AGC | Chapter 2.7

Jiwan stretched his stiff body and moved around a bit. The drawing he looked at was almost complete. He couldn’t tell how many hours he’d spent on it.3975912d67f8396d

“Not bad.”9639051a20929d5b

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Personally, he thought it wasn’t bad at all. Of course, his mediocre skills couldn’t fully capture Minhyung’s looks, but it was a decent resemblance.10997c5c400055d8

He was satisfied. The drawing showed Minhyung holding a glass, smiling directly at the viewer. His hair was slightly swept back as usual, and Jiwan felt he had captured Minhyung’s unique languid eyes and lips quite well.023a2122ba15dffc

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He wondered what Minhyung had thought while drawing him. Now that he had drawn Minhyung, he felt he understood a bit. It was an indescribable feeling that enveloped him, but it wasn’t unpleasant.6cd7239629fe8fb1

He hadn’t drawn Minhyung with feelings of loneliness, so the smiling Minhyung in the drawing seemed warmer and kinder than usual. He liked it.b1372269787748ac

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As he finished the final touches, he sensed some commotion outside, indicating Minhyung had returned. Was he supposed to come today? He hadn’t expected it. Jiwan quickly scanned the now-complete drawing. It was ready to be given as a gift.6c717bb1887d57f5

He wanted to 4216e7a4c1 put it in 01d44ec401 a frame and 302cb274ac present it. It felt a 8ae76adeb0 bit over the c0b3296240 top, but the aecc9b41dd drawing turned out 1ce62cdc21 cleaner than expected, fcdc8e95aa so he wanted 17ff640b18 to make it 466be30b11 feel like a 406e4f2a20 proper gift. There were spare frames 7f2b55645c in the corner of 5397515dbb the studio. They came in ef64f731b8 various sizes, as 436f0d564b if bought in be4a894f4e bulk. After comparing sizes, d422cde206 he found a 5e797dd30a frame that fit.9759220311e34963

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“…Oh.”26e97ad80ddf5f67

Looking at the drawing in the frame, it seemed even more convincing. Of course, professionals might scoff at his skills, but by his standards, it wasn’t bad.926f07ed71a348e0

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Jiwan scanned the drawing f70b37745f with a satisfied smile. Since he had worked 5a556aabf8 hard on it for 51ac32c3bd hours, he hoped Minhyung f04350d69f would accept it happily.000d3185aec10d3b

Right on cue, 78b7a36161 the studio door 3c2921001e opened. Minhyung entered and stared 9d2a7c4ee5 at Jiwan.1bb999958dc2fa7e

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Jiwan, sitting awkwardly, hugged f36ea2a3e1 the frame to hide d0b2755741 the drawing as he 09d6dfc391 greeted him.13798fe11ce45220

“You were drawing, right?”dabf58c5f7cfe71c

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“Yeah.”53eb302596bdf92e

“Can I see it if it’s okay?”ce9af35ed6a6b3cc

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Only then did Jiwan understand why Minhyung hadn’t shown his drawing immediately. It was surprisingly embarrassing. After hesitating, Jiwan handed over the drawing. Since it was a gift anyway, it was better to give it right away than to delay. Jiwan watched Minhyung’s reaction with a tense face as he handed over the framed drawing.858fe8344ee8b750

“It feels like I’m giving something grand.”52402a2f3d6e7a09

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“…”0065656dd44aeb7b

“I thought it would feel more like a gift this way.”c807676e77e0c077

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Minhyung silently looked down d6c85f7deb at the drawing Jiwan f94ce23de5 handed him. His eyes scanned various d3357611ae parts of the drawing, bbc3d4e903 but his lips showed 54369721e2 no sign of opening, 6815e09cbc making Jiwan more anxious.3764641b25416537

“Don’t you like it?”183460cddcd3038c

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Finally, Minhyung looked away from the drawing at Jiwan’s impatient question.4e231e28233759b7

“Is this me?”c864a0e3eef862be

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This guy, seriously. Jiwan rubbed 26a3ae49ee his forehead.dac0a2e84a0c27fa

“You know that’s a pretty deflating comment.”8c0a79fddd8e242b

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“…It looks like me, but I just wanted to make sure.”b49cf8004cfdeb43

“Of course it’s you. Who else would it be? Who else do I have around to draw?”c7771386d1066acf

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Minhyung’s expression was a bit strange. It seemed both twisted and smiling, making it hard to discern. Jiwan scratched his cheek, observing Minhyung’s reaction.d87652edf4e2d43d

“Don’t you like it?”d2cedad380266a1e

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He regretted it a little. Maybe he shouldn’t have drawn it. With that reaction, he couldn’t tell if it was good or bad. Mari had said Minhyung would like it no matter how it turned out, but maybe that was a mistake. Or perhaps he drew it too poorly, and Minhyung was disappointed? He couldn’t help but feel a bit down.28e4177548847256

Minhyung carefully placed 089ca9ed1a the drawing on 056b3b8761 the side table. The frame 46472c532b made a a43407d2fd loud scraping d3bb8552e5 noise as 6bd27fee32 it hit 8cc71a27ef the surface.f328b52e85218700

