[This chapter is written from the perspective of a NPC.]

The young man’s love was a tragedy from the very beginning. He had secretly fallen in love with his friend’s so-called lover.

To be precise, though, that person wasn’t exactly a ‘lover’. According to his friend, they weren’t officially dating, they just slept together occasionally.

But even so, the young man’s love had no chance of becoming reality from the start. While that person wasn’t truly in a relationship with his friend, his type was clearly someone like his friend – cute and adorable in appearance, with a bold and lively personality.

Even before dating his friend, the man had been involved with others who shared a similar image. Because of this, the young man never dared to approach and confess his feelings. Instead, he could only linger from afar, silently admiring him. Occasionally, he would have the chance to exchange a few words during gatherings with his friends, and even that small interaction brought him immense joy.

However, the young man’s friend, someone with a noble sense of pride and a somewhat eccentric personality, despite undoubtedly having feelings for the man himself, never expressed them outwardly. On the contrary, his friend acted indifferent and aloof, exuding an air of ‘pride’. He often said things like: “We’re not lovers, we just ‘have fun’ together whenever we feel like it.”

But not long after, that friend had to face a painful blow.

Every time he made such remarks, the man would only give a faint smile, scratch his head with an awkward expression, and ask: “Really?” Perhaps the man thought to himself: ‘Well, if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter’, and eventually started seeing someone else. When this truth came to light, it infuriated the young man’s friend. With a personality that refused to lose and always demanded things go his way, he simply couldn’t sit still and let it slide.

The friend immediately went to find the man. At just the right moment, he caught him with the ‘third person”’by his side. And, as expected, things escalated: Neither party was the type to back down, so a fiery argument quickly turned into a small-scale brawl.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the incident became serious enough for the police to get involved. The story quickly spread and became the hottest topic of gossip in their circle for quite some time.

After that incident, the man significantly reduced his visits. Previously, he often came to the usual spot where they would all meet, but from then on, he only showed up 2 or 3 times a month. Then, one day, the man disappeared completely without a trace. According to rumors, it seemed he had moved abroad.

The day the young man heard the news, he drank through the entire night. Oh, so that first love, one that never even had a chance to come true, had come to an end just like that…..

And so, at this moment, seeing that man holding a pool cue, intently focused on the pool table in front of him, made the young man completely unable to believe his eyes.

“It’s him…..!”

He recognized him instantly, even though several years had passed. How could he mistake him for anyone else? That man—he looked as if time itself had passed him by, leaving him completely unchanged from how he was back then.

“Strange….. Why do I keep slipping up like this? Could it be that the table’s a bit uneven?”

The man tilted his head in thought, then wiped the surface of the pool table with his hand.

“Hey, hey, if you’re just looking for excuses and accidentally touch a ball, you’d better watch out—you might get hit with the cue stick!”

“This guy, Taeui, has always been a master of tricks since way back. Gotta keep a close eye on him.”

The people around laughed and teased the man, but the young man paid them no mind. His eyes were fixed solely on the man he had once secretly loved.

“Hey, if I end up losing to you guys, I might as well give up betting on pool altogether. I’ve spent so many years of my youth dedicated to this table.” – The man said with a playful grin, his words filled with both humor and confidence.

The man spoke while theatrically swinging his cue as if warming up, grumbling as he adjusted his stance to perfection. He bent low, carefully aiming at the cue ball, then made a decisive strike. *Clark!* The ball rolled in a long arc, hitting the cushion exactly as expected, and pushed the target ball smoothly into the pocket. A chorus of surprised murmurs erupted from behind him.

“Hey, did you spend your time abroad living in a pool hall or something? I don’t remember you playing pool this often before.”

“Ah, well, my house has a pool table now. I occasionally play betting games on it. You wouldn’t understand—the feeling of having to play for your life just to avoid losing on your own pool table…..”

The man explained with a faint smile, his tone feigning helplessness but unable to hide the pride in his significantly improved skills.

The man continued to steadily rub chalk on the tip of his cue stick. Though he smiled, there was a faint trace of bitterness lingering in that smile. Yet, no one seemed to notice. Another man glanced at him and muttered under his breath: “This guy’s probably in the few-hundred-level range by now.”, before picking up his cue stick to prepare for his turn.

