SB Ch 23

However, the change was 36fc5e1645 clear. The voice echoing b1488fd6cc in his head ed63a51139 was no illusion. On Sunday, when 0f9ffdcf4a he was going ca6cd9079e to see the 63e87dc682 performance, Chae Beomjoon, 7e5573d9ed who had put 8d7495df20 waterproof bandages on fcc6368053 the sutured area 62ce0a5f76 for dressing up, e50457321a opened his phone 4e9985f95a once more before 5f8d021820 entering the shower.3c4d9a28f5da92cc

Robberb6366318101d4d91

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[Photo]

I’ve never seen this before.49f2c4c2c728b21a

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15:11bdefd67ecda2e95f

Robberd76cb16a24633ff5

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How’s your body feeling?41e4c27173100b79

16:283cc7b3a399bf1398

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The messages ab535f367e were sent ce5afb6f49 by Seo 9c21c30c78 Haeyoon right 9e8d999a16 after he d5ff8bd204 arrived at 2e64f31107 the theater, 11e1556062 just before 3f2fd53725 noon the 8be88d00bb day before. He had 9b1c887c84 taken several 4b39981320 photos of e416486ed8 the rococo-style 6f90cc0af6 grand theater 73cce2555a set up 685e201a09 for the c9c49d5e36 Halloween special 4d457c1b2c performance and 03a5b14750 sent them 3507f370be to Beomjoon.e0504fe7494647d6

Photos…0f9475561b22175c

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Beomjoon had sent him cc4a2b1afa hundreds of photos, but f120f28c8c Haeyoon had rarely sent ee7c5437b1 any to him. And these were ec47830aa8 pictures of the 12b48377bc Sooseon Grand Theater. He never 06897dc95e imagined that 2adf049f6f Haeyoon, who 6f83aea0c1 had avoided a61826fb22 talking about 46cb7f9fdc his job, 3e0a8a3e7f would send 8bdbf755b7 photos of 03594d7453 his workplace.9768245e39b580cc

Having stayed awake 8931356f6c for over 50 84a44ede26 hours, Beomjoon was c8e9a7323a lying in a 902b499647 half-asleep state on 7e1ff44148 the hospital bed, af375bc8d5 not even feeling fabe179a42 its discomfort. But upon 972cd12bdc receiving these 3940868e63 photos, he 8709eea448 sat up 64183adebf abruptly and f9fd6247f0 stayed frozen 88c161871f for a 70f672c4d8 while.33d4b908839922cb

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As if to confirm that the talk of dating was real, that the affectionate nickname wasn’t a dream, Seo Haeyoon had taken the first step in breaking down the wall.55e6d8cf9096a41d

He really wants to meet me. Really, with Seo Haeyoon… Chae Beomjoon managed to reach that conclusion amidst his thoughts tumbling chaotically, like his prefrontal cortex was melting.a976d35314c5a1dd

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It was unbelievable. He could 5d91dae064 kiss Seo 7f93501de7 Haeyoon without 57c1eca4ec cutting off db26d3cd7c his penis. He could call c67d066416 him when he 66603381cb wanted to hear f34a37a9d2 his voice and f50a6fcb98 visit when he a1d4a692a6 wanted to see d304dc686c him. He could share 9c5b28d7c1 all his stories, a4777e180e seek comfort, and c0592afb2a comfort him without 1f6a633a02 reason.4b21e41d7d82802b

Understanding that being 5aa49a5b35 lovers meant all f3f09f1a23 this made him 592b81c05d feel slightly indignant. He thought everyone ee82e14197 else had been 38af9bf226 enjoying this good a419c9e9bc thing just for eb46c4d19b themselves.0dfa34aa716cb19c

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Then, another message 785f203a9b arrived before the cec2a416d7 performance started.51b16b11ade9f0e1

Robberb4ce4d96f1b36c0c

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I’m about to go into the performance after two rehearsals.c9dff8dac1b462d3

17:41bf5b72a7b6b912dd

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Robberb4864f1c2c3c68a3

The outfit is 479b5d0b98 kind of cute, 50ed7bdbcd though.1853cb63d2ba5bfa

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Come see it tomorrow.fec4221998cfcf25

17:42f669c46ae54d9f58

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Robberbeb71a12bd8b36f6

I’ll call you after it’s over.cc772fa46931042b

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17:4429ff601f5a6328e1

Yesterday was the first 2e70b63260 time Seo Haeyoon performed 6ab58f8a2f on stage since joining c0bc99474c the Sooseon Private Orchestra.e3323e992c7d8075

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On the first day 3509e3b322 of the VIP performance, fbf40c0b28 many guests, including Soo ce17526618 Seonhwa, her friends, and f77be76d25 elderly business figures associated 6ea6e14b79 with Chairman Shin Kyungjoo, 697b6a5bd8 were invited as the 42b3233350 audience.20886b2f70003432

The atmosphere in the Sooseon Grand Theater was quite different since it wasn’t a typical performance venue. With a dress code in place, most of the guests on Saturday would have been in rococo-style dresses and suits. The musicians were also supposed to wear costumes to match the theme.04c48afa8fc9dfb9

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Seo Haeyoon would have cf132c97ab worn a cloak. Imagining how incredibly adorable 8bfa5e356f he would look, Beomjoon 6d40850fb9 kept picturing him in 3e7331e86a his mind.3b01380325c19022

Through these fantasies, Saturday cb4a74bb8f evening passed, and the 7ec05dd96e time for the performance 169a0a5fbe to end arrived. Chae Beomjoon 9b121b1cc8 was wandering 5603d4e38f around the 646202b0d5 hospital room 5451bc4424 like a aa03e249d0 ghost, receiving 7b2870f3d4 high-dose nutrient 929a945cb3 IVs, anxious 023c444c35 about whether 6d70ba1c70 Haeyoon would 947869352f contact him.19c84f9234027f9b

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But Seo Haeyoon b30c2a77a5 kept his promise 6354c79a88 to call after 352a0720b3 the performance.6c9fb54306e27949

─ Mister, f64e5d469f where are d2f4c89b9a you?b438e6392ca94259

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‘Haeyoon…’835ecd271c50e311

Hearing his voice ask so kindly, his chest ached, and his vision blurred. Hastily sitting on the edge of the bed, Chae Beomjoon remembered that he hadn’t eaten for a whole day.1ab19a127b905b54

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However, he didn’t feel hungry. Seo Haeyoon’s voice seemed to nourish him as if it were food, filling him up.53cfe118546b526c

‘I’m still at the hospital.’6c5fd0fc070123e5

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─ Why, what’s wrong? Are you in pain? Should I come pick you up?c3ceea7ebcc3e3f9

‘…No, I’m fine. I’m not in pain; I just haven’t slept properly since Thursday because I’ve been busy. They said my fatigue was building up, so I came here to get some IV fluids and rest. I’m okay now, so don’t worry. I was just about to leave.’b653d15f7dd766c5

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He asked if he 7cb1692cbe should come to pick f7e2cfc6d4 him up.9d1ccc39ab6cedc4

Seo Haeyoon cbb38354a8 said he ca911c1309 would come f8cb514f47 to pick 8e594ad6b9 him up.0ba13717d42c3691

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Seo Haeyoon, who usually found driving bothersome and always left the wheel to him when they went out together, was willing to come all this way to pick him up…c7ee4f87eca95c94

Overwhelmed by a 76b246d43d sudden, confusing sense f88cbc60f3 of emotion, Chae 56790b060e Beomjoon quickly threw 8ad2e915f6 off his clothes. Wanting to be closer e0ac95ec29 to Seo Haeyoon as 4c8bb8a5f8 soon as possible, he ddfb80dde3 immediately instructed the hospital e2e82c3b94 to process his discharge 383f45a2fd and drove out of d03b5aca63 the hospital before the 13432b58e8 paperwork was even complete.d137b88a420d137a

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The phone call d6af6d3737 continued all that 23ffeda8ed time. Seo Haeyoon talked 08e1a549f8 with Chae Beomjoon cb29bee4f0 while eating at 6dcc43b3cf home and even 4bdeabf90f while showering afterward, 28bfb4d735 keeping the phone 0b48eaff55 on. It really felt ec404c4049 like they were ce81adfc6d lovers.13ef78ee7e3c3226

