BHB 64

Although he was the one who asked, actually hearing it made an unpleasant feeling creep along his ribs. The image of Taegang helping someone in trouble was detestable. 

‘Since when did he have a character that couldn’t stand injustice?’

“I knew it was Taegang as soon as I saw him there. He was famous at school. Both you and Taegang.”

While he could understand himself, Yeowon knew that Taegang was also quite famous. His fame had continued since middle school, so it wasn’t surprising. He was famous in many ways – for his family background, looks, personality, and temperament – and Yeowon had felt that fame beside him for years.

“So from then on…”

The question that was about to burst out unconsciously – whether he liked Taegang – was interrupted by a third party.

“Hey, you bastard, Han Yeowon!”

It was thanks to his classmate who appeared louder than anyone else in the already noisy barbecue restaurant.

“Ah, you traitor!”

Following the noisiest Kim Myungjoo, Jin Youngchae, whom he hadn’t seen for a while, also appeared. They were the guys he hung out with most closely during high school. Myungjoo, carrying a luxury clutch and grinning as if showing off the gold tooth gem in his teeth, quickly approached and familiarly put his arm around Yeowon’s neck.

Unlike the still flashy Myungjoo, Youngchae had gotten bulkier and gained weight. Yeowon had heard that Youngchae got a job at some office, but it didn’t seem like an ordinary office. Judging by the gold necklace around his neck and the intimidating aura emanating from his build, things had changed.

“Long time no see.”

“What do you mean a long time? You didn’t even contact us, bastard.” Youngchae grumbled as he plopped down in the seat next to them.

“Ah, I’m so hungry. Auntie! Please give us 5 more servings of flower ribs here!” Myungju ordered meat as soon as he sat down, and only then noticed another stranger sitting there. “Oh, startled me. Ah, Han Yeowon’s companion.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Thought it was a woman for a moment?”

“He’s my senior from school. Watch your mouth.” At the rudeness blurted out without malice, Yeowon roughly kicked the chair Myungjoo was sitting on. 

As his body shook, Myungjoo flinched, straightened up, and asked with apparent interest, bringing his face closer. “Oh, a senior? Our Han Yeowon is still hanging onto seniors even in college.”

“What are you talking about?”

“In high school, you were always like ‘Seungha sunbae, Seungha sunbae’, acting like a gay guy.”

“I’ll kill you, that’s ancient history.”

At Myungjoo’s mockery, Youngchae, sitting across, chuckled and lifted the soju bottle to pour into a water glass and drink. 

Chaemin, who had been just watching the somewhat rough atmosphere, carefully looked around and quietly spoke up, “Seungha sunbae?”

Curious about that name, he gazed at Myungjoo with inquisitive eyes despite the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“He was our senior in high school, and Han Yeowon really liked him. We were so surprised back then, thinking this bastard had turned gay.” Myungjoo was famous for getting along well with strangers as if he had known them for months, without any sense of distance. He was using that sociability as his secret weapon in the liquor business.

“We even made bets. Whether Han Yeowon would date Taegang or Seungha.” Youngchae drank a glass full of alcohol like water and joined Myungju’s joke. 

It was a joke he had heard often, but the situation was different now. Chaemin in front of him was really gay, and he himself was now in a relationship with Taegang, mixing bodies in a not-quite-gay way. It wasn’t easy to hear it as just another joke like before, and his mouth stiffened.

“Stop it. Do you want to get hit as soon as you arrive?”

But given the situation, not wanting to make the atmosphere unpleasant in front of a stranger, he tried to respond as usual.

“Oh, I’m so scared. By the way, sunbae. How’s Han Yeowon in college?” Myungjoo also poured alcohol into a water glass and brought his head closer to Chaemin. 

At the sudden closeness, Chaemin automatically leaned back.

“Ah…”

“Hey, sunbae, you’re startled… looking at your face.” Seeing him looking obviously uncomfortable, Youngchae chuckled and made a remark. 

Myungjoo shrugged and moved back, maintaining an appropriate distance. “Ah, you were surprised. I’m Kim Myungjoo, Han Yeowon’s best friend. If you ever feel like having a drink or your body aches, give me a call.”

Myungjoo pretended to be polite as he took out a business card case from inside his coat and handed a gold-plated business card to Chaemin. 

Similarly, Youngchae also took out his wallet from his black coat and handed a rough business card to Chaemin. “Call me when you need quick cash or need to resolve something illegally.”

Chaemin looked at the two business cards spread out in front of him with a bewildered expression, then politely bowed his head and accepted them. “Th-thank you…”

“Since you’re Han Yeowon’s senior, we’ll treat you well.”

