Chapter 88: Unspoken Answers and Spicy Tteokbokki

I deliberately looked away and answered sharply.

I didn’t want to face him right now.

Yesterday’s tangled emotions lingered, but all day, seeing Doyoon… that thing touching my thigh kept flashing back.

Living long enough, days come when facing Choi Doyoon’s face sparks other thoughts.

In the original, Jian described it as ‘lotion-bottle’ sized—I never imagined it was real.

Not just size, but I ended up knowing weird fetishes I’d forever rather not.

Looking like a Greek god, yet liking to make people cry!

The man calling me “hyung” no longer felt like the pretty, cute younger brother of the past.

This… this was like false advertising.

Puppy as a kid, grew into an American werewolf.

I imagined screaming, banging my head against the wall, when Ayoung spoke to Jian.

“By the way, Jian, has Director Kim’s movie release date been set?”

“Not yet. But probably late April or early May.

The story’s really fun and solid. Great actors too.”

While Ayoung and Jian chattered about their new film, Doyoon slid over to sit beside me.

Just coming closer—I nearly jumped like a frog.

Luckily, biting my tongue hard prevented the embarrassment.

Doyoon looked at me seriously.

“You look pale.”

“…Worry about yourself. The sick one talking.”

“I’m really fine. I used to get like this sometimes under heavy stress.”

I glared.

What stress?

Did Bae Jian dump him?

“Like this meaning?”

“…Fever and delirium?”

“…How do you know?”

I panicked momentarily but managed my expression.

“…Heard roughly from your doctor.

But what do you mean ‘used to’?

You weren’t like that before.”

He fidgeted with his lips, troubled.

“Since the military.”

I forgot my twisted feelings, asking in shock.

“Something bad… happen in the military?”

His face shifted subtly.

“No. Just… mental thing.

Was bad for a while, thought it settled, but first time since returning to Korea.”

He muttered, looking at me.

“Been a while for that dream too….”

I flinched.

‘A while’… means he had tons of those dreams before.

Didn’t want to know, but he must’ve been very active that way.

I’m forcibly celibate this life…

Never minded before, but realizing the male lead partied hard soured my mood.

Doyoon poked me.

“Hyung, when are you coming to my place anyway?”

“Not going.”

My firmer-than-usual reply made him look disappointed.

“Why? Last time you said you’d come right when I returned to Korea.”

That was then.

Situation’s different now.

I glared.

“Why do you keep inviting me to your place?”

Almost added ‘you promiscuous bastard.’

Doyoon smiled.

“You said you wanted a place overlooking the Han River.

So I bought the best view spot.

Thought you’d like it.”

“…I said that?”

“When we talked about living independently.

Don’t remember?”

He drooped eyebrows, looking hurt.

Thinking back, maybe I did.

Shocked he still remembered something I said back then.

Thought he’d forgotten everything old….

“Planning to live with you forever, so decorated with what you like.”

I felt a pang.

Hated him for promises he couldn’t keep—marrying Bae Jian anyway.

Moreover, if that’s why, I absolutely shouldn’t go.

Thinking anything of the heroine’s as mine, even briefly, would double these feelings later.

Unconsciously blurted my heart.

“Big dreams.

Who said they’d live with you?

Then one day you’ll vanish again.”

“That…”

Dead silence fell between us.

Doyoon opened his mouth like to explain.

I hid panic, waiting calmly—but no words came.

Disappointed in him again.

Fortunately or not, lunch ended, cutting the talk.

Confirming he wouldn’t even explain hurt more.

Depressed all afternoon, Seunghee suddenly contacted—wanted to come over tonight.

Already bad mood, perfect—accepted immediately.

Since Doyoon left and I lived alone, Seunghee often came, ordering cheap street food with expensive liquor.

Said our place was safest or whatever….

Unexpected: Doyoon’s actions.

He loitered near our team 10 minutes before quitting time, then stuck close as I left.

“What are you doing?”

“Can we talk a bit?”

“No, have plans.”

Told him to scram—he wouldn’t listen.

Clearly bothered by failing to respond to my earlier outburst.

But if not explaining anyway, stop bothering me.

Doyoon followed outside regardless.

Everyone on the way home stared.

Faster I walked, faster he chased.

First time the 10-minute walk from work to home annoyed so much.

He asked, long strides catching up.

“Mad at me, hyung?”

“You doing this now is what’s making me mad.”

“Sorry….”

“Then leave.”

“But back then, I had no choice.”

I stopped abruptly mid-fast-walk on the street.

Snapped back sharply.

“Fine, whatever reason then—let’s say.

Then why suddenly return now?”

His mouth clamped like a clam again.

I was dying inside.

Finally couldn’t hold the anger I’d consciously ignored, glaring.

“What do you even think I am?

Someone to play with when bored?

Cut contact unilaterally, then appear and expect affection?

Do you even see me as hyung?”

His eyes sparked instantly.

Stared like he’d burn me alive, then barely spat.

“You’re the person I cherish most.”

“……”

I turned away.

Ridiculously, those words nearly crumbled me.

Doyoon grabbed my wrist, spinning me back.

Did this in bed too—bad habit.

I gritted teeth, wrenching free hard.

“Don’t grab randomly.”

Right then.

A luxury foreign car pulled alongside the sidewalk, window sliding down.

Looked—Seunghee inside.

Doyoon and I, facing off like about to punch, froze with dazed faces.

Seunghee raised one eyebrow.

“Busy. Fighting?”

Doyoon stiffened seeing her, bowed lightly.

“Good to see you, noona.”

Passenger seat—empty—piled high with plastic bags from a famous snack shop.

Bought in, not delivery.

Seunghee scanned us, said to me.

“For three? I only got two portions.”

Looked like for ten….

I shook head immediately.

“No, he’s leaving.”

Doyoon hesitated.

Worried he’d throw a fit, but luckily he backed off.

“Didn’t know you two had plans.

I’ll come next time.”

Retreated so cleanly I was baffled.

But Seunghee’s gaze on Doyoon wasn’t kind either.

Only after he walked far did I get in her car.

Hot tteokbokki and fried food smell filled it.

I asked Seunghee.

“You two have issues?”

“What issues with him—yours.”

“I have none?”

Guilty, auto-replied.

But Seunghee crossed arms, silent.

Soon, under a minute, arrived home.

Spread her buys, opened house wine and whiskey—then she blurted.

“You okay working with him?”

“What about?”

“Grandfather’s original plan: marry you to Ria, absorb Koryo Ilbo subsidiary, push you full media.

Fell through, but.”

“Ah….”

Awkward laugh, dipping sundae in tteokbokki sauce.

Seunghee serious.

“If you want another company, I can help.”

I cut her off.

“Noona, I’m not here for money.

I like it. You know.”

Then Seunghee said out of nowhere.

“Then I could kick Choi Doyoon out.”

“What?”