But then, as if struck by a sudden revelation, Taesan's mind sharpens, and the realization hits him: all the playful banter, the fake friendship, was just an act put on by Jaewon. With that thought, he quickly snaps back to his senses.
"Ok ok... I should go finish my things, so we can
leave." Taesan replies with a sudden sadness in his mind, and he doesn't want that sadness to pop out and reveal itself in front of Jaewon.
Jaewon stepped out in a sleek, monochromatic ensemble, a fitted black turtleneck paired with a long dark coat and relaxed, wide-leg black pants that draped effortlessly, and finished the look with polished black boots. His aura was commanding, his every step exuding a quiet confidence.
On the other hand, Taesan arrived with a softer touch, complementing Jaewon's look but with his own twist. He wore a muted, beige blazer layered over a dark, fitted sweater, paired with slim bluish-beige jeans that hinted at elegance. His shoes were classic, understated loafers, adding a subtle flair.
Together, they created a striking contrast, Jaewon's bold charisma offset by Taesan's gentle allure—a perfect pairing of dominance and grace.
"Hyung… Woah." Jaewon's jaw nearly hits the floor as he takes in Taesan's appearance. "What a sexy figurine!! Damn Hyung!!!" His gaze sweeps over Taesan, marveling at how perfectly the outfit prominences every detail.
"Ayi! Don't start making me blush," Taesan mutters, glancing at his reflection for one final check before turning to face Jaewon. "Ahem… You're looking pretty hot yourself," he says, giving Jaewon a playful nudge on the arm.
Jaewon smirks, stepping in just a bit closer, his fingers gently finding their way around Taesan's waist. "Didn't I always look this good, huh?"
Taesan chuckles nervously. "Ayyo… What's this about, huh?"
"Shh, Hyung…" Jaewon whispers, his hand rising to softly trace along Taesan's cheek. He leans in, his breath hot against Taesan's ear. "Hyung, you're looking so tempting... I could take my time with you right now..." Taesan's face turns bright red as he pushes Jaewon away, flustered, "Shhatap! You perv!"
"Ah, you're absolutely irresistible right now. How is it possible for you to look this captivating?" Jaewon's gaze lingers on every curve of Taesan's form, and he couldn't help but marvel at how alluring Taesan appears. His thoughts wonder back to their high school days, when a mere glance at Taesan had once stirred feelings and made him rock hard. Now, as his eyes fell to Taesan's waist, a flush of heat rose within him, and he couldn't deny the undeniable truth — Taesan looked like a tantalizing sub. Taesan catches Jaewon's gaze, "Stop staring!! You creep!! You are a horny ass!!" He crossed his arms over his chest, casting a glance at Jaewon, who remained visibly flustered, his eyes locked on Taesan with an intensity that betrayed the thoughts racing through his mind.
Taesan's heart races as Jaewon pulls him closer, their closeness sending a flush of redness to his cheeks. His face grows redder with each passing second, and the firm hold on his waist only intensifies the swirling chaos of emotions. As their closeness stirs past memories, Taesan's mind drifts to the moments of intimacy, shared flirtations, and that one unforgettable night when they fell asleep in each other's arms, cuddled in a warmth that blurred the lines of friendship.
Snapping back to reality, Taesan gently pushes against Jaewon's chest, his voice trembling. "Jae… uh… we'll be late. We should go."
Jaewon blinks, visibly shaken, his own cheeks tinged with a deep red. "Ah… yeah, Hyung… you're right. Let's head out."
***
The two step out of the house and slip into the car, the air thick with unspoken tension. An awkward silence lingers. Seeking relief from the stifling atmosphere, Taesan leans forward and turns on the music, hoping its rhythm might soothe the tension..
Pirisoril ttarawa i noraereul ttarawa ~
{Follow the sound of the pipe, follow this song}
Jogeum wiheomhaedo na cham daljana ~
{It's a bit dangerous but I'm so sweet}
Neol guhareo on geoya neol mangchireo on geoya ~
{I'm here to save you, I'm here to ruin you}
Niga nal bureun geoya bwa daljana ~
{You called me, see?}
Pirisoril ttarawa ~
{I'm so sweet}
Ooh-ooh-ooh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.....
[Pied Piper by BTS stars playing. {} Shows the English translation.]
As the melody flows through the car, the lyrics wrap around Taesan's mind, pulling him into bitter thoughts. "Save you?" he speaks in his mind, his fingers curling slightly against his thigh. "No, Ahn Jaewon. You're not here to save me—you're here to only ruin me, like you always do. You've done nothing but twist the knife deeper, turning me into your easy-to-manipulate toy." His jaw tightens, the ache of unspoken resentment simmering beneath the surface.
Jaewon, seated beside him, is caught in his own web of thoughts. "Sweet?" he muses sarcastically, casting a small side-eyed glance at Taesan. "Hyung, you already have everything. What more sweetness could you possibly need?" His chest tightens, but he quickly looks away, focusing instead on the road stretching ahead.
Taesan slowly steered the car to a smooth, reluctant halt as they finally arrived at Hangong-Gan, the cozy yet lively restaurant glowing under the evening lights. Warm lanterns hung outside the entrance, and the soft murmur of laughter and clinking dishes drifted through the air, giving the place an inviting, almost homely charm.
"Hyung, let's go," Jaewon urged, his voice light with easy enthusiasm, already halfway out of his seat as if he couldn't wait another second.
"Yeah, yeah…" Taesan muttered, masking his reluctance, his tone flat as he cut the engine and stared ahead for a brief moment longer than necessary, fingers tightening slightly around the steering wheel before he finally let go.
The two stepped inside, the door chiming softly behind them. The warm lights washed over their faces, and the rich aroma of grilled meat, spices, and simmering broth wrapped around them like a heavy blanket. Jaewon's eyes immediately darted around the crowded interior, scanning every table with quick excitement until they locked onto one in the corner where his friends were already gathered, laughing loudly.
"There they are," he pointed, leading the way without hesitation, weaving through the tables with confident, hurried steps.
As they approached the table, Taesan's gaze slowly swept over the group, lingering far longer than it should have. Familiar faces stared back at him, each one painfully recognizable, dragging his thoughts backward into bitter memories he had long tried to bury. Old laughter echoed faintly in his ears, the ghost of past whispers and mocking looks creeping up his spine. Years ago humiliation he went through with the very same people, and the one humiliating him was Jaewon.
——————— TO BE CONTINUED