Chapter 27

Get a grip, Yu Gyu-yeon.

Gyu-yeon, who had been staring at Naru like someone out of their mind, shoved the body that had climbed on top of him away. Thanks to that, Naru fell limp and landed face-down 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 shut his mouth tight. Whether anything else was true or not, the idea of not being taken outside was a little terrifying. The thought of being left alone at home made his chest ache.

By the way, why did he say he wouldn’t take him out? Sitting still and scratching his cheek, Naru grabbed Gyu-yeon’s lapel and pulled.

“Where are you going?”

“Uh.”

“Where?”

“To scold you.”

Gyu-yeon, picking up scattered clothes from the floor and hanging them on a hanger, gave a meaningless answer. Naru could easily spot such a lie. Staring at Gyu-yeon with a sullen look, he nudged a shirt on the floor with his foot. It was his way of venting.

Catching Naru’s actions with a hawk-like gaze, Gyu-yeon frowned. Lately he’d been sulking in that timid way, and the fact that it wasn’t intimidating but petty annoyed him.

Curiosity piqued, Naru trailed after Gyu-yeon, waiting until he gave a proper answer. He didn’t seem to have any intention of tidying 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 today was a bit relaxed yet busy.

He had been doing market research, stopping by other Cafes to try unique menu items and working to create even newer and more distinctive desserts. Usually he’d go alone quietly 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 behaved cautiously for fear Gyu-yeon might leave him behind if he didn’t finish properly. While cleaning he sneakily glanced at him to blatantly show he was doing it right.

In just twenty minutes Naru finished tidying and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead like 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. She wanted to try another Cafe quickly. Gyu-yeon’s Cafe had many tasty things too, but having really gotten into desserts, Naru was excited at the thought of being able to try more varieties of pastries.

Exhausted, Gyu-yeon gave in to the pull and put on his jacket. Naru, who had changed into fresh clothes by then, was even stepping in rhythm as he walked. Whatever had him so excited, he bobbed his head and hummed a tune.

Having gone home only to work and come back out, Gyu-yeon got in the car with the excited Naru beside him and started driving with a tired face.

The place they were stopping at today was a dessert Cafe that had become famous as a hidden gem. They specialized in roll cakes, and looking online, the variety seemed quite nice.

Driving into the outskirts of Seoul and winding through narrow alleys, Gyu-yeon spotted a small store and pulled over. The alley, which he thought would be empty, was lined with small Cafes. They were cozy and cute, the kind of places people who like taking photos would favor.

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 placed side by side at the store’s entrance were especially adorable. Squatting before the rabbits, Naru poked the stuffed toys with his 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 made him distracted. He was fine alone, but it was strange that 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 him without missing a beat. He wasn’t hurt by that at all; instead his eyes sparkled, absorbed by the new Cafe.

The Cafe that had looked small was actually larger than expected. Utilizing a second floor, it could accommodate many customers, and the display and kitchen were neatly separated, making it pleasant. The interior was suitably quaint and nice.

Pass.

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. He nodded readily. It was better to try several menu 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 a question—what would she like to drink. 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 him drinks however he liked, so choosing on his own was hard. As Naru fussed and fretted, the staff at the counter smiled kindly and recommended a menu item.

“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 found himself completely left out.

Smiling like sunshine at the friendly staff’s attitude, Naru chatted with various questions and was being affectionate. He stuck close to Gyu-yeon wherever they went, and now he was even treating him like wallpaper.

“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, he didn’t pick up on it. He’d told someone not to wag their tail at others, yet he seemed to sweetly wag his 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, sitting opposite, obliviously tapped his foot and showed 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 such an item—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 Naru’s behavior. He didn’t understand the motive either, but in any case he felt bad about it.

“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 in his mouth, Naru looked at Gyu-yeon with a meaningful gaze. He didn’t say it aloud, but that look clearly meant “so what?”

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

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

“Fine, just eat that then.”

“This is delicious.”

Using polite speech deliberately, Naru held a fork to Gyu-yeon’s lips. Normally he would have brushed it off saying it was fine, 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, and it paired well with coffee, making it clear why it was a famous menu item.

Alternately taking bites of the roll cake, Naru observed Gyu-yeon’s expression and then leaned closer. Like someone about to share a secret, he even 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 he first met him, but living together had changed her 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 properly. He wrote the Cafe name, menu, and long tasting notes in his phone’s memo and pressed hold with satisfaction.

Meanwhile Naru kept poking with his fork, chocolate cream on his mouth. It amazed him how he could keep eating so much sweet food without getting tired of it.

Gyu-yeon pulled out a napkin and beckoned to Naru with a finger, meaning he’d wipe his face if he brought it closer. Naru, used to it, leaned in. He had actually smeared it on purpose expecting him 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. He felt a twinge of jealousy toward the locals for a moment, but anyway it seemed Gyu-yeon liked him more.

While having 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, nice, someone who likes books. Was he just complimenting her? Naru continued eavesdropping, carefully set down his fork, and stared at Gyu-yeon.