OMLM | Chapter 21

Kang Yebon’s face slowly crumbled as he stared directly at Cha Hyuk.

“Jung Woochan is still a bastard I wish would drop dead, and whatever the reason, I can’t stand that fucker’s actions, though I really didn’t want to admit it.”

Yebon took a moment to catch his breath and turned his head away.

“But I need to admit it to get past this.”

Into his field of view came Jung Woochan.

“I really liked Jung Woochan at one point, truly. And Jung Woochan…” Yebon paused, his words trailing off into the distance as if being sucked into oblivion.

“He did treat me well enough. At one time, being by his side felt safer than anywhere else.”

Cha Hyuk couldn’t predict the expression on Yebon’s round head from the front.

But when Yebon looked back at Cha Hyuk, he was wearing a light smile.

“He’s a huge asshole now, though. How can anyone show a consistent face all the time?”

Cha Hyuk’s gaze lingered on Yebon’s awkwardly curved eyes.

“And most of all, thank you, hyung. Having you by my side, I feel like I’ve made a choice I won’t regret later. Without you, I would’ve surely been wallowing at home, cursing Jung Woochan or causing a scene at his wedding.”

Without Cha Hyuk, Yebon would have been locked away at home, miserably cursing Jung Woochan or embarrassingly disrupting the wedding.

But with Cha Hyuk, he had finally moved on from Jung Woochan and the lingering attachment he couldn’t let go of.

Is it okay to be this dependent on Cha Hyuk? Yebon muttered somewhat sheepishly.

“…Thank you, really. I always seem to be the one receiving help. I wish I could be of help too.”

“I’ve already received your help.”

Was he referring to the little things Yebon had done?

“No… not the little things, like you have been for me.”

“From the moment you joined me, you’ve given me a lot.”

What had Yebon given to Cha Hyuk?

Yebon looked puzzled at Cha Hyuk, but Cha Hyuk was already looking elsewhere—behind Yebon.

Turning to look behind him, Yebon saw people greeting each other, a child whining about wanting to go home, and a scene that was somewhat noisy but otherwise ordinary.

When Yebon looked back, Cha Hyuk was finally looking at him, his face relaxed.

“Thinking if I could live a life like this.”

“Being with you makes the world seem softer.”

Now Yebon realized what Cha Hyuk’s meaningful words meant.

And that by simply being, he was helping Cha Hyuk. Biting his lip to stop any odd words from escaping, he asked,

“What’s wrong?”

A hand approaching his lips paused, and a shadow fell behind Yebon.

“Kang Yebon? That is you, right?”

A familiar yet strange voice made Yebon turn around.

Eyebrows arching roughly as they met Yebon’s gaze, this boy’s face transformed significantly when he smiled.

“…Kim, Beomjun?”

His certainty waned with each word. Even after speaking, Yebon eyed Lee Seunggu’s friend, gauging his reaction.

Fortunately, Beomjun, with dimples sinking into his cheeks from his broad smile, nodded.

“It’s nice to see you here. Ah, I should’ve spoken to you sooner! I was a bit unsure.”

Approaching with easy charm, Beomjun received a nod and a smile from Yebon, familiar with the demeanor of people he met through Lee Seunggu. Yebon’s shoulder still bore a hand, but he didn’t bother removing it.

“I’m sorry for rushing off last time. I should have contacted you later, but things were hectic.”

“Right, things got so serious suddenly. I was worried. And since I didn’t have your contact…”

“So, give me your number.” Beomjun smoothly pulled out his phone, handing it to Yebon.

Seamlessly, Yebon took the phone and entered his number. Beomjun saved it immediately.

“Ah, but Lee Seunggu said you were…”

As Beomjun chatted away, he suddenly felt a piercing gaze.

Caught up with Yebon, he had forgotten that Yebon was in the middle of a conversation. Casually looking up, Beomjun caught his breath and stiffened.

He was quite tall himself, but he had to look up to meet the face of the man before him.

Realizing why Lee Seunggu had so frantically explained that day made it clear. The description had been spot-on.

He might not be sure if he was a gangster, but Beomjun instinctively shrank.

The slightly curved eyes seemed menacing, perhaps due to the long scar above the eyebrow.

“Uh, hello?”

Beomjun awkwardly bowed, stepping back while glancing at Yebon.

Beside Cha Hyuk, Yebon looked especially small. Yebon blinked round eyes and stepped closer to Cha Hyuk’s side.

“This is a close hyung of mine.”

Beside him, Yebon seemed like he could be knocked down with a mere gesture.

Really… are they close? Beomjun managed a strained smile and introduced himself.

The man continued to smile lightly but exuded an untouchable, dangerous aura.

“Uh… I should get going. I’ll call you.”

Unable to bear the intense black eyes, Beomjun quickly left the scene.

Yebon merely waved with a smile, while Cha Hyuk quietly watched.

Looking up, Yebon met Cha Hyuk’s eyes, which appeared unusually clear today.

“My close hyung still doesn’t have my number, though.”

Caught off guard, Yebon furrowed his brow. It made no sense not to have the number.

“Didn’t I call you before? Didn’t you save it?”

“There hasn’t been a single call on that new number. You carry your phone like you’d die without it.”

Cha Hyuk cupped Yebon’s cheeks, pressing them gently. With each press, the pliant cheek flesh squished and then rebounded.

