Ch.125125. Prank

The Spirit’s winter performance is held at a rather awkward time.

This is because some members live in the provinces.

Since several members return to their hometowns during vacation, the performance had to be completed before they left their dormitories or studio apartments.

The end of the semester falls around the third week of December.

Since many people typically go home around Christmas, they had to find just the right timing to book the performance venue.

In that context, the date of December 22nd that Suhyeok and Hana secured was quite significant.

“Sigh… You know I can’t give you much of a discount, right?”

In the hall after the performance.

Suhyeok and Hana were sweeping and cleaning the floor more diligently than usual.

“Ah! I’m just grateful that you’re giving us any discount at all~”

“Yoon Hana. It’s creepy when you act like that out of nowhere. Stop it.”

“Aw~ Uncle~ You used to tell me I was super cute when I did this~”

“That was when you were a baby.”

“I’m still young!”

While polishing a beer glass until it squeaked, Suhyeok couldn’t help but glance at Hana’s aegyo.

…So this is Hana with her knife sharpened.

Considering her usual personality, this was truly a noble sacrifice.

“Phew. You both worked hard. Suhyeok, you can stop now and go.”

“Huh? But there’s still some left to do?”

“It’s fine. I’ll finish up. Go home.”

Suhyeok glanced subtly at Hana.

Hana nodded up and down as if to say it was okay.

“Alright. Then I’ll head out, boss.”

“Yeah. I’ll call you if there’s more work.”

“Got it.”

“Hana, you get home safely too.”

“I’ll be fine with Suhyeok here.”

Hana stood right next to Suhyeok.

“Good grief.”

The uncle muttered something about enjoying their youth.

Suhyeok and Hana left the hall together.

“Damn… I’m so freaking tired…”

As soon as they got outside, Hana leaned her head against a utility pole and sighed as if she couldn’t overcome her self-loathing.

“Hahaha… You worked hard…”

Saying “you worked hard” was the only way to comfort her that came to mind.

Honestly, he thought about telling her she was cute, but somehow it felt like he shouldn’t.

“I feel like I’d be chain-smoking right now if I smoked.”

“That’s bad for your health.”

“I know. I’m just saying.”

Despite it being past 10 PM, the bustling area was still overflowing with people.

Though September days were hot, the nights had become quite cool, and shouts could be heard from outdoor tables at several bars.

“Ah. Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Huh? Now?”

“Yeah. You haven’t had dinner, right?”

“That’s true…”

“I told you I’d treat you to gopchang hot pot.”

Hana stuck close to Suhyeok as if to say he shouldn’t try to get out of it.

“…Don’t you want to?”

Hana gently linked her arm with his.

Her slightly raised head resembled the bright, sparkling eyes of a cat.

“No. Well. Um. Let’s eat.”

He thought she would stop after a moment, but Hana kept her arm linked with Suhyeok’s all the way to the restaurant.

In the warm atmosphere, Suhyeok felt awkward about shaking her off, so he just let himself be dragged along to the restaurant.

“Auntie! Two servings of hot pot and one bottle of soju!”

Hana ordered with familiarity.

The restaurant still had quite a few people inside.

“…You’re drinking too?”

“Just lightly. Lightly.”

Honestly, wouldn’t it be too disappointing not to have soju with this kind of menu?

And Hana enjoyed spending time like this with Suhyeok.

She also liked being able to stick close to him under the pretext of being slightly drunk.

There had been many times when her low alcohol tolerance felt like a curse, but sometimes it came in handy.

Hana twirled the soju bottle and popped the cap with a distinct sound.

“Have a drink~”

Hana smiled brightly.

Suhyeok accepted the glass.

“Okay. I’ll pour for you too.”

Taking the bottle, Suhyeok filled Hana’s glass.

“Cheers.”

They rarely drank alcohol just the two of them.

Most of the time, it was at club gatherings.

Which meant that from Hana’s perspective, she had escaped the unfair structure where Juyeon would monopolize Suhyeok if she passed out.

“Ahh…”

Drinking after work always felt good.

A rather old-man-like exclamation escaped from Hana’s mouth.

“Hana. Do you have class tomorrow?”

“I’m free until the afternoon tomorrow, so I’m fine.”

“I see.”

“Why? Do you have morning classes?”

“…Yeah.”

Hana and Suhyeok’s class schedules were so misaligned it seemed almost deliberate.

“Hey, hey. Just drink a little, then.”

“You can’t drink much anyway.”

When Suhyeok teased her with a hearty laugh, Hana pouted her lips.

“…So you don’t like that?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you don’t like that.”

He had just stated a fact, but why was she harping on this?

“No? Why would I dislike it?”

“Then let’s play a balance game.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. Choose. A woman who can drink well vs. a woman whose limit is exactly half a bottle.”

Hana put her elbows on the table and made a flower shape with her hands.

