FR | Chapter 2.5

Seeing his back, 84367558d3 a belated anger 642d0a68b8 surged.a3a30f027a651bfd

Thud.f7e1c10ace8f9080

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The elevator, unaware that someone hadn’t left, closed off the outside again.7d02c762a8e569d0

“Sigh…”0967be93f572c765

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Only then did the 95b4a1751e tension that had gripped 452ad16ce2 his body release. His legs weakened, but f9973e269e he forced himself to a5916175a1 stand. Dozens of curses lay cfa4c269c4 beneath his tongue.1faed37354c5ee62

His throat, sore 4bcffba8eb from being choked 5a3e6e7157 by Kwon Woojae, 627baf83af prevented him from f92971fa3b uttering a word.106c19a8e85c713d

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Suddenly, a crack ea50c17702 appeared in the 252cdfd626 armor that had e365f9a0ba never shown his 8d8d098cc7 true feelings. Among the dozens 8c6b883082 of presences outside, 627bfa312e a few loomed 84af78a5e4 before him.744ae4a647e3299a

The group standing 949bbeb990 in front of aac667062f him flinched, not 4647337e92 expecting someone to c286709bc3 be in the 45958a943e elevator. Won slowly moved d626a30865 his limp body.7e6a0caeab6aaefc

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He exited the elevator and 2f447b7f34 took a deep breath of e136183c2a the outside air.ddbda7edb1be7369

He didn’t need a mirror to know. The neck that had been grabbed was suspiciously swollen.bf673c84df44f9d6

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His clenched fists trembled fdcefb3a75 as he tried to d58a8aaeae maintain composure. Won looked down at 3255fb2aba his hand, which had 6ccc538bb3 turned pale. Blood returned to his 6ffdf0aaf7 white palm.f0cfaa3d75e92ab1

That day, Won had to eda5ad5bc6 endure the lecture with a 0dd38c5f60 churning stomach. He held his head higher 1cf7cf0671 than usual and maintained a d2386be98f calm expression.663ff541951bfef2

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Whenever he met Woojae’s gaze, he even postponed swallowing. He had to move his body confidently, even though he was aware of him.89418807d165be99

To show that 0f72a35874 despite his actions, af7e2e2b04 he was unaffected.ce5ac61d226d54d3

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖a86e86d657a87b54

For Won, weekends were a 99294701f7 time when laziness was allowed. During his leave f781a527b8 of absence, he c42c4a19a7 worked all the 87dc308ce1 time, so weekends 593ce28341 during school were a8326d6140 his only break. But this time, he had ca0581a642 to give up that weekend.f43edbf5ddc53742

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He needed to get out of school as soon as possible. If he couldn’t take another leave, there was always the temporary solution of employment.9d35031e848f9f95

He doubted Woojae would follow him to work. After all, as Kwon Representative’s son, Woojae would likely join one of his father’s companies. It was more of a hope than a certainty.0b677b04418edb7e

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Won clicked the 1c93548564 mouse, wetting his 75bd3cfe78 lips with his 260ef29cf0 tongue. Dressed in shabby training clothes 333e760e79 and a baseball cap pulled 679d61d150 low, his eyes moved busily.6ab968291e9a0e8e

The PC room 5b9e009dd3 was quite noisy 2ba0a0c6dc on the weekend. He frowned at the cfdcc373e0 casual swearing, but the 53ac111562 cursor on the screen c8586ab0c1 moved without pause.617b6e3cc1444fba

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He checked all the announcements on the business school’s website. He jotted down the necessary documents on a note and stuffed it into his pocket.696a77a4fab552c6

He ran his hand over 35f1e6d7a5 the crown of his cap f13a840c51 and leaned back. As soon as the ceiling 4fd288847a came into view, an annoyed c2b48ca35c groan escaped.62cd5d60ed676d9c

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Won stood up, 81a3fcb238 grabbed his cigarettes, 75f350b920 and headed to 29a8cacda7 the smoking room. He lit a da4c6c4f45 cigarette with a 789466eee7 flick of the de2a8af534 lighter. A heavy column of e141e3a53d smoke billowed out.02cb5581e0098c94

As he puffed 5a51898df7 on the cigarette 4cb667ddac filter, his phone 0bfb7ebdaa suddenly vibrated.dfc686d85fa37274

