A9 10

A black sedan that looked unusual at first glance was parked in front of his house. Beside it stood Goun’s familiar team of personal secretaries, and upon spotting Suho, they lowered their heads in greeting.

“Good evening, Mr. Suho.”

“Ah… yes.”

“We’ll escort you by car. Please come this way.”

The man standing near the door stepped aside as he spoke. Finding the gesture unnecessarily formal, Suho nodded a few times and shuffled forward with creaking steps. When his unfamiliar dress shoes stopped in front of the black sedan, the secretary behind him promptly opened the car door. The courtesy felt so excessive that Suho couldn’t bring himself to lift his head; he simply bent down and stepped inside.

At that moment, his eyes met someone already seated inside. It was none other than that damned Kang Minhyuk.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s my car.”

“No, I mean…”

“……”

“…No way. You’re not crazy enough to come pick me up, right?”

The sudden appearance, followed by Minhyuk’s calm claim that it was his car, made Suho laugh under his breath. Even though there wasn’t a trace of delight in Suho’s reaction, Minhyuk simply kept his mouth shut, showing no particular response.

Did he not take it as a joke? Silence that deep usually meant affirmation… No way.

“…You’re serious? Wait, seriously?”

“Stop talking nonsense and get in already. We’re going to be late.”

Minhyuk, who belatedly turned his gaze, spoke up. Uncharacteristically, his tone wavered a bit at the end. Watching Minhyuk avert his eyes, Suho couldn’t shake off his suspicion but still got into the car. Once he was seated, the secretary carefully closed the door and climbed into the front passenger seat. As if that was the signal to depart, the driver glanced at Minhyuk and adjusted his grip on the steering wheel. Minhyuk gave a brief nod and turned his gaze toward the window on the right.

As soon as the signal was given, the sedan carrying the two of them smoothly pulled away from the house. The entire process flowed naturally, as if it had happened many times before. Suho cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his gaze to the left. He didn’t have anything particular to say, but being in the same car as Minhyuk somewhat bothered him. A long silence settled between them.

Suho stared blankly out the window. For some reason, the scenery beyond the window felt especially steeped in the season tonight. Winter nights were spiteful things; they had driven the sun away early. The fallen sun left a deep stain on the sky, leaving the half-moon alone, and the colorful traffic lights below looked like ornaments on a Christmas tree.

Just as the white headlights on the road added the finishing touch to the scene, the car carrying the two of them slowed and came to a smooth stop at a red light. Right on cue, the crimson glow of the signal fell across the window. With red reflected in his eyes, Suho glanced around quietly.

Before long, they passed through Gangnam H Avenue. Turning around a few corners in succession, they arrived at Handan Table, the meeting place. Eager to escape the awkward air inside the car, Suho began fidgeting even before the car stopped completely. Contrary to his expectation, the secretary kept his gaze fixed forward, making no move to assist. Was he supposed to open the door himself this time?

Suho tilted his head slightly, puzzled by the sudden change in protocol, but still wrapped his hand around the door handle. Just then, a deep voice reached his ear, as if waiting for that very moment.

“Im Suho.”

The distance between them somehow felt closer than usual, and Suho lifted his head instead of replying. Even without turning around, he could sense Minhyuk move in close behind him. To prevent any unexpected mishap, Suho held his breath for a moment and focused all his senses on the back of his neck. When he didn’t respond, Minhyuk called him again and leaned in even closer.

“Im Suho.”

“…What.”

“No matter what you hear in there, just let it pass. Don’t agree or disagree. Be vague, like you always are.”

Suho frowned at his words.

“Hearing you say something like that… it doesn’t sound like a simple meal gathering. …So, is it some kind of important talk or something?”

“……”

“Guess I’m right.”

Suho’s expression hardened as he quickly scanned beyond the car window. It wasn’t like Minhyuk to speak that way, and what unsettled him even more was the thought that he’d probably end up obediently doing as Minhyuk said.

“I’ll handle it, so stay out of it. It’s not like this kind of meeting hasn’t happened before.”

“…Alright.”

“Enough small talk. Let’s go. The elders must be waiting.”

Without turning back, Suho made a show of reaching for the door handle. Only then did the secretary in the front seat get out and open the door for him. Suho stepped out without a word. Almost out of defiance, he entered the restaurant first, even before Minhyuk got out, and went straight to confirm the reservation.

The escort only began once Minhyuk came up beside him. Since the two of them appeared close in public, they walked together at a slightly closer distance than usual toward the designated private room. At the door stood a few people, likely the restaurant’s managers, wearing bright smiles as they awaited them. They greeted Minhyuk and Suho briefly before bustling back to their posts.

