OMLM | Chapter 19

The timing was perfect, as if someone had planned it.

It seemed that Cha Hyuk always showed up at the eeriest of times, almost as if he and Kang Yebon had some peculiar fate together.

Suddenly, Cha Hyuk had closed the distance between them and was now looking down at Yebon with a smile. His lips, slightly curved, seemed especially cheerful today.

“Headed home?”

“Yes, and you, hyung?”

“I just finished too.”

They began walking side by side quite naturally.

Cha Hyuk seemed unusually happy today. Yebon squinted his eyes slightly and asked,

“Did something good happen today? You seem happier than usual.”

“Just that I called you, and you turned around.”

“What?” Yebon was puzzled, but Cha Hyuk just twitched his eyebrows and didn’t elaborate further.

Was that really a reason to be in such a good mood? Yebon couldn’t understand no matter how much he thought about it, so he just kept looking at Cha Hyuk.

“Anyway, the weather’s nice today.”

“…What?”

This time, Yebon frowned and looked up at the sky.

It looked like it was about to rain any minute, and the wind had been strong enough to mess up even Cha Hyuk’s usually neat hair.

“How is this nice? Your hair is a mess too.”

“Well, I kind of wish I didn’t have to go back just yet.”

Cha Hyuk bent down slightly, his eyes curving up as if expecting something, his face mixed with playfulness.

Seeing that face, Yebon realized—

“Ah.”

Why Cha Hyuk was talking nonsense. Understanding this lightened the mood that had been heavy until now.

Trying to hide his rising smile, Yebon rubbed his lips with his hand and retorted somewhat bluntly,

“I’m too cold; I just want to get home quickly.”

“Is that so? Then we should head home. You said you’re cold.”

Cha Hyuk seemed utterly unbothered as he started walking ahead, causing Yebon to hurriedly grab at his coat.

“Why, Yebon?”

Yebon pouted his lips and hesitated before looking down.

“…I kind of feel like eating something sweet because it’s so cold…”

Yebon bit into a sandwich loaded with ham and egg salad. After chewing thoughtfully and taking a sip of his warm latte, the chill he had felt was replaced by a pleasant warmth.

Sitting across from him, Cha Hyuk was resting his chin on his hand, staring intently at Yebon.

Cha Hyuk had often looked at him intently like this before.

Back then, it only brought questions and a strange sense of burden.

But lately, Yebon wondered if Cha Hyuk might actually be interested in him in a more personal way, which brought a rush of embarrassment.

Yebon subtly turned his face away and pretended to be distracted, thinking to himself.

Is it really my imagination that he looks at me like that?

“…Hyung.”

“Yeah.”

Yebon flicked his eyes down and then asked,

“Why don’t you have anyone else but me?”

“I did say that.”

Yebon shifted his gaze slightly as if rolling it downwards.

“Why only me?”

The faint trembling in his eyes was apparent, as clear as the pale hue they held.

Cha Hyuk blinked slowly, his gaze lingering on Yebon’s neatly combed hair, his appropriately thick eyebrows, and the unusually large eyes beneath them.

When he first met this boy, he had been captivated by those light-colored eyes.

Cha Hyuk was silent for a long while, making Yebon wonder if he had asked something inappropriate, perhaps something too revealing for just a casual query.

Should I scramble to cover it up now? Just as Yebon’s patience was wearing thin, Cha Hyuk finally spoke.

“With you, it feels like—”

His gaze slowly drifted away from Yebon to somewhere indefinite beyond the window.

“The world seems softer.”

Another cryptic remark.

Wondering if he could ever understand such a statement, Yebon too looked in the same direction as Cha Hyuk. But all he saw was the usual road and people passing by.

Sometimes Cha Hyuk would turn his gaze to the mundane surroundings when speaking with him.

Was it to see something, or to avoid something?

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“It means I’m comfortable.”

Comfortable enough to keep wanting him around. After these softly spoken words, silence fell.

