The Two Kim Guys

Today is an off day.

Seunghyub looked around his house—it was a mess.

Dust covered the console table. The sofa looked lifeless, as if no one had ever used it. It made sense. Every day, he and his father only came home to sleep before going out again.

He checked the fridge.

It smelled unpleasant.

Even the sink looked too clean—because no one ever used it.

“Oh, you’re awake?” his father said as he drank water.

“Yes. I want to clean the house today. It’s my day off, and I don’t have many assignments. How about you, Pa?” Seunghyub asked while gathering the trash.

“Me too. It’s my day off. Wait, I’ll grab some breakfast first—we need to eat before doing hard work. What do you want?”

“Something simple. Kimbap is fine.”

“Okay, wait.”

His father left.

Seunghyub cleaned the dining table, plates, and glasses so they could eat comfortably.

...

“It’s been a long time since we sat and ate together like this,” his father said while pouring water into his glass.

“Oh, thank you, Pa,” Seunghyub said with a full mouth. “Yeah… you’re right.”

“I didn’t even realize you’ve grown this much. How old are you now?”

“24.”

“Wow… you’re a grown man now. When’s your birthday? I’m afraid I forgot. Do you want anything as a present?”

“October 31.”

“Oh! Did we celebrate it last year?”

“I don’t think so. I even forgot your birthday too,” Seunghyub admitted with a laugh.

“Ah! You’re right. I forgot mine too. Wait—let me check.”

They both laughed.

His father’s birthday turned out to be January 27.

Already passed.

After eating, they cleaned the house thoroughly—every corner.

It had been that long.

While cleaning the bookshelf, Seunghyub found an old photo album.

Baby pictures.

His mother—healthy and beautiful.

His eyes softened.

Then—

A photo.

An amusement park.

Another family.

“Ah… Youngkwang’s family.”

He remembered.

Youngkwang on his father’s shoulders.

Himself making a weird pose.

A little girl sleeping in a stroller.

“So that’s Haein…”

He smiled.

“She cried the whole day,” he remembered. “Only me and Youngkwang had fun.”

“Oh! That’s the Kim family from across the street,” his father said, taking the photo.

“I met them again in college. Youngkwang is my classmate, and Haein is my junior.”

“Oh… right. I remember their names.”

“I want to show them this picture.”

“…That day was your mom’s first chemotherapy.”

Seunghyub paused.

“Oh… really?”

“Yes.”

…

Night came.

On his way home with dinner—

He stopped.

Looking at the house across.

Memories flooded back.

“Seunghyub-ah! What are you doing?”

He turned.

“Oh! Eunsol. Hi. It’s been a while.”

She sat in her wheelchair near the gate.

“Have I ever been good?” she joked.

“Don’t joke about that. The surgery is next week, right?”

“…You’ll come?”

“Of course.”

They linked pinky fingers.

“Why didn’t you visit? I wanted to show you my drawings.”

“I was cleaning the house. I’ll come next week.”

“You’ve been busy lately…”

Her voice softened.

“Campus is fun?”

“Not really. Just a lot of work.”

“Come inside. Why are you outside without a jacket?”

“I’m alone at home.”

“Even more reason to stay inside.”

“It’s suffocating.”

He helped her inside.

Adjusted the temperature.

Turned on the TV.

Covered her with a blanket.

She looked thinner.

He noticed—but stayed silent.

“Need anything before I go?”

“You’re leaving already?”

“Yes. I bought dinner for my dad too.”

“I want to show you my drawing.”

She handed him her sketchbook.

Now—

It was full of lips.

“Wow… this is amazing. The details are so realistic.”

“The upper lip should be more curved…”

“No. Don’t change anything. It’s perfect. You’re talented.”

“I should learn the philtrum next…”

“I’ll help you hold an exhibition someday.”

He gave her drawings back.

Then left.

Eunsol smiled.

Happy.

But after he left—

She texted him.

No reply.

******

“HAHAHAHA this ugly kid!”

Youngkwang laughed at the old photo.

“That was you?” Seunghyub teased.

“I don’t even remember!”

Haein complained.

“You were so spoiled,” Youngkwang said, pushing her forehead.

“Hey!”

Seunghyub gently rubbed the spot.

“….”

Haein froze.

Her heart raced as he rub her head.

******

“You like Seunghyub, don’t you?”

Gyuyoung asked in the restroom.

“You too?” Haein replied.

“Seunghyub is gay.”

“…No. He said he isn’t.”

“You believe that? Then who is ‘Kim’ in his contacts? Why he only write his family name? He talked to Kim Guy so often on the phone.”

