Harmonious Love

Yang Gi Thief (6)

***

At the beginning of the semester, bars near universities are so crowded that it’s impossible to find an empty seat anywhere.

“You know what? The reason Young-won is so cold to girls is that he goes to church.”

Everyone at the table widened their eyes at the loud declaration.

“Sunbae, do you really go to church?”

“Yeah, I’ve been going since I was little with my parents. Does it not suit me?”

In response to Tae Young-won’s question, the male freshman sitting across from him answered with genuine admiration.

“Wow… Honestly, no.”

After the rumor spread that Tae Young-won went to church, and very devoutly at that, everyone who knew him had a similar reaction. Honestly, they knew it was rude, but anyone could see it didn’t suit him.

That’s because Tae Young-won didn’t give the impression of someone you’d associate with a devout believer – neither ascetic nor well-behaved, not even neatly dressed.

If anything, he had a slightly wild air about him that seemed more suited to a debauched lifestyle with a constant stream of women.

However, contrary to his appearance, he had never actually been involved in any gossip since entering university. He was suspiciously quiet, especially when it came to matters involving women.

In fact, it was so suspicious that rumors even circulated on campus questioning if he might be gay.

“Honestly, until recently, I suspected this guy might be gay. With that face, not dating any women.”

The moment the word ‘gay’ left Park Hyung-su’s mouth, Tae Young-won, who had been smiling habitually, furrowed his brow. He picked up the water glass instead of the alcohol in front of him and wetted his throat.

Meanwhile, Park Hyung-su, emboldened by the alcohol, seemed excited by the waves he was making. Of course, everything was possible only with Tae Young-won’s tacit permission.

“To be honest, all of us in the same year suspected it, right? How could we not when he never showed us a girlfriend’s face despite looking like that?”

Someone once said that Tae Young-won was the type to attract women just by standing still. Not only his undeniably handsome face but also his exceptionally large build compared to others, his manly and cheerful personality – everything about him was charming and drew people in.

“There was some incident last year… That’s when all the misunderstandings were cleared up. Him going to church really doesn’t suit him, but I could understand why this bastard doesn’t date women.”

“Huh? Why? Can’t you date even if you go to church? Could it be pre-marital abs…”

The freshman who was muttering suddenly covered his mouth, and Park Hyung-su grinned at him.

“I thought that too. But Tae Young-won never answers. He says he’s always rejected because he’s busy going to church. Even today, I barely managed to drag him out because he said he couldn’t drink since he has to go to church tomorrow. It’s hard to even see Young-won’s face usually, you know? I naturally thought he was fooling around somewhere else. Right, Tae Young-won?”

As Park Hyung-su spoke excitedly, attention shifted to Tae Young-won, who had been sitting quietly. He was sitting in the middle, looking towards the door since earlier. As if he hadn’t been properly listening to the conversation about himself, he asked, “Hm?” prompting Park Hyung-su to explain once again.

“You’re super busy because of church.”

Tae Young-won rolled his eyes and his lips curved up refreshingly.

“Ah, that. I just made that up because Hyung-su was annoying, but he believed it.”

“Hahaha.”

At his words, delivered with eyes crinkled in laughter, everyone, including those at nearby tables, burst into hearty laughter. His characteristic upturned lips were sufficiently playful.

It was hard to tell if it was humor or sincerity, but no one dared to dig for the truth.

“That bastard has been annoying Young-won since way back. Hyung-su, are the freshmen girls pretty this time too?”

“Hey, when did I ever!”

As those around heard their conversation, the drinking party became even more lively with stories about Tae Young-won. Park Hyung-su, flustered and red-faced, hurriedly picked up the bottle.

“Hey, hey, why are all the glasses empty? Cheers! Cheers!”

The table where they sat clinking glasses was the main table among the many. While such a table existed, there was also a corner spot that caught no one’s eye.

“Church, yeah right…”

Mo Yeon, sitting at the very end, had been quietly sipping his drink alone for a while. He didn’t answer more than two words to anyone who spoke to him. Although it wasn’t intentional, this naturally led to people getting tired and drifting away.

Occasionally receiving cold glances, the loner stood out even in this setting, with no one showing any interest.

“Would you like some more alcohol?”

Those who had been subtly concerned about Mo Yeon saw him shake his head and resumed their own conversations.

Of course, ignoring people who try to talk to you and refusing to be disturbed isn’t appropriate behavior at such group drinking events. However, Mo Yeon had refused because he had already drunk enough.

In fact, he hadn’t been feeling good for a while.

