SELA - 26

“Be careful on your way, Ji-young.”

After closing the door to Vice President Ji-hyuk’s office, Ji-young turned to see Sa-hee bidding her farewell. Sa-hee was preparing to leave with Ji-hyuk. Ji-young was thoroughly disheartened by his indifferent and dry response.

“Yes, see you next time...”

“Why do you sound so down?”

“No, it’s just...”

“Would you like a glass of cold water? Or something else? If you need anything, just say so. It’s fine.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a bit low.”

Ji-young forced a smile. Sa-hee looked at her with concern and walked a few more steps to see her off.

“Then see you next time, Ji-young. I have some work to attend to.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Sa-hee smiled faintly, as if reluctant, then turned and left. Ji-young pressed the elevator button and glanced back briefly at the empty space Sa-hee had occupied.

‘Or something else... If you need anything, just say so. It’s fine.’

Suddenly, Sa-hee’s words echoed loudly in her mind.

“Anything...”

Could she really ask for anything? At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through her mind, sending a ripple of excitement through her body. If this worked out, it felt like significant progress would be made.

Ji-young hurriedly opened her bag and pulled out her phone. Then, she dialed someone. The person answered almost immediately after a brief ring.

“Mother? It’s Ji-young.”

________________________________________

After work, Sa-hee stepped out of the taxi and began walking toward her apartment. Night had already fallen, cloaking the surroundings in a deep blue hue. Lights were on in every building, and faint sounds of life drifted outside. Sa-hee occasionally glanced up at the night sky as she moved forward step by step.

Feeling the cool evening breeze, she soon arrived at the entrance of her villa. However, upon closer inspection, a familiar face appeared, descending from the opposite direction.

“Hey!”

It was Juri. She was carrying a badminton racket, likely returning from a nearby park.

“Were you exercising?”

“Yes. Ah, I’m so hungry. Let’s go in quickly, quickly!”

“Alright.”

Pushed by Juri’s urgency, Sa-hee hurriedly entered the password on the keypad. As the door opened, Sa-hee tried to let Juri in first. But—

“Huh? What’s with the princess?”

“Huh?”

Turning around to see what Juri was referring to, Sa-hee spotted a sleek black sedan parked under the glow of a streetlamp. Someone inside was waving enthusiastically at her.

A very familiar face—Ji-young.

________________________________________

With no better place to go, the three decided to settle into a nearby neighborhood pub. Truthfully, it was Juri’s strong influence that led them there.

“Why do you keep glancing over?”

Ji-young murmured to herself as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. From the moment they entered the establishment, all eyes—from the owner to the staff and customers—were on her. Her outfit was strikingly flamboyant, bordering on excessive. The lacework wasn’t an addition to the fabric but rather the other way around, with the garment being more like small patches added to lace. Needless to say, it drew attention.

“It’s because of your outfit.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m sure of it.”

Nodding while taking a sip of water, Ji-young acknowledged Juri’s comment.

“This kind of place doesn’t seem like your usual spot. Are you okay with it?”

“I’ve been here a few times with friends.”

“Alright then. Hey, Sa-hee! Let’s order.”

Sa-hee couldn’t focus on the conversation; she was preoccupied with wondering why Ji-young had come to her house. Naturally, Juri took the lead in the conversation.

Soon, two bottles of soju and snacks arrived, and each person had a shot glass placed in front of them. Already in high spirits, Juri filled everyone’s glasses while humming a tune.

“Alright, let’s make a toast! What did you say your name was again?”

“Ji-young. Moon Ji-young.”

“Ah, Ji-young. Would you like to give the toast?”

“I’m not good at that sort of thing.”

“It’s fine. Just say anything and drink—it’ll count as a toast.”

“In that case... To the love of Ji-hyuk Oppa and Ji-young!”

“To that! But who is Ji-hyuk?”

Caught off guard, Sa-hee froze mid-toast, and Juri looked equally puzzled. Meanwhile, Ji-young happily downed her drink, letting out a cute “Ahh!” afterward.

“Why aren’t you drinking?”

“Who is Ji-hyuk?”

“The oppa I like.”

“I see.”

Juri didn’t care much about the toast to begin with. After finishing her first shot, she nudged Sa-hee’s hand, urging her to drink. Looking closely, Ji-young was also watching her expectantly. With no choice, Sa-hee accepted their wishes and emptied her glass. As she wiped her mouth after setting the glass down, Ji-young laughed with her eyes crinkling.

