Seo Jun sat at the dining table, his focus unwavering as he typed on his laptop. Beside him, Han Su hovered nervously, glancing at the screen every so often.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Han Su asked again, his voice tinged with both excitement and uncertainty.
Seo Jun looked up, his expression softening. "I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't. Now stop pacing — you're making me nervous."
Han Su froze mid-step, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry. I just... I never thought I'd get this far. Thank you, Seo Jun. Really."
When they finally printed out the college application, Han Su let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He turned to Seo Jun, his face lighting up with gratitude.
"I don't know how to repay you for this."
"You don't have to," Seo Jun replied simply. "Just do your best."
The next day, Han Su was startled to see his mother and younger sister arriving at the mansion, carrying bags of food and small, neatly wrapped gifts.
"What are you doing here?" Han Su exclaimed, rushing to meet them at the door.
"To thank Seo Jun, of course. He's paying for your college tuition," his mother said matter-of-factly, adjusting the flask of homemade side dishes in her hands.
Han Su's eyes widened in alarm. "Mom, you don't need to do this. What if it makes him uncomfortable?"
Eun ji rolled her eyes, brushing past him. "Don't be ridiculous. He helped you — this is the least we can do."
Before Han Su could argue further, Butler Choi appeared, bowing politely as he held the door open.
"Welcome. Please, come in."
Despite his initial hesitation, Seo Jun greeted them warmly. "You didn't have to go through so much trouble," he said, accepting the bag of food from Han Su's mother.
"It's no trouble at all," she replied, her smile warm and genuine. "You've done so much for my son — this is just a small way to say thank you."
Eun ji chimed in, placing the gifts on the coffee table. "And we wanted to see this famous mansion. It's even more amazing than Han Su described."
The normally quiet house seemed to come alive with their presence. Seo Jun found himself relaxing in their company, a rare smile playing on his lips as Han Su's mother fussed over him, insisting he eat more of her cooking. Even Butler Choi, who rarely showed emotion, appeared to be in high spirits. He chuckled softly as Han Su's sister peppered him with questions about the house and its history.
"Does this chandelier ever fall?" she asked, pointing to the massive crystal fixture in the dining room.
Butler Choi shook his head, amused. "Not yet, miss. But let's hope it never does."
Han Su watched from the sidelines, a mix of embarrassment and pride swelling in his chest. He couldn't help but smile as he saw how easily Seo Jun interacted with his family. His younger sister had him laughing openly as she shared exaggerated tales of Han Su's childhood misadventures. The sight was surreal — Seo Jun, usually so composed and reserved, laughing freely, his entire demeanor softened.
By the time they sat down for dinner, the atmosphere was lively and warm. The once intimidating mansion had transformed into a space filled with joy and connection.
Han Su's mother raised her glass of wine, her voice full of sincerity. "To Seo Jun, for being so kind to my son. Thank you."
Seo Jun inclined his head, his voice low but earnest. "I should be the one thanking you. Your family brings a light to this house I didn't realize it needed."
Han Su's chest tightened at those words, his gratitude for Seo Jun growing deeper. For the first time in a long while, everything felt right.
Dinner was a lively affair. Plates of food — both from home and prepared by Butler Choi — were passed around as conversation flowed easily. Seo Jun blended seamlessly, sharing polite laughs with Han Su's mother and indulging his sister's endless questions about the mansion.
At one point, his sister leaned forward, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, Seo Jun, do you have a girlfriend? Or maybe a boyfriend?"
Han Su nearly choked on his food. "Jun!"
"What? It's just a question," she said, her gaze flicking back to Seo Jun. "Because, you know, if you're into guys, my brother would be a great choice. He's sweet, hardworking, and—"
Han Su's face was burning now as he waved his hands frantically. "Stop it, Jun!"
Unfazed, she continued. "And honestly, his boyfriend is a jerk. Jin ho never calls, never visits, and doesn't even care about him. I say dump him."
"Jun, stop it," Han Su hissed, his embarrassment reaching its peak.
Seo Jun's expression was unreadable, but his eyes flicked toward Han Su briefly before he said, "It sounds like you care about your brother a lot."
