“But still. We were your first clients today, and you’ve been running around since morning—I just feel bad about that.”The warmth in Seo-eul’s voice carried a peculiar sincerity, the kind that made people believe him.Even knowing it was just politeness, the agent couldn’t help wondering if he truly meant it. Was that kindness natural or practiced? For someone who dealt with dozens of clients a day, he couldn’t tell—and that uncertainty made him blink before letting out a good-natured laugh. Whatever. Trying to analyze every person’s inner motives was the fastest way to end up in therapy.“This is my job, so don’t worry about it. I’m fine. Honestly, what gives me headaches these days are the groups of kids who come ‘to study real estate.’ They’ve got no plans to buy, but they form teams and just take pictures, ahh…”“They ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ form teams? Why?”“Because once you say they’re scouts, we don’t show the houses. So they pretend. Newlyweds, transferred to a nearby office, whatever it takes to grab information.”The man in the mask hummed lightly at just the right moment. “Then you might miss real buyers because of them,” he said, and that sympathy loosened something in the old man’s chest. Before he knew it, the agent was venting—about the bad economy, about recent nightmare clients, about everything. The words spilled out in a smooth, unstoppable flow, as though under a spell.“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”Senility already? He caught himself and quickly apologized. The masked man, who had been listening like a model student, smiled with his eyes and shook his head.“No, your stories are so interesting I lost track of time. Everyone has their struggles, huh.”Then, as if remembering something, his eyes widened round as a rabbit’s. Even with most of his face hidden, the range of expression was startling.“Don’t worry, I didn’t come here to ‘study.’”“Ah… y-yes, of course.”That much was obvious.Anyone trying to “study real estate” this way would get scammed before learning anything.The agent looked past him toward the air, unwilling to meet those eyes that clearly didn’t belong to someone who cared—or should care—about property. His uncertain, half-mumbled response drew a faint look of curiosity, but the young man didn’t press. Instead, he changed the subject with swift tact.“Anyway, if it’s not rude, could I ask where you’re currently living? It’ll help me show you places of a similar level.”“Oh, right.”Seo-eul blinked. They’d been running around all day, and he hadn’t even thought to mention such basics. Even the agent was half-curious—after all that fussiness, where did these two even live? They didn’t look like brothers, and for “roommates,” they seemed far too close.Just as the man’s mind began spinning theories, a familiar address came out of Seo-eul’s mouth.A luxury villa in Hannam-dong’s UN Village.If memory served, only three households occupied that 2300-square-foot complex—a premium line worth roughly eight billion won.“……”The realization hit instantly. The agent’s expression crumpled in weary understanding. Of course nothing else satisfied them. When you lived in a fortress like that, every other listing would feel like an exposed field.Not that Seo-eul cared about price or prestige—he only wanted something clean and quiet—but that truth would never reach anyone.Sensing the sinking mood, Seo-eul glanced at his watch and spoke gently.“Shall we call it a day? I think we’ve seen everything you had prepared. Maybe it’s better if I come back alone later.”“If that’s what you prefer—”“Could I have your business card?”“Of course! If joint listings are fine, I’ll find better options for you. Anytime you have questions, just reach out. My card—ah, here it is. I’m available even on weekends, so…”It was a good opportunity for the agent. Now that he understood what kind of buyer he was dealing with, he could curate something that might actually satisfy him. He hurriedly pulled his wallet from his back pocket and handed over the card. If the polite young man came alone, the deal was as good as done. One perfect property and—“Yes. Thank you.”—he’d seal it immediately.That was the plan. But the person who actually accepted the card wasn’t Seo-eul.When had he even moved? The agent startled as the other man, silent and unnoticed, appeared at his side. Without a sound, Seo Sa-heon’s large hand took the card instead, his curt “Thanks” as hollow as air.Watching his own card disappear into that jacket pocket, the agent knew.Ah. They won’t be coming back.“Give that back.”The door to the driver’s seat slammed louder than usual. Seo-eul reached out across the console before Sa-heon, sliding into the passenger seat, could even settle in.“What?” Sa-heon asked blandly.“The card. I’ll contact him myself.”Contact him? Not likely. Seo-eul’s glare was sharp enough to cut glass, but Sa-heon didn’t look fazed. He only tugged down his mask, the one that kept slipping. Even though it was a smaller size, it still hung loose on his face.“Did you lose weight? Why’s this thing so floppy?”“Maybe the product runs big—just hand it over already.”“This one’s the small size. Should I get you a toddler’s version?”“You can just tie the strings. And don’t you dare buy another one like last time. Did you already forget what happened with that hat?”The memory stopped him mid-argument. One day, Seo-eul had complained that the buckle on his cap always dented awkwardly, making it look ugly. It had been an offhand remark. That evening, after work, Sa-heon had walked in holding a tiny children’s ball cap—luxury logo and all.Obviously it didn’t fit. It would’ve taken shaving his head to cram it on. Seo-eul had collapsed on the sofa laughing, tears in his eyes, then shoved it onto Sa-heon’s head instead. The sight of that cold, striking face topped with a cute puppy design was so absurd he couldn’t stop laughing.“Ugh…”The image resurfaced, and a laugh almost slipped out before Seo-eul caught himself and turned away. No. Stay serious. He was supposed to be mad. He gripped the steering wheel hard, muttering the thought like a spell. Sa-heon, noticing, leaned closer and murmured,“What? Want me to get you another one?”“Don’t.”“This time I’ll buy one with a shark. Or maybe a teddy bear?”He could handle the shark, but the teddy bear broke him. Laughter burst out of him in helpless little fits. “God, you’re annoying,” he muttered, but it was useless; once it started, he couldn’t stop. When he finally looked up, shoulders still shaking, Sa-heon was watching him.The blankness on his face melted slowly, replaced by a faint, easy smile.“Then just stay here and wear stupid hats with me, Lee Seo-eul,” Sa-heon said softly. “Why are you suddenly trying to move out?”“……”“If you don’t want to live with me, then at least do a show together.”Seo-eul froze, his hands tightening on the wheel. The next words left him bewildered.“A show? You hate variety shows as much as I do.”For someone who almost never appeared on TV, this sudden suggestion was baffling. When Seo-eul waited for an explanation, Sa-heon paused, then said slowly,“It’s that program where best friends live together for two weeks.”“What?”Seo-eul’s jaw dropped. He knew about Best Friend X Swap—pairs of celebrity friends doing tasks together—but he hadn’t realized the “observation” format meant cohabitation. So that’s why the description said it wasn’t filmed in a studio. He remembered CEO Yeom’s voice telling him that part. He’d thought it just meant outdoor missions.“Wait… you want to film that so we can live together another two weeks? Did I hear that right?”“Yeah.”“This isn’t a protest, Sa-heon. It’s a job. Why drag the whole world into our business?”“And why shouldn’t I?”He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Seo-eul’s newly softened expression tightened again, but before he could protest, Sa-heon reached out and pressed a long finger to his forehead.“They don’t believe it even when they see pictures,” he said bluntly. “So we’ll show them.”“Show them what?” Seo-eul demanded.“Our relationship.”

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