Chapter 9: “Amidst the Falling Cherry Blossoms”:
Bora woke up early in the morning and busily prepared to go out.
While taking a shower, she found herself humming absentmindedly. The cherry blossom–scented shampoo made her think it was perfect for today’s flower-viewing trip.
“A cherry blossom festival… how long has it been since I last went to one?”
Thinking back, the only time she’d gone to see cherry blossoms was with a senior she briefly met as a freshman in college, walking along the Yeouido cherry blossom path.
And now, she was going to her second-ever cherry blossom festival—not with just anyone, but with the famous Han Kang-yoon.
She had carefully chosen a cream-colored dress and a pink cardigan the night before. As she slipped on her stockings, an important thought suddenly occurred to her.
“Wait… he said he has a pollen allergy.”
She only remembered now, but Kang-yoon would arrive in twenty minutes.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll just have to enjoy it quickly and leave.”
After checking her makeup in the mirror one last time to make sure it hadn’t smudged, Bora sprayed her favorite perfume, her expression bright with excitement.
She arrived at the front of the house.
“Tousun, I’m off!”
She patted Tousun’s head, who was still lying on the bed, and hurried out the door, just in time for Kang-yoon’s 10 a.m. arrival.
“Bora, where are you going so early?”
Her mother appeared from the bedroom, dressed in expensive golf wear as if ready for a golf appointment that morning.
“Oh… I’m going to see the cherry blossoms with Han Kang-yoon.”
“What? Oh my, look at you!”
Her mother’s eyes widened, and she ran to the doorway, smacking Bora’s arm.
Bora flinched slightly as she slipped her feet into her white flats.
“Can’t you switch to heels immediately?”
“I’ll be walking a lot…”
“Whether you walk a lot or run, you have to look beautiful! You’ve dressed nicely, but what is this? Put these on right now.”
Under her mother’s pressure, Bora reluctantly changed into pearl-colored patent leather high heels and left the house.
“Good morning.”
Bora opened the passenger door of the luxury car parked in front of the villa and greeted him warmly. Kang-yoon’s face broke into a faint smile as he looked at her.
“Good morning.”
“Wow… you look like a different person.”
Bora had only seen Kang-yoon in a perfect suit before; seeing him casually dressed made him seem almost like a different person.
He wore a light beige cashmere sweater with standard-fit black wool slacks, giving him a softer, younger appearance. His bangs, usually slicked back with pomade, now gently covered his forehead, making him look three years younger.
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. Of course. You look much younger.”
Bora’s words seemed to please Kang-yoon.
“You look beautiful today too, Bora. You’re always beautiful, but…”
“I was going to wear flats, but my mom insisted on heels… look at these. Can I really walk around in these all day?”
Bora showed him her pointed stiletto heels, easily over ten centimeters high. The cream-colored dress rode up slightly, revealing her fair thighs.
“If you’re trying to tempt me from the morning, I wouldn’t mind giving in.”
“Eh? That’s not what I meant!”
Realizing Kang-yoon’s gaze had landed on her legs, Bora blushed furiously and drew her legs back.
“You’re surprisingly good at joking, aren’t you?”
Bora said, giving him a side-eye as she buckled her seatbelt.
“What part do you consider a joke? I’m always serious.”
Today, Kang-yoon wore glasses, and his eyes twinkled mischievously behind the lenses. Bora turned her head sharply, trying not to stare too long at how handsome he looked today.
“Shall we go? There will be a lot of people.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Not wanting to make her tear up from teasing, Kang-yoon started the car.
Driving toward Seokchon Lake, traffic flowed smoothly at first but soon got clogged due to the heavy volume of cars.
“I think there might be more people than cherry blossoms today.”
“Yeah… I didn’t realize people cared this much about flowers.”
“Oh, right. You said you have a pollen allergy. Are you okay going?”
Bora asked worriedly, and Kang-yoon chuckled.
“You’re worrying too early. You should’ve asked me sooner.”
“No… yeah, I should have… I was just too excited to think about it. I’m sorry…”
Bora fidgeted with her hands on her lap, and Kang-yoon glanced at her slightly sulking face. Her soft, white cheeks twitched like mochi, making him want to tease her even more.
“I took all my allergy medicine at home, so I’ll be fine. But please wear a mask while walking along the cherry blossom path.”
“Oh, of course. Thank you… because of me…”
“Yes. I’m going to my first-ever cherry blossom festival because of you.”
Bora’s lips parted slightly.
“So… does that mean you like it, or not?”
She pouted as if ready to sulk, and Kang-yoon pushed back his bangs from his forehead, thinking how cute she looked.
“It means I like it.”
Though the subject wasn’t specified, Bora felt as if those words were a confession aimed at her, and her face flushed.
“Calm down, Yoon Bora. You’ve been out of the dating game too long. How can every word make me flutter like this? Breathe.”
As she took deep breaths, Kang-yoon’s thick eyebrows moved with amusement, seemingly aware of her inner turmoil.
“Wow, we finally arrived.”
They parked in a public lot and crossed an underpass to reach the park. Bora’s jaw dropped at the sheer crowd.
“There are more people than flowers.”
“Wow… really.”
Though surprised, they followed the flow of people.
Kang-yoon wore a mask and glasses, but his tall figure and good physique drew glances from passersby, some wondering if he was a celebrity.
“People keep staring at you… they might think you’re a celebrity.”
“I think they’re looking at you, Bora. Out of all these people, you’re the prettiest.”
Bora looked up at him, flinching her nose at his smooth words.
“You must have met a lot of women? You say things like that so easily.”
“I haven’t met that many, but one thing’s for sure: I’ve never met anyone prettier than you.”
“Ah, really…”
Bora wondered what kind of person this man really was. Who had spread the rumors that he was cruel and arrogant? In front of her, Kang-yoon seemed cold on the outside but warm inside, a tsundere with a surprisingly mischievous streak.
“Watch out!”
At that moment, a woman holding two large dogs staggered toward Bora, unable to control the weight of the leashes.
“…Kang-yoon, isn’t this a bit overprotective?”
The woman passed by, and Kang-yoon pulled Bora close, securing her in his arms.
Bora felt the breadth and strength of his chest and swallowed nervously. The subtle woody scent from him matched her taste, making her heartbeat race even faster.
“Are your shoes okay? If not, I can carry you.”
“They’re fine.”
Her toes did ache a bit, but Bora deliberately pulled away and walked ahead with a clicking sound from her heels. Kang-yoon followed slowly.
The wind fluttered her dress like delicate butterfly wings. Unknowingly, every man passing by cast a glance at her, some even receiving reproving looks from their girlfriends.
Kang-yoon leisurely followed her, taking out his phone. Amid the crowd under the blooming cherry trees, Bora alone sparkled brightly.
Then it happened.
Click.
Kang-yoon pressed the camera, intending to capture her from behind, but as if sensing it, Bora turned around instantly.
“Where are you going…?”
Their eyes met—Bora and Kang-yoon—just as the cherry blossoms fell beautifully around them.
The more beautiful Bora filled the frame, and Kang-yoon looked up from the screen, meeting her gaze. His heart skipped a beat.
