The interior of ‘Jessica’ was dim after closing.
Song Hyunsoo and Jung Ho sat side by side on stools near the bar counter, leaving only one or two lights on.
The manager had left before midnight, entrusting the closing to the two of them.
Manager.
When Song Hyunsoo asked if he could reduce his working days, the manager showed a reluctant expression.
Hyunsoo had expected him to act like it wasn’t a big deal, but the unexpected reaction made him explain further.
“Now Jung Ho can make most cocktails by himself. Honestly, our place doesn’t really need three staff on weekends anyway.”
“But still, ever since that YouTube video about the movie came out, more customers have been coming just to see you. I was starting to think we’d finally get some benefits… Even Yoon Hyean and her gang come here and look for you first.”
Yoon Hyean, a former idol turned actress, had been dropping by the bar occasionally since last year.
Even before Choi Hongseo left, he and Yoon Hyean were often mentioned together in the entertainment industry due to their similar appearances.
However, despite their resemblance, their images were vastly different.
Whereas Choi Hongseo was known as the sincere, bright, and reliable member carrying his group, Yoon Hyean was often described as haughty—proud if said kindly, arrogant if not.
Though they had worked in the same industry, they barely crossed paths.
Since Hongseo left, Yoon Hyean had been imitating him excessively. Some of Hongseo’s fans fiercely criticized her online. But after meeting her in person, Song Hyunsoo somehow didn’t dislike Yoon Hyean.
In fact, she was someone who had cheated death.
After jumping off a bridge over the Hangang, she had fallen into a coma for months and miraculously awakened. That was when she began to change.
Did facing death transform her?
Rumors of her terrible personality had even reached the fringes of the entertainment world where Hyunsoo dwelled.
But he felt no such vibe. On the contrary, there was something approachable and endearing about her. He couldn’t help but like her.
Thanks to that, some customers apparently came to ‘Jessica’ hoping to catch a glimpse of Yoon Hyean. The manager assumed Yoon Hyean was coming to see Hyunsoo.
“I’ll still work as much as I can until the filming starts.”
“Really? Even if it’s just one day a week?”
Only after promising that did they agree to a flexible schedule of one or two shifts per week.
“Oppa, the filming’s really starting now. The day you quit Jessica for good will come soon too, right?”
Hyunsoo lightly punched Chaeyoung’s shoulder with a playful smile, wanting to comfort her who spoke with a slightly sad expression.
After Chaeyoung left, Hyunsoo grabbed Jung Ho, asking for some time to talk. He briefly shared about his situation with Yoon Jooho.
Even after the story ended, Jung Ho didn’t react.
With a furrowed brow and serious expression, he just stared at the simple ‘Black Russian’ cocktail Hyunsoo had quickly made.
What was it? Was he upset because I said I was dating a guy? Or shocked because it wasn’t just any guy but Yoon Jooho?
Just as Hyunsoo thought about waving his hand in front of Jung Ho’s face, the latter turned around with a resolute look and firmly grabbed Hyunsoo’s hand on the bar.
“Hyung, what’s been bothering you lately? It’s okay, just tell me anything.”
“Bothering me…?”
“Even if you have some pride and loose ends, you’re not the type to go around lying.”
“What? What lies?”
“Why would Yoon Jooho date a guy…? Even if, hypothetically, he did, why would it be you? Ah! Hey, why are you hitting me?”
Jung Ho kept interrupting as if trying to hear everything, and Hyunsoo, who was listening seriously at first, couldn’t take it anymore and gave Jung Ho’s back a good smack.
“Gang Jung Ho, watch your mouth. What’s wrong with me??”
“Oh, of course you’re fine. Good-looking, responsible, starring in a famous director’s film soon, bright future ahead. But no matter what, Yoon Jooho is a bit… too much.”
“Too much how?”
“Don’t take it the wrong way, hyung. It’s not that you’re bad, but in the Republic of Korea, most guys can’t compare to Yoon Jooho. Height, face, wealth, fame—he’s got it all, plus a good voice. Only a chaebol heir might be on his level. Actually, even among chaebol heirs, the ugly ones won’t cut it. You know, that son of the Hanseo Group, with the unusual name—that’s the kind of level we’re talking about…”
Hyunsoo casually placed his hand on Jung Ho’s shoulder.
“So, even if Yoon Jooho dates a guy, it’s definitely not me? I’ve gone crazy and I’m lying to you?”
“It’s not that you’ve gone crazy. I’m just worried about what’s going on… Ah! Hey, let go, let go and talk!”
When Hyunsoo squeezed Jung Ho’s shoulder harder, causing him to twist his body and complain, he realized the outright disbelief was an unexpected turn.
