One Last Question (2)
"Haa. Finally, I feel alive again."
Jeong Ha-yeon spoke with a refreshed expression, flashing a pretty smile. She wasn't much of a smoker, but even so, it was torture for any smoker to go a whole day without a cigarette. On top of that, the stress from Baek Jeong-gi had made her crave one desperately.
Meanwhile, Seo Joo-hwan stood frozen, trying to calm his pounding heart.
That scared the hell out of me…
For a split second, he'd forgotten she had a cigarette in her mouth and thought she was leaning in for a kiss. The cig dangling from his lips trembled faintly, mirroring his rattled state.
Then Jeong Ha-yeon turned to him.
"Joo-hwan."
"Y-yeah?"
His words came out clumsy from the surprise. Fortunately, she didn't seem to mind and continued.
"Thanks for earlier."
"Huh? For what?"
"You know, Baek Jeong-gi. Thanks for stepping in. If it weren't for you, I would've gotten hit."
She smiled a bit awkwardly as she said it. In truth, even without Seo Joo-hwan, she probably wouldn't have taken the punch lying down—she might've thrown a few herself. But she hid that thought, expressing her gratitude while sneaking a glance at his reaction.
Maybe finding thanks embarrassing, Seo Joo-hwan looked a little sheepish. But it didn't last; soon, he wore his usual playful expression. Sure enough, a mischievous smile tugged at his lips as he spoke.
"Even if I hadn't stepped in, you would've—"
"I would've?"
Jeong Ha-yeon cut him off sharply, staring straight into his eyes. Their gazes locked, and he faltered a bit.
"Uh… you would've…"
Under her clear, intense stare, Seo Joo-hwan swallowed his words. It didn't feel like the mood for jokes anymore. Instead, he glanced at her left hand—the one that had blocked Baek Jeong-gi's punch, the one that had trembled faintly afterward.
"…gotten seriously hurt. What kinda girl dives in without fear like that? Glad you're okay."
"Heh. Thanks."
Seeing her smile eased something in him, like he'd cleared a hurdle. Shaking off the odd feeling, he asked,
"So, you feeling better now?"
"Better about what? I'm not hurt."
"Your hand was shaking earlier. Were you… scared?"
Embarrassed for no reason, Seo Joo-hwan averted his gaze and took a deep drag of his smoke. Teasing and messing around was easy, but getting serious felt awkward.
Jeong Ha-yeon eyed him curiously as he tilted his head slightly aside. When did he even notice my hand shaking?
It wasn't from fear.
A soft chuckle escaped her. He had a knack for noticing the unexpected things—while being hopelessly oblivious to the affection aimed his way.
"Seo Joo-hwan."
Instead of answering, she called his name. She'd been mulling it over, but if she didn't say it now, she'd regret it.
"…Yeah?"
To his bewildered look, she asked,
"Do you like me?"
"……."
Seo Joo-hwan fell silent at her question. The third time he'd heard it—and the third time he couldn't answer. The difference this time? She didn't crack a joke or change the mood afterward. Her dark eyes bored into him, demanding a reply.
"Haaa—."
Suddenly, Jeong Ha-yeon dropped her head, exhaling a long sigh in place of cigarette smoke. She lifted it again, meeting his eyes.
"Was that a hard question? Just say yes or no."
As he listened, Seo Joo-hwan eyed the blinking message that had been nagging him.
It wasn't just the quest. His ears were constantly ringing with the blessing of Luck.
After wrestling with it, Seo Joo-hwan dismissed the messages and alerts. He worked his mouth a few times before finally speaking, voice strained.
"…Sorry. I just don't know how to go about dating someone."
Her expression turned puzzled, like she didn't follow.
"Uh… so you mean no?"
"Not that. If it's like or not, I like you."
"Then?"
"…Ha-yeon, dating scares me a bit. If we break up later…"
It'd make it hard to even face each other. Seo Joo-hwan trailed off. It might sound silly, but for someone who'd craved affection amid a lifetime of misfortune, it was a big deal. Unconsciously, he'd always thought,
If we're gonna break up someday anyway, maybe it's better not to start.
That's why he hadn't dated any girls who'd shown interest. Getting close only made the eventual parting hurt more. And with the Lust System in play, he might even be the one hurting her. That terrified him most. Confessing to Jeong So-ra on impulse had felt easier because he hadn't overthought it.
"……."
Jeong Ha-yeon's face, fixed on him, started to twist—then her head drooped. Her shoulders shook faintly as she stared at the ground.
Seo Joo-hwan reached out in alarm.
"H-Ha-yeon. Don't cry…?"
"…Heh. Pfft!"
"…You're laughing?"
"S-Sorry. But… ahah. Aahaha!"
Contrary to his fears, she burst into laughter, clutching her sides. When she finally sobered up, her expression turned serious.
"'Ha-yeon, dating scares me a bit.'"
"……."
"Pfft! Kyahaha! Oh god, that's hilarious! Seo Joo-hwan, you're insane. Eek! So cringey!"
