Chapter 167

“Pfft!”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but spit out the water I was drinking.

“Cough! Cough!”

“Bro, are you okay?”

“Hey, what’s wrong? You good?”

“Cough…! Ah, I’m fine… Just choked for a second…”

‘Damn, what do you mean she’s got charm now…’

I couldn’t help but feel a pang hearing that. Especially since it was about Wi Ho-yeon…

‘Dammit, is it because of me?’

“She’s got more charm now…”

“No, damn it, it’s true, right? She’s like, ridiculously alluring now, isn’t she?”

“…Are you sure you’re not imagining it?”

“Come on… Hey, can’t you see it? Especially since you’re always next to her.”

“…..”

It doesn’t seem like they’re connecting it to me yet.

But from my perspective, I was sweating bullets.

“It’s not just me, right? Hyeon-jin, don’t you feel it too?”

“…Honestly, it does seem like she’s got a guy now.”

‘Damn.’

“See? From what I can tell… She definitely has a guy, and they’ve probably slept together.”

“…Do you have a reason to think that?”

“You can just tell. You can feel that she’s awakened to her sexuality.”

‘Damn, is this girl some kind of psychic or what?’

“Usually, the quieter girls are the ones with stronger sexual desires.”

…From the perspective of someone who’s been with Wi Ho-yeon, I couldn’t deny that.

“Hey… Even if she’s not here, you shouldn’t be saying all this, right?”

I tried to steer the conversation away, but it didn’t work at all.

“Why are you acting like this? Since when do you care about this stuff… Damn, it’s weird. She’s always by your side, how can you not know?”

“Ah… Well, I don’t really have private conversations with Ho-yeon.”

“Hey, but there must have been some clues, right? Any hints about who she’s seeing?”

“…I really don’t know.”

‘Damn, what do I do?’

My head was starting to hurt. It’s not just about revealing my relationship with Wi Ho-yeon, but there’s also the issue with Seo Yoo-ju and Kang I-seo.

‘No… We’re not even dating, it’s just… physical…’

I couldn’t confidently explain what my relationship with Wi Ho-yeon was.

If I had to describe it, it’s more like a master-servant relationship.

‘Damn, how do I even say that?’

I guarantee you, the moment I say it, everything will flip.

“Bro, Ho-yeon noona wasn’t really into dressing up before, right? But lately, it’s been weird.”

“…..”

“Even last time, she subtly asked me what guys like about how girls dress.”

‘No wonder her outfits have been changing lately…’

“Hey, what? She asked you that?”

“Yeah, noona. I was really surprised back then.”

“No doubt about it. She definitely has a guy. Why else would she ask that? It’s obvious.”

“That’s true.”

“Hey, but I’m really curious. Who is she seeing? I never thought Wi Ho-yeon would be seeing a guy.”

“Right. I’ve never even seen Ho-yeon noona with another guy before…”

Kang I-seo gave me a strange smile as she spoke.

“Hey, doesn’t your stomach hurt?”

“Huh? What…?”

“Think about it. Honestly, Wi Ho-yeon is ridiculously pretty, right? From a guy’s perspective, you’d be really conscious of her while working together. Right?”

“……”

“Actually, you had the most chances, but some jerk must have swooped in.”

Her voice sounded oddly excited.

“Man, she’s so pretty, and her personality is great. Honestly, where else would you find someone like that? That guy hit the jackpot.”

“…Ho-yeon isn’t some kind of item.”

“You know what I mean. Honestly, from what I can tell, they definitely did it. I’m so curious who the guy is. How did he manage to win over Wi Ho-yeon?”

…They have no idea it’s me.

I get it. From Kang I-seo’s perspective, she’s sure they’ve been together, but imagining me and Wi Ho-yeon like that… It’s hard to believe.

‘Even I can’t believe it myself, let alone others.’

“Look at your face. Haha, why? Feeling regretful?”

“…What are you talking about?”

She seems to be getting the wrong idea.

“Well, it’s only natural for a guy to feel regretful. Hey, don’t worry. It’s not like you won’t find a girl you like later.”

“Come on… You’re even worrying about other people’s love lives. You’re really something.”

“Ugh, your regret is so obvious. Men are all the same.”

Just when it seemed like I’d gotten through this situation, I started hearing someone coming down.

‘Damn…’

“Lee Yun-seong, I’m sorry. There was a lot to organize…”

“Ah… Haha, Ho-yeon…”

‘Of all times…’

“But… You two are here too. Were you having a meal together?”

“Ah… Yes. Ho, Ho-yeon noona, join us.”

Now that the subject of our conversation had arrived, the atmosphere became awkward.

But Wi Ho-yeon didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness and just sat down.

‘…Definitely.’

I hadn’t noticed before hearing Kang I-seo and Hyeon-jin’s words, but Wi Ho-yeon’s vibe was definitely different from before.

“Lee Yun-seong, is something wrong?”

“Huh?”

“It’s just… You were staring at me…”

“…It’s nothing.”

Kang I-seo, who had been listening to our conversation, jokingly chimed in.

“Huh… It’s just that he can’t help but be conscious of Wi Ho-yeon.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“Anyway, congratulations, Wi Ho-yeon.”

“…Congratulations for what?”

Wi Ho-yeon looked confused.

“Come on, playing dumb won’t work. Wi Ho-yeon, you’ve got a guy now, right?”

“Pfft! Cough! Cough!”