He had imagined Jung Ho might react unpleasantly or avoid him because he was gay. But not even believing him—that was new.
Drip, drip.
How was he supposed to handle this? Gulping down his share of the cocktail, the phone on the bar suddenly vibrated.
It was a message from ㄱㅇㅈㅎㅅㅂ.
《Why aren’t you coming out?》
Why? Where is he?
Without thinking, Song Hyunsoo glanced around. Even though he knew the guy couldn’t be inside the store.
《What’s up? Where are you now?》
《In front of the store.》
He’s… really here to pick me up? Hyunsoo sent back the message.
“Who are you giggling about so much? Hyung, you’re not involved with some cult, are you?”
“This guy, seriously.”
He was about to pounce on Jung Ho again when the phone vibrated once more.
《I just came out for a drive because I was bored.》
Right, right. A few hours ago he’d taken me for a fitting and even dropped me off at my part-time job. It’s not like he suddenly missed me or worried about Jung Ho and me.
No, no. Let’s just say he was so bored at home that he went for a drive from Cheongdam-dong to Daehakro. Fine, I’ll protect your pride.
《But it might take a while. That bastard Jung Ho doesn’t believe me at all.》
《I knew it.》
Hyunsoo could almost hear Yoon Jooho’s signature sweet sigh in the message. Before he could type a reply, another message arrived.
《Just bring him out.》
Bring him out? He hesitated briefly, but since Yoon Jooho was right outside, showing him was probably faster.
Hyunsoo stood up from the stool and grabbed Jung Ho’s arm.
“Get up.”
“Why? Are you dragging me to the headquarters of some cult?”
“I’ll show you proof, so get up.”
He put his cocktail glass in the sink, turned on the security system, and slipped on the orange padding Yoon Jooho had given him.
Together, they stepped out of ‘Jessica.’
“……”
The sedan parked diagonally across immediately caught Hyunsoo’s eye. More precisely, it was the silhouette standing in front of it that drew his gaze.
Wiping under his nose, Hyunsoo checked his surroundings for passersby.
Why would that guy stand out like that, risking being noticed and approached? Despite the inner scolding, his lips twitched into a smile.
Even though they’d been together just a few hours ago, seeing him in person made the smile escape again.
It wasn’t just Yoon Jooho who was at fault for coming to pick him up— he was just as bad.
“Hyung, why are you taking this joke so seriously? If you have worries, I’ll listen. Let’s go somewhere and drink soju… Eek!”
Jung Ho’s voice stretched and rose strangely as he spotted Yoon Jooho approaching. Like a ghost of a sworn enemy who had killed and confirmed the victim’s death, Jung Ho jumped and backed away.
“You worked hard. You must be tired, right?”
W-Who are you?
Not only Jung Ho but Hyunsoo also stepped back.
Yoon Jooho came closer, tidying Hyunsoo’s hair that wasn’t even messed up and asked with a gentle voice— like a perfectly normal ‘boyfriend.’
“I’m fine. You should be the one resting at home…”
“I was wondering if you two had a good talk. I was also worried about you on the dark streets.”
What… dark streets? He came because he was worried about the streets?
The hand brushing his hair moved down to lightly wrap around Hyunsoo’s shoulder. Jung Ho’s eyes followed the movement, glowing with shock in the darkness.
Yoon Jooho was wasting his acting skills in pointless places again. Sighing helplessly, Hyunsoo brushed his palm under Yoon Jooho’s face.
“Here, proof.”
“Uh… uh…”
Jung Ho pointed at Yoon Jooho with his bent index finger, speechless with his mouth hanging open.
The first to step forward and offer a handshake was Yoon Jooho.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Yoon Jooho.”
“Yes… right. You’re Yoon Jooho.”
Muttering nonsense, Jung Ho shook his hand absentmindedly.
Then, as if he couldn’t believe he had shaken hands with Yoon Jooho, he raised his hand to eye level and rotated it this way and that.
“It’s late. I’ll drive you home. We can talk on the way.”
As soon as he shook hands with Jung Ho and turned away, Yoon Jooho wrapped his arm around Hyunsoo’s shoulder again.
Walking toward the car, he leaned close and whispered.
“Aren’t you hungry? I bought some cookies for the car.”
Yoon Jooho’s unusual behavior made Hyunsoo feel like he wasn’t in reality but on a set.
Moreover, the distance between them was unusually close—close enough to be acceptable between two men, but also intimate enough to look like a couple to anyone who heard their confession.
“What the heck.”
“What?”
“You’re acting completely normal.”
Yoon Jooho pressed the tip of his nose against Hyunsoo’s temple and chuckled.
Jung Ho, who had already reached the front of the backseat, looked over with the expression of a teenager who just witnessed his parents’ PDA.