Chapter 64: The Conversation of Separation

“Hyung, what do you mean by that?”

“Hyung, what do you mean?”

The two of them asked the exact same question, like mirror images.

Hyunwoo looked at Hyunjin and spoke firmly.

“Vacation is coming soon.

We already found a place for you.

So it’s about time for you to move out.”

“What?”

Hyunjin’s eyes widened in shock.

Only now did he realize how much time had passed.

From mid-June to the end of the month, final exams would take place, and as soon as exams ended, vacation would begin.

He and Hyunwoo had promised that he’d move somewhere near school if a place opened up at that time.

He just hadn’t expected time to go by this fast.

Hyunjin stammered anxiously.

“No, why are you telling me now….”

“I don’t think I can handle you two anymore.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo pressed a hand to his forehead.

It felt like he had pushed far past his emotional capacity.

Living together and trying to bring Hyunjin and Seunghyuk closer had only worsened things.

Instead of improving, their relationship had somehow gotten even more strained.

If continuing to live together would only mess up the main character and main love interest’s relationship even more, then maybe it would be better to just kick them both out now.

And realistically, it was time for them to leave.

Hyunwoo recalled his call with Sungyoon and spoke again.

“Director Kang will contact you soon.

Move as soon as exams are over.

The place is fully furnished, so you won’t have to worry about anything.”

“Why—why did you decide that without even asking me….”

“You can’t even look for a house properly.

It’s much better than the old one anyway.

So don’t worry.”

“…….”

Hyunjin closed his mouth.

His face was full of complaint, but he couldn’t find more words to say.

He simply bit his lip and frowned.

“Why do I have to move out?” Seunghyuk asked quietly.

“Of course you do.

You only stayed here because of Hyunjin.”

“…….”

When even Seunghyuk fell silent, a strange refreshing feeling washed over Hyunwoo.

So there was such a simple solution all along.

Why had he been suffering this whole time?

It was almost absurdly easy.

He felt like Archimedes discovering his breakthrough.

Hyunwoo allowed himself a satisfied smile.

“Hyung… are you really kicking me out?”

“I’m not ‘kicking you out.’

We agreed on this from the beginning.”

“But still….”

Hyunjin looked as pitiful as possible, but Hyunwoo didn’t budge.

He had held on for too long.

He had gone past his limit already.

“So until then, don’t fight in my house, and study for your exams properly.

Got it?”

“…….”

“…….”

“Fighting!”

Hyunwoo said brightly and immediately shut the door.

The two were so stunned that they didn’t even try to stop him.

Letting out a relieved breath, Hyunwoo walked back to his room.

Chapter 5 — You’re Not Free Yet

“Mm….”

Morning came unusually fresh and clear.

Hyunwoo woke up, stretched, and stepped out of bed.

“Let’s see….”

The first thing he did was open the refrigerator.

His hand automatically reached for coffee before he paused and sighed.

It wasn’t because of his promise to Seunghyuk, but cutting back on caffeine really had made his body feel better.

Instead, he reached for the water jug.

“Ah… empty.”

The jug was completely dry.

With a grimace, Hyunwoo shook the empty container.

He was thirsty.

Was there anything else to drink?

Sighing, he searched the fridge.

“Oh?”

There wasn’t any juice or water, but there was a large tumbler with some unknown liquid inside it.

Hyunwoo blinked.

It definitely wasn’t his.

So it had to belong to either Hyunjin or Seunghyuk.

But Hyunjin was too careless to make anything like this.

So the only possible answer was—Seunghyuk.

Since he’d recently started trying to take care of his health.

Hyunwoo inspected the tumbler, sniffing it carefully.

It smelled sweet and refreshing.

The color was reddish.

ABC juice?

Hyunwoo stared at it for a moment.

“You can drink that.”

“Whoa—!”

A voice behind him made him jump so hard he almost dropped the tumbler.

“Lee Seunghyuk?!”

“I made it for you, hyung.

It’s ABC juice — apple, beet, and carrot.”

“Ah, I was right.”

Hyunwoo looked curiously at the drink again.

He had seen coworkers drinking this “detox” juice trend, but he’d never cared enough to try it.

He wondered what it tasted like.

“So… I can drink it?”

“I made it for you, hyung.”

“Oh… thanks.”

He watched Seunghyuk with a slightly bewildered expression, then took a sip.

“Oh….”

It was surprisingly good.

Not delicious like a fruit smoothie, but definitely drinkable.

The apple made it sweet enough not to taste like punishment.

“You see?

It’s not bad, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll make it every day.

Drink this instead of coffee.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo almost nodded — until he remembered.

“Every day?

You’re moving out with Hyunjin, remember?”

“Why would I move out?

Only Hyunjin needs to leave.”

“No.

You’re leaving too.”

If the main love interest moved out, the main character must follow.

What nonsense was he saying?

He was done.

They could fight somewhere else.

“Did you forget?

You said you’d stay because you were worried about Hyunjin.

So you two leave together.”

“Did I say it like that?”

“Yeah.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk’s expression twisted strangely.

“What?”

“That’s… not what I meant…!”

“What was it then?”

“…Damn it.”

“……?”

Why was he swearing suddenly?

Hyunwoo stared, confused.

“I wasn’t worried about Hyunjin.”

“Then who were you worried about?”

“Obviously—… ha… never mind.”

“……?”

Was he sick?

Or was he weirdly attached to the apartment?

Hyunwoo stared suspiciously.

“Forget it.

We’ll talk later.”

“Wait—”

“And don’t forget to take the tumbler with you.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk said everything he wanted and walked out.

Hyunwoo stared after him, speechless.

It wasn’t even late.

Maybe he was going to grab a study seat before finals.

Hyunwoo knew how competitive that could get.

“Hm.”

Hyunjin could probably be forced to move.

But Seunghyuk… would be difficult.

Once he fixated on something, he didn’t let go.

And Hyunwoo had a very bad feeling about whatever it was this time.

“…Sigh.”

He shook his head and left with the tumbler.

He considered throwing the juice away — but didn’t.

The juice didn’t do anything wrong.

With that flimsy excuse, he got ready for work.