Cozy Obsession

“Are you…?”I wanted to ask if he was the Cha Yiheon I knew, my 21-year-old friend Cha Yiheon. But, feeling like I shouldn’t demand an answer so recklessly, I let my lips falter.His eyes, unfathomable like an endless abyss, held both the intense temperament of ‘Cha Yiheon’ and the gentle nature of Yiheon. Eyes resembling dawn, where darkness and light coexist. Eyes that once carried deep-seated love and hate but were now washed clean. Yet, they were eyes devoid of any friendly feelings—eyes that belonged to ‘Cha Yiheon’ but, at the same time, didn’t.My mind swirled in confusion. Even though the appearance was the same, the belief that this was a completely different person began to crack. Once again, the room fell into silence.“Have you… regained your memory?”Yiheon, who had been gently smiling while closely studying Heemin’s face, finally spoke. He was trying to appear calm, but there was a faint tremble at the end of his lowered voice.“In the end, you… again.”He muttered something under his breath, almost inaudible. For some reason, I could feel a heartbreaking sense of regret and resignation from him. A glimmer of remorse flickered in his eyes, once filled with anxiety and tension.“…Regained my memory?”Unable to grasp the meaning, Heemin blinked slowly, as if his mental lens was malfunctioning. After blinking for what seemed like a long time, he finally noticed the scar on Yiheon’s eyebrow peeking through his hair.The man in front of him was not the 21-year-old childhood friend Cha Yiheon, but the 30-year-old gangster ‘Cha Yiheon.’Of course, there’s no way it’s him.Once he realized who he was, the strong musk scent that he had drunkenly indulged in for days invaded his nostrils. The thick pheromones unique to an alpha male—fundamentally different from artificially manufactured perfume—penetrated deep into his lungs.“…”Without saying anything, Heemin stared back at Yiheon, who was resolutely keeping his lips shut, looking at him as if he had made some kind of determination.‘Could it be…’Just as Heemin had momentarily mistaken him for his friend, he wondered if Yiheon had also mistaken him for the persona of ‘Seo Heemin.’It made sense, after all. They had spent several nights together without even a shirt on, and now he was suddenly wrapping himself up as if terrified. He had also abruptly called out Heemin’s name in a familiar tone.If he were the original ‘Seo Heemin,’ that kind of reaction was certainly understandable, so it was natural for Yiheon to misunderstand. Although it was a bit strange that he asked about regaining memories instead of the persona change, Heemin assumed it was Yiheon’s way of showing consideration for ‘Seo Heemin,’ who knew nothing, and he slowly opened his mouth.“It’s just… embarrassing. You’re fully dressed, but I’m the only one naked, so I wanted to cover up with something. I wasn’t purposely avoiding you.”Pulling the sheet down from his shoulders, he began rambling excuses. At the mention of “hyung,” Yiheon’s stiff expression softened, and he even let out a slight chuckle.Though his eyes still swirled with deep regret, it seemed he was somewhat relieved that ‘Seo Heemin’ was indeed Seo Heemin. As if collecting himself after being shaken, he exhaled deeply before asking in a slightly lighter tone.“How’s your body?”“The heat seems to have passed, but I can’t feel my waist.”The heat that had been slow to subside had now cooled. The tears that had once flowed like a broken faucet had stopped. Only a dull pain remained in his lower back, like a lingering aftereffect.Yiheon, who had placed the shopping bag on the bedside table, came closer. He helped Heemin lean against the bed’s headboard and, as if he had gone through a lot, extended his hand to stroke Heemin’s hair gently.Whether it was because of his unfamiliar appearance or the unusually kind atmosphere, Yiheon once again overlapped with the image of Heemin’s one and only friend. The friend who always followed him around, taking care of him and trying to be a source of strength.Why am I feeling this way today?Perhaps Yiheon seemed different because some of the knots in his heart had unraveled. As his anger faded and his distrust diminished, unconscious habits from when they were close friends were starting to resurface. Although they were worlds apart now, the ‘Cha Yiheon’ from the original novel during their school days and his real-life friend Cha Yiheon shared subtle similarities.