PB 8

Chapter 8

After her friends left, Yeon-shi felt she needed to talk with Ho-je, so she headed to the flower shop.

She had to sort out her relationship with him.

Even though he had said he wouldn’t be opening the shop, the entrance was unlocked, and Ho-je was busy arranging flowers, not realizing she had arrived.

Clearing her throat, Yeon-shi stepped inside.

Sensing her presence, Ho-je turned his head. When he saw her, his face broke into a bright smile as he stood up.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you were here.”

“It’s fine. I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“I’ll be done soon. Do you want to sit and wait?”

Accepting his offer, Yeon-shi nodded lightly and sat down on a chair.

Once he confirmed she was seated, Ho-je went back to arranging the flowers. Yeon-shi quietly observed him.

He selected a few blooms and placed them into a plastic container. The different flowers together resembled a basket.

“Why are you setting those aside?”

“The leaves will lose their color soon, so I can’t sell them.”

“They still look fine… what a waste.”

“Do you want them? They’ll last a few more days. They’re not completely wilted yet.”

“Really, I can have them?”

“Yes. I was going to hand them out for free tomorrow morning anyway. But since you’re a little special, I’ll give you extra.”

Special…?

Though she didn’t think they were that close, Yeon-shi did want the flowers, so she nodded gladly. Her cheeks flushed red for no reason.

Her eyes sparkled as she watched Ho-je carefully select the blooms. She had seen them only in photos lately, so seeing them in person again made her heart stir.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll trim them so they’ll look nice in a vase.”

Sitting across from her at the table, Ho-je took the flowers from the container one by one, cleaning and preparing them. Some were common, others she had never seen before.

“Wait—is that a Herchokin Christiana?”

Yeon-shi pointed at a flower with layered petals fading from white to pale pink.

“Yes, that’s right. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I use it to decorate cupcakes. This is my first time seeing the real thing—it’s gorgeous.”

“Oh, now I’m curious about your cupcakes.”

“I’ll make some and bring them to you next time.”

“I’ll look forward to it. This one smells lovely too. Try it.”

He offered her the flower, its thorns already trimmed.

Yeon-shi accepted it and took a sniff. A soft rose fragrance with a fresh undertone lifted her spirits.

“This scent is amazing…”

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Just like you.”

She blinked in shock, wondering if she’d heard him wrong. Then her face flared hot red.

“H-how do you know that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? We even match in this.”

He pouted slightly, tapping his lips with his finger. Her gaze locked onto his lips, and heat rushed to her face. She fanned herself with her hands.

“So hot… summer must be coming early, huh?”

Desperate to change the subject, she flapped her clothes to make a breeze. Ho-je chuckled softly at her reaction.

With one hand holding a bundle of flowers, he tied them with a rustic string and suddenly asked:

“Have you decided?”

Yeon-shi froze. She knew exactly what he meant.

Without meeting her eyes, he busied himself with the flowers. His expression stayed calm, but the tips of his ears burned red.

“I thought… maybe you came here because you’d made up your mind.”

“I’m in love with someone else.”

“I know.”

“You might get hurt.”

“I don’t get hurt easily.”

“Then let me ask you one thing.”

Finally, he looked at her.

“Ask me.”

“Why do you want to be my boyfriend?”

“There are many reasons.”

Crossing one leg over the other, he thought back on their past encounters and let out a quiet laugh.

“At first, it was because you were strange.”

He recalled the first time he had seen her, at a small park while exploring Heonin Village.

He couldn’t help overhearing a conversation between Yeon-shi and Hyun-soo:

“I’m going to confess.”

“Confess…?”

“Yeah. I like Yi-sol. Will you help me? You will, right?”

“…Yeah. I hope it works out.”

Later, after breaking up with Hyun-soo, she came running out of the park, crying, and bumped into Ho-je’s shoulder.

Without even checking if he was alright, she muttered a faint apology and disappeared.

He’d thought, What kind of person is that? and expected never to see her again.

“Then you caught my attention.”

He remembered the day before opening his flower shop, when she had hugged the ginkgo tree so dearly.

“Now you’re my friend.”

“Don’t betray me, okay?”

She had spoken to the tree as if it were alive.

What a strange person… and yet, somehow, she tugged at me.

“Yesterday, I found myself caring about you.”

He smiled faintly, locking eyes with her.

“And finally, the most important thing.”

“What is it?”

“When I’m with you, I can’t help but smile. I’m curious about you. I want to get closer to you.”

“I’ve never dated before.”

Yeon-shi laid herself bare. She wanted him to think carefully about whether she was really suitable for him.

“Same here.”

“No way.”

She frowned, unconvinced.

“It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. I’ve never dated. I’m a lifelong single.”

He shrugged lightly as if it were nothing.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. With his looks, wealth, and good nature—how could that be?

“There’s no doubt we’ll make great partners.”

Partners…?

“So let’s date. Two lonely people together.”

“It feels strange to start dating without even liking each other.”

“The world is full of strange things.”

“I don’t know if this is right…”

Standing, Ho-je held out the bouquet toward her.

“I promise, everyone will envy you.”

Yeon-shi stared at the flowers he offered.

His reasons weren’t really reasons at all.

But maybe… just once…

She wanted to try something different, to break free from her usual patterns.

She’d hesitated enough when it came to Hyun-soo.

She couldn’t be certain, but from what she’d seen, Ho-je seemed like a good person. Maybe being with him would be nice.

Yeah. I can’t spend my whole life in unrequited love.

With that conviction, she accepted the bouquet. The sweet fragrance tickled her nose, and her heart fluttered.

Was it the flowers? Or Ho-je’s smile?

“I’ll be in your care too, Min Ho-je.”

Her heart tingled, separate from her lingering feelings for Hyun-soo.

After Yeon-shi left, Ho-je was locking up the flower shop when a familiar figure approached.

“Min Ho-je?”

He turned to see Hyun-soo, face hardened.

Cupcake’s first love? Why is he here to see me?

“Yes, we’ve met before. Do you need something from me?”

“I came because I need to talk to you.”

“You and me? Why? I have nothing to say.”

“But I do.”

His slightly raised voice carried a sharp edge. Sensing something was off, Ho-je reopened the door and gestured for him to enter.

Hyun-soo stepped inside, and Ho-je followed, leading him to a table.

He didn’t bother offering tea. This wasn’t a welcome guest.

Despite the cozy warmth of the shop, the air grew icy, stiff with tension.

Crossing his arms, legs folded, Ho-je glared at him with open distaste.

Hyun-soo’s gaze wasn’t much warmer. His sharp eyes seemed to dissect him, as if trying to profile him.

So he really was a detective. Ho-je didn’t like the way he was being scrutinized. He just wanted this man gone.

“What’s your business? Say it and leave.”

His tone made it clear he wasn’t pleased.

Hyun-soo sat rigid, staring him down.

“If you’re really meeting Yeon-shi because you love her…”

“…”

“Then break up with her.”

Hyun-soo’s voice was firm, his expression resolute.