Chapter 29: The Weight of Small Considerations

“No… I guess I did. I’m sorry.”

“If you apologize there, it just makes me more annoyed.”

“Sorry—no, um… okay.”

Hyun Wooyoung obediently nodded.

“I’m the older one.”

“Yes.”

The more they talked, the more Eunchan felt that he was the one being childish. His lips twitched slightly.

Deciding to hurry up and leave, Eunchan started eating faster. He was already full by the time he’d eaten half the bowl, but he forced himself to continue. Even so, he ended up leaving two spoonfuls behind.

He really couldn’t eat another bite. It felt like the food was lodged right below his throat. Even chewing felt like a chore.

He had to go to the practice room soon—maybe he’d overeaten.

“You’re going to be okay eating just that much?”

As expected, the comment came.

Eunchan took small sips of water before replying.

“I ate a lot.”

“You eat the least out of everyone I know.”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“It’s true. Even my elementary-school sister eats more than you.”

No matter what, there was no way Eunchan ate less than a child.

“You’re just saying whatever now. I’ll check for myself when I meet her.”

He answered lightly, but then suddenly stopped and tilted his head.

“Elementary school? Your sister? She’s in elementary school?”

“Oh, yeah. There’s quite a big age gap between us.”

So the lowest benchmark for being treated like a younger sibling was elementary school.

Eunchan, who’d at least imagined middle school, was momentarily too stunned to respond.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah… no. Nothing.”

He had plenty to say, but pointing it out felt even more immature, so he swallowed it down. In the meantime, Wooyoung had already gathered the dishes Eunchan had used and placed them in the sink.

“I’ll do it.”

“No. It’s hard to move right after eating. Just sit.”

That was true, but sitting still didn’t feel right. Eunchan had eaten—there was no reason Wooyoung should clean up. Sure, Wooyoung was younger, but that didn’t mean he should be treated like this.

Eunchan stood up anyway.

“It’s fine. I’m the one who ate. And you waited while I ate.”

When Eunchan tried to step up to the sink, Wooyoung didn’t budge. Eunchan was about to ask why when Wooyoung spoke first.

“Hyung, please don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say.”

“What is it?”

“What could be so serious?” Eunchan wondered.

“I feel more at ease doing the dishes myself.”

“…What?”

“It’s not that you’re bad at it. I do the dishes at home too, and here at the dorm as well. So I’ll handle this.”

In short—

He didn’t like leaving the dishes to someone else.

It was just dishes. Didn’t it matter who did them?

Maybe that was why the words slipped out.

“But I’m good at washing dishes too.”

……

Eunchan clearly saw it.

Wooyoung’s gaze changed.

“Really?”

Eunchan admitted internally that it was petty. But before that came the thought—what kind of kid is this?

Competition was familiar to him from his trainee days. But never once had it involved dishwashing.

Wooyoung looked like he was sizing him up.

It’s just dishes. Why are you on guard?

“What, you don’t believe me?”

When Eunchan reached for a plate, Wooyoung looked at it—and then placed his own hand over it.

Was this a silent This is my territory declaration?

“No, it’s not that. But I’m younger.”

Wooyoung hadn’t meant it that way, but Eunchan understood instantly.

Wooyoung was young.

If Eunchan counted by his pre-regression age, Wooyoung was seven years younger.

The moment that thought crossed his mind, all his energy drained away.

What was he doing, acting like this toward someone seven years younger?

“Then… sorry, but I’ll ask you to take care of it.”

“Yes.”

As Eunchan stepped back, Wooyoung’s expression finally relaxed.

Water rushed into the sink, dishes clinked softly.

Eunchan watched Wooyoung’s back as he washed up in silence.

It was broad and solid—reliable. Seeing that sturdy frame folded awkwardly over a small sink was a little ridiculous.

Eunchan hovered nearby, unsure how to help, but Wooyoung’s defense was airtight. The sink was too small anyway; there was no room to squeeze in.

Eventually, Eunchan stepped back.

After watching Wooyoung’s wide back for a moment, he spoke.

“Did your family say anything about you not coming home for Lunar New Year?”

“My siblings were a little disappointed, but debut is more important. My parents just told me to work hard.”

“Hm.”

Eunchan hummed quietly.

The original members had willingly given up their holiday to prepare for a comeback after Haemin left—but Wooyoung was different. This was one of Korea’s biggest holidays. No one would’ve blamed him for going home.

Yet he’d stayed, without complaint.

That quiet sense of responsibility felt deeply admirable.

Eunchan was just about to say thank you properly when his phone rang.

An unfamiliar number.

Instinctively, he knew—it was probably the cousin Kim Hyuin had mentioned.

After telling Wooyoung he’d step away for a moment, Eunchan returned to his room and answered.

“Hello, this is Sim Eunchan.”

“Ah, hello. This is Jung Jinwook. I’m actor Kim Hyuin’s cousin.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You must’ve been surprised by the sudden call. Hyuin said something about it, so I figured it’d be easier if I contacted you directly.”

Jinwook laughed easily. Even in such a short exchange, he reminded Eunchan of Kim Hyuin.

“So—it’s about renting out our café, right?”

Once again, Eunchan was impressed by Hyuin’s sharp intuition.

“Yes. I know it’s sudden, but if you could review—”

“That’s fine. You can use it.”

The immediate answer made Eunchan doubt his ears.

Was this really happening?

Before he could respond, Jinwook continued.

“This is the first time Hyuin’s ever asked me for a favor. I’ve got to help him keep face, don’t I?”

“…Thank you.”

His chest tightened.

Not just because it was approved so easily, but because Hyuin must’ve spoken so warmly about him.

As Eunchan expressed his disbelief aloud, Jinwook laughed.

“Just promote our café a lot later. And buy some bread while you’re here.”

“Of course. Absolutely. Thank you so much. We’ll contact you through our agency about the contract.”

After hanging up, Eunchan stared at the ceiling before immediately calling his manager.

When he said he’d found a good filming location, the manager sounded hesitant—until Eunchan sent a few photos. The reaction flipped instantly.

There was no comparison. An abandoned factory would always be dark and dull.

This was far better.

Once the call ended, Eunchan felt confident the location would change.

Relieved, he stepped out of the room.

Waiting for him was Wooyoung, drying his hands with a towel.

“Sorry, I was on the phone. Are you done washing up?”

“Yes. Just now.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, no. I did it because I wanted to.”

Eunchan smiled faintly, having expected that answer.

“Not that. For staying and practicing.”

He met Wooyoung’s eyes directly.

The timing was awkward, but Eunchan didn’t want to let it slide. Gratitude left unspoken didn’t count.

Wooyoung met his gaze in silence for a moment.

“Hyung… are you going to thank the other members too?”

Ah.

It was a simple question, but the meaning behind it was clear.

Eunchan hesitated just long enough to miss his chance to answer.

Wooyoung’s tone wasn’t accusing—just calm, as if he were checking a fact.