A Peculiar Confession

The group had settled into a traditional Korean restaurant located just outside Seoul. As the drinks began to flow, the initial stiffness of the gathering slowly dissipated. Eventually, even the baseball director and coach joined them, fostering a warm and congenial atmosphere.

Yet, Inwoo remained conspicuously silent, merely tilting his glass and offering only a faint, acknowledging smile with his lips whenever a response was expected. He largely abstained from the lively conversation.

Meanwhile, Seo Junwon’s focus remained solely on Inwoo. From the moment they left CEO Yang’s office until their arrival at the restaurant, Inwoo had deliberately avoided his gaze, feigning ignorance of his presence.

Despite this, Inwoo continued to drink steadily. Junwon, well aware that Inwoo wasn’t particularly good with alcohol, found himself growing increasingly concerned.

“I truly never imagined that our Seo Junwon was the youngest son of the Woojin Group,” CEO Yang declared, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Director Kim, you should have given me a heads-up! I would have made a better impression.”

His half-serious jest elicited boisterous laughter from the others. Lee Inwoo currently modeled for Woojin Group’s electronics, and his contract was nearing its expiration. Thus, befriending the chairman’s son was certainly a beneficial prospect.

Suddenly, as if a new thought had just occurred to him, CEO Yang snapped his fingers.

“Oh, that’s right. Our Inwoo is quite close with Seo Youngmin,” CEO Yang announced. “Just recently, Executive Director Seo even paid him a personal visit at the hospital, didn’t he, Dakyung?”

Dakyung, caught off guard by the question, nervously darted her eyes towards Inwoo before offering an awkward laugh. Only then did a realization dawn on her: So, that’s why Inwoo blocked Seo Junwon’s number after just one day. He must have known they were brothers all along.

“Was that so? I… I’m not entirely sure,” Dakyung stammered, attempting to deflect the question. Unaware of the underlying tension, CEO Yang then turned his attention to Junwon.

“Junwon, does your brother ever mention our Inwoo to you?” he inquired.

Junwon’s lips pressed into a tight, unyielding line. His gaze, however, remained unwavering, fixed solely on Inwoo.

Unable to endure the suffocating atmosphere any longer, Inwoo rose from his seat and gathered his coat. His throat felt tight—whether from the oppressive warmth of the room or the sheer presence of Seo Junwon, he couldn’t tell. A wave of intoxication washed over him, blurring his vision.

“I’ll just step out to the restroom for a moment,” Inwoo announced. As he reached for the sliding door, his hand, slick with condensation from his glass, momentarily slipped. Regaining his grip, he pushed it open and stepped out into the hallway.

A profound sense of relief washed over him; he could finally breathe. Across the hall, two men were engaged in conversation as they walked, their eyes briefly flicking towards Inwoo as they passed.

Moving past them, Inwoo continued outside and donned his coat. He slipped his feet into his shoes, then strode across the meticulously manicured garden towards the main gate.

Beyond the gate lay the parking lot. He made his way to his car, retrieved a cigarette from the driver’s side, and, placing it between his lips, headed towards a nearby wall.

With a soft click, he ignited the cigarette and inhaled deeply, watching the tip glow a fiery red. A long whoosh escaped his lips as he exhaled the smoke, which dissipated in a white plume against the night sky.

The alcohol’s effects intensified, leaving his body feeling heavy and languid. A profound weariness settled over him, and his sole desire was to return home and collapse onto his bed.

Just then, the crunch of gravel sounded from behind him. With the cigarette still between his lips, Inwoo slowly turned. Seo Junwon was approaching, having apparently followed him out.

The two men regarded each other in silence, their gazes locked. Inwoo then ground the cigarette he held against the wall, extinguishing it. Junwon’s eyes briefly settled on the dark stain the cigarette left behind before rising to meet Inwoo’s face.

“You seemed… intoxicated,” Junwon began, his voice soft. “So, I came out after you.”

“Oh, really?” Inwoo retorted, a sharp edge to his tone. “Did you come out expecting a ‘thank you’?”

When Junwon offered no reply, Inwoo bowed a sarcastic ninety degrees. “Oh, thank you so much, Seo Junwon. You truly saved my life. Happy now?” With that cutting remark, he attempted to walk past.

Junwon, however, swiftly caught Inwoo’s arm. Inwoo didn’t shake him off; instead, he turned to face him, his eyes narrowed into a glare.

“What do you want?” Inwoo demanded, his voice tight. “Let go. I’m a good fighter, and my punches sting.”

“I’m sorry…” Junwon murmured.

Inwoo remained silent.

“I was angry,” Junwon continued, his voice laced with regret. “I was so upset that I behaved childishly… I apologize.”

Junwon released Inwoo’s arm and lowered his head. “I truly am sorry.”

Inwoo’s lips pressed into a tight line, leaving him utterly speechless. He found himself mentally counting the number of times this man had apologized, uttering ‘I’m sorry’ since their first encounter.

When he truly considered it, there wasn’t much for Junwon to apologize for. It was Inwoo who had initially instructed him to hit the ball, who had first enticed him, and who had unilaterally cut off communication.

