Come Back

Ch 36



Carrot Seller: It’s a bit of an awkward time, but I came out to eat something.

Carrot Seller: The view is really beautiful because it’s right next to the river.

Carrot Seller:

Carrot Seller: Now that today’s schedule is over, I’m thinking of having some drinks with my team.

Carrot Seller: Since the person who usually hangs out with me is busy today,

Carrot Seller: I’m planning to bother other people instead of you.

Carrot Seller: I did well, right? (11:08 PM)

Carrot Seller:

Carrot Seller: The food just came out, and when I took a picture of it,

Carrot Seller: everyone teased me, asking if I was trying to imitate the younger kids, haha.

Carrot Seller: When I took pictures of food during business lunches,

Carrot Seller: it made the atmosphere softer. It’s thanks to you, Hongseo, haha. (11:42 PM)

Carrot Seller: Are you having fun? I just came back to my room.

Carrot Seller: The staff wanted to go for round two together, but

Carrot Seller: I don’t want to become an oblivious boss. (1:36 AM)

Carrot Seller: It’s around 7 o’clock here, so

Carrot Seller: I’m watching videos of you leaving Bangkok Airport.

Carrot Seller: I’m having one more drink alone in my room.

Carrot Seller:

Carrot Seller: (1:52 AM)

Carrot Seller: One of my team members asked me today if I’m dating anyone, haha.

Carrot Seller: They said it jokingly, but my silence made it awkward, haha.

Carrot Seller: I did that on purpose.

Carrot Seller: I wanted to give a hint that I’m involved in some kind of relationship. (2:13 AM)

Carrot Seller: Now, we only have three more meetings left.

Carrot Seller: I shouldn’t have acted tough and asked for just five times. (2:24 AM)

Although the name was saved as ‘Carrot Seller,’ it was a precaution. He had explained in advance that he might not check the messenger often, but in the meantime, his messages had been steadily piling up.

On the day they met at his house after a photoshoot, he had sent his first selfie while Hyunseo was on his way back to his accommodation. After that, he began sending photos regularly without even being asked.

He would send pictures every time he ate something, and he consistently sent selfies of his work outfits taken in front of the mirror. However, there was no sign that his selfie skills had improved at all.

Hyunseo had taught him how to take selfies a few times, but it wasn’t a lack of skill that held him back; he just didn’t have the will to learn. He found it too embarrassing to pose in front of the camera by himself.

There were exotic landscapes from Paris, dishes from team dinners, selfies holding a can of beer in his room, and videos of Hyunseo uploaded by fans playing on a tablet.

Among the many photos sent over the hours, his selfies stood out. They were taken from below, out of focus, and shaky. Still, thanks to his exotic eyes, straight and high nose, and defined lips, they were not at all humiliating. Even if his selfie skills were terrible, it was a relief that his handsome face looked good no matter where or how it was taken.

Even during the times they couldn’t meet, they were steadily growing closer.

Among his staff were old friends who had known him since elementary school and had studied abroad together, as well as long-time executives at ARA who were mentors to him. This helped Hyunseo realize that, contrary to the public’s imagination, there was no atmosphere where anyone would dare to contradict him just because he said something.

He also learned that someone like Lee Haeseong could have ordinary conversations. They talked about the weather, food, and how boring meetings were, among other things.

Even though those conversations were so mundane they were almost trivial, reading his messages made Hyunseo smile over and over again. Every single line of those trivial conversations was so amusing. It felt like a captivating novel that he couldn’t take his eyes off.

Looking at his last message, which mentioned that only three out of the promised five meetings remained, Hyunseo began typing a reply.

Me: Don’t look for that kind of videoㅠㅠ

Me: It was a close-up with no makeup, so I look awful… (1:36 AM)

Carrot Seller: I’ve already seen Hongseo’s bare face, so

Carrot Seller: why are you lying?

Carrot Seller: Since your job is as a singer, I can get news about you this way, and I should say I’m lucky.

Carrot Seller: Oh, have you finished moving in? (1:40 AM)

Me: No, I just came out to get some fresh air on the balcony.

Me: It’s my first time living in a place with a balcony.

Me: I can see the Han River from the balcony. It’s amazing. (1:42 AM)

Carrot Seller: I’m glad you like your new place^^

Carrot Seller: Now that I’ve received a reply from Hongseo, I should change my clothes and take a shower.

