If You Want Me - Episode 92
<Episode 92>
It felt like showing his graduation photo, so he was reluctant, but it didn’t seem like he could refuse Do-gyeom. Because he lost to him every time. Seo-won hesitated, mumbling, then let out a sigh.
“Okay. But read it later. Not now.”
“Hmm… Alright.”
Do-gyeom seemed like he wanted to unfold the letter and read it right away, but he must have been grateful that Seo-won agreed to give it to him, so he obediently backed off.
Seo-won smiled silently as he watched Do-gyeom carefully put the letter in his shirt front pocket so it wouldn’t get crumpled. Even though Seo-won had carelessly kept it so it was discolored and had a lot of crinkles from use, Do-gyeom handling it preciously so it wouldn’t get more wrinkled felt quite cute.
After giving the letter, Do-gyeom became enthusiastic about organizing the bookshelf. He seemed to hope something special would come out again, but whether fortunately or unfortunately, the bookshelf organization ended without anything like that.
His lower back felt a bit stiff, maybe because he had been hanging his head for a long time or because his belly was heavy. As Seo-won stiffly stretched his back, Do-gyeom saw it and glanced out the window, then opened his mouth.
“It seems about all organized, shall we stop and have dinner?”
“Oh, it’s already this late.”
He didn’t notice while organizing, but it was already a little past 6 PM and darkness was falling outside the window. As the weather became cooler, the sun was setting faster and faster.
It seemed they would have to have dinner here anyway, but thinking for a moment, the last time he bought groceries was back then too. Even without opening the refrigerator, it was clear the groceries would have rotted and all passed their expiration dates.
Do-gyeom would know what had happened during that time, but it was a bit embarrassing to show him the refrigerator. Seo-won naturally guided them to eat outside.
“Shall we go out to eat? There’s a place nearby that makes delicious trout.”
“Trout?”
“Yes, you mix it with vegetables and raw trout… There’s also a way to boil it into spicy soup.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
When he told Do-gyeom there was another way to eat it in case he didn’t like raw trout, although he knew Do-gyeom ate sashimi well, Do-gyeom nodded. Fortunately, it seemed he just asked back because it wasn’t a food he normally ate often, without any special meaning.
Thank goodness he didn’t suggest eating at home. Though, he might have vaguely known there was nothing to eat in this house too.
Seo-won smiled awkwardly and left the house together with Do-gyeom.
* * *
“Welcome!”
As they broke through the chilly evening air and entered the trout restaurant, a boisterous atmosphere greeted Seo-won and Do-gyeom like last time.
Maybe because it was dinner time, there were quite a lot of customers. Fortunately, there was a seat in the corner, so Seo-won and Do-gyeom pulled the cushions under the table and sat facing each other.
Seo-won picked up the menu on the table, slightly leaned his upper body, and said to Do-gyeom as if showing off,
“I ordered this raw trout rice bowl last time and it was delicious.”
“Then shall we order two of these?”
“Great. You’re not going to drink anything? A lot of the other customers were drinking soju.”
“Since you can’t drink well, I just won’t drink.”
“You can drink without minding me…”
“Not really. I don’t like drinking much anyway.”
Seo-won muttered, but Do-gyeom said to forget it and just order food. He didn’t dislike Do-gyeom carefully observing his condition and being considerate.
As they were choosing the menu in a cheerful atmosphere, the server who had brightly greeted them approached the table wearing an apron. As Seo-won finished discussing and was about to order, looking at the server, the male server widened his eyes upon seeing Seo-won.
“Oh? You came last time too, right?”
The server spoke while looking straight at Seo-won as if recognizing him.
He wasn’t sure, but looking closely, it seemed the employee who had taken the order last time was also this person.
At that time, he was so gloomy and out of it that he didn’t think about it, but looking now, he was a fairly young man. He looked a little older than Do-gyeom, but that was because of his style, and he actually gave the impression that they were around the same age.
By the way, he remembers me even though I only came once? It’s true I came, but it seemed like he was mistaking me for someone else. It’s not like I have a memorable appearance either. Seo-won covered the back of his neck with his hand, feeling awkward, and answered his question.
“Ah… I have been here, but I only came once before. Could you be mistaking me for someone else?”
“No. You came alone and ate that time, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Does he really remember me? I only came once and it’s been over a month since then? It was a mystery how he remembered me. As he looked at him curiously, the employee smiled embarrassedly and continued.
“I had hoped you would have the spicy soup together since our place is famous for it, so I was disappointed. I was going to prepare it for you next time you came, even in a small amount.”
“Ah…”
“Since you have a companion today, I’ll treat you properly for sure.”
The employee looked at Do-gyeom and said with a bright smile. It was amazing how he remembered me and I was curious, but it seemed he felt regretful that I came alone and only ate the raw trout rice bowl before leaving.
