Chapter 5

After a noisy night, the sun was high in the sky. The white duvet began to move.

“Umm, I’m thirsty.”

A hoarse voice emerged from under the duvet, and a white hand fumbled around. Thud, a transparent glass was caught in the fumbling hand.

Haji, still half-asleep, sat up and gulped down the water, then naturally returned the glass and lay back down.

Ah, refreshing, I feel alive. Huh?

The feel of the crinkly duvet in her hand was unfamiliar.

Was my duvet always this thick?

Why is the cup… floating?

Her eyes, which had been closed, snapped open.

Whoosh, the duvet fell as she sat up abruptly. She found herself staring into Seojin’s eyes, her mouth gaping.

“Ah, Sun…bae?”

“If you’re awake, come out.”

Seojin, holding the empty glass, looked at Haji with a mix of pity and irritation before leaving the room. It took Haji a moment to grasp the situation as she watched his retreating figure.

“Where am I?”

The room, covered in white, was clearly all new. It definitely wasn’t Seonghee’s house.

“Yesterday…”

What happened…?

Haji racked her brain to recall the previous day’s events.

“I’m crazy.”

I’m crazy.

***

Thud, a bowl of bean sprout soup was placed on the dining table.

“Stop peeking and sit down.”

At Seojin’s blunt words, Haji, who had been peeking out from the slightly open door, opened it wider. She came out sideways, looking as if she might still be drunk.

“Eat.”

“Yes…”

Glancing nervously, she began eating the bean sprout soup, looking like a hamster or rabbit on alert. After a few tentative spoonfuls, she started scooping up the rice more boldly. Her cheeks puffed out with food, making her look even more like a hamster.

“By the way, where are we?”

“My house.”

“Did you move out?”

“Yeah.”

Only when the soup was nearly finished did she seem curious about her surroundings. Maybe she had sobered up.

Looking around quickly, she stared at the unfurnished living room.

“I see.”

She muttered softly to herself, then put down her spoon and pursed her lips. She was in self-reflection mode, curling up even smaller and widening her eyes.

“Sunbae, about yesterday… I’m sorry.”

Seeing her watching him cautiously, Seojin crossed his arms.

How should I use this opportunity?

“It seems you remember some of it.”

“Haha…”

“Do you know I carried you here?”

“Me? All the way here?”

Why…?

My legs are perfectly fine, so why carry me?

She seemed completely clueless. Looking down at her legs and frowning, it was clear what she was thinking.

She might run away, so I should hold her back.

“How many noise complaints do you think were reported to security? I’ve only just moved in.”

“…”

“There’s even a baby next door. I had to bow deeply in apology, and now my back is a bit stiff.”

As Seojin straightened his back, Haji’s head drooped even lower. Seeing her reaction, Seojin decided it was enough.

“… I’m really sorry. It’s been so long since I drank, I couldn’t control myself.”

“It happens. But I bent my back too much yesterday and can’t do my work today. Can you help me?”

“Yes! Of course. I’ll help with anything. Just tell me!”

“Then I’ll count on you.”

Though he called it a request, it was more like the devil’s whisper.

Without knowing what she was agreeing to, Haji clenched her fists, determined to make amends.

***

The car smoothly stopped in front of Haji’s house.

“Wait a moment. I’ll just change my clothes.”

Rushing inside, Haji rummaged for clothes and was startled by her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, and her smeared lipstick made her look unrecognizable.

“He saw this…”

He saw me like this?

Shaking her head in disbelief, Haji went to the bathroom. Changing clothes wouldn’t help much in this state.

“I need to wash up.”

I can’t go look at furniture like this.

Seojin’s request was to help him choose furniture for his house. Having moved in recently, he planned to pick out furniture and assemble smaller pieces today.

She had agreed readily out of guilt…

Had she known her appearance was like this, she might have reconsidered. 

What had I been thinking?

Drying her hair, Haji felt relieved to look somewhat human again. Considering Seojin always drew attention wherever he went, she felt she needed to at least look presentable next to him.

Applying foundation and coral lipstick brought some color back to her face.

“This should be fine.”

At least I look human.

Encouraging herself, she chose comfortable clothes suitable for furniture shopping and assembly.

***

As she left the house, she saw Seojin still holding the steering wheel as he had been.

“Was I a bit late? I took some time to wash up.”

“There’s not much difference.”

“No difference?”

I’ve changed so much!

She was flabbergasted. Her appearance was drastically different from when she went in and came out, yet he didn’t seem to notice.

“Are you teasing me?”

“Why would I?”

Starting the engine, Seojin glanced at her again. He still seemed oblivious.

“How do you usually see me?”

“A herbivore?”

“Huh? What does that even mean…?”

What is he saying?

Haji’s expression turned from surprise to near shock.

Does he think so highly of himself that he sees others as animals?

Tap, tap, Seojin’s fingers drummed on the steering wheel. The sweet scent wafting in as Haji got into the car was somewhat dangerous.

Even the scent suits her.

***

The furniture store was bustling on a busy weekend, feeling different from usual. Normally, employees would be busy with their tasks, but today their eyes were all on one spot.

“Is that guy a model?”

“Didn’t we see him in a magazine before?”

A staff member, arranging bedding, glanced at the sofa section. The man with long legs and a tall frame looked like a model.

“Wouldn’t this sofa be nice? It’s soft and matches the living room decor.”

“Then let’s go with this.”

“Wait, maybe this one is better.”

“Then that one.”

“Hmm, hold on. Which one is better?”

The scene of a woman unable to choose between two sofas and a man watching her was intriguing. Despite his cold appearance, he agreed to whatever the woman suggested.

It seemed he was fine with anything she said.

“Excuse me, the product on the right is a new arrival from Italy, available in limited quantities. It’s of excellent quality and hard to find elsewhere.”

“Really?”

A staff member, observing the two, approached Haji and began explaining. From what he had seen, the woman clearly held the decision-making power. The staff member put all his effort into his explanation.

“Then we’ll take this one.”

“Do you need anything else?”

“A study desk, a bookshelf, and…”

The staff member cheered inwardly. If he could assist this handsome couple well, his day’s work would be done. The man seemed ready to buy anything she wanted.

“Sunbae, how about this?”

“Good. Let’s go with that.”

“Isn’t this one better?”

“True.”

This pattern repeated with every piece of furniture.

“Please write down the address. Everything will be delivered by next week. The delivery team will call before they arrive.”

Without the woman, the man didn’t say a word. His indifferent expression showed he wasn’t interested.

“Oh, let me carry that for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I can carry it.”

The man signing the documents quickly turned his head at the sound of a voice from behind. He saw a woman holding a small piece of flat-pack furniture. The man in front of him immediately headed toward her, taking the box from her hands and walking ahead as if it was nothing.

“Your boyfriend is very considerate. You’re lucky.”

“Boyfriend?”

Haji was startled by the employee’s comment, who had come over carrying a small gift box. She glanced nervously at Seojin, who was waiting for her, wondering if he had heard.

“He doesn’t even let you carry heavy things? He must treat you like a princess. I’m envious.”

“Haha… It’s not like that.”

“Pardon?”

Haji gave an awkward laugh and whispered softly as if sharing a secret, taking the box from the employee.

“He’s not my boyfriend. Thank you.”

The woman quickly thanked the employee and hurried away as if she was being chased.

“Then were they a married couple?”