflowing with people. It was expected, being the most famous cherry blossom spot in Seoul, but Jehyun hadn’t seen such a crowded place in the two years since his military service, and it was overwhelming.
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“Sunbae, be careful.”
Since Jehyun and Baekyung were the tallest, they took on the role of looking after the group from the back. Glancing at the classmates and seniors laughing and chatting ahead, Baekyung pulled the staggering Jehyun closer and held his hand.
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It felt quite small compared to his own. The soft palm was slightly sweaty. Jehyun was wearing a long sweatshirt and jogger pants, which seemed to make his body heat up. Baekyung fanned him with his hand and tilted his head slightly to ask.
“Really, you’ve never come with a girl?”
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“You don’t believe me either?”
Jehyun frowned and laughed at the question. Too embarrassed to admit he was a loser, he just asked back, and Baekyung cutely shook his head. “I believe you,” he answered, then firmly held Jehyun’s hand as he tried to slip away.
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“Don’t get lost. It’s dangerous with so many people.”
“If we get separated, we can call.”
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“Calls might not go through well.”
“Really…?”
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Jehyun frowned and tilted his head.
The small ear with a piercing tilted this way and that with the movement. Baekyung resisted the urge to touch his earlobe and glanced at the group again. They had called him over, but the classmates ahead showed no interest in them.
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Would they even notice if they disappeared? He wanted to slip away with Shin Jehyun right then. But even in the crowded place, Shin Jehyun’s profile, looking up at the cherry blossoms as if they were beautiful, was so pleasing that Baekyung suppressed his desire and walked alongside him.
“Baekyung.”
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As they walked through the crowd for a while, they came across an uneven sidewalk. Shin Jehyun naturally pulled Baekyung’s hand to guide him to a safer path, as if protecting someone much bigger than himself. Watching him, Baekyung felt a tickle in his stomach and his mouth went dry. Ha Baekyung really loved Shin Jehyun’s unbiased kindness.
“Sunbae.”
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Baekyung finally couldn’t hold back and pulled Shin Jehyun closer.
“There are too many people, it’s dizzying. Can we go somewhere else?”
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With a pitiful expression, he said that to him.
And Shin Jehyun didn’t hesitate. Raising his eyebrows, he nodded without even looking back at the juniors.
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“Sure, let’s hang out together.”
Ha Baekyung felt like he was going crazy with how much he liked Shin Jehyun.
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Walking aimlessly to avoid the crowds, the two found themselves by the Han River. Strolling under the sunny trees, Jehyun spoke up.
“I didn’t really feel like coming, to be honest.”
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“To Yeouido?”
“Yeah. I was putting off giving an answer, but when you said you’d come if I did, I just agreed.”
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“Because you wanted to see cherry blossoms with me?”
“…Is that how it turned out?”
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What he said thoughtlessly seemed to have that meaning after hearing Baekyung’s words. Not wanting to deny it, Jehyun muttered, “Let’s say that’s it,” and laughed. Baekyung, with a low chuckle, leaned closer to Jehyun.
“I wanted to see cherry blossoms with you too, Sunbae.”
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Baekyung rubbed his head on Jehyun’s crown like a big puppy snuggling in. Jehyun burst into laughter and looked up at him. Mischievous black eyes fixed on Baekyung as he asked playfully,
“Did you want to see the cherry blossoms, or did you want to see me?”
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Baekyung widened his eyes and then softened into a smile, answering,
“I wanted to see Sunbae enjoying the cherry blossoms.”
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“So, in the end, it’s me?”
“Is that how it turns out?”
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Baekyung echoed the question Jehyun had asked earlier. When Shin Jehyun laughed, he joined in, then threw the question back at Jehyun.
“What about you, Sunbae? Did you want to see the cherry blossoms or me?”
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“Me? I wonder.”
With a smile in his eyes, Jehyun shrugged. When Baekyung nudged his head to get an answer, Jehyun laughed again and then turned to make eye contact as he replied,
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“I just wanted to see you.”
“…….”
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Of course, it was a joke, but Jehyun’s voice was unusually sincere. “I just wanted to see you,” his voice echoed in Baekyung’s mind. Knowing it was a joke didn’t stop his heart from fluttering.