“When I woke up, I was startled to be alone.”Feeling somewhat awkward, Heemin brought up a new topic. Yiheon, who had been pushing back his bangs, suddenly stopped and picked up the note lying next to the shopping bag.“I left a note saying I’d be out. Didn’t you see it?”“I did, but I didn’t expect you to have gone home…”“Were you upset that I wasn’t there?”The question hit him square in the chest, making his heart twinge. When he opened his eyes, he had naturally assumed Yiheon would be lying next to him. He expected him to be basking in the morning sunlight streaming into the room, resting his head on his hand while watching Heemin.He had thought they would look into each other’s eyes, listen to the sound of their steady breathing, and savor the lazy morning together. Instead, he was greeted only by the lingering trace of pheromones in the air. Of course, he felt disappointed.However, he didn’t want to become someone who clung to another just because they had shared a bed. Although they had cleared up one misunderstanding, which had been filled with hatred for so long, it was still hard to say they were in a relationship. The keyword-changing project was still ongoing. Trying to appear nonchalant, Heemin replied to Yiheon.“Who said I was upset?”“Then.”“I came to find you because I had something to say.”“What did you want to say?”Heemin unclenched the fist he had been holding tightly and opened it in front of Yiheon. In the center of his palm was a small square object engraved with the words ‘SMART KEY.’“This is the key to ‘Seo Heemin’s’ studio.”Since Yiheon had been monitoring ‘Seo Heemin’ for a long time, he surely knew that the studio’s ownership had been transferred to Do Junyoung.He had expected Yiheon to immediately get angry and ask where he got it, but Yiheon simply stared at the key in his palm without reacting, his calm demeanor catching Heemin off guard.“The day I went to the company, Do Junyoung gave this to me. I tried not to take it, but he forced it into my hand, so… I ended up with it. You should return it, hyung.”Yiheon stared at the key with a disinterested look. Glancing at his unresponsive profile, Heemin spoke truthfully. When he also mentioned his intention not to get involved with Do Junyoung anymore, Yiheon seemed quite satisfied and finally took the key.“But, hyung.”“What?”“Before returning it, I want to retrieve the drawings that ‘Seo Heemin’ made.”Heemin wanted to see ‘Seo Heemin’s’ works with his own eyes, which he could only see in a hypnotic state. He wanted to view the daily drawing journals that Heemin supposedly kept.Just as Heemin spent his time constantly reading, it was said that ‘Seo Heemin’ would often sketch with a pencil whenever he had a spare moment.Even after his miscarriage, despite not being mentally whole, ‘Seo Heemin’ poured his emotions and thoughts into his art, filling an entire sketchbook with drawings.Of course, given that he was possessed by ‘Seo Heemin’, the drawings that Heemin made after reuniting with Cha Yiheon could not exist in this world. It was unfortunate that he couldn’t see the drawings, which were said to have sublimated into art the sorrow and pain that had deeply embedded themselves in his heart.Still, he thought that through the works created before he was possessed, he might gain a deeper understanding of the person known as ‘Seo Heemin.’Drawing made him realize how countless emotions can be imbued in a single line or brushstroke. Even if his technical skills were lacking, he wanted to at least try to capture ‘Seo Heemin’s’ emotions. He needed to practice diligently if he was going to finish the portrait and give it to Yiheon as a gift by his birthday on July 22.“…You’re planning to go there yourself?”Yiheon responded, frowning deeply. Given that he wanted to possess even a single strand of ‘Seo Heemin’s’ hair, Heemin thought he would head to the studio before he could even suggest it.“No, I’m not planning to go there myself; I just want the belongings moved.”Surprised by the unexpected negative reaction, Heemin hastily added. After all, Do Junyoung was an unpleasant rival to him. Even though the heat had ended, he didn’t want to create a situation where he might run into the alpha, Do Junyoung.“I’ll have Minseok arrange for everything to be moved soon.”“When is soon? Can it be done today?”“No, I’m busy today, not this week.”“Are you traveling far to collect debts?”Though Minseok’s main duty was to watch over Heemin, that didn’t mean he had completely abandoned his primary job. Even on the day Kwak Yoonseong visited Yiheon’s house, Minseok had been on a business trip out of town.