episode_0029

Days without any particular events passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for my promise with Seong Yurin.

We had agreed to go home separately and meet again in the city.

After quickly finishing my club activities, I rushed home, took a bath again, and carefully chose my clothes.

If I didn’t prepare properly, I might end up looking like an octopus or squid next to Seong Yurin.

Dressed in a safe but decent pair of slacks and a dress shirt that I rarely wore, I finally reached a level that was acceptable.

It’s not a date, but I don’t know why I feel so nervous.

I didn’t have these feelings when I met Lee Soyun, but maybe it’s because I’ve known Lee Soyun and Lee Seae for a long time and have become familiar with them, while Seong Yurin is not as close to me yet.

I put my wallet in my pocket and grabbed my phone before leaving the house.

As the quiet background noise got closer to the city, it became bustling. Even though it was a weekday, there were a lot of people.

I waited for Seong Yurin in front of the subway station, which had now become a meeting place for everyone.

It didn’t take long before I could see Seong Yurin approaching me.

She was attracting everyone’s attention, dressed more elaborately than when I saw her on Lee Seae’s birthday, with a figure that couldn’t be hidden even by a loose T-shirt, and legs that extended gracefully in tight jeans.

With what looked like a luxury handbag, her proportions and appearance made her look like a model.

Seong Yurin approached me, her blonde hair fluttering.

It’s really uncomfortable standing next to her.

“Did you wait long?”

“…Huh? Oh, no. I just got here.”

I tried to hide my surprise as I gazed at Seong Yurin with a dumbfounded expression and answered. She didn’t hear that, right?

“Shall we go? Did you check my message?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Before leaving home, I had sent Seong Yurin a message about the ramen restaurant I had gone to with Lee Soyun last time.

Luckily, she didn’t seem to have any particular preferences, so Seong Yurin readily nodded.

As we walked down the street, we didn’t say much to each other.

She might have a non-social side to her personality, but there was also an awkwardness that hung between us.

It seemed like Seong Yurin, too, felt embarrassed by the silence.

I think she mentioned that this was her first time hanging out with a friend outside like this.

I didn’t have much experience either, but I tried to initiate a conversation by pulling out words from thin air.

“We’re going to a place we went to before, and the food was delicious. Let me know how you like it.”

“Okay. Got it.”

I felt awkward with Seong Yurin’s brief responses.

“…Um. What should we do after eating? Do you have any thoughts?”

“Uh… How about watching a movie?”

Fortunately, I found a topic that kept the conversation going.

After dinner, watching a movie is a safe route.

I nodded in agreement with Seong Yurin’s suggestion.

“Watching a movie sounds good. What’s playing at the theaters these days?”

I was about to search for a movie on my phone when Seong Yurin interrupted me.

“Um! Actually, I already made a reservation. There’s a movie I want to see.”

It seemed like Seong Yurin had gone out with me today because she wanted to see that movie.

“Oh, really? Let’s go with that then. Let me know, I’ll look it up too.”

“Ah, I’m sorry… for deciding on my own.”

“It’s okay. I don’t have a particular genre in mind.”

I reassured Seong Yurin and continued walking.

But going to the ramen restaurant and then watching a movie… It feels strange to do the same things with a different girl.

Is this the life of an alpha male!?

I let out a dry laugh inwardly.

Arriving at the ramen restaurant just as the break time was ending, we managed to avoid a long wait since we arrived earlier than the usual dinner time.

“Thank goodness, last time I came here, the line was so long. We’re lucky we came early.”

“I see.”

As Sung Yurin glanced at the menu board next to the waiting line, she commented, “The light broth seems like it would suit a girl’s taste.”

I made a sly remark, and Sung Yurin looked at me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Oh, it’s nothing. I just wondered if you’ve been here with someone else other than me.”

Gasp.

How did she know?

I tried to hide my surprise.

…There was no need to hide it, why did I?

Even though it wasn’t a date with Lee So-yoon or Sung Yurin.

Maybe Sung Yurin asked because she knew that Lee So-yoon and I had been here before.

Taking last time as a lesson, this time I only ordered ramen.

