Inwoo, who at first glance seed nothing but lighthearted, revealed deeper complexity the more I got to know him. Almost everything he said or did was playful enough to make you wary of taking him at face value—yet sotis I felt he hid sincerity behind that mischief. It was hard to tell where earnestness ended and joking began... he was just like one of his own paintings.
His work and personal presence conveyed exactly the sa feeling, and, ironically, that alone lowered my guard toward him more than before. Even if he masked his true feelings with flirtatious banter and carefree ease, he never pretended otherwise or denied that he was hiding sothing.
“What are you drawing? A person? A rabbit?”
When I returned to my seat, Morae was standing over my sketch, peering at it from a slanted angle. Since I’d gone beyond re doodling, I felt a flush of embarrassnt and tugged the notebook toward before sitting down. I’d never been one to show my drawings to others—they were like a diary to .
“It’s the White Rabbit.”
“The White Rabbit?”
“The one from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
“Oh... that White Rabbit. His sunglasses are cool.”
Morae, seated beside , humd along with the music spilling over her long legs. Though I wasn’t staring at the drawing, my concentration wavered. The truth was, there was another reason my pen felt heavy.
“Sis... can we eat later instead?”
“Why? What’s up?”
“It’s nothing like that....”
I was surprised at myself for still clinging to the promise I’d already declined—and even more baffled about how to explain Inwoo. I realized I’d accumulated things I couldn’t tell Morae now that we didn’t live together anymore.
“That guy from the gallery?”
“Uhh... no, just forget it.”
“What is it... you wanted to ntion it because you want to go there?”
“It’s not that I want to go....”
Morae was sensitive to emotions—not just mine but her own and those around her. That didn’t an she lived impulsively by every feeling, but still—
“Hey, what are you hiding between us?”
“No, really—I didn’t bring it up because I wanted to go. I don’t want to go.”
“Seo Ihyeon.”
She placed a reassuring arm around my shoulder, her expression exaggerated as if shooing away a pesky stalker.
“I love that you ca to Seoul and got a job and ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) are socializing. Is this because of what you said last ti about feeling hurt?”
I had thought so, too. We had no secrets between us, I’d said. With two people who knew my greatest weakness, what could I possibly hide?
But it wasn’t true.
I couldn’t tell them I’d seen my own painting at Director Ryu’s house. I couldn’t admit I’d panicked, hyperventilated, and woken up in his bed. I had no intention of telling anyone about sleeping with the Director.
These changes didn’t an we weren’t as close as I’d thought—not that I was foolish. Perhaps I’d been living an overly simple life. At twenty-two, the world had been just Morae and Juhan, and nothing else.
So it wasn’t unreasonable that those two couldn’t let go. They weren’t cruel enough to do so.
Morae leaned her temple against my shoulder—clearly expecting a complicated expression—and tapped the White Rabbit in my notebook.
“I like this. Can I post it in the café?”
■ ■ ■
Inwoo had offered to co pick up, but I was fine enough that his effort wasn’t necessary. I insisted I was near Hongdae without giving specifics, and he sighed over the phone before suggesting a eting point and ti.
We agreed to et at a new boutique hotel near Hongdae. Though not formally stiff, the space was still trendy and stylish enough to feel imposing.
I found him waiting in an egg-shaped chair in the lobby; adeptly he led to the elevator hall and up to the fifteenth floor.
It seed popular—five or six groups, maybe twenty people, waited at the entrance for seats. He hadn’t reserved a table for this sudden etup, yet a sharply uniford staff mber in a simple black suit escorted us directly to the outdoor rooftop.
The indoor seating was also full, but the rooftop boasted a great view and cool air; still, it overflowed with people. From twenty-sothings to those in their forties or fifties, everyone was stylishly dressed, which made self-conscious in my striped tee and jeans, as always.
I wondered if there was a dress code, but Inwoo didn’t seem to care about my outfit, so I stopped staring at my tee’s worn sleeves. There was no ti to change anyway.
“You’ve really slimd down.”
After placing our order, Inwoo rested an arm on the table and leaned forward.
“No, not really....”
I wasn’t even sick with the flu, and yet everyone had been worried. I fumbled with my face in embarrassnt.
