“Should I ask if I can keep some plants...?”

The sunlight poured in so well that anything would probably grow here. A dog or a cat would be too much, but something quiet—like a plant—might be fine.

Haejun idly fiddled with his phone before setting it down again. It wasn’t too late to just ask Lee Kangjoo directly when he got home.

All of a sudden, he missed him.

It felt like his scent was lingering all over the spacious house. Even though there was nothing to actually smell no matter how much he sniffed, that distinct scent from his arms seemed to seep into his nose like a phantom.

“...I miss him.”

The words slipped out without him realizing. Saying it out loud only made it worse. He’d see him tonight anyway, so why was this sudden wave of longing hitting him like this? He wanted to call, just to hear his voice. But if he said he called just because he was curious what he was doing, Kangjoo would probably find it annoying, so he held himself back.

“I seriously miss him.”

Propping his head on his arm, he absentmindedly scrolled through his phone before suddenly remembering a photo he’d taken before. He opened his gallery and found the only picture that had Lee Kangjoo in it.

He zoomed in on him with his fingers and stared.

A completely expressionless face. It looked like he didn’t like being photographed at all... or maybe he was just awkward. The word awkward didn’t suit Lee Kangjoo in the slightest, and Haejun rolled over, bursting into laughter.

“Ha...”

The laughter didn’t last long.

He thought looking at the photo would ease the longing, but that was just wishful thinking. If anything, it only made it worse. He wanted to see him alive, moving. He wanted to hold him and breathe in that scent properly.

It wasn’t nearly enough to quench how much he missed him, but Haejun couldn’t take his eyes off the screen for a long time. Right now, it was the only way he could manage the emotions overflowing inside him.

* * *

“...Huh?”

Haejun’s eyes widened as he looked at the dining table.

It was clearly breakfast, neatly packed in containers. Across from him, just like always, Lee Kangjoo was leisurely sipping tea while reading the newspaper.

Haejun had overslept for once.

He’d woken up at dawn, thinking he’d catch Kangjoo before he left for his workout, but since it was too early, he decided to sleep just five more minutes. That turned into several uninterrupted hours.

He quickly tidied his messy hair and sat down in front of Kangjoo. The neatly packed food looked like it was for him, but just in case, he waited without ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) touching it. Kangjoo, who had been focused on the newspaper, glanced at him.

“Go ahead. It’s yours, Cha Haejun.”

“Thank you.”

Only then did Haejun break into a bright smile and pick up his fork.

He didn’t ask, What about you? He’d heard enough times that Kangjoo didn’t eat breakfast.

It felt a little awkward eating alone, but just like he’d promised himself, he didn’t offer, Do you want some? After being turned down every time before, he quietly focused on eating.

The baguette was crisp on the outside and soft inside. A refreshing salad topped with oranges, thick sausages, and fresh eggs. For a simple breakfast, it was surprisingly high quality. He tried to find the name of the place on the packaging, but there was nothing written anywhere.

“Sir, do you happen to know the name of this place? It’s really good—I’d like to order from here again.”

“I don’t. I just went into a place that looked decent.”

Haejun froze, fork still between his lips, and turned his head.

Despite the intensity of his stare, Kangjoo simply flipped the page of his newspaper, not even sparing him another glance.

“...You went and bought this yourself?!”

Realizing it a beat too late, Haejun blurted out. A slight crease formed between Kangjoo’s brows. The sudden outburst seemed to irritate him—or maybe something else did.

“Is that so surprising?”

“No, it’s not... but...”

It actually was.

Lee Kangjoo—of all people—had gotten breakfast for him. On his way back from working out, he thought of him, stopped by a shop, picked out food he’d like, and brought it home.

Haejun scrubbed his face with both hands. His ears and cheeks burned.

It wasn’t about the food.

Even if it was just for a fleeting moment while passing by a shop, the fact that Kangjoo had thought of him made him ridiculously happy. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

If he fell any deeper, there’d be no way out.

He already liked him like crazy.

“...I’m just... grateful, sir.”

Only then did Kangjoo look at him.

Haejun covered one cheek with his hand and tilted his head slightly. Not that it would hide the flush.

“For something this trivial? Don’t you think you’re a little too lacking in greed?”

A faint smile curved Kangjoo’s lips. The elegant arch of his eyes and mouth was almost hypnotic.

Haejun stared blankly at him, then only managed to compose himself after the smile deepened.

What fox? That man right there is worse than a nine-tailed fox.

Was it because of the feelings he’d only just become aware of, or was it simply Kangjoo’s natural charm? Haejun had no idea.

“Were you like this with your previous clients too? Getting moved over small things, then going and hurting yourself. I really can’t figure out your style, Cha Haejun. You swing between extremes.”

He was teasing him.

Before, hearing the word hurting yourself would’ve made his chest ache. But not this time. There was a playful note in Kangjoo’s voice that made Haejun smile for no reason.

