TBE 02

chapter 2

Why was this person here? While Yoona had been studying for the college entrance exam, the part-time worker running the café was none other than Youngwon. Yoona had no idea that his major was also Business, so her mind went completely blank.

She couldn’t comprehend such a coincidence. Tentatively, moving only her lips, Yoona asked,

“Um… excuse me… did you know… about this? That’s why we were paired… or something like that…?”

“…No.”

“Then how…?”

If it wasn’t that, then this had to be a truly incredible coincidence. This time, Youngwon asked,

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…Huh?”

“That you were applying to Yonhee University’s Business Department.”

“Ah… that… should I have told you…?”

She had simply stayed silent as a matter of consideration. But had that been the wrong choice?

Yoona, for some reason, nervously watched Youngwon’s serious, silent gaze, and he asked another question:

“Do you have first period class?”

“No. On Tuesdays, it’s second period…”

“Come with me.”

Before even hearing Yoona’s answer, Youngwon had already started walking. Flustered, Yoona hurried to follow.

They headed toward the parking lot. Youngwon walked straight to Yoona’s white Benz without hesitation. Unlocking it and opening the driver’s side door, he said to the bewildered Yoona standing beside him,

“Get in the passenger seat.”

“…Where are we going? There’s class…”

“That’s why we need to move quickly.”

Cutting off her objection as if there were no time to argue, Youngwon got into the car. Checking her wristwatch with a worried expression, Yoona decided to just follow his instructions.

As soon as the car started moving, she asked anxiously,

“Um, Youngwon, could you at least tell me where we’re going? There’s only about an hour left until second period.”

“To the café. Once we get there, I’ll drive the car around, so you can change into the clothes you wear when you work. Sitting at a lecture desk in those clothes would make you stand out.”

“…Ah…”

Yoona looked down at her outfit. Why hadn’t she thought she could just wear the shirt and jeans she had bought as a café uniform? Embarrassed, she smoothed down her skirt.

“I overdid it… It’s so tacky… I couldn’t sleep because I was excited. With so much time, I kept worrying over every little thing…”

“…Seems like it’s the direction of effort that’s the problem.”

“Hahaha. So that’s how it looks to you, Youngwon.”

Laughing heartily, Yoona removed her pearl earrings. She couldn’t have been more grateful to Youngwon for identifying the problem and immediately offering a solution.

“If it weren’t for you, I’d probably have closed the café and become a lifelong laughingstock. I’m always thankful to you.”

Despite being four years younger, Youngwon was always reliable. She felt embarrassed for needing help yet again.

It was sheer luck that Youngwon suddenly appeared at Yoona’s café, which had only been open for about a week. He claimed he had just finished working out and saw the help-wanted sign posted on the window, without even a resume.

Since the café hadn’t posted a job listing online yet, he was the first applicant. But Yoona couldn’t just interview without a resume, so she quickly searched online for a template. If he was hired, she’d have him print it out later.

Youngwon, answering smoothly in a soft, low voice, questioned the college name section.

• “…Is that mandatory?”

• “Ah, no, not really. I just asked because it was there. You don’t have to be a college student.”

• “…I am a college student, but I’m on a leave of absence.”

Now that she thought about it, why hadn’t she mentioned it? Yonhee University wasn’t something to be embarrassed about.

Regardless, he looked neat, could start immediately, and most importantly, was free due to being on a leave of absence—exactly the conditions she wanted. He could only work until the March semester began, but Yoona figured she needed the time to prepare for her exams more urgently, so she’d think about that later.

Feeling thankful again, Yoona said,

“I didn’t tell you because I thought you might feel pressured if the boss who’s been bothering you turned out to be at the same university. I only happened to realize you go to Yonhee. But I really didn’t know your major was Business… sorry if I surprised you.”

“…No need to apologize.”

Soon, they arrived at the destination. Yoona grabbed the door handle and darted out.

“Thanks, Youngwon! I’ll change quickly and be right back!”