Deep inside, the young man still couldn’t believe his eyes. He kept staring at the man, fully aware of how obvious his gaze was, yet unable to look away.

That man….., the one who had once been a secret, unrequited love, and the first love that had left him heartachingly infatuated, hadn’t changed a bit. Every gesture, every expression, even the smallest mannerisms, were exactly as the young man remembered. That slow and calm voice; never overly talkative, yet always keeping the conversation lively and engaging. Occasionally, he’d let out a soft chuckle, and every time he laughed, a small dimple would appear on his left cheek, while his eyes curved ever so slightly, adding to his gentle charm. He was still the same man from the young man’s memories, entirely unchanged.

At that moment, the man suddenly turned to look at him. Caught off guard, the young man instinctively flinched and blinked repeatedly, his expression flustered. The man kept looking at him, his face showing a hint of surprise, as if silently wondering: ‘Who’s staring at me so intently?’

‘Does he still remember? Could he possibly remember?’ 

The young man’s heart pounded wildly, as if a drum were beating inside his chest. And then, as if the heavens had heard his silent prayers, the man’s face suddenly lit up with recognition after a few seconds of surprise.

“Hey, you there—aren’t you Sangjin’s friend? I think that’s right, isn’t it?”

The joy of being remembered was mixed with the sadness of being confined to a memory as merely “Sangjin’s friend”. Still, the young man decided to fully embrace the happiness of this fleeting moment.

The young man broke into a radiant smile, quickly nodding in acknowledgment and making it clear that they knew each other. The man, seemingly pleased as well, moved closer. Handing his cue stick to a friend, and he said:

“Hey, cover for me for a bit. I just ran into someone I know. Won’t take long.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the man walked toward the young man. Not only did he remember him, but he was also willing to spare some time for a chat. And even better, with no friends around at the moment, it meant they could talk privately—in their own little world. The young man felt a wave of joy surge through him, nearly shivering with excitement as he watched the man approach.

The young man had never imagined he would meet him again, especially in a place like this.

It was a Western-style bar tucked away in a quiet corner behind an office building. The place featured both pool tables and billiard tables set in the center of the room. The young man only visited occasionally, as it wasn’t as bright as a café nor as noisy as a typical bar. This balance made it a popular spot for young people who preferred a more relaxed atmosphere. The bar had a decent number of regulars, and among the group accompanying the man, the young man recognized a few familiar faces, even though he had only been there a handful of times. Perhaps this was a regular spot for one of the man’s friends, and they had chosen it as their meeting place for the evening.

“I heard you went abroad. You’re back now, right, hyung? It’s been so long since I last saw you.”

The young man tried to keep his voice steady, silently praying the man wouldn’t notice his nervousness.

“Yeah, just back for a while. Came to tidy up the house. I’ve only been back for about a week. How about you? Doing well? Is everyone else doing okay?”

Although they weren’t particularly close, the man spoke to him naturally, as if they were old friends, even flashing a bright and cheerful smile. The young man, utterly captivated by that smile, could only nod repeatedly and respond with a simple: “Yes.” But then, his expression briefly clouded over.

“Just here to tidy up the house….. So, you’re leaving again, aren’t you? How long will you be staying?”

“Yeah, probably. The house sold faster than I expected—it seems that while I was away, the area got designated for some kind of development project. So, all my business here is actually done now. I just have plans to meet a friend in Seoul, so I’m waiting for him. Once we meet, I’ll probably leave right away….. Maybe in about a month? Not sure, though, since I don’t know when he’ll show up.”

“Ah, so you’re waiting for your friend.” 

The young man nodded as he listened, but his heart grew heavy with sorrow. It had been so difficult to see him again—the man he had once loved in secret, who still occasionally appeared in his dreams. This unexpected encounter, yet now, he was already preparing to leave. The thought drained his spirit, and his sadness began to show on his face.

Perhaps unaware of the young man’s feelings, the man continued to smile calmly and naturally asked:

“What are you up to these days? And what about Sangjin?”

