Chapter 67

“People always tell me I’m cute.”

Naru answered confidently. Well, it was true. Back when he was the country runt, he was constantly told he was cute.

And recently, he heard it a lot from Gyu-yeon too.

When he was locked up in the basement he was just withdrawn, but now he was far more confident than then.

“You should tell him not to do that there. Song Naru is doing that on purpose.”

Gyu-yeon’s expression was a sight. While the staff were all laughing, he alone frowned like a fuddy-duddy.

Naru took delight in teasing Gyu-yeon.

Yu Gyu-yeon, be more jealous! More!

While deliberately egging on Gyu-yeon, the sliding door opened. It seemed a staff member had brought the ordered Korean beef.

Appetizing side dishes and nicely colored Korean beef were set on the table. Naru barely restrained the urge to pick it up raw and eat it.

The appearance of the Korean beef ended the subtle power struggle between Naru and Gyu-yeon.

“I’ll grill it. You know newcomers usually do this.”

“Just eat comfortably, I’m good at grilling meat.”

“I’m a grilling god.”

Geon-hu snatched the tongs from Seo-yeon and started skillfully grilling the meat. Being beef, the surface cooked quickly.

The staff busily moved their chopsticks one by one. Geon-hu plopped a well-grilled piece of Korean beef onto Naru’s plate.

At the same time, another piece of beef was placed on Naru’s plate. It was Gyu-yeon who had taken care of it.

Wow, meat heaven.

“I’ll give him this one, so you eat a lot.”

“Oh, really? He was so bad at picking things up.”

Hiding his jealousy, Gyu-yeon forced a kindly act. His inner meaning was completely different from his outward words.

“Don’t touch Song Naru, you go eat a lot yourself.”

He felt frustrated because he couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud.

“The meat melts…”

“Is it good?”

“I want to eat this for the rest of my life…”

Munching, Naru’s eyes lit up. He had expected the same taste, but as soon as it hit him mouth it melted — it was the best.

Smiling faintly at his childlike reaction, Gyu-yeon put a few more pieces of meat onto his plate.

He left his own plate empty and piled meat on Naru’s plate like a mountain — it looked like he’d doted on him.

“This is really delicious.”

“Ha, honestly…”

“I like it more than Gyu-yeon.”

The hand that had been giving him meat faltered. Now he’s even being outdone by Korean beef. It was childish so he was going to let it slide, but his wounded pride felt unfair.

Just as he was about to say something, he saw Naru’s face and shut his mouth. Seeing him genuinely happy made a wry smile escape him.

“Yeah, eat a lot…”

I’ll have to take him with me more often, won’t I.

Whatever about his bruised pride earlier, now he cosseted Naru like a doting fool.

Naru stuck close and kept eating. Every time Gyu-yeon put meat on his plate, it emptied almost immediately.

With his stomach full he felt drowsy. Seo-yeon, who had been loudly chatting with the other staff, livened things up by urging them to go to round two quickly.

“Naru, now is when it starts. You know?”

“Yes, yes…!”

Finally, it was time to drink. Naru, who had been intoxicated by the taste of the beef, suddenly snapped to attention.

In fact, he had seen people drink plenty of times. He’d seen it before when he went to a club with Gyu-yeon.

It smelled strong — would it be okay?

The izakaya they all arrived at looked fancier than in photos. It wasn’t too dim, nor too bright — it was strangely balanced.

“Sit down, sit down.”

“You’re really excited.”

“Oh my, it’s really fun!”

Gyu-yeon looked at Seo-yeon half in exasperation. Seo-yeon, responding cheerfully to his teasing look, immediately called a staff member.

Ordering expensive things freely because it was a company dinner made the surrounding staff’s eyes nearly pop out.

Only Seo-yeon could pull off such a bold move. He was the most senior after all. Gyu-yeon himself didn’t care what was ordered.

After waiting a bit, the ordered alcohol came out first. Despite coming all the way to an izakaya, what they ordered was Korean soju.

“Naru, since it’s your first time drinking, I ordered this to start with!”

“Wow…”

The small consideration was warm. Naru swallowed as he looked at the green bottle.

All kinds of dishes appeared on the table. Sashimi was basic, and there were soups and fried dishes too — plenty to eat.

While nibbling a piece of fried food, Naru fiddled with the cup placed in front of him.

“Here, take it!”

With flashy skill, Seo-yeon popped the bottle cap and poured a little soju into Naru’s cup. His hand trembled because Gyu-yeon glared at him.

Alcohol! Alcohol!

Sniffing it out of habit, Naru frowned. The sharp alcohol smell wasn’t great.

“Let’s toast, cheers!”

When Seo-yeon raised his glass, everyone followed suit. Watching the cues, Naru awkwardly shouted the toast.

“Uh, cheers.”

Clink — the sound was bright. Before downing the drink, Naru glanced at Gyu-yeon.

Oh, Gyu-yeon is drinking too.

Gyu-yeon tilted his glass and swallowed the bitter liquid easily. Naru squeezed his eyes shut and gulped his down.

In that moment, everyone’s gaze landed on Naru.

“If you can’t drink it, spit it out.”

Glug.

Gyu-yeon held out his hand telling him to spit it out, but Naru swallowed the liquid smoothly. Then silence fell.

….

Rolling his eyes to taste the alcohol, Naru opened his mouth wide.

Wow, whoa, holy.

“Kyaaa…”

“…?”

“It’s good.”

