Throughout the ride back to the resort, Yuwon was quiet. As if he was someone who had accomplished today’s purpose, he quietly looked only at the scenery outside the window. Sungjin also had nothing to say in response and kept silent, only holding the steering wheel.
A moment later, when the boat returning to the island where the resort was located docked at the pier, other staff members were waiting.
“Good work on filming. Yuwon-ssi can rest comfortably, and Sungjin-ssi, if you shower and come out right away, we’ll help you get set up.”
“Ah, yes.”
While Sungjin walked to the outdoor shower room, led by the staff’s hand in a daze, Yuwon’s piercing gaze followed from behind. No, I’m not doing this because I want to either. Sungjin found it absurd that he was making excuses to Yuwon in his mind, yet he absolutely couldn’t ignore him.
I understand you don’t like the situation where I’m double-booked. So what is Yuwon’s ultimate goal in the end?
Sungjin entered the shower room in confusion, still unable to understand his intentions, and washed off the saltiness.
Usually when he had a lot on his mind, it would dilute a bit when he showered, but today it seemed like nothing he did would help. This was the first time he’d experienced something like this in his insignificant life. Like one mountain after another, he was worried about the remaining schedule too. There was no convincing reason why Suyeong had chosen him either.
Actually, the thought that she might be trying to provoke someone she truly had feelings for was just a hunch, and in reality, he’d have to go meet her to know, wouldn’t he?
If by any chance Suyeong had a favorable impression of him, that would also be a problem. He was grateful for the sentiment, but he wasn’t someone who could sincerely reciprocate her interest.
There’s no use worrying like this….
Even though he knew it in his head, his heart couldn’t follow reason. Suffering with a troubled heart for only a moment, it became a time when he could delay no longer. If he kept getting hit by water like this any longer, they’d think he’d drowned in the shower booth.
Sungjin came to his senses with a start and came out of the shower booth to dry off. Inside the bathroom, the production team had prepared dating outfits in advance. It was clothing prepared to match the character planned by the production team. Fortunately, it wasn’t much different from what Sungjin usually wore.
When Sungjin finished showering safely and came out of the shower room having changed clothes, the waiting staff asked.
“You must be a bit tired from doing the activity, right? Do you want to rest for a bit?”
His body was a bit stiff, but since he hadn’t overdone it, it wasn’t to the point where he had no strength to move right away. Sungjin slowly shook his head.
“No, I’m fine.”
Better to get hit quickly, and at least Suyeong had no reason to have ill will toward him, so it seemed better to at least confirm her true feelings.
“Yes, then when Suyeong-ssi is ready, you can depart together. Please wait here for just a moment.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
While Sungjin bowed his head and sat in a chair waiting, Suyeong, who had finished setting up, walked out to the parking lot surrounded by production staff. Wearing what’s called a goddess dress, a resort one-piece made of fluttering material, Suyeong had a radiant visual that would captivate anyone who liked women. She was an attractive person with a voluptuous figure and a confident expression.
Sungjin had an eye for it too, so of course he knew she was a really wonderful person, but unfortunately, the first thought he had upon seeing that wonderful appearance was something no one else in the same place expected.
The pattern is pretty. The color is bold too, but it goes well with the material.
It was a pattern that would look good even used as a point curtain. She was someone who had succeeded as a clothing shopping mall CEO, so naturally, but she was someone who knew well how to make herself look more attractive. She basically seemed to have good sense too. Sungjin smiled lightly toward her. It was a reaction that a heterosexual man who liked his date partner, as Sungjin was thinking, would show.
Just like the previous date, a vehicle for transportation was prepared in front of the two people who arrived at the main island by boat.
“Should I drive?”
When Sungjin asked carefully, Suyeong pondered for a moment then asked back.
“Can I do it?”
It didn’t really matter much either way. Sungjin wasn’t bad at driving either, but he wasn’t the type who was only satisfied if he drove himself. He also wasn’t the type who acted like he’d die if he let a woman take the wheel when both could drive.
“Whatever’s comfortable for you?”
Then Suyeong smiled brightly and took the car keys.