“Co on, I’m a doctor. You look gaunt—your complexion’s off. Did I call you out for nothing? I only heard you went back to work the day before yesterday, and today’s Saturday.”
“My body’s fine. I’m sorry—I said I didn’t want to et, then called you back. I feel like I inconvenienced you.”
“I was the one who wanted to see you. I was so excited when you called back after turning down. But that... isn’t a technique or sothing, is it?”
“.......”
I tried to read his expression and understand what he ant. Inwoo lowered his shoulders and let out a small laugh.
“I ant, I’m glad I got to see you when I thought I couldn’t.”
I wasn’t sure whether it was another joke or a sincere remark, so I said nothing as the server delivered our drinks and appetizers.
This ti, the man wearing a gold “Manager” na tag brought our wine and starters and greeted Inwoo warmly. From their conversation, it sounded as if the manager had been a popular bartender at a fad bar and was recently recruited here.
I had no connection to that world, so I quietly listened until Inwoo introduced . At the ntion of Phantom, the manager’s curiosity was visible as he quickly scanned with his eyes.
Recalling the unique styles and personalities of Director Ryu, Chief Han, Yuni, and Juhan, I felt a twinge of bittersweetness imagining how I appeared to this stranger.
“So, what did you want to say?”
“Hm?”
As soon as the manager left after pouring our first glasses, Inwoo asked before I could even touch my lip to the rim.
“You said you couldn’t et because of plans, then you called back—if it wasn’t to say sothing, what was it? Am I wrong?”
I was embarrassed that he’d seen through my reason for accepting this one-on-one eting, but also relieved I wouldn’t have to fumble for words.
The stage was set, but I still needed courage. I raised my glass and took a few more sips of wine.
“Well... lately I’ve been curious about sothing... and there’s no one proper to ask.”
Inwoo sat opposite , his face encouraging with a gentle smile, as if to make it easier to speak. I felt like a counselor feigning another’s problem.
“I’ve... never really dealt directly with Alphas or Ogas before. But most of Phantom’s key clients are Alphas or Ogas....”
“Hmm....”
Inwoo propped his elbow on the table, clasped his hands beneath his chin, then traced the base of his wineglass with his fingertips.
“I thought it might help to know their traits...”
It was a flimsy excuse, but I couldn’t tell the truth. I knew Inwoo would either humor despite knowing I was making it up or tease relentlessly—one of the two.
Yet I didn’t think he’d mock soone’s feelings as a joke. That unfounded intuition must have driven to call him again.
“Have you had trouble because of Alphas or Ogas?”
“No, not that...”
Though I denied it, my eyes dropped. From the mont I chose him as my confidant, I expected he’d figure sothing out. Even knowing that, I still couldn’t speak.
“All right, ask away. If you’re curious, I’ll be your expert. The internet’s full of hearsay.”
He sipped his wine and leaned in further as if poised to answer—but I, spurred by impulse, needed a mont to steady myself.
I excused myself and stood up.
I fled to the restroom to buy ti, but the intense pop-art décor there only made more unsettled. I washed my face beside a group of young n loudly debating their next venue, then left without any clarity.
anwhile, Inwoo was still on a call. Leaning back comfortably with his legs outstretched, he looked utterly pleased as he focused on the unknown caller.
“Ah, you’re back. I should hang up now.”
He straightened, intending to end the call—but then he grinned mischievously and made a show of keeping the caller from hanging up.
“Hey, aren’t you curious who this is? Say hello.”
He passed the phone as I was about to sit, and though I took it in surprise, I had no idea who was on the other end. I’d rather not keep them waiting by fumbling around.
“Hello....”
[.......]
Silence greeted from the other line. I glanced at Inwoo across the table; he only gestured for to speak.
“Hello?”
[Are you drinking?]
“Ah....”
A dumb, noncommittal noise escaped . Now that I thought of it, there weren’t many people Inwoo would hand the phone to.
“Yes... just so wine....”
I toyed with the glass on the table, trailing off as though making an excuse—especially since his question “Are you drinking?” carried a hint of reproach.
[You were sick... not long ago.]
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