RACA 87

Eunsol didn’t know anything about the wedding preparations. He hadn’t been the one who pushed for it, and since it was rushed, with both Jaebeom and Chairman Jang saying they’d handle everything, he had just let it happen.

“Sir, could you take a look at this too? I’ve listed several shoes that go well with the suit. You can pick one from here.”

But after being dragged around for hours to get the suit fitted, Eunsol realized he had been too careless.

“I’ll take this one.”

Already exhausted from the endless repetition, Eunsol chose one of the photos in the catalog with dull eyes.

“How can you pick so carelessly? You should look properly.”

Just as he was about to lift his gaze from the catalog, a large hand rested on his shoulder. Eunsol reflexively turned around, and his mouth opened wide.

“Wow…”

He exclaimed in admiration. How could he not?

Jaebeom wore a pale blue suit. It was a color that fit summer perfectly, but Eunsol knew that few could pull it off.

With a white shirt, a silvery necktie, and hair slicked back in a pomade style, he looked refined and showed what kind of person actor Pyo Jaebeom was.

“What? Did you fall for me again?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Jaebeom-ssi really should be an actor. That’s your calling, after all.”

He was right. Pyo Jaebeom had to be an actor. Keeping someone like him as the head of a savings bank was a national loss.

Eunsol, his hidden fan instincts awakened, started talking nonstop.

“You look like you’re shooting a magazine pictorial. Do you know how hard it is to look elegant in pale blue? Only Jaebeom-ssi can do that. Anyone who sees you like this will want to copy it.”

Jaebeom laughed when Eunsol exaggeratedly praised him with shining eyes. He couldn’t imagine how that fan energy had been hidden until now.

Eunsol’s playful compliments weren’t anything new. Whenever Jaebeom stood under bright lights, Eunsol often said he looked dazzling.

Jaebeom even thought he should have brought him along sooner if he knew he’d look this delighted.

Lately, Jaebeom had been thinking about how quiet Eunsol had become. His charm had always been his unpredictability and odd thoughts.

Seeing him act playful again made Jaebeom smile.

“I’m serious. What should we do? You need to be an actor soon. You shouldn’t be stuck here.”

Eunsol was about to start thinking again about how he could return to his original world, so Jaebeom quickly changed the subject.

“Alright, let’s leave that for later. For shoes, take this one. It suits you better.”

“For me? Isn’t it a bit much?”

“Not at all.”

Seeing Eunsol slip on the shoes he had chosen without hesitation, Jaebeom smiled like a well-fed predator.

“What about the tie?”

The staff member, who had been quietly listening, realized it was time to step in and quickly handed over a box.

“You can pick one from here.”

Several colorful ties were folded inside. Jaebeom examined them carefully, then took one and held it against Eunsol’s neck.

Eunsol, also wore an ivory sample suit that matched his pale blue shirt.

“How about this?”

He looked at the tie Jaebeom held to his clothes in the mirror and nodded. The mix of pale blue and deep blue worked well.

“I think it looks good.”

“Right?”

Jaebeom smiled in satisfaction. They had briefly argued about the tie choice. Eunsol had insisted that white wouldn’t work and suggested beige or gray instead, but Jaebeom argued that no one wore those colors with formalwear and stuck to white or silver.

They reached a dramatic compromise. They decided that a soft ivory tone would suit Eunsol better than white, silver, gray, or beige.

“You have such a refined taste, sir.”

Ignoring the clerk’s flattering remark, Jaebeom glanced at Eunsol’s face, which looked tired.

“Are you exhausted?”

“Hmm… I’m a bit tired.”

Eunsol answered honestly instead of pretending to be fine. He had been stuck here for nearly three hours, so it was natural to be exhausted. It was fortunate they could finish everything in one place. If they had gone store to store like most engaged couples, he would’ve collapsed long ago.

Then Eunsol’s face brightened again.

“But it was fun watching, while imagining you doing a pictorial shoot.”

“…If you keep acting that cute, you’ll make things difficult.”

“Why?”

His round eyes showed pure confusion, but Jaebeom saw the mischief hiding beneath.

“I’ll tell you later.”

Jaebeom poked Eunsol’s soft cheek with his finger.

