Chapter 85.
Jihoon asked in surprise, “Me?”
Woojin had never shown interest in Jihoon’s personal life before, so Jihoon couldn’t hide his shock and confusion. Woojin usually didn’t even remember most people’s names. When Jihoon laughed because he found this situation funny and unbelievable, it was Woojin’s turn to be confused.
“What? Why are you laughing?”
“This is the first time you’ve ever asked me if I was seeing anyone, Woojin.”
“…”
“I find it strange that you are curious about me.”
“… Really?”
“Well, I guess my answer is… sort of. It kind of feels like I have someone, but I am not sure about it.”
“What does that mean?”
Woojin looked genuinely puzzled and Jihoon smiled. Woojin looked so adorable with his confused expression. It was shocking how Woojin, who had a full-time job, had no social skills. But this was why Jihoon liked Woojin so much ever since they were children. Woojin didn’t know how to get along with others, and he was always clear on if he liked something or not. Woojin was honest; he wasn’t sneaky or pretentious like the rest of the world.
Jihoon was especially envious because he always felt a huge pressure to be liked by the family elders.
Jihoon explained, “The person I like… he isn’t falling for me.”
“Why not?”
“It seems that he broke up with his ex recently. I think he finds me annoying.”
“… I think he’s already fallen for you.”
Woojin emptied his glass and sighed.
“What?”
“Because you are nice, Jihoon.”
“… Woojin Choi, are you actually giving me a compliment?”
“But it’s the truth.”
“…”
“Someone who was hurt recently would especially fall for you. Or at least, it will happen very soon.”
Woojin calmly put a portion of salad on his plate. His movements were always neat and precise, even as a child. Once, Jihoon’s mother said out loud that she hated how Woojin didn’t act like a normal child. At the time, all Woojin did was stare at his aunt quietly.
Jihoon found it shockingly disturbing how Woojin resembled his aunt, Jihoon’s mother.
Jihoon replied, “I’m not sure about that.”
“I think it’s the first time you admitted that you liked someone to me.”
“…”
“You like to talk about all kinds of things, but never about your love life.”
“… Is that so?”
It seemed that they never really knew each other. Jihoon, trying to remove the awkward atmosphere, emptied his glass. The wine tasted sweet, exactly how Jihoon liked it. He hated bitter things. Jihoon could understand why Woojin would have thought of him when he drank this wine.
Misunderstanding after misunderstanding…
Jihoon blamed his mother for all of it, even now. The never-ending fight with her brother was all because of her greed. The truth was, Woojin’s father never wanted the inheritance, but Jihoon’s mother was still obsessed with discrediting him. Perhaps this fixation came from misplaced sisterly affection and her hatred towards her useless husband.
Jihoon was sick of it, and for a while, he tried to stay away from Woojin. But in the end, he couldn’t. Perhaps blood indeed was thicker than water. In appearance, Jihoon didn’t resemble his mother, but inside, they were more alike than he wanted to admit.
A server came by and asked, “Is there anything more you need?” He set the last dish on the table, and when he did, Jihoon noticed a distinct tattoo on the server’s hand. When he looked up, he noted that it was that chef who went back to the kitchen earlier.
The chef had slanted eyes, making him look kind. He looked a little gloomy, and Jihoon wondered if it was because of the dim lighting.
Jihoon asked Woojin, “Do you want to order more?”
“No.”
The chef stared at both Woojin and Jihoon for a long time. Feeling his eyes, Jihoon looked up at him again and frowned. Jihoon asked, “Is there something on my face?”
“… No, sir.”
Suddenly, Woojin began to chuckle. When Jihoon turned towards him in shock, Jihoon saw an expression he had never seen on Woojin’s face before. Woojin’s laugh seemed spontaneous, and it made Jihoon smile as well.
Jihoon asked Woojin, “What?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Woojin hastily shook his head and poured Jihoon another drink. It seemed that Woojin himself was surprised by his laugh.
Woojin asked, “Do you like the food?”
“It’s good.”
“I thought you might.”
The chef, who has been staring until now, finally left the table. Woojin helped Jihoon to another piece of lamb and said to him, “I hope things work out for you with the person you like.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know… For some reason, I want you to be okay.”
“… You’re funny.”
“I do feel a little sorry for the man though… your love interest I mean.”
It sounded like Woojin just made a joke, and Jihoon’s eyes widened in astonishment. As far as he could remember, Woojin had never told a joke before. Woojin continued, “I’m not kidding. I mean it.”
“What?”
“You can be very mean sometimes. Strange too.”
“You are calling ME strange?”
“I know you very well. We are related after all.”
Woojin’s voice was indifferent, but Jihoon felt a glimmer of hope at Woojin’s words. Until now, Woojin had been silently denying their relationship, but it seemed that now, Woojin accepted the fact that they were family.
Woojin said to him, “After dinner, please take me home.”
“Alright.”
Perhaps they could finally find some peace between the two of them.
***
After getting out of the shower, Shin felt uncomfortable. There was an odd number of men who attended the seminar, so he ended up getting a private room in the hotel. It was a spacious room, but Shin frowned because he felt like something was missing.
He opened a built-in fridge and took out a bottle of beer. Thankfully, there was a convenient store in the lobby, and he got a few cans after the seminar ended that day.
“I hate this.”
Having to go through mandatory seminars was frustrating. Shin’s day usually consisted of working busily, so listening to a seminar all day was painfully boring. And on the last day, there was going to be a test.
Just then, his phone rang.
“Hello?”
“… Woojin?”
“Of course, it’s me. Who else could it be?”
Woojin’s voice sounded so sweet to Shin. Shin asked, “Are you home right now?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you doing?”
“I just showered and am in bed right now. I was thinking of you.”
“…”
Woojin was so good at making Shin speechless sometimes.
Honest sometimes-shy Woojin Choi.
Shin whispered, “How much are you thinking about me?”
“To the point that my body is burning for you.”