SMNTCERR, Special Chapter 6: Propose 5.0, #1. 

   Two months left before leaving the country. Sangwoo was busy with various things, such as preparing to move, planning trips, selling his car, and others. But for him, there was something more important than everything that needed to be done.

   [Have you quit your job yet? _18:55.] 

–     [♥Jang Jaeyoung♥: 7 more minutes until I’m off work _18:57.] 

–     [♥Jang Jaeyoung♥: Do you want me to buy something or do you want to eat outside? _18:57.] 

   [You don’t have to buy anything. _18:58.] 

   Sangwoo put his phone on the phone holder in the car and took a deep, silent breath. He had rehearsed this moment many times and imagined it hundreds of times, but he still couldn’t help feeling excited.

   ‘This is the most important day of our lives. We can’t afford to fail.’ 

   He immersed himself in his thoughts and carefully checked each step in the process, every step filled with romantic events and meticulously planned to elevate the emotions one step at a time. When it reached the end, Jaeyoung would not refuse the offer. There was no way for him to refuse, only imagining the other person’s face nodding with tears welling up. Sangwoo cock hardened.

   ‘I won’t ruin this day because of lust.’ 

   Sangwoo quickly turned on the radio and tuned it to a Buddhist channel. As he listened to the slow chanting of the Buddhist scriptures and calmed his mind, a familiar hatchback car drove past the car Sangwoo was sitting in. After the car parked, the engine turned off.

   Then, the man whom Sangwoo was waiting for got out of the car. He had long hair tied into a single bun and wore three earrings. Although he looked unusual, he was an employee of a company and perhaps it was because the workplace was for designers, so they had the freedom to dress as they pleased. When Sangwoo tried to visit the company, as Jaeyoung had told him, he claimed to be a fairly neat and organized person and Sangwoo saw that out of almost all the designers there, Jaeyoung was the most neat and orderly.

   Jaeyoung closed the car door and took off his glasses, putting them in his coat pocket. Underneath his red jumper that extended down to his waist, he wore long black pants. On the other hand, he swiftly moved his legs and took out his mobile phone from his pants pocket, making a call somewhere.

   Suddenly, there was a ringing sound coming from Sangwoo’s pants pocket.

   Jaeyoung had a habit of calling while on his way back home.

   “Hello.”

   [I told the chairman today that I want to resign in December.] 

   “What did he say?”

   [What do you think? He scolded me.] 

   “Did he say anything that would need me to inform the Ministry of Labor then?”

   [Not to that extent. We smoked and talked for about an hour, and he said he might let me handle the collaboration and keyring for next year.] 

   “It’s a shame that you have to go without doing it.”

   [That’s true, it sounds fun.] 

   “I understand that it’s disappointing when a capable employee is about to resign, but if he wants to scold you, next time, tell him to call me.”

   As soon as he realized, Jaeyoung came closer until he could see a smiling face through the car window.

   [We ended the conversation with a goodbye. What should we eat today? Hyujin and I were talking and he mentioned that there’s a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood that has been open for forty years. It’s delicious! Have you tried it?] 

   As Jaeyoung was about to cross the road, Sangwoo honked his car horn.

   “Jang Jaeyoung, over here.”

   After waving and walking away, Jaeyoung turned around for a moment and saw a smile appear on his face. But as he saw Sangwoo’s appearance and the black sedan he was sitting in, the other party was speechless. He had forgotten that his mobile phone, which used to be attached to his ear, was now swinging on his thigh unnoticed.

   “Where are you going? What’s that Benz over there?”

   “Get in… there’s a place we need to go together.”

   Sangwoo thought he had said it in a cool way, but a mischievous smile appeared on the corner of Jaeyoung’s lips.

   “Oh, today? You should have told me earlier.”

   “…Do you know something?”

   “Wait in the car, I’ll quickly take a shower and change clothes before coming down.”

   Sangwoo held Jaeyoung’s arm, as if guiding him home.

   “You can’t. You still can’t come in.”

   “Why?”

   “I can’t tell you. Get in the car quickly.”

   Jaeyoung pouted and looked down at his sneakers.

   “Then you go up and bring out the trench coat and combat boots.”

   After finishing speaking, the other party disappeared and sat in the seat next to the driver.

   ‘I didn’t plan for this.’ 

   Sangwoo felt restless as he walked back to the house. He tried not to step on anything and grabbed Jaeyoung’s coat and shoes before returning to the car. As the car started, he felt a little bit braver. Although he still felt anxious, he had time and hadn’t failed yet.

