LS 63

After the tension of the first meeting began to ease, Moonhyuk finally felt like he could stop wishing to pass out.

Dohee was a strange person, in a good way. He wasn’t saying anything particularly remarkable, yet their conversation flowed effortlessly. Moonhyuk had felt it during their voice chats on GameTalk, too, talking to Dohee made him feel at ease. Even when Dohee teased him now and then, it never felt mean-spirited. He never brushed off what Moonhyuk said or made him feel silly. He just listened, genuinely.

Meeting in person didn’t change much.

The only difference was that the person he was talking to was right there in front of him. The look in his eyes, the expressions on his face, the sound of his voice, it all felt so vivid.

He’d thought: Just one more time. I want to see him again, to look at him more closely. But now that Dohee was sitting directly across from him, any thoughts of how he resembled the GoingSupporter character had long since vanished.

He looked like a sculpture in a museum, or like a member of an idol group classmates would gush over while showing photos, or like some otherworldly fantasy creature from a movie.

Whenever Dohee smiled, furrowed his brow, sighed, shook his head, or moved his hands, Moonhyuk found himself helplessly watching him.

It was just so fascinating. He’d never seen someone so good-looking before, and yet here that person was, sitting right across from him. And that person was AssaGo. The same person who’d spent all that time in-game by his side, guiding him through everything.

“Is there anything you can’t eat?”

“Uh… bitter things, I guess?”

“Good. I didn’t pick anything bitter. I went ahead and made lunch reservations, no allergies or anything?”

“Nope. I’m not picky at all! I eat anything. You made reservations?”

“Yeah. You can’t get in without one.”

“Ah.”

After finishing their coffee and hot chocolate, the two stood up. It was time for lunch. Since Moonhyuk had work in the evening, they’d agreed to meet during the day and eat lunch together. He’d figured they could just decide what to eat once they met, especially since the area had plenty of restaurants, but apparently, Dohee had already made a reservation. Moonhyuk couldn’t even remember the last time he’d eaten at a place that required one. The idea made him nervous, and he awkwardly followed behind Dohee out of the café.

Just like in the game, Dohee didn’t hesitate in real life either. Every move, every word came smoothly. He didn’t stumble, didn’t fumble like Moonhyuk did. It was impressive. Confident. How could someone seem so effortlessly composed?

Moonhyuk wasn’t sure if “refreshing” was the right word to describe a person, but that’s exactly how Dohee felt. Bright, crisp, and hard to look away from. That was how Kwon Moonhyuk saw Baek Dohee.

“Why are you walking so far behind?”

Dohee, who had been striding ahead, suddenly stopped in his tracks. Moonhyuk, who’d been trailing just one step behind, nearly crashed into him.

“Huh?”

“Why are you following me like a puppy? Like a stray.”

“Ah…”

“Hey, I’m not insulting you. Are you still too shy to walk beside me?”

“No, that’s not it….”

“Then what?”

“It just… feels comfortable like this?”

“That’s ridiculous. Walk next to me. We’re friends. What is this, some kind of dog-walker situation?”

“Uh…?”

Instead of answering, Dohee simply tilted his head toward the space beside him. Moonhyuk, realizing he had no excuse, quickly scurried to walk by his side. It felt like the right thing to do.

Dohee started walking again, and Moonhyuk silently tried to match his stride, lost in thought.

“You smell nice…”

No, he had only meant to think that. But the words slipped out.

“Me?”

“Ah, yeah. Yeah.”

“It’s the cologne. You don’t wear any?”

Without warning, Dohee reached out and grabbed Moonhyuk’s scarf. The gesture looked almost like he was grabbing him by the collar, but Moonhyuk didn’t even consider pulling away. He froze.

Dohee leaned in, tugging the scarf gently so Moonhyuk’s upper body tilted forward. Because of their slight height difference, the angle made it look like Moonhyuk was bowing his head toward Dohee.

“You smell nice too.”

“Ah…”

“Must be fabric softener.”

Dohee’s eyes lifted to meet his. Looking down at someone like that… it made Moonhyuk feel strange. He didn’t know why. Panicked, he quickly took a step back.

“I-it’s because I wash it by hand.”

“The scarf?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Dry cleaning’s easier.”

