SDA 13

Chapter : 13

Meanwhile, Violet, who had been watching the situation closely, stood up from her seat.

Sienna clenched her fists instinctively.
“…Exactly!”

In fact, this was all part of the situation she had anticipated.
Sienna expected that kind-hearted Violet would inevitably try to help Johan and Finn.
After all, rumors said that Violet even made regular donations.
‘Of course you’d help, since you’re so kind.’

With that, the “Plan B” she had prepared in case Violet didn’t stand up became unnecessary.
‘I can just go with Plan A, like I’ve been doing so far.’

As things started going smoothly, Sienna unconsciously felt a sense of joy—but it quickly vanished.
‘But… why am I happy?’

Of course, as the head of the center, feeling pleased was appropriate.
If things went like this, it wouldn’t be long before she earned 100,000 gold.
But… this wasn’t “Head Sienna.” This was Sienna.
‘I couldn’t let Johan go.’

The situation was like pouring poison into the mouth of someone who hadn’t fully left their obsession yet.

“Are you okay?”
Violet approached Johan’s side and helped Finn along with him.

When her hand brushed against his, Johan’s eyes widened slightly.
Violet offered Finn her handkerchief.

“Your clothes are soaked, it must be uncomfortable… Use this to dry off.”

Finn stared blankly at her.
The rims of his ears were faintly pink.
‘…Damn it.’

Sienna quickly folded the newspaper Rian was holding in half.
She began to relay Doradora signals to Finn.

“Hey, Finn.”

As the small hand sliced through the air, Finn’s previously unfocused eyes sharpened.

“Miss Violet may be beautiful, but get your mind straight.”
“…!”
“Now is not the time to admire her looks. Don’t fall for the target.”

Finn flinched slightly.
As expected, he had been momentarily stunned by Violet’s beauty before quickly regaining his composure.
The icy glare from Isadora at his side also played a part.

She signed to him:
“Do not even think about taking my incentive.”

“I-I’m sorry, sorry.”
Finn clasped his hands together and shook them apologetically.

Sienna finally exhaled in relief.

At that moment, a gentle voice whispered in her ear.

“Sweetheart.”

Sienna jumped, turning around.
Then she realized the truth.
‘Oh my god.’

She had forgotten that she was still leaning in Rian’s arms while focusing on Johan!

She quickly freed herself.

“…Eh? Wh-why?”
“I didn’t know…”
“…”
“You really have a talent for dance.”

The tone was serious.
‘What the hell is he talking about?’
Sienna tilted her head, looking at Rian.
‘Could it be… he thought Doradora was a dance?’

Suppressing a sigh, she answered.
“What are you talking about…? It’s not a dance. It’s technically a language. And I’m busy working right now—why would I be dancing?”

“Then what was that flapping of hands and shrugging of shoulders with the seniors?”
“….”
“And you even tilted your head side to side like a snake coming out of a jar.”

Rian stroked his chin, looking extremely serious.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Sienna looked away.
‘A snake coming out of a jar…’

They had been so focused on work that they hadn’t realized how strange they looked to outsiders.

She tried to explain.
“It’s not a dance—it’s our own language.”
“….”
“There have been troublesome customers at the counseling center before. At those times, we can’t speak openly, so we communicate through signals to figure out how to get them out.”

“I see.”
One of Rian’s eyebrows slowly lifted.
He continued, looking at Sienna with a strange glint in his eye.

“No need for that now.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well, today, I can be your shield.”

Rian said, unfolding the newspaper he had folded, and leaned his face closer to Sienna.

“Then there won’t be any shooting stars falling from these pretty eyes, right?”

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
‘Shooting stars…? Could it be tears?’

Butter Nam’s words were so unnerving that they made her forget everything else.
‘Cancel the flutter I felt when he came earlier.’
Even if it couldn’t be canceled, it was canceled.
‘Absolutely canceled…’

When Sienna didn’t respond, Rian quietly chuckled, clearly thinking his flirting had worked.

“Good grief…”
“In any case, conveying language through dance—truly artistic.”
“….”
“I thought you were just smart and diligent, but turns out you have an artistic charm as well.”

Sienna was too stunned to respond.
‘Excuse me, Rian.’

If this counts as art, all street performers are going to feel cheated.

“Hah…”
Sienna shook her head slightly and looked at the others.

At that moment, Isadora was signaling someone outside the window.
‘Time for the final move.’

Three seconds later, the salon door opened.
Ding!

“Delivery’s here~”

The cheerful voice and the chime of the salon’s bell blended like a harmony.
As always, Heaven, an employee at the counseling center, came in holding a massive bouquet of roses—so huge it almost blocked the view.

He strode forward as planned.
Then, with a thud, Violet screamed.

“Eek…!”

A truly damsel-in-distress type of scream.
Violet stumbled upon colliding with Heaven, and her body slightly lifted off the floor.

‘Now!’

Heaven tossed the roses high into the air.
“Miss…!”

Johan caught Violet’s waist just as she was about to fall.
As soon as he grabbed her, red petals rained down around them.

Exactly ten seconds of silence passed.
‘…This is insane.’

Even though she had orchestrated it herself, Sienna couldn’t think anything else.
Perhaps because both Johan and Violet were attractive, their first meeting looked like a scene from a movie.

Sienna’s chest tightened again.
‘The plan worked, but… I’m not exactly feeling great.’
‘Maybe because I saw Johan and Violet together with my own eyes.’

She didn’t want to admit it, but they were undoubtedly a perfect match.

Johan helped Violet back to her feet.
“Miss, are you okay?”

His cheeks were flushed.
Violet nodded.
“Yes… I’m fine.”
“I apologize for the rudeness of touching you. It was unintentional.”
“Oh, no! If you hadn’t caught me, I might have gotten seriously hurt.”
“….”
“Thank you so much.”

Violet shyly tucked her hair behind her ear.

From a nearby table, whispers were audible.
“Oh my, what should we do…!”
“Did you see that? It was like a fated meeting between a novel’s hero and heroine!”

They were Violet’s friends, experts in over-the-top commentary.
‘It’s done. Success.’

With those gushing comments, Johan was firmly imprinted in their minds—they’d surely talk about him at every opportunity.

Meanwhile, the staff quietly stepped away from Johan and Violet.
Soon, the two were romantically standing alone inside the circle of petals Heaven had created.

Johan, who had been opening his mouth, lowered his head again.
“I was rude to you upon our first meeting. I sincerely apologize.”

Violet waved her hands.
“No! Really, it’s fine. You don’t need to apologize…”

“Well…”
Johan took a small breath, swallowing before meeting Violet’s eyes.
“…I’m Johan Veloster.”

A faint smile revealed the dimple on his cheek.
Violet silently looked up at his eyes.
Blushing, she replied,
“I’m Violet Bringer.”

After that, no words were exchanged between them.
They just stared at each other blankly, expressions overflowing with romantic tension.

Sienna thought:
Finally, she had safely reached the last page of the script she had written.
‘Operation: Johan Veloster Romance… Chapter 1 complete.’

Now it was time to manipulate Johan and Violet’s date in earnest.