Jung Sungwon shared a few anecdotes from his days as a child actor alongside Yoon Jooho.
Their last project together was a drama where the child roles—playing the children of the lead actors—had significant screen time, making the young actors quite popular.
“Jooho sunbae, even back then your passion was incredible. You were just as good as any adult actor.”
Taking a sip of whiskey from the On the Rocks Glass, Jung Sungwon smiled with a bittersweet expression, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he continued.
“My eyes were completely different from his. I was dragged to the set by my parents, practically forced to go, but Jooho had a completely different look in his eyes.”
Yoon Jooho was in the fifth or sixth grade then.
Playing the role of a bright but inevitably wounded boy with parents on the brink of divorce, he performed so well that even young Song Hyunsoo cheered for that character in the drama, along with his grandmother.
“I only started seriously getting into acting after becoming close with sunbae and being influenced by him. We even promised that one day we’d become recognized adult actors. But then I… went abroad to study. Without saying a word.”
Jung Sungwon toyed with the On the Rocks Glass, giving a bitter smile.
“So I guess I became hated for that.”
“Why does that kid have that kind of attitude? When did that even happen? And you’re still sulking over it?”
Seo Hae, who had been listening with Song Hyunsoo, scolded the absent Yoon Jooho.
“Childhood wounds last a long time. That’s probably why. Jooho sunbae is the most sincere actor I know, so seeing me run away and go abroad like that must have seemed cowardly. But I couldn’t say anything… I was afraid sunbae would despise me. You can’t tell the brightest person you want to run away because things are hard.”
“I think I understand that feeling a little.”
Until then, Song Hyunsoo had mostly been quietly listening, but now he spoke.
“Right, Hyunsoo? You’re the same kind of actor, so you understand.”
Jung Sungwon finally found someone who empathized and grabbed Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder tightly, his face lighting up.
“It’s rare to grow up without any drastic changes since childhood. Someone with looks and talent who works insanely hard—people like us could never surpass that. And he’s kept everything spotless, without a single scandal, managing himself perfectly.”
Jung Sungwon spoke at length in a tone that was hard to tell if it was praise or complaint. Then, suddenly, he looked over at Song Hyunsoo.
“Even someone like Jooho sunbae has to have at least one weakness, right?”
“I don’t really know.”
Without realizing it, Song Hyunsoo leaned back slightly and brought his glass to his lips.
His trademark “Flat White” smile deepened Jung Sungwon’s gaze.
“It seems like sunbae thinks a lot of you, Hyunsoo.”
“What? No, it’s just that he knew I could make cocktails, so he left me in charge of the bar that day. That’s all.”
“…Really?”
Glancing sideways at Jung Sungwon’s face coming closer, Song Hyunsoo nodded.
“Well then, can I treat you specially from now on?”
“Uh…”
“The ‘Kiss of Fire’ you made, I’ve had it a few times elsewhere since then, but it was different. If possible, I’d like to taste the cocktail you made once more…”
A swift breeze stirred the skin beside Song Hyunsoo’s earlobe. It felt like a bullet grazing his skin—a bullet fresh from the muzzle, warm against his skin. For a moment, a foolish thought crossed his mind.
But it wasn’t a bullet. It was a hand.
A hand trying to shield Song Hyunsoo’s face so Jung Sungwon wouldn’t see.
Then, in the next moment, another hand grabbed Song Hyunsoo’s left arm. Losing his balance, he slid off the stool and turned around, only to find Yoon Jooho standing behind him, his face dark with anger.
“What the hell are you doing suddenly showing up? You’re making Hyunsoo awkward.”
Jung Sungwon stood up and approached, but Yoon Jooho blocked him as if hiding Song Hyunsoo behind his back, raising his chin and furrowing his brow—as if he’d just heard a nasty curse.
“Hyunsoo?”
“Just call me Hyunsoo, then. What else am I supposed to say…”
“Don’t call him. You don’t have to.”
Yoon Jooho shook his head and smirked. Chewing his words like gum, he looked like a low-class thug from a back alley.
What the hell was this… Song Hyunsoo couldn’t make sense of Yoon Jooho’s sudden, out-of-nowhere appearance.
He tried to pull his left wrist free from Jooho’s grip, but it was impossible, as if cuffed with a locked handcuff.
“What childish nonsense… Doing this without Hyunsoo’s consent is violence. If you don’t let go, I won’t hold back.”
“What won’t you hold back? What are you gonna do? Run to the CEOs and tattle?”
Clicking his tongue in disdain, Yoon Jooho scoffed, brushing his hair back irritably as he muttered.
“Both of you mess around with what’s not yours. A total disgrace.”
Then he glared at Seo Hae across the bar counter.
