Looking at Yoon Jooho’s smile, Song Hyunsoo awkwardly smiled back. His hand was clenched into a fist inside his pajama pants pocket, and he moistened his lips with his tongue.
His palm was damp with sweat, but his lips were parched and dry.
Yoon Jooho, standing with his back to the door, playfully gestured for him to come in, as if he were a courteous gentleman.
Even though he’d been here before, Song Hyunsoo couldn’t help but be impressed by the space all over again.
“This room really feels like an actual lounge bar. Who would ever think this is someone’s home?”
“That’s exactly how I designed it.”
With Yoon Jooho in the space, it felt even more complete. The fact that he was wearing comfortable loungewear and a robe didn’t matter at all.
Just as Song Hyunsoo was about to head behind the bar, he paused for a moment.
His eyes landed on the row of scented candles placed on top of the long display case in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Scented candles could be found everywhere in this house.
“Sunbae, about the candles and the perfume… I’m really sorry.”
“Why do you keep apologizing? It’s not like it’s anyone’s fault.”
“If I was going to suggest you bring the cat, I should’ve looked into it more carefully.”
“It’s fine. I made up my mind to take on whatever came with it when I decided to adopt.”
Picking up the pack of cigarettes resting on the display case with the candles, Yoon Jooho playfully set his hand on top of Song Hyunsoo’s head, then gave him a gentle shove.
It felt a bit like affection tinged with romance, and a bit like a playful gesture between close friends.
Yoon Jooho tossed the pack of cigarettes onto the bar and perched himself on a stool, adding,
“But from now on, every time you come over, you have to help take care of the cat too.”
“Me too?”
“You said it yourself— you have to take responsibility since you encouraged it.”
“But earlier you said it was fine…”
“Yeah. So, is that all you want? Just play with it and that’s it?”
“Ah, no! I like it, I really do! Every time I come over, I’ll make sure to play, clean the litter box… and… ah, brushing! I’ll brush the cat too.”
“Good. Then that’s settled.”
Yoon Jooho spun around on the stool, turning his back to Song Hyunsoo. It was a firm declaration that the matter was now closed.
Song Hyunsoo headed behind the bar.
It was still an impressive bar. Anyone who enjoyed mixing drinks would feel their spirits lift just being here.
Behind the bar was almost the only place where he could show off a skillful, confident side of himself.
Here, he felt like he might even be able to pull off a cool confession— at least, leave a lasting impression on Yoon Jooho.
“Well… do you want any help?”
Yoon Jooho asked across the bar, but Song Hyunsoo shook his head.
“No need for help. It’s just a simple cocktail.”
He placed a chilled Old Fashioned Glass with sparkling water and a lemon garnish in front of Yoon Jooho first.
After taking a sip and setting the glass down, Yoon Jooho rested his arms on the bar. He hunched his broad shoulders inward, leaning slightly forward.
“So. Have you made up your mind?”
“…Sorry? About what?”
Just as he was choosing a glass for ‘Sex on the Beach’, Song Hyunsoo almost dropped what looked like an expensive crystal glass.
Made up his mind? It sounded like Yoon Jooho was peering straight into his heart, where a confession was brewing.
“It’s Monday. Don’t you remember you promised to give me your answer today?”
“……”
“The contract.”
“Oh, the contract!”
Song Hyunsoo nodded and put the glass he was holding back in its place.
“I remember. I remember.”
“And your answer?”
He’d gotten so caught up thinking about confessing that he’d forgotten today was the day. But it wasn’t because he was taking it lightly. In fact, his decision had already been made.
From Song Hyunsoo’s perspective, there was no reason not to sign.
On the contract, the ‘Party B’ (as is usually the case, essentially the ‘Party A’) was Yoon Jooho, so his credentials couldn’t be more solid, and the contract terms were like a dream for an unknown actor— or really, for any actor.
Just the fact that they’d pay a signing bonus of fifty million won to an actor with nothing to his name was unbelievable.
And the profit split— 60:40 in favor of the actor— was unheard of in the industry.
The contract he’d had with his previous company, UB Entertainment, was 20:80. Of course, that was an unfair contract. Usually, things started at 30:70 or 40:60.
A 60:40 split was something only a handful of actors who had become hugely popular during their first contract period could negotiate.
The only downside was the ten-year contract period, but even that wasn’t a problem— there was a clause allowing for renegotiation every two years.
And besides, being tied to Yoon Jooho for ten years was something Song Hyunsoo would welcome with open arms.
Just looking at the contract, it was no different than a top star’s transfer deal.
In fact, it almost seemed disadvantageous to Yoon Jooho.
As he set a tall Collins Glass on the counter, Song Hyunsoo scratched his cheek with his index finger.
“But before I sign, there’s something I want to ask.”
