TBE 23

chapter 23

“…I haven’t thought that far yet.”

“Don’t you have any plans at all? When Dad retires, the three of us will have to run the company, and you’re the only one who studied domestically. Shouldn’t you at least get an MBA from an Ivy League school? I’m saying this for your own good, Choi Young-won.”

“…”

Instead of responding, Young-won took a sip of water to hide the sigh that threatened to escape. She braced herself to endure the tedious scolding that was sure to follow, and just then, the first dish arrived.

This was exactly why she didn’t want to come to family gatherings. Whenever everyone got together, the inevitable comparisons among the children surfaced.

Her siblings had sharp minds and were excellent strategists as well. Always at the top, yet effortlessly playful—these were Young-in and Young-hoon.

Born as the youngest, Young-won grew up hearing the phrase, “You have to grow up to be like your sister or brother” countless times.

To young Young-won, they were both figures of admiration and a source of immense pressure. If she couldn’t measure up to her siblings, it felt like she wouldn’t even be able to accomplish the basics.

She didn’t prepare for Ivy League admissions like her sister and brother for that very reason. It was a desperate struggle to keep herself from being placed at the same table as them. She thought that since her grades were sufficient, it was better to attend the best university in Korea. But even that plan faltered when she messed up the entrance exams, making Yeonhee University her only option. Fearful of repeating the same mistake, she chose to enroll.

Despite Young-won’s silence, Young-hoon continued pressing her for an answer, frowning in impatience.

“Enough, Choi Young-hoon. These days, plenty of people say it’s better to go to SKY than an Ivy League. Why are you trying to crush her spirit?”

“You only say that because you went to the Ivy League. In Korean society, still run by old-school values, the name matters more than anything.”

“You’re the most old-fashioned one here, you know? Dad’s keeping quiet—why are you causing a scene?”

“If you want to inherit the company, you should remarry or something. You know what the other directors are saying behind your back. Honestly, if you weren’t capable, you’d never have become an executive director.”

“What did you just say, you crazy idiot? Say that again. How dare you talk to a senior executive like that when you’re just a deputy manager?”

“You’re not our division’s executive director, are you? Can’t a staff member be frank?”

What began as scolding about Young-won’s future turned, as always, into a verbal sparring match between the eldest and second eldest. This, too, affected Young-won negatively. Every family gathering made her feel like she was the one instigating fights between her siblings.

Her father pressed a throbbing temple.

“It’s your mother’s birthday. Can’t you two just stop… before I lose my temper and—”

Young-won’s mother gently squeezed her husband’s trembling fist and smiled.

“Why stop? Let them continue. Today feels like they’re really going to tear each other apart.”

Whenever he needed to calm down, it was always his wife who could do it instantly. Only then did Young-won steal a glance at her father under the pretense of drinking water.

She had long since given up on the idea of living up to her father’s expectations, but did he still consider her somewhat of a ‘useful child’?

Afraid of getting no response, or worse, of seeing his face fill with disappointment, Young-won didn’t ask.

Her gaze, filled with frustration, fell on the large bouquet behind her mother. Similar flowers had been in a vase the day she went for an interview at Yoona’s café.

The time spent working with her had been Young-won’s only respite. Only Yoona gave praise that felt genuine. She never said, “You need to try harder.” This made Young-won reconsider whether she had really accomplished something meaningful.

As a faint smile crept onto Young-won’s lips at the thought of Yoona, the staff brought in the next course. She seized the moment to discreetly grab her phone.

[Boss, do you want to do this week’s mission tomorrow?]

“…I was surprised at how well you wrote it. I thought you only managed the household. Maybe all that legal paperwork during your divorce helped?”

Yoona changed her ripped stockings in the bathroom while hearing voices outside. Judging by the voices, it was her classmates from the writing course.

“It’s funny that all that would help with a film report.”

