Chapter 11
Ihan’s eyes quickly swept over Haru, who had clung to his side.
Contrary to her playful voice, her face was full of fear.
Her eyelids fluttered as though sending an SOS, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her clothes were disheveled, too, for some reason.
Ihan quickly caught on to the situation.
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Seungjae whispered into his ear, but Ihan didn’t reply.
Taeein, who had rushed over to watch the situation unfold, gave a derisive snort.
“So this guy is your boyfriend?”
Maybe it was because Ihan had appeared at just the perfect timing.
Suspicion filled Taeein’s eyes as they darted between Haru and Ihan.
Haru forced herself to compose her expression, afraid that her acting would be exposed.
But because she was nervous, her facial muscles wouldn’t obey her.
Sensing the awkward air between them, Taeein spoke in a menacing tone.
“Don’t make me laugh. You think you can lie to me?”
At that moment, Ihan pulled his arm free from Haru’s grip.
The way he pulled away so indifferently stung her badly.
Was this because she’d rejected his proposal for a fake relationship last time?
He sure held grudges. Couldn’t he at least pretend once to be caught up in her act when she was begging him so desperately with her eyes?
Just when Haru thought she could even hear Taeein’s mocking laughter ringing in her ears, Ihan’s freed arm suddenly landed on her shoulder.
“Yes, honey.”
Pulling her close by the shoulder, Ihan smiled warmly.
Everyone froze, stunned at the word that came out of his mouth.
H-Honey?
Even Haru herself was shocked.
And the words that followed were even more shocking.
“I heard some perverted bastard was pestering you. Who is it?”
Though his face was gentle as he pulled her close, his tone carried a deadly edge.
His gaze, fixed on Haru up until then, suddenly shifted to Taeein.
“Was it this guy?”
The accused man’s pupils trembled in panic.
He thought she’d just grabbed some random guy at the bar to play along, but it turned out to be her real boyfriend?
He couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“So this punk is the one who dared to touch my woman?”
Towering over him, Ihan’s sharp gaze crushed Taeein into silence.
Haru was relieved he was playing along with her act, but at the same time, she was scared.
She’d only wanted him to pretend long enough to get her out of this mess.
But from the look of it, he had no intention of stopping there.
‘Easy. Take it down a notch.’
Haru curved her eyes into a smile, hoping he’d understand.
Ihan mirrored her smile—until his gaze fell on her wrist.
The smile instantly vanished.
“Wait, did he do this to you?”
Ihan lifted her arm lightly.
Her pale wrist, where Taeein had gripped her for too long, was red and marked, almost certain to bruise.
Taeein inhaled sharply when Ihan’s sharp gaze bore into him.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Haru, tell him. Explain.”
Sensing danger, Taeein forced a strained smile and urged Haru.
“We’re college alumni. I even helped her find a job recently. Isn’t that right?”
“Oh, so you’re Haru’s senior from college?”
Ihan’s tone was pleasant, as though he’d just learned something new.
Taeein bobbed his head eagerly, clinging to his lifeline.
“Yes. Haru is a junior I really value.”
He even added an awkward laugh as he lightly tapped Haru’s arm, trying to prove his closeness.
“Please don’t touch another man’s girlfriend like that.”
Startled, Taeein snatched his hand back the moment Ihan brushed it off.
He raised both hands in the air as if to prove his innocence.
But Ihan pinned him with an unrelenting stare and stepped closer.
Taeein flushed red as he instinctively backed away.
Then Ihan suddenly extended his hand.
Taeein blinked at it, confused, before realizing it was an offer for a handshake. He quickly took it.
“My apologies, senior. I didn’t realize. You should’ve said so earlier.”
The grip tightened steadily.
Taeein’s flushed face gradually drained of color as the strength in Ihan’s hand crushed his.
“But as a senior, shouldn’t you be setting a better example?”
Ihan let go—only to seize Taeein’s wrist next.
Taeein, unsure of his intentions, faltered under the icy pressure.
“P-Please let go.”
“Let me repay you for what I just learned.”
The moment Ihan bent his wrist backward, Taeein screamed in pain.
Pushed without resistance, he staggered back against the wall.
Seungjae, unable to watch anymore, rushed to intervene.
“Hey, man. That’s enough.”
If word spread and reached a reporter’s ear, it’d be a headache.
Only then did Ihan release him, shoving Taeein away.
“Act your age if you’re a senior.”
Taeein stumbled back and fell over an object behind him.
The crash echoed across the bar.
Something tore.
As Ihan delivered his brutal payback, not only did he shatter the atmosphere, but Taeein’s tight pants ripped with a loud tear.
“Oh my. What now…”
Haru clasped both hands over her mouth in shock at the sight.
Through the torn black fabric peeked bright red underwear, like the exposed flesh of a watermelon.
Taeein’s face turned just as red as he scrambled to cover himself.
At the same time, there was a faint click from somewhere, like a photo being taken.
Haru nearly burst out laughing, struggling to hold it in.
“You’ll regret this.”
Humiliated, Taeein spat out the words through clenched teeth.
He muttered curses under his breath before storming off.
Only after the so-called “Bar-ripped man” (instead of a comic’s “man-ripped-from-the-page”) disappeared did Haru let out a full laugh.
How utterly satisfying.
She had never seen arrogant Taeein so disgraced.
“Hey, Tae—ugh.”
Seungjae’s attempt to call out was cut short by a groan.
Ihan had stepped on his foot.
As Seungjae grimaced and snapped his head up, Ihan spoke quietly.
“Hyung, you’re drinking alone tonight.”
Since when did he call me hyung? He’s never done that before.
The change in Ihan’s demeanor filled Seungjae’s mind with questions.
But when their eyes met, he realized it was wiser to back off.
Seungjae gave a small nod and retreated a step.
Then Ihan turned to Haru.
“Honey, we need to talk.”
Again, that word slipped from his lips, so unlike him.
Still basking in the thrill of revenge, Haru finally lifted her gaze.
“Not here. Let’s move somewhere else.”
“Ah, yes.”
Earlier, she’d greeted him with “Oppa, you’re here?”—but now, she answered him with formal speech.
Seungjae tilted his head in puzzlement, unable to make sense of their relationship.
Haru bowed politely to him and followed Ihan out.
At a café, Haru sat across from Ihan, gulping down an iced ade.
Every time she set down her glass, the image of Taeein’s humiliation returned, and a giggle slipped out.
It had been immensely satisfying, but she couldn’t shake the fear of possible consequences.
Draining her drink so quickly that her throat stung, Haru finally spoke.
“Thanks for helping me. But you should’ve held back. How are we supposed to deal with the aftermath?”
“That was holding back.”
“Excuse me?”
Ripping a man’s pants was holding back?
Her eyes widened as she spoke again.
“You could’ve just pretended to be my boyfriend and left it at that.”
Crossing his legs, Ihan tilted his head and asked quietly:
“Haru, have you really never dated anyone before?”
“What?”
The out-of-the-blue question left Haru gaping.
“No man would just walk away after seeing another guy put his hands on his girlfriend.”
“……”
“So I was only playing the role of a boyfriend properly.”
