In Yoo In’s mind, Ki Yeon was a flawlessly perfect man – calm, gentlemanly, relaxed, with a refined restraint, as well as possessing wit and just the right amount of playfulness.

However, as their relationship deepened, she was gradually realizing that there were aspects of Ki Yeon she had overlooked.

For example, things like this:

“Welcome. Please follow me this way.”

The restaurant staff member who greeted them with a polite tone and smile hesitated upon seeing Yoo In. It was such a brief moment that even Yoo In almost didn’t notice.

The staff guided the two to a private room with a thoroughly professional face, and after Ki Yeon made a phone call, their table server changed.

This was just a minor incident, and then another day:

“Are you enjoying it?”

“Yes. Don’t you like it, Director?”

“No, I’m enjoying it too.”

Yoo In was completely fascinated by her first time at a drive-in theater, and was fully engrossed in the film she had been looking forward to.

Ki Yeon, who had said the movie was fun, continued to distract her by fiddling with her hand or poking her slightly parted lips as she focused, not stopping his teasing.

Finally, Yoo In, who had missed most of the beginning, sighed and asked:

“Director, aren’t you watching the movie? You said it was fun.”

“It’s not as good as I thought since you’re concentrating on something else beside me. Let’s stop watching the movie now.”

The reason for his mischief was absurd enough, but his quiet words that followed, clicking his tongue, were even more meaningful.

“I thought it would be comfortable since there was nothing to worry about.”

She could only vaguely understand what that meant exactly after returning home. That when Ki Yeon was with Yoo In, he avoided opportunities to mingle with crowds or encounter strangers.

Moreover, it was also the day she truly realized that his words about not thinking of anything else in front of him were not just a joke.

Yoo In wondered who this intention was for, and so she pondered. It was too much to be simply affection and jealousy, and it overflowed even to be placed under the name of protection.

Should this be called peculiar? Or should it be called special?

Even on that day when Yoo In cautiously brought it up amidst various thoughts, it was at a fountain park slightly removed from downtown, where there were extremely few visitors despite it being daytime on a weekend.

“There aren’t many people here. I guess everyone went somewhere better because of the nice weather.”

“It’s good that there aren’t many. It’s not noisy either.”

“Sometimes it’s better when there are lots of people. Because then no one can find me when I’m hidden among them. It’s like using the psychology of the darkest place being under the lamp.”

She had meant it as a joke, as she usually did with him, but Ki Yeon’s expression was somehow complex and subtle.

He just stared down at her blankly as if he didn’t understand at all, so feeling awkward that she might have said something unnecessary, she quickly added:

“You said you’d protect me anyway.”

Only then did his eyes, which had hardened like plaster, visibly soften.

“That’s a given, of course. But, Yoo In.”

“Yes?”

Ki Yeon suddenly stopped walking, and Yoo In, whose hand he was holding, stopped with him.

Ki Yeon was wearing an ivory knit that looked infinitely soft instead of the stiff suit that usually protected him like armor, but thanks to his tall height and broad, firm shoulders, the same unrivaled intimidating presence swirled around as usual.

His solid upper body bent flexibly and warm breath touched Yoo In’s ear.

“Why are you thinking about hiding? You should come to me.”

“…Ah.”

For a moment, the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Even though his voice was low and gentle and pleasant to hear, goosebumps ran down her spine for no reason.

“Nam Yoo In’s destination is always me. Don’t forget that.”

“…”

“And if there’s somewhere you want to go, just tell me. Don’t try to say it indirectly.”

Do you know that feeling of not even breaking even and having all your betting money taken away? That’s exactly how Yoo In felt.

“Understand?”

“…Yes.”

“You answer well.”

Ki Yeon chuckled and flicked her small nostril with his long finger.

As she touched her nose tip where a slight pain arose, the man who smiled as fresh as early blue summer wrapped an arm around her shoulder and asked very tenderly:

“So what do you want to eat for dinner, Miss Nam Yoo In?”

This was one of the moments when Jae Hee’s words that he would not be easy to handle as a first romantic partner really hit home.

Flaring up and then cooling down in an instant. Seeming to hide everything but then revealing it all. Do Ki Yeon was unpredictability itself.

No matter how much Yoo In racked her brains or used her wits, she had a strong feeling that she would never be able to catch up to this man who was always not one, but ten steps ahead.

But why was it? Very ironically, despite all that, the tiny sprout that had struggled to emerge refused to be discouraged and grew sturdily, taking firm root and flourishing vigorously.

That’s how Yoo In’s feelings for Ki Yeon were. Slow but sturdy, small but solid.

“Yoo In.”

When she felt the affectionate heat in his voice calling her name, the little sprout in her heart would respond with vigorous trembling.

Now, Yoo In would reflexively smile as soon as she heard Ki Yeon call her. And Ki Yeon really liked seeing Yoo In like that.

No, he liked it, but at the same time he disliked it too.

“Don’t smile like that anywhere else.”

“Why not?”

Was her smile too bright? Did she look unsightly smiling so widely? Feeling suddenly awkward, she quickly turned her head, and a soothing voice came:

“I don’t like other people seeing it. What if they all fall for Nam Yoo In?”

Round eyes that had grown sharp with embarrassment looked at Ki Yeon reproachfully.

“…Aren’t you saying things like that too naturally? Who would fall for me?”

“It’s not natural, it’s the truth based on facts. You still don’t understand? Should I ask someone passing by on the street?”

“What? Why would you ask that!”

