JD 36

Muheon was driving, and Hakyung sat in the passenger seat. Sitting side by side like this reminded him of the time they went shopping for clothes together, and his feet started bouncing with excitement.

“Boss, where are we going today?”

“Park Geowong didn’t tell you?”

“I was really busy getting ready for the site visit this morning!”

Muheon gave him a look of disbelief. What kind of preparation was that when he didn’t even know where they were going? Hakyung, feeling the bewildered gaze from Muheon’s left temple, fidgeted his fingers and tried to defend himself.

“There are… things the boss doesn’t know about too, you know…”

“Oh yeah?”

At that indifferent reply, Muheon gave a small shrug. The lack of enthusiasm made Hakyung’s lips jut out in a pout.

But he really had been busy this morning. Sure, it was technically a work trip, but it was their first time going out alone in a while. He’d spent all morning trying to pick an outfit that would match Muheon’s.

Muheon always wore black, so if he dressed in black too, they’d be a matching couple look. The only problem was deciding on the right hat to look his best.

He’d gone through over ten hats, worrying endlessly. He wasn’t expecting Muheon to notice or appreciate it, but he couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.

“We’re going to Seongsu. Ever been?”

“Seongsu? No! Not even once!”

The only parts of Seoul Hakyung had seen were around the office anyway. Shaking his head, he caught a glimpse of Muheon smirking at him, like he found it cute.

“There’s a popup event happening in Seongsu. We’re checking it out.”

“A popup…?”

“You remember that salted chocolate we had a few days ago? It’s from that brand. They’re doing a little event. And, well, I am the boss.”

“Gasp… That was so good! But didn’t you say the guy who made it was Minho hyung’s younger sister?”

So that meant the siblings were both working under Muheon? Or maybe they were also dragged in because of debt? Hakyung’s eyes narrowed as he glanced sideways at Muheon.

“What’s with that look?”

“Ah, nothing!”

Quickly shaking off his disrespectful gaze, Hakyung searched “Seongsu” on his phone. Just like Muheon said, there were tons of popups and even some famous bakeries in the area.

As he read through a blog about one of the bakeries, his mouth watered. The blogger seemed to be a young person, posting about all the latest trends. And right below that post was one titled about “Taeyoung.”

Hakyung’s heart dropped. Holding his breath, he slowly tapped the post. Compared to the bakery review, it was short and lacked effort, but the disappointment was loud and clear.

Taeyoung’s channel suddenly got shut down ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Where did my ear-candy boyfriend go ㅠㅠ I fell harder after seeing that Incheon performance clip… was that his farewell stage…? Huuugh…

What? He even shut down the channel?!

Hakyung’s eyes widened like saucers. Something really must have happened…!

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh?”

“What’s with that ‘I gotta poop’ face—wait, do you need the bathroom?”

“Seriously, boss. You have no sense of romance.”

How could he say his newly-budding lover looked like a dog needing to poop? That would never happen in the romantic dolphin world of Kang Hakyung.

He’d showered twice, brushed his teeth four times, and washed his hair five times this morning. And now this? Hakyung was heartbroken.

Whether he knew how much effort Hakyung put in or not, Muheon just looked unfazed.

“So, what were you looking at?”

“Um… you know my friend, right? That guy we met in Incheon—Kim Taeyoung.”

“That bastard’s your friend?”

“Oh, right. Not a friend. He’s my mortal enemy. Enemy!”

Apparently remembering everything he’d gone through, Hakyung muttered curses and puffed up angrily. It was kind of cute, but Muheon was more curious about what he’d seen.

He tapped Hakyung’s cheek lightly and asked again.

“So what about that bastard?”

“Well… I heard his family up and ran away in the night. And now I saw his channel’s been deleted too. Isn’t that weird?”

He wasn’t the kind of guy to give up that easily. Hakyung knew just how stubborn Kim Taeyoung could be, so this situation felt truly strange.

“You worried?”