Hoping the sound of his racing heart didn’t reach Jehyun, Baekyung stepped away slightly. Still smiling, he cautiously broached the subject.
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“…It’s strange that you don’t have a partner, Sunbae.”
“There are many things more important than dating, Baekyung.”
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He was essentially saying he wasn’t interested in dating. While it was good news that Shin Jehyun wouldn’t be dating anyone else, it shouldn’t apply to himself.
What could be so important that he flirts so unconsciously yet has no intention of dating? Baekyung wondered and asked,
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“Like what?”
“Well…. What’s important varies from person to person.”
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“What about you, Sunbae? What’s more important to you?”
“Hmm.”
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At the persistent question, Jehyun tilted his head in thought. While he said there were many things more important than dating, the truth was he had never experienced a relationship, so he didn’t really know. Was it that he prioritized other things over someone because they were genuinely more important, or because he hadn’t met someone he truly loved?
However, it would be absurd to confess his inexperience to Baekyung, who was four years younger. Furthermore, the freshmen believed Jehyun was skilled in dating, so it would be embarrassing to reveal the truth. Jehyun just shrugged and replied.
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“Just employment…? Studying. That’s more important.”
In truth, studying and Caplet were at the top of his priority list. Studying for a job was something Jehyun had to do for his dream, and Caplet, well… it was just destiny.
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Baekyung had no idea that Jehyun was internally thinking like a crazed gamer, and he looked at Jehyun with a pleased expression.
“Sunbae, you don’t play much La Terre either, right? Do you usually study at home?”
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“…Yeah. I do.”
“Then would you like to study together at the library sometimes?”
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That was not an option. Shin Jehyun didn’t study at the library. His routine involved leaving Caplet running for matchmaking or leveling up an alt character while studying, so he never studied with others unless he had a break between classes.
“No. I can’t concentrate unless I’m alone.”
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“Oh….”
At Jehyun’s firm rejection, Baekyung nodded. His face was so crestfallen it felt like a puppy with its tail down. Seeing his expression made Jehyun feel uneasy.
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This won’t do. Shin Jehyun reached out and patted his head, saying,
“During exam weeks, I sometimes spend the night in an empty classroom. Before exams, I also visit the library between classes. I sometimes go to the private study rooms…. If you’re okay with that, we can go together then.”
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“Great, let’s study together next week, Sunbae.”
“Okay.”
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Only then did Baekyung’s face brighten. Seeing his bright smile, Jehyun thought he was really handsome and noticed they were walking out of Yeouido. He stopped and said,
“Where should we eat? Are you hungry?”
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“Actually, I made a reservation at a restaurant for us. I thought it might be crowded here. It’s nothing special, just to avoid the crowd. It’s still early, but if we walk slowly, the timing should be just right.”
“Really? Then let’s walk.”
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Surprised that Baekyung had made a reservation for a place that wasn’t even a date, Jehyun understood the situation with Baekyung’s explanation. Baekyung is very thorough in his preparations. He smiled and started walking in the direction Baekyung indicated. Even as they crossed the Han River, their conversation didn’t stop.
“But why did you quit swimming?”
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“Oh, I got injured in a car accident. Hurt my muscles a bit, and the rehabilitation and return time seemed too long, so I just gave up.”
“…Are you okay now? That must have been hard.”
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“It was, but… I’m okay now. Can you swim, Sunbae?”
It was a strange thing. Without alcohol, conversations with guys usually didn’t flow well, but with Ha Baekyung, they talked smoothly even sober.
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It wasn’t that anyone tried hard to make it that way. Both Jehyun and Baekyung were just very interested in each other, leading to endless questions and answers.
The difference between them was that Baekyung knew he was very interested in Shin Jehyun, while Shin Jehyun hadn’t realized it yet.
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When they arrived at the restaurant, Shin Jehyun was taken aback.
“…Are you sure you’re okay coming to a place like this with me?”
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“I like pasta.”
That wasn’t what he meant, but Baekyung’s straightforward answer left Jehyun speechless, nodding.
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“Oh, okay.”
Baekyung had reserved a rooftop Italian restaurant overlooking the Han River. It had a wide terrace with awnings, white tables, and chairs set up bistro-style, making it feel like they were abroad.
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Additionally, near the railing, translucent white curtains fluttered, and there was a vase on each table. It was an incredibly romantic place, and with clear weather, the pink flower path beyond the Han River was visible. It was a perfect date spot.
