The Most Difficult Person in the World
As we wound our way along the mountain road, an open observatory emerged ahead.
It was Palgakjeong, a themed park crowned by an immense, traditional octagonal pavilion. Spotting an open parking area, we decided to pull in and take a short stroll.
“Whoa… that pavilion-looking building is actually a convenience store? There’s a restaurant too. They really thought of everything here.”
I took Leehyun’s hand, our fingers intertwining as we walked side by side. Although the paths were bustling with visitors, it was far from uncomfortably crowded.
“Shall we head over that way?”
“Sure.”
We made our way toward the outer edge of the park. Before us stretched the boundless, unobstructed expanse of the Seoul sky.
“Wow.”
Stepping up to the railing, a panoramic vista of the entire metropolis unfolded beneath our gaze. Leehyun gasped in breathless admiration.
“I heard the night view from up here is breathtaking.”
“I bet it is. Shall we come back at night next time?”
“Yes! Let’s definitely do that.”
Having passed the age of thirty without ever dating a man, Leehyun had zero memories attached to famous romantic spots like this. Her entire youth had been swallowed up by relentless studying and medical research. Now, I intended to paint over that blank canvas entirely with myself—ensuring that whenever she looked back on the happiest moments of her life, my face would be the only one she saw.
Perhaps that was just the dark, possessive streak in me talking.
“This is wonderful…”
“You like it?”
“Mhm. I’ve lived in Seoul my entire life, but I’ve never once visited this place.”
“I love it too.”
“Jeongseo.” She turned toward me, her eyes shimmering with genuine wonder. “I really want to go to Namsan Tower with you sometime.”
“Of course. Let’s go.”
“And I want to eat instant ramen by the Han River, and order fried chicken on a picnic mat…”
“We can do that too.”
“I even want to visit an amusement park… Am I being totally ridiculous for my age?”
She spoke almost as if she had read my exact thoughts. If this possessiveness of mine seemed borderline obsessive, what did it matter so long as she wanted the very same thing?
“Not at all. You mean you want to do all those things with me, right?”
“Yes. With you, Jeongseo. It’s not just about seeing those places—I want to experience them with you. Just the two of us.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll do every single one together.”
A radiant smile broke across her face at my reply, framed beautifully against the vast horizon behind her. I had a feeling this exact snapshot would remain etched into my memory for a very long time.
“Look over there! Isn’t that the neighborhood where you live?”
“I think it is. What about yours, Nuna?”
“Mine is… just over in that direction…”
Her mood was soaring. We leaned against the railing side by side, quietly soaking in the breathtaking scenery for a while.
By now, it was abundantly clear how deeply and sincerely she felt about me. Yet, there remained one lingering caveat in the back of my mind: she was a physician. Specifically, a specialist in andrology.
I had previously considered the risks of exposing my true physical traits to her, and providing my semen for research purposes had brought a fair share of apprehension. That underlying caution hadn’t vanished. While I didn’t doubt the sincerity of her words or deeds in the slightest, I still needed more time—or perhaps a decisive turning point that would allow me to place absolute trust in her. Leehyun possessed formidable drive and ambition in her field. If she ever stumbled upon my secrets, she needed to be someone capable of setting aside every scientific impulse to dedicate herself solely to me.
“Oh, right! Should I take a picture of you?”
“Sure. And I’ll take one of you afterward.”
“Yeah! And… um, could we take one together too?”
“Of course.”
“Hehe.”
Leaning against the railing and framing each other against blooming cherry blossoms, we took individual snapshots before standing shoulder to shoulder. Leehyun slightly bent her knees, awkwardly raising her smartphone with both hands.
“Nuna, you’re shooting directly into the backlight. Our faces are completely shadowed. You need to tilt the angle slightly higher.”
“Oh.”
“Here, let me take it. Hand it over.”
I had an inkling that expecting great photography skills from her would only lead to disappointment. Not that I had any intention of uploading these anywhere anyway.
“Nuna, lean in a bit closer.”
“Huh? Like this?”
“Bring your face nearer. Wrap your arm around mine.”
“O-okay…”
Guiding her shy, hesitant posture, I called for specific poses. Before long, we looked just like any of the affectionate couples strolling through the park—even if our physical dynamics and heights were reversed compared to traditional norms.
“Nuna.”
“Yes…?”
Snapping a few more frames, I called her name. Her quiet response carried a faint tremble, a delicate blush dusting her cheeks. Even after the camera clicked, she remained awkwardly bent at the knees to match my height, holding the strained posture without complaint. The plush, yielding press of her chest flattening against my arm sent a pleasant warmth through me.
“This is your first time coming here, and there are still so many things you haven’t tried, right?”
“Yeah… that’s true.”
“I’m pretty much in the same boat.”
“Mhm. Let’s go on lots of dates together.”
Her voice was hushed, but our faces were close enough that I didn't miss a single syllable. Gently slipping my arm free, I pulled my mask back up over my nose. Watching with a hint of regret, Leehyun finally straightened her cramped legs.
