Harmonious Love

Yang Qi Thief (7)

“Right? Your name is unique, so it stuck in my memory.”

“…”

Despite the gentle tone, Mo Yeon couldn’t easily open his mouth.

Tae Young-won knowing his name was a complete disaster.

Contrary to his tumultuous inner thoughts, Mo Yeon slowly nodded. His heart, which had been startled earlier, was still pounding as if it might fall out. Fortunately, although Tae Young-won recognized him, it didn’t seem like he recognized what had happened.

“…You know me?”

“Mo Yeon, you’re my junior. Of course I know you.”

Tae Young-won grinned, seemingly proud of recognizing Mo Yeon on his own. Mo Yeon had always thought that the reason everyone liked him was because of this characteristic refreshing smile. But now, he was just curious about what words would follow that smile.

Why?

Just because someone like Tae Young-won was taking the same elective class, was there a reason to talk to him?

“I noticed there was another Business major besides me last time, so I was curious and looked into it a bit.”

“Ah, I see…”

Even though Mo Yeon gave a noncommittal answer, Tae Young-won kept looking at him.

“It’s really nice to meet you like this here.”

Is it really nice? It seemed like he might change his expression at any moment and threaten, “It’s you, isn’t it?”

Facing Tae Young-won up close after a long time, he seemed much bigger than when seen from afar. Perhaps because of this, even though his face was smiling—a face that anyone would like—Mo Yeon felt uneasy.

Unlike at the officetel, Mo Yeon was now a fellow student to Tae Young-won. So he smiled with the same face he used when pretending at school. But knowing his true face made it feel chilling.

Strange. It didn’t seem this threatening before…

He knew he shouldn’t think this way in front of someone approaching kindly with a smile. But as the saying goes, “a thief is wary of his own footsteps,” Mo Yeon couldn’t help but shrink his shoulders, feeling increasingly small.

“You’re glad to see me too, right? Isn’t that class really boring?”

“…”

Unable to adapt to this unexpected friendliness, Mo Yeon awkwardly nodded.

Moreover, that class was an elective that Mo Yeon had signed up for during the course adjustment period after finding out that Tae Young-won had messed up his course registration.

Maybe he knows something and is talking about it. The suspicion still wouldn’t go away.

“Y-yes, it is.”

“Right? So I was thinking…”

Hoping that his glasses would do their job, Mo Yeon awkwardly made eye contact, and Tae Young-won smiled brightly.

“Mo Yeon, want to do the group project with me?”

In fact, he had a different purpose.

Mo Yeon, startled, unconsciously raised his head.

“That is, if you don’t have anyone else to work with. If you do, it can’t be helped.”

Tae Young-won cautiously added.

In reality, it was an absurd statement. How could someone like him have a classmate he had promised to do the project with? Mo Yeon blankly opened his mouth.

…Me doing a group project with Tae Young-won? Just the two of us?

“Actually, I’ve been feeling lonely every time I take an elective because I messed up my course registration. It’s not intentional, but I always end up taking classes that my friends avoid… You’re taking this because you messed up too, right?”

“…”

No. For anyone else that might be true, but Mo Yeon had voluntarily signed up for this boring elective to follow Tae Young-won. Of course, he couldn’t answer truthfully, so he just nodded.

“I thought so. I talked to students from other departments during the last class, and they all said they came because they messed up their registration too.”

“…”

Mo Yeon shrunk his shoulders a bit more. It felt awkward to hear his name from Tae Young-won’s mouth, and the kind, ticklish way of speaking to a junior from the same department felt extremely unfamiliar when directed at him.

But seeing how Mo Yeon was reacting awkwardly, Tae Young-won chuckled.

“Talking like this, it’s like the two worst course registrants in Business met. Right?”

Meeting his beautifully folded eyes, Mo Yeon felt his heart drop. He smiled uncomfortably.

“Hahaha…”

This is crazy. Facing his smiling face head-on made his head spin so much that he couldn’t even judge if he was responding appropriately.

Why does he keep talking to me so uncomfortably?

He just wanted to turn around and run away right then.

“I don’t know if you heard earlier, but it’s been a while since the semester started and the kids are still teasing. But if I have a junior who messed up course registration like me, I thought it would be good for both of us to take the class together.”

