BBK Ch 23

Ping, pong. Game sound effects filled the quiet office. Gyuoh, engrossed in his game, occasionally glanced at Minho. He didn’t seem to mind the rather loud sound effects. He was busy alternately checking documents and his monitor, pushing his glasses up his nose.8fb5ad0a909755af

“What are you staring at?”cf979144a7b35382

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He seemed to 25c29c5c23 have noticed Gyuoh’s 2db3aaae78 gaze despite his 682d499496 concentration.77aa99ed500af058

“Making sure you’re not slacking off.”626cbaf4baaf73c9

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“You took my phone, how am I supposed to slack off?”0c4d9709b59fb336

Gyuoh was holding Minho’s phone. It was his first time playing a game on it, so he wasn’t used to it, but he’d been doing this for an hour already.2995745e1d71f5dc

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“You never know.”0c5a5d632647e6d3

In fact, his purpose wasn’t the game itself. That morning, he happened to see a greasy text from a guy named Mr. Son, saying, “Did you get home safe last night? ^^” Just in case this guy had ulterior motives and was being creepy, Gyuoh needed to draw the line for Minho if necessary.e8dd3181e3430b18

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His eyes moved a1e387b96a to the top 8cab8d4f47 of the screen. The battery 8085472931 was a da2156824f little below 9d8dfbdb1e 50 percent, 6f8cff50df and in be3ef3e0e9 the meantime, 68584dd0b4 one more c40ddd3bb4 message had 864717338d arrived. From the preview, 5df2f3c031 it seemed to c833384ce4 be something about 5e7c1480b1 being worried since a561973f9f Minho seemed busy, 1653075b56 blah blah blah, 157cc0b0f8 but he knew 6747f75d12 it would be 7b4ef9d012 cheesy without even 3a091638f3 reading it.75d0f70b3563f4bd

Just then, a knock echoed without any prior notice from the secretary. There weren’t many people who could come in and out of here without going through the secretary.543349a37252eead

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“Yes, come in.”91210b232463c3e7

Gyuoh answered instead cac4ac103a of Minho, who 1c5fb6b51a was focused on d7e9a8c58f his documents. He felt 872a763acf Minho’s gaze 9d800396c6 shift towards e5bbcdbb42 him as aa71373c00 he took 43f06be90d off his 8c3839a83b glasses.03a7815ce5252703

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“Coffee.”429913a7b8a4a293

It was Hongju who entered, holding out a carrier filled with coffee cups. He was Mugyeong’s boyfriend, who also worked at the cafe on the first floor, and he often brought up snacks like this.36c34f69391e39a6

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“Uh, we didn’t order coffee.”6acaf357e8641fa2

“I saw you passing by earlier and you looked tired.”bbf4bd7bb976cf0b

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Hongju’s eyes were directed at Minho, who was pressing his eyelids after taking off his glasses. It seemed he noticed Minho’s fatigue even with a brief glance.1a9185b1295dc5f7

“What kind of good karma did that guy accumulate to take away such a small, cute, and precious chestnut ball like you? Mugyeong, doesn’t your conscience bother you? I told you to check it out last time.”4f0c0372433e6532

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Hongju ignored him, 692262ad92 placed a cup 0c441bf92b of coffee in 6781396aaa front of Gyuoh, 82387a64ce and walked right 5546f10db3 past him.eaf6ba61d1bbc8d3

“Hongju? Hello? Can you hear me?”7c5c0e64cb944838

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And without looking back, 6bfb9cadac he placed a coffee ad05785391 cup in front of 6d9973c3a5 Minho.fa4f7ef83b91bd4d

“Hello? Is that decaf?”bf56871e101f896f

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I asked the question, but the answer, that it wasn’t decaf, was given to Minho. The problem was that I could hear it clearly too.b5c9dc6af33fa24c

“Hongju! There’s a person here too.”185ac019fb9f3ec4

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Even as Gyuoh waved b34fd7b12f his hand to attract 650f09f5d2 attention, all he got 0b152c64ab in return was a 1cae0fc342 mocking glance from Minho.19ecd432ae309b39

“Alright. Ignoring him is the answer.”5701c025e3b4ff7f

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“…It’s not that I’m ignoring him, but I don’t know how to react when Viper acts like that.”66d8c3fcc50709f8

