Chapter 59
“But anyway.”
Seeing Seo-yeol trying to carry all the bags by himself, Baek I-hae freaked out and took some from him. He handed over the lighter ones without protest.
As she looked down at her bag filled only with snack packets, Seo-yeol continued.
“You two don’t seem like you’re dating at all, since you’re acting just like usual.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You used to hold hands anyway.”
That was true.
Because she was scared of Chai Ryeong, she’d leaned on Seo Do-gyeom, and before she knew it, holding hands had become a habit.
‘It was nice having someone quietly by my side without saying a word. And knowing he didn’t do that for anyone else made it even more so.’
Baek I-hae nodded as she recalled the past. It was a nod of agreement.
Glancing at her expression, Seo-yeol pouted his lips and muttered.
“Just saying. Not that you’re doing anything wrong, sis… And I definitely don’t mean you should take things further!”
Why was he grumbling and then suddenly acting all urgent like he’d had a revelation?
Maybe he was jealous that she was monopolizing Seo Do-gyeom, whom he liked.
‘I thought we’d gotten a bit closer, though.’
Baek I-hae felt a little hurt, but blood ties were probably more important anyway.
She patted Seo-yeol’s head as if nothing was wrong.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine with things as they are, so I don’t plan on changing anything.”
“…Well, that’s good then.”
Yep, definitely jealousy.
He looked so cute that Baek I-hae smiled and reached out her hand. Seo-yeol’s eyes widened as he stared at her.
“Let’s hold hands on the way.”
“Can I?”
“Huh? Of course. What’s so hard about holding hands?”
She took Seo-yeol’s hesitant hand first. As they walked home, he muttered softly.
His head was bowed low, so it was a very quiet whisper.
“…It’s hard for me.”
Ah, no way, it couldn’t be.
Baek I-hae quickly dismissed the suspicion that briefly crossed her mind. It was a rude misunderstanding toward Seo-yeol, and not a situation she wanted anyway.
‘In times like this, I wish I was more oblivious.’
Baek I-hae sighed inwardly. Since she’d suggested holding hands first, it would be awkward to let go now.
Seo-yeol’s hand was sweating from how tense he was. He seemed embarrassed about it himself, but he didn’t pull away.
‘These brothers are really bad at hiding things.’
It was both endearing and pitiful.
Still, with the cringy thought that her heart was already monopolized by Seo Do-gyeom, she entered the house.
“…”
Seo Do-gyeom looked at Baek I-hae with a shocked expression.
As if he’d caught his trusted girlfriend cheating with his own family…!
“No! Seo Do-gyeom, don’t think weird things! I just casually held hands with Yeol on the way back from the mart! We’re like siblings!”
She quickly let go and scurried over to Seo Do-gyeom. She pretended not to hear Seo-yeol mumbling “Like siblings” blankly from behind.
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
[Baby Gangster, Seo Do-gyeom’s obsession level increases.]
[+3]
[+4]
[+5]
[Baby Gangster, Seo Do-gyeom’s favorability decreases by 3.]
Status windows updated rapidly above Seo Do-gyeom’s head.
Those were hard-earned little gains, like rabbit droppings! And only the favorability, not even the obsession!
“You idiot, you’re the only one for me.”
She did like Seo Do-gyeom, but she never thought she’d say something this cringy out loud.
Awkwardly forcing a smile, Baek I-hae took Seo Do-gyeom’s hand. As she fidgeted with her nails in embarrassment and anxiety, the status window finally stopped.
[Baby Gangster, Seo Do-gyeom’s favorability increases by 3.]
‘No, don’t raise the favorability—lower the obsession!’
Still, recovering the favorability was a relief, at least.
She let out a small sigh of relief when Seo Do-gyeom pulled her hand closer. As his face neared, Baek I-hae’s eyes widened.
She suddenly remembered Seo-yeol mentioning taking things further.
‘No way?’
