#14 Lilium Casablanca (2)
After catching up for the first time in ages, Seohyun and Yujin ended up chatting away in the cafe for a full five hours. They'd met up after an early dinner, and now it was pitch black outside. Seohyun vented about the hardships of her shoots and all the little annoyances of living alone. There was actually something bothering her most these days, but she held back, not wanting to worry Yujin too much.
Yujin's turn came next. She started with tales of her first crush, Yuchan, then moved on to griping about her nagging mother. To Seohyun, even Yujin's spoiled complaints seemed like a late-blooming rebellion phase—and a mild one at that. Yujin had always been the perfect, obedient daughter who never defied her mom, unlike Seohyun, who'd fought with her parents almost daily during her own teenage years. Yujin was always the picture of a gentle lamb.
"Haaah, my belly's so full."
Yujin patted her stuffed stomach with a beaming grin. No wonder—she'd demolished five slices of cake right there in her seat. And that was after dinner. Seohyun made a queasy face as she shrugged her rider jacket back on.
"What's your secret? How do you eat like that and stay skinny?"
Seohyun had thought she'd gotten used to Yujin's shocking appetite back in school cafeteria days, but seeing it again after so long hit differently.
"Studying hard burns calories through brainpower, so you don't gain weight. It hurts, it hurts...!!"
"You little punk."
"Seohyunnie, let gooo..."
Seohyun pinched and tugged at Yujin's squishy cheeks as she spouted nonsense. The soft, addictive texture made Yujin's eyes water. Seohyun was picky about her food and worked out three hours a day, yet she ballooned at the slightest slip-up. Meanwhile, Yujin scarfed down whatever without a care and stayed slim? Unfair. She deserved a little more pain.
"Do you eat like that in front of that teacher too?"
"Are you nuts? I put on my ladylike act and nibble like a baby bird, obviously."
Seohyun had asked half-jokingly, but nope. Still, if food-loving Yujin hid her true self like that, she must really like him. Friends were supposed to cheer on crushes, but something about it rubbed Seohyun the wrong way. Her gut churned like muddy water.
Probably because she didn't know the guy yet.
"What now?"
"Can I crash at your place tonight? Call my mom for me?"
"No way, not if you're raiding my fridge again."
"Ehehe, don't be like that~."
Yujin sidled up and flung herself into Seohyun's arms, acting all cute. If she had a bratty little sister who never listened but was adorable anyway, it'd feel just like this. Yujin had ranted endlessly about her mom, clearly in no rush to go home. Seohyun didn't have work tomorrow anyway, and sleeping over with Yujin after so long sounded fun.
"Fine, I'll call her."
"Thanks! Mom always buys whatever you say."
"You should listen to her more too."
Of course, a repeater student and daughter like Yujin couldn't just stay out overnight. But if Seohyun vouched for it, her mom would cheerfully agree over the phone. Go figure. Probably because Yujin played nice with adults. Maybe that's how to win over her teacher too—advice from Seohyun? Yujin fiddled seriously with her scarf, pondering. Seohyun handled the call politely while fixing Yujin's clumsy wrapping herself. Yujin mouthed a clumsy 'thank you.'
Not like it was a big deal.
"What'd she say?"
"Watch you tomorrow so you don't skip cram school."
"Ugh, I'm not a kid—why ask you?"
"You are a kid."
Yujin's pouty scrunch turned into a sudden glow. Huh? She'd teased her, and now this reaction? Then Yujin yelled out loud.
"Teacher!!!"
The commercial district buzzed with crowds. Her booming voice drew stares instantly. Ignoring them, Yujin jumped and waved like she'd spotted a rescue ship after three years on a desert island.
"Hey, hey, chill out."
This must be how parents feel pretending not to know their tantrum-throwing kid in a mall. Seohyun flushed as eyes turned her way too, tugging Yujin's clothes. Yujin stared at one spot, voice flushed like she'd gotten a Christmas gift. Seohyun followed her gaze.
There was Yuchan.
"Skipping cram school again today, Yujin?"
"Hehe, I was bummed not seeing you, but boom—here you are. Today's my lucky day."
Yuchan was out running after work. He circled Ilsan-dong-gu for a 20km loop—back and forth across three subway stops. More half-marathon than jog, but doable for fit amateurs. Yuchan aimed higher, pacing via smartwatch to max speed. He'd finish in about 1 hour 20 today. Past thirty, his metabolism slowed; recent laziness added flab, so he was cracking down. Slack off more, and he'd dull. Chilly weather, but thin windbreaker and sweats kept him from overheating. Smart choice. He'd stopped at a convenience store in the shopping district for an electrolyte drink, sweat dripping from his heated body. Hood off, steam rose as it evaporated. He wiped with the towel over his shoulder.
