Chapter 139: Side Story Part 3 Episode 2 – A Necessary Person

However, Han-geon’s gaze did not waver.

Even as the collar of his neatly tailored suit was shoved and tugged until it fell completely out of order, he silently guided Eun-gyeol all the way to the van.

The distance, barely twenty meters at most, felt as far as the edge of the world.

Han-geon climbed into the back seat beside Eun-gyeol rather than the passenger seat.

When he had first returned as a manager, he had stubbornly insisted on driving himself like before, knowing better than anyone how comfortable Eun-gyeol was with his driving style.

But Eun-gyeol’s opposition had been even stronger.

With only the head of security already stretched thin, and Eun-gyeol personally taking care of him even on set, Eun-gyeol insisted that they should at least entrust the driving to other personnel.

The chief manager had actively agreed with that opinion, leaving Han-geon with no room to push the matter further.

“That was tough, wasn’t it, Han-geon.

You really worked hard—”

Eun-gyeol, who had been about to reach out to Han-geon as he collapsed into the seat while catching his breath, suddenly froze.

As his eyes took in the disheveled state of Han-geon’s clothes, his gaze cooled sharply.

“…What is this?

When did you get hurt?”

“Huh?”

“You’re bleeding.”

Eun-gyeol stared at Han-geon’s neck with a twisted expression.

Pressed by that ferocious look, Han-geon slowly reached up and touched beneath his chin, where he had felt a sting earlier.

Just as Eun-gyeol said, there was a faint smear of blood, but it wasn’t deep.

It looked like nothing more than a scratch.

“I’m fine.

I must’ve gotten scraped a little while coming in.”

“What kind of crazy bastard did this?

Should I seriously kill him?”

“Enough, idiot.

Making a fuss over a wound like this is embarrassing for a bodyguard.”

“Why should I care?

You’re hurt.”

Still unable to calm his anger, Eun-gyeol briskly pulled out the first-aid kit.

Han-geon was about to say it was fine and that he could handle it himself, but Eun-gyeol’s gaze was so vicious that he obediently offered his neck instead.

Han-geon knew better than anyone that Eun-gyeol worried about him to the point of sometimes blocking incoming danger with his own body.

Even as Eun-gyeol cursed in a voice so low it sent chills down the spine, the hands applying medicine and bandages were delicate and gentle.

“Those f*cking bastards really tore you up.”

“Don’t swear.”

Eun-gyeol didn’t calm down easily.

Even when Han-geon joked that he couldn’t tell who the manager was anymore, Eun-gyeol didn’t smile.

The sharply honed gaze refused to soften, no matter how much Han-geon tried to soothe him.

They would arrive at the next filming location soon, and Han-geon wanted to lift his mood, even just a little.

“…Thanks for treating me.”

He loves kisses anyway… maybe this’ll help.

Han-geon cupped Eun-gyeol’s face with both hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, letting out a quiet smack.

The driver’s seat and the back were firmly partitioned for privacy, so thankfully there was no need to be self-conscious.

Only then did the sharp tension in Eun-gyeol’s eyes visibly melt.

“Don’t stand in front of me anymore.

Stand behind me.”

Though Eun-gyeol muttered petulantly, he still accepted the touch when Han-geon patted his thigh.

Amused, Han-geon let out a small laugh.

“Don’t say ridiculous things.”

“I mean it.”

“I’m your bodyguard.

Not the other way around.”

“So what.

You’re my spouse.”

“And you’re mine.

Hyung will protect you properly, so you just stay behind me and look pretty.”

At Han-geon’s playful declaration, Eun-gyeol’s eyes widened.

Mischief sparkled in them, and then a bright, pleasant laugh filled the car.

“Ah, seriously, you’re way too sexy.

I almost got hard, Han-geon.”

“Again.

Talking dirty in broad daylight…”

Only then did embarrassment creep in, making him wonder if he’d overdone it.

As Han-geon tried to turn his head slightly to hide his reddening ears, a pale, beautiful hand reached out and gently fixed his face back in place.

“But seriously, why is Choi Han-geon this handsome?

You’ve got a face that would totally work as an actor.”

“…What are you talking about now.

I can’t act.”

“You won’t know until you try.

Wow, but honestly, our Han-geon would suit being an actor so well.”

A teasing smile curved Eun-gyeol’s lips.

His eyes sparkled innocently as he tidied Han-geon’s messy hair.

The hand that had been lingering over his face eventually moved with care, softly tracing around the wound.

His lowered gaze rested on the bandage for a long time.

