# Chapter 44
Postponing tutoring for a date. Really, there’s no exaggeration quite like this exaggeration.
‘But it’s the sponsor’s wish, so I have to do what I’m told. What choice do I have?’
Yeomin came out wearing the clothes that Jiho had selected for him in advance. It was so awkward that he couldn’t help but fidget.
Jiho, who had finished preparing first and was waiting, furrowed his brows.
Yeomin grumbled.
“This looks too attention-seeking.”
Yeomin had rarely worn such bright colors. White would have been awkward enough, but lemon yellow? The kind of color only freshmen would wear.
“…”
What made it even more embarrassing was that Jiho had no reaction. He must not like it. I should change back into black clothes.
“I’ll just change into something else.”
As Yeomin tried to go back to the dressing room, Jiho stopped him.
“Keep wearing that.”
“…”
“Hyung, you look just like lemon custard cream today. What would you taste like if I bit you?”
Such cheesiness… What did I just hear?
Jiho pulled on the bewildered Yeomin’s hand.
There was a watch on Yeomin’s wrist matching the one on Jiho’s wrist.
And on the fourth finger was a ring of the same design.
These were items that would make them look like a couple from 100 meters away. Instead of a bulletproof vest, Yeomin was wearing clothes chosen by Seol Jiho to match Seol Jiho’s taste, loaded with couple rings instead of bullets.
Yeomin found his fully prepared appearance for the date extremely unfamiliar.
Jiho said with an excited face:
“Let’s go. There’s already a car sent from Ian downstairs.”
“Are we taking that?”
“Of course not. They probably sent it to follow us.”
Ah. I said something stupid. Yeomin’s expression darkened.
No matter how much he mentally prepared… it would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried.
“I’m kind of nervous.”
“Because of the tail?”
“No. Because I don’t know what crazy thing you might do.”
That was what worried Yeomin the most. Ian Group might try something, but Seol Jiho was even crazier, so that wasn’t a concern, but…
What blood pressure-raising events would unfold on today’s date? He already felt a tension at the back of his neck.
Yeomin was sure that even competing as a national representative in the Olympics wouldn’t be as nerve-wracking as this.
* * *
Today’s date concept was ‘attention-seeking.’
It was supposedly the hottest dating course for people in their twenties these days. The goal was to be in crowded places, attract attention, and get lots of photos taken by Ian Group.
Jiho and Yeomin waited in line at a popular restaurant and ate fusion cuisine with quite an interesting composition, then wandered through alleyways looking at knickknacks in small shops.
In this alley, except for the two of them, everyone around seemed to be couples in their early twenties.
Among them, Jiho, who was the tallest, and Yeomin, who was shorter than Jiho but much more muscular than the women, stood out considerably.
“Do you have to hold it like this?”
As soon as they finished eating, Jiho kept interlocking his fingers with Yeomin’s. Yeomin had been very conscious of this.
‘My palm keeps sweating…’
He tried to go along with it since it was part of the contract fulfillment, but Yeomin had particularly sweaty hands.
Since the elementary school field trip where they had to hold hands in a group, this was the first time he’d held someone else’s hand for so long.
Well, not just sweat, honestly, he was also bothered by the glances from people around them…
“Let’s let go for a moment.”
“Shh. They’re following us right now. We’re being photographed, so smile.”
“Damn it…”
Yeomin quietly cursed at Jiho’s whisper.
Should I make a V-sign for the camera? Yeomin’s expression became even more uncomfortable.
“Hyung. Let’s eat that!”
Regardless, Jiho seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this date.
Jiho brightly pointed somewhere. It was an ice cream shop popular on SNS where they filled fish-shaped pastries with ice cream.
Anyway, Yeomin’s will or ‘preferences’ didn’t exist in this date. He was merely fulfilling his duty.
Yeomin kept checking his watch next to Jiho who was contemplating what to eat. Wondering when they would move to the next location. Like a tourist on a group tour.
“Hyung, you like ice cream, right? What would you like to order?”
“Just anything.”
Even while answering without enthusiasm, Yeomin didn’t actually say he wouldn’t eat it.
The ice cream came out quickly. Finally, Jiho let go of his hand, making him feel more comfortable.
Yeomin took a bite of the ice cream.
“Is it good?”
“It’s not as good as it looks.”
“What’s your ice cream preference, hyung? Strawberry flavor, chocolate flavor, that kind of thing?”
‘Wow. Getting questions like this really makes it feel like a blind date or something.’
Yeomin awkwardly responded.
“Well. I don’t really have preferences. Do I have such a thing as preferences?”
If he had answered like this on a blind date, he probably would have been severely criticized.
But that was the truth. He hadn’t lived comfortably enough to develop preferences, nor had he experienced much variety.
As he was diligently licking the ice cream before it melted, Jiho suddenly grabbed his chin.
‘Surely not here? There are about twenty people around right now?’
