JD 12

What was with that ugly face?

Muheon, not understanding Kang Hakyung’s full-to-bursting expression of dissatisfaction, jerked his chin toward the pizza. Places like this were supposed to be way more popular with younger crowds than chain stores like “Pizza School.”

He’d gone out of his way to bring the car because of Gi Sang-oh’s confident recommendation. But clearly, this wasn’t to Kang Hakyung’s taste.

“You wanna go to Pizza School instead?”

“Nooo. We’re already here—what else can we do? Gotta eat it now.”

Hakyung let out a sigh and slumped forward.

It was his fault for assuming the president would just order for them—he’d never been to a place like this before, and the menu was so complicated.

He tore off a slice of the green-covered pizza and placed it on Muheon’s plate.

Isn’t this way too much spinach?

There was so much on top it hadn’t even wilted yet. Eventually, Hakyung’s lips, tight with discontent, began murmuring complaints.

“President, what kind of pizza did you order? There’s so much spinach. I’m not a picky eater or anything, but pizza’s supposed to be all cheesy and full of flavor, right? I don’t get how this is any different from eating a salad.”

“Spinach? That’s arugula.”

“Arugula?”

What the hell is that…? Hakyung’s eyes trembled.

He’d never even heard the word back in the countryside. He’d assumed it was just soft spinach tossed on top—but apparently it was something else entirely. Flustered, he quickly clamped his chattering mouth shut.

Watching his little red-faced dolphin, Muheon had to clench his fist under the table to keep from laughing.

“Country bumpkin.”

Of course, he wasn’t about to pass up the chance to tease him.

“I-it’s only because we didn’t have places like this where I lived!”

“Yeah, but even if you never went, you could just look it up online…?”

“How am I supposed to look up a veggie I’ve never seen before, that’s sitting on a pizza I’ve never eaten?!”

…Fair point.

Faced with Hakyung’s injustice-laced retort, Muheon found himself nodding, like he’d been bewitched. He tore off a slice of pizza and placed it on Hakyung’s plate just like Hakyung had done for him.

“Then take this chance and try it. You’ll be like, Ah, so this is arugula.”

He couldn’t hide his laugh anymore and let out a snort.

Hakyung took a bite and started puffing like an angry little blowfish. The sight of it made Muheon burst into full, belly-shaking laughter.

He laughed so hard and so loudly that Hakyung actually got upset for real.

Muheon broke into a nervous sweat trying to console his sulking dolphin, and only after promising to really get him a hot chicken pizza next time did Hakyung start happily eating the rest.

He was a total little prince.

And yet, somehow, Muheon didn’t mind soothing and spoiling him. In fact, he kind of liked it. Strange.

After polishing off the whole pizza and a spicy rosé bacon pasta, Hakyung patted his full belly and bounced his shoulders in glee.

It had been ages since he ate this much, and the happiness from that alone made his whole body light.

When you were full, the world just seemed better.

Two days ago, crouched on the floor in hunger and misery, life had felt like hell. Now, with a full stomach, it felt like paradise.

“Thank you for the meal today.”

“Yeah. From the looks of that belly, I can tell you ate well.”

Still teasing him to the very end, Muheon got into the driver’s seat.

Behind him, Hakyung pouted, then rushed to the passenger side, worried Muheon might leave him behind.

By the time they got back to the office, evening had fallen.

Muheon told him he could head straight home, so Hakyung went up to his rooftop room.

The dorms were quiet, as always.

He passed the silent living room and kitchen and reached his door.

When he opened it, the wind chime he’d hung before heading out rang with a crisp, lovely sound.

Smiling softly, Hakyung opened and closed the door a few more times just to hear it again.

Being welcomed by that pretty sound every time he entered—he really loved it.

The president might not have the best taste when it came to clothes or food, but he sure knew how to pick a gift.

Rising on tiptoe, he gave the chime one gentle tap before stepping fully into the room.

“Phew!”

He shoved all the shopping bags into a corner and let out a big exhale.

He’d never had such a grueling shopping session in his life.

The closest comparison was following his grandma around to buy kimchi ingredients.

Stretching his sore shoulders and arms, the first thing he did was open the bag with the hat.

