Han Jinheon took one step and then stopped, turning right back to me. He asked, staring at me as I grinned with a look of reasonable suspicion.
“You didn’t plan this, did you?”
“Plan what? Don’t tell me, the mask? Do I look smart enough to plan something like this?”
“You don’t seem like it. I was just asking, just in case. Since you pulled it out as if you were waiting.”
“Huh? I was the one who asked, but I’m not feeling so great about that answer?”
In the end, it means I don’t look smart. It means I look like an idiot. I shot Han Jinheon a playful glare. He just ruffled my hair and told me to follow him properly.
We left the basement and went upstairs. Before I could even decide where to go or size up the stores, I was astonished by the crowd. People gathered in groups of three and five were everywhere.
“Hyung…”
Worried I might lose Han Jinheon, I grabbed his sleeve again. Unlike me, who was looking around distractedly, he seemed relaxed. Not that he was the type to show it, even if he felt overwhelmed.
Where on earth were all these people coming from? My observation of the sea of people was brief. I failed to notice that Han Jinheon had suddenly stopped and ended up bumping my nose into his back.
“Ah. S-Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Pull up your mask.”
Saying it would be a hassle if someone recognized him, he pulled my mask up to just below my eyes.
The mask was already big, and my face is small, so it was enough to wear it moderately. In other words, there was no need to pull it up this high. Besides, my feeling right now was that even if I took off my mask, no one would be interested in me. They were looking more at this Alpha who wasn't wearing a mask than at me who was.
“I have dinner reservations, so we can’t wander around for long. Pick about four or five places.”
“Four or five places…”
“What do you want to buy as a gift?”
“Umm… I have something in mind, but I’ll ask you first, hyung. Is there anything you want? Something you need these days?”
“Do I look like I do?”
“No…”
I don’t know what Han Jinheon wants. I don’t know what he needs either. To be precise, I can’t figure it out. Even when we were stuck at home together, I was so distracted by his handsome face, so what would I know?
“Whatever you were thinking of, let’s go with that.”
“Then, uh… that place looks good. Let’s go there first.”
I scanned my surroundings and chose one of the stores I could see. My plan was to check out gloves, the first thing I had thought of. Han Jinheon agreed and started walking.
I diligently followed behind him so as not to lose him, but the difference between holding his sleeve and not was huge. As we passed between the escalator and the Christmas decorations, I was swept away by a large group of people.
“Excuse me. Just let me pass, please.”
I didn’t panic and followed after Han Jinheon. I could see the back of his head, as he was taller than others, and the faint sweet scent I was familiar with was drawing a path for me.
The problem was that it became a bit troublesome because people taking pictures were standing still and not moving out of the way. As I was weaving through the chaotic crowd like an eel, I waved at Han Jinheon, who had just now realized I wasn’t behind him and turned around.
“Hyung! Wait for me! Here, ah, I’m sorry.”
I was so focused on Han Jinheon that I lightly bumped into some guy. I apologized and was about to leave when it wasn't the person I bumped into who stopped me, but the voice of the man next to him.
A voice that recognized me. And a voice that was somehow familiar.
“Han Sol? Are you Han Sol?”
Startled, I looked back. I looked at the one between the two men who had recognized me.
Like me, he was wearing a mask, and also a hat, making it difficult to identify him. Even if I looked, would I even know him? But the voice I heard once wouldn't let me ignore it. There was already a figure coming to mind.
“It is Han Sol, right?”
The man lifted his hat slightly, revealing a bit of his face. Even though I expected it, I was faced with a beauty more dazzling than I imagined and let out a “Whoa,” taking a step back. My heart pounded relentlessly as if I had seen a ghost.
No way. This suddenly?
The person I’ve only seen on screen, really, this suddenly?
Is this a Christmas present?
“...Kim Gyuyoung?”
The man who recognized me was Kim Gyuyoung.
I got goosebumps all over my body at this unbelievable encounter. I had thought that as long as I was possessing Han Sol, I would never be able to meet the main male character or the main lead, so I had given up.
“I almost didn’t recognize you with the mask, but it is you. Maybe because I was harassed so much, it’s amazing that I recognized you just by hearing your voice for a second.”
“…”
“I heard you weren’t going to the U.S. and were reflecting on your actions in Korea, but to meet like this.”
Ah. What should I say?
This was my first time meeting the main lead of this original work, so I didn’t know what to do. Furthermore, he was the Alpha that Han Sol had passionately liked, so I was at a loss as to what kind of attitude I should show. It wasn't something I could easily calculate.
“Ah, uh… I’m reflecting here…”
If I had my way, I’d want to express my fan feelings rather than act awkward. I just want to fully experience this emotional moment. But unfortunately, I was Han Sol. Just from Kim Gyuyoung’s gaze, I could feel what an unpleasant existence I was to him.
“Gyuyoung, let’s go first. People are slowly starting to recognize you, it’s getting difficult.”
