Chapter 34: The Cause of Pain
“Did you say you’re eating tteokbokki?”
Eunwoo asked as he cut his hamburger with a knife.
“Yes. I forgot and didn’t mention it…”
Seoni spoke apologetically, looking at Eunwoo.
“But still, not even waiting for someone who went out for work… that’s mean.”
Seoni muttered as she put some salad in her mouth, clearly annoyed. Eunwoo found her expression so endearing that he couldn’t hide his smile.
“Why are you smiling?”
“You look lively.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You look good.”
Her heart softened slightly at his warm words.
Bright, positive, and lively—that’s what people had often told her since childhood, but somewhere along the way, it had started to feel unfamiliar.
Perhaps Eunwoo sensed Seoni’s slightly subdued mood.
After taking a bite of his hamburger, Eunwoo spoke.
“Hmm. This is delicious.”
“Ah, isn’t it? I tried it once, and I keep thinking about it.”
Seoni quickly composed herself and smiled.
“There are good restaurants and so many fancy items here. It’s nice.”
Eunwoo smirked.
“Do you like fancy products too, Director?”
“Especially notebooks. I end up buying one or two even if I never use them.”
“Oh, me too. I can’t help it when I see a pretty pen or notebook.”
Seoni laughed brightly, as if finding a kindred spirit.
“So I ended up buying all this.”
Eunwoo lifted a shopping bag beside him.
The bag was filled with kids’ fan merchandise.
“Whoa. You bought all this? If you’d told me earlier, you could have gotten it at the employee price…”
“I have to pay full price. I’m buying as a consumer, not as a friend. I’m a fan, of Designer Cheon Seon.”
“Oh… what is this.”
Seoni blushed slightly, smiling awkwardly as she took a bite.
Eunwoo quietly watched her smile and spoke.
“I should visit more often, for both of us.”
“Hmm. Then next time, I’ll definitely treat you. Promise?”
Eunwoo smiled and nodded at Seoni’s words.
“…By the way, has that friend returned?”
Eunwoo asked cautiously. Seoni slowly shook her head.
“I’m not sure…”
Since she hadn’t contacted him, she had no news.
“Are you talking about me?”
At that moment, a familiar voice called from behind.
Startled, Seoni turned to see Gyeonhee standing there with a stern expression.
“G-Gyeonhee.”
Seoni called his name reflexively. Eunwoo, who had just looked up, could also see him.
“I didn’t know you were so interested in me.”
Gyeonhee raised one corner of his mouth, looking at Eunwoo.
“It’s not interest, just curiosity,” Eunwoo replied calmly, making Gyeonhee’s brow twitch slightly.
“Curious about whom? Us?”
“Well, it’s good to know a friend’s friend, at least.”
“Friend?”
“Even a bad friend is still a friend, isn’t he?”
Eunwoo defined himself as Seoni’s friend, which made Gyeonhee frown.
Looking at Seoni and back at Eunwoo, Gyeonhee asked,
“Are you saying you’re a friend too?”
“Yes. For now.”
“You’re not exactly honest.”
“I am honest. I just express my true feelings a little later, depending on the situation.”
“That’s being dishonest. The longer you wait, the more it becomes lying, deceiving the other person.”
Eunwoo only gave a faint smile, saying nothing. Seoni, looking flustered, gripped the tissue on the table tightly.
“Seoni, I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”
“Okay… thank you.”
Seoni answered weakly, understanding Eunwoo’s consideration.
“You don’t need to come. Go take care of your business.”
Gyeonhee said in a tone full of sarcasm. Eunwoo paused for a moment, then whispered just loud enough for Gyeonhee to hear.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m doing this for Seoni, who’s in an awkward situation because of you.”
Gyeonhee frowned and glared at Eunwoo.
“The more I know you, the more I realize you’re precious to her.”
Eunwoo smiled and walked out.
“Hah.”
Gyeonhee let out a hollow laugh, exasperated.
After Eunwoo left, Seoni looked at Gyeonhee and asked,
“…What’s going on?”
Her voice, calm yet cold, seemed to irritate him.
“Your product displays were a mess, weren’t they?”
“They’re not. I just checked.”
“They are.”
Gyeonhee repeated in a low voice.
“Fine. I’ll tell them to check again.”
“You do it. Right now.”
Seoni stared at him.
“No.”
“What?”
“I took a half-day. Ari will handle it well.”
Her calm confidence made Gyeonhee angry.
“What’s so bold about you? After messing with someone’s hair.”
Seoni let out a short laugh.
“Laugh?”
“…Did it hurt that much?”
“Of course. And that’s what you call words…”
“You’re complaining it hurt? To me?”
Her voice trembled slightly. Gyeonhee, surprised, couldn’t respond. Seoni stared at him, then spoke with effort.
“I hope you feel pain too, Gyeonhee. At least half of what I felt, so you can’t say that to me. Or rather, you shouldn’t.”
Seoni, grimacing with pain, continued.
“…Then you can’t say that to me. No, you mustn’t.”
She got up from her seat.
“…Hah.”
