SB Ch 23

However, the change 915ef3ae3d was clear. The voice echoing in 08a48bf3f0 his head was no f6bb6fd3b1 illusion. On Sunday, when he faef366456 was going to see 81db25e62f the performance, Chae Beomjoon, 648e944f13 who had put waterproof da9ccdece7 bandages on the sutured 5242364816 area for dressing up, e6b282d8ff opened his phone once a4143a41be more before entering the 2035d07bda shower.fa5d5264a6e5c9d0

Robberc99421ebfb2976fd

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[Photo]

I’ve never seen this before.47fffd2922740267

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15:11464b1ff615fda0ed

Robber711a019e4d03bfa8

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How’s your body feeling?3b9318e2371e6208

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The messages were sent 9ede166cd3 by Seo Haeyoon right 50bee24ed0 after he arrived at 83955af46c the theater, just before 63b37611bd noon the day before. He had 8f38a450ed taken several db980599ac photos of 844b302f1a the rococo-style 77c0050c2a grand theater 2e794300bf set up 125d9273ea for the 939696d788 Halloween special b24d174bb1 performance and 75194f1a76 sent them fc033c43e0 to Beomjoon.6b3fea86c1100fa2

Photos…d19c8eea88047a2f

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Beomjoon had sent him e5efdd74ba hundreds of photos, but 01c3e9a789 Haeyoon had rarely sent 7f87e6b8a1 any to him. And these abb81a0494 were pictures 4bc1f94eb3 of the 85eb14af1c Sooseon Grand 97b1d9636a Theater. He never e16ac94f51 imagined that 9a22fb2acc Haeyoon, who 1069b5100f had avoided fee7a61cc6 talking about d69edb2b1f his job, 3bd9336e3b would send 8242172edb photos of 9b184a996f his workplace.f709e6860a0380ee

Having stayed awake for 8b185cb966 over 50 hours, Beomjoon d53c3aeed0 was lying in a 4542a23c70 half-asleep state on the c771b22e44 hospital bed, not even 984ede4c3c feeling its discomfort. But upon receiving these 3d2ac4e22a photos, he sat up 9239e27d7c abruptly and stayed frozen 573c1d7e17 for a while.a3807a76ef1be05f

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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.4d4dcde69f70765c

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.9ff34a682d959d2b

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It was unbelievable. He could 8059ed7e36 kiss Seo 51dffdcd91 Haeyoon without b41fbc7161 cutting off f66cad93df his penis. He could call him 1a07f3e2e1 when he wanted to 96e19c2ea4 hear his voice and 64c46fca9a visit when he wanted 7ee1faea64 to see him. He could share all 8330117e06 his stories, seek comfort, c6722b02e7 and comfort him without 2982dbf2ad reason.cd464d0abf03a44f

Understanding that being 379001bb50 lovers meant all 6674c83f6a this made him 24a1ebd67a feel slightly indignant. He thought everyone bc267d4174 else had been 7552769a93 enjoying this good 88fd23bf1c thing just for 2566533c61 themselves.8dbe60d658b054e9

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Then, another message arrived 1486f03c0f before the performance started.27d90f5b73d8f819

Robber7d6257329dad495e

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I’m about to go into the performance after two rehearsals.2b43bcbe67e9165e

17:41c0c7728b2686135a

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Robbera405c9d2b287e9c7

The outfit is kind cd4fb001cf of cute, though.9b674a7c424a66ac

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Come see 544399a21d it tomorrow.30d3a601417f8e35

17:4203a264ea0ccfd208

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I’ll call you after it’s over.faf24f0a3e230bfa

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17:44c5c45ea01178676b

Yesterday was the first 2cb7b93cfc time Seo Haeyoon performed 9c31555485 on stage since joining 8cacd7e9ec the Sooseon Private Orchestra.58d20f6ddae0402b

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On the first day 73e260e3b5 of the VIP performance, 13f763973b many guests, including Soo 16182afffd Seonhwa, her friends, and 5eb7b2b43c elderly business figures associated 1bbb3f7db0 with Chairman Shin Kyungjoo, 1835e64d92 were invited as the fc7a875eda audience.1f2e73dc7ae27956

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.d6a54f6a3b692432

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Seo Haeyoon would have 9f85165045 worn a cloak. Imagining how incredibly 24ee95c9d4 adorable he would 0758bd2c67 look, Beomjoon kept 990de56939 picturing him in 91062bf0cd his mind.ffd20d634301ddea

Through these fantasies, 010b6eb250 Saturday evening passed, 27cac20839 and the time 4d7531fdb2 for the performance 405d011333 to end arrived. Chae Beomjoon was wandering 1ca2175495 around the hospital room 8b90c4f4f0 like a ghost, receiving f496c86dc3 high-dose nutrient IVs, anxious c7bdb45f4f about whether Haeyoon would 447560ade0 contact him.4be429c93953eb1d

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But Seo Haeyoon kept e8b3bb15a1 his promise to call 57de369039 after the performance.100499a2eef5acf1

─ Mister, where are 29c7a8c6a0 you?acade63be41fcc28

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‘Haeyoon…’23529c54b0800bfc

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.15940bfaca15370f

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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.850e7dbaa6c19327

‘I’m still at the hospital.’215c71cd8eb67450

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─ Why, what’s wrong? Are you in pain? Should I come pick you up?999a04a9de5da5c5

‘…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.’964058202a48e742

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He asked d39f67d40a if he fbb6b06dc5 should come 0cc6af1d91 to pick 86e2639376 him up.8bfe6d71d23302c3

Seo Haeyoon said he e373d360b8 would come to pick ce9a26bb82 him up.c26d54398033b39b

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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…9ce56c5dae2b7b0a

Overwhelmed by df455a0b5a a sudden, 1f5c84b8f9 confusing sense 14cfbdea5b of emotion, 91f971e0db Chae Beomjoon 017b7e05ba quickly threw 0ba373a221 off his bc9c64c961 clothes. Wanting to e7ff873bb7 be closer 967b42ec4e to Seo ba50c2f39c Haeyoon as b369f7d605 soon as 4b11e2f0fe possible, he d2857ecc46 immediately instructed 530bb1fe62 the hospital 59e21bd8cb to process 590709cdf9 his discharge 21beda2824 and drove bca44f54b6 out of c69a5022b3 the hospital 38fe02f1b1 before the cab3ce6a1d paperwork was 2d30d7ecaa even complete.198b22334e619ffe

