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chapter 22
“Hmm…”
It wasn’t a difficult question, but Yuna hesitated. How much should she tell Youngwon? Her family wasn’t the kind that could be introduced casually.
But Yuna also knew that no matter what her family situation was like, Youngwon would simply listen. He was the kind of person who could brush past even the worst events without judgment, unlike anyone else.
“It’s a bit tricky to answer, but… I have an older brother much older than me.”
“Are you the youngest child then?”
“No. My birth mother passed away when I was three, and I was adopted into another family. My foster brother was already in college at the time. We’re twenty-two years apart.”
Hearing a family story he’d never even imagined, Youngwon’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He wasn’t sure how to respond. But Yuna just chuckled.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you so surprised. Still, thanks to my fost—well, my adoptive mother, I didn’t end up in an orphanage. I don’t have any memories of my real mother.”
Yuna spoke as if it were nothing, but Youngwon felt the absence of someone who should have been there. After a pause, he asked carefully:
“…What about your father?”
“Apparently nobody knows. My mother never told anyone, not even until the moment she died.”
“…I see.”
The unexpected family history continued to unfold. By this point, Youngwon regretted even asking about her family. The real problem was, he had no idea how to end the conversation gracefully. At times like this, he wished he could be like Kim Kitae.
Yuna knew exactly what he was thinking. Whenever her family background came up, thoughtful and considerate people always reacted the way Youngwon did. Naturally, she also knew how to steer the mood back.
“I don’t remember my mom, but my adoptive mother once said she heard I’d grow up to be a good drinker. Maybe I’ll end up that way after all?”
She lowered her eyes, looked at her food, and gave an awkward laugh. Without thinking, she’d pulled out a line from her ‘manual,’ only to realize it reminded her of the day she’d discovered she couldn’t drink well at all—when something had happened between her and Youngwon.
But Youngwon simply nodded, and the subject shifted naturally. Yuna, relieved, began chatting about this and that, and Youngwon responded enthusiastically, smiling often.
They ate and talked in a warm, lively atmosphere, and before long, dessert was served. While watching Yuna diligently take pictures of every angle with her phone, Youngwon felt a vibration in his chest pocket. He pulled his phone from his jacket.
It was from his older sister. He’d only skimmed the previews before, so notifications had piled up. If he ignored this one too, she’d definitely call. So, he opened the chat.
[Sis]: What are you up to, kiddo~! Booked Mom’s birthday dinner here. Younghoon’s flying in tomorrow morning. You don’t have class Wednesday afternoon, right??
[Sis]: ??? Kiddo answer me???
[Sis]: (photo)
[Sis]: You do know Mom’s birthday is next Wednesday, right? I can see you’ve read all this, so at least type “ok” or something^^^^^^. Younghoon and I will cover cash, so baby brother just bring flowers~~
Even after he’d finished his military service, she still called him “baby.” Honestly, he didn’t enjoy the idea of gathering with his siblings, especially in front of their father. But there was no way to skip it.
In the end, Youngwon did as his sister told him.
[Me]: Ok.
Yuna was waiting in the hallway for her previous class to end, caught in deep thought. She was trying to pick which picture to upload as proof for her “Mentee-Mentor Mission.” She hadn’t missed a single weekly upload so far, but the restaurant they’d gone to this time might give people the wrong idea.
“…Better not upload it.”
She felt a twinge of guilt, but it wasn’t mandatory anyway. No reason to drag Youngwon into gossip. Especially when not having a girlfriend already seemed like his sore spot.
Youngwon’s girlfriend.
For some reason, the phrase felt a little sharp. If he ever did get a girlfriend, of course they’d naturally drift apart.
Sharing a private meal and personal conversations with him lately had made him feel less like a part-timer and more like a friend. Maybe that’s why she felt a pang of regret. But she knew better than anyone that keeping her distance would be the polite thing to do if he had a girlfriend.
Between men and women, there’s no such thing as “just friends.” With a shallow sigh, Yuna was lost in thought when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned—and saw a girl she didn’t recognize.
“Hello, Yuna.”
“Ah, hello…?”
“I’m Kwon Minhee, sophomore in Business. Finally introducing myself now. I’ve been wanting to get closer to you.”
With a friendly smile, Minhee extended her hand. Yuna, puzzled at first, reached out and shook it.
“Oh, yes! I’m Han Yuna.”
“Haha, I know. You’re Mentor Youngwon’s mentee, right?”
“Yes. Um… should I call you Minhee sunbae?”
“Well, I just became a sophomore, so being called sunbae feels a little awkward… but whatever you’re comfortable with works.”
Minhee was strikingly pretty, with refined features. Smiling warmly, she continued:
“Could I get your phone number? Let’s grab a meal together sometime.”
Yuna couldn’t bring herself to refuse. After all, no one besides Seoyeon had ever tried to befriend her since the semester began almost a month ago.
Sure, it might feel awkward at first to suddenly have a meal with an upperclassman she’d just met, but that would ease with time. Hiding her excitement, Yuna accepted Minhee’s phone and typed in her number.
Meanwhile, on the way to the restaurant in a taxi, Youngwon was scrolling through photos on the mentee-mentor community page. Yuna’s proof photos had always been posted regularly, except for last week.
Maybe she hadn’t posted for the same reason he hadn’t wanted her to—that it would look too much like a date, sparking gossip. The thought left him with a strange feeling.
“…”
Or maybe he was just imagining things again. After all, going to such an upscale restaurant just for a “mentee-mentor mission” could look excessive. She couldn’t exactly explain that she’d gone there to celebrate her breakup, either.
Besides, Yuna didn’t seem to see him as a man. He didn’t know much about relationships, but that was simply the impression he got.
Then… did he see her as a woman? He couldn’t be sure, but there was a bitter taste in his mouth.
Before long, the taxi arrived at its destination: an upscale Korean restaurant remodeled from a traditional tiled-roof house. Inside, a suited staff member guided him to a private room.
As soon as the sliding door opened, his sister Youngin’s voice rang out, exactly as he’d expected.
“Baby brother! Right on time!”
“…I’m here.”
He gave her a glance as greeting, then bowed slightly to his parents. They only gave curt nods in return. Sitting down, he handed the bouquet he’d brought to his mother.
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you. You’ve been doing well?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
That was the end of the mother-son exchange. Next, his brother Younghoon clicked his tongue, looking him up and down.
“Is that what you wear to Mom’s birthday? You could’ve at least put on a shirt. Jeans and a hoodie? Tch.”
“….”
That was the end of the brotherly exchange. And since father and son exchanged no words at all, silence quickly filled the room despite five people being present. Eventually, as usual, it was Youngin who broke it.
“So, baby brother, still no girlfriend?”
“….”
“You’ve got the looks for it, plenty of them, so why not? Is it your bad attitude?”
Youngwon, as always, didn’t respond. Just as Youngin was about to prod again, their father spoke.
“If you’re going to mess up like your sister and end up divorced, then don’t even bother. The money I wasted on her overseas education still makes my blood boil.”
“Dad! Who dotes on Jeremy the most, huh? And besides, I graduated properly, even got my MBA!”
Youngin snapped back, and their mother smirked faintly in support, as though agreeing with her daughter. After all, the man sulking about his grandson being in England visiting his birth father was none other than her husband.
At that moment, Younghoon, who had been staring daggers at Youngwon, suddenly asked:
“You’re going to get your MBA in the U.S. too, right?”
