They Say Couples Resemble Each Other
On the way back to my studio apartment, just like the saying goes that couples start to resemble each other. I pulled out my phone to check for messages.
Kim Junwoo's was obviously some nonsense about that setup from earlier, so I ignored it. Kim Yujeong sunbae's could wait. The top one was our club group chat. What the hell, how did they send so many messages overnight? The last one didn't give any clue, so I dove right in and scrolled up to skim through.
About 15 minutes later.
From that message, about 30 minutes later, Lee Seo-yeon and the president's convo picked back up.
After that, they must've both passed out, 'cause around 9 AM, the chat exploded again with questions about where we were. I started typing to do damage control.
Considering Yoo Seol-ah's personality, laying down this smokescreen was the way to go. Lee Seo-yeon seemed a bit suspicious, but even if she was onto me, I wasn't sure if Yoo Seol-ah could keep a poker face when we all met up later. Getting caught wouldn't be a big deal, but picturing Lee Seo-yeon teasing her mercilessly while Yoo Seol-ah's face turned beet red like it was gonna explode—yeah, better keep it under wraps for now.
It was lunchtime-ish, and folks seemed to be on break 'cause the unread count next to my message dropped right away.
Yoo Seol-ah would probably throw out some excuse later. She's smart as hell, so she'd match her story no problem. Took just a few minutes to get back to my place. The second I opened the door, it hit me—man, guy studios are just so drab. Yoo Seol-ah's place had this warm, fresh vibe, but mine was all grays screaming, "This is a bachelor's pad!"
Almost noon, so time for lunch... Delivery fees are killer these days, so no ordering in. Kimchi fried rice it is. Not gourmet like Lee Seo-yeon level, but I'm decent in the kitchen. Wonder if Yoo Seol-ah would like homemade bentos.
I washed up quick, sliced spam and kimchi, heated oil in the pan to stir-fry. Prepped instant rice to toss in—then it dawned on me. Back on Earth, I always used a kitchen knife, but I hadn't grabbed one this time. The spam and kimchi were diced perfectly uniform, like machine-cut. Unconsciously used mana.
...Did I pick this up from Yoo Seol-ah? They say couples really do start resembling each other. Super convenient, I get why she does it, but flashing this around normals by accident? Kinda scary.
Come to think of it, end of February already—course registration season. Nursing dept has fixed first-year schedules, so electives make the big difference. Real clinicals and majors ramp up sophomore year. With the school's rep, grads get scooped up by hospitals like royalty. Not like I really wanna be a nurse anyway. Just need 18 credits...
Alright, hunt for the fun ones. Sunbaes say pick the "honey electives"—easy and entertaining. And cross-dept if possible. Hit the group chat.
Some weirdo chimed in mid-thread, but whatever. Move on.
Lee Seo-yeon bored too? She mentioned a house before—wonder what a chaebol kid's pad looks like.
Why does Yoo Seol-ah's blunt chat style feel so damn cute? Am I sick? Nah, terminal case.
Club meetup was three days ago, no in-person since, but we'd been texting like crazy—regular calls, video too. We were close before, Astasia-style, but now it's proper college buddy level.
No unread on Yoo Seol-ah's. Everyone's in the chat, but Lee Seo-yeon ghosts.
Finally.
Address drops: Fine Life 001? Rings a bell...
Tap it—boom, related article.
Great headline—sparks curiosity outta nowhere. Click, and bam, neat table. Solid article.
Top three Cheongdam, next three Hannam. #5: Fine Life 001 in Jamwon-dong. Last year's assessed value: 78. Units in billions, obvs. I sighed and hammered out a reply.
Not #1, sure. But 5th vs 1st? Different beasts.
Heard fancy overseas manors go for 20-30 billion. Could buy three.
Why... do I suddenly feel poor? My studio's rent ain't cheap, but 7.8 billion? Pocket change now. And she lives alone?
Too stunned by the house price to care about her having a car. Hopefully not some limited-edition import. Lunchtime but bored AF, she's heading out now. President finishes work and joins soon. Pack light for sleepover—just clothes. Tossed stuff in a small bag.
Grabbed coffee from the cafe nearby, sipping while waiting. Then a car that didn't belong in this alley rolls up. Expected it somewhat, but driver's window down—high-pitched voice.
"Hey, hop in."
"...Yes, ma'am."
Too cool. Money crush real?
Opened back door—locked eyes with Yoo Seol-ah already inside. Face screaming tons to say but no clue where to start. I knew exactly, 'cause I felt the same. My expression probably mirrored hers.
Lee Seo-yeon twisted around.
"Why you two got the exact same face?"
...Couples really do start resembling each other.