“What is it? Tell me now.”

Eunsol grew uneasy and urged him, but Jaebeom smiled meaningfully and turned to the clerk.

“It looks like we’re done here. Can we go now?”

The employee understood that it wasn’t a question but a notice, and he smiled.

“Yes, I’ll contact you again for the rest.”

Then Jaebeom stood Eunsol up from his seat. When Eunsol suddenly found himself standing, he froze because of the arm wrapping around his waist. To be precise, it was because of the subtle touch that brushed against him.

“…What’s this?”

“You said you were tired.”

What did that have to do with this touch? When Eunsol looked up, what came back was a kiss that made a small sound.

“Hey! I told you not to do this in public.”

Even though he wasn’t an actor here and didn’t have to care about the press or social media it was too much.

Because of how Jaebeom acted so casually anywhere, Eunsol didn’t know what to do from embarrassment in his place.

“So what? There’s only us.”

At that shameless answer, Eunsol made an incredulous face. He turned his head, about to protest, and then realized there really wasn’t anyone around. His eyes went blank.

“They went over there earlier.”

Jaebeom pointed with his eyes toward the curtain at the inner section. It was impressive that he had noticed the change in atmosphere in that short time. Eunsol hesitated and then let out a deflated laugh.

“So that thing you said you’d tell me later, this was it?”

“What?”

Even the way he casually shrugged his shoulders looked charming, and Eunsol thought that maybe he really was blinded by love as he followed Jaebeom out of the store.

The car carrying the two of them started running along the road. As soon as Eunsol sat down, he stroked the cat that had immediately climbed onto his lap. At first, he didn’t notice anything strange.

Kwak Sang was driving, and in the back seat, Jaebeom sat beside him. But because of the huge ball of fur between them, the two had to sit at opposite ends of the seat.

“Where are we going?”

As the drive went on longer and longer, and finally entered the highway, Eunsol couldn’t help but ask. Once he realized the road led toward the airport, he became confused.

“We’re almost there.”

They had already failed to put the cat into its carrier before leaving home. After that, Jaebeom had tried to carry it in his arms, but even that had been refused.

Annoyed by that, Jaebeom crossed his arms and spoke with disinterest. Eunsol turned his head again. At that moment, the car exited the interchange. A large sign came into view.

The words written there were Passenger Terminal.

“Don’t tell me we’re taking a ship?”

Eunsol’s eyes quickly swept the view outside. The surroundings were full of tall, bright buildings so dazzling he didn’t even know a place like this existed.

There were high-rise hotels, a massive shopping mall, and even a water park, and then a huge cruise docked at the passenger terminal.

“Yes.”

“Where on earth are we going?”

Jaebeom calmly answered as if he didn’t need to hide it anymore. Eunsol found it absurd.

Hadn’t he said earlier that they were going home? Then what was this place?

But once again, Jaebeom didn’t tell him the destination and only smiled. That meaningful look made him suspicious.

“I don’t have a passport.”

“I didn’t bring mine either.”

Just when Eunsol guessed that meant it wasn’t abroad, the car stopped. Without even telling him to get out, Jaebeom stepped outside first, walked around the car, and opened the door on Eunsol’s side.

“Shall we get out?”

What was this again? When Eunsol blinked blankly, Jaebeom waved his hand again. Tilting his head slightly, Eunsol put the cat down from his lap and took Jaebeom’s hand.

Pulled by the strength that drew him forward, Eunsol stepped out and realized belatedly that they were at a marina where yachts were moored.

From that moment, he had a premonition.

“What about Jongjong?”

“Kwak Sang will take care of him.”

Jaebeom answered and led him along the deck. Passing by several boats, he approached a rather large yacht.

“Welcome!”

The captain waiting outside the yacht greeted Jaebeom warmly, as if he had been waiting. Seeing that, Eunsol knew for sure that his guess had been right.

While that happened, Jaebeom exchanged a nod with the captain and turned toward Eunsol.

“Bulgom said there’s something you have to do before a wedding.”

“…What’s that?”

“A proper proposal.”

Eunsol stared blankly at the luxurious yacht and swallowed dryly. He hoped, more than anything, that his feeling wouldn’t prove to be right beyond this point.