Chapter 59

The opening ceremony of the youth housing complex, attended by a glamorous lineup of many ministers from the political world, celebrities, and directors of business enterprises, concluded.

“Ki Seojin had a reason for inviting you here.”

Seonghee, eyeing Haji’s face as she stared blankly at the stage, stood up from her seat.

“I’ll go first, have a good talk, and let’s reschedule our date. Be sure to say I’m giving in just for today!”

“……”

“Got it?”

“Huh? Yeah……”

Seonghee, who was looking at Haji’s face filled with thoughts, laughed heartily and walked away.

“What just happened?”

Blinking, Haji looked back at the events that had unfolded in front of her just moments ago.

The scale of the enormous complex, the youth housing complex, was unlike what was generally known.

It wasn’t just a showpiece created for teenagers and young adults; it was directly involved in practical aspects. The process of getting loans so they could live there, and giving them the ability to repay.

It seemed like a hint that no teenager or young adult in this country would be abandoned because they were powerless. No, it created such a reality.

“What on earth……”

Confusion filled Haji’s face. She then looked around to find the man who had given her this strange confusion.

“Where did he go……?”

Seojin, who hadn’t shown his face until just before the end of the ceremony, had gone on stage for the final remarks.

The media was busier than ever because of that.

The youth housing complex in the middle of Seoul had been a big issue from the start. How it would proceed, whether it could actually be carried out, and whether it could be completed.

Everyone was curious about the person who would carry out and complete it.

It was known that a construction company, more like a growing startup rather than a major corporation, was handling it, which raised expectations.

When the complex was completed and the related personnel were confirmed, attention was naturally drawn.

The number of reporters who attended the opening ceremony to see the figure in person was enormous.

When Seojin didn’t show up until the end, reporters roamed around trying to find him, and when he finally appeared, they swarmed like bees to take pictures.

Even if an ordinary person appeared, it would cause a commotion, but Seojin’s appearance was more than enough for them to write articles.

“Is he busy……?”

Haji recalled Seojin’s last appearance, surrounded by reporters as he left the place.

Tap tap, Haji’s flat shoe heels clicked against the floor.

Screech, the chair next to Haji slid back.

“Watch out.”

“Oppa……?”

“Did you wait long?”

Haji shook her head. She hadn’t waited that long.

It was nothing compared to the time he had spent building this complex.

“Since when……”

She didn’t ask the question, “Since when did you plan this?” because she felt she already knew when he started planning.

“Why didn’t you acknowledge me that day?”

“When?”

Seojin loosened his tie as if it was stifling.

“I heard from Seonghee. That you found me the day I left home.”

“Because there was nothing I could do for you that day.”

“Anyone would have been like that then……”

Even she couldn’t do anything for herself back then.

It was when the five million won her aunt had forcibly given her was all she had.

“Yeah, it was like that back then.”

Seojin stroked Haji’s flushed cheek.

“Now it’s different. I can give you everything you want.”

He seemed to say with his eyes that he would do anything for her.

“Is this what you meant by hoping the past wouldn’t trouble me?”

“That’s part of it.”

“If there’s more, I might faint now.”

A faint smile appeared on Haji’s face. She seemed to understand his heart.

She deeply felt what message he wanted to convey to her. Until now, she had carried her powerless self from that day on her back, feeling the pressure that she could become like that again at any moment.

Thinking that being abandoned by the world could happen in an instant.

She pitied her twenty-year-old self, thinking she was the only one who could protect herself.

“Sunbae……”

Ha……

Her voice trembled. His expression, the message he was giving, was overwhelming.

“Why are you doing so much for me……?”

Who am I to deserve this?

“You’re Ahn Haji. The woman I’ve waited for and am waiting for.”

“I’m not someone worth this much.”

“Don’t underestimate your worth. Even this is not enough for me.”

The man’s face, who said it was not enough despite having accomplished such a tremendous feat, seemed genuine.

“You’re crying again.”

He hadn’t meant to make her cry.