‘If I had known I couldn’t even get close like this, I wouldn’t have bothered attending.’

Feeling glum, Mo Yeon blinked his slightly tipsy eyes and picked up a cherry tomato from the nearly empty fruit plate to eat.

The good thing was that Tae Young-won was within his sight.

Sometimes, things are better seen from a distance. In these gatherings, Tae Young-won always sat in the center, and hands had been reaching out to touch him from here and there. For instance, someone from another table getting up to touch his shoulder, asking him to accept a drink, or extending their hand in joy over some trivial common ground.

And now, on Tae Young-won’s left, the head of a freshman girl who had been nodding off was about to touch his shoulder.

“Looks like you’re pretty drunk. Where do you live?”

A moment later, noticing this, Tae Young-won naturally woke the girl up and was asking her something. He was probably asking if he should call a taxi for her.

“Or Hyun-su, do you want to take her home? That might be better.”

“Should I? I’ll call a taxi.”

“Make sure you see her get in the car.”

“Yes, sir.”

From Mo Yeon’s perspective, Tae Young-won seemed to have become accustomed to such touches throughout his life. Or perhaps he had some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder; his skill in avoiding every touch to his body wasn’t the kind of naturalness that could be perfected in just a day or two.

Tae Young-won, surrounded by people and seemingly far from being sensitive, was actually a man with the ability to reject people so naturally that even the other person wouldn’t notice.

As time passed, Mo Yeon could see Tae Young-won timing when to leave. Mo Yeon had been staring at Tae Young-won from his corner seat for a long time, and when Tae Young-won stood up, Mo Yeon followed suit.

This worked out well, as he had wanted to go home anyway. It seemed Tae Young-won was trying to leave earlier than last time.

“You’re leaving already? It’s only 10 o’clock!”

“Ah, even Cinderella goes home later than Tae Young-won!”

It took Tae Young-won ages to leave as he had to refuse people trying to stop him from all sides. During this time, Mo Yeon was well hidden like an invisible shadow, stuck close to the air conditioner in the corner of the restaurant.

Alright.

Mo Yeon darted out following Tae Young-won as he left the restaurant.

“…Huh?”

However, once outside the bar, Mo Yeon looked around in confusion, unable to find Tae Young-won.

He was sure he had followed right behind him.

Bewildered by the situation, his mouth gaped open, and even his face, hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses, showed signs of confusion.

He hadn’t noticed while sitting, but it seemed he had drunk more than he thought, as the dark sky seemed to be spinning.

This couldn’t be right, he was sure he had followed right behind… Tae Young-won was nowhere to be seen. Wondering if he might be smoking in a nearby alley, Mo Yeon approached the alley beside the building, but when he actually tried to enter, he couldn’t muster the courage.

“…”

This alley was a very familiar place to Mo Yeon. It was a bar street alley he particularly disliked because the broken streetlight showed no signs of being fixed, making it impossible to know what might be inside.

Still, should he go check? You never know…

As he hesitated near the corner and turned back, something jumped out from the gloomy alley.

“Ah!”

A firm grip caught Mo Yeon’s wrist. His thin body stumbled and turned, unable to react to the force.

Looking up in surprise, he saw Tae Young-won looking down at him.

His heart was pounding as if it might fall out, but it seemed he wasn’t the only one surprised.

“Sorry, I just meant to grab you lightly…”

Something was odd.

Tae Young-won didn’t look angry, nor did he look elated as if he had finally caught his prey. He just looked a bit flustered.

“You’re from our department, right? I called out because you looked drunk, but you really are quite drunk.”

Tae Young-won’s voice was kind. Just like how he had spoken to the girl he had put in a taxi earlier.

Mo Yeon, who had been staring blankly at him, finally came to his senses and lowered his gaze.

“Ah, I, I’m fine…”

“Can you get home alone? Should I call you a taxi?”

Tae Young-won, having released Mo Yeon’s wrist, put his hand on Mo Yeon’s shoulder. As he lowered his posture to ask, Mo Yeon hunched his shoulders even more. His eyes, hidden behind his glasses, darted around, fixed on his feet planted on the ground.

“I can go home alone.”

Mo Yeon answered softly. That’s when it happened.

“Wait a minute, you…”

Tae Young-won’s voice was lower than before.

This is bad.

Just as Mo Yeon was about to take a step back.

“Don’t we take the same elective? I think I saw you in class last week.”

“…”

“You were a third-year, and your name was Mo Yeon, right?”

Oh, shit.