HMN C29

Chapter 29

 

The hair salon located just upstairs wasn’t far at all. The small bell above the door chimed pleasantly as they entered.

Dding–

“Hello. You ordered coffee, right?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. I’m so sorry to trouble you when you must be busy. Our coffee machine broke down…”

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. We’re right downstairs—this is the least we can do. Where would you like me to put these?”

A few of the staff members were familiar to Daeyeong. Since the start of the event, they had regularly come down during lunch breaks to buy coffee. One of them, who had introduced herself cheerfully as ‘the assistant director of the salon upstairs’ when placing orders, looked about the same age as him, so she was especially easy to remember. Following their directions, Daeyeong placed the drinks behind the counter—when someone suddenly emerged from inside the shop. A brown-haired woman with a short bob. The same assistant director he had met last time.

“Oh? You actually came yourself. Um, would it be okay if I paid later when I head downstairs? I can give you my card now, but then you’d have to go back and forth. I’ll stop by after my shift.”

“Ah, sure. I’ll let the boss know.”

Daeyeong glanced briefly at Go Chiu, who was standing idly beside him, then took the drink from his hand and set everything down before turning to leave. As he exited through the glass door, several staff members called after him with friendly goodbyes. Go Chiu was already several steps ahead. What a man with no social graces, Daeyeong thought, shaking his head. But then, the sound of the door opening again came from behind him.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?”

It was the assistant director. With a friendly smile, she approached and offered him a business card.

“Ah, I was wondering if you’d be interested in letting me style your hair for free?”

“Me?”

He raised his brows at the sudden offer, and she nodded, tapping the card lightly.

“Yes! I’m planning to upload a short ‘before and after’ video on social media. You’d just need to consent to being filmed. My account’s written here—please take a look, and if you’re okay with it, feel free to contact me.”

“Ah… yes, thank you.”

He watched her retreat back into the salon and then looked down at the card. It was simple and refined, perfectly matching the sleek interior of the hair salon. Come to think of it, it was about time to get a haircut. Running his fingers through his hair, he gauged the length—when the card suddenly slipped out from between his fingers. Go Chiu had taken it.

“Really? You, of all people?”

“…Excuse me, Your Highness, why are you picking a fight again?”

For someone who usually couldn’t care less about others, the way he was inserting himself into this was baffling. Go Chiu crumpled the card and shoved it into his pocket before turning away.

“What the—”

Is he crazy? Daeyeong followed him, taking hurried steps to keep up with his long strides. The man’s legs were so long it made him feel like a sparrow chasing after a crane.

“It’s not picking a fight. I’m just stating facts.”

“Whether it’s facts or not, what’s it got to do with you? Give it back.”

“You were trembling over a video of yourself handing out chicken breast in a plastic bag. Now you’re fine with showing your face to the public?”

Daeyeong knew exactly what he meant. He hated the idea of being evaluated by anonymous strangers—liked or not, the very thought of it made him uncomfortable. But still, it wasn’t something for Go Chiu to decide for him.

“Even if I decide not to do it, it’s my choice. You just asked what business it is of yours.”

At that, Go Chiu stopped in his tracks.

Yes, this was the real Ahn Daeyeong. Whether his face was shown or not had nothing to do with him. It just bothered him, seeing someone like that fret over something so unfitting to their nature.

“The fact that I didn’t like it means it is my business.”

“What are you even—”

Go Chiu turned around, stepping close to him. Under the bright daylight, his face looked far more striking than under the basement lights. Daeyeong blinked, only for his expression to twist in disbelief.

“Go Chiu, you’re sick.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, seriously. You’re so sick right now. What did you eat? That must be it.”

Daeyeong questioned him. Coincidentally, Go Chiu was thinking the same thing. What did I eat this morning? A cup of coffee after waking, then half a bagel with a fried egg for lunch. Same as always. Nothing that could’ve gone wrong.

As Go Chiu stood there deep in thought, Daeyeong sighed and gave up on the conversation, shaking his head as he went back into the café. Still, Go Chiu’s eyes remained fixed on his retreating back.

Come to think of it, he’d been thinking about that nape of his even before falling asleep last night—while applying toner after a shower, he’d wondered how his skin could be so fair.

Is it because he’s too pretty?

Ahn Daeyeong was pretty. But since when? When had that started? His expression grew complicated. Had he ever thought that before? Objectively speaking… wait, what the hell—did he just call himself objective?

Go Chiu, spiraling in his own confusion, crossed his arms and stared through the glass door at Daeyeong inside. He rolled his wrist a few times, wincing slightly, before tying on an apron again. The thin fabric clung to his waist, drawing Daeyeong’s eyes despite himself. Tch. Go Chiu tilted his head with an annoyed look.

