Hogu Hagyeongsu

spoilers?
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definitely an easy target. He kept on denying his feelings for Yul because he knew how fucked up the guy was, but he can't help it, despite the things that's been done to him. Perhaps he's been hoping deep inside that Yul would change, and that's probably why he ran and cried to Yul when he stabbed himself. He saw a ray of hope for changing Yul. That Yul really holds him dear, like how he's always wanted him to show him that.

Because from the beginning of the story to near the end, Hagyeongsu has never once seen Yul genuinely treat him as someone precious. He never understood how Yul thought, and he didn't know how Yul really felt. So everytime Yul showed just a bit of kindness or thoughtfulness to him, he'd sway back and forth between hating and hoping to love him again.

Then, there was Donghyuk. Hagyeongsu saw him as a sort of light that would lead him to a happy life, and they were healthy together. If only Yul didn't show up in his mind every now and then, making him fear for his future with Donghyuk. As long as Yul was in his mind, he'd never escape from him. And Donghyuk could be in danger.

With this in mind, Hagyeongsu wanted to protect the one who saved him from his nightmares by going back to Yul. Donghyuk, running out of options, turns into a desperate mess and does all that in the last chapters. In the end, Gyeongsu parts with both of them and decides to start his life over.

But why did he work in the same convenience store? Well, of course so he could still be found. Deep down, he probably knows Yul would not let him go. He also most likely wanted to get back together with Yul, and still hoped for him to treat him better. Maybe everything will repeat. Maybe Yul will express his love for him in his own childhood trauma-induced methods. That's why the ending was with the start of their greetings like before. "Hi." And with Yul finally returning Hagyeongsu's greeting from years ago, maybe they could start over again.