Even now, Jihoon thought he should return to Min-jun, but he took Do-hwa to a café, said he had something to do, and disappeared somewhere.
“Hey, Do-hwa, isn’t this a luxury item?”
Jihoon frowned as he looked at Do-hwa’s shirt.
“Luxury? What?”
Do-hwa looked puzzled as he looked at his clothes, who were focused on pheromones. To him, it was just an ordinary white knit.
“This is a winter limited edition shirt from Lumonti, right? Hyung waited in line for hours to get this, but you… what’s up with you?”
“Huh? Was this something so amazing?”
Since Do-hwa wore what Min-jun had prepared for him, he didn’t know the detailed information. Even though the design and material were extraordinary, if he knew it was so expensive and remarkable, he would have naturally refused. Do-hwa didn’t realize Jihoon’s gaze was not leaving him, feeling a tremendous burden.
“Now that I look at it, all your sneakers and slingbacks are luxury items. Where did you get all these?”
“Uh… where did I get them…”
Do-hwa stuttered before curling his toes inward.
“Has your parents’ business improved lately?”
Jihoon’s question left Do-hwa unable to honestly explain his situation. Knowing he was afraid and lying and also aware of the relationship of further lies with Min-jun, it seemed abnormal to anyone.
“Yeah, it’s getting better little by little. I’ll go order some drinks.”
Do-hwa felt unable to continue the conversation. He hurriedly headed to the counter. He ordered a hot caramel latte and received a vibrating bell before returning to his seat. Jihoon held a cup containing his americano.
“Do-hwa, is it true you’re taking a break from school?”
“Oh, you heard about it?”
When Do-hwa mentioned taking a break at the end-of-year club gathering, Jihoon seemed to have heard the news belatedly while hanging out with friends.
“Yeah, Ji-min mentioned it.”
“Oh, but I decided not to take a break.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, thanks to Min-jun… uh…”
Do-hwa suddenly realized his mistake and shut his mouth. He had been answering absentmindedly. But Jihoon’s expression turned suspicious.
“So, thanks to Min-jun?”
“Yeah, Min-jun introduced me to a good place for student loans, so I could afford to go to school.”
“…”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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“Hey, Jihoon, what’s wrong?”
So, he casually patted Jihoon’s shoulder as if nothing were amiss. At the same time, Jihoon’s hand suddenly reached out and grasped Do-hwa’s wrist.
“Stay away from Min-jun, Do-hwa.”
“Why, Jihoon?”
“The way that guy looks at you…”
Jihoon released Do-hwa’s wrist and ran his hand through his hair. His hair wasn’t tidy to begin with, but now it seemed even more disheveled, reflecting his complicated emotions.
“Anyway, I don’t like the idea of you getting close to someone who gives off such creepy vibes. Stay away from him.”
Even though Jihoon warned him not to get close, Min-jun had already deeply ingrained himself into Do-hwa’s life. Do-hwa also felt puzzled because he didn’t expect Jihoon to be so repulsed. Jihoon, after observing Do-hwa’s reaction, started to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“Do-hwa, remember when you almost fell at that barbecue restaurant last time?”
“Yeah…”
“When that happened, Min-jun tried to push me away as I tried to support you, and he said something about how you’re his, or something like that.”
“What?”
“He said something like, ‘Don’t touch him because he’s mine.’”
Come to think of it, Min-jun had claimed Do-hwa as his own even at the hotel last time. Thinking back, Jihoon felt that Min-jun’s actions were somehow twisted and excessive.
“I honestly care about you, Do-hwa.”
Jihoon tried to speak with a serious expression. Then…
“Seonbae, are you here?”
Min-jun’s voice echoed. Do-hwa turned around, wondering if he was hearing things. But there stood Min-jun for real, with his characteristically graceful smile. Do-hwa was puzzled. Min-jun had dropped him off at the café earlier, so why was he here? It was bewildering.
Moreover, Do-hwa noticed that Min-jun was now wearing contact lenses, as his eyes were brown instead of their usual color.
“How… How did you end up here? Didn’t you say you had work?”
“I finished all my business here.”
Min-jun smiled and placed his phone on the seat next to Do-hwa, as if marking his territory.
“I’ll go order myself a drink too.”
He headed toward the counter. The staff, upon seeing Min-jun, had eyes widened with surprise, but soon turned into warm and affectionate gazes, unlike when Do-hwa went earlier. Even the customers at other tables were whispering and casting glances at Min-jun. It was a familiar sight, one that hinted someone might ask for Min-jun’s number here too.
“Do-hwa, did you tell that guy we were coming here?”
“Uh… actually, Min-jun gave me a ride here…”
“Why? What’s your relationship with that guy, Min-jun?”
Jihoon’s voice grew louder in frustration, leaving Do-hwa flustered. Do-hwa couldn’t understand why Jihoon was so sensitive, even though Min-jun was Min-jun.
“I happened to run into seonbae while driving today. We were headed in the same direction, so I gave him a ride.”