“This way, please.”
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Following the staff’s guidance, Jehyun sat at a terrace seat overlooking the Han River. It was a seat meant for the view, sitting shoulder to shoulder facing one direction.
“This is really nice.”
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It was an unfamiliar atmosphere, but the view was fantastic. Leaning back comfortably in his chair, Jehyun looked at the cherry blossom path in the distance, then suddenly turned to Baekyung and laughed.
“If we’d come here with the others, it would’ve been more comfortable. No need to see it from over there.”
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“They only allow reservations for two people here.”
“What? Really? Is the place too small?”
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“If groups come, it’ll disturb those on dates.”
As he looked around, Baekyung’s reply caught Jehyun’s ear. Huh? It seemed like a word that had nothing to do with them. When he turned his head, Baekyung was drinking water with a pleasant smile.
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Under the blue sky, his soft brown hair fluttered gently. The gaze sliding over Jehyun’s face was very serious. Shin Jehyun somehow felt that Ha Baekyung’s pretty autumn leaf-colored eyes were swaying like the wind, and he turned his head.
It was a beautiful place. The whole world was impressively imprinted on his memory as if he’d never forget the moment here.
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Seeing the fluttering tablecloth, Jehyun bit his lip gently. As the cloth swayed, so did Jehyun’s heart.
It was a gust.
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“Sunbae, do you want to watch a movie?”
“A movie?”
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“Yes. Something I wanted to see is out, so I reserved a seat at Yongsan IMAX just in case. If you don’t want to, we can just go home.”
While drinking coffee after their meal, Baekyung suddenly said this, reminding Jehyun of the ‘cheesy 80s course’ he had mocked Seo Eunjae for. He frowned and shook his head, denying it.
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That guy’s course is cheesy because he’s dating Jiwon. We’re just hanging out, so it’s fine. Besides, Yongsan IMAX was too big a lure to refuse.
“Of course, we can watch it. How could I say no when our Baekyung wants to see a movie?”
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Jehyun answered quickly, smiling at Baekyung, and asked,
“How did you reserve it? I always try when reservations open, but I can never get it. Ah. Once, I somehow got a front row seat, so I went, but the next day my neck hurt so much that I went to the clinic with Seo Eunjae to get acupuncture…. It’s not the front row, right?”
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“No, it’s the third row from the back.”
“That’s amazing.”
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The third row from the back. Jehyun’s favorite spot. Exclaiming in admiration, Jehyun took the phone Baekyung handed over and checked the movie title and seat. It was a popular musical romance film that had been getting a lot of buzz recently. It was something he was curious about, so it was perfect.
“I wanted to see this too. Then I’ll pay for the movie, Baekyung.”
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“No, it’s fine. I’ll pay since it’s a hassle. Instead, buy me a drink near home after the movie, Sunbae.”
Baekyung said with a bright smile. After being treated to a nice meal and a movie, refusing to buy him a drink would go against the code of honor. Jehyun nodded and raised his fingers.
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“I’ll pay for the second and third rounds too.”
“Sounds good.”
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Leaving the cafe with a smiling Baekyung, Jehyun hailed a taxi to Yongsan. After watching the movie there, it was late, so they took a taxi to the back gate of Korea University.
Having visited a chicken place and a dakhanmari restaurant before, Jehyun treated him to beef for the first round and then went to a quiet izakaya for the second round.
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Baekyung ate quite well, so they ordered skewers and sukiyaki as side dishes and leisurely emptied their bowls, talking for a long time. It was truly an enjoyable time.
* * *
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“Sunbae, do you have someone you like?”
Baekyung asked this question as they walked home in the early dawn, relying on the streetlights.
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Enjoying the feeling of their shoulders touching, Jehyun looked up at Baekyung with hazy eyes, feeling he couldn’t just laugh off the question.
Unlike during the day, Ha Baekyung’s face was a bit disheveled. There was a sweet soju smell from his slightly parted lips, and his cheeks were flushed.
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Meeting his gaze, Jehyun was about to say no, but he couldn’t get the words out. He felt like he might throw up and turned his head.
Jehyun looked at Baekyung’s hand, tightly clenched into a fist. Then, he glanced at his slow steps, matching his own pace. Finally, he raised his head to meet Baekyung’s tense expression.
