That night, Jiho was planning to pull another all-nighter consecutively.
He shuffled toward the fridge, fingers instinctively reaching for his favorite energy drink but his palm ran empty.
Hmm?
He stared at the vacant shelf like it was unbelievable.
No way.
This was the first time something like this ever happened.
He'd always kept in mind to restock his essential.
Must be that bastard Seo Minjae's effect.
Come to think of it, nothing ever went right when that guy was around.
He was like a walking bad luck charm.
The clock was creeping toward two a.m., and Jiho still had two projects nearing their deadlines in two days.
He had no other choice other than to go and buy that energy drink.
Throwing on a dark blue jumper, Jiho walked into his bedroom.
His bed was like a disaster zone with blankets scattered on the surface and there was even a pillow on the carpet.
Jiho casually flipped the blanket and his wallet practically leapt out like it wanted to escape.
Yawn~
While yawning, he grabbed his wallet and stuffed it into his baggy jeans.
Drop.
Something fell, but Jiho ignored it and walked out of his apartment.
There was a 24-hour convenience store just five minutes down the road.
Quite convenient, as the name suggested.
The door slid open with a soft ding. Jiho headed familiarly toward the drink's section and grabbed ten cans of his energy booster.
He added some triangle kimbap just in case the hunger kicked in later.
Jiho dropped the items on the counter and reached into his pocket.
His hands reached in deeper, but he couldn't feel anything other than his mobile phone.
Huh?
That's weird, he definitely remembered putting his wallet in there.
"Ten cans of S-brand drink and four triangle kimbap..." The part-timer in the counter quickly scanned the items and muttered. "That'll be ₩18,000, customer-nim."
Jiho patted his pockets again and pursed his lips.
He was about to pay online when a familiar voice sounded beside him.
"Please add this too," Minjae walked up and placed a basket of groceries onto the counter, he added. "I'll pay for both of us."
The part timer nodded and started scanning things.
Jiho stared at the process and finally expressed his thoughts.
"…Thanks, but I can pay for myself. I brought my phone."
What era were they living in?
Minjae lips twitched, he finally shifted his focus from his basket.
"At this time, a simple thank you would be sufficient."
"Oh. Okay…" Jiho finally closed his mouth and nodded.
The scanner beeped for the last time.
"That'll be ₩68,300 total, sir," the part-timer said.
Minjae handed over his card like a wealthy sponsor.
Jiho silently observed him from the corner of his eye.
He noticed that Seo Minjae was still wearing his uniform under his windbreaker.
"Sunbae, you just came back?" Jiho blurted. "What were you doing so late?"
Minjae paused and took the bag. "Classmate's birthday." He smirked. "What, you thought I was doing something shady?"
"I wasn't thinking anything." He replied with a straight face.
Jiho refused to admit that his mind was wandering.
Yeah, a college student returning home at 2 a.m. is completely normal.
He simply snatched his bag to cover up his embarrassment, the cans clinking noisily.
"I can carry it myself."
Minjae stared at the eye-catching cans of drinks. "Do you live on energy drinks? That much caffeine is borderline self-harm, dude."
Jiho looked down on his bag and silently compared their grocery.
Wait, why does his grocery look actually decent?
Vegetables. A loaf of bread. Eggs. Sausages. Etc.
A respectable-looking grocery bag.
While his own was...
"…I bought kimbap," he said defensively. "In case you missed it."
Minjae raised a brow, genuinely impressed by the level of gaslighting on display. Then he asked,
"You came out just for this? Did you even get any sleep?"
Then, Minjae naturally leaned closer, squinting at Jiho's face.
"You look even worse than this morning."
Jiho instinctively held his breath.
Wait, don't you think you're a little too close?
"What happened to you? Your face is red... Did you catch a fever?" Minjae reached up, fingers aiming for Jiho's forehead.
Jiho dodged, stumbling a step back.
At least — safe.
"I'm fine. My skin's naturally red."
Jiho wanted bite his tongue. What a lousy excuse.
Surprisingly, Minjae seemed to buy it. He retracted his hand and fell into step beside him.
Minjae said with concerned. "Anyway, get some sleep, dude. You hear about people dropping dead from overwork?"
Jiho's mouth twitched.
Is he cursing me to die or something?
"That won't happen to me. I know my limits," Jiho muttered, adjusting the heavy plastic handles biting into his fingers.
"That won't happen to me. I know my limits," Jiho muttered, adjusting the heavy plastic handles biting into his fingers.
He gripped the handles tighter and started trudging up the hill.
***
The streets were quiet, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights.
Wind rustled through the trees, and the night carried a peaceful hush.
Minjae slowed his pace, sneaking glances at Jiho's struggle.
He really wanted to ignore it.
Really...
But... who made him this kind of soft-hearted, responsible senior?
"Give it here."
Before Jiho could protest, Minjae had already snatched the bag from his hand.
Tsk.
This guy was really weak. Just like he looked. His hands were red from the pressure.
Jiho looked down at his now-empty hands, and bent under reality. "…Thanks."
Minjae chuckled. "You're welcome."
Well. A kid that can be taught.
They entered the elevator and rode in silence to their floor.
Minjae thought that Jiho was about to leave but then he hesitated.
Jiho stood there, awkward, as if something heavy was stuck in his throat.
Then he finally exhaled through his nose and said, "Sunbae… can I have your number? I'll send you the money for all this."
"I told you, just take it as my treat," Minjae replied easily. But then he added, holding out his phone, "Still… we can add each other."
It hit him — they'd known each other for a month and still hadn't exchanged contacts.
It's incredible, really.
"Then I'll add mine." Jiho took the phone and started tapping.
Minjae could practically see the abacus turning in Jiho's head.
He's still planning to pay me back, he thought, almost fondly.
What a decent junior. Not the kind to take advantage.
And, so stubborn!
As they walked down the corridor, they chatted quietly. For once, they weren't arguing.
Minjae smiled to himself.
Maybe this was the most peaceful moment they'd had.
But it didn't last.
Minjae stopped his steps. His gaze turned cold when he look ahead.
A petite figure stood by his door, arms crossed, waiting.
She smiled innocently like a dodder.
"Seo Minjae, You're finally back."