“I’ll be traveling far.”“You?”He silently nodded. Given that he wasn’t dressed in a suit as usual, it didn’t seem to be related to the organization.The company had handed over business responsibilities to Kwak Yoonseong and said he’d be taking a week off. It was clear that he was going on a personal trip.Does giving your body result in this kind of compensatory behavior?Although it was due to the unexpected incident of the heat cycle, he had made a big decision and given him his precious first time.He thought they would spend the remaining time together in a more advanced relationship, like on the night they enjoyed the drive. But now, the sudden absence made him feel waves of disappointment.He wanted to ask where he was going, when he’d be back, and if he could go with him. But his pride wouldn’t allow it. In the end, Heemin swallowed his words and pushed the sheet aside.“Lie down some more. You said your back hurts.”“You said you need to go far. I’ll go wash up.”He didn’t need to take a shower since he had already cleaned his body thoroughly overnight. He got out of bed, cursing the heat that only lasted four days under his breath. Yiheon, who had hesitated at the sharp tone, moved aside to give him space.Ironically, that made him feel even worse. Heemin glanced at Yiheon’s face, which looked smoother than usual without any signs of tension, before grabbing a shopping bag and heading to the bathroom.“…What is all this?”His pale skin was covered with bite marks and red spots, like he’d been attacked by a beast. His body was like a sketchbook. Although he had anticipated it, the severity was shocking.He couldn’t show this body, marked with the traces of their intimacy, to others. After washing his face, he buttoned his shirt up to his neck and checked his appearance in the mirror.‘Haa… I still can’t cover it all.’The blotchy marks peeking out above his collar were very bothersome. The frail body of ‘Seo Heemin’ bruised easily and took a long time to heal. He knew these marks wouldn’t disappear in a few days, so he resignedly pulled on his pants.As he walked out of the bathroom and headed back to the bedroom, he saw Yiheon fiddling with a white phone. He was looking at the screen with an extremely displeased expression, as if he had discovered a message from a cheating lover.“What are you doing?”Heemin’s sudden voice caused a brief look of guilt to flash across Yiheon’s face before it disappeared. Then, as if nothing had happened, Yiheon replied indifferently.“Charging it.”“Suddenly charging it?”Since it had been left unattended, the battery must have drained and turned off the phone. Heemin was puzzled as to why Yiheon felt the need to charge it now when there was no one to call or text.“You’re acting strange today. Your outfit, your behavior… It’s like you’re someone else. You’re not going through the same personality changes like I am, are you?”He made a teasing joke. Leaving Heemin alone in the hotel room after spending the night together, or ignoring him when they clearly had time, were actions uncharacteristic of someone so obsessed with ‘Seo Heemin.’Could it be that his desire for revenge against ‘Seo Heemin’ had cooled? Now that he could have Heemin’s body whenever he wanted, maybe he no longer cared. Perhaps he was charging the phone so they could both go about their separate lives from now on.“What are you talking about, changing personalities?”“It’s just… you’re different than usual.”Even when he spoke harshly and acted prickly, Heemin could see right through him, like a clear lake. But now, Yiheon seemed clouded, as if covered in ice. It didn’t feel like the ‘Cha Yiheon’ he knew.Despite Heemin’s melancholic reply, Yiheon’s expression didn’t change. Instead, he looked deep into Heemin’s eyes, as if trying to confirm something, and then suddenly burst out laughing.“You don’t wear a suit to go on a trip.”“…Huh?”“You like taking pictures, so I charged it in advance. Did that seem so strange?”Heemin’s eyes widened at Yiheon’s incomprehensible words. A trip? Taking pictures? Wasn’t he going on a personal errand? What was with the annoyed expression earlier? Did he frown because the phone wasn’t charging properly? Confused, Heemin tilted his head, and Yiheon added an explanation.“There’s still some vacation left, so I thought it’d be a shame to just spend it at home. I decided to go on a trip.”“Can I come with you?”“Do you think I’d go alone?”