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Chapter 20
Yoon-ah’s phone buzzed as she was walking to her next class. She quickly opened the messenger app. She had just asked Seoyeon if she wanted to go to a fancy restaurant now that she had some extra money.
[I don’t think I can this weekㅠ My parents are coming this weekend. Next Sunday?]
Of course, next week worked too, but it felt a little disappointing since it was farther away. Still, any time spent with a friend was good, so she agreed. But then a thought popped into her mind.
Busy and distracted, Yoon-ah had almost forgotten this week’s mentor-mentee mission: visiting a restaurant outside school. The original idea was for seniors to introduce popular restaurants to juniors, but nothing said it couldn’t work the other way around. Besides, she needed to properly thank Yeongwon anyway.
Walking while typing was tricky, so Yoon-ah called Yeongwon. Fortunately, he answered quickly.
“Yes, boss.”
“Yeongwon-ssi! What are you doing this Sunday?”
“……Yes?”
“You know, the mentor-mentee mission this week.”
“Ah… I was just about to look it up myself.”
Looking it up? Yeongwon seemed to barely know what restaurants were even around his school. No wonder he always ate at the cafeteria. Judging by his kitchen, he probably didn’t cook properly at all. Did he just live off frozen chicken breasts from the freezer for dinner?
Curious, but not wanting to bother him, Yoon-ah got straight to the point.
“Can I choose the restaurant? I’d like somewhere nice.”
“I’d appreciate it, but… a nice restaurant… just the two of us?”
“Ah! Should we invite Gitae? Seoyeon says she’s busy.”
“Gim Gitae can’t come either. I’m free anytime Sunday.”
So he’d be alone? The mention of Gitae’s absence confirmed it. Yoon-ah, pleased that Yeongwon had free time, said she would check for reservations and hung up cheerfully.
Sunday arrived faster than expected. Yoon-ah put on a new dress to go to the restaurant and checked herself in the mirror.
Seoyeon had helped pick a black dress for the special occasion of going to a fancy restaurant with Yeongwon. It fit her perfectly, and paired with pointy heels and a small clutch, Yoon-ah felt elated.
Just as she finished styling her hair with a curling iron, Yeongwon called.
“Come down to basement level two.”
“Coming right away!”
She was surprised to learn that Yeongwon was already waiting downstairs. She had assumed they’d go in her car, but this time he suggested using his own. She hadn’t even known he had one.
Apparently, the restaurant she had booked was unexpectedly upscale, which seemed to worry her slightly. Fine dining courses were not her original plan, but last-minute weekend reservations left few options other than expensive places.
Quickly checking the mirror again, she rushed to the underground parking. A black Porsche SUV was parked by the entrance.
“Uh….”
She stared, stunned. This wasn’t a car any college student would normally drive. As she looked around in disbelief, the window rolled down. Yeongwon called from the driver’s seat.
“Boss. Get in.”
“…O-okay…”
Yoon-ah climbed in, still in shock. From his usual appearance, he didn’t seem like someone who’d indulge in luxury. Unconsciously scanning the interior, she finally greeted him.
“Thank you for driving me, Yeongwon-ssi…”
He started the car, explaining with a calm tone.
“My sister gave it to me when she bought a new car. I didn’t buy it myself.”
“Ah… I see.”
Her cheeks warmed, realizing this wasn’t his money. But if his sister could casually give a car this expensive, he was likely from a wealthy family. Feeling slightly relieved at finding a partial answer to her long-standing curiosity, Yoon-ah noticed Yeongwon’s outfit.
He usually dressed comfortably, but today he wore a Chinese-collar shirt, jacket, and slacks, his hair styled neatly. Even in the dim interior, he practically radiated light.
“Yeongwon-ssi, you always look good, but dressed like this, you could rival a celebrity. Everyone in the restaurant will be stunned.”
“……”
Yeongwon didn’t respond. He seemed embarrassed, eyes fixed ahead, so Yoon-ah chuckled. He awkwardly parted his lips.
“You look good too, boss.”
“Really? I bought this dress for our fancy course meal today. Seoyeon helped me pick it out carefully.”
“……Yes.”
He replied simply, though he was tempted to let his eyes roll. If anyone could steal the spotlight here, it would be Yoon-ah. Her dress accentuated her figure perfectly; the black color made her elegance erupt like a hot spring breaking through the ground. Yeongwon mentally praised Seoyeon’s taste.
Seeing her figure in the fitted dress, he gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying to keep his composure.
Throughout the ride, Yoon-ah excitedly explained to Yeongwon how she and Seoyeon had chosen the dress and shoes. Her enthusiasm made him smile faintly, even though it was usually not his interest.
After thirty minutes, they arrived. Valet took the car, and a neatly dressed attendant led them to a table in a quiet, secluded corner, as Yoon-ah had requested. She didn’t order wine pairing, thinking she shouldn’t repeat last time’s mistakes. The welcome champagne and first dish arrived—colorful and adorable. Seeing such high-class food after so long, Yoon-ah’s face lit up, and she took out her phone.
“It’s so pretty! Can I take a picture?”
“Why ask me? Do as you wish, boss.”
“Hmm. Then…”
It had been a long time since she had taken photos so freely. Excited, she captured multiple angles, then looked at Yeongwon with bright, playful eyes.
“You know, Yeongwon-ssi… I have something to show you.”
“What is it?”
Smiling mischievously, Yoon-ah pulled something from her small clutch: the keyring Yeongwon had given her, now adorned with a red ribbon around the rabbit’s neck.
“I made a collar from the red ribbon I had.”
“……Hahaha.”
Yeongwon laughed out loud. Who could come up with such a cute idea? Meeting Yoon-ah, he realized people—not just animals—could be unbearably adorable.
The keyring, won at an absurd price from a claw machine, now seemed worth every penny. Watching Yoon-ah adjust the ribbon carefully, he finally said:
“It’s cute.”
“Right? I’m really proud of it.”
Not about the rabbit, but about the person holding it. Yeongwon set his champagne glass before her and reached for his water. Yoon-ah, placing the keyring against the glass, said:
“I even gave it a name so we can be closer.”
“……A name…?”
“Yes! This is ‘Ma-eumi’—the one Yeongwon-ssi gave me.”
“Kuhp…! Cough…”
Hearing the name, he nearly choked on his water. Hastily covering his mouth with a linen napkin on his lap, he felt suddenly exposed.
Startled, Yoon-ah called over the attendant for a fresh napkin. Once Yeongwon calmed down, she asked, a little embarrassed:
“Is it really that childish? I added it because of the heart on the belly.”
“Ah, no… It’s not that… You named it well.”
What was he thinking? The heart on the belly was bold and perfect. Somehow, being alone with such a beautiful woman made a man’s thoughts scatter uncontrollably. Today, by chance, it felt like the perfect date.
Swallowing his water to clear his throat, Yeongwon’s eyes never left Yoon-ah. She gently patted Ma-eumi’s tiny head, saying:
“Yeongwon-ssi likes your name.”
“……”
Even in the smallest things, she could be this happy—how could anyone darken her expression?
In truth, Yeongwon already suspected why Yoon-ah had suddenly suggested a visit to such an upscale restaurant.