Next to the beaming Yujin stood a stranger. Flashy makeup, mature outfit, but her neck and hands screamed young.
"Ah! Teacher, this is my BFF Seohyun I mentioned. Han Seohyun, say hi—this is our cram school's counselor."
"Hello."
Seohyun's eyes sharpened at Yujin's intro. So this was the teacher who'd hooked her. She'd guessed from Yujin's shipwrecked-reunion frenzy. Tall. Solid build. Even loose windbreaker hinted at bulging lats and pecs. He worked out hard, like she'd heard. Fresh off a run, sweat beaded on a face more ruggedly handsome than expected. She'd pictured a pretty-boy elite from Yujin's talk, but he was jaguar-like—fierce, feline power. No wonder.
"Nice to meet you. Heard you're Yujin's friend. Prettier than I imagined."
His stern face eased into a warm smile just as the intimidation hit. He offered a handshake, but Seohyun hesitated. Teacher or not, how do you let a much younger student fall that hard? She barely saw Yujin twice a month, yet he probably dined with her nightly. Draw a line, dude. Her delay turned awkward; Yujin poked her side, urging. Treating her like a handshake-fumbling idiot? Back off—she didn't like him. Five seconds of silence, and Yuchan withdrew sheepishly, wiping his hand on the towel.
"Oh, sorry. I'm a sweaty mess—almost got you dirty."
"No, no. I'm Yujin's friend, Han Seohyun."
She'd wanted him flustered or annoyed to show Yujin, but his politeness flustered her. She grabbed his hand quick. Thick, callused grip pulsed even briefly. Raw masculinity? Yujin, who'd rushed the handshake, now pouted and wedged between them.
"Teacher, moonlight gymnastics?"
"Yeah, feeling sluggish lately. Gotta run for a bit."
Yujin glued her eyes to Yuchan sweeping back his hair. He didn't twitch an eyebrow under the stare—familiar sight. He'd noticed her crush for sure. Seohyun soured more on him. Wanted to snap, but Yujin was there.
Chatting away, Seohyun's gut boiled watching them.
"Yujin, I'm cold. Let's head in."
"Huh? Already? Shame... Go on home? I'll chat with Teacher a sec."
Seohyun stifled the urge to smack oblivious, lovey-dovey Yujin. Yuchan chatted with Yujin while eyeing Seohyun. Pretty face. Stylish, knew how to dress appealingly. Reinforced his bias: cute girls ran in packs.
"Yujin, go with your friend. Just grabbing water, then back to running."
"Only five minutes?"
Yujin pouted. Yuchan wanted more chat too, but Seohyun's glare from behind was off—jealous girlfriend vibe. Girls' friendships had that romantic edge; he got it. Turning casually, something caught his eye. He looked back at Seohyun's Black Box.
"Aha."
That explained her excessive hostility. Yuchan nodded inwardly. Peeking into secrets no one else could see? Why he'd never quit this game.
"What?"
"Nothing. Come to cram school tomorrow. Got hazelnuts—I'll hook you up in counseling."
"Yessir! Shame, but... bye!"
Yuchan left with a polite bow from Yujin, jogging off smoothly. Surprising obedience, terrifying speed for casual pace. Seohyun stared unwittingly—like a steam-belching locomotive. Gone, Yujin poked her staring at his back.
"Ow! What?"
"Don't drill into someone else's man like that."
"What 'man'? Just checking—and I don't like guys."
"I know."
Seohyun had guy friends in middle school, but they all crashed in days or a week. High school on, no dating sightings. Yujin figured her own tastes were picky, but Seohyun's were worse. Naturally, Yujin hooked arms, warming Seohyun's chilled side with her body heat.
"Really wanted you to meet him—and boom. Whaddya think?"
"Handsome, yeah."
Seohyun couldn't deny that, however grudgingly. Not idol-pretty, but actor-unique charm. Didn't wanna admit it, but he seemed decent. No casual 'you' to a student's friend, handled her rudeness gracefully. Maybe worth Yujin's blind crush.
"Right?"
Seohyun watched Yujin grin dopily, happy as could be, and swallowed her words.
Anyway, she didn't like him.