Chapter 50

“Just someone I used to… date?”

As Han Jeong-min spoke somewhat vaguely, Lee Jun turned his head, worried his agitated feelings would be exposed. He couldn’t help it, even if Han Jeong-min looked at him strangely. It was because he felt the person he might meet around here would be Haein.

‘It’s not certain, so calm down.’

Then, remembering that Han Jeong-min had dated quite a few people, he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists to regain his composure.

“Normally, I wouldn’t say something like this if we weren’t close, but that person resembles you a lot, Senior.”

But Han Jeong-min kindly said it was Haein.

“Do you happen to have a younger sister?”

After saying she resembled him, he asked, seemingly suspicious. As Han Jeong-min scrutinized his face, Lee Jun calmly nodded.

“Yes.”

“And her name is…?”

“Are you interested in my sister?”

“Huh?”

“You said the person who likes you is enough. So don’t touch my sister.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

Han Jeong-min scratched the back of his head, looking troubled.

“It seems what I said last time is bothering you a lot. You don’t have to be so wary. I don’t date people who would make things uncomfortable for me either.”

“Uncomfortable people?”

“Like, for example, your sister, Senior?”

Lee Jun still couldn’t understand. Then Han Jeong-min spoke frankly, as if he couldn’t help it.

“Chaeheon really likes you, Senior. I just don’t want to make things awkward with him.”

For a moment, Lee Jun bit his lip, trying to suppress a scoff. He and his sister weren’t important. Han Jeong-min was just being considerate of Chaeheon, who was connected to them.

“You don’t have to be so shy, Senior. It seems Chaeheon is really smitten with you, so be confident.”

Every single word was truly something else. Or did ordinary people rejoice at Han Jeong-min’s words?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just thinking you’re still the same even after seeing you a second time.”

His first impression hadn’t changed. He had always found Han Jeong-min unappealing and didn’t like him.

“It seems my first impression wasn’t very good.”

“How do you know?”

“Do I need to be told such things to know?”

Yet, Han Jeong-min didn’t stop smiling, which was probably because of Chaeheon. Since he spoke so openly, Lee Jun didn’t hide his feelings either.

“That’s right. I don’t like you.”

“You’re quite direct.”

Han Jeong-min casually brushed it off, not seeming offended. At his nonchalant reaction, Lee Jun said nothing more. There was nothing more to say. He had stated he didn’t like him, so what else was there to add?

“But what is it about me you don’t like? Is it because I keep changing partners? If it’s that, I told you last time. Since I can’t get married anyway…”

“If you’re going to say that you can date casually because you can’t get married anyway, then you can stop, because I won’t understand.”

Lee Jun waved his hand, refusing to listen.

“…Then should I date seriously?”

Then, his voice deepened, and Lee Jun lowered the hand he had raised in the air. It was the first time he had heard such a tone from Han Jeong-min, who had always acted so lightly.

“I don’t give my heart because I shouldn’t, but does that just seem casual to you, Senior?”

“The reason you shouldn’t give your heart is because you can’t get married?”

“That’s right. Born into a good family, there are things you have to give up. So I suppress feelings before they even grow. That’s the easiest way.”

Han Jeong-min leaned back on the bench and just rambled on about what he wanted to say. It was a selfish act, not caring if Lee Jun wanted to listen, yet somehow Lee Jun found himself listening to his voice.

“Born as the fifth-generation only son of a chaebol family, I lived a life where even the people I associate with are predetermined… If I compromise within this framework, it becomes very comfortable. So, I just adjust accordingly. Not stopping those who come, not holding onto those who leave… Because life is interesting enough even if you don’t like anyone.”

His tone returned to his usual one at the end. However, because of the words he had already spoken, Han Jeong-min appeared different from before.

“Now I look different, right?”

“Yes.”

“Did I become a little cooler?”

“No. You look pathetic.”

“Pathetic… Pathetic?”

Han Jeong-min looked bewildered, as if asking if he had really just said “pathetic.” But Lee Jun hadn’t misspoken. No matter how he might appear objectively, in Lee Jun’s subjective opinion, Han Jeong-min looked utterly contemptible.

“I understand what you’re saying, but…”

He originally wanted to get away from Han Jeong-min quickly, but contrary to his thoughts, his body was still on the bench.

“Someone who is supposedly more popular than you doesn’t live like that at all, so I don’t understand you.”

“Are you talking about Chaeheon?”

“Yes. He seems to give his heart without any conditions.”

