Ice, brandy, triple sec, and lemon juice are put into the shaker and shaken well.
Then, using a strainer, only the liquid is poured into the glass.
Today, Song Hyunsoo chose a classic cocktail glass shaped like an inverted triangle.
Finally, a thinly sliced lemon is placed as a garnish on top of the glass and served on the coaster in front of a regular customer sitting across the bar.
“So, I’m going to Paris for a photoshoot this time.”
“A photoshoot? To Paris?”
The guest who was taking a picture of the cocktail, ‘Hyunseo’, widened his eyes.
“I’m telling you, it’s going to be in ‘Once’. The December issue.”
“That’s great, Hyunsoo! Wow, really, that’s awesome!”
Hyunseo nearly hopped off the barstool, his excitement obvious.
Song Hyunsoo laughed at the enthusiastic reaction, just as he had expected.
Of course, Yoon Jooho, Bang Manager, Seo Hae, Jungho, and Jung Jin—everyone around him was happy for him, but more than anything, he wanted to make a cheerful fuss with a friend of his own age who truly understood him.
If only Choi Hongseo were here, he’d probably do just this.
With Hyunseo, it always felt like he’d celebrate as sincerely as if it were his own achievement.
Hyunsoo was glad to meet him before leaving for the photoshoot.
“This photoshoot, I’ll be doing it with Yoon Jooho sunbae.”
“Then it’ll get even more attention!”
“Right? That sunbae is, you know… incredibly popular. Shooting together is a big plus for a rookie like me.”
Honestly, the fact that he’d be doing a photoshoot with Yoon Jooho, his beloved lover and respected senior, made him thrilled, bewildered, and happy both as an actor and as a partner.
Still, Song Hyunsoo pretended to play it cool, as if he was just glad to benefit from Yoon Jooho’s popularity.
Vrmm.
Just then, his phone, set on the counter under the bar, vibrated briefly.
He glanced down; it was a message from Yoon Jooho.
How does he always know when I’m talking about him…
《You finish at 10, right?》
On Sundays, ‘Jessica’ closed at 10.
Yoon Jooho had now even memorized Jessica’s operating hours.
Why, ar…e… yo…u coming… to… pick… me… up? Send.
He’d even given him a ride to work; was he planning to pick him up too?
“When the magazine comes out, I’ll definitely buy a copy!”
Maybe from excitement, Hyunseo downed several quick sips of the golden cocktail.
“Hey, hey! You shouldn’t drink it like that!”
“Why? It doesn’t seem that strong. It tastes good.”
“Because it’s sweet and sour, it seems harmless, right?”
“It’s not?”
“It’s 25% alcohol.”
Hearing that, Hyunseo put the cocktail down in surprise.
Regardless of whether he could handle alcohol, Hyunseo wasn’t really one for drinking.
So Hyunsoo usually made him easy-to-drink cocktails around 5%.
“I thought it was one of those lighter cocktails like usual.”
“That’s the Bartender’s skill. It’s called a ‘Sidecar’. Even though it’s strong, it goes down smooth, right?”
“It really does. It’s delicious.”
“Here, if you’re thirsty, drink some water and take your time with the cocktail. That way, you’ll be fine.”
“Thank you.”
As he drank the water Hyunsoo poured for him, Hyunseo smiled.
At best, they saw each other only once every month or two when Hyunseo visited the bar, and Hyunseo wasn’t particularly talkative. Yet, for some reason, he was easy to be with—like an old friend who knew all your secrets and flaws.
With Hyunseo, Song Hyunsoo didn’t have to put up a front; he could just be honest.
“Ah… Going for the photoshoot is great and all, but I’m already nervous about going to the airport.”
“This is your first time going abroad, right, Hyunsoo?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Ah…”
The smile faded from Hyunseo’s face. He seemed flustered, his gaze flitting around aimlessly.
“Do I look that way? Is it obvious I’ve never been on a plane?”
“No! How could I know that? Fan Cafe. I think I saw it on your Fan Cafe.”
“What, Hyunseo, are you still lurking on my Fan Cafe?”
“I told you. I’m a fan of yours.”
Smiling again, Hyunseo wetted his lips with another sip of cocktail.
“At first, I thought you liked me, you know.”
“Why? Did I seem that weird?”