Haein fell silent.

Later—

“I can’t this weekend,” Seunghyub said.

“Why?”

“I have to take care of someone.”

“That ‘Kim’ guy?” Gyuyoung smirked.

“…Yeah.”

He answered them.

Haein looked at Gyuyoung.

And understood.

That night—

Haein spent more time with him.

Helping him take drunk friends home.

Watching him smile.

Watching him care.

She fell deeper.

“Hyung… I’m sorry…” Hun cried.

“It’s okay. Just do better next year,” Seunghyub laughed.

“I will!”

“Was I like this when I was drunk?” Haein asked.

“You just get quiet and sleep.”

Inside the car—

Youngkwang and Kara were making out.

Haein froze.

“If you’re uncomfortable, wear this,” Seunghyub said, putting headphones on her.

Her heart raced again.

Music played.

Soft.

Deep.

Like him.

Then—

His phone rang.

“Kim Calling.”

He rejected it instantly.

His expression changed.

Haein noticed.

“Music still on?” he mouthed.

“It’s okay,” she replied.

Later—

At Kara’s place—

“I’ll help her,” Haein said.

“Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me. You’ve said it 40 times.”

He smiled.

Outside—

His phone rang again.

2 AM.

He answered this time.

“Hm… I’m on my way home… You couldn’t sleep?”

Haein watched from afar.

Her thoughts raced.

Is it a girl… or a boy?

“If you’re curious, try seducing him.”

“Even Gyuyoung failed!”

“He’s too perfect. There must be a flaw.”

“…Maybe being gay?”

“…Should I become more boyish?”

“Stupid.”

******

“Seunghyub…”

Eunsol opened her eyes after surgery.

“I’m here.”

“How do you feel?”

“Just… sleepy.”

“Don’t move.”

It was her fourth surgery.

A deformed heart.

A fragile life.

And Seunghyub—

He stayed.

All night.

“Seunghyub…”

“Hm?”

“Talk to me… I’m bored.”

He smiled.

“Look—these stickers are funny. I met an old friend… turns out this friend is the one who broke your colored pencils.”

Eunsol listened.

Smiling softly.

She loved moments like this.

When he talked—

Only to her.

******

Another weekend, another chance to spend time together.

Haein always looked forward to weekends, because it was the only time she could spend a little longer with Seunghyub. He had finally come back after being busy last weekend accompanying his best friend.

But something felt a little off today. Seunghyub stayed in the room, focused on his project.

Today’s hangout was at Gyuyoung’s place, since the seniors—Gyuyoung, Seunghyub, and Youngkwang—had an exam next Monday. Haein played around with the others, but her eyes kept drifting back to Seunghyub every now and then.

Still, nothing could ruin this kind of night. Even better—no one planned to get drunk tonight. That meant no “chauffeur Seunghyub” either.

“Euakh!”

Haein finished her last can of beer and crushed it, as if pouring all her frustration into the aluminum.

“Ya! You scared me!” Jaehyun complained.

“Ah, I’m dizzy. I need some air.”

She smacked Jaehyun’s head lightly as she pushed past him.

“….”

Seunghyub’s focus broke. He smiled faintly, watching her leave the room.

“EARGH!!” Gyuyoung suddenly shouted. “I can’t do this anymore. I’ll finish it tomorrow. Jay, let’s smoke outside.”

“Okaay…”

Jay quickly turned off his game and followed her out.

Haein wandered into a nearby convenience store, picking up ice cream from the freezer.

Then—

A familiar scent.

A hand reached in beside hers.

“I like this one.”

Seunghyub held up an ice cream and smiled.

“Oh! Oppa, you startled me.”

Haein grabbed the same one, then hesitated.

“I used to like this too… but I want something different today.”

She put it back, tapping her chin.

“How much did you drink? You’re already drunk, right?”

Without thinking, Seunghyub reached out and touched her flushed cheek. It was warm—almost burning.

“….”

Haein froze.

The air turned awkward instantly.

“S-sorry.”

He pulled his hand back, startled at himself.

“I’ll take this.”

Haein quickly grabbed a random flavor and walked to the cashier.

“Okay, I’ll pay.”

Seunghyub followed, took the ice cream from her, and paid—both of them still awkward.

They walked back side by side, eating their ice cream.

But after a few bites, Haein frowned.

“Is it not good?” Seunghyub asked.

“The taste is okay… but the texture is weird.” She laughed awkwardly. “I think I’ll throw it away.”

“Want to switch? I already took a bite though.”

“But mine too. I licked it.”

“It’s fine.”

