TBE 13

chapter 13

The lecture was unbearably boring. Seoyeon flipped between her group chat with friends and the numbers on the board, replying lazily, then opened the school community app. This was the achievement of securing a corner seat.

“Let’s see what’s out today.”

As always, the first thing she checked was the student cafeteria’s menu board. Buying food outside cost too much, and she had long since accepted that she was too lazy to pack her own lunch.

Seoyeon was satisfied with a reasonably good menu and moved on to the anonymous message board. She hadn’t checked in a few days, and the list of top posts had completely changed.

One title immediately caught her attention.

“…What the hell.”

[Does anyone know who first-year Hㅇㅇ is?]

The familiar initials sent a wave of unease through her. With slightly trembling fingers, Seoyeon clicked the post.

[Everyone says that girl is already known in the college. ㄱㅅ from ‘ㅇㅅㅎ ㅈㅊ’ appeared on that dating show. Am I the only one who didn’t know? Comes from ㅈㄴㅍ university—mad respect.]

Even though all the important information was written in initials, it was easy to read. ‘ㄱㅅ’ was shorthand for the dating show “I Want to Marry”, on which Yoona’s ex-husband had appeared as a panelist. ‘ㅇㅅㅎ ㅈㅊ’ stood for ‘Lee Seonghee, ex-wife.’ ‘ㅈㄴㅍ’ was her ex-husband.

There were dozens of comments. Frowning, Seoyeon quickly skimmed through them.

[She’s alone in a sea of flowers while everyone avoids her.]
[She failed to marry well, so now she has to study hard and get a proper job. From what I read about her divorce, she’s smart—maybe that’s why she got into our school.]
[If you look closely, there are photos. She’s super pretty, guys, be careful not to step on a landmine. Though honestly, you guys wouldn’t stand a chance anyway.]

The content was roughly like that. Reading them in detail made her blood boil, so she just closed the app.

“What if my sister sees this? Crap.”

The comments were even worse than the post itself. Idiots who talked without knowing anything existed everywhere. It was better not to know about this. If she wasted energy worrying about idiots like that and ruined the college life she had been looking forward to, only Yoona would lose out.

Seoyeon reopened her messenger to look for Yoona. She guessed Yoona probably didn’t even know the app existed, but if she did, she might delete her account immediately.

“…No.”

If she asked anything, she might accidentally reveal the app’s existence to Yoona. It seemed safer to just check secretly later on her phone. Seoyeon closed the messenger app.

Yoona, who had transferred the homemade apple syrup into glass jars, had her laptop open on the side, carefully examining it. On the screen was an article about dermatologist Lee Seonghee’s divorce.

“Nothing…”

For days, she had scoured comments on the article and any posts mentioning her and her ex-husband. There was no record of her entering university. Her name had never been revealed on the broadcast in the first place.

Their divorce article, which had happened over a year ago, seemed to have faded from public attention.

“Was it just… word of mouth?”

That might be true in the business school, but people in general education courses had also looked at her strangely. She honestly felt intimidated. She knew exactly how the world viewed Lee Seonghee’s ex-wife, Han Yoona.

But she had expected this. Even if her grand plan to make lots of friends had failed, she still had to get her diploma. Besides, Seoyeon might turn out to be better than ten friends.

“I have to treat Seoyeon ten times better.”

It stung a little, but Yoona comforted herself and closed the laptop. She moved five glass jars to a cool spot by the window. Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Who could it be at this hour?”

It was 11:30 PM. Very late for visitors. Yoona ran to check the intercom. A delivery person appeared first, then after a slight delay, Seoyeon showed up on the screen. This had happened a few times before; the building management said it was a manufacturer’s recurring problem.

Seeing a familiar face, Yoona hurried to open the door. Seoyeon entered and carefully observed Yoona’s face. Yoona asked, puzzled:

“Did you get apple syrup on your face?”

“…No. You were making apple syrup? Smells amazing.”