“If that ever happens, I’ll make sure I’m Choi Han-geon’s manager and bodyguard.”

That’s impossible.

Han-geon had meant to say it, but ended up smiling instead.

The words were clearly a joke, yet Eun-gyeol’s tone was steeped in sincerity far too deep to ignore.

***

Inside the café, things were chaotic and busy as filming equipment was being removed.

The crowd that had gathered earlier thinned by half once filming ended, while the rest lingered around the vans parked nearby.

After a few photos and waves, even they settled down, keeping a polite distance and simply watching.

Compared to the overheated atmosphere near the food stall earlier, this was much calmer, making security noticeably easier.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Han-geon checked the watch on his wrist.

It was a little past eleven.

With all filming in Seoul finished, they would head back to Pocheon for lunch, and shooting on set would resume from three in the afternoon.

After getting Eun-gyeol into the van first, Han-geon was just about to climb in himself when a voice called out from behind, making him glance back.

“Um… Team Leader, may I have a moment before we head back?”

“Huh?

What is it?”

Geonho, who had followed him, hesitated and scratched the back of his head.

After carefully shutting the van door, Han-geon looked at him curiously.

Geonho explained that he had urgent banking business he absolutely had to take care of today, and asked if it would be alright for him to stop by the bank first and head to the set separately.

Han-geon smiled easily and nodded.

“Kid, I thought it was something serious.

Take your time and get it done.

All the Seoul shoots are finished anyway, so it’s fine.

Even if you’re busy, make sure you eat lunch before coming to Pocheon.”

“Thank you, Team Leader!”

Geonho bowed deeply.

As Han-geon watched him hurry off and turned back toward the van, another cautious voice spoke up behind him.

“Excuse me.”

Han-geon turned, puzzled.

“Uh… hello.”

Standing there was a tall man.

Broad-shouldered and solidly built, yet with a surprisingly youthful face.

At that moment, a strange sensation washed over Han-geon, like something lightly brushing against his skin.

He blinked and drew in a deep breath.

An alpha scent?

Han-geon rarely encountered alphas other than Eun-gyeol.

Being bonded meant he wasn’t strongly affected by other alpha pheromones, but he could still distinguish traits by scent.

Without realizing it, curiosity got the better of him and he sniffed lightly.

It wasn’t obvious, but belatedly realizing his lapse, Han-geon felt awkward.

“Um, you’re Actor Cha Eun-gyeol’s bodyguard, right?”

“Ah, yes.

That’s right, but…”

“Well, uh…”

The man hesitated, scratching the back of his head.

His lips twitched repeatedly, as if struggling to say something.

When he finally spoke, Han-geon’s eyes widened.

“I’m a huge fan of you, Senior Han-geon.”

“My… fan?”

“Yes.

I just started working as a bodyguard, and I saw you on YouTube.

You were so cool that I’ve admired you ever since.

Um, I’m really sorry, but could I get your autograph?”

After taking a deep breath, the man poured the words out in one go.

While Han-geon stood there blinking in stunned silence, the man waited, face flushed red, chewing anxiously on his lip.

Han-geon finally snapped back to himself.

“Ah… my autograph?”

“Yes.

Here—”

Seizing the chance, the man pulled out a notebook and pen.

The pen still held warmth, as if it had been waiting in his pocket for a long time.

Without meaning to, Han-geon smiled.

The instinctive wariness he felt toward a stranger softened at the words a junior in the same field.

Still, an autograph?

He wasn’t a celebrity, so it felt absurd.

His earlobes burned red as he hesitated, pen hovering uselessly.

He had never once imagined a day would come when someone asked him for an autograph, and his mind went blank.

After a moment’s hesitation, Han-geon carefully wrote his name in neat block letters, the way he would during a financial transaction.

Despite the clumsy autograph, the man beamed.

“Thank you.

Um, I’m sorry, but could I maybe get a photo too?”

“Ah… I’m sorry.

I’m just a civilian, so photos are a bit…”

“I figured.

Still, thank you so much for the autograph, Senior.

If you’d allow it, even just a handshake would be an honor.”

Despite the refusal, the man stubbornly held out his hand.

Seeing him rub his sweat-damp palm against his pants before offering it, Han-geon smiled warmly.

“Ah, sure.

A handshake is no problem.”

Han-geon reached out and clasped the man’s large hand.

The man bowed repeatedly, his face red all the way up to his neck as he kept thanking him.

Just then, the window cracked open and a gentle voice drifted out.

“…What are you doing?”

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