‘Sangjin, the one who caused that fight because of you?’ – The young man briefly considered replying with a sarcastic remark but ultimately swallowed it down. Instead, he hesitated before answering:

“Sangjin….. I only see him occasionally at the bar, so I’m not too sure. I think he’s working at some company now. As for me, I’m in graduate school…..”

“Graduate school? What’s your major?”

“Uh….. German Literature.”

“Ah, German.” – The man repeated, his smile growing a touch warmer. But the young man didn’t pay attention to that. At this moment, things like German or his studies didn’t mean anything to him.

“Sang, Sangjin, he’s dating someone now. Sometimes they come to the bar together. But, if you’d like, you could drop by the bar sometime. The owner’s still the same, the bartender too, and everyone….. they still talk about you every now and then. They wonder how you’ve been. So….. please stop by sometime.”

The young man subtly hinted at his friend’s relationship, as if trying to find a way to keep this man from slipping away. He couldn’t let things end like this. At the very least, he wanted to see him one more time. Just once more, so that——.

Yes, at the bar filled with memories of the past – even if there weren’t any real memories between him and this man – perhaps meeting there again would give him the courage to confess. And who knows? Maybe he could stay by this man’s side, even if it was just for one night. Yes, that could happen. It would happen. He was sure of it.

No, it must happen.

The young man looked at the man standing before him, wearing that same gentle smile that hadn’t changed despite the passage of years. And at that very moment, he made a decision.

If this man went abroad again, who knew when he might ever see him again? No, perhaps he never would. After all, there had never been any real bond between them to begin with.

So at the very least, he wanted to create a memory.

If he chose the right moment to confess, maybe even boldly took a step forward, he might receive a kiss. And if luck were on his side, perhaps he could hold onto a passionate memory of a wild night spent with this man.

Yes——that unrequited love that had lasted for so many years, a love that never had a chance of coming true, especially with his own fragile heart. If all he wanted was a single memory, who could blame him?

And besides, the man was no longer his friend’s lover—truthfully, they had never really been lovers in the first place. There was nothing left for him to hesitate about.

“Hyung, before you leave, why don’t we go to the bar together just once? Everyone would be so happy to see you. Oh, how about today? No, wait, that might be hard since you’re with your friends, right? Then….. how about tomorrow?”

The man seemed slightly surprised by the young man’s sudden enthusiasm to arrange a meeting. But after a brief pause, as if to think it over, he smiled gently and nodded.

“A bar, huh….. sounds good. It’s been a while since I last went. The owner and bartender are still the same, right? Oh, I really do miss that place…..”

The man’s eyes held a fleeting hint of wistfulness, as though he were lost in a stream of memories. Seeing that expression made the young man feel like his heart was about to burst. Inside, he was screaming: ‘This is absolutely freaking perfect!’

This was a good sign. If things continued to go smoothly, even if he wasn’t exactly the man’s type, perhaps pouring his heart into a confession might win him a chance—if only for a single hug.

“Then, then how about today—”

“Ah, today’s no good. I’ve got dinner plans with these guys—my old high school friends. It’s been ages since I’ve seen them, so yeah, probably not possible tonight. But next week….. hmm, how about Tuesday? Let’s meet at the bar that evening.”

Tuesday. It wasn’t as soon as today, which left the young man feeling a slight twinge of disappointment, but the joy of knowing he’d get to see this man again quickly outweighed everything else. The young man nodded eagerly and replied: “Yes, that works!” On second thought, maybe it was for the best. This gave him time to prepare—polishing his appearance, working out to look more fit, and carefully planning the perfect way to confess his feelings to maximize his chances.

“Alright then, see you later.” 

The man waved goodbye and returned to his friends. The young man could only stand there, nodding repeatedly, his heart filled with a floating sense of happiness. He watched the man’s back with a dreamy gaze, murmuring: “Yes, yes…..”

But then, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: ‘This is no time to stand here daydreaming! I need to do something—at least some crunches to deal with this belly fat!’ With that, he quickly spun around and hurried off, determination in his steps.

**************************

He was a fairly well-known Top among the crowd.