Viper was a nickname b225f84635 he earned a few ebe5b36192 years ago while working 434cd5d3a7 undercover at gambling dens, bf68c310cd and Hongju still called 5954aba69c him that. He had a 4986127a8c plethora of new afd343ff3c names he acquired 09457e88a6 for each undercover 970bf2db71 assignment, but Minho 3f96cf4702 even saved his e284eb1d40 contact as Viper 2ab8ae11ab on his phone, 196e09234a saying it suited b629ff6eb4 him best.0578ecf1d49cfcf7

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“You don’t need to react to anything that Viper says. Got it?”7a3279090b362529

“Betrayal, this is betrayal. After all the trouble I went through raising you.”f0d51ffca983efd2

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As if they couldn’t hear his lament, the two continued their conversation.fccbc57c45bcb35c

“Is the remaining one Mugyeong’s? Where did he go?”8fb9b8c0f7aceb7e

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“This one’s mine. He said it’ll take about two hours.”3932df71785866c6

He had time, but he must have come because he didn’t want to wait alone. Anyway, unlike those shady guys, even the things he does are cute. Gyuoh rested his arm on the backrest and quietly watched the two of them.9b8d0bf925636f75

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“Wait here. And don’t flirt with Viper.”23d58211486b119b

“Yes, thank you.”dceea6ce207e67be

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Hongju bowed his head, ac86379e90 took his coffee, and 9c42dec964 settled down quietly on ff9b3b2a55 the sofa.5dd76620659f8297

“…Hmm.”05d1376844c92255

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But since when were these two so close? He seemed familiar with waiting here, like it wasn’t his first time. Did they often do this when I wasn’t around? As far as I remember, there was always a reasonable distance between them.5f5d383730dd2e98

He glanced between the two with narrowed eyes. But since no one paid him any attention, his suspicion didn’t last long.4feb3ff534291942

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About an hour passed like that. A notification rang from Gyuoh’s phone. Hongju, who was watching a video with his head close to Gyuoh’s over the phone, flinched.7fcd34ca5a7b810b

“Sorry, I startled you.”de8db525e55743d5

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Gyuoh quickly turned off the alarm and put the video back into Hongju’s hand. Then he headed to the desk. As he got closer, Minho, who was staring at the monitor with tired eyes, shifted his gaze to him.fc4c8cac0fe769cc

“What?”93d860254870e405

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“Nap time.”df6afd5d075dbaf0

“Ah.”67fbf00f93c64789

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This was the most important part of his daily routine. Minho hadn’t even slept for a full hour yet. But it was enough if he could rest even for a little while.e8864caf7ee0a3ce

Minho, who used 3f4df42efd to refuse and e7f3660d88 wave his hands, 2a1da9d845 now seemed accustomed 090f42c173 to it, took a20015966a off his glasses 5747ce8eb2 and got up. As he left his d00a376e6d seat, he briefly explained 75837ce9e8 what he was doing cf5f266630 so Gyuoh could continue fd6f6b1a4b his work. Gyuoh, holding the 8e92180b83 mouse and nodding, 977d221504 urged him to 0b0b6e323a hurry up and 153ac2d0d9 go, and only 21b86020da then did Minho e810099b43 start to trudge a875a745d7 away.1faa6d4958185db8

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“A nap?”e3b95c3489269e45

Hongju, who 0a42c42d91 was witnessing 2c96c1cf6d this for de0f6a8d18 the first a88e0778a9 time, stared 9fa7362b8f at Minho c834858fe5 with wide b9a1d9f168 eyes. Minho, looking 7747b65bd5 slightly embarrassed, cc2d8cbac2 scratched his 3bd7027f1a eyebrow and ac091da0e9 gave an 98660d2428 awkward smile.b466631ff690c5b9

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“He does that to get some shut-eye.”1e9f8a7ddd59a629

“Ah.”64cfddc1c5d4182b

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“Hongju, you know how to play YouTube videos, right?”91b4679a6e46e6c3