“Ask anything.”
On one side of the bar was a long, round tin case. Yoon Jooho scooped some of the nuts from inside and put them on a small plate.
“Do all the actors at Look Planning… get contracts like this?”
Yoon Jooho’s hands slowed at the question. Closing the lid of the tin case, he tilted his head and looked up at Song Hyunsoo askance. Then, tossing a chocolate-covered Macadamia into his mouth, he asked back,
“…What do you think?”
That look told Song Hyunsoo everything.
It wasn’t just his imagination— he really was being given special treatment by Yoon Jooho.
If he was going to be favored, there was no reason to refuse.
Song Hyunsoo bowed deeply in a polite gesture.
“I’m just a rookie, but please take good care of me.”
“Yeah, do your best not to stay a rookie. The company will give you all the support it can.”
“I will. I promise, I’ll never embarrass you, sunbae.”
Yoon Jooho chuckled, popped another Macadamia into his mouth, and crunched down on it with a loud crack.
“That’s the spirit.”
Song Hyunsoo lined up the Vodka, Peach Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, and, instead of the usual orange juice, Pineapple Juice on the counter.
Then, using his own ratios, he began measuring them into the shaker.
“But about the contract, is it okay if I tell my hyung about it?”
“……”
Across from him, Yoon Jooho made a displeased face.
He wiped the nut crumbs from his hands with a napkin and pushed the plate away. It was the reaction Song Hyunsoo had expected.
“I know you and hyung haven’t made up yet. I do. But he’s still my close hyung. I really want to tell him about signing the contract… but I thought I should ask you first.”
Yoon Jooho picked up the cigarette pack and replied,
“Later.”
“When’s later?”
“Once I get the company back and you’re officially registered with Look Planning, then you can tell him.”
“So I shouldn’t tell anyone?”
With a cigarette between his lips, lighting up, Yoon Jooho glanced up at Song Hyunsoo.
“If I tell you to keep it quiet, can you do that?”
“Of course. It’s not that hard.”
“Then, you, if I…”
Yoon Jooho stared at Song Hyunsoo for a moment, unusually silent.
“What about you?”
Then, as if to shake off a bad thought, he brought the cigarette back to his lips and shook his head.
“Never mind. Just keep it secret until you join Look Planning.”
As everyone in the country knew, things were precarious between Yoon Jooho and his parents, and between Yoon Jooho and Look Planning.
Still, it seemed like it would be okay to tell just one trusted friend, but since this was as good as coming from the company president, he had to go along.
Song Hyunsoo shook the shaker, mixing the ingredients well, poured it into a glass filled with ice, and garnished it with a Cherry.
With a little extra Cranberry Juice, the cocktail was an especially vivid, bright red.
He placed a coaster and set the glass on top.
“Your ‘Sex on the Beach’ is ready.”
Yoon Jooho stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and pulled the cocktail closer.
“I ordered this on my birthday, you know. Isn’t it a bit late?”
With a playful remark, Yoon Jooho lifted the stem of the garnished Cherry first. Tilting his head back, he popped the red fruit into his mouth and, with his eyes half-lidded, looked over at Song Hyunsoo.
“Why don’t you have a drink too, bartender?”
“Me?”
“I landed a good contract today. Let me buy you a drink.”
Yoon Jooho’s faint smile was undeniably charming. Even the way he bit down on the cherry stem with a casual air was cute.
The way he set aside time just for Song Hyunsoo before interview shoots to help him practice.
The way, whenever he came over for script practice, there were always strawberries the size of a fist for snacks.
His stoic kindness—how he always overlooked Song Hyunsoo’s mistakes, despite his cold appearance. He liked all of it.
What if, by confessing, he lost all those moments? Ah… should he just not do it? It’s not like he expected to be accepted right away anyway.
No, no. If he kept dragging things out like this, one day he’d probably just hear Yoon Jooho say, “We’re done.”
That’s right, he needed to push forward. Maybe he hadn’t completely forgotten that person from before, but it wasn’t like he had zero feelings for Song Hyunsoo.
But what if, in the end, Yoon Jooho was even more of a coward than he thought?
Ah… shit, maybe I shouldn’t do it after all?
He’d gone through this cycle dozens of times just last night.
But if Yoon Jooho was an INTJ, Song Hyunsoo was an ESFP.
If INTJs were theoretical, cautious, and hard to handle, ESFPs left tomorrow’s worries for tomorrow and followed today’s impulses.
He didn’t want to just be “that kind of partner” for Yoon Jooho.
He wished Yoon Jooho would stop shedding tears over someone else’s memory. To be honest, he never wanted to see that side of him again.
As he measured out Vodka for another ‘Sex on the Beach’, Song Hyunsoo set the heavy bottle down on the counter.
“Sunbae.”