Yeomin’s eyes widened in panic. Seeming to read his anxious thoughts, Jiho smirked. Then he firmly wiped the corner of Yeomin’s mouth with his thumb.
“You had ice cream here.”
“This kind of thing… just tell me with words.”
“This way looks much more affectionate, don’t you think?”
As soon as Jiho’s finger left his lips, Yeomin frantically wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Come to think of it, hyung is also the type that needs a lot of taking care of.”
“I don’t feel good hearing that from you.”
Hearing this from someone who needs more attention and care than anyone else.
‘You couldn’t even make ramyeon without me.’
It was incomprehensible why he had become the one being taken care of.
Yeomin’s scowling eyes widened in surprise. It was because Jiho suddenly bent his knee in front of him.
Yeomin was horrified.
‘If you’re going to kneel and make a public confession here, you’re truly insane.’
The biggest challenge of this date was indeed Seol Jiho. Yeomin’s heart pounded heavily with anxiety.
But fortunately, Jiho wasn’t that level of innovative madman. Instead of a kneeling confession, he tied Yeomin’s shoelace that had come undone.
“W-when did that come undone?”
“I’ve been noticing it for a while.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
“See? You really do need a lot of care.”
Yeomin was simply relieved.
If Jiho had made a confession here, Yeomin would have run 100 meters in 5 seconds.
Tightly tying the shoelace, Jiho said:
“Want me to tell you a surprising fact?”
“What?”
“This is the first time I’ve tied someone else’s shoelaces.”
“…”
“This might be love, don’t you think?”
Jiho’s expression was so serious that he knew it wasn’t a joke. Yeomin was astounded.
‘If tying shoelaces is love, then everything in the world could be love?’
He should have told him no, absolutely not. It’s his eternal regret that he couldn’t respond because the ice cream was melting and dripping.
* * *
At the same time. Secretary Yeom, in the car, sent a video recorded on his mobile phone via chat.
The recipient was Director Ahn Hyungju.
[Report on Young Master’s Date]
– Dined alone with Mr. Joo at a tonkatsu restaurant (3 menu items ordered)
– Shopped for about 40 minutes at boutiques and flea markets (continuously holding hands)
– Purchased a large teddy bear as a gift for Mr. Joo
– Wiped Mr. Joo’s mouth in front of the ice cream shop (completely unaware of surrounding attention)
– Knelt down to tie Mr. Joo’s shoelaces when they came undone (*evidence video attached)
– After walking on a nearby trail, they moved in their own car (currently following)
Less than ten minutes after sending the message. Secretary Yeom’s phone rang.
“Yes! Director!”
Secretary Yeom was still following Jiho’s car while answering the call on hands-free.
Director Ahn’s voice resonated loudly in the car.
– What did I just see, Secretary Yeom? That’s not a typo, is it?
“I saw it clearly with my own eyes! I attached the video too!”
Secretary Yeom was a talented secretary who had been serving Director Ahn since joining Ian Group.
Since Director Ahn’s main job was ‘dealing with the Seol family’s affairs,’ naturally, Secretary Yeom’s work also focused on that area.
Therefore, Secretary Yeom was very familiar with today’s task of observing the first young master.
– He tied his shoelaces? Ha, really. I’m speechless.
Of course, the dating scene he witnessed today was surprisingly unfamiliar.
– I was really shocked too!
Secretary Yeom’s voice was as agitated as Director Ahn’s, knowing Jiho’s personality well. It was something hard to believe even after seeing it with his own eyes.
– Seol Jiho tying someone else’s shoelaces, wiping someone else’s mouth. Is that even possible?
“I doubted my eyes too!”
Oops. Did I just agree too quickly?
But Director Ahn didn’t mind.
– What do you think, Secretary Yeom? How did that Seol Jiho look today?
“Um. Quite… sweet and affectionate…?”
– Are those words even remotely applicable to Seol Jiho?
“I’m surprised too. Is the young master possibly sick?”
During the call, Jiho’s car arrived at the parking lot of a multiplex with a VIP-exclusive movie theater.
It was such a classic and conventional date course. The sound of Director Ahn groaning in contemplation could be heard.
– Is that Seol Jiho really dating Yeomin?
“…Weren’t they dating?”
– Does it look like that to you, Secretary Yeom?
As he was parking at a distance, Jiho and Yeomin appeared in front of Secretary Yeom’s car.
He could see Jiho putting his arm around Yeomin’s shoulders as they headed toward the elevator passage.
Secretary Yeom quickly reversed, thinking he might have made eye contact with Seol Jiho for a moment.
The two overlapping figures moved away affectionately. Secretary Yeom, who had been catching his breath as if caught stealing, muttered:
“If I may speak boldly,”
– Yes. Speak frankly.
“They look… very happy.”
If that wasn’t dating, then it must be an incredible one-sided love.
