Chapter 81: A Turning Point in Distance

Hyunwoo, confused, barely managed to speak.

“Hyunjin, what… do you mean by that?”

“…….”

Hyunjin saw the shocked expression on Hyunwoo’s face and realized he’d made a mistake.

He could have said it more gently, but his irritation had burst out and the words came out too harshly.

Flustered, Hyunjin quickly spoke again.

“I-I mean, you’ve gotten busy again lately.

So instead of coming to the café, let’s just meet at home.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Yeah, that’s all I meant.

Haha…”

Hyunjin laughed awkwardly and brushed it off.

He had been so irritated by Dokyung that he nearly took out his anger on Hyunwoo.

I really need to be careful, Hyunjin muttered inwardly.

“No, really, don’t worry too much.

I’m not that busy yet.”

“Mmm, still…”

“…….”

Hyunwoo fell into thought, thrown off by the unexpected reaction.

He wondered if Hyunjin wasn’t joking.

Hyunjin’s expression was just too dark.

It seemed like Hyunwoo coming to the café really was a problem.

Why?

Had they fought recently?

Hyunwoo tilted his head.

But the only conflict he could recall was the argument at the hospital long ago.

And they had talked through that afterward.

Both of them weren’t the type to hold grudges, so that issue should have been settled.

Is something bad happening when I come to the café…?

Yes.

There was exactly one thing.

Hwang Dokyung.

Hyunwoo recalled how Hyunjin had clearly been disturbed earlier, and felt a chill run down his back.

Don’t tell me… Hyunjin has feelings for Dokyung?

A large shock surged through him.

Before the regression, Hyunwoo had wanted Hyunjin to end up with the second male lead, Dokyung.

But now that wasn’t the case.

He sincerely wanted Hyunjin to end up with the protagonist, Seunghyuk.

So when had Hyunjin’s feelings shifted toward Dokyung?

They spent more than half the day together every day, yet Hyunwoo hadn’t noticed at all.

Was it back when the heat cycle happened?

When Hyunjin forgot his suppressant and the heat hit, it was Dokyung who helped him.

In the original story, that scene should have happened with the main character.

But somehow it had shifted to Dokyung instead.

Was that the moment Hyunjin developed feelings?

His relationship with Seunghyuk only worsened afterward, and meanwhile Dokyung visited often, offering comfort Hyunjin didn’t even realize he needed.

Everything seemed to fit together now.

As they stepped outside, Hyunjin asked:

“Hyung, should we eat out before heading home?”

“Huh? Ah, yeah.”

Emergency.

This was an emergency.

Sweat trickled down Hyunwoo’s back.

The possibility that Hyunjin’s feelings were drifting toward Dokyung left him completely unsettled.

This could not continue.

Something had to be done.

Hyunwoo walked with a stern expression, thinking to himself.

* * *

“Clear your schedule for tomorrow.”

“…What?”

After dinner, they returned home, and shortly afterward Seunghyuk also arrived.

Hyunwoo had been waiting with a grim expression and spoke immediately.

Seunghyuk blinked in confusion—Hyunwoo rarely acted like this.

“We’re going somewhere.”

“…Where?”

Seunghyuk seemed wary—Hyunwoo had never suggested going anywhere together first.

But Hyunwoo ignored his reaction.

“Just make time tomorrow evening.

Got it?”

“But where are we going?”

“You don’t need to know.

Just bring yourself.”

“……?”

Seunghyuk raised a brow at the uncharacteristically forceful demand.

Still, the fact that Hyunwoo himself initiated something was enough to spark his curiosity.

“…Fine.

I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

“Good.

I’ll call you after work.”

“But, hyung.”

“…What?”

Hyunwoo paused, looking back.

Seunghyuk’s eyes were strangely intense.

“…Why didn’t you send proof today?”

“…Proof?”

Ah.

Hyunwoo let out a quiet groan.

That damn proof photo.

