KBR Ch 11
by mimiThe splitting headache faded from his mind. Choi Seolwoo barely managed to deflect the comment.
“Funny bastard… You’re reaching. It’s just a Friday night drink.”
“You don’t have to reach far—there’s more guys into it than you think. Yoon’ll keep at it too unless you draw a clear line. You know Eom Hyeongjin, right?”
He was talking about Eom Jubin’s cousin, the one who’d picked a fight with Seolwoo at the celebration party.
“That bastard—know how he plays around while claiming it’s ‘business’? Ugh… Some acquaintance of his heard an impotence rumor and thought I was gay. Said there’s plenty of guys who take it well and invited me to come play, that fucker.”
“So? What’d you say?”
“Told him to stay the hell away before I spread it to the association. Don’t even want it in my mouth.”
“…”
In the face of Won Daeyeong’s disgust-laden stare, the feelings Seolwoo had harbored for so long crumbled more pitifully than the Jenga tower.
This was a failed love story.
No one would want to watch a drama like this, nor would they care.
Choi Seolwoo’s story was a failed love story. So if anyone out there was hoping for a heart-fluttering romance, they’d better give up now.
This tale was nothing more or less than a failure that wouldn’t meet anyone’s expectations.
“Take care of your own body, Choi Seolwoo.”
At Won Daeyeong’s parting words as he walked ahead, Seolwoo scoffed with a dumbfounded look.
“Crazy… You’re the one who should keep it pure and proper. Don’t trust that sports heart and end up a sex addict.”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll protect it.”
“…”
“Should I protect your body for you?”
Won Daeyeong’s sly chuckle now felt like a dagger.
“Ah, fuck…”
The strange sexual signals he’d once felt from him had turned into unspeakable pain since last night. Choi Seolwoo couldn’t bear to see Won Daeyeong grinding away with someone else until they were a mess. He’d realized too late that he absolutely couldn’t handle it. Imagining him lost in pleasure, panting recklessly like yesterday, was even worse.
But in the future, Won Daeyeong would inevitably do just that. If he ever committed to someone for life, Seolwoo would be forced to picture him going at it until he was sick of it—and that was impossible as long as he lived.
As impossible as being reborn.
He’d thought they could just get by. Like always—casually hanging out, trading dumb stories, showing their real, unguarded selves… But that was as big a delusion as his swollen heart.
His burst heart hung far away. In a sunless room, on a damp, stained corner of the wall.
Choi Seolwoo spoke in a weary voice.
“Daeyeong-ah. This isn’t working. Let’s set some boundaries. We need some distance.”
“I don’t know what you mean, but let’s talk over an IV and hangover soup. Come on.”
“No, I said we need distance!”
“Get in. I’ve got time before training.”
By the time he realized he’d been swept along, his shoulder was already in Won Daeyeong’s grip. The habit of letting Won Daeyeong in, unlike anyone else, lingered like a damp stain.
Now a face known nationwide, Won Daeyeong led the way, armed with a hat and mask. His back looked broader and farther away than usual.
Dragged by Won Daeyeong, Seolwoo got an IV, ate bean sprout soup for his hangover, took his meds, and parted ways before Daeyeong headed to the training field. Then he came home.
“I’m tired. Don’t talk to me.”
“Baby, if work’s too hard, don’t push yourself…”
Even after staying out without permission and snapping coldly, Mrs. Choi was unusually gentle. Normally, she’d have chewed him out relentlessly. Won Daeyeong had clearly smoothed things over.
“Who doesn’t push themselves at work? Everyone struggles to make a living. Won Daeyeong runs 400 meters flat out—why should I half-ass it?”
Mrs. Choi barely swallowed her irritation and said, “Fine, go rest.” Closing his door and lying down, Seolwoo stared at the stained wallpaper for a while.
“ChatGPT, how do I cut off a best friend?”
— [When ending a relationship with someone you don’t like, it’s important to avoid unnecessary conflict while setting clear boundaries. Here’s how to end it without hurting feelings:
- Gradually Distance Yourself
- Short, Curt Replies
- Avoid Plans
- Set Clear Boundaries
- Block Contact
- Be Honest, Don’t Dodge]
“Ah… This one’s too nice. Isn’t there a shittier way to cut someone off? Something to make me shudder and block them?”
Normal methods wouldn’t work on Won Daeyeong. Choi Seolwoo needed a surefire way to sever this tie. Setting aside his kind, smart friend, he scoured online forums. There were a few decent suggestions:
- Borrow a huge sum of money.
- Lie, flake on promises, ignore them, be rude—do things they hate.
- Cut off mutual acquaintances.