“Yeah. It’s instead of giving out tteok for the move. Our cafe’s signature menu is Apple Earl Grey.”

“Preparing all this right after closing the cafe. You’re such a diligent lady.”

Smiling, Yoona led Seoyeon inside. Seoyeon said she had come to help with the move and pick up the clothes Yoona had promised her. Yoona brought a shopping bag from a room.

“I was going to bring it to you.”

“Can I really take such expensive brands for free?”

“I was going to sell them anyway, but the price was too low. I thought it’d be a waste, so I kept them. Hope you wear them nicely.”

“Ah, thanks. And hey, you should buy clothes with that bag and watch money instead of wearing the same thing all the time.”

Seoyeon was gently leading into the main topic. Part of it was genuine. Yoona had been rotating only a few tops with a couple of pairs of jeans.

Yoona asked, embarrassed:

“…Does it show that much?”

“Of course. When I saw your clothes, they all looked like mother-in-law attire. And when you try to wear something different, there’s nothing suitable. But you have time to buy clothes?”

“…Should I buy online? I don’t even know which stores to go to…”

“Exactly! Buy online! I’ll recommend an app. Give me your phone.”

Seoyeon, reaching her goal, nearly snatched Yoona’s phone, then realized herself and carefully took it. She pretended to search the App Store but quickly skimmed through the apps on Yoona’s phone. Coming up with this plan had almost fried her brain.

Luckily, there was no school community app on Yoona’s phone. Seoyeon felt all the tension drain from her body.

Relieved, she downloaded a few fashion platforms and flopped onto Yoona’s bed.

“Pretty lady… can I sleep here tonight…?”

“Really?”

“Ah… I have no energy left…”

Yoona was thrilled and said yes. The day she had prepared blankets for a friend to possibly sleep over had come much sooner than expected. Her joy was impossible to hide.

Humming, Yoona spread the bedding and then asked:

“Do you want to come to the housewarming on the weekend?”

“Sure. Who else is coming?”

“Actually, just you. I’ll make something delicious.”

“What about Yeongwon senior?”

“…Will Yeongwon come…?”

“You can ask him…”

Once again, it was 100% certain. Seoyeon didn’t feel the need to add unnecessary words. It would just waste energy.

“Is it really okay for someone as inadequate as me to come, Boss?”

Kitae, sitting across from Yoona, beamed. He had just been invited to Yoona’s housewarming. Yoona nodded with a smile.

“Of course. You even helped with the move, so I should treat you properly. Do you have any favorite foods? I can prepare them in advance.”

“…You’re going to make it yourself?”

“Yes! I love cooking. My tools are limited, but I’ll do my best if you tell me.”

“…How are we supposed to eat it, Boss…! I’ll preserve it as is… forever!!”

“Hahaha. Kitae, your jokes always make people happy.”

Having helped with the move before, Yoona and Kitae had grown closer. Kitae naturally got along with anyone. He rambled endlessly about what he wanted to eat, and Yoona nodded seriously, taking notes in her diary.

“….”

Yeongwon felt like he had entered another world. Maybe it was a mistake to bring Kitae along. Yeongwon felt inexplicably irritated.

It might have started from telling Kitae about going to the school cafe that served smoked salmon bagels, which was supposedly Michelin-level.

Seeing Yoona’s diary fill with Kitae’s taste ratings and his favorite foods annoyed him. The cheerful, lively conversation between them contrasted starkly with his short exchanges with Yoona.

Yoona, unaware of Yeongwon’s darkening mood, suddenly said:

“Oh, but as you know from last time, the table is too small. You’ll probably have to sit on the floor. Is that okay? I’ll buy a new dining set, though.”

“Boss! It’s not me you should worry about! I’m concerned whether you’re okay! I don’t want your fragile body to be overworked!”

“I’m fine—.”

“Ah! Actually, Yeongwon has a house, Boss. He uses a six-person dining table by himself.”

Suddenly, all attention returned to Yeongwon, who sat silently, feeling a bit alone.