In her surprise, Yeongin’s ears were met with Seonghyeok’s warm breath mixed with laughter.

“What’s with the lack of strength like this?”

Yeongin patted Seonghyeok’s shoulder and straightened herself. Her cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

“What happened in the United States, anyway?”

“Huh?”

“Why have you become so weak?”

Three years ago, Chae Seonghyeok was an arrogant and cynical man. Of course, compared to his behavior towards others, he was relatively kind to her, but his fundamental personality had not changed. In short, he was a prototype of a ‘tsundere.’ However, now, the term “lackluster” seemed to suit him perfectly.

“Something did happen.”

Seonghyeok spoke as he rose from his position.

“I haven’t seen you for three years.”

He took a step closer to Yeongin.

“I realized I can’t reach you. Right now, I’m lying flat trying to sort things out. Please, just accept me.”

Yeongin stepped back, increasing the distance between them.

“That doesn’t suit you, Senbae.”

“Whether it’s something I didn’t do before or something that doesn’t suit me, I have to do something to get you to look at me.”

Yeongin liked the Seonghyeok from before and the one now.

Chae Seonghyeok didn’t want to change because of her. The reason she couldn’t accept him was not because of that.

She felt sorry because it seemed like he thought they broke up because of something he did wrong. It hurt her heart not to be able to say it honestly.

“Give me the keys.”

Seonghyeok took out the car keys from his suit pocket and placed them on Yeongin’s palm.

“It’s bothersome to exchange them. I have a spare key, so you keep that one.”

“Today is the last day I’ll drive for you instead of taking a taxi, Senbae.”

Yeongin left a firm statement and moved towards his car.

“Really?”

Seonghyeok, with a wry smile, murmured and followed Yeongin to the passenger seat.

Yeongin confirmed that he fastened his seatbelt and started the car. The car smoothly left the pub’s parking lot and merged into the traffic.

“Have I ever told you?”

Yeongin glanced briefly at the passenger seat.

“That you’re good at driving.”

“I haven’t heard that.”

“You’re good at driving.”

Yeongin didn’t show any false modesty. Instead, she gave credit to the person who taught her how to drive.

“Thanks to my teacher.”

Seonghyeok seemed satisfied, widening his smile.

“I probably forgot again.”

“I learned to drive with the teacher who gave me driving lessons for a car that costs over 300 million won.”

Yeongin, who had a beginner’s license, received practical driving lessons from Seonghyeok.

He was an excellent teacher, except for being overly verbose.

“When I changed lanes, parked, I was so nervous about where I might hit. So, I learned quickly, but…”

“I clearly told you that you could scratch or hit anywhere.”

“But I can’t just go around scratching and hitting everywhere.”

“Why not? I said I’m fine with it. Since when did Chae Yeongin become so timid?”

“I am timid.”
Blinded by the dazzling beauty next to her, she was too afraid to reach out for fear that the moment it became hers, it would lose its radiance. Foolish as she knew it was, the fear of getting hurt was enough to keep her from extending her hand.

“Now, be more daring from now on.”

“…….”

Yeongin just smiled silently.

She wondered if the day would ever come when she would be bold regarding matters related to Chae Seonghyeok.

At the same time, Heeran poured wine into a wine glass and went to the sofa.

It was an attempt to alleviate the regret of not getting drunk with wine instead of beer.

Until a moment ago, her face was full of annoyance, but now she found herself questioning Seonghyeok’s attitude.

“He clearly has an interest in me….”

Heeran was perplexed by Seonghyeok’s confusing behavior.

She wondered why he didn’t take her home after inviting her to the Team 5 dinner to see her.

“Is he playing hard to get?”

He seemed capable of doing so as he was a very good-looking man. Although he behaved arrogantly and stiffly, which irritated her, she couldn’t deny that it made him more attractive.

It seemed he could make anyone uneasy by deflecting attention regardless of gender.

Like Chae Seonghyeok and Chae Yeongin.

Just as she was drawn to Seonghyeok, and Seo Jinkyu to Chae Yeongin.

She attended the Team 5 dinner knowing well she wouldn’t be welcomed, but unfortunately, she did not achieve her goal.

Rather than catching Yeongin in the act of tailing Jinkyu, she only confirmed that Jinkyu liked Yeongin alone. Yeongin seemed to have no romantic feelings for Jinkyu.

So, Heeran disliked Yeongin even more. It was quite uncomfortable for a man who had never shown interest in her to like a woman she disliked.

Revenge against Yeongin was temporarily postponed. Right now, Seonghyeok was more urgent than Yeongin.

“I should be more proactive….”

Lost in her trivial thoughts, she suddenly felt her phone vibrate on the coffee table. As she looked away, the screen displayed ‘Hyeonsim Unni.’

Heeran put down the wine glass and answered the call.

“Why?”