“No, let’s go together! My back doesn’t hurt at all anymore. I’m totally fine!”He couldn’t believe they were actually going on a trip. Just hearing Yiheon say it lifted his spirits, which had been so low earlier. He felt a bit guilty for doubting him just because he wasn’t there when he woke up.Excited, Heemin quickly swapped his slippers for sneakers, eager to leave as soon as possible.“Are you that happy?”“Of course! We’re going on a trip!”As he bent down to fix his shoes, a large hand gently ruffled Heemin’s round head. The warmth of the touch felt more affectionate than usual, making his heart flutter.“We’re going to see the ocean. Is that okay?”“Really?”“Yeah.”“Awesome!”The thought of getting away and seeing something new made Heemin grin from ear to ear. He suddenly realized that the dream he had, where Yiheon was on a trip with someone else, wasn’t just confusion between Yiheon and that person—it was almost like a premonition of what was about to happen.“The water’s probably too cold for swimming, right?”The rain had finally stopped, and the sun was shining brightly, but it was still the border between spring and summer. The water would probably only be warm enough to dip their feet in.“You don’t even know how to swim, so what are you talking about?”“How did you know I can’t swim?”“I know everything about you.”The hand that had been ruffling his hair moved down to gently cup his cheek. Yiheon’s dark eyes, gazing into his, were as calm and deep as the night sea in his dreams. There was something in them—a mixture of sadness, longing, and a quiet resolve—that made Heemin’s throat tighten.“…You didn’t even know when my heat started that day.”“But I know now.”Yiheon’s long eyes curved into a smile. Ever since he learned that ‘Seo Heemin’ had tried to choose him in the end, even after shutting down emotionally, he had been smiling more often at Heemin. Just like he did before he manifested as an alpha, like the real Yiheon.“Let’s go.”Yiheon lightly took Heemin’s hand. The way they left was as sudden as the way they had arrived. But instead of feeling regret, Heemin felt a sense of relief, so he held onto Yiheon’s hand and walked out the door without looking back.Unlike in the original story, no one got hurt, and the heat ended safely. He felt like they could overcome any future challenges, even if another crisis, disguised as coincidence, tried to disrupt their lives. It felt like they were one step closer to the ending he had longed for.“Get out, too. And put on a hat.”They had barely been on the road for long when Yiheon parked the car at a rest stop. Heemin thought Yiheon was just going to have a smoke before driving again, so he stayed in his seat with his seatbelt on. But when Yiheon asked him to come along, he hesitated.“The smoking area is over there.”Heemin pointed helpfully toward the smoking area at the far end of the rest stop. Though it was his first time at this particular stop in this world, he had been there before in reality when Yiheon had lunch with that person, so he roughly knew where things were.“I didn’t stop here to smoke.”“Then what? Shouldn’t you have a smoke before you keep driving?”Ever since the incident at the auction, Yiheon hadn’t smoked in front of Heemin. The faint smell of cigarettes lingering in his pheromones was the only clue that he’d been smoking at all. But just because Yiheon didn’t smoke in front of him didn’t mean Heemin was unaware that Yiheon was a heavy smoker.If Heemin and ‘Seo Heemin’ spent their free time reading or drawing, Yiheon spent his with a cigarette in his mouth. That moment when he slowly inhaled the smoke seemed to be the only time he could breathe freely in a life otherwise filled with hardships.“I quit. As of today.”He said it as if it were no big deal, but Heemin felt a flicker of recognition, as if he had heard something like this before.‘Are you going to smoke? The others are probably waiting for you.’‘I quit. As of today.’‘Why?’‘It just tastes bad now.’‘Good decision. It probably isn’t good for you anyway.’The memory of that conversation, which had been friendly and casual, flashed through his mind. Who was it with? Was it with Yiheon?But that couldn’t be right. Yiheon didn’t smoke, not in high school and not now, as an adult, unlike Heemin, who had tried a few cigarettes out of curiosity when he turned twenty. No matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn’t remember, which frustrated him.As Heemin stared at Yiheon’s face, caught in the fog of vague déjà vu, he suddenly felt curious about why Yiheon had decided to quit smoking.