   Jaeyoung replaces his shoes and gazes at Sangwoo’s side face.

   “What are you looking at?”

   “…Uh.”

   “Is there a problem?”

   As he turned his head to look, Jaeyoung lunged forward, planting a kiss on the corner of his mouth, while slipping his hand into his coat and caressing his waist. As he tries to brush him off and make him sit back down, the tongue of the other party took the opportunity to slip in.

   “Hyung, wait…”

   “Wait for yourself. You are so sexy right now.”

   The whispered sound of temptation makes his body instantly heat up. Sangwoo decides to make an effort to resist and opens his mouth wide, while being overwhelmed with kisses. At the same time, Jaeyoung’s hand slips into his pants, not only that, but also slides down to grab and knead his firm buttocks.

   “Oh, why are you like this, like a beast…”

   Jaeyoung pretended not to hear Sangwoo’s words and kissed him more passionately, grinding their bodies closer. Sangwoo falls into a state of daze before regaining consciousness after seeing Jaeyoung take a condom out of his wallet.

   “…Wait.”

   He can say yes to having sex every day, but today is a day where failure is certain because desire is not even present for a second. Sangwoo demonstrates immense self-control by pulling Jaeyoung’s hand off and using his knee to push back the other party’s chest. Jaeyoung has no intention of retreating easily, so Sangwoo holds the face of his lover and gently throws him away with a low murmur.

   “I think this isn’t going to happen. Just endure it for a bit.”

   “How long is ‘a bit’?”

   “Two hours and fifty-two minutes.”

   “How am I supposed to endure for three hours?”

   “Just endure it. We’re in the same situation, after all.”

   Jaeyoung returned to sit down, sulking with a gloomy face. Sangwoo took a deep breath, relaxed his shoulders, tucked his shirt back into his pants, and adjusted his belt.

   ‘Well then? No problem, let’s start fresh with new determination.’ 

   Sangwoo sighed and patted himself on the back. Despite the turmoil in his mysterious heart, he tried not to care and shifted gears before stepping on the accelerator. As he glanced back to check the road, he caught sight of

   Jaeyoung, who still had eyes that resembled those of a mental patient.

   “So, where are we going?”

   “High State Hotel.”

   “Wow, looks like you’re really motivated. Are we planning to stay there for one night?”

   “We’ll have dinner and come back later.”

   “Let’s check-in before we have dinner.”

   “Say something meaningful. I’ve already made plans.”

   Sangwoo grumbled coolly without realizing it, then glanced to the side to apologize, but Jaeyoung was laughing as if it were amusing. Sangwoo bit his lip.

   ‘Today is an important day, no frowning allowed.’ 

   “Don’t say anything inappropriate, hyung. I’ve already made all the plans.”

   Even though he tried to smile and speak softly, the sound that came out sounded strangely aggressive, and Jaeyoung covered his mouth to suppress his laughter before answering.

   “Okay, I understand.”

   “Thank you very much for your cooperation.”

   He didn’t calm down, but the way he spoke sounded strange.

   Fortunately, Jaeyoung didn’t say anything or complain until they arrived at the hotel. At that moment, Sangwoo was so stressed that his hands were trembling, and he felt like he would vomit immediately if anyone touched him. As he drove into the underground parking lot, Jaeyoung, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke up.

   “Sangwooya.”

   “Mmmh?”

    “Why did you park your car like that? It’s so rude.”

   “You…”

   When Sangwoo saw Jaeyoung’s face, he added, “On a day like this, do you really think I would be mad at you?”

   “How would I know it’s an important day?”

   “…How could you not know it’s an important day?”

   “I don’t know anything, I just guessed randomly.”

   “Really?”

   “Can’t you at least tell me how I would know? How am I supposed to find out?”

   Sangwoo took a deep breath and put on a poker face. This was a complete surprise, and he had carefully concealed all the preparations. Therefore, there was no way the other party would know. After parking the car without any hesitation… Sangwoo turned off the engine. Jaeyoung said he would wait and get out of the car, but Sangwoo remained seated, adjusting his breathing for a moment.

   They took the elevator to the top floor. Although it was an exciting elevator with glass on all sides, Jaeyoung didn’t bother to admire the exterior scenery and just kept staring at Sangwoo.