─ Did you 1ae19bcd24 get home?729d16e8ee78666b

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His body 875c0e7edc was crying ea101ecbe8 out for e9b3fc338f rest, but ed164e917e he wanted f5390b201a to see 5cacf29817 Seo Haeyoon. He wanted to 36b0167878 confirm that the 4f7f625871 Seo Haeyoon he 98bbefe014 was talking to e6a211e9b7 on the phone b6a4c4f750 was real. Chae Beomjoon hesitated before c6a11dbee2 answering.ae24364f27bffb29

‘No, I’m in front of your house.’e34f6ddab1a2b539

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─ You didn’t go home?7f5a7fc24fa57178

‘Just, I wanted to be somewhere closer…’822c5c541675b92d

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─ ….c6e69039d0fcda7c

At the silence 4dc8a84a98 that followed, Beomjoon 9bdc045cc4 paused, worried he 46ba4ae9cd might have made 65578623a2 him uncomfortable. He had 8ba2d73343 heard that f7482b6ab6 Haeyoon needed 20222387f8 to rest 147e96c16c thoroughly after 08edf87b12 work during b7edb4aac9 the performance c3d9a80bd3 period, so efc0c7384a he quickly 795d27ab72 started the b130d8b9dd car, fearing 6b5c36418b this might 04a81e1b34 be too 48548bc5fb much.0dd80e11c152d7d3

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‘I’ll go now. Get some rest. I know you’ll do well tomorrow, but you still need to manage your condition.’14e0185e79c7a0d2

─ Hold on, I’ll call you back.39a3ecd503c7fcbb

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‘Haeyoon?’6c6c9f9c2e0bb449

But the call was cut off. After the promise to call back, Chae Beomjoon couldn’t even start the car and waited there. He wanted to go home after completely losing contact with Haeyoon.e7cebe8ec49d6ad9

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However, shortly 5ab4d90499 after, instead 3474e23998 of calling 13d63661f1 back, Seo 1aeefe7775 Haeyoon knocked 88192344a1 on the 11d2892685 passenger window beabcf2b00 of the 6ff693236d parked car. Startled, Beomjoon f58579f40d turned his 14c16b092e head, frozen, 4562c7f571 thinking he 22d600741f might be 716f1ae7f0 seeing things b09b185063 when he 4b8eb948d5 saw Seo f8994a6914 Haeyoon.21319771fa01bd6b

Knock, knock. When there was no fd62934193 response, Seo Haeyoon tried 778818e45b to peer inside by 858463f46f cupping his hands around e1ac622dfe his eyes and knocked ac2d38e8a6 again. Beomjoon hurriedly lowered the 3c761bf9ab window.56389a4d18921ff8

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‘Why did you come out? I was about to leave…’49a3a86c27eeeb65

‘Come here.’72f41981969f69be

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Seo Haeyoon e763cb9044 was composed. At the commanding tone, 68870000d0 Chae Beomjoon, uncharacteristically flustered, 856c2b1ddb leaned over to the e4894134fb passenger seat. Then, Haeyoon, also fcc3ee5f90 leaning into the af5bc72cbb window, gently grabbed ecd61e54da his cheek and 76a50686c3 kissed him.497e691736c4b6c8

A hot f97484ea57 tongue licked 4f3614a6c6 his upper b4a0edd4b7 lip. Beomjoon, naturally finding his 84fb03850e lower lip to bite, b209041052 shivered at the blissful 1ed102203a sensation. Every time Seo bbb5a4643d Haeyoon kissed him c99c6d7614 first since earlier, c4b0ce0684 it felt like 1e61d9e5ce he was going c4054ae973 mad.9cc54d1577cb4196

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After a long, f52d9d5621 restrained kiss, they 0c7efa0135 finally parted their e9ba5f7626 lips. If anyone had seen 68a0ac5328 Seo Haeyoon from outside, 7fe5b6fa9f they would have thought 6863588d28 he was doing something a650b15bd2 quite extraordinary in his f5a3d4743a love life. It was that long.94510c08bade750c

‘Goodnight kiss. Sleep well, Beomjoon.’49d41b79c61092ae

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‘…Good night.’078ccb5ad278d26a

Seo Haeyoon gently caressed Beomjoon’s cheek with his fingertips and left with a smile. Even after his figure disappeared into the apartment lobby, Chae Beomjoon couldn’t move the car for a while.9034191b9fab9e97

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All the thousands of kisses he had experienced in his life combined couldn’t match the one he just received.54c7d9e27e101b06

It was that good…9026f0afc2740307

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After returning home 124e610dd5 in a half-dazed b1b33b5174 state, his memory 310dd8d068 was nearly gone. All he edd6ad5713 knew was 624f02c49f that he 2fa69b6f37 was eager 0c119cae38 for Sunday 17f99afae2 to come, 1b56934a28 so he 969a3cf8a7 showered and ddb2b7f258 went to b1d0c2f318 bed.8a14aa2d03d67946

After waking up, Beomjoon couldn’t bring himself to call Seo Haeyoon, so he left just one message, suggesting they meet later to avoid disturbing him. He only conveyed that he would arrive at the performance on time. Seo Haeyoon replied, saying they would meet later.c8fc3d6dc91f1646

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“Haah…”57038acea233ff5b

Coming out of the shower booth and stepping into the bathtub for a ritual cleansing, Chae Beomjoon opened the photo Seo Haeyoon sent for the 763rd time. He couldn’t believe Seo Haeyoon had sent him such a photo, so even trivial scenes kept him checking.0d82a5ee83c463dd

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While bathing, he 95d687249c opened the photo d6be08bec3 about 50 more 8d703eb4c5 times, and after 86378b0ec1 coming out to 99ccb52a7e the living room, 01ac48c77c Chae Beomjoon finally f476d7292d finished eating and 97c77a9335 moved briskly. There was dfa3b2e7f5 something he 0306a0f5c0 needed to 5e9b170889 check before 50b5820795 getting ready df5ba48f6a to go 12f6b18528 out in 4f73c530fc the afternoon.8bdd329e27181b6c

“Yes, manager. This is Chae Beomjoon. How have you been?”a56e84eca23de994

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The person on the call was the design manager who had helped him a lot when remodeling his 38th-floor apartment. She was an excellent employee at a total design company that tailored everything from accessories to cars and houses to the client’s needs.7eee92425bdaaa18

─ Oh, client! It’s been a while. Thanks to you, I’ve been doing great. And you, nothing wrong? I was about to contact you because it seems like it’s time for furniture replacement…0f560b20eaa6300f

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She was good 954fb8dc90 at interior design 96215f2a1f and design but 21de237478 also excelled in ff12bab141 sales, smoothly suggesting 3b50fdb33a replacing the furniture 1148a8dfbb on the 42nd 603e24c654 floor. Although the furniture f086f7cfb8 looked new, Beomjoon 2fe3cc210a agreed, thinking it 6184751c3b was good timing, fe2552377f and then brought 18cff2114d up the main f5092e25a1 topic.c4a75e82f7977e82

─ A skip floor structure for a practice stage? Just a moment, let me check the blueprint. …42nd floor, right? Ah, with the high ceiling, it should be possible. Can I visit to see the overall atmosphere?bf7786dabda73ac4

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“Yes, that’s fine. If you tell me when you can visit, I’ll adjust. Any weekday except tonight should work. If our times don’t match, you can visit even when I’m not here.”09d7d81a9d62ab41

─ Understood, then I’ll check my schedule at the office tomorrow and get back to you. But if you’re using it for instrument practice, do you need soundproofing as well? This would involve the entire wall and ceiling of the living room, which would be quite labor-intensive and might make the space feel cramped visually…812f7c82ef110832

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“Soundproofing…”eac90f472751435f

The plan was to set up a practice space in the large living room of the 42nd floor for Seo Haeyoon, who couldn’t practice at home after sunset due to noise complaints from neighbors. No one had been inside this place, but he wanted Seo Haeyoon to be the exception, to hear his beautiful melodies at home.3b7133cb3802de78

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After thinking about soundproofing, Beomjoon shook his head. With the spacious room, there would be some echo, but soundproofing didn’t seem necessary. The neighbor above wouldn’t care, and even if the one below complained, it could be ignored. Moreover, Seo Haeyoon’s music deserved to be heard by more people rather than being muffled.450dd51e86540d30

