Main Male Lead Disqualified

“Why?”

Hanbin asked, looking confused. He could understand meeting on weekdays, but seeing each other on the weekend didn’t make sense to him.

“The next chapter’s title is ‘Amusement Park,’ right?”

There was a text Hanbin had sent to Jeong-hwan as soon as he woke up so he wouldn’t forget the chapter title. Instead of writing “amusement park,” Hanbin had typed “nongrikongnwo,” it took quite a while for Jeong-hwan to decipher what he meant.

“I haven’t been to one since elementary school, so I don’t really know what to do there.”

Jeong-hwan spoke shamelessly, as if he had planned this. He hadn’t been that often, but it wasn’t like he’d never gone. Still, he figured exaggerating a little would help convince Hanbin.

“Why didn’t you go often? It’s not even that far from here.”

“Because obviously, I didn’t want to pay money just to feel like I was risking my life.”

“It’s not like there is only a dangerous ride…”

Hanbin found Jeong-hwan’s excuse quite plausible, but that did not mean he was completely convinced.

“Can’t you just go with your other friends?”

“They don’t know what you’re supposed to do in a romance manga when you go to an amusement park. And even if they did, I don’t want to act like the male lead in front of them and get mocked for life.”

When Hanbin thought about it, he realized that was fair. Even showing genuine affection in front of close friends could be embarrassing, let alone acting like a romance manga protagonist, there would be endless teasing for years.

“So you show me. What am I supposed to do?”

Jeong-hwan’s words made Hanbin’s eyes flicker, and his heart swayed along with them.

“Of course, I’ll pay for everything.”

“I wasn’t hesitating because of money.”

Hanbin finally replied, wearing a defeated expression.

“But you’re still buying me cotton candy and churros.”

“Whether it’s cotton candy churros or churros cotton candy, I’ll get you both.”

“Don’t mix them up. Buy them separately.”

As they bickered back and forth, Jeong-hwan couldn’t quite understand this odd feeling stirring inside him.

***

“Ha…”

Talking face-to-face with Hanbin hadn’t made Jeong-hwan as nervous as he’d expected. The conversation had flowed smoothly without any awkwardness. But now that Hanbin wasn’t around, he was baffled at himself.

“What the hell am I doing?”

He sighed and muttered as he lightly banged his head against the wall. He could’ve just worn his usual tracksuit, but here he was, fussing over what outfit to choose.

“I might as well wear a suit while I am doing it.”

Jeong-hwan mocked himself under his breath.Jeong-hwan sighed and looked at himself in the mirror with a serious expression.

‘I think I’ll only know for sure if I face it head-on.’

He was not sure if he was just flustered because he thought a male friend was cute, or if he was feeling something more.

“Alright, let’s just close our eyes and try it once.”

Jeong-hwan, determined, chose one of the clothes he had laid out.

***

“I knew this would happen.”

Hanbin sighed as he locked eyes with Jeong-hwan, who was waiting outside his house.

“Are you wearing a tracksuit right now?”

Jeong-hwan ended up choosing a tracksuit.

“Obviously, I hate being uncomfortable. Shouldn’t I be dressing comfortably?”

He shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Hanbin looked like he was about to scold him, but relented with a nod.

“Well, it’s just practice today , so it’s okay to wear something comfortable! But in your dream, you need to show a different side of yourself.”

“Why?”

“Because if all I ever see is you in a school uniform or gym clothes, it’ll be boring. But if you suddenly show up all dressed up, it’ll feel different.”

Jeong-hwan’s gaze slowly trailed from the top of Hanbin’s head to his feet.

‘Now that I look, it’s not like he’s all dressed up, he just wore something neatly, but it feels different.’

Hanbin paused in mid-sentence when he realized Jeong-hwan was not looking him in the eye.

“Are you listening?”

“No.”

“Why the hell are you answering so honestly?!”

Jeong-hwan kept a straight face as he joked. Hanbin was about to get mad but held it in.

“Still, it’s better than dressing up in something ridiculous.”

Compared to tattered jeans, tight leather pants, or weirdly printed shirts, a plain tracksuit was the better option.

“That kinda makes me feel better.”

“And let’s be honest, you’ve got a good physique. You look decent in anything.”

“…”

At Hanbin’s sudden compliment, Jeong-hwan didn’t say anything, seemingly unsure of how to respond.

“Huh?”

Hanbin reached out toward Jeong-hwan, spotting something.

“…Do I have something on my face?”

Hanbin touched Jeong-hwan’s ear. Jeong-hwan was surprised when Hanbin touched his ear and grabbed Hanbin’s wrist.

“So your ears turn red when someone compliments you?”