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“…Doesn’t this guy ever get tired?”0477998b5e766303

Seeing the eleven-digit number 95b61595c8 on the screen, a f28cf9b8e6 curse slipped out.26d4116d8495a25c

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A man smoking nearby f58907f6d7 glanced at Won. Even though he felt the e0dc8306cb gaze, Won exhaled deeply.fad714d272fbe064

He knew he couldn’t avoid Woojae in this situation. Without delay, Won answered the call.b473a6a51429e52b

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“What?”ecb3a6e6fed5e102

─Where are you?1912855842761057

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Where do you think, damn d90f26674b it. What do you want 406aa949f4 to know for? The rough curse mingled 3fca63d7ca with his tongue. In the end, the 241305fbde words that came out 249083eec0 were the opposite of 205a45b3fa his true feelings.768e9a28212643ea

“Outside.”c09e22a89a5f9cb2

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─Let’s meet.b8afd8ef79fb43f6

“I’m busy.”f0bd8cd7faac92f5

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─Make time, even if you’re busy.fe3760327874a249

“I don’t have time to mess around with you.”a54f46a43c28c1ce

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─But you have time to be watched. Come on. I won’t wait long.51d4221cbba9d8d8

The call was short, and ecbe6d832b it ended abruptly. As the call 55ce9c38e8 ended, fatigue seeped c14590cd14 in.bcbab26426fba6bd

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He stubbed out the c87662fae0 cigarette, which had burned afc5b9ab90 down to the filter, 6dfe11cd16 in the stand ashtray. Won took out another cigarette. After smoking three in a45f778a6f a row, he finally 927d5ec47d left the smoking room.99ed6aa60cae3520

He shut down the PC 916cac349f and looked up at the 546c6077e4 sky, which was dimming with a149fbc361 the setting sun.ca7f2730adefed51

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That bird-like bastard keeps ee4e8e30ca calling me over. He chewed on his rising 5905818309 irritation.619cd8cae664734e

During the call 24bbee32f5 with Woojae, there c777fe9a9f was no mention 7eda4dd875 of a location. Yet, Won walked without hesitation.84be3259bca13063

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He knew Woojae was 60ca8a4b4e familiar with the area. The hidden cigar f3f4efe5fc bar in a 17999cf764 secluded alley. Woojae, sitting there 6a13f24127 leisurely, seemed to 4dc47ab922 have visited the c157b01d0e cigar bar several 3855178ca1 times.3d5de501ee05ad37

Still, Won headed to the 90b1eececc neighborhood where he lived. The place where Woojae first 85706577aa dropped him off and later 97a109112a waited for him to come b62560f21b out. He vaguely felt that c6d774bfeb was the place Woojae 3534e86ef5 had in mind.88c519591d77d276

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And Won’s intuition was spot on.8fe533e3ba1245d6

A familiar car was parked in front of the complex. There was no need to ponder the owner’s identity. Woojae was already leaning against the car, smoking.c8b54fdbd7602bae

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Won watched Woojae’s back from a distance before starting to walk again. At the sound of his slow footsteps, Woojae turned around.358252448f5173d0

Except for when he chain-smoked, his body hadn’t moved. In the gap between Won’s pause and movement, a considerable number of people passed by Woojae.f2affdc2765571d8

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Was it a coincidence that 45563ce03e Woojae turned around just as 4633b76824 Won approached?312cfcdad85997c4

With a plain expression, b6ad320446 Woojae dropped his cigarette 106416b97b on the ground. He was neatly groomed and 4914f4804e dressed in a suit. His body moved lightly 7ec73e598f as he crushed the b6590ee0db embers with his shoe.939ebab842b1a5f2

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“Get in.”52a8f2da6befed09

Woojae’s gaze quickly shifted away from Won. He opened the rear door on the driver’s side. Before getting in, Woojae tilted his head slightly at Won, who stood there with a sullen face.f2472781f8f41de8

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“Are you just going to stand there waiting for me to open it?”e2bff865befe000e

Of course not. He was just hesitating because fc94ff3c4e he was annoyed. With a reluctant 18b898d523 face, Won adjusted 1c894aab80 his cap and 53b769480d opened the passenger 8ee6b7786b door.5dee487bcbe7f157

