Chapter 79: Uninvited Interference

“Hey, you remember we have plans this Friday, right?”

The moment he sent the message, the small “unread” number next to it disappeared.

Seunghyuk had checked it at the speed of light.

Does this guy just hold his phone all day?

Hyunjin said he seemed busy these days…
Was that just an act?

Hyunwoo narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he stared at the screen.

Lee Seunghyuk:
Of course I remember.

Lee Seunghyuk:
Friday at 7 PM, right?

Good.
So he didn’t forget.

Hyunwoo nodded to himself at the quick reply.

Hyunwoo:
Yeah, don’t forget.
Make sure you come.

Lee Seunghyuk:
But hyung, what about today’s proof photo?

…

This persistent brat.

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue.

All over something so trivial.

A while back, Seunghyuk had promised to eat less sugary food, and Hyunwoo had agreed to reduce his caffeine intake.

Well—he didn’t remember agreeing, but somehow it had become an actual promise, and they were still following it to this day.

“Sigh…”

Hyunwoo wondered if constantly messaging Seunghyuk like this was really a good idea.

He questioned it several times a day, yet he always ended up replying anyway.

Originally, he had planned to let Seunghyuk and Hyunjin spend the birthday together—just the two of them.

But because Seunghyuk said it still felt awkward to be alone with Hyunjin, Hyunwoo had no choice but to join too.

They would just eat together first, then he would quietly slip away later…

If things went as planned.

But so far, unpredictability seemed to be the rule.

“Hyung, your drink is ready.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Hyunjin, having finished making the drink, called out to him.

Hyunwoo walked to the pick-up counter and received the iced tea.

He stuck the straw in and took a sip.

The sweet and refreshing taste flowed smoothly down his throat.

Hyunjin always bragged that the cafe he worked at used high-quality ingredients.

It seemed he wasn’t lying.

Hyunwoo was satisfied as he continued sipping the iced tea.

“I get off work soon.”

“Then I’ll wait.”

“Yeah!”

With more free time now that break had started, Hyunjin worked at the cafe from morning.

It was a small shop, so he worked alone, and the owner came in later to close up.

Hyunwoo decided to wait patiently for Hyunjin to finish.

Maybe he should take a picture of the iced tea to send to Seunghyuk as proof.

Just as he turned around to find a seat—

Ring.

“…!”

The cafe door opened, and someone walked in.

Hyunwoo glanced up instinctively—and stopped in surprise.

He definitely wasn’t expecting to see this person here.

“Hello.”

“Oh…”

It was Dokyung.

Hyunwoo stared at him with a startled expression.

It took him a moment before he managed to respond.

“Ah… hello.”

“Did you stop by after work?”

“Yes…”

Dokyung approached with a bright smile and asked warmly.

Hyunwoo nodded awkwardly.

Dokyung’s gaze shifted to the iced tea in Hyunwoo’s hand.

“I was feeling a little thirsty too.”

“…Is that so.”

You came all the way to a cafe far from your school… just because you’re thirsty?

Even considering break, this cafe wasn’t close to where Dokyung lived either.

Hyunwoo’s eyes narrowed.

“Oh? Professor, you’re here?”

“Yeah, hi.”

“You come here pretty often now.”

“Well… I have more free time during break.”

Dokyung spoke casually with Hyunjin at the counter—like he was a regular.

Hyunwoo froze.

Wait.
So it’s not Seunghyuk who comes here often…
It’s Dokyung??

Hyunwoo stared between the two, suddenly uneasy.

Something about their atmosphere looked… friendly.

“Should I make your usual?”

“Yeah.
Thanks.”

…He even had a usual order.

Hyunwoo’s brows tensed.

If this were before the regression, he would’ve welcomed it.

But now?

Absolutely not.

He had overlooked Dokyung too much.

“Did you get off work early today?
I haven’t seen you around this time before.”

“Ah… haha, yeah.
I finished a bit earlier today.”

“You’re waiting to head home with Hyunjin?”

“…Yes.”

It seemed Dokyung came here often at this hour.

Somehow, Hyunwoo ended up sitting across from him.

It was a little awkward, but still better than Dokyung flirting with Hyunjin.

Hyunwoo forced a polite smile.

“I didn’t know Hyunjin worked during the semester too.
I should start coming by more often.”

He had been focused on keeping an eye on Cha Kwon-oh, the villain.

He had underestimated the other love interest.

He would need to visit the cafe more frequently.

As Hyunwoo hid his intentions behind a smile, Dokyung spoke.

“So that’s why I haven’t run into you much.
I misunderstood.”

“…Sorry?”

“Never mind.”

Dokyung smiled in a way that was impossible to read.

Hyunwoo stared back in confusion.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

“No, I was planning to eat with Hyunjin at home.”

“I see.”

Hyunwoo purposely emphasized home.

To make it clear: You are NOT invited.

“I know a good restaurant nearby, actually.”

“…A restaurant?”

“Yes.
I thought it would be nice if we went together.”

…Was he inviting him?

No.

He was inviting Hyunjin, through him.

Hyunwoo’s faint smile stiffened.

Dokyung was not just a warm-hearted second male lead.

He was calculated.

Quick-witted.

And the type who seized opportunities the moment they appeared.

No wonder—
Before the regression, he had taken the protagonist role himself.

Hyunwoo exhaled quietly.

“I’ll go another time.
Tonight, I just want to eat at home with Hyunjin.”

“Of course.
There will be plenty of chances.”

“Haha…”

Persistent.

All BL male leads were like this, apparently.

He would definitely need to keep a closer eye on this place.

Otherwise, progress between Hyunjin and Seunghyuk could stall completely.

“Do you have any hobbies besides reading?”

“Ah… I like movies too.”

“I see.
So do I.”

“…Really.”

The conversation was getting strange.

Dokyung was asking the kind of questions you ask someone you’re interested in.

Hyunwoo sipped his iced tea, frowning.

“Is there anything you want to know about me?”

“No.”

“Haha, you answer so fast.”

“…?”

Dokyung laughed joyfully.

If someone walked past, they would think this was a date.

Hyunwoo stared, baffled and suspicious.

He was sure Dokyung was doing this to get closer to Hyunjin through him.

So there was no reason to play along.

He took another sip of tea.

“That drink looked like coffee at first.
But I guess it’s not?”

“Oh.
No, it’s iced tea.”

“Hm… that’s unexpectedly…”

“Cute?”

“Haha.
You caught me.”

“……”

So this was his hobby—teasing people.

Hyunwoo narrowed his eyes.

“I’ve been trying to take better care of my health lately.”

“Hyunjin’s been nagging you?”

“Well… Hyunjin, and… some others.”

Hyunwoo thought of Seunghyuk, who worried the most.

And Hyunseok, who nagged out of habit.

Hyunjin mostly piggybacked off Seunghyuk’s concern.

“Must be nice to have good people around you.”

“…I think it’s just normal.”

To Hyunwoo, caring about each other was ordinary.

It didn’t occur to him that not everyone lived that way.

He had been fortunate with the people around him—even in this life.

Until his thoughts drifted to Seunghyuk.

His face darkened slightly.

Dokyung noticed immediately.

“Did something happen?”

“…Huh?”

“Your expression got a little gloomy.”

“Oh…”

Sharp as always.

Hyunwoo let out a small, awkward smile.