MO - 1

The afternoon sun brushed past her cheek. The early May weather held both warmth and coolness. As predicted, that an early summer would begin this year, there was no chill from a few days ago in the noticeably muggy air.

Seo-eun inhaled the fresh scent of grass carried on the wind and lifted her head. Her heart hardened as she approached the hotel entrance.

Still not feeling it.

The building, towering on a hill in Jangchung-dong, was where the Haeshin Group, to which her father had dedicated the last 30 years, was holding its 45th-anniversary celebration.

Seo-eun had no plans to be there today. For a month, she had been endlessly reminded of how important today’s event was, but she had let her mother Hee-sook’s nagging flow in one ear and out the other, as always.

“Are you going to be okay looking like that?”

The car, which had entered the tree-lined hotel driveway, circled once and stopped in front of the lobby. Seung-won, who had driven from Yongin to Seoul, seemed worried about Seo-eun and spoke.

“Is it that strange?”

“Is that even a question? This is your reality.”

Seung-won pulled down the passenger-side sunshade. Seo-eun’s eyes met her reflection in the mirror, and she froze for a moment. Her bare face, without a stitch of makeup, and her flushed cheeks. No one would mistake her for a guest invited to an event.

“Hurry and get out.”

“Just a moment.”

Seo-eun quickly untied her hair and casually ran her hands through it to tidy it. She patted her shirt, and faint traces of volunteer work, not yet brushed off, floated in the air. As dust rose in the cramped car, Seung-won shook his head, as if asking what all the fuss was about, and exhaled with a “Phew.”

“Are you worried now?”

“Yeah, thinking about getting nagged by Mom now sends shivers down my spine.”

Seo-eun shook her head. It was already an hour past the appointed time. How many times had her phone rung off the hook before the anniversary party even started? She had intentionally made other plans, intending not to come, but a resentful voicemail threatening to “not let her off the hook” if she didn’t show up finally made her turn the car around.

The rough schedule of the ceremony ran through Seo-eun’s mind.

By now, the solemn congratulatory speeches would be over, and dinner would have been finished. The atmosphere might have loosened up a bit. She quickly took out a lip gloss from her bag, applied it, and finished preparing.

“Please return alive.”

“Yeah, let’s meet alive.”

Seung-won extended his fist into the air as if making a sworn brotherhood pledge with a comrade sent to the jaws of death. Seo-eun lightly bumped his fist with hers and smiled. However, opening the car door, Seo-eun took a deep breath at the rush of wind, then pulled the handle to close the car door again.

“Why?”

“Phew, no way. If I go in like this, Mom will kill me. Let’s get out of here, Seung-won.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Seung-won’s eyebrows visibly furrowed.

“Since you’re here, just show your face. Do you think I wasted precious time and even got a speeding ticket for this?”

“I’ll pay the fine. But really, this isn’t right. The inside is beyond imagination. Going in looking like this is too...”

“I know. That you’re utterly terrible right now.”

Seo-eun’s resolve faltered as Seung-won nodded in agreement, as if fully understanding her feelings.

“But what can we do? Your father is patiently waiting for his precious eldest daughter.”

Joo Hyung-guk, whose love for his daughters was extraordinary, had been checking Seo-eun’s location through Hee-sook every moment, from when she started from the Gyeongbu Expressway, crossed the Hannam Bridge, and reached Jangchung-dong.

“Dad will faint if he sees me.”

“Consider that your fate today, my friend.”

Seung-won patted Seo-eun’s stiff shoulders belatedly. Amidst the awkward comfort, the lively music of Muse played maddeningly on repeat.

We don’t have time. How did it come to this?

The knife-like lyrics pierced Seo-eun’s eardrums, mocking her. While driving, frantic about Hee-sook’s furious commands, she had only focused on arriving, but this was utterly wrong.

“It’s too late to turn back anyway.”

Then Seung-won extended his long arm and opened the passenger door.

“Be brave, Joo Seo-eun.”

Outside the car window, rows of luxury cars and the well-kept hotel scenery were impeccable. Everyone moving within it seemed to perfectly match the orderly landscape. Only Seo-eun, in her utterly plain attire, looked like a flaw.

“Then just wait here for a moment.”

“Nope. I’m going.”

“I’ll just see Mom and leave.”

“Indeed.”

Seung-won shook his head and gazed intently at the guesthouse beyond the window.

The hotel, owned by Haeshin Group, one of Korea’s top corporations. Below the hotel, stretching straight on Jangchung-dong hill, was a rectangular Hanok building. After surveying the guesthouse, which hosted all of Haeshin Group’s events, Seung-won turned his head again and looked sympathetically at the utterly plain Seo-eun.

“If worst comes to worst, use Jin-han as a shield. Your mother is lenient with Jin-han.”

