Episode 5
Do-hyeon had already uncovered the girl’s department, name, and even her schedule.
Han Yun-seo.
While he had been serving in the military, Han Yun-seo had entered Seoul National University, topping her classes both semesters and even applying to be a university promotional model. She had been the prettiest among the applicants, yet she had been eliminated—too sullen, too stiff, as if she would perish should she laugh.
So… really pretty.
A timid, cat-like charm. An aura that could make men dizzy.
It had been a long time since he felt any genuine interest in someone.
What’s the problem? Just twist it, and it’ll be done.
Do-hyeon scrolled through the page of Yun-seo’s schedule, which he had acquired through an acquaintance. He paused at a detail that made him smirk. Her once-light schedule was now filled with two disparate liberal arts classes.
Well, it didn’t matter. The Ivy League acceptance announcement would come in April, and she would transfer in the fall semester. One or two liberal arts courses wouldn’t hurt.
Do-hyeon settled on a wooden bench, tapping his toes to pass the time.
[Musicals and Opera]
[Mountains and Philosophy of Life]
Han Yun-seo didn’t strike him as someone who could pull off musical or opera classes. And mountains and philosophy? How could someone so frail, who looked like she might collapse at any moment, climb a mountain?
Imagining her made his blood rush. His thighs tightened. Nervously, he took out a cigarette and placed it between his fingers. Why this instinctive reaction?
He stretched his arm across the bench, holding the lit cigarette. Looking up at the sky, he drew a deep breath, the smoke curling upward.
“Why school all of a sudden?”
Seo Jin-ho appeared beside him, lighting a cigarette with the air of a gentleman.
“I signed up for a liberal arts class,” Do-hyeon said.
“Why?” Jin-ho asked, glancing at him.
“If we go to the U.S., we’ll be a bit more separated, right?”
“Please. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“I’ll go where you fell,” Do-hyeon said casually, leaning back against the bench. He stretched his long legs, and the toes of Seo Jin-ho’s sneakers bumped his. Jin-ho groaned, tapping the hard white material.
“What if I get caught?”
“…Ah. That won’t do. That bastard Seo Jin-ho, he’s loyal to our Mrs. Kang.”
“Loyal,” Jin-ho repeated. He had been laughing, but he now put out his cigarette and wiped his hands with a wet tissue, the image both meticulous and amusing. Even as he carried a palm-sized bottle, he sprayed it over his clothes and bag—perhaps to clean the cigarette residue.
“You keep revealing my love life one detail at a time,” Do-hyeon complained.
“So, you didn’t follow me when I had fun in Europe and the U.S. for half a year?”
“What?”
Wherever Do-hyeon went, Seo Jin-ho followed like a shadow. For Do-hyeon, whose life had long been dull, Jin-ho was his only source of stimulation. His mother had assigned him as Do-hyeon’s pacemaker.
As expected, a mother knew her son well. Jin-ho was gentlemanly, rarely talkative, yet he matched Do-hyeon in everything: athletics, academics, even physical size. The only difference was personality.
Years of effort had honed Do-hyeon’s grades, and working out with Jin-ho and his older brother allowed him to release the toxins that accumulated inside him. Life had never been boring with them.
Not only had he ended up in the same university department, but when he later joined the military as a replacement, it had infuriated him. Mrs. Kang, this was crossing the line.
“Don’t be angry, Do-hyeon. You must make Jin-ho your own. He’ll be a solid foundation on your path. I intended to give him to your brother, but I gave him to you.”
Still, Do-hyeon regarded Jin-ho as a friend. Seeing him act so dry was almost disgusting, even frightening. One day, that kid might end up as a secretary in the company. How strict would they be?
“Seo Jin-ho, have you dated at all since entering college?”
“Romantic relationships?”
“Woman or man. Anyone. Not a single person, right?”
Jin-ho bristled at the genuine concern in his friend’s voice, frowning.
“There is a woman I want to… be with.”
A strange expression crossed Jin-ho’s face, thinking of someone. It was surprising for someone who had always carried books around in middle and high school.
Do-hyeon thought: dating Jin-ho wouldn’t be bad. From a man’s perspective, Jin-ho wasn’t the type to make a woman cry or suffer.
“You little brat. Why are you being so direct?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“It’s natural to want it. That’s what I was told.”
“No. I mean love.”
Do-hyeon chuckled at Jin-ho acting like a proper bachelor, then stood up. Though Jin-ho was tall, Do-hyeon’s shadow still loomed over him.
“It’s natural to report to Mrs. Kang. That’s why I’m opening my wallet for you.”
“Hey, Do-hyeon.”
“Why apologize? Keep doing what you’re doing. The weather’s nice and sunny.”
Do-hyeon nonchalantly unlocked his phone and handed the tumbler to Jin-ho, stretching lazily.
“Then I’ll go.”
It was finally time for the long-awaited “Mountains and Philosophy of Life” class. Ironically, it was a philosophy course, not physical education. Why had Han Yun-seo applied for it?
The class she had worried about after failing to register turned out better than expected.
The course included two mountain climbing sessions—one during midterms, one for finals. Exams were held atop the mountain. If you couldn’t climb, you couldn’t take the exam.
Unlike other classes, where attendance was tracked by QR codes, this professor personally called each name—a unique feature in itself.
“Kwon Do-hyeon.”
“……”
“Kwon Do-hyeon from the Business Administration Department—isn’t he here?”
As the attendance call continued, the door opened behind them, causing Yunseo to turn around. How could their eyes meet so quickly among so many students?
“I’m sorry, professor,” he greeted politely, like a normal student. Smiling, he came to stand beside Yunseo in the second row from the front.
Though Yunseo was alone in the front row, he chose to sit right next to her. Considering his height, he could have sat at the back, yet he claimed the front without hesitation. He was unlike anyone she had ever met.
As attendance continued, Yunseo felt the sting of gazes on her back. Without even looking, she knew every student’s eyes were on Kwon Do-hyeon.
Leaning away as far as possible, she tried to create distance. He merely shifted his long arm, and their elbows brushed.
Thud. His large foot landed near hers.
“Your feet are half the size of mine. Really small.”
“…Why are you here?” she whispered.
“I’m taking this class too,” he replied.
“Since when?”
“Today.”
He had definitely missed the first week. Perhaps he had signed up but never shown up—but she still felt uneasy.
“I know he’s handsome, but stop staring,” she muttered.
“The professor is calling you.”
Yunseo glanced at the professor.
“Student Han Yunseo? Isn’t she here?”
She raised her hand. The professor’s eyes flicked between her and Do-hyeon—a look she had never encountered before.
Yunseo was a quiet student, diligent and well-behaved, consistently earning top grades.
“I think you’ve been caught,” he whispered.
“….”
“If you get tired while hiking, let me know. I’ll carry you.”
“….”
“How can you climb with those tiny feet… so cute.”
I must be losing it…
Yunseo stared at the absurd man beside her, remembering her lie about having a boyfriend.
“They say there are a lot of cheating couples in the mountains. We’re perfect for that, right?”
She placed her bag between them, sitting deliberately far apart. He grinned, clearly finding her distance amusing.
