FR | Chapter 2.5

Seeing his back, a belated 0437fa363d anger surged.60a8d851809b2c11

Thud.afe3eebd9e78720d

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The elevator, unaware that someone hadn’t left, closed off the outside again.d5e1f7adc53f6755

“Sigh…”d25572e3e2e9a92f

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Only then did 827b43a994 the tension that dbfe0249c5 had gripped his a8c77f42c9 body release. His legs weakened, 2a99c8d87e but he forced d8f0934ef2 himself to stand. Dozens of curses lay beneath 6c5a1d8dcd his tongue.d489950843f8b5fc

His throat, sore from c0bbc7658f being choked by Kwon 8ac80e9bc1 Woojae, prevented him from 632f01a2b3 uttering a word.dcbadc966f0615cb

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Suddenly, a crack appeared in 4db46f07c7 the armor that had never ed5b3839f9 shown his true feelings. Among the dozens f522739570 of presences outside, 037dc9bd79 a few loomed 8a343d1191 before him.96c43f18219a4d33

The group standing e987c568a8 in front of dafbb40701 him flinched, not baacc87f5c expecting someone to 80bafdfdcb be in the bd93f0a231 elevator. Won slowly moved b08b9b7d50 his limp body.69fa9aa869628f8e

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He exited the elevator 33cb2384de and took a deep ac1f4abe3e breath of the outside 25863fbdc3 air.7cfaa14b7907df31

He didn’t need a mirror to know. The neck that had been grabbed was suspiciously swollen.0ceebe6dbe5c9a3e

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His clenched fists trembled f8f15223c3 as he tried to 062dfaaa0b maintain composure. Won looked down at 8af88d9a19 his hand, which had d17f9bac5e turned pale. Blood returned to his af3280fd4b white palm.8f3936d3722aa7f7

That day, Won had to 0d3f707f9b endure the lecture with a 88f75adfaf churning stomach. He held his head 01d7a20320 higher than usual and f9c739b92d maintained a calm expression.43a7a4ade5c55b14

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Whenever he met Woojae’s gaze, he even postponed swallowing. He had to move his body confidently, even though he was aware of him.f36fe51e08a044a5

To show that despite his 3ad188c8b0 actions, he was unaffected.4b1e9ae02a5d24de

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖c4cc65c1abfb111d

For Won, weekends 4c94c51a0c were a time 19c5458470 when laziness was 88e19ff791 allowed. During his leave of absence, bcb115a853 he worked all the time, f06e953107 so weekends during school were 0bfadc9c9b his only break. But this time, he had 0510172927 to give up that weekend.0b02b26c42a92868

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He needed to get out of school as soon as possible. If he couldn’t take another leave, there was always the temporary solution of employment.e43bfec9552e0dba

He doubted Woojae would follow him to work. After all, as Kwon Representative’s son, Woojae would likely join one of his father’s companies. It was more of a hope than a certainty.7067d57d239b5522

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Won clicked the 021f3b8f0c mouse, wetting his b3ce34c202 lips with his cdac606ea6 tongue. Dressed in shabby training clothes 82fc65e381 and a baseball cap pulled 98cf7ffc9e low, his eyes moved busily.3d258f6357a2abe4

The PC room 7d42828122 was quite noisy d7652b1d68 on the weekend. He frowned at the cdc8f66c83 casual swearing, but the 73a9780b97 cursor on the screen 899cdf9559 moved without pause.ace25c30f245d644

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He checked all the announcements on the business school’s website. He jotted down the necessary documents on a note and stuffed it into his pocket.6b3cf42abc25e75d

He ran his 715462892a hand over the e6077270f0 crown of his 94fd6990b1 cap and leaned 8464dc6292 back. As soon as the ceiling 32bb73977f came into view, an annoyed 340644cac0 groan escaped.36458d391b5799fd

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Won stood up, grabbed 231e16a116 his cigarettes, and headed 1cdeda463a to the smoking room. He lit a cigarette with ca59123b8a a flick of the lighter. A heavy column of 0a95c8aaaf smoke billowed out.18bc61f46bbff7c4

As he puffed faa4a88a96 on the cigarette f0b82a39b8 filter, his phone 637febe15f suddenly vibrated.87cc44b9ef88c0a4