Not exactly famous, but for those who frequented the bar, just hearing his name or recalling his physical traits would prompt a reaction like: “Oh, that guy!”

In terms of popularity, he probably wasn’t on the same level as someone like the guy sitting next to the potted plant over there, or the one sitting at the far left corner of the bar. To be honest, from an objective standpoint, those men stood out much more—be it their more captivating appearance, smoother way with words, or their overall air of charm and allure.

But he was the kind of person that, after interacting with him a few times, everyone would say: “If you’re looking for someone to settle down with, someone reliable and comforting, then someone like him is definitely the best choice.” You could call him….. a ‘sustainably popular’ type? Yeah, kind of like that. Does that phrasing sound weird? Why are you laughing so much?…..

What? Oh, right—there were times when other Tops seemed interested in him. But nothing ever came of it. From the start, he’d never entertained the idea of being a Bottom, so he rejected them outright. None of them were so obsessed as to push the matter or cause trouble. Besides, despite how he looks, he used to be a military officer. Who’d dare to try anything reckless with him?

Exactly. Just by looking at him, you’d never guess he was a soldier, would you? He doesn’t have that big, muscular, rugged appearance you’d typically associate with military men….. Oh, right, yes, that’s it. He’s more like a young leopard, sleek, agile, with claws and fangs that aren’t overly sharp, exuding a calm demeanor mixed with a hint of playfulness. Huh? You think if he bit hard, it’d hurt a lot? Who knows? Honestly, he’s never caused trouble or stirred up any commotion. But still, there’s something about him. Even with his laid-back, carefree attitude, there’s this subtle aura that makes people think twice about messing with him.

Anyway, that’s how it is. He’s quite a well-liked Top. I know plenty of people who’ve said they’d love to be held in his arms just once. But he’s a pretty serious guy. Once he’s interested in someone or in a relationship, he won’t fool around with anyone else. Because of that, the number of people who’ve actually experienced being with him isn’t very high.

Me? Of course, I used to like him too. To be honest, I’ve also wanted to be with him, even just once. More than that, there were countless times when I secretly looked at him and relieved myself alone. Every time I did, he was the only one in my mind.

What about now, you ask? …..Honestly, I’m still the same. Just once—if he could hold me just once, that would be enough.

Ya, I’m not joking. I’ve heard he’s really skilled. Even though his smile looks so innocent and doesn’t easily lead people to think that way, his technique is apparently top-notch. Seriously, though, no matter how well-liked someone is, if they’re not good in that area, it’s hard to become such a sought-after Top.

Those who’ve said they wanted to be held by him just once – or wanted to be held one more time – might be exaggerating a bit, but if you gathered them all, you’d probably fill 3-4 tables. Honestly, he’s the kind of Top who’s quietly but intensely adored. It’s not just me who feels that way.

…..Yeah, I’ve wanted to try saying something to him, too. In fact, today I was determined to do it, planning to tell him my feelings. But….. what? Before? Well, yeah, back then I was more naive. I’m tougher now, so I’m much bolder these days. But back then, I just couldn’t say it. Simply because I knew his type, and I wasn’t it.

He’s the kind of person with a very specific type. Whether it’s dating, spending the night, or just having a conversation, the people he gravitates toward almost always fit a certain mold—innocent, cute, but with a hint of sensuality……Yeah, that’s right. His type is like any other regular guy’s, except the people he’s interested in happen to be men.

…..Haha, that’s life, isn’t it? You never know what’ll happen. People don’t always fall for their ideal type. I’ve known plenty of people like that. They go on and on about their “type,” but when they fall in love, it’s with someone completely different—and then they’re head over heels, inseparable from each other.

But….. you know, back then, I really didn’t have the courage. Part of it was because he had a vague, undefined relationship with my friend. I just couldn’t get past that fear. 

So I kept vaguely hoping, thinking that someday, there might be a chance for me. And then, all of a sudden, he was gone. How could I have predicted that?

Before the whole mess with my friend – the incident that led to the knife situation I mentioned earlier – he was a regular at this bar and came here quite often. Oh, right, I already talked about that, didn’t I? My friend wasn’t easy to deal with either; his personality was seriously unpredictable.

