Chapter 50: Chapter 50.

Chapter 50.

At Minjae’s playful tone, Woojin flinched. Woojin couldn’t say anything; he just turned away and watched the game. It was pure coincidence that Shin looked his way at that time. Their eyes met straight on.

Shin seemed surprised yet glad to see Woojin. Unlike his usual neat self, Woojin’s hair was messy, making him look much younger.

Woojin saw Shin smile, and that was all he needed for the world around him to become vibrant again. Even his heart felt alive just by watching Shin. Afraid his feelings were going to be found out, Woojin talked to Minjae nonchalantly.

In the kitchen, Woojin and Shin washed the fruits. Shin was washing the grapes when suddenly, he put one into Woojin’s mouth.

“Say ‘Ah!’”

Looking at Shin’s face, Woojin burst into laughter as he murmured, “You are so strange.”

Just then, someone from behind them asked rigidly, “What are you guys doing?”

Without turning around, Woojin answered calmly, “Washing the grapes.”

Lately, Woojin learned that he was very good at reacting calmly in the worst situations. Eejun said in annoyance, “You never eat food touched by others.”

“Well, right now, my hands are busy, so I have no choice.”

“What are you talking about, Woojin? You are only using one hand right now.”

“Oh, wait. I forgot. Assistant Manager Kang!”

Woojin called Jihoon’s name loudly. Jihoon, who was in the living room opening the boxes of chicken wings, turned around and replied, “Why, Woojin?”

“Mr. Eejun Bae wanted to ask you a question.”

“… What?”

“He was wondering if you have been working ou…!”

Suddenly, Eejun covered Woojin’s mouth with his hand to stop him. Eejun quickly said to Woojin, “Oh, Woojin, there was something I needed to tell you.” Eejun looked confused and embarrassed. His neck was turning red.

Woojin, who hated being touched, pushed Eejun away. Jihoon, unaware of what was happening in the kitchen, asked, “Finish your question, Woojin. What was that about working out?”

When Jihoon walked towards the kitchen, Eejun shook his head vigorously and replied, “It’s nothing.”

Woojin shrugged his shoulders and went to the living room, followed by Shin. Shin placed the plates of fruits on the table and sat across from Woojin, next to Minjae. Shin watched Eejun and Jihoon with interest.

Eejun sat down on the sofa comfortably and took an apple. He said to the group, “Should we be thanking Shin Kim for this bounty?”

Jihoon frowned as he drank his beer. He replied to Eejun annoyedly, “You are so shameless. Do you think you deserve to eat these fruits?” Eejun frowned as well and argued back, “If that’s the case, that you shouldn’t be eating any of it either, you idiot! Since Shin got this for winning the relay.”

“If you didn’t grab my waist in the middle of the race, we would’ve been fine! I wouldn’t have fallen like that!”

“What?! Are you serious! Where else could I hold you other than your waist! And how should I have known that you have a weak waist? Bastard! It’s so ironic because you look like you wouldn’t react to anyone touching you.”

“What? What did you just way?”

Woojin watched them quietly and opened a can of beer for himself. Just opening the can made him feel drunk.

When they were young, the three of them never had the chance to talk comfortably and freely like this. It was always tense, whether it was mealtime or study time. They were just placed together by their parents in a room, then taken away at their parents’ leisure.

It was especially hard for Jihoon Kang. He looked so mature, yet it was Jihoon who used to be the cruellest to Woojin.

Eejun announced with a smile, “I did bring something back from the recent business trip.” He brought out a paper bag from under the table.

Jihoon asked blandly, “… What is it?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s booze, of course!”

Minjae, who was sitting next to Eejun, clapped. “Wow! Mr. Eejun is the best!”

Eejun shrugged and took out white bottle.

“Maotai?”

“Yup. Let’s drink!”

Eejun loved Chinese liquor. He poured himself a cup in a paper cup. When the distinct smell of Chinese drink spread the room, Woojin frowned. When he saw Shin looking at him, Woojin smiled a little. Shin seemed relieved to see his smile.

Woojin said to Eejun, “I think I will just drink my beer.”

“What? But Woojin Choi, you like Maotai!”

“I think I am a bit indigested.”

Jihoon replied as he patted Woojin’s head, “Hmm, then don’t even think about drinking. Just eat those fruits. You barely ate anything today, so how could you get indigestion?”

When Woojin moved away a little to get away from Jihoon, both Eejun and Shin laughed. Minjae seemed surprised as he watched the three. He said to them, “You three really look very close. Like good friends.”

Eejun replied with a smile, “Really? Because we really aren’t.”

Minjae added, “Assistant Manager Jihoon especially seems to care a great deal about Assistant Manager Woojin.”

Eejun explained, “Well, it’s more like he is monitoring and spying on Woojin. Like a hired dog.” Eejun then turned to Jihoon and asked, “Am I wrong?”

Without answering, Jihoon emptied his paper cup, which was filled with Maotai. Woojin knew Jihoon wasn’t good with hard liquor, so he looked at Jihoon.

Jihoon was looking at Woojin as well. Unlike Shin, Jihoon had light brown eyes. It took Woojin a very long time to be able to look at those eyes straight on.

‘Only 2 weeks left.’

After Shin left, Woojin fell asleep. He felt at one point a cold hand on his forehead, checking his temperature. It was Jihoon.

Jihoon was a strange man. He hated to see Woojin alone, yet Jihoon also detested seeing Woojin with someone. Something seemed to be very wrong with Jihoon’s heart.

Jihoon whispered to Woojin, “Don’t be sick.”

His words were kind and caring, but Jihoon was the type of a person who hurt others. He always had been.

And Woojin Choi never would forget it.