Carrot Seller: Don’t worry about me and have a good time. (1:45 AM)

Me: Are you tired? (1:45 AM)

Carrot Seller: Just asking if I’m tired makes me feel refreshed.

Carrot Seller: What kind of magic is this? (1:46 AM)

Me: If I really asked if you were tired, would that make you feel better? (1:46 AM)

Carrot Seller: Of course^^ It’s because I’m worried about you. (1:47 AM)

Me: Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? Are you tired? (1:47 AM)

Carrot Seller: I wish this were a video call right now.

Carrot Seller: I wonder what kind of expression I made when I played such a cute prank.

Carrot Seller: You didn’t do it when we were together though^^ (1:49 AM)

It felt like I could see his unique warm smile, the one he gives when he looks at me, filled with affection and joy.

He wasn’t the type to act cute with someone older than him, and the environment didn’t allow for such things either. Yet, somehow, Lee Haeseong was drawing out sides of Hyunseo that he didn’t even know he had.

While he only attempted playful antics through messages where his face wasn’t visible, it was clear that their relationship was developing. However, there was still an underlying sense of anxiety and uncertainty.

Looking at his message, where he seemed to be enjoying a lighthearted joke, Hyunseo nervously bit his lip and changed the subject.

Me: Go wash up quickly and relax.

Me: I’ll contact you again once the guests leave. (1:53 AM)

Leaning against the railing, he let his hair blow in the wind. For the past few days, he had been conflicted between the impulse to get closer to him and the resignation that the outcome was likely predictable. After hearing about Ko Ji-woon’s sponsor, that unsettling feeling only intensified.

“What are you doing here?”

At the sudden voice, Hyunseo stiffened and turned to the side. Upon confirming it was Jeong Ji-in, he relaxed his expression.

“Oh? I was just getting some fresh air… so you ended up escaping from those guys, huh?”

Hyunseo smiled as he put his phone in his pocket.

“Escaping? No way. I just came out to sober up a bit.”

While they were talking about Hyunseo’s casting in “Cream Mansion,” Jeong Ji-in gently tousled the back of Hyunseo’s hair and cautiously asked,

“Do you still… read a lot of comments these days?”

“Huh?”

“Jae-woo said he was worried because you’re always glued to your phone.”

“Oh… I really appreciate Jae-woo’s concern. No, these days, I don’t check comments much. I don’t have time for that since I’m busy, which is one good thing.”

“Then what? Are you really dating someone?”

“……”

The term “dating” made Hyunseo silently laugh.

He recalled Lee Haeseong’s words about how one of his team members asked if he was dating anyone. If he said he’d heard the same thing, what would Lee Haeseong say?

“Hyung, have you ever gotten involved with someone you met for work… in a romantic way?”

“Involved? Emotionally?”

“Something like that…”

“No, I haven’t. Are you really seeing someone? An actress? Or a singer?”

“No, they’re not a celebrity.”

Leaning against the balcony railing, Hyunseo turned to face the river.

“It’s just… there’s someone who treats me well, and it makes me nervous. But honestly, I don’t think it could lead to anything romantic.”

A VIP and a member of an idol group. Also the same sex.

Could there really be a future for that relationship?

Hyunseo no longer doubted Lee Haeseong’s sincerity. But his situation was complicating things. He wasn’t just dealing with the age difference with a male idol; he was practically a slave, caught in a web of leverage held by President Myung. Even without much education, he understood that a relationship with such a significant secret wouldn’t end well.

“What do you mean someone who can’t date? If you want to, just do it.”

Hyunseo couldn’t help but chuckle at Jeong Ji-in’s clear answer.

“Is that so? I’ve only been focused on work… I really don’t know about this kind of stuff. But then, maybe you’re the same, right?”

If it were as simple as Jeong Ji-in said, it would have been great. Or, it would have been better if he hadn’t been attracted to Lee Haeseong. He could have just waited for the five meetings to pass and returned that business card he had tucked away safely in his wallet.

Out of the five promised meetings, only three remained.

Not “three times” but “only three.”

The very thought that only three remained showed that he was already feeling regret.

He just… wanted him to return from his business trip quickly. Right now, that’s all he wanted.

The river in front of him felt like it was flowing particularly slowly.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.