“Why did you quit? Is it because I don’t like the smoke? I don’t mind as long as you don’t smoke right in front of me.”“I want to live longer.”There was something bittersweet in the way Yiheon smiled, and for a moment, Heemin felt his heart ache, as if it were being squeezed.As the title “Blood-Stained Curtain in the Eyes of ‘Seo Heemin’” suggests, Cha Yiheon of <Silence(赤幕)> was destined to meet his death at a young age in a pool of blood. Even though he was unaware of the fate that awaited him, it seemed that some kind of premonition was at work within him.“You made the right decision. You should live a long life until your hair turns gray.”He was determined not to let the story unfold according to the original plot, no matter what. Trying to lighten the heavy mood, Heemin smiled a bit, but a blunt question came at him without a moment’s hesitation.“Will you stay by my side even then?”At Yiheon’s calm yet sharp tone, the relaxed expression on Heemin’s face instantly stiffened.He had always believed that once all the pages were finished, the lives of the characters would stop at a happy moment and become eternal. Telling someone to live a long life was just a roundabout way of saying “don’t die.”The more accustomed he became to life in this world, the more precious his moments with thirty-year-old Cha Yiheon became, and the more he longed to spend more time with him, the more his determination to return home grew stronger.Even if their names and appearances were the same, the person he truly loved was not Heemin, but ‘Seo Heemin.’Even now, living with a sense of guilt and debt weighing on his heart, how could he possibly stay by Yiheon’s side while hiding the truth?This place was a cozy cage where he shouldn’t think about the future.For Yiheon’s sake, and for the completion of this world, it was only right that he would eventually open the cage door and disappear.Heemin bit his lower lip and dropped his gaze to the ground. Whenever he became aware of his situation like this, an unbearable loneliness would overwhelm him. He even found himself pathetic for having such selfish and foolish thoughts, wanting to live in both realities.“Even if you don’t want to, it doesn’t matter. You’re mine. I’ll never let you go. Even if you resent me.”Perhaps Yiheon interpreted his silence as a refusal, because he grabbed Heemin’s chin and made him face him. Yiheon’s eyes, which Heemin had expected to be filled with anger, were unexpectedly softened. Caught off guard, Heemin was even more bewildered when Yiheon painfully pinched one of his cheeks.“You still have a hundred billion in debt. How could I let you go? You’ll have to pay it back for the rest of your life.”…A hundred billion?Thinking he must have misheard, Heemin involuntarily frowned. The staggering amount quickly wiped away the gloom that had clouded his heart.“We did it so many times over the past four days, so why a hundred billion? Calculate it properly, hyung.”“You were the one begging me to put it in first. I was just fulfilling a request, so why should I calculate it?”“What? That doesn’t count!”“I didn’t even go all the way, just halfway.”“…Wow. Unbelievable.”He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even speak. He had almost been fooled by Yiheon’s facade of being a respectable young businessman. But Yiheon was nothing more than a ruthless loan shark—cunning and vicious.He could hardly believe Yiheon had done everything he wanted and was now saying something completely different. Although it was unlikely to happen, Heemin made a mental note to never take out a loan if he ever returned to reality.He forcefully removed Yiheon’s hand, which was pinching his cheek.“If you didn’t come here to smoke, then why did we stop at this rest area? I want to see the ocean. Don’t waste time.”“Aren’t you hungry?”“Huh?”“You didn’t have breakfast. Let’s eat brunch here.”True to his nature, Yiheon was fixated on regular meals. Even at the hotel, he made sure Heemin had three meals a day by ordering room service. Today, Heemin had slept in, and Yiheon had been away, so naturally, breakfast was skipped. It must have bothered Yiheon to the point that he insisted on eating here.Heemin couldn’t picture Yiheon eating anything other than what Ms. Ahn prepared or what was served at high-end restaurants. The thought of him eating with other people at a rest stop, let alone munching on snacks like tornado potatoes, sausages, or fish cakes, seemed out of place.Suddenly, Heemin had a great idea. It felt like the perfect opportunity to get back at this man, who was being stingy and wouldn’t clear his debt. So, Heemin smiled sweetly and linked his arm with Yiheon’s.