SMS | Chapter 3.4

Mondays suck. Especially when the weekend had been sweet, making Monday feel even worse. But if Mino wanted to see Dohoon again on Friday, he had to get through Monday first.

With a complex mix of feelings, he boarded the bus and sat down in an empty seat to start pondering late.

“Song Junhyuk, we need to talk.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Should he say it like that? It seemed necessary to be a bit harsh. Last week, Junhyuk had been distinctly rude. Whether as a college sunbae or a workplace mentor, it was only proper for Mino to draw the line and express his displeasure.

“Sunbae, I’m really sorry about last week. I acted without thinking. Please forgive me.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as he had steeled himself for confrontation, the moment fell apart because Junhyuk began to prostrate himself in apology first. As soon as Mino had dropped off his coat and bag and headed for the pantry, there was Junhyuk bowing his head in penance.

“Uh, okay. Just… don’t do it again…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Mino had no choice but to respond lamely. Reacting with anger when the other person had already shown contrition would only make him look foolish. Ah, he should have said something cooler.

“Here, take this coffee. I bought it for you.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Uh, thanks…”

A hot café mocha topped with whipped cream ended up in Mino’s hands. He had intended to grab a simple mixed coffee from the pantry, but somehow, he found himself sipping the most expensive item from the café in front of his office.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

In his mental simulations, Junhyuk had either exploded in defensive anger or remained unrepentantly silent. He had never imagined Junhyuk looking so remorseful. Feeling deflated like a fizzled-out cola, Mino slumped back to his seat.

‘Now that I think about it, I might have been too harsh for someone who came just to bring me an umbrella.’

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Confronted with his junior’s compliant attitude, Mino even began to reflect a little. However, from behind Mino, Junhyuk’s expression was a stark contrast to his previous apologetic demeanor. It was a mix of desire and anger.

Lunchtime brought Sungjoon around. As a freelancer, he seemed to prey on the free time of his corporate friends like a hyena, lonely, he claimed.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Told to get a girlfriend instead of hanging around the office, he had retorted that he’d been pushed to the fringe. They devoured king-sized pork cutlets at a nearby eatery before heading straight to a cafe.

“What are you having?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“An iced Americano.”

“Ice in the middle of winter? One iced Americano and one hot café mocha, extra cream, please. And I’ll use my points.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Yeah, you’re an ice junkie. You’re gonna get diabetes, man.”

“Just freeze to death, why don’t you.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

After paying with his card and picking up their orders, they found a secluded spot. Since they’d rushed through lunch, the café was still relatively quiet for lunchtime.

Sungjoon’s unexpected visit made Mino decide to voice the concerns he’d been mulling over alone.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Hey, is it common for a guy to ask another guy out on a date? Could you ask Minjun out?”

“What are you on about? Crap, just thinking about it gives me hives.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sungjoon shuddered dramatically and scratched his arm.

“Right? Normally, a straight guy wouldn’t say that?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I dunno. I wouldn’t, but maybe if you really didn’t have those feelings at all, you might… What are you asking, though? Did some guy ask you out?”

As Sungjoon sipped his iced Americano and rambled, his eyes suddenly widened and he began to shake Mino.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Spill it! More!”

“…said he was just showcasing his charm by getting in my face.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Dude, that’s a clear sign. What are you even asking? Wow, jackpot.”

“And he paid for everything, took care of me when I was hurt…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“As a dating expert, I’m certain this is a green light.”

“You’ve only ever dated once.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Look who’s talking. Hey! It lasted a long time. That’s even harder, okay?”

Maybe that was true. But what Mino needed wasn’t how to maintain a relationship but how to start one. Sungjoon had only ever entered that initial stage once, so his knowledge on the subject was likely limited.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Whether Mino questioned Sungjoon’s qualifications as a dating guru or not, Sungjoon seemed just happy.

“You’re finally dating! In my lifetime, I never thought I’d see the day. Where did you meet? Who is he? How old? Is he handsome?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Just by the barrage of questions, it was clear. Mino watched his friend’s animated excitement and took a bite of cream.

“It’s not confirmed. I’m just not sure.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Man, give me the info so I can analyze. Don’t you trust me?”

Mino let the cream melt in his mouth as he pondered. After all, both were men, which wasn’t a usual situation. While he was close to Sungjoon, Dohoon was a stranger; was it right to out someone like this?

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sensing Mino’s hesitation, Sungjoon zipped his lips in a promise of silence.

“You need to know this. Don’t tell anyone. Got it? If you talk, I’ll curse your proposal three thousand times.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“You’re brutal… Okay, hurry up! Start from what I asked earlier.”

Sungjoon recollected his previous question.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, I told you I picked up a cat, right?”

“Don’t tell me, the vet?! I knew it, I had a feeling!”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh… he’s thirty-two and ridiculously handsome.”

“More than me?”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If you had any shame, you’d shut up…”

“Such a pain.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Sungjoon looked thoroughly displeased, but there was no denying that Dohoon’s looks weren’t something he could compete with.

Suddenly, Sungjoon grabbed Mino’s wrist with wide eyes.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Dude, I got goosebumps.”

“Why?”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“That guy isn’t some cult member, is he?”

“What nonsense…”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Even as he dismissed it, the thought nagged at him. These days, cults often targeted individuals deliberately. But when they looked up cult recruitment on Mino’s phone, they saw that cults typically excluded the destitute from their efforts.

If anything, it was Dohoon who seemed to have more money. Knowing Mino’s financial status well, Sungjoon waved his hand dismissively.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Anyway, if it seems okay, just go for it. If he’s interested in you and you like him too, just date. If one of you was a woman, everyone would be calling it a fling. But since it’s both of you, what’s the difference? Is dating such a big deal? It’s not a drama; it usually starts like this.”

Maybe. Was it really that simple? Except for the fact they were both men, it was definitely a situation ripe for the beginning of a relationship.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Still, I might be making a big deal out of nothing… You know, I… “

“Hey, just date and then think about it. You don’t need to reveal your special tastes beforehand.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That would be like deceiving him.”

That was the issue. Was it okay to hide his unconventional tastes? Realizing they were near Mino’s office, Sungjoon whispered in his ear.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“What if that guy uses that as leverage to blackmail you?”

“I don’t think he’s that kind of person…”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Look at you, about to make a huge mistake. If you say something wrong and he finds a weakness, then what? If he leaves evidence that you like that stuff and escapes by himself? What if he blackmails you with that, can you resist?”

Although he had been pushing for the relationship, Sungjoon now seemed desperately concerned.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you laughing? Are you crazy?”

“No, you’re right.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Mino nodded. He desired coercive or violent sex, but not to the extent of making headlines or being dragged to the police station. After all, as uneventful as his life was, he didn’t want to ruin it. That’s why he was also looking for someone who truly understood his orientation. Sungjoon’s words made a lot of sense. Seeing that Mino was seriously listening, Sungjoon sighed and continued.

“And you’ve never really tried it, have you? If you actually date normally, you might find you don’t need to obsess over those things. What if it’s not for you? Then break up. So, you should keep it hidden for now. You got that?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh-huh.”

Right. It wasn’t like he was aiming for some grand romance. He hated the thought of aging alone without ever having tried. Moved by Sungjoon’s excellent counseling, Mino nodded several more times.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

As long as there was mutual attraction, it was normal to start casually, so Mino decided to keep his peculiar tendencies well hidden. Sungjoon’s advice seemed safest.