“Then I’ll do it. I wanted to try driving this car.”
When riding in the car with Yuwon, he hadn’t particularly noticed, but the car provided by the production team was a muscle car with a enthusiast following. Whether Suyeong was also interested in this type of car, she readily grabbed the steering wheel.
Sungjin obediently got into the passenger seat. Just like before, the destination was set in the navigation.
“You must like driving.”
Sungjin naturally opened the conversation at Suyeong’s excited appearance. Since he’d been filmed on camera being hesitant at everything, marveling, and showing all kinds of clumsy and foolish appearances just before, it seemed like he should show some aspect that could supplement his image.
“Ah, yes. I like it. I got my license as soon as I turned twenty.”
“Most people who get their license after taking the college entrance exam don’t start driving right away. That’s impressive.”
“No, well…. It was a situation where I had to drive. To pick up goods and go to the factory, it’s impossible without your own car.”
The conversation that started that way continued naturally even after arriving at the winery. The experience at the winery was also just tasting various types of specialty wines stored there and having a meal, so there was plenty of time to have various conversations. Suyeong was the type of person Sungjin had such a long conversation with for the first time in his life.
She said that since her student days, she’d been active as a shopping mall model and gave her younger siblings spending money, and because she couldn’t afford to go to college, she jumped straight into society. During her school days too, instead of going to academy after school ended like other friends, she worked at a restaurant that hired high school students. She was someone who had achieved self-made success through desperate efforts in circumstances without means.
Throughout listening to her story, Sungjin felt admiration and pity rather than discomfort. The strong image felt from her appearance seemed like armor she’d desperately worn to survive.
“I’m sorry, I only talked about myself, didn’t I?”
“No, I grew up in a really bland case, so it was interesting. It was good to learn what kind of person Suyeong-ssi is too.”
Except for the fact that Sungjin had absolutely no romantic interest in Suyeong, it wasn’t wrong. Compared to Suyeong’s school days, what he’d experienced would be common and pathetically weak whining. Being the head of household at a young age—how could that be easy?
Moreover, most of the stories Suyeong told were about how difficult a period she’d gone through, not particularly showing off like “I’m that great so you must submit to me,” so they weren’t hard to listen to either.
Fortunately, the meal was delicious too, and all the tasting wines provided by the winery suited his palate. If judging only by mental ease, it was a date that was much more breathing room than being with Yuwon.
“Actually, my parents want me to get married quickly.”
Just when both were drunk enough to feel slightly good, Suyeong said with a self-deprecating laugh.
“But I didn’t want to do that. My school days are all memories of changing grills at a meat restaurant and doing dishes.”
“……”
She didn’t know what other circumstances there were, but Suyeong, who had carelessly blurted out her candid true feelings, bit her lips tightly and looked down at the table.
“Now that I’m trying to do what I want to do, they keep going on about marriage….”
In the end, it was someone else’s family matter, so it was difficult to speak carelessly. However, Sungjin too, as someone who had chosen a bland life unable to go against his parents’ expectations, had something he wanted to say to Suyeong, who seemed stronger and firmer than himself.
“This might sound a bit presumptuous. I… think it would be better for Suyeong-ssi to do it when you want to rather than hastily preparing for marriage right now.”
“……”
Ah, did I overstep again? Sungjin anxiously glanced at Suyeong’s reaction, worried it might have sounded rude. She didn’t look displeased, just showing a bit of curiosity about what Sungjin was trying to say. Sungjin barely let out a breath and hastily wrapped up his blurted words.
“Even if it’s your parents… a decision made because you were pushed from behind rather than your own decision tends to remain as regret regardless of the result. Since I’m the one responsible for the result anyway, I think it’s better to choose what I want rather than what someone else desires.”
Perhaps he could say such things because it was a story he’d experienced himself. Sungjin too, if he had the means, wanted to enter an architect’s office and receive training. If he’d been prepared to roll around on site for years with low pay, it would have been something worth challenging sufficiently.
However, the reason he couldn’t do so, though he knew it was ultimately an excuse, was because of his family.
