Chapter 26
"It's been a while since I drove, feels nice... I don't really drive much, so I don't get many chances for drives like this."
Lee Seo-yeon was casually driving with her phone's map open. She was good at driving, cooking, studying—seemingly perfect in every way, from a chaebol family. I wondered if she had any flaws at all. I'm not big on cars, but the emblem on the front gave it away as a foreign import right away. The design screamed expensive anyway. The trident... yeah, even someone like me who doesn't know cars recognizes famous badges like that.
Lee Seo-yeon's car had that trident emblem.
"Isn't this a Maserati...? Gotta take some guts to drive something like this to school."
She let out a little laugh at my words and started explaining.
"It is a Maserati, but this is the cheapest model. Entry-level one."
"How much for the 'cheapest'?"
"Around 150 million won these days? Doesn't go over 200. Some other Maserati owners say it's an embarrassment to the brand... but I just drive it fine."
Truly the budget option. Cheap enough not to shatter expectations.
I glanced sideways again and locked eyes with Yoo Seol-ah, who had this super subtle expression. Sure, she makes good money from her illustration fan pages, but this level of casual wealth talk was way beyond relatable for her.
"My parents recommended a few cars back then, all imports without fail. They said if it's obviously a foreign car, other drivers will be careful around it."
"...Makes sense, yeah."
Yoo Seol-ah nodded in agreement. No denying it. Who'd drive recklessly near a car where a scratch means disaster? But it's not a normal thought process. Most parents hand down their old beater so the kid can ding it up without worry after getting their license. Buying an import for safety? Next-level parenting.
"They always said spending money where it matters isn't a waste. Never skimp on house or car."
Spot on. Rich people living frugally is just a generalization fallacy from a few cases. Housing and transport affect your life forever—wise advice a hundred times over.
"No need for sports cars or anything. A 400 km/h top speed is useless in Korea anyway. Picked this for practicality and design."
"I know nothing about cars, but I thought it was pretty right away. Interior feels super luxurious too."
Yoo Seol-ah seemed to like the design, and yeah, it struck me as sleek from the start. Light and agile—suits younger tastes. Older folks might prefer something heavier.
"Driving this makes me drive more carefully. Don't want to bump it even a little from my mistake and stress out the other person."
"...So you do know it's expensive?"
"Hey, Seol-ah, I'm not that different from you guys. It's not even bought with my own money, but still... I wanna minimize repair bills as much as possible."
How pricey are the repairs? Fancy cars have maintenance costs that'd bankrupt a regular person.
"Honestly, aside from house and car, I've never splurged. Mostly just buying meals for friends."
True, I never guessed her wealth until she spilled it. We're tight, so she told us right away, but she doesn't drive much or flaunt it.
Still, great purchase. Low ride height, but the suspension is buttery smooth. No wonder people chase luxury rides.
"Where'd you say your place was? Jamwon-dong?"
"Yeah, Jamwon-dong. Closer to school than you think. Just head straight up."
Yoo Seol-ah, who'd been pondering, suddenly chimed in like she'd just remembered.
"No wonder it sounded familiar—Jamwon-dong's right by Banpo-dong, right?"
"Yep. Basically treated as the same area sometimes."
Jamwon-dong didn't hit hard, but Banpo? Instant vibe check on the insane prices. All those famous apartments prefixed with "Banpo."
"Han River view then? Whoa, I've only heard about it..."
Yoo Seol-ah's voice mixed with excitement. The legendary "Han River view"—add it to a listing, and premiums skyrocket by billions.
I'd only heard it in celeb home stories too.
"Sort of. Best from the rooftop terrace."
"Whoa... Wanna nap there."
"Crash here tonight. Or just move in?"
"What? No need for a maid."
"Don't need a maid. Just bring your body. Nothing else."
"S... Seo-yeon-ah..."
Yoo Seol-ah, what was that cutesy voice? Never pulled it on me. What're they doing? Affair right in front of me? Who cheats so boldly?
I jumped in quick. "Hold up, I wanna move in too."
"You're not allowed."
Discriminating now? Super unfair.
"Why's Seol-ah okay then?"
"Seol-ah's eye candy just sitting there. And same gender."
...Can't argue that. Yoo Seol-ah's face never gets old—you just fall deeper. But discrimination happened. Time to push back.
"Hey, I'm not bad-looking either."
"...Wow, kinda cringey."
Lee Seo-yeon said it, but it stung more from Yoo Seol-ah. Did overwhelming wealth win her over? Or just hyping herself up? Wife should back hubby here...
"Baek Sion's handsome, but too pretty-boy for me. Prefer Do-yoon oppa type."
Bro's hot too. More rugged lines than me. Our group calls got messy with nicknames, so we standardized. Lee Seo-yeon used to say "Kim Do-yoon," but for outsiders, "oppa" avoids weirdness.
"He'd love hearing that."
"Not everything—just the face. Didn't you hear him beg for that husky 'oppa' again after the first time?"
"Yeah. Sounded just like her."
"Right? Could voice act pro-level right now."
We'd video-called as a group, and Lee Seo-yeon nailed voices so well, we begged for famous characters. Phone chimed: destination close. Fancy houses popping up around us.
Yoo Seol-ah sounded hyped too. "Rooftop terrace, right? Can I really nap there?"
"Lunchtime already? Sleepy?"
"Beauties need lotsa sleep."
We're comfy as hell if she says that shamelessly. True though.
"Saying it yourself makes it cringey."
Payback for earlier. Then—smack—on my thigh from Yoo Seol-ah. I chuckled, turning to her.
"Hey, total double standard, right? I let your 'cringey' slide."
"Then hit me back."
...I'm the victim here? Gender bias for sure. Girls get touchy freely. I raised my right hand, aiming at her thigh.
"Think I won't?"
"Go ahead. You won't anyway."
Bratty again... Fine. Her thigh looked plump and tempting—unlike her slim calves and ankles. I used index and middle fingers like flicking, moderate strength.
Smack—fingers sank into soft flesh. Felt good.
"Hyat!?..."
"......"
"......"
She yelped in surprise, like she never expected it. Car went dead silent. Broke by nav: "Turn left soon."
Even unflappable Lee Seo-yeon sounded flustered. "Already spanking...? Fast progression... In front of people too."
"Lee Seo-yeon, what the hell!!"
Yoo Seol-ah's ears beet red. Slightly ragged breaths from embarrassment. Voice just shock. Totally.