Seo-eun, Seung-won, Jin-han, and Joo-young, who had been together since their school days, had shared a strong friendship for over 10 years. Jin-han, one of the four, was also the son of the owner of this Haeshin Hotel. Of course, Ryu Jin-han was welcomed everywhere not because he was from the Haeshin family, but because of his upright character that earned him favor everywhere. Jin-han, who was highly favored by adults, also monopolized Hee-sook’s affection, as he did with everyone else.

“Jin-han will be too busy with family events to pay attention to me.”

“You too.”

“How can I compare to the owner’s family?”

“From a commoner’s perspective like mine, it’s all the same.”

The voice clearly indicated that Seo-eun, as part of the executive family rather than the owner’s, needed to be more careful, even though they were attending the same event. The reason she drove like lightning from Yongin to Seoul for Saturday lunch was also the same.

Seo-eun’s father served as the president of a Haeshin Group affiliate. In addition, at gatherings of dozens of other affiliate presidents and their families, time was always set aside to appreciate the efforts of those who worked hard for the company. So, appearing in her current state would clearly tarnish her father’s dignity.

Seo-eun thought of the events she had attended with her father, Joo Hyung-guk, over the years. The hosts always prepared lavish affairs as if it were the end of the world, and the attendees were of similar caliber.

“Stop dawdling and go.”

As Seo-eun sighed, unable to move, Seung-won urged her on.

“Just a moment.”

“A moment or whatever. Why didn’t you bring a spare?”

Well, because I didn’t intend to come this far.

“Don’t make me look bad, just go in and behave. You’re almost thirty, and you’re not even dating anyone, always hanging out however you please. I can already hear your mother’s 18th nagging point. Anyway, no one there will pay attention to you. If someone does show interest in you today? They’re a truly insane pervert. Be sure to be careful of such a guy.”

Seung-won, adding as if to emphasize, pushed Seo-eun forward without giving her a chance to reply.

“Go.”

As soon as she jumped out of the large Jeep, which stood out among the luxury cars lined up in front of the hotel, Seo-eun’s bag flew out the window. She easily caught the bag in her arms and grinned.

“Thanks for the ride. Drive safe!”

It was irreversible. There was nothing to do but go. Seo-eun waved goodbye to Seung-won and rushed into the guesthouse where the event was being held.

“Congratulations on the 45th Anniversary of Haeshin Group.”

Beside the signboard announcing the purpose, congratulatory wreaths stretched endlessly. A long line of wreaths and a serene, elegant atmosphere. The luxurious oppression emanating from the entrance overwhelmed her for a moment.

Perhaps I should have skipped volunteer work today after all. She thought, and cautiously stepped inside.

“Joo Seo-eun!”

A familiar voice echoed in her ears. It had to happen. Seo-eun sighed deeply in despair. Hee-sook, who had been lingering in front of the lobby, spotted Seo-eun and hurried toward her.

“Your clothes... what is this?”

A white Oxford shirt with rolled-up sleeves and jeans. Seo-eun’s appearance, wearing sneakers caked with dirt, was nothing short of disastrous. Hee-sook’s face turned pale as she examined Seo-eun, unable to speak, frozen in place. Hee-sook’s expression probably wished all of this was just a dream.

“You! Did you go volunteering again?”

Seo-eun, who had finally answered the phone after a long time, quickly hung up with a vague excuse that she would be late due to an errand. But to think she would appear in such a miserable state.

Instead of unleashing a thunderous scolding, Hee-sook lowered her voice. Seo-eun gave a sheepish smile and nodded.

“Yes.”

Visiting the abandoned dog shelter in Yongin with Seung-won early in the morning was a twice-a-month routine. For several years now, it had been a regular commitment on the second and fourth Saturdays.

A few years ago, Seung-won had started it to cope with the loss of his parents in an unfortunate accident. To support Seung-won, who spent more than half the year overseas, accompanying him whenever he was in Korea was not difficult.

The work involved feeding the dogs, cleaning their kennels, and spreading sawdust to care for them, twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Time flew by as they moved tangled puppies within the kennels, cleaned them, and washed food bowls. Naturally, she had made her thin calculations, never intending to come here.

However, after lunch, just before taking the dogs for a walk, their phones started ringing off the hook. Not just Seo-eun’s, but Seung-won’s too. A threat to “not let them off the hook” if they didn’t come immediately finally forced Seo-eun to end her volunteer work after the morning session.

“Of all days, on such an important day!”

“Exactly. Our Ms. Ahn looks incredibly elegant today. Did you stop by the salon this morning? My goodness, not a single pore is visible. Who would think Mom is almost sixty? What’s ten years, you look twenty years younger. I’d even believe you’re my sister, Mom.”

A refined tweed two-piece suit with elegant pearl earrings. Her dignified attire, combined with her graceful demeanor, was indeed fitting for the occasion. However, instead of retaliating, Hee-sook pressed her lips tightly together, holding back what was bubbling up inside her towards Seo-eun, who had spoken first.

“Is there no one else to volunteer there besides you?”

“No, there isn’t. They’re always short-handed. Even going twice a week isn’t enough.”

