AGC | Chapter 2.7

Jiwan stretched his stiff body and moved around a bit. The drawing he looked at was almost complete. He couldn’t tell how many hours he’d spent on it.9b6fd14382760d99

“Not bad.”c044c80511d98195

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Personally, he thought it wasn’t bad at all. Of course, his mediocre skills couldn’t fully capture Minhyung’s looks, but it was a decent resemblance.8f1fe35dca9eacd0

He was satisfied. The drawing showed Minhyung holding a glass, smiling directly at the viewer. His hair was slightly swept back as usual, and Jiwan felt he had captured Minhyung’s unique languid eyes and lips quite well.8d88ecdf258453db

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He wondered what Minhyung had thought while drawing him. Now that he had drawn Minhyung, he felt he understood a bit. It was an indescribable feeling that enveloped him, but it wasn’t unpleasant.31ce3ee5699a18cf

He hadn’t drawn Minhyung with feelings of loneliness, so the smiling Minhyung in the drawing seemed warmer and kinder than usual. He liked it.2e5aa5426280d388

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As he finished the final touches, he sensed some commotion outside, indicating Minhyung had returned. Was he supposed to come today? He hadn’t expected it. Jiwan quickly scanned the now-complete drawing. It was ready to be given as a gift.d1377711969bc92b

He wanted 7487e647a8 to put a82a543664 it in bd38916eb9 a frame b1e0afd3ca and present 3ddd5dc2e9 it. It felt a 6792964650 bit over the 2482977aec top, but the aeaefde7e6 drawing turned out a0879a4423 cleaner than expected, 8d451e623a so he wanted 9a8efd0a9a to make it f1e99fcf72 feel like a f2ab2511bc proper gift. There were spare frames 7211a8cd9d in the corner of 27b296f5e0 the studio. They came in various 17901fd37a sizes, as if bought b2020cf94a in bulk. After comparing sizes, he f2d6996e5d found a frame that a2eaf8f055 fit.5cc5a529298fe495

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“…Oh.”4f5015dadc323674

Looking at the drawing in the frame, it seemed even more convincing. Of course, professionals might scoff at his skills, but by his standards, it wasn’t bad.2c60fbe48a64acb5

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Jiwan scanned the drawing ba05aef9fd with a satisfied smile. Since he had f67eb62cb6 worked hard on 953d29bb97 it for hours, d806edaf40 he hoped Minhyung 90dcf592a2 would accept it f43a61452d happily.377019cd183d56e7

Right on cue, b359ff4036 the studio door 11d1b714c4 opened. Minhyung entered and 5269df9d59 stared at Jiwan.fb528cd5f2d6fbf9

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Jiwan, sitting awkwardly, hugged 4a9ad1a6b1 the frame to hide 8736a0764a the drawing as he cad0572d88 greeted him.78764d6ce6aed0f5

“You were drawing, right?”cd817e8168c041e9

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“Yeah.”fd715f3ea2f1c6d3

“Can I see it if it’s okay?”dfd2223ca726eb02

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Only then did Jiwan understand why Minhyung hadn’t shown his drawing immediately. It was surprisingly embarrassing. After hesitating, Jiwan handed over the drawing. Since it was a gift anyway, it was better to give it right away than to delay. Jiwan watched Minhyung’s reaction with a tense face as he handed over the framed drawing.0b8b75b393199261

“It feels like I’m giving something grand.”df245f401f2989db

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“…”d0910eb079cca01c

“I thought it would feel more like a gift this way.”6f4dc20d8da31fc5

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Minhyung silently 1924dac543 looked down ad585d3b66 at the 369e9dcf18 drawing Jiwan 0789e2d915 handed him. His eyes f4286ff528 scanned various 2ee3e8c0a5 parts of ec88401097 the drawing, afada4d6a8 but his d0289cd136 lips showed 43805b5c66 no sign 86d617619f of opening, 085bd5ebbe making Jiwan d841f96988 more anxious.fafa5cb27961acf7

