Bittersweet

7_Bittersweet

He grabbed Mingyu's hand, stood up, and followed him into the passenger seat. Wonwoo was startled by Jeonghan's voice as soon as he got in, and turned around to see him waving with a bright face. He hadn't even grasped the situation yet, but at Mingyu's words, Wonwoo buckled his seatbelt. And immediately, the car sped off onto the road.

Wonwoo was flustered by the situation. How could he have guessed that Jeonghan would be in the car he was about to ride? Wonwoo's head was facing forward, but his gaze was caught by Jeonghan, who was leisurely sitting behind him. Perhaps sensing this, Jeonghan asked if he wanted to explain the situation to Mingyu. Mingyu, feeling a pang of urgency, quickly explained the situation.

Jeonghan had already been informed of Wonwoo's current situation. He knew Wonwoo had left Seungcheol's house and was on the run, but Jeonghan had willingly accepted him. However, as before, Wonwoo had no intention of joining the organization. He was also afraid of how many more people would die if he continued this way.





"This is really the only way."





Mingyu couldn't offer any other answer to Wonwoo's words. What Wonwoo wanted was a glimmer of hope that there might be another way beyond the organization, but Mingyu didn't have the hope Wonwoo wanted. Sitting in the backseat, Jeonghan continued, noticing Mingyu's expression in the rearview mirror, seemingly finished with what he wanted to say.

Jeonghan asked if there was a safer option, even if it was fine to choose another option. He wasn't wrong. Perhaps if there had been another option, it would have required taking greater risks. Mingyu, of course, remained silent, and Wonwoo shook his head. Jeonghan turned his gaze to the window, saying, "Now that the answer is decided, let's take it easy on the way out."










-









Wonwoo had been here once. Just like back then, countless people, drugged out, still stood out. Naturally, everyone's gaze was turned to Wonwoo. To them, it was an unpleasant face. Everyone knew Wonwoo's face. To those who kept Seungcheol's family in check, not knowing Wonwoo was something that shouldn't exist.

Most people were looking at Wonwoo with a disapproving expression, but Jeonghan suddenly changed his attitude and started acting friendly towards Wonwoo. Wonwoo was flustered and tried to push Jeonghan away, but Jeonghan told him to stay still, saying that if he pushed him now, something very strange would come out. And to smile a little.

Wonwoo didn't force a smile. He knew that would be even stranger. Instead, he put on his signature dry expression and erased the discomfort from his face. Mingyu followed the two, observing the expressions of the gang members. He could see the anger and hatred in their eyes, perhaps even the desire for revenge buried deep within. He felt that this must have been one of the sins Wonwoo had accumulated.





"I've arrived." 





At Jeonghan's words, my gaze, previously fixed on the floor, turned forward. All I saw was an incongruously stylish door and a neatly arranged surrounding. It was obvious that this space was for the person occupying the highest position in the place.Click!And when the door opened, the scent that wafted out was sweet. It was a clean, sweet scent that was definitely different from Seungcheol's room, which she always went in and out of. It wasn't bad.

As Jeonghan sat down, Mingyu naturally pulled out a glass. Jeonghan then asked if he was a good drinker. Wonwoo shook his head. Jeonghan was surprised, thinking he'd be a decent drinker with Seungcheol by his side, but he was shaking his head instead. Mingyu placed the glass in front of Jeonghan. Then he cleared his throat and spoke.





"It's different than it used to be. I don't even put it in my mouth these days."






Jeonghan stopped himself from asking why. He had a rough idea. Seungcheol would always grab Wonwoo for a drink after work. The alcohol he drank then must have been more bitter and disgusting than anything else. Jeonghan put down his glass and got to the point.

Jeonghan, in fact, initially had no intention of accepting it. This time, he accepted it as a sort of deal to protect Wonwoo. Wonwoo was nervous at those words. What I'd done before had posed a significant threat to Jeonghan. It wouldn't have been strange if I'd asked for a limb each.

In exchange for protecting Wonwoo, Jeonghan asked him to handle some of his own business. Wonwoo felt burdened. He handed over the knife, which he never wanted to touch again, to Mingyu, who eventually accepted it. The condition was that he wouldn't kill anyone, but he had to accept it in the face of this deal. But Jeonghan blurted out something strange.





"Of course, that only applies if you come to me."

