Seong Juyeon's Date (2)
At first, things were a bit rocky, but Seong Juyeon and Choi Seonwoo's date ended up going pretty smoothly overall. I watched their backs as they walked out of the municipal art gallery near the station.
"Haa~ At least the art gallery kept them from fighting."
The reason they'd met up alone today was because they shared the same taste in the paintings on display here, just like back in the old days. I gazed at the two of them, recalling that bit of backstory from the game.
"Where to next?"
"Hmm... Let's hit the arcade!"
"What? You're gonna... wanna play fighting games again, right?"
"Hehe, you know me so well. It's been ages since I loosened up my hands."
"Seong Juyeon, you're just gonna wreck me again. No way."
Just a little while ago at lunch, those two had been at each other's throats. I'd given the order to calm Juyeon's temper and stop her provocative jabs, which kept Seonwoo in check too. Once the mood softened and they started chatting like friendly childhood buddies, things progressed. They had a quiet talk at the gallery and even staged a sweet moment, so if it kept going like this, it'd be fine.
In the game, they bickered too before the gallery shifted the atmosphere—but it had to turn into a good vibe for the buttons to align properly later. We needed to keep the positive momentum for what was coming up. The next event was about to kick off in earnest.
Honestly, this was the main reason I'd come.
I'd use this chance to draw out Seonwoo's true feelings—how much he truly cherished Seong Juyeon. Whether that led to love or not, we'd see from the results.
I followed them into the large plaza arcade right by the station.
"Seong Juyeon, aren't you going too far?"
"What? If it bugs you, beat me~"
"Seriously, how do you have over a thousand hours in games and better test scores than me?"
Back to bickering. But this time, it was mostly playful—no real malice. Not important, so I just watched.
Seonwoo and Juyeon stepped out of the arcade for a bit. I gave it some time before leaving and sat on a distant bench. Good—they hadn't noticed me.
"Got it~ Ah, all that gaming made me thirsty."
"What do you want?"
Juyeon waved him off with a throat-clearing gesture. Maybe even she thought she'd gone overboard, because she smiled sheepishly.
"I went a bit hard this time, so I'll grab 'em."
"Sure, Zero Cola for me."
No vending machine nearby, so Juyeon headed down to the convenience store one floor below. It was about time...
Seonwoo's little sister's friend—the one tailing him—was due any second.
According to the Love Chain plot, before Juyeon returned, Seonwoo would run into his sister's friend by "chance." A girl who admired him a ton. She'd get super close, say she had something to talk about, and beg him to listen. Seonwoo, seeing her serious face, would hesitate—maybe ask Juyeon's permission?—but ultimately agree. Then Juyeon would spot them: the girl linking arms with him in a sugary atmosphere.
Juyeon would play it cool at first, but the girl's blatant flirting and Seonwoo's failure to shut it down would break her. She'd bolt from the scene. When the girl then acted all down like she had real issues, Seonwoo would have to choose.
For game users, it was obvious: pick Juyeon to boost her affection. No brainer.
The issue was Seonwoo's real attitude... That's where I'd nudge him.
I had zero plans to intervene until Juyeon snapped and ran. At the choice prompt, I'd "coincidentally" show up and spice things up: "Juyeon noona was crying? Said you stressed her out today." That'd send him after her.
It'd make him chase desperately, forcing him to confront his feelings—how special and dear Juyeon was to him.
I positioned myself where I could secretly watch Seonwoo from Juyeon's approach direction.
"Huh? Isn't that..."
"Hm?"
Right on cue, a girl's voice called from behind, and Seonwoo turned.
"Oppa! It's you!! Long time no see!!"
"Oh, you're Seonah's friend, right..."
"What? You already forgot my name? It's Ha Eunju! You complimented it last time, saying it was pretty!"
Huh? Ha Eunju? Why you? She was the one I expected... but I never thought it'd be her, Seonwoo's sister's friend. In the game, she's a nameless extra—barely a shadow. Even I, predicting the plot, didn't expect a familiar face.
No time to zone out.
"What're you doing here, oppa?"
"Oh, just hanging with a friend."
"Hmm... A girlfriend?"
"Huh? Oh, no."
"Pfft, you're flustered."
Ha Eunju looked up at the embarrassed Seonwoo with a sly gaze, then put on a cute voice.
"Ah, I had something I wanted to tell you, oppa."
"Me?"
"Yeah! I wanna ask you all sorts of stuff!"
"Haha... Sorry. My friend's coming back soon."
"...Really can't? It'll just take a sec."
Ha Eunju gazed up with dewy, pitiful eyes. That look—the one she gave me after the dodgeball semis at the sports festival.
Seonwoo couldn't resist. "What's up? Something you can't put off?"
"Just... some worries."
She sighed deeply, masterfully faking a grave expression.
