Crazy Match, Crazy Guy - CHAPTER 3 - Part 3

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She was trying to hail a taxi when a call came in.

It was her friend Park Sungkyung.

“Oh, why?”

• • If you have some time, can you drop by the shop? Just for 2 hours.”

Sungkyung was running a coffee shop.

“Right now?”

• • I need to go to my child’s kindergarten this morning.”

She chose to get married right out of high school instead of going to college. They were classmates.

• • Of all days, today the part-time decided to skip work without notice. Kids these days, lack commitment. They should at least contact me before going AWOL.”

It hasn’t been long since I became unemployed, and already someone’s asking me for help. I should find a job as soon as possible.

“I’m already feeling down from being unemployed, and now I have to deal with this?”

• • My mom went on a trip, and my mother-in-law is unreachable too, and I don’t know what to do.

“I understand, I’ll come right now.”

After hailing a taxi, Wooyoung headed to her friend’s coffee shop without a change of clothes.

As she entered, Sungkyung, in a dress, greeted her with a bright smile.

“Why did you come so quickly?”

“I was outside.”

“Ah. But why are you dressed in a suit? You don’t usually wear suits.”

“It just happened. Will you be back by lunch?”

“Yeah. But I don’t know if the moms will ask me to lunch. Oh, and maybe Eunho will come too.”

“What? Eunho should be busy with his deadline. Why would you call him?”

Eunho was a webtoon artist, and quite a popular one at that.

“He said he’s done with his deadline though?

“Really?”

It makes sense now. He asked to meet up yesterday too. Of course, she had to cancel due to an evening appointment.

“So, for you two, have lunch when there are no customers. I’ve prepared lunchboxes in the storage room.”

“Oh, you even prepared lunchboxes?”

“I’m taking up your time, so I should show some consideration, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Well, I’m going to go then. Take care.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

After seeing off Sungkyung, Wooyoung entered the storage room. She hung her jacket on a hanger and tied on an apron, then walked back into the shop. As she did, a familiar face entered the store.

There had been changes in Eunho’s appearance since they hadn’t seen each other for a few days. His longish hair was now cut short, and instead of his usual hoodie and jeans, he was wearing a black shirt with black slacks.

She wondered if he had a girlfriend. Wooyoung thought as she waved at him.

“You’re here?”

“Why are you here?”

“Why else? Sungkyung asked me to come.”

“What’s the point of having two people summoned to this tiny coffee shop?”

“Stop complaining and tie on an apron.”

Entering the kitchen, Eunho asked as he tied on an apron himself.

“So, what happened  to your blind date? I tried calling you several times yesterday to ask about that, but you didn’t answer.”

“I told you. I had a dinner appointment with my dad and his friend last night.”

“Well, if you have missed calls, you should at least return them later.”

“Sorry about that. I had a situation.”

“What situation?”

Why is he pressing so much? I can’t exactly say I spent the night with Jang Taejin.

“It’s just something. Don’t pry into every detail, it’s bothering me.”

“If it bothers you, then tell me.”

“Oh, come on. What is it with you and your prying?”

“Are we keeping secrets from each other now?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

Ding-a-ling. The bell installed on the front door rang. Wooyoung swiftly moved to the counter. She took the order from the entering customer and then turned to Eunho. Seeing a customer taking a seat, Wooyoung said to Eunho.

“One cafe latte.”

As Eunho poured the coffee, he started a conversation.

“So, how did the blind date go?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s all messed up because of you.”

“Messed up? What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. Jang Tae Jin, that guy…”

Wooyoung leaned closer to Eunho and lowered her voice.

“He’s not gay.”

Eunho’s eyes squinted. It wasn’t a surprised look, she could tell.

For someone who had given the information about Tae Jin being gay himself, his reaction was surprisingly dull.

“Why does your expression look like that?”

“What’s wrong with my expression?”

“It’s the expression of someone who already knows he’s not gay.”

“Hey, I told you he is gay, what are you talking about?”

“Anyway, Jang Tae Jin is definitely straight.”

“He probably isn’t.”

Eunho wished that what he had said was true, but seeing Wooyoung’s reaction, he couldn’t be sure if Jang Tae Jin wasn’t gay.

That would be problematic.

“He’s not.”

“Have I ever given you wrong information? No. I’m sure I’m right this time too.”

“No, he’s not. I’m sure.”

“How can you be so sure? Did you directly ask him or something?”

“Regardless, I confirmed it, that’s all that matters.”

“Are you an idiot?”

“Do you want to die?”

Even as they talked, Eunho’s hands kept moving steadily.

While the cafe latte was being completed, Wooyoung called out a number, and a customer came over to get their coffee.

“Enjoy your drink.”

Seeing Wooyoung give a playful smile toward the customer, Eunho spat out his words somewhat sullenly.

“Hey, don’t throw around those smiles unnecessarily. People will misunderstand.”

“What are you saying?”

“Don’t you know? Using a teasing smile?”

“Why are you suddenly picking on my smile? Did you have a rough time somewhere and now you’re taking it out on me? Wasn’t your deadline done properly?”

“The deadline was perfectly met. Have you seen me sloppily working on my works?”

“Yeah, you’re impressive.”

Eunho seems strange today. He’s arguing with me for no reason, like he’s mad at me for something.