…..Huh? Yeah, that’s the one. How did you know?

**********************

“Just….. a feeling.”

He said it with a soft smile.

Following the subtle tilt of his chin, the young man looked over and immediately spotted his friend sitting at a table behind them. Though it had been a long time since they’d last met, his friend still had that charming, cute appearance, with a small delicate face and a wistful expression. His friend’s eyes were fixed on the bar, where the man – the young man’s first love, and for his friend, the ambiguous ex-lover – was sitting.

The young man suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over him.

He hadn’t expected his friend to show up tonight. Someone who only visited the bar every few months, yet somehow, they had coincidentally appeared on this very evening. The thought that perhaps those two might truly share some kind of connection, something that could even be called ‘destiny’, only deepened his sorrow.

At first, the young man had placed so much hope on tonight. He had carefully planned to meet his first love, strike up a conversation, and find a way to let things progress smoothly—maybe even ending the night at a hotel. With that goal in mind, he had spent two full hours before coming to the bar meticulously preparing: Taking a thorough shower, pampering his skin, grooming his body hair, and even cleaning his insides with a laxative. Everything had been prepared to perfection.

But who could have predicted that on this very night, of all nights, his friend would show up here?

The young man frowned slightly, filled with melancholy. ‘I should’ve arranged to meet him somewhere else.’ – He thought, silently chastising himself. Even though finding a reasonable excuse to meet elsewhere might have been a headache, it would’ve been far better than allowing his friend and his first love to reunite like this. He hadn’t invited him here just to act as a bridge for their reconnection, after all.

But upon reflection, perhaps he’d been mistaken to have any expectations in the first place. His first love, someone completely unaware of the feelings directed toward him, hadn’t come here solely to meet him. Even though he’d agreed to the invitation, the real reason was likely just to visit an old bar he used to frequent—a nostalgic stop to reminisce after so much time had passed, nothing more.

That’s why, as soon as he walked into the bar, he exchanged only a few casual greetings with the young man – who had been waiting eagerly, full of hope – before heading straight to the counter. And there, he engaged in friendly conversation with the bartender and the owner, old acquaintances he hadn’t seen in ages. Yes. From the very beginning, he hadn’t come to the bar for the young man. He came simply to reconnect with a piece of his own past.

Realizing this mistake only deepened the young man’s gloom. But it was fine, he told himself. The man would talk with them for a while, then return to this table and start a conversation with him.

‘I just need to come up with an interesting, lively, and slightly provocative topic!’ – The young man reassured himself, trying to plan his next move while his heart remained heavy.

But just as he was racking his brain for ideas, the door to the bar swung open, and a familiar figure walked in. It was his friend. Seeing that friend step into this very place only plunged the young man deeper into despair.

‘How could there be such a damn coincidence?’

Of course, his friend hadn’t come here to see him. When the young man’s eyes met and his friend noticed him sitting there, an expression of surprise spread across his face.

His first love also noticed his friend. For a brief moment, he paused, but then quickly offered a gentle smile, acting as if nothing was amiss, and greeted him. However, his friend, who hadn’t changed one bit, not in appearance nor in temperament, didn’t respond with the same friendliness. Though his eyes were locked on the young man’s first love, his expression remained cold. He even let out a mocking chuckle before walking straight in and sitting at a table. His casual posture seemed to say: ‘If you’ve got something to say, come over and say it yourself.’

The young man’s first love scratched his head, a clear look of awkwardness crossing his face, as though he wasn’t sure how to proceed. But since his conversation with the bar owner was still ongoing, he didn’t get up immediately and instead turned back to continue chatting amicably with them.

Witnessing the entire scene from the nearby table, the young man noticed his friend glaring at his first love with a mix of hurt and anger. In that moment, for some inexplicable reason, a fleeting sense of satisfaction washed over him, even a small glimmer of triumph. But that feeling quickly faded, replaced by the familiar weight of gloom.

No matter how he looked at it, there were no good signs for him in any of this. Once his first love finished talking with the bar owner, he would undoubtedly turn his attention to his friend instead of him. Even if it was just to exchange a few polite words, the bond between those two was far deeper than anything he shared with his first love. It was obvious, really. (In reality, the number of conversations he’d had with his first love could be counted on one hand, and most of them had happened when he was sitting at the same table with his friend.)

