Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Surprise Roommate Reunion
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Meanwhile, Kang Hyun and Yoon Haneul started heading somewhere with tense expressions.
"I'll cover the bread money properly."
"Mm-hmm."
Their destination was a real estate agency near a four-way intersection close to school.
It was because Yoon Haneul had decided to become independent and live alone starting this vacation.
She had actually mentioned to Kang Hyun before that she wanted to live by herself, but he'd brushed it off, forgetting she was the type to follow through when she set her mind to something.
Her family, whom she hadn't even hinted at this to, were apparently all shocked by her swift action.
Her parents had first suggested a dormitory, but she'd shot it down flat.
In the end, she'd negotiated with her family during this vacation break.
They finally agreed on the condition that she live with a friend, signing a lease for an officetel to try it out.
But there was a slight hitch...
Finding a clean, fully or half-deposit two-room officetel that was ready to move into wasn't easy.
Even considering it was near a university district—a prime spot for getting ripped off—it was the perfect setup for a raw deal. Today was the day Kang Hyun had decided to help her with this not-quite-a-mission mission.
He quietly asked her, who was busy texting on her phone.
"If it's a high school friend, do I know her?"
"No, she's a junior. You wouldn't."
"I wasn't that narrow socially."
"I never saw you talk to anyone else."
"Was it like that...?"
Come to think of it, ever since Kang Hyun had pulled himself together and started studying, he'd cut off social ties and focused solely on academics.
Except for Yoon Haneul.
Before heading to the real estate agency, they arrived at a small café to meet Yoon Haneul's roommate.
Kang Hyun waited with a slightly awkward expression, while Yoon Haneul focused on sending her friend the location.
Soon, the door rattled as if it was about to open, and both of them stared at it in unison.
Click.
In walked a tall, slender woman with a bob haircut. She wore short shorts and a thin crop top that exposed her midriff.
True to the saying that birds of a feather flock together, she was just as beautiful as Yoon Haneul.
But her vibe was a bit different—lively and refreshing, with a boyish feel like she might be an athlete or something similar.
The real surprise, though, was something else.
"Huh?"
"Oh?"
Kang Hyun was the first to let out a puzzled exclamation.
She looked familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint from where. And she seemed to feel the same.
Since she reacted just like him, they clearly knew each other from somewhere.
"...?"
Yoon Haneul looked baffled at their reactions.
She stared at them oddly but, true to her personality, didn't butt in and just watched quietly.
The newcomer spoke first.
"Um... Kang Hyun, right?"
"Yeah, but where do I know you from?"
"No way!"
Her smile lit up the room. As Kang Hyun racked his brain for where he'd seen that bright face, it hit him—it was the girl from a photo someone had shown him.
Sergeant Yoo Geon-hyung from the Seocho Police Station's telephone financial fraud task force. This was his daughter.
"Oh... no way. Yoo Chae-eun?"
"That's me! Dad told me about you! Awesome!"
Suddenly, she rushed over and grabbed Kang Hyun's hand, shaking it vigorously.
Yoon Haneul, who'd been silently trying to piece it together, finally cut in between them.
"How do you know each other?"
"It's Kang Hyun! The 'law expert' friend was you? He said Korea University, wow... Fate to meet like this!"
Kang Hyun, who hadn't expected to run into Yoo Chae-eun here, looked even more flustered than the puzzled Yoon Haneul.
In the photo, she'd been in a neat uniform, saluting straight ahead—the face was the same, but the image was completely different, doubling his bewilderment.
Plus, Yoo Chae-eun seemed naturally high-energy, sticking right to Yoon Haneul's side and chattering nonstop. Surprisingly, Yoon Haneul wasn't pushing her away but taking it all in stride—something out of character for her.
The nineteen-year-old youngest police recruit exam passer. Who would've thought she and Yoon Haneul were close friends...
Kang Hyun stared at them both in amazement at the coincidence.
"...You?"
"Huh?"
"Chae-eun, how do you know him?"
Yoon Haneul turned to Kang Hyun with the same question, her voice sounding a bit sharp.
Instinctively, he waved his hands in explanation.
"No! I met someone at the police station recently, and he showed me a photo of his daughter..."
"A photo?"
"Yeah. The youngest police recruit passer this year."
"Dad said he's a fan too, right?"
"Uh... yeah... pretty much."
Visibly flustered, Kang Hyun glanced at Yoon Haneul and even started stumbling over his words.
"I took the police exam right away because I wanted to get on the news like you, big bro. And boom—youngest patrol officer in the country on the first try! Take care of me from now on! Oh, and call me casually, bro!"
"Uh, sure... why not."
She came off as overflowing with energy to the point of being a bit scattered, and she seemed thrilled to meet Kang Hyun. At least until Yoon Haneul reined her in with her charisma.
"Chae-eun, quiet. This isn't just for us."
"Eep! Got it!"
Yoo Chae-eun finally pursed her cute lips shut but couldn't hold back her giggles, shrugging her shoulders.
Yoon Haneul, waiting calmly for things to settle, formally introduced them.
"This is Yoo Chae-eun. She's staying with me for two months before heading to police academy training, then just weekends after. And this is..."
"Kang Hyun. Radiant Kang Hyun!"