“Let’s go quickly. I’m hungry.”Seeing Heemin, who had been sulking moments ago, suddenly cling to him as if nothing had happened, Yiheon chuckled, probably thinking that Heemin was simple-minded. Whenever Heemin wanted something, his sisters would act all sweet and clingy, and now Heemin was doing the same, snuggling up to him. Though it was just light contact, Yiheon’s ears noticeably reddened.This was the same man who had whispered all kinds of lewd things in his ear and desired his body just yesterday. Seeing him react so innocently now, Heemin couldn’t resist teasing him further, so he lightly touched Yiheon’s side. The places where his fingers brushed became stiff like a wooden log.“Seo Heemin.”“Yes?”“Stop teasing.”“Didn’t you like it? Was it annoying?”Heemin feigned innocence, putting on a pouty face as if he had no ulterior motives. Yiheon let out a low cough, pulled down the brim of Heemin’s hat, and spoke in a slightly firmer tone.“You said you were hungry. Stop messing around and walk.”In his eagerness to get back at Yiheon, Heemin had probably gone too far. He remembered how he used to bluntly respond to his sisters’ overly cute and clingy antics because their intentions were so obvious. Still, Yiheon hadn’t completely shaken him off, so it seemed he didn’t entirely dislike it. Heemin tilted his head up to check Yiheon’s expression, seeing that the brim of his hat had dropped down to his nose, blocking his view. Thankfully, a faint smile was playing on Yiheon’s lips.“What do you want to eat?”They entered the building and headed towards the food court. Heemin scanned the screens on the walls that listed the menus and prices, trying to decide what to choose.Even though it was hot, a warm bowl of soup sounded good, and so did a plate of pork cutlet with plenty of sauce. But still,“I’ll have cheese ramen.”Remembering how Yiheon had devoured ramen like crazy with that guy, Heemin chose ramen. Ramen made by someone else always tasted better, and this rest stop’s cheese ramen was better than any ramen shop’s.“Do you want to eat ramen too, hyung?”Without hesitation, Yiheon pressed the screen on the unmanned ticket machine and selected two cheese ramens. It was an odd choice for someone who just said he wanted to live a long life.“You should’ve ordered bibimbap instead. It’s healthier.”“Ordering from one place will make it faster.”In truth, the amount of debt didn’t really matter. It was just an excuse to tie down ‘Seo Heemin.’ Knowing that, he still found it annoying that he was being teased and had complained about not having time to waste. Even though he was being treated forcefully, as if being pressed down, he couldn’t help but feel grateful that he listened carefully and didn’t let any words slip by. Not that this meant his desire for revenge had faded.“Take your time eating. If you eat too quickly, you’ll get indigestion.”“Sure, I will.”Contrary to his nonchalant reply, he paid for two bowls of ramen without changing the menu. Then, as he picked up the exchange voucher, he casually said, “I heard the cheese ramen here is highly praised.”“Who said that?”“Someone I know well.”Did he hear that from Minseok, who frequently goes on business trips to the provinces? If even he had heard of it, this place must be a renowned ramen spot.They moved to the dining hall. As it was close to lunchtime, the place was unexpectedly crowded. There was a vacant table right in front of the ramen station, so Heemin hurried to sit before someone else took it, but Yiheon suddenly grabbed him by the nape.“Let’s sit over there.”Yiheon gestured towards a table in a secluded corner. His intention was clear. Most of the customers were betas and weren’t much affected by pheromones. Nevertheless, since Heemin had just come out of his heat, Yiheon likely wanted to minimize any encounters with others.They walked across the hall to the last table. Heemin tried to sit at the seat with a view of the entire restaurant, but Yiheon took the chair first, leaving Heemin no choice but to sit with his back to the people.“Something feels off.”He hadn’t said much, but Yiheon’s face suddenly stiffened. As Heemin tilted his head in confusion, Yiheon, regaining his composure, asked calmly, “What feels off?”“Just… being here with you feels strange.”“Did I bring you somewhere you shouldn’t be?”