Chapter 24: Clinging Across Time

“Just… I was the first friend he made after moving here, so I think he just likes me a lot.”

“It’s nice of you to think of it that way.

As his father, I appreciate it.”

A bitter smile settled over his wrinkled face.

Despite the long years, his sharp features remained distinct.

Looking at him, Han-geon naturally recalled his friend who had urged him to come early this evening.

“Eun-gyeol’s had a sharp temper since the day he was born, you know.

His mother hit him a lot, too.

Said a kid shouldn’t be glaring at her like that.”

“…”

“Well… I don’t have the right to blame her either.

In front of Eun-gyeol, I’m a sinner too.

I showed that kid far too many things he should never have seen.”

A long sigh dispersed into the air.

Han-geon quietly kept his mouth shut and simply listened to the murmurs spilling out like a confession.

After so many years spent close, he felt he could at least understand a piece of his heart.

“He’s got a bit of an affection-deprivation issue, doesn’t he?

Gets too attached to you, tries to have everything his way… all because he had lousy parents.”

“No, uncle.

Please don’t say that.

Eun-gyeol is a good friend to me.”

“I know.

Still, Han-geon… I’m being shameless, but please look after him.

Honestly, hearing that you’re going to be his manager put me completely at ease as his father.”

“Yes, uncle.

You can trust me.”

Han-geon straightened his shoulders on purpose and flashed a sturdy smile.

“It hasn’t been long, but being with Eun-gyeol isn’t hard at all.

Honestly, I get to see tons of celebrities, and the work is easier and nicer than at my old job.

So don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Han-geon.”

A rough, worn hand reached out and grasped his.

The two shared another smile.

To change the mood, Han-geon asked playfully:

“By the way, uncle—when are you moving?

Didn’t Eun-gyeol buy you a really nice house this time?”

“Move?

What nonsense.

I already told that boy—I like it here.

If I move, it’ll be harder to sit down and have a drink with your dad.”

As if the idea itself were absurd, he shook his head vigorously.

Then he made a slightly offended face.

“And that brat—if he doesn’t come home, then fine, but why did he tell you to hurry back?”

“Haha… he wanted me to go over the script with him today.

The new drama starts filming in three weeks.”

“Even so.

I barely see the neighbor’s son a few times a year.”

Fortunately, he didn’t express any deeper disappointment.

Even if he stubbornly avoided showing up on his wife’s memorial day, at least Eun-gyeol came home every couple of months to show his face.

That alone was something.

The two chatted idly for a few more minutes, slowly finishing their tea.

When Han-geon stood, his uncle walked him all the way to the front gate.

“Get home safely, then.

And thank you for coming again this year, Han-geon.”

“No, uncle.

Next time let’s eat together—all three of us.

We’ll host you in Seoul.”

“Alright.

Let this old man have a nice meal between two handsome boys.”

Smiling good-naturedly, he sent Han-geon off.

Han-geon returned to his family home to greet his parents once more, then transferred buses to catch the one he’d reserved.

He exhaled lightly and pulled out his phone.

As expected, there were messages from Eun-gyeol—five missed calls blinking on the screen.

Did something happen?

His heart lurched.

He quickly hit the call button.

The phone connected before the second ring even finished.

— Choi Han-geon.

A lazy voice called his name, sounding annoyed.

“Did something happen?”

— No.

Nothing.

“What?

Then why did you call me five times?”

— Just.

Because I couldn’t reach you.

“…What?

Why?”

When had they last talked?

Han-geon frowned slightly, trying to recall.

Earlier… when he got on the bus?

He’d sent him the departure time too.

Then it dawned on him—absurd enough to make him huff a laugh.

“I just came from your house, you idiot.”

— I know.

Who asked you where you’d been?

“No, I’m saying—why the hell are you calling me nonstop over nothing?”

— I have manager separation anxiety.

His absurdity doubled.

Han-geon ended up letting out a quiet laugh; his lips pulled up helplessly.

— Hurry up and come.

Let’s go work out.

“Alright, alright.

Just stop whining and wait.”

Still smiling faintly, he hung up.

Only then did he notice the mountain of texts Eun-gyeol had sent.

[When are you coming]
[Hurry up]
[I’m bored]
[ChoiHanGeonHurryUp]
[Is it okay for a manager to stay away this long]
[Why aren’t you answering the phone this is pissing me off]

A dozen pointless messages.

Han-geon let out another helpless chuckle.

Even before he became his manager, Eun-gyeol had always barged in and clung to him without hesitation—but after becoming his manager, it had escalated even further.