“From now on, make sure every single one of your firsts is with me.”
“Wait… what did you just say?”
“Pfft. Did you miss it?”
“N-no, I heard you! It’s just… I wasn’t sure if I heard correctly…”
Her eyes went wide, nervously darting around to see if anyone was eavesdropping. The path near us was empty.
“Is that so?”
“Jeongseo, wait! Say it one more time, please?”
I spun on my heel and began walking ahead. Hurrying to match my pace, she trailed after me like an eager puppy desperate for a treat.
“Say what? If you didn’t hear it, forget it.”
“No, wait… Jeongseo? Your first… what did that mean—hey, wait up!”
Teasing her really never got old.
After finishing our scenic cherry blossom stroll, we were on our way toward Leehyun’s hospital.
Because of our spontaneous detour, we no longer had a convenient outdoor spot to spread out a picnic mat and eat the boxed lunches we brought. I had told her eating in the car was perfectly fine, but she brought up her research workplace instead.
Beyond her duties as a physician at the university hospital, Leehyun was an active investigator at an affiliated biomedical research institute. Since it was Sunday, the facility was completely deserted except for standard security personnel, meaning the private courtyard garden used by researchers during breaks would be entirely vacant. She promised it was charming and serene, despite its modest size.
“The courtyard just popped into my head out of nowhere. It wasn’t part of the plan.”
“That’s totally fine.”
“So if you don’t like it when we get there, we can always find somewhere else.”
“Not at all. You said nobody would be watching us there, right?”
“Right. It’s tucked right inside the complex, so it’s wonderfully quiet.”
While it wouldn't have the breezy openness of the riverside, the sheer privacy—completely sheltered from prying eyes—sounded far better to me.
“Still, are you sure an outsider like me is allowed to—”
Right in the middle of my sentence, Leehyun’s dashboard display lit up with an incoming call.
Seeing the saved contact name, she tapped the decline button with an irritated flick of her finger.
“You can answer it if you need to.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not important.”
I recalled seeing that exact contact name flash on her phone once before; back then, she had stepped out to take it in private.
“Guests aren't allowed inside the actual research laboratories, but the courtyard is fine. The restricted security zones are partitioned off separately.”
Just as she resumed explaining the layout, the screen chimed again with another incoming call. Once more, she abruptly swiped it away.
“Nuna, don't worry about me. It might be an urgent emergency.”
Having rejected the caller twice already, the persistent vibration buzzed through the car a third time. I assured her I would remain completely silent.
“*Sigh*… Okay. Sorry about this, I’ll keep it brief.”
She accepted the call through the car’s hands-free system, and immediately, an unfamiliar woman’s voice spilled out from the speakers.
—“Jjo-yi~! Why the hell are you ignoring my calls?!”
“What do you want?”
—“Just checking in on what you're up to! I'm on my way to see the cherry blossoms with the new guy I’m seeing.”
It sounded like an old friend or classmate, judging by the overly familiar pet name.
“I’m driving. If you don’t have actual business, I’m hanging up.”
—“Wait, on a Sunday? Where are you headed?”
“The research lab. What’s your point?”
—“Pfft, haha! The lab? On a gorgeous day like this? Meanwhile, I'm heading straight to the Han River. You really need to get out of your cave more often and—”
“And what does that have to do with you? You don’t have anything useful to say, right? I’m hanging up.”
—“Yeah, yeah, whatever~ Have fun rotting at work!”
Clearly, it hadn’t been an important call at all. I felt slightly foolish for having urged her to answer.
“*Cough, cough!* Ah…”
“Nuna, here, drink some water. There’s a straw in it, so…”
—“Wait… what the?! Who are you with right now?!”
Click.
Believing the call had already terminated, I had spoken up without hesitation. Perhaps because she had raised her voice in annoyance, Leehyun had suddenly broken into a coughing fit, so I had reached over to steady her drink.
Neither of us realized the line had still been active until the woman’s screech cut through the speakers.
“Ah, I’m so sorry! I thought I pressed the red button, but it didn't register…”
“I’m fine, really. I hope I didn't put you in an awkward spot.”
“No, not at all. It doesn't matter.”
Right on cue, the display lit up once more. My youthful voice had clearly piqued the woman’s rabid curiosity.
“Jeongseo, just ignore it. She’s an old classmate of mine, but she has a terrible habit of sticking her nose into everyone else’s business.”
“Understood.”
The caller rang back with relentless tenacity. Only after Leehyun cold-shouldered five consecutive attempts did the woman finally give up and stop.
Whoever she was, she evidently lacked even an ounce of tact.
“We’re here. We can park right here and grab our things.”
Before long, we pulled into the dedicated parking lot of the research institute. Not a single other vehicle was in sight. On our way past the front gate, Leehyun had briefly chatted with the middle-aged security guard, confirming that no research staff had reported in today, exactly as expected.
“The mat, the lunchbox tote… Is there anything else we need to bring?”