Flustered, Gyeonhee could only sigh, unable to stop her.
Eunwoo waited at the entrance, slightly worried. Seeing her flustered, he had stepped aside, but his mind remained heavy.
She appeared with a stern expression. Eunwoo raised his hand to signal himself, but she passed without noticing him.
“…Seoni?”
She didn’t seem to hear him. He quickly stepped ahead, blocking her, and held her shoulder.
“Seoni.”
Eunwoo lowered his head to meet her gaze.
“…Ah, Director.”
Seoni, dazed, finally recognized Eunwoo and spoke softly.
“Are you okay?”
“…Yes.”
Her eyes were wet, but she forced a smile. Her eyes cried, but her lips tried to smile. Eunwoo’s heart ached even more.
Without a word, Eunwoo took her wrist and led her to his parked car.
Above Dosan Road.
Lunchtime had just ended, but the road was crowded. Eunwoo’s car waited in the left-turn lane. Seoni glanced at the signpost and then looked back at Eunwoo.
“To get to Samsung Station, shouldn’t we turn right?”
“Yes.”
“Really? Then why…”
“We’re stopping by somewhere.”
The light turned, and Eunwoo smiled as he turned toward Olympic Road. Unlike the busy city streets, it was wide open.
Eunwoo pressed a button on the steering wheel to play music. Clear flute notes followed by a lively rhythm, then a refreshing female voice.
The lyrics, starting with ‘Strawberry Sherbet~ Yellow Lemonade’, felt fresh and cheerful.
“I sometimes drive like this to refresh my mind.”
“Oh…”
Seoni nodded awkwardly.
Eunwoo smiled, opening the sunroof and all the windows.
The cool river breeze swept over Seoni’s forehead. She tried to tidy her hair but eventually let it flow freely, giving up.
Driving on the empty road with upbeat music, she felt a little uplifted.
It was slightly chilly, but that was even better. The hot thoughts in her head and heart cooled with the wind. Yet something heavy still pressed down on her heart.
Pain she had to endure alone, she closed her eyes, pushing it deep inside again.
Then Eunwoo raised the music volume and shouted.
“Waaah!”
Startled, Seoni looked at him.
“Sometimes this refreshes the mood. You should try it too, Seoni.”
Seoni smiled awkwardly and shook her head.
“Come on, try it. Like this, waaah!”
Eunwoo shouted again with a big smile.
After a moment of hesitation, Seoni reluctantly let out a small yell.
“Ah…”
“Louder!”
“Ah…”
“Even louder!!”
Encouraged by his insistence, she screamed with all her might.
“Ah!! Oh my.”
Her voice was louder than she expected; she quickly covered her mouth. Eunwoo gently held her wrist down and waited silently with a smile.
“One more time!”
Reading his gaze, she took a deep breath and shouted again.
It felt like a blocked breath had been released. The pent-up pain seemed to burst out.
They laughed heartily at each other. Feeling better, Seoni leaned out the window to enjoy the wind.
Eunwoo smiled, slowly raising the music volume.
“I hope you feel pain too, Gyeonhee. At least half of what I felt, so you can’t say that to me. Or rather, you mustn’t.”
Back in the office, Gyeonhee frowned, recalling Seoni’s words.
“…I already feel it, you know?”
Touching his chest, still aching, he frowned.
“Why? Heartache again?”
Secretary Kwon asked worriedly.
“Why does she say harsh things but I’m the one who feels pain? Hah.”
Gyeonhee answered irritably.
“Oh, is this Seoni’s pain again?”
Gyeonhee didn’t respond to the secretary.
“She’s become stronger. Able to say such things.”
Secretary Kwon nodded, smiling.
“Are you proud of her now?”
“No, not at all.”
Secretary Kwon quickly adjusted her expression.
“Wait… did Cheon Seoni curse me?”
“A curse? No way.”
Secretary Kwon shook her head in disbelief.
“If we knew the reason, we could deal with it.”
Gyeonhee sighed in frustration.
“Wait…”
Suddenly, an idea struck him. His eyes widened.
“Yes. The reason! I need to find the cause!”
“What are you talking about?”
“The reason I feel Cheon Seoni’s pain. If I know that, I can return it to normal.”
“Right? Why didn’t we think of this before?”
“…Because it seemed impossible.”
Feeling Cheon Seoni’s pain and her defying him—both were impossible situations. They forced him into uncharacteristic behavior.
“But how do I find the cause?”
Secretary Kwon asked, puzzled.
“We’ll do blood tests, CT scans, whatever. First, we take her to Dr. Seo.”
Gyeonhee nodded in agreement with his own plan. Resolute, he stood up and grabbed his coat.
“Where are we going?”
“To the pet exhibition.”
“You’re going to chase her?”
“Time’s critical. That day is approaching fast.”
Gyeonhee’s expression was serious.
“Okay. I’ll prepare the car first.”
Secretary Kwon hurried out.
Alone, Gyeonhee bit his lower lip and clenched his fists.
“I’ll end this messed-up situation quickly.”
Determined, he hurried to the parking lot.