Watching her rush to open the café door, Youngwon’s forehead dropped onto the steering wheel. A shallow sigh escaped his lips.

“Ha… is that really all I can say…”

It felt like he had never spoken kindly to her the whole time they’d known each other. Of course, he had never been warm to anyone. With a deep breath, he pressed the accelerator.

“…Ha.”

“Direction of effort” really was the problem. That phrase made him regretful. He could have expressed it more gently. Maybe he felt self-conscious because he sounded hypocritical saying it.

It wasn’t a lie, though. The funny part was telling her she was dressed inappropriately the instant she appeared.

Yet, it was like a scene from a drama—slow motion, everything around slightly brightened.

Youngwon, who had only ever seen Yoona in a café uniform or casual workout clothes without makeup, now saw her dressed up for the first time.

He also learned her exact age today. Before the semester, classmates had been gossiping in a chat about a mysterious older student enrolling at 27, and when she entered the auditorium, he realized it was Yoona.

Seeing her dressed up, the age suddenly made sense.

“….”

What on earth was he thinking, having feelings toward someone with a painful past? His expression hardened.

Youngwon had applied to work at “Café Yoona” purely on impulse.

He wasn’t desperate, but it felt pathetic to waste the remaining leave period without a plan. Café Yoona seemed like a reasonable choice to justify “working part-time.” It was well-located, but not so busy that it would be overwhelming.

Entering the café casually for an interview, he unexpectedly met the owner—a beautiful woman. Objectively pretty.

• “You’re the first applicant, Youngwon. Thanks for coming.”

Yoona was small, her features muted but sparkling, and her smile radiant. Her emotions were visible in her expressions, unlike Youngwon’s stoicism.

Even amidst exam preparations, her moods showed, which amused him. He recalled what his only friend, Gitae, said when visiting the café:

• “Spending a whole day with such a quiet café and a boss like that… I’m so jealous, Youngwon.”

Indeed, Yoona was beautiful. Seeing her dressed up today, it was no wonder he was dumbstruck.

“…It’s just that you remind me of my sister’s situation.”

Why she felt different from other girls.

It began with some sympathy, seeing someone with a similar experience of divorce and hardship. But eventually, he simply didn’t want to see her bright face falter.

• “Hey, haven’t I seen that girl somewhere…?”

• “Right…? Me too…”

Perhaps that was why a whisper stuck in his mind. A single photo of Yoona had been briefly released online during his military service and had never been fully erased. Knowing her profession involved hiring a digital cleaner hadn’t helped.

From then on, he could only think about making her change clothes. She already stood out, and wearing those clothes would have drawn unnecessary attention. Business had been slow, and he wanted to avoid further complications.

• “Ah… should I have told you…?”

Yoona’s question snapped him back to reality. There was no need to tell him what school she applied to. What kind of relationship did they have?

By the time Youngwon drove the car nearly to the café, Gitae sent a message:

[Originally, your mentee number 5 is a guy.]

“….”

Finally, Youngwon pulled the crumpled paper with number 36 from his jeans pocket—the mentor-mentee lottery ticket. At that moment, another message appeared:

[Kim Gitae won’t forget today. Your living room = PS room, ok?]

Actually, Youngwon had drawn number 5, and the person standing next to Gitae had number 36. Impulsively, Youngwon had swapped the tickets, his body reacting before his mind.

While Gitae speculated endlessly about the mature student, Youngwon thought it was unfortunate. Older students often couldn’t integrate easily and became voluntary outsiders.

Gitae, who dreamed of campus romance with freshmen from day one, had no room to comment.

He had been so pleased to discover that Yoona was his match, he covered his mouth in excitement.

In retrospect, maybe he only needed to make her change clothes instead of switching the mentees. Why did he overdo it? Struggling with whether to admit his hypocrisy, Yoona appeared from the café.

Startled, Youngwon quickly stuffed the paper into his pocket and hastily replied:

[🖕]