The man, who seemed to be his manager, urged Kim Gyuyoung. Looking closely, I realized the crowd wasn't just because of the Christmas decorations; there was another reason. A few people who had recognized Kim Gyuyoung were lingering and watching him.
“Alright. Hey, you. Do you have a moment?”
“Huh? Me? D-do I have time?”
“I had something to say to you, but we don't have each other's contact info, and there was no way to meet, so I had given up. Since we met like this, spare me a moment.”
Kim Gyuyoung has something to say to me? To Han Sol? Why?
“It won’t take long. It doesn't seem likely anymore, but you might have some other ridiculous misunderstanding… My manager-hyung will come with us anyway.”
The flustered manager urged him to stop talking nonsense and just go. Kim Gyuyoung, being pushed by him, hurriedly said it would only take a moment and grabbed my wrist.
“Gasp.”
I froze, surprised by the unexpected contact.
“Let go. Don't cross the line.”
A heavy voice drew near. Han Jinheon inserted himself between me and Kim Gyuyoung with a chilly expression. He gestured towards my wrist with his chin, and Kim Gyuyoung, whose gaze shifted from me to Han Jinheon, immediately let go with a frown.
“So Director Han was here too. What are you two doing together?”
“It is none of Kim Gyuyoung-ssi’s business whether we are together or not. Just as you said, if you don’t wish for Han Sol to have any ridiculous misunderstandings, let’s refrain from any conversation.”
“You still speak so heartlessly. I had something to say. It would have only taken a moment.”
“It doesn’t matter what you have to say or if it’s just for a moment. If you must say it, say it to me or through our lawyer. Nothing good can come from you two being involved alone, can it?”
“Excuse me. Han Jinheon-ssi.”
“I was unable to watch over him by his side. It may be due to my carelessness that you ran into each other, but I hope this does not happen again.”
“Listen here! Was it wrong for me to speak to him first? Is trying to resolve things with him through words wrong enough to bring up lawyers? Anyone would think that I was the one who…”
Kim Gyuyoung, who had been angrily questioning the cold Han Jinheon, trailed off as soon as he looked at me. It seemed he wanted to say that I was the one at fault, but he stopped out of consideration. He has a needlessly kind side to him.
I don’t know what kind of expression Han Jinheon, whose back is to me, is making. But one thing I can tell is that he seems extremely displeased.
I hear him give a low warning to Kim Gyuyoung. “Isn’t this enough for both of us? What more is there to resolve here?”
Annoyed by Han Jinheon's tone, which seemed to find him a nuisance, Kim Gyuyoung let out a frustrated sigh.
Then, mocking himself as if he were a fool, he said.
“Isn’t it better to do something rather than stay uncomfortable doing nothing… You know Seonmin-hyung’s belief. I thought this was the right time. I wanted to apologize to him for what needed apologizing. Cleanly, like you and Seonmin-hyung.”
“You wanted to apologize to me?”
“Yeah. The thing about you that was on the news… I went ahead with it knowing the impact would be huge. I wanted to teach you a lesson for harassing me and Seonmin-hyung… but honestly, it made me uncomfortable.”
Kim Gyuyoung had carried out a just retaliation against the spiteful Han Sol, but it seems his heart had been heavy all this time. He wasn't just needlessly kind, he was naturally soft-hearted. Though he was immature and childish, causing trouble for those around him, he had an innate kindness within him.
“We don’t have time. I’m telling you, let’s go, please.”
As the surroundings grew louder, the manager broke his silence and stepped forward. He had been unable to say a word and just fidgeting since Han Jinheon intervened.
“Alright. Han Jinheon-ssi, don’t worry, I won’t even pretend to know him if we run into each other in the future. Hey, you too…”
The eyes visible between his hat and mask changed. The fierce energy disappeared, becoming clear and cool.
“Live well. And if you can, try to like the next person properly.”
“I will. Hey, I’m sorry for everything until now.”
I offered an apology in a small voice. Even though it wasn't my fault, I felt like if not now, I wouldn't get another chance. And one more thing.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. I hope you live well too.”
I truly bless you from the bottom of my heart. Wanting to show my sincerity, I even nodded my head, and Kim Gyuyoung looked at me with an astonished expression. Then, he playfully hit my arm before quickly moving away with his manager.
I blankly followed his departing figure with my eyes before flinching when I saw Han Jinheon. His gaze on me was mysterious and heavy. I don’t think I have anything to be blamed for. I think I handled it well, or did I not?
Han Jinheon, who had been silent for a while, uttered some incomprehensible words.
“It's strange that you were so quiet... but you sparkled more when you looked at me."
And he held out his hand to me.
“Take it.”
“Your hand? Can I hold it?”
“Better than the clothes.”
After hesitating, I carefully took the tips of his fingers. Han Jinheon looked at me sulkily as if to ask if that’s what I call holding, before clasped my hand within his palm.
“Let’s go.”
I should have felt my heart flutter at such a small physical contact, but before I could even feel a tickle, he gripped my hand tightly and started walking in the opposite direction.
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