The young man shrank into the corner of the table, his melancholy sinking so deeply it felt like it was swallowing him whole. It was a tucked-away spot, almost completely out of sight from the bar. For a brief moment, he wondered if he should move to a seat where his first love could see him more easily. But almost immediately, a bitter thought crept in: ‘Even if I sat in the most noticeable spot, he wouldn’t pay any attention to me anyway.’ That thought only made the young man curl up further, as if trying to disappear into the shadows.

As he sat there, consumed by his sorrow but still stealing glances at his first love, a stranger suddenly approached and stood in front of him.

“Is this seat taken?”

The unexpected question, spoken in English from above his head, snapped the young man out of his daze as he had been intently watching his first love. Blinking in surprise, he quickly looked up. Standing before him was a tall broad-shouldered foreign man with a strong muscular build, who had somehow appeared without him noticing.

“Ah, yes? Uh….. um….. sure, please….. please sit.” 

The young man stammered awkwardly, gesturing toward the seat in front of him. The foreign man gave a slight nod and said: “Thanks“, in a deep and low voice before casually pulling out the chair and sitting down without hesitation.

In fact, the young man had noticed this person earlier, when the foreign man had been sitting alone at a table near a hidden corner. It was a spot that was almost invisible from most other positions in the bar. The sight of such a tall, imposing foreigner sitting quietly like that had briefly made the young man wonder: ‘How strange. Why would someone like him come here alone?’

This bar was one of the few places frequented by people in the LGBTQ+ community, so it wasn’t unusual to see foreign visitors here. In fact, even now, a quick glance around the room would reveal a few foreigners sitting at other tables. Because of this, the presence of a foreigner wasn’t surprising to the young man. But having one initiate a conversation with him—now that was a first.

“You’ve been watching the guy at the bar for a while now. Is he your boyfriend?”

“Huh? Ah, no, no, he’s not.”

“Really? Thanks god.”

The foreign man replied with a smile. The young man’s heart began to race involuntarily, his face suddenly flushing with heat. He quickly lowered his head, trying to hide his embarrassment.

The man smiled as he said those words, and the young man felt his heart unintentionally skip a beat. His face grew hot, and he quickly lowered his head to hide his flustered state.

Although his heart was still set on his first love, who was sitting at the bar, having someone approach him and speak such suggestive words couldn’t help but stir his emotions. What’s more, even in the dimly lit shadowy corner where the young man couldn’t see clearly, the foreign man’s tall, solid build and striking features were impossible to ignore. His face, with its sharp and chiseled lines, carried a rugged intensity. Yet under the bar’s subdued lighting, that edge softened, giving him an allure that was strangely captivating.

This was the first time the young man had sat down to talk with a foreigner, so he couldn’t help but feel nervous. However, the conversation flowed more smoothly than he had expected. The foreign man led the discussion in clear, easy-to-understand English and was incredibly friendly. It seemed he had lived in Korea for quite a while because, when the young man stumbled over words or let a few Korean phrases slip into the conversation, the man understood them effortlessly and responded naturally.

It was clear that the foreign man was interested in him. (After all, if he weren’t, he probably wouldn’t have asked to sit with him in the first place.)

The man started asking personal questions, but only to a level that didn’t make the young man uncomfortable. Then, when the conversation shifted to his unrequited love – the person currently sitting at the bar – the man became even more curious, almost fixated on the topic. He asked how deeply the young man liked that person, what kind of relationship they had, and what kind of person his crush was. Question after question, he dug into the subject with keen interest.

Perhaps it was due to his melancholy mood and the several strong cocktails he had consumed, but the young man found himself slightly tipsy. In this light haze, he let the foreign man take the lead in the conversation and, without realizing it, spilled everything in response to his questions.

‘…..Tsk. In a moment of frustration, I thought maybe I should give it a shot with this foreign guy. But the more I talk, the more regret I feel for my unrequited love that’s lasted all these years.’