“It’s just… a habit.”

“You’re diligent.”

Dohee chuckled. Moonhyuk’s heart was pounding more wildly than usual, probably because it was cold, right? That’s what he told himself as he stepped back beside Dohee.

People passing by kept glancing their way. The stares were unfamiliar, and Moonhyuk wanted to hide behind Dohee again. Sure, people had looked at him before when he walked alone, but not like this, like they were actually noticing him. But now, almost everyone turned to look at them. It had to be because Dohee was so handsome.

“People are…”

“Hm?”

“People keep looking.”

“Yeah?”

“I think it’s because you’re too handsome. Or maybe we just look odd together.”

Moonhyuk was floored. He wanted to deny it, but had no idea how to explain, so he just opened and closed his mouth a few times before tucking his chin into his scarf again.

Dohee was just as stunned. Of course, he knew people were staring at them as they walked–it happened often, and he was used to it. But seeing this guy walking silently beside him, not realizing how ridiculously good-looking he was… it was unbelievable. How had this man lived twenty-seven years without noticing?

He was awkward and hesitant with words, often saying strange things, but when he kept his mouth shut and walked expressionless, he looked like a professional model. Sure, his fashion sense wasn’t great, and he didn’t have the friendliest face when idle, but once he spoke and his face animated, he became something else entirely. Like sugar glass ready to shatter at the lightest tap. That contrast, honestly, was even better.

Shit. I’m in trouble.

That was Dohee’s honest thought. They’d only had coffee, hadn’t even eaten lunch yet, and he already liked him more. What was he supposed to do with this strange, handsome weirdo? If someone were watching from the outside, it might look like Moonhyuk was tagging along behind him, but really, the one being pulled along was Baek Dohee.

They were nearly at the omakase restaurant Dohee had reserved when someone suddenly called out.

“Excuse me!”

Dohee was ready to ignore it and keep walking, but Moonhyuk stopped. Turning with him, Dohee saw two female college students standing nearby.

“Um… we just wanted to ask something.”

The one who spoke was looking directly at Moonhyuk. Dohee immediately sensed danger like a wild animal sniffing out a trap.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, you. Don’t you work the evening shift at that internet café over there?”

“Ah… yeah, I do.”

“Whoa, I knew it.”

The girl giggled, elbowing her friend, who covered her mouth shyly. This… was not a good sign. The first girl continued without hesitation.

“So, the thing is, my friend here thinks you’re cute. Do you have a girlfriend?”

Dohee turned to look at Moonhyuk. His brow furrowed in confusion. He looked completely flustered.

“…Huh? Me?”

“Yeah. She’s been saying for a while that there’s a really hot guy working at that café. Don’t you remember her?”

“Ah… sorry.”

Why the hell are you apologizing?

Dohee felt like his head was going to explode. He stepped in front of Moonhyuk slightly, shielding him.

“He has a lover.”

“Wha…?”

“Oh, I figured. He’s too good-looking not to be taken.”

“Ah…”

“Our reservation’s about to start. Mind if we head in?”

“Not at all! Sorry if we made you uncomfortable. Just thought it’d be worse not to say anything.”

“It’s fine. My hyung’s ridiculously good-looking, isn’t he?”

“Geez, you’re pretty gorgeous too!”

“Well, we don’t settle for second best.”

The girls laughed like they’d just heard a clever joke. After a polite exchange of goodbyes, they linked arms and walked off. Moonhyuk had stood there the whole time, stunned, without saying a word.

“Let’s go in, hyung.”

“…Huh? Oh, yeah.”

He’s way too pure. He didn’t even realize I just blocked his chance at a relationship.

Objectively speaking, they were both attractive girls, and their personalities had come through clearly in just that short conversation. Yet even after being openly hit on, Moonhyuk just followed behind Dohee into the restaurant without another thought.

There wasn’t a single hint of romance in his head. Despite all the time they’d spent talking, not once had Moonhyuk ever brought up dating. Not even as a joke.

“What am I supposed to do with this guy? Lock him up?”

At Dohee’s muttered complaint, Moonhyuk paused as he was unwrapping his scarf and looked up.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Hang your scarf over there and sit down.”

“Okay!”

Dohee let out a small sigh.

There was still a long, long way to go.