‘Ah… uhh… so you know each other of

‘Ah… uhh… so you know each other of course,’ Shin Hye started to say. She looked at Geun Suk who was smiling cheekily in front of her. ‘We… uhm. We’re…’ she looked up at Min Ho standing beside her, who was also grinning, waiting for her to finish her sentence. She let out a laugh. ‘You see, the thing is…’

‘We’re having dinner,’ Min Ho interjected. ‘Would you like to join us?’

Shin Hye's eyes widened at Min Ho's question. She tried to play it cool so Geun Suk doesn't notice.

Geun Suk paused, as if thinking it over, before chuckling and waving his hand. ‘Anya, anya. I don’t want to intrude. I just came to drop Shin Hye off.’

‘You’re not intruding,’ Min Ho replied. ‘We’re just going to order in and hang out anyway. We can have a few drinks after,’ he smiled. ‘What do you think?’

Geun Suk looked at Shin Hye, his expression waiting for her sign of approval. Shin Hye knew that Geun Suk was begging to eat dinner with them – it was written all over his face. The whole night is going to be amusing for him. Any chance to get close to anyone – especially Min Ho – he was going to take. And it was a rare opportunity for him to tease her and get a few laughs out of it.

She glanced at Min Ho who also looked thoroughly entertained by the situation. He was probably dying to ask Geun Suk questions about her. Her gentleman boyfriend forgot his manners and invited another man into her house. She knows that he means well, but they are definitely going to have a lengthy discussion about this later.

Only two things can happen tonight: they’re either going to be grown men and have deep conversations about acting and the entertainment industry, sharing their experiences and insights;. or they’re going to act like high schoolers at my expense.

Shin Hye sighed in resignation. This is really happening.

Geun Suk took that as a yes and beamed. ‘If it’s not too much of a bother, then okay. I can join you.’

‘Great!’ Min Ho replied enthusiastically.

Great, Shin Hye thought.







As soon as Min Ho got off the phone after ordering from a restaurant, he turned to Shin Hye who was sulking on the couch. Geun Suk insisted to buy drinks before he came up, since Shin Hye didn’t stack alcohol at her place. He said he was going to some nearby convenience store, leaving Min Ho and Shin Hye alone for a bit.

Min Ho sat beside her. ‘Are you mad?’

‘What do you think?’ Shin Hye replied gruffly, without looking at him.

He slid his arm around hers and held her hand. ‘I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.’

She sat up and turned to face him. ‘Then why did you do it? Why did you invite him?’

‘Because it was rude not to,’ Min Ho replied. ‘You already told him we were having dinner, and he was right there.’ I gotta play up the cute, he told himself. He looked into her eyes, his lower lip protruding, and his cheeks slightly puffed.

Shin Hye scoffed, seeing through his act. ‘You could have stayed in your car, you know.’

‘But he already knew it was me,’ Min Ho replied, his tone higher than usual. ‘It would be more rude if I didn’t at least say hello.’

She let go of his hand and leaned against the couch. ‘He didn’t even hesitate when you asked,’ she blew some of the hair strands that was on her face. ‘You two are really compatible. Enjoy dinner,’ she stood up and headed to her room.

Min Ho stood up as soon as she did. ‘Where are you going?’

Shin Hye didn’t reply and closed the door to her room. Min Ho immediately walked to her door and knocked. ‘Shin Hye,’ he called. There was no response. He knocked again. ‘Shin Hye.’

Min Ho was starting to think he made a terrible mistake. He only invited Geun Suk because he thought it would be fun, but maybe Shin Hye really didn’t see it that way.

‘Shin Hye, I’m really sorry. I’ll make him leave if you want. Just… come out, please? I won’t even open the door when he arrives.’ When she didn’t answer, he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on her door. ‘Do you want me to leave, too? I’m sorry.’

Just then, Shin Hye opened the door, and Min Ho, who was leaning on it, lost his balance and stumbled inside her room.

‘Omo, kamchagiya! OPPA!’ Shin Hye yelled, startled.

Min Ho stood up awkwardly and combed his hand through his hair. ‘Hehe. You opened the door. I thought you were going to really let me leave.’ He grinned.

Shin Hye squinted her eyes and crossed her arms. ‘I can’t leave the door open while I change my clothes, can I?’

Min Ho’s eyes sparked as he bit his lower lip. ‘Actually…’

‘Get out,’ Shin Hye shoved him outside the room before he could finish what he was about to say. ‘Wait for your date out there.’

Min Ho giggled. ‘Arasso, I’ll wait for you.’

‘Anya, not me. Your date tonight is Geun Suk oppa. Make sure you look pretty,’ she hissed before closing the door on him.





Min Ho was getting plates and utensils ready in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. When he opened the door, Geun Suk was smiling as he showed two bags full of alcohol. Min Ho’s mouth dropped slightly. ‘Why did you buy so much?’ He stepped aside to let Geun Suk in.