She shuddered, hugging her shoulders like goosebumps had erupted. A wave of embarrassment hit him, his own face heating up.
Stammering through his flushed cheeks, he said,
"H-Hey… I was serious, and you laugh?"
"What can I do? It's so cringey! Look, actual goosebumps!"
She flung open her coat, showing her arm—sure enough, the pale skin was prickled. Seeing it, Seo Joo-hwan's face burned brighter.
"You… spit out that cigarette."
Regret hit instantly. It sounded so pathetic even to him.
Jeong Ha-yeon let out a light laugh.
"Pfft. I'll give it back later—lend me one more."
Far from spitting it out, she took another from him. Lighting it off her current one, she spoke with a playful lilt.
"You're such an idiot. Who dates thinking about breakups? I was worried I'd sounded like I was proposing marriage or something."
"……."
"Joo-hwan, I like you."
"…Huh?"
Her sudden confession flustered him. But she continued casually.
"Don't play dumb. I like you. But it's not like, 'let's date assuming marriage' or anything."
"I-I know that."
"Funny. Then why say stuff like that?"
Seo Joo-hwan stared at her, dazed. She smirked as she spoke, so nonchalant it barely felt like a confession.
Amused by his reaction, she kept up the light tone on purpose.
"If you're scared of breaking up, how do you even make friends? Lovers or friends, things might not work out—who knows."
"……."
"And I've already said I like you. You gonna leave it at that vague crap? How am I supposed to face you now? Pretend it didn't happen?"
Suddenly serious, she grabbed his collar.
"I can't do that. If you like me, say yes. If not, say no. No beating around the bush. If it's no, we can just stay friends like always."
Her forceful words trailed into an awkward addendum.
"Friends… starting tomorrow. Today doesn't count."
Speechless, Seo Joo-hwan gaped at her. Her rapid-fire words muddled his head. But she gave him no time to think.
"One last question."
"……."
"Do you like me too?"
No verbal answer came. But his head nodded slowly, deliberately.
He'd admitted it on impulse—that he liked Jeong Ha-yeon.
Even that wasn't enough for her; she furrowed her delicate brows.
Frowning playfully, she said,
"No nodding—say it."
"Y-Yeah."
"Properly."
"…I like you too."
"Then we're dating?"
"Y-Yeah."
Nod, nod. Only then did she smile in satisfaction, releasing his collar.
Sizzle—
Her un-smoked cigarette had burned to the filter. She tossed it into the ashtray like trash and plopped down on the spot.
As startled Seo Joo-hwan moved to support her, she suddenly rubbed her arms and hopped in place.
"Aaaah! I just got secondhand cringe from you, Seo Joo-hwan!"
"Hey…."
She rolled her eyes at the call.
"Oh? What's 'hey' to your girlfriend?"
"…Ha-yeon."
"At least you catch on."
She chuckled softly. Seo Joo-hwan, still reeling, let out a low, hollow laugh. What a windy day—lots of surprises.
It felt like he'd been bewitched. One thing was clear, though: under the moonlight, her smile looked stunning.
Slowly, he approached her. Without warning, he leaned in for a natural kiss.
Her cat-like eyes widened in shock at the sudden contact.
Smack.
He pressed his lips lightly like a stamp, then pulled back. A feather-light peck. Even that left her voice trembling in fluster.
"H-Hey. K-Kissing right after we start dating? Isn't that moving fast?"
She'd just scolded him for "hey," but forgot in her panic.
Seo Joo-hwan smirked, lip curling up. His mind was still a mess, feelings unresolved—but what was done was done. Worrying more wouldn't change it.
He flashed a teasing smile at the girl who'd cornered him.
"You're my girlfriend, right? What's a little kiss?"
"That's true, but… mmph?"
Smack. Peck.
Another kiss, this time slipping his tongue in gently. Her teeth barred the way at first, but he tapped patiently until they parted. Their tongues entwined softly.
"Ha… mm… chuup…."
Surprisingly, Jeong Ha-yeon was clumsy at kissing. She'd seemed like a dating pro from her words, but maybe she hadn't done it much.
The sticky tangle broke soon after. Lips parting, she breathed heavily, cheeks flushed.
"Pervert. That's why you came to my place that time, huh?"
"You hate it?"
"…No. But… your first kiss tastes like cigarettes—what now? Ahaha."
She laughed, trying to deflect. He saw right through it, her embarrassment hitting differently now.
But an unexpected curveball made him sweat bullets.
First kiss? What the hell?
He needed to say something—anything. Instinct screamed not to fumble here. Look down—his pretty new girlfriend was already tilting her head suspiciously.
"What's up?"
"N-Nothing. The kiss… yeah. Tasted good."
Her face soured instantly. Narrowing her eyes in mock anger, she glared.
"Hey, way to phrase it? 'Tasted good'? This soloist's getting cocky!"
She thumped his chest playfully—no real force, unlike before. The gesture tickled oddly, but a chill ran down his spine.
She's a soloist, but not clueless…
He barely swallowed the thought.