CHAPTER 96: CHARTS

"TA-DAH."

Garam was proud of himself.

First, he put his dolphin plush keychain on Song Sihyuk’s work bag (a leather briefcase), and a locket-type photocard holder.

The dolphin, for his solo debut album inclusion, was pink instead of blue.

It’s a limited-edition merch, after all.

"Hyung, this plushie is me, so don’t remove it even though it looks childish," Garam said, and then he opened the locket-type photocard. Of course, there was a photocard inside. "This photocard and photocard holder are both included in my solo album. I’m giving them to you in advance. It’s your privilege as my husband."

Actually, the company had given him a sample of his ’Drowning’ album.

He unboxed it with his husband, and he was now giving the album inclusions to the Alpha.

"This is one of the photocards that my fans will get— you’re the first one to have them, Hyung," Garam said proudly. "What do you think, Hyung?"

"It’s too sexy," Song Sihyuk complained while looking at the photocard. "Are you saying your fans will get to see that sexy picture of yours?"

Aigooya.

"Hyung, I’m not naked in the photo," Garam said, sighing. "I’m wearing a white shirt. It’s a little see-through, but my nipples aren’t visible."

"Still sexy. Even your expression in that photo is sexy— like you’re trying to seduce people."

"My fans will love it."

"I don’t want anyone else to have that sexy photo of yours, Lim Garam."

"Hyung, don’t forget to keep the photocard holder close at all times," Garam said, ignoring Song Sihyuk’s complaint. "When the photocard holder is closed like this, only my hair is visible. People can’t tell that it’s me just from that."

There was a heart-shaped ’window’ on the photocard holder, after all.

"Of course, I’ll keep that damned thing closed all the time— I don’t want more people seeing your sexy picture."

Pfft.

"The Polaroid picture I put here in your wallet is cute," Garam said, pointing at Song Sihyuk’s wallet. "It’s now your lucky charm, Hyung."

Finally, Song Sihyuk smiled while looking at Garam’s ’selca.’

In the picture, Garam still had his natural dark hair. It was an up-close shot, and he was winking, too.

It’s the kind of photocard that a fan will pay thousands of won for.

"Yeah, I love it," Song Sihyuk said, smiling while tracing his finger on the Polaroid picture in his wallet. "Thank you, babe."

Garam smiled proudly. "You’re welcome, Hyung. But I got you another photocard. This time, it’s the only photocard in the world— something that I made just for you."

He picked up Song Sihyuk’s bare phone.

Yep, no case and no screen protector.

This hyung doesn’t give a damn about his phone.

So, first, Garam put a case on Song Sihyuk’s phone.

It was the type of phone case that had a slot for a photocard on the back.

Finally, he placed the photocard in the slot and showed it to his Alpha.

"Ta-dah."

Actually, Garam’s face wasn’t visible in the picture.

After all, it was a photo where his hands covered his face.

But there was one thing that made that photo special.

"Our wedding ring," Song Sihyuk said, smiling. "You’re wearing our wedding ring in the photo, Garam-ah."

"I can’t show my face yet because our marriage is a secret, and I can’t wear our wedding ring in public either. But I still want people to know that you’re already taken," Garam said. He didn’t know he could be possessive, too. But here he was now. "Show that picture to anyone who tries to hit on you even though you’re already wearing a wedding ring."

Yep, Song Sihyuk had never taken off his wedding ring yet.

Sadly, I have to take off mine every time I go to work.

"Garam-ah, I’m the one who’s supposed to give you all the fancy things in life to make you happy," Song Sihyuk said, smiling while staring at the photocard at the back of his phone. And then he lifted his head, his face beaming when their eyes met. "But you’re the one who’s making me happy. Are you trying to make me fall harder for you?"

Pfft.

How corny.

"It’s just a photocard, Hyung," Garam said, trying to hide his embarrassment because Song Sihyuk was acting like he had given him an expensive gift when he had just prepared some photos for him. But he liked the Alpha’s reaction, of course. "You’re really easy to please."

Song Sihyuk chuckled, kissing Garam on the cheek. "I’m only easy for you, Garam-ah."

***

IT WAS the moment of truth.

Garam’s mini-album was finally released to all music platforms.

But, of course, he didn’t check the charts right away.

It takes time before the newly released songs are reflected on the charts.

But he was just really scared to check.

Hence, he turned off his phone earlier so that his friends and colleagues wouldn’t be able to ’spoil’ him.

I’m so nervous.

"Garam-ah, you’re still up?" Song Sihyuk asked worriedly when he sat beside him on the bed. "You have an early schedule tomorrow... later, I mean. It’s already past your bedtime, kid."

Aigooya.

Hyung is treating me like a child again.

"I’m just waiting for the charts to get refreshed," Garam said, pointing at the computer tablet in his hands. His phone was turned off, after all. "I’ll sleep after checking if I made it to the Top 100."

"Do you want me to check it for you?"

"Thanks, Hyung. But I can manage."

"Alright then."

Song Sihyuk then looked at Garam as if he were waiting for him to do what he said he would.

I have a feeling Hyung would snatch the tablet from me if I don’t move.

So, Garam took a deep breath— and then he finally gathered enough courage to check the charts.

And...

Oh.

All the songs on Cindy’s full album occupied the top 10 spots on the chart.

Garam’s title track, ’Siren,’ was somewhere... below.

The other songs on his mini-album were further down the charts.

Ouch.

***

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