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The gaze looking down at him was serious. Jehyun had received such looks from many people. But unlike their attention, which always felt burdensome and awkward, Baekyung’s attention was thrillingly exciting.
“…Yeah. I think I do.”
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Maybe it was the alcohol talking. But Jehyun couldn’t ignore the loud thump from his chest. He couldn’t turn away from the person his heart was reaching for.
“Ugh, are you dating someone?”
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Ha Jaekyung looked at Baekyung, who was smiling at his phone, and asked. His disgusted expression was unmistakably brotherly, and his younger brother, Baekyung, didn’t even respond. Clicking his tongue at his bratty sibling, Ha Jaekyung approached and sat across from Baekyung, asking again.
“Who is it? Are you really dating someone?”
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“Why do you need to know, Hyung?”
“I need to know who you’re bothering so I can go apologize, don’t I?”
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“…….”
At Ha Jaekyung’s clicking tongue, Baekyung looked up irritably and glared at him. Ignoring the glare, Ha Jaekyung pulled the bowl of oranges Baekyung had painstakingly peeled over to himself, eating them one by one as he continued.
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“When’s your school festival?”
“Early May.”
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“Then we’re going on an overnight trip that weekend. Got it?”
“Do we really have to do that?”
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“I’m doing it because you act like a kid. Ha Baekyung, who made me lose my authority? If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have had to give up the guild leader position.”
Even though he had no real attachment to the guild leader position, Ha Jaekyung always brought up losing his power when talking about the trip. He wasn’t the type to cling to power like a dictator, but he liked to bring up his loss of authority to annoy Baekyung.
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Baekyung couldn’t help but be irritated by Ha Jaekyung’s taunting. Glaring at him, Baekyung responded nonchalantly.
“I never said we should merge guilds. You did that.”
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“You wouldn’t have been able to hit the top guild ranking without the merge. Could you have done it without a guild leader?”
“…….”
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Hitting the mark, Baekyung sighed. Ha Jaekyung snickered as if he expected that.
“I’m helping you quit Caplet.”
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“That guild leader is the reason I can’t quit.”
“That was also Healer’s mistake….”
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The memory of losing the top guild rank in a guild war due to Healer’s mistake in late March made his frustration rise. Putting down his phone, Baekyung tapped his fingers on the table with a displeased look.
Ha Baekyung had wanted to quit Caplet for a long time. It started two years ago when he felt the game had no more room for development, despite it still being fun.
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The main reason was probably feeling disillusioned with the management of CAST. After that, Baekyung didn’t want to invest more time in Caplet.
However, rationality and emotion are separate. Despite wanting to quit, Caplet was still fun and exciting for Baekyung. So, he decided to hit the top guild ranking for four weeks, get his name in the Hall of Fame as ‘Funeral Director,’ and then quit.
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But while he could manage three weeks, maintaining the ranking for the fourth week was impossible because of the rival guild, ‘Neungdong Jizone PC Café.’
Just when he thought he’d outrun them, they’d catch up and surpass him. To Baekyung during his Funeral Director days, Neungdong guild was like a shadow—an ever-present rival that felt like they’d be together for life.
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There was a moment when Baekyung’s guild managed to keep the top ranking for three weeks and win in the last week. But just before the final ranking run, Baekyung heard that Healer had entered boot camp three weeks earlier.
Hearing that made the past three weeks of holding the top rank feel meaningless. Without Healer, Baekyung didn’t see Neungdong as a real rival, so beating them brought no sense of accomplishment.
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After that news, Baekyung lost interest in ranking for over a year. It coincided with becoming a senior in high school, adding more responsibilities, and wanting to beat Healer fair and square if he was going to quit.
He had a good excuse to pour his energy into something else. Even though he had already been accepted to Korea University through early admissions, Baekyung’s obsessive nature drove him to aim for a perfect score on the college entrance exam.
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The next few months flew by in a blur. As he finished the college entrance exam to his satisfaction, news of Healer’s return surfaced.
By then, Baekyung, who was about to turn an adult and go to university, was thinking about quitting Caplet cleanly and switching to La Terre.