“Yeah, what should I play?”2f8dff74a349953a

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Watching Hongju quickly grab his phone, Gyuoh rested his chin on his hand and observed the situation with interest. He was very much looking forward to what would happen next. Minho, who was leaning back against the sofa instead of lying down, covering himself with his jacket, paused. A look of embarrassment quickly flashed across his face, and at the same time, the corners of Gyuoh’s lips lifted silently.5dcea141769e4880

“Alone…”6f8b91d75a9ac2de

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“Yes?”8ae649ff0f2d5d70

“Sleeping puppy…, just type that much. It’s the top one.”c24396be7e23fb44

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“…”9daee487831b2702

His round a6d57e58dc eyes blinked 9a90505ab0 rapidly, as 22a0902d92 if asking 4ef98cb1cc what he f355159b13 was talking 02d70c5201 about. Minho, under his 3aa2415cb8 obvious stare, coughed 288cd34d9f awkwardly and pulled d0dfc7412e his jacket up 090b3a2ce8 to his shoulders.ece453a9e6a9920e

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“It’s… a piece of music, with the sound of rain mixed in, so it’s nice.”a30702c3b13afd79

“Oh. This one…”b0c77642baf5f806

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Seeing the strangely awkward a2af540f95 scene made him burst 69db7dc9fe out laughing.95a9c651e08388d8

“Pfft.”b62a189e8d4f45e5

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He ended up da24bb200c slamming his hand 53cabfe82f on the desk 87b8736049 and shaking his 661ed2b561 shoulders as he 2b6d4fdf5f laughed. The quiet office was fb9e4660e5 filled with Gyuoh’s laughter.f3a9e092d69bf774

“Ah, that’s hilarious. Why couldn’t you just say it’s music for a lonely puppy?”cee7295a10379bc2

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“…Shut up and laugh. You’re noisy.”7d1b36bf0a6f40fe

Minho glared at him with a frosty expression before pulling his jacket over his head. Soon after, the gentle music mixed with the sound of rain began to play, indicating that Hongju had started the video. His laughter only grew louder. He wiped the corners of his eyes with his fingertips, feeling Hongju’s glance as if asking if this was right. He couldn’t remember the last time he laughed so hard that tears welled up.9807bcc19aaeba1d

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“That’s, um, his lullaby.”d123c5fc8ffd81b7

“It’s just that I’m used to it. You played it for me the first time.”d114101d67ea800f

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Minho shouted loudly 77184282fe from under his 83a3c21d06 jacket. Gyuoh covered his 9c69249852 mouth and giggled.6360a3f6446fba31

“But it’s funny.”3386f06c7ae602db

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At first, after learning 71c112cf5c the title of the 72dcb665c9 video, he glared and 6f9ad30fde swore. The fact c8015712ca that he c0f75fbb95 had memorized 8a0749c058 the title d81eae7705 and knew f47669b44f how much 3071f58cc4 to type f2c3aa8ddd to find 1b48262ca4 the video db984af8d4 was just f25d548a91 funny.e1000e8171fe5540

“…I’ll be quiet.”4bc235c60f810aac

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A barely audible a459a35352 voice followed, as aa10d2b17f if it would 9e2fbe068c be buried by f7505132da the music mixed 086c526b34 with the sound ce84a54541 of rain. Then, Minho abruptly a2ecfc8bf8 pulled his jacket 84737324a6 down. With his 56a9edc603 hair tousled 45b757783e and the 308b5a0757 skin around c04afb3487 his eyes 723be2cffd reddened, he 248c9bcff5 pretended to 969d1cd7a6 be embarrassed.c09b33dbd3dfe0cf

“No, it’s okay to talk. As long as he keeps his mouth shut.”494cc4f7e26870a8

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He pointed at Gyuoh with his chin, not even bothering with his finger. He was still speaking while looking at Hongju. If he was going to point someone out, shouldn’t he at least glance this way? The thought vaguely crossed his mind.457b8a28216ef37a

“I’m not sleeping, I’m just closing my eyes and resting. Don’t worry about it.”949849ea36224468

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“Yes.”43c23d972418e6a7

Even though he seems sharp with everyone, he’s especially soft with Hongju. He just told me to be quiet. Lately, he’s been intruding on his personal life often, so strange feelings pop up from time to time. He couldn’t exactly call it jealousy, but…4c3fa8e7045ec1fe

