Episode 8
Do-hyun pulled out the chair beside Yunseo and dropped into it, then casually grabbed the drink in front of her. He brought the straw to his lips, sucked on it, and set the cup down with a dull thud.
“Kwon Do-hyun?”
Was it just her imagination, or was there something sharp hidden in the way Seo Jin-ho said his name?
Under Jin-ho’s peculiar stare, Do-hyun loosened his tie, shaking it slightly before unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. He’d been dressed formally for a family gathering, his collar fastened all the way up. Still restless, he reached for Yunseo’s glass again—only for her to snatch it back faster.
“Pay for it if you’re going to drink it. That’s mine.”
“…This is yours?”
The moment she spoke so casually, Do-hyun’s mind went blank.
Why is she so cute?
Was my taste always this sharp?
“It’s mine.”
Yunseo stared at the straw Do-hyun had been using, her eyes trembling. With a deep sigh, she reluctantly pushed the cup toward him.
“Senior, you pay for it. You drank it yourself.”
She brought out a glass of water and took a sip. Watching her eyelashes flutter and the corners of her eyes tremble slightly, Do-hyun dropped an ice cube from the ade into his mouth and rolled it slowly across his tongue.
“How do you know Yoonseo?”
“You’re the one who knows her.”
Seo Jin-ho had no connection to Han Yoon-seo—or so Do-hyun had believed. He wasn’t part of any clubs. He barely went to the library. They didn’t even share a social circle.
And yet—
“I’m taking a class in her department.”
Seo Jin-ho, a business administration major, studying computer engineering? That was news.
“He said he was having trouble keeping up because it’s a different department, so I’m tutoring Jin-ho.”
“I owe you my thanks.”
The intimacy in their tone burned clearly into Do-hyun’s ears.
“Since when?”
You’re already calling each other by name?
Oppa? Yoonseo? When did you get so close?
“Since last winter,” Jin-ho answered.
“They contacted me then to learn the basics. I’m teaching sophomore-level major courses and coding now.”
Han Yoon-seo nodded calmly beside him.
Why do they fit together so well?
Do-hyun’s chest felt tight. His stomach churned unpleasantly. He pressed a hand against himself, trying to suppress the discomfort. Even chewing on ice—cold enough to sting his teeth—did nothing to extinguish the heat rising inside him.
What is this feeling?
Why does it feel so awful?
“And how do you know each other?” Jin-ho asked, sipping his drink. He rolled the ice cubes in his mouth, watching Do-hyun warily.
That look—
It was one Do-hyun had never seen from Seo Jin-ho before.
He scoffed internally.
You want me to back off for a guy who looks ready to bite? That’s insane.
“What do you believe in, you crazy bastard?”
“You don’t know?”
“We take liberal arts classes together,” Yunseo answered for him. “I told you my application failed because my laptop broke.”
“That musical one? Or hiking?”
Even the so-called gang leader knew the schedule.
“Both.”
This time, Do-hyun answered.
Yunseo narrowed her eyes at him. “You take musical and opera classes too?”
“This week’s class was canceled because the professor had a conference,” Do-hyun replied smoothly. “Starting next week, we’ll see each other twice a week. Fun, right, Han Yoon-seo?”
“…Wow. I’ll take this.”
“Hey. Don’t talk to yourself. It hurts the listener.”
Yunseo gulped down her water.
Who’s the one burning up inside right now?
The cold water went down the wrong way, making her choke. She gasped and covered her mouth—only for Do-hyun to cup it with his larger hand.
“Hey—! What are you doing?!”
“If our country’s going to become an IT powerhouse, we have to take the lead.”
Still coughing, Yunseo dabbed her mouth with a tissue. Jin-ho reached for a neatly folded handkerchief—but Do-hyun snatched it first and wiped his own palm.
“Thanks, Jin-ho.”
He smiled brightly, then turned to Yunseo.
“I’m the next generation that’ll lead DK. I’ll learn it too. Computer stuff.”
“…Just use someone talented like me.”