She seemed to be talking with someone. Today, the classmates submitted peer-reviewed movie reports. Hearing the conversation linking this to divorce made Yoona’s chest tighten. She peeked outside through the crack of the door. Sure enough, a female classmate was fixing her makeup with someone who seemed like a friend.

“Did you see what was posted on the school community? Apparently, she got into our school after her marriage plans fell apart.”

“I saw it.”

“There are plenty of people who fail even after repeating a year, so if she managed to come here after marriage… she must be smart. Maybe she tried a sneaky trick and got divorced… like secretly taking the apartment ownership.”

“Could she do that alone?”

“I don’t know.” The girl chuckled, putting her tint back in her pouch, then both left the bathroom.

“….”

Only Yoona remained frozen.

“…Who told you about this?”

“…I overheard it in the bathroom. Did you already know?”

“…Ha… damn it…”

No wonder she’d been gloomy all class. Seoyeon let out a sigh as if the ground had collapsed beneath her. She had tried so hard to hide the existence of that community.

Seeing her reaction, Yoona looked down, gripping her phone tighter without realizing it.

“You saw it too…? I checked, and it seems like most people use that app… lots of people must have seen it… right?”

“…Don’t worry about it, unnie. Anonymous communities are just like toilets. A place to dump your crap.”

“….”

“Do you really need to know who dropped what kind of crap? It’s just dirty.”

Seoyeon tried to cheer Yoona up—massaging her shoulders, hugging her, even shaking her gently. Yet Yoona’s dark expression barely lifted.

She knew all too well how rumors online twisted reality and affected her. Did Young-won know as well?

Unable to watch Yoona sink further into gloom, Seoyeon finally picked up the eco bag on the desk and handed a keyring to her.

“Here, ‘Young-won sunbae’s heart.’ Stroke it. So soft.”

Holding the keyring gently in her palm, Yoona finally met Seoyeon’s gaze, her nose slightly scrunched.

“…It’s ‘Young-won gave me his heart.’ Saying it like that sounds weird.”

“I don’t see the difference at all.”

Seoyeon rolled her eyes playfully and stretched her feet out. Feeling her friend’s effort to cheer her up, Yoona finally cracked a small smile.

Relieved, Seoyeon got up for her next lecture. Yoona followed, gathering her things. From the back door, someone called out.

“Yoona!”

The two freshmen turned their heads simultaneously. Min-hee stood at the doorway, waving. As Yoona greeted her and tidied up, she said,

“I’ll be out soon!”

“Okay! I’ll wait outside!”

Seeing Yoona and Min-hee look friendly, Seoyeon asked in surprise,

“Min-hee? The second-year senior?”

“Yeah. You know her too? Maybe because she stands out for her looks.”

“She’s prettier than you. But didn’t you say you’d go on the mission with Young-won sunbae?”

“Oh, Min-hee sunbae is going too.”

“…Huh? What? When did the two become close?”

Seoyeon frowned as Yoona briefly explained. Yet, Seoyeon’s expression didn’t ease—if anything, her doubts deepened.

There wasn’t time to explain further with Min-hee waiting. Hastily slinging the eco bag over her shoulder, Yoona finished explaining.

“Anyway! The mentee’s been slacking, so she wanted to join. She didn’t get to do it properly in first year either. So…”

“Wait! Young-won sunbae suggested this too?”

“She said it’s okay since she already knows him. I really have to go. Good luck with the rest of your classes!”

“Unnie…!”

Can this really be okay? Seoyeon watched Yoona walk away in a flustered daze.

Though Yoona only knew Min-hee by face, her impression seemed like a nine-tailed fox. And she’s going with Young-won…

Seoyeon wasn’t worried about Young-won falling for Min-hee. Maybe Ki-tae sunbae, but not him.

What worried Seoyeon was that Young-won was already one of the top students in the college. No wonder he had a reputation for his looks.

Imagining Yoona awkwardly stuck in the middle, trying not to draw attention, Seoyeon let out a sigh.