Seunghyub took her melting ice cream.

“Wait, hold this for a second.”

He handed his to her, then took a big bite of hers.

Haein froze again.

He didn’t seem bothered at all.

Seunghyub tried to break off the bitten part of his own ice cream using the wrapper, but before he could—

Haein grabbed it from him.

“Then it’s fine for me too.”

She placed the bitten part directly into her mouth.

“Oh… hehehe… then it’s fair.”

He smiled.

“So… I have your first kiss?” Haein teased.

“Then I have yours too?” he teased back.

Haein.exe stopped working.

Her face turned bright red as she quickly walked ahead, her heartbeat completely out of control.

Later that night, they finished their project and sat around talking.

But Haein couldn’t calm down.

Her heart wouldn’t stop racing. Especially after what happened earlier…

And it didn’t help that Seunghyub sat right beside her the entire night.

She kept drinking.

One can after another.

“Stop. You’ve had too much.”

Seunghyub took the next can from her hand.

“But…”

Instead, he brought her a bottle of cold water.

“Gyuyoung-ah, I’m taking this.”

“Go ahead.”

“Here.”

He opened it for her and placed it in her hand.

“….”

Haein only stared at it, pouting, not drinking at all.

“I’ll take you home. You’re too drunk.”

“Guys, I’m heading out. I’ll take Haein home.”

“Later, I’ll go with you,” Youngkwang said.

“It’s okay. I’ll take a taxi. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

After a moment—

“Okay then. Be careful.”

The ride home was quiet.

Haein leaned against him.

Seunghyub covered her with his jacket, gently patting her shoulder.

He smelled nice.

He felt warm.

It was her first time being this close to him.

She didn’t want the moment to end.

Then—

His phone rang.

She glanced at his watch.

00:07 a.m.

Again?

Why always at this time?

“Hm?”

“Busy?”

A girl’s voice.

“No, I’m on my way home. How was today? You had your wound check-up?”

Haein’s chest tightened.

“Yes… it’s better. But it still hurts. Seunghyub-ah, I want tteokbokki.”

Her tone—soft, spoiled.

It irritated Haein instantly.

“Okay, I’ll buy it. Did you take your medicine?”

His voice—gentle. Warm.

A tone Haein had never heard before.

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

The call ended.

Haein glanced at the screen.

KIM.

Kim Guy… was a girl.

Something inside her snapped.

By the time they arrived, she pushed his hand away.

“Be careful—”

“I can.”

She tried to walk ahead but stumbled.

Seunghyub caught her.

“Let me help you. I promised your brother.”

“….”

Her eyes burned.

“Kim… is a girl?”

“…Kim?”

“If you have a girlfriend… don’t take another girl home.”

She shoved him away and left.

The next morning—

Haein remembered everything.

Every. Single. Thing.

“AAAAARGH!”

She kicked her blanket in frustration.

“So? Did you succeed in sleeping with him?”

Youngkwang appeared at her door.

“I think I did something worse…”

“What?”

“Kim is a girl…”

She buried her face in her hands.

“I got jealous and said something stupid!”

Youngkwang clapped. “Nice. I like your style.”

“But how do I face him now?!”

“Just act like nothing happened.”

“…I pushed him too hard.”

“Then he’ll stop messing with you.”

******

Meanwhile—

Seunghyub stared at his phone.

Unread messages from Eunsol.

His chest felt uneasy. Confused.

And somehow… heavy.

Because Haein’s face—

The way she looked at him last night—

Wouldn’t leave his mind.

He opened the chat.

...

Seunghyub & Eunsol — Chat

Eunsol: Sseung…

Eunsol: You forgot?

Eunsol: Are you sleeping?

Eunsol: Are you drunk?

Eunsol: I’m hungry :’(

Eunsol: Mom made me food. Rest well then…

Seunghyub stared at the messages for a long time.

How could he forget?

It had only been a few minutes after the call.

But everything in his head… felt erased.

Or maybe—

It was because of Haein.

He typed slowly.

Seunghyub: Eunsol-ah, I’m really sorry.

Seunghyub: The store was closed… I forgot to tell you.

Eunsol: It’s okay…

Short.

Too simple.

But somehow, that made him feel even worse.

That night—

Eunsol stood by her window, waiting. Without he knowing.

She watched him from the window as he walked home slowly.

Empty-handed.

No plastic bag.

She almost called out to him—

But stopped.

He looked… tired.

Quiet.

Sad.

So she stepped back.

Moved to her room.

To the window that faced his room.

She waited.

And waited.

But the light in his room never turned on.

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