Page 349 of Scarbound

“I love you.”

This time, Duri took a moment before answering. “I love you too, hyung.”

Then, more quietly, “Please be careful.”

When the call ended, Noeul was certain Duri was already on his way. The thought steadied him.

The restaurant was elegant, with crystal chandeliers, sleek modern furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Han River. At night, the city glowed like a constellation.

It was Friday evening, and the space hummed with life: well-dressed patrons, soft laughter, clinking glasses, the rich scent of carefully plated dishes.

When the waiter arrived, Chung-Hee ordered calmly. “Two set menus, please. One without mushrooms, he’s allergic. A bottle of soju and water. Thank you.”

They sat in silence for a moment, taking each other in. When the drinks arrived, Chung-Hee poured himself a glass of soju and downed it in one swallow.

“It’s good to see you,” he said quietly. “You look well.”

“Thank you.”

“How have you been?”

“Busy. Mostly with work.” Noeul took a sip of water. “And you?”

Chung-Hee exhaled. “The same. Life doesn’t really let up, does it?”

“No.”

The amuse-bouche arrived, briefly giving them somewhere else to look. Chung-Hee picked up his chopsticks but didn’t eat.

“Where were you…all this time?”

“Traveling. Japan first. Then America, Europe, South America. Wherever I felt like going.” A faint smile touched Noeul’s lips. “For the past two months, I’ve been back in Seoul. I work as a red teamer now.”

Chung-Hee stared at him. “Two months?”

“Yes.”

“So close,” he murmured.

Noeul understood immediately. “And I didn’t contact you.”

Chung-Hee lowered his eyes. “No.”

“I wasn’t ready.”

“I know.”

Noeul studied him for a moment. Hearing those words from Chung-Hee still felt strange.

“I don’t think I ever would. Contact you, I mean. Anyway, I couldn’t stay away forever,” he continued. “My life is here too. I wanted to fix things with my family. With my friends. I wanted to be there for Ji-Woo.”

“And did you?”

Noeul smiled. “I’m trying.”

Chung-Hee nodded. Another silence stretched between them.

Then he asked the question Noeul had known would eventually come. “Did you ever think about us?”