Chapter 21: A Sweet Revelation

After several more weeks, Yoonwoo discovered a fact about Yeon-chae that, despite spending an entire semester constantly by his side, he had never realized until now.

They were studying together at the library, Yoonwoo struggling to comprehend the contents of a difficult paper assigned for a project. It was then that Yeon-chae, seated beside him, casually flipped through the thesis as if it were a mere magazine.

“Do you understand all of that?”

Yoonwoo asked, a hint of bewilderment in his voice.

“Oh, I’ve read this before. It was a reference when I was writing an essay in high school…”

Yeon-chae abruptly stopped speaking. Yoonwoo’s eyes narrowed.

“High school? What high school? Are you American?”

“Not exactly…”

Yeon-chae mumbled, avoiding Yoonwoo’s gaze.

It was then that Yoonwoo realized Yeon-chae had spent his middle and high school years abroad. English academic papers were as effortless for him to read as a casual novel.

Yoonwoo, who had grandly offered to help, was left feeling like a fool.

Moreover, upon reflection, Yeon-chae had visited Yoonwoo’s home in Tongyeong and even met his twin brothers, yet Yoonwoo knew next to nothing about him. A fresh wave of irritation washed over Yoonwoo.

“Hey, you should’ve told me sooner! What does that make me, blabbering on about giving advice?”

“Hmm…”

Yeon-chae’s earlobes flushed crimson as he rolled his eyes, searching for an excuse. ‘Right, you must be embarrassed too. But I’m a million times more mortified!’

As Yoonwoo fumed internally, Yeon-chae subtly pushed something across the desk.

“What? What is this?”

“Something sweet.”

It was handmade chocolate from the new dessert shop that had recently opened near the school. Yoonwoo had only ever admired it from afar, never daring to try it, put off by the exorbitant price of over 10,000 won for just a few tiny, finger-sized pieces.

Yoonwoo swiftly tore open the elegantly packaged chocolate box. He popped a piece into his mouth, chewing slowly, and a fragrant, sweet flavor spread delightfully across his palate.

It was a heavenly taste, perfectly suiting Yoonwoo’s sweet tooth, almost bringing tears to his eyes. He picked up another piece and put it in his other cheek, making both his cheeks bulge.

“You’re not trying to appease me with this after toying with me, are you?”

“Yes. Have another.”

“Okay. Aren’t you going to have some?”

“I’m just so-so about sweets.”

From that day forward, Yoonwoo occasionally grumbled that his palate had become unnecessarily refined. Whenever his blood sugar dropped, making his vision swim, and the only thing he craved was that dessert shop’s handmade chocolate, he’d sigh in dejection, swallowing his saliva.

It was as if Yeon-chae knew, for he would miraculously pull a set of chocolates from his bag and lay them before Yoonwoo.

“Why do you always buy these when you don’t even like them?”

Yoonwoo would ask, his mouth full of chocolate, mumbling his words. Yeon-chae would simply shrug, responding in an utterly nonchalant tone.

“Sometimes, I feel like having some too.”

Despite his words, Yoon-chae was never once seen actually eating the chocolate.

The fall semester flowed by in this manner. Yoonwoo took about three major courses with Yeon-chae, studied with him at the library, and occasionally accepted the chocolates Yeon-chae offered.

Yeon-chae also frequently visited the cafe where Yoonwoo worked. In his own way of reciprocating for the expensive, sweet handmade chocolates, Yoonwoo would sometimes refill Yeon-chae’s coffee or give him complimentary cookies.

As they saw each other often for various reasons, Yoonwoo ended up spending more time with Yeon-chae than even his other classmates. While they had been inseparable during the first semester, taking three classes together intensified their bond.

By the time the fall semester was nearing its end, Yoonwoo and Yeon-chae were already being treated as a package deal within their department.

Finally, final exams concluded, and winter break began. That winter was colder than previous years. News channels buzzed with predictions of a white Christmas.

Yoonwoo had been feeling unwell for some time. He managed to force open his heavy eyelids. Kangwoo tried to dissuade him, his face etched with worry.

“Can’t you just rest today? You look terrible.”

“How can I rest on a day like today? I’m fine.”

“Is there no one else to work if you don’t, Hyung?”

“Jungseo Hyung probably already boarded his flight.”

It wasn’t just any day; it was Christmas Eve. While the cafe would be closed on Christmas Day, the holiday itself, Yoonwoo had agreed to manage the cafe on Christmas Eve, allowing Jungseo, the owner, to take a vacation with his family to a resort.

Having already received his special bonus pay, Yoonwoo couldn’t possibly back out of work now. However, a chill permeated his entire body, making it difficult to bear the cold.

This was despite the twins constantly cranking up the boiler, worried about Yoonwoo’s illness. The house’s temperature was already as warm as a subtropical climate, and though Jinwoo and Kangwoo were both in short-sleeved shirts, Yoonwoo shivered.

Jinwoo, who had been standing silently with a sullen expression, finally spoke.

“Then I’ll go to work. You should get some sleep, Hyung.”

“How can you work at the cafe? Do you know how to make coffee?”

“…Just teach me that before you go.”

“Do you know how to use the POS system?”

“Teach me that too…”

“Aren’t you going to school?”

“I’m just going for the closing ceremony today…”

“I already bought you a bus ticket to Tongyeong, timed for when school ends.”

Yoonwoo couldn’t fathom how a minor, barely a senior in high school next year, thought he could fill in for a cafe part-timer. Moreover, the twins had already reserved an express bus ticket to spend the holidays with their parents in Tongyeong, as they always did.

