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It all started in a secret group chat, created solely for rumors. Only the nosiest in baekilmong could enter.
The hot topic is of course, the newest miracle rookie : Kim Soleum! He is known to have been solving ghost stories left and right, all in under an hour! He even got scouted by *THE* legendary team A and refused the offer.
A mysterious, highly capable and efficient man. Who is undeniably very attractive too with his pretty face and tall slender body. It was to be expected that this man was the number one hot topic across all kinds of rumors!!!
And of course, when there is someone that popular. There is one singular question, that everyone, no matter who they are, will ask :
“IS HE SINGLE?!”
Yes. Although Kim Soleum could be described as intimidating for eating ghost stories like breakfast, his good looks and charisma transcends it all! The number one rookie is currently also the number one most sought out bachelor! And because of that, he's always the center of most rumors.
And today, like any other day, a new question pops out regarding Kim Soleum pops up in the group chat :
Ilovemywifecale : [You know, that pink bunny Kim Soleum always carries… Do you think someone gave it to him?]
It sparked an intense discussion. Most believed that he possessed a huge gap-moe of liking cute things despite how scary he is when he's doing his job.
Kdjstopdying : [However, that doesn't erase the possibility of a girlfriend giving him a cute doll and him cherishing it dearly!]
567bbuu : [I totally get you! Maybe his girlfriend got it for him for his birthday?]
Ilovemywifecale : [Wait!!! What if it's made by his girlfriend? So he carries it around to show how much he loves his gf’s work!]
Norussinoticemepls : [Kyaaa~! That's so cute~!!! I can totally see it!!!]
Idontlikemyroommate : [You guys are being weird ngl, what if it's from his little sister or smth?]
Norussinoticemepls : [Boo~ Partypooper! I bet you’re just jealous Kim Soleum is taken! (Same)]
Idontlikemyroommate : [I don’t want to hear that from someone with that username!]
And so, after an innocent question. People have begun to speculate about Kim Soleum's potential relationship.
Eun Haje tries to hold back her laughter as she reads the recent entries in the group chat.
Yes. Of course the ex-reporter is inside the biggest drama group chat. Why wouldn't she? It's fun, kills time, and seeing that her rookie is always the center of the talk… She always comes across the funniest discussions about him.
“Hey, badger… Look at this!”
Eun Haje nudges her phone to her coworker, Park Minseong. They were currently on a lunch break together, their dearest roe deer and team leader seemed busy and disappeared somewhere. So it’s just the two of them gossiping during lunch.
Park Minseong took her phone and started scrolling through the group chat. “You're still in this group chat, deputy manager?”
“Did I ever say I left? Anyways—” Eun Haje took a bite of her food, “It's amazing how our rookie is making all kinds of rumors in such a short time… And now he's getting a dating allegation. He's like an idol!”
Park Minseong laughs, “As expected of our roe deer, he's very popular huh?” he smiled as he handed Eun Haje's phone back.
“Well, considering his looks and achievements. It would be even weirder if he's not popular.” Eun Haje said as she took another bite of her food, “But they don't know our rookie like we do. I can't imagine that kid in a relationship at all!”
“Haha, I get you. He seems to be married to his work instead!”
“Right~? He really should wind down a bit instead of marrying darknesses. Well… destroying them.”
As they finished their food while gossiping about Kim Soleum more, Eun Haje's eyes caught their beloved rookie in the distance.
“Ah, there he is, our star rookie! Cmon, badger. Let's see what he’s up to!” she exclaimed, while half running towards their rookie.
“Wait—! Deputy manager, your tray!” Park Minseong said, as he took both of their trays and tried to return them to the tray station.
Meanwhile, Eun Haje was already catching up to Kim Soleum who was fixated on his phone. As she said “Hey, roe deer! What are you up to?” while tapping his shoulder. Her falcon-like eyes accidentally saw what was on his screen.
She swears it was an accident. But she couldn't help but read the chat that was opened on his phone. Specifically, the one Kim Soleum himself had sent.
[I'll be waiting for you on Sunday at ×× cafe then! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝)
A superficial thunder could be heard at the back of Eun Haje's mind.
‘WAITING!?!?!?!’