“…”

“What do you think?”

At his words, Mo Yeon’s lips quivered. A group project and attending class together?

“I’m good at it.”

“…”

“Research, presentations. I was top of the department last semester.”

Honestly, it’s tempting. Mo Yeon already knew that Tae Young-won was top of the department.

“It’s not often you get a chance to do a project while getting treated to good food by a senior… Don’t you like it?”

But he couldn’t easily agree because of Tae Young-won’s attitude, which he just couldn’t get used to.

Why is he so friendly?

Mo Yeon had never experienced such kindness from others since coming to university. He was immediately wary of social experiences he didn’t know well.

I’ve seen that seniors and juniors do treat each other to meals…

“We’ve met like this, it must be fate. Don’t you like it?”

Fate.

If Tae Young-won considers this fate and keeps approaching with such kindness, could Mo Yeon be close to him while doing the project together?

And get yang energy too?

“I’d like that too.”

He didn’t know where the courage came from. Honestly, alcohol played a big part in making the decision. But even if he thought about it again tomorrow, he judged that there would be no reason to refuse.

“Really?”

Tae Young-won’s eyes widened, and then he smiled brightly. It was surprising to see such an expression up close for the first time.

Now that I see it, Tae Young-won is really kind to people at school. It was so different from how he first appeared as a perfect stranger who didn’t need to be kind.

Maybe he’s not necessarily two-faced.

Rather, could he be the type who takes extreme care of people around him? Cold to strangers, but willing to give his all to those within his chosen circle?

“Actually, I was a bit nervous you might refuse. Some people prefer to be alone. Oh, what time is it now?”

This is why Mo Yeon had felt a disconnect. Just being a junior from the same department was enough for Tae Young-won to be this friendly to him.

He checked his watch with a happy expression and seemed to be considering something for a moment.

And Mo Yeon stood there blankly, still feeling the effects of alcohol.

Seeing his body sway slightly, he could tell he was quite drunk himself.

Won’t I regret this tomorrow? But how can I refuse yang energy? Even tomorrow’s self will understand this…

Tae Young-won had left the drinking party early, saying he had to go to church tomorrow.

“Mo Yeon, it seems a bit early to go home now. Want to have one more drink at my place, just the two of us?”

“What?”

Focus returned to his hazy eyes. Mo Yeon raised his head in confusion. Tae Young-won was smiling sheepishly.

“Actually, I don’t know if I should call this a disease… but I have a hard time dealing with awkwardness.”

“…”

“I thought it might be good if we become closer now while we’re both drunk.”

Do we need to become close just to do one project? While that didn’t make any sense at all, in some ways, it did.

Unlike Mo Yeon, who was used to being alone and found silence comfortable, insiders might have this kind of “disease.”

Mo Yeon couldn’t easily refuse.

He knew well that he had been criticized for living his life refusing without care whenever such situations arose. And now, there was nothing to gain by getting on Tae Young-won’s bad side.

Should I not worry, not be afraid?

“…”

Glancing up to check his expression, Mo Yeon saw a handsome face sincerely waiting for his answer. Even after blinking his alcohol-hazed eyes and observing for a while, he couldn’t detect any sign of disgust or hidden intentions from Tae Young-won.

See, even now he doesn’t recognize me at all.

He felt courageous again.

‘I just need to keep my glasses on properly.’

Moreover, his place was in the same building as Mo Yeon’s. The ghosts roaming late at night couldn’t even come near Tae Young-won, so the way home wouldn’t be scary at all.

“…Then, just one more drink.”

“Good thinking, Mo Yeon.”

Tae Young-won smiled brightly at Mo Yeon’s quietly muttered answer.

“Actually, I was worried you might refuse.”

He even looked a bit shy. To think that Tae Young-won would worry about being rejected by someone.

Mo Yeon felt reassured seeing Tae Young-won’s beautifully upturned lips without any suspicious signs.

He had never thought he was good at lying, but somehow, he had a good feeling about this.

‘I’ll just get a bit of yang energy and go.’

He felt not just good, but even confident.

So this might be a really, really good opportunity.