LS 65

After devouring the sherbet that came as dessert, Moonhyuk looked genuinely moved.

“This is so good…”

“Even better than the sushi you had before?”

“Oh, that castella cake we had just before this? That was really good too!”

“But this is the best, right?”

“Uh… yeah! I think it’s the texture, it’s crisp and clean… with the milk and salt in it, it’s nutty, salty, sweet… just incredibly delicious.”

“Glad you like it.”

Dohee had figured he would, Moonhyuk liked sweet things. The sushi had been great, but this place was also known for its desserts.

“Everything was amazing. It’s kind of surreal… it’s my first time eating somewhere you have to make a reservation.”

Moonhyuk smiled sheepishly.

“Then let’s go. You’re stopping by the library, right? I’ll walk you there and then head home.”

Like hell he was going home. Honestly, Dohee felt like he could sit in the library all day flipping between books and Moonhyuk’s face and still have a great time. But he didn’t want to come on too strong or hog too much of Moonhyuk’s time on their first official meeting. That kind of guy wasn’t attractive.

They got up and put on their coats. While Moonhyuk was carefully wrapping his scarf, Dohee stepped up to the counter a beat ahead.

“That’ll be 120,000 won for the two of you.”

Without hesitation, Dohee handed over his card. He’d planned to pay from the moment he made the reservation. A few steps behind, Moonhyuk’s eyes widened and he rushed forward.

“Uh, um–let’s split–!”

“It’s fine. I’m the one who invited you.”

“Ah… but it’s so expensive…”

His voice trailed off into nothing. Weak and small.

Dohee already knew Moonhyuk’s situation wasn’t great, living alone without family, working two tutoring jobs and a night shift at an internet café, going to the library constantly to keep his scholarship, not owning a computer, wearing clean but clearly old clothes, and not seeming to have many outfits at all.

But Dohee didn’t want to make him feel embarrassed or burdensome, so he accepted the card back with a shrug and a casual smile.

“Just buy me lunch next time. Something you like.”

“Uh…”

“You don’t have anything you especially like?”

“Oh, I eat everything! I’ll treat you next time then.”

Yeah, sure. As if Dohee would ever let Moonhyuk pull out his wallet. That wasn’t going to happen. Ever. It didn’t matter if Moonhyuk ate a 200,000-won meal, it wouldn’t bother Dohee one bit. But still, he just nodded and smiled.

Yeah, sure. Let him try to find a chance to buy me a meal. That way, there’ll be more excuses to meet. And Baek Dohee?

Total win.

As they stepped out of the omakase place, a chilly wind greeted them. But the sun was out and the skies were clear, so it didn’t feel cold. Moonhyuk gave a little shiver, and only then did Dohee remember the shopping bag he’d been holding the whole time.

“Oh, right.”

He held out a soft pink shopping bag. Moonhyuk blinked at it.

“Um… what’s this?”

“Just something I got for hyung.”

“Oh. Uh… huh? A gift?”

“Yeah. It’s nothing special, I just saw it while walking by and thought of you.”

Dohee casually slipped the bag’s handle over Moonhyuk’s wrist. His fingers brushed against his skin, warm. He forced his hand to pull away and met Moonhyuk’s stunned eyes.

“I almost forgot to give it to you.”

“I… I didn’t bring anything for you… I mean, usually when you meet someone offline like this, you don’t just… bring a gift…”

“You don’t?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, who brings gifts for offline meetups? That’s not a thing. I just saw it and thought it would suit you. I was already buying something for myself, so I picked up one for you too. It’s not a big deal, just take it.”

He’d removed the price tag already. Who cares how much a scarf cost?

“Thank you…”

Moonhyuk bowed his head. Even after having lunch, coffee, and calling each other by name, he still bowed and spoke politely. Dohee liked that shy, cautious side–but at the same time, it left him wanting more.

“Are you gonna keep using formal language?”