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Determined to crush Healer, he re-entered the guild competition. Despite Healer taking breaks occasionally, his form hadn’t declined after over a year. In fact, as the Funeral Director guild’s members dwindled, the guild ranking battles became even more intense than before.
Would he end up playing Caplet with Healer until it was just the two of them left? As Baekyung pondered this absurd thought, news of Caplet’s server merge and Flex’s acquisition came.
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Ha Baekyung didn’t believe it at first. If he were a Flex shareholder, he wouldn’t support acquiring a game like Caplet unless someone held a gun to his head. But Flex must have seen something valuable in Capitol Studio because they did acquire CAST.
And Ha Jaekyung went wild at the news of the server merge, spouting nonsense.
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“Hey, should we merge our guild with Neungdong if the servers merge? It’d be great to have Healer.”
Jaekyung seemed to hold a grudge against his friend Kim Gyuryang, F1, who had mocked him as the village chief of a rural server. Wanting to repay that, he dreamed of being the top guild on the merged server and kept spouting such nonsense, so Baekyung told him to do as he pleased. He didn’t think Ha Jaekyung could bring Healer over.
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After all, Baekyung had tried to recruit Healer to Funeral Director since Caplet’s early days, but Healer never responded.
Moreover, the opponent was the Neungdong Jizone PC Café 500 Won Per Hour guild. Ha Jaekyung had always been obnoxious to them and constantly fought with their guild leader, so a merger seemed impossible.
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What Baekyung overlooked was that Ha Jaekyung knew how to use his good looks. Despite being empty-headed, Ha Jaekyung had a face that easily earned others’ trust.
He personally approached Boss with five pieces of cake and gathered the conditions Ha Baekyung had thrown out as empty promises to successfully merge the guilds.
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Ignoring my whispers but finding Ha Jaekyung’s words persuasive? While frustration rose, the excitement of finally being in the same Party as Healer was irresistible. Amidst these mixed emotions, Baekyung gradually integrated into the Countess guild.
Of course, the Party didn’t function smoothly from the start. Healer couldn’t fully utilize his abilities in the new guild Party, often cleaning up after incompetent dealers and tanks.
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Baekyung resented those who used such a skilled player as a mere cleanup crew but patiently pushed Healer to his limits, drawing out his potential.
As Healer adapted to Habaek’s playstyle, which maximized his strengths rather than just covering for Party members, he became the player Baekyung had always hoped for.
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These days, Habaek felt immense comfort when Partying with him. He could trust Healer completely, unleashing his skills without holding back, and his compulsion to monitor other Party members’ statuses decreased. He had found a reliable partner.
However, despite his dependable skills, Healer was a tiring and amusing person in many ways. A slight nudge would provoke a double or triple reaction, and he acted as if his life depended on the game.
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Ironically, Ha Baekyung didn’t realize he was also playing as if his life depended on it, treating Healer as a somewhat hopeless person.
Seeing someone else in Healer was very troubling for Baekyung. But now, Baekyung had completely dismissed the suspicion that Shin Jehyun and Healer might be the same person.
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Their voices were somewhat similar, but such coincidences were common. Many people were nicknamed after celebrities with unique voices, like Kim Seolju, just because they sounded similar.
Anyway, he would finally see Healer’s face at the offline meeting. How good-looking could a top gamer be? Baekyung frowned, imagining Healer’s face looking like a pro gamer.
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“Oh, right. I asked about that.”
Suddenly, Ha Jaekyung’s amused voice interrupted. Asked about what? Raising an eyebrow, Baekyung prompted him to continue.
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“You were curious about what your online lover looks like.”
A few weeks ago, suspecting Shin Jehyun might be Healer, Baekyung had asked Jaekyung to inquire with Boss if the opportunity arose. But it was too late. Baekyung looked at Ha Jaekyung, who brought the news belatedly, with disdain and stood up.
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“I don’t need it anymore.”
“What? Do you know how hard it was to find out?”
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“I’ll see at the offline meeting.”
“Then why did you ask?”
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Ha Jaekyung asked, running his hand through his hair in disbelief. Baekyung shrugged and turned to head to his room. Behind him, Jaekyung sighed and shouted.
“You brat. Noona said he’s really handsome!”
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Handsome? That couldn’t be true. She must have said that because she couldn’t tell the truth.
Baekyung scoffed and entered his room, thinking Boss had just said something flattering.
