Episode 21
“Oh, Serin?”
“Oppa…”
The person entering through the door was Jeonghyun. As the lights turned on, Serin and the startled Jeonghyun met eyes in the air.
“What are you doing here, Oppa?”
“Me? I had an appointment. What about you?”
“Ah… me too.”
Unable to say she came for a blind date, Serin gave a vague answer.
“It’s nice running into you like this. Can I sit here for a bit?”
Serin glanced at the café door. The arranged time had already passed, but there was no sign of anyone coming in. After a brief hesitation, Serin nodded.
“Sure.”
Jeonghyun smiled gently and sat down across from her.
“It must be a busy time of day. What brings you here so early?”
When Serin asked, Jeonghyun scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Actually… I was supposed to go on a blind date here. A colleague from the hospital had something urgent come up, so I’m filling in.”
“What? A blind date?”
“Yeah. It’s sudden, right? But it was arranged by my father, so I felt responsible.”
A midday café, same location, and the blind date arranged by Director Lee of Joeun Hospital — something clicked for Serin. She let out a quiet sigh and spoke with a troubled expression.
“What do we do now…”
“I’m probably the person your colleague was supposed to meet.”
“Ah…”
“Actually, I came for a blind date too. Director Lee introduced me to a doctor from Joeun Hospital.”
Jeonghyun looked at her with a smile and said:
“So that’s why you dressed up so nicely today?”
“Huh?”
“Your hair is down, and you’re wearing makeup—which you usually don’t wear much of.”
“Ah…”
Feeling shy, Serin covered her face with her palms. She’d applied a little makeup because she didn’t want to be rude, but she hadn’t expected Jeonghyun to notice.
Jeonghyun quietly smiled as he looked at Serin’s blushing, peach-colored cheeks.
“You look pretty. You’re always pretty, but today you’re even more.”
Jeonghyun was never this expressive. Serin blinked slowly, a little surprised at this unfamiliar side of him.
“Don’t take it the wrong way. Since we’re here, shall we have a coffee together?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Serin was actually relieved. Spending time with Jeonghyun felt better than meeting a complete stranger.
“Would you like to order?”
Just then, a café staff member came to take their order.
“Yes, one hot Americano, please.”
“Alright.”
After the staff left, their conversation picked up again.
“I didn’t think you were thinking about marriage. You never said anything like that.”
Serin smiled bitterly and took a sip of her coffee.
“You know my situation. I didn’t have much choice.”
“Situation?”
Her gaze turned to the window.
“The accident… And Aunt Myung-sook probably wants to get rid of me quickly. That way, Baeyoon oppa can settle down.”
Jeonghyun recalled Taeyoon, who had glared at him so fiercely just for talking to Serin.
Taeyoon never showed interest in anything, yet he always had an obsessive focus when it came to Serin.
“Do you think Taeyoon will give up?”
Serin replied calmly.
“I’ll make him give up. We’re not meant to be.”
“Not meant to be…”
Jeonghyun had a complicated expression.
“What are you going to do then? You know how persistent your aunt can be.”
“Well, I guess I’ll keep going on blind dates?”
“Until when?”
“Until either Baeyoon oppa gets married… or I do. Until it’s impossible for us to be together again.”
“Taeyoon won’t give up so easily.”
Jeonghyun knew Taeyoon’s twenty-year obsession well.
Serin smiled hollowly.
“Really? Then what should I do? Should I find someone and pretend to fall in love?”
If she did that, would Taeyoon finally stop acting the way he did toward her? Her smile turned bitter.
Even the thought made her chest tighten. She didn’t know why such emotions kept surfacing. She knew Taeyoon wasn’t hers. She knew better than anyone that she had to end things with him. And yet, the thought of that day truly coming scared her deeply.
Jeonghyun remained silent, lost in thought. He tapped his fingers on the table, then suddenly stopped.
“Then… let’s do that, Serin.”
“Huh?”
Serin tilted her head, confused by what Jeonghyun was saying.
“The person you want to pretend to fall in love with—let it be me.”
Her lips parted slightly in surprise.
“You mean…?”
“Let me join in that act.”
The smile disappeared from Serin’s face.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I didn’t come here by coincidence. I heard from my dad that TK Group was setting up a blind date, and when I found out the girl was you, I came on purpose.”
“Why, oppa?”
Serin’s eyes widened in shock. Jeonghyun gave a soft, sad smile.
“You still don’t get it… That’s kind of disappointing.”
Though his voice was calm, there was a clear trace of sorrow. Seeing his serious face and eyes, Serin’s expression subtly shifted.
“Honestly… I’ve liked you for a long time. I just never said anything because of Taeyoon.”
Jeonghyun confessed his feelings calmly. Serin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She had no idea. She’d never even noticed. Jeonghyun was just the neighborhood oppa—someone she occasionally ran into. A good person, but she had never seen him romantically. Truthfully, she hadn’t had room in her heart for anyone else. Taeyoon had always been by her side.
Just as everyone in the neighborhood assumed they’d end up together, Serin had always imagined her future with Taeyoon.
So, for Jeonghyun to have such feelings…
“No way…”
Serin looked flustered, unsure of what to say. Jeonghyun gave a faint, bitter laugh.
“Surprised?”
“No, it’s just… I never guessed.”
“That’s a shame. I thought I made it pretty obvious.”
“Why else would a busy med student agree to help tutor you? Even if it only lasted a few days because of Taeyoon…”
His gentle laughter pained Serin’s heart.
“I’m not asking you to return my feelings right now. I know this is sudden for you. But Serin…”
Jeonghyun paused before continuing.
“If you need someone… I’ll let you use me—even if that means being used by your aunt or anyone else.”
He shrugged.
“You know how things are. As long as you’re stuck living in that house, you’ll keep getting dragged around. This kind of thing will keep happening. So just use me.”
Then a playful smile appeared on his face.
“Why not? I’m a decent option. Son of Joeun Hospital’s director. Face isn’t too bad.”
“If we’re not going to end up together, it’s better for you to decide your path soon—for both you and Taeyoon.”
Serin shook her head. It was impossible. She couldn’t use Jeonghyun like that. No matter how desperate her situation was, that wasn’t something she could do.
“Just know this, okay? That you have someone loyal enough to do anything for you—even die for you if needed.”
“Oppa…”
“If you reject me this quickly, I might get really depressed.”
Knowing what she was about to say, Jeonghyun cut her off.
Watching Serin’s conflicted face, he stood up.
“It’s time to head back, right? Come on. I’ll drive you.”
Serin nodded silently, her eyes sad as she looked at him. As they left the café, the bell above the door rang lightly.
That small sound weighed heavily on Serin’s heart.