Haejun tried to hide the grin creeping up his lips by turning his head away, but the fullness of his cheeks gave him away.

Honestly, even Haejun didn’t understand himself.

With his previous clients, he’d do anything to squeeze out even a little more money. But in front of Lee Kangjoo, that desperation disappeared.

If anything, he wanted to give more.

He wanted to take care of him, even in small ways. And if there was anything he could do to help, he’d jump in willingly—even if it put him in danger.

“Try being a little greedier. If there’s something you want, say it.”

...Could he?

The only thing Haejun had ever wanted in his life was a normal routine—something other people took for granted.

Wake up in the morning, go to work, grumble through the day, come home, and end the day in a small, cozy room.

That had been everything.

But recently, there was something else he wanted—desperately.

He wanted to stay by Lee Kangjoo’s side for a long time.

He knew it was a wish that didn’t fit his place.

But Kangjoo was telling him to be greedier. The way he looked at him, like he already knew what he wanted, made Haejun flinch inwardly.

“...I’m saving it for later. I’ll use it all in one go.”

He brushed it off with a joke.

A low, quiet laugh spread across the table.

Haejun lowered his gaze, unable to meet his eyes. His face kept heating up at the worst times. Yohan had drilled it into him that hiding emotions was essential for a host, but apparently, Haejun had no such talent.

“Oh, right.”

He lifted his head. There was something he needed to ask before Kangjoo left for work.

“Can I keep some plants?”

“Plants?”

“I get bored being alone. I thought maybe I could try growing something. Like cherry tomatoes or basil.”

“So it’s all food.”

“Might as well make it practical.”

Kangjoo smiled again.

Haejun’s heart thumped. He wished he’d stop smiling. Maybe then his face wouldn’t keep heating up. Though if the smile disappeared, he’d probably feel disappointed instead.

“Go ahead.”

“Then I’ll go out today. Do you have any plants you like? Or flowers—”

“You could just order them online. Why go out?”

“Oh, I was going to get a haircut while I’m at it. It’s gotten too long.”

He’d been too lazy to deal with it lately, and now the ends of his hair brushed against the back of his neck. Haejun blew at his bangs, trying to clear his vision, but they fell right back into place.

Kangjoo reached out and brushed his bangs back himself.

The warmth of his touch was just a little hotter than sunlight, and Haejun’s eyes softened.

“I don’t have time today. I’ll send someone in the afternoon.”

“Huh? No, it’s okay. I can go by myself. I can just get the pots delivered—”

“With that leg?”

His indifferent gaze dropped to Haejun’s leg.

Only then did Haejun realize and curl his toes slightly.

He was right. He could manage with a taxi, but wasting money like that felt wrong, so he’d been planning to use public transport. Thinking about dragging himself up and down stairs on crutches suddenly killed his confidence.

In the end, he changed his mind.

“Thank you.”

Kangjoo had said there was no need to see him off, but Haejun still felt guilty. After being treated to breakfast, he couldn’t just do nothing. Limping slightly, he followed him to the entrance.

“Have a safe trip.”

He wanted—like he’d lost his mind—to kiss his cheek. But he held it in and just smiled.

Kangjoo looked at him like he had something to say, then smiled back faintly.

“I’ll be back.”

Why did even that sound so good?

I’m seriously glad I saw him off, Haejun thought, praising himself endlessly.

* * *

In the afternoon, the doorbell rang.

When Haejun went out, someone he’d seen a few times was standing there.

A massive figure bent his head down toward him, like a giant looking at a small child.

“Knew it’d be you.”

Yang Seokho.

He hadn’t expected Kangjoo to send him.

Seokho suddenly leaned his rough-looking face right up close. Haejun froze on the spot, unable to act casual like usual. People who looked like gangsters still terrified him. That trauma Choi Manseok had left behind didn’t fade easily.

Seokho, meanwhile, was smiling nonstop, apparently trying to look friendly. The scar on his face only made him look more intimidating, though he seemed completely unaware of it.

“No need to be scared. I’m not that scary. Ah, is it because I’m not wearing glasses?”

He pulled out a pair of thick-framed glasses and put them on. With the scar partially hidden, his appearance softened a little.

Still smiling, Seokho led Haejun toward the underground parking lot.

He chatted nonstop even in the elevator. For someone with such a heavy, intimidating build, he was surprisingly talkative.

“Come to think of it, we didn’t introduce ourselves. I’m Yang Seokho—the boss’s right-hand man.”

He puffed out his chest with subtle pride.

Haejun had seen him before, talking comfortably with Kangjoo.

“You don’t have to introduce yourself. I already know. Your name was... Hajin, right?”

“Cha Haejun.”

“Oh right, Hajin’s the name you use at the bar.”

Haejun flinched.

He looked at Seokho with obvious suspicion, eyes sharp and wary.

“How do you know that? The name I use at work...?”