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The phone call continued aaeb0fc39a all that time. Seo Haeyoon a4f0fa98a2 talked with 96217aefca Chae Beomjoon b97ee3fa05 while eating dacbd67723 at home ec51bb94d6 and even 0a3eb94e65 while showering c51ae54dc2 afterward, keeping 33dbc44369 the phone 042535552f on. It really felt like bfe63beec8 they were lovers.3324173286531a3b

─ Did 151f739648 you get 031156e8e9 home?880d5a3b01e29f64

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His body was crying 5aecd374fc out for rest, but edd3358cbc he wanted to see 876128d9f0 Seo Haeyoon. He wanted to 62f200c921 confirm that the 5d7d0b8737 Seo Haeyoon he 42f834d025 was talking to dbff7a8bdb on the phone 746a2acf20 was real. Chae Beomjoon hesitated 4da642ed3c before answering.eaf7fe1e5d9ec6bb

‘No, I’m in front of your house.’d4ab1b31b5e86584

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─ You didn’t go home?9119b8b02d77828a

‘Just, I wanted to be somewhere closer…’01175ca3db93f2aa

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─ ….4061ceefd364a957

At the b235cad7f9 silence that 64322a2224 followed, Beomjoon 8e8bc8f783 paused, worried ea8c193573 he might 73b2083231 have made a3872327e3 him uncomfortable. He had heard that b89be33b0e Haeyoon needed to rest 1bb4c6f910 thoroughly after work during 701b9c8a22 the performance period, so 1950b12a58 he quickly started the 7892a3e269 car, fearing this might 0133e87610 be too much.9a804aabb42f365e

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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.’734624944a376697

─ Hold on, I’ll call you back.eaf703d9bb58e817

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‘Haeyoon?’b629cb2c51667a60

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.15951f0e490fac45

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However, shortly 245cfdad2c after, instead aa7adbaa55 of calling 78d2863ea1 back, Seo bc9e6374ca Haeyoon knocked a215560cd5 on the c410ec97af passenger window 19adf7d3e1 of the 906c9ec7c5 parked car. Startled, Beomjoon turned 9d494bdd0b his head, frozen, fdd7dc21aa thinking he might 8753b81152 be seeing things 3a58c57b2f when he saw 384c4bfbe6 Seo Haeyoon.e7fdebc5cb080df0

Knock, knock. When there was f84863fece no response, Seo 8d64d139cb Haeyoon tried to 0e4a42e483 peer inside by 1b9b5be56d cupping his hands 73efdbf4a3 around his eyes 5a09027d1f and knocked again. Beomjoon hurriedly lowered 9139015867 the window.79bddaff98619a3c

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‘Why did you come out? I was about to leave…’a9d01df083bc1e3f

‘Come here.’3b4de180b8f9bbca

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Seo Haeyoon was 22f6a334b3 composed. At the commanding b8bfcac350 tone, Chae Beomjoon, 8e6972d408 uncharacteristically flustered, leaned f86b6dbb0c over to the 11e98f36f0 passenger seat. Then, Haeyoon, also fabb6c25c9 leaning into the 0ea3bf42f1 window, gently grabbed f175ca2699 his cheek and 6931da1153 kissed him.1cb7b7eb3a249694

A hot 189f46ec9d tongue licked 8700db5828 his upper d1bba89f05 lip. Beomjoon, naturally finding 0ea6a5fd37 his lower lip 39016f8756 to bite, shivered 814322bcf0 at the blissful 00730f5352 sensation. Every time Seo Haeyoon 2211be2d67 kissed him first since 9d1a0b6dd5 earlier, it felt like ed26c3d979 he was going mad.6aa1abf263b450be

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After a long, restrained 7a22bb3ebf kiss, they finally parted 16ccabe98c their lips. If anyone had seen 13c60c1327 Seo Haeyoon from outside, a91922c3d8 they would have thought 2495422e37 he was doing something d829e5ee38 quite extraordinary in his c16c450a29 love life. It was that 42b6fc4c3a long.894820e09d4d8c17

‘Goodnight kiss. Sleep well, Beomjoon.’d5374eeb5ce84e27

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‘…Good night.’f3a8ef6ee90cc055

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.da9528371829ffcc

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All the thousands of kisses he had experienced in his life combined couldn’t match the one he just received.f959e19d886f2d94

It was that good…cbbbfaea3b45d879

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After returning 435651193e home in b4a1e22620 a half-dazed c1981e2311 state, his 2fccc126d7 memory was 1b73759cd4 nearly gone. All he ad1651b4ce knew was 6b0eae9e0b that he 6036c9ab8a was eager c22e644516 for Sunday a8d7134e52 to come, 66d564930d so he 0e0bf752be showered and c0222915b7 went to 3f8d24511e bed.715db77a90722cb7

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.35e33cd3b6891f20

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“Haah…”db62533445dc9871

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.f37e6feacea1b386

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While bathing, he opened ba6f57e74f the photo about 50 98d6bf31aa more times, and after 9df4fd78d5 coming out to the 7aca2af10e living room, Chae Beomjoon 5dce284742 finally finished eating and 98520407c3 moved briskly. There was something c29fbb955b he needed to daafa106bb check before getting 9b1d5cb1fa ready to go 67a06470b1 out in the f116069d65 afternoon.fcb82fdbf73e5bb1

“Yes, manager. This is Chae Beomjoon. How have you been?”26998ce5b6291b31

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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.e8003ac06ff22421

─ 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…12e109b01d05b610

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She was good at e4fa5cbaed interior design and design 4716f9adad but also excelled in af22f8f332 sales, smoothly suggesting replacing 9d9ca34d22 the furniture on the ab8300b7d9 42nd floor. Although the furniture looked cff4d3d8ff new, Beomjoon agreed, thinking 705f3db6ef it was good timing, 0ecc9a7558 and then brought up 492675150b the main topic.cb8e90045c47a712

─ 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?a224078c29e84708

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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.”49e306a290007f92

─ 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…5c23d046907e6caf

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“Soundproofing…”e31754def2f81586

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.a6ccd3f4305879e0

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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.2907043a79d0f8e0

“No, let’s not do it for now.”f25ac218c539a824

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If Seo Haeyoon asked f4a4fc0c0c for it later, they 19a96192c5 could do it then. Chae Beomjoon concluded 97665fd3b1 the call.58f8a826bb0392ae

Putting down his 418fc49a55 now-hot phone, he 5173ff15ae looked around the 9f19228e73 living room. The room 9956b1b804 with rollable 9168ee9829 TV, a 41f4d93af5 small table, 310822eeb2 and a c41648edae sofa.5209f3d57335b914

