HMN C37

Chapter 37

Daeyoung, still half-dazed, blinked at Chiwoo for a long moment before his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out — a message from his father, asking what time he’d be coming down today.

“…I’ve got to go somewhere right now. We’ll talk later.”

“Where? You going to meet that puffed-up potato, Gu Wonjung?”

Daeyoung, in the middle of downing the rest of his juice, frowned. Puffed-up potato?

“I’m going to my parents’. My parents.”

“Yeah? Want me to come?”

His expression twisted further.

“Are you sick?”

“Yeah, I think I actually lost my mind.”

At that point, escaping from the chaos named Go Chiwoo was a matter of survival. His still-damp hair clung to his forehead as he raked his fingers through it, picked up his empty cup, and stood. Chiwoo rose immediately after him, following close behind as he made a beeline out of the café.

“Is it far? When’ll you be back?”

For someone who normally couldn’t care less about anything, Chiwoo was suddenly full of questions. Checking the bus schedule on his phone, Daeyoung shot him a flat look.

“Why do you even care?”

“Because I’m in love.”

“Hey.”

He needed to shut him up — immediately. Rumors had already spread last time just because they’d been seen together a few times. If this got around, his bright college life would go straight into the gutter.

He stepped closer, eyes narrowing.

“Look, I’m busy as hell right now. So until I get back to Seoul, don’t tell anyone about this. Got it?”

He needed time to sort this out himself. The first thing that came to mind was the book the old florist lady had shown him. He had to check it — to see whether that so-called hypnosis had actually worked, or if Chiwoo was simply out of his damn mind. If she was there, he might even ask her directly.

Chiwoo looked down at the finger Daeyoung had jabbed in his face, then casually wrapped his hand around it.

“…What are you doing?”

“You just made that cute face and stuck your finger out. That’s you asking me to hold it, isn’t it?”

“What the—are you insane?!”

Daeyoung recoiled, shaking off Chiwoo’s hand like it burned. He shot the taller man a disgusted once-over from head to toe before turning sharply away.

Chiwoo watched him go, lips twitching. Cute. Even the back of his small head was cute, as was the messy hair sticking out because he hadn’t dried it properly. His neck was slender, his shoulders straight. He kept staring until Daeyoung disappeared into the villa entrance, then dragged one hand over his face, palm pressing over his eyes.

Whether it was because he’d started noticing things that way, or because he’d accepted the feelings born from that hypnosis, he couldn’t tell. But seeing Daeyoung again after a sleepless night — it was bad. Really bad. He was adorable.

Vroooom.

The bus’s engine vibrated under him, its hum tickling Daeyoung’s eardrums. He rubbed at his ear. It was a weekend afternoon, and buses were often fully booked if you didn’t reserve in advance, so he’d had to hurry to make it. Even now, every seat on the express bus was filled. If it weren’t for Go Chiwoo, he probably could’ve slept another thirty minutes — but weirdly, despite the lack of rest, his hangover had almost cleared up.

‘I fell for you.’

Shock therapy was apparently an effective hangover cure. The words had been looping in his head ever since, leaving no room for nausea or fatigue. Was it really because of hypnosis? That couldn’t be. There was no way it actually worked. He hadn’t even hypnotized him with the intention of making him “fall in love.” It had just been about being a little nicer.

Right. It had to be that. He wasn’t some expert — he’d only half-remembered a few lines from that book. Once he got back, he’d tell Chiwoo straight — it wasn’t hypnosis.

“…And if it’s not hypnosis?”

He muttered under his breath. If it wasn’t hypnosis, that meant Go Chiwoo had actually fallen for him? That was even stranger.

‘If it’s not that, why else would I like you?’

As insulting as that line had been, he couldn’t deny it — there was no reason for Chiwoo to like him. People were practically lined up for a chance with Go Chiwoo, and he wasn’t exactly short on money either. There had to be better options, more impressive people around him.

“Wait—hold on. What does he even see in me?”

Daeyoung clenched his small fist. Honestly, it wasn’t like there was a law forbidding Go Chiwoo from falling for him. Sure, it was the first time in his life anyone had confessed to him, but still. And friends? Those were a college-first too.