All the staff burst into laughter at Naru’s words. They had worried they might have forced her to drink, but instead he found it delicious.

Can someone tasting alcohol for the first time find it tasty?

While Gyu-yeon was flustered, Naru’s glass was refilled with the clear liquid.

“Hey, stop giving him more, he’ll get drunk.”

“Oh my, Naru drinks well!”

Attempts to stop Seo-yeon were ineffective. As soon as Naru’s cup filled, he snapped his wrist. The liquid slid down his throat again.

A cool yet tingling sensation.

After setting the glass down, Naru secretly tapped his foot.

This is a new world! It’s a new world!

“Song Naru, slow down a bit,”

“Give me more!”

What’s with him, seriously.

Gyu-yeon pressed his forehead. In this state he’d just keep drinking without pacing, and he worried he might get drunk quickly.

He grabbed his hand telling him to drink slowly, and he immediately twisted his arm free.

Oh ho.

Gyu-yeon grabbed Naru’s arm again. He’d never had to reign in a lover before; it was a new experience.

“Let go.”

Naru said firmly. It was an expression he’d seen somewhere before.

‘Fuck… let go.’

Yes, it was the exact same look as when he cursed for the first time.

Gyu-yeon didn’t let go of Naru’s arm willingly. He’d rather take a scolding now than watch him suffer from drinking later.

“You only drink what I pour you.”

“You won’t give it to me anyway.”

“Do as I say then.”

“You do it then.”

His comebacks only got sharper. “You do it then.” It left him speechless.

Gyu-yeon blamed Seo-yeon for no reason. Would it have been fine if they’d postponed the dinner to begin with?

While Gyu-yeon let his guard down, Naru filled his cup and did another one-shot. It was amusing how he snapped his wrist like he’d been taught.

“Puhat, hey, you can really drink.”

“Do you like it when I drink well?”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

Geon-hu, laughing at Naru, naturally reached for the bottle. Then Gyu-yeon blocked the rim of Naru’s glass with his hand.

Luckily the other staff didn’t notice. They seemed preoccupied chatting and drinking among themselves.

“Hyung, he’s still fine, why are you like that?”

“Getting drunk happens in an instant.”

“His complexion looks the same though?”

Geon-hu pointed at Naru’s face. His pale white skin looked no different than during round one.

Gyu-yeon, fussing and scolding Geon-hu, sighed. As he said, getting drunk can happen in an instant.

But strangely…

Naru’s complexion really looked unaffected. What was going on.

Taking advantage of Gyu-yeon’s momentary silence, Geon-hu refilled his glass and gestured for him to drink. Naru grinned and swallowed the liquid all at once.

“Song Naru, tell me if you’re dizzy.”

“I’m not dizzy.”

“How’s your stomach?”

“I said I’m fine.”

He’s being such a pain.

Naru, who couldn’t continue speaking, looked at Gyu-yeon with a meaningful gaze.

Hid eyes said he’d do as he pleased and he shouldn’t interfere.

After that, Naru didn’t refuse drinks the staff poured and guzzled them down. One glass became two, then five…

Gyu-yeon purposely didn’t drink. If Naru got drunk he’d have to take care of him and bring him home.

Gyu-yeon, staring at the piled bottles on the table with mixed feelings, shifted his gaze.

Next to him was Naru, calmly picking up and eating fried pieces.

What is he…?

The drunk staff staggered or babbled nonsense. Even Geon-hu, who could handle strong alcohol, had his face flushed bright red.

“Is he drunk or not?”

“Huh?”

“Song Naru, look at me.”

“Why?”

Gyu-yeon examined Naru’s face closely. Sometimes people get quietly drunk; Naru seemed to be that type. Maybe.

There’s no way he couldn’t be drunk after drinking like that.

Contrary to Gyu-yeon’s worries, Naru seemed fine. He just looked a bit happier, otherwise no different from usual.

“You drink too, there’s no one left to toast with me.”

“…Oh.”

Naru handed over an empty glass and poured. Seo-yeon, who had been entertaining him until just now, had passed out, so there was no one to drink with.

Gyu-yeon, who took the glass in a daze, swallowed the bitter liquid. Suspicious eyes didn’t leave Naru.

When the glass emptied, it was refilled. When emptied again, filled again…

Gyu-yeon drank without a break. Every time he tried to put the glass down, Naru gave him a look and he was forced to drink.

He wasn’t bad at drinking. In fact, he was pretty good. But this wasn’t it. This was…

Like hell.

“Wait, Song Naru, hold on.”

“Drink.”

“You’ll die if you keep this up.”

“Drink.”

Gyu-yeon felt like crying. He wanted the company dinner to end quickly, but Naru wouldn’t allow it.

The hand holding the glass trembled slightly. At the same time, Gyu-yeon’s pupils trembled.

“Gyu-yeon, drink quickly.”

“…”

“Cheers.”

Making a cute sound with his mouth and toasting, Naru tilted his glass without hesitation.

…This is maddening.

Gyu-yeon secretly poured out the liquid in Naru’s glass. Chugging alcohol continuously made his stomach churn unbearably.

Bang!

Naru slammed his glass down and stared piercingly at Gyu-yeon’s plate.

Tension hung between them. Gyu-yeon was genuinely afraid of Naru’s clear eyes.

“…Why are you staring like that?”

“You.”

Crash!

With a loud noise, Gyu-yeon’s body toppled backward.

It was Naru’s surprise attack.