Hanbin grinned like he’d discovered something major. Jeong-hwan, flustered, let go of Hanbin’s wrist and responded in a low voice.

“I just got hot, okay?”

Hanbin’s eyes widened with surprise as he checked his phone. He shook Jeong-hwan by the collar.

“We need to go. The weather is great today, so the place is going to be packed.”

Hanbin sounded cheerful, oblivious to Jeong-hwan’s inner turmoil.

‘I guess I was just surprised when he touched me out of nowhere.’

Jeong-hwan tried to rationalize it as he touched his own ear.

***

“There are way too many people. I don’t think we’ll get to go on many rides.”

From the moment he saw the line at the entrance, he had a feeling, it was unusually packed with people today.

Jeong-hwan, who barely managed to squeeze in through the entrance, spoke with a face that already looked exhausted.

“Our purpose wasn’t riding anyway.”

Hanbin’s words made Jeong-hwan look at him.

“We’re just here to practice things we can do without waiting in line.”

Hanbin seemed to have spotted something, and with a bright expression, he pulled Jeong-hwan by the arm. Jeong-hwan followed along, wondering if there was anything ride-worthy so close to the entrance.

“What’s the first thing couples always do at amusement parks in romance manhwa?”

They had arrived at a souvenir shop. Jeong-hwan glanced sideways at Hanbin and answered.

“Enter a place where you’re tricked into overspending on overpriced merchandise?”

“Say stuff like that again, and I’m locking you here forever.”

Hanbin gave up on getting a proper answer and just pushed Jeong-hwan inside.

“First, pick out a headband.”

At Hanbin’s words, Jeong-hwan immediately shook his head and refused.

“No way. I’m not doing that.”

Hanbin had clearly expected that reaction and nodded.

“Exactly the ones who never do this kind of thing end up wearing it anyway, reluctantly, and that is what makes it appealing. Good job.”

“Just because I don’t want to doesn’t mean you can force it. I’m not doing it.”

But Hanbin wasn’t backing down.

“Jeong-hwan, can you close your eyes for a sec?”

“You think I’m falling for that again?”

Jeong-hwan blocked Hanbin’s forehead with one hand, determined not to get tricked.

“Why won’t you just wear it? It’s not heavy. It’s not gonna give you a neck injury. It’s light as a feather!”

“The emotional weight is what’ll give me a neck injury.”

“Once you close your eyes and put it on, just avoid mirrors and you won’t even feel it.”

Hanbin clung on, and eventually Jeong-hwan gave in. He squeezed his eyes shut and frowned.

“…Fine. I’ll keep my eyes closed. Just make it quick.”

As soon as he gave the okay, Hanbin picked up a headband he’d clearly scouted beforehand. Jeong-hwan even tilted his head a bit.

“Here.”

Jeong-hwan felt something settle on his head and opened his eyes. Hanbin had said not to look in the mirror, but the first thing he did was make eye contact with his own reflection, wearing a rabbit-ear headband.

“Come on. I’m not a rabbit.”

“That’s the point. The male lead has to wear something cute that doesn’t suit him.”

Hanbin turned his head and giggled as if was satisfied before saying. Jeong-hwan didn’t look too pleased, but he didn’t take it off either.

“Since these are things that people usually choose for each other, Go pick one for me too. Don’t think of me, just pick anything.”

Jeong-hwan scanned the display and picked one. Seemed like he couldn’t bring himself to put it on Hanbin directly, so he just handed it over.

“I like it. It even matches my hair.”

It was a brown puppy ear headband that matched Hanbin’s hair color. Jeong-hwan stared for a second before hastily snatching it back.

“Actually, never mind. I’ll get you a different one.”

“Huh? That one was fine. Why?”

Hanbin patted his now-messy hair and frowned as he saw the headband Jeong-hwan brought.

“Seriously? What kind of male lead gives the heroine a headband with a knife sticking out of it?”

“It’s about time romance manga evolved.”

“Just… don’t pick stuff like that in the dream, okay?”

Still, Hanbin took the knife headband and wore it properly.

“Since you picked it for me, I’ll wear it, though it’s not to my taste. But you’re wearing yours too, right?”

Jeong-hwan nodded as if in a trance. Hanbin smiled and suddenly pulled out his phone. While Jeong-hwan was off guard, he used the mirror to snap a few pictures.

“Don’t post those anywhere.”

“I won’t. Just for me. It’d be a crime not to take any though.”

Jeong-hwan gave up and let Hanbin snap a few more, sulking.

‘The fact that he still looks cute even in that ridiculous thing is honestly a problem.’

Jeong-hwan tapped the knife stuck in Hanbin’s headband and fell into thought.

‘Is it really just “cute”… or is it something more?’