The yellow hat, neatly packed flat, sparkled like it had been waiting for him.

He ripped the packaging off and set down the hat he’d been wearing.

Then he plopped the new yellow one on his head.

The mirror on his nightstand wasn’t quite enough, so he darted into the bathroom to check himself in the big mirror.

“Knew it! Looks great!”

Hakyung stomped his feet in delight.

He was thrilled that his prediction had been right—and proud that he’d snagged the last one just in time.

He moved his face this way and that, striking angles like someone taking a selfie, completely dolled up.

No matter which direction you looked from, the hat suited Kang Hakyung perfectly.

A silly smile kept slipping out between his twitching lips.

With the hat as his starting point, Hakyung’s solo fashion show kicked off.

There wasn’t a single spectator, but that didn’t stop him from gleefully switching outfits and bouncing around the room.

“You look nice.”

A low voice from behind made Hakyung jump.

Still holding the shirt he hadn’t yet put on, he turned around.

Leaning in the doorway, the president’s eyes slowly swept from the top of Hakyung’s head to his feet.

“B-Boss?”

“Yeah.”

“What brings you here…?”

Hakyung, hastily tugging his shirt over his head, instinctively took a few steps back.

Muheon shrugged as he watched him retreat.

“No reason. Can’t I drop by?”

“Uh… what?”

“I was just curious what you were up to.”

“O-oh, I see…”

So curious, huh? Seriously, why not just go home instead of barging into some guy’s room late at night?

Grumbling internally, Hakyung slipped his other arm into the shirt and gave an awkward smile.

He, for one, had never once wondered what the boss was doing.

An odd tension lingered in the air—Hakyung was the only one who felt it.

Trying to act natural, he fiddled with the hem of his T-shirt.

“You haven’t tried the hat on yet?”

“The hat?”

“Yeah. That’s not the new one, is it?”

Muheon’s gaze shifted toward Hakyung’s head.

In an instant, Hakyung’s previously cloudy expression lit up.

The fact that someone had appeared to share in his excitement over the new hat made his heart flutter.

He plucked the hat from the top of the neatly folded pile of clothes.

Its soft texture fit perfectly in his hand.

“Boss, are you curious about how I look in this hat? You are, right? That’s why you came, right?!”

Come on, say you’re curious! Say you want to see it!

It was like even his inner voice was spilling out.

Muheon nodded, just as Hakyung had hoped.

“Then I’ll show you!”

Hakyung switched to the yellow hat.

His curly pink hair peeked out beneath it, looking sweet as cotton candy.

In that instant, Muheon felt the urge to run his hands through those soft curls.

He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them in check just as Hakyung stepped up to him.

Maybe it was because he was still a kid—Kang Hakyung backed away just as easily as he approached, whether it was out of fear or excitement.

Not that Muheon minded. It meant he could talk to him just a little longer.

“Well? Looks good, right? I was right, wasn’t I?”

Come on, compliment me! Say it goes great with the pink dolphin look! Tell me it was a good buy!

Even that desperate inner plea felt audible.

Muheon chuckled and tilted his head, pretending not to get it.

“I’ll need to see the back too.”

“Oh, come on!”

Hakyung let out a scoff, rolling his finger in a circle in the air, then quickly covered his mouth.

But seeing Muheon’s casual face, as if to say “this much is fine,” made him lower his hand again.

Obligingly, he spun around in place, giving him the full view.

“Looks good from the back too, right?”

Turning to face forward again, Hakyung stepped even closer than before.

Now that he was looking up from so close, his face was no longer hidden by the brim of the hat.

His smiling face revealed a deep dimple, the first thing Muheon noticed.

He lifted a finger and poked Hakyung in the cheek.

“Ow!”

Hakyung winced, eyebrows scrunching at the unexpected sting.

He’d asked for feedback on whether it suited him—what was with the sudden cheek poke?

What was he, a piece of fruit being checked for ripeness?

Seeing Hakyung’s suddenly sulky eyes, Muheon blinked.

He didn’t even know why his hand had reached for his cheek in the first place.

More surprised than the startled Kang Hakyung himself, Muheon quickly pulled his hand back.

Trying to cover for himself, he launched into the compliments Hakyung had so clearly been waiting for.