“W-what? Of course not! I just wish he’d disappear for good already… I was just wondering if he might show up again, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry. He’s not gonna show up—ever again.”

Muheon’s fingers, which had been tapping Hakyung’s cheek, now gently brushed his small shoulder. It was a simple, quiet touch, like he was comforting Hakyung’s long-tired life. But just that bit of contact turned Hakyung into a bright red tomato, flapping in panic.

Goosebumps rippled from his shoulder joint to his shoulder blades. All the thoughts about Kim Taeyoung evaporated cleanly from his head, replaced entirely by Muheon.

Or more specifically, curiosity about all the things he might end up doing with Muheon…

“Ahem. Boss, what time do we have to be back at the office today?”

“Not sure.”

Muheon raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t the type to set a fixed schedule when going out. Whether he came back late or early, no one dared say anything.

“Th-then how about… after lunch, we go for a walk?”

It was a desperate attempt at a date from Hakyung. Sure, they were officially dating, they’d kissed, hugged tightly—but had they really done anything romantic as a couple? Not really.

They still had breakfast together like always, Muheon worked in his office, Hakyung in the main room. Even after work, Muheon barely visited the dorms, always busy with something or other. So Hakyung wasn’t about to let go of this golden chance.

“Please? Please? Boss!”

His pleading looked just like a puppy begging for a walk, leash in its mouth. Muheon smiled without realizing it and nodded. Truthfully, even if Hakyung hadn’t begged so hard, he was ready to say yes to anything with a single word. Hakyung just didn’t seem to know that yet.

And so, with a plan to turn their work trip into a date, the two happily headed to Seongsu.

This really was Seoul. Unlike back in his hometown, here the streets were filled with people his age.

Hakyung’s wide eyes rolled as he watched these dazzling, stylish people. Each of them had come for some popup event from a brand they liked. The popup organized by Muheon’s company, for that salted chocolate, was packed too.

Seeing the endless line of people, Hakyung looked at Muheon in shock.

“Boss.”

“Yeah?”

“You must be making a lot of money.”

It was pure, 100% envy. Muheon, who had more than enough ways to make money beyond just this small event, only nodded without much thought.

Even that little nod looked full of ease to Hakyung, like it came from a hefty bank account. He couldn’t help but admire it.

“You like that stuff too, right? Chocolate.”

“Yep! Of course! I’m gonna get in line and buy some!”

He bounced on his feet, ready to jump into the queue. But Muheon turned his body away from the line instead of joining him.

“Uh—wait, boss, the line’s over there!”

“Kang Hakyung. We’re part of the company, remember? We don’t need to line up. Come on.”

“Oh…!”

Right—this was a work trip. Momentarily caught up in the excitement, Hakyung had completely forgotten their purpose. Embarrassed, he let out an awkward laugh.

That, too, was absurdly cute, so Muheon gave his cheek a poke and stretched his long legs forward.

Having already been poked a few times today like a ripe persimmon, Hakyung squirmed.

Don’t just poke my cheek… touch me somewhere else too…

A lewd, pink-colored dolphin version of Kang Hakyung burst out inside his brain, leaping around excitedly. Shaking his head to clear the dirty thoughts, Hakyung quickly followed Muheon inside.

The event space was even busier than it had looked from outside. Despite the crowd, the staff seemed cheerful.

“Welcome! Oh my, boss!”

One of the employees, who had been greeting guests and managing the register in the center of it all, lit up when she saw Muheon. Her hair color was similar to Minho hyung’s—she must be the one who made the chocolate.

Hearing her shout, other employees started to gather around Muheon. Their enthusiastic greetings made Hakyung feel a bit grumpy.

Why are they all blushing like that while looking at the boss? H-Hey! She touched his shoulder! Even I haven’t touched him that many times yet…!

But more annoying than the staff’s reactions was Muheon himself, who just let them touch him like it was nothing.

Fuming, Hakyung slipped behind him and gave his solid, muscular side a firm pinch.