Chapter 89
The first apartment No Comment showed us had some building wear and tear, so we passed. We wandered around checking out a few more after that, but nothing really clicked. It was all a bit meh.
Hearing the agent say he'd set up times to show other listings, we decided to grab some food first.
"...House hunting's definitely not easy, huh."
"Yeah."
Basically, if you negotiate the price down a bit, the neighborhood's iffy, or a quick check reveals zero soundproofing between floors—stuff like that kept popping up, making it hard to commit. Even with my parents offering support, I didn't want to waste money.
While we sat on a nearby bench, Yoo Seol-ah's phone rang.
"What, it's Lee Seo-yeon?"
For a split second, I tensed up thinking it might be her parents, but Seo-yeon was a different vibe. Probably just bored and calling for kicks.
"Hello? Seo-yeon, putting you on speaker?"
"Yeah. Why? Is Baek Sion next to you?"
"Yep."
"...He's actually there."
She'd guessed it the moment I mentioned speakerphone, but hearing it confirmed still surprised her. I tossed a line at the phone I'd been trying to stay quiet for.
"Hey, I could be."
"...True. You two are always glued together anyway."
Yoo Seol-ah's lips curved up just a touch at that. ...I never quite get what makes her happy sometimes.
"So, why'd you call?"
"Seol-ah, do we need a reason to chat?"
"Bored? But calling 'cause you're bored is a reason. So what is it."
"...You're so cold, Yoo Seol-ah. Be cute to me too, not just Baek Sion..."
Seo-yeon started whining out of nowhere after Seol-ah's straight-shooter comeback. Seol-ah's face flushed as she raised her voice.
"W-what are you even saying!... You two act the same..."
Honestly, their usual tones weren't that different. If anything, Seo-yeon sounded softer most days. Seol-ah was right—minus the occasional cutesy bits, they talked pretty much alike.
"Fine, our Seol-ah's always right. Anyway, you're outside right now? What's up today?"
"Yeah, we're out looking at apartments. Taking a break for food."
"Apartments? For real? Send your location. I'll head over. I'm hungry too."
The call cut off, leaving us staring at each other in stunned silence.
"...Her action speed is insane."
"Tell me about it. Let's pick a menu while we wait. It'll take her a bit."
"Get whatever you want."
"Hmm..."
I usually let Yoo Seol-ah handle menu picks—it was easier all around. I suck at choosing one dish anyway, and she always nailed tasty ones.
"Western today? Like pasta."
"Sounds good. Think Seo-yeon'll drive here?"
"Dunno. But knowing her personality, she'll probably just roll up in that car..."
We killed time chatting about houses when that foreign luxury car from last time appeared in the distance. Yep, right on cue.
She hopped out, hopped in the back with us, and unleashed a barrage of greetings and questions.
"House hunting means you met the parents?"
"Yeah, saw yours yesterday."
"Ooh... Seol-ah, did you have a panic attack?"
"Not that bad...!"
No panic attack, but she was shaking hard right up until we stepped inside. She loosened up by the end, though.
"So you just came from the realtor?"
"Yep, but nothing jumped out."
"Hmm... Got a menu picked?"
"Pasta okay?"
"Western's fine. Since I drove, wanna hit a spot I know?"
"Even better. I was gonna look up local eats anyway."
She tapped her phone a few times to fire up navigation, then peeled out like a pro.
"But seriously, just bored?"
"Kinda, but also got a tiny consult."
"...The great Lee Seo-yeon needs advice?"
Yoo Seol-ah reacted a beat late. I was thinking the same. Seo-yeon, who seemed like money solved everything, asking us for counseling...
"It's about Doyun oppa."
"Ah..."
"Food first, then talk. Not far."
One thing money can't buy, huh. Doyun hyung put up a subtle wall, but no way he didn't like her—it was obvious after all these years. He probably had his reasons, but with him not pushing things forward, she was getting a little antsy.
"...But you said it's close?"
"Yeah, almost there."
