Chapter 09
Haru stepped off the bus and set foot on the sidewalk.
Her ivory A-line dress fluttered lightly in the breeze.
Answering a sudden phone call, Haru looked around.
After finally spotting the meeting place, she kept walking while continuing the call.
“A couples’ gathering? Then I can’t go.”
This year, the once-a-year get-together with her friends was apparently going to be a couples’ gathering.
Of course, everyone except her had a boyfriend.
“What am I supposed to do, tagging along alone with all the couples? Just meet up without me this time.”
As she kept walking nonstop, a large building with layers of white brick came into view.
“Fine. If I happen to get a boyfriend by then, I’ll bring him along.”
Just as she cracked that ridiculous joke and was about to hang up—
“Lying is a habit for you, huh? Didn’t you say you had a boyfriend?”
“Ah!”
Startled by the sudden voice right by her ear, Haru let out a scream.
In her shock, she missed her step and even dropped her phone.
Both her phone and her body were about to crash to the ground.
“Huh?”
Something firm supported her arched-back posture, giving her an unexpected sense of comfort.
A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose.
When Haru looked up, she was met with a man’s gaze from above, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Why tell a lie that’ll be exposed so easily?”
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
There was still quite a bit of time before their appointment.
She had lowered her guard, planning to arrive early and wait.
Haru stared blankly at his face against the backdrop of the blue sky.
He looked like a statue sculpted by the gods themselves.
“Are you planning to stay like this?”
“N-no!”
Snapping out of her daze, Haru used his strong arm as leverage and sprang upright like a coiled spring.
The moment she got to her feet, a phone was held out in front of her.
When did he even catch it?
That meant he’d supported her with one arm and grabbed the falling phone with the other.
What incredible reflexes.
“Thanks.”
Haru took the phone and gave an embarrassed smile.
With a nod, Ihan spoke.
“I almost didn’t recognize you.”
The heavy black eyeshadow was gone, replaced by soft coral eyelids that blinked gently.
Her long, wavy hair suited the innocent, cute vibe of the dress perfectly.
This was the real Dan Haru.
The Dan Haru he had longed to see.
His steady gaze lingered on the woman fixing her tousled clothes and hair.
When Haru finally looked up, Ihan said:
“Shall we go in?”
“Yes.”
They entered the fine dining restaurant, elegant and splendid with its high ceilings.
A massive chandelier cast reflections that sparkled across the marble tables.
While Haru was lost in awe, glancing around the interior, a staff member guided them to their seats.
The first course, the amuse-bouche, was served—bite-sized, yet so beautiful it resembled a work of art.
She couldn’t remember ever eating food this expensive.
Even at the lunchbox shop, she’d never chosen the most expensive menu item.
Today her mouth would truly be spoiled.
She carefully scooped a bite with her spoon, and it melted instantly on her tongue.
As she smacked her lips in regret at how quickly it disappeared, he asked:
“What do you do for work, Miss Dan Haru?”
Haru hesitated for a moment.
Was it okay to tell the truth?
How much should she reveal?
Well, considering how much he’d already discovered about her, hiding her real job seemed pointless.
“Video translator. I translate from English.”
“That suits you much better than bride training.”
His teasing tone furrowed her brows slightly while his eyes studied her.
“And your style suits you far better now than it did then.”
The weight of his gaze made her cheeks flush.
She coughed and averted her eyes, just as the next course was served.
“So why did you make up that nonexistent boyfriend?”
She thought she’d gotten away with it, but he pointedly brought up her lie.
Fixing her eyes on the food, Haru feigned ignorance.
“You must’ve misheard. I do have a boyfriend.”
She answered brazenly, but he clearly didn’t buy it.
“Oh, really? And who’s this boyfriend?”
“W-why would I tell you that?”
He must have seen her flustered face.
Just as he’d said, she was terrible at lying.
“Is this boyfriend of yours better than me?”
The unexpected follow-up left her speechless.
According to Dain, Cha Seung-jae was the head of Midas Entertainment.
An agency filled with top-tier actors.
And more than that—his superior physique.
With a face like his, he should’ve been an actor himself instead of running an agency.
Talent, wealth, and looks—he had it all.
In short, finding a man more impressive than him would be nearly impossible.
Certainly not among anyone she knew.
Truthfully, she didn’t even have a boyfriend. But even if she did, he surely wouldn’t surpass Ihan.
“We’re just supposed to have one meal together and part ways. Why are you asking things like this?”
“Because I’d be disappointed to part so soon. I want to see you again.”
Haru froze mid-bite, lifting her head.
Why did her chest tingle at that moment?
“After seeing you today, Miss Dan Haru, I realize you’re quite my type.”
The frankness in his gaze was overwhelming.
She reached for her water glass, throat suddenly dry.
“How about we keep seeing each other?”
Just as she sipped the water, he tossed out that line. She choked.
Unfazed, Ihan handed her a tissue as she coughed.
Patting her chest, she finally regained composure and exclaimed:
“I’m not Bae Dain, the woman you were supposed to meet.”
“I know. You’re Dan Haru.”
She couldn’t make sense of it.
He must’ve realized that using Dain’s name meant her entire profile was fake.
Besides, hadn’t he said he wasn’t interested in blind dates?
Yet, he was now suggesting they continue seeing each other.
Could it be… had this man actually fallen for her?
The question swirled in her head until she blurted it out.
“We’ve only met three times. Did you suddenly… get attracted to me?”
Calmly slicing his steak, Ihan replied:
“You remember the woman from the blind date? She kept pestering me for a long time. But thanks to you, her attitude changed. That day, you walked out of the hotel with my room key.”
At last, she understood why he’d made that outrageous suggestion then.
So now, too—was that the reason?
“Are you asking me to pretend to date you just to keep Cha Seung-jae’s admirers away?”
“I wasn’t planning on dating you. Unless… you want to?”
There it was again—that sly phrasing that tripped her up every time.
Watching her expression, he gave a small laugh.
“Not real dating. Just acting.”
“What do you mean…?”
“You acted well as Bae Dain, didn’t you? Fooled me completely.”
So what he wanted now was for her to play the role of his fake girlfriend.
She’d only ever seen that kind of “contract relationship” in dramas. She never imagined someone would actually propose it—let alone to her.
“That boyfriend of yours was a lie anyway. So why not?”
“Because I have no reason to. There’s no benefit for me.”
“You never know. Maybe one day you’ll need my help too. I could even go with you to that friends’ gathering.”
“No way. That’ll never happen.”
Once today ended, she’d never have to see him again.
If not for standing in as Dain’s proxy, they never would’ve met in the first place.
A relationship built on lies should end right here.
“You’re awfully confident. What if you really do end up needing me?”
“If that ever happens, then I’ll accept your offer.”
Haru declared boldly, convinced that such a day would never come.
Nodding, Ihan dabbed his lips with a napkin and said:
“Keep your word.”
“Of course.”
After finishing the meal, they stepped outside and parted ways.
As she headed toward the bus stop, Haru pulled out her phone and texted Dain.
It’s really over now. You don’t have to worry anymore.