Except for when he slept, he tried to keep Han-geon beside him every moment.

And if he couldn’t reach him for even a little while, he’d spam messages or call like crazy.

After all that fuss, there was rarely anything important when he finally picked up.

Did he act like this with his old manager?

Knowing his personality, Han-geon couldn’t imagine it.

Then… is he only like this with me?

The thought made his head spin again.

A deep sigh welled up.

Staring out the bus window, Han-geon watched the scenery rush by and inevitably recalled the after-reading dinner gathering.

The moment Eun-gyeol gently stroked Juwon’s hair.

She fit perfectly into his ideal type.

As though someone had taken the description of his type and sculpted her into a person.

Her long hair swaying softly in the warm summer breeze.

Her pale, porcelain face.

A slender yet voluptuous figure.

Everything.

Pretty as drifting flower petals as she smiled, and Eun-gyeol looking down at her—they matched far too well.

He couldn’t deny it.

It was sad, bitter, and painful, but it was the truth.

And most importantly, she was an Omega.

…Stop.

He clenched and released his fist, trying to shake off the thoughts.

His years-long one-sided love wasn’t going to disappear over something like this.

Becoming a manager didn’t change anything.

He should simply be grateful his dream came true—grateful he could spend more time with Eun-gyeol.

Yes.

Just like this.

Working out together, reading scripts together—like now.

With that thought, Han-geon closed his eyes.

He already wanted to see him again.

By the time he got off at the terminal, it was nearly nine.

Eun-gyeol’s PT session was at 10:30, so he had to move quickly.

He drove straight to Eun-gyeol’s place.

Right on time, Eun-gyeol came out and slid into the passenger seat as usual.

As soon as he sat, he gave a loose grin and teased:

“Our manager finally decided to show his face?”

“What are you talking about?

I saw you late last night.”

“It’s been almost twenty-four hours.

I told you, I have manager separation anxiety.”

With a bright tone, Eun-gyeol smiled with his eyes.

Seeing his actor pull off workout clothes like a photoshoot model, Han-geon swallowed.

Was he going to exercise or shoot a fitness pictorial?

But outwardly he kept his expression flat and drove.

The PT center was close to Eun-gyeol’s home.

It catered exclusively to celebrities and athletes, with strict privacy and on-site rehab therapists offering professional treatment and sports massage as needed.

Though he’d come to learn the route before, it was his first time stepping inside.

Entering with Eun-gyeol, Han-geon widened his eyes.

Expecting a small, private space for 1:1 lessons, he was surprised to see a large, well-equipped gym filled with the latest machines—just looking around made him want to work out.

I guess I’ll just wait on the side… I want to work out too.

Swallowing dryly, he looked around for somewhere to sit while Eun-gyeol trained.

Just then, a trainer walked out to greet them.

“Welcome, Eun-gyeol.”

“Hello.”

“Been well?

Wow, you look even better.

Must’ve kept your diet tight.”

“Really?

I did have some company dinners though.”

The trainer beamed warmly, and Eun-gyeol returned a small smile.

Then he casually gestured at the person beside him.

“Starting today, I want my manager to work out too.

He likes training.”

“Huh?

Me?”

Han-geon blinked in shock.

“I don’t even have workout clothes…”

“I brought them.

The ones you took off and left last time.”

As if it were nothing, Eun-gyeol handed over a shopping bag.

So that’s what he’d been carrying earlier.

Dazed, Han-geon took it and looked inside at the familiar training clothes he usually wore.

Somehow, his chest tightened oddly.

What actor would think to prepare something like this for his manager?

“He’ll just be working out on his own, so it’s fine, right?”

“Of course.

Make yourselves at home.”

The trainer agreed easily, smiling.

“Wow, but the manager’s physique is really nice.

Have you trained before?”

“Oh… uh.

A little.”

As Han-geon scratched his cheek shyly, Eun-gyeol added proudly beside him:

“He works out a lot.

He’s also my bodyguard.”

“Ah!

No wonder.

You look like someone who trains seriously.”

“Haha… thank you.”

Grateful for their kindness, Han-geon changed into the workout clothes and came out.

Outside the locker room, Eun-gyeol had already started training.

He was doing bicep curls with a barbell, his expression uninterested yet sharply focused.

Not wanting to disturb him, Han-geon moved far to the side to stretch lightly—yet he couldn’t help but glance over and over.

Watching how he trained, which muscles he used well—he wanted to learn anything and everything about him.