IDMPYU 15

15. Please, Let It Not Be True

Bora immediately frowned as she brought the teacup to her lips.

“Who made this coffee?”

Her accusatory gaze naturally turned toward Jihyun. Judging by her expression, she was about to pick another ridiculous fight.

Bora, displeased as she quietly stared at Jihyun occupying the space, soon started ordering non-stop. Pointing at the napkins on the table, she began by demanding one with lace patterns instead of plain designs.

“Bring me cream biscuits. You know what those are, right?”

“This drink tastes awful. I don’t want it—change it to green tea.”

That wasn’t all. She grumbled that the other desserts she had already exchanged several times were no good, then suddenly pushed away the green tea she had been drinking just fine.

She said the scent of green tea reminded her of her British friend who used to shout “I love Oriental” whenever he saw her, which annoyed her.

It seemed Bora was trying to torment Jihyun by making her run errands, but unfortunately for her, Jihyun was unfazed. She was already used to this kind of task thanks to Shin Seungho.

When Jihyun flawlessly fulfilled Bora’s complicated orders, contrary to what Bora expected, the latter trembled silently to herself and finally ordered coffee.

“It has to be hand drip. Instant coffee won’t do.”

Soon, a cup of coffee was placed before Bora. She smiled triumphantly. Seeing Jihyun nod dumbfoundedly at her complicated request, she was sure that Jihyun herself had brewed the coffee.

Now, all that was left was to embarrass her thoroughly. Bora raised her chin and spoke coquettishly.

“This coffee tastes awful.”

“…What?”

Before Jihyun could even show her surprise, Minwoo abruptly interrupted the conversation.

“That’s strange. That can’t be right. Bora, is your taste weird or something?”

“What? What do you mean?”

Bora furrowed her brows sharply. Leaning back on the sofa as if about to lie down, Minwoo, taking over for the pale-faced Jihyun, spoke with an indifferent expression.

“The coffee was probably made by the kitchen auntie. She has a barista license, you know.”

“What? A barista?”

Bora stared blankly at her coffee. The black liquid swirled like her stormy thoughts.

“Our auntie loves coffee. So when they hired the kitchen help, they purposely picked someone with a barista certificate.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?”

Embarrassed, Bora snapped.

Jihyun, having heard the explanation, was also surprised. It was true that the coffee was made by the kitchen helper, but she hadn’t known she was a certified barista.

Only then did she understand why the auntie would carefully choose coffee beans by type whenever there was an order.

“No wonder she’s so meticulous about the beans.”

“Tch.”

Bora, whose plan to kick Jihyun out by nitpicking had failed, pouted briefly and then nonchalantly changed the subject.

“What should we do in Switzerland during vacation? I’m really excited.”

“Well, just ski as much as you want.”

“I wasn’t asking you, Kwon Minwoo.”

“Who cares if you answer? Seungho would probably just ski too if he comes.”

Minwoo, who had been lying at an angle, stretched his back as if it hurt. Bora glanced at Jihyun and raised her voice so she could hear.

“My mom told me to buy a watch, so I’m thinking about that. Of course, there’s also a bag I’m looking at, but I don’t know yet.”

Bora even smiled slyly at Jihyun. It was a childish ploy to openly show how different their world was from hers.

But unfortunately, Bora’s efforts didn’t affect Jihyun at all. Instead, the more she heard about their vacation plans in another world, the more excited she became.

As Manager Kim said, it was certain Seungho would soon be leaving the country with his friends. That meant once vacation started, these kinds of errands near Seungho would be over.

She would no longer be summoned to the mansion but instead pull weeds in the garden, care for trees preparing for winter, and do peaceful, quiet work. It meant returning to a calm daily life.

Not only that.

Although she hated going in and out of the mansion even at the cost of skipping school, she had saved quite a bit of money.

That amount wouldn’t be enough for something expensive, but she could replace her aunt’s old bag. The thought of having a quiet but happy vacation made Jihyun’s heart race.

Just a little longer, just a little more patience…

Seungho silently sipped his non-alcoholic mulled wine. Unable to bear his silence, Bora turned around.

“What’s Seungho going to do?”

“Haam, I already said he’ll be with me.”

Bora’s growing irritation was directed at Minwoo, who was yawning.