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Bzzz, the sound of his phone vibrating made Shin Jehyun turn his head. Stretching his stiff neck and yawning softly, he reached for the phone on his desk.
He was in the middle of studying for a core subject midterm. Checking the time, he realized he’d been sitting for six hours. Aware of how deeply focused he’d been, Jehyun moved his mouse before checking the messages. The monitor displayed a “server connection lost” message.
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When did I get disconnected? Frowning, Jehyun clicked the confirmation button and reconnected his character.
Baekyung [Sunbae, what is this]
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[photo]
19:11 The message he saw next was from Baekyung. Smiling unconsciously, Jehyun opened the photo Baekyung sent.
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It was a picture of crepes from a shop near the main gate of Korea University. There were four flavors: strawberry, choco-banana, peanut butter banana, and ham and cheese. Since Baekyung was taking an exam in the liberal arts building near the main gate, Jehyun had recommended a few good places, and it seemed he had picked up some food from one of them.
19:13 Me [Good choice haha]
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19:14 Me [Peanut butter is the best]
Baekyung [Then Sunbae can have that one]
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19:14 Baekyung [I’m in front of your place, dropping by for a bit :0] 19:15
Since spending the whole day together on Saturday, Jehyun and Baekyung had grown closer. Before, they were just seniors and juniors, but now… there was something indescribable between them.
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Jehyun couldn’t refuse Baekyung’s casual visits, so they’d spent several evenings together. He couldn’t turn down Baekyung, who brought crepes from his recommended shop, even if he wanted to. Truthfully, he didn’t want to.
19:16 Me [Shall I make coffee? Americano?]
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Baekyung [Anything Sunbae prefers]
[I can see the officetel now!] 19:17
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Jehyun turned off the monitor and left the room. He quickly washed his face in the bathroom, changed his clothes, and left the front door open before heading to the kitchen. As he was brewing coffee, he heard the door close. Moving the espresso cup aside, Jehyun looked towards the living room.
“Sunbae.”
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“Hello.”
Baekyung peeked around the corner with a smile. He seemed to have done well on his exam. Seeing him place the crepe box on the table, Jehyun couldn’t help but smile warmly.
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“You could’ve eaten alone, why bring one for me?”
“I wanted to eat with you, Sunbae.”
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Baekyung never teased. If it were Seo Eunjae, he would have said, “Your mouth is a nuisance, but I bought it out of my generosity, so enjoy.” But Baekyung spoke so sweetly that Jehyun couldn’t help but smile.
However, since that night, Jehyun had been more cautious about his words to Baekyung, unable to respond as playfully as before.
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“I’ll eat it all then.”
“Eat it all, Sunbae.”
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When he joked, Baekyung cutely smiled and pushed the box towards him. Though he was big, every smile and gesture felt cute and lovable. Smiling at his realization, Jehyun was careful not to touch Baekyung’s hand as he handed him the coffee cup and sat across from him.
If he hadn’t realized his feelings after Baekyung’s late-night question about whether he had someone he liked, he would have jokingly replied to Baekyung’s comment about wanting to eat together with “That’s why I told you about the good places.”
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Shin Jehyun’s playful pickup lines to Ha Baekyung had all been based on the assumption that no deeper feelings would develop between them.
No matter how unbiased he tried to be, Jehyun’s default thinking was heterosexual, knowing such comments to girls would lead to big misunderstandings.
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So, Shin Jehyun’s playful targets were usually guys. Those who could take such jokes without a second thought. These were typically people who didn’t have any particular feelings for men, so they responded similarly to Jehyun’s thoughtless remarks. Such conversations lightened the mood.
It was the same with Baekyung; their conversations flowed well. But realizing he didn’t see Ha Baekyung as just a junior anymore, Jehyun couldn’t make those jokes.
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He wasn’t sure if he was gay, interested in Baekyung because of that, or just liked Ha Baekyung. Regardless, Jehyun decided to be more careful with his words.
Just to avoid distancing himself from Baekyung, who trusted and followed him like a baby duck.
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“Did you do well on your exam?”
Jehyun asked as he brought scissors to cut the crepes in half. Placing them on Baekyung’s plate, Baekyung smiled and picked up a piece, answering.
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“Not bad.”
“People who say that usually get A+.”