At Myungjoo’s words, Young-chae also agreed and raised his glass.

“You’re pathetic. You thugs.”

One a club manager, the other a loan shark employee. Feeling embarrassed to introduce them, Yeowon clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“Ah, this is why college kids are a problem. They always act like they’ve repented.”

“Hey, look at that oily face. You must be having fun playing school, you bastard.”

Myungjoo and Youngchae said in succession. Youngchae even threw the wet wipe he had used to clean his hands at Yeowon’s face, as if he really found him disgusting.

Meanwhile, the additional meat they ordered arrived and was placed on the now hot grill. 

As the appetizing sizzling sound spread, Myungjoo shook the nearly empty soju bottle and asked naturally, “By the way, when is Lee Taegang coming?”

At the sudden mention of that person’s whereabouts, Yeowon’s brow furrowed. He retorted with a contorted face, as if asking what nonsense this was. “Why would he come?”

“Why? You two are a set.”

“What set, we’re not a hamburger set or something.”

“Ah-, you prickly bastard.”

“I didn’t tell him I was meeting you guys today.”

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t contact him, but that he couldn’t reach him.

“I did, though?”

“What?” At Myungjoo’s reply, Yeowon’s face scrunched up with all its might.

“I told you earlier. Let’s all have a drink together today.”

“Did he answer your call?”

“But I thought you two were together, of course?”

At this casual response, Yeowon immediately checked his phone. The chat window, which had shown unread messages earlier, now had several replies.

[Where are you?]

[Meeting friends?]

[I’m coming.]

The brief messages indicated that he was coming here. At that moment, Yeowon unconsciously looked at Jeon Chaemin sitting across from him, quietly sipping his drink. As a feeling like a wave rushed over him that his arrival would make the situation even more uncomfortable, a dark shadow fell over the smoke-filled table.

“…Taegang.” Jeon Chaemin was the first to greet his arrival. 

As a moment of silence fell at his appearance, Kim Myungjoo and Jin Yeongchae noisily chimed in as if they had been waiting.

“You’re so late―, hey, you were the latest so you buy the drinks.”

“Shit, did this bastard get even taller?” Jin Yeongchae, who had grown considerably larger compared to high school, stood up abruptly and paced in front of Lee Taegang. 

Even so, there was a clear difference in both height and build with Lee Taegang, who had a naturally large frame. Although they were laughing and chattering as usual, Lee Taegang quietly looked down at Jeon Chaemin, who seemed somewhat flustered, regardless of what the other two were saying. The strange atmosphere seemed to be felt only by him and Jeon Chaemin, as the two clueless old classmates continued chattering, oblivious.

“Did this guy work out more in college? Why does he look even more like a thug?” Jin Yeongchae glared at Lee Taegang, whose body looked even more solid than his own bulked-up frame, and clicked his tongue as if annoyed, “Look at his long hair. It’s so scary. Who would think he’s a college student?”

Kim Myungjoo seemed to be enjoying teasing Lee Taegang, giggling as he pulled up a chair for him, hitting it a couple of times.

“Sit down. I’ll pour you a drink.”

Lee Taegang, who had been silent for a while, glanced at Yeowon with a displeased look before plopping down in the seat Kim Myungjoo had prepared. With the big guys sitting side by side, the large table suddenly felt cramped. Moreover, it drew the attention of those around them.

Indeed, Kim Myungjoo even had tattoos on his face, gold rings on all ten fingers, and gold embroidery on his coat. His handsome face was almost overshadowed by his flashy appearance. 

Jin Yeongchae and Lee Taegang were tall enough to almost touch the ceiling of the shabby restaurant, and their sturdy builds exuded an unusual intimidation even from afar. Moreover, Jeon Chaemin sat like a clear flower among beasts. He was the only one shining white in the smoke-filled restaurant, so how could he not catch the eye? 

Feeling suddenly tired, Yeowon ordered a few more bottles of soju from the waiter.

As he twisted the cap off the soju that arrived promptly, Yeowon slowly scanned the table that had quickly become chaotic and the people sitting around it. Kim Myungjoo pouring soju into a beer glass, unaware of how scary Lee Taegang was. Lee Taegang quietly watching Kim Myungjoo as if he might hit him. Jin Yeongchae chewing on a piece of meat he had just shoved into his mouth. And amidst all this, Jeon Chaemin, not knowing what to do, quietly laughs at Kim Myungjoo’s antics. As Yeowon slowly scanned these scenes, a terrible premonition washed over hIM. A foreboding feeling that this night was going to be long.