Although he wondered if people usually remembered all this, there weren’t many young people in this village, and it could have been memorable since it wasn’t the atmosphere of a restaurant where people came and went alone. Moreover, since it was a local business, remembering customers one by one and treating them familiarly could also be one of the marketing methods.
No matter what, he has a good memory. As Seo-won nodded his head, thinking it was amazing, Do-gyeom, who had been quietly sitting next to him, spoke.
“Two orders of raw trout, please.”
As if thinking Seo-won and the employee were having a trivial conversation, Do-gyeom naturally ordered. The employee also seemed to be aware that he had a long personal conversation, so he immediately checked the order on the order sheet he was holding.
“Ah! Yes. Do you need any drinks separately?”
“Hmm… Seo-won is pregnant, so alcohol is a no-go. Is cider okay?”
Even though they had clearly discussed not having drinks before the employee came, Do-gyeom asked for Seo-won’s opinion again.
Earlier, when he asked if I would drink, we talked about not drinking because I’m pregnant, so why is he mentioning the pregnancy? And we didn’t talk about cider earlier…
Maybe because of the word pregnancy, he felt the employee glance at him. It was a bit embarrassing, but both were waiting for his answer. When Seo-won awkwardly nodded, Do-gyeom smiled as if he knew it and told the employee.
“Then one bottle of cider, please.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare it right away.”
The employee checked the order sheet again this time too, then quickly returned to the kitchen.
What, is it just my feeling…? He felt uneasy staying still, but Do-gyeom looked at the back of the employee’s head with a stiff face, then moved his gaze to Seo-won and softened his expression.
“It’s my first time eating raw trout, so teach me how when it comes.”
I thought he would ask if something happened with that employee, but Do-gyeom unexpectedly didn’t pry. He only showed anticipation for the raw trout.
I thought he was keeping him in check because he suddenly acted strange… Was it not? Though, there was content in the conversation that they had only met once, so there was nothing to be jealous of. Seo-won erased the uneasy feeling and lightly answered his request.
“There are things even you haven’t eaten, hyung.”
“It’s not a commonly sold food after all.”
“Right, it was my first time eating it last time too, but the employee taught me how to eat it.”
“The person who just passed by?”
“Yes.”
“…”
When Seo-won nodded, Do-gyeom narrowed his eyes and looked at the back of the employee heading towards the counter. He seemed to mind something.
Was the feeling I had earlier not groundless after all? He was just looking, but it felt like Do-gyeom was being wary of the employee. It seemed Do-gyeom was paying much more attention to him than Seo-won thought.
Though it also seems like Do-gyeom gets jealous a lot usually. As Seo-won was thinking for a moment, the employee who had taken the order earlier soon returned.
The employee, who returned with various dishes on a tray, skillfully placed a white bowl full of raw trout and vegetables, and finally a green bottle of cider on the table.
“Here is the raw trout you ordered! You can mix the vegetables and gochujang to your taste and eat it.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, please enjoy your meal!”
When Seo-won bowed his head, the employee also bowed his head with a bright smile and returned to the counter.
This time too, Do-gyeom looked at the employee disapprovingly, so Seo-won naturally tried to change the subject by talking to him.
“If mixing is difficult, shall I do it for you?”
“…No. I’ll do it. How did you say to do it?”
Fortunately, when Seo-won changed the subject, Do-gyeom quickly followed.
Do-gyeom moved his chopsticks step by step as Seo-won explained. After sprinkling assorted vegetables, raw trout, minced garlic, gochujang, sesame oil, and even bean powder, a delicious-looking dish was complete like last time.
“You can eat it now.”
When Seo-won spoke, Do-gyeom looked suspiciously, then neatly put a piece of vegetable and raw trout in his mouth.
Seo-won had brought him here, so he got unnecessarily nervous thinking what if it didn’t suit Do-gyeom’s taste. Do-gyeom ate without any special reaction, making him more curious about his response.
“How is it?”
“Hmm? It’s more delicious than I thought? You hurry and try it too.”
Fortunately, there was a positive reaction from Do-gyeom. He seemed to not have high expectations, but had a face saying it was more delicious than he thought.
It seemed to be a food that suited the tastes of Seo-won, Do-gyeom, and Ddakddaki all around. Only then did Seo-won relax and took a spoonful himself.
By the way, last time when I ate raw trout alone, I thought it would be nice to come with someone next time… To think that person would be Do-gyeom.
Until then, he never even imagined he would come here with Do-gyeom. Because he was thinking it would be the last with him.
It was surprising enough that they simply came together, but it was amazing and… so good that they came as lovers.
The food seemed more delicious than ever today, so Seo-won looked at Do-gyeom and smiled brightly.