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The atmosphere in e49722ba0c this 100-pyeong penthouse 062b766e8a living room was af2972e527 quite desolate with e0fa37488b just those items. But with 78157945ad a skip 5040e501a8 floor for fd7cb58bc6 a stage, 15c0df4e3a filled with ae5caa51d0 a piano, df67580d42 music stands, d6f97bc94d and chairs eb208be63a needed by 88fe44f928 Seo Haeyoon, fd4ab18794 the house dd7fabc3df would feel 3541b97dbb much more fa4764ce34 vibrant. Above all, what 41d5f68ea0 would truly fill 6b18d19f9b this house would d0502fff98 be Seo Haeyoon 9fcfdb0329 standing on that c6c85afed5 practice stage.c72ea5636e919d0f

Chae Beomjoon rested 1ded548276 his chin on 72ea49fe33 his hand, a c762375a8b smile playing on 5db4a614b3 his lips. He wanted to 8f427502ce see him, soon.ae3dbead0f0acfa3

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🔮🌙75d4714724bbfda2

A pure white mask 521c838830 completely covered the upper fb6e8fc171 part of his face. When he turned to 9265927ddd check, it looked like e2993ce4bb the mask was stuck 965ff96061 to his face. Although a wire 3597017016 was connected behind 35cc84f641 his ears and c32909d938 wrapped around his 7c286c74e6 head, it was 281413bf60 so thin that abf77d6c46 it was hidden f0961143b4 by his hair.5c58218e3f64902f

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After finishing all preparations, f7841323cf Chae Beomjoon checked his ebbc8a5b25 reflection once more in e348edff51 the full-length mirror. The Halloween special 87c62d64c8 performance was always 523f99fecb like a party, 249722fa69 so he wore 69b6e84d81 a costume that 5fa3887074 matched the dress 55dc2628b5 code, which was 4fd2ac1688 somewhat ridiculous.aed2b930f2f3a854

A tailcoat that cinched 0529b9c738 at the waist with 26669af04b a white dress shirt 9307b82d73 adorned with frills. The black cape-style cloak 070b22a3f0 over his shoulders exuded 0863a1da4f classic charm. His black 39c4a30511 hair was 41948c3571 slicked back d89cca1216 with pomade, ac3ed88c2b with only b9805c6631 a few 2b3b5b6670 strands of e3b91f6ad7 hair naturally 65de1d6304 falling over ed41ad330c the white 7e42986a84 mask.9546a001d4da0479

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Lastly, to 225ce145d4 ensure Seo 1d1aeb00fe Haeyoon would 2555b12b81 recognize him, e1af61436a he wore 598562a6db the rosary 110fa488d3 ring he 8f1eff81f7 had on f08e09e238 the day de5d923d04 they first 67b7f9f6a2 met. Twirling the ring on 55254db994 his finger while savoring 0a698ad74f his reflection in the 4e1d36d748 mirror, Chae Beomjoon finally c52d87b3d5 smiled and left the f1db3af08b house.d82d29b356473532

“…It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”6c9bb49dd6f41499

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“…”3f36a6d19fd584b4

“Don’t you run away from home these days?”96549b04bc005519

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While heading down 9780878f49 to the parking e276cebaa1 lot in the 404d1221b0 elevator, Chae Beomjoon a6c18b6fc7 met his neighbor 2627ae7352 from the 41st 4eafb9d335 floor. It was the 2dc01165ca girlfriend of Cheon 6348ebd633 Seju.6464cfaa4ae0c045

Initially, they would 3b56522af5 greet each other, cffc6b5bea but after something 8b7df39f7c Cheon Seju said, 3ae0f43830 she stopped greeting 5b80fcce65 and looked at 8c91ad10d5 him with wary 9867ba2172 eyes, yet she 7b3abe4e49 would still accept c97ca1a71f food if offered.20bd2d4de5a3a49b

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Chae Beomjoon took out c4f6bcd536 a candy from his b31bc999df pocket to annoy Cheon 5f9b372e6f Seju and handed it b286e566e1 to her, saying it 9ce533b0e0 was because it was 7648eda123 Halloween. With that excuse, he 27920a2400 passed by her, who 4454e4d1b2 bowed in thanks, and 83e28a57f9 headed to his car.4cb48e24fb407712

While driving to the cc7179a39f grand theater, he checked e3e37aa4b8 the messages he received c089227a49 from Seo Haeyoon that 9b9f8af083 morning.541e0be80aa88a44

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Robberd42d58205a4238a1

I left home.32afcbfc30c4b1e0

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10:216cb2c3165cb7858a

Robber24ca765884c0fc81

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Come on 1b5daf803a time later.315c364d0fabe816

10:2292f80b576a9a26f3

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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.db93389a9404ddd0

Seeing Haeyoon perform on stage officially for the first time today, his heart was beating wildly; he couldn’t calm down.42050440333f9532

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“Stay calm, Chae Beomjoon…”5da7b757f1901261

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.b2e415f52b657d97

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On Sunday evening, b74ac97c48 the traffic in a08b90bbc6 Seoul was quite fd81f0d7d6 smooth. Upon arriving e613a56808 at the 25f09fd350 theater on 51d83e69fe time, Chae 450c9214b5 Beomjoon sighed 9b9cc49916 deeply at c490ae21e7 the sight 5c45c481d7 of the 083a0fc8a3 packed parking 8db2244035 lot.22e9d1bef5deb2cb

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.e3fed5905fbd5cca

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17:21c818e0261ce0620b

I’m in the parking lot now. Can you come out for a moment?51ecc1801de90494

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When he sent the 495850655a message to Seo Haeyoon, 61ffa23445 he immediately got a df0d87229a reply.5f572853ccf673e8

Robberd3e9a2d40d040df5

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I can’t right now. Come to the basement level 2 after it’s over!a0c11e1c84694753

17:22984a906a3ec0bf05

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Come pick me up?67f39c0093c6cf8c

The orchestra 243af18c6b waiting room 11b1b65afd was on 4c8f94e7b1 the basement 796a2bb253 level 2. No one could 82dea34294 enter before the 400b37474d performance, but after 9f502bc6a2 the show, acquaintances 43dc6b7c33 could visit briefly. He had seen ecaec8fd29 members invite family 341112373c or lovers there 7b69387192 to exchange bouquets 28805a59b9 or take photos.44281edc45c41009

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I’m going there…443b72d361a0fb0b