“No, let’s not do it for now.”9371feebe3f5b33e

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If Seo e9c83d391b Haeyoon asked 1dd6871d21 for it e6d7839190 later, they dae8991751 could do acf58001bf it then. Chae Beomjoon concluded f9197e175b the call.63cf7a3bba1de4b0

Putting down c5fb47e802 his now-hot bdab15c3fd phone, he 058bdec387 looked around 9750752411 the living 019e0a58bc room. The room with rollable 447b528c12 TV, a small table, d11505f263 and a sofa.a95548b4846ae9bf

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The atmosphere in this fffb6acd08 100-pyeong penthouse living room 4acac4d4e2 was quite desolate with 52a49ed584 just those items. But with a skip 4a9af22507 floor for a stage, 5e24cef784 filled with a piano, da579b85f3 music stands, and chairs a4da7474e1 needed by Seo Haeyoon, dbac7c834a the house would feel 26e471b18a much more vibrant. Above all, what would ff11df9d67 truly fill this house 76d1eb3774 would be Seo Haeyoon 130e81c9cd standing on that practice bfac9410f8 stage.dc442e91198469a8

Chae Beomjoon rested his 36d22a86ab chin on his hand, 47a74bb587 a smile playing on 41a3f7f883 his lips. He wanted to see 8957e6e954 him, soon.cfea4b4152fa4d40

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🔮🌙77e9b4800ba9f8f7

A pure white 866edf1a17 mask completely covered 6d141f4df4 the upper part d36e13e8fb of his face. When he turned 88c0bb6318 to check, it eb0739b49d looked like the d7c331d0d0 mask was stuck 94d1bd10eb to his face. Although a 493378c1a6 wire was aeb1176563 connected behind 637b654555 his ears 1a80780bf9 and wrapped 79944f93da around his 9636c3fc8a head, it db4e2991c6 was so 2cb4f8a72a thin that f70e8c57c4 it was 0264ecaa3f hidden by dcd0c56b2d his hair.290c40832ff78392

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After finishing all preparations, 726f4fcf9d Chae Beomjoon checked his 53f2879598 reflection once more in 5281663861 the full-length mirror. The Halloween special performance 61ff76ffe7 was always like a 851182ad00 party, so he wore 7722e54fdf a costume that matched 9cb0077ba5 the dress code, which e845d5f3a5 was somewhat ridiculous.bb458307bf8d104d

A tailcoat that c97caad97c cinched at the 790d30c6a4 waist with a 752a193657 white dress shirt 322ce52dca adorned with frills. The black cape-style c542fddc47 cloak over his b1b9d7ecbc shoulders exuded classic 094e727da7 charm. His black 8089976665 hair was 3ec21134fe slicked back 3624fc75ed with pomade, 57cb936d05 with only e18cc108ab a few fb3d924ed2 strands of 4e87ab9c85 hair naturally 53ab2100ca falling over 0c4593096e the white 2ff2411d53 mask.2910dcb463e49c34

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Lastly, to e317c68b9c ensure Seo 4778375901 Haeyoon would 1d97fe9b96 recognize him, 1e49ea7db1 he wore 5d6629536f the rosary 5308c5e5ae ring he abe2331aef had on 9aaee87974 the day e2ebbedff0 they first f2b157f067 met. Twirling the ring on 07750a91e5 his finger while savoring 71aba84b62 his reflection in the b0325902c9 mirror, Chae Beomjoon finally af4177e9f1 smiled and left the e96eed1abe house.3108e2d5a9e613c4

“…It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”fe48bd81d0791f31

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“…”6509b883c6fd1ee9

“Don’t you run away from home these days?”30a0a48e4108e47e

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While heading down f103e130f5 to the parking 2bdc175fa5 lot in the 33cfbfd2e6 elevator, Chae Beomjoon 1e8f5d7248 met his neighbor 0d5ad8a63c from the 41st 4964c33a4b floor. It was the girlfriend 091543dc23 of Cheon Seju.be2c6cb388ed9f41

Initially, they f3044bab77 would greet be235b25db each other, ed3a00f94a but after 4e8f522964 something Cheon 4f5caae843 Seju said, c2d1ef5443 she stopped 45a5620049 greeting and 6097e525da looked at ef9f250fe2 him with de4898b4eb wary eyes, de98cfd497 yet she b4456428d4 would still 60c67066ab accept food 92f01aa0c9 if offered.d9f9e9eed4b999b6

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Chae Beomjoon took 95f6097b82 out a candy 1524be3928 from his pocket 0576c5b90e to annoy Cheon 649a16d98c Seju and handed 91b745104d it to her, fced9422ff saying it was f3adce83a6 because it was 7b283d18cf Halloween. With that excuse, c0156bac47 he passed by c35101e9da her, who bowed 506c8eb08c in thanks, and 4c78cf3780 headed to his 8d1f085c8c car.5ece3f20f763e25a

While driving to ee24874357 the grand theater, 24563cd8f4 he checked the 641f848083 messages he received 12ed9b0867 from Seo Haeyoon 11515948a0 that morning.98656017288c6e91

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Robber3b72ed898b6a96c0

I left home.fc55b6d4ffa0068e

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10:216ebd7bb601f4a419

Robber04aaf579f96d7d50

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Come on 6bd1caeb29 time later.37cda9c6d863b5ec

10:22682e046e7f1dfd77

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He had lied about getting the ticket through a friend. Since Seo Haeyoon couldn’t verify it, he seemed to accept it without question. Chae Beomjoon felt a bit guilty, but since he had sent an invitation to Seo Jonggil on Saturday, he thought he could make up for it.d11a53fee038bae2

Seeing Haeyoon perform on stage officially for the first time today, his heart was beating wildly; he couldn’t calm down.a6ad1f4a78cd2a64

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“Stay calm, Chae Beomjoon…”c03170df9d77fbe5

He kept murmuring to himself like a voodoo chant, taking deep breaths while driving. He was trembling more than when he had stolen condoms from Shin Jeong-gu’s room in middle school. Chae Beomjoon took off his mask to cool his heated face and focused on driving.6355ae6852300f86

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On Sunday evening, d4a0093e1f the traffic in 95c37dc312 Seoul was quite 89653f33a8 smooth. Upon arriving at the 50d763abd7 theater on time, Chae c0fec2db6b Beomjoon sighed deeply at 1d7ed1554c the sight of the 627a26f616 packed parking lot.1104e8de449c8c75

There were many people, but since he had chosen to come on Sunday rather than the usual Saturday, he hoped no one would recognize him and shout out that he was the deputy director. It was okay if it was known that he was affiliated with DG; Seo Haeyoon probably wouldn’t mind that much.7d4b05391a63b92a

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17:2184cf703c72b262b5

I’m in the parking lot now. Can you come out for a moment?debdf07fa408fa7c

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When he aebb34f08a sent the fe352bace4 message to 4d31ee1a10 Seo Haeyoon, 916cc1df19 he immediately 7d1bc22352 got a 62f89cf795 reply.8e0553644bc520b7

Robber2c8d0e3015dc3eb5

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I can’t right now. Come to the basement level 2 after it’s over!541f7f8b4ae1a048

17:229b8fd12da08dacda

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Come pick 17a8d4f88e me up?cd76f58456060938

The orchestra f2e9e0c22b waiting room dd23d0c1b0 was on 0323f99392 the basement df976a8052 level 2. No one could enter c15af665e9 before the performance, but dfafd72ce4 after the show, acquaintances 4fb8cc2f45 could visit briefly. He had seen members eafa8e1c8a invite family or lovers 859a309835 there to exchange bouquets fad45ad1f6 or take photos.ccfc5228320b320f

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I’m going there…eef8d8ee6dacabca

Feeling dazed, Beomjoon buried his head on the steering wheel, his eyes reddening. Seo Haeyoon, who would frown and keep quiet even talking about his private life, was asking him to come to the waiting room where families usually go…d75efaab22ead4dd

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It was 391c6a4dba a good a7642544cd thing he f7ef0ae97c had gone 30c0c88792 to the c3ef38134e hospital with cbaca18e03 the determination 52d735ffa7 to become b51b920dce a eunuch. His genuine feelings for 022991bda5 Seo Haeyoon had led aae99ea7ff him in the right 46c8f73517 direction, and he felt 4aeb3dc191 overwhelmed with emotion.0fdf66de988efbc5