“…Goddamn it.”

He muttered under his breath, and only then realized the middle-aged man beside him had subtly leaned away, putting distance between them. Muttering to himself on a crowded bus — yeah, he probably looked crazy. Clearing his throat, Daeyoung shut his mouth and closed his eyes. It was better to stop thinking for now. He could figure it out later.

“Daeyoung, this table’s open.”

“Okay, coming.”

Despite the mess in his head, the weekend unfolded as usual. He stayed busy helping his parents at their restaurant. Thankfully, the short nap on the bus had helped his hangover immensely. Even the late dinner they shared after closing tasted incredible.

“Wow, this bean sprout soup is amazing.”

His parents’ cooking was always good, but when it came to curing a hangover, nothing beat this. He hunched over his bowl, slurping until a thought made him pause.

“Oh, Mom, I don’t have to do deliveries tonight, right? What about the flower shop grandma’s dinner?”

He had another reason for asking. His mother, carrying side dishes from the kitchen, shook her head.

“She’s gone somewhere since yesterday. Not home.”

“What? Really?”

“She stopped by, told us not to worry about her meals, and left some flowers.”

He turned his head — the flowers in the big vase inside the shop had changed. So she really had come by. Then I won’t get to see her this week? He’d hoped to talk to her.

Puffing his cheeks, he stared into space for a second before resuming his meal. But soon his chopsticks froze again, this time because his father hadn’t come inside — still talking on the phone outside.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing. He’s just excited — he’s going hiking tomorrow with some old hometown friends.”

“What about the restaurant?”

“I’ll handle it with the staff. You’ll be here too.”

He knew his parents hadn’t really taken a proper break since their business took off. That must’ve been why his father had messaged him earlier. Worried, Daeyoung set his chopsticks down.

“You’re not going, Mom?”

“I’m going to Türkiye in autumn with my friends. Gotta let your dad have his turn before I leave him here alone.”

“…You really plan ahead, huh?”

“Don’t tell him yet.”

He grinned, giving her a thumbs-up, and she laughed, mirroring the gesture.

His father stayed giddy well into the night. Even after dinner, he was still rummaging through the closet, trying on different outfits for his big “mountain fashion show.” By the time Daeyoung collapsed into bed, he could still hear the noise from the living room — and his mother swatting at his father, scolding him — right before sleep finally claimed him.

The next morning, his father was already gone. The shop’s routine was so well-established that his absence didn’t really disrupt anything, but Daeyoung couldn’t shake his worry, so he stayed the whole day. If he went back to Seoul too early, his mom would be alone, and even if he went back, he’d just feel restless.

It wasn’t until after closing time, when the shutters were nearly ready to be pulled down, that he finally decided to leave. He wanted to close up completely for her, but if he stayed any longer, he’d be getting back to Seoul too late.

“You want to take some side dishes with you?”

“Nah, I still have what you gave me last week. I’ll head out now.”

They were both busy people — short goodbyes were normal. Waving lazily, he started up his scooter and drove home.

After checking his pre-booked bus time and changing clothes, he began to pack, only to find his bag missing.

“…Huh?”

It was always in the same spot by the door. Instead, there was a single note lying there.

Dad took it.

The bag looks great.

“That thing probably reeks of kimchi…”

The bag had only been full of empty food containers, so it wasn’t a big deal — but the idea of his dad parading around with it, smelling like pickled cabbage, made him laugh. Still, had there been anything else in it?

“Ah, I’m gonna miss the bus!”

No time to dwell. He grabbed a different bag, shoved his wallet inside, and hurried out the door. If he moved fast, he could still make it to the terminal in time.

“See you later!” he shouted toward the empty house as he closed the door behind him.

It was an ordinary weekend — nothing unusual.

By the time the bus pulled away, the memory of Go Chiwoo’s sudden confession surfaced again. But exhaustion was stronger than curiosity.

Within five minutes, Daeyoung was out cold.

When he finally got home, he barely managed to kick off his clothes before crashing into bed, sinking straight back into sleep.