‘AT A CAFE?!?!?!’
‘ON A SUNDAY?!?!’
‘AND KIM SOLEUM IS USING A KAOMOJI?!’
‘N- no way… right???’ Eun Haje thought while her eyes flickered for a second on Kim Soleum's phone. Her ex-reporter instincts instantly kicked in to quickly look at Soleum instead of his phone.
“Ah, deputy manager. I-it's nothing…” Kim Soleum said and quickly turned off his phone and hid it in his pocket. Eun Haje could feel him tensing up under her. “I was just… looking at the news. Yeah.”
‘It's nothing?! Your reaction just now is super suspicious though?! Why are you lying over a text?!’’ Eun Haje thought, she then tried to fish out more information “Really? Is it really nothing? You look paler than usual though.”
Hearing that, Kim Soleum turned even more pale. “N-no! It really is nothing. I promise.” He said in a rushed tone while shaking his head. Eun Haje doesn't buy it though, he must be hiding something!
“Are you really sure~?”
“Yes, deputy manager”
“Are you absolutely. Sure sure? You can always talk to me you know~”
“I am very sure, deputy manager. Thank you for your concern.”
This guy was already using that thick poker face of his, damn. She couldn't get through him, so she decided to back away. “Then, do you wanna walk back together? Me and Minseong just had lunch together and we're heading back!”
Speaking of Park Minseong... “Oh! Roe deer, hello! Yeah, let's head back together!” He greeted Soleum with a big smile as he arrived late at the crime scene. Not knowing what Eun Haje had just witnessed.
And so the three head back together to their headquarters. While Eun Haje tried to poke Kim Soleum into talking about this suspected “lover”. But it was no use. The man built a wall around him as big as the great wall of china, there was no way of getting around him.
The rest of the day went by regularly. They went inside a random darkness, Kim Soleum had an incredible idea, and they finished the darkness within an hour.
“Then, I'll be going home first. Please excuse me.” Kim Soleum spoke and bowed down politely as usual before leaving the office.
After he went away, Park Minseong also packed his things and spoke “Then, I'm also—”
Eun Haje suddenly stopped him from leaving his chair and dramatically slammed Park Minseong’s table. “SUPERVISOR, WAIT!”
“?! Y-yes, ma'am?!"
Eun Haje couldn't take it anymore. Holding back from talking the whole day made her mouth itch badly.
“It's about Soleum—”
“Yes? What about Kim Soleum?”
“I THINK HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND!”
“WHAT?!”
Eun Haje then explained what she saw on Soleum's screen. As she finished, Park Minseong gasped.
“D-Deputy manager! That's a breach of privacy!”
“Like I told you, it was an accident–! I didn't mean to look at it!”
Eun Haje then took a seat on her own desk. “Anyways, it's so suspicious that he would meet someone in a cafe and didn't tell us about it! I thought we're like parents to him already!!!”
“Haha, well… kids usually hide this kind of thing from their parents, no?” Park Minseong awkwardly said while tilting his head. “Also, are you really sure it's from a girlfriend and not just a friend?”
“No, I mean– not us as literal parents! I'm saying, aren't we close to him already?!” She scratched the back of her head, “Also, he never texted us with any emojis! His messages to us are always so full of formalities, and I doubt he's the kind of guy that'll use them. So don't you think it's weird that he suddenly started sending kaomojis to someone?”
“Well, that is suspicious… But maybe he chats like that because we're coworkers?”
“Minseong! My point is… he acted suspiciously about it too! He even lied and quickly hid his phone. There's no way that's just a friend!” Eun Haje said as she crossed her arms.
“Also, his pink rabbit…” Eun Haje continued, “He just suddenly showed up with it at work. We never knew when and where he got em.”
“Don’t you think it’s super suspicious?!?!” She dramatically slammed Park Minseong’s table again, “He might’ve gotten it from someone… someone that could be his girlfriend!!!”
Park Minseong brought a finger to his chin, “Hmmm… You do have a point… But I can’t help but think I’ve seen that pink rabbit somewhere…”
“Well, pink rabbit plushies aren’t that uncommon…”
“Anyways! We know where they're going to meet… So let's tail them, supervisor!” Eun Haje declared.
