22 Billion Won and a Budget Sedan Surprise
How about that? I glared at my smartphone screen as if I could bore a hole through it. Then I refreshed it once more.
Of course... the surreal number floating smack in the center of the display didn't budge an inch, holding its ground steadfastly.
Just a little while ago, it had been around 1.5 billion won. Even that alone felt like a string of miracles in my life.
But this morning, when I checked the exchange app again, the screen looked... drastically different.
The first digit had changed from 1 to 2.
2,187,540,200 won
Nearly 22 billion won.
I'd bet my life that even if I slaved away at a job for a lifetime, I'd never touch that kind of money.
"Whoa...."
At my exclamation, Eunha and Eunseo, lounging on the sofa watching TV, both whipped their heads around.
"What's up, Dojin? Something happen?"
"Jagi-ya, why the long face? See a ghost or what?"
Instead of answering, I spun the phone screen toward them with a flourish.
"Take a look at this...."
Eunha and Eunseo's dark eyes locked onto my phone screen.
And in the next instant, both their mouths dropped open in perfect sync.
"Huh...?"
"Oh my...."
A beat of silence. Then both of them just stared blankly.
"This is insane... 22 billion? For real 22 billion?"
"Holy crap... you're a total rags-to-riches story now, jagi-ya?"
Only after seeing their reactions did the reality finally sink into my head.
This was real.
I had 22 billion won right there in my hand.
Enough to buy a nice apartment outright, or live without ever worrying about money again.
It felt surreal.
Like this sudden cash had ignited some weird impulse to do something right away.
"Should we... go buy a car?"
Eunha's eyes went wide. "A car? Like, an actual car?"
"Yeah. We've got the money now, and walking everywhere or taking taxis is getting old. Plus, we're heading to that onsen trip soon as a trio—can't exactly take the train."
Eunseo nodded in agreement too.
"But... do we gotta suit up in formal wear to go car shopping?"
"...What?"
Eunseo furrowed her brow, looking at me like I'd lost my mind.
"What kinda nonsense is that, jagi-ya? Why wear a suit to buy a car?"
I answered with dead seriousness.
"No, hear me out. Meeting a dealer and signing a deal... that's basically business, right? Buying a car feels like stepping into real adult life, proper society stuff. Can't let 'em look down on me. Gotta show up suited up, seize the initiative...."
Before I could finish, Eunha shot me an incredulous look.
"Dojin."
"Yeah?"
"Don't ever say crap like that outside. It's embarrassing."
In the end, I settled for neat slacks and a well-fitted shirt.
As we headed out the door, Eunha hooked her arm through mine and asked,
"So, what kinda car we getting on the way? With 20 billion, gotta be some foreign sports car, right?"
I shook my head at her question.
"Nah. Just grabbing some cheap domestic ride. As long as it's sturdy and runs."
"Eh? Why? You've got the cash."
"I'm still crap at driving—prime for scraping it up. No point flashing cash on something flashy."
At my answer, Eunseo, who'd linked arms on my other side, nodded too.
"Smart call. Seeing you stay grounded with all this sudden money? Makes you even more reliable, jagi-ya."
And so, we set off for the nearby Daeja Car Dealership.
A massive multi-brand dealership smack in the city center.
Amid dozens of gleaming new cars on the polished marble floor, Hyun-seok Kim—decked out in a crisp suit—glanced wearily toward the entrance.
Eight years in sales.
By now, he could size up a customer's walk and outfit the second they walked in: buyer or just browser? Veteran of veterans.
Ding-.
The glass door slid open, and a customer entered. His eyes sharpened.
'Oh...'
The young man striding in triggered every sales instinct he had.
Tall and broad-shouldered.
Dressed in fitted slacks and a white shirt—simple, but radiating an effortless confidence and poise you couldn't fake.
And that face—overwhelmingly handsome. Sharp features that could pass for an idol or model.
'Screams old money. Total chaebol heir.'
His mental calculator whirred.
VIPs like this? Straight-up cash for top sedans or loaded large SUVs.
He straightened his tie, flashed his capitalist grin, and hustled over.
"Welcome! Looking for a specific model?"
He bowed a deep 90 degrees, polite as could be.
Dojin seemed a bit thrown by the sudden bow but nodded awkwardly.
"Uh, yeah. Here to check out some cars. Got a catalog?"
"Of course! Right this way."
Hyun-seok led him to the plush VIP consultation area in the center and presented a thick, premium-printed catalog with both hands.
Dojin sank into the sofa, flipping through pages casually.
Hyun-seok hovered, holding his breath, waiting for that finger to stop.