But somehow, they were all things he’d already tried with Won Daeyeong or that wouldn’t faze him.
Option 1 had already happened, like it or not. Option 2—he’d messed up plenty over the years, but it never dented Won Daeyeong. Normal people would flip out, but a guy like him didn’t bat an eye. Option 3 was near impossible—how many people would he even have to cut off?
Cutting people off had always been the easiest thing for Choi Seolwoo. He’d axed every pointless connection with surgical precision. So why the hell couldn’t he figure this guy out?
He had to get away from Won Daeyeong, whatever it took. That was the only way Choi Seolwoo could find happiness.
What did Won Daeyeong hate most?
What could he do to make that bastard walk out of his life?
Something Won Daeyeong despised?
…Oh.
Gay stuff—drilling and being drilled by a guy.
Won Daeyeong would hate it most if I hooked up with a man…
So…
He stared blankly at the stack of messages from Managing Director Yoon Jihwan. He recalled how Won Daeyeong had stammered in disbelief when he’d said he’d gone to the celebration party with Yoon.
“A contract relationship?”
Managing Director Yoon echoed, eyes widening. Clearly startled, he fidgeted with his tie and set down his coffee cup. Even for someone seasoned in the ways of the world, this question seemed hard to brush off.
Seolwoo had laid out a long preamble, but it must’ve still felt sudden. Apologizing again, he recited his prepared explanation.
“If you’re okay with it. I know it’s natural to be surprised. I’m asking despite the rudeness, but it’s just a question—feel free to say no comfortably.”
Rubbing his chin, Yoon gazed at Seolwoo for a while before asking,
“…Does it have to be a contract?”
Seolwoo had anticipated rejection or offense. Still, he tried to explain his reasons as thoroughly as possible.
“As I mentioned… you don’t really know me yet, Managing Director.”
“Right. All I know is you’re the type who never opens up to people, except maybe Athlete Won?”
“…About yesterday, I’m sorry again—”
“No, no. You don’t need to apologize, it’s really fine. Don’t worry and keep going.”
Yoon waved it off lightly. Seolwoo fixed his eyes on the mug in front of Yoon and continued.
“I’m someone who can’t believe in stuff like love. I’ve never felt my heart race meeting someone new. Dating right after a fling or confessing feelings—that’s the most incomprehensible thing to me. Honestly, I don’t have any special feelings for you either, Managing Director. That’s just how I am.”
“Hm. Not surprising.”
“You probably don’t like me that much either—just curious or interested, right? Like you said, you’re not desperate for a relationship.”
“True, I’m not exactly unpopular.”
Yoon smiled as he sipped his tea. It felt like an invitation to keep talking, so Seolwoo pressed on.
“Since I’ve got a lot of issues with relationships, you’d need time to figure me out. You should know how prickly I am. I hate all physical contact driven by simple lust or fleeting emotions. That might not mesh with you. So I’m suggesting a two-month contract relationship. Starting light means we can easily call it quits if it doesn’t work, and we can both walk away clean.”
“Hmm.”
“The reason I’d even propose a contract with someone like me… I want to change a bit. I want to try shifting my life around.”
Yoon Jihwan quietly studied Seolwoo’s face as he finished. After a thoughtful pause, he replied,
“So, to sum it up, you want to test-run a relationship before starting? Is this that android thinking?”
He’d told Yoon about the malfunction thing. Choi Seolwoo, turning into a truth-vending machine when drunk—still the same. That day was insane.
Blaming himself, Seolwoo pressed his forehead hard. Yoon continued,
“So I’m not being dumped. You don’t dislike me. And in some ways, you trust me a lot.”
“Well, yeah.”
“Then why not just date for real?”
“Uh… What?”
“But a real relationship feels overwhelming?”
“Uh… Yeah.”
“They usually call this playing the field. The one who falls for it’s the sucker.”
His gentle tone left Seolwoo speechless. Yoon wasn’t a pushover—he could’ve been harsher but chose to hit the nail on the head instead.
“When you were drunk, Seolwoo-ssi, did you know all you did was cling to me and call Athlete Won a bastard?”
“…I don’t remember anything from that night.”
“I’m not clueless. Someone as sharp and decisive as you, not letting things slide, getting swayed by Athlete Won—I don’t think it’s just because his personality’s so strong and strategic.”
His added words pierced Seolwoo’s ears unexpectedly.
“You like him, don’t you? A lot.”
“…”
The shock hit his chest hard. Hearing aloud what he hadn’t wanted to admit even in his own thoughts left him speechless. His eyes heated up, flustered. Frowning, he quickly forced the warmth down.