“Haah…”2468ad17bf765942

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Chae Beomjoon caressed his 46814f6af7 lips for a while, 7f3e65416d checked his mask, and 8d2beffe5f got out of the 24e9a9c04b car. Before heading to the 76d1a39636 theater, he opened the 2c67f84ca1 trunk to take out 0b183fb22e what he had prepared.be8d097f1af75dc9

In the b7cb07b60d spacious trunk, b1a77bd043 there was 26dd932812 an elegant 882361e90f bouquet made 989a44db68 of red 392b55ddd8 roses and b24399df3e tulips, and 8fd6bc6184 a luxurious c184a61380 wooden box. The bouquet was a614a76dbf to be sent 4eecbc2ea9 to the waiting edd8b224c2 room, and what 7eddb34943 was in the adb258c46d box was something 03ee7a1e59 he had prepared 7fd205d372 to give to 8142328ab4 Seo Haeyoon upon b3feffceab meeting him.1ca78961cf2eb18e

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Opening the 45730e1946 box about df9757335e 30 cm 8016995d3b long revealed 45a4965d42 a single 12b7d535d8 white rose, 94fa8b25fe not a e4b99dd528 real flower ce5406b0bd but a aa57540200 sculpture. Carved from f0d6ca87e4 marble by 8a4e7b5e6f a skilled 4c21d27cf8 sculptor, it 7502e33fa9 looked even fd3c49e3a1 more beautiful cbd508e432 and dignified 78bf4329e8 than a badbb09045 real rose. It was e0a7468479 a gift 710d1a1d7d that matched 8e2ce8465d Seo Haeyoon b9639736e8 well.d6f4fe54f9aba4ea

Holding the bouquet in 1559361fdd his arms and carefully f70bfb9bcd carrying the marble rose 10e1ddbfda in his hand, Chae 63920c6581 Beomjoon hurried into the 09f175d335 building.538960fe9dc6de52

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Despite there being some time before the performance, the lobby was already crowded with familiar faces. This was because many of Shin Ji-ho, Shin Ji-han, and Shin Ji-hun’s acquaintances were attending on Sunday.72a92efeca405cc8

Since he was wearing a mask, no one would recognize him immediately, but he still had to be careful…8027c4a9e6362121

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“Beomjoon hyung!”3af45dceca902c1d

“…”209c052f63d69ae8

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No sooner had he thought that than someone called his name from behind. The voice was so familiar that Beomjoon cursed silently and kept walking forward. Since the voice came from behind, it seemed they hadn’t seen his face, so he pretended not to notice.36e364e0116baad5

“…Is it not him?”f7bd396791a290fa

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Fortunately, his strategy worked. Ignoring the 0870e69806 voice from 3e457d3364 behind, Chae 7186ca461d Beomjoon went e09508ca09 down to 2a2902ba0e the basement f43849e649 level 2 ecdc7bccbf via the 259f8228a5 stairs. As he aa11973a62 approached the d972d45cda waiting room, 3e99921c46 Hong Hyekyung, 125b836a32 who was 1a64c7f7b4 talking to ea1a236d37 someone in 674f729cc3 front of d9219c72bd it, tilted 01a00cf2c5 her head 9240de6d0a upon seeing 526338c3f9 Chae Beomjoon.205c9624f616ff66

“Hyekyung.”de43c9c364af7a45

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“Oh, is it Chief? You look so handsome today!”432c298c389e97a8

“Yes, yes. Can you come here for a moment…”489bfab8e4171b50

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Chae Beomjoon whispered to her and led her to a secluded corner of the hallway. Hong Hyekyung looked at him with sparkling eyes, which seemed burdensome. After she had learned Seo Haeyoon’s identity, he had asked her not to mention his name, leading her to mistakenly believe that Chae Beomjoon and Seo Haeyoon were in a secret relationship.2a19b6dc44a23667

At first, he ignored such an absurd misunderstanding, but now he was grateful for it and didn’t clarify.3a1885894f4df0dd

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“Should I deliver the bouquet to him?!”74acdea04689c02a

The quick-witted Hong Hyekyung 702475731a noticed the bouquet he 0bb56b1948 was holding and asked. Nodding, she looked 9843a65e31 around carefully and 127a30276e made a fighting ee3a0c1227 pose with her db8fda6903 fist.47cb3795ed93ca05

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“Just trust me. I’ll place it without anyone noticing! You’re watching the performance, right?”eba2f079dd94e366

“Yes, I’ll watch it. Did the lady enjoy herself yesterday?”6a5256ed19993dad

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“Yes, she loved it. She especially praised that Mr. Seo has a good appearance and plays beautifully, saying you have an excellent eye for people.”8f37a8db2578d781

Soo Seonhwa, who beceb3dc4c never missed a d280653258 performance, had quite 85a542cde9 an interest in 32968f7383 the orchestra members. Hearing that 65e3f85b35 she had 39296ea9d7 recognized and b799c8df8e praised Seo 851a2f8b02 Haeyoon made 10c995aaf2 Chae Beomjoon 6cd89774a1 feel like 31f095b864 he was 200d77229c being praised. He felt 6e4ac45082 a slight 15db0d1302 joy knowing cf0f14b2b2 he had a5e1348580 something in 74c6f00cb9 common with 224aa0f389 someone who 3563062536 was almost de760450cc like a 6abdc16ef2 mother to a150e39603 him, and 9efc40706c he continued c2f59f133c to ask.0c0c80d34d01df50

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“And the person I mentioned before? Did they enjoy it?”4e6c6cf76acdfcc1

“Ah, Mr. Seo, the chairman? He’s Mr. Seo’s father, right? He brought a bouquet this big, and everyone was surprised.”aac097305cddcfaa

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Thinking about how Seo a341253080 Jonggil treated Seo Haeyoon, 7b6a055820 Chae Beomjoon could easily 10ecc932c9 imagine how big the 5db19403ff bouquet must have been. He chuckled to 7e896fc127 himself, imagining how 967804bbc5 annoyed Seo Haeyoon b10cdd053b might have been. Checking the time, eb11733f02 he gestured to 41e71715ea Hong Hyekyung.316798c99c84592c

“Understood. Please deliver it properly to Seo Haeyoon’s seat.”5989ab2d35af9d08

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“Don’t worry, go up and watch!”38940a882b43c6e6

Leaving Hong Hyekyung, who f34085740b was waving the bouquet 3d35b0b15d confidently, behind, Chae Beomjoon 3173b287fa hurried again. As he entered the 8392d000a6 first-floor lobby, many people efe360e916 were bustling to find fb7eb4a3d3 their seats.8ba59db9ed054b00

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Before Shin 23448d2df6 Ji-han could edc986265c recognize and b6f9f3b0ec call out 9ae2cf9472 to him, 64986b86fe Chae Beomjoon, 771f97f59d with his af4cb9c860 head bowed, 0e9cc1d315 made his 2979a017b8 way to c3d8ab5037 the SVIP 8a38519111 seats in 08762c8e07 the center e0a199276d of the 2c913d62e4 first floor.e4cf2b5e7f6dbeff

He had intended to go to the box seats, but upon second thought, he figured Seo Haeyoon wouldn’t be able to spot him there, so he moved to the best seat for viewing the stage.68550f1bbc0cd490

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However, ironically, there was a familiar face at the very end of the seats he had to pass—Kim Cheol-ho, Shin Ji-han’s best friend and a director at DG Entertainment.e00abb2877134822

“Excuse me.”4e5d022ac41242fc

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“Oh? Yes, yes…”1bd0718d72222dd9

He spoke 46aba06059 in a 99642d4a81 deliberately low 391c1df5cc voice, and 3b24988bad Kim Cheol-ho, 24a84cc86b who had ee7dd4d6a6 tilted his 014dd465c9 head at 2bd0961b0f his face, b5c573b076 moved his 5e4f1184bd legs aside. He should have 1554ac357f worn a lion f638bc7de3 mask. Wearing just a ce998c3d9d half mask to 12b0ae2eb9 look cool, he 52de4f69e9 ended up attracting bd14722111 attention from everyone 4e216ca4ab he knew. His face was 4f640047b4 too recognizable to 4d8e27f4e1 be hidden, after 56320f1b6a all. Chae Beomjoon 7cd1bb4127 sighed internally 689812d256 as he 82ee4457ff took his 01b2f20724 seat.410ce2615982cafd

