A Rascal's Romance Blind Spot
As they exited the subway station and headed toward the used car market complex, Kang Ihyun spoke with a genuinely puzzled tone.
"That girl from earlier. Why did she ask for my phone number? It doesn't seem like she wanted it for some shady reason."
In truth, most men would have immediately understood that when a woman with flushed cheeks asked for their number, it meant she was interested in them. Of course there were exceptions, but that was the general rule. However, Kang Ihyun had never shown much interest in romance even during his school days, and after spending twelve long years fighting on the battlefield, the romantic cells in his brain had long since rotted away completely. So he couldn't even begin to guess at that possibility.
"Aigoo, you rascal."
Jeong Seok-woo opened his mouth, his chest tight with frustration.
"The reason that young lady asked for your number earlier is because she has feelings for you and wants to contact you personally."
Instead, Kang Ihyun's expression grew even more strange.
"...Feelings? How could she develop feelings for someone she's seeing for the first time?"
Jeong Seok-woo stopped walking and glanced at him. Kang Ihyun looked like he truly couldn't understand.
"..."
Jeong Seok-woo remained silent for a long moment. Then a very deep sigh escaped him.
"...Aigoo. You dense fool."
Jeong Seok-woo rubbed his forehead as if he wanted to pull out a cigarette, then spoke.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Pardon?"
"How does a person judge someone they've just met?"
Kang Ihyun thought for a moment.
"...Their vibe?"
"...Not entirely wrong."
Jeong Seok-woo let out a hollow laugh.
"In the end, people look at appearance first. That young lady from earlier developed feelings because you're handsome."
"...Just for that?"
"Saying 'just for that' makes it sound like something to dismiss so easily. It's not."
Kang Ihyun still looked like he didn't quite get it.
"...I don't really understand."
Jeong Seok-woo glanced at him sideways.
"...You didn't date anyone in that other world either, did you."
"..."
Kang Ihyun made a slightly aggrieved face. Jeong Seok-woo spoke with absolute certainty.
"If you had, you wouldn't be reacting like this."
Kang Ihyun averted his gaze for a moment. He couldn't deny it. From the start, he hadn't been interested in romance during his school years. He had been too busy taking care of his younger siblings at the orphanage, studying, and exercising. Then at eighteen he was summoned to another world, and for the next twelve years all he experienced was war. When people were struggling just to survive each day, who had the mental space for romance?
Jeong Seok-woo started walking again and continued.
"You think about human relationships far too seriously."
"...Do I?"
"Yes. Of course, I understand why you'd be that way."
Jeong Seok-woo spoke calmly.
"In that world, building relationships with people probably meant risking your life."
"..."
"That's what war is like."
The traffic light turned green. The two slowly crossed the crosswalk. Jeong Seok-woo kept talking.
"But not all relationships in this world begin that way. In fact, that's the more unusual case."
"..."
"Sometimes people just like someone's face and want to talk to them."
"Sometimes they simply notice someone because they're handsome."
Kang Ihyun stayed quiet for a moment. Then he spoke with complete honesty.
"...Doesn't approaching someone based solely on looks seem a bit shallow?"
Jeong Seok-woo chuckled.
"Do you know why male peacocks spread their feathers so brilliantly?"
"...Why are we suddenly talking about peacocks?"
"To look good to the females."
Jeong Seok-woo continued as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Even animals do it, so what makes humans any different?"
"..."
"Humans are animals too, after all."
Kang Ihyun looked at Jeong Seok-woo with a strange expression. Jeong Seok-woo shrugged.
"Of course, if it ends with just looks, it's a shallow relationship."
"But the inside is something you take time to learn about."
"Who in the world understands each other completely from the very first meeting?"
At those words, Kang Ihyun fell into thought for a moment. It was true. Most of the human relationships he had experienced in his life had been extreme. People he had fought alongside, nearly dying together. People who had been drenched in each other's blood. Comrades and friends he had trusted with his back for years. So the idea of casually striking up conversation, laughing, and expressing interest from the start felt utterly foreign to him.
Jeong Seok-woo glanced at him sideways.
"And."
"...Yes."
"With a face like yours, it's perfectly natural for girls to work up the courage to ask for your number."
Kang Ihyun froze for a second.
"...Me?"
Jeong Seok-woo looked utterly dumbfounded.
"You really have zero self-awareness, don't you?"
"..."
"I'm sure there were quite a few young ladies in that other world who were interested in you."
"...In that world, skill with a sword earned more respect than looks."
"So you were both skilled with a sword and handsome. Must've been nice."
Kang Ihyun still looked aggrieved.
"...In reality, appearance didn't mean much."
"That's just your opinion."
"...During the war, neither I nor anyone else was in any position to date, you know?"
"Sure, sure."
Jeong Seok-woo replied half-heartedly. By then, the massive buildings of the used car sales complex had come into view ahead of them.
