A Gift From Sooyun

'I'm too tired for this…'

Minjae purposely closed his eyes when he heard his name being called. He didn't really want to face Sooyun now, but he had no choice since between them, Sooyun was considered his senior.

"Senior…" Minjae turned around only to see Sooyun hurrying toward him. Sooyun was smiling warmly as if they hadn't had the conversation earlier. 

"Are you going home already?" Sooyun enthusiastically asked as he stopped just in front of Minjae. 

"Yeah, it's been a long day, Senior. I'm sure you're tired too." Minjae replied, keeping his tone neutral but still polite.

"It really has. You were amazing today, though. I mean it." Sooyun chuckled, his voice was light and friendly. 

"Thanks. You too, Senior Sooyun." Minjae gave a polite nod. 

As the two of them silently stayed on the same spot, Minjae couldn't shake off the strange feeling hanging between them. In his back, Dongwook was still taking videos around to show to Director Chanhyuk. It seemed like Director Chanhyuk was so persistent that Dongwook was taking a lot of videos on his behalf.

As they continued walking toward the parking lot, Sooyun pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box from his coat pocket. He faced Minjae as the corner of his lips rose to the side. 

"Oh right, I almost forgot," Sooyun uttered, offering the box to Minjae with a bright smile. "I got this earlier. It's a small piece of jewelry. I figured that as a Senior, I should be more lenient and kind to new actors. Take it as a sign of congratulations for your acting earlier.

'What is this guy planning to do now?' Minjae blinked multiple times, surprised by the sudden gesture.

"That's really kind of you, Senior Sooyun. But I don't think it's suitable for an extra like me. I don't think I can accept this. This is too valuable." Minjae respectfully shook his head, declining the small gift.

Whatever it was, and how valuable it might be, Minjae didn't want to accept anything from Sooyun. 

However, despite the rejection, Sooyun's lighthearted expression remained.

"Why not?" Sooyun uttered with an underlying insistence lacing on his tone. "It's just a little thank-you for being such a great partner on set. Don't think too much about it, Minjae."

Minjae hesitated for a moment. His instincts were telling him that something felt off about the gift and that he shouldn't accept it at all.

"It's really okay, Senior Sooyun." He tried rejecting it one more time. "It's too valuable for me."

However, Sooyun was so persistent about it. He stepped closer, holding the box out further. He looked like he was determined to make Minjae accept the gift.

"Come on, take it. It's just a simple gesture. It's also my sorry for acting hostile towards you. I was just stressed earlier." Sooyun uttered as he stretched out his hand even more.

"I won't leave until you've accepted the gift. You don't want us to stay here for hours, do you? After all, I'm too busy. My time is too precious for someone like you."

'Really?' Minjae pressed his lips together.

'Is this how a good senior should act?' 

Minjae defeatedly sighed. It seemed like no reason in the world would make Sooyun leave him alone without getting the box.

Tired of it, 'Ahh, let's just accept this.' Reluctantly, Minjae reached out to accept the box. But just as his fingers brushed against it, Sooyun let go of it purposely.

It was too sudden that he already knew it was intentional. 

'I just knew it… Really? When will Sooyun grow up?.

The box made a small sound, as it hit the concrete ground. 

"Oh no!" Sooyun exclaimed, his voice was filled with exaggerated surprise. He bent down, his movements were overly dramatic, as if the fall was a tragic accident. 

"I'm so sorry, Minjae! I didn't mean to let go. That was completely my fault."

'Who would even believe this cheap acting? He's a good actor, but he use this cheap tactics?' Minjae pressed his lips together, composing himself.

'Oh. No worries, Senior." Minjae crouched down as well, picking up the box. "It was all my fault. I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking at it properly." 

"No, no, this is on me." Sooyun insisted, his tone was laced with regret. "I'll make it up to you next time. The box should be dirtied now. I'll just get you another gift." 

Sooyun wasn't actually planning to give anything to Minjae. The box contained a watch he had been eyeing for years. No way in hell, he'd just give it up. It was too expensive.

Fortunately, Minjae wasn't too interested in it. Now that he already did what he was planning in his mind, it's time to fall back. He was already satisfied. 

However, Minjae straightened his back. Instead of giving back, he kept the jewelry box closer to himself. 

He suddenly changed his mind.

Now, he wanted to keep it to himself. The man was persistent, so he might as well accept it.

"It's okay, Senior. The box may be dirty, but it's the thought that counts. You don't need to get me a new one. I'll already accept this. Thank you, Senior." 

Additionally, getting this gift would mean he doesn't need to see Sooyun again. It was a win for him.

"W-what?" Sooyun's eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat. "N-no… I'll just replace it…"

"It's fine, Senior." Minjae muttered, smiling at Sooyun with all his effort. In his vision, he already saw Dongwook waiting for him at the side.

Taking it as an opportunity, Minjae raised a hand.

"Dongwook! Are you done now? It's already getting late." He asked out loud as he held onto the box tightly, making Sooyun out of words.

'Shit! I gotta do something. That watch costs me a few thousand!' Sooyun thought, feeling a bit panicked. 

"Minjae, I'll just gi—"

"Yup! I'm done now. We should already go, Minjae. Don't hold Sooyun for so long. He's busy compared to you!" Dongwook lightly scolded Minjae as he went near,

Before Sooyun could continue his words, Dongwok's answer overcame his voice.

"That's right." Minjae nodded, before apologetically looking at Sooyun. He bowed his head and took a step back.

"I won't hold you for longer, Senior. Thank you for the gift. I'll give you something back once I meet you again." Being polite, Minjae uttered the words with a smile on his face. When he saw that Minjae was frozen in place, his forehead creased but he chose to ignore it.

"I'll get going now, Senior." Minjae respectfully excused himself before turning around and walking away.

Frozen in place, Sooyun could only reach out his arms in silence. 

"No… My watch…"