Chapter 85: A Shared Meal

“Hot pot?”

Yes.

“Hmm….”

The dish Seung-hyuk chose was a type of hot pot.

Looking closely at the tablet screen, the picture showed thinly sliced meat and napa cabbage stacked in layers inside a large pot.

The name Mille-Feuille Nabe was written on it.

Hyun-woo had eaten this kind of hot pot a few times before.

It was usually too big for one person, so he often ordered it when eating with others.

Even though it originated from Japanese cuisine, bars often served a wide variety of dishes, so it didn’t feel out of place.

And every time he had eaten it before, it had tasted good.

Dipping meat and cabbage into raw beaten egg was strange at first, but it wasn’t bad once he tried it.

The problem was Seung-hyuk.

He was sensitive to smells and textures — would he really be able to dip meat into raw egg and eat it?

“You think you’ll be okay with this?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

If he said he was fine, then maybe it was okay to order.

But should he ask again whether dipping it in raw egg was really okay?

No — he must already know how the dish is eaten.

Several thoughts echoed in Hyun-woo’s mind as he hesitated, then tapped the screen.

“Okay, I’ll order it.”

“Yes.”

“…….”

Well, if he didn’t want to use the raw egg, he could just skip it anyway.

Hyun-woo ordered the hot pot.

And since they were in a bar, it felt awkward not to order any alcohol, so he added one beer and one soda.

“…….”

“…….”

Once they finished ordering, there was nothing to do.

When they were shopping or at the salon, there were always people around.

But now that it was just the two of them alone in a private room, the silence felt strangely heavy.

The biggest issue was Seung-hyuk.

Because of the haircut, his already handsome face looked even more striking.

Even in the dim room, it was like there was a glow around him.

He still had faint bruises on his cheek from fighting Cha Kwon-oh, but even that somehow looked artistic.

Hyun-woo didn’t know if he was losing it, or if the “main character halo” was just that strong.

He desperately avoided looking directly at him.

“Hyung.”

“…What?”

“Why aren’t you looking at me?”

“…When did I not look at you?”

“You’re doing it right now.”

“…….”

Whether he understood the reason or not, Seung-hyuk persisted.

Hyun-woo, who had been pretending to be focused on the table’s wood pattern, finally turned.

“There. You happy?”

“Yes.”

“…Ha.”

Seung-hyuk smiled in contentment.

Which somehow made things worse.

He’s doing this on purpose, right?
This is just face-attack.

Hyun-woo fell into silent despair.

“We’ll bring the beer and soda first.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The staff entered with the drinks.

Glad for something else to look at, Hyun-woo immediately turned his head.

But the staff placed the drinks down and left just as quickly.

Hyun-woo stared at the closed door with mixed feelings.

“I’ll drink the beer.”

“Oh… yeah.”

Hyun-woo opened the soda and poured it into his glass.

“…….”

“…….”

Should they toast?

It felt awkward.

But not doing it felt more awkward.

Hyun-woo felt the silent pressure from Seung-hyuk’s eyes.

“…Should we toast?”

“Yes.”

Their glasses touched lightly.

Clink.

Hyun-woo took a sip of soda.

The cold sweetness slid down his throat.

“Hyung.”

“What.”

“Thanks for today. For buying me things.”

“….”

Hyun-woo stopped.

He looked up in surprise.

“It’s not something you need to thank me for. I dragged you around.”

“You didn’t drag me. I said I wanted to go.”

“Well…”

He had indeed said that.

But Hyun-woo thought it was just politeness.

Because in his previous life, even expensive gifts meant nothing if Seung-hyuk disliked the giver.

Hyun-woo knew that too well.

So now, since Seung-hyuk wasn’t pushing him away, maybe he was simply more tolerant.

And because Friday was an important event — he understood that.

“Make sure you do well on Friday, okay?”

“…….”

It was a softened way of saying:
I invested in you, so don’t waste it.

But Seung-hyuk’s expression stiffened.

“You’re coming too, right? Friday?”

“What?”

“You said you would.”

“…Ah.”

Right.
He had promised.

“Yeah. But I’m only staying for dinner.”

“That’s enough.”

“…….”

Satisfied, Seung-hyuk smiled.

Hyun-woo took another sip of soda.

His throat felt strangely dry.

“The Mille-Feuille Nabe is here.”

“……!”

The staff entered, placing a burner and pot on the table, then lit it.

“Once the broth boils and the cabbage softens, you can eat it with the meat.”

“Thank you.”

The broth began to bubble.

The layered cabbage and meat looked beautiful.

A shiitake mushroom cut like a star sat in the center.

“Looks good.”

“It does.”

There was no raw egg — only soy sauce and chili sauce.

Hyun-woo quietly sighed in relief.

“…?”

But the broth looked red.

He had thought the red color came from the raw meat.

But even after the meat browned, the broth stayed red.

It was a spicy broth from the start.

“I think it’s ready.”

“Wait.”

“…?”

“I’ll taste it first.”

“Okay.”

Hyun-woo tasted a small portion.

“Hmm…”

The flavor was good — but spicy.

Not mild.

Not subtle.

Definitely spicy.

And Seung-hyuk was incredibly weak to spice.

This would destroy him.

“What is it? Is the taste weird?”

“No… it’s just… kind of spicy.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Want to order something else?”

Hyun-woo reached for the tablet, but Seung-hyuk shook his head.

“We already ordered it. I’ll try it.”

“But—”

“It’s fine.”

He took a bite.

“……!”

His eyes flew wide open.