The only time Jinwoo and Kangwoo, who lived with Yoonwoo in Seoul and attended school, could spend with their parents was during school breaks.

“Still, Hyung, you’re sick… I’ll delay my bus reservation and go down in a few days.”

“Mom’s waiting. She said she made a lot of galbi-jjim because you two were coming. Hurry up and get dressed for school, you teenagers.”

Chastised by Yoonwoo, a crestfallen Jinwoo trudged towards the master bedroom to change, grumbling all the while.

“See? Big Hyung told you not to work part-time if he gave you pocket money. Now you’re sick, still have to work, and can’t even go to Tongyeong with us.”

“Did you get pocket money from Hyung again? I told you not to keep taking it!”

“Ah, so that’s why I’m saying quit your part-time job!”

Jinwoo yelled, slamming the master bedroom door shut. Kangwoo, who had been standing dumbfounded, looked between the direction Jinwoo had disappeared and Yoonwoo, then awkwardly scratched his cheek.

“Hyung, then why don’t you ask Yeon-chae Hyung to come help?”

He then made an unexpected suggestion. Yoonwoo’s throat tickled, and he coughed, almost choking.

“…Why would I ask Yeon-chae for help?”

“Huh? Because you’re sick, Hyung.”

“Even so, why would Yeon-chae help?”

“Oh? Don’t friends help when someone’s sick?”

“Hmm…”

That’s true, he supposed.

Yoonwoo felt a pang of guilt, then nodded, understanding Kangwoo’s perfectly logical reaction. Yeon-chae was a good cook and had excellent sensibilities. Even latte art, which Yoonwoo, lacking dexterity, struggled to create, Yeon-chae would effortlessly whip up.

Once, when Yeon-chae had visited the cafe, he had made one for Yoonwoo, seating the part-timer at a customer’s table.

Still, calling Yeon-chae felt uncomfortable.

“Still, calling Yeon-chae feels a bit off. If it were someone else, maybe.”

“Why?”

“Yeon-chae is more of a junior than a friend… It feels like I’d be exploiting a junior.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

While that wasn’t precisely the reason, Yoonwoo found it awkward to explain the exact nature of his reservations to Kangwoo. He trailed off, recalling an incident that had happened recently.

That day, Yoonwoo had also been feeling unwell. It wasn’t as severe as today, but he had a mild cold and a slight fever. After final exams, Yeon-chae, who had practically lived at the cafe, acutely noticed Yoonwoo’s condition and cautiously asked.

“Shouldn’t you go home early today? You seem sick, Senior. The owner is here too, right?”

“Huh? No, it’s not that bad.”

It wasn’t serious enough to warrant leaving work early. Yoonwoo waved his hand dismissively, but Jungseo, who had overheard their conversation, quickly approached and patted Yoonwoo’s shoulder.

“That’s right, Yoonwoo. You should head home for today. I’m here.”

“…Hyung, you’re doing this because of the 24th, aren’t you?”

“Hahahaha. No? Not at all? I’m worried about Yoonwoo, that’s all. It’s not because I want to go on vacation during the holidays.”

“Working that day feels a bit…”

“We’ll close the cafe entirely on Christmas, so just for the 24th. Hmm? It’d be bad to close for the entire holiday. Especially since Christmas Eve is a peak season.”

Jungseo had been pestering Yoonwoo for some time to watch the cafe on Christmas Eve. Yoonwoo understood Jungseo, a newlywed, wanting to spend Christmas at a resort with his young daughter. But…

As he pondered briefly, he felt Yeon-chae’s intense gaze on him. Yoonwoo started to turn towards Yeon-chae, but Jungseo was quicker.

“I’ll make sure you get a special bonus. A huge one!”

This was a rather tempting offer. Yoonwoo’s gaze, which had been drifting towards Yeon-chae, shifted back to Jungseo. Jungseo’s eyes gleamed.

“How much is ‘huge’?”

“Uh, well…”

While Jungseo hesitated for a moment, Yeon-chae, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

“Senior. That day…”

“Yoonwoo, how about this much?”

At that moment, Jungseo tugged at Yoonwoo’s sleeve. With an excited expression, he whispered the amount of the special bonus into Yoonwoo’s ear. Yoonwoo flinched in surprise.

“That much?”

“You’ve worked here a long time and put in a lot of effort. I’ll combine it with your Christmas bonus.”

“Oh…”

“When you have a girlfriend later, you won’t be able to work on days like this, even if you want to earn money. Isn’t it good to earn some while you’re single on Christmas for once?”

“Hyung, are you messing with me right now?”

“Oh, no, not at all. Anyway, you’ll do it, right? You’re doing it?”

“Hmm…”

Yoonwoo subtly glanced at Yeon-chae, who stood silently. He watched them with a cool, expressionless face. Yoonwoo waited, expecting him to say something, but Yeon-chae didn’t even show a hint of moving his lips.

Jungseo’s words weren’t wrong. Yoonwoo didn’t have a girlfriend, nor did he have any prior engagements for Christmas. There was no reason to turn down the opportunity for a generous bonus.

Yoonwoo waited a little more patiently, but no new reasons to decline magically appeared in those few minutes. That was only natural. Yet, a chill settled deep within his chest.

Yeon-chae had lowered his head, turning away from Yoonwoo. He didn’t even cast a glance in Yoonwoo’s direction. Yoonwoo bit his lower lip. Slowly, Yoonwoo nodded.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Really? Wow, thank you, Yoonwoo! Seriously, thank you!”

Jungseo’s cheers echoed loudly through the small cafe.