Yebon, somewhat bothered by Cha Hyuk’s demeanor, stared blankly.

As Yebon remained silent, Cha Hyuk pressed his cheeks again before finally letting go with a light furrow of his nose and a smile.

“Your mother is waiting. I have to go now. I’ve got some work, so I’ll head out first.”

Waving, Cha Hyuk walked away, and Yebon rubbed his slightly numb cheeks.

Could it be a misconception that Cha Hyuk had quite a fondness for him? Yebon scratched his neck, pondering.

The guests gradually left, and the church quieted down. With his wife pregnant, they had settled for a simple honeymoon in Jeju instead of going abroad.

It was about time to head to the airport, but Jung Woochan couldn’t hide his restlessness as he watched the departing guests.

“Oppa, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange. Are you sick?”

A woman in her wedding dress approached Jung Woochan.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m fine, Minyoung.”

Jung Woochan tried to reassure her with a smile, yet his eyes continued to roam the church interior. Then, there he was!

Indeed! As the crowd thinned, a large man stood in the empty space.

Jung Woochan gritted his teeth and moved.

“Oppa?”

“Just a moment, I’ll be right back. Stay here, Minyoung, okay?”

Pulling away from the woman holding onto him, Jung Woochan quickly walked towards Cha Hyuk.

Cha Hyuk, hands in his pockets, faced Jung Woochan’s menacing gaze without flinching.

“Shall we talk for a moment?”

“Anytime.”

Jung Woochan led the way to the back of the church, to a secluded area. The uncemented ground splattered mud on his black shoes.

Under the gray wall, untouched by sunlight, thick green moss thrived. Jung Woochan stood before the wall, messing up his neatly styled hair with a distressed expression.

“Have you lost your mind? What possible connection do you have with me to act this way?”

Cha Hyuk, hands still in his pockets, remained silent.

Anger surged in Jung Woochan as he watched Cha Hyuk’s indifferent face, though he was intimidated by Cha Hyuk’s physical presence.

Unable to contain himself, Jung Woochan furrowed his brow and shakily lit a cigarette.

“Damn it, did Kang Yebon come here to create a scene? That fucking bastard…”

Clouds of cigarette smoke drifted through the air. He had called Yebon to face reality and live quietly, not expecting such defiance.

Handling Yebon alone was manageable, as people would trust him over an immature kid who hadn’t even served in the military and was causing trouble at someone else’s wedding.

Jung Woochan glanced at Cha Hyuk. Honestly, he had braced himself to get hit and file a report when he called Cha Hyuk out, but the gangster had been calm.

Was he dragged here by Kang Yebon? That figures. What could Yebon do?

“Looks like you got wrapped up in this kid’s nonsense too, ignore him from now on. What benefit is there in listening to such a kid? I’ll let today slide, but never, ever show up in front of me again…”

“Oseong Electronics, you work there, right?”

Cha Hyuk finally spoke. The first words Jung Woochan really heard from him had a surprisingly deep resonance, matching his large build.

Jung Woochan narrowed his eyes. He had noticed when his home was found, but it was clear his background had been thoroughly investigated.

“Why do you ask?”

His tone was defensive.

“Nice place you’ve got.”

It wasn’t a compliment. It sounded more like a threat.

The look on Cha Hyuk’s face as he stared down was filled with arrogance, as if he could easily handle someone like him.

Jung Woochan finally lost his temper.

“What the hell! What does it matter to you! It’s between Kang Yebon and me. Don’t meddle!”

“Hard not to when your actions are so shitty.”

“What does that have to do with you! What, fuck, does Yebon ruin my wedding, screw me over, and you get paid? Fuck!”

Jung Woochan flicked the burning cigarette butt away in frustration.

The unplanned wedding due to a premarital pregnancy was frustrating enough without a thug threatening him.

Kang Yebon had never been of any help to him.

“Why are you doing this, really! What’s in it for you… oh, maybe.”

A sneer crossed Jung Woochan’s face. He took another careful look at Cha Hyuk’s face.

“I thought I’d seen you somewhere.”

Unbelievable. Jung Woochan finally recognized the source of the déjà vu he felt every time he saw Cha Hyuk.

He was the thug in the alley the day Kang Yebon broke up with him. Having initially overlooked the unfamiliar face as a coincidence, it now seemed too perfectly aligned.

“Wow, I almost fell for it. Fuck, Kang Yebon, that ragged bastard. Even though he’s screwing around behind the scenes, now I’m the bad guy, ah!”

Before he could finish, Jung Woochan was knocked backward.

A sharp pain surged from his solar plexus.

When Jung Woochan came to his senses, Cha Hyuk was looming over him, backlighting his face.

“Shit, what are you doing, ah!”

The black shoe’s heel crumpled the white shirt, spreading dirt.

Jung Woochan screamed in pain, trying to pull Cha Hyuk’s ankle off, but it was futile.

“Got a hole in your face and you’re still talking shit. Need more tearing up?”

“Ah, uh! Fuck, I’ll report you! I will report you, fucker!”

As Jung Woochan struggled, Cha Hyuk applied more pressure with his toes. Jung Woochan’s neck and face turned bright red, and his eyes began to bulge with burst blood vessels.

Cha Hyuk bent down, his lips curling into a smile.

“Go ahead, report.”

He whispered.