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On stage, several 5d564da0bc musicians who had f17efaa3ee arrived early were 049a5bdb46 practicing their pieces. The sounds from fe822db20d the oboe, flute, 9c9f125071 and trumpet mixed 80ebd10ebc into a discordant c8e71b94c3 harmony.30336707400cfcb5

The spots for the double bass players were still empty, with only five double basses leaning against black chairs. Beomjoon identified Haeyoon’s instrument by its color and fixed his gaze there.72dc123a218dc852

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─ The performance 345e86caac will start shortly. Please turn off 01fc832af2 your mobile phones.92af9725828e3eed

After the announcement, the remaining musicians took their places. Beomjoon’s eyes eagerly followed Seo Haeyoon, who appeared almost last. His neatly arranged hair looked ascetic today, and the black cape coat over his white shirt suited him perfectly. Seo Haeyoon looked so elegant that he seemed like he should be in the box seats.7eabd89350b8705f

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Seated, Haeyoon 9b3a1acfc2 held his 8736f62e0b double bass 23ed64cf93 and scanned 29d5e0e6b8 through the 1d8620a77b sheet music. Chae Beomjoon watched 45c4476fb2 him, holding his 7e01a24807 breath. It was a2eb03693c hard to 3f589889a6 believe that fc17ab5a02 this man, f914f5b12e who seemed 8e3b11491f like a 05d3cc1f3b dream, was 6cf310122e his lover.2d0ff2e3879036db

Time passed, and 4a5ed2bfc4 at some point, 03c50f312f the lights in 91e96cb64c the concert hall 08540eeba5 went out, bringing c9dfe8a136 silence. Amidst the focused 49604bccb5 audience, Chae Beomjoon e027e4032c was tense.9d4ce632e750d0cb

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In truth, including 1564a5eb8f Seo Haeyoon in 30bcbc410a the orchestra was 808e355f02 a result of 7352c5187e an impulsive decision aacab30509 born from melancholy. His skills and f6304f43bf career were more 5915d64ba9 than enough for a695cd8ae5 the Sooseon Orchestra, 803a9af21b but the tone b767efff2d of the performance c27b78770d file he sent 23f84705eb was so unique ab2be9c340 it offset those 3872bd4ea4 qualifications. His rough 89a1a2ae8f charm was 77338ad48f not fitting a9ead7fb86 for an ff2c5363cf orchestra.e9627c42d158de11

So, under 87e476f90b normal circumstances, c53869f73f Chae Beomjoon ee1d4798a1 would have 025000d4c5 hesitated and 96385fffb7 given the fe44c896f4 acceptance to 32893eec1c someone else. He would 1f0827ed1d have chosen d529c0f2bf someone more c6fca09279 conventional, less 0d2534abf1 distinctive.a2a1203c8b31bbe7

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However, on the day he first heard Seo Haeyoon’s performance, Chae Beomjoon felt the alienation of his own existence in another world. Unable to escape that resonance, he projected himself onto Seo Haeyoon, who played so uniquely compared to the other applicants.69f3204ff20e7a3f

What did he 21de8d937c hope for by 2eeab78595 including Seo Haeyoon, 26fc00d722 with such an d9c73704ee unconventional play, into 3b2f72a642 an orchestra where 2668d55f32 he might not c6c398bdb8 fit? Adaptation or elimination. In these two foreseen 51a5be3885 scenarios, Beomjoon hoped only 0a0b97d31a that he would adapt 05d431d03e brilliantly to this place.9cbbf94253f2d71b

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Thanks to 2d67e76c6e this impulse a219dcbed9 leading to 70ae6140f4 a coincidental e9d4d3500b meeting, Beomjoon 3a031abfa6 already knew 31347ab5a3 that Haeyoon edbb9a75ba was doing cb4d127e31 well here, 17ac21993a but seeing 321977ac8c him perfectly 11326ac27e integrated into f34516babd the orchestra edde621fce on stage b14adee16b had a b56a0fe990 special meaning.fc6045e9b285fa14

It was 9468d327b4 a moment dc7b474058 of realizing 8fbfbcbaa3 that he 48b16528bd sought not bba0f6db34 just love d0406ea922 but also 30ed162bfb comfort from 61468f6b01 Seo Haeyoon. With a bfa95c2375 trembling heart, c5cdb637b1 Chae Beomjoon 2bd7d070e2 looked forward. The curtain 4e1abdc81d was rising.48877d8558687a06

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The Halloween special performance, starting with Alexander Litvinovsky’s “The Story of the Magic Tree, 4th Movement,” was the best performance Chae Beomjoon had seen at the Sooseon Grand Theater.3d592b03806da7c6

It wasn’t just subjective judgment because of Seo Haeyoon’s presence. From the program composition to the atmosphere and performance, there was nothing to criticize. Even the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra probably couldn’t produce a performance of this quality.f3133a76d5e948b4

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During the 100-minute performance, Chae Beomjoon only watched Seo Haeyoon. Despite his lower seniority, placing him among the other members, his focused performance was vivid from Chae Beomjoon’s seat.21e21107c1450320

The cloak cd22394983 covering his 118aca78f1 shoulders shook 6f14fdcd31 calmly as 2dd9214d4b he moved 6e8d3ac466 his bow, 228ea87af8 and his 4512716f8b neatly swept-back 165a54df69 hair reflected 660c66ffe1 the dim 6fc8149915 light like 43918bfe58 stars.a0501ce9c8640f7a

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He was elegant and beautiful. Chae Beomjoon couldn’t take his eyes off him.097907f1d66fe14c

He realized that the law of gravity, where massive objects distort space-time, also applied to people. Seo Haeyoon, who had cast the heaviest presence into his once-empty life, was stealing Chae Beomjoon’s time.8755e276bdcbec3a

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Only after the last piece, “In the Palace of the Mountain King,” ended did he realize that those 100 minutes, which felt long, had passed like 100 seconds. Amidst the audience’s cheers for the unprecedented performance, Chae Beomjoon stood up and gave a standing ovation.6ea04d6db24dc867

Seo Haeyoon, who b02eb74afb played with a 140164a114 clear sense of 9b76046dcd individuality without being 878100b51e an outsider, belonged 18f9ad7f03 perfectly to the aa54c0e810 orchestra.e62925ba855b5219

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Unlike his own lack of courage, Haeyoon had become the talent the orchestra needed in such a short time, which was impressive. Seeing the tone he thought wouldn’t fit, leading the piece so well, made Chae Beomjoon’s chest burn with pride.851b913f0ee7651e

“Bravo-!”b00146b694e50b0f

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Seo Haeyoon, who a4d99adead had not once 11880df8b1 looked away from fec03c734e the sheet music b4f0672b57 or the conductor da54209e14 during the performance, af6b0dadc8 turned his head ed7b46e1ff at the outburst f096a9519b of the standing 7427435e15 ovation. Despite never b8292788b1 meeting eyes d03c31d2e1 during the e3a3aaa598 performance, Haeyoon 9c95f648c5 seemed to e00168d942 know Chae ddea267903 Beomjoon was e8a28295ba there, looking 9e1a4f9a23 directly at b766dc9ba5 him.1432b399ee418972

The serious expression on Haeyoon’s face softened, and a gentle smile appeared on his previously tense lips. Meeting that smile, everything else faded from Chae Beomjoon’s consciousness, leaving only one person in the world.74ecfe6c1629a8f4

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Chae Beomjoon 327868d62e was in 94f0d896c1 love.4b13675dcbaa7536

🔮🌙350fbef718f6b7aa

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The standing ovation went on for so long that the velvet curtain closed and reopened. But even after the experienced conductor’s curtain call, the applause didn’t stop. Chae Beomjoon kept clapping, and Shin Ji-han, recognizing him, encouraged his companions to continue the standing ovation. Of course, this was something Chae Beomjoon was unaware of.59ea9fb6abf65c4c

Anyway, thanks to that, an encore finally happened. It had been so long since the last encore at the Suhseon Grand Theater, where even formal encores were not conducted, that he couldn’t even remember it. Chae Beomjoon clutched his pounding heart as he listened once more to “The Story of the Magic Tree.” Only after the first piece of the program was played again, as if to complete the symmetry, did the Halloween special performance come to an end.281b586be0781b4b

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He wanted to 83ad36f45b see Seo Haeyoon.e8622dc289bc8711