Seojin tilted his head. His lips touched her eyes, swallowing the flowing stream.

“I have nothing to give you, Sunbae. Really, nothing.”

Her tearful voice was earnest. Asking if it was okay even with her like this.

Haji’s hand tightly gripped Seojin’s shirt. She didn’t want to let go.

“You don’t have to give me anything.”

“Won’t you be disappointed?”

A laugh escaped from Seojin’s lips, as if he’d heard something absurd.

“As long as you’re by my side. That’s all I want.”

“Tell me now. If there’s anything more.”

“If I tell you, will you do it all?”

Seojin brushed Haji’s soft hair and pulled her into his embrace.

“If it’s something I can do.”

“Stay healthy. For me.”

Her heart swelled at his gentle voice. Haji, with her face against Seojin’s chest, bit her lower lip.

***

The next day, Haji, who went to work early as usual, began preparing to open.

“Boss!”

Sehee, whose voice was strong from the morning, was seen rushing in from the entrance.

“Your boyfriend! He’s an amazing person, isn’t he?”

“Huh?”

“He’s all over the news and articles, causing a big stir!”

Sehee showed the phone screen she was holding. It was a video capturing the image of Seojin she saw yesterday.

“Um……”

Haji squinted her eyes and let out a nasal sound.

“You didn’t know?”

“No, I knew……”

Haji, tilting her head, pouted as if something was unsatisfactory.

“He looks better in person. The screen doesn’t do him justice.”

“Huh……?”

Sehee blinked and then nodded, looking at the screen again.

“Right. The charisma you feel when you see him in person is a bit lacking.”

“Pfft, charisma, huh.”

A small laugh escaped from Haji’s lips. Now, to her, Seojin was just a kind man.

“Anyway! I didn’t know he was such an incredible person.”

“Me neither. I found out yesterday.”

Who would have thought he had such an enormous plan?

A remarkable person who not only planned but also executed it himself. And for the sake of others.

“I thought he was unemployed because he came to our cafe every day and just laze around.”

“He told me being unemployed was nice, but he was working harder than anyone else behind the scenes.”

“You really never know with people!”

Haji nodded. 

You really couldn’t know with people.

Just looking at herself and Seojin was enough proof. That such a man wanted nothing but her health.

“How should I be healthy……?”

“Huh? Health?”

Sehee was bewildered by Haji’s sudden words.

“Aren’t I healthy enough?”

“You were sick until recently, so I don’t think so.”

“True……”

Haji admitted honestly to Sehee’s sharp words. Back then, she really looked like someone who hadn’t eaten properly.

“How about getting a health check-up?”

“A health check-up?”

“I heard from Hyeseong that the pharmaceutical company is doing health check-ups for their employees this time? They said we could do it too.”

“Really?”

As Haji rolled her eyes, something dawned on her. Early in the morning, Hyesoo, Seojin’s mother and the director of the pharmaceutical company, had called her.

“Maybe that’s why.”

“Huh?”

“I have a lunch appointment with the Director today. I’ll ask her.”

She thought it was good timing, but at the same time, anxiety coexisted. She knew the reason for her anxiety but couldn’t think of a solution. She wasn’t sure how to reveal her relationship with Seojin yet.

***

Haji, who arrived at a Korean restaurant not far from the company, mentioned Hyesoo’s name and was guided to a seat.

As she was led to an inner room, Haji exhaled softly, easing her tension.

She couldn’t help but be nervous, as she wasn’t sure whether to reveal her relationship with Seojin yet.

Screech, as the door opened, she saw Hyesoo, who had arrived first.

“Haji, you’re here?”

“Mother, it’s been a while.”

Haji smiled and greeted Hyesoo, who welcomed her warmly. As she took off her shoes and entered the room, she paused, surprised, and blinked.

“Oh……?”

“I invited Seojin too. It’s been a while for you two, right?”

At Hyesoo’s words, Haji’s mind seemed to short-circuit, her mouth opening and closing without words.