“Huh?! Is that really okay?”
“Of course it's okay! We won't bother them, we'll just look from afar!”
As Eun Haje and Park Minseong continued to talk about Kim Soleum's potential “Girlfriend”, they heard a cough from behind them.
Crap. Their chief leader, Lee Jaheon, was still on his desk this whole time!
Park Minseong gulped, “Uh– C-chief? You haven't gone home yet?”
“Yes. I was about to. Please continue your discussion. I will take my leave shortly. Now, if you'll excuse me.”
“Oh! O-okay then! Thank you for today, chi–”
“Wait! Chief!” Eun Haje intercepts. “Aren't you at least a little bit curious? This is our cute little star rookie! I know you at least have a soft spot for him, so don't you want to see what kind of person roe deer is seeing?”
Lee Jaheon looked at her and responded in his usual manner. “Who roe deer is seeing is none of my concern–”
“Wait, but it is!” Eun Haje exclaimed.
“I said he was texting a lover. But when I asked what's the matter, he turned really pale and even lied about it. And I find it quite odd…” Eun Haje explained, “What if he gets tangled with someone bad, and that's why he can't tell us about it? As far as I'm concerned, that would put our roe deer in danger! You should come with us!”
“Deputy manager???” Park Minseong looked at Eun Haje like she's crazy. Why would you drag our team leader into this?!
Eun Haje just looked at Park Minseong and winked. As if saying “Trust me on this!”
Lee Jaheon puts a finger on his chin as if he's thinking about it, and then replies, “Understood.”
And with that, Team Group D had a new operation : “Look After Our Rookie's Date!”
It was finally Sunday, Eun Haje, Park Minseong, and also Lee Jaheon gathered in the café. Wearing disguises provided by Eun Haje herself.
“Uhm… Deputy manager–” Park Minseong, who is wearing a wig and a fake mustache, whispered.
“What is it?” Eun Haje, who was also in a disguise using a wig and a fake glasses, answered.
“I still don't get why you're inviting the team leader in this… And also…”
He looks at the currently disguised Lee Jaheon. He's wearing a black hat, black trench coat, sunglasses, and a black mask. Quite frankly, with that tall and broad body of his, he looks like a gangster out for a kill.
“...Why did you dress him like that??? He looks super suspicious!”
Eun Haje sighed, “It can't be helped! When I put on a wig and a fake mustache on him… He still looks ridiculously handsome! Even more handsome!!! He'd attract more attention if he looked natural!!!” She then added, “Also, when else can I dress him up like this? It’s fun!”
“So, why did you bring him here?” Park Minseong asked.
“Well, aren't you curious about our Team Leader's reaction, too?” She whispered as she glanced at the suspicious looking chief. “He has acted a lot more warmly ever since Roe joined us. Normally, he would say ‘No’ on invitations other than a dinner together, which is kind of work related. But, since it's Soleum... He actually thought about it and came on a weekend!”
She then continued, “Besides, if Roe actually does meet up with a toxic partner… We need to help him out then! Our chief is the guy who can handle the situation the fastest!”
And so, while talking and ordering things, the three waited…
And waited…
And waited…
After a long time passed, Park Minseong asked, “...Deputy manager, are you sure they're coming here?”
“No, I'm sure of it!” Eun Haje retorts, “It's just that I only saw Roe mentioning the day and place… but not the time.”
“What if they're gonna come at night though? We've been here for 3 hours already.” Park Minseon asked again.
“Well, it's better to be here since the café opens than risking them meeting up during the day and us missing it!” She reasoned.
“But I have to admit…” Eun Haje continues, “This place is kind of suspicious looking… there's no customers beside us. And it's eerily quiet. Why would Soleum choose a place like this?”
Then, they hear the bell chimes for the first time since they've arrived. Curiously, they all shut their mouths and slowly looked at the newcomer.
…It was a tall, bulky man, dressed in a jacket, a cap, and a mask. Even if his features are covered, you could still see his sharp gaze. He looks as suspicious as the currently undercover Lee Jaheon.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“...There's no way that's who Soleum is meeting, r-right?” Park Minseong whispered as he looked at Eun Haje in horror.
