Chapter 27

Get a grip, Yu Gyu-yeon.

Gyu-yeon, who’d been staring at Naru as if beside himself, shoved away the body that had climbed on top of him. Naru slumped and landed face-first on the floor.

“Flirt my foot. What a ridiculous thing to say.”

“I’m serious—don’t flirt.”

“Say that again and don’t expect me to take you outside.”

At Gyu-yeon’s warning, Naru snapped his mouth shut. True or not, the thought of not being taken out terrified him; being left alone at home made his chest ache.

Why had he said he wouldn’t take him out? Sitting still and scratching his cheek, Naru grabbed Gyu-yeon’s lapel and tugged.

“Where are you going?”

“Uh.”

“Where?”

“To scold you.”

Gyu-yeon picked up the scattered clothes and hung them on a hanger, giving a meaningless answer. Naru saw through the lie at once; staring sullenly, he nudged a shirt on the floor with his foot as a way of venting.

Catching Naru’s movement with a hawk-like gaze, Gyu-yeon frowned. Lately Naru’s timid sulking wasn’t intimidating—it was petty, and that annoyed him.

Curiosity piqued, Naru trailed after Gyu-yeon, waiting for a proper answer. He didn’t seem to intend to tidy the clothes he’d messed up.

“Aren’t you going to clean up what you messed up?”

“If I clean this up, where are we going?”

“To a different cafe.”

“Gyu-yeon’s Cafe?”

“No, not my shop.”

Gyu-yeon’s afternoon schedule was relaxed but busy. He’d been doing market research—stopping by other cafes to try unique menu items and working to create newer, more distinctive desserts. Usually he’d go alone or with a staff member, but today he thought of taking Naru along.

Excited by the words “another cafe,” Naru quickly began tidying the messy dressing room. He moved carefully, afraid Gyu-yeon might leave him behind if he didn’t finish properly, and kept sneaking glances to make sure he was doing it right.

In just twenty minutes Naru finished tidying and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead as if it had been exhausting. Of course, Gyu-yeon had done most of the cleaning.

“Ha, I’m drained. You just make a mess again.”

“Do?”

“…Wanna die?”

“No. Let’s go to a cafe, Gyu-yeon.”

Naru replied brightly and grabbed Gyu-yeon’s arm draped on the sofa. He wanted to try the other cafe quickly. Gyu-yeon’s place had many tasty things too, but having gotten into desserts, Naru was excited at the thought of trying more pastries.

Exhausted, Gyu-yeon gave in to the pull and put on his jacket. Naru, having changed into fresh clothes, even stepped in rhythm as he walked—head bobbing, humming a tune.

After going home only to work and then heading back out, Gyu-yeon climbed into the car with the excited Naru beside him and started driving with a tired face.

They were stopping at a dessert cafe famous as a hidden gem. It specialized in roll cakes, and the online variety looked promising.

Driving into the outskirts of Seoul and winding through narrow alleys, Gyu-yeon spotted a small shop and pulled over. The alley, which he thought would be empty, was lined with cozy, cute little cafes—the kind people who liked taking photos favored.

As soon as the car stopped, Naru jumped out of the passenger seat and lingered in front of the cafe. The pink rabbit and white rabbit stuffed side by side at the entrance were especially adorable. Squatting before them, Naru poked the toys with a fingertip and stroked their heads.

“This is so cute…”

What’s so cute about those rabbits, they’re like puppies. No, wait… what was I just thinking?

Watching Naru’s back quietly, Gyu-yeon bit his lip. Lately pointless, idle thoughts kept popping into his head and distracting him. He was fine alone, but it was strange how it happened every time he was with Naru.

“Don’t touch that, come inside.”

“I’m coming with you!”

Gyu-yeon, speaking curtly on purpose, swung the door wide open. Naru followed right behind without missing a beat. He wasn’t hurt by the brusqueness; instead his eyes sparkled, absorbed by the new cafe.

The cafe that had looked small was actually larger than expected. A second floor increased capacity, and the display and kitchen were neatly separated, making the place pleasant. The interior was suitably quaint and nice. He made a quick mental note.

Scoring it silently as he looked around, Gyu-yeon stood in front of the counter. This place was known for its classic roll cake and one filled with earl grey cream.

First, we should order the famous ones.

“I’ll have that…”

“What?”

“That one, I want to eat it.”

Just as Gyu-yeon was about to order, Naru pointed to one side of the display case. Following his fingertip, he saw a roll cake topped with thinly sliced white chocolate and nodded readily. It was better to try several items.

“One earl grey, one classic, and one dark white, please. Drinks: an Americano and—what will you have?”

“Huh? I…”

As Gyu-yeon ordered drinks, he asked Naru what he’d like. Flustered, Naru scanned the menu thoroughly.

Espresso, vanilla latte, cafe latte, brown sugar whatever… what are all these?

He was used to Seo-yeon making his drinks however he liked, so choosing on his own was hard. As Naru fussed, the staff at the counter smiled kindly and offered a recommendation.

“If you’re having trouble deciding, may I recommend something?”

“Ah, yes.”

