Chaewon went again to offer help because Han looked really tired, but Han just waved him off.
"Sit down and rest. I'll handle it," he said.
For the third time, Chaewon went to Chahyuk instead and asked if there was anything he could do.
Chahyuk chuckled and handed him a tray. "If you really want to help, take these to table three."
When Han saw this, he frowned. "Yah, Chahyuk! Why are you making him work?"
Before Chahyuk could answer, Chaewon quickly said, "It's fine! I asked him. I was getting bored just sitting there."
Chahyuk raised his hands in defense. "See? He asked for it."
Han sighed, his voice softening as he looked at Chaewon.
"You work at home, and now you're working here too instead of resting."
Chaewon froze for a second — his ears turning red. He cares about me.
Trying to hide his smile, he fanned himself with his hand. "Yaa, why is it so hot here?"
Han chuckled quietly. "Because you're working."
---
Soon the restaurant filled up again, and both Han and Chaewon had to move nonstop.
Every time they sat down to rest, another wave of customers walked in, and they'd jump back to work with tired laughter.
By 6 p.m., the place finally grew quiet. The restaurant would close for two hours before reopening at 8.
Han sank into a chair, breathing heavily. Chaewon hurried over with a glass of water.
"Here," he said, pressing it into Han's hands. Han drank gratefully.
Then, without a word, Chaewon stepped closer and gently wiped the sweat from Han's forehead with a tissue.
Han blinked in surprise — a little embarrassed — just as Chahyuk turned and saw them. His eyes widened.
Han instantly stood up. "It's not what you think!"
---
Chahyuk laughed and motioned for Han to follow him. "Come on. Let's take a break upstairs."
They climbed to the balcony, the evening air carrying a light breeze. Chahyuk lit two cigarettes, handed one to Han, and leaned on the railing.
"So," Chahyuk said, exhaling smoke, "you and that kid… you look pretty close."
Han frowned. "I told you, it's not like that. He's just a junior from my club. Stop overthinking."
Chahyuk blinked, surprised by his sharp tone. "Alright, alright — no need to get defensive. I believe you."
Han exhaled slowly, tension easing from his shoulders.
"…Good," he muttered, eyes drifting toward the sunset.
Chahyuk leaned back against the railing, smoke curling lazily around him.
"Do you know, Han?" he said, glancing sideways. "You're easy to read. When you're happy, you laugh. When you're sad, you cry. You're simple, innocent, and pure."
Han exhaled a slow breath of smoke. "So… is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
Chahyuk smiled faintly. "Sometimes bad, sometimes good. Unlike Seungmin — he's unreadable. You can never tell if he's happy or sad. Even when he smiles, you don't know if it's real."
Han sighed. "Yeah. That's the thing about him that annoys me the most. He hides everything. Disappears whenever he wants, then comes back like nothing happened. And when he's with me…"
He paused, staring at the smoke rising in front of him.
"I don't even know if he feels the same way I do. I think Jisoo understands him better than I ever could."
Chahyuk suddenly laughed.
Han turned to him, irritated. "Why are you laughing?"
"Remember when we were in second year?" Chahyuk said between chuckles. "We told you he was treating you badly — that you should stand up for yourself. But you always defended him. Even that time he left you alone at the carnival, you still acted like he'd told you beforehand."
Han looked away, embarrassed. "So you guys knew… even back then."
"Of course we knew," Chahyuk replied softly. "We just didn't want to embarrass you."
They both laughed quietly, a trace of old memories in their voices.
"I honestly thought," Chahyuk continued, "you only wanted the title of being his boyfriend. I'm surprised you finally understand what we were trying to tell you."
Han smiled faintly. "Yeah… now I get it. Back then, I really was just happy to be with him. Maybe even until last week, I was just happy with the title. I don't know what suddenly changed my mind."