"Of course I do," Jun replied, crossing her arms. "And I hate seeing him with someone who doesn't appreciate him. Right, Mom?"
Their mother, clearly sensing the tension, finally intervened. "That's enough, Eun ji. We're guests here. Let's not embarrass your brother any further."
Jun huffed but relented, and the conversation shifted back to lighter topics. Han Su glanced at Seo Jun, muttering a quiet apology, but Seo Jun simply gave him a small, reassuring smile.
As the evening wound down, Seo Jun turned to Han Su's mother. "You should stay the night. It's late, and the drive back won't be easy."
"Oh, we couldn't impose," she began, but Seo Jun waved her concerns away.
"It's no trouble. There are plenty of rooms, and Butler Choi will ensure you're comfortable."
The cool night air brushed against Han Su's skin as he wandered through the sprawling garden, his arms wrapped around himself for warmth. The quiet of the mansion was almost suffocating, and his thoughts were louder than ever.
His sister's words replayed in his mind, cutting through the stillness like a sharp blade. Why are you holding on to a failed relationship?
She wasn't wrong, he realized. It had been months since he'd seen Jin ho — and even longer since he'd felt genuinely connected to him. The unanswered calls, the lack of effort... it all weighed heavy on his heart.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice the soft footsteps behind him until Seo Jun's voice broke the silence.
"Can't sleep?"
Han Su turned to find Seo Jun standing a few steps away, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His face, illuminated by the soft glow of the garden lights, looked calm yet curious.
"No," Han Su admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I guess I have a lot on my mind."
Seo Jun took a step closer. "Want to talk about it?"
For a moment, Han Su hesitated. But then the words spilled out, unfiltered and raw.
"It's Jin ho. I just... I—"
For a moment, Han Su hesitated. But then the words spilled out—unfiltered and raw.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNd3WcZTgX
"It's In Ho. I just... I don't know anymore. It's been so long since we've seen each other, and I'm starting to feel like I'm holding on to something that's not even there. It's like I'm chasing a ghost of what we used to be."
Seo Jun's expression softened, and he took another step forward, now standing beside Han Su.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOanAeQnNb
"That sounds exhausting."
Han Su nodded, staring down at his feet.
"It is. I feel insecure... like I'm not enough. And maybe that's why he's so distant."
There was a pause, heavy with unspoken thoughts, before Seo Jun spoke again—his voice careful but firm.
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"Have you ever thought about letting go? About starting over... with someone who actually sees you?"
Han Su looked up, startled by the question.
"What do you mean?"
Seo Jun hesitated, as if weighing his next words carefully. But then something shifted in his expression—an openness, a vulnerability.
"I mean... if someone else cared for you—someone who wanted to be with you—would you give them a chance?"
Han Su's breath caught before he could fully process the weight of the question. Seo Jun closed the distance between them, his gaze searching Han Su's face, as if seeking permission.
And then, without another word, he leaned in.
The kiss was soft, hesitant—but it sent a jolt through Han Su's entire being. For a fleeting moment, he found himself responding, his hands gripping Seo Jun's sleeves as if to anchor himself.
But reality came crashing down just as quickly.
He pulled away, heart pounding.
"I—I can't," he stammered, his voice thick with guilt. "I can't do this. I can't double-date."
Seo Jun stepped back, his face unreadable, but the hurt in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I'm sorry," Han Su whispered before turning and walking away, emotions in turmoil.
Inside the mansion, Han Su paced his room, replaying the moment over and over. His lips still tingled from the kiss, and he hated how much he had enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, Seo Jun sat alone in the study, a bottle of whiskey on the table beside him. Each sip burned, but it wasn't enough to drown the ache in his chest.
"Unrequited love," he muttered bitterly, staring into the amber liquid. "Why did I even hope?"
Hours later, Han Su found himself wandering again, this time to the living room. He stopped short when he saw Seo Jun sprawled on the couch, an empty bottle by his side.
"Seo Jun?"
Han Su approached cautiously, only to hear him mumble in his sleep.
"Why... why couldn't he choose me?"
Seo Jun's voice was slurred, heavy with the weight of his emotions.
Han Su froze, heart twisting painfully. He stood there, watching the man who had just turned his world upside down, and wondered how everything had gotten so complicated.
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