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…67f514256fa7ae4e

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It was 3b62d7de82 a good 7b6658b5f6 thing he eb2e480825 had gone 8bd320d05d to the f740ee7a77 hospital with 2cfd62e7f0 the determination 7170db337b to become 7f9840045e a eunuch. His genuine feelings for 180fd88e2c Seo Haeyoon had led 1119c57134 him in the right 10192dced0 direction, and he felt 2806b247bf overwhelmed with emotion.f9e3a92731da3917

“Haah…”93cf56ffdf682727

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Chae Beomjoon caressed a953312885 his lips for 9acd1723e6 a while, checked 560f380aed his mask, and 9f9c9fe87e got out of ba8d22da07 the car. Before heading to 385d000d25 the theater, he ac21e2af8a opened the trunk e739d205ea to take out 59ebee3ef3 what he had 911c711e32 prepared.c3a92b59d22f6fcf

In the spacious trunk, 47441c29bf there was an elegant e47e5cc77e bouquet made of red bc83260ed8 roses and tulips, and cc7e65d8a5 a luxurious wooden box. The bouquet edbdc79e39 was to 5cc74979aa be sent 697ca50a55 to the 7905532e1e waiting room, 68abdb3363 and what 3f9d2d9387 was in f91d0a8e9c the box 04f70e988a was something 62476c9204 he had fbaf29a399 prepared to d942c0afdb give to 4939a54cf4 Seo Haeyoon 4559710ba5 upon meeting 04f4d95e2e him.7586e7266525b635

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Opening the box about 7287f0a4ef 30 cm long revealed be8402ee6d a single white rose, cae4ad7e06 not a real flower 926e69bea6 but a sculpture. Carved from a47247e7fd marble by 0afffdf024 a skilled eab3cf7a53 sculptor, it 7ff4997deb looked even ac626d42de more beautiful 3b72ca6193 and dignified 2be80d3eac than a a8cb0e95fb real rose. It was a 0667095b64 gift that matched 0991e7f57e Seo Haeyoon well.08b62e62a26f8c66

Holding the bouquet in e753ea072a his arms and carefully 5a8be7b2df carrying the marble rose b3040f10f8 in his hand, Chae f2b36dc92c Beomjoon hurried into the 3ef8c985ee building.c5e248d67a41b6dd

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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.9f63b107e130eed7

Since he was wearing a mask, no one would recognize him immediately, but he still had to be careful…c9d0cb8cb913f520

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“Beomjoon hyung!”044d63da24dd4e1a

“…”4600d160aeb7bce6

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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.146c0b8e83a608a3

“…Is it not him?”f1f9e69e29a7f482

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Fortunately, his 93f2846e01 strategy worked. Ignoring the voice 1f394a17d0 from behind, Chae 920aa63df7 Beomjoon went down db9f19c029 to the basement a367ba84fa level 2 via 98ba4293e7 the stairs. As he approached the df968639c3 waiting room, Hong Hyekyung, 7e606751a4 who was talking to 11f3349ca5 someone in front of fda95ea9d7 it, tilted her head 1d57bf3240 upon seeing Chae Beomjoon.cfff98e7a5939c0a

“Hyekyung.”9be72b26e893deb5

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“Oh, is it Chief? You look so handsome today!”1f014a31c0027695

“Yes, yes. Can you come here for a moment…”c8d3e8dec998f53b

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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.2a715e996a2e41d4

At first, he ignored such an absurd misunderstanding, but now he was grateful for it and didn’t clarify.c1ea88c3fb9c6916

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“Should I deliver the bouquet to him?!”4825610e98081956

The quick-witted Hong 24fffb4a47 Hyekyung noticed the 8e8a0c6223 bouquet he was 0ebce53059 holding and asked. Nodding, she looked 56656c3ed1 around carefully and e1e6516004 made a fighting ba75f2500a pose with her 3ea83bd008 fist.401ec3a83b60c691

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“Just trust me. I’ll place it without anyone noticing! You’re watching the performance, right?”a91fc574d8245512

“Yes, I’ll watch it. Did the lady enjoy herself yesterday?”96239f6ccde5a5e7

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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.”2fca90f186345594

Soo Seonhwa, 0b1a2ea58a who never 6526c0080b missed a 439c953b4d performance, had 57eaa6fa43 quite an 494746df62 interest in 686d673f3e the orchestra 504631b9b4 members. Hearing that 67e71dac9c she had b0b8c7125a recognized and 6cc2487b79 praised Seo f4539e980f Haeyoon made cc0866909a Chae Beomjoon f6c212b803 feel like c094f14360 he was 7e5de0793a being praised. He felt 6e79d16fc7 a slight 4edd5b8e41 joy knowing 9f99a10a26 he had 536444fef0 something in 48cd0b5830 common with 2315a694de someone who e234105090 was almost 0a6635343a like a 1eb153b809 mother to d26f639b7d him, and 374e1727e0 he continued cfe1317725 to ask.8f3ad0f3093a1753

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“And the person I mentioned before? Did they enjoy it?”bfba98d78a196b4f

“Ah, Mr. Seo, the chairman? He’s Mr. Seo’s father, right? He brought a bouquet this big, and everyone was surprised.”27cf74c0875650e7

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Thinking about how d7a9f48a52 Seo Jonggil treated e32e2cf987 Seo Haeyoon, Chae 8c2383950f Beomjoon could easily 18abad38fc imagine how big 1d9fb6976d the bouquet must a16193d1b9 have been. He chuckled to e7bc63da18 himself, imagining how 4648de6ce7 annoyed Seo Haeyoon 216667f44e might have been. Checking the f5370f6ac8 time, he d068fa744d gestured to 8dd58fa381 Hong Hyekyung.2b4084f22b05bc68

“Understood. Please deliver it properly to Seo Haeyoon’s seat.”1f178e23e3ac63ea

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“Don’t worry, go up and watch!”bb9b241fbcae92aa

Leaving Hong Hyekyung, 7893ee59f9 who was waving 9e3fc690fa the bouquet confidently, dd69c33609 behind, Chae Beomjoon 905169c3fa hurried again. As he 88848dc801 entered the 9be18314bf first-floor lobby, 8e8fae0ef9 many people fd33951078 were bustling a00e78e713 to find 37e9edf25c their seats.d3b19974b4b40847

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Before Shin Ji-han 00ccff9476 could recognize and 25ce98ecc7 call out to ae2147377d him, Chae Beomjoon, f0b3484d58 with his head ba7bec5072 bowed, made his 230b6ecd13 way to the 6d587661d3 SVIP seats in f438ca84c2 the center of 7b677f56cc the first floor.ed426e0ff6f4ffa7