Actually, when I came with Lee So-yoon, I ate ramen, rice, popcorn, and cola, and I was too full.

Indeed, if you’re greedy, your body will suffer.

After ordering at the kiosk and sitting down, the food came out faster than I expected.

Once again, it didn’t disappoint.

Glancing at Yurin, she seemed satisfied as she diligently ate with her chopsticks.

I poured water into a cup and placed it in front of Sung Yurin.

“Is it delicious?”

“…It’s excellent.”

Coming from Sung Yurin, who had high standards when it came to food, her praise indicated the quality of the food at this restaurant.

…At this rate, I probably won’t come here with the other two.

Should I order a jumbo ramen for Hong Yeon-seo?

Since I usually ate faster than Sung Yurin, I adjusted my eating pace to match hers.

Unlike Sung Yurin, who left some broth, I cleanly finished my bowl and wiped my mouth with a tissue before standing up.

“Let’s digest for a bit… Oh, what time did we book?”

Checking the time on her phone, Sung Yurin answered, “We still have plenty of time. We can move slowly.”

“Then let’s take a walk for a bit.”

We left the ramen restaurant and wandered around the bustling streets of the city.

Many men looked at me with jealous eyes.

It was understandable, even I would be jealous of the person standing next to a woman like her.

With a sense of superiority being next to Sung Yurin, I also felt a bitter sense of being just friends.

“Oh.”

In my gaze, I saw the accessory store we had visited before.

The place where I went with Lee So-yoon to buy a gift for Lee Se-ah.

“Why?”

Sung Yurin, who looked at me suddenly, asked.

“Shall we go there for a bit?”

Looking at where my finger pointed, Sung Yurin hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly.

As we walked towards the place filled with accessories, I looked at Sung Yurin exploring the displays.

These cheap accessories might not suit Sung Yurin, but…

I felt like buying her one. Just one.

“How about that? Do you like anything?”

“Surprisingly, there are a lot of nice designs here.”

Seeing where Sung Yurin’s gaze landed, I picked up a hair tie.

“What about this? It might be good for tying your hair when you work out.”

Sung Yurin, who alternated between the strap in my hand and my face, nodded slightly.

“Yeah… it seems nice.”

“If you like it, that’s great. I’ll buy it for you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to…”

I pulled out words of persuasion once again to convince Seong Yurin, who was trying to refuse.

“It’s okay. If you come all the way here and don’t buy anything, I’ll feel uncomfortable.”

“…Alright. Then, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

I walked towards the counter with Seong Yurin as we entered the store together.

Even though we had only met once, the familiar face of the cashier lady was behind the counter.

“Welcome… Oh my.”

The cashier lady stopped speaking as she saw me and Seong Yurin beside me.

It seemed like the cashier lady was thinking about something very impolite.

“…Please calculate.”

“Yes. Hehehe.”

The cashier lady quietly calculated while giving meaningful glances and smiles.

Fortunately, the cashier lady only looked at us with curious eyes and didn’t say anything strange.

Feeling the hot gaze from behind, we quickly left the store and walked towards the downtown movie theater.

“By the way, are you acquainted with that person?”

“Huh?”

“The person from the store.”

“Ah… We’re not acquainted, but I’ve been there once before.”

Seong Yurin seemed to sense when the last time was.

She mentioned that she had gone to buy a gift for Lee Se-ah on Lee So-yoon’s birthday.

Or maybe she heard it from Lee So-yoon. They are close.

Seong Yurin nodded without asking any more questions and walked ahead, looking straight ahead.

When we arrived at the movie theater, there were fewer people than on weekends.

“Want some popcorn?”

“Oh. I’ll buy that.”

“Okay.”

The two of us walked to the snack corner and stood in line, but then, a familiar silhouette appeared in front of us.

“Huh?”

The two people, Inyeong and Yoon Ji-woo, turned around upon hearing my voice.

“Oh… Seo Jin and Seong Yurin. Are you here for a date too?”

It was Lee Se-ah and Yoon Ji-woo.

Lee Se-ah, who met our eyes, spoke with a trembling voice.

“Wait, Ji-woo. A date… No…”

Lee Se-ah, who was about to say something, bit her lip.