“If you need anything, please call us right away. I hope you have an enjoyable meal.”

After the short farewell from the manager who had guided them, the two were left alone. Though the attention on them hadn’t lessened, Minhyuk seemed entirely used to it as he led Suho to his side. Suho, too, stood next to him this once, quickly straightening his clothes. With his small hands, he even fixed a crooked sleeve button before giving Minhyuk’s elbow a light tap, as if to signal he was done. At that cue, Minhyuk slowly opened the door.

Through the smoothly widening gap, the elders of Goun came into view as expected. They were already smiling faintly, as if they had sensed the two’s arrival long before.

“Come in, Suho-ya. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It must’ve been quite cold outside, your cheeks are flushed. Don’t stand there, come sit here. This spot is especially warm and comfortable.”

Kang Junseong, Minhyuk’s father and the Vice Chairman of Goun Group, and Son Hyunju, Minhyuk’s mother and the Chairwoman of the Goun Foundation, greeted them warmly. For some reason, their welcome was directed more toward Suho than their own son.

As always, Suho wore a polite smile and bowed in greeting.

“We’re a bit late, aren’t we? I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. We have only just arrived ourselves.”

Hyunju smiled gracefully and gestured toward the seats across from her. Junseong also looked at Suho with a contented smile tugging at his lips.

“Haha, how have you been?”

“Of course. Thanks to the flowers Suho sent last week, we’ve been happy.”

…When did I ever send flowers?

At Hyunju’s puzzling words, Suho quickly racked his brain, but the polite smile on his lips only deepened. After a brief moment of thought, he decided it must have been Minhyuk’s doing and headed to the chair Hyunju had pointed out. As he placed a hand on the top of the dark wooden chair, Minhyuk, who had somehow appeared right beside him, pulled the chair out for him. It was a completely unnecessary gesture, but since they had to act like affectionate lovers for the time being, Suho sat down in the chair Minhyuk offered and returned the gesture with a shy smile.

It was, in every sense, an almost perfect performance.

“The more I see you… Our Suho really has such gentle eyes. It’s lovely.”

“I know. If only Minhyuk took after Suho even half as much… He’s my son, but he’s so stiff.”

“That’s because he takes after you.”

“…I’d say it’s more you than me.”

The elders exchanged subtle jabs at each other while their attention stayed on Suho. The more they did, the more awkwardly Suho’s lips twitched as he tried to look bashful. Meanwhile, Minhyuk, as if entirely accustomed to such scenes, simply sat beside him and poured water into Suho’s glass.

Soon after, the food began to arrive one dish at a time. True to the restaurant’s reputation for fusion Korean fine dining, the table was filled with dishes whose names alone made you want to check the price—signature items such as “Butter-Grilled Abalone topped with Basil Pesto” and “Truffle Oil and Braised Beef Short Ribs cooked under high pressure and garnished with Pine Mushrooms”—each plate arranged temptingly and looking every bit as exquisite as its description.

In keeping with the manners of the Land of Courtesy¹An ancient term used to describe Korea as a nation known for its politeness and refined manners. It reflects Korea’s long-standing cultural emphasis on respect and etiquette, rooted in Confucian values, and has been recognized since ancient Chinese texts. This phrase highlights Korea’s identity as a place where courtesy and social harmony are deeply valued., Suho patiently waited for the elders to take their first bites. Once Junseong and Hyunju had taken a few spoonfuls, he finally reached out and helped himself to a small portion of japchae, his favorite dish. The pleasantly savory flavor filled his mouth, and his lips curled upward in satisfaction.

Unlike him, however, Minhyuk only held his spoon without touching a single dish. His gaze lingered lazily on Suho’s cheeks as they moved with every bite. What kind of person just sits there staring at someone else eating? Feeling strangely self-conscious, Suho glanced sideways at him and dabbed his lips with a linen napkin. Then, making sure the elders could see, he smiled sweetly, his eyes curving into gentle crescents.

“Go on and eat, Minhyuk.”

“…Yeah.”

Though a brief answer came, Minhyuk merely adjusted his grip on the spoon, still not lifting a finger to eat. Somehow, it was Suho who felt more self-conscious than him. His eyes darted back and forth between the side dishes and Minhyuk. Every so often, he shot him a look urging him to pick something up to eat, but Minhyuk’s hand remained utterly still.

• 1
  An ancient term used to describe Korea as a nation known for its politeness and refined manners. It reflects Korea’s long-standing cultural emphasis on respect and etiquette, rooted in Confucian values, and has been recognized since ancient Chinese texts. This phrase highlights Korea’s identity as a place where courtesy and social harmony are deeply valued.