NOVEL NEXT 7
“Because people didn’t see me.”
At those words, Yujae narrowed his eyes.
“That’s quite an ambiguous statement.”
“What I mean is… I liked that people saw me as the brand’s image or the clothes.”
Doyun trailed off and pressed his lips together. Even to himself, it was a head-tilting statement.
He wanted to give a plausible answer to Yujae, who was showing interest for once, but the truth was that he himself didn’t understand the meaning.
It wasn’t enough to say he felt comfortable when on the runway. While he might have felt happy, once the show ended, it felt like a big hole had opened in a corner of his heart.
Perhaps because he had spent his life always walking on eggshells, Doyun was known for quickly catching the concept that brands pursued.
He was called a blank canvas because he perfectly displayed the walking, poses, and lines they wanted. In other words, when no one picked up the brush, he was in an empty state.
After a show ended, that emptiness doubled, and unable to bear the feeling of being nothing, he sought something to fill his canvas.
The more he did so, the more he lost the whiteness he possessed, something Doyun didn’t realize.
“No, thinking about it now, I didn’t really like this job.”
While it might have been good at first, now it was more like clinging to it. Doyun recalled himself going to auditions while groaning and clutching his ankle, and gave a bitter smile.
After hearing the story, Yujae was silent for a long time. It seems it wasn’t a particularly good story to his ears either.
“So I’m thinking of working in Korea for now. Of course, standing on runways will be difficult at my age, but I still want to try. Beyond modeling, in various ways… just like my mother.”
Glancing sideways to gauge his reaction, Doyun laughed awkwardly, “Haha,” and changed the subject. At those words, Yujae narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly.
Strangely, his gaze felt piercing. His unblinking stare was like facing a lifeless statue.
Confused by the suddenly changed atmosphere, Doyun subtly retreated. Yujae stared at him intently and offered a slight smile.
“You’re only just thirty, it’s definitely possible.”
Yujae answered in a gentle voice. Despite his lips drawing a soft curve, his eyes were those of a predator about to hunt.
For some reason, his gaze felt like it was clinging to Doyun’s body. Even when Doyun flinched uncomfortably, the gaze didn’t falter.
Finally, unable to withstand the strangely persistent eyes, Doyun turned his head away.
He deliberately looked out the window, composing his expression to appear calm. Occasionally their eyes met in the reflection, but Doyun pretended not to notice, blurring his focus.
While on edge from the strange atmosphere, the car was already entering a classical-looking building.
“We’ve arrived already. Perhaps because it’s been so long since we’ve talked, I didn’t realize how time was passing.”
Yujae said, checking the watch on his wrist.
“I still have many things to ask, but let’s talk about that gradually. For now, shall we move?”
After tugging at his sleeve a couple of times, Yujae gave him a warm look.
Doyun, who had been constantly checking for cues, belatedly nodded. The relaxed atmosphere once again put him at ease.
The driver, who had been quietly observing them, got out of the driver’s seat and headed to the back seat. Doyun bowed his head to the man who opened the door for him and followed Yujae out of the car.
“Do you have any food preferences?”
Yujae, who had stepped out first, asked. Walking alongside him down the corridor, Doyun habitually shook his head.
“No, I don’t.”
“That’s a lie.”
“…Pardon?”
“Seo Doyun, you’re very picky with food, never even touching beans.”
Yet it’s fascinating that you like soft tofu stew. With those final words, Yujae turned his head.
At the unexpected comment, Doyun’s eyes widened. Just as he was about to ask if Yujae had remembered that all this time, Yujae gestured for him to look ahead, not at him.
Embarrassed, Doyun only moved his lips, trying to gather his flustered feelings.
Even as they walked down the long corridor, Yujae’s voice echoed in his ears. Though it might have been a casual remark, Doyun’s heart pounded heavily.
Suddenly, he felt foolish for being swayed by a single comment. While Han Yujae, who had made the comment, seemed unfazed, Doyun wondered why he was reacting this way.
“…If you knew, why did you ask?”
Doyun, now sullen, pouted his lips. In response, Yujae casually lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Well, just for fun, perhaps?”