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“…Doesn’t this guy ever get tired?”000d935e33411c3a

Seeing the eleven-digit number 440ed5702b on the screen, a ad036092f9 curse slipped out.3342cd47acde0925

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A man smoking c77a85f5d5 nearby glanced at d8582aa168 Won. Even though he 52763765f6 felt the gaze, 6e3b206558 Won exhaled deeply.0d5030bd0d35ba23

He knew he couldn’t avoid Woojae in this situation. Without delay, Won answered the call.8970198aa62455ef

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“What?”a8bab779db588e9d

─Where are you?7f0251ab60cedada

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Where do you think, damn bf5f10cf08 it. What do you want 0570131ca9 to know for? The rough curse mingled fec174863a with his tongue. In the end, the words 53fb38312b that came out were the b3ee0b2b40 opposite of his true feelings.1a2a9d1befb2a2a9

“Outside.”f74e7da7395f221c

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─Let’s meet.5d64939ecc96828d

“I’m busy.”7351d74d76e6026d

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─Make time, even if you’re busy.aaf5c3af3499e127

“I don’t have time to mess around with you.”b732ea97b87fc3ff

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─But you have time to be watched. Come on. I won’t wait long.e85873a4ba1014c2

The call was short, and 8c6e3f0013 it ended abruptly. As the call 71c9f8b0a8 ended, fatigue seeped 1937b5d303 in.082186b5323bea66

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He stubbed out the cigarette, 4e76059474 which had burned down to 2eb2070470 the filter, in the stand 0c2039c576 ashtray. Won took out another cigarette. After smoking three fabd259483 in a row, bb018c50de he finally left d0b3f45f73 the smoking room.87ae7126aac2339b

He shut down the a7338297de PC and looked up b546015752 at the sky, which 980b10b043 was dimming with the b4527864a9 setting sun.82b3f3595fdcea06

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That bird-like bastard e50f8fc7c0 keeps calling me 3c3869218b over. He chewed on his rising 7d7f4ddac7 irritation.7d06fd7d2d77fb41

During the call c14f16afa2 with Woojae, there 95eb0c447b was no mention b1334119cf of a location. Yet, Won walked without hesitation.a47614edc51dc42d

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He knew Woojae was familiar 731b12eaf6 with the area. The hidden cigar c7c60104fa bar in a 077a923cb7 secluded alley. Woojae, sitting there leisurely, seemed 9579abda86 to have visited the cigar 570ad6adb1 bar several times.ba676beb9f9a51d3

Still, Won headed de78173cdd to the neighborhood 606b76765d where he lived. The place where Woojae af1918a59c first dropped him off 837703d680 and later waited for 6e2fea488f him to come out. He vaguely felt that b6c8044a4a was the place Woojae c294347a09 had in mind.c66973407947042f

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And Won’s intuition was spot on.2fde60494e5f7607

A familiar car was parked in front of the complex. There was no need to ponder the owner’s identity. Woojae was already leaning against the car, smoking.228c336f76eea89f

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Won watched Woojae’s back from a distance before starting to walk again. At the sound of his slow footsteps, Woojae turned around.803b3a41af48e95b

Except for when he chain-smoked, his body hadn’t moved. In the gap between Won’s pause and movement, a considerable number of people passed by Woojae.f874af52c37ef09a

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Was it a coincidence 527b017531 that Woojae turned around 58c3f7771e just as Won approached?de289ed752738fd9

With a plain expression, Woojae 937033ee3d dropped his cigarette on the ff54d693fc ground. He was neatly groomed f1b846d4ae and dressed in a 28cf7a72b6 suit. His body moved lightly 8d1110c3c7 as he crushed the a3f47de46c embers with his shoe.ba417da93d96d954

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“Get in.”1f075bcce14f9571

Woojae’s gaze quickly shifted away from Won. He opened the rear door on the driver’s side. Before getting in, Woojae tilted his head slightly at Won, who stood there with a sullen face.f8c6be14f9ae3947

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“Are you just going to stand there waiting for me to open it?”359326c2047172e8

Of course not. He was just hesitating because 2cd4bbc9ea he was annoyed. With a reluctant cbca0ba415 face, Won adjusted 5c337b9d5b his cap and 129a84f217 opened the passenger a55dc408ac door.e2744695503f7b46