“You’d sit at the bar and never speak, and sometimes you’d just come in alone, sit at a corner table, and sneak glances at me. At first, I thought maybe you liked me.”
“Ah…”
“And then if our eyes met, your face would turn red and you’d look away. So I thought, does he like me?”
“Even though I’m a guy, you thought that?”
“I’m the type who gets love from everyone, men or women.”
That’s why I even have a boyfriend now.
Thinking that, Hyunsoo exchanged silly grins with Hyunseo.
Vrmm.
Another message arrived.
《Do I look that free to you?》
《I messaged you so you don’t forget we’re meeting at Seo Hae hyung’s bar after work.》
Even after going through so much together, Yoon Jooho was still Yoon Jooho.
Some things had changed, but much remained the same. Hyunsoo didn’t mind that at all. He hadn’t wanted him to become someone else.
No… I… didn’t… forget. Sunbae, d…on’t be late either. Send.
Hyunseo, after another sip of his cocktail, leaned forward toward Hyunsoo, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“For this photoshoot. Since you’re doing it with Yoon Jooho sunbaenim, I bet the Photographer Chief will be super famous, right?”
“I think so. The Photographer, Stylist, Editor… apparently, everyone’s top-class.”
“That’s amazing.”
“I’m just worried I’ll be overshadowed next to Yoon Jooho sunbae.”
“That won’t happen.”
Hyunseo’s tone was surprisingly firm. Hyunsoo shrugged and chuckled.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Just…”
“Just?”
“I just feel like you’ve probably practiced a lot with magazines and poses and stuff.”
“How did you know?”
Hyunsoo was startled and asked again.
Hyunseo just lowered his gaze and gave a bland smile.
“I just feel like it. You always work hard at everything, Hyunsoo.”
“Sometimes I think this.”
Hyunseo looked up and met Hyunsoo’s eyes.
“You’re better than most fortune tellers at predicting things, Hyunseo.”
“A fortune teller?”
“I’ve never had my fortune told, but you sometimes guess things so accurately it surprises me. Is it because you’re observant?”
“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
“Ever since back in the day, I’d see magazine pictorials and copy the poses and expressions a lot. The fact that you figured that out, Hyunseo, is amazing.”
Back in middle and high school, and even during the dorm days, he’d often copy actors’ pictorials—mostly Yoon Jooho’s.
He and Choi Hongseo would take pictures of each other like that and swap clumsy advice.
Hyunsoo scratched his nose with his finger and added with a playful grin.
“So, I’m nervous about this shoot, but I do feel a bit confident.”
“You’ll do great.”
“Hyunseo, you said you’ve been to Paris, right?”
“Huh? Y-yeah…”
“Didn’t you say you stopped by after the Cannes Film Festival?”
“That’s right.”
“Any recommendations?”
“You probably already know all the famous tourist spots, right?”
“The Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame Cathedral… Ah, I’m curious about Montmartre, but I don’t know if I’ll have time.”
“Is your schedule tight?”
“It’s a six-day, five-night trip, but only about two nights are free.”
“So you’re not just going for the shoot?”
“Well, I mean, since I’m going all the way, it’d be a waste to just work!”
No one was doubting him, but suddenly Hyunsoo’s voice rose.
After the photoshoot, he’d have two nights and three days alone with Yoon Jooho to look forward to.
It would’ve been nice to have more time, but once they returned from Paris, the real <Dissolve> promotion would start in earnest.
As much as the shoot itself—or honestly, even more than the shoot—he was looking forward to the time with Yoon Jooho in Paris, and the excitement made him raise his voice.
“You’re right. Even if it’s short, you should travel together while you’re there. But I didn’t get to go around much, so there’s not much I can tell you.”
“Really?”
“Ah, Bateaux Mouches! Riding the Bateaux Mouches… that was amazing.”
“Bateaux Mouches?”
“A sightseeing boat you can ride on the Seine.”
“Oooh, a cruise.”
“There’s also Bateaux Parisiens, but the routes aren’t much different.”
“Okay, Bateaux Mouches. I’ll make sure to ride it.”
Picking up his phone, Hyunsoo added Bateaux Mouches to his wishlist in his notes app.
“And I’ve got a close hyung who lives in Paris. I’ll be meeting him too.”
“Really? Must be… a really close hyung, huh?”
Somehow, Hyunseo’s voice sounded just a bit tense.
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