That Face Is the Problem - Chapter 6.1
Da-sol did not take the money envelope and just stared. His expression did not change. He only let out a long sigh, his eyes slightly unfocused.
“Th-this… I’m sorry about yesterday, so the laundry…”
Jae-gyeong moved the envelope closer, but Da-sol irritably swatted his hand away.
“…I knew this would happen.”
“Eh…?”
“I’m not gay. I’m not interested in dating. And I really don’t like you either.”
Jae-gyeong’s eyes went wide at Da-sol’s sudden, shocking words. Did I just confess? Unintentionally? Thinking it was Da-in? Jae-gyeong quickly tried to recall. But he definitely had not said anything. He had just apologized and offered money for laundry, so why… Wait a second.
“Uh, was the amount not enough…?”
Was the envelope too thin? Did Da-sol think there was only one 50,000 won bill?
“This is not 50,000 won. It’s 100,000 won…”
Jae-gyeong argued timidly. Then Da-sol’s face changed in a strange way. It was the most dynamic expression Jae-gyeong had seen from him since yesterday.
“100,000 won?”
“Ah… yes… is it too little…?”
The back of his hand still stung from Da-sol’s swat just now. He knew he had done something wrong, but since he rarely had to apologize to anyone and had no friend to give advice, he could not be sure exactly why.
Da-sol blinked rapidly for a moment and, looking exasperated, took the envelope. After checking the contents, he muttered in a hollow voice.
“This is real money.”
“You thought it was fake…?”
‘Do I really look that untrustworthy?’ Jae-gyeong felt gloomy. But Da-sol’s next words exceeded his expectations.
“No, I thought it was a love confession.”
“…Eh? A, a love confession letter?”
Jae-gyeong leapt in shock as he understood the meaning. He waved his hands frantically.
“How could I… what, no, I… yesterday was just so sorry… as an apology…! It’s not a love, a love letter, or anything like that…!”
“Then why are you giving money?”
“Eh? Ah, I looked it up and… for coworkers, 100,000 won is appropriate…”
“Isn’t that amount for congratulatory money?”
“Ah, yes. It is congratulatory money, but I’m giving it for laundry, and I thought laundry or congratulatory money might be similar… I’m really sorry about yesterday…”
Jae-gyeong bowed deeply in apology.
“Is this too little, or are you testing me?”
“Eh…?”
Jae-gyeong quickly straightened up and asked again, not hearing Da-sol properly, but Da-sol did not repeat himself. With a bored expression, he returned the envelope.
“I don’t need it. It’s not vomit, it’s just soaked with tears.”
It was less about not needing it and more about showing that he did not want to be involved with Jae-gyeong in any way. Jae-gyeong took the envelope back with his shoulders slumped.
A rookie team member with zero social skills who cannot even apologize properly. It was hard to believe that he had created such an image for himself.
“I’m sorry…”
“Enough.”
Da-sol coolly accepted the apology and got on the elevator. Jae-gyeong hesitated to greet him. Somehow, he felt they should not be in the same elevator.
That judgment was correct. Da-sol immediately pressed the close button and went up alone. Jae-gyeong, left alone in front of the elevator, pressed the up button again and pressed his forehead against the wall.
This foolishness is not good.
Jae-gyeong usually had a low opinion of himself. Naturally. He was timid, did not form friendships easily, had poor social skills, and even as an adult male hunter, was prone to tears.
But he was not stupid. Definitely not stupid. He observed well and thought a lot on his own, which allowed him to read the atmosphere around him. That was why he had not confessed to Da-in for three years. He knew it would only result in rejection and make Da-in uncomfortable.
Even without close friends or colleagues, most people treated Jae-gyeong with goodwill. He was thoughtful overall and quietly did his work. No one considered him a fool or a burden. Otherwise, he would have noticed immediately and withdrawn.
There was only one cause for his foolish behavior. When his emotions lost their way in front of love. In hindsight, it was simple and easy, but in the moment, he panicked and said awkward things.
For example, casually greeting Da-in with “Hello, Jeong Jae-gyeong, Hunter,” and then responding, “Uh? Ah, hello, Seo Da-in, Hunter…”
Or thinking he might cry in front of a colleague complimenting Da-in’s wedding invitation and hitting his own cheek with his fist.
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