Chapter 3. The Guy Next Door (3)

“He’s good-looking, huh? No joke, right?”

It was just past 7 p.m. when the recording wrapped up. At Sunggeun’s comment, which came from right beside her, Eunkyo gave a vague smile and raised her 500cc beer glass.

“Yeah, I guess…”

The post-recording dinner was being held at an izakaya, its entire menu in Japanese and English. Outside the thin pane glass set in a wooden lattice frame, the dusk hung faint and dim. Eunkyo sat at the bar next to Sunggeun, sipping her beer.

“So, what’ve you been up to these days?”

“Writing, running the café, traveling now and then. Basically a bum.”

“Then it’s settled. The true winner of this generation is you, Jung Eunkyo.”

“Winner? Please. I’m just a bum. No drive, zero passion. Living one mundane day at a time.”

Eunkyo idly observed the scene behind her through a small mirror on the wall opposite. Maybe it was her profession, or maybe just her nature—but she had a habit of zoning in on things.

Sometimes it was ants pushing through softened dirt. Other times, it was ivy growing stubbornly over hardened cement. And sometimes, it was a café customer sobbing uncontrollably on the terrace.

But that didn’t mean she spun stories in her head or overanalyzed people’s circumstances.

It was more like a blank stare—a kind of mindful zoning out. Just like now, she was absentmindedly gazing into the mirror when she suddenly realized: someone on the other side was staring right back.

Their eyes met, and he was the first to turn his head, doing so casually. Lee Jaeheon smiled and clinked his glass with someone else at his table. Eunkyo hid a laugh behind her beer.

If there was a national eye-smile contest, he’d easily place—and probably even win. That kind of smile could stir something in anyone’s chest.

He’s so obvious.

A harmless narcissist. Whether he meant to or not, Jaeheon was the type to win people over—or toy with them—with the smallest gestures. Eunkyo categorized men like him as “harmless narcissists.”

Rare, but not unheard of. And truth be told, she already knew one more man like that.

‘Summer already, huh…’

She pushed the rising name down deep and ordered another beer. It wasn’t the steak Haeda had mentioned, but the izakaya food was delicious. Sweet soy marinades and spicy little bites she didn’t even know the names of—just enough to ease the day’s fatigue.

“Here’s your beer.”

The owner of the place, wearing a bandana over his short hair, placed a frosty mug down with a kind smile. Eunkyo accepted it and took a big gulp, sighing with satisfaction as she wiped her lips.

Through the clean square mirror, she caught a glimpse of Lee Jaeheon’s sharp profile again.

‘So this is what guys these days are like?’

There had to be something about him—she kept looking, after all. That innocent smile and kind demeanor couldn’t possibly be real. A crooked curiosity curled on the tip of her tongue.

“Whoa, I climb too! Should I switch gyms and go to yours, Jaeheon?”

One of the people at Jaeheon’s table exclaimed in delight, holding out a fist for a bump. Jaeheon just smiled and nodded politely but didn’t go any further.

‘See? That’s the real him.’

Eunkyo popped a perfectly grilled ginkgo nut into her mouth, smiling like someone who’d guessed the correct number on a die. Then, as if sensing her gaze, he turned toward her, fingers brushing along his sleek jawline.

Their eyes met again through the little mirror. This time, Eunkyo was the first to look away. Her lips felt a little dry for no real reason.

Just then, her phone lit up with Kim Haeda’s name.

“Sunbae, I’m gonna take this call real quick.”

“Kim Haeda?”

“Yeah, he probably just finished closing up.”

“Are you two dating or something? You’ve been stuck together forever.”

“He’s like an annoying sibling, honestly.”

“Fair enough.”

Eunkyo stepped out of the loud, narrow izakaya to take the call.

“Hey, what’s up?”

— What do you mean what’s up? You’re still not done?

She checked the time—9 p.m. Remembering the basement cleanup, she clicked her tongue and stomped her foot.

“I’m heading there now. Just had a beer.”

— With who?

“With sunbae and the studio staff.”

— I’ll come get you.

“Now? No, it’s fine—I can go by myself.”

— I’m nearby anyway. Don’t drag this out. Send me your location.

Ugh. Acting like he’s worried or something.

Letting out a disbelieving snort, she gave him the name of the place. Haeda said he’d be there in three minutes and promptly hung up.

Streetlights blinked on along the now-darkened alley, and foot traffic thickened. Every brightly lit storefront was packed, and the hum of conversation and music filled the night air.

Eunkyo, standing idly in front of the bar, suddenly felt a little rushed. She hated to leave behind food and beer, but no way was she letting Haeda waltz into that place and kill the mood.

He’d definitely look the senior up and down and say something like, “Why are you doing this kind of unpaid work?” or “Ugh, passion project, really?”—utterly ruining the vibe.

Snapping out of it, she walked briskly back inside and said.

“Sunbae, Haeda’s here to pick me up. I’m gonna head out first.”

“So sudden?”

Sunggeun stood up with a hint of disappointment.

“I promised to help him with something. He said he’s right outside the studio now, so I think he’ll be here any second.”

“Well, at least have one more drink with us. We got through the recording thanks to you.”

“Haeda doesn’t drink. Instead, once today’s recording gets released, buy me some meat. Everyone looks like they’re having a good time, so I’ll just slip out quietly.”

Eunkyo gave a quick goodbye to a deflated-looking Sunggeun, grabbed her bag, and stepped out of the izakaya. As she crossed the alley to avoid the lingering cigarette smoke, a hand suddenly grabbed her arm.

It was Haeda, frowning with clear annoyance.

“This the place you were drinking at?”

“Huh? When did you get here?”

“Right after we hung up.”

Haeda shoved his phone into his back pocket and gave a sharp glance through the glass into the bar. Eunkyo caught a faint mix of soap and the oddly clean smell of filtered-out cigarette smoke coming from him. She wrinkled her nose and leaned in to sniff.

“Didn’t you quit smoking?”

“Geez. You’re like a bloodhound, Jung Eunkyo.”

“You know I hate the smell.”

“I know. Just for today, okay?”

With a faint grin, Haeda ruffled her hair.

“Hey! Don’t! Ugh, seriously, that’s disgusting!”

As she recoiled in horror and smacked his hand away, he chuckled and glanced back at the bar. His expression twisted subtly—a look she knew all too well. It was the face he made when he was suspicious of something.

Eunkyo nudged his arm.

“What? You see someone you know?”

“Ah… no. Not really.”

“Then let’s go. I’m so full… can we walk?”

“Nope.”

Pouting, Eunkyo climbed into Haeda’s car parked in the alley. As she shut the door and buckled her seat belt, the bar entrance came into view in the side mirror.

Once again, it was through a reflection that she saw him.

The door opened, and Lee Jaeheon stepped outside. Hands in his pockets, he glanced around, then looked straight ahead. Someone followed him out, smiling brightly and offering a cigarette. As expected, he smiled politely and waved it off, then went back inside.

‘Weird…’

A laugh almost escaped her, and she covered her mouth with her knuckles, scratching lightly at her lips. When Haeda scolded her for smiling to herself, she just held up her middle finger in reply.

***