"yes?"

"You said you don't want to be part of the organization? Then let's think of another legitimate reason to be here."





Those words were Jeonghan's unconditional consideration. Both Wonwoo and Mingyu were lost in thought. A way to remain legal while here, and a way to avoid danger while here. No matter how many people outside the organization came to mind, nothing came to mind. Jeonghan, watching Wonwoo and Mingyu ponder for longer than expected, spoke.






"Don't overthink it. I don't have that kind of taste, and neither do you..."

"What are you talking about now?"

"You're suggesting we at least pretend to be lovers. Seungcheol seduced you while you were working next to him."






Wonwoo was dumbfounded. But it wasn't impossible. After all, it was all an act. So, like a show window couple, Jeonghan just had to act like he liked Wonwoo, and Wonwoo just had to act like he was in love with Jeonghan. Still, it wouldn't be easy for two men who weren't on good terms to act like they were in love.

Min-gyu nitpicked, asking if she wanted to go along with the rumors. One of the rumors that persisted about Jeong-han was that he liked men. These were the stories of those who arbitrarily judged Jeong-han based on his appearance and created absurd rumors based on cheap talk, but anyone who had seen Jeong-han's face even once would likely agree.

"What's the big deal about Jeonghan?" he said, laughing menacingly, "I don't care about that anyway, and I'll make you pay for speaking out so freely." It seemed like he wasn't ignoring it, but what's so important about it? Wonwoo and Mingyu kept their mouths shut, thinking that if they spoke out, they'd have to pay the price.







-







Jeonghan began to formulate a plan in earnest. How about matching rings? How about tattooing the organization's symbol on a corner of his body? He was quite enthusiastic, suggesting that even if it meant causing a scandal, he might as well go somewhere crowded. Jeonghan was the most excited, wondering where the people who initially refused to accept him had gone.

Mingyu chimed in from the side. Perhaps the only one who wasn't enjoying it the most was Wonwoo. Mingyu, who had been sighing, wondering why Jeonghan was so excited, suddenly found himself adding substance to Jeonghan's plan. "Do whatever you want," he said, snatching Jeonghan's glass.





"Weren't you not going to drink?"

"I don't think I could do anything if I were in my right mind."





To even keep pace with this situation, the power of alcohol was necessary. Even if we weren't drunk, the alcohol would kick in, and our nerves would start to feel a bit dizzy. If we had to do it anyway, we shouldn't do it half-heartedly. After that, the three of us began to plan many strategies.

Won-woo, who had lost interest in killing people, actually betrayed the organization by falling for Jeong-han. In exchange for protecting Won-woo, Won-woo dedicates his life to Jeong-han. This became their basic storyline.

Min-gyu was the only member of the organization who knew about the relationship between the two, but at some point, the rumors that spread would become known to the entire organization as if they were true, and Jeong-han would officially say that if there was anyone who even slightly touched Won-woo as his person, that person would die from the drug that he sold.

Then, from Seungcheol's perspective, it will be more complicated than expected.
If that's the case, dealing with Wonwoo would mean declaring war.







-







The three of them exchanged words, and Wonwoo followed Mingyu to a quiet spot in the building. Mingyu looked out the window and cracked open the beer he'd snuck from Jeonghan's room. He took a few sips and looked at Wonwoo.





"Brother, how are you doing now?"

"I find it a little funny that I do whatever it takes to survive."

"How does it feel to be protected?"

"This is what relief feels like. That's what I think."





It felt like going back in time. Wonwoo wasn't drinking, but he was immersed in the atmosphere Mingyu created while drinking. Yes, this was the small happiness he felt back then. But it was different. In the past, even small joys felt like oppression. It was different now.





"I finally get to see you smile with my own eyes."

"Have you never shown it to me?"

"Yeah, maybe it's because things are different now than before that it made you feel defenseless."

"Defenseless. It's not dangerous to be defenseless now...yeah."






Wonwoo, absorbed in the atmosphere, looked out the window. His gaze, which usually fell to the ground, turned today to the vast, blue sky. He'd felt a sense of suffocation, but looking at that sky, he seemed to forget it. Mingyu, who had protected him, Jeonghan, who was now his assistant. And the sense of relief and comfort within that. There must have been a hint of anxiety, but Wonwoo knew it.





This is freedom.