2.2

“What are you two doing there?”

Joo-eun rushed over and stood in front of them.

“Why? Afraid I’ll try to seduce Oppa?” 

Chaeyoon teased Joo-eun as she linked her arm with Seokhyun’s.

“Back off. You, stay away from Seokhyun-oppa.”

After pulling Chaeyoon away, Joo-eun linked her arm with Seokhyun’s.

“Oppa, what should I do? Your girlfriend is so clingy.”

“She’s cute, isn’t she?”

Seokhyun laughed softly and gently caressed Joo-eun’s cheek, making her beam with a bright smile as if she had never been annoyed.

“Ugh, so cheesy.”

Chaeyoon laughed and lightly jogged ahead of them.

Realistically, it was worrying to see the two of them dating. However, it was undeniable that they looked beautiful and lovely together.

Even without romance, their youthful sensitivity in their mid-twenties was very much alive.

“Sigh.” 

That’s why another sigh escaped her. 

“What’s with that sigh?”

Seonho asks, coming closer to Chaeyoon.

“Just that love is so beautiful, and yet it hurts so much.”

Chaeyoon said, glancing at Joo-eun and Seokhyun, who were sweetly walking behind.

“It’s none of your business, why care so much?”

Seonho’s tone was quite indifferent.

“Because she’s my friend. That’s why…”

Chaeyoon looked up at Seonho silently.

“What is it? Just say it.”

“You’ll keep their dating a secret, right?”

Chaeyoon looked at Seonho seriously.

“I’m observant enough to know that.”

At that, Chaeyoon felt relieved.

“Thanks.”

“Why should you be thankful for that? If it were them, maybe…”

“I told you. Because Joo-eun is my friend.”

“Don’t waste too much energy on other people’s business. You’ll just tire yourself out.”

“I’m trying. I can’t say I’m usually very sentimental, but once I care about someone, I can’t help where my heart goes. Ah, I should have never gotten attached in the first place, but I didn’t know that when I was ten.”

“So you’re the type to get swayed once you give your affection?” 

“I’m not sure myself. What’s clear is that I have a soft spot for Joo-eun. I can understand why someone smart like Seokhyun-oppa likes her even though he knows he shouldn’t. Joo-eun is just lovable.”

Seonho’s gaze deepened as he watched Chaeyoon sigh.

“How can she appear lovable to you?”

“That’s just how it is. She’s lovable because she’s lovable.”

“I don’t see Joo-eun as lovable. Isn’t she a bit naive?”

“Naive, Joo-eun? In what way? She might not be great at academics, but she’s pretty smart in her own way.”

Chaeyoon responded, her face a mixture of surprise and defense.

“Yeah. She’s pretty cunning when she needs something. That’s different from being smart.”

Suddenly, Chaeyoon remembered what Joo-eun had said when she was adamant that Seonho wasn’t her type.

“That’s the tragedy of it. There would be absolutely no problem if the two of them loved each other and got married. Why does life have to be so complicated?”

“The Goddess of Fate knows that life needs conflict to be interesting.”

Seonho chuckled lightly.

“Don’t talk about it so lightly as if it’s someone else’s issue. You never know what could happen in your own life.”

“Why worry about tomorrow today? It’s bothersome. We can think about that when the time comes.”

“True. I agree with that.”

“It’s hot. Let’s leave those two to their own movie-like world and head inside. We can have a cool drink and then dinner.”

“Pfft, a movie.”

True to Seonho’s words, the beautiful couple was sweetly walking around the villa.

Following Seonho inside, Chaeyoon was once again amazed. As soon as they entered through the front door, the beautiful sight of a peony garden and the surrounding mountains unfolded through a large glass window, like a picturesque scene.

“The view is like a painting.”

The window looked like a frame, as if it were meant to display the scene, with a long leather sofa placed in front of it for viewing.

“I think this is the best view in the villa.”

“Is it a duplex?”

Chaeyoon said, looking at the railing of the second floor.

“Yes. There’s a bedroom and a bathroom upstairs. Downstairs, we have the living room, kitchen, and another bathroom. You and Joo-eun can sleep upstairs. Seokhyun-hyung and I will stay on the ground floor.”

“Are you guys going to sleep in the living room? Won’t that be uncomfortable?”

“There are folding beds, but I’m going to see how things go.”

“I’m sorry, but I feel like I’m kicking you out, the owner.”

Chaeyoon scratched her cheek.

“As the star of the farewell party, you’re the owner of the villa today. Feel comfortable.”

Seonho said, handing her the iced tea that was already on the table. Chaeyoon sat down on the sofa, quenched her thirst with the iced tea, and looked around the interior.

“It’s very neat and tidy. Is the second floor the same?”

The overall interior, decorated with gray tones and blue accents, felt modern and emitted a bright vibe.

“Want to take a look?”

