Chapter 10
Even after some time had passed, Hyunsoo’s words — “Break up with her” — wouldn’t leave Hoje’s ears.
“Who do you think you are…”
His fist clenched so tightly it turned pale.
Because he couldn’t refute Hyunsoo’s words, the good mood he’d had after meeting Yeonshi had plummeted to the ground.
Worrying about a friend — he could, reluctantly, understand that. But meddling in their romance? Was that really advice given out of friendship?
“Haah…”
His sigh revealed his feelings. It had been a long time since he’d felt this filthy inside.
He wanted to hear Yeonshi’s bright voice. Just hearing it would probably lighten this awful heaviness a little.
“Do Yeonshi… Do Yeonshi.”
Just murmuring her name soothed him somewhat. As he debated whether to call her, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket.
He pulled it out and checked the caller ID.
[Cupcake]
The corner of his lips lifted as soon as he saw it.
“Yes, Yeonshi.”
His voice softened as he answered her call.
― I just wanted to check if you got home safely.
“Of course. I did. Actually, I was just thinking about you.”
― About me? What kind of thoughts?
“All kinds. After all, I know so many different sides of you.”
His eyes glinted mischievously as he focused on the conversation.
― Then at least think of the pretty sides.
“You don’t get it, Yeonshi. They’re all pretty sides. You’re pretty when you cry, pretty when you laugh, even when you’re angry.”
― At least pretend to be honest when you lie, huh?
Yeonshi went quiet, as if holding back laughter. Her steady breathing on the line soothed his unsteady heart.
― It’s unfair.
“What is?”
― I feel like I’ve shown you all my ugly sides. But the Min Hoje I remember is always perfect.
“If you saw my ugly side, you’d be seriously disappointed. So don’t expect it — you’ll never see it.”
― Even if I saw it, you’d still be cool to me.
He let out a quiet laugh.
“No way.”
― It’s true.
Yeah… I really can’t let this woman go.
“Yeonshi.”
― Yes?
“Actually… your friend came by the flower shop earlier.”
There was silence again. Since she wasn’t angry or surprised, it seemed she already knew.
Hoje decided to be honest about what he felt.
“I wavered a bit. I’ve never felt like I had a duty to protect someone before.”
He rose from the sofa and looked out the darkened park in front of the house. There, he saw Hyunsoo and Isol kissing.
Really? Out of all places, here?
Just like yesterday, they ignored the world around them.
The sight of Hyunsoo — the very person who had just come to warn him — kissing Isol so passionately felt jarring.
Hoje’s face darkened. Even expressionless, his eyes burned intensely.
He yanked the curtain shut to block the unwanted scene, then turned back to focus on Yeonshi’s voice.
“I really can’t give you up.”
― Min Hoje…
“Tell your friend this: no matter what happens, I’ll never break up with you.”
― Pfft…
Right after he said it, he heard Yeonshi burst out laughing.
“Yeonshi?”
― That’s exactly what I was going to tell you. I just ran into Hyunsoo earlier.
At that, his brow twitched.
The thought of Hyunsoo calmly kissing his girlfriend after meeting Yeonshi only annoyed him more.
― I’ve never been so mad at my friend before. Instead of supporting me, he tried to ruin things, so it made me even more stubborn.
“Looks like we’re on the same wavelength.”
― Maybe we get along better than we thought?
Why does everything feel easier when I talk to her?
He didn’t know the reason, but his head was full of only one thought — he wanted to be with her.
“How about we go around telling everyone we’re dating?”
― Didn’t you say you didn’t want that before?
She remembered?
He chuckled quietly, amused.
“I changed my mind. Let’s go on a date tomorrow after we finish work.”
He glanced sideways, through the curtain, at the faint shadows still clinging together under the streetlamp.
His eyes narrowed. Then Yeonshi’s cheerful voice softened them again.
― Okay. Let’s tell the whole town.
The displeasure in his gaze melted away.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
― Yes, Hoje.
Even after the screen went black, he couldn’t take his eyes off her name.
The wide smile spreading across his lips went completely unnoticed by him.
On the bench, Isol leaned against Hyunsoo’s shoulder, both their cheeks flushed from a heated kiss.
They gazed at the quiet park, warmed by each other’s presence.
“Do you think Yeonshi hates me now?”
“Because of earlier?”
“Yeah. I feel bad… I think I just made her angry by butting in.”
Hyunsoo’s eyes drooped with regret.
“She must really like Min Hoje. She wouldn’t have gotten that mad otherwise.”
“I’m worried. If word spreads that Min Hoje is here, this whole village will be in chaos.”
“You worry too much. Yeonshi’s an adult now, not the kid she used to be. Honestly, you worry about her more than I do.”
Isol playfully nipped at the back of his hand, her eyes teasing.
“She’s like a little sister to me. I can’t help it. Remember when her grandmother passed away? She just sat by the body quietly, without a word. You know how she is.”
“Yeah… I still remember how shocked we were. The way she acted, it was like she couldn’t feel emotions. She only cried after the funeral and cremation were over… That’s when we realized she hadn’t been able to accept it.”
That same girl, who never showed interest in anyone and only gave her whole heart to the people she considered her own — now she was in love. Hyunsoo couldn’t shake off his confusion.
But to Isol, it just seemed admirable.
“Honestly, I’m happy for her. I always felt guilty — after we started dating, I worried she’d be lonely. But now? This is a relief.”
“I still don’t trust Min Hoje.”
“Whether you trust him or not isn’t up to us. Yeonshi needs to go through things herself — pain, trials, love, longing. That’s what makes us human. She’s not someone who needs protecting anymore. She’s grown.”
Yeah, she’s not a kid anymore.
Hyunsoo gave a bitter smile.
“Hyunsoo.”
Isol lifted his face with both hands, making him meet her eyes.
Under the streetlamp, their gazes flickered deeply.
“Yeonshi will be fine. If we don’t believe in her, who will? So stop carrying the weight all by yourself.”
“…Yeah. Sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? We’ve known her since we were kids. Of course I worry too. But let’s just watch over her from where we are.”
“Okay.”
Hyunsoo hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to her hair before resting his chin on her head.
As he looked out, an unwelcome silhouette came into view.
At the very top of the villa across the park, sharp eyes locked with his.
Min Hoje.
It seemed the man recognized him too.
Neither looked away for a while, until Hoje finally pulled the curtain shut with a rough motion.
[Your father has been hospitalized. I thought you should know, young master.]
As soon as Hoje received the message, he closed the flower shop. He quickly asked Yeonshi to postpone their date, then drove out of Heonin Village.
Before long, he arrived at Hanyoo University Hospital’s VIP wing.
After parking, he stepped out of the car and looked up at the towering building.
Even before facing his father, his palms were already drenched with sweat. He wiped them against his pants, trying to shake off the nerves.
“It’s okay. You can do this.”
Stay calm, Min Hoje. Nothing happened that day.
Clenching his fists, he pulled on a mask and headed toward the hospital.
