Chapter 79: Chapter 79.

“Nope.”

Woojin answered as he turned up the radio volume. The music was so loud that the whole car seemed to vibrate. Siwoo regretted not having chosen a better song; perhaps a classic CD would’ve been kinder to their ears.

Siwoo asked, raising his voice to be heard, “What did you say?”

“Jihoon Kang doesn’t have the guts to hurt anyone.”

“…”

“I have known him since childhood, so I know him very well.”

“… He told me that I was mistaken, that he didn’t do anything. Jihoon told me it wasn’t him who did this to Shin…”

“And you believe that, Mr. Siwoo Jung?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you seeing Jihoon?”

Woojin was asking too many difficult questions. Siwoo stared at him in confusion and Woojin, who seemed frustrated, rubbed his forehead in annoyance. Woojin narrowed his eyes and faced Siwoo.

Siwoo replied, “Please give me a moment to answer.”

He knew he was the one who should be talking here. Siwoo hated being in the middle of all this. If Joowan hadn’t met with Jihoon, he wouldn’t be in this mess.

But Jihoon was beginning to become part of his life, and there were so many uncertainties about him. Siwoo had only known him for a short while, but he couldn’t abandon Jihoon for some reason. After a deep sigh, Siwoo explained, “Firstly, I am not close to Jihoon Kang.”

“…”

“I am not sure about the beginning, but recently, isn’t it possible that he isn’t being followed? I am no expert, but I am a pretty sensitive person. I can’t imagine me not noticing something odd like that.”

“Don’t bet on it.”

“Alright, I will give you that. But my relationship with Jihoon… It’s not what you think.”

“Then why did you ask me here?”

“I like to think that I am good at reading people.”

Siwoo was rather surprised at Woojin. The last few times they met, which always included Shin, Woojin seemed very introverted and quiet. He didn’t expect Woojin to talk this much.

Woojin was stronger than Siwoo expected. If he let him, Woojin was going to take over this conversation. Siwoo needed to take the lead. He continued, “As you said, Jihoon Kang is indeed a weak man. He isn’t the type that would be able to kill or hurt someone.”

“…”

“Remember what I told you before? That Jihoon Kang has your photos.”

“… Yes.”

“I have been feeling guilty about telling you that. I feel… that perhaps you believe Jihoon was behind the car accident partly because of what I told you…”

Woojin turned to face Siwoo. The way he looked at Siwoo was confusing because it looked so blank. Siwoo found it so interesting that Shin Kim could find different emotions in those empty eyes. Perhaps they were really meant to be.

Woojin replied, “There is no need for you to feel that way.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I know it wasn’t Jihoon Kang. I know it better than anyone.”

Woojin turned up the volume even louder and added, “I think it’s time for me to go.”

“Woojin…”

“See you later.”

Suddenly, Woojin handed Siwoo his cellphone. Siwoo couldn’t understand why Woojin was ending their conversation so abruptly, but when he took his cellphone and read what was typed on it, Siwoo took a deep breath.

-We shouldn’t be talking about this anymore. And please don’t tell Jihoon about our conversation today.

Nodding slowly, Siwoo replied, “Alright. Please take care.”

When Woojin left and closed the door behind him, Siwoo immediately turned the music off.

“Phew…”

Siwoo suddenly bit his fingernails nervously. He had to get home.

Right now.

***

Eejun insisted on the phone with Woojin, “Come on, let’s eat dinner together.”

“I have plans.”

Woojin tried to end the conversation, but Eejun continued, “You must be so tired worrying about Shin’s accident, right?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

Eejun’s voice was relaxing and sweet as usual. Woojin knew Eejun meant well, but he wanted the call to end.

Before seeing Siwoo, Woojin was a bit worried. What if he told Siwoo too much? Siwoo seemed to have better instincts than he expected. He in fact seemed to have a lot in common with Shin.

Thankfully, Siwoo’s nervous eyes were a good reminder for Woojin to not reveal too much. Siwoo was one of Shin’s friends, which meant he was someone that needed to be protected

Woojin replied to Eejun, “I’m fine.”

“And what about Jihoon?”

“I don’t want to talk about him, so please don’t bring him up.”

Woojin was walking up the street that led to his condo building. He blinked his eyes tiredly, when suddenly, he noticed a tall man standing beside the streetlight. His silhouette looked distinctly familiar. Without a word, Woojin ended the call and turned the phone off. He knew Eejun was going to get angry, but it couldn’t be helped.

“How strange.”

That man standing there waiting for him… He made Woojin remember the past. Woojin began to walk faster towards him.

The truth was, he wanted to see Shin earlier, but he had been pretending to be indifferent. Being nice to everyone wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, it meant he was a good person, but Woojin found himself burning with jealousy.

The reason why he tried to keep some distance was because of this negative emotion. And the distance wasn’t from Shin; it was from his jealousy.

Woojin asked, “What are you doing here, Mr. Shin Kim?”

When Woojin touched his shoulder, Shin quickly turned around to face him. Shin must’ve been waiting in his car until recently because Woojin could feel definite warmth from him.

Shin answered him, “I was waiting for my lover.”

“I told you I had plans tonight.”

“Hmm… considering you had plans, you are coming home too early.”

“…”

“You are avoiding me, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Then you are angry at me, right?”

“…”

“You are irritated by me, right?”

Shin playfully poked Woojin’s cheek. When Woojin didn’t react, Shin rubbed Woojin’s cheek and smiled. Shin continued, “Strangely, I saw that you start to walk faster when you saw me.”

“…Whatever.”

“For someone who is angry, you are acting too cute.”

Shin squished both of Woojin’s cheeks, making his lips pout. Shin smiled, looking relaxed and confident. Woojin couldn’t understand how Shin could be so self-assured like this. And he also couldn’t understand how just seeing Shin made him feel so happy. All his frustration and annoyance disappeared like melting snow.

Shin whispered, “I have something to give you…”

He took out a small flowerbox with a beautiful ribbon on top.

“Open it.”

Carefully, Woojin removed the ribbon and opened it. Inside, he found a leather bracelet. It looked luxurious and inside it, Woojin’s initials were engraved.

Shin explained, “Before meeting you, having to buy something for my partner was like a chore. I used to hate it, but not now.”

“…”

“You don’t like it? If and when you get tired of wearing the watch, maybe you can wear this sometimes.”