The sound of the door password being pressed filled Hyunji's ears. She is now in front of Jungkyu's apartment door. She just needs to press a few more numbers until the door in front of her opened and she could rest her exhausted body on the bed.
But her movement stopped. Her conversation with Hyunjae was still very fresh in her mind.
She smiled blandly, laughing at herself. Laughing for not being able to be firm in making decisions and her heart that somehow became melancholy like this. On top of that, she also laughed at the last words she spoke right before coming back here.
Go home ... that's what she said.
Stupid, isn't it? Perhaps she'd hit her head with something to the point where she recognized someone's house as a place to return to. She is just a stranger who has no place to live, and Jungkyu as the house owner only feels sorry for her.
That hurts, but that's the fact.
Realizing that she had thought of something unimportant, Hyunji shook her head. There was something else she needed to think about right now instead of thinking about such trivial things.
Her hand rose, trying to press Hyunjae's apartment password again.
But the door in front of her suddenly opened and an unexpected person appeared from within.
Both Hyunji and that person were wide-eyed.
"You ...."
Hyunji froze, amazed by the beauty of the human before her. She couldn't deny that the man in front of her was very handsome.
But, Gosh ... Hyunji Kwon! You shouldn't be thinking about such things right now!
She immediately turned her face away as she swallowed hard. She realized she had come home at a very inopportune time. In her mind, she can already imagine Jungkyu's angry face and his echoing voice—reminding her not to appear in front of anyone while living in Jungkyu's apartment.
But those images disappeared when the person in front of her shouted while pointing straight at her. "You're the one who was with Jungkyu a while ago right?!"
Hyunji was shocked. She blinked uncomprehendingly. A while ago? What does that mean?
"Hyung, who-"
Another person appeared from inside the apartment. He stepped closer to the two people in the doorway who were still busy staring at each other.
It was Jungkyu, the host who was a little disturbed by Taekwang's exclamation that echoed throughout the room. He just came out of his room with a sleepy face and pajamas still attached to his body. Taekwang's overly loud voice really made him jump and pulled him out of dreamland.
But, who would have thought ... the scene that was presented in front of him was now in fact far more shocking and almost made his heart fall out of place.
With a lightning motion, he pulled Hyunji's hand to enter. He poked his head out, making sure there was no one in the hallway, then quickly closed the door.
He glared at Hyunji, while the one who was being stared at pretended not to know and turned her gaze to the wall beside her. As if that plain wall was far more attractive than the two people nearby.
Taekwang who found Jungkyu still holding Hyunji's hand couldn't help but smile mischievously. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Looks like I'm interfering here."
Hyunji and Jungkyu spontaneously turned their eyes towards him.
"I will not interfere, so please continue."
"I told you we don't have that kind of relationship!"
Hyunji—who did not know anything—could only look at them alternately with a confused expression. What kind of situation is she actually in?
Jungkyu chose to ignore Taekwang's presence. He returned his attention to Hyunji. He looked at her up and down. Like a scanning machine, nothing escapes Jungkyu's observation.
"You don't know how to treat women, do you?"
Again, Taekwang's words interfere with Jungkyu's activities. Before he could ask any questions, Taekwang grabbed Hyunji's free hand and pulled her towards the kitchen.
Hyunji was surprised for sure. So shocked, she was unable to give any reaction other than following Taekwang's steps. She had looked at Jungkyu who was frozen in place, but did not dare to ask for help.
Taekwang led Hyunji to sit on one of the dining chairs. He then turned to get a glass of water and sat in front of her. There was only a long table bordering them. "How are you today?" he asked while resting his chin.
Hyunji tilted her head. Her brows furrowed. "I'm good." She reached for the glass on the table, made sure there were no harmful substances in the water, then drank it.
Taekwang still doesn't take his eyes off her. His smile was still etched on his face. "I'm fine too," he said suddenly.
Hyunji's frown grew when she heard that. She didn't feel like asking how this man was, but why did he answer as if she was asking?
Taekwang seemed to be aware of Hyunji's confused expression. Therefore, he grabbed one of Hyunji's hands that was on the table, brought it into his, then winked meaningfully.
Hyunji was silent. It didn't take long to understand the meaning of his wink.
She smiled, almost laughing. She put the glass on the table. With her other hand, she grabbed Taekwang's hand which was much bigger than hers. She could feel him gently rubbing the back of her hand.
A smile showed on Hyunji's face. "By the way, what's your name?"
Taekwang smiled back meaningfully. "Taekwang Seo. How about you?"
"Hyunji Kwon."
"Can I call you by your first name?"
Hyunji nodded.
"Okay then." Taekwang leaned his body towards Hyunji. "Nice to meet you, Hyunji."
Hyunji spontaneously held her breath. This man is so unpredictable.
"Taekwang Seo!"
Jungkyu's voice stopped their conversation. Hyunji turned around, finding Jungkyu standing in the hallway near the kitchen that connected the living room.
Meanwhile, Taekwang was desperately holding back his laughter. He realized Jungkyu had been standing there for a while, but he chose to ignore it. He lowered his head, normalizing his facial expression, before looking up with an innocent face. "What is it?"
With an annoyed face, Jungkyu walked over. Without further ado, he pulled Hyunji's hand until Taekwang's grip was released and dragged the girl behind him.
His eyes glanced at Hyunji briefly, then turned to Taekwang. "What were you guys talking about?"
Taekwang flicks his hair back. He made a face as if he was thinking. "What do you mean? We're just getting to know each other." A second later, his mischievous expression returned. "She's not your girlfriend, right? So, can I make her mine?"
Taekwang turned to look at Hyunji who seemed to be secretly glancing at him behind Jungkyu's back. "You don't mind, do you?"
Hyunji was about to answer, but Jungkyu had glared at her first so she closed her mouth again.
Jungkyu seems to be very tired right now. His head almost exploded at the two of them, especially since he had just woken up. "Hyung, stop messing around. She's my guest."
"I'm your guest too."
"Therefore, please take care of your attitude as a guest."
To be honest, Taekwang was quite surprised by Jungkyu's words. This was the first time he had heard Jungkyu speak to him so firmly.
And because of that, he chuckled faintly. "All right then. I'm going home first. Please enjoy your time together, Lovebird."
He then rose from his chair. Before actually leaving, he took the time to pat Jungkyu's shoulder, and whispered right in his ear. "Your girl is back. Have fun! And don't forget to wear safety, okay?"
Jungkyu didn't reply, but his body was petrified to hear it. He remained still even when the sound of the door closing could be heard entering his eardrums.
Taekwang had left and the apartment was quiet again.
Because of the silence, Jungkyu felt that he could hear the sound of his own heartbeat which was beating unstable.
And deep in his heart, he swore he would hit Taekwang's head later!
***
Hyung: a word used by males to address another male older than them who they are close to.