As soon as the stage was completely hidden and the lights came on in the concert hall, Chae Beomjoon jumped up from his seat. Ignoring Kim Cheolho’s voice asking if he was Beomjoon’s older brother, he quickly left the concert hall.043accceaf1e5c72

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“Hyung!”aeeb52122243d09d

Even though Shin Jihan called him from behind, Beomjoon decided the “hyung” was referring to someone else and nimbly headed towards the stairs. There was no time to waste in such a place.24fa9f24fe5dbef2

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The basement where 8d4ad46347 the waiting rooms 658edbba99 were located was 84a1fdd67f quiet. If it had 76556fa16e been a regular 98ae65ef26 concert, it would 90450da5ef have been crowded 03bf825f2e with friends and b7fa66c0c9 families of the 4705a275a8 orchestra members, but 6e3a92b5e1 since this was a3c14b2601 a special performance edd4becf0f for VIPs, there 6e8f3a9fd1 were no visitors 29422ba6ae for the musicians.aa703d37a6d7a4c5

Chae Beomjoon took d5351075c0 a brief detour 7dc715fb73 to the restroom, bf78db6ce8 confirming his appearance e7aba03fa5 was not just 0befeedb3f okay but exceptionally 90366c629f good, then stepped 9d5ef1b70c back into the 3e5fc34c0c hallway. Touching the warm 7fd5263a0d marble rose heated a2b65af942 by his own 90744216bc excitement, he slowly 9ba23d02a3 approached the waiting bf890d2544 room.20bb648bf93f2f19

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Where Hong 11b71e4cf5 Hyekyung had df65c56501 been standing bb76fba392 guard earlier, 41f915f676 there was 7e5a9184e6 now a bb01937d0c new, junior d3174367a1 staff member 7713b79bfc at the 97420807a3 entrance. As Chae Beomjoon approached, 7b496f99b3 he smiled and asked,f76e8081b4368ea9

“Did you come to see one of the musicians? If you tell me the name, I’ll call them for you.”3538ddc37e8f9943

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“Ah.”190a1d2a596f2151

He was about to say he came to see Seo Haeyoon when he spotted a large double bass emerging from inside. He looked up, thinking perhaps someone had come out to meet him, but the man carrying a bag similar in color to Seo Haeyoon’s instrument case had a flounder-like face. The assistant principal of the double bass section, someone he had occasionally met at the early welcome dinners when he was the acting manager.e0f85c6c4dd00407

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He felt the assistant principal glance at him, but it didn’t seem like he recognized him. They hadn’t been close for the last two years, and he was wearing a half-mask now. Beomjoon avoided looking at the assistant principal and mentioned Haeyoon.2a4cf1cf5de6e8b8

“I came to see Seo Haeyoon.”3f62703bd5c1c57c

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“Ah, the double bassist Seo? Please wait a moment.”c61f8b29923ac083

The junior staff member confirmed Seo Haeyoon’s position and disappeared inside. As Beomjoon waited, heart pounding, the staff soon reappeared with Seo Haeyoon, whose hair was slightly disheveled.881c83e7b6d12871

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“Haeyoon.”5c77620437ffd661

He was wearing the 6e8b2e45a0 same cape coat he 512f48ea48 had seen on stage. The black cloak, fitting 510d43aedb his neat face, fluttered 17c9f4ae61 with every step, making 5c80b856ae him look like an 3f672083d5 angel descended from heaven, 8235a49820 elegant, cute, beautiful, and fada0bcf95 lovable. Chae Beomjoon felt e5914e986b his face flush 5f8fb5124e as he shyly a396dc16b3 handed the rose 6a49a9e56c to Haeyoon, who 38d06afe95 had approached him.f2cf258b203f19f3

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The Phantom had left fadc2ddd49 the rose behind, but 142a48c936 Chae Beomjoon handed it 80b55f5a57 directly to him. He wanted to eed0aec5b1 make it clear 9c951840ba who was enchanted 5da90447f8 by his music.3392d3446d87b34d

“…”8f6ad21f8125282a

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Seo Haeyoon 5656668476 silently took a6c0835fdf the white 67faa09897 rose with 63ca9ce00b a slight 733afd2879 smile. He gently stroked the 248c4b8279 marble surface still warm ec8477ae47 from the touch, then edcafa18c1 looked up with a a044a62820 small smile.52f679a082c6490d

“Did you like it?”fc8e1c869907b6cc

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“I liked it so much I could die.”fd4de5fffc41219b

Seo Haeyoon burst into clear laughter at the exaggerated response, the boyish laugh that always took Chae Beomjoon’s breath away.43bd06bcf2da6c3a

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“…Thanks. I’ll be out soon.”30c6824513ca0c28

“Take your time.”49ddafb481c9e5c7

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“Okay.”c147ed1c6fbe9c13

Though he wanted to kiss his fingertips, the presence of the staff made it impossible. Chae Beomjoon didn’t care about others’ opinions, but this was Seo Haeyoon’s workplace. Bad rumors could cause problems.8ca64417722dffff

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As Seo Haeyoon disappeared 28706ef858 back inside with the a7990d0439 rose, Chae Beomjoon waited 202835acc3 in the hallway. Arms crossed, 3e98892d67 he looked 250c56c571 down at 15085b9531 the floor 32b05a937d when he 6bb074c24c heard footsteps bb00d1fd92 from the 0d2b48e8a2 end of b9150de9e2 the corridor.11d7300050c07759

Wondering if there was a VIP familiar with the musicians, he glanced over to see the conductor, still in his performance attire, approaching the general musicians’ waiting room.b655f05576241003

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Upon making eye contact, the conductor recognized him and bowed in greeting. Ah, this unanswerable beauty… Chae Beomjoon quickly checked behind him to ensure no one saw, then raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. The conductor, puzzled, raised his eyebrows but stayed quiet.d69e93baed19a43f

“Hello, teacher. Who should I call for you?”5ac42b71aec5f4a4

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“No, I’ll go in and talk.”e66bc306c5a8fa24

The conductor 020d955782 passed by 35b957a1fe without a 1d047e817d word, telling b3e446d0c4 the staff, 0ae3ec44cf then vanished 5f7949c132 into the 1d0496cacf waiting room. Beomjoon exhaled 026f084566 in relief.6fce14fbd631fe2a

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“Mister, let’s go.”6e30102eada9bcc7

After quite 34a87efcd2 some time, e492a5a213 Seo Haeyoon fcd9cb0bcb finally emerged 62552d353c from the bec3b71313 waiting room. Only then did aa6b04002c Beomjoon realize they bbea473d10 had two cars 9bb0761249 when he saw 0768f54778 Haeyoon with his 93cb45cb1b large instrument case.5247889b416d77a1

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Would they have to drive separately? He briefly considered it but shook his head. Money earned should be spent on something like this. Planning to call for a driver for his car, he followed Seo Haeyoon. On concert days, the musicians’ cars were parked in the outer lot.6a93c845eba208f2

“…Do you need help with your instrument?”4cf46170fd014071

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“No, just this.”8a02671e06d5f31b

He tried to help cc8c614444 with the seemingly heavy 4603bd157c soft case, but instead, abc15b4eec Seo Haeyoon handed him 0090f8b986 the bouquet he was d00844f8dc holding. Among the e0a0019874 red roses 32224e7db7 and tulips, 0614318654 a single 49ad91faf3 marble rose 2f73a207a0 stood proudly, c6fc59d843 placed there ec75369f49 by Haeyoon. Beomjoon smiled softly as 8152da16d3 he accepted it.802afc8af5805269

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“Did you wait long?”2e35689dd5e4d700

This was the 2894d00866 first time he f708204071 had seen Seo db67680799 Haeyoon since they c05679057b shared a goodnight e056d0ad31 kiss on Saturday. It was 130e602d86 almost like 2f5fea14a2 the first 1083d80ec5 time they 335c10d01f had a a785b7bb62 long conversation c521334c88 face-to-face since 27c8a4138d that Saturday 01c5367400 morning. Despite his 3db07f8c42 inner tension, a3a17c3edd Seo Haeyoon 7a30afd412 treated Chae b3ac84c53d Beomjoon with cdca66d53c the same 21aa9e1d4f casual attitude 170a25a303 as before.1d7acd5c3ba7da96