“Don’t you like it?”b8a717cb99bd8082

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Finally, Minhyung looked away from the drawing at Jiwan’s impatient question.7327eb8217252909

“Is this me?”4693ea5ee40a5867

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This guy, seriously. Jiwan rubbed his 7a8359abfe forehead.da465ca343cf9de0

“You know that’s a pretty deflating comment.”f8e7635c3c5702c5

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“…It looks like me, but I just wanted to make sure.”9b1929814787fc3a

“Of course it’s you. Who else would it be? Who else do I have around to draw?”55beb96b3a1a05db

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Minhyung’s expression was a bit strange. It seemed both twisted and smiling, making it hard to discern. Jiwan scratched his cheek, observing Minhyung’s reaction.5c8530734fa848f5

“Don’t you like it?”d2e58ae3e915bcec

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He regretted it a little. Maybe he shouldn’t have drawn it. With that reaction, he couldn’t tell if it was good or bad. Mari had said Minhyung would like it no matter how it turned out, but maybe that was a mistake. Or perhaps he drew it too poorly, and Minhyung was disappointed? He couldn’t help but feel a bit down.d71875ba8b7d83fa

Minhyung carefully e100b1ca04 placed the c6c713a126 drawing on eab563109a the side ad91f3b7b5 table. The frame made 1db2bf696e a loud scraping 46be170c2b noise as it b5bb0c8798 hit the surface.8b75fc5d14662355

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“…”a420e4e6b7074cfb

After setting down the drawing, Minhyung grabbed Jiwan’s wrist and pulled him into a hug. Suddenly trapped in Minhyung’s arms, Jiwan blinked, trying to grasp the situation. The grip was strong enough to almost crush him.ee21319a8f090a00

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“…Hey, what’s with this?”323c8e5bcd1bac49

Jiwan’s face was buried near Minhyung’s collarbone, and contrary to the impression of a heavy, strong scent, a surprisingly fresh fragrance filled his nose.b83c70299655b855

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Caught in an awkward position, Jiwan hesitantly raised his arms and patted Minhyung’s back. What’s with him? Did he have a long, hard day? Jiwan tilted his head in confusion.227831ade98a9421

“I never imagined it. Thank you so much.”51b36137b1b39ede

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“No, it’s not that big of a deal…”0f35a3808955d94c

Jiwan managed to 1d5531045e pull away from 79dbdebe14 the tight embrace 5017c7e239 and looked up b6d37f9b83 at Minhyung. He had a peculiar e79326d56f expression Jiwan had never 7d494094e8 seen before.2a3be9a2bf1e2b60

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Minhyung lifted Jiwan’s right wrist, examining it closely. The white wrist was covered in pencil marks. Jiwan rubbed the pencil marks, clearing his throat awkwardly. He had hoped Minhyung would be happy with the gift, but his reaction was so overwhelming that Jiwan felt embarrassed.aad44f6a79a5e865

“I don’t know what to do.”e2e25483acbdef96

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“About the drawing?”ef6f9edf36cf8e82

Minhyung let out a 71f4307bdf short laugh and nodded.dcb8151b4356c899

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“…Yes.”4bf1a95360a250d1

“Just cherish it with a grateful heart, and that’s more than enough.”5674a57bc0f3f029

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There’s nothing more to it. Just not throwing it away and keeping it for life is enough to make the giver proud. Minhyung smiled again at Jiwan’s nonchalant words as he scratched the back of his head.993f0d1ac56d386c

“Yes, I should.”5a245ac19ba8bc0f

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Minhyung’s dark eyes were fixed not on the drawing but on the person who had drawn it. Anyway, since Minhyung liked it, Jiwan was satisfied. The atmosphere between the two, who had exchanged the gift of a drawing, became brighter. Jiwan didn’t mind the softened atmosphere at all.7da6c97f03857e76