“Didn’t I tell you? If Jung Sungwon pulls any tricks on him, I won’t be safe either. And you’re just standing there watching? Do you think I’m joking?”
“Tricks? What right do you have to say that, sunbae?”
Jung Sungwon’s sharp shout made Yoon Jooho turn toward him again. Narrowing his eyes, Yoon Jooho stepped close, almost as if to kiss, pressing against Jung Sungwon.
“Right? Qualification? Damn it, qualification? I’m his…”
“Sunbae!”
Startled by the sudden tension, Song Hyunsoo grabbed Yoon Jooho’s shoulder roughly. Jooho looked down at Hyunsoo’s hand resting on his shoulder.
Taking advantage of the moment, Hyunsoo stepped between them and separated the two, then pushed Jung Sungwon’s back gently.
“Sungwon sunbae, you’d better go. Looks like your friends are waiting… I’m fine.”
“Hyunsoo, you don’t look fine. This is way too forceful.”
Jung Sungwon looked down at the hand holding Hyunsoo’s wrist tightly. His face twisted as if his own wrist was in pain.
“No, really, I’m okay. It’s just that sunbae and I had a fight before.”
Yoon Jooho wrapped his arms around Song Hyunsoo from behind, crossing in front of his shoulders. Then, deliberately pressing his lips near Hyunsoo’s ear, he sneered at Jung Sungwon.
“I said he’s fine. Didn’t you hear? Mind your own business and get lost.”
Though reluctant, Jung Sungwon left without taking his eyes off Yoon Jooho. Jooho kept Hyunsoo’s shoulder pressed tightly against his chest, never lowering his guard.
Even after Jung Sungwon disappeared into the private table with his group, Yoon Jooho stood frozen.
Song Hyunsoo lowered his head and roughly pulled Yoon Jooho’s arm away from his collarbone.
Like a rejected child, Yoon Jooho dropped his arm and stood silently. Then, rubbing the back of his hand over his mouth, he turned toward Hyunsoo.
But he couldn’t meet his eyes, instead looking down at his chest, hesitating as he spoke.
“Wait, look over there.”
His voice was hoarse. Unlike when he was confronting Jung Sungwon, now he seemed uncertain.
“Let’s talk here.”
“There are eyes watching. It’ll just be for a moment.”
Looking around, several people at the hall seats were indeed watching after the earlier commotion.
Even in this members-only bar where everyone kept each other’s secrets, a loud scene involving Yoon Jooho and Jung Sungwon naturally drew attention.
Seo Hae also nodded briefly, as if agreeing it would be best to follow.
They stepped into the private room behind the heavy velvet curtain, where a semicircular sofa was set up. Yoon Jooho didn’t sit but paced behind the curtain, closing it firmly once Song Hyunsoo entered.
“Sit.”
“I’ll listen standing here.”
Song Hyunsoo crossed his arms tightly, and Yoon Jooho sighed deeply, his chest rising and falling.
“What did you two talk about?”
“Why should I tell you, sunbae?”
Yoon Jooho wiped his face several times with both hands. He couldn’t stand still, pacing the empty space like a man frustrated that he no longer had the right to interrogate Song Hyunsoo.
“Anything strange happen? Really?”
“What do you mean by strange?”
“That kid’s different from his image. He’s quick with his hands.”
“Well, so far he’s been nothing but polite.”
Yoon Jooho bit his lip anxiously.
“Are you worried Jung Sungwon sunbae was hitting on me or something?”
“……”
“He was pretty aggressive. Maybe I’m his type.”
Yoon Jooho suddenly lunged, pushing Song Hyunsoo’s shoulders against the wall.
“Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to torment me?”
Pain-filled eyes glared resentfully at Hyunsoo. But Jooho didn’t feel any satisfaction in it.
If anything, he wished it were that simple. Yet that didn’t mean he was ready to embrace him either.
“……”
The fiery gaze that seemed ready to destroy what was in front of him suddenly dimmed.
He exhausted all his strength and collapsed, resting his forehead against Song Hyunsoo’s shoulder. Hyunsoo held his breath for a moment.
“I thought I’d learned what jealousy was.”
His voice was weak, on the verge of breaking.
“But that wasn’t everything.”
“……”
“You didn’t even go to sleep with that kid. The moment I saw the photo, I thought I was going crazy.”
Photo? Song Hyunsoo raised a question in his mind but soon answered it himself.
Seo Hae had taken out his phone to snap a picture with Jung Sungwon. That photo must have been sent to Yoon Jooho.
“No other man.”
Repeating “No” under his breath, Jooho shook his head multiple times on Hyunsoo’s shoulder.
Slowly, he raised his face to meet Hyunsoo’s gaze. His eyes, cheeks, and lips twisted painfully, as if imagining something terrible.
“I don’t think I could bear seeing you live happily smiling next to another man.”