The familiar neighborhood suddenly veered into unfamiliar territory. Taller high-rises started popping up. Her "almost there" was as unreliable as ever—we drove another 15 minutes before pulling into an underground garage.
"...I said pasta, right?"
"Yep. Italian specialist here. 31st floor."
She'd said "a spot I know," and rattled off the floor like she'd been a hundred times.
"How many floors total?"
"Over 60. Top has hotel and offices."
The building had gleamed from outside, and now I could guess the pasta price tag. Seo-yeon cut in before we could freak.
"Not as pricey as you think, and I'm paying anyway. Club activity expense."
"No club president today?"
"...Not today. Anyway, club activity."
We piled into the elevator with her—it shot up so fast it was wild. Double the speed of normal ones, easy.
31st floor: dim lighting welcomed us. She chatted smoothly with the front staff, leading us to a corner table. I knew enough not to gawk, but it still felt like another world.
"Order whatever. Think of it as consult fee."
Cheapest set: 100,000 won. Not shocking, but single pasta over 30,000? Mind-blowing. My priciest ever was mid-20s.
"Nah. You'll pick cheap if I say that, so sets it is. Choose from there."
"......"
We both winced—she'd nailed us. Knowing each other too well was a curse sometimes.
We ended up with a set: steaks, two pastas, salads, the works.
Treated to a feast, we owed her solid advice. Yoo Seol-ah jumped in.
"So, what happened with oppa?"
"...Nothing specific."
Her tone sparked pity. Watching us hook up right after reuniting on Earth probably hit harder.
"You try making a move?"
"I feel like I'm being obvious..."
"Even I can tell."
Doyun hyung dense? Nah, didn't fit him...
"Met up alone?"
"...Not yet. Talked on the phone a few times."
"Seo-yeon, why so passive in love?"
"...It's just hard, okay..."
Roles reversed vibes. Seol-ah had gone aggressive enough to pounce, so she could talk.
"...Honestly, I can't tell what he thinks of me. Feels one-sided sometimes."
"Doesn't seem like it to me... Okay, we'll casually ask when you're not around."
"...Suddenly nervous."
Seeing bold Seo-yeon go girly? Love was scary.
We munched bread dipped in sauce while I tuned in.
"Shouldn't rush it...?"
"Yeah. No worries."
"Thanks. That's all on oppa, really. Just wanted to vent."
Spilling to friends fixes unease. Seo-yeon smiled at Seol-ah sauce-dipping like a squirrel on acorns.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah. Best bread I've had."
"Same. Don't love bread much, but this is killer."
"Our affiliate, so yeah."
"......"
Her family's food empire touched everything edible. Frequent visits made sense now—dry laugh escaped.
"Saw some houses but nothing great? What size you thinking?"
"Um... 20 pyeong up? My parents straight-up said get a newlywed place."
"...Did everything on first meet, huh."
"Lucky it worked. But anything over 20 pyeong's pricey for decent spots."
"Hmm..."
She nibbled bread, pondering, then dropped it casually.
"Wanna move into one of mine, if you're cool?"
"...Your place? Isn't rent 2.5 mil there..."
"Nah, different one. In my name, close to school."
"...For real?"
"Seriously?"
We both blanked. Besties or not, this felt extreme.
"Yeah. Recently built, hospital, mart nearby. Best around here."
"...How much?"
"33 pyeong, around 1.8 billion? No 20s. But you got a budget, right."
"Yeah..."
"If 33's okay, come on in. Friend discount: 90% off."
Bread and balsamic harmony vanished from my tastebuds. No joke in her eyes—we just blinked.
"Wouldn't be on Earth without you guys. Don't stress."
"...Seo-yeon-ah."
"Yeah?"
"...Love you."
First time I'd heard Seol-ah say it. I wanted to shout it too, so whatever.
"...With Baek Sion right there?"
"...Second most."
"Who's first."
Seo-yeon grinned; Seol-ah glanced at me, blushed, and mumbled.
"...No comment."