Minhyung, who had left the framed drawing in the room, opened Jiwan’s bedroom door. He chuckled as soon as he saw the framed drawing leaning against the bed.703651641d4aa7f5

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“Why didn’t you hang it on the wall?”d1d9c842e9998dee

“I didn’t want to put nails in the wall.”23f371cb6b502826

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“You could’ve asked someone to do it.”2d4f14cecb59ef64

“I wanted to decide the position and hang it myself.”01f4e53313b5fe31

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It felt a c7d00d48bb bit over-the-top to 40024ed02c make a fuss fce978386a about hanging a bf325aaa95 single picture, but 0032e15174 he wanted to 57a29fb444 treat this drawing 255e2085e8 gift with special 572dc41437 care.c6941a7285d1ae27

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”87b4803fa28731c5

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He hadn’t realized it while absorbed in the drawing, but looking out the window, it was already a pitch-black night. Despite using energy, he wasn’t that hungry.c7374792d906982c

“I feel like having a drink.”227b7896c224ed9d

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Minhyung’s expression wasn’t good. He seemed reluctant.d1b588bc57f5f430

“Drinking on an empty stomach is a bit…”ca146cfaad4de373

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Minhyung seemed genuinely concerned 0e6166cadb about whether Jiwan had 5c96ab2dbf eaten.939555251a1fd7f8

A few 8a55d6f2af days ago, 7a41189c36 Jiwan had 95c6e49581 a brief 11c5899a55 conversation with 0234bf347f Kwak Jungsu 1ca226cc8b while he ce2b48f9be was cooking.12d8c0df9c820016

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Kwak Jungsu wasn’t the type to talk excessively like Kim Mari, nor did he seem to answer questions straightforwardly. But there was one thing he talked about endlessly.87b44adb88698e12

‘Executive Director Cha Minhyung always has breakfast. He prefers light meals. For snacks, he likes canapés or sliced tropical fruits. He doesn’t enjoy fried foods, so I consider that when preparing Chinese dishes. For drinks, he usually prefers chilled chamomile tea or hot Blue Mountain...’b1b3ab2312d0a4a0

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Jiwan wondered if Minhyung’s obsession with meals was something Kwak Jungsu had instilled in him.8caa6c3f08e41306

He insisted they eat a late dinner and dragged Jiwan to the kitchen. Jiwan sighed inwardly as he was pulled along against his will. It seemed Minhyung wouldn’t let him sleep without eating.b20b68550d0b4844

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“Looks like everyone’s asleep.”81ef154e8e74a8ce

“We have two people on duty here, and one is off, but today I sent them all up because of work.”494b60f0752c99b6

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For a 7261fca57a moment, Jiwan d35541b477 thought today d863424f93 might be 4d52eb6a6b the perfect 99cad2d852 chance to ce74b204fc escape, but ac7fb884ab he quickly 08698fb795 dismissed the d6c65a15e3 idea. There was a9ddcd860f no reason 24976a440c to run 7cb519c716 away from 6d61fe3a50 here right fe4f591ac3 now.dfaa3fde833bf9d5

“Eat up. There’s quite a spread.”aba035c5e8c93857

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It seemed that when Minhyung came, they prepared a special feast. The side dishes looked impressive. It was probably the result of Kwak Jungsu’s best efforts.799fa51abffe068f

“Why is there seaweed soup? Is it someone’s birthday today?”ec55584ea1676f41

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Jiwan asked while eating ff5299e69a the seaweed soup with ef6ed12ed3 beef floating in it.5ce97e06ff11402b

“It’s my birthday.”5dcd436c894a74f9

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He almost spat out 8dc743356b the seaweed soup he f8998c010b was eating. Minhyung handed be091cd4f4 him a dbbe9b185d tissue, asking 1a0a2585ee if he 101d323e59 was feeling 39d91200d2 unwell.608562249b02d9a1