May I take your order? he read his lips.

He could smile so easily at customers when he only ever snapped at him. The hypocrisy was almost irritating.

“There really are more people…”

After returning from a delivery, Daeyeong narrowed his eyes, voicing the suspicion he’d had for a while now. Indeed, the café had gotten busier. Ever since Go Chiu started working, customers had increased noticeably.

“It’s when the two of you are together that it gets crowded,” said the owner, sweat dripping down his broad back as he bustled around behind them. The man didn’t need to add that much detail. Daeyeong smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll go clear the tables.”

Since the turnover rate was low, they’d added a few small round tables, which helped a little—but of course, that meant more cleaning too.

Chhhhk.

The scent of alcohol filled the air from the spray bottle. As he wiped down the table with a cloth, laughter caught his attention. He lifted his head to see customers chatting with Go Chiu at the counter.

His face was as impassive as ever—he hadn’t even said anything funny—yet the customers were laughing like they were at a comedy show. It wasn’t his jokes, clearly. It was his face.

Daeyeong didn’t feel jealousy or defeat. Not quite. It wasn’t even enough to make him sulk. Just… what’s he even doing here? he kept thinking.

Annoying personality, arrogant demeanor—and every time he thought ‘that bastard…’, the next thought inevitably followed: ‘damn, he’s ridiculously handsome though…’

“Excuse me.”

A voice from the next table. A young woman, about his age, hesitated before mumbling something almost inaudibly. He leaned closer to hear her. Her voice was so faint it was nearly a whisper.

“Are you… his girlfriend, by any chance…?”

He couldn’t catch the whole sentence, but one word hit clearly—girlfriend. Instinctively, Daeyeong glanced toward the counter. He didn’t even need to guess. Go Chiu was surrounded by people.

“I’m not sure. We’re not that close.”

“Ah?”

The woman looked taken aback, but Daeyeong was already back to work, scrubbing at the table.

Squeak, squeak.

“Why won’t this come off…”

Some sticky residue clung stubbornly to the surface. He furrowed his brow, scrubbing harder—when someone tapped his shoulder.

“Oh? Wonjung!”

His friend—who usually spent all his free time at the gym—had shown up. Excited, Daeyeong thumped his back and even pulled out a chair for him.

“Hey, sit here.”

“Uh, dude. The table’s still sticky.”

“That’s why you should sit.”

They snickered over a silly exchange that wasn’t even funny, but it felt different meeting a school friend at the café instead of on campus.

After placing his bag on the chair, Wonjung stood with him, chatting lightly as they walked to the counter. Go Chiu was busy helping with drinks, so Daeyeong took over at the register. He handled a few more takeout orders before turning to his friend.

“What’s good here? Which menu’s the most complicated to make?”

“For you, I only serve Americano. Nothing else.”

“Hm… real apple mango yogurt crush? And—ah, do you toast the bagels? I’d like it crispy, not microwaved, oven-toasted please. You know—crispy outside, soft inside.”

“For the love of God, could you please just leave?”

He had an almost supernatural talent for picking the most bothersome order. Daeyeong’s expression twisted in irritation. Wonjung just chuckled, amused. When the three of them were together, Hae-gyeom was usually the one being teased while Wonjung played the peacemaker. But when it was just the two of them, Wonjung had to play both roles.

“Fine, just one hot Americano then.”

“Insert your card. I won’t call your name when it’s ready—figure it out yourself.”

“Wow, what service. I’ll make sure to leave a review.”

His friend’s teasing continued. Daeyeong smiled faintly as he placed the receipt aside, watching Wonjung return to his seat, before turning to make the drinks.

“….”

“…What?”

Go Chiu was staring at him.

Had he placed the receipt wrong? No, the order sequence and position were correct. Puzzled, Daeyeong tilted his head and went back to pulling cups for the next order.

“We’re out of beans. I’ll go get some.”

He opened the storage room. The memory of tripping in there last time flashed by unpleasantly, but thankfully, the beans were stored at eye level today. The only issue—they were inside. He stepped forward to pull out the front box first.

“Move.”

“Ah—!”

Swish.

His body was pulled backward—smoothly, effortlessly, almost like being on a ride. Before he knew it, Ahn Daeyeong was standing outside the storage room, blinking.

In that moment, Go Chiu pushed the boxes aside, reached in, and pulled out a pack of beans. Daeyeong’s face showed faint bewilderment.

Wait… did he just help me?

His lips parted slightly in surprise.