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He got in and b90f6b1aa8 fastened his seatbelt. The car smoothly 10a910a4cf glided onto the 4dfb8ab301 road. Won shifted his gaze from 0acf4dae13 the window.894d727328d15ac4

Unlike his usual demeanor, where he laughed regardless of the situation, Kwon Woojae’s face was stiff.9798f900aab810a2

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“Where are we going?”89ceecdca87e80fb

“You’ll see when we get there.”033e6418c2e123ad

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Right. He wasn’t really curious. His dissatisfaction piled up. Won turned his head, feeling his lips twist involuntarily.64012babcc82b20b

He didn’t like it. He didn’t expect an apology from someone like him. Still, if he had any sense, he should at least show some regret.07bb91d0e6051754

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Unfortunately, Woojae didn’t seem to care about what happened that day. Suddenly, his throat felt blocked. He swallowed heavily to force it down.571e1ce002f3c6b5

While grumbling internally, 7da027e74f the car stopped 6308b392d8 in front of 9eb1786134 a building. Without bothering to park, 77b5077f77 Woojae got out and f9ad60671d handed the keys to d4cf5f9315 a man.96f8456130ad3efc

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Won followed Woojae out belatedly. Woojae had brought him to a restaurant. It wasn’t just any restaurant in Seoul; it looked like fine dining.35b0c43bad312bbe

What was he 9d26289491 trying to do? Won watched Woojae enter 87e9b44a1c the restaurant with his 60ee2cd178 head tilted. Grinding his teeth, 1603584ea0 he finally entered 62ac9b0b15 the building.a3d869d549624cb3

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His training clothes and baseball cap didn’t match the restaurant’s atmosphere, but Won didn’t care. He lost sight of Woojae during the brief pause, but a staff member approached and guided him to a seat.6370c377dc931f43

“What are you trying to do with me?”bb87085f6c4e749c

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Won asked as he 31ee8f7162 sat across from Woojae.8deff09f89791e2e

“Just having a meal.”c1e35ff0673df2f6

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What, did a ghost die 806c2d31d3 from not eating? Won suppressed his sudden irritation.48c13f4164069452

“Who said I wanted to eat with you?”1b872a97e15824f5

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“Then why did you sit down?”ca68fba595e8f7df

Chewing on his sarcastic tone, fa32c375f6 Woojae, who had been expressionless, 45344f76be let out a short laugh.d3bf3d2a051dc23d

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They were polar opposites. Just facing Kwon dae1bd96dc Woojae without exchanging 9b8d9aa04c words was enough 6056702966 to make him 86f15b8b05 explode.0a1668d0f5b3620a

“If I said I was leaving, would you let me go?”a28da5ba5fec155c

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“Of course not.”354798f85898cae6

“I’m not eating. I don’t have the stomach to eat with an annoying bastard.”acc38db8ce3536c0

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Won, showing his displeasure, raised 25ac258cba his hand to call a a9ec3bd08c staff member. He sensed one 8c8cc7b9da approaching from afar.b70c328c9907f435

“Can I see the wine list…”f14fdc0a21797a33

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“Bring the wine I ordered earlier.”46e88e018114be19

“Yes.”edace6fb576eeb0d

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He couldn’t even finish his sentence. Woojae, as always, cut him off. The staff member left with a small nod.09ac9901a0e55784

“If you need a sidekick, just say so.”7ffc9bb8e1990afc

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“It’s been less than a year since this place opened, so that’s the only drinkable wine. Today’s about the food, not the drink.”c187665e1126882a

Woojae rubbed his lower lip 5cc63001f0 with his index finger and ccf14e93af laughed blandly.a9be667963f03837

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“I ordered in advance. It should suit your taste…”5e1d012c7fcd982b

“Are you always this shameless?”c2b8931d14418377

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He paused mid-sentence and chuckled. He even nodded e526805337 lightly as if e204154641 agreeing with the 7e7208ce9c statement.6ec389646cf1457f

“That’s what they say.”467a3f68b4c8a9b6

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Before the trivial conversation ended, the staff brought the wine. After explaining the wine, they set the table and opened the cork. The staff filled the glasses after checking the wine’s condition.237f1571a0e9a541