“What about your face? Like a country bumpkin. Ugh, I can’t live like this.”

Hee-sook sighed and took out makeup from her pouch, hastily applying it to Seo-eun’s face. Knowing Seo-eun loathed such events, she hadn’t held high expectations, but she never imagined her appearing covered in dog fur.

“That’s why I pleaded with you for a month beforehand!”

“And I told you a month beforehand that I wouldn’t come.”

“You! This...”

“Girl,” Hee-sook suppressed her voice, biting her lips tightly again. The glances of people passing through the lobby poured onto the mother and daughter.

“I’m so ashamed to face people. What is this? I sent you several messages yesterday, saying it’s an important event because it’s your father’s company’s anniversary.”

“Sorry, I didn’t see them.”

Seo-eun replied slyly, recalling the messages she had deleted without reading. Hee-sook’s eyes trembled with rage. She’s about to explode. Seo-eun instinctively guessed and quickly added an excuse.

“If I had more time, I would have dressed up nicely. But Mom kept nagging me to come quickly, so I didn’t have time to change.”

“Anyway, you and Seung-won hanging out like that, doing such strange things, really stresses me out.”

“Strange things? Mom, taking care of abandoned lives is such a dignified and rewarding...”

“Shut up, girl!”

Thwack! A hand immediately flew to Seo-eun’s back. The satisfying sound of flesh hitting flesh. The dull thud instantly shattered the noble purpose of her volunteer work.

“Ow!”

Seo-eun deliberately stumbled exaggeratedly, feigning pain. Passersby stopped and murmured, watching the mother and daughter. Hee-sook’s face turned beet red as she suppressed her anger. Hee-sook’s palm was nothing to Seo-eun, who had already built up immunity, but it was an excellent act to quell Hee-sook’s rage.

“Ugh, my stomach.”

Seo-eun pulled her lips into a smile, watching Hee-sook sigh.

“You like getting hit too, huh?”

“Like? My insides went up and down. Our Ms. Ahn hasn’t lost her touch.”

“I can’t live like this.”

Hee-sook lifted her tightly clenched fist and pressed it to her temple.

“I told you I wasn’t coming.”

“Did you really have to do that volunteer thing today of all days? How much did your father wait for you? I told you to please pay attention for your father’s sake today. If you couldn’t wear a formal dress, at least not jeans and sneakers... Ugh!”

The machine-gun nagging continued endlessly, as if she couldn’t believe it even after seeing it again. Seo-eun decided she needed to leave quickly before a bigger nagging bomb followed.

“You’ve confirmed I’m here, so I’ll leave first.”

“Leave where? Your father is waiting for you. See your father before you go.”

“Like this?”

“Exactly. Looking like this, ugh.”

Hee-sook, pressing her throbbing forehead, pulled out a credit card, telling her to go to a store across the street and buy something to wear.

“Do you know how much clothes cost there? Is Hae-in inside?”

“Don’t change the subject, girl. Hae-in went to the hair salon on her own this morning.”

“See? I told you Hae-in is the pillar of our family, not me.”

It was a relief that her sister was holding the fort for her. Hae-in, who played the bandoneon, was a quite capable musician. As a musician accustomed to frequent performances, she was used to dresses and styling, and probably immune to such events, but Seo-eun was not.

“Seo-eun.”

“Mom, let’s not waste energy on something where we both know the outcome.”

Seo-eun, quick-witted, slyly poked with her gaze and whispered. Perhaps she had drawn the line first, in case they tried to set her up with someone’s son. Hee-sook, who saw through her intentions, sighed deeply as she picked sawdust from Seo-eun’s hair.

It was rare for executive families to gather. Families of representatives from each affiliate. It was an opportunity to meet peers of at least similar standing. If done well, it could lead to a splendid marriage alliance. So, Hee-sook’s honest feeling was that she hoped her daughter wouldn’t miss the chance to meet a good person, if possible.

Of course, Hee-sook knew it was greedy. But if wanting to provide a better opportunity for her twenty-nine-year-old daughter, who hardly met anyone, was greed, then so be it.

As marriage talks began to circulate, news of weddings became frequent among families with children Seo-eun’s age. How many weddings had she attended just this spring? Seeing her daughter, who seemed uninterested in even dating, let alone marriage, felt like a stone lodged in her chest.

“Doesn’t understand her parents’ feelings.”

“I do, that’s why I endured the feeling of a knife to my throat and came all the way here.”

Her daughter’s charm, nestling into Hee-sook’s sharply bristling embrace, was unwelcome today of all days.

“You’re not a child who knows nothing. Huh? If you come here, look around, and find someone nice, just make an impression, wouldn’t that be good?”

“Oh, my mom is so cunning.”

Seo-eun’s lips stretched into a smile as she confirmed Hee-sook’s intention.

“Dad should do his job, and I should do mine. These kinds of places make me uncomfortable. You know that.”

“How can a person live only doing what they like?”

“Just one verse. Just one verse.”