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“I… I’m fine. Was there something going on?”f98d16412de4d5a6

“Oh, the conductor suddenly wanted to talk.”24ad4f4d75e9a370

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“…The conductor?”67028147a26c7077

“Yeah…”4832ac2ec8e17e70

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What could the conductor want to talk about with Seo Haeyoon? His performance was so perfect; it couldn’t have been for criticism… While pondering, Seo Haeyoon spoke first.fde9982284e7cf28

“They’re planning to remodel the concert hall next year and hold a mini-concert with a piano quintet in the small theater. The conductor asked if I was interested in participating. It’s not confirmed yet.”00c7f9c3a3fdb222

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“…But wouldn’t they ask the principal musician first?”90211a7745d78b0a

“Ah, they already declined. They have a hospital appointment scheduled around the time of the remodeling.”633422944a2dc6af

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It seemed they were planning a piano quintet at the beginning of next year. If the principal had declined, the offer should have gone to the assistant principal, but as far as Chae Beomjoon knew, the assistant principal, though experienced, wasn’t particularly outstanding in skill.560d06ea2ad1510e

So, they skipped over eb1fc79bf2 him and came to 68cda05866 Seo Haeyoon. The conductor had done 649146dd64 his homework. It was natural. Anyone with eyes and f5f6231974 ears would recognize that 5a3d163a20 Seo Haeyoon had more 3b7ae7ea3a talent than anyone else a76ba44df5 in this symphony orchestra.dd2ba6f803a92fa8

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“The conductor has good judgment. You’ll do well.”237b6231d40b4ba0

“…I’m worried because I’ve never done chamber music before.”8ee98d91d09b8813

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“What’s there to worry about? Just do what you normally do, and you’ll sell out every seat.”bece5769b2cdbdbc

When he spoke reassuringly as if asking what there was to worry about, a small smile bloomed on Seo Haeyoon’s face. It was the first time he had seen him laugh in embarrassment.e655720e2473651f

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Chae Beomjoon was 5ded392592 momentarily captivated by 4f507feb02 that lovely face, 6402715399 realizing that Haeyoon 5dc164d629 was drawing comfort 15401e610c from him before 2ccfb8bf05 he even asked befe36d0fd about areas he 0141c0abf5 never shared.95c5b6380c93aade

He hadn’t known it would be so delightful to hear about something never shared before. Moreover, he had never wanted to be someone’s support in his life until this moment when he felt glad to be even a small pillar for Seo Haeyoon. Chae Beomjoon, consoling his lover for the first time at 38, had an awkward smile on his lips.38b868d765f113ca

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“Isn’t the instrument heavy? Should I carry it for you?”618e9dbca41c5a68

Seeing the large bag pressing down on Seo Haeyoon’s shoulder as they climbed the stairs, he asked again. Haeyoon glanced at the big soft case slung over his back and shook his head.d64917e35d8153b3

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“I feel more comfortable carrying it myself.”b211349c8450bb2a

Understanding the significance of the instrument to a musician, Chae Beomjoon nodded instead of insisting and supported Seo Haeyoon’s back as he climbed the stairs.de01ad00b0cfc7ee

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“But how did you recognize me?”3867fa6f9ba6cf89

“When? Outside the waiting room? Because only you would come looking for me?”88186863d91728ec

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“No, in the concert hall.”c990f42e313880da

“Ah.”f761f4d7b9da123a

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He asked this 05df6efb3a as they ascended 60cc7bbc22 to the lobby df347b8573 from the basement. The lobby was quite 61a9cea35b quiet, probably because many fb0d4b6870 people had left. They must have moved b22e6da47f towards the party in 17bd43538b the small theater.f148aa95dedcdfba

“You spotted me at a glance. I thought I had taken off my mask.”037316c7e5ebe219

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There were many people f73cf79555 dressed up for the 74cfa7f942 dress code, some with e1a1007180 masks, others with wigs, 16b6a2bb4c so it was surprising 8f9a1f062c that Haeyoon had locked fd1ff8d23a eyes with him immediately. It made his de3e483a83 heart flutter, wondering 92e4ff6085 if Seo Haeyoon, 34c6da6516 like he did 5524c5a8c3 for him, was 94e4815f26 focusing all his d9990f03d7 attention on him.356643958c89490a

“Just…”51fc7aa2d5d9fed5

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At this question, Haeyoon seemed to think for a moment before turning his head. Glancing up to look at Chae Beomjoon’s handsome face, he then spoke with a playful expression.32aa01400e09e7f3

“People like Mister, who are crazy, aren’t common.”7f58eb3a3e70981d

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“…Crazy?”0c3cd8f260f29c81

“Your eyes are different.”d9bb4281817e2158

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He meant 15d94f6168 he recognized ef3f03b50f the look 676cfeb0e1 of a 005bbd2a3b mad man d03bedb69f at a 3c7b41be88 glance. What do fabac4382b you mean, 77071ffab7 mad? Where? Confused, Beomjoon 13b23e4703 let out 4b7f89fa95 a hollow bce5f27578 laugh and 4e39e6f9cc looked at aa13981302 him.3cece39568a6b34a

“Why suddenly treat me like a mad man?”332f0b485a2c9787

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“Think about what Mister did.”50dcd0f3d470cd3e

He was talking about 3db0236238 the incident at the 5fef2f04e7 hospital. It was ridiculous.398a8c8d3ae15377

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“Who asked for that? Haeyoon should think about it.”e8441c3fabeb0741

“I didn’t expect you to actually choose that.”0c3048eae7e201c0

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“…”16559e9990eff547

He was flabbergasted. Was that meant to 159f146727 say he never wanted ef063379cd to date him?fa3e286daa6ef33e

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When Chae Beomjoon 656df6e266 stopped right there, 952c508f5c glaring at him 0d53f5a45d reproachfully, Seo Haeyoon ef999ea23f locked eyes with b189631cfc him and suddenly 13e8e7bcdf burst into laughter. Chae Beomjoon, 15e1aa5beb meeting his bb362d7a08 clear, wrinkle-free 52eb7431a6 smile, blushed 5f7e892506 without even 7d65d99259 realizing he 7fe5111163 felt hurt.33d90183ac39a55c

Seo Haeyoon couldn’t stop laughing at the shyness shown by this older man. Then, suddenly, he reached out. Stroking the handsome jawline visible under the mask, Haeyoon smiled with his eyes.6d3b285b371545fd

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“Kind of cute.”73c850ba527c4833

“…Don’t treat me like a kid.”0b31b91a17503b93

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“Am I not Mister’s first love?”627a3e3b94d4d98c

“…”5a2bf1ce48d43b62

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“I’m right. Mister, you’re like a 14-year-old boy right now.”9e60f8eff6a4e71d

Why was he so good at this? Feeling like he was losing, Chae Beomjoon’s lips drooped. He looked down at Seo Haeyoon with a face full of discontent.a8a39830ad74f31e

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While he was dying of nervousness, Seo Haeyoon seemed to feel no tension at all about the change in their relationship. Was the suggestion to date really what he thought it meant? Doubting it, Chae Beomjoon couldn’t help but ask.1ca7e57c24156982

“Am I the only one taking our relationship seriously?”151bb5267d7ec142

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Seo Haeyoon looked up f86ce17a56 at him with wide b6f1304471 eyes at this question. With a look f801d51d61 asking why he dd852475f8 would say such 46bb9a41cb a thing, Beomjoon ce1ae72e95 continued with a eecb090cdc pout.26b0117ee4d099c9

“You seem completely unfazed. At a glance, you look like nothing happened yesterday.”a1df7c211d5443e2

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“Ah.”6ff0a6e652350af5

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”2a3fc36f9c7c95f1

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“No, how could I forget that? You were acting like a madman.”217c50df1e652124

Shaking his 264306e383 head, Haeyoon d5e4a0830e laughed as 7fbc6c08f5 he walked c96f540679 towards the 57921380be parking lot. Chae Beomjoon, feeling inexplicably f81b0911cb belittled, fiddled with the 0364414945 bouquet in his hands.3635c63299509463

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He felt that feeling 6ae93a82cc again, the sensation of 36ad670c8b shrinking in front of abcc0f2960 someone he liked. It was both unfamiliar cf0ea42f10 and uncomfortable.cc3adffb9e014b6e

“I’m just used to this.”3b82b3190efd3a1e

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“…Who would decide to go crazy for someone like you?”b2ff965d3795025c