“Let’s wait for Joo-eun. But why aren’t those two coming in? They’re really taking their time with their movie.”

It didn’t take long for the awkwardness to set in. The room was properly air-conditioned, but somehow it felt hot.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Huh?”

“It seems like you’re uncomfortable being alone with me.”

It was a challenging question to answer. She was uncomfortable, but it felt wrong to bluntly say so.

But there’s a great evasion tactic for such moments. Ask the same question back.

“Are you uncomfortable being alone with me?”

“Not really. Should I be?”

Chaeyoon felt a little defeated by his relaxed demeanor.

“Of course not. I’m not uncomfortable either.”

Despite feeling uncomfortable, Chaeyoon resolved not to show it and mustered a practiced smile. Thankfully, just then, Joo-eun and Seokhyun entered, and she breathed a sigh of relief internally.

“Did you decide not to add a swimming pool?”

Joo-eun asked as she sat down on the sofa.

“I’m still considering the location. It probably should be near the living room terrace, right?”

“What? Then what about the garden in front?”

Chaeyoon asked in surprise and pointed to the garden where the peonies were in full bloom.

“The garden? We might have to clear it.”

“That’s ridiculous. How can you think of bulldozing such a beautiful, eco-friendly garden to build a man-made swimming pool? How often would you even use an outdoor pool?”

“To me, a garden and a swimming pool aren’t much different. I only come here a few times a year, so it doesn’t matter whether there are flowers or a pool in front.”

“No, no, no, you should leave the garden as it is.”

Chaeyoon realized she was more agitated than usual as everyone’s eyes turned to her. She grabbed her iced tea to calm her excessive excitement.

“Haha, you must have really liked the garden. I’ve never seen you so excited before.”

“Sorry, I got a bit carried away. After all, it’s up to the owner to make changes to their villa.”

Chaeyoon said, returning to her calm demeanor.

“No, I appreciate your opinion. It’s good to hear.”

“What about the outdoor Hinoki bath? Is that still there?”

(A Hinoki bath is a good wooden tub in Japan made from Hinoki wood.)

“Yes, removing it is too much hassle.”

“Good, you can do without the pool, but not that.”

“Why?”

“How could a lovers’ villa be complete without a hinoki bath? Pools are for summer, but a Hinoki bath is for all seasons. The real charm of a Hinoki bath is in winter.”

“An outdoor bath in the freezing winter?”

Seonho shivered at the thought.

“Sitting in a Hinoki bath on a snowy day, watching the snow with your lover – how romantic is that?”

“It mostly rains in the winter here anyway. I’ll lend it to you.”

“No need. For my next birthday, I should ask for a villa too. I’ll have a hinoki bath and make a garden that our Chaeyoon likes. What flowers should I plant? Maybe peonies? Oh right, you like hydrangeas too, right? Should I plant those? No, I’ll plant both. Then Chaeyoon will like it twice as much.”

It was indeed a thought process befitting someone from a wealthy family.

“Do whatever. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come to Korea and see the flowers in your villa.”

Chaeyoon responded somewhat dispassionately.

“Is that so? Then Chaeyoon, let’s have dinner and then a wine party in the Hinoki bath.”

“What?”

After all that talk about enjoying the hinoki bath in a decadently romantic way with a lover, now she’s suggesting we go in?

“Did you bring a swimsuit?”

“Oh, did I pack one? I don’t think I did.”

Chaeyoon pretended to ponder, although she had brought a swimsuit, shaking her head as if unsure.

The thought of sitting in the Hinoki bath with Seonho in swimwear was either horrifying or thrilling, she’s not sure.

“Hey, I told you to bring it. If I knew this would happen, I would have brought another swimsuit.”

Joo-eun looked disappointed.

“Would your swimsuit even fit me? We’re different sizes.”

“Do you want me to go out and get one?”

Seokhyun suggested, which made Chaeyoon frown.

Really, how clueless can you be?

“Why go to all that trouble?”

“But it’s a shame, isn’t it?”

Joo-eun quickly looked downcast like a wilted flower.

“Then just dip your feet in.”

Seokhyun offered an alternative.

It’s all well and good to use your smart brain to please your lover, but please leave me out of it.

Chaeyoon felt like she was about to break out in a cold sweat.

Why isn’t Seonho stopping Joo-eun?

“Let’s pass on it for today, okay? We can experience the Hinoki bath when you build your own villa later.”

Chaeyoon tried to persuade Joo-eun gently.

“You said you won’t have time to visit my villa.”

“No, I’ll definitely come to your villa to hang out, no matter what.”

Chaeyoon was desperate to convince her.

“You promised, hehe.”

Joo-eun perked up again, giggling.

At times like this, Joo-eun’s simplicity was truly endearing. Of course, simplicity doesn’t mean she would forget, so Chaeyoon would really have to visit Joo-eun’s villa later. 

Anyway, as long as it’s not today.