“That’s not funny.”
“I didn’t do it to amuse you, Seo Doyun. I did it for my own pleasure.”
“……”
“Shall we go in, then?”
Yujae stepped aside by the door and pointed inside the restaurant. For some reason, his curved lips seemed rather annoying.
***
The meal was satisfying. Though it was just salad without dressing and a few spring rolls, sharing it with Yujae made it more enjoyable than usual.
As they were finishing, Doyun stared at the cinnamon punch served as dessert. He was reluctant to reach for it, feeling regretful that the meal was already ending.
Once I drink this, we’ll soon part ways.
While he’d been smiling brightly during the meal, Doyun had quickly become downcast and was now just fiddling with his cup to prolong the time.
Perhaps reading his mind?
“It seems a shame to part like this. If you don’t mind, would you like to have a drink? I was thinking of going to the private dicks’ lounge across the street.”
Yujae suggested, pointing to a building across the glass window. No sooner had he finished speaking than Doyun nodded.
He sparkled with excitement but then quickly erased his smile, wondering if he’d shown too much enthusiasm. But that didn’t last long—Yujae’s satisfied smile immediately sent the corners of Doyun’s mouth soaring again.
After finishing their meal, the two promptly moved to the next location. As they crossed to the opposite building, a manager who had received word of their arrival came out to the door to greet them.
Once again, Doyun awkwardly bowed his head to receive the greeting. Unlike him, Yujae merely nodded lightly and led Doyun with familiar steps.
The interior of the establishment exceeded expectations. The overall dark-toned interior was extremely luxurious.
Soon, a complex interior befitting the dicks-only condition was revealed. Doyun found it fascinating how Yujae moved through the maze-like corridors without hesitation, and kept stealing glances at him.
Perhaps finding his furtive looks amusing, Yujae slowed his pace and turned his head.
“The path is a bit complicated, isn’t it?”
“…Yes, rather.”
“It’s a place mostly visited by people sensitive about their privacy. Still, I come here often because the atmosphere is nice. And there’s no better place when drinking alone.”
That meant he didn’t want others to know about their meeting. Doyun felt a little disappointed. Couldn’t friends have a drink together?
Pouting his lips, Doyun belatedly realized that Yujae’s feelings were different from his own, and he smiled bitterly.
As he followed Yujae into the room, trying to soothe his gloomy mood, a bartender waiting inside greeted them respectfully.
He must have been assigned exclusively to Yujae, as he was already taking out whiskey glasses without a word.
“Do you enjoy drinking regularly?”
At the question that came immediately after they sat down, Doyun shook his head. If he had to calculate his alcohol tolerance, it was barely half a bottle of soju.
As if he’d never seen someone like that before, Yujae gave him a curious look. Feeling awkward, Doyun just laughed, “Haha.”
The bartender recommended various light cocktails. The unfamiliar names already made Doyun’s head spin.
After discreetly checking Yujae’s reaction, Doyun ordered a cocktail with a relatively simple name. As soon as he took a sip from the glass he was handed, Doyun’s eyes widened.
Far from bitter, he tasted a pleasant sweetness. The subtle peach flavor lingering on the tip of his tongue was to his liking.
The smooth feel going down his throat also had a strange charm. Before he knew it, his glass was empty.
With a pleased expression, Doyun ordered the same cocktail again. At the same time, the bartender displayed some impressive skills and handed him a dreamy pink cocktail.
He drank three glasses in succession. As the intoxication slowly came on, Doyun tightly closed and reopened his eyes.
“That must have quite a high alcohol content.”
Yujae murmured softly, looking at Doyun whose eyes had turned slightly red. Doyun tilted his head after momentarily closing his eyes as if savoring Yujae’s gentle voice.
“Is that so? I can’t really tell.”
“You must like the taste. That’s good.”
“Hmm… yes, it’s refreshing and delicious. But the more I drink, it’s kind of like bubble gum…”
Doyun trailed off while fidgeting with his half-empty glass. Then he let out a soft “pffft” laugh and brought the glass to his lips again.