Chapter 144: Seo Ji Woo in Seoul, Part 3

Seo Ji-woo, 19, had rarely left Ulleungdo.

She doubted she’d spent even 100 days off the island in her entire life.

This extended stay in Seoul, over a month, was a novel experience.

For starters…

“Hayooooon…”

“Mm…”

“Hayoooooon…”

Waking up next to Min Hayoon every morning was new.

The only companion in her bed at home was a large shark plushie.

Waking up to her beautiful friend’s face felt novel. Having grown accustomed to sharing a bed, she even started poking Hayoon’s cheek to wake her.

“Ugh, Ji-woo…”

“You’re awake?”

“Yeah… I’m going to shower. Rest up…”

“Okay!”

Hayoon would then head to the bathroom.

Unlike Seo Ji-woo, who was about to skip a month of school, Hayoon diligently attended her high school in Seoul. After Hayoon left…

–Azure Sea is amazing! I listen to it every day.
–Her voice is incredible. That husky voice singing a love song? Irresistible.
–Her voice is hot. Tomboy vibes.

Seo Ji-woo checked the comments on her “Azure Sea” video, which continued to gain views.

Perhaps because it was her first original song, she felt a particularly strong connection to it.

The lyrics were about love, but the song also expressed her longing to leave Ulleungdo and experience new things.

Having poured her emotions into the song, she felt a deep attachment to it.

“I hope this song is well-received too…”

She hoped her fans would enjoy this new song as much as she did.

Suddenly…

“Haaa…”

Hayoon rushed in, chest bouncing, grabbed her bra, and quickly put it on.

She then snatched some panties and put them on, her lower body still exposed.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

“What?”

“I can see everything…!”

“We’ve bathed together countless times. Still shy?”

“Is ‘shy’ even the right word?”

“Isn’t it? Whatever.”

Seo Ji-woo, flustered by the unexpected display, made a surprisingly insightful comment.

Hayoon, unfazed, started dressing—top first, followed by her blouse and skirt, and finally, stockings.

Ready for school, she sat at her desk and turned on her hairdryer.

The dryer whirred, and Hayoon began drying her hair.

Seo Ji-woo, watching, unconsciously sniffed the air.

‘Coffee…’

The scent of Hayoon’s new coffee-infused shampoo, the same one she used.

‘Vanilla…’

Then vanilla.

The scent of Hayoon’s body wash, carried by the warm air, wafted towards her.

The same body wash she used.

The combined scents, reminiscent of a café latte, filled the room.

‘Eek…’

Embarrassed by the sudden intimacy of the shared scents, Seo Ji-woo hid her face in her knees.

The seemingly innocent act of watching Hayoon dry her hair had triggered unexpected thoughts.

She felt strangely flustered.

The hairdryer continued for a while, then…

“I have to go. The bus is coming.”

“Already? It’s only 7.”

“Yeah, school’s not far, but I need to leave early to beat rush hour. I’ll go ahead. Ask Mom for breakfast when she wakes up.”

“You’re skipping breakfast?”

“Yeah, no choice. Better to be early than late. There’s a convenience store near school.”

As Hayoon turned off the hairdryer and got up, Seo Ji-woo handed her her bag.

Hayoon, however, was adamant. She was a creature of habit and disliked disruptions to her routine.

She insisted on leaving. Seo Ji-woo, hiding her disappointment, saw her off at the door.

“Have a good day. Bye.”

“You too, Ji-woo. Get some rest. We have recording later.”

“Okay.”

Seo Ji-woo watched the door close, then…

“Huh… that felt…”

A thought struck her.

“…like a married couple.”

She giggled and went back to Hayoon’s room.

Utterly ridiculous, she planned to laze in bed with her phone until Yoon Suhee made breakfast.

That morning, Yoon Suhee made breakfast for Seo Ji-woo and sat across from her, observing.

“Hmm…”

Her slightly tanned skin suggested an active life, likely from growing up on Ulleungdo.

‘She’s pretty, but…’

She didn’t have a typical model’s figure.

“Ji-woo.”

“Yes?”

“Hayoon isn’t pressuring you into any inappropriate photoshoots, is she?”

“No, not really.”

“Good…”

Yoon Suhee worried about the many attractive young women surrounding Hayoon.

The recent risqué cosplay photoshoot with Choi Arin was especially concerning.

“Don’t wear anything inappropriate just because Hayoon tells you to, okay?”

“Okay…”

Seo Ji-woo had already done it and would likely do so again, but… Yoon Suhee, still concerned, cautioned her against blindly following Hayoon’s lead.

‘Hmm…’

Seo Ji-woo didn’t fully understand. Hayoon was her friend and her boss; wasn’t she supposed to follow instructions? And the “inappropriate clothes” probably referred to the cosplay…

‘I’ll do whatever Hayoon wants.’

She decided not to overthink it. It was simpler to just go with the flow.

She smiled and nodded politely, dismissing Yoon Suhee’s concerns.

It was a bold move, but…

“Good, good. Glad you’re enjoying the food. Want me to peel a persimmon for you?”

“Wow, thank you!”

Fortune favored the bold. Unaware of Seo Ji-woo’s inner thoughts, Yoon Suhee happily peeled a persimmon for her.

Seo Ji-woo smiled and ate it.

That afternoon, Seo Ji-woo got ready, changing into light blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and Hayoon’s chestnut brown fleece jacket.

Since outerwear wasn’t affected by chest size, borrowing it was fine.

She left the apartment and navigated the city.

“Let’s see, to get to Yongsan Internet High School…”

Following her phone’s map app, she headed for the bus stop.

Hayoon had offered a taxi, but she preferred the bus.

“This one.”

She found the bus stop easily, boarded the bus, and got off at the school’s entrance.

She watched students leaving, then…

“Hayooooon!”

“Oh, Ji-woo. You’re here?”

“Yeah.”

She ran and hugged a tired-looking Hayoon.

“I’ll get a taxi. Let’s go straight to the studio.”

“Okay!”

It was time for the first recording of her second original song.

They weren’t pressed for time, so today was just about getting a feel for the song.