…Just like me, Wi Ho-yeon choked on her water and coughed for a while before finally calming down and answering.

“What are you… A, a guy?”

‘Don’t look at me. You’ll figure it out.’

Wi Ho-yeon was subtly glancing at me.

Luckily, Kang I-seo and Hyeon-jin didn’t seem to notice.

“You’ve got a guy now, right? Your vibe has changed a lot lately.”

“Wha, what…”

“More importantly, who is it? Who’s the guy?”





“Who’s this guy that managed to charm Wi Ho-yeon?”

Hearing Kang I-seo’s words, Wi Ho-yeon seemed to feel somewhat relieved.

She had been startled, thinking our relationship had been exposed, but it seemed she was relieved that it hadn’t been discovered yet.

“That… it’s a misunderstanding. What do you mean I have a man?”

“Seems like you’re too shy to talk about it. Well, it’s fine if you don’t want to say.”

Wi Ho-yeon, knowing that if our relationship was exposed, it would be troublesome for me, seemed to be trying her best not to look at me.

“It’s not that I’m shy, it’s just that you’re mistaken.”

“Sorry, Ho-yeon, but saying that while blushing doesn’t really make you credible, you know?”

“…..”

“I’m really curious. What exactly do you like about him? Maybe… he’s good at night activities?”

At Kang I-seo’s teasing words, Wi Ho-yeon’s face turned bright red.

“That, that’s…”

“Wow… wait. Really?”

Until now, it was just speculation, but Wi Ho-yeon’s reaction turned it from a guess to a fact.

Wi Ho-yeon, as if wanting to hide in a mouse hole, covered her face with both hands and bowed her head.

Hyeon-jin, seeing this, was left with his mouth wide open.

Kang I-seo, who hadn’t thought they had actually gone that far, swallowed hard and asked again.

“Um… Ho-yeon, can I ask you one thing…”

“What, what is it?”

“…Was it that good?”

At Kang I-seo’s question, Wi Ho-yeon’s face turned as red as a boiled kettle.

“…….”

Wi Ho-yeon glanced at me briefly, unnoticed by others, and then slowly nodded with a bright red face.

“Wow…”

Kang I-seo was left with her mouth open in admiration.

I was trying hard to act nonchalant, but I wanted to hide in a mouse hole too.

‘Damn…’

It was because we were being asked such questions in front of people who knew about our relationship.

Kang I-seo seemed to be in shock from Wi Ho-yeon’s reaction.

I have no idea why she was so shocked, considering it was Wi Ho-yeon and me, not her.

“That, that can be that good…”

At Kang I-seo’s muttered words, Wi Ho-yeon nodded again.

‘Damn, why is she nodding?’

From my perspective, I was about to go crazy.

Hyeon-jin, unable to adapt to this conversation, was just zoning out.

Kang I-seo was muttering to herself.

“How exactly do you do it to make it that good…”

‘……’

…I couldn’t bring myself to say that it was about being dominant with Wi Ho-yeon.

‘It’s a good thing Yoo Ju isn’t here.’

If Yoo Ju had been here, she would have caught on from Wi Ho-yeon’s reaction.

******

“You’re more devoted than I thought?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you. You seem to treat Ha Yu-ri quite well. Seeing you go as far as using your abilities to help, was there something between you two?”

“What could there possibly be?”

“Who knows. You’re a man, maybe you’re helping because of her looks?”

“Charis.”

“What.”

“What kind of nonsense are you talking? Do I look like someone who would go through such trouble just because of someone’s looks?”

“Yes. You made Ha Yu-ri a slave, wasn’t that the goal?”

“Ha, this person really…”

Charis snorted and said something unexpected.

“While you’re at it with your own guard, what’s with the act of being clean?”

“…What, what?”

For a moment, I was stunned by Charis’s words.

‘How does she know that?’

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? You might not realize it, but that girl, I mean that woman, gives off a lot of hints?”

“Damn…”

“Others might not notice, but I catch on quickly in these matters.”

“…..”

“Ha, you tell me to behave, not to break the rules, and then you’re on top of your guard, shaking your hips…”

“Wait, that’s a bit…”

“What? It’s the truth.”

‘Well… she didn’t exactly get on top.’

I almost said it but managed to swallow it down.

“….Anyway, it’s not what you think, Charis. Let’s just help, okay?”

“Hmph, you can do whatever you want anyway, why are you trying to persuade me?”

“Hey, it’s a bit much to force something like this.”

“Fine. I was going to help anyway.”

“That’s good to hear. Now, let’s go in.”

Just as we were about to enter the Mardan Clan’s house, we unexpectedly ran into someone at the entrance.

‘This man…’

“Hmm?”

The man also seemed to have noticed us.

‘Ah, I remember. He’s the Japanese man who was with Ha Yu-ri at the bar that time.’

Our eyes met. It seemed like this man also had business at the Mardan Clan.

In this strange situation, Ha Yu-ri came out to greet us.

“Ah, were you waiting? I was just…”

Ha Yu-ri looked at me and Charis, then noticed the man and her eyes widened.

“Huh? Kanda-san?”

“Ha Yu-ri, long time no see.”

At the man’s greeting, Ha Yu-ri looked flustered. She seemed confused about why the man, Charis, and I were together.

“Um… are these two your guests, Ha Yu-ri?”

“Ah… yes. But Kanda-san, what brings you here…?”

“I came to apologize for misunderstanding you last time and saying something bad. And I also have something to say.”