It was enough to give him trauma at this point.

His stomach twisted.

Seunghyuk stepped closer, studying his expression.

“Were you really that busy today?”

“No, not exactly…”

“Then why didn’t you send it?”

“…….”

Seunghyuk asked accusingly.

Hyunwoo frowned, exasperated.

That stupid routine.

Was Seunghyuk actually addicted to receiving those proof messages?

Hyunwoo sighed deeply.

“How long do I have to keep doing that stupid proof nonsense?”

“Forever, obviously.”

“…….”

Forever?

He was supposed to send pointless update photos forever?

Hyunwoo yelled.

“What?! Forever?? Why would I do that forever?!”

“Because I’m worried about you.”

“…….”

Worried?

It sounded more like psychological harassment.

Hyunwoo gave him a suspicious look, but Seunghyuk didn’t flinch.

“I sent mine today, didn’t I?

So you should too.”

“…Fine, fine.”

Hyunwoo pulled out his phone with a sigh.

He had actually taken a picture earlier out of habit—he had just forgotten to send it.

“There.

Happy?”

“…….”

Seunghyuk stared at the picture of the empty tumbler Hyunwoo had drained.

“…Is this really from today?”

“What?”

Oh, unbelievable.

Now he was doubting that?

Hyunwoo forced a strained smile.

“Check the date yourself.”

“Hmm…”

He even opened the image details so Seunghyuk could verify it.

Only then did Seunghyuk nod.

“But hyung…”

“What now?”

Seunghyuk kept going.

“Are you sure you’re the one drinking it?

No one else is finishing it for you?”

“What did you just— Hey, you little—!”

Hyunwoo’s voice shot up.

He nearly exploded.

“Do you know how much effort it takes to choke down that juice every day?!

I haven’t had a single cup of coffee because of it!”

“Good job.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk nodded proudly and smiled.

Hyunwoo was speechless.

What was this utterly defeated feeling?

His face flushed, he turned away sharply.

“A-Anyway! Don’t forget tomorrow!”

“Okay.”

“…….”

Hyunwoo glared briefly before stomping back to his room.

He shut the door loudly and sank into a chair.

His heart was pounding.

Why?

He hadn’t done anything emotional.

Was it because… Seunghyuk smiled at him?

He let out a laugh—one that sounded more like disbelief.

Even after everything, just one smile still affected him like this.

After everything he’d endured.

After everything.

“…Haah.”

Hyunwoo sighed again and ran a hand through his hair roughly.

“Get it together, Joo Hyunwoo.”

Seunghyuk was simply acting on curiosity.

A whim.

Nothing more.

He must not misunderstand.

He had to stay sharp and keep things on track.

Hyunwoo repeated that to himself again and again, eyes closing tightly.

* * *

The next day, Hyunwoo called Seunghyuk after work, just as promised.

Yesterday’s strange emotions didn’t matter.

Today, there was something important he needed to do.

“Seunghyuk, over here!”

“…….”

Hyunwoo waved.

Despite the crowd, Seunghyuk found him instantly.

Still sharp-eyed as ever.

“So, what exactly are we doing?”

“Well…”

Seunghyuk’s guarded expression remained—like a stray cat unsure if the offered hand contained food or a trap.

Hyunwoo kept his voice steady.

“We’re going to buy clothes.”

“…Clothes?”

“Yeah.”

“……?”

Seunghyuk looked down at himself.

Hyunwoo followed his gaze.

“Suddenly?

Why?”

“You…”

“……?”

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue.

Seunghyuk clearly didn’t understand, even though the answer was right in front of him.

Hyunwoo said it plainly, expression firm.

“Your clothes are awful.”

“……!”

The protagonist looked genuinely shocked.

But Hyunwoo stared back mercilessly.

Anyone with eyes would agree.

Seunghyuk had terrible fashion sense.

Hyunwoo crossed his arms and shook his head.