So many things about Jung Jin seemed enviable and impressive, but what he envied the most was his close friendship with Yoon Jooho.
With his handsome face and unique aura, it seemed like he would become a top actor as soon as he debuted, but even someone like Jung Jin found the entertainment industry to be no easy path.
That wasn’t to say he was just stumbling along.
Although his agency wasn’t strong enough for him to become a top actor, within a few years, he had grown enough to take on roles that could rival Yoon Jooho’s.
And soon, he became known in the industry as Yoon Jooho’s close friend.
Because of filming schedules and overseas commitments, Yoon Jooho was always endlessly busy.
Between projects, he spent months traveling abroad on large-scale fan meeting tours.
Whenever the rarely going-out Jung Jin said he was going to meet the briefly returning Yoon Jooho, Song Hyunsoo couldn’t help but feel envious.
Actor Yoon Jooho.
Even though they were acquaintances just a person apart, his name had always felt impossibly distant, out of reach.
He still couldn’t believe that person was now his lover. Even while in his home, in his arms, it didn’t feel real, and suddenly a wave of anxiety washed over him.
“But… we’re really dating, right?”
“……”
After a brief silence and hesitation, Yoon Jooho asked back.
“What kind of question is that?”
“You only said something about ‘courtesy’ toward a dating partner, but you never explicitly said ‘let’s date.’ So, maybe I’m just imagining things… uh.”
The hand that had been resting on his chest suddenly slipped out from the loose neckline of the T-shirt he was wearing as pajamas and covered his mouth.
“That was basically a proposal, and I thought I heard a yes. Am I the one who’s mistaken? Huh?”
Pressing a hand like a gun against Song Hyunsoo’s back and gripping him tightly, he growled.
“Ah, no. It’s not a misunderstanding, it really isn’t.”
Pulling Yoon Jooho’s hand down, Song Hyunsoo repeatedly declared surrender. He twisted his body and giggled as Yoon Jooho playfully poked and nipped at him here and there.
From behind, close against his back, a low chuckle came from Yoon Jooho as well. Only then did the uneasy feeling that had been floating around settle down, and reality set in.
Yoon Jooho’s hand, now having stopped tormenting him, softly pressed and traced over Song Hyunsoo’s lips. Then he nuzzled the exposed nape of his neck with his lips.
“It’s cramped. Uncomfortable.”
“It’s a super single bed; it’s enough for one.”
“For two, it’s tight.”
“……”
Song Hyunsoo glanced slightly over his shoulder. Because of that, Yoon Jooho’s hand slid off his lips.
“What do you mean by that?”
At a distance so close their breaths almost touched, Yoon Jooho held his gaze for a moment. Whether it was placed on the opposite bedside table or behind him, Yoon Jooho’s phone alarm rang.
Pressing his lips firmly against Song Hyunsoo’s nose, he pulled away and stood to grab his phone. Watching him turn off the alarm, Song Hyunsoo also stood up to follow.
“Is that about sleeping in the sunbae’s room?”
“There’s a big bed downstairs. No need to sleep here. We’re dating, after all. It’d be weird to live in the same house but have separate rooms.”
Tsk tsk. He could just honestly say he wanted to sleep with me.
Yoon Jooho’s indifferent back and bored voice seemed cute to Song Hyunsoo.
Unlike before when dating him was so complicated, now that they were officially together, Yoon Jooho was quite straightforward with his expressions.
It was hard to understand how his past relationships had failed.
No, honestly, isn’t he a 99-point boyfriend at this rate?
Yoon Jooho, having gotten up from the bed and stuffed his phone into his pajama pants pocket, turned toward him.
“You can come to my bed or curl up here. It’s your choice.”
One step forward, one step back. That’s Yoon Jooho for you.
“Get ready and come downstairs too.”
“Ready for what?”
“Costume fitting. Come with me.”
“I’m scheduled for tomorrow.”
All the actors had to pre-fit their costumes at the costume team’s workshop. Yoon Jooho and Shin Hyojin were scheduled for today, Song Hyunsoo and Han Jooyoung for tomorrow.
Although tomorrow was Saturday, with the crank-in approaching, there was no time to fuss over weekdays or weekends.
“Experience on set is always better the more you have. Try to see the staff often and get familiar with them. Being comfortable with your surroundings helps you focus better on your acting.”
Brushing back his now much longer hair, Yoon Jooho shrugged his broad shoulders.
“Well, it’s my first movie too. But basically, whether it’s drama or film, it’s the same, right?”
Song Hyunsoo nodded and got up from the bed, walking toward Yoon Jooho. He lightly tapped his cheek.
“I’m going to properly raise you.”
And then gave him a charming smile.
“So be prepared and follow me.”
That smile was one that made you want to follow him all the way, even if what awaited at the end was endless hell.
“But, if I follow you around, won’t people think it’s weird…”
“They won’t think it’s weird. This isn’t something a boyfriend says.”
“Really?”
“This is what a sunbae and CEO says, so get ready.”
As if saying that was the end of the conversation, Yoon Jooho took Song Hyunsoo’s fingertips and left the room.
Glancing at the back of Yoon Jooho’s head as he led the way, Song Hyunsoo smiled weakly.
He really sounds like a boyfriend. The ‘experience on set’ excuse is just that—an excuse so he doesn’t have to be apart from his new lover.
Downstairs, the two first checked whether anything had happened to Monroe overnight.
The little one was running around with his favorite carrot doll, playing energetically and healthily.
Checking the food and water, Yoon Jooho left the door open as he stepped out.
