Chapter 78: Diverging Intentions

“Just trust me. Got it?”

“…Huh?”

“Hehehe.”

“……?”

Seunghyuk stared at Hyunwoo with clear confusion, unable to understand what he had been saying since a while ago.

But one word in particular stuck in his mind.

‘Birthday…’

There was no way Hyunwoo would simply overlook Joo Hyunjin’s birthday.

He would definitely want to celebrate it lavishly.

And he would surely invite Seunghyuk as well.

However, Hyunjin would never willingly spend his birthday with him.

He would find a way to meet Hyunwoo alone.

Seunghyuk had no intention of letting that happen.

Thinking that, his lips curved slowly.

“Ah, now that you mention it, Hyunjin’s birthday is soon.”

“Yeah. You just focus on preparing a good gift. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Yes. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hiding his true intentions, Seunghyuk’s smile deepened.

He would attend the birthday party as Hyunwoo wished, and then cause as much interference as he pleased.

Thinking of Hyunjin’s expression twisting, Seunghyuk leisurely relaxed his features.

And so, the two drifted forward while dreaming entirely different futures.

Chapter 6 — Tumult

Exams had ended, and Hyunjin and Seunghyuk were now officially on summer break.

In terms of the novel’s timeline, they were around the middle.

The story would end with the two promising to marry near graduation, so the timing fit neatly around the midpoint.

There was one significant event during this period — Hyunjin’s birthday.

Hyunjin’s birthday was July 7th.

Barely a week into break.

A major event.

“Cancel all external schedules for this Friday.”

“Huh? This Friday… sir?”

“Yes.”

Startled by the sudden order, Junghoon widened his eyes.

Hyunwoo continued calmly.

“It’s Hyunjin’s birthday.”

“Ah, I see.”

Junghoon knew Hyunwoo cherished his younger brother deeply, and nodded without question.

He had even helped Hyunwoo choose a gift last year.

But Hyunwoo hadn’t cleared his entire schedule back then.

Curious, Junghoon asked:

“Will you be spending the day with him?”

“Yes. This time I intend to.”

“…Understood. I’ll rearrange your schedule.”

“Thank you.”

Hyunwoo nodded lightly and smiled.

Junghoon sensed there was more, so he asked quickly:

“Is there anything else you’d like me to handle?”

“Yes. I want to reserve a hotel restaurant.”

“What kind of place—”

“Somewhere with an open view… preferably with a beautiful night view. A high floor. Good food. Pleasant atmosphere.”

“……?”

Junghoon tilted his head.

This wasn’t simply taking his brother out for a meal.

This sounded… almost like preparing to propose to someone.

Junghoon blinked slowly.

“Sir, are you perhaps…”

“Yes?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Was he planning to confess to someone… using his brother’s birthday as an excuse?

Startled by his own thought, Junghoon bowed.

“I’ll look into suitable restaurants.”

“Yes. And also…”

Hyunwoo paused.

A hotel room for the same day would be ideal.

An evening like this should end with the two of them sharing the night.

But the moment he tried to say the words, his throat tightened.

Just like when he forcibly separated Seunghyuk from Hyunjin during rut.

It felt uncomfortable.

Because he cherished Hyunjin.

So why did it feel… wrong?

Clenching his teeth, Hyunwoo pushed the hesitation aside.

“Reserve a suite as well. For the same night.”

“…Understood.”

“……”

Was he really planning to confess to someone?

Who?

Junghoon realized he didn’t actually know much about Hyunwoo’s personal connections.

Was it a woman?

A man?

Beta? Omega?

He couldn’t even guess.

“I’ll handle everything.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“…!”

Caught spacing out, Junghoon responded louder than intended.

Hyunwoo looked at him oddly.

“I’ll find somewhere very suitable.”

“…Alright.”

Hyunwoo watched as Junghoon left the office with suspicious enthusiasm, then let out a quiet sigh.

“Haa…”

This uncomfortable feeling wouldn’t last.

It was just temporary.

Only temporary.

Hyunwoo repeated the thought to convince himself, and turned away.

Ding—

Entering the café, Hyunwoo heard the bright ring of the door chime.

He walked straight to the counter.

“Welco— Hyung!”

Hyunjin beamed the moment he saw him.

Hyunwoo lifted a hand slightly in greeting.

