Double Bulgogi Burgers Are Seriously Delicious!
It was strange.
Usually, late at night, looking out at the city streets from inside a taxi only brought feelings of emptiness. Was it because he wasn't alone tonight?
Or was it because Han Gyeo-wool—no, Han Se-rin—was here with him?
For the first time in a long while, Park Geon-woo felt his mind at ease.
He chuckled softly.
He couldn't stop the laughter from escaping.
A soft, rhythmic snoring sound drifted from beside him.
It was Han Se-rin.
Clutching the collar of Geon-woo's coat tightly, she was fast asleep, breathing softly.
"Wri-ter-nim... Geon-woo oppa..."
She was even mumbling in her sleep.
With a faint smile, Geon-woo turned his head to look out the window.
He intended to let her sleep peacefully until they arrived at the Serazade dorms.
By the time the neon lights of the late-night streets had changed colors countless times, the luxury apartment complex located in the heart of Cheongdam-dong came into view.
"We've arrived at your destination."
Right on cue, the taxi driver announced their arrival.
Just as the driver was about to press the payment button, Geon-woo spoke up.
"Excuse me, driver. Could you leave the meter running and wait just a moment? My friend is fast asleep."
"I don't mind taking a break, but the fare will keep going up. Especially with the late-night surcharge."
The driver glanced at Geon-woo through the rearview mirror with a look of concern.
"It's fine. You've been working since dawn, so it's a good chance for you to rest too."
"Haha. You're a very considerate young man. In that case, I'll step out for a quick smoke."
"Sure, take your time."
"Your girlfriend must have been exhausted."
"Wh-what? My g-girlfriend? She's not my girlfriend, driver. Haha..."
Geon-woo flinched, startled, worried she might wake up.
Regardless, the driver wore a knowing expression.
"Of course she is. I've been driving a taxi for twenty years. Anyway... your girlfriend is lucky to have such a good boyfriend. I hope my daughter brings home a young man like you. Haha."
"..."
Leaving the speechless Geon-woo behind, the driver grabbed his cigarettes and stepped out.
"Sigh. Why is everyone acting like this today?"
Geon-woo let out a deep sigh.
First the female writers at the celebration party, and now even the taxi driver was misunderstanding their relationship.
He quietly looked down at Se-rin.
She must be exhausted.
He felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.
Lately, whether it was for Christmas or the year-end specials, Serazade was all over the television.
She must have come all the way to Hapjeong after finishing a packed schedule that ran from dawn to dusk.
"Mmm..."
The streetlights of the early morning tickled her pale face.
Geon-woo gently adjusted her head, which was leaning against the window, to a more comfortable position inside.
She really is beautiful... Se-rin.
From her long, dark eyelashes to her sharp nose and strawberry-pink lips, Geon-woo admired her in pure awe.
Just then...
"Wri-ter-nim..."
Her dark eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly blinked her eyes open.
"Are we there yet..."
Still half-asleep, she didn't realize they had already arrived outside her dorm.
"No, we still have a bit further to go, so sleep a little longer."
"But wri-ter-nim... you'll be bored."
"I won't be. I'm going to close my eyes for a bit too."
"Okay... let's sleep a little more then..."
Se-rin closed her eyes again.
Should I rest for a bit too?
Only after confirming she was fast asleep did Geon-woo close his eyes.
At some point, his eyes snapped open.
As soon as he woke up, he panicked.
I can't believe I fell asleep while she was right here...!
He hurriedly turned his head and saw Se-rin.
"Did you sleep well, Geon-woo oppa?"
"When did you wake up? You should have woken me."
"I just woke up a moment ago too. Yawn... See? I feel so refreshed!"
Even though it was past two in the morning, she looked incredibly radiant.
Her skin practically glowed from just that brief nap.
She stretched and beamed at him, so much so that Geon-woo couldn't help but wonder why she was in such a good mood.
"The driver told me. He said you didn't wake me up on purpose because I was sleeping so soundly. Thank you."
The dimples on her cheeks refused to fade.
Not only had he escorted her all the way to her dorm, but he had also waited in the taxi until she woke up on her own.
Could there be anyone else in the world this sweet and considerate?
A deep warmth filled her eyes as she looked at him.
"I have so many things to thank you for, Se-rin. You really boosted my confidence at the party today."
"Aren't you glad you have such a loyal reader?"
"Of course I am."
They looked at each other and laughed.
"Shall we get out now? Thank you for waiting, driver."
"Thank you!"
Before stepping out of the taxi, they bowed politely in unison.
"Thanks to you, young man, I got to smoke, grab a bite nearby, and get some good rest. Like I said, in my twenty years of driving, it's rare to see such a handsome couple. You look wonderful together. Haha. Get home safe."
With a warm farewell, the taxi drove off into the distance.
"Hehe. The driver sure has good taste."
Unlike Se-rin, who was beaming like a child praised by an adult, Geon-woo's face was flushed bright red.
"Geon-woo oppa...?"
Finding his innocence adorable, Se-rin leaned her face close to his on purpose.
