I’m going crazy.

Eun Woo and I were caught by the last person we wanted to find out. Seol Hee stepped away from Eun Woo and shook her head.
“No, no, Uncle.”
Jae Seong was Seol Hee’s uncle and the director of Dolmare Animal Hospital. He was close with my mother and often visited our home for dinners like this.

It was over. There was nothing else to say but it was over. Now that Jae Seong knew about Eun Woo and I, he would tell my mother and rumors would spread at the hospital.

Everyone would find out. Why did we have to get caught by my uncle of all people? It seemed like it would be easier to handle if it was my mom.
“We’re not dating or anything like that.”
“But why are you two standing so affectionately in front of the house on a holiday?”
That was a good point. Today was Sunday. And it was almost dinner time. Jae Seong would know better than anyone that there was nothing happening at the hospital. There was no reason for Eun Woo to chase me all the way home.
“Uncle, it’s not like that.”
Cold sweat was dripping down. Then, Eun Woo spoke.
“Director. I came to lend a book to Miss Seol Hee.”
“A book?”
“Yes. A new pet care guidebook came out and I wanted to show her as soon as possible.”
Then Eun Woo glanced at the shopping bag in Seol Hee’s hand.

Obviously, there was no pet care guidebook in the shopping bag. The bag contained the tea that Eun Woo’s grandmother, Sun Suk, had packed. Fortunately, Jae Seong couldn’t see it from where he was standing.
“So I came.”
Eun Woo calmly explained. His face was so natural, even Seol Hee, who knew the whole situation, was almost fooled. Maybe that’s why Jae Seong nodded but then frowned again.
“But, that hand on the shoulder, what was that?”
“Oh, that. There was a leaf stuck on her shoulder so I brushed it off.”
One thing to note about Mr. Ok.

He was really good at lying when he set his mind to it. His face was as calm as a clear day with no wind.

Jae Seong narrowed his eyes.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Really, Seol Hee?”
“Really, Uncle. Stop it.”
Seol Hee quickly stepped away from Eun Woo and moved towards Jae Seong. She bent down to pick up the basket that had fallen to the floor and flashed a smile.
“Uncle, did you buy this?”
“Uh huh.”
“Let’s go in and eat. Hurry up. Goodbye, Mr. Ok!”
And then Seol Hee dragged him into the house. Cold sweat was running down her back.

((()))((()))((()))

A hotel lounge bar overlooking the city of Seoul. A man was sitting there.

His name was Choi I Hyeon. He was a veterinarian at Hanseong Animal Hospital in Jeonju. He had brown hair and a handsome face with distinctive features.
“It’s been a while, Seoul.”
The man who muttered those words looked down at the city below the hotel bar. The city of Gangnam, Seoul was fully in view. Dolmare Animal Hospital would be somewhere down there.
“I Hyeon.”
I Hyeon turned around at the sound of someone calling him from behind. It was Chang Ho, a senior by one year.
“Oh, senior.”
“It’s been a while. Is it your first time in Seoul for a long time?”
“Yes.”
“So, you’re moving to Seoul?”
“Yes. I got tired of the same old place. I decided to move to Seoul. To Dolmare Animal Hospital.”
Chang Ho tilted his head at the mention of Dolmare.
“Dolmare? That’s where… Ok Eun Woo is, isn’t it? I know Ok Eun Woo is there.”
“So I heard.”
“You don’t get along with Eun Woo. Why Dolmare of all places?”
There are so many places to go in the world.

At that, I Hyeon’s lips twisted into a smile.
“That’s why I’m going.”
“Because of Eun Woo? You made up?”
I Hyeon shook his head.
“Then?”
“I want to face him. I don’t want to run away anymore.”
“You’re not… planning to get revenge, are you?”
Chang Ho’s brows furrowed. I Hyeon chuckled and looked back at the night view of Seoul.
“Revenge? That’s childish.”
As if he would do something that petty.

I Hyeon had a more fun plan in mind.

((()))((()))

My head is spinning.
“I think my headache is getting worse.”
I’ve had a lot of things going on lately. I told Eun Woo’s grandmother to choose a date, then got caught by my uncle with Eun Woo.

“I told my uncle it really wasn’t a big deal, but he just squinted his eyes and kept giving me a thin smile. That sinister look screamed ‘I know everything, you rascal.’ which made it all the more troublesome.

I couldn’t even deny it more firmly. Hadn’t I regretted denying it too vehemently before in order to clear up the suspicion with Eun Woo in front of others?

So, after responding evasively, it ended up with a slightly skeptical atmosphere.

I thought it would all be over once I paid a visit to my grandmother.
“Sigh….”
Even as I sighed, I found myself thinking of Eun Woo.

The sound of his voice laughing, saying it would be okay even if we got married, his hair fluttering in the night wind, and his refreshing scent that permeated deep into my lungs whenever we sat in the same car.

Seol Hee, who had become gloomy for no reason, stared out into the open before dusting off her rear and standing up. The manager came out from inside and called for Seol Hee.
“Miss Seol Hee, have you already changed your clothes?”
“Yes. Have you also prepared, manager?”