‘It’s better to have more than less,’ he replied as he came inside. He headed directly to the kitchen and put the bags on the table. Min Ho followed him. So he’s been here before.

‘Uhm. I’ve been here before,’ Geun Suk said tentatively when he turned to Min Ho, as if reading his mind. ‘But just once. Shin Hye’s birthday last year. She had some friends over,’

‘Ahh, kure?’ Min Ho opened one of the plastic bags and took out the alcohol. Geun Suk did the same to the other plastic bag, the awkward silence filled by the sounds of bottles and cans being laid out on the table.

Min Ho was about to say something when Geun Suk beat him to it.

‘The guy at the convenience store recognized me and he was shocked at how much booze I bought,’ he recounted. ‘I could feel him judging me while he rang all these up. So I told him that I was going to drink with Lee Min Ho. He looked at me like I was lying,’ he shook his head. ‘That jashik. He’s probably not even twenty-three years old yet.’

Min Ho chuckled. ‘I should have come with you and we could be judged together.’

Geun Suk stopped what he was doing and looked at Min Ho. ‘Do you want to go back and just show yourself so he would believe me?’

Min Ho blinked twice, waiting for the punch line. When it didn’t come, he figured Geun Suk was serious. ‘Uhm…’

‘It will be funny,’ Geun Suk prodded. ‘You and me? It will definitely be funny.’

‘Is it far?’ Min Ho couldn’t believe he was actually considering it. It could be funny.

‘It’s just two blocks from here,’ Geun Suk’s tone was more excited now. ‘Should we do it?’

Min Ho broke into a sly grin, but it disappeared slowly. ‘Keunde… Shin Hye.’

Geun Suk looked around as if just realizing that Shin Hye was nowhere to be seen. ‘Ah, right. Where is she anyway?’

‘In her room.’

Geun Suk casually walked to her door and knocked. ‘Shin Hye, Min Ho and I have to go somewhere for a bit. We’ll be back in fifteen minutes, okay?’ He walked back to the kitchen and turned to Min Ho. ‘Let’s go.’

Min Ho let out a laugh and followed Geun Suk as he walked to the door. He passed by Shin Hye’s room and knocked. ‘We’ll be right back!’ Shin Hye didn’t respond and he suspected that she was in the bathroom. ‘MIANHE!’

He and Geun Suk hid in their caps and scarves as they walked to the convenience store. Geun Suk went straight to the alcohol area and got one more can of beer. Min Ho was snickering as he stood by the entrance. There was only one other customer there, a middle-aged lady who was busy checking out the vegetables. Min Ho looked on as Geun Suk took off his cap and lowered his scarf. He smiled sassily at the male cashier. ‘Annyeong! I had to come back because Lee Min Ho wanted more beer.’

The cashier smiled wryly as he rang up the beer. Jashik, Min Ho thought that the guy really must have assumed Geun Suk was making fun of him. At that moment, Min Ho took off his scarf and approached the counter.

‘Ya, Jang Geun Suk. Why are you buying just one? Jang Dong Gun sunbae is coming, you know. He said he’s bringing Won Bin hyung,’ he made sure his expression was serious. He poured in all he knew about acting right then and there.

‘Ah, chincha?’ Geun Suk leaned his elbows on the counter and pretended to massage his temples. ‘Ottoke? We’re probably going to run out of alcohol, since Jo In Sung hyung just called me to ask where we are.’

‘I told you you should have bought more,’ Min Ho walked to the alcohol aisle and got four bottles of soju. He put them on the counter and smiled at the cashier. The skinny guy was standing there like a statue, staring at him. ‘Jo In Sung really likes soju.’

The guy just gawked at the two stars in front of him before he punched the items. ’26,000 won,’ he said softly.

Min Ho looked at Geun Suk. ‘You pay.’

‘Ahh wae? Your drama did better than mine!’ Geun Suk complained.

‘I didn’t bring my wallet,’ Min Ho shrugged.

‘Tsss. You always do this,’ Geun Suk took out his wallet and gave the guy money. ‘Chogiyo… you look bored. Do you want to drink with us?’

‘Eh?! Ani-yo…’ the guy, looking panicked, shook his head and faced the cash register. He punched the wrong numbers at first, then cursed himself before punching the right amount.

‘Son Ye Jin noona might come,’ Geun Suk grinned. ‘Right, Min Ho-yah?’

Min Ho nodded his head. ‘She’ll probably come,’ he affirmed, biting his lip to stop himself from laughing.

‘Ani-yo, it’s okay,’ he handed Geun Suk his change. ‘Kamsamhamnida,’ the guy bowed awkwardly, hitting the plastic bag full of alcohol. ‘Ahh,’ he rubbed his forehead and stepped back, before bowing again.

‘Annyeong!’ Geun Suk waved. Min Ho took the plastic bag and followed Geun Suk out.

As soon as they stepped outside, they burst into hysterical laug