Chapter 64: Dating? (2)

The next day, the promised lunchtime approached.

I wore the ‘ordinary yet decent’ clothes Yoon Taesoo had picked out for me yesterday and went down to the penthouse parking lot.

It was certainly different from the comfortable tracksuits I usually wore, but it wasn’t particularly uncomfortable either.

The car prepared beforehand was a plain black sedan, truly inconspicuous in appearance.

However, opening the door revealed an interior filled with top-quality leather seats and convenient features.

I sat in the driver’s seat myself and started the engine.

The smooth sound of the engine was satisfying.

I drove the car to the café near the company where I had arranged to meet the members.

A little later, I saw three familiar figures in the distance.

They were wearing the clothes I had sent them yesterday.

Ajung wore a bright, pastel-toned dress.

A small ribbon on the shoulder added a touch of cuteness.

It suited her image quite well.

Jungyeon was in a neat white blouse and beige wide-leg slacks.

It gave her a tidy and sophisticated look, different from her usual liveliness.

She also looked a little awkward.

Yoonsol wore an ivory-colored knit top with a flowing long skirt.

The calm and feminine atmosphere suited her well.

It seemed all three had chosen and worn what they liked best from the clothes I sent yesterday.

They weren’t bad choices.

When I stopped the car, the three of them approached with slightly nervous expressions.

“Wow, President! You drive yourself too?”

Ajung asked in surprise as she opened the passenger door first.

“Did you think I couldn’t drive?”

When I replied bluntly, Ajung chuckled and got into the passenger seat.

“No! It’s just a bit unexpected! I thought you always stayed at home.”

Jungyeon and Yoonsol sat side by side in the back seat.

I could hear them quietly exclaiming in admiration as they looked around the car’s interior.

“So, where are we going?”

Jungyeon asked the question she seemed most curious about.

“To lunch. I’ve booked a decent place.”

I replied curtly, looking ahead.

There was no need to spoil the surprise by telling them in advance.

The car smoothly exited the bustling city center and headed towards a quiet suburban area.

An elegant, traditional building came into view.

It was the high-end Korean traditional set meal restaurant Yoon Taesoo had recommended.

After handing the car over for valet parking, we entered, and a staff member politely guided us.

The hallway leading to the private room was quiet, and expensive-looking paintings adorned the walls.

“Wow… the atmosphere here is really nice.”

Ajung whispered as she looked around.

The room we were guided to was spacious and cozy.

A well-maintained garden was visible through the large window.

Neat tableware was already set on the table.

As soon as we sat down, a staff member brought the menu.

Actually, I didn’t even need to look at the menu.

“Please prepare the best lunch course here for four people. And additionally… please give us the abalone galbijjim and yukhoe separately.”

As I ordered without hesitation, I didn’t miss the members’ expressions momentarily stiffening.

“Huh? P-President! I think the course alone would be more than enough…”

Jungyeon said, flustered, trying to stop me.

“It’s fine. We’re out for a change, so we should try everything we want to eat.”

I replied nonchalantly.

Honestly, I didn’t think the course meal alone would be filling enough, and there were a few more delicious-looking items on the menu.

“No, but still, this is too much…”

Jungyeon tried to say more, but I stopped her with a gesture.

“It’s my treat today, so don’t worry about it and just eat comfortably.”

At my firm attitude, Jungyeon finally closed her mouth.

However, she still had a reluctant expression.

Soon, splendid appetizers began to fill the table.

Fresh seafood, salads of various colors, neatly arranged seasoned vegetables.

“Wow… It’s beautiful.”

Ajung’s eyes sparkled as she started taking pictures.

“Enjoy your meal.”

I said, picking up my chopsticks.

The members cautiously began to taste the food.

Ajung exclaimed, “Huh? This is delicious!” with every bite, while Yoonsol quietly savored the taste, nodding slightly.

Jungyeon also continued eating without much comment, indicating the food was tasty, but seeing her occasionally furrow her brow, it seemed the price was still bothering her.

‘The food is definitely good.’

I tasted the dishes as well.

A clean and deep flavor that brought out the natural taste of the ingredients.

It was worthy of Yoon Taesoo’s recommendation.

As the course meal continued and the additionally ordered galbijjim and yukhoe arrived, the table was truly a feast.

“President, but… can we eat all of this?”

Yoonsol asked worriedly.

“If we can’t eat it all, we can just leave it. What’s the problem?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s just such a waste…”

“If you’re worried about wasting food, just eat diligently.”

At my simple reply, Yoonsol couldn’t say more and let out a small sigh.

The meal continued in a friendly yet somewhat awkward atmosphere.

I mostly listened to the members’ conversations, occasionally interjecting with affirmations or questions.

Talk about ‘Dream Stage’, stories about other broadcasts they recently enjoyed, and trivial everyday matters.

Their small stories, which I usually didn’t have a chance to hear, were quite interesting in their own way.

As the meal was nearing its end, dessert and tea were served.

We paused for a moment, enjoying sweet rice cakes, fruit, and fragrant tea.