Definitely the flagship sedan or some imported beast north of 100 million won.
Flip-.
Dojin's finger paused on a page.
"I'll take this one."
"Excellent choice, sir... wait, what?"
Hyun-seok's beaming smile froze solid.
The model Dojin's finger pointed to? One of the cheaper compacts here—perfect for fresh grads, the so-called "king of value."
Dojin caught the blank look on Hyun-seok's face and tilted his head.
"Something wrong? No stock on this model?"
"N-No! Nothing at all, sir!"
Hyun-seok snapped to, realizing his blunder.
He shook his head frantically.
"Plenty in stock! Great fuel efficiency, tops for city driving. Let me break down the details!"
Pro that he was, he launched into a smooth pitch: engine size, MPG, trunk space, option diffs, the works.
"Got it. Mind if I take it for a spin?"
"Absolutely! This way to the display model."
Sliding into the driver's seat of the displayed compact under Hyun-seok's guidance, Dojin fiddled with the wheel, tapped the dash, and cracked a satisfied grin.
"Huh... roomier inside than I thought. Seats are comfy too. Nice."
Watching Dojin mutter his modest praise, Hyun-seok tilted his head inwardly.
'Not a chaebol kid after all? Just a handsome college dude who dresses sharp?'
Right then—
Ding-.
The door opened again, and two women stepped in.
"...!"
The air in the showroom seemed to freeze.
Other browsing guys, even fellow dealers, gawked, dumbfounded.
Skin blindingly white. Jet-black hair cascading to their waists.
One with long locks, fresh and cool beauty; the other bobbed, vibrant vibe.
Similar looks, but one exuded youthful allure, the other sultry maturity.
Hyun-seok stared too.
'Celebrity sisters?'
And they were heading this way?
"Jagi-ya~!"
The mature one smiled seductively through the driver's window.
'Jagi-ya?'
Hyun-seok flinched.
"Dojin! This the one? It's cute."
The other grabbed Dojin's hand as he moved to get out, interlocking fingers possessively.
"Yeah. Picked the most no-frills one. Feels solid enough."
Hyun-seok's head spun, piecing it together.
Sisters, probably.
Sis calls him "jagi-ya."
Lil sis jealous-grips his hand.
So, sisters competing subtly for one guy, craving his affection.
'Damn... who needs chaebol status? This guy's living the dream.'
Hyun-seok licked his dry lips. Appetite whetted.
A man's true caliber? Measured by the caliber of woman beside him, not the car.
Dojin hopped out and slid his card over to the still-dazed Hyun-seok.
"We'll go with this."
"Y-Yes! How about financing terms?"
"Financing?"
Dojin pondered briefly. "Nah, full cash. Processes right away, yeah?"
Hyun-seok swallowed hard again.
'Holy shit. Loaded too.'
He met Dojin's eyes, feeling oddly defeated.
Dojin just wondered why the weird stare.
Three days after picking up the car and packing for the trip.
We finally arrived at the luxury onsen inn deep in the mountains we'd booked.
A serene hanok-style spot nestled in dense pine forests.
As we entered the lobby from the car, a neatly dressed young female receptionist greeted us with a bright smile.
"Welcome! Reservation under?"
"Dojin Lee."
She tapped at her monitor, confirming.
Then her smile twisted into something bizarrely stiff.
Her gaze flicked to me, then to Eunha and Eunseo flanking me, back and forth.
Clear bewilderment in her eyes.
"Uh... yes, Dojin Lee, confirmed."
She stammered cautiously. "Party of... three, correct...?"
I averted my eyes to the floor, coughing awkwardly.
"...Yes. That's right."
She double-checked the screen against our faces, baffled.
"So, Dojin Lee, Eunseo Yoo, Eunha Yoo... three of you... yes?"
"...Yeah, told you."
She gulped, then ventured, "Um... did you read the full details on our inn?"
"Yep. Saw the part about couples only. Loud and clear."
How many times she gonna ask?
"...Just hand over the keys and yukatas already."
"Ah! Right! Yes, coming right up!"
The flustered receptionist rummaged in a cabinet, handing over three keys and yukata-style robes for the baths.
"Haa...."
I let out a long sigh. This onsen trip was creaking from the jump.
About an hour later.
Eunha and Eunseo emerged changed.
And that's when it hit bone-deep why the listing screamed "couples only."
Their onsen outfits? Provocative as hell.
Sheer, flowing fabric that hugged every curve.
Deep V-necks barely held shut by strings, breasts threatening to spill out with every sway.
Especially devastating on bodies like Eunseo's and Eunha's—overwhelming, violent proportions.
And they were eyeing me, asking without words: What do you think?