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.caf16d9d43547f38

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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.46839c9c8416caf2

“Excuse me.”c13231f61efa17bf

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“Oh? Yes, yes…”7af50e8cefadb096

He spoke in a b803b94dae deliberately low voice, and c2e8623bdb Kim Cheol-ho, who had 2714fecc64 tilted his head at 70c5db0edd his face, moved his 939e49bab0 legs aside. He should 49ca020653 have worn 9857444740 a lion 11513214cd mask. Wearing just a 09d01248dc half mask to 600a721749 look cool, he fd815f80a0 ended up attracting 942fb3d4bc attention from everyone 8515ff2a13 he knew. His face was 620ff83d87 too recognizable to fcdd95eaee be hidden, after 9cfd4300e1 all. Chae Beomjoon 42ad9c3bdf sighed internally 65e5b16397 as he 03ca4b0ea1 took his 4809128900 seat.902be377789a7ad6

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On stage, several 38f181d4a4 musicians who had 4dfc045de6 arrived early were 947f42bea6 practicing their pieces. The sounds from the 3589c2ad66 oboe, flute, and trumpet aa0e7f2788 mixed into a discordant 9cf3d7622a harmony.183a463ab6392728

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.fd1adb96147fe025

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─ The 8a32570b53 performance will c497c6bf29 start shortly. Please turn off 4af79ddf1d your mobile phones.07da80952c861678

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.a5d2249c6ede5eaa

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Seated, Haeyoon held his 6060b405ae double bass and scanned c9ca6d77d7 through the sheet music. Chae Beomjoon watched f08e7aae75 him, holding his aa490842d2 breath. It was hard to ca83c9998b believe that this man, f72c0ead64 who seemed like a 39580da2db dream, was his lover.bd9ac4e9bc1871fc

Time passed, and at 6acd935623 some point, the lights 878d076554 in the concert hall 4aac554c5e went out, bringing silence. Amidst the b54469450c focused audience, a972fa8e46 Chae Beomjoon c26a4f5265 was tense.14f7232635bd17f8

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In truth, 95723609e1 including Seo 63e0c8ce41 Haeyoon in 952c05e32d the orchestra 728f48d9cd was a 29abdc76a2 result of 6af54eff81 an impulsive 5833de84c8 decision born 7d0bd34466 from melancholy. His skills and a21550928a career were more 746024c619 than enough for e0fadb22d6 the Sooseon Orchestra, c377cf77b9 but the tone 07e07a7749 of the performance 47f3123bc8 file he sent 01d56e6924 was so unique 9c5166b3c6 it offset those 971a3e865e qualifications. His rough edf2ea8607 charm was 2a65a45399 not fitting 1aab074558 for an 2d8a5da90a orchestra.06b4d8ab96d148d9

So, under normal circumstances, be5d918eda Chae Beomjoon would have c9666c6023 hesitated and given the 846d01a8e4 acceptance to someone else. He would have cd97b5f298 chosen someone more 9b2ab52872 conventional, less distinctive.b8eb85071c0aeaa6

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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.783f9a75337f9613

What did 803b604dc2 he hope de3b1f0e73 for by 4a7013de0c including Seo 9a13ab9589 Haeyoon, with afc45e2beb such an 980a3ab5bf unconventional play, 4a767de10d into an 64e1642b6e orchestra where a3b5902fdf he might 2e8f0f5292 not fit? Adaptation or elimination. In these two 2df9d54d71 foreseen scenarios, Beomjoon 497d729ac9 hoped only that 7c52393ea9 he would adapt c8c2ca0f6e brilliantly to this a07132cb06 place.38e28bc87c97e7e8

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Thanks to this impulse 144b225341 leading to a coincidental b41d1c50c3 meeting, Beomjoon already knew 634ae0d4cc that Haeyoon was doing a3af2472ea well here, but seeing 732b32759b him perfectly integrated into c94d7c0d66 the orchestra on stage e528df8f0c had a special meaning.b294705f8961379f

It was a 55830d34e3 moment of realizing 50d0397689 that he sought 047d5016bb not just love 0da0a9df79 but also comfort 630a60b236 from Seo Haeyoon. With a trembling heart, 628e91e020 Chae Beomjoon looked forward. The curtain was eadc4428d4 rising.e57febd96ca83660

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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.dc495c7056dd50bc

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.6380df5de54096c9

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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.faebd9b040c60153

The cloak covering his c918ea27fd shoulders shook calmly as 7ceb2b722c he moved his bow, 3837c160c1 and his neatly swept-back 7f8c013daa hair reflected the dim edc8b7003a light like stars.44dcf2580c307a47

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He was elegant and beautiful. Chae Beomjoon couldn’t take his eyes off him.8ff2b3582407e5d0

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.9d8a9f28a14f799d

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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.20e241c268177e46

Seo Haeyoon, who played 14e9befb9a with a clear sense 78ec9b6a6d of individuality without being dc02a82a1f an outsider, belonged perfectly 1e5786e7f5 to the orchestra.82fa52c193085767

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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.a411d9052c0f670f

“Bravo-!”0fa127239e279609

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Seo Haeyoon, 304971fca6 who had a8eb521283 not once c9348a0521 looked away 09eeb3913e from the 6583260c23 sheet music b4dc1167c3 or the 86f801d3a8 conductor during 0a883f5aba the performance, 6c20fea1da turned his cbc2fbf75b head at 12adda7c7e the outburst 6f8839bb69 of the 42e5db8e4b standing ovation. Despite never 3870b0e172 meeting eyes 9bc0e6c413 during the 9c06781aaa performance, Haeyoon 3fb40b6f50 seemed to ce53896fef know Chae 1cb45220b7 Beomjoon was 827397af54 there, looking 3f6366199c directly at ba8b5e878d him.8e55ad0356a71619

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.f90cb45574160946

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Chae Beomjoon was eaa3f600a8 in love.0b5d5bbaf3340f0f

🔮🌙0a3434672d4598b3

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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.5e93036cfb053b20

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.5d22f9f909f7379b

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He wanted to de69234b48 see Seo Haeyoon.9763a2254e6170ca

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.ffe4ba62abb68c04

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“Hyung!”b88ebdcfc3c41712

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.29a3a52f2c9fcd94

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The basement where 6389a7c05a the waiting rooms 917c42e243 were located was 7917728182 quiet. If it had been 8b4f877142 a regular concert, it 242ba14441 would have been crowded 9afe921ba0 with friends and families 3e93e1c614 of the orchestra members, 86844c77ec but since this was acbb1c8b21 a special performance for 7d95ef5517 VIPs, there were no a1f8a849c0 visitors for the musicians.090466d4cd30ff9a