“Of course not! If he's on a date… he should be arriving with the date!” She dismisses him. “Besides, we’re looking for someone potentially giving Soleum his pink bunny…”
They then slowly looked at the tall man who sat down on a seat far away from them. They saw him calling and ordering something from the waiter. As he finished talking to the waiter, he suspiciously rummaged through his bag… and sensing some stares at him, his sharp blue eyes glared towards Eun Haje and Park Minseong. The two quickly turned away from him and sweated nervously.
“Nah, it can't be him. Soleum got a pink bunny and sent cute kaomojis!” Eun Haje reasoned, “I bet it's a really cute girl!”
“Y-yeah, you're right! I wonder when Soleum will show up though…”
Then as if right on cue. Another bell chimed, signalling yet another person coming in.
It's another guy. This time shorter and thinner than the previous guy. He was also wearing a jacket, a cap, and a mask, but unlike the first guy, he was wearing thick glasses.
He may be covered from head to toe. But Eun Haje's trained falcon-eyes could not mistake who she's looking at.
“It's roe deer.” Lee Jaheon, who has kept quiet this whole time, spoke out before Eun Haje could.
Eun Haje and Park Minseong looked at each other in disbelief. He actually showed up!
“E-Eun Haje-ssi! He's here–! What do we do?”
“Keep quiet, Minseong! You'll blow our cover!!!”
They continued to quietly watch over their dear rookie who is currently looking at the menus.
“...Why is he dressed like that if he's going on a date though?” Eun Haje couldn't help but ask. “He looks like the suspicious guy and our team leader now!”
“I'm sure it's a coincidence!” Park Minseong said, “It is cold lately after all. Maybe he just doesn't want to risk getting sick?”
“But why is he alone though, did he arrive earlier than his partner?” Eun Haje questioned again. “I wonder when his secret lover will arrive…”
Then, as Eun Haje began to wonder about Kim Soleum's potential lover. They saw Soleum talking to the waiter and getting his orders. And they saw him walking further away from their table…
…And sat in front of the suspicious guy from before.
“?????”
“?!?!?!”
“...”
“No way…” Park Minseong gasped.
“He's in a homosexual relationship?!” Eun Haje exclaimed, before lowering her voice. The waiter who was walking towards the counter, coldly side-eyed them.
“Eun Haje-ssi, are you sure they're really in a relationship?” Park Minseong asked quietly, making sure that their suspicions were not wrong.
“He never texts with any emojis. But with that guy…” Eun Haje whispered back, while her eyes slowly darted back to the couple. “Suddenly he was texting with them, with kaomojis even! That guy with the most stiff and dry replies ever! If not dating, he's at least someone very special–”
Then, as they continued to glance back and forth towards the couple. “I wonder if it's really him that he's dating though, the guy looks so muscular… You'd never thought he'd be the type to give people pink bunnies…” Eun Haje mumbled.
“Well, Kim Soleum is also like that. He looks cold on the outside, and is a softie on the inside.”
“That is true…”
Then, Kim Soleum leaned forward into his table. The action seemed so sudden, they thought he was leaning to kiss the guy! But he seemed to be only showing his phone to the other man. The other responded by showing his phone to Soleum as well. The gap between them shortened.
Maybe they're showing each other what they found interesting in social media? Either way, from where they're sitting, it looked… very intimate.
“Damn.” Eun Haje cursed. “They're acting so close and lovey-dovey , what the hell??? I can't believe he never told us this!”
Park Minseong furrowed his brows and frowned, “Yeah… I thought we were already close friends…”
Lee Jaheon, who has been quiet all this time, finally spoke. “Perhaps he is worried.”
The two looked at their charismatic leader curiously, “Same-sex relationships are frowned upon in society.” He explained firmly.
“I guess that's true…” Eun Haje slumps back to her chair. Seeing how much of a wall Kim Soleum usually puts between everyone, even them, that explanation made sense.
“That explains why he lied… and why they're using masks and choosing a rundown café like this…” Park Minseong muttered quietly, afraid that the waiter would overhear them again.