“I’m so full… I feel like I’ve eaten a lifetime’s worth of Hanjungsik today.”

Ajung patted her stomach with a satisfied expression.

“Where are we going next, President?”

Jungyeon asked cautiously.

“Well. I heard there’s a good place nearby to help with digestion. Shall we stop by for a bit?”

I recalled the place Yoon Taesoo had told me about earlier.

It was a members-only private select shop.

We got back in the car and headed to the next destination.

The select shop wasn’t as large as a department store, but it had a luxurious and quiet atmosphere.

Upon entering with guidance from a staff member at the entrance, clothes and accessories from famous luxury brands were displayed stylishly.

“The clothes here are so pretty!”

Ajung’s eyes sparkled again as she began to look at the clothes.

Jungyeon, too, pretended to be nonchalant on the outside, but the way her eyes darted around, examining the clothes, was anything but ordinary.

Yoonsol, still looking a bit intimidated, quietly followed behind the other members.

“If there’s anything you like, tell me. I’ll buy it for you.”

I said, as if casually tossing the words out.

“What?! Ah, no! It’s okay! We already had lunch on you!”

Jungyeon waved her hands, vehemently refusing.

“That’s right! We already received clothes too!”

Ajung chimed in from the side.

“That was then, this is now. When else would you get to visit a place like this? Don’t just browse, pick something you like.”

At my urging, the members reluctantly began to look at the clothes.

But, as expected, they couldn’t choose easily.

They kept glancing at the price tags and quietly putting things down.

‘This is frustrating.’

I couldn’t stand it and pointed to the clothes a mannequin was wearing.

It was a bright blouse that I thought would look good on Ajung.

“That one looks good. Try it on.”

Ajung, taken aback, accepted the clothes from the staff member and headed to the fitting room.

A moment later, when Ajung came out after changing, everyone’s attention was focused on her.

It definitely suited her.

Her face seemed even brighter.

“Oh! Aju… Ah, Jeonga, you look really pretty!”

“It suits you well.”

Jungyeon, who almost called her ‘Ajung’ in public where someone might recognize the name, and even the staff member, didn’t hold back their compliments.

“Hehe, you think so?”

Ajung smiled happily but then furtively checked the price tag, and her expression suddenly hardened.

I could see her pupils trembling.

“I, I don’t think it suits me that well! I’ll look at something else!”

She hastily took off the blouse and handed it back to the staff.

“…”

I watched her silently.

Was it really necessary to react like that over the price of a single piece of clothing?

I couldn’t understand.

“It looked good on you, Ms. Jeonga. Why?”

“No! It’s just not my style!”

Ajung said, laughing awkwardly and making excuses.

“Then, Ms. Jungyeon, Ms. Yoonsol, isn’t there anything you like?”

I turned my gaze to the other two.

“I’m fine, President. Really!”

Jungyeon shook her head firmly.

“Me too…”

Yoonsol also refused in a small voice.

In the end, no one readily stepped forward.

Frustration washed over me again.

“Then I’ll pick for you.”

I looked around and started personally selecting items that I thought would suit the members.

It was a selection purely reflecting my own taste.

For Jungyeon, a scarf with a unique design; for Yoonsol, simple yet luxurious earrings; and for Ajung, a bag that would go well with the blouse from before.

“Here, please wrap all of these.”

I said, handing my card to the staff member.

The members were flustered and didn’t know what to do.

“P-President! You really shouldn’t do this!”

“Why not? I told you, it’s a gift.”

“But this is too expensive!”

Jungyeon said, almost on the verge of tears.

“I’ll decide whether it’s expensive or not. Just accept it. It’s a reward for your hard work this time.”

At my firm stance, the members eventually couldn’t refuse any longer.

However, their expressions were still full of burden and apology.

‘Why are they feeling so burdened by this?’

It was the first time I’d seen them so restless instead of happy upon receiving gifts.

I just wanted to give them gifts to show my appreciation for their hard work, was it too much of a burden?

When we finished shopping and came out, the sun was already beginning to set.

The members looked completely exhausted.

It seemed they were drained by the expensive food and the barrage of gifts.

“Shall we head back now?”

When I asked, all three nodded their heads vigorously at the same time.

As soon as they got into the car, Jungyeon closed her eyes as if tired, and Ajung carefully examined the gifts she received today.

Yoonsol was just staring blankly at the scenery outside the window.

The ride back home was unusually quiet.

After dropping off the members at their respective homes and parting with Jungyeon, with whom I rode the elevator up, I returned to the penthouse, and fatigue washed over me.

Today, I thought I had put in a good effort for the members, in my own way.

Why were the members’ reactions different from what I had expected?

I threw myself onto the sofa and sank into thought for a moment.

‘Ordinary.’

Perhaps it was a much more complex and difficult concept than I thought.

The world definitely didn’t always go the way I wanted.

Today felt like a failure.

I had prepared so much for them, but it ended up being a draining day.

---

The next day.

“President, come hang out with us!”

“…Huh?”

“We’ll show you how to have fun properly, you know?”

“Ah, no…”

“Ah, come on, quickly!”

I don’t know what this situation is.