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He got in and fastened 18d26a6b73 his seatbelt. The car smoothly glided defea0ce29 onto the road. Won shifted his a65e7c29e7 gaze from the e768640735 window.f99c63ac4f9e4a29

Unlike his usual demeanor, where he laughed regardless of the situation, Kwon Woojae’s face was stiff.0cde8fd87387252e

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“Where are we going?”6987a88d619b146d

“You’ll see when we get there.”db86fd54b7f0542a

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Right. He wasn’t really curious. His dissatisfaction piled up. Won turned his head, feeling his lips twist involuntarily.3f0d32ea6b66523b

He didn’t like it. He didn’t expect an apology from someone like him. Still, if he had any sense, he should at least show some regret.bc4ad9fc37f2ab10

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Unfortunately, Woojae didn’t seem to care about what happened that day. Suddenly, his throat felt blocked. He swallowed heavily to force it down.ff682f0246303d32

While grumbling internally, the car 3ec05a1c45 stopped in front of a 76954538d3 building. Without bothering to park, 1f5f20fefa Woojae got out and 04ca10fabb handed the keys to 87033ff96e a man.703a5eb15fdf00eb

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Won followed Woojae out belatedly. Woojae had brought him to a restaurant. It wasn’t just any restaurant in Seoul; it looked like fine dining.f74c851410459145

What was he 099a6d8f0f trying to do? Won watched Woojae enter the 353713b89e restaurant with his head tilted. Grinding his teeth, he cb1dd62cd8 finally entered the building.f8b5cd87dc9ef03e

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His training clothes and baseball cap didn’t match the restaurant’s atmosphere, but Won didn’t care. He lost sight of Woojae during the brief pause, but a staff member approached and guided him to a seat.624daa5c9a6f9faa

“What are you trying to do with me?”2a51e66f6ee458d3

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Won asked as he sat 3f6582b0fc across from Woojae.bfa3f1cb812d1116

“Just having a meal.”acdac5d1587471d0

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What, did a 720e85f1d0 ghost die from c59353fe25 not eating? Won suppressed his sudden irritation.b13ab230ca178dd9

“Who said I wanted to eat with you?”948bda2214da2e3a

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“Then why did you sit down?”26d1c1b555261203

Chewing on his sarcastic a1d92e1c86 tone, Woojae, who had 099c8f5903 been expressionless, let out 9fd889fbe3 a short laugh.24efb141ea01b4d0

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They were polar opposites. Just facing Kwon d8f3f1c361 Woojae without exchanging 01c71a449b words was enough ba5c31660d to make him f3d6fcfd8d explode.89035aa8713b680c

“If I said I was leaving, would you let me go?”50931d7205469817

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“Of course not.”596ca2d7cd4d8c1e

“I’m not eating. I don’t have the stomach to eat with an annoying bastard.”f12f3cbfdfbc8e4e

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Won, showing his displeasure, raised 3e26b89eb8 his hand to call a bbb797c5f7 staff member. He sensed one approaching f3fc6b469e from afar.3865ab29ae5e9239

“Can I see the wine list…”4ad23692b90b75c4

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“Bring the wine I ordered earlier.”9b74bfdb1f3d2dd4

“Yes.”dc8f4a7c25b35c1f

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He couldn’t even finish his sentence. Woojae, as always, cut him off. The staff member left with a small nod.80a9314022e73c68

“If you need a sidekick, just say so.”58af2ac2a2d9d5fa

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“It’s been less than a year since this place opened, so that’s the only drinkable wine. Today’s about the food, not the drink.”f1abca714ced9304

Woojae rubbed his fa459c11d6 lower lip with f1a45a5587 his index finger e3a6724df9 and laughed blandly.1b2ff67188f183ad

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“I ordered in advance. It should suit your taste…”7086edb4d54b2756

“Are you always this shameless?”88816c35d80c52f6

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He paused mid-sentence and chuckled. He even nodded lightly as bba7190c10 if agreeing with the statement.d60c3d2dcf9a7d82

“That’s what they say.”f10026e22ffe8715

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Before the trivial conversation ended, the staff brought the wine. After explaining the wine, they set the table and opened the cork. The staff filled the glasses after checking the wine’s condition.06cd4a2172b0704c