They started walking toward the library. Moonhyuk scurried up to walk beside him, cradling the shopping bag like it was some kind of precious egg. It’s not a baby bird, you know? Dohee almost burst out laughing, but he held it in for Moonhyuk’s sake.

“Oh, uh… it’s just a habit…”

“You’re not uncomfortable with me?”

Dohee asked playfully, and Moonhyuk flinched like a startled puppy. His lips twitched.

“No! Not at all!”

“Then it’s fine.”

“I mean really, not at all! It’s just… calling you ‘Dohee’ instead of ‘AssaGo’ still feels weird…”

“Use whatever’s comfortable for now.”

I’ll take care of the rest.

Dohee just shrugged without adding that last part. He heard Moonhyuk let out a quiet sigh of relief. The more he learned about him, the more fun he became. What even is this guy? Why is he so damn cute?

They walked in silence for a while, and eventually the library came into view. It felt too soon, but Dohee also knew he couldn’t cling to Moonhyuk forever, so maybe it was just as well. As they were climbing the slope toward it, Moonhyuk suddenly spoke.

“Um, so…”

“Yeah?”

“I was going to ask this earlier, but I just remembered…”

“Ask what?”

“You said you needed two supports, right?”

“Oh, right. Since we’re running two parties.”

“So… you said you’d bring someone else too, who is it? I thought I was the only support in the guild… Is it that friend you mentioned before? The one who has a maxed-out supporter character…?”

Dohee instinctively stopped walking. Shit. It’s here.

He’d meant to bring it up himself before they parted, but now that Moonhyuk had blindsided him, he was speechless. Slowly, he turned to look at him. Moonhyuk had an innocent, curious expression on his face. A bunch of possible replies flashed through Dohee’s mind.

What’s the best way to say this? He’d planned to bring it up on his own. But now, being put on the spot, his brain blanked.

Behind Moonhyuk were barren tree branches. The campus was mostly empty since it was break season. Dohee had been here a few times before, so the path was familiar. But now, it was about to become the setting for the hardest confession of his life.

Eventually, Dohee pushed aside every option and said the dumbest thing that came to mind:

“That’s me.”

“…What?”

“Hyung.”

“Huh?”

“I’m about to be super honest, okay? Don’t scream. I’d rather you not get mad either, though I’d understand if you did. I have enough shame not to say you shouldn’t get mad…”

Whatever.

I’ve already invested so much. Where’s the support supposed to run off to now?

“So, um–”

“The thing about my max-level supporter friend? That was a lie.”

“Ah…?”

“There isn’t one.”

“Then… why…?”

“You asked how I knew so much about supports, remember? Why I seemed to know everything?”

Moonhyuk blinked slowly. Staring into his bright, wide eyes, Dohee swallowed hard. Why is this scarier than giving a college presentation? His heart was pounding, and his thoughts were a mess.

“It’s because I am a support.”

“Huh? But… you’re a Dark Assassin…”

“AssaGo is my alt. I only leveled it because I needed a maxed DPS. My main’s a support.”

“Oh… but why didn’t you tell me…?”

“Because.”

Because it’s fucking embarrassing!

Telling someone named “GOingSupporter187” that you’re the actual GoingSupporter? The cringe!

Dohee clenched his eyes shut and then opened them. No matter how embarrassing or awkward it was, he had to say it. He couldn’t keep stalling anymore.

“Because I’m…”

“…?”

“GoingSupporter.”

A long sigh escaped him. He looked Moonhyuk in the eye, doing his best to stay calm. But Moonhyuk was frozen like a statue. His lips trembled. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

“So, yeah… I’m a support.”

“You mean… Dohee, not AssaGo? Or… AssaGo is your alt?”

“Right.”

“That, that… ah…”

Moonhyuk’s face was hardening in real time. He looked like his soul was slowly leaving his body. Even more spaced out than when they’d first met at the café. Dohee figured it was time to drive it home, he’d already lit the bomb, might as well detonate it properly.

“I’m GoingSupporter, hyung.”

Whatever happens, happens.