“What brings you here?”

“Just finished work. Thought I’d stop by.”

“Hehe, really?”

Now that it was break, Hyunjin worked his café job openly instead of in secret.

The stalking issue had cleared up as well, and since the story benefitted from Hyunjin working here, Hyunwoo had approved it.

Hyunwoo looked around.

It was a small café with limited seating.

Considering it was in an office district during after-work hours, it should be packed— but it was quiet as usual.

A reminder that this was a novelist’s world.

Hyunjin noticed his expression.

“What’s wrong? Looking for someone?”

“No…”

Originally, this café was practically a hangout spot for the other love interests.

But Hyunwoo had forced them away.

So now it was simply a quiet café.

Still, he expected Seunghyuk at least.

In the original story, Seunghyuk dropped by constantly during breaks.

But lately, he barely came home at all.

“Hey… does Lee Seunghyuk not come here often?”

“…Why would he come here?”

“What?”

“……?”

“…….”

Hyunjin looked genuinely confused.

So Seunghyuk really hadn’t been coming.

Where the hell was the protagonist spending his time?

Hyunwoo frowned, forcing a strained smile.

“I was just wondering what he’s been up to.”

“Oh— I heard from classmates that he’s been busy with certifications and working in the professor’s lab.”

“…Hah.”

“He’s supposed to start an internship soon too.”

“…….”

Hyunjin tilted his head.

Of course.

A smooth path to a major corporate job wasn’t earned lazily.

Even with his current resume, he was overqualified— yet he was stacking even more achievements.

Hyunwoo let out a small sigh.

“Guess he’s taking everything he can before then.”

“Yeah. Looks like he’s busier than exam season.”

“I see…”

So that’s why he wasn’t around.

Still… wasn’t he being too relaxed?

What if someone else tried to take Hyunjin?

Annoyed, Hyunwoo scowled.

“What do you want to drink?”

“Ah— iced ameri—”

“Really?”

“….”

Hyunjin’s gentle smile had a hint of warning.

The health campaign still wasn’t over.

Hyunwoo exhaled in resignation.

“Peach iced tea.”

“Good choice. I’ll put in less syrup.”

“…Yeah.”

Giving up caffeine was agony.

Once, he had woken in the middle of the night craving coffee.

Meanwhile, Seunghyuk wasn’t even coming home— but still dutifully sent “no sugar” proof daily.

[Lee Seunghyuk]
Today’s no-sugar log
photo

The latest message contained a picture of rooibos tea on a white tabletop— apparently taken in the lab.

He should be here instead.

He was treating Hyunjin like a caught fish— no sense of urgency at all.

Maybe he had even forgotten Hyunjin’s birthday this week.

Hyunwoo began typing a message.

[Hyunwoo]
You remember what day this Friday is, right?

He stared at the screen.

Delivered.

Read.

The reply came almost immediately.

[Seunghyuk]
Hyunjin’s birthday.

[Hyunwoo]
Good.

For some reason, relief washed over him.

It annoyed him that he felt relieved.

He shouldn’t have needed to worry in the first place.

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue softly.

[Seunghyuk]
Don’t worry.

[Seunghyuk]
I remember.

[Seunghyuk]
I won’t be late.

Hyunwoo’s eyes narrowed.

“Won’t be late?”

Late… to what?

The party.

The same one Hyunwoo was already preparing.

Meaning Seunghyuk was also preparing something.

Of course he was.

The protagonist always shone the brightest at events like this.

Hyunwoo’s fingertips went still above his phone.

“What the hell are you planning?”

He muttered it under his breath.

Hyunjin returned to the counter with the drink.

“Here. One peach iced tea, less syrup.”

Hyunwoo took it.

“…Thanks.”

He took a sip.

Sweet.

Cold.

But it didn’t wash away the irritation in his chest.

Not at all.

Hyunjin leaned slightly toward him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Hyunwoo forced his face into something gentle.

Hyunjin smiled brightly in response.

Hyunwoo’s heart twisted again.

There was no reason it should.

There was no reason… at all.

He swallowed.

This birthday.

This single day.

Everything would shift around it.

Hyunwoo knew that better than anyone.

Because this was the midpoint of the original story.

Because this was where affection began to deepen.

Because this was where bonds began to tighten.

And because from here on—

Things would only get more complicated.

Much more.