With a gesture that seemed to say “choose me quickly,” Suhyeok couldn’t understand why he felt like teasing her.

“Does the one with the half-bottle limit have a side effect of throwing up if she exceeds it?”

“Ah! Hey!”

Despite sitting across from him with quite a distance between them, Hana hit Suhyeok’s forearm repeatedly with her palm.

“Sheesh.”

“Hahaha. Isn’t moderation the best?”

“…That wasn’t one of the options.”

“I think it would be nice if I could drink just one bottle.”

Hana started calculating in her head.

Her limit was half a bottle.

Juyeon’s limit, though she didn’t know exactly, was at least two bottles.

So, in conclusion, wasn’t he indirectly saying he was on her side?

“…Hmm. Accepted.”

Hana placed her fist on her palm and nodded.

“It’s all cooked, so you can eat right away.”

A large hot pot was placed on the fire.

“Hey, hey, hey. Try this quickly.”

“Okay.”

“Seriously, when you eat this, the soju goes down so smoothly.”

Hana wasn’t lying.

A menu deliberately targeting drinking snacks.

Its impact was no joke.

Every time they ate the spicy broth, their hands naturally reached for the soju glasses.

Suhyeok drank every shot Hana poured for him without missing a single one.

“Thish ish sho good~”

Whether it was because the food was hot or the alcohol was already having a chemical reaction.

Hana’s cheeks were flushed red.

“Should we get one more bottle?”

A tone with a hint of the aegyo she had shown to her uncle.

Honestly, Suhyeok didn’t mind, but he felt like he might end up being responsible for Hana’s unconscious body if they drank any more.

“I think this is… enough for today?”

“Hmph.”

Hana made a dejected face like a disappointed child.

Suhyeok’s heart began to soften.

“No, it’s just… I’m worried about you. I don’t want you to suffer tomorrow morning.”

“…But I wanna drink more.”

“…Boss!”

In the end, Suhyeok couldn’t resist Hana.

And as a result.

“Hey. Lee Suhyeok. Hehehe.”

As soon as they finished their meal and left, Suhyeok had to become a support pillar for the staggering Hana.

This was exactly what Hana liked.

Even with her half-conscious mind, she knew opportunities to legally hug Suhyeok like this were rare.

“…Can you walk?”

His voice full of concern was nice too.

“If you help me a little?”

“This doesn’t seem like ‘a little’ to me?”

If passersby on the street saw them, they would undoubtedly look like a couple engaged in an affectionate display.

“Ugh. So you’re saying you’ll abandon me?”

“Hahaha…”

“Ahhh! Why aren’t you answering me!”

Always just laughing.

Never giving proper answers.

Trailing off.

Giving Juyeon so much opportunity.

Hana puffed her cheeks.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

“Is being good at guitar all you care about?”

“What?”

“I asked if being good at guitar is all that matters to you.”

Hana suddenly turned confrontational.

Suhyeok’s mind was filled with the thought that he needed to get her home quickly.

“Um… No. I’m not even good at guitar.”

“That’s not true!”

“Huh? It’s not?”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Hana’s hand, which had been wrapped around Suhyeok’s waist, moved.

Its destination was Suhyeok’s cheek.

Her thin, long fingers gently landed on Suhyeok’s cheek.

“You’re good.”

It was an innocent smile, as if she had never been irritated.

Suhyeok could feel his heart pounding.

“…Thank you.”

“If you’re thankful.”

Hana slowly closed her eyes and slightly pushed out her lips.

Suhyeok knew exactly what she wanted with this action.

They might only be pretending to date, but looking at their current state, they were undeniably a couple.

But somehow, if he took the initiative even with this, it felt like his resolve not to date would become nothing more than an empty shell.

How could he smoothly get past this?

After a brief deliberation, Suhyeok slowly raised his hand.

Suhyeok cupped Hana’s cheek with his hand.

Hana’s heart felt like it would burst at this bold move that was beyond what she had expected.

What? What is this?

So… so straightforwardly?

Judging by the warm-up alone, it seemed like they should stand still here for at least 10 minutes.

She thought he had finally made a big decision, but…

“I think you’re good at guitar too, Hana.”

With those words, Suhyeok removed his hand from her cheek.

Hana’s eyes opened naturally.

Suhyeok pulled back slightly and moved to stand beside Hana.

“Let’s go home now.”

Just as he was about to feel proud of how naturally he handled it.

Inside the navy blue sneakers.

Hana’s heels rose on tiptoe.

Her arms wrapped around Suhyeok’s nape.

What followed was a lingering and sensual kiss.

It was a surprise attack that left no room for reaction.

“Lee Suhyeok. You.”

Hana’s lips were moist and shining a soft pink.

“Who told you to play with someone’s feelings?”

It seemed that his escape route hadn’t been as smooth as he thought.