“That’s a given.”
“You hate studying. What are you talking about?”
“…My grades are better than his.”
Do-hyun pointed at Jin-ho. At the look of disbelief, he raised an eyebrow.
I can’t tell you everything.
Why can’t you trust me?
Does she really not know me?
Or does she just not care?
“I can’t say it first. It’d ruin the image.”
“Don’t lie—”
“Don’t you know my CSAT score?”
Do-hyun cut her off immediately.
“I got a perfect score and entered Seoul National University fair and square. Even now, my grades are better than Seo Jin-ho’s. You really didn’t know? You don’t know Kwon Do-hyun of DK Group?”
“How would I know my senior’s scores? I thought you got in through donations.”
“Huh? SNU doesn’t accept donations, right?”
“…That’s why I asked if you were in the physical education department.”
“Was that after seeing my body?”
The childish exchange continued. Yunseo bit her lip.
He’s serious…
She had honestly thought he was just a rich idiot who donated his way into college.
Do-hyun stared at her, half-shocked.
“Well, I’m not a celebrity. Why would you know?”
“You’re not a celebrity.”
“…I know Dae—uh—BT…”
It sounded like the name of the only famous singer he knew.
This is infuriating. Really infuriating.
“Do-hyun, why are you here on a weekend? Didn’t you go clubbing yesterday?”
“Why would I go to a club?”
“Aren’t you meeting women anymore?”
Do-hyun glared.
“Why would I meet women? I’ve been single for a long time.”
“…Really? Even in winter there are—”
“The music on the 10th floor is fucking loud. I can’t even talk.”
Sitting like an unwanted guest on someone else’s date, Do-hyun shoved Jin-ho’s chair away with his foot.
“Senior. If you’re done talking, should we stand?”
“Huh? All three of us?”
“No. You’re going home. I’m tutoring Jin-ho and leaving. I brought the materials today for that.”
“…Then what about me?”
“Go to a club. Seems like your kind of place.”
You’re sending me to a club?
Lately, he’d skipped drinking parties, so his phone buzzed nonstop every weekend. Men and women alike kept calling.
Even the girl he’d met just to sleep—after a few rounds—had clung to him until nightfall.
Does Han Yoon-seo really hate me?
Why? I have no flaws. None.
Do you like Seo Jin-ho?
He squinted, trying to see hearts in her eyes. Yunseo flinched at his expression.
“I’ll pay ten times what he’s paying. Give me group tutoring.”
“Ten times?”
“…Not enough?”
Yunseo sighed at his dejected face. She’d seen that expression before—he used it whenever he wanted something.
And yes—she fell for it.
She turned on her phone and tapped the screen, then held it out to him.
[150,000 × 2 × 4 × 10 = 1,200]
“One hundred fifty thousand won, twice a week, four weeks, times ten. That’s twelve million a month.”
Twelve million.
So her time has a price?
She tapped again and turned the screen toward Jin-ho.
“Half price since group tutoring is a loss. Seventy-five.”
Twelve million for me—seventy-five for him?
Do-hyun stared, feeling utterly robbed. Yunseo’s expression remained serious.
She leaned closer.
“Are you doing it?”
“…Yeah.”
Defeated, Do-hyun slid back slightly, crossing his legs and running a hand through his hair.
Enough. Don’t embarrass yourself further.
He mentally recited prayers, nursery rhymes—anything to cool down.
“But you two are close, right?” he asked. “Friends or something?”
“No, Yunseo. We’re not close—”
“We are.”
“Huh?”
Yunseo tilted her head, clearly confused.
“Brother Jin-ho, I’ll just live today. You pay for the drinks.”
She picked up the bill and stood.
You buy him food but won’t even buy me a drink?
Pouting, arms crossed, Do-hyun transferred fifteen million won via messenger.
“Twelve million plus three hundred thousand. Five weeks this month.”
I can’t even pay for ade, Han Yoon-seo.
So the fifth week—just the two of us.
Worth every won.