   The night scenery was dimly lit, and a man stood with his hand in his trench coat pocket. Sangwoo did all this because he wanted to possess that man, the one with the neatly tied bird’s nest hairstyle. The scene and imagery was more magnificent than he had imagined, making him regret not bringing a camera.

   “Did you make a reservation?”

   “Hello… Mister Chu Sangwoo.”

   Soon, they entered the five-star Italian restaurant, which offered a view of the night scenery of Seoul and the mountains. A staff member in a black suit guided Sangwoo to the reserved seat by the window, booked twenty days ago.

   Sangwoo sat down on the solid seat with his knees covered by a stained cloth. When he saw the staff bring the wine list, he relied on his pre-learned knowledge and ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Italy, known to pair well with meat. After the staff left, Jaeyoung leaned back in his chair, hugging his chest.

   “I wonder what you were thinking. Even a stingy person can spend this much money.”

   The cost of getting a suit tailored, renting a car, meals, and wine, all of these expenses are necessary. Sangwoo doesn’t feel regret at all.

   “I spend as necessary during regular times, so it’s the same during occasions like this.”

   “I’m curious to see what you’re going to say and do.”

   Sangwoo secretly smiles, knowing that the one who planned the surprise must feel like this. He wants to see Jaeyoung’s surprised face quickly.

   “Do you like it here, hyung?”

   “Hmm.”

   “Really?”

   Sangwoo asked again. Jaeyoung, who always has a comfortable image, is neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Sangwoo feels a bit regretful inside, as if he hopes that the other person will show excitement after seeing the city’s night view and enjoying the splendid atmosphere of the restaurant.

   “I…”

   Jaeyoung brought the chair closer to the table, the flickering candlelight reflected in the eyes of the other person. Then, his big hand touches Sangwoo’s backhand.

   “I just want you to be with me. That’s all I want. Now, I hope you understand.”

   The other person held Sangwoo’s hand and kissed it before letting go.

   Sangwoo felt a slight relief in his tense body and relaxed.

   “I know, but today is a special day. So, I want you to like me more than before.”

   “Today, you look extremely good. I can’t take my eyes off you.”

   “…”

   “I’m trying my best to be patient.”

   Sangwoo secretly observed his reflection on the windowpane. He could tell that Jaeyoung liked the new blue suit he had just ordered. It seemed worth it to endure being scolded by Yoona for over two hours.

   Meanwhile, soup and bread were served. Sangwoo scooped up some soup with a spoon but hesitated a bit, feeling that it was too hot. He couldn’t taste any flavor, and his hand trembled as he accidentally tapped the bowl, making a faint clicking sound.

   “Why do you have that expression? Is it not delicious?”

   Just a normal everyday sentence, yet why did the tone of voice sound so intimidating? Sangwoo looked up and locked eyes with Jaeyoung. The other side smiled faintly, dipped a piece of bread into the soup, and slowly chewed on it, intentionally running his tongue along the corners of his lips. Sangwoo fell into that trap countless times, and this time, he couldn’t look away as easily as before.

   “Are you teasing me?”

   “I’m just eating bread. Why? Is it sexy?”

   “Teasing me doesn’t do anything for us anymore, does it?”

   “We’re at a hotel… There are vacant rooms.”

   Jaeyoung smirked and lightly licked his index finger. Sangwoo felt tempted to indulge without realizing the clear intentions behind it, but he didn’t think he would fall into the trap he could clearly see.

   ‘What does he want by doing this?’ 

   Jaeyoung wasn’t an enemy and should be the one motivating him to feel good. But strangely, he felt that the other side was a villain trying to sabotage his plans. Sangwoo resisted the gaze from the person in front of him before scooping up the soup and consuming it uncouthly. He reminisced, ‘100 Good Questions to Ask Your Loved One Before Getting Married,’ but it scattered from his mind without his awareness.

   “You have to talk about something important, but you just keep bothering me.

   Are you annoyed? Yourself?”

   “You know that very well. Then don’t do it.”

   “Fine, I won’t. Just look in my eyes.”

   Sangwoo raised his head and locked eyes with Jaeyoung. As he looked at the other side with a hesitant gaze, Jaeyoung’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t done anything wrong. Sangwoo could feel the vigilance melting away, like snow melting.

   ‘If I come to you angry like this, what would you do?’ 

   Did the other person do something wrong? Is their appearance too charming? Even their eating habits are teasing? Sangwoo fixes differences with the person he loves in his heart before taking a deep breath and remembering the phrase that came to mind.

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