“Not closing the door?”
“When someone’s home, I leave it open. Once he gets used to it, he can come outside.”
Now quite familiar with the two, the little one looked disappointed that they were leaving without playing more, holding the carrot doll and staring at them. But he didn’t try to follow them out the door.
Breakfast was Yoon Jooho’s bulk-up diet boxes stacked in the fridge.
“Brisket, salmon, chicken breast, Spanish mackerel, cod. Oh, there’s more variety than I expected.”
Opening the fridge door, Song Hyunsoo stood before it, and Yoon Jooho approached closely from behind. Resting his chin on Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder, he pointed to the diet box in his lover’s right hand.
“Mine’s brisket egg fried rice.”
“Hmm… then maybe I’ll have the same.”
As Song Hyunsoo mumbled this, Yoon Jooho swept his hair back from his forehead, lightly bit his earlobe, and moved away.
“Heat it for three minutes and thirty seconds.”
While the microwave ran, Song Hyunsoo’s phone rang on the island counter. Yoon Jooho, who was by the coffee machine, moved faster than Song Hyunsoo to check the caller ID.
Picking up Song Hyunsoo’s phone, he showed the screen so he could see.
“It’s a call from your grandmother.”
“Who cares?”
“Last time my grandmother called, some guy doubted if it was really her.”
Song Hyunsoo flipped the phone over to mute it and walked toward the microwave. But Yoon Jooho was quicker again.
“I’ll get it. Answer the call.”
“You can call back later.”
“There’s nothing special going on. Just answer.”
Watching Yoon Jooho take the diet box out of the microwave, Song Hyunsoo picked up the phone again.
“Hello, Grandma. It’s me.”
[Why are you still so quiet? When are you coming home?]
The grandmother got straight to the point as soon as the call connected.
“Ah… I’ve been busy looking for a place to live.”
Walking toward the dining table, Song Hyunsoo glanced back at Yoon Jooho behind him. He had placed one diet box on the counter and was putting another one into the microwave.
[How’s the house search going? You need to find one quickly.]
“My actor sunbae said he has a spare room at his place. I decided to move in there. It’s a really nice house.”
[Oh my, oh my, how thankful!]
Though she only managed to visit the temple once or twice a year, the grandmother had even prayed to Buddha in gratitude.
[You’re not living with a spouse, right? Don’t be a burden living in a married couple’s home.]
“I’m not married. It’s a sunbae who lives alone.”
If he was married, that would be a huge problem. If he was married and still doing this to me, he’d truly be a monster.
[Should I make you some food to send? Marinated ribs maybe?]
“It’s fine. I’ll try cooking myself.”
[Oh, what skill do you have? I’m just so grateful.]
“Well, then I’ll visit next Saturday, so…”
[Okay, let’s do that. Yeah, next Saturday. Ask what he likes and I’ll send something he enjoys.]
The sunbae who gave a room to his junior was a stranger much younger than the grandmother, but she still always spoke to him with utmost respect. Understanding that sentiment, Song Hyunsoo no longer refused his grandmother’s offer to cook food.
“What did she say?”
Hearing Yoon Jooho’s voice behind him, Song Hyunsoo suddenly came back to his senses and put down the phone.
“Ah… I told her I’m going to live at my sunbae’s place, so she said she’d cook for him. She asked me to find out what kind of food the sunbae likes.”
As Yoon Jooho moved the first prepared diet box to the table, Song Hyunsoo took the other one out of the microwave.
“But don’t worry about it. I doubt my grandmother could cook what the sunbae likes…”
“That’s not true.”
“Excuse me?”
“Our grandmother is the creator of kimchi pot rice. She’s a great cook. Whatever she makes, I’m confident he’ll eat well.”
“Then… should I ask her to marinate ribs? Our grandmother’s ribs are tender and the ultimate rice thief.”
“Ribs sound good.”
At Yoon Jooho’s words, Song Hyunsoo gave a wide smile. Seeing that, Yoon Jooho chuckled too. I thought he only talked spicy like capsaicin, but he can be this sweet too. So adorable. So cute I could die.
Wrapping his arms around Yoon Jooho’s waist from behind as he placed the cutlery on the table, Song Hyunsoo teased,
“What kind of service is this?”
“Just because I can’t understand why someone like you never had luck in love.”
Yoon Jooho, carrying Song Hyunsoo on his back as he moved to sit opposite, smiled bitterly.
“Guess you didn’t do this for others.”
Clinging to Yoon Jooho as he walked, pestered him but he didn’t complain. Instead, he suddenly brought up something completely unexpected.
“Start wrapping up your bar part-time job.”
“Bar? Jessica’s? Why all of a sudden?”
“Didn’t you hear I’m going to properly raise you?”
“But… if I quit suddenly, the place will be in trouble. I need to make a living too.”
“You don’t want to be apart from Jung Ho, do you?”
Hearing that from behind Yoon Jooho, Song Hyunsoo immediately frowned.
“Don’t say gross stuff. Why are you so obsessed with Jung Ho lately? Did you lend him money you haven’t gotten back?”
Yoon Jooho looked down at Song Hyunsoo over his shoulder, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. Then he pushed Song Hyunsoo’s forehead lightly.
“You’re hopeless at dating, aren’t you?”
“What are you saying? I was popular, you know? From fourth grade to high school graduation, I barely ever went without a girlfriend.”
“And you got dumped every time.”
“Why, why is the conversation suddenly going that way?”
“Seeing you stutter means I hit the nail on the head.”
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