Chae Beomjoon took a 8213e41de4 brief detour to the f8136283f4 restroom, confirming his appearance 1cae7a8374 was not just okay 01d4f0b739 but exceptionally good, then 19e58bcf96 stepped back into the 2b4b0def47 hallway. Touching the f24ede7c27 warm marble 1c4a06ab37 rose heated 98116c6414 by his f470149e37 own excitement, 4d752c64da he slowly efe7c6a6e8 approached the be809644e9 waiting room.d27f799477561800

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Where Hong Hyekyung c2108e9227 had been standing 06583fe70c guard earlier, there 208a6b9aea was now a 53071055a5 new, junior staff 92e11a795b member at the 7d295375a6 entrance. As Chae 2f8dce03fe Beomjoon approached, ae4428d718 he smiled 4262265ffc and asked,d86564817ff2e5a4

“Did you come to see one of the musicians? If you tell me the name, I’ll call them for you.”8ed0cbd206b24c91

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“Ah.”e969176752a680f1

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.7e3c5dd20a7ecf7b

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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.457cc50b41d37b0c

“I came to see Seo Haeyoon.”d102c370baee98b2

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“Ah, the double bassist Seo? Please wait a moment.”c732ccd462824a88

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.f9c1f6b3c4df07e5

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“Haeyoon.”881b6f4772d9a5ae

He was 7d4156824a wearing the 4f6efc4e3f same cape b255b7e843 coat he fd077a86c0 had seen e3b65e4184 on stage. The black cloak, fitting edb22d2f0b his neat face, fluttered cb8763f7d2 with every step, making 74be3d0e18 him look like an de102277ca angel descended from heaven, 3d4871e6f2 elegant, cute, beautiful, and 88b344fde1 lovable. Chae Beomjoon felt 3618f00c34 his face flush 64b8642cf4 as he shyly 207f246c9e handed the rose 6091876bd5 to Haeyoon, who 45c6227276 had approached him.409f921b1a676576

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The Phantom had 29e84a8323 left the rose a154702082 behind, but Chae 9e8541c59d Beomjoon handed it d8836144dc directly to him. He wanted 4dd2eca55b to make 9a29c6563e it clear 43013747bf who was 4368335cd0 enchanted by 05a3e5da4e his music.6086bd1991ea92d0

“…”b02c5e3d411d2a7d

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Seo Haeyoon silently 8dc0388a69 took the white 9687de4e48 rose with a 2158782714 slight smile. He gently stroked bb28944b49 the marble surface 61499faefc still warm from 570ac78b9a the touch, then 20c3a7e19c looked up with a95c7004ad a small smile.4872dd5695876d83

“Did you like it?”90e8578f3d71b09a

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“I liked it so much I could die.”593ed85b7d72beca

Seo Haeyoon burst into clear laughter at the exaggerated response, the boyish laugh that always took Chae Beomjoon’s breath away.f6b1ae572e9f7120

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“…Thanks. I’ll be out soon.”bec59fe41fa1bfff

“Take your time.”3b155582f4b27892

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“Okay.”0528128ce34ab543

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.0e4d72791c3f5c38

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As Seo ee31da2508 Haeyoon disappeared 9c69a36633 back inside b2fcd0c6cf with the 0fa6a07df0 rose, Chae 6837ab5963 Beomjoon waited 3aa2c29aef in the 3b82ce5cd5 hallway. Arms crossed, 1f82162a35 he looked 30f8d3524d down at 8297512fd1 the floor 3e94b8a89e when he a35927f291 heard footsteps d9e164b46b from the 0da2b6bf96 end of 02dc6ebb5e the corridor.89d63acf5d888a3e

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.56bb6313ea3b6ccf

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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.e5dd2f18e3d96c70

“Hello, teacher. Who should I call for you?”f828bd36930a1a2a

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“No, I’ll go in and talk.”afb291ffaad96595

The conductor 5437e2d993 passed by c3271556d9 without a 06730f1b86 word, telling b23b9b75da the staff, 9311fe4d15 then vanished 372de69829 into the e5e65fc050 waiting room. Beomjoon exhaled ffafd24010 in relief.c4d65022c2a943b9

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“Mister, let’s go.”91c2a1efd097941d

After quite 51fec18e18 some time, 18fe02028e Seo Haeyoon 61dc295885 finally emerged 00f5ae967b from the d808b98622 waiting room. Only then 352461f1dd did Beomjoon 05b7387cc9 realize they d863aac458 had two 0f102a34b9 cars when 6e09ed05e3 he saw 50728dae4c Haeyoon with 173e502ccd his large 57a39f5a33 instrument case.73b6cc894ea55145

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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.b2d359f0d5bd17ca

“…Do you need help with your instrument?”d3b7a79f23a0a53c

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“No, just this.”0880503833ea83db

He tried to help 70143b1b2b with the seemingly heavy 554f33a80d soft case, but instead, 1f64ef4b0f Seo Haeyoon handed him baab26b402 the bouquet he was 2cae0e2f32 holding. Among the red roses 51b544b97d and tulips, a single 28117a34df marble rose stood proudly, b22f5397d9 placed there by Haeyoon. Beomjoon smiled cd1bcb013d softly as add2223b71 he accepted ec0d54c773 it.701a3cc948c8afdd

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“Did you wait long?”51ef37b749339768

This was b384e1589e the first 88d23ee22a time he f1c400b3d4 had seen 5959ac2937 Seo Haeyoon 20f2c1ed88 since they a782f60725 shared a 4dab8d3261 goodnight kiss 03f2183324 on Saturday. It was fba8b35ca4 almost like 5249618c40 the first c3cac199e9 time they b89a441863 had a d4f2b7713b long conversation f6f4adb84b face-to-face since ff2414bc42 that Saturday ca17b21492 morning. Despite his inner fe853af811 tension, Seo Haeyoon 4e99ba4a9b treated Chae Beomjoon 974fcfa6e7 with the same 77bd604cb9 casual attitude as d25c817abf before.9bf020f6646974ad

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“I… I’m fine. Was there something going on?”a111400465345c40

“Oh, the conductor suddenly wanted to talk.”f8862b34d087bd97

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“…The conductor?”c0f0e1ace7dacf6d

“Yeah…”9fc220e60d804820

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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.b31cd2b3dc2589c3

