TBR 22

Chapter 22

“Yes. That’s me.”

“Is your grandmother living in Cheongsong?”

“Yes… but how do you know that? Hng.”

She had a million questions, but her left ankle hurt like it had been crushed under an elephant, making her lips too heavy to move.

“Don’t buy her peanut caramel. It’s bad for her diabetes.”

How did he know my grandmother’s favorite snacks too? Her head was overflowing with questions, but all she could do was groan.

“Hngh… it hurts there…”

“Don’t move. Your foot is really swollen.”

At Siwon’s words, Somang’s eyes welled up.

“Is it broken? When I fell earlier, Deputy Manager Gam crushed my leg with his whole body.”

Oh no. Somang glared accusingly at Daesik.

Daesik, ashamed, quietly avoided her eyes.

“It’s not broken. At least that’s my opinion.”

They’d only know for sure after X-rays. With that, Siwon finally let out a breath and stood up.

Then he looked Minchan up and down, who was stuck to Somang’s side like glue.

Tall, athletic, and pretty good-looking.

Exactly the kind of pale, neat, pretty-boy type that Somang liked.

So this guy… the jerk who hadn’t even dated her a week but already tried to convince my little sister to spend the night out?

“I’m Somang’s older brother,” Siwon introduced himself casually.

“Ah, I’m Park Minchan.”

Sensing the situation spiraling into something dangerous, Somang hurried to cut off the conversation.

“Oppa, why are you here?”

“It’s a long story.”

Siwon waved it off, as if that wasn’t what she should be asking.

But Somang couldn’t let it slide.

If she wasn’t careful, her fake relationship with Minchan and her long-buried first love for Hangyeol could all be exposed in front of Daesik and Dahee.

“Why are you here anyway? If the hospital’s going to close every day like it’s taking lunch break, give me my deposit back!”

At that, Siwon flinched and gave a short explanation.

“I’m filling in for a senior doctor. His in-laws are having their 60th birthday celebration—he asked, so I couldn’t refuse.”

She knew the hiking workshop had hundreds of employees attending and that a doctor would be there for emergencies.

But she hadn’t expected it to fall on Siwon. Life really was unpredictable.

Somang wanted him gone as quickly as possible.

“Take Dahee to her bus stop safely.”

Siwon shook his head firmly.

“I’m taking you straight to the hospital.”

“Then what about my manager?”

“He can continue the hike just fine. It’s nothing serious.”

But Daesik, whose soul had already left his body thanks to the brutal hike, frantically waved both hands.

“No, no. I’m… going down. I’m done. Ugh….”

“You can walk on your own, right? I need to support her.”

At Siwon’s comment, Daesik nodded repeatedly.

Somang worried Siwon would acknowledge Hangyeol and expose the connection between them, but thankfully he seemed to have at least that much sense.

He only exchanged a light nod with Hangyeol.

But he didn’t forget to glare at Minchan from head to toe before leaving.

“Baek Somang. Behave. I’m watching you.”

Siwon even gave Hangyeol a little chin-gesture, telling him to keep an eye on the two, before finally disappearing.

For sure… when it came to that kind of awareness, he was completely clueless.

* * *

Unexpectedly, the plan ended up with the three of them left together.

But the plan hadn’t taken into account Somang’s stamina. Just keeping up with the two ahead was exhausting.

She could only stare at the backs of Hangyeol and Minchan, who walked ahead, overtaking each other.

Minchan must be provoking him well… Right?

Feeling like a useless teammate freeloading on a group project, she felt apologetic—though she was too breathless to dwell on it.

“Hhuff…”

Her legs trembled trying to step up the next rock, and each time she paused to breathe, the two men drifted farther and farther ahead.

Were they not tired at all? They were even talking face-to-face while climbing.

“What do you like about Somang?” Hangyeol asked.

“She’s fun to watch.”

The instant Minchan answered without hesitation, something tickled sharply in his chest.

What was that?

Minchan frowned faintly and let out a soft sigh.

Had he gotten too immersed in the act?

Or… had it become something genuine?

He turned around.

Somang was bent over, hands on her knees, panting desperately.

“Wait, team leader.”

Fifteen years of unrequited love.

Just how much do you have to like someone for that to be possible? How foolish.

Thinking that, Minchan’s feet were already moving toward her.

“Should we go back down?”

“No. Hah… We came all the way here, we should at least find one prize slip. And you need to provoke Hangyeol oppa too.”

“Okay. Grab on.”

Minchan held out his hand, and Somang took it naturally—as if it were routine.

He glanced at Hangyeol just in case, but the man’s expression was as unreadable as ever.

“Did Hangyeol oppa say anything weird?”

“He asked what I liked about you.”

A typical protective-older-brother question. She lost all momentum.

With Minchan pulling her up, she climbed onto a big boulder and collapsed. When Minchan tried to sit with her, she shook her head.

“Go ahead. I want to cool down—my head and the sweat.”

“Then come up slowly. Yell if you need anything.”

“Okay?” he teased, smiling as he met her eyes.

But he couldn’t look at her for long. Unlike before, his heart was thudding.

“I— I’ll go first.”

He hurriedly turned and climbed again. But after a few steps, worry gnawed at him—What if she got hurt while alone?

He turned back…

Only for a hand to grab his shoulder.

It was Hangyeol—expression tight as if holding back anger—voice low.

“How long are you planning to keep doing this?”

“…Doing what?”

“The fake relationship. How long are you going to keep it up?”

Minchan’s jaw twitched. He peeled Hangyeol’s hand off, turning slowly.

“You knew?”

“So stop touching her. My Somang.”

When Minchan tried to walk past him toward her, Hangyeol blocked him again.

His voice was calm, but the aura around him was anything but.

“I’ve played along enough. Stop now.”

“I don’t care what you think anymore.”

Looking down, he noticed Somang slowly climbing toward them.

Worried she’d fall, he returned his gaze to Hangyeol.

“I really like her. Assistant Manager Baek.”

And then—

“You’re here? Rest a bit more with me.”

He approached Somang and, making sure Hangyeol could see, wiped the sweat from her face with his hand.

He even took her bag and slung it over his own shoulder.

Somang, unaware their fake relationship had been exposed, looked surprised but didn’t pull away. Meanwhile, Hangyeol’s brows twisted sharply.

But Somang didn’t notice. She only saw Minchan standing there with both bags and nodded.

“Y-yeah… okay.”

“Team leader, you go ahead. We’ll rest here a bit. We have things to talk about.”

Holding her hand like a boyfriend, Minchan boldly led her forward. Somang, impressed inwardly, thought:

Illegitimate heirs must be bold… Look at him acting like a boyfriend right in front of the team leader.

“Baek Somang.”

The unpleasant tone made her stop and look back.

Hangyeol’s face was stiff—clearly shaken by Minchan’s perfect performance.

Finally! The reaction she’d been waiting for. Somang excitedly fanned the flames.

“If you have any sense, stop interrupting and go ahead, okay? We’re on a date.”

“I know everything, so stop.”

“W-what do you mean…?”

A tight, nervous gulp slid down her throat. Her hand, still in Minchan’s, grew damp with sweat as her fingers twitched.

“I knew from the beginning it was a fake relationship.”

Before she realized it, Hangyeol was right in front of her. He grabbed her hand from Minchan and tore it away.

Her small body was pulled toward him in an instant.

“If you keep going… I’m going to get angry. So stop.”