Min-jun, who had somehow taken up the seat next to Do-hwa, casually slipped his phone into his jacket pocket. Thanks to his shameless lie, they seemed to have dodged a bullet, but Do-hwa hadn’t expected Jihoon’s displeased expression. Meanwhile, Min-jun’s lips gracefully curled upward. As if that wasn’t enough, he reached out to touch Do-hwa’s cheek, a touch so deep that it sent shivers down Do-hwa’s spine.
“Here.”
Min-jun’s hand finally withdrew smoothly.
“You had some lint stuck on your face.”
A strand of white thread clung to his fingertip. But Jihoon’s gaze was sharper than ever, like a blade. Do-hwa had sprayed on some repellent to prevent his pheromones from leaking out, but now he felt suffocated by this awkward situation happening in another direction. Do-hwa sneakily glanced at Min-jun. His elegant face exudes calmness.
Why did this shameless jerk have to show up now and create such tension? Do-hwa resented Min-jun as he took a sip of his caramel latte. Min-jun’s eyes were observing Do-hwa change like a crescent moon, momentarily shifting to a sly expression.
“Seonbae, am I being clueless by staying here? Should I go back?”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
To outright say so made Do-hwa feel sorry. Moreover, he had already ordered his drink.
“Got it.”
Min-jun smiled as if he had anticipated Do-hwa’s response, and then the vibrating bell started ringing. He left his seat to pick up his drink.
Jihoon stared at Do-hwa, taking advantage of the moment.
“Do you owe that guy money or something?”
Do-hwa widened his eyes as he was taken aback.
“What?”
“Look at this. Did you really borrow money from him?”
Jihoon continued his interrogation as if he were a detective interrogating a suspect. Do-hwa was feeling greatly intimidated as he quickly shook his head.
“No, no. Nothing like that.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“Do-hwa says it’s not true. Why are you pushing this so hard?”
Min-jun approached cheerfully. At that moment, Jihoon openly displayed his discomfort. However, Min-jun seemed unfazed as he placed the tray he brought onto the table. Besides the same caramel latte as Do-hwa’s, there was also a cream cake and ginger cookies.
“Huh? Did you order more?”
Do-hwa was puzzled. Min-jun usually consults him before ordering dessert.
“No, it’s complimentary.”
“What, complimentary?”
Do-hwa glanced at his own tray and Jihoon. They only had their drinks. It was clear that the staff gave Min-jun extra as a favor. Jihoon seemed to catch on to the situation and drank his black americano forcefully. The sound was so harsh that it was uncomfortable to hear. Do-hwa felt his head spinning amidst the tension between Min-jun and Jihoon.
“Seonbae, please have some too. I brought extra forks.”
“I said I’m fine; just eat it yourself.”
Jihoon rejected it gruffly. Min-jun’s expression softened even further.
“It’s what I told Do-hwa seonbae.”
“Is that so!”
Jihoon, as if he were going to grab Min-jun by the collar, stood up from his seat just as the café door opened.
“Oh my! Min-jun is here too? Wow! Did Santa Claus bring us a present?”
A lively voice exclaimed. It was Woo Ji-min and Kim Soo-yeon. Min-jun politely greeted them, and they warmly welcomed him with laughter. Then they sat at the adjacent table.
“If I knew Min-jun was coming, I would’ve done a full makeover.”
Kim Soo-yeon picked up a cushion sponge and lightly tapped her face. Woo Ji-min also took out a cushion and freshened up her makeup, applying lipstick elegantly before turning her head towards the table where Min-jun was seated. Then she looked at Do-hwa and showed a surprised expression.
“Do-hwa, did something change while I wasn’t looking? Your style seems different from usual.”
Woo Ji-min also noticed Do-hwa’s change after following Jihoon.
“Uh… yeah… I just wanted to try something different.”
“It suits you perfectly. It looks cool. Keep dressing like that from now on.”
Receiving compliments for just wearing clothes that Min-jun had provided made Do-hwa’s mood subtly shift. It felt like his worth was being determined by Min-jun’s hands.
“We were on the phone while heading to the café, and the others went straight to the pub. Let’s go there now.”
After excitedly informing Jihoon and Do-hwa, Kim Soo-yeon’s gaze turned towards Min-jun.
“Min-jun, are you coming with us?”
“What? Why would this guy come to the 3rd-year gathering?”
Jihoon expressed his discomfort openly. However, Woo Ji-min and Kim Soo-yeon were insistent on taking Min-jun along.
“I want to go with everyone, but since Jihoon seonbae seems disgusted, I’ll pass.”
Min-jun said it with a disappointed expression. After hearing this, Woo Ji-min and Kim Soo-yeon resorted to threatening persuasion with Jihoon, and they eventually agreed to go together. Min-jun’s cunning use of his charm to manipulate Woo Ji-min and Kim Soo-yeon was evident. Do-hwa sighed after watching the scene unfold.
Thank you for the chapter ☺️
Thank you for the chapter!