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Chapter 10
She was going to lose her mind.
The forecast had warned of strong winds.
But what she felt out here—it was closer to a storm.
The moment Haerin stepped onto the open terrace, a stray snack wrapper came flying out of nowhere, landing right at her feet.
Who throws trash around like this?!
But she had no time to pick it up.
Her hands shot up toward the laundry rack dangling from the terrace ceiling.
The clothes flapped wildly in the wind, snapping and whipping like they were mocking her attempts to grab them.
“Please, just—”
A sudden lull in the wind.
Haerin didn’t miss the chance—she yanked the clothes down quickly.
One thin shirt whipped her across the face, but that wasn’t important.
The clips look so unstable…
Each gust rattled the rack like it might snap at any moment.
Finally, when she reached for the last item—
“Oh no—hey!”
It happened in an instant.
A violent gust tore through.
The clip gave way.
The T-shirt went flying.
Why that shirt, of all things?!
Haerin tossed the rest inside and sprinted after it.
The wind, mercifully weaker now, carried the shirt gently past the front gate.
It floated, lowered, and then—
Thump.
“……”
“……”
It landed squarely in someone’s arms.
Haerin froze. Then bolted forward, praying—
Please. Let this be a dream.
But it wasn’t.
Shin Ihyun stood there, holding her T-shirt with that unreadable expression.
Haerin snatched the shirt back, heart pounding.
What were the odds?
A freak windstorm. Laundry flying away.
And of all people, the one passing by had to be Shin Ihyun?
Getting struck by lightning in a storm would’ve been more likely.
“…I’m sorry.”
Apology was the only option.
She’d practically assaulted him with flying laundry.
And besides, it wasn’t just any shirt—it was one she couldn’t afford to lose.
If Ihyun hadn’t caught it, she would’ve been in real trouble.
But why him, of all people?
He’s the one I wanted an apology from.
Her gaze sank to the ground. She couldn’t look him in the eye.
“Is that a shirt you sell?”
“…Excuse me?”
“That shirt.”
“Oh—no. It’s not for sale.”
It was a gift.
A joke from Minju during a pointless gift-exchange party.
A custom T-shirt plastered with stills of Haerin’s dazed expression from a drama scene that had once gone viral.
It’s just so comfortable I’ve been using it as pajamas.
Ihyun’s cool voice cut in.
“I figured. It didn’t look like something for sale.”
…What’s that supposed to mean?
She bristled but forced herself to swallow the retort.
Better to end this quickly than get dragged into conversation with him.
She straightened her face, dragged out the last of her manners.
“Anyway—thank you for catching it. Have a good evening.”
“Don’t you watch the news?”
“…What?”
“There’s been a wind warning for days. And you hung your laundry outside?”
…What?
I don’t watch the news anymore because of you!
Frustration boiled up inside her.
“Shouldn’t you be more careful? More cautious? Especially you, Ms. Yoo Haerin.”
Was this advice? Scolding? Some kind of lecture? Whatever it was, it only made her bristle more.
She couldn’t stop herself.
“I don’t watch the news because of you. You’re the reason.”
For the first time, his words stopped. He regarded her, thoughtful.
“And how is that related to me?”
Haerin froze. Damn it. To explain, she’d have to admit she was practically a fan.
There was no way she was saying that out loud.
So she fumbled for another excuse.
“…Every time I see the anchor, I remember that day. And I don’t want to relive it.”
Silence.
It was true I’d been hurt. I just… dressed it up a little.
Whatever he thought of her answer, she only hoped he’d leave now.
Instead—
“CBN is hosted by a female anchor. And the weather can be checked online.”
Haerin blinked. Was he… suggesting alternatives?
Deflated, she bobbed her head quickly.
“Yes. I’ll be more careful from now on. I’ll make sure this never happens again. Please—go safely.”
“And also.”
“…What now?”
“There’s something on your face.”
“…Where?”
“There.”
She tried following his gaze but couldn’t pinpoint it.
“It’s fine, really. I’m right at home—”
“Hold still.”
A long hand hovered near her cheek. Then cold fingers brushed against her skin.
His touch was clumsy, impersonal—yet gentle.
“……”
It wasn’t what she expected. But it was… oddly kind.
Still—
“…Is it coming off?”
He kept rubbing. Too long.
“Not really.”
“…What?”
“Sorry.”
He pulled his hand back, unsuccessful.
“……”
What the hell is with this guy…
Haerin’s expression soured.
“Ugh, I need to lie down.”
She flopped onto the sofa.
The laundry she’d thrown aside earlier lay scattered, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.
Staring at the white ceiling, Ihyun’s face flashed in her mind.
What kind of person is he, really?
Arrogant one moment. Weirdly considerate the next.
Impossible to read.
And then there was that absurd line—
‘When you remember me, I’ll apologize.’
It replayed in her head like an itch.
“…What even was that?”
Even if they had met before, how else could that statement be taken?
It was dismissive, almost mocking.
Does he not realize how insulting it sounds? Or does he just not care?
But no matter how she turned it over—
she couldn’t recall ever meeting him.
A face like that, she wouldn’t have forgotten.
“Maybe… on some broadcast set?”
She grabbed her phone off the table and typed his name.
‘Shin Ihyun.’
The profile popped up instantly.
“Appearances… appearances…”
There was nothing.
Only Today Morning and STB News 7.
Right. Even when I checked before, he’d never done variety shows.
Which meant… if they had met, it had to be somewhere private.
“…Forget it.”
Even if she figured it out, what difference would it make?
He owed her an apology, not the other way around.
Dropping the phone, she pushed herself up.
Her body ached from cleaning. All she wanted was a shower and bed.
“Oh. My face.”
What exactly had been on it?
She stepped to the mirror. One look, and she barked a laugh.
“…Ha.”
Dust. Smudged everywhere across her cheeks.
Not at first—it must have spread because of his clumsy hand.
“…Did he do this on purpose?”
When does filming start?
This week. Every Sunday.
That soon? They must’ve been desperate. Anyway—good luck. You’ll do great. lol
“Haah…”
Minju hit send and let out a heavy sigh.
If Haerin had seen her, she’d have scolded her for sighing the café into the ground.
But Minju couldn’t help it.
There’s no surviving without sighs these days.
If business were at least steady, maybe it’d be bearable.
But even considering it was a Monday afternoon, selling just two Americanos was devastating.
“Why? Is this place really that unappealing?”
Their new dessert line, With Vegetables, had launched a week ago.
Only two pieces sold.
Everything else ended up in Minju’s mouth, given away to neighboring shops, or straight into the trash.
“This doesn’t make sense. Our coffee’s fine…”
Even Shin Ihyun had been here.
And the desserts—if people just tasted them, they’d know.
“…I’m going crazy.”
In truth, sales had always been middling.
But Minju’s gloom had another source.
“It all went wrong after I went back home.”
She shouldn’t have gone.
Not only did she get scolded for never visiting, she ran into him there, the very person she’d tried so hard to avoid.
But worst of all—
“What if… Serenade has to close down?”
The café’s survival was at stake.