Seo-eun’s face, which had been giggling until now, became much more serious.

“I’ve had enough of it since I was a child.”

Every time she was led by her parents, dressed up nicely, and quietly kept her place, it felt as uncomfortable as wearing ill-fitting clothes all day. Children of similar age from other families were like oil and water, impossible to mix. Did they even know that even among unknowing kids, there were caste-like ranks?

Of course, perhaps Hee-sook, being from an ordinary family, was more insistent. After meeting her father, Joo Hyung-guk, and marrying him after three years of dating, she had dedicated her entire life to her husband’s.

“The anniversary will come around again next year. I’ll come fully prepared next year and uphold Mom’s dignity.”

“That’s something to think about then, just come in for a moment. The chairman already asked if you hadn’t come, and my face is all flushed...”

“Can I really greet him like this?”

Seo-eun looked intently at Hee-sook, as if asking if she could handle it. Another sigh, “Ugh,” followed.

“Forget the greetings, just come in for a bit. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“No, I’m really hungry.”

Seo-eun clutched her rumbling stomach and smiled sheepishly. With a displeased expression, sighing all the while, Hee-sook firmly held Seo-eun’s hand and entered. Thinking that there was no parent in the world who could truly defeat their child.

________________________________________

***

The reception hall was as luxurious as expected. From the lobby to the entrance of the event hall, it was beautiful, as if a street in Jeju Island, vibrant with hydrangeas, had been transplanted there. A feast of flowers unfolded beneath trees with lush, full leaves.

As always, Haeshin Group was excessive. Even annual events were more splendid than a top star’s ultra-luxurious wedding. Nevertheless, the fresh green scenery quickly lifted her spirits. Just like when she visited Yook Song-i’s workshop, who ran a planterior cafe in Paju, the scent of petals swaying in the wind under the bright sunlight above her head cheered her up.

Seo-eun quietly found Hae-in and sat down amidst the scenery, where wildflowers seemed to bloom abundantly. At her excessive tardiness, Hae-in’s round eyes widened.

You just got here? Looking like that? You didn’t even put on makeup?

Seo-eun tacitly acknowledged the meaning in the frozen gaze and smiled sheepishly.

“Don’t look at me with that face. Believe it or not, I hastily slapped some on.”

Hae-in, elegantly dressed in a suit, looked even more sophisticated today, just as she had said she stopped by the salon early in the morning. Not too much, not too little, just right. Seo-eun felt awkward seeing her refined sister, but Hae-in soon erased her flustered expression and smiled broadly.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s talking over there.”

“I’m just going to hide here quietly until Dad comes.”

The atmosphere indicated that dinner was already ending. On the table were champagne, large floral arrangements, and gift boxes. Seo-eun told the approaching staff, “No meal, thank you,” and only requested dessert.

The dome-shaped chocolate cake, delicately pink on a white dessert plate, was modest. She poked her fork into the cake, decorated with white whipped cream, raspberries, and strawberries on top of the dome.

“Mmm, delicious.”

As soon as it melted in her mouth, Seo-eun forgot the earlier commotion and briefly savored the happiness from the majesty of the Valrhona chocolate. A rich, sweet flavor lingered on her tongue.

“You didn’t eat?”

“This is my first meal today.”

“You should have come a bit earlier then. The meal was good.”

Hae-in spoke with a subtle hint of disappointment, watching Seo-eun happily munch on the cake.

“Dad kept asking for you. All day, ‘When is Seo-eun coming?’ ‘Is Seo-eun on her way?’ ‘Call your sister...’ My eardrums were practically worn out.”

“Mom told me.”

“Dad probably can’t imagine you coming in looking like this. He’ll be shocked.”

“Me too.”

Seo-eun shook her head, saying she never imagined she’d be brave enough to come in looking like this.

“Is volunteering that good? No matter what, you always make sure to go there.”

“It’s not just that I like it, but it’s good if I can help. There are a lot more kids to take care of than you’d think.”

“If you like taking care of them so much, it would be better to get married and have your own baby to look after.”

“Hey, not you too.”

Seo-eun shook her head, seeing Hae-in subtly hoping for a niece or nephew, even though she knew Seo-eun had no interest in marriage yet. Lately, it had always been like this. No matter who she met or what they talked about, every conversation eventually circled back to marriage. This was the fate of the eldest daughter, having entered the age of marriage with an obligation to marry. Hae-in chuckled and pushed her untouched dessert plate, meant for herself, towards Seo-eun.

“Eat up quickly. Eat all of this too.”

Seo-eun, who especially loved sweet desserts, smiled broadly. Hae-in grinned, watching Seo-eun happily chewing.

“There’s no one like me, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Eat a lot, sis.”

Unlike Hae-in, who was outgoing like Joo Hyung-guk, Seo-eun was the spitting image of her homemaker mother, Hee-sook. Her meticulous care for things, her ability to create and share, and her warm, domestic personality. It was fortunate that they had such a good sisterly bond despite being so different inside and out.

