Chapter 5. Cursed Night (5)

Translator: Lili

“I’ll come with you. I’ll help you pick something.”

Seo Gyuha frowned and retorted,

“Why would you help me choose my dad’s birthday gift?”

Chayoung smiled without losing his composure, despite the confrontational tone.

“Because judging by how you dress, you could use my help.”

“Bast—”

He stopped himself mid-curse, glancing at Lee Yeyoung beside them. Instead, he addressed her with a curt farewell.

“Forget him. See you next time, Yeyoung.”

Saying his piece, he turned and stepped into the nearby elevator. But no sooner had he turned around than he saw the familiar back of someone who had followed him in.

“I told you to leave. Why are you following me?”

“That was a joke. I figured I’d tag along since I’m here. I didn’t get anything for myself today because I was shopping for Yeyoung.”

Looking around, he noticed Yeyoung wasn’t there. It seemed she hadn’t boarded with them.

“You just left her behind?”

“We were about to part ways anyway. She’s meeting her boyfriend.”

The elevator ascended to the fourth floor and stopped. As they stepped out, Chayoung asked casually.

“Where do you plan to buy the belt?”

“I don’t know.”

“M&C has good ones.”

Seo Gyuha couldn’t have cared less about M&C or whatever. He walked into the nearest store. Telling a staff member he was looking for a belt, he was met with overwhelming politeness and guided to the section.

The employee began explaining the products. While Seo Gyuha listened with indifference, Chayoung paid close attention, smiling as he pointed at one.

“How about this one?”

“Looks fine.”

The unenthusiastic response made Chayoung laugh incredulously.

“Seriously? That’s so careless.”

“A belt’s a belt. Besides, my dad’s a total stickler. If it’s not his taste, he won’t even touch it.”

“Which is why you should pick carefully. I remember him liking surprisingly flashy things.”

“… Are you guessing, or do you actually know?”

“Of course I know.”

The corner of Seo Gyuha’s lips curled upward in amusement.

‘Smart people always seem to remember the most trivial things.’

“Which one do you think is good?”

“This one.”

“Then I’ll take it.”

Without hesitation, he told the staff to wrap it up and headed to the register. Reaching for his wallet, his expression turned to panic.

“What the—?”

His back pocket was empty. He was sure he’d put his wallet there after getting out of the car, but it was nowhere to be found. Searching his other pocket yielded the same result.

“What’s wrong?”

“… I think I lost my wallet.”

Chayoung’s expression turned serious.

“You’re sure you put it in there?”

“Yes, right after I got out of the car.”

They searched the floor nearby but found no sign of the wallet. Frustrated, Seo Gyuha clicked his tongue,

“Great. Just my luck.”

Running a hand through his hair, his irritation was palpable. Losing a lighter or car key while drunk was one thing, but misplacing his wallet in broad daylight while sober? It was infuriating.

“The staff’s waiting. Just pay with your phone.”

“I can’t.”

“What? No mobile payment options?”

“I don’t use that stuff.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Shut up.”

He was out of options. He didn’t want to come back later, and showing up at home empty-handed would only cause a fuss.

“…”

He glanced sideways, about to ask for a loan, but Chayoung spoke first,

“I’ll lend you my card. Pay me back later.”

Grateful for the offer, he immediately replied,

“Great.”

“It comes with high interest. Are you sure about this?”

Smirking, Chayoung handed over his card. A moment later, the shopping bag and receipt were in Seo Gyuha’s hands.

“Come to the club tomorrow. I’ll pay you back right away.”

“If I’m free, I’ll go. By the way, where’s my thanks?”

“… Do you really need one?”

“Of course.”

“Fine. Thanks a ton.”

He said it with zero sincerity and walked off. Following leisurely, Chayoung pressed the elevator button behind him.

“Will you do anything else?”

“No. I’m going home to wash up and sleep.”

He had initially planned to check out a club show for the first time in a while, but the wallet situation ruined the mood. Once home, he knew he wouldn’t feel like going back out.

As they exited into the basement, Chayoung stepped in front, blocking his path.

“Aren’t you going to check the CCTV?”

“What?”

“You need to find your wallet. Someone probably stole it.”

After a brief hesitation, Seo Gyuha replied,

“Forget it.”

He hated dealing with hassle. Fortunately, the wallet didn’t have much cash, and he only needed to cancel a few credit cards.

Just as he sighed and started walking, Chayoung spoke again,

“Then let’s go eat.”

“Eat?”

“It’s almost dinnertime.”

Checking his phone, he saw it was already past six. Without much thought, he agreed. Eating out would save him the trouble of cooking later.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Meat and cold noodles.”

The answer came without hesitation. Dinner called for meat, especially if someone else was paying.

“Hold on.”