After that, the two spent nearly two hours wandering around the used car market, looking at countless vehicles. But Jeong Seok-woo's expression remained lukewarm at best.
"This one has too many miles."
"This one has an accident history."
"This one's seats are too narrow."
Watching him, Kang Ihyun gradually began to develop an eye for cars himself. And after quite a bit more time had passed, the two stopped in front of one vehicle at the same moment.
"..."
It was a black full-size van. The model year was 2023, and the exterior was spotless—clearly well-maintained by the previous owner. Best of all, it was an eleven-seater model.
Kang Ihyun spoke slowly.
"...This one looks pretty good."
Jeong Seok-woo stared at the car without saying a word. His silence suggested he was pleased with it. Just then, a nearby dealer quickly approached them.
"Are you here to look at cars?"
The dealer continued with a practiced smile.
"That vehicle's condition is truly excellent. It's accident-free and has been meticulously maintained—"
Jeong Seok-woo raised a hand to cut him off.
"Let's check the insurance history and accident records first."
"Ah, yes, of course. I'll check right away."
The dealer immediately pulled out a tablet and began checking various details, but soon let out a somewhat dazed sound.
"...Huh?"
Jeong Seok-woo's eyebrows shot up. The dealer checked the tablet screen again with an awkward expression.
"...What is it."
"...Ah, I'm so sorry, sir."
The dealer scratched his forehead with the tablet pen and spoke in a flustered tone.
"This vehicle... it was already under contract. What should we do..."
A short silence fell. Kang Ihyun blinked.
"...It's already sold?"
"Yes. It was scheduled to be picked up today, but I failed to check that part beforehand."
The dealer's face clearly showed genuine panic. Jeong Seok-woo clicked his tongue softly.
"...As expected, good things catch other people's eyes too."
Kang Ihyun looked at the car with a regretful expression.
'That car was perfect. What a shame.'
At that moment—
-Vrrrr.
The dealer's phone vibrated.
"Ah, just a moment please."
The dealer excused himself and answered the call.
"Yes, this is Jeong Hwan."
A moment later, the dealer's expression subtly changed.
"Pardon?"
Kang Ihyun and Jeong Seok-woo looked at him simultaneously. The dealer flipped through the tablet with one hand while continuing the call.
"Ah, yes. I've confirmed it."
"...Yes, I'll proceed with the reservation fee refund."
"...Yes. Understood."
It was a short call. After hanging up, the dealer stared at his phone screen for a moment. Then he looked up with a somewhat dazed expression.
"...Uh."
Jeong Seok-woo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What happened?"
The dealer let out a hollow laugh.
"The contract was just canceled."
"...Pardon?"
This time it was Kang Ihyun who asked again. The dealer turned the tablet screen toward them and said,
"The customer who had placed the reservation canceled it."
"They said they'd discuss it again with their family. A request for refund of the contract deposit has come in."
A short silence followed. Kang Ihyun and Jeong Seok-woo briefly met each other's eyes, then simultaneously turned their heads toward the Staria.
The black body gleamed heavily under the sunlight.
"Well, I'll be... talk about luck."
Jeong Seok-woo let out a breath mixed with complicated emotions. The dealer also laughed as if he couldn't believe it.
"It's not that this never happens, but the timing is truly incredible..."
Having finished speaking, the dealer quickly straightened his posture. Since the contract had fallen through, the vehicle was now officially available for sale again.
"Then, sir."
The dealer gestured toward the vehicle.
"I'll guide you through it once more."
"This is a 2023 family van, eleven-seater model."
"The previous owner used it as a corporate vehicle, but the maintenance condition is quite excellent."
Jeong Seok-woo asked,
"Accident history?"
"Completely clean."
"Flood damage?"
"None."
"May I see the performance record?"
"Of course."
The dealer immediately handed over the tablet, displaying the performance record and insurance history. Jeong Seok-woo even took out his glasses and began checking everything meticulously. Watching him, Kang Ihyun muttered quietly.
"...By the way."
"What?"
"Do you always have to check this much when buying a car?"
Jeong Seok-woo answered without even looking up from the tablet.
"A car is something you'll regret for years if you buy the wrong one."
"..."
"Especially with used cars."
Kang Ihyun quietly closed his mouth. Deep down, he found it a bit funny that someone who hadn't changed his car in fifteen years was being this thorough about a new one. Meanwhile, the dealer thought to himself,
'Father and son?'
The atmosphere suggested it, yet somehow it didn't quite fit. In the meantime, Jeong Seok-woo had already read through half the performance record. A little more time passed, and after reading it all the way through, Jeong Seok-woo took off his glasses.
"...It's not bad."
The dealer's face brightened.
"Right? I can confidently recommend this vehicle."
This time Jeong Seok-woo got into the driver's seat himself and sat down. He checked the condition of the seats, steering wheel wear, pedals, ceiling upholstery, sliding door condition—every visible part. Then, after a while, he got out, closed the door, and said,
"...Ihyun."