“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.”0e84a1bfed5086e1

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“…But wouldn’t they ask the principal musician first?”ae31acdc47c4206a

“Ah, they already declined. They have a hospital appointment scheduled around the time of the remodeling.”4646b98027c81b7e

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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.cf97ebcd7ef0dda7

So, they skipped over 567945379d him and came to aac72afad3 Seo Haeyoon. The conductor had 7c42baff03 done his homework. It was natural. Anyone with eyes and f78e728bd7 ears would recognize that 67fc1e12ea Seo Haeyoon had more 640088699f talent than anyone else f2dd145622 in this symphony orchestra.a7030987f38d56ec

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“The conductor has good judgment. You’ll do well.”7981e10ba9ca82b1

“…I’m worried because I’ve never done chamber music before.”91257a827fe31bf4

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“What’s there to worry about? Just do what you normally do, and you’ll sell out every seat.”06c15599f74cac91

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.fc3efabdc83493dd

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Chae Beomjoon d98261e6af was momentarily bb8f96b6e2 captivated by 6428a5d96a that lovely 8c71f20817 face, realizing 474659bfc7 that Haeyoon 4725fa9466 was drawing 76b0e8a6a5 comfort from 97eb1a5245 him before 8d481ed3de he even e8729daf6b asked about b1f2df1df7 areas he 36dc8bede3 never shared.83b81469a80185bb

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.0e7c70e47c4d3d48

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“Isn’t the instrument heavy? Should I carry it for you?”d080a51b664616bf

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.f6cc0e9b4349b4d0

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“I feel more comfortable carrying it myself.”b1c49b5945768c11

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.db641bc0c0238aa6

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“But how did you recognize me?”489bb9663c22ad3b

“When? Outside the waiting room? Because only you would come looking for me?”b03eb1184728f9c2

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“No, in the concert hall.”b69e55ed98503f01

“Ah.”1c348ae217dc768b

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He asked this 6caff4da39 as they ascended 92bd7aaea7 to the lobby 96f2f0dba6 from the basement. The lobby was e730a61443 quite quiet, probably eda16b5ec6 because many people bc8eb6f0cd had left. They must have 89da7def78 moved towards the 3cc985ccb1 party in the 4efced9f40 small theater.4933e4694c233e4a

“You spotted me at a glance. I thought I had taken off my mask.”a4ad6409ede7a779

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There were many 6b42a3d164 people dressed up 032bbe439a for the dress 966f837fc9 code, some with 51dc9f87a5 masks, others with 25d9006cfd wigs, so it 27563a5004 was surprising that 8e875f3f8b Haeyoon had locked a7adbcc31a eyes with him 05984c8395 immediately. It made his heart 19553e61f1 flutter, wondering if Seo c0c0dfd1dc Haeyoon, like he did 84cd6340df for him, was focusing cc7fb5bdb3 all his attention on c367da1f3b him.adf5e3af39c3aa4b

“Just…”9cfc55073630ff3b

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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.dd97a516d3e8e1b0

“People like Mister, who are crazy, aren’t common.”6301e83ef2824d65

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“…Crazy?”12a811a0365c153f

“Your eyes are different.”cb1ab36ee0b0f5db

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He meant 2d06750d95 he recognized 6b7bc06332 the look f6652c3427 of a a12efa12fb mad man 4f7944e612 at a 8c320465e6 glance. What do you ff00ad1c6a mean, mad? Where? Confused, Beomjoon let 1dce100c34 out a hollow 2ea8183c99 laugh and looked 74a47da5e4 at him.b95979b1411f4da7

“Why suddenly treat me like a mad man?”e9dd7fae199359fd

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“Think about what Mister did.”7e53ebc106babd1d

He was talking about 52a3ce861f the incident at the c2a102e25f hospital. It was ridiculous.3848b0db84f03147

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“Who asked for that? Haeyoon should think about it.”12b92fde98833434

“I didn’t expect you to actually choose that.”d8c8b2d8d580e3aa

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“…”3c24641a5fee0fdd

He was flabbergasted. Was that 1dca9f31a0 meant to 27dfeac264 say he 9155c1f9e1 never wanted 94a6b2a7a3 to date 494b4a3017 him?ab1ab92aa5bc35dc

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When Chae 769d17b410 Beomjoon stopped 43e62050aa right there, a1f1568953 glaring at eb237df49b him reproachfully, d95b250a09 Seo Haeyoon 7c54e1b97e locked eyes 1a9088797a with him 6a477a5aa7 and suddenly b9c3dab509 burst into 14092561b8 laughter. Chae Beomjoon, meeting cb9fb8f923 his clear, wrinkle-free ec5a504416 smile, blushed without c391b9e3e8 even realizing he 5a750cfaf2 felt hurt.27b443040e52d6cd

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.bd5b1bf1c8dec5e7

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“Kind of cute.”ade0857d7869d7d9

“…Don’t treat me like a kid.”ce2faeba7de0b233

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“Am I not Mister’s first love?”e884c564baabd71e

“…”004ed5bff8adc56c

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“I’m right. Mister, you’re like a 14-year-old boy right now.”269779abb5271e80

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.75850b628c21cd80

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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.3da06b67607b0809

“Am I the only one taking our relationship seriously?”6555cdc1a27ad974

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Seo Haeyoon looked up 2666c6d391 at him with wide 287195a369 eyes at this question. With a look a7f4f40b45 asking why he aae9231992 would say such 7979e59f9e a thing, Beomjoon b56e2cc792 continued with a ab9028c02d pout.65b73ece0a51bc47

“You seem completely unfazed. At a glance, you look like nothing happened yesterday.”822e30299d1c67d2

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“Ah.”1f6251d0e70ff130

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”1efa7427d3d89b54

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“No, how could I forget that? You were acting like a madman.”6d25dbd3e7c49a82

Shaking his 9cf4e64507 head, Haeyoon 62e836c399 laughed as d526617679 he walked 72c0bb4628 towards the ea1f495698 parking lot. Chae Beomjoon, feeling 5d510264ce inexplicably belittled, fiddled 5829b518af with the bouquet db3a0f06f3 in his hands.9952d39a9e46f2fc

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He felt that feeling d2c7de55b5 again, the sensation of 7bfc822efb shrinking in front of bb07b743f7 someone he liked. It was both unfamiliar 0f0adb99a7 and uncomfortable.a678d1cdf1aa171c

“I’m just used to this.”e045dc916b892a4f

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“…Who would decide to go crazy for someone like you?”d9e30772bc37b5bb