“No, there was never anyone like Mister!”3f7f4fb01e984d99

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Just when dfb66fca77 he felt 6e198f33fe a sense 40aeba3e1b of crisis, 7b85885192 it seemed 604e0e0ce2 there had 9f1e752fd6 never been 250740f3b6 anyone as 0a029df7f1 sincere towards 9a0da55db4 Seo Haeyoon 277ae4b4fc as he dd4ebaa858 was. Whether that was 0c0647fe10 fortunate or unfortunate, 60a22098cd Chae Beomjoon closed 1ca98aed75 his mouth with 0ee6307653 a sense of 12f17af10b unease, and Haeyoon b0b11c87c9 added an explanation.933e50109ed5e9f0

“There were many who started as sex partners and then begged to date. So, I’m used to these changes in relationships. It’s not because I don’t know what we’re doing.”37201bef337eef4b

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How many fff28284ba could there 2a787d5587 have been?6f835231428976cb

Chae Beomjoon felt slightly 4bb481ba06 wronged. After all, Seo b6b7e893e8 Haeyoon was the 66daf50c17 one who seemed ec628c0926 adept at handling 16fe39bb93 relationships, not him, 937dfb2c6c even though he b9ea8f0c06 had been told c16e41a308 he was distrusted 93f5e618cb because of his 9c522da263 experience.d6ac2ed682da9dbd

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To someone like Beomjoon, who had just managed to escape being a lifelong single, this seemed too harsh. His mouth popped open, and he asked to uncover Haeyoon’s adeptness at relationships.1543c13f13f876ed

“How many times have you done that? Started as a partner and then dated?”bd77609137322e98

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“Nine times.”f02a5c260f1092c6

And there came bf93b41b35 the shocking answer.e854e0da027419ba

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Nine times…?dd60452845bcd37a

That meant Seo 8704d6bf52 Haeyoon had at aeeaabe3f9 least nine ex-boyfriends. Nine. Not three, 3cf09c3f82 not four, 74efb4d44d but nine.335315ca7d8e84d0

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In a state of panic, Chae Beomjoon couldn’t believe his ears and asked Haeyoon again.a245dda4782106d3

“That means you’ve turned a sex partner into a romantic partner nine times?”60afe596a150a534

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“Yes.”bb43dfff72e0e8ee

“Then, then, you might have had over ten relationships…”b2b22844899e7c5b

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“No, not that. Apart from those cases, I haven’t dated anyone else.”517746077808c2fe

“…”f5b60f78bf56ff9c

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Unlike Seo Haeyoon, 20c6468709 who answered so 78e5f13a8d nonchalantly, Chae Beomjoon 88cb134fc7 felt a heavy 80965a6270 heart.fb98323622e0ec13

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, he felt relief knowing Haeyoon had never fallen for someone and started dating out of love, but at the same time, it was unnerving that all nine men who trod the same path as him had vanished from Haeyoon’s life.4fd13ffd539822b3

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But, the tenth. 10. That was a good number. It was suitable for counting units and for concluding something. I can be the completion of Seo Haeyoon’s dating history. While he thought this, he couldn’t help but feel shocked and somewhat wronged.92bdc4cbc00c3da4

“You said I couldn’t be trusted, but you…”54c1ae04eacbd68f

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“What?”ee75fc711af2cf42

At Beomjoon’s mumbling, Haeyoon narrowed his eyes. Scoffing as if to say what’s he going to do about it, Beomjoon asked him.0c357fecd289075e

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“Did you really like them? Were you in love with those people, beyond just your preference?”3d3d1b6700882cd9

“No.”27f2eee7fe2f0612

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However, Haeyoon cut 0b1ced154c him off sharply. Seeing his resolute stance, 9ad091c22d leaving no room for c5fa0a3875 thought, Chae Beomjoon bit 578954d308 his lip.fadadc9c9a63b0cc

“I just did it because they asked, and stopped when it seemed like they wanted to end it.”25c9cbcdc530768d

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“…Am I the same?”45119ace41c295c4

When he asked half 23ca4f4f90 in disbelief, Haeyoon fell 39417aa4ce silent for a moment. After walking while looking 7111ceda68 at the ground for 49b2a8b950 a while, he turned 372bc92908 to Beomjoon and said:10525ba1b329a64b

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“Yes.”0703d9d537cc776e

“But, I will do as you want!”01a2b74b3c4c8e43

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“In the end, we didn’t go all the way through. So I think you’re not much different from those people. Honestly, I don’t think this relationship will last long.”46b4e1b1fd3c4519

“Then… I’ll just go back to the hospital. That would work, right? We signed a contract.”83fb6c55ed7b5397

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“Don’t talk nonsense. I said that because I wanted to be partners with Mister for a long time, not because I sincerely wanted that. I told you yesterday, how can you date someone who’s gone mad?”f7a62715ea593577

Feeling wronged and frustrated, Chae Beomjoon felt like he might get sick from all this. No, he had truly prepared to show everything he had, and it was Seo Haeyoon who had stopped that attempt. Now, saying he couldn’t trust him because they didn’t go all the way through, what could be more unjust than this?2ffef51fdea94316

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As he hardened his d538baf5c2 expression with discontent, Haeyoon 4186d4b3ca glanced at him and, cfc4332ee6 as if to cheer 26a8ffe699 him up, reached out 0a48390a39 to stroke his cheek. At that touch, Beomjoon, a32d3e5add like a simple beast 2b5403adad devoid of self, began 7065b4e2d0 to relax his tightly 48a8119c34 wound emotions.6fa9d6a5a49be8f8

“Still, I know you’re sincere with me. If that doesn’t change, I won’t be the one to say we should break up first.”ffc4758773211abe

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“…”ec57ba661f66def4

That statement cc823cb466 sounded strangely. It seemed like f54eaba8e2 an explanation that ba76e204a5 the previous nine 583c0e1a2d men ended up 9fc65513f5 not being sincere cc87cafa09 to Haeyoon, leading ef44097f1d to breakups.5851a7948637900d

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Hearing that he had dated nine people he didn’t love, Chae Beomjoon briefly wondered if Haeyoon might be asexual, but that explanation gave him a sliver of hope.1e77e6df0eea35ca

Yes. He hadn’t expected it to be easy from the start. Chae Beomjoon nodded as if making a promise.e5b084fcbb2ab081

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“I…”24ac4cf3c6621154

“Yes?”dbe1cc76f8390665

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“I’ll have to do well.”574d107f36e2ec16

One fact was clear from his story. If he couldn’t change Seo Haeyoon, he wouldn’t win his heart like those nine men before him.726e49fd840f8e9b

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Meeting Seo Haeyoon meant standing at the starting line, not crossing the finish. Chae Beomjoon finally realized he had the opportunity to get close to Seo Haeyoon’s heart. He couldn’t afford to miss this.44cff0640883ef38

“Beomjoon hyung! It’s you, right?”89342a29f496e620

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But just as he cd8449fae5 made that promise, Shin b71c14c565 Jihan, dressed as a e64737a745 vampire, popped out from e3b694bcd2 the smoking area next 4be967cbc9 to the outer parking 2759414067 lot.9c0b1395588e5803

Damn, not 9abcd82421 even a ef126e8cd1 stalker. Chae Beomjoon cursed internally.56a259d4900b73e3

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Why was 39aa5731e0 he here ed72bb5bce when the db9db17398 small theater 414e1cce84 was on 00171d48dc the other 08e4856703 side? After three 388b4647a5 shouts, with 13f7f0ccdd Shin Jihan 6a6055519a facing him f301959df6 directly, Chae fe35798ce9 Beomjoon clenched 5080b3a758 his fists.2b11dfb1d951e746

Shin Jihan, the 268f820e7a fifth son of 3194b83bb0 Chairman Shin Kyung-joo, c125f9af61 was always a 011d4ffd31 joy to see 9857a3f733 anywhere, but the ca1e9cec93 timing was terrible e9a46900a0 now. Jihan, who talked f8da5e1f90 a lot and 6d4d975553 had no sense, 6619f88e7d was one of 53c09c1a7c the people Beomjoon 19d181498b feared might say 20f3f43a84 something in front 2f2850db63 of Seo Haeyoon.2e10804938b1da6f

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“Jihan.”ea89506884a5182b