NO, CHO Euntak did not allow a potential confession to happen in a dark, smelly alleyway.

Hence, he gently pushed Baek Jeho away from him.

"Let’s meet after an hour. I want to take a bath and change out of this uniform," Cho Euntak said, returning Baek Jeho’s jacket to him. "There’s a café across from my apartment that’s open 24/7. You know that, right?"

Baek Jeho nodded. "You’re not going to run away, are you?"

"Even if I do, I’m sure you have the means and the resources to find me."

"That’s true."

"At least deny it, you idiot."

Cho Euntak just shrugged. "Can I invite some friends later to join us?"

"Huh? Who are you going to invite?"

"My witnesses."

"Witnesses?"

"You’ll understand later," Baek Jeho said confidently. "I’ll see you in an hour, Euntak-ah."

Cho Euntak only raised an eyebrow.

What is this brat up to this time?

***

CHO EUNTAK wanted to drice nicely, but it was freaking cold outside.

It was like a reality check for him.

Maybe it’s not really a confession. Baek Jeho just probably wants to convince me to stay as my friend. He said there was another reason why he couldn’t afford to lose me and our friendship.

"If he says it’s because he actually sees me as his little brother and not just a friend, then I’ll kill him."

Since Cho Euntak’s mood was already sour, he just grabbed a clean hoodie and wore it.

Then he grabbed a long puffer coat for extra protection from the cold, and a baseball cap to hide his short hair.

Unlike Baek Jeho, who still looked good with short hair, it wasn’t the case for him.

I look like an egg.

Anyway, despite looking like an egg, Cho Euntak still had the courage to come out and meet Baek Jeho in the café across from his apartment.

Hmm?

He immediately saw Baek Jeho at the table for two, in the corner of the café.

But something was off.

"It’s strange that this café is empty," Cho Euntak said after sitting across from Baek Jeho. "Yeah, it’s already midnight. But there’s a reason why this café is open 24/7— drunkards who want to sober up flock to this place during these hours."

That area was a hot spot for young people because it was brimming with nightclubs.

Hence, the café also became a hot spot for drunk people who wanted to sober up.

"Yeah, I know this place gets packed during this time, so I rented the entire café," Baek Jeho said, pointing at the staff who were already putting up the ’Close’ sign on the door. "How can we talk properly if it gets noisy in here?"

Cho Euntak glared at Baek Jeho. "Are you crazy? Why are you wasting money on something like that? We could have just moved to a quieter place."

"But you like the coffee and the cakes here."

"How much did you rent this place for? Let’s split the bill."

"No," Baek Jeho said, and then he waved to the staff. "I took the liberty of ordering for the two of us."

Before Cho Euntak could complain, the staff members had already brought their drinks and food.

It was freezing cold, but both of them still opted for iced coffee.

Are you truly a Korean if you don’t order iced coffee in this weather?

Anyways, it was annoying how Baek Jeho got all of Cho Euntak’s favorite desserts in that café correctly.

"If you want something else, just tell me."

Cho Euntak shook his head while eyeing the desserts on the table, already choosing his first "target." "No, I love everything here."

"Including me?"

Cho Euntak almost choked on his saliva.

This brat, really...!

Cho Euntak raised his head and glared at Baek Jeho.

He was about to scold the brat, but he noticed that Baek Jeho’s face, ears, and neck were all red.

So, he knows how to get embarrassed, too, huh?

"Why say something embarrassing when you can’t handle it yourself?" Cho Euntak nagged Baek Jeho. "Do you want me to walk out on you?"

"No, please don’t," Baek Jeho begged him. "It just slipped out, okay?"

"What were you thinking that made you say that embarrassing line?" Cho Euntak complained, picking up the plate with a slice of tiramisu cake. "Are you teasing me?"

"No, I’m trying to gauge if you still like me."

"I think you’re trying to give me indigestion, Baek Jeho."

"Yah. I’m trying to confess here, you know?"

"Confess what?"

"That I like you, Cho Euntak."

Okay, it wasn’t as shocking as Cho Euntak expected.

And it was probably because he had already kind of expected that confession to happen.

Well, I know Baek Jeho more than he knows himself.

However...

Cho Euntak finished his tiramisu first.

The more he took a bite of his dessert, the more nervous Baek Jeho looked.

It was kind of funny to see.

I can’t believe that I’m making the Baek Jeho nervous.

"Euntak-ah, did you hear what I just said?"

"Yes, I heard you loud and clear," Cho Euntak said, sipping his iced coffee. "But just because you told me that you like me doesn’t mean that I’ll believe you right away. I spent almost my entire life liking you, Baek Jeho. But I also spent those years accepting the fact that you’d never like me the way that I do. I’ve already given up on you when I enlisted, you know?"

"I know," Baek Jeho said. And instead of looking dejected, he actually looked more determined now. "And I also know that I have to prove to you that I like you. That’s why I brought witnesses."

"Yeah, you mentioned that earlier," Cho Euntak said, knitting his eyebrows. "Who are these witnesses you keep talking about?"

As if on cue, three men entered the café.

Cho Euntak gasped, shocked. "Heedo Sunbae-nim, Gaon Sunbae-nim, and Jaewon Sunbae-nim?"

***

ARGH.

Cho Euntak felt awkward not only because he was now sitting next to Baek Jeho, but also because the sunbaes had joined them at the table.

Yes, we had to move to a bigger table since we have company now.

"First of all, welcome back, Cho Euntak," Kim Heedo said. "Sohee Hyung is happy that you’re finally discharged."

Cho Euntak smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Heedo Sunbae-nim..."

It seemed like Kim Heedo would be the first one to talk.

After all, Kwon Gaon and Yang Jaewon were busy stuffing their faces.

And he was right.

Kim Heedo pointed at Baek Jeho, who was busy sipping his coffee. "So, did this fool finally confess to you?"

"Yes, Sunbae-nim," Cho Euntak said, nodding. "But it’s not like I’d easily believe it..."

"That’s valid," Kim Heedo said, and then he leaned against the sofa while crossing his arms over his chest. "Cho Euntak, I know this is hard to believe. But, actually, Baek Jeho came crying to me. He begged me to help him enlist in the army using my family’s influence." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I did not cry," Baek Jeho said while glaring at Kim Heedo. "Don’t exaggerate the story, you stupid hyung."

Cho Euntak blinked. "Oh, Baek Jeho. You’re calling Heedo Sunbae-nim ’hyung’ again?"

Kim Heedo suddenly burst out laughing while Baek Jeho’s face turned red.

Okay, there’s definitely a story behind that...

***

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