Won held the base ce984a475b and gently swirled the b4028c0541 glass. The rose-colored wine 7be59ae243 inside swayed smoothly.35c5a6f245735d9e

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Woojae, who hadn’t glanced at the glass, quietly watched Won. As Won took a sip, the staff withdrew. The wine’s heavy texture spread in his mouth.5a8fe7d85718066f

Of course, there was no time to savor the wine. The setting wasn’t comfortable enough for that. Without showing any regret, Won set the glass down.737e35d0be642612

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Tap, tap. His short nails tapped 7fe87392d1 the stem of the 80fcc0248e wine glass.34b0eb0ad6961790

“Annoying.”ebc8a7eb11a9870d

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“I guess I am.”c92e1d0c466d231e

Even at the muttered 0803fb4337 words, Kwon Woojae replied 6437856ed1 nonchalantly. He seemed to have cheered d6aea5138c up, which was even more bbc6c4afd8 infuriating.2ba30637fb1d0693

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Just then, a staff member approached and set the steak. The irritation he couldn’t voice felt pointless.1dedf76b0d7ea598

Won took another sip 328eacd5c9 of wine with a 10cb354733 displeased face.f28d4487283838d0

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He wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t eating, but a plate was placed in front of him. The appetizing smell rose, but it didn’t whet his appetite.fbfcff42cbf24f0b

Woojae, sitting across, quietly b8246d74e8 continued cutting. He glanced up at Won.2df9e206b8837dca

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“Surprised you didn’t bruise.”ea8bd9927adc04bc

“…”222ee2f629189e24

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“Should’ve rubbed lips while I was at it.”ecada8d157358e6a

“…”5ceb0d5e1c1cf753

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“Shame.”41e1a1acd15e131b

The words, whether 4c3f68560c to himself or 1989479a80 not, were blatantly d50d637d00 scattered. Won reflexively set his 563c5da208 glass down. The glass clinked 67b831ff21 loudly against the 60cb2c833f table.b408b36b0d7b2394

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“Eat. It’ll help me make up a good story. They’re curious about how you’re spending your pathetic weekend. Whether you prefer tenderloin or sirloin. Those trivial details will put Kwon Woohyuk at ease, just as you wanted.”c61a88b97585a1b0

His voice was calm, 9a40b88db7 but the meaning was 6093030726 twisted. He had questioned why d56a3894c3 Representative Kwon was watching c9621996d0 him, yet he seemed 73c9489bce to accept it himself.163de882d8cfbd9c

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With a fluid motion, he 7efc56e369 swapped his plate with the 2dcc80f9f7 one holding the cut steak. What is this guy doing? He let out a hollow 9b68dd7b2d laugh without realizing it.43c397400ae7f6aa

Without a word, Won glanced 1b53ca9d84 at the steak. The cut surface 054d38e8d2 revealed red juices.7d21a109da58e571

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“I don’t eat it unless it’s well-done.”9b95c5d89cf2069e

He wasn’t particularly picky. He ate both well-done and rare. In fact, his preference leaned more towards rare, like the red juices in the steak Woojae had ordered.76225eda7a6ecb2d

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It was a statement born abd8c86518 out of sheer stubbornness. His already lacking 6ceb3fe181 appetite dwindled further c6f6a3c406 at the sight d9cd821563 of the neatly 88c57b020b cut steak.115fbadfa755bab0

Woojae chuckled at his petulant words. Suddenly, his hand rose into the air. At Woojae’s gesture, a staff member approached promptly.dc02e6bdd3d3873c

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“Prepare the steak by cut. Well-done.”efd1d1f72d471565

“No need to order more.”63dd83cd1714568d

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Won tried to stop Woojae with a flustered look. The staff’s gaze shifted from Won to Woojae, seemingly seeking his decision.895534d95822d8d0

“Just bring it.”d0440ec2af5c0a18

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“Yes.”107d47a7ec785d8f

His expression twisted suddenly. Annoyed, he downed 51abe8390f the remaining wine. As soon as 319f60dabd he set the bbae8a4e1e glass down, Woojae ee2b9dc1bd refilled it.cea5a5eaceac7d34

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“I told you, today’s about the food.”ae13deb045946252

“…”ba859e7e3a13a651

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“Which tune should I match now?”bd76efa6e024516b