"If not, oh well. Yeah, forcing a busy person is bad kid behavior."
She's still the same. Well, only two months since I last saw her.
"That serious?"
"Haha, it's nothing really. I'm fine..."
Her forced, bitter laugh—big and hollow—did the trick. Seonwoo caved.
"What is it? I can listen if it's quick."
"Really? For real!"
Eunju beamed, joyfully linking arms with him. Seonwoo flinched at the sudden contact.
"Uh... hey..."
"You're really listening, right? What a relief~!"
She leaned into his shoulder, and Seonwoo floundered at the skinship. No— he secretly loves it, from that face. Was he like that in the game? No wonder Juyeon loses it.
I watched their cringey display coldly until I spotted Juyeon trudging back. She froze in front of them.
"Ah, Juyeon-ah, you're back? Hey, let go!"
"Huh? Why so cold all of a sudden, oppa?"
"People'll misunderstand."
"Aww~"
"R-right, a misunderstanding?"
Juyeon stayed calm and asked, "Who's this?"
"My sister's friend."
"Oh? Seonah's friend?"
"Yep! Ha Eunju! And me and Seonwoo oppa are suuuper close! Right?"
"What? That close...?"
"Huh? Last time you admitted it. When you praised me nonstop in front of Seonah till your mouth went dry?"
"That was..."
Probably some offhand compliment. Eunju linked arms again, even tighter. Juyeon couldn't miss Seonwoo's obvious enjoyment—face flushing. Different from his "skinship" with Juyeon (which was just back smacks or shoulder taps post-puberty).
"Juyeon-ah, it's not—"
"Hmm... So what were you talking about?"
"Oppa was gonna counsel me. I said I was fine, but he insisted... Ah, but with sis here, no good?"
Eunju scowled, glancing between them. Seonwoo just opened and closed his mouth, speechless.
"Ah, if it's that, I wanna check out something nearby. Call when you're done."
"Huh? Juyeon-ah."
"Zero Cola. You drink this."
"Ah! Thanks!"
"Don't say weird stuff to the kid."
Juyeon warned once, smiled, and walked off. Seonwoo stood there, stunned.
"Oppa, wanna sit and talk?" Eunju asked.
"Uh? Oh, that..."
Now—sense something's off and go after Juyeon! The choice delay was long; Seonwoo hesitated, conflicted.
Time for me to step in. Ha Eunju was awkward, but we'd cut ties—ignore her.
I casually approached from Juyeon's direction. "Huh? Seonwoo hyung!"
"Hm? Kim Taeyang?"
"What're you up to, hyung?"
Huh? Eunju turned, met my eyes, and scowled like she'd seen trash. "You know that scary-looking kid?"
Scary-looking... Yeah, heard that plenty.
I ignored her and went straight to Seonwoo. "Juyeon noona ran off crying earlier. Something happen?"
"Huh? She was crying?"
"Yeah, said you don't get her feelings..."
Too much? Should've stuck to 'you stressed her out.'
But Seonwoo blanked out, then flinched.
"You aren't on a date with Yuyeong? Fine being alone?" Eunju snapped rudely.
"What bullshit? Me and Yuyeong aren't dating."
"Oh? Too bad~ Me and Seonwoo oppa are suuuper close though~"
She glanced at him for agreement, but he ignored her.
"Taeyang-ah. Where'd Juyeon go?"
"Probably that way."
"Yeah?"
"........."
Seonwoo hesitated, then turned to excuse himself to Eunju. She realized he wasn't listening—face hardening.
"Eunju-ya, sorry—can we talk later?"
".........Huh?"
Eunju couldn't respond, then decided.
"...Sniff... Waaah~!!!!"
To squeeze out tears. Middle schooler much? Why the waterworks now?
Seonwoo panicked, soothing her. "Eunju-ya, what's wrong?"
"Hic... School life's so hard... Sorry! I know I, hic, shouldn't..."
Damn. Felt it against Yuyeong, but she's something.
Seonwoo couldn't get dragged into her pace. Normally, I'd let her be and send him after Juyeon—but my nudge made her amp it up, refusing to lose.
"Hyung, I'll handle her. Go to Juyeon noona first."
"Huh? Oh, but..."
"No! He bullies me!"
"What're you saying? You're faking it!"
"Taeyang-ah..."
Seonwoo glared at me.
Haa... If he doesn't go now, Juyeon's affection tanks. I persuaded him desperately; he just sighed heavily.
"She's crying, so I'll calm her then head there."
"No! She's crying blaming you!!"
"Taeyang-ah, please."
His choice made no sense. Why ditch Juyeon?
"C'mon, Eunju-ya. Taeyang's gone."
Seonwoo signaled me to leave.
"Haa........."
Before I could argue, he headed to the cafe ahead, refusing to hear more. Drag him by force?
"Taeyang-ah…"
