Chapter 22: Invited Guests
Today, like always, I slept in late and dug into the food laid out on the dining table. Just the smell alone made me crave a bowl of white rice with that soybean paste stew. Crispy kimchi from the kimjang batch sat next to a welcoming plate of boiled pork slices.
A glance at the clock showed it was already past one in the afternoon.
"Whoa, this looks amazing."
The bossam—pork belly seasoned just right with salt and pepper, using fresh green onions and onions—was sliced thin and perfectly cooked. Next to it, a plate of tangy seasoned cabbage gleamed invitingly. I layered a tender slice of pork on some cabbage and popped it into my mouth. It melted smoothly on my tongue. Chewing brought a deep sense of satisfaction.
I dipped a bit more in ssamjang and tried it. Then wrapped some pork in kimchi and swallowed. Perfect, as expected. I gulped down the water from the glass beside me.
"Son, tasty?"
Mom sat across from me, smiling. Lately, ever since I'd holed up at home (quarantine?), she hadn't gone out either. She insisted she couldn't risk burdening me. Maybe that's why the food quality kept improving. Nothing beat home cooking.
I gave her a thumbs-up, and only then did she start eating.
"What? Eat first."
"I snuck a few bites while cooking. And it's better together."
Not exactly the filial son of fire attributes. My late nights naturally pushed lunch later too. I'd tell her to eat first, but she was stubborn about it.
Ugh. Gotta sleep early tonight.
...If I can manage it.
Beeeep~!
The intercom buzzed suddenly. I froze for a second, but the mystery cleared right up.
"Someone unregistered here. Guest of yours?"
"A guest? Uh, not really. Who is it?"
"Hold on. Yes, yes. Name's Yoo Chae-eun, says she's a coworker..."
"Ah. Yes, she's a guest. I forgot to notify security beforehand. Sorry about that."
You had to alert the security office before visitors. It seemed odd, but it was for residents' safety against outsiders.
I quickly explained everything to Mom, and right then, the doorbell rang. I grabbed a napkin, wiped my mouth, and opened the door.
"Hello, ma'am! Oh, Seojun, you were eating?"
Yoo Chae-eun was styled impeccably in a feminine floral-pattern outfit. In her hands, a dessert box.
"...You said to come anytime. Haven't heard from you lately, got worried. Raid's coming up soon, you know."
Oh right—I'd been so buried in games, I forgot to charge my phone. It might've glitched a bit after dropping it last time.
"Ah, no worries. Probably 'cause I didn't charge it. Mom, this is the former Pania Guild Master I mentioned, my colleague. Oh, right. Chae-eun, eaten yet?"
Her earlobes flushed pink as she fidgeted. She glanced at the table, swallowing hard—I could hear it.
"Oh my, perfect timing. Take good care of my boy. So pretty, you could be an idol. Join us for a plate?"
"...Th-thank you. I'll dig in."
And so we sat side by side at the table. Mom handed her chopsticks with a grin. Soon, Chae-eun was eating.
"Wow, this is incredible. Nothing like store-bought, ma'am."
Her reactions were top-tier. The kind that won anyone over. Like a free pass to a family meeting.
"Should've warned you ahead. Sorry. The bodyguards are busy today, so formal intros later. I should've explained—must've startled you."
"Oh, no~ It's fine~ Watching a pretty girl eat heartily is a joy."
"Ma'am, you're stunning yourself. If you're up for it, wanna do skincare with me next time? It's amazing."
"Oh my~ Just hearing that warms my heart. But fancy stuff like that? Not for me~ Feels awkward."
She said no, but her lips curved up. I nodded.
"What do you think? I gave you that card. Spend some."
Better to use it while you can.
After the hearty meal, Mom brought out maesil tea. Chae-eun unpacked her dessert box at the sight.
"...Macarons."
"Yep! Lines out the door here. Cookies too. Perfect with your maesil tea, ma'am."
I tried one. Crunchy bite, then a tongue-tingling sweetness. Damn, these were good. Not just macarons—the cookies were crisp and homemade-tasting, as labeled.
"Ma'am, let me help."
Dessert done, belly full. Chae-eun stood to help with dishes, eyes sparkling.
"No, no~ You're the guest. Sit. Seojun, look after our pretty girl."
Not much to show, really.
"...Wanna see my room?"