Late to realize he had been staring blankly out the window, Cha Hyuk let out a brief sound and then awkwardly smiled.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

The awkwardness in his expression seemed like that of someone who had inadvertently spoken their truth.

And that made Yebon unable to just let it go.

Could it be that to Cha Hyuk, he was indeed someone special?

Yebon felt heat rising below his neck and gulped down his latte. But the latte was warm, and all Yebon felt was the heat rising more vividly inside him.

It was Cha Hyuk who had made a potentially misleading comment, but Yebon felt oddly responsible for smoothing over the embarrassed atmosphere.

Fidgeting with the straw, Yebon blurted out,

“Actually, I was thinking about calling you earlier, hyung. But then ahjusshi appeared right then, and it surprised me.”

“What was it about?”

“Ah, it’s nothing big. Jung Woochan asked a friend to send a wedding invitation, and I kind of lost it for a moment.”

Yebon tapped on the mug with his fingers. His fingertips felt scaldingly hot.

“…Well, I want to stop caring about it, but it feels like I should do something first before he spreads it around. I was mad, but ignoring it is enough. It’s not something to call ahjusshi’s work number over.”

He felt like crashing the wedding but lacked the courage to confront Woochan about their past, fearing only his own image would suffer.

Perhaps this was what Woochan wanted. Yebon to ruin his own reputation, so whatever he said afterwards would be disbelieved.

How had he not seen how vile Woochan was before? Yebon sighed in self-disgust.

“So that was the wrong Woochan did to you.”

Softly murmuring to himself, Yebon realized for the first time. He had never properly told Cha Hyuk about his situation with Woochan, and Cha Hyuk had never asked.

He had helped without knowing anything.

Such considerate attention always felt strangely uplifting. As if he had become someone precious.

“You need to feel like you’re the only one for me, that you’re special to me, don’t you.”

A mocking remark surfaced briefly, dragging Yebon back into the mire.

Yebon’s face darkened instantly, prompting Cha Hyuk to call out worriedly. Then, Yebon hastily gathered his shadows and forced a smile.

“It’s nothing. Besides, it must have been frustrating helping without knowing the context.”

“Not really, I didn’t need to know. I just wanted to be on your side.”

His words often, and frequently, constricted the heart.

Yebon pressed his lips tightly together, then hurriedly spoke, fearing Cha Hyuk might worry again. This time, he told him about his history with Woochan.

Not too long, nor too emotional, Yebon recounted succinctly.

After hearing everything, Cha Hyuk’s first response was,

“Where’s the wedding venue?”

Yebon stiffened and his eyes widened.

“Why? You’re not really going, are you?”

Cha Hyuk just smiled, not answering.

Yebon had expected him to say, ‘ignoring it is the answer,’ but this response was alarming.

If Cha Hyuk caused a scene at the wedding, Woochan could rightfully complain, and Yebon wouldn’t be able to contest it. He shook his head vehemently.

“I’m fine. Making a scene will only do Woochan good. And honestly, it’s not the bride’s fault Woochan did wrong. I don’t resent her that much anymore.”

Back at the apartment, Yebon had let go of a lot. His impulsive anger was past, and he didn’t want Cha Hyuk to get involved because of him.

But Cha Hyuk’s lips curled slightly as he said,

“You won’t have to worry about that.”

“You mean you won’t go?”

“No. I’ll go.”

“What…?”

“Sometimes, ignoring someone who provokes you is mature, but occasionally, you need to warn them not to provoke you again.”

What was he planning? Yebon felt an unpredictable fervor in Cha Hyuk’s dark eyes.

Could he really stop him if Cha Hyuk decided to stir up trouble?

“And give me your phone, unlock it.”

“Why do you need my phone?”

Though he asked, Yebon was already handing his phone over to Cha Hyuk.

Cha Hyuk fiddled with the phone for a moment before handing it back. A new phone number was saved on the screen.

“Delete the old number and save this one, and feel free to contact me on it.”

