Episode 10

 

The incessant vibration dragged Tae-seo forcefully out of sleep. Tae-seo groped around the bed with his eyes still closed. He brought it with him, the solid and cold sensation that touched his fingertips. Feeling the familiar grip that wrapped around him, he heard it in his ears.

 

“Hello?”

 

In response to Tae-seo’s groggy question, the other person laughed.

 

[Still sleeping?]

 

The familiar voice, even without opening his eyes to confirm the name, Tae-seo knew it was Han-soo. Tae-seo swallowed once and then flipped over the body that had been lying face down all along. Only then did he realize why he was lying face down and sleeping under the light shining on one side of his face.

 

“What time is it now?”

 

[It’s past 10.]

 

Tae-seo gently moved the phone pressed against his ear to check the time with his naked eye. It was 10:19. After letting go of the hand holding the phone, he turned his body to the side. It was a lazy gesture not to get up even though he knew it was past 10.

 

“It’s the weekend anyway, what’s wrong with sleeping in?”

 

Besides, he still hadn’t fully woken up. Park Han-soo might as well hang up, and he could sleep even better.

 

[Just come out. You’ll feel suffocated staying at home, won’t you?]

 

“Um… no.”

 

Tae-seo forced his still sleepy brain to think and then refused.

 

[Why not!]

 

“Because I’m going to have dinner with my parents later.”

 

After having an early dinner last week and then being busy for a while, his father contacted him yesterday evening. Tae-seo, who thought the weekend would be full, agreed without much thought and had to go out later.

 

[What about tomorrow?]

 

“Tomorrow?”

 

Tae-seo slightly opened one eye because Park Han-soo wouldn’t hang up.

 

“I actually mentioned the blind date from last time.”

 

“Yeah, I’m not going.”

 

[…I haven’t finished talking yet.]

 

Park Han-soo sounded aggrieved, but Tae-seo didn’t change his mind. Besides the blind date mentioned, there was nothing else. He just went along with Park Han-soo’s rhythm that day, and now he was caught off guard.

 

“He’s very interested in you, you know? He keeps asking when we’ll meet…”]

 

“It’s none of your business.”

 

Tae-seo anticipated more annoying words and ended the call. Until then, it seemed like Park Han-soo had something more to say, but Tae-seo had no intention of listening further.

 

“What a blind date.”

 

Tae-seo rubbed his stiff eyelids and yawned. If he had known Park Han-soo was calling, he wouldn’t have answered. Tae-seo tossed his phone aside and pulled the blanket up to his waist. There was still time before his parents’ appointment. So he might as well sleep more, he thought, closing his eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily.

 

“Really, Park Han-soo is not helpful at all.”

 

Someone would have come to wake me up if I didn’t get up, but now that I’m awake, I got out of bed.

 

“Sigh.”

 

I must have slept a lot, but I still yawned.

 

***

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

“What? Oh, not really… I guess I just slept in because it’s the weekend.”

 

Tae-seo responded with a smile as if Kim Mi-kyung’s question was nothing.

 

“Isn’t school life tiring?”

 

“Not really, I mean, it’s just attending classes, and it’s not even exam season yet, so there’s nothing exhausting about it.”

 

Moreover, thanks to his parents’ generous support, he didn’t need to work part-time. He didn’t have to rely on public transportation, nor was he studying insanely difficult subjects. Tae-seo’s life these days was incredibly relaxed and enjoyable.

 

After attending classes as needed, he could spend the remaining time however he wanted, so there were no days when he felt rushed. Occasionally, meeting Kang In-hyuk and Seo Da-rae during class was uncomfortable, but that was manageable as long as he ignored them to some extent.

 

They had another group gathering once, but thanks to Park Han-soo taking the lead, it wasn’t too uncomfortable.

 

“What a envy-worthy life.”

 

Tae-seo’s days were peaceful to the point where he regretted getting involved in things that didn’t change his fixed traits.

 

“How long has it been since I became Yoon Tae-seo?”

 

Roughly speaking, it had been over a month but less than two. With that much time passed, it seemed like his antics at the party were forgotten, and there was really nothing left to catch him out now.

 

He had thought he might have to leave this country, but now it seemed unnecessary…

 

“Huh?”

 

Tae-seo, who had been lost in thought, let out a surprised sound as Kang In-hyuk entered through the door. Yoon Seok-hoon and Kim Mi-kyung, who noticed the arrival of others besides Tae-seo reacting the fastest, stood up from their seats. They moved to Tae-seo’s side and greeted Kang In-hyuk’s parents.

 

“It’s really nice to see you after a long time.”

 

“I was surprised when I got the call. It’s great that our schedules matched.”

 

As Kim Mi-kyung and Han Mi-soon conversed, Tae-seo, trying to understand the situation that seemed to be returning to normal, rolled his eyes. Seeing his expression, Kim Mi-kyung chuckled and explained the reason for arranging this gathering.

 

“We decided to have a meal together since our schedules matched with In-hyuk’s.”