Why was her gaze drawn to Seo Do-gyeom’s lips?
Should she close her eyes here, or stop him because Seo-yeol was watching?
In the midst of her confusion, someone’s hand intervened between them.
“That’s enough.”
The owner of the large hand covering Seo Do-gyeom’s mouth was Seo I-heum. Seo-yeol, who had apparently rushed over, was pulling Baek I-hae’s body back with a pale face.
Seo I-heum was frowning.
“Seo Do-gyeom. Did you listen to the education I gave you earlier with one ear and let it out the other?”
Education? What was that about?
It seemed Seo I-heum had given some kind of “education” when he’d told Seo Do-gyeom to stay behind earlier.
Hearing that, Seo Do-gyeom furrowed his brow in displeasure but then removed Seo I-heum’s hand and said,
“No. Don’t enter I-hae’s room without permission, don’t hold her hand first unless she allows it, protect her from other guys, and so on.”
“You remember it so well, yet why are you suddenly leaning your lips toward an unguarded I-hae?”
Baek I-hae’s face burned. So it wasn’t her imagination after all.
But confirming it through Seo I-heum’s words was embarrassing.
“But.”
Seo Do-gyeom replied as if making an excuse.
“What am I supposed to do when she’s so cute?”
“…What?”
“And she held my hand first.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the hand Baek I-hae was holding with Seo Do-gyeom’s.
Holding hands didn’t mean permission for lips, though.
Seo I-heum let out a deep sigh and then turned to Baek I-hae.
“Sorry, I-hae. I’ll educate this guy for a while.”
“Oh, I’m fine with it.”
“Absolutely not. He lacks common sense, so he needs education. Yeol, you report to me right away if Do-gyeom does anything weird.”
“Yes!”
How did it come to this?
Baek I-hae watched as Seo Do-gyeom was dragged away by the scruff of his neck by Seo I-heum, her mouth agape.
Taking things further? At this rate, she might not even be able to hold hands anymore.
***
The joke had become reality. It wasn’t even funny.
‘After that, I really couldn’t even hold hands.’
Even if they tried to talk alone, Seo-yeol or Old Man Oh would appear from somewhere to interrupt. It was obvious who was behind it.
While spending time feeling this absurd forbidden vibe, there were two things that provided some comfort.
One was that summer vacation was over, so she didn’t have to see Baek Yeong’s face anymore.
The second was that the damn Baek Yeong’s favorability had at least hit 30.
‘But the trust level is still at 15.’
Compared to the favorability of 30, it was truly despairing.
On the last day of her part-time job, seeing her gloomy face, Baek Yeong asked in disbelief.
“I thought you’d like it more.”
“…I have my reasons. It’s a bit sad to let go of such a sweet gig.”
The latter was a mix of truth and lie. Baek I-hae looked around with a sullen expression and asked.
“Chai Ryeong isn’t here today. I thought she’d come since it’s the last day.”
“I gave her some work to do.”
“Ah.”
Should she thank him for not letting her see that face?
As she packed her few belongings, Baek Yeong, who had been quietly watching, spoke.
“Baek I-hae.”
“Yes?”
“Want to do some office work like this in our organization?”
“…What?”
“Of course, keep it a secret from Seo I-heum.”
What kind of nonsense was that?
Baek I-hae rudely picked at her ear. Well, since she had no courtesy to uphold toward Baek Yeong, it wasn’t really rude.
“You know I’ll refuse, so why ask? It’s not like you’ve grown fond of me after working together briefly.”
“I’ll pay you double what you get here.”
Baek I-hae’s hand paused mid-ear-pick. For a split second, she almost felt a fondness that wasn’t there.
“And it seems like you want something from me.”
Baek I-hae flinched. Seeing her reaction, he smiled as if he’d expected it.
“If you want something, you have to stay by my side.”
His loosely tied hair cascaded down his neckline. He was smiling with her reflected in his eyes.
It was a dangerous adult’s smile.
