Chapter 28

When Haji came out into the living room after changing clothes, Seojin was sitting on the sofa.

“Let’s eat here. It’s time for your drama, right?”

He remembered her mentioning a new drama during one of their recent calls. Haji nodded at Seojin’s words.

Haji sat down cautiously, keeping some distance from Seojin, and stole a glance at him.

“Why are you sneaking peeks at me?”

“What? No, I wasn’t sneaking peeks.”

“You can just look.”

“Oh…”

Right…

As Seojin’s lips curved slightly, Haji felt embarrassed. She turned her head and reached for the Shine Muscat on the table, trying to hide her feelings.

Thanks to Seojin, who had washed each bunch, the Shine Muscat grapes, still wet, slipped between her fingers. She grabbed a handful and started popping them into her mouth one by one.

Seojin crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa, watching her with a satisfied look.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Her lips, chewing, glistened with moisture. The round shape of the Shine Muscat was visible on her cheek. She stuffed her cheeks like a squirrel, chewing happily. Naturally, her hand reached for more.

“What?”

“My hand just goes to it.”

Seojin poked her cheek, as if it was the most natural thing, causing Haji to pout.

Am I a shrimp cracker or something?

“Haji.”

Mumbling to herself, Haji turned at his call.

“Tomorrow is the weekend.”

So what?

She waited for Seojin to continue, but he just stared at her face and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

“Shall we go out together?”

“Tomorrow?”

Her voice trembled slightly at the touch on her cheek.

Seojin nodded with a loose smile, as if he knew her heart was racing.

“Hmm…”

Pretending to think, she squeezed the juice from the grapes in her mouth. The answer was already decided, but she wanted to act like she was considering it.

“Tomorrow is a holiday, right?”

“Yes, that’s true. Hmm.”

“Then let’s go out together.”

As she cleared her throat, Seojin patted her back. His touch felt like he was urging her to answer quickly. His coaxing words had already swayed her heart.

“What do you want to do?”

“Shall we watch a movie? That’s what people usually do.”

“Usually?”

“Isn’t that what people do on dates? Do you want to do something else?”

Haji blinked at Seojin’s words. She hadn’t considered going out with him on the weekend as a date.

“Why? What did you think it meant to go out on the weekend?”

“Just…”

Haji was at a loss for words. It was sudden and confusing, making it hard to think of anything else.

“It’s a date. Tomorrow.”

“With me, Sunbae?”

“Who else would it be with?”

“It’s not that, but…….”

As if expecting her reaction, Seojin chuckled softly. He picked up a Shine Muscat and popped it into her half-open mouth.

“There are plenty in the fridge. They’re all yours.”

So chew them all up.

Even though he was just telling her to eat, she didn’t know why her face was heating up. Maybe it was because his fingers brushed her lips or because his gaze was fixed on her lips.

Her flushed cheeks moved up and down as she chewed. Watching this, Seojin poked her cheek with his finger.

“Don’t do that.”

“Why.”

It wasn’t a question, just a statement. He wasn’t curious about the reason.

Haji squinted at Seojin. His mouth relaxed even more.

“Sunbae.”

“I know.”

Seojin’s brows furrowed. A phone was ringing from his room.

Haji quickly stood up, holding the plate.

“You seem busy. I’ll go eat in my room. Take care of your work.”

She walked quickly to her room, looking like she was fleeing.

Ha, Seojin let out a sigh mixed with a laugh.

“She keeps trying to run away.”

I was too hasty.

Even though he knew Haji’s nature, he couldn’t help kissing her impulsively.

***

The next morning. Waking up earlier than usual, Haji looked in the mirror and despaired.

“This is…”

What do I do?

Her reflection in the mirror was not fit to go out. Her normally fair cheeks were covered in blotchy red spots.

“Why did this happen?”

She was bewildered and puzzled by her suddenly changed face.

Of all days…

“Why today?”

On the day she might go on her first date ever.

“Could it be?”

Haji’s head turned to the bedside table. There were remnants of a mask pack she had used the previous night.

Seonghee had given it to her, saying models used it. She had used it for the first time last night.

“Did it not suit me?”

Haji grabbed her phone and dialed Seonghee’s number.

– Haji!

“Seonghee…”

– What’s wrong?

“That mask pack you gave me.”

When Haji explained that her face had become red and blotchy after using the pack, Seonghee became more worried.

– Really? Are you okay? No one around me had that reaction. Shouldn’t you see a doctor?

“It doesn’t hurt, but is there a way to calm it down?”

That was her immediate concern. Whether the red spots would subside today.

– I don’t know about that…

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll see a doctor if it doesn’t get better.”

Haji managed to stop Seonghee from coming over and hung up, staring blankly at the mirror.

“What do I do…?”

Knock, knock, Haji’s door was tapped.

“Are you up?”

“Ah, no!”

“What?”

Startled by Seojin’s voice, Haji shouted no, immediately realizing her reaction was strange.

“No, that’s not it, Sunbae…”

“What’s wrong?”

Seojin, sensing something odd in her voice, put his hand on the doorknob.

“No! Don’t come in!”

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, today…”

Should I tell him or not? 

After seeing her reflection in the mirror, Haji opened her mouth.

“I don’t think I can go out today.”

“What?”

Her murmured words didn’t reach Seojin. She didn’t really want to say it either.

“Are you sick? Should I open the door?”

“No, no. It’s not that.”

“Tell me.”

Afraid he might open the door, Haji quickly grabbed the doorknob. His coaxing voice made her feel even sadder.

“I have something on my face. It’s hard to go out.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Seojin’s quick acceptance made her feel even more disappointed. She should’ve felt relieved.

Her tangled emotions made her feel gloomy.

As she heard no further sound, she thought Seojin had left.

“I said I couldn’t go, so why do I feel upset? I’m really strange…….”

But didn’t he leave too quickly? We could’ve talked a bit more, right?

Confused by her own mixed feelings, Haji muttered to herself at the door.

“So why did he leave so quickly…”

Gripping the doorknob, she opened the door, thinking Seojin was gone anyway.

“Yesterday, he was so, hmm? He poked my cheek, and my lips…….”

“’My lips’?”

“What? Why are you still here?”

Seojin, whom she thought had left, was standing at the door like a statue. Startled, Haji stammered and forgot what she was saying.

“What about your lips?”

“Uh?”

“Poking your cheek, and your lips. What next?”

Haji blinked rapidly, wanting to hide. She closed her eyes tightly, wishing she could disappear.

“Ha, really. Ahn Haji.”

Seojin’s laugh escaped. His laughter, which was pleasant to hear, made Haji open her eyes slowly and look at him.

His rare smiling face was more beautiful than she imagined. His sharp eyes softened, and his thick lips curved upward, forming a cave.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll be embarrassed. I can’t close my eyes like you, Ahn Haji.”

What should I do with you?

Leaning down without fully erasing his smile, his face was right in front of hers.

“Hmm, so this is why you can’t go out?”

“Ah!”

Haji quickly covered her face with both hands. It was too late, but she still didn’t want him to see.

“You’re pretty. I don’t see the problem.”

“What do you mean? I have all these weird red spots.”

Anyone could see it. It was obvious from any angle.

“Your original face is still there. You’re originally pretty, so it’s fine.”

His hand touched her head, then pressed down gently, making her frown.

“What are you doing?”

“Let’s do it at home.”

“What?”

Unconsciously covering her mouth, Haji’s eyes widened.

Seojin ruffled her hair with the hand that had been on her head.

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