Nothing Special
Her luxury sedan pulled up to the entrance of what was clearly an outrageously opulent apartment complex. The ceilings were incredibly high, and there were sky lounges up top, sky bridges connecting the buildings—everything screamed extravagance.
Two security guards stood at the entrance. As soon as we arrived at the vehicle gate, they approached, checked the license plate, and gave us a polite nod. I-se rolled down the window and greeted them with utmost courtesy.
"Thank you so much for all your hard work!"
We drove into the parking garage. Even packed with cars, there was plenty of space. She parked effortlessly, then turned to me with a bright smile.
"We're here! You can get out now."
"Ah, yeah."
I stepped out and took in the sight: the garage was overflowing with luxury cars so high-end they defied description. Let me be clear—I had zero interest in cars. For work, I relied on what people call the BMW lifestyle: Bus, Metro, Walk. Sure, not having a car was inconvenient sometimes, but the thought of the endless money pit once you bought one scared me off ages ago. I didn't even have a license since driving held no appeal. In short, I was a total layman on this stuff.
And yet, even to my untrained eye, the cars here looked insanely expensive. How much did they actually cost? I-se had parked her ride right among them without a second thought. Comparing it side-by-side now, I realized her car fit right in—luxurious and unapologetic. Well, the smooth ride and quiet engine should've tipped me off.
"Come on, Min-ho! This way."
Following her lead, I entered the complex proper. We passed several keycard-locked entrances before reaching the lobby elevators. Once inside one, I couldn't help but blurt out in awe.
"Whoa... this place is insane."
I glanced at her, regretting the slip, but she just beamed, unfazed.
"Ehehe. My investments turned out better than I expected!"
Investments, huh...
Money makes money, they say. Stepping off the elevator felt like peeking into a world I'd never touched. And then another jaw-dropping sight unfolded.
Damn...
Sky-high ceilings with a massive chandelier in the center. Shockingly, a neatly dressed woman who looked like staff sat at a counter in the lobby. In an apartment building!
"Welcome."
She stood, bowing as she spotted us.
"Hello!"
I-se bowed back with a radiant smile. I awkwardly followed suit from the side.
This feels so out of place...
Everything screamed luxury: marble floors, premium materials on the corridor walls. Masterpiece paintings lined both sides—not world-famous, but labeled with artist and title. And again, this was an apartment lobby hallway, not a corporate HQ or department store gallery.
Good lord.
I trailed behind her like a revolutionary stepping into the Kremlin for the first time, gaping like an idiot. We took another massive, elegant elevator up to the 40th floor before finally reaching her door.
"Um... this is it!"
There were two doors close together, almost like a studio setup. Hers was the smaller one right next to what looked like the main entrance.
"This is...?"
"The apartment layout is kinda unique! This room juts out toward the hallway separately. I originally set it up as a streaming room, but broadcasting from inside the main house worked better, so now it's storage!"
She punched in the code and opened the door. Finally, I saw a space similar in size to my old studio, and a strange sense of relief washed over me.
Finally, something familiar.
It was about the size of my old one-room. The only difference? The breathtaking Han River view through the window.
Holy shit.
They say life is either a Han River view or the Han River itself. Until recently, I'd been the type gulping down the river—memories of sinking into the depths still fresh. And now here I was, taking in the view.
Overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling, I murmured in admiration.
"Whoa... the view's gorgeous."
"Right? Ehehe. I always wanted to show it to you, Jit-leus... I mean, Min-ho. It's all thanks to you that I get to enjoy this beautiful scenery."
Thanks to me? Hmm... is it, though...?
I quietly scanned the room while questioning it inwardly. True to her word about it being a former streaming setup, there was a computer. But all the virtual streamer gear was gone. A single bed for one, a mini-fridge, AC unit. Even a compact bathroom. A few cardboard boxes stacked up fit the "storage" label, but overall, it was prime real estate!
"And check this out about the room! The real star is this window!"
She tapped a small window enthusiastically.
"It connects straight to my place! So... we can say good morning to each other. Ehehe."
Her shy smile was adorable. But... the brighter she got, the darker my expression grew.
"If it's okay with you, I'd love for you to stay here! No washer yet, but... I'll get one right away!"
She said it so casually, but I finally spoke up with a more fundamental question.
"Um... I don't have enough to pay rent for a place like this."
"That's fine!"
She replied brightly, but this was my issue.
"...You don't need to pity me. It's too much."
I could've just taken it and been called ungrateful, but... receiving such one-sided help felt burdensome. She truly believed I'd raised her up single-handedly, but objectively, I'd only chatted with her for a couple hours. Her growth was all her own effort and hidden talent.
So, better to gratefully decline. She'd snap out of the euphoria eventually and realize how absurd this offer was.
But looking at me, her face turned deadly serious.
"Min-ho."
"...Yeah?"
"That 1.65 million won you donated. What do you think that amount means?"
1.65 million won—the rest of what I'd sent her. With rent here probably over 800k a month, it didn't seem huge. But she was adamant.
"You probably think it's not that much, so no big deal. Right?"
I was speechless. She was spot on.
"But it's different. What you did... wasn't just a donation. It was like the first investment in a company no one else valued."
So, calling me an early investor? I had counterarguments, but her eyes burned like they held the sun itself, so I just listened.
"And it's not even about the money. Without that stream... I would've quit streaming."
Her voice brimmed with conviction.
"Your kind words that day gave me the strength to keep going. This place, my car... none of it if I'd quit."
"So..."
She trailed off, then gripped my hand tightly with both her slender ones, bowing her head slightly. Her voice trembled as she confessed.
"Please stop thinking what you did was nothing special... It hurts me so much every time you say that."
"...!!!"
Why did my ex's parents' words from breakup eve echo then?
"We acknowledge your efforts for Yun-ah. But honestly, was it really that significant?"
"Yun-ah's established now, so she needs someone established too. You're mature enough to understand."
"If you love Yun-ah, make the wise choice."
I stood frozen, swallowing a surge of emotion, then made my decision.
"Got it. But on one condition."
"Condition...?"
I stated firmly to her puzzled tilt of the head.
"Free ride till end of this month. As donation payback, a month feels fair. But starting next month, I'll pay rent somehow. If not, I'll pack and leave. Can't live off charity forever."
"But with you, you don't have to pay at all..."
"No. Break this, and I'm out."
The word "out" hit her hard—her face shifted instantly.
"Ah... N-no! Absolutely not! You can't leave!"
"Absolutely...?"
"Uh... I mean, um, anyway."
Blushing furiously at her slip, she stammered before composing herself.
"Okay! Fine... so please stay... if you would."
"... "
No need to push further. Honestly, with nowhere else to go, her offer was a lifeline.
"...Thanks. Looking forward to it."
"Yes! Me too, Min-ho!"
She bowed with a beaming smile. So endearing, I looked away and scratched my cheek awkwardly.
And so—our not-quite-cohabitation began.