“But Ji-young, why did you come to my place... and how did you find me?”

“I’m not sure how, but when I asked Mother for help, she found out for me. I came because I have something to say.”

Neither Ji-young nor Young-shin had directly asked Sa-hee for her address. It wasn’t hidden, but why go through the trouble of finding it indirectly? Though she didn’t show it outwardly, Sa-hee felt uneasy as she toyed with her glass.

“What is it you want to say?”

“Can I tell you later? I’m not ready yet.”

What could it be? Unable to refuse Ji-young’s sweet, disarming smile, Sa-hee nodded reluctantly. Observing silently, Juri brightened the mood and proposed another toast.

Several more toasts followed. Later, without even making formal toasts, everyone kept refilling their glasses and got progressively drunk. Among them, Sa-hee, who had the lowest tolerance, was already quite tipsy.

“Hey, you can’t handle anymore. Stop drinking.”

Juri snatched Sa-hee’s glass away. Sa-hee’s face was already flushed red from half a bottle of soju, her eyes glazed over.

“No, I can still drink. I can do it.”

“You’re showing your drunk habits again.”

Sa-hee tried to straighten her swaying body and answer firmly, prompting Juri to click her tongue.

“Drunk habits?”

“Choi Sa-hee, the human weapon mode where she thinks she can do anything. Watch, now she’ll say she can do everything.”

“Really?”

“It’s funny sometimes, but often it’s annoying.”

Curious, Ji-young asked for clarification, and Juri patiently explained Sa-hee’s drunken tendencies. Ji-young’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Give me the glass. I can do a one-shot!”

“Alright, drink up, drink up. You’re the one turning into a dog, not me.”

In the end, Juri lost the battle as Sa-hee reclaimed her full glass and emptied it cleanly.

As time passed, five empty bottles stood upright on the table. Juri excused herself momentarily to use the restroom.

Once Juri disappeared with her slightly wobbly gait, Ji-young turned to Sa-hee across the table. Ji-young, who had a higher tolerance, was only mildly buzzed but still capable of rational thought.

“Sister.”

Ji-young called out to Sa-hee.

“Huh?”

Completely drunk, Sa-hee slumped against the wall with her head bowed. Ji-young moved closer and gently tucked a strand of Sa-hee’s hair behind her ear before continuing the conversation.

“Vice President Ji-hyuk.”

“Ji-hyuk Oppa?”

“Shin Ji-hyuk.”

“Ah, Shin Ji-hyuk.”

“Do you know his home address?”

“Yes, I know it. I know.”

“Can you tell me?”

For a moment, Sa-hee fell silent. Suddenly, she lifted her head and stared intently at Ji-young. Ji-young expected an immediate agreement, but instead, she felt a flicker of unease under Sa-hee’s gaze.

“Why? Why do you want it?”

“I want to know. I really need it.”

“Why is that?”

“Ah, well... he’s sick. Ji-hyuk Oppa is very ill, and someone needs to visit him.”

“If he’s sick... then... the address...”

The mention of Ji-hyuk’s illness seemed to weigh heavily on Sa-hee. She tousled her hair and groaned softly. After observing her for a moment, Ji-young rephrased her question.

“So, can you give me his home address?”

Ji-young’s plan was to take advantage of Sa-hee’s ‘can-do-anything’ mode, which Juri had mentioned earlier.

“Yes, I can do it.”

Exactly as expected. Ji-young bit her lip hard to suppress a triumphant smile.

“But.”

“But?”

However, the sudden condition caused Ji-young’s smile to fade and tension to rise.

“I’ll do it myself.”

Yourself? Ji-young adamantly refused and begged Sa-hee to just provide the address. But Sa-hee kept insisting that she would personally deliver it—only to her. This stubbornness to complete tasks entirely on her own was an ingrained professional habit.

“Are we done already? What a shame.”

Having achieved her goal, Ji-young saw no reason to linger. After exchanging farewells with Juri (using the excuse of urgent business), she helped the drunk Sa-hee into the car.

“Here, unit 2106...”

Shortly afterward, the car carrying Ji-young and Sa-hee arrived in front of Ji-hyuk’s officetel.

Inside the car, Ji-young looked up at the building through the window, her face blossoming with joy. Finally obtaining the address filled her with a sense of triumph, coursing through her entire body.