12. Yerin's Jealous Impatience
After his lecture ended, Hyun-su headed toward the school gate. He had a dinner date with Yerin that evening. The atmosphere felt charged, like something good was about to happen. Since his class had finished first, Yerin wasn't at the gate yet, so he leaned against a pillar, waiting for her.
"Huh? Hyun-su?"
Someone called out to him. Turning, he saw Professor Lee Eun-joo from the "Understanding Stocks" class.
"Ah! Professor. Hello."
She was a woman with a glamorous, rose-like charm. Not the type to dress overtly sexy, but her forehead and features were refreshingly striking and beautiful. Especially her breasts—they were magnificent, straining against the buttons of her white shirt as if desperate to break free.
"Fancy running into you here, Hyun-su. I was hoping to meet you sooner, but I figured it'd be next week's class... Nice to see you like this."
"Me?"
"I'm the type who can't let curiosity slide. I have to dig in."
"Pardon?"
"Come on... Daewon Motors. How did you know? Got an inside source there?"
"Ah-ha?"
Eun-joo seemed genuinely stunned that he'd predicted Daewon Motors' massive surge on Monday.
"What, you want me to spill it just like that?"
"Whoa... You're a smooth operator, Hyun-su."
"Of course. In stocks, info is everything~"
"True that. How about I buy you dinner, then? No plans tonight."
"Ah! Sorry, Professor. As you can see, I've got prior plans—waiting for someone."
"Oof. Shot down like that? So embarrassing."
"Haha. Blame it on my charm."
"Hahaha. Almost fell for it. Set something up next time, then."
"Sure thing. Take care."
He waved goodbye to Eun-joo as she walked away with a wistful expression.
"Professor Lee Eun-joo?"
Yerin had approached without him noticing. She'd probably watched their conversation from afar and come over once Eun-joo left.
"Hey, you're here. Haha."
"What were you talking to Professor Lee Eun-joo about?"
"She was impressed I nailed Daewon Motors last lecture. Offered to buy me dinner to chat."
"Oh, I see~"
Yerin had experienced his incredible talent firsthand. 'Of course I'd notice. But would others?' To her, it must've felt like Eun-joo had at least some interest in him. As time passed, his hidden gem would shine brighter, drawing more rivals her way. His talent was just that extraordinary.
"Let's grab food quick. I'm starving."
"Yeah. Found a good spot?"
Usually, guys scouted date spots, but their dynamic was reversed.
"Yeah. Japanese okay?"
"Love it. Hehe."
They took the subway to Gangnam. 'No car makes getting around a hassle.' He could buy one anytime, but he held off, wanting to build more capital first.
The place was a famous Japanese spot in Gangnam—pricey just from the look of it.
"Isn't this too expensive?"
"Hehe. Nah. Wanted to treat you big tonight."
Yerin had reserved, so they got seated right away. It was a side-by-side spot where the chef prepped sushi and sashimi fresh at the counter table.
Even after sitting, Yerin ordered confidently—clearly experienced.
'Is Yerin a rich girl?'
As he pondered while she ordered, her voice cut in.
"Hyun-su, drinks?"
"You drink?"
"Yeah. Not much, but a little."
"Cool. Let's have some, then."
She ordered sake from the chef, and it arrived promptly. White cups with cherry blossom patterns—luxurious looking.
"Hyun-su, let me pour first."
She held the bottle politely with both hands and filled his cup. As the sake went in, the cherry blossoms bloomed red. A gimmick cup that changed with the liquid. With flowers blooming inside, it was stunning. They took turns pouring, the ambiance perfect, food delicious.
He hadn't frequented omakase spots much, so enjoying this luxury already felt surreal.
Their conversation flowed endlessly. It started with stocks—her worries about managing on her own—then delved into family.
Turns out, Yerin wasn't ultra-rich but daughter of a mid-sized company president. Her dad had instilled solid financial sense; she didn't squander money, started with part-time jobs, knew its value.
Chatting flew by till nightfall. A drink or two in, Yerin's cheeks flushed—perfectly buzzed.
Course done, time to move.
Outside, a chill wind wrapped around them.
"Ah~ Feels good, Hyun-su. Can I hug you?"
She threw herself into his arms. Booze made her bold.
"I wanna stay with you tonight."
"!!"
Caught off guard by her directness, he patted her back anyway.
"You okay, Yerin?"
"Yeah. You're too attractive. Talented. Handsome. You just shine~"
She clung babbling incoherently.
"You shine so much, everyone's staring. I want you all to myself..."
"Aigoo... There, there, my Yerin."
"Eee! Not 'my' anything~"
Her whining was adorable. He gently pried her off.
"So, what does my Yerin want?"
His bluntness short-circuited her brain again.
"Eeeh? Uh... well... I wanna be together... What to do...?"
"Hahaha. Wanna stay with me?"
"Yeah... Just being together would be nice."
Hotels dotted the area. Motels too, but he wanted somewhere nice for her.
"Let's go."
He took her hand, leading. Face beet-red, she followed—to the Goryeo Hotel.
A luxury spot in Gangnam. At the entrance, Yerin looked up at him. He'd pulled her here, but now she grabbed his hand, leading inside.
At the lobby check-in, she reached for her wallet, but he stopped her.
"At least let me cover this."
"Uh... yeah... okay."
He pulled out his cherished credit card—no cash, but high enough limit for a hotel. He'd babied it.
"600,000 won, please."
'Oof... but no regrets.'
The female clerk eyed him puzzled. 'Guy doesn't scream big spender... Girl's stunning, yet she's letting him book? Must be loaded.'
Ignoring her curiosity, they headed to the room. Plush and elegant.
He sat on the bed casually. Yerin stood fidgeting before him.
"Should I shower first?"
She nodded silently. He hit the bathroom, scrubbing every inch—paranoid about any trace of Soo-min's scent from that morning.
Meanwhile, Yerin perched on the bed. 'Is this right? It must be... Hyun-su probably wants this too?'
Soon, he emerged, thinking: 'Yerin's probably a virgin. That shy demeanor screams it. But parading out naked might shock her.' He donned the bathroom robe.
"Yerin, wanna shower?"
"Huh? Ah... um... yeah... got it."
She shuffled to the bathroom like a glitching robot. Her brain short-circuited sometimes—this was peak.
'So... damn... cute...'
Stunning and aloof to others, but endlessly adorable with him. That reversal was his alone.
Creaking like a rusty door, she entered. Knowing she'd bare herself—never shown to any man—she washed meticulously.
Soon, she emerged in a robe too.