When Yoo Chae-eun cut her off, Yoon Haneul shot her a slight glare and continued.
"...the guy helping us find a place."
"Wow... awesome! Nice to meet you, bro."
"Yeah. Nice to meet you too."
She greeted him with a grin brimming with her own unique charm, and Kang Hyun hid his fluster to respond warmly.
From the looks of it, Yoon Haneul and Yoo Chae-eun's decision to live together fit their situations perfectly.
Yoon Haneul for independence, and Yoo Chae-eun because the central police academy she had to attend was out in the provinces, so she needed practice living away from home.
"Wow, this is crazy. Rising star Kang Hyun right in front of me!"
"Haha... you're exaggerating."
"I'm a huge fan, for real!"
"Thanks. Appreciate it, but..."
Kang Hyun instinctively glanced at Yoon Haneul, gauging her mood, and she replied evenly.
"Good timing. We'll see each other sometimes, so get along."
"Sometimes? We'll see tons, sis! Wow, I'm a true fan now! All that hard work paid off. Good job, Yoo Chae-eun!"
As she patted herself on the back with both arms, Yoon Haneul let out a hollow chuckle.
She kept a straight face toward Yoo Chae-eun, seeming unchanged, but Kang Hyun could tell. He was the only one who could read that expression on Yoon Haneul.
[She’s mad.]
She looked like she was trying to suppress chaos, sinking into some deep abyss.
Her straight posture, her small clenched fists, her blank stare fixed ahead—all proof.
It didn't seem like anything worth getting that upset over, so why was she reacting so strongly?
[Jealous, maybe?]
In any case, to defuse the situation quickly, Kang Hyun downed his coffee in one go and stood.
"Let's get going first. I've scouted a few real estate spots."
"Bro, you know real estate too? Geniuses can do anything."
Wary of how Yoon Haneul might react if he engaged more with her excitement, Kang Hyun quickly pulled her up.
"Haneul, let's go."
He flashed her a bright smile, as if to say trust only me.
Only then did a faint smile creep onto her lips.
"Bro, how tall are you?"
"Why?"
"You seem super tall! Dad's pretty big, but you look even taller!"
"Dunno, haven't measured in ages."
On the way to the agency, the conversation flowed with Yoo Chae-eun starting and me responding.
Yoon Haneul said nothing, making it feel like walking on thorns as Kang Hyun juggled their glances, but he did his best to check out the listings.
Since it was the place Yoon Haneul would live, he couldn't pick carelessly.
Top priority: safety.
Somewhere crowded but quiet, with amenities nearby and fair pricing.
"This place got fully renovated two months ago—interior's top-notch. Sash windows fixed, privacy screens too..."
"Sir, you advertised this as basement, right?"
"Uh? Well... it's not full basement, semi-basement, and at this price..."
"Under the Act Against Unfair Labeling and Advertising, false or exaggerated ads for real estate mediation. The phone number wasn't yours either. You know mediating without a license..."
"Ah, no, that's... office practice..."
"Up to one year imprisonment or fine up to ten million won..."
"Aigoo, why so harsh! Okay, okay, calm down. I'll show you the premium listing I saved for VIPs like you!"
They spent about two hours circling agencies near school to view officetels directly.
They zipped through a dozen or so, quickly checking key points, skipping any that didn't fit.
"Sis, I really liked that last one."
"I'm fine with any, but let's discuss first."
Yoo Chae-eun and Yoon Haneul were tired too, but they followed Kang Hyun diligently, voicing preferences while he gave real-time feedback and built a shortlist.
By the time they finalized three promising officetels, the sun was starting to set.
"Thanks so much!"
"Good work. Thank you."
Hearing their gratitude, Kang Hyun smiled contentedly.
It wasn't hard for him, but being someone others could rely on...
What could be happier?
"Thanks, but this was the least I could do. I'll head out first."
"Huh? Why?"
"Gotta get back to school."
As dinnertime hit, Kang Hyun tried to slip away naturally, but they blocked him.
"I'll get dinner, stay and eat."
"Yeah, have dinner with us."
"It's fine."
"You gotta eat anyway to study."
Yoon Haneul stood firm, looking like they had to go together now.
With no choice, Kang Hyun nodded.
"Alright, something quick then..."
"Sis! Meat? Beer chaser... ahh!"
"You're still underage."
"Dang, caught."
<...>
From their talk, quick was off the table. Kang Hyun shelved his escape plan.
"There's a great meat place nearby—let's go there."
"Sounds good."
"Yay! Meat, meat!"
Once decided, things moved fast.
A bit past school at a five-way intersection. One side under construction, heavy traffic—taxi might take a wait.
Police cars were out sorting the jam, reservist cops hustling with traffic control.
"Gonna take a bit."
"Reservation's in. Hour-plus wait anyway."
"Sis, it's that popular standing-room spot. Perfect."
Chatting idly by the roadside, a taxi appeared in the distance.
"4489. That's it."
"Huh? Should be looping around... that side's blocked though."
That's when it happened.
Screeech!
"Huh?"
"Oh... uh?"
Right in front of them, the taxi barely grazed a reservist directing traffic, and a driver covered in tattoos jumped out.