 

Tae-seo nodded as the new seating arrangement was made and glanced at Kang In-hyuk. Behind Kang In-hyuk’s expressionless face, there was a subtle dissatisfaction apparent. Well, he probably dislikes this even more than I do.

 

If he could, the one who wanted to get up from this place right now would be Kang In-hyuk. He didn’t want Yoon Tae-seo’s affection and hoped for progress in his relationship with Seo Da-rae.

 

With more people than before, there was a subtle disturbance in the air even without someone speaking. Amidst this, Tae-seo pretended to eat his salad in front of him a few times, but that was all he did. Although he was hungry, his appetite disappeared completely once the formal course started. As a result, he drank more than he ate.

 

“Tae-seo seems to have become more handsome since I last saw him.”

 

Just as Tae-seo was about to pick up his glass, he turned his head towards Han Mi-soon at the mention of himself. Did she just say I’m pretty?

 

“Tae-seo is handsome rather than pretty.”

 

“Oh? Am I the only one who sees him as pretty? I’m dying to set him up as In-hyuk’s partner.”

 

Han Mi-soon laughed loudly and revealed her desire towards Tae-seo.

 

“In-hyuk, don’t you think Tae-seo is pretty too?”

 

Even as the conversation turned to me, Kang In-hyuk calmly accepted the arrow coming back to him.

 

“He doesn’t have a pretty face.”

 

Tae-seo managed to suppress the laughter that almost burst out instantly. After all, Tae-seo had never thought of himself as pretty. Moreover, since Kang In-hyuk saw Seo Da-rae, a beautiful omega, every day, it was even more understandable.

 

“Oh, him too… Tae-seo, In-hyuk used to say you were pretty a lot.”

 

“When was that?”

 

Han Mi-soon shot a glance at her son as if to silently tell him to calm down, forcibly trying to lighten the mood.

 

“I’ve been seeing you since you were young, so I still think you’re pretty. You know I didn’t mean it weirdly, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, that’s nice.”

 

I don’t know what’s nice or pretty, but I know one thing. Aunt Han Mi-soon desired him. Specifically, it was probably because of the influence of the hotel that followed along with Tae-seo and In-hyuk’s relationship. Perhaps that’s why the original Yoon Tae-seo behaved so recklessly. Compared to Seo Da-rae, who had nothing, Tae-seo considered the fact that Kang In-hyuk’s parents desired him as his weapon.

 

“It’s all pointless.”

 

Where in the world are there parents who outdo their children? In the original work, Kang In-hyuk yearned for Seo Da-rae with such intensity, yet his parents acknowledged and accepted Seo Da-rae as part of their family.

 

Tae-seo picked up his glass. Perhaps because of the uncomfortable atmosphere, he couldn’t eat his meal, so he just kept drinking cold water. After setting down the empty glass, Tae-seo subtly placed his utensils down and rested his hands under the table. He was prepared to wait until his parents finished their meal. He thought he had moved quietly, but apparently, it was all too obvious to others.

 

“If you’re uncomfortable, do you want to leave?”

 

“Son, In-hyuk.”

 

Han Mi-soon urgently intervened with a chilly tone towards her son. Just when they were moving towards a pleasant atmosphere, her son was spoiling it. And in the presence of Tae-seo’s parents, no less.

 

Amidst the suddenly awkward atmosphere, Tae-seo felt his parents’ bewildered reactions. They seemed embarrassed, either because they forced this situation or for some other reason.

 

Tae-seo really didn’t like it, but he didn’t want to make his parents uncomfortable, so he put on a fake smile and spoke up.

 

“It’s okay, In-hyuk isn’t a sensitive guy.”

 

He pretended to scold Kang In-hyuk in front of Han Mi-soon. Then he looked at Kang In-hyuk and stuck out his tongue openly.

 

“A kid? Acting all tough in front of adults…”

 

Seeing Kang In-hyuk’s eyebrows twitch, Tae-seo raised his head as if he couldn’t hold back.

 

“If you’re not going to help me with the assignment I couldn’t sleep because of yesterday, then shut up.”

 

“…”

 

“Or do you want me to do my share of the work? Since we’re in the same group, let’s help each other.”

 

Tae-seo grinned sarcastically. Do your share too. Thanks to that, Han Mi-soon, who had been watching her words, chimed in.

 

“Oh my, you two were in the same group? It’s interesting that you attend the same school and have these kinds of things happen.”

 

“Yes, my friend brought him to the group because he said he’s good academically. So I thought it would be convenient, but he only did his part with a death grip on it.”

 

This was just whining. In reality, Tae-seo didn’t ask for anything from Kang In-hyuk at the group meeting.

 

“In-hyuk, what’s with you being praised for being friendly? Take care of Tae-seo too.”

 

“No, thanks. If I leave everything to him, I don’t know what he’ll ask me for later. It’s better if I do it myself.”

 

“Oh-ho-ho. You two are having quite a fun time at school.”

 

With a smile in his eyes, Tae-seo subtly signaled to Kang In-hyuk.

 

“Be careful.”

 

I’m not doing this just because I like it.