Of course, if Seo-eun, who had such a good bond, were to marry, it would be disappointing in its own way. But how wonderful would it be to have a wonderful brother-in-law who loved her sister dearly? It was then that she was silently watching Seo-eun and thought. Their eyes met, and Seo-eun spoke to Hae-in, who was only sipping coffee and not touching anything else.

“Speaking of which, your regular album release is soon, right?”

“Yeah. There’s a promotional video shoot next week.”

“Is that why? Your face looks really tired, Hae-in. You’d be prettier if you gained just 3kg more than you are now. You’re too thin. You look like a skeleton.”

Seo-eun gently squeezed and released Hae-in’s bony wrist, whose cheeks were hollow.

“Can’t be helped. I have to maintain this until the performance ends. So, please eat deliciously on my behalf, sister.”

As a bandoneon player, Hae-in always became sensitive before a performance. It was only natural to be on edge, needing to maintain optimal condition at every stage from the moment the date was fixed until the performance concluded.

This had been the case ever since she had suffered frequent mistakes during a performance a few years ago because her costume was too tight, a result of overeating every night due to stress.

“You know what? I gained 7kg after quitting ballet.”

“Oh,” Hae-in rounded her lips, nodding as if Seo-eun had somehow become more human-like than before.

Even so, her weight had barely exceeded 50kg. When she was doing ballet, she never weighed more than 42kg due to the intense practice, comparable to an athlete’s. Living a life of combatant eating and dedicating herself solely to practice all day meant she had no time to freely eat the foods she craved.

It was only after she quit dancing that she began to enjoy luxuries, so leaving behind such sweet and wonderful desserts was almost a sin for Seo-eun.

“Being able to eat whatever you crave, it seems like nothing special, but it’s truly a happy thing.”

“Right. Being ordinary is the best. Oh, right. You haven’t forgotten my performance, have you, unnie?”

“Of course not. First week of next month, Seoul Art Center Concert Hall, 5 PM.”

Seo-eun winked and smiled.

“Bring all your friends. Seung-won oppa and Joo-young unnie too. I already met Jin-han oppa and gave him an invitation.”

“Already?”

“Oppa looked really handsome today. I was surprised because he was different from usual.”

Seo-eun smiled contentedly. Jin-han had excellent style since he was young. She could imagine how great he would look if he deliberately dressed up without even seeing him.

“But unnie.”

Just as Seo-eun craned her neck to look for Jin-han, since the topic had come up, Hae-in suddenly leaned towards Seo-eun.

“Unnie, you haven’t seen the Haeshin Three Brothers yet, have you?”

“The Haeshin Three Brothers?”

“Why, Jin-han oppa’s main family. We haven’t seen them since we were little, either. All three of them are here today? And all three are amazing. They’re all huge, and so tall.”

Hae-in’s voice quickened with excitement as she raised her hand to describe the Haeshin Three Brothers.

“They’re all different types, but they’re all handsome. The eldest is married, so let’s skip him. The second one looks really flashy but is solid. I like the third one the best. How should I put it? His image is very sharp and cold, but I unknowingly zone out, you know? But he probably has no manners.”

“Uh-huh.”

Seo-eun let Hae-in’s excited voice wash over her, trying to recall what the Haeshin Three Brothers she had once seen looked like. Had all three of them stood out because of their outstanding physiques? She remembered the gatherings always being noisy.

“There. They’re over there.”

Hae-in pointed her finger towards a crowded area.

“See them? The handsome one with glasses is the eldest, and the slippery-looking one is the youngest.”

The handsome man with glasses that Hae-in mentioned was tall and cleanly dressed, but somehow had a sharp impression. He was kindly smiling and dealing with people, but for some reason, he had a sensitive edge to him. Nevertheless, politeness permeated his entire being, and perhaps because of that, he left an impression of being even harder to approach.

Next to him, the youngest, who Hae-in described as “slippery-looking,” had a strikingly handsome appearance, enough to be an actor. He was probably the tallest person there, including the guards, and seemed to have the best physique.

“The youngest is handsome.”

“And that man is the second.”

Seo-eun, who had been following Hae-in’s excited teenage-girl-like chatter, stopped chewing. The man was laughing and talking among the guests. His gaze casually swept across the room, responding appropriately and smiling generously. His movements were controlled, without a hint of carelessness, yet imbued with a leisurely grace that naturally held her attention.

Their eyes met for a moment.

The man, as the central figure of the event, drew attention at a glance even in a crowded place. While all three brothers had an undeniable presence, it was Ryu Tae-han who held her gaze. This was not just at Seo-eun’s table. Everyone gathered there clearly harbored a desire to somehow exchange a word with him, their faces filled with interest and longing.

Like a monarch from a historical drama brought to life, the man, superior in every aspect, seemed to reign over this world.

“That’s Ryu Tae-han. If I had known, I would have faithfully attended every gathering whenever Dad called. He’s really handsome, isn’t he?”