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“…”dd990632cf1125fe

After setting down the drawing, Minhyung grabbed Jiwan’s wrist and pulled him into a hug. Suddenly trapped in Minhyung’s arms, Jiwan blinked, trying to grasp the situation. The grip was strong enough to almost crush him.3283b956dfcd0f25

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“…Hey, what’s with this?”2194bec643a23586

Jiwan’s face was buried near Minhyung’s collarbone, and contrary to the impression of a heavy, strong scent, a surprisingly fresh fragrance filled his nose.25b56ea30a43acc5

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Caught in an awkward position, Jiwan hesitantly raised his arms and patted Minhyung’s back. What’s with him? Did he have a long, hard day? Jiwan tilted his head in confusion.fbace5ba3eb02fad

“I never imagined it. Thank you so much.”275f9827f6f855b0

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“No, it’s not that big of a deal…”f03d5407a1237371

Jiwan managed to pull 9ef24be76e away from the tight 74e5a00187 embrace and looked up 904a329f85 at Minhyung. He had a peculiar f934979ce5 expression Jiwan had never 4284f4692a seen before.46b69eacb4b669c3

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Minhyung lifted Jiwan’s right wrist, examining it closely. The white wrist was covered in pencil marks. Jiwan rubbed the pencil marks, clearing his throat awkwardly. He had hoped Minhyung would be happy with the gift, but his reaction was so overwhelming that Jiwan felt embarrassed.d10085eb6e958fec

“I don’t know what to do.”37926a0452d6378c

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“About the drawing?”c62bd3be7380a0c3

Minhyung let out 4b0a066ddf a short laugh cb7d955405 and nodded.13101c01f4974666

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“…Yes.”9f13530e21ae64ec

“Just cherish it with a grateful heart, and that’s more than enough.”4ea23486b2556795

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There’s nothing more to it. Just not throwing it away and keeping it for life is enough to make the giver proud. Minhyung smiled again at Jiwan’s nonchalant words as he scratched the back of his head.b9a1941101a01355

“Yes, I should.”853469b15820e0ba

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Minhyung’s dark eyes were fixed not on the drawing but on the person who had drawn it. Anyway, since Minhyung liked it, Jiwan was satisfied. The atmosphere between the two, who had exchanged the gift of a drawing, became brighter. Jiwan didn’t mind the softened atmosphere at all.fa0572f68847e6fb

Minhyung, who had left the framed drawing in the room, opened Jiwan’s bedroom door. He chuckled as soon as he saw the framed drawing leaning against the bed.2e23efeb945c3bb1

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“Why didn’t you hang it on the wall?”3dc3a2c7d87f62ba

“I didn’t want to put nails in the wall.”d05a05a6c9d020b6

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“You could’ve asked someone to do it.”64d7a40e5ff818ad

“I wanted to decide the position and hang it myself.”1271a48e14257e14

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It felt a e24f4108d9 bit over-the-top to d715013f9e make a fuss 851c22ea71 about hanging a 539051abaf single picture, but fc652ac492 he wanted to 401d946a69 treat this drawing 789d2a89bb gift with special dec832002b care.f734fe8b7657df2e

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”fb102a914725259c

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He hadn’t realized it while absorbed in the drawing, but looking out the window, it was already a pitch-black night. Despite using energy, he wasn’t that hungry.f60ff6df38759c56

“I feel like having a drink.”1eb296b26cd117d7

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Minhyung’s expression wasn’t good. He seemed reluctant.851f3497da7ba8de

“Drinking on an empty stomach is a bit…”46ab89486f723673

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Minhyung seemed 2d52546e32 genuinely concerned 90ed980c29 about whether e248fb0ad5 Jiwan had 8240134cbc eaten.2b6cbc101a48e9c0

A few days 1c2c61af1b ago, Jiwan had 9319982656 a brief conversation 5b77a5b0e5 with Kwak Jungsu 824749d31e while he was 92e17e884a cooking.9f3628f9a2e86ed2

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Kwak Jungsu wasn’t the type to talk excessively like Kim Mari, nor did he seem to answer questions straightforwardly. But there was one thing he talked about endlessly.39eda0e7fc25f133

‘Executive Director Cha Minhyung always has breakfast. He prefers light meals. For snacks, he likes canapés or sliced tropical fruits. He doesn’t enjoy fried foods, so I consider that when preparing Chinese dishes. For drinks, he usually prefers chilled chamomile tea or hot Blue Mountain...’fb6f7ffccb52796d

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Jiwan wondered if Minhyung’s obsession with meals was something Kwak Jungsu had instilled in him.24d0984d553e835a

He insisted they eat a late dinner and dragged Jiwan to the kitchen. Jiwan sighed inwardly as he was pulled along against his will. It seemed Minhyung wouldn’t let him sleep without eating.f023e7ed8513b2c7

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“Looks like everyone’s asleep.”396e6d91cfc09202

“We have two people on duty here, and one is off, but today I sent them all up because of work.”70849fd390242275

