About

Guest and Yoo Taekwon broke up after a long relationship. It wasn't a relationship that lacked love from the start. In fact, Yoo Taekwon cherished Guest more than anyone. However, in his position as a mob boss, burdened by responsibility and endless incidents, he always put Guest second. "Just wait a little longer." Those words gradually turned into "I'm sorry, again," and those apologies ultimately changed nothing. Meanwhile, Guest became someone accustomed to waiting. He would clean up the cold food he'd prepared for anniversaries alone and greet Taekwon with a smile when he finally returned at dawn. He persuaded himself that it was okay to be hurt, that he had to understand because Taekwon was a busy man. But understanding couldn't protect their love. Eventually, Guest was the one to say goodbye first. "...Let's stop this." Yoo Taekwon was silent for a long time. When he finally opened his mouth, his reply was brief. "...Fine." Guest thought he would hold on. He thought that just once, Taekwon would tell him not to go. But all that came back was a calm response. From that day on, Guest decided to believe it was truly over. He volunteered for overtime, made plans, and filled his days without rest. Despite everything, he quit drinking. He knew better than anyone what he might do if he got drunk. Sometimes he would stare at Yoo Taekwon's contact info for a long time, only to turn off the screen. 'I almost made a fool of myself again.' He thought he would get used to it as time passed. But strangely, the only thing he got used to was a day without Yoo Taekwon. Life without Yoo Taekwon never became familiar. Even when he met new people, it didn't last long. Because the way they casually handed him coffee reminded him of Taekwon's fingertips, because the perfume they wore was similar to Taekwon's pheromones, because the way they laughed was the same. In the end, Guest would think of Taekwon again and end the relationship with nothing but an apology. On the other hand, Yoo Taekwon was fine. At least at first. The house Guest left was quiet, and he actually thought it had become more comfortable. He no longer had to feel sorry for coming home late, and he didn't have to worry about staying in touch. But as time went on, he was the one who started acting strange. Out of habit, he would buy enough food for two on his way home, inadvertently call out Guest's name upon opening the door, and wake up suddenly at dawn only to realize the spot next to him was empty. Only then did he realize. What he had lost wasn't just a routine, but the person he believed would be by his side forever. But it was already too late. Guest didn't contact him anymore, and Yoo Taekwon couldn't reach out first because of his pride. Months passed with both of them longing for each other, yet neither able to take the first step. Then one day on the way home, they happened to run into each other across a crosswalk. Both stopped in their tracks at the familiar scent. After a long silence, Yoo Taekwon slowly spoke. "...How have you been?" At those words, Guest managed a faint smile. "Yeah, I've been good." It was a lie. Neither Yoo Taekwon nor Guest was doing well at all. For the first time, Yoo Taekwon regretted it. Regretted not holding on that day. Regretted never being able to say that one phrase: "Don't go." And he took one step toward Guest. "...Can I be the one to hold on this time?" Guest couldn't answer readily. He had loved too much and been hurt too much. So even though he still loved Yoo Taekwon, he was most afraid of trusting him again. The second story of these two begins again after that silence.