He was definitely a man whose aura was different from ordinary people. Even just standing still, one could feel his dignity, and his small movements, slowly moving with a downward gaze, were imbued with grace and restraint.

People passed back and forth between the table and them, not far apart. Yet, in Seo-eun’s eyes, only Ryu Tae-han was visible.

How long had she been watching him?

At the end of her gaze, spanning the air, their eyes met. His gaze, like an arrow released from a taut bowstring, pushed through the crowd and finally flew to Seo-eun, intensely dark and clear.

Suddenly, Seo-eun dropped the fork in her hand.

Instantly, the surrounding noise vanished. The look from afar was kind, like layers interlocking seamlessly into one. His height and physique were far superior to the people surrounding him. The man named Ryu Tae-han, who would stand out anywhere, was beautiful as if he had become the most valuable jewel in that place on that day. It was like the noble bearing of a true noble, with strong masculine lines extending coolly while subtly concealing a sense of aristocracy.

At the end of his appraising gaze, the man smiled gently.

His slowly tilting smile meticulously etched itself into her eyes.

Thump.

Her heart sank.

Thump.

And then, slowly and vigorously, it leaped up again. As if she had made a mistake that shouldn’t have been caught.

Thump.

With a huge pulsation echoing in her ears, Seo-eun was startled and quickly averted her gaze.

Bang, bang, bang.

Her pulse pounded as if it would explode in her ears.

Why am I like this?

Her mind was suddenly disoriented, as if something had broken. A faint sensation of heat surged through her entire body. Her neck felt warm, so Seo-eun raised the back of her hand to wipe her cheek. Even as she caught her breath, her heart pounded, and she couldn’t calm down.

“What, he smiled at me. Oh my god.”

Hae-in, who was glancing that way beside her, mumbled something, but Seo-eun heard nothing else. For no reason, a heat filled her insides to the point of daze. She didn’t even notice her neck turning red from the unexpected unfamiliarity.

Seo-eun slowly and calmly scraped the remaining dessert into her mouth. All along, an nameless emotion softly rippled within her, but she simply attributed it to a sense of incongruity in this surreal place.

“Well, they’re not really people we’re concerned with, but still, aren’t they amazing?”

“They are.”

Seo-eun nodded vaguely and then raised her head again, looking towards where Ryu Tae-han had been a moment ago. But he was already gone. Disappointment flickered in Seo-eun’s eyes as she searched the empty space.

Ryu Tae-han, second son of Haeshin Group.

As she mulled over the three syllables of the name that had naturally imprinted itself in her mind and looked around, someone lightly tapped Seo-eun’s shoulder from behind.

________________________________________

***

The woman stood out from the beginning. Tae-han thought it was probably due to her attire, which didn’t suit the venue. The crowded banquet hall was filled with people who, at some point, glanced at Seo-eun in her white shirt as if she were a stranger. Yet, the woman ate the dessert in front of her with a happy expression, showing no signs of being intimidated or self-conscious.

A small bite, then another small bite.

How many times did she break off a tiny piece of dessert that wasn’t even a mouthful for her already small mouth?

Watching her savor the chocolate as it melted in her mouth, smiling sweetly, he thought she had a charming impression.

A small frame with a round face. Within it, large, round eyes with prominent double eyelids and a nose of appropriate size and height were harmoniously balanced, and her shimmering brown hair cascaded, brushing her white neck. Her continuous gentle smiles towards her companion were warm. When her lips tilted and the corners of her eyes drooped, the woman’s impression became even softer. Softness. That was his first impression of the woman.

Joo Seo-eun, eldest daughter of President Joo Hyung-guk.

Tae-han watched the woman for a while, who seemed happiest in the world in that moment, chewing a piece of cake.

His gaze had fallen on Seo-eun even before she entered the venue. He had accidentally witnessed her having a minor scuffle with someone in front of the hotel—to be precise, it was amusing to see her smiling lightheartedly even after being hit on the back.

It was during the Haeshin Group’s 45th-anniversary celebration, hosted by the main family. The lavish and grand founding event began with a congratulatory speech from Honorary Chairman Ryu Joong-hwan, who had built the group from the ground up.

As per the King Chairman’s unwavering principle that “the root is the source of all things,” the guesthouse was filled today with families of the invited group affiliates’ presidents. Family-centric management philosophy. Regardless of the company’s other stated management policies, the reason so many people gathered here was the King Chairman’s unpleasant habit of enjoying public praise.

Of course, he understood that without such events, it would be difficult for direct and collateral family members to gather. Throughout the event, the King Chairman’s family and corporate staff uniformly expressed their gratitude as if worshiping him. Excessive praise, well wishes, gratitude, and ceaseless attention. That atmosphere would likely continue until the end of the event.

It was familiar, but today he felt particularly on edge. This was due to the excessive eagerness to forge marriage alliances everywhere.