What did I do wrong? I can’t really recall making any mistakes towards him.

“Why didn’t you contact me after the blind date?”

“If I’m busy, I might not be able to. Why are you picking on that?”

“We were supposed to have drinks.”

“Yeah, but you said we’ll have drinks when you’re free, so I just agreed. We hadn’t set a fixed plan.”

“That’s the thing.”

“No, a promise involves setting a specific time and place, but you were vague about it. So why are you picking on me?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Eunho’s tone and expression were bristling with thorns, like someone genuinely angry. In situations like this, avoiding was probably the best option.

An awkward atmosphere settled in. Wooyoung moved to the cash register and waited for a customer to come in. The store was quiet today.

About 5 minutes later, Eunho initiated a conversation.

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure.”

A mug was placed in front of her. Seeing the steam rise from the hot mug, Wooyoung turned her head to the side.

“Is something bothering you?”

“I’m just not in a great mood.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know how you’re feeling?”

Since she left to meet that blind date, his mood had been fluctuating. The fact that the other party was Geo Home Shopping’s CEO, Jang Tae Jin, made him more anxious.

Jang Tae Jin was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he excelled in his abilities and became the CEO of a major corporation at a young age.

He’s a man of character and stature, and he was afraid that Wooyoung would be swayed by him.

So he passed on unclear rumors to Wooyoung as if they were facts. By instilling preconceptions, he hoped to block her interest in Jang Tae Jin from the start.

However, he still felt anxious beyond reason.

“Hey, Wooyoung.”

“Yeah?”

“How was Jang Tae Jin?”

In that moment, Eunho saw it—the faint blush on Wooyoung’s face.

Could it be that Jang Tae Jin’s charming demeanor had captivated her now?

“You didn’t have a crush on him, did you?”

“Oh, no, but this coffee is so good. How about you become a barista instead of a webtoon artist?”

Her words seemed evasive, suspiciously avoiding the topic.

There’s no way something has actually developed between them, right?

“Let’s have drinks tonight.”

“Sorry. I don’t think I can drink tonight.”

“Why?”

“I’m not feeling too well.”

“How about going for a drive then? I just got a new car.”

“Next time.”

“You’re rejecting me again?”

“No, it’s just that I really need to get to bed early tonight.”

She had spent the night out yesterday. But she didn’t call her dad.

Could Jang Tae Jin have contacted her dad? I need to know.

“There’s something I want to talk about, that’s why.”

“Can we do it tomorrow?”

Just then, a group of customers walked in. Wooyoung took their orders and helped Eunho make coffee. The time passed quickly.

While absentmindedly munching on the lunchbox that Sungkyung had prepared, Wooyoung noticed her return. Seated on a low stool in a corner of the kitchen where customers couldn’t see, Wooyoung waved her hand as she saw Sungkyung entering.

“You’re back?”

“Just eat comfortably. I’ll bring a chair from the storage room.”

“But we might have customers.”

“That’s why I put up the ‘Closed’ sign.”

Eunho stood up from his seat, nodding

“Wooyoung, the owner is back, so let’s eat comfortably.”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

As Sungkyung brought a chair from the storage room and sat down at the table with them, she asked.

“So, how does it taste?”

“It’s delicious.”

Sungkyung looked at Eunho after Wooyoung’s response.

“What about you?”

“It’s alright.”

“If it’s delicious, why not express that? Someone put effort into making it.”

“I’ll say it’s delicious if it really is. What am I supposed to do if it doesn’t suit my taste?”

“You don’t know how to use empty words, do you? That’s why you haven’t had a girlfriend yet… Hey, want to go on a blind date?”

Eunho’s refined eyebrows instantly furrowed.

“My cousin saw the photo we three took and showed interest in you. Would you like to meet her?”

“No, thank you.”

“Don’t just flat out say no, think about it. It’s not just because she’s my cousin, but she’s really pretty. She’s tall and slender, plus she’s a veterinarian. Isn’t that appealing? Wooyoung, you’ve seen her, right?”

“Huh? I think I have.”

“Remember when we went to the department store to watch a movie and bumped into her?”

“Oh, right! I remember now. Eunho, give the blind date a try. I think you’d be a good match.”

“Are you serious?”

“Well, yes.”

It seems like Wooyoung really doesn’t see me as a man

I’ve been holding back from confessing because I was afraid it would ruin our friendship, but now it feels like the time has come to make a decision.

Watching Wooyoung go to see the blind date, my mind suddenly cleared. If I wait any longer, I might miss my chance with her.

“Sungkyung, there’s someone I like.”

“What? You like someone? Wooyoung, did you know about this?”

“No. Eunho, do you have a girlfriend? Since when?”

With a puzzled expression like Wooyoung, Sungkyung’s also looked at him with surprise. Alternating between them, Eunho’s gaze finally settled on Wooyoung’s face.

“I’m going to confess.”

To you.

Wooyoung, completely unaware of Eunho’s eye signals, turned her dazed eyes toward Sungkyung.

“Hey, did you hear? He’s going to confess. Our Eunho finally has a girlfriend!”

“Eunho, I’ll pray for your love to come true, as your big sister.”

Sungkyung clenched her fists and cheered with excitement, not realizing that the person Eunho intended to confess to was right in front of her.

Eunho’s heart began to race anxiously.