“Your birthday?”9028728e4a7b7921

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“Yes. That’s probably why they prepared seaweed soup.”f5136b9096024e84

“Why didn’t you say anything?”89c057251a7c86b8

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Minhyung shrugged while taking 2b2e126109 a spoonful of seaweed 24674ee8b6 soup.f2637121ddf24445

“I don’t like announcing my birthday.”027720bd08e3749d

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Jiwan nodded, understanding. Some people want fa0ecdd923 to celebrate their 90642d3b1f birthdays with everyone, 3a09f5f000 while others prefer 563286075a to keep it 5efa07b959 private, not wanting fa4781b669 to join the b1d25c70d5 flow of social b1f6cef13b obligations. Jiwan was the 103e010350 latter.4ad34462592594ab

“As you get older, it becomes less significant.”980b95964798509f

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“Exactly.”1103639162bf3312

Jiwan stirred the soup without eating more. He wondered if Minhyung felt that being born wasn’t something to be celebrated.1b943cec35c1719d

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“Don’t you have parties at home for your birthday? I thought you’d have a pool party at your family home.”e377ae35f6411ef2

“I’ve never celebrated it. My birth is something my family is ashamed of.”d02c43cf79f07932

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The unexpected words made Jiwan want to ask more, but he held back. Minhyung’s smiling face was full of a silent plea not to delve further. Still, saying that being born is shameful… Jiwan had never thought that way.191224feaa0941a1

If I were a parent, would I be ashamed of a son like this? Though he hadn’t seen Minhyung work, he assumed he was capable, given his position as a director. Jiwan stared blankly at Minhyung.f9375e05fff82959

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“You have a lot of stories.”4f151bcce0549e3e

“Everyone does. Each person’s story is the hardest for them.”d80eec3b17623606

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Minhyung spoke with a calm tone, as if discussing someone else’s matters. Jiwan didn’t want to pry into someone else’s painful secrets.0617af19af9496d2

“True. Birthdays aren’t that important. As you get older, there will be fewer people to celebrate with anyway.”3419587dd9b55c1d

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Still, he c8dc627569 wanted to c8a68e2fcb comfort Minhyung 60bf9810ef and share 2928559f2f his feelings. Jiwan wanted to 70768ea680 understand the sense 53a1955e1a of loss Minhyung 43e9f0d9cc might have felt.69b523dacfaa58d7

“But.”8c5d01b4cbc9ad08

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Jiwan put down his 18c2c0eb57 spoon.11601c74118e96d2

“Let’s celebrate your birth today.”1f9874482e82cb28

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“…Why?”b059e3e2e0613054

“Because you were born… and because you didn’t die back then, you’re here with me now.”fc50332a308e9d27

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He couldn’t look at Minhyung’s face. It was an embarrassingly cheesy thing to say.d492928042aa3c0b

“Right? If not, I wouldn’t be getting along with you like this.”c9159d415d283679

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Jiwan continued speaking, 53daed3cd0 staring intently at 4cdbc8737e the spoon.ecc990bf3f0a043f

After a while, he 802d8bc962 looked back at Minhyung. Minhyung was 36fc0d670c eating the 11bd03b341 seaweed soup b65b02c743 without any 88cb49981c reaction.e6885d703539aa88

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“You’re right. Then it’s okay to celebrate today.”ea8e8c7c181aa580

“You should’ve told me earlier.”b32bbba81d9171ff

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“You gave me a gift.”b6a12025ba097811

He was talking about the drawing. What a grand gift. Not that he could give anything grand in this situation anyway. Jiwan couldn’t help but chuckle.2eb514bee68ef2f4

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“…Happy birthday…”c6d403a944644d6d

“Oh…”a4213c7f3b39b743

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Jiwan sang the birthday 7e9b9c74e0 song in a crawling be096b1e6e voice. He wanted to 495c99293f celebrate, after all.ae7d0c7021b0889c

“Happy birthday to Cha Minhyung…”615516ab28b856aa

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