The inherent dignity of Haeshin, which he had taken for granted his entire life, suddenly washed over him like a wave. Marriage. Whether it was a political marriage or a love marriage. Whatever it was, it was Tae-han’s turn now that he was thirty. It was a fact he had temporarily set aside after Ryu Tae-jun, the eldest grandson of Haeshin Group, entered into a political marriage two years ago with Han Eun-seong, the eldest daughter of Taesung Group.

Many unmarried children of executive families particularly attended this event. It was probably with Tae-han, who was of marrying age, in mind. How many faces had brushed past him before the event started, trying to make an impression? He had greeted them one by one as they were introduced, but not a single face remained in his memory.

The increasingly heated atmosphere seemed poised to lead to matchmaking. For the King Chairman, who was already desperate to see a successor, young unmarried men and women were attractive prey.

Tae-han eventually left the banquet hall to catch his breath. He subtly loosened the tie knot that was uncomfortably constricting his neck and looked up at the hotel, which soared as if piercing the sky.

“Phew.”

Meeting people, armored in duty and equipped with etiquette and manners, was quite draining.

Chairman Ryu Joong-hwan’s most beloved eldest son, Ryu Sung-woong, and Seo Jung-joo, director of the Haeshin Art Center.

Tae-han recalled the faces of his grandfather and parents. They were people who had lived this life their entire lives and were accustomed to everything. Their three sons. He, along with his older brother Ryu Tae-jun and younger brother Ryu Tae-jo, would soon become the key figures leading the colossal Haeshin Group.

The succession of management rights from Haeshin Group’s founder, Ryu Joong-hwan, had been fairly distributed among Ryu Joong-hwan’s five children a few years ago without major issues, and the eldest son inherited the main body of Haeshin to fulfill his duties as the eldest.

Thanks to having an eldest son as their father, the three brothers were each fulfilling their roles. The eldest son, Ryu Tae-jun, took charge of Haeshin Electronics after a political marriage two years ago with Han Eun-seong, the eldest daughter of Taesung Group, akin to a merger and acquisition.

Next in line was Tae-han. Settling down and solidifying their position around the age of thirty was the inherent destiny of the men in this family.

Tae-han’s situation was not much different. He knew that the lack of significant pressure regarding marriage until now was because no official marriage prospect had been set. However, Tae-han was now at an appropriate age to start a family, and his marriage was an unavoidable topic of conversation at every gathering.

Even though it concerned his own marriage, the discussions about it, without any certainty yet, secretly burdened him.

How much time had passed since he stepped out to catch his breath?

Someone swiftly passed in front of him, who had been quietly holding his ground in silence. A woman rushing into the guesthouse.

As the woman passed by, wearing a shirt and jeans and carrying a bag, a large gust of wind stirred. A fresh scent, as if a branch of lilac blooming by the roadside was swaying, made Tae-han raise his head and stare, as if entranced, at where the woman had disappeared.

The guesthouse.

Is she the family of one of the executives? As he thought about the connection, the woman was soon led out of the building again by someone’s hand.

Neatly dressed with a benevolent impression. Tae-han recalled that the woman was the wife of Joo Hyung-guk, CEO of HSDC Investment Development’s Duty-Free Business Division. It was the face he had seen just a few hours ago while greeting people at their designated seats. She had a graceful smile and politely introduced herself, saying her eldest daughter was on her way, repeatedly mentioning “our Seo-eun, Seo-eun.”

Is that woman Joo Seo-eun?

Tae-han’s eyes deepened.

Then, suddenly, Joo Hyung-guk’s wife smacked Joo Seo-eun’s back.

“Ow!”

Tae-han, who had been about to walk away, paused and remained where he was. Unlike Joo Hyung-guk’s wife, who snapped “You wretched girl,” the woman, despite being hit, still smiled brightly.

“You like getting hit too, huh?”

“Like? My insides went up and down. Our Ms. Ahn hasn’t lost her touch.”

Tae-han unconsciously let out a chuckle at the bickering mother and daughter.

The woman who absolutely didn’t want to be here and her mother who was trying to somehow manage the situation. He vaguely understood what was going on. Perhaps their mother-daughter relationship was good, as Joo Seo-eun relentlessly clung to Joo Hyung-guk’s wife, who sighed heavily.

“What’s wrong? Let go.”

“Mommy.”

The woman was small. “Small and cute” was a more fitting description. Her height was approximately 163 cm. Beneath her neat shirt, her lean physique was petite but flexible. Her straight legs beneath adequately firm thighs and her somehow elegant movements even when avoiding a situation were impressive. Even the way she craned her neck and looked down at the world, as if gazing at it from a 45-degree angle.

Did she do ballet? Tae-han, his gaze fixed on the woman with beautiful lines, watched her for a long time.

Her light brown hair shimmered like waves under the stinging sunlight. Her tanned, flushed cheeks, on the contrary, overflowed with vitality. Her natural beauty was striking, with large eyes clearly defined by double eyelids in her white, slender face, a nose that stood out at an appropriate size, and an impressive expression that was both playfully mischievous and joyful when she smiled.