The three of them silently ate their food and drinks they've ordered long ago in order to avoid suspicion. They glanced towards Soleum and his boyfriend from time to time. They couldn’t hear what they're talking about due to how far away they were, and they couldn't read their lips because they're using masks.
“I really wonder what they're talking about…” Eun Haje said as she sips on her coffee. Then, she saw Kim Soleum rummaging his bag. Curiously she squinted to see what he's doing… Before she saw a bag.
“No way…” She muttered, making Park Minseong look in her direction too.
Kim Soleum had taken out a bag filled with cookies, did he make them himself?! The guy didn't eat it right away, instead he also rummaged his own bag… to reveal a paper bag of his own and gave it to Soleum.
They're exchanging gifts?!?!
Considering the time of year… It was not weird for them to be exchanging gifts at all. But to do it privately, in a place where no one can bother them, just the two of them…
Park Minseong sobs, “They're so romantic— Roe~ I didn't know he could bake cookies…”
Eun Haje started to sob as well, “He is a good kid after all… I shouldn't have judged his partner from his looks either. If he's the one who gave Soleum the pink bunny, he must be a soft person as well.”
Eun Haje and Park Minseong, looked at Kim Soleum and the nameless lover warmly. Like parents watching their kid growing up.
“So…” Lee Jaheon interjects, “There seems to be no problems with Kim Soleum. Is that correct?”
Eun Haje and Park Minseong looked at their leader and nodded . “Yeah, it seems I've misjudged the situation. I'm very sorry for troubling you, sir” She says as she bowed her head.
Yes, it seems she had worried for nothing! Kim Soleum and his “girlfriend”-- well, boyfriend, seems to be happily enjoying their time in their own way.
“Well, that's that then. We can go home now–”
“Let's greet them.”
“Yes, sir?”
Lee Jaheon repeated his words, “It would be polite to greet Kim Soleum and his suitor. We are his coworkers after all.” He then suddenly stood up, “We should also congratulate them for their relationship. It is only a courtesy to do so.”
Seeing her team leader saying that, Eun Haje panicked. “Wait wait wait–! Why are you suddenly acting like a father in law! WAIT!” She stood up abruptly while slamming their table. It was so loud that the waiter, Kim Soleum, and Mr. Boyfriend, all looked towards them.
“Ha…” Eun Haje sweated nervously. “OH MY DARLING! YOU JEST! HAHAHA!” She suddenly started laughing very loudly in a weird accent.
Park Minseong just looked at the two in confusion, not knowing what was happening, “Uh…. Haje-ssi–”
“Aaaah!!! My brother! Look at the time! We REALLY should be going now! Don't you remember our appointment?!” She loudly declared.
“ ? We do not have any appointments–” Lee Jaheon tried to say, before Eun Haje grabbed both men in her arms and dragged them out of their seats.
“WE. ARE. GOING. NOW!”
Eun Haje quickly went to the cashier and paid their bills. After paying it with cash, the three exited the café with a loud bang. The café was suddenly filled with an awkward silence.
Kim Soleum, who didn't know what happened, looked towards the door. The people who just left were all dressed weirdly, although he couldn't comment on that since he's also dressed suspiciously.
‘That voice sounded familiar though… Maybe it's just my imagination.’ He thought. But he decided to just shrug it off and turned his body back to facing the man in front of him.
Now where were they? Oh right.
Kim Soleum had just done a transaction with the mysterious man he met online. It was a good deal, he got a great item in exchange of ones he no longer used.
He wrote on his phone, “Thank you for the transaction. It was nice working with you! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)” It was a bit embarrassing to use kaomojis as a grown man, but Braun had suggested he start using them to make a more unpredictable character. Also, it’s cute, so it makes the conversation with this man less… intimidating.
The man looked at Kim Soleum for a while, before writing something on his phone too. He then showed what he had written.
“Be careful when going back home, those people earlier were looking at us frequently. I don't know their intentions, but be careful.”
Kim Soleum gulped. ‘No way… That group of odd people were stalkers? Was their chat leaked? Damn, I should’ve been more careful…’ he thought.
Kim Soleum thought for a little while. And then wrote to the man, “I'm very sorry for troubling you, but I am just a civilian… Will it be okay if you walk me to the bus station? (╥﹏╥)”
Thankfully, the man immediately nodded as a response. He may be a stranger who has ways to get weird items, but at least he's currently an ally Kim Soleum could trust.