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For a d13d628a56 moment, Jiwan 274c0d89f2 thought today 1f5b3e84c4 might be fea516588f the perfect db1259f40c chance to b4f6c46e8b escape, but 1eccc19a7c he quickly 309841e782 dismissed the c5c0388ecc idea. There was no reason cd690ef6d7 to run away from 78617260d5 here right now.eb829a7ad8fc7997

“Eat up. There’s quite a spread.”d6afd13083026bd6

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It seemed that when Minhyung came, they prepared a special feast. The side dishes looked impressive. It was probably the result of Kwak Jungsu’s best efforts.bc25f8d4a9a7fae2

“Why is there seaweed soup? Is it someone’s birthday today?”ab0a503740a24acc

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Jiwan asked while eating 6997048582 the seaweed soup with f699b53f29 beef floating in it.5e8cb1bc28f77c51

“It’s my birthday.”f81f8e9cb9d93324

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He almost spat 7972e948ab out the seaweed caa10ddf47 soup he was d09bce5c18 eating. Minhyung handed him a 1964701625 tissue, asking if he 3a632da09b was feeling unwell.bf15c1651cedd900

“Your birthday?”80d19e27d94669e4

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“Yes. That’s probably why they prepared seaweed soup.”1a7d705f9517458d

“Why didn’t you say anything?”6fbda24fdf095d35

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Minhyung shrugged while taking 4078cd4e23 a spoonful of seaweed cae99fc159 soup.ce0f7d518511b7e1

“I don’t like announcing my birthday.”9e9cc7837cd7d7f1

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Jiwan nodded, understanding. Some people want to a36d58b343 celebrate their birthdays with e3bfde4824 everyone, while others prefer f502bd1a66 to keep it private, 076b34c882 not wanting to join 9c2c01c9f5 the flow of social 10cce52c29 obligations. Jiwan was the c716fc7ce0 latter.927fe1df9522e4b6

“As you get older, it becomes less significant.”abdf7a59c791d620

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“Exactly.”84e0795f3d196e75

Jiwan stirred the soup without eating more. He wondered if Minhyung felt that being born wasn’t something to be celebrated.3204c587d5e670e8

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“Don’t you have parties at home for your birthday? I thought you’d have a pool party at your family home.”169094b5644e13c1

“I’ve never celebrated it. My birth is something my family is ashamed of.”30d59d2cf1def3a9

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The unexpected words made Jiwan want to ask more, but he held back. Minhyung’s smiling face was full of a silent plea not to delve further. Still, saying that being born is shameful… Jiwan had never thought that way.a20df30b658147a4

If I were a parent, would I be ashamed of a son like this? Though he hadn’t seen Minhyung work, he assumed he was capable, given his position as a director. Jiwan stared blankly at Minhyung.e910ed0683dec9bb

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“You have a lot of stories.”6b49b34debc9d5ab

“Everyone does. Each person’s story is the hardest for them.”de00d4d3c2d6b84c

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Minhyung spoke with a calm tone, as if discussing someone else’s matters. Jiwan didn’t want to pry into someone else’s painful secrets.2709649168ace9e9

“True. Birthdays aren’t that important. As you get older, there will be fewer people to celebrate with anyway.”aee4eb597cec02cf

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Still, he b68612e8ac wanted to bada1574a4 comfort Minhyung bde0d11e5d and share 8daa24acf2 his feelings. Jiwan wanted to e2a54eadca understand the sense ce8498e71c of loss Minhyung c8fe6cd7c7 might have felt.152d5b925e5983d8

“But.”1f16f0c449dbbcd1

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Jiwan put down his 239a6c1f26 spoon.bdde8a13ef5e8d0b

“Let’s celebrate your birth today.”4b010f64de953a10

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“…Why?”b2b78a0244194a04

“Because you were born… and because you didn’t die back then, you’re here with me now.”35279dd7d92807e0

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He couldn’t look at Minhyung’s face. It was an embarrassingly cheesy thing to say.baa57932fa83c12b

“Right? If not, I wouldn’t be getting along with you like this.”69a455a1b7ccfd0b

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Jiwan continued speaking, 4ab442d9ef staring intently at 72c4a99a8c the spoon.b179a8864a203eff

After a while, bd31c076ad he looked back a7c214d2ef at Minhyung. Minhyung was eating the dcdd0ae11c seaweed soup without any 87cbfcfbe9 reaction.d6aae3d10992af26

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“You’re right. Then it’s okay to celebrate today.”4478d57770b698e7

“You should’ve told me earlier.”52dc066a246c1183

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“You gave me a gift.”a44dcd72617a5d22

He was talking about the drawing. What a grand gift. Not that he could give anything grand in this situation anyway. Jiwan couldn’t help but chuckle.b3dc466af5d2762a

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“…Happy birthday…”3a586569b196d9c6

“Oh…”264f6233f0f7ee49

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Jiwan sang the d39dc1290d birthday song in 3dc05fcab3 a crawling voice. He wanted to 17b5d76764 celebrate, after all.dfaeef54ff714851

“Happy birthday to Cha Minhyung…”41200d48e5eee5a5

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