Honestly, her attire was terrible, but her every movement flowed like water, making it impossible to look away.

Her smile is so warm.

He grew curious about Joo Hyung-guk’s wife’s frustrated reaction. That was his first curiosity about the woman, and it became his second when he found her at the reception, burying her head in dessert, savoring it.

When Joo Seo-eun came into his view, Tae-han found himself smiling without realizing it. The moment her small lips, chewing dessert, parted in happiness, he found her adorable. He suppressed a certain tickle wriggling inside him and was observing her a little more closely when someone approached her.

Seo-eun, her round shoulders gently nudged, turned her head tensely. Upon recognizing the person, her lips softly curved into a smile again.

“Teacher, seeing you here?”

“Hey, Kim Do-hyun! Wow, you.”

Her face, gently wiping her lips with a napkin and smiling at the approaching man, was soft and gentle.

“Why are you so dashing?”

“I guess I am today, aren’t I?”

Seo-eun’s voice, full of admiration, softly pricked his ears. It was a different kind of gentleness than when she had been cheeky in front of Joo Hyung-guk’s wife earlier.

The man in the suit, standing before her, scratched his neck awkwardly and smiled. The man, who looked to be in his early twenties, was the son of Kim Kyung-moon, the head of the Foundry Business Division. As he sifted through his memories of meeting him and watched them closely, a deep part of his chest felt an inexplicable tickle again.

“I thought you’d come too, Teacher. But why... did you just come back from farm volunteering?”

“Pretty close.”

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

The two looked at each other with blank expressions for a moment before bursting into laughter. Even as he shook his head as if she was incorrigible, the man’s gaze never left Seo-eun.

“Should I guess? You surprised everyone by meddling in someone else’s business again, didn’t you?”

“Do-hyun, you always had good intuition.”

“Ah, stop helping others so much. Who’s going to recognize you for it?”

“Only I need to know. Only I.”

Seo-eun slapped her chest with her palm. Her large chest, compared to her small frame, bounced from the impact. The man’s ears, which had briefly glanced downwards, seemed to have flushed red.

“But Teacher, do you know you became a star here today?”

“I know. That’s why I even got hit on the back by my mom earlier.”

Seo-eun proudly held her head high and admitted, still amidst the lingering glances.

“Actually, I also dressed up meticulously because I was afraid my mom would hit me.”

A sympathetic smile spread across their faces, as if they knew exactly what the other meant.

“But Teacher, you’re pretty even like this.”

“Where did this young fellow learn such admirable flattery?”

“It’s true.”

As the man said, it was true that she was pretty even in that state. That’s probably why he kept looking at her.

Ever since entering the reception hall, Tae-han had been constantly glancing towards Seo-eun. From the moment she was led by Joo Hyung-guk’s wife, Seo-eun’s reactions, which he had observed, were both funny and cute, and her attire, completely out of place here, felt refreshing among people who were dressed up like peacocks.

“Teacher, your phone number hasn’t changed, right?”

“No, it has.”

“What? Give me your number.”

The man held out his phone to Seo-eun. Seo-eun unhesitatingly typed in her number and returned it.

“Buy me a drink sometime later.”

“Okay.”

The man smiled contentedly at Seo-eun’s ready acceptance. Then, as if suddenly sensing a gaze, he turned his head towards Tae-han. Their eyes met, and the man flinched, his face hardening, then quickly gave an awkward smile and looked away.

Why is he staring? He mumbled ambiguously, then whispered something to Seo-eun. He probably whispered, “Ryu Tae-han is looking this way.” After the man mumbled and scratched his brow, Joo Seo-eun turned her head.

Thus, for the third time, Seo-eun’s eyes met his.

Her unguarded smiling expression seemed to instantly freeze into embarrassment, then Seo-eun tilted her head slightly and smiled gently towards Tae-han.

‘Hello.’

His soft, smiling voice seemed to echo like a hallucination. At that moment, his feet moved on their own. Tae-han walked forward, pushing through the crowd. The distance gradually narrowed. As he approached Seo-eun, her round eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m Ryu Tae-han.”

When Tae-han extended his hand without hesitation, Seo-eun bit her lip and blinked her widened eyes.

The woman, seen up close, was much smaller. Her forehead barely reached Tae-han’s chest.

“Ah, I’m Joo Seo-eun.”

Seo-eun quickly wiped her hands on her jeans and grasped Tae-han’s outstretched hand. The warmth wrapped around his fingertips. The moment their soft palms met, he had the illusion of fireworks sparkling before his eyes.

Tae-han looked at Seo-eun, who was blinking with a very nervous expression, a little more deeply.

“You’re President Joo Hyung-guk’s daughter, aren’t you? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m very indebted to President Joo.”

He spoke as politely and courteously as possible, gripping her hand tightly, and at that moment, the woman smiled.

Thump, thump.

He smiled gently at the strange, heavy vibration deep within him.

A fresh breeze swept in.