“So just believe everything I say, Nam Yoo In. Don’t doubt it.”

Under the streetlight in the apartment complex, half-lowered cool eyes smiled leisurely, glowing.

The time spent chatting while walking along the trail, unable to part right away due to reluctance to let go of joined hands, was an essential part of the route home after meeting Ki Yeon.

As they walked, teased each other, and talked about various things left unsaid, it felt as if time was flowing by, bypassing only the two of them.

Everything around them seemed to stand still, but the world’s time passed by cruelly, and the night grew darker and deeper.

As things seemed to be going smoothly between Yoo In and Ki Yeon, there was a figure like an unexpected obstacle, namely:

“Why are you coming home so late?”

As soon as she arrived home after ending the lingering feelings, Yoo In was startled with a “Hik!” by this person standing silently guarding the shoe rack – her older sister Nam Yoo Jin, who looked like Yoo In’s twin.

“Why are you standing there? You really scared me!”

“Why do you think? To surprise you, of course.”

Yoo Jin giggled and stepped back. Yoo In, who had been pressing her startled chest, glared fiercely at her sister as she crossed the threshold.

“What brings you here suddenly?”

“I got tired of eating out, so I came to get some of Mom’s food~”

“You ignored all my messages saying you were busy, and now you come looking for Mom’s food when you need it?”

“Hey. Do you know how much Korean beef I bought today? Do you know how busy I was buying that? You don’t understand your sister’s deep intentions.”

Passing by Yoo Jin, who was putting on a proud face, Yoo In entered the living room to find the sofa empty with only the sound of a drama playing on TV.

“Where are Mom and Dad?”

Promptly sprawling out and crunching on an apple that was clearly peeled by their mother, Yoo Jin answered:

“I gave them movie tickets so they could go watch a film. Our mom was really happy about it? You should take better care of them while you’re here. Don’t just go out having fun by yourself.”

“Ah. You did well…”

As Yoo In put down her bag and sat down next to Yoo Jin, she suddenly witnessed a spark of foreboding growing within her.

Today too, she had just come in after taking a moonlit walk with Ki Yeon as usual. Could she have… seen? No, that can’t be, right? If she had seen, she wouldn’t be sitting here so quietly, would she?

No. Given her sister’s personality of being like a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment even when calm like this, it was too early to feel relieved. Yoo In slightly resented herself for having been so absorbed in Ki Yeon all this time, completely forgetting about her sister.

While watching Yoo Jin, who was just staring at the TV with disinterested eyes, she cautiously asked:

“How did you know I was coming?”

“I heard you entering the door code.”

“…Are you a child? Running out after hearing a sound.”

“I find it fun.”

Yoo In grumbled at her sister, who was munching on an apple with a not-at-all amused face, but inwardly she was massively relieved.

Why did she feel like she was sitting on pins and needles even though she hadn’t done anything wrong? With her conscience pricking her too, it seemed she would need to discuss with Ki Yeon soon about how best to tell her sister. As soon as possible.

Yoo In watched her sister halfheartedly watching the drama for a while before going to her room.

“Phew…”

Yoo In leaned against the closed door and let out a deep breath she had been holding. What was this, it’s not like it was a secret relationship or anything.

She felt sorry for hiding him when liking someone wasn’t a crime.

Still, the reason she couldn’t tell right away was because the trauma from Ji Han’s reaction when he found out earlier was too great. She was also scared, anticipating her sister’s reaction.

The Director isn’t such a bad person. He’s a really great person.

“…He has such a handsome smile.”

She bit her lip at the sincere words that came out without her realizing. Lately, for some reason, her mouth kept itching to brag about that person.

Seeing the changed aspects of herself that she didn’t even know existed, she alternated between admiration and self-reproach day by day, but the emotions that had already boiled over couldn’t be stopped and occasionally burst out.

Didn’t someone say that love is a disease? It was really ridiculous, but she seemed to have caught that disease too. So were these symptoms early stage or severe?

In any case, the result was the same – it was unsightly. After scoffing and rejecting it so much, she shamelessly ended up borrowing the name of that emotion and attaching it to him.

“…”

Ji Han, who was the only one to oppose this relationship of Yoo In’s, had made such a fuss about how it shouldn’t happen, even drinking, but lately he’s been quiet again.

No. Not quiet, but more like radio silent. They occasionally message, but it’s been quite a while since she’s seen his face. When she cautiously asked Jae Hee if this was some kind of protest showing his disapproval, Jae Hee exploded, yelling to leave that jerk alone.

“…Still, I’m worried.”

It keeps bothering her. Since he’s never been like this before, the discomfort in one corner of her heart remained unresolved and kept piling up no matter what.

Another hot sigh escaped Yoo In’s lips. Though they had spent a long time as just the three of them, she wondered if the sulking over losing a close friend was going on for too long.

Just then, a vibration broke the silence from inside her bag. Only then did Yoo In realize she was standing in the dark room without turning on the lights, and reached out to turn on the lamp.

Thump.

Yoo In’s outstretched foot hit something. There shouldn’t have been anything on the floor.

“…What’s this?”

As she tapped the stand lamp switch, an orange light spread and brightened the surroundings, revealing what had caught her foot.

A line of shopping bags was displayed conspicuously, set up like a train. No, they had toppled over sideways like dominoes when Yoo In just bumped them.

Clothes were poking out between bags engraved with various luxury brand names, as if greeting Yoo In.

“Ah.”

It was too obvious who had done this.

This sister, really.