Until I'm Satisfied?
At the agreed meeting spot in front of Hongdae subway station exit.
I scanned the crowd, then spotted Yu Jiwon standing rigidly in the corner and approached her slowly.
"Sorry. You waited a long time, huh."
"Huh? No...! I just got here too. Haven't been waiting long."
Jiwon startled, flashing a wide smile.
...Liar.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
The hem of her blouse and skirt were slightly damp and wrinkled.
No way it'd wrinkle like that from just standing briefly.
She must've come out hours early, anxiously waiting for me.
"But... why...?"
A bunch of questions bubbled up for a moment, but the awkwardness passed quickly.
"So. Where are we going today?"
I pretended not to notice and changed the subject. Jiwon slipped her arm through mine, gauging my reaction.
"There's this bakery cafe I really love that just opened. Wanna go there?"
"Do whatever."
We walked Hongdae's bustling streets, the awkward vibe hanging between us.
Feeling the warmth of Jiwon's arm against mine, I walked in silence until the core question circling my mind slipped out.
"By the way. Why'd you ask to date me?"
My blunt question made Jiwon's steps falter stiffly.
"Think about it—it's funny. If you just wanted money or whatever, blackmail would've been easier. Why bother with..."
"No...! That's a crime."
Jiwon cut in like it was absurd, then gripped my arm tighter.
Her head hung low, cheeks faintly flushed.
"Listen, Woojin... I... more than that... actually... I like..."
Her lips hesitated, the long-hidden truth about to spill out in a breathless moment.
"Euuuum~!! So delicious~!!"
Right in front of the trendy bakery cafe we'd planned to hit.
A loud, boisterous high-pitched voice boomed like a megaphone, perfectly burying Jiwon's confession.
"No way, you can eat bread this good unlimited?! Total game-changer!"
The cafe's terrace was packed with cameras and lights. In the center, Han Sera—dressed flashy casual—bit into bread with over-the-top reactions.
...Han Sera?
I rubbed my throbbing temple.
Haa... seriously. Why does she pop up everywhere I go?
Not like she's some mythical hero.
The idol who'd caused chaos at school and the theater before fleeing... no, more like a runaway boulder?
Now Han Sera was mukbang filming right on Hongdae's streets.
"Alright, everyone! Come visit the new [Freshly Baked Bread Shop] in Hongdae lots and lots~!"
Sera waved cutely at the camera for her closing line. Her gaze swept precisely over me in the crowd of onlookers.
"...Huh?! Ah, Lee Woo... Mmph!!"
She spotted me, started to joyfully shout my name, then realized they were filming and clamped her mouth shut with both hands.
Crazy. Was she about to yell my name like last time?
A chill ran down my spine; I stepped back.
Thankfully, Sera—eyes shaking—pro'd a smile and wrapped up the shoot.
"Ah, ahaha...! Then Nyan Rave's Sera's out—see you next time~!"
Cut—
The second the director OK'd, Sera tossed her half-eaten bread to her manager and dashed toward me.
"Hey! What're you doing here?!"
Sera panted to a stop in front of me.
But her eyes slid from my face to Yu Jiwon clinging tightly to my arm.
"......?"
She scanned Jiwon up and down, then tilted her head at me.
"...What's this, another girl?"
"......"
"Where's that Baek Haeun chick who was always glued to you? Who's this?"
Sera's innocent fastball made Jiwon's fingers tighten on my arm.
I clamped my mouth shut against the oncoming headache, staying silent.
"Ah... hi."
Jiwon forced a smile and awkward greeting. Sera crossed her legs, arms folded, sneering arrogantly.
"Oh~ got it. You're my fans, right? ...Sasaeng fans I've only heard about?"
"..Uh.. yeah?"
Sera, totally misreading, grabbed Jiwon's hand and shook it.
"Need a signature?"
"......."
Jiwon's eyes went blank at the baseless assumption.
Haa... I'm the idiot for getting tense over that airhead.
I sighed softly, ignoring Sera's stare like she was invisible.
"Let's go, Jiwon."
"Huh? Oh..."
I grabbed Jiwon's wrist and headed for the bakery door. Ignored Sera stomped and yelled.
"Hey~! You two, stop right there! I'm offering autographs personally!"
[Sera-ssi! The closing shot just now—the wind covered the lens! One more take!]
"Argh, seriously! Wait a sec! Hey, you guys really not stopping?!"
I ignored Sera's shrieks as staff dragged her away and pushed open the bakery door, face weary.
Inside the bakery cafe, buttery aroma filled the air.
We piled a tray mountain-high with breads and sat across from each other in the corner.
"Wow, this place is insane."
Jiwon, trying to smooth over the awkwardness, grabbed a fork with forced cheer.
"They said you can eat unlimited bread here. So many kinds, it's seriously amazi—"
"So."
I cut her off coldly.
"That unfinished talk outside. I asked why you're dating me."
My direct probe froze her fork mid-air.
She bit her lip, staring at me.
Her large eyes trembled faintly, like dredging up something deep and ancient.
"I... actually."
"......Actually?"
"From back then..."
Back then?
The unexpected words furrowed my brow.
"Back then...?"
My echo made her flinch, then she dropped her head like giving up.
"Back then..."
Jiwon slowly lifted her gaze.
The tremor gone, a cool, arrogant smile curved her lips.
"From way back, seeing trash like you who hide your creepy thoughts..."
"......"
"...just makes me wanna bully you. Keep you tied to my side."
Jiwon propped her chin, grinning at me.
"So I grabbed your weakness and asked to date. Fun, right?"
A miserable, cruel fake reason that perfectly flipped her earnest pure love.
I swallowed her clumsy lie whole, without a shred of doubt.
I silently speared a croissant chunk and ate it.
Chewing the crisp texture, I rapidly calculated in my head.
So that's it.
Not justice, not liking me—just a twisted personality craving to torment trash?
In that case... your mistake, Jiwon.
I sneered inwardly.
I'm not some fragile type hurt by childish bullying.
Hell... thinking it over, getting insulted and harassed by a girl as hot as Jiwon? For a guy, that's a reward, right?
Yeah, sure. Not bad at all.
But my case was different.
If I had no plans, I might've played along with her pervert hobby and milked the perks.
But right now, I had perfect prey in Baek Haeun, and everything was going to plan at a critical juncture.
Couldn't waste time tied to this girl.
I set down my fork and spoke after deliberation.
"So. Until when."
"Huh...?"
"How long are you gonna date me."
Her eyes shook, unmoored.
"Uh... well. Until I'm satisfied...?"
Until she's satisfied?
I freaked inwardly.
Oh shit.
How long do I have to cater to this personality wreck?
What if she drags me around till high school graduation?
The thought sparked a ridiculous image in my head.
[Woojina~ Visitation time. Get me some frozen treats from the PX.]
Military-uniformed Jiwon linking arms during my army visit.
...Hmm. That one's not half bad either.
I nearly blushed and nodded unconsciously.
A dizzying temptation.
But I shook my head hard, banishing the thought.
No, Lee Woojin. You crazy? Snap out of it. Priority is ditching her.
I suppressed the thrill, regaining cool-headedness.
If her goal's tormenting me, I'll gladly take it. Show her this bullying does zilch to me. If she won't let go, shove money at her for a settlement...
"......"
I eyed Jiwon sipping coffee across from me, plotting meticulously how to escape her.
With no clue that plan would unleash another horrific butterfly effect.