"Yes."
"I think this is fine."
At those words, Kang Ihyun looked at the car once more. Honestly, he didn't know much about cars, but he could tell it would be good for the kids. Above all, if Jeong Seok-woo liked it, that was enough. Kang Ihyun nodded.
"...Then let's sign the contract right away."
A smile spread across the dealer's face.
"Excellent."
On the consultation room table lay the vehicle contract and various documents. The dealer tapped on a calculator as he continued his explanation.
"The vehicle price is twenty-nine million eight hundred thousand won."
"Including registration transfer fees and acquisition tax..."
Jeong Seok-woo raised his hand midway.
"Hold on."
"...Yes?"
"What about the extras?"
"Since you're paying the full amount in cash at once, of course we'll provide them. Let's see, engine oil and..."
"Black box too."
"We'll install a brand new one."
"Brake pads."
"We'll inspect and replace them if necessary."
"Battery."
"It was replaced recently."
"Check it anyway."
"Understood."
Kang Ihyun, who knew nothing about any of this, simply listened quietly from the side. A short while later, Jeong Seok-woo nodded in satisfaction.
"...That should be enough."
The dealer let out a sigh of relief. Once the contract was written up, all that remained was payment.
"Then I'll assist you with the down payment and vehicle balance transfer."
Kang Ihyun immediately took out his smartphone. He opened the banking app, selected account transfer, entered the recipient, and input the amount.
Thirty million won.
And then...
Daily transfer limit exceeded.
"...Huh?"
Kang Ihyun's hand stopped. Jeong Seok-woo looked up.
"What's wrong?"
"...The money won't send?"
The dealer also peered at the screen. A moment later, Jeong Seok-woo realized and said,
"...Now that I think about it, there's a transfer limit in place."
In the end, the two asked the dealer for understanding and headed to a nearby bank. After checking the vehicle purchase contract and ID, the bank teller said,
"Since the purpose of vehicle purchase has been verified, we can increase your limit."
Kang Ihyun wrote his name on the electronic signature pad. A few minutes later, the teller smiled.
"Processing complete."
"Thank you."
When Kang Ihyun thanked her, the teller smiled and nodded.
Back at the used car sales complex, inside the consultation room. The vehicle contract and various documents were neatly arranged on the table. The dealer was continuing his explanation regarding vehicle registration, while Jeong Seok-woo was still meticulously reviewing the contract. In the meantime, Kang Ihyun took out his smartphone, opened the banking app, and pressed the account transfer menu just like before. He entered the amount.
[30,230,000 won]
The numbers on the screen stood out clearly. Spending such a large sum gave him a strange feeling.
"...Why?"
Jeong Seok-woo asked. Kang Ihyun kept his eyes on the screen as he answered.
"...It's nothing."
"Then why aren't you sending it?"
Kang Ihyun smiled faintly and said calmly,
"...I was just thinking how fortunate it is."
"Fortunate how?"
Kang Ihyun thought for a moment before speaking.
"It's because now there's something I can do for the director."
"..."
"Before, I was always the one receiving."
Growing up at the orphanage, he had received meals, attended school, gone to the hospital when sick, worn school uniforms, and never missed a school trip. At the time, he had taken it all for granted. But thinking about it now, behind all of that had been someone's hard work, and at the center of it all had always been Jeong Seok-woo. Kang Ihyun looked down at the screen and said,
"...So this time, I wanted to be the one doing it. The talk about the children's safety was mostly just an excuse."
From the moment he had brought up changing the car in the director's office, there had really only been one reason. He simply wanted to do it.
Jeong Seok-woo remained silent for a long time. Then, as if to hide his feelings, he flipped through the contract again and grumbled,
"...Stop talking nonsense and just make the transfer already."
It was the same blunt tone as always. But Kang Ihyun could tell. His voice had grown slightly hoarse.
Kang Ihyun chuckled softly. Then he pressed the transfer confirmation button.
-Ding.
30,230,000 won has been successfully transferred.
The dealer immediately checked the deposit details. A moment later, a bright smile appeared on his face.
"Deposit confirmed."
"I'll proceed with the contract."
The moment he heard those words, Jeong Seok-woo looked at the black Staria parked outside the window and muttered in a small voice mixed with various emotions.
"...Really."
Kang Ihyun pretended not to hear. Jeong Seok-woo didn't say anything more either. He simply couldn't hide the fact that the corners of his mouth had lifted just a little.
Even after the contract was finished, there was more to do than expected. Vehicle registration, insurance enrollment, license plate issuance, black box installation, consumables inspection, and so on. Listening to the dealer's explanation, it seemed buying a car wasn't simply a matter of paying money and being done. Fortunately, most of it could be handled by the sales complex, and they were told they could take delivery of the vehicle in a few days. In the end, Kang Ihyun and Jeong Seok-woo finished filling out the necessary documents and returned to the orphanage.