“Hey, Kwon Minwoo, are you Seungho’s girlfriend? Why do you keep answering?”

Minwoo shrugged his shoulders with no visible reaction to the scolding.

“Well, Seungho…”

‘He’s probably just not in a good mood.’

Actually, Jihyun wasn’t the only one feeling uncomfortable. Minwoo, quick-witted, noticed Seungho wasn’t like his usual self. Normally, Seungho wouldn’t care if friends came and went at his home.

He could even handle sudden guests casually, which helped him secure his place. But today, Seungho was especially strange.

His sharp demeanor as if disturbed during an important moment was unfamiliar and above all awkward. Minwoo was about to introduce his friend to Seungho today.

‘Of all days, why today of all days does he have to be in a bad mood?!’

Biting his lip tightly, Minwoo remembered what he told his friend before leaving with Bora.

“Come later. It’ll be good for both of you to get acquainted for what’s next, so don’t skip it.”

“…Got it.”

Regret washed over him. He wanted to slap his own mouth for telling someone to come over so confidently when it wasn’t even his house.

‘I shouldn’t have invited him. Or better yet, I wish something urgent came up and he couldn’t come…’

But since it was already done, Minwoo swallowed dryly while looking at the clock on the wall. It was time to bring up the topic.

“Seungho, I actually have something to tell you.”

Seungho nodded as if to encourage him to continue, strangely hesitant and cautious for his usual self.

“I invited a friend for you. A good guy.”

Bora quickly interrupted with a knowing smile.

“Ah, him? Is he really your girlfriend?”

“He’s not a girl.”

“I know.”

Seeing Bora smile as if she didn’t care about the atmosphere made Minwoo even more uneasy.

“He wanted to visit you since you got hurt, and he’s someone I’ve wanted to introduce to you someday.”

“…Is it a girl?”

Seungho said dryly what Bora had said, but Minwoo politely shook his head.

“No, that’s impossible. I already said no earlier.”

“If it’s a guy, that’s awesome. Whoever it is, Minwoo must really like him.”

Minwoo gritted his teeth. Bora, who switched from tormenting Jihyun to him and kept butting in, had never been this annoying before.

‘You just wait, Yoo Bora.’

“He doesn’t go to Seomun High, so you probably don’t know him well. His dad is in the legal field. I thought it wouldn’t be bad to get close, so I invited him.”

Seungho nodded indifferently. A meeting like that wasn’t bad. Seizing the opportunity, Minwoo eagerly continued.

“He goes to Cheongmyeong High, and his name is Kim Hajun. His dad works at the Seoul Supreme Court and has a pretty good reputation.”

Kim Hajun.

The moment that familiar name came out of Minwoo’s mouth, Jihyun’s heart dropped.

‘Hajun, Kim Hajun. Could it be the Hajun I know?’

No way… Hajun…

Jihyun’s lips trembled.

She wanted to deny it, wanted to think it was just a namesake, but their conversation painted a clearer picture of her friend Kim Hajun. Seungho’s furrowed brow showed his displeasure at the name Cheongmyeong.

“Why would a guy like that go to Cheongmyeong?”

“His parents told him to go to Seomun, but he said no.”

“What an idiot.”

Seungho sneered. He had no expectations for someone who kicked away the stairs he’d climb in the future out of silly rebellion. Especially that he went to Cheongmyeong made him even more unpleasant without any particular reason.

“You’ll think differently once you meet him. He’s really a good guy.”

Just as Minwoo was getting fired up praising Hajun, Manager Kim came up to the second floor.

“Master Seungho, a guest has arrived. Did you say his name was Kim Hajun?”

Upon hearing the visitor’s name, Minwoo lit up as if he’d been waiting.

“He’s finally here. He’s my friend. Manager Kim, please show him this way.”

Jihyun, her hands damp with sweat neatly folded, closed her eyes and prayed silently.

Please, let it not be true. Please let it not be the Kim Hajun I know…

With the sound of footsteps on the stairs and bustling voices accompanying Manager Kim’s guiding voice, she couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes.

“Seungho, this is the friend I told you about, Kim Hajun.”

Please…

“Nice to meet you.”

At the moment she heard that familiar voice, Jihyun involuntarily opened her eyes. The warm, rich voice was her friend Hajun’s. He was there.