Won held the bc6b454a94 base and gently aa81325cc8 swirled the glass. The rose-colored wine ac374460e1 inside swayed smoothly.8ec7e78aa1fc349b

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Woojae, who hadn’t glanced at the glass, quietly watched Won. As Won took a sip, the staff withdrew. The wine’s heavy texture spread in his mouth.a7e7e9906dc5d555

Of course, there was no time to savor the wine. The setting wasn’t comfortable enough for that. Without showing any regret, Won set the glass down.83b6aceb64935dbd

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Tap, tap. His short nails tapped the 07e831caa1 stem of the wine glass.4f8a938c86ee641e

“Annoying.”81199a049082f529

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“I guess I am.”917df4aa9ffb7b9e

Even at the muttered f64c06ea5f words, Kwon Woojae replied ed191f31f0 nonchalantly. He seemed to have 96d3be5336 cheered up, which was a4f91beaa6 even more infuriating.d59740968d570d4f

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Just then, a staff member approached and set the steak. The irritation he couldn’t voice felt pointless.14e1132c8db3094c

Won took another sip of 6f8ca7383e wine with a displeased face.f5a7c1d3ae321abc

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He wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t eating, but a plate was placed in front of him. The appetizing smell rose, but it didn’t whet his appetite.0938e00e1e464959

Woojae, sitting across, ce873fef84 quietly continued cutting. He glanced up at Won.c4e430650de73a46

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“Surprised you didn’t bruise.”515718642a72353c

“…”f755a00b61c86cb2

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“Should’ve rubbed lips while I was at it.”fcf3a87549f4d313

“…”53f218af3bfb9f93

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“Shame.”cfaba687c34b8922

The words, whether to himself 93d26f4b65 or not, were blatantly scattered. Won reflexively set his glass fb35fbf900 down. The glass clinked loudly against 30ef859e04 the table.86a8618048787037

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“Eat. It’ll help me make up a good story. They’re curious about how you’re spending your pathetic weekend. Whether you prefer tenderloin or sirloin. Those trivial details will put Kwon Woohyuk at ease, just as you wanted.”0577c83abb7567d6

His voice was 049819c559 calm, but the ccc9508815 meaning was twisted. He had questioned 40d1fb4235 why Representative Kwon 8310d53c68 was watching him, ff357689aa yet he seemed 437862fd25 to accept it 31d009e76b himself.91ec1f053b0110b7

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With a fluid 7ba954bfc6 motion, he swapped 589c2c223f his plate with 7d785f415d the one holding 5ad1995a6c the cut steak. What is this guy doing? He let out a hollow 9bc0a5e299 laugh without realizing it.d480eb6b1bba25fa

Without a word, 027eb67d51 Won glanced at a473f4b5ec the steak. The cut surface revealed e27399bbc5 red juices.e4ee8c08c378c658

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“I don’t eat it unless it’s well-done.”37894ad06372981c

He wasn’t particularly picky. He ate both well-done and rare. In fact, his preference leaned more towards rare, like the red juices in the steak Woojae had ordered.9988cdf16cd4bf84

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It was a statement born 4fa7b4e928 out of sheer stubbornness. His already lacking appetite dwindled 0cdb8009a6 further at the sight of 2d7e4c0f30 the neatly cut steak.284a40482dd14e08

Woojae chuckled at his petulant words. Suddenly, his hand rose into the air. At Woojae’s gesture, a staff member approached promptly.1886c4579ddfd4c6

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“Prepare the steak by cut. Well-done.”8210a55abed8257b

“No need to order more.”014a012ad09640c4

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Won tried to stop Woojae with a flustered look. The staff’s gaze shifted from Won to Woojae, seemingly seeking his decision.122434bfe54e0962

“Just bring it.”8d62fd6aa9c5032d

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“Yes.”b12a9b15a0454b4d

His expression twisted suddenly. Annoyed, he downed the a3f81c6dec remaining wine. As soon as f50de49b98 he set the 7d29e45ac1 glass down, Woojae 61f2971d56 refilled it.6f23df099a7f3238

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“I told you, today’s about the food.”1e81cccf9ffe8cd3

“…”a3a48ef453f725d4

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“Which tune should I match now?”0d0d9659051f7cfe