The young man stole a glance at the foreign man sitting across from him. Although the man was clearly showing interest in him, he felt a slight pang of guilt. At the same time, a subtle sense of pride bubbled up within him. After all, being liked by someone was always a bit of a flattering experience.

“Hmm….. So, the person who dated that guy at the bar wasn’t you, but the one sitting at the other table, right? Which means there’s no relationship between you and him….. is that correct?” 

The foreign man seemed to have an incredibly sharp intuition. With just a few details, he had quickly pieced together that it was the young man’s friend who had once been involved with his first love. He gave a subtle enigmatic smile, one that seemed to carry hidden meaning.

“Ah, uh,….. yes. But I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Is this your first time at this bar?” 

“Yes, that’s right. This is my first time here. But I’ve heard about this place before, so I was curious to see what it’s like.”

“Really? Well, that makes sense. This place has been pretty well-known in the community for a while now.”

“Hmm….. I don’t really care much about the past, but…..”

“…..I am curious to know who he’s had fun with in a place like this.” – The man continued. The young man tilted his head slightly, feeling a bit confused by the remark.

‘Something feels off about this conversation….. or did I mishear?’

The young man took another sip of the whiskey the foreign man had just poured into his empty glass, his hazy alcohol-laden eyes subtly scanning the man from head to toe.

‘Well, my mood isn’t great right now anyway. If I can’t get the pheasant, maybe I’ll settle for the chicken*. And honestly, this guy isn’t bad at all…..’

But then another thought intruded: ‘No, I can’t. Foreigners like him….. it’s better to be cautious. I’ve heard stories of people disappearing without a trace after a one-night stand.’

(*꿩 대신 닭: when you can’t get the ideal or better option, you make do with a substitute.)

Yet, the young man’s eyes continued scanning the foreign man from head to toe, eventually landing on something peculiar, as if he had just noticed something unusual.

“You’re wearing gloves indoors? And it’s not even hot right now. Doesn’t that feel uncomfortable?”

“Hmm? Oh, this? It’s just a habit. Feels as natural as my own skin now. Besides, you never know when they might come in handy.”

‘He doesn’t seem like someone obsessed with cleanliness, but who knows…..‘

The young man nodded as if agreeing, though his thoughts continued to wander. In his half-drunken state, he started filling the silence with random questions.

“How long have you been in Korea?”

“Four and a half.”

“Yes*? Hahaha, what’s that supposed to mean? Hmm—four and a half years? Or four and a half months?” 

(*The words “네” (four) and “예” (yes) in Korean sound similar, so the young man misheard it.)

At that moment, the foreign man’s gaze and smile froze for a brief second, losing their earlier ambiguity. Following his line of sight, the young man turned to look, and his heart immediately sank heavier than ever. It seemed that, having finished his conversation with the bar owner, his first love had left the counter and was now walking directly toward his friend’s table, the one just behind the young man. He didn’t spare so much as a glance toward the young man’s table, not even once.

The young man felt utterly pathetic and shrank further into himself. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this, nor did he want anyone to notice his emotions, so he sat there silently, saying nothing more. It seemed the kind and gentle foreign man sitting across from him had sensed his shift in mood. Respecting the young man’s feelings, he, too, chose to remain silent.

From behind him, the familiar voice of his unrequited love – one he had longed to hear for so many years – began to resonate. Yet, in this moment, his friend’s voice, usually so ordinary, suddenly felt unbearably irritating.

“How have you been? It’s been a while.” 

“…..Yeah.” 

“Sometimes, I’ve wondered how you’ve been doing. I heard you’re doing well….. and even dating someone now.”

As soon as the first love finished that sentence with a smile, the friend – who had been acting aloof and responding indifferently until now – suddenly let out a sharp, unexpected yell:

“Who said that?!”

“Huh? It’s not true?”

“——No, it’s not true! I don’t have anyone! …..What about you? Are you dating someone?”

‘You liar! You said you had a boyfriend!’

The young man screamed internally, his resentment boiling over as he thought about his friend.

‘You told me over the phone last time, going on for an hour about your relationship! And now you’re trying to pull his heart back to you, even though you already have someone?!’