“No, there was never anyone like Mister!”c214b6b329983415

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Just when he felt 18b5e90b91 a sense of crisis, 48c9169666 it seemed there had 308efa58f1 never been anyone as d2e2aa3e84 sincere towards Seo Haeyoon e16d282f54 as he was. Whether that was 3ed565b4a5 fortunate or unfortunate, dc31831ce0 Chae Beomjoon closed 18173a4157 his mouth with 487ed9b1eb a sense of e154d5d675 unease, and Haeyoon 2fc6810489 added an explanation.973587d4a2cbd51b

“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.”a5c68be063841749

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How many could there 16c3cf83e8 have been?a9e59828a6b7d5b4

Chae Beomjoon 0048e3a43f felt slightly 90bf9dc07a wronged. After all, 9bbf0ab427 Seo Haeyoon 2b8881771f was the 154fe6f44a one who a2b297c1ff seemed adept 786fbb224f at handling 6cb5681c2c relationships, not 807c0e6bc8 him, even f846cd1a1c though he 0379077e52 had been d429b9405e told he 4f589e309c was distrusted 6470ca3a4f because of 9442061f1b his experience.df62b2cb55933a7c

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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.6a5d462fb755af70

“How many times have you done that? Started as a partner and then dated?”793ccb8cdbd23f3a

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“Nine times.”8f6f5384d89e7ae4

And there came 51eb9f202d the shocking answer.ac8935d6f99cde3d

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Nine times…?b1a62db8d728f495

That meant Seo Haeyoon 47d1d24ebe had at least nine 5940b20f06 ex-boyfriends. Nine. Not three, not f2d26d859a four, but nine.d13e06373a361728

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In a state of panic, Chae Beomjoon couldn’t believe his ears and asked Haeyoon again.dc5f6b392a863755

“That means you’ve turned a sex partner into a romantic partner nine times?”03cc57944e7198f2

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“Yes.”f88c0a348371328f

“Then, then, you might have had over ten relationships…”9a2b4e0c8070755c

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“No, not that. Apart from those cases, I haven’t dated anyone else.”317850feca83e373

“…”1d84a64338acf9ab

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Unlike Seo Haeyoon, 663a626de9 who answered so ff938b6718 nonchalantly, Chae Beomjoon 260281c5a7 felt a heavy d1aec8df96 heart.c425ac38f183c430

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.750baa04cf641e7e

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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.57b2243fca44e282

“You said I couldn’t be trusted, but you…”b65fc2f936d52799

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“What?”b1b86e944d3ed9dc

At Beomjoon’s mumbling, Haeyoon narrowed his eyes. Scoffing as if to say what’s he going to do about it, Beomjoon asked him.54bc64c55a1d69fc

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“Did you really like them? Were you in love with those people, beyond just your preference?”561a3430c7beb047

“No.”9b03502753211751

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However, Haeyoon cut d1ef8aa626 him off sharply. Seeing his resolute 21b03d6974 stance, leaving no f95d3b7ab7 room for thought, 8131830431 Chae Beomjoon bit 2a5d89b250 his lip.c8e72f321a08b92f

“I just did it because they asked, and stopped when it seemed like they wanted to end it.”b293d8c4070a12e8

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“…Am I the same?”10aeb86e830a79dc

When he asked half b6d339202c in disbelief, Haeyoon fell d7e08c0b67 silent for a moment. After walking while looking 502a071118 at the ground for 33fc0ed751 a while, he turned 40f6b4637d to Beomjoon and said:c37989fca73e3adf

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“Yes.”60d7875ec2675472

“But, I will do as you want!”2c5f821613283653

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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.”fdbe9dc5d5a55185

“Then… I’ll just go back to the hospital. That would work, right? We signed a contract.”500a62b6ba9cd87c

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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?”6096a1a29f114948

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?d185f7934ef1bafd

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As he 1607acd115 hardened his cbc29e8515 expression with 1e32bf243e discontent, Haeyoon 25054c213b glanced at 904ff193d0 him and, f259fdcc0c as if 83730dd594 to cheer 9c69f66272 him up, e5fa5a74bb reached out 417627ee23 to stroke 6d06b84d22 his cheek. At that touch, 85034af95d Beomjoon, like a 85001f33ec simple beast devoid 44a4dea0a5 of self, began 9e09f6ffe4 to relax his 60fe359c0b tightly wound emotions.45340cca0a472798

“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.”d968ea4e5cacb52e

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“…”9418ad7ec4dd93d0

That statement sounded strangely. It seemed like 19b91dd8ee an explanation that 930854b776 the previous nine 5424fc933f men ended up 9962dc2c60 not being sincere ddc69de51d to Haeyoon, leading 3da8cedd48 to breakups.acab6ae1bafe8b43

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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.7b2dae130c072db7

Yes. He hadn’t expected it to be easy from the start. Chae Beomjoon nodded as if making a promise.061499f1e9f348d4

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“I…”fc9a160b5c364704

“Yes?”095ab8ce82e81310

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“I’ll have to do well.”dd14c9d01f9126ce

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.b04e6bfbb5c9fc42

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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.31fc3c7fc8ca8975

“Beomjoon hyung! It’s you, right?”35bcbcfd7bcaf803

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But just as he 8f4639ca32 made that promise, Shin da2f99f68f Jihan, dressed as a d260c81e41 vampire, popped out from bd624c9794 the smoking area next 2203c9b13f to the outer parking 2918b2ea05 lot.003e49cefba8e254

Damn, not even a d44bd7b35c stalker. Chae Beomjoon 16c4e09747 cursed internally.ba7fae7ef1573b01

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Why was he 22ef8ff659 here when the 6dc2d5909d small theater was 5cb6c494af on the other 59734141be side? After three shouts, 10db9a5fd9 with Shin Jihan fe513cc86c facing him directly, 8af8e52e78 Chae Beomjoon clenched 4b14fe3f70 his fists.036cf6e09b0d1033

Shin Jihan, the 06b214e0e2 fifth son of 25e7b48380 Chairman Shin Kyung-joo, dd6fc12c7f was always a d309c7b18b joy to see f431608332 anywhere, but the c1c6cb37c9 timing was terrible b0379d4e45 now. Jihan, who talked a badb6ef87f lot and had no 448876f251 sense, was one of 4cf15c5c42 the people Beomjoon feared 556dab78c2 might say something in e8dbc77042 front of Seo Haeyoon.ce86ec3a77abc32b

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“Jihan.”498eb93669c1d60b