“Nope, everything’s packed in there. Oh, will the restrooms be accessible?”
“Mhm. Let’s stop by the restroom on our way in.”
Leehyun hoisted all the heavy gear herself, leaving me to carry only my personal shoulder bag.
Tucked safely inside was the final gift I had prepared for her.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Eom Chaerin was impatiently drumming her fingers against her steering wheel, her mind entirely consumed by thoughts of Leehyun.
She was, of course, the tactless alumna Jeongseo had just dismissed.
‘Who in the world was that? That was unmistakably a cute, youthful guy’s voice. And damn, his tone sounded ridiculously attractive…’
Chaerin was currently inching forward in traffic alongside her newest romantic pursuit. By sheer coincidence, much like Jeongseo and Leehyun, she had set out early that morning to view the blooming cherry blossoms.
She was extraordinarily taken with the young man occupying her passenger seat. He boasted sharp, fashionable looks and a sculpted physique, which was why she had been bending over backward to cater to his every whim. She personally couldn’t care less about looking at trees, but because he had insisted on it, she had dragged herself out of bed at dawn to chauffeur him.
On the way to pick him up, she had stopped by a gimbap shop and a convenience store to stock up on meals and snacks. And upon arriving at his apartment complex, she had waited inside the idling vehicle for a full thirty minutes before he finally bothered to step outside.
“Mmmgh… are we there yet?”
“No, we still have quite a ways to go.”
“Ugh, why were you screaming on the phone so loudly? What time is it even? Huh?!”
Having greedily polished off the gimbap Chaerin bought all by himself, the young man had passed out into a deep slumber. Jarred awake by her frantic shouting over the speakerphone, he scowled, checking his watch in irritation.
“Why the hell are we still here?!”
“The gridlock is unbelievable. The line hasn’t budged an inch.”
Swallowing her mounting frustration, Chaerin forced a placating smile onto her lips. She hadn't even managed to eat breakfast yet. Watching him scarf down the savory rolls right beside her while filling the cabin with food odors had been sheer torture on an empty stomach.
“*Sigh.* Wasn’t there any other route?”
“No. To access the designated parking entrance, this is the only lane.”
“Ah, shit, this is so annoying! Why is every single loser crawling out of their holes today?!”
Hearing his petulant tantrum, Chaerin barely managed to suppress the urge to vomit in disgust. The two of them had been trapped bumper-to-bumper on the asphalt for over three agonizing hours.
Leehyun and Chaerin had departed from their respective homes at roughly the same hour that morning. Yet, the way they had spent their hours could not have been more polar opposites.
While Leehyun had savored a cozy morning cafe stop, enjoyed a scenic drive, soaked in peaceful sights, and shared intimate conversations with Jeongseo, Chaerin had spent that entire window suffocating inside an immobile metal box. Because her date had spent the entire drive snoring, she had grown bored out of her mind and dialed Leehyun just to flaunt her new arm candy.
‘He’s the one who threw a fit to go in the first place. Sleeping like a dead pig until five seconds ago, and now this…?’
Fuming under the surface, Chaerin kept her curses strictly confined to her head. Their intended destination was Han River Park—the very place Jeongseo and Leehyun had originally planned to visit. Celebrated for its breathtaking cherry blossom canopy, it drew monstrous crowds every spring without fail. Combined with the glorious Sunday weather, the turnout today had shattered historical records.
“Hey… could you pass me that bottle of water next to you?”
“Drink it yourself, Nuna. What, do you not have hands or feet?”
“I’m literally driving right now…”
“Driving? We haven't moved an inch!”
As the man snapped back with sharp venom, Chaerin couldn’t help but recall the sweet, gentle voice she had caught through Leehyun’s speakerphone. That boy had sounded so caring, attentively doting on her and offering her a straw so she wouldn’t choke.
‘Did that frumpy nerd manage to hook some ugly loser? Sure, he might have a decent personality, but still…’
Chaerin desperately convinced herself that Leehyun’s companion had to be hideous. It was the only rationalization that provided even a sliver of relief from her mounting humiliation. Clinging to that thought, she cast a covert glance toward the passenger seat.
‘When it comes to men, looks are everything. Personality comes second.’
Smothering her bubbling envy, she fed herself that transparent lie. Even when it came to their male companions, she was frantically measuring herself against Leehyun—entirely blind to how thoroughly it was eroding her own sanity.
“What are you staring at? I told you to stop glancing at me like that! Staring like a creep is basically visual rape, you know.”
“Excuse me? What did I even do?”
“You were leering at me while I was asleep, weren’t you? Ugh, women are all the same… give you an inch and you immediately cross the line.”
The boy yanked the zipper of his windbreaker all the way up to his chin, sealing himself off defensively.
“Turn on the damn AC already! It's boiling in here!”
Another shrill, nagging bark echoed through the trapped car. For the very first time, Chaerin couldn’t help but think that the handsome boy sitting beside her looked vastly uglier than the day they first met.