Yet, even with deeply wounded eyes, Junwon was the one to offer an apology first. He was a peculiar man. However, Inwoo found that this peculiarity wasn’t unwelcome; it only fueled his growing curiosity.

“Do you… really like me that much?” Inwoo asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Junwon remained silent.

“Tell me,” Inwoo pressed.

This time, Junwon slowly nodded. “Yes… I do like you.”

“What about me?” Inwoo questioned.

“Everything…” Junwon replied.

“How much do you like me?” Inwoo pushed further.

“A lot,” Junwon answered, his gaze intense. “More than you could ever imagine, Inwoo.”

Inwoo bit down hard on his lower lip. I suppose it’s better to tell him this now, he thought. I still need to explain why it can’t work.

Inside him, two conflicting desires waged a fierce battle: one hoped Seo Junwon would completely give up after hearing the truth, while the other secretly yearned for him to hold on tighter.

“I slept with your brother, Junwon,” Inwoo confessed, his voice flat. “Executive Director Seo Youngmin. Your eldest brother.”

As anticipated, Junwon’s expression immediately stiffened.

“Surprised, aren’t you?” Inwoo challenged, a bitter smile playing on his lips. “Are you disgusted with me now?”

Junwon’s lips parted, then closed. It was undeniably a shock, yet he admitted to himself that he had somewhat anticipated it. Earlier, he had noticed the subtle shift in Inwoo’s expression, a darkening shadow, when CEO Yang had mentioned his brother.

“I… I didn’t realize you two were dating,” Junwon finally managed to say.

“We’re not dating,” Inwoo clarified.

“Is it… a casual arrangement, then?” Junwon pressed.

Inwoo nodded. We just meet up sometimes to sleep together, so yes, it’s casual, he thought.

“A relationship where… not meeting is perfectly fine?” Junwon asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.

Inwoo paused, considering this. There were no particular stipulations for his encounters with Seo Youngmin; their arrangement had simply evolved after the advertising contract was already in place. Naturally, he received nothing in return. Even if something were offered, Inwoo wouldn’t accept it, having more than enough wealth himself.

When Inwoo finally nodded, the rigid tension in Junwon’s face subtly eased.

“If that’s the nature of it… then it’s fine,” Junwon stated, his voice firm.

Inwoo’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

“Junwon, I don’t think you’re quite grasping what I’m saying…” Inwoo began, but Junwon cut him off.

“I understand perfectly. You’ve slept with my eldest brother, and you’ve slept with me.”

Inwoo was speechless.

“Was that… perhaps why you told me to stop contacting you?” Junwon inquired, his tone surprisingly calm.

Instead of erupting in anger, Junwon maintained a remarkably composed expression. When a hesitant Inwoo finally nodded, a small smile finally graced Junwon’s lips.

“What a relief,” he breathed. “I honestly thought you just didn’t like me.”

Inwoo remained silent.

“I genuinely believed I was simply too unappealing… and I was truly heartbroken,” Junwon admitted.

“Junwon… you’re not unappealing at all…” Inwoo mumbled, the alcohol loosening his tongue.

The drink had lowered his inhibitions, allowing his true feelings to slip out. Junwon’s smile deepened, a warmth spreading across his face.

“Thank you so much… for saying that,” he said earnestly.

Inwoo clenched his molars, a swirl of incomprehensible emotions rising within him.

What is it about this man? he wondered. He couldn’t quite grasp it, yet as he met the eyes of the man who sincerely thanked him, a dull ache, as if a heavy stone rested upon his left chest, settled over his heart. Ah, this feeling… I don’t like this. It feels dangerous.

“Are you… truly alright with this?” Inwoo asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

“Yes, it doesn’t matter,” Junwon replied without hesitation. “Even if you told me you’d slept with every single person I know, I would still say it’s fine.”

“What…?! That’s insane.”

“I’m being completely sincere,” Junwon insisted, his expression unwavering.

Junwon’s earnest expression left Inwoo speechless, his lips pressed tightly together. He had braced himself for disappointment, for being called a ‘whore’ or worse, thinking he’d be fortunate to escape outright contempt the moment he confessed.

He had envisioned every conceivable dramatic, scandalous scenario. Yet, contrary to all his expectations, the situation was morphing into a pure, devoted romance. It seemed his romantic lead, however, might be slightly unhinged.

“Is there anything else you wish to confess?” Junwon asked, a gentle prompt in his voice. “You can tell me everything while you’re under the influence.”

“Hmm…” Inwoo mused, then unnecessarily glanced towards the restaurant’s entrance. A few people passed by, but none seemed to pay them any particular heed.

As Junwon had suggested, perhaps it was acceptable to be a little more candid now that he was intoxicated. However, the words still wouldn’t easily leave his lips. He simply kicked idly at some loose gravel with the tip of his shoe.

“If there isn’t… shall we go back inside? Your ears are bright red, Inwoo. Are you cold? Or perhaps, once we’re inside, I could offer you my coat—”

As Junwon turned to re-enter the restaurant, Inwoo quickly seized his arm. Junwon, startled, looked back, and Inwoo pulled him closer, moving his lips. His words were too faint for Junwon to hear.