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“If I get an A+, I’ll buy you something delicious, Sunbae.”
“What, is this filial piety? I should be the one buying.”
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Jehyun chuckled at Baekyung’s words. With a smile, he picked up the strawberry crepe, which he thought was the least appealing of the four flavors.
The tartness of the strawberry and the sweetness of the whipped cream mixed in his mouth. As Jehyun chewed, Baekyung, who had picked up the peanut butter banana crepe first, nodded and continued.
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“Then you can buy, Sunbae.”
“You’re quite shameless.”
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When Jehyun responded, Baekyung raised his eyebrows and then laughed as if caught. Suddenly, he reached out and placed his palm on Jehyun’s cheek, wiping the whipped cream from his lips with his fingers and whispering.
“I only do this with you, Sunbae.”
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“…….”
“I don’t do this with anyone else.”
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Baekyung said in a pleasant voice, then removed his hand and brought his thumb, smeared with pink whipped cream, to his lips. Sucking the cream like a kiss, Baekyung smiled and said it was delicious.
Meanwhile, Jehyun was frozen in place. Smiling, his body moved mechanically to transfer the next crepe to the plate, but his mind was in chaos.
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…I’m turned on.
Now he was sure of his feelings. Baekyung’s actions made Jehyun fully aware that he was sexually attracted to Ha Baekyung.
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This was a significant event in Jehyun’s life, akin to his introduction to Caplet. It was a major upheaval, like the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.
However, Shin Jehyun was a party leader and priest who knew how to stay composed and manage situations. Quickly calming his confusion, he rested his chin on his hand and spoke.
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“Sure, I’ll buy you anything you want.”
His serious black eyes focused on Baekyung.
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What does Ha Baekyung think of me? Jehyun wondered.
“I only do this with you, Sunbae. I like being with you, Sunbae. I want to keep seeing you, Sunbae. I want to buy you delicious things, Sunbae. I want to get closer to you, Sunbae. I like you, Sunbae.”
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These were all things Baekyung had said. What he had previously thought were just affectionate words from a kind junior now seemed different. He wondered if Baekyung saw him as a romantic interest, just as he saw Baekyung.
…No, he couldn’t fall into self-consciousness like Habaek. Jehyun smiled and regained his composure.
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Honestly, those could be empty words said to flatter someone. If he had a mentor he admired, he could say two or three of those things without meaning them.
There was a chance Baekyung was just being polite to maintain a good relationship. …Though it would be strange not to misunderstand, given how excessive it seemed.
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“Why aren’t you eating? Is it because it’s messy? Should I feed you?”
Seeing the crepe still on the plate, Baekyung tilted his head and asked. At his kind question, Jehyun frowned and smiled.
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Is this a business line too? He opened his mouth as if to say, “Go ahead.” Without hesitation, Baekyung picked up the peanut butter banana crepe from Jehyun’s plate.
“Ah.”
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Although he tried to cut it cleanly with scissors, some peanut butter and whipped cream remained on the outside of the crepe. Jehyun saw Baekyung standing up to find a fork to feed him and reached out his hand. He intended to just take it and eat it.
But at that moment, he felt an impulse to see if Baekyung’s words were just out of politeness. Shin Jehyun wasn’t one to hold back, so he gently grabbed Baekyung’s wrist and pulled him closer.
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“Just give it to me.”
Even a priest could draw enough aggro if they wanted to. But their methods weren’t as violent as those of a tank or dealer.
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Shin Jehyun’s red tongue licked the peanut butter and whipped cream off Baekyung’s fingers. With his eyes lowered, Jehyun then took a bite of the crepe Baekyung was holding and looked up at him.
“Delicious.”
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Baekyung looked a bit flustered. His cheeks and ears seemed to redden slightly, and he quickly turned his head towards the living room and spoke.
“Come to think of it, Sunbae, you need to study…. Since we’ve finished eating, I’ll go now.”
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Before Jehyun could respond, Baekyung grabbed his bag from the sofa. “See you tomorrow, Sunbae.” Bowing his head, Baekyung opened the door to Jehyun’s study and went in.
“…Baekyung?”
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Where are you going? Jehyun called out, trying to suppress his laughter. The study door opened again, and a flustered Baekyung emerged. Without making eye contact, he quickly bowed his head and fled to the front door.