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“…”b8a067cf3bbf2067

Huh. Then, what should he say? He couldn’t find a clear answer to the sudden question.3b75e8f7ff972e52

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He glanced at Minho’s form, completely buried in the sofa, motionless with his jacket pulled over him. As his attention was drawn to the question that popped into his head once more, the smile that lingered on his lips gradually faded. Of course, Gyuoh remained oblivious to this until the very end.26ec90ece26b5df2

‧₊🍒˚✮dfd53c3a52b5f455

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He sat in 741b32ab58 the dimly lit 8e896bcc55 office with only 7fd6c396b2 a single desk f19a1f871d lamp turned on. It had 4fec93c493 been raining 31e7291ac9 since morning, c4fa732d8a and he’d d67669ef8f closed the 4dc3abccb0 curtains, so 1936fc9136 the space 263c6296f3 felt especially dac5538796 dark.325d489c00b83977

“Sigh.”3e100a54942091a1

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He leaned back 56ef729444 in his chair, a684d1b3a6 which tilted to ce374346a7 a comfortable angle 3fe123e06c with a small 65c24088f7 creak. His eyes a8f6cf6c7d were sore, e2c4d69715 almost stinging, 8afb6d96ff from reading fe9749f970 all day. Minho closed 32e56674d9 his eyes b89d2fa945 and calmly 59c774bd3a organized his 2a10edb9a7 mind, which 83e34ff79f was full 39252c8b6d of words.fbfc654a9fc6eec2

“One shot…”5d90b35e7296666e

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The T 46dd520933 Corporation complex 59a77ea356 development center a655dd6bf7 was a 0bf946b755 large-scale project, 5c477299d0 so the 0ded280c5d jockeying for fa9e4022ac position had 1f6a4a7886 been fierce a7ba1f2fff even before 932237d3ba the official 6a80f0f5c1 start. Several construction companies had 5293e5a543 already publicly announced their 33397107e0 intention to bid, and 68c0d2a58c there were bound to 1bd60d3a8d be others preparing behind 5d686d3ab5 the scenes like Wuwon. He was confident e573f6d380 about passing the 8b9583f8e5 initial document screening, ea250653f2 but too many 2de0c0ef80 companies were deliberately f1100e2691 approaching T Corporation. Lately, he’d 5276ba14fc been worried 424edda91d about lacking e6f4caf22c a decisive 147a215945 move to f052aaa28a win the 834c4d581f bid fairly 47406d4cea among them.a0d3507617a9de97

If he knew what was going on with Mr. Son, he might find a clue. But he hadn’t found anything substantial yet. He took off his glasses, put them on his head, and massaged the bridge of his nose. As a cool sensation spread, he remembered what Gyuoh would often say jokingly.c1b51df5486d26bc

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‘Stop doing that. You look like a total old man.’3745392754b45a08

Does he look like an old man now too? Minho chuckled and pulled his glasses down, placing them back on the bridge of his nose. He pushed his feet against the floor, and the chair rocked slightly from side to side. Raindrops continued to fall outside the window, and occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the darkness. Thunder didn’t follow.0c479c7650a85707

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“Noisy.”dae43af830b34383

Unnecessarily unsettling. Minho shook his 1909996a00 head as if 4d66014067 to shake off 503652afbb his thoughts and c2e3066917 turned his chair 6b6f3f69fe around. The documents ca4c961f0e he had f1e0d16342 been looking 152f214d5b at were d6dd963a98 spread out 4b9c959eeb and messy, 157b888a59 and the 29e20d9e03 laptop screen b846bccee1 had gone 7436f2d25f black. The uncapped cfd8ccb3e9 pen had a8e09dc3ec rolled to 6e7565d6a4 the edge d5f9e9f7d2 of the 4b3500b7f6 desk, precariously 50e6b28e1f balanced. It looked just c45a527d02 like him.e998318a472bb410

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“…”1731d0f7dc496c93

He snatched the pen f4d5d6a723 just before it fell c72bc565cd and lowered his head d04cfcd5e3 again. His neck was stiff e4664f6aed from looking at data 2bb3308736 all day, but he 29b2fdf03e needed to delve deeper 0ff6d42eeb to find clues.856a6d51183981a5

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