“What kind of number is this?”

“It’s a number I only give to very personal contacts.”

A few texts here and there. Cha Hyuk grinned, scrunching up the bridge of his nose slightly.

Yebon was momentarily dazed before firmly nodding.

Not just personal, but very personal contacts, very…

His hand gripping the phone tightened inexplicably.

“Hey, congratulations on your marriage. You’ve landed a job and got married, quite a roll of good fortune.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate you coming.”

At the entrance of the church venue, Jung Woochan, dressed in a black suit, was beaming with joy.

The church’s serene atmosphere suited Woochan well, and he seemed to have nothing but happy marital life ahead of him.

Woochan was busily greeting everyone around in the noisy environment, often having to overdo his apologies for calling them suddenly.

As he turned to greet another guest, his eyes widened in genuine happiness.

“Mother!”

Beside Yebon’s mother stood a dark-faced Kang Yebon.

“Woochan, congratulations on your wedding. My, you look so bright, so handsome.”

“Thank you. I should have mentioned it sooner, but it was hard to bring it up.”

With a sorrowful look, Woochan’s expression softened as Yebon’s mother shook her head dismissively.

“Oh, no, it’s fine. You’ve known each other for a long time. You’ve got a job already, and getting married at such a young age isn’t that big of a deal!”

Yebon slightly frowned and shot Woochan a look. …Long time? He scoffed quietly and turned away.

Despite deciding to come because Cha Hyuk said he would, Yebon already wanted to go back home.

Just as Yebon’s expression was turning sour, Woochan earnestly gripped Yebon’s hands with a pitiful look.

“Yebon, I’m really glad you came. I was sorry back then.”

It was nauseating.

Why did I come here? He wanted to tear that insufferable face apart.

As his jaws tensed and began to tremble slightly, Yebon thought about leaving right then. It seemed like a mistake to have come.

“Are you still very mad? I’m truly sorry.”

This son of a bitch?

Just as Yebon couldn’t hold back any longer and was about to fiercely shake off Woochan’s hands,

“Mr. Jung Woochan.”

Woochan’s face instantly crumpled.

Yebon turned to see. Unlike usual, Cha Hyuk had his bangs neatly brushed down and was smiling deeply.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

His large hand was extended toward Woochan.

The hands that had been gripping Yebon’s fell away, and Woochan, forgetting that Yebon and his mother were watching, wore a savage expression.

“You, here…!”

“…An acquaintance of yours?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Yebon’s mother cautiously inquired.

Finally, Woochan relaxed his twisted face and smiled awkwardly, rubbing his thigh with a gloved hand.

“Ah, ah, yes. Anyway, please go inside. Yebon, go ahead inside.”

Yebon’s mother hesitated but nodded and entered the venue, and Yebon followed.

What was Cha Hyuk planning? Yebon couldn’t guess at all.

“Mom was quite startled just now. Is Woochan really your friend?”

As she whispered walking by, Yebon nodded vaguely without taking his eyes off Cha Hyuk.

Woochan, still tense, talked to Cha Hyuk, and surprisingly, Cha Hyuk walked into the venue.

“Ah, here he comes this way. Yebon, let’s go.”

His mother quickly grabbed Yebon’s sleeve and pulled.

“Ah, mom, it’s fine. I know him.”

“What? You do? Why?”

“Same school…”

Yebon hesitated for a moment, and his mother looked increasingly suspicious. Saying he was a student seemed unbelievable.

“Ah, he’s a professor. Woochan also went to the same university as me.”

“Professor? That person? Just now you said he was Woochan’s friend?”

His mother looked astonished as she stared at Cha Hyuk, who was getting closer.

“Ah, I misspoke. He’s a professor, so don’t worry and take a seat, mom.” Yebon gently pushed his mother’s back, but it was too late. She bowed politely with a bright smile.

Yebon shuddered as he caught something large and dark at the edge of his vision.

“Hello, professor.”

“……”