I cringed at my own line. But sweet Chae-eun smiled and nodded shyly.
"...Not much, huh. Haha."
Honestly, my room was bare. Plenty of space, but I used the study computer. Bed was basically it.
Chae-eun's sparkling eyes wavered. Still, ever the sweetheart, she praised it.
"What do you mean? It's so neat and tidy."
She beamed, elegant in her beautiful outfit. A refined woman smiling like that? Instinctive tension.
Creak. Creak.
I cracked the window for air. Turning back, there she was, perched on my bed.
"You sleep here every night, Seojun?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
She looked up from her seat, eyes moist. Not some Puss in Boots.
Some inexplicable tension dried my mouth.
"Hmm. What should we do? What do you wanna do, Seojun?"
Stuff for two people. Games? Nah, tastes might differ. Then...
"Wanna watch Novelix?"
But her face stiffened, against my expectations. Hated movies?
"...You sure? I mean, not that I hate it. Just... too fast? Your mom's in the living room."
"Huh? What do you—"
Her red lips parted wide. Pale fingers hid her flushing face. Slender nape turned pink too—bob cut made it obvious. She turned away, then flopped expectantly onto the bed. Patting the blanket, she beckoned shyly. I scooted closer.
Movies were best lying down, right? I pulled a wide-screen smart device from the bedside table. Monthly sub for endless movies—not bad for killing time.
Seeing her wait, I fired up Novelix quick. Blinking rapidly, her eyes looked huge. Contacts maybe?
"Favorite genre?"
"...Romance."
She mumbled weakly.
Yoo Chae-eun was more flustered than ever. "Let's watch Novelix" overseas? A subtle hint, right? Not refusing, but the pace... Hands not even held yet. Plenty to agonize over.
Everything was new to her. Losing parents, building a guild with her brother—no immunity to this. Just scraps from online forums.
But it was just a movie. And damn, it was fun. Romance best.
Suddenly, she thought: man and woman on one bed, not sitting or lying, some awkward in-between, watching a movie. This was that. Green light?!
No other furniture, so best option. But felt like the closest she'd been rationally to Lee Seojun.
His breathing mixed with her brother's familiar rhythm—but different, unfamiliar man. Faint cologne, blanket's scent. Kinda pervy.
Would any girl do this? Imagining another on his bed soured her mood instantly.
"Movie was great, Seojun."
"Yeah? Glad. Picked randomly, was worried."
"Nooo~."
She flailed her hand for balance. Huge courage for her. Barely—a 0.5-second brush against his thigh.
Checking his reaction—no issue. Should be glad, but a twinge of disappointment.
"Anything you wanna do?"
Seojun asked. Brain spinning, decision quick.
"Then, Seojun... do what I wanna do?"
What Chae-eun wanted: childhood photo albums.
"Wait a sec," I said, heading to the living room. Mom was on the intercom.
"Son, was gonna ask. Another guest?"
"Huh? Who? No one."
"...Jeong Ye-na? She's out front."
"Ah, a little sister type I know."
Mom confirmed it was fine. I ducked back to ask Chae-eun's okay.
"Ah~. Fine by me. Seojun, but... a girl?"
"Girl, yeah, but like a close little sis."
Felt like explaining. She nodded.
Slowly standing as the doorbell rang.
"Seojun, she's here."
Heading out, I swallowed hard. Chae-eun smiled, following.
Beep. Creak.
Door open: Jeong Ye-na in a light pink dress that suited her figure. White hands held a fruit basket.
"Oppa, hi! Said come anytime, texted but no reply. Worried me."
Her cool vibe clashed with the cutesy brightness. I took the basket quick.
"No need for this."
"Can't come empty-handed. Ma'am, hello! Thrilled to meet you. And her?"
Ye-na's gaze scanned Chae-eun from toes to head. Before the air turned weird, I cut in.
"Former Pania Guild Master. Stepped down now. Mentioned her before?"
Ye-na nodded.
"Aha~. Hi. Jeong Ye-na from Cheonsu Guild. Heard lots."
"...Hello. Yoo Chae-eun from Pania Guild."
Ye-na's bright smile turned her signature chill. Eyes deadpan, lips beaming flawlessly.
"Whoa, really? Wanna be friends. Call you unnie?"
"...Unnie?"
Chae-eun looked stunned. Her body stiffened like ice.