“Thank you so much, then I’ll be in your care! ₍^. .^₎⟆” Kim Soleum typed in gratitude, he felt safer with this man than walking home alone with potential stalkers.
So they both walked out of the café together towards the station. Not knowing Eun Haje, Park Minseong, and Lee Jaheon were still watching from afar.
“Oh, he's walking him home! What a gentleman! They're walking so closely… I wonder if they're holding hands!”
“Yeah, they're definitely dating! Damn it, Roe… Why didn't you tell us–!!!”
“I don't understand why we shouldn't greet them, though.”
“Oh, team leader! Just let the young lovebirds be! When the time comes, I'm sure Soleum will introduce him to us!”
“Alright. Understood.”
And with that, the trio went home. Operation ”Look After Our Rookie's Date!” has come to an end.
The next day, at Baekilmong's Team D Headquarters.
“Roe, I just want you to know that we support you no matter what.” Eun Haje said, as she pats Kim Soleum's back.
“Uh, yes? I'll also support you all with what I can.”
Park Minseong then chimed in, “If you need any advice from us, you are always welcomed! We may not look like it, but we have lots of experiences!”
“? Thank you, I appreciate your concern.”
Kim Soleum doesn't know what caused it. But it seems his sunbaes are looking after him more than usual. It looks like they're trying to make him talk more… He wondered what happened that made them more worried than usual?
Thinking back, Eun Haje was also questioning him a lot the other day… Maybe he did something weird that day? Even Park Minseong is worried now…
His sunbaes were coaxing him with more and more supportive words throughout the day, and Kim Soleum didn't know how to respond to them anymore.
‘Someone… Help me…’ He thought to himself. Not knowing what to do with the amount of affection he's receiving.
Then, Kim Soleum heard the door opening, revealing a lizard head that was staring right at him. Kim Soleum gulped. Will his lizard leader do the same thing? Surely not.
The lizard went to Kim Soleum's desk and stared at him. “I've purchased something that might help you.” The lizard said as he put down a book. Curious of what his team leader gave him, Kim Soleum looked at the book, read the title, and jumped from his seat.
“Relationship 101! How to build a healthy relationship with your lover!”
Kim Soleum was scared to no end! What the fuck?! Why is his lizard leader suddenly giving him a book about relationship advice?!
“I do not know much about ‘love'” Lee Jaheon started, “But I've consulted a trusted bookstore about a book that could potentially help you and your relationship grow better.”
Kim Soleum blinked at disbelief. His team leader just said something very strange just now???
“Me and my what?!”
“Team leader! We agreed to not say anything!” Park Minseong said in a flustered tone. Clearly he knows what Lee Jaheon was talking about.
Eun Haje then sighed, “I told you, just wait until he's ready to tell us!” So she also knew what they were talking about. But Kim Soleum was still in the dark here!
“T-tell you what exactly, ma'am?” Kim Soleum asked. He really. REALLY. Didn't understand what was happening.
“It's okay, Roe… We understand. Just take your time. Just know that we will accept you no matter what.” Eun Haje nodded in understanding. Even though what came out from their mouths made no sense at all.
“Excuse me? But can someone tell me what's going on?” Kim Soleum asked again.
“You are in a relationship with a man.” Lee Jaheon responded bluntly.
“Oh. HUH?!” Kim Soleum lets out a loud voice. One he never even let out even when he's thrown into darknesses that he hates so much.
“Hush, team leader! We told you not to say that! Let him come out on his own!” Eun Haje scolded Lee Jaheon. “Anyways, sorry about our team leader, roe… He could be insensitive at times.”
Kim Soleum felt like a fish out of a frying pan, his mind was sizzling! How did they even come to that conclusion?! “W-wait! Deputy manager… I don't have a boyfriend!” He tried to explain.
“It's okay, Roe Deer… We understand. Take your time!”
“No—! This is a misunderstanding–! I really don't have one–!”
But the team didn't listen to him and dragged him to yet another darkness. The misunderstanding was never cleared.
-The End-