Seong Juyeon's Date (1)
Taeyang: Wouldn't it be better to ask your sisters for help?
Juyeon-noona: I don't want to drag Seonwoo into things with the other girls for no reason. Yeah, I get it. Even if the sisters aren't interested in Seonwoo, he might get ideas. Just from playing the game, you can see how nosy he is with girls around him. Of course, that's not the only reason.
Taeyang: If you say upfront that you like Seonwoo-oppa, they'll all back off.
Yeah, I figured. Seong Juyeon is a tsundere character, so she can't openly admit she likes someone.
Juyeon-noona: You really gonna do that? I'll spread rumors that you like Cho Yuli too.
Taeyang: No point stressing—just start dating already.
There was a pause with no reply.
I could picture Seong Juyeon flailing through the chat.
Juyeon-noona: We've seen each other so much it probably feels stale as a girl, and after getting rejected at the last get-together, I'm even less confident.
Juyeon-noona: (nodding in satisfaction emoticon) Not meant to make you feel good or anything.
The promised day arrived. Weekend afternoon, just before noon. Sitting in a cafe in the bustling district, a girl with red half-twin tails soon approached.
It was Seong Juyeon, dressed more maturely than usual in a bright brown dress and flashy makeup.
"Hehe, hi?"
"Yeah, you made it?"
"What? Not impressed?"
I turned my head indifferently, and Seong Juyeon grumbled as she sat down across from me.
"Nah, it suits you. Though it feels like a kid playing dress-up."
"What?!"
Seong Juyeon flew into a rage, treating it like I'd called her a child despite being younger myself. Well, her height matched mine, on the shorter side for heroines. Seonwoo even compares her inwardly to his little sister while she's puffing up indignantly. I wanted to compliment her even as empty words, but I deliberately lowered expectations. In the game, Seonwoo's first reaction to meeting her today was roaring laughter—teasing her for looking like a kid playing adult. He smooths it over later by saying her sulky face is cute. Subtly, game Seonwoo wields carrot and stick masterfully. I wish he'd use that skill to manage the yanderes well this time.
"Think you can keep up?"
"Yeah, just follow carefully so Seonwoo-oppa doesn't spot me."
My role was to trail from afar as Choi Seonwoo and Seong Juyeon moved together, observing and reporting back. I'd read Seonwoo-oppa's expressions and relay them, or send texts with instructions like "do this now" based on the situation. If another heroine showed up to interfere, I'd step in and lure her away.
"But if that happens, I'll have to be honest."
"Huh?"
"Yeah. If another sister asks why I'm butting in, what do I say?"
"Um..."
"No need to hide if you two start dating after this anyway."
"It's not set in stone yet!"
Seong Juyeon's face flushed red like her hair. She averted her eyes in embarrassment, fidgeting with her fingers. Hey, tsundere. Save that dere for the guy you like. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen her go full dere on Seonwoo here yet. Unless he's a total dense blockhead, he'd notice this instantly. No idea why this couple takes so long in the game. Probably to pad the content.
"It'll work out. Go take your seat. He's coming soon."
"Ah, already that time."
Seong Juyeon quickly took her spot. I pulled my hat low. With a black mask too, no one would notice unless they stared.
As Seong Juyeon sat sipping her drink through a straw, a guy entered the cafe entrance.
"Welcome."
Instantly, the women's gazes in the cafe flicked to the door. Once they looked away from Seonwoo's face, they started whispering among themselves.
"He's hot."
In the game, he's a proper pretty boy with mentions of his looks. Makes sense he'd attract heroines easily. But today it was intense. He'd dressed up properly. Does Seonwoo see this as a date too? I glanced at Seong Juyeon. She was staring holes into him—like a girl head over heels. No secrecy here. Seonwoo spotted her and strode over.
"You got here early. Wait long?"
"Uh... uh... N-no, not really..."
Seong Juyeon froze. She wouldn't even talk properly like this. Then Seonwoo's words melted her ice.
"Puhahaha!! What is this? You look like a kid playing grown-up!"
"Wh-what?!"
Seong Juyeon's face burned hotter, eyebrows shooting up.
"Y-you're one to talk!! What's with your outfit? Out for fun, and you're acting all stiff!"
Wrong move.
"They say clothes make the man. Barely passable."
She whipped her head away to hide her blush, muttering.
"What? I bought this new, putting in effort, and that's your review."
"Hmph, you started the teasing."
Hmm... what order to send now? Short of Seong Juyeon jumping him, I saw no angle to win his heart.
Seong Juyeon glanced at her vibrating phone, head still turned.
Seong Juyeon turned toward me, face still red, glaring daggers. 'Compliment him like this?' she probably wanted to argue. But better to defuse first. She sighed and spoke carefully.
"Haa~ Well, you picked a good outfit. Where'd you get it?"
"Department store just nearby."
"Yeah? Nice choice. Maybe I'll shop there next time too?"
Seong Juyeon probed lightly.
"If you hate mine that much, come pick one with me next time."
The mood softened somehow. Her cute pout with flushed cheeks drew a bright smile and nod from Seonwoo.
"Wanna?"
Seeing the pair finally harmonious, I exhaled and chugged my Americano in frustration.
"Ugh, bitter..."
Should've ordered a caramel macchiato instead of acting mature. More importantly, can those two confess properly today? I regretted wasting my weekend a bit.