Han Jeong-min frowned, looking as if to say he could stop talking now, but Lee Jun had no intention of stopping.

“He also seems to have been born into a fairly well-off family…”

“That’s not just ‘well-off.’ There’s no family as good as theirs.”

“Really? Well, if he’s better off than you, I guess there’s nothing more to say. Chaeheon isn’t like that, though. He’s unreserved in expressing his feelings and often says he likes me.”

He was the exact opposite of Han Jeong-min. That’s why Lee Jun couldn’t understand Han Jeong-min’s circumstances at all. So he said one thing: “Your way of thinking isn’t necessarily the only correct one.”

Lee Jun rose from his seat.

“Don’t pretend to know me next time.”

Because he had no desire to associate with him. Turning his back on Han Jeong-min, Lee Jun left the spot.

Left alone, Han Jeong-min replayed the conversation with Lee Jun in his mind and then laughed.

“Their relationship is deeper than I thought.”

He had felt it ever since Chaeheon meticulously took care of Lee Jun, but now he had a hunch that they shouldn’t be considered just casual dating partners.

“But they really do resemble each other.”

And if she lived nearby…

Han Jeong-min picked up his phone and made a call.

“It’s okay to just look into it lightly, right?”

He just needed to confirm if Lee Jun’s sister was indeed Haein.

Lee Jun, who was leaving for his part-time job at the Pasta Restaurant, saw Chaeheon blocking his way.

“Why did you come without calling?”

“I didn’t have time to call because I stopped somewhere on the way.”

Chaeheon shook his head, then checked the time.

“If we go in my car, we won’t be short on time.”

Could it be that he was busy considering even the time of arrival? Lee Jun saw Chaeheon’s slightly flushed face and took a step closer.

“Where did you go to be like this?”

“To give you this.”

As if he had been waiting, Chaeheon held out a paper bag he was carrying. Lee Jun couldn’t see what was inside, but his eyes crinkled slightly. The pheromone emanating from the paper bag was clearly Chaeheon’s.

“Your pheromones are on it.”

“Then just carry it.”

“Why should I?”

“Last time, there was someone who asked you for your contact info in front of the Pasta Restaurant, right?”

“That…”

“And there was someone in front of Club IN too.”

“So you’re telling me to carry something with your pheromones on it to stop that?”

“That, and…”

After he himself had brought it up, he now ambiguously dodged the question when asked directly. Lee Jun couldn’t understand Chaeheon’s behavior at all and snatched the paper bag. What on earth was inside?

“It’s a cardigan.”

“I was late because I was looking for something that would suit you.”

“Are there stores open at this hour?”

“…Anyway, just take a look.”

It seemed like he was trying to brush it off too clumsily, but Lee Jun pulled out the cardigan, wondering if he should just let it go.

Since it was an unexpected gift, Lee Jun was just holding it awkwardly, so Chaeheon himself unfolded it. He then placed it over Lee Jun’s back, as if to cover him, and urged him to wear it.

“The weather is getting hotter, though…”

“This is thin, so it’s fine.”

Chaeheon didn’t back down, and Lee Jun just sighed and accepted it. As he began to put his arms through the sleeves, Chaeheon stepped back to watch. Under his gaze, Lee Jun pulled up the cardigan that had reached his hips.

As he tried to fasten the bottom button that had been undone, the buttonhole didn’t open easily, causing the button to slip. Chaeheon’s eyes crinkled at the sight of Lee Jun’s skin peeking out from under his T-shirt, which had ridden up when he pulled down the cardigan.

Exposed parts like his hands and face alone were enough to provoke someone, but the small, fleeting glimpse that just appeared remained as an afterimage.

Pretending not to have seen the hint of his waistline, Chaeheon calmly remarked.

“It suits you well.”

“I don’t know why you gave me a cardigan to wear, but… let’s just go.”

As his work time was approaching, Lee Jun lightly hit Chaeheon’s arm and moved towards the car. Chaeheon, who had been acting so urgent moments ago, followed Lee Jun and casually got into the car.

The cardigan had actually been bought long ago, and his barely-on-time appearance was a secret tactic to create pressure for work. That way, Lee Jun would wear it without questioning. He would appear before the Pasta Restaurant owner with Chaeheon’s pheromones on him.

Having driven Lee Jun to the Pasta Restaurant several times, Chaeheon had been looking for an opportunity to return the favor, and he decided today was the day.

He was curious to see how the owner would react to the pheromones emanating from Lee Jun.