Chapter 106: One Blanket, One Night

“The truth is… yes.
I’m with Lee Sunghyuk right now.”

— ……

“The employee who was supposed to come with me couldn’t make it.
So I came with Sunghyuk instead.”

— …I see.

Silence followed.

Only the sound of the news broadcast and the shower running could be heard.

Hyunwoo bit his lip tightly.

Even if Hyunjin had changed his mind about everything, guilt didn’t disappear easily.

Even if Hyunjin no longer had feelings for him, he certainly wouldn’t be happy that Hyunwoo was here with someone he once liked.

As expected, Hyunjin’s voice came through, heavy and conflicted.

— Hyung… do you still like Lee Sunghyuk?

“What?”

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.

And of all moments, the sound of water from Sunghyuk’s shower grew louder.

Hyunwoo shook his head wildly.

“No, Hyunjin.
Absolutely not.”

— …Really?

“Yes.
Really.”

— ……

After Hyunwoo reassured him several more times, Hyunjin finally sounded relieved.

After a short silence, he spoke again in a forced bright tone.

— Okay, hyung.
Come back safely.

“Yeah, you too.”

— Call me if anything happens.

“Got it.
You call me too if anything comes up.”

— Okay.

When the call ended, Hyunwoo let out a long exhale.

As soon as the phone screen went dark, the bathroom door opened.

Sunghyuk stepped out, finished with his shower.

“Oh… you’re done?”

“Yes.”

He nodded as he towel-dried his hair, walking closer.

His eyes fell on Hyunwoo’s phone.

“Who were you talking to?”

“Ah… Hyunjin.”

“Joo Hyunjin?”

“Yeah.”

For some reason, Sunghyuk’s eyes narrowed.

Hyunwoo tilted his head in confusion and continued.

“He said the café flooded because of the rain.
It’s a mess.”

“Really?”

“So he moved to the upper floors of the building.”

“Ah.”

Still drying his hair, Sunghyuk nodded.

He looked completely uninterested—almost cold.

Even if he didn’t care romantically anymore, wasn’t that too indifferent?

Thinking that, Hyunwoo’s eyes sharpened.

Only then did Sunghyuk reluctantly add:

“…Good for him.”

“……”

Even that sounded forced.

Hyunwoo sighed and turned away.

Shhhhh—

The rain wasn’t stopping.

It was only getting worse.

“At this rate… it won’t stop anytime soon.”

“It really won’t.”

“Come to think of it, we haven’t eaten since lunch.”

“True.”

Growl.

A loud stomach sound echoed in the room.

They hadn’t noticed their hunger until now.

“……”

“……”

Both glanced toward the rainy window.

No way could they go outside in this storm.

Their umbrella was already shredded by the wind.

“…I’ll go find something to eat.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“Then are we going to starve?”

“Well…”

Hunger was hard to ignore.

But going out like this was impossible.

He bit his lip.

If the rain were lighter, they could order delivery.

But tonight, even delivery would be impossible.

“Don’t worry.
Just wait here.”

“Wait—!”

Surprisingly, the problem was solved quickly.

The kind innkeeper had given Sunghyuk instant noodles and side dishes.

Probably because he had borrowed clothes and towels earlier.

“Oh… that’s great.”

“Right?”

“Yeah.”

Hyunwoo poured hot water into the ramen.

While waiting, he glanced at Sunghyuk’s profile.

He looked extremely serious for someone just staring at a cup of noodles.

Maybe the innkeeper gave him extra kindness because of his face.

A very realistic suspicion.

Hyunwoo nodded alone.

“Hyung, time’s up.”

“Oh—right.”

He opened the lid and grabbed the chopsticks.

He hadn’t eaten ramen in a long time.

Slurp.

The spicy broth filled his mouth instantly.

He couldn’t stop after one bite.

“It’s so good…”

“The lady also gave us kimchi.”

“Oh, nice.”

He grabbed a piece.

Crisp.
Spicy.
Sweet.

Probably homemade.

“Kimchi tastes great.”

“It does.”

Even picky-eater Sunghyuk approved.

They finished the ramen and mixed rice into the leftover broth.

“Ah… I’m stuffed.”

Sunghyuk immediately stood up to throw the trash away.

“Hey, I’ll clean up.
Rest a little.”

“I’m fine.
It’s just trash.”

“No, still—”

“Should I ask if she has fruit?”

“……”

They had already borrowed clothes, towels, ramen, and kimchi—
and now he wanted fruit too?

Hyunwoo stiffened.
He shook his head firmly.

“No.
We don’t need fruit.”

“I can just ask—”

“She needs to rest.
Don’t bother her.”

“…Okay.”

“……”

Sunghyuk looked disappointed.

Even that expression looked good on his face.
Dangerously so.

Hyunwoo quickly looked away before he stared too long.

“It’s really raining nonstop.”

“…Yeah.”

The news continued to show storm damage.

Subway stations underwater.
Semi-basement homes flooding.
Late-night evacuations.

“This rain is insane.”

“They said it’ll keep going until tomorrow.”

“……”

Tomorrow?

Still this heavy?

Thankfully, this inn was on high ground.

And their room was on the 3rd floor.

They wouldn’t get flooded—
probably.

But the thought still made Hyunwoo uneasy.

“This place will be fine, hyung.”

“Oh… yeah.”

Somehow, Sunghyuk always knew what he was thinking.

“And it’s not something we can control anyway.”

“True… you’re right.”

No point panicking.

Hyunwoo nodded.

Then Sunghyuk stood up.

“Let’s rest for today.”

“Oh… um…”

He walked to the bedding.

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened as Sunghyuk spread out the big blanket.

“Wait.
There’s only one blanket.”

“And?”

“I mean… maybe we could ask for another one?
Haha…”

Hyunwoo awkwardly tried to hint he didn’t want to share.

Sunghyuk finished arranging the bedding and turned to him.

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why do we need another?”

“I just… thought…”

“This blanket is big enough.”

“……”

He wasn’t wrong.

It was big enough for two adults.

But that wasn’t the real issue.

Hyunwoo stared at the neat bedding.

Soft mat.

Cool summer blanket.

Two fluffy pillows.

Everything perfect—except he had to sleep under that one blanket
with Sunghyuk.