"Y-yes! Where is your dorm, Se-rin? Is it... over there?"
"Pfft!"
Watching him fluster, Se-rin burst into laughter.
"Haha..."
Embarrassed, Geon-woo scratched his cheek.
"Aren't you a bit hungry?" Se-rin asked out of the blue.
Right on cue, a loud growl echoed from Geon-woo's stomach.
Se-rin wasn't about to let that slip by.
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
"There's a McDonald's right up ahead!"
"..."
Geon-woo only offered a faint smile.
He knew she was hoping to go.
He could tell she didn't want the night to end just yet.
However, he was worried because it was so late.
She probably had year-end schedules tomorrow too.
And she had already exerted herself to the limit today just to support him at the party.
"Crispy french fries and a cold Zero Coke would be so good right now!"
"Go inside and rest. It's late, and you must be tired."
Geon-woo shook his head.
"I slept for over an hour, so I'm fully recharged!"
"Still."
Realizing she needed to bring out the big guns, Se-rin decided to play her trump card.
"Double Bulgogi Burgers are seriously delicious! So delicious..."
Though her voice trailed off at the end, losing a bit of confidence.
But the effect was undeniable.
"They are pretty good," Geon-woo finally smiled.
Because he couldn't help but grin.
"Ah! I knew it! Double Bulgogi is..."
"Irresistible. Let's go."
In the end, Geon-woo decided to give in.
Just as he had thought before getting into the taxi, being with her was simply fun.
So, he resolved to stop overthinking things like feelings and attraction.
"But we're only eating the burgers and then you're going straight to bed, okay? I don't want to feel guilty toward your fans."
"Okay!"
Se-rin raised her hand high in response.
"Let's go!"
She grabbed Geon-woo's sleeve and pulled him along.
Excitedly, she took the lead with long strides.
"By the way, Se-rin. Didn't you say you were drunk?"
"...!"
The excited Se-rin stopped dead in her tracks.
"Well... I think I'm completely sober now. Hehe."
She offered a shameless, sheepish grin.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Geon-woo asked quietly.
There was a two-story McDonald's near the Serazade dorms.
Even though it was nearly three in the morning, there were still quite a few people inside.
"I have my ways. Hold on a second."
Click. Se-rin opened her mini-bag.
Out came a pair of black horn-rimmed glasses.
"Perfect disguise, right? No one will ever know I'm Han Se-rin."
She put on the glasses and pulled a black mask over her face.
Finally, she wrapped herself tightly in the coat Geon-woo had lent her.
"Se-rin."
"Yes?"
Suddenly, Geon-woo stepped in close.
"Now it's perfect."
"Y-yes, it is."
Se-rin nodded, gently touching the scarf he had wrapped around her neck.
Somehow, it felt like the Geon-woo who had always kept a polite distance had changed.
It felt as if he was treating her with a bit more comfort and ease.
"I knew it. Double Bulgogi Burgers are the absolute best! Yes!"
As Geon-woo walked into the restaurant ahead of her, Se-rin pumped her fists in victory.
Was it because of her thorough disguise?
Or was it because no one could ever imagine a top idol coming out for burgers at this hour?
Fortunately, no one recognized her.
"Let's sit here."
Geon-woo and Se-rin took a seat in a quiet corner on the second floor.
Geon-woo set down a tray carrying two Double Bulgogi Burger large meals.
"Wow~ It looks so good!"
Se-rin looked delighted at the heap of french fries filling the tray.
"Can you eat all of this? It's a large meal."
"I dance and sing every day, so my basal metabolic rate must be really high. This is nothing."
"I suppose that makes sense."
"What about you, Geon-woo oppa?"
"Me too... I usually eat late-night snacks when I write in the early hours. Actually, this is around the time I'd normally be writing."
"That's so cool. I usually eat burgers with my members around this time after finishing our schedules too."
With that, Se-rin took a big bite of her burger.
Because her face was so small, her mouth was small too, leaving bulgogi and mayonnaise sauce smeared all over her lips.
"Here."
Geon-woo handed her a wet wipe.
While she wiped her mouth, he placed a straw in her cup of Zero Coke.
He also tore open the ketchup packets and squeezed them onto the burger wrapper.
"Is it good?"
"Yes~ I feel alive again."
She must have been starving, as she didn't let go of the burger for a second.
"Eat slowly. Have some Coke too."
Worried she might choke, Geon-woo handed her the drink.
"Hehe."
Se-rin beamed at him like a child.
It had been a very long time since someone had taken care of her like this, and since she had felt so looked after.
Se-rin is completely different from the image people have of her.
Spending time with her from the party until this early hour allowed Geon-woo to see a new side of her.
To the public, Han Se-rin was famous for being cold and aloof.
Because of this, along with her immense popularity, she was occasionally the subject of minor controversies.
But at least in Geon-woo's eyes, she had a wonderfully innocent, childlike side to her.
"Aren't you going to eat, oppa?"
"I should."
Just as Geon-woo was unwrapping his burger...
"Huh?!"
Someone coming up the stairs to the second floor froze in their tracks.