“You seem to like sweet things. How about a strawberry condensed milk latte?”

“What’s a strawberry condensed milk latte?”

What was this situation? Suddenly it felt like a world of just Naru and the staff unfolded. Gyu-yeon felt completely left out.

Smiling like sunshine at the friendly staff’s attitude, Naru chatted and asked questions, sticking close to Gyu-yeon wherever they went; now he was even treating him like background.

“They put strawberries and condensed milk together with milk…”

“Wow, sounds delicious. A drink that tasty…”

Let’s see how far this goes.

Frowning as he watched Naru’s behavior, Gyu-yeon let out a deep sigh. No matter how much he hinted, Naru didn’t pick up on it. He’d told someone not to wag their tail at others, yet Naru wagged sweetly at anyone, and that annoyed him.

“Then I’ll have this. Gyu-yeon, I want to eat this!”

“Ah, fine then.”

Gyu-yeon finished the order with indifference and took a seat in a corner. Naru sat opposite, obliviously tapping his foot and showing how pleased he was. Gyu-yeon’s sour expression seemed to mean nothing to him.

The staff kindly brought the desserts to their table. On the tray were the items Gyu-yeon had ordered—and a financier. They hadn’t ordered that; was it a mistake? While puzzled, they heard the staff speak.

“This is on the house. Enjoy!”

“Wow, thank you.”

They were a perfect match, in sync and cheerful together.

Clapping and laughing, Naru grabbed the financier as soon as the staff left. Gyu-yeon didn’t like the way Naru behaved. He didn’t understand the motive, but in any case he felt annoyed.

“Hey, Song Naru.”

“What?”

“You stop wagging your tail at everyone.”

“I wasn’t wagging my tail.”

“Just say you get it. Why won’t you say a single word?”

Chewing the financier, Naru looked at Gyu-yeon with a meaningful gaze. He didn’t say it aloud, but that look clearly meant, so what?

At Gyu-yeon’s somewhat sharp tone, Naru quietly softened his demeanor and began to act like he was taking the hint. Or rather, he pretended to. Glancing up with his trademark pitiful eyes, his harsh expression eased a little.

Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, the roll cakes they had ordered arrived. Gyu-yeon brightened and gestured.

“Fine, just eat that then.”

“This is delicious.”

Using polite speech deliberately, Naru held a fork to Gyu-yeon’s lips. Normally Gyu-yeon would have brushed it off, but surprisingly he accepted the roll cake without protest and ate it.

The cream, rich with the scent of earl grey, was as delicious as rumored. The fluffy cake texture was just right, pairing well with coffee and making it clear why it was a famous menu item.

Taking alternate bites of the roll cake, Naru watched Gyu-yeon’s expression and then leaned closer. Like someone about to share a secret, he raised a hand to cover his mouth.

“Gyu-yeon’s Cafe is tastier.”

Naru whispered softly, then returned to his seat and gulped down the strawberry condensed milk latte as if nothing had happened.

Gyu-yeon thought Naru, who toyed with him like that, was charming. He hadn’t seemed like this when they first met, but living together had changed him a lot. The funny thing was, he didn’t entirely dislike it.

I’m losing it. You’re being tossed around by Song Naru right now, Yu Gyu-yeon. You stupid idiot. Get a grip.

“Well, what I make is much tastier anyway.”

“Yeah! It’s the best in the world.”

“Do you have to go that far…”

Get a grip my foot—Gyu-yeon had completely given in and was bragging. It wasn’t an empty compliment; Naru’s expression was sincere, and it made him feel unexpectedly proud.

Before his face flushed too much, Gyu-yeon changed the subject and, following Naru, picked up his fork and focused on eating. This wasn’t just a visit for fun—he had to work. He wrote the cafe name, menu, and long tasting notes in his phone’s memo and pressed save with satisfaction.

Meanwhile Naru kept poking at his plate with his fork, chocolate cream on his mouth; it amazed Gyu-yeon that he could eat so many sweets without tiring.

Gyu-yeon pulled out a napkin and beckoned to Naru with a finger, meaning he’d wipe his face if he leaned in. Naru, used to it, obliged. He had actually smeared it on purpose expecting Gyu-yeon to wipe it, but Gyu-yeon seemed none the wiser.

“Are you a child? You keep getting it all over your face.”

“…”

“What are you laughing at?”

Instead of answering, Naru smiled brightly and shook his head. He had always liked Gyu-yeon, but today he liked him somehow more. For a moment he felt a twinge of jealousy toward the locals, but it seemed Gyu-yeon liked him more anyway.

While making small talk and eating desserts, Naru’s gaze was suddenly drawn elsewhere.

“Yunsu, what’s your ideal type?”

“Ah, I like a kind face and someone as nice as Ji-young…”

At the next table a man and woman were on a blind date. Naru, ears perked and listening closely, suddenly grew curious.

What’s an ideal type?

The man kept praising the woman and described his ideal type: a kind face, someone who was nice and liked books. Was he just complimenting her? Naru continued eavesdropping, carefully set down his fork, and stared at Gyu-yeon.