“No, it’s not that…”Somehow, it feels like a day in reality.He trailed off, swallowing the end of his sentence. Maybe it was because his hair was neatly down today, but Yiheon looked more like a friend than usual.The only thing that changed was his turtleneck sweater being swapped for a short-sleeved t-shirt and his corduroy pants for cotton pants, yet it felt like nothing had changed. It felt strangely like the time they went on their first overnight trip together.“I’ll buy you sashimi later, so just bear with this for now.”It wasn’t that Heemin had any complaints about the place or the menu, but Yiheon seemed to have misunderstood him. Though ‘Seo Heemin’ was someone who had grown up only seeing, eating, and wearing luxurious things, Heemin wasn’t, so he quickly opened his mouth to clear up the misunderstanding.“I like ramen too. Besides, we’re eating together, aren’t we?”“…”“Whether we eat ramen at a rest stop, tteokbokki at a lakeside park, or late-night snacks at home, anything tastes good when I’m eating it with you.”Yiheon, who had been listening quietly with his head tilted, suddenly let out a small, breathy laugh and murmured, “But soggy tteokbokki isn’t so great.”“Oh, come on. That was good too.”“The food’s ready. I’ll go get it.”“Let me come with you.”“No, just stay here and keep your seat.”Yiheon forced Heemin, who had stood up, back into his chair and quickly walked to the ramen station. Handling the two trays of ramen bowls with surprising skill, he placed one in front of each of them.“Wow! How did you know I love kimchi? ‘Seo Heemin’ doesn’t even like fresh kimchi, so I didn’t expect you to bring so much.”The little bowl was piled high with bright red napa cabbage kimchi. For some reason, when eating regular ramen, Heemin reached for pickled radish, but cheese ramen, with its milder taste, paired better with kimchi.‘Seo Heemin,’ who wouldn’t touch fresh kimchi because it was too spicy, salty, and strong-smelling, would never understand this combination.In the original story, there was a scene where ‘Cha Yiheon’ sarcastically commented on ‘Seo Heemin’ wrinkling his nose at fresh kimchi drenched in red pepper flakes, after bringing him to an upscale Korean restaurant. He had mocked him, asking how someone his age could still be picky about side dishes.As a child, Heemin had also struggled with eating kimchi, just like ‘Seo Heemin,’ so he had cursed ‘Cha Yiheon’ while reading that line. It reminded him of how his older sisters had used all sorts of tricks to fix his picky eating. Thanks to them, he could eat it well now.“I just didn’t want to make a second trip, so I asked for extra.”He replied gruffly, picking up his chopsticks. Despite his words, Heemin was certain that Yiheon had brought more just in case. Heemin smiled quietly at this unexpected thoughtfulness.As the smell of food reached his nose, Heemin’s hunger intensified, and he looked down at the ramen bowl in front of him. The bright yellow cheese melting into the broth looked incredibly appetizing.“Let’s eat!”He grabbed a bite and slurped up the noodles. The al dente noodles, cooked quickly over high heat, mingled with the umami broth, dancing in his mouth.Come to think of it, this was the first time he’d had ramen since eating cup noodles with Dr. Hwang. Ms. Ahn had been so diligent in preparing meals three times a day that he hadn’t needed to make do with instant noodles. It had been a luxurious life he couldn’t have imagined in reality.After a long time, as he relived past memories from a recent dream, he enjoyed a spoonful of the soft, cheesy broth. Though he didn’t say anything, Yiheon seemed to be equally hungry, focusing entirely on his meal.“That was delicious.”The generous serving of kimchi had disappeared, and only the broth remained in the ramen bowl. After finishing the last leaf of napa cabbage as a palate cleanser, Heemin finally set down his chopsticks.“If you’re done, let’s head out.”As Heemin contentedly rubbed his full belly, Yiheon grabbed the tray and stood up. He moved with urgency, like someone who hadn’t finished all they needed to do.Feeling an inexplicable unease, Heemin quickly devised a plan to tease him. What if Yiheon insisted they head straight back to the car? They still needed to visit the snack section.After anxiously returning the empty bowls and exiting the food court, Yiheon suddenly turned right and entered the convenience store instead of heading straight out of the building.“Pick out some snacks.”“Huh? Why snacks?”