Finally, Junwon leaned in slightly, bringing his ear close to Inwoo’s mouth. “What did you say?”

“…Do you want to see each other?”

Junwon straightened up, blinking slowly. He couldn’t quite grasp what he had just heard.

“See… whom?”

“Me.”

“Huh…?”

Inwoo rubbed his face vigorously. Damn it, how embarrassing.

“I’m saying… let’s pick up where we left off. Why are you so slow to understand?”

“Does that mean… you’re willing to see me casually too?”

What is he talking about? Inwoo frowned, exasperated.

“Ah, this is frustrating. That’s not what I meant at all… I’m not talking about anything as grand as a full-blown relationship… just that, for now, we could date and get to know each other… something like that…”

Before Inwoo could even finish, Junwon’s mouth fell open. Then, with a large hand, he clamped it shut, a gesture that seemed oddly out of character for him.

“What’s with that reaction? Do you like it or not? Why are you covering your mouth?”

Instead of answering, Junwon suddenly spun around, tilting his head back to gaze at the sky. His broad shoulders rose and fell with deep, ragged breaths, a soft whoosh escaping his lips. When Inwoo moved closer to investigate, Junwon desperately tried to hide his face by turning his back.

Then, a sniffle, a sound of him swallowing, made Inwoo’s eyes widen.

“No way… are you crying?”

“No, I’m not. I’m just admiring how beautiful the stars are.”

Inwoo looked up at the sky. The overcast expanse revealed no stars, not even a hint of them.

“You are crying. You really are crying, aren’t you?”

Perhaps realizing he’d been caught, Junwon no longer tried to hide it. He turned, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. Seeing his eyelashes glistening wetly beneath the streetlamp, Inwoo, to his own surprise, found himself thinking this large man was rather adorable. Am I finally losing my mind?

“You’re making things awkward. You didn’t cry at all when we broke up last time; you walked away so bravely…”

When Inwoo chided him, Junwon quickly offered an explanation.

“Actually, I cried for a long time in the first-floor restroom that day.”

Inwoo listened silently.

“And I cried again when I got home.”

“Enough. You’re making me feel like a complete bastard.”

“No, you’re not. Why would you be bad, Inwoo? You’re a good person. That day, I was just… heartbroken. So, when I met you today… I was planning to suggest we remain friends. I would have been so grateful if you’d even accepted that… This is just a development I never could have imagined.”

Inwoo remained silent.

“Thank you. Truly… thank you so much.”

If left unchecked, he looked ready to bow. Inwoo glanced towards the entrance again. Thankfully, no one was passing by. He licked his lower lip once, then grabbed Junwon’s collar, pulling him closer.

“In— Mph!”

Their lips met in an instant. The scent of alcohol and cigarettes filled the air, yet even that felt sweet. Inwoo’s tongue slipped into Junwon’s parted mouth, but the kiss didn’t last long. As their lips separated, Junwon’s cheeks and ears flushed crimson.

Just then, a shout echoed from the entrance.

“Lee Inwoo!”

Both men’s heads snapped towards the sound. CEO Yang stood at the entrance. Inwoo’s face stiffened, thinking they’d been caught, as CEO Yang rushed towards them, followed by Dakyung. The moment Inwoo released Junwon’s shirt collar, CEO Yang reached him, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him away from Junwon.

“You, you idiot! Did you… did you hit him? You didn’t hit him, did you?”

He checked Junwon’s face, turning pale.

“Junwon, is that redness from being hit?”

“Oh, no, it’s not.”

“It is. You were hit. Oh, for heaven’s sake. I can’t live like this.”

Inwoo forcibly suppressed a laugh. Dakyung, quickly assessing the situation, grabbed CEO Yang’s arm.

“CEO, no! They weren’t fighting!”

“This won’t do, Dakyung. Go stop Reporter Song. Don’t let them come out, no matter what.”

“Stop what? Just let them handle it themselves and come on, hurry.”

“You fool! Our Inwoo grabbed Seo Junwon by the collar and punched him!”

“He must have hit him somewhere other than his face, then.”

“Where else could it be?”

“It’s better for your health not to know. Come on, hurry.”

Dakyung forcibly dragged the smaller CEO Yang away. Even as he was pulled, CEO Yang kept shouting for them not to fight. By the look of his face, he was completely drunk. Seeing him disappear, Inwoo finally let out the laughter he had been holding in. He looked at Junwon, who was also smiling.

“Our CEO and manager are pretty funny, aren’t they?”

“Yes… they seem like good people.”

“Junwon, you have a lot of good people around you. Me, and CEO Yang, and Dakyung too.”

“Ah… are you perhaps jealous?”

“Ha. Me? I’m Lee Inwoo.”

Junwon nodded. Of course, that’s impossible, he thought. Just then, Inwoo subtly took Junwon’s arm.

“Want to come to my place?”

“Huh?”

“We can… play together there. Do something fun.”