NOVPUB“Hmm! That doesn’t seem right. How about Martin Yorte? Yeah, you should be more aggressive like you were at the press conference in New York. You’re good at that.”
“I want to, but it’s not easy. I freeze up whenever I stand in front of her.”
“More than when you faced countless audiences, or when you filmed commercials?”
“Yes.”
Lee Jang-woo nodded with a blush on his face.
He was the most fearsome champion on the ring, but he shrunk like a coward in front of the girl he liked.
It was a very unfitting sight, but Yoo-hyun didn’t mock him.
Instead, he encouraged him.
“Don’t worry and trust yourself. You’re a great guy.”
“I feel more confident when you say that, senior.”
“Kid. What did I do?”
Yoo-hyun smiled as he looked at his amazing junior.
Then, a broadcast came out of the speaker.
-Flight KE902 from France has just arrived at Incheon Airport.
Lee Jang-woo, who was packing his luggage, said.
“Senior, I’ll get up first since the plane has arrived.”
“Oh? Are we on the same flight?”
“Really? That’s amazing.”
“Yeah. Da-hye will be happy to see you.”
“I want to greet her too.”
Yoo-hyun moved to the immigration hall with Lee Jang-woo.
It didn’t take long to find their luggage and pass through the gate.
Soon, the glass door opened and people poured out.
Buzzing.
Amidst the joyful reunions everywhere, Lee Jang-woo took out a flower.
He didn’t notice it when it was in the paper bag, but the bouquet was bigger and more colorful than he thought.
Tap tap.
Yoo-hyun tapped his junior’s shoulder.
“Jang-woo, be confident.”
“Yes. I will.”
Lee Jang-woo nodded as if he would follow anything Yoo-hyun said.
‘I hope it goes well.’
Yoo-hyun had a sincere wish to help his junior.
He was looking at Lee Jang-woo, who was wearing sunglasses and a mask, when he heard a familiar voice from the crowd.
“Yoo-hyun.”
“Da-hye!”
Yoo-hyun waved his hand vigorously at Jeong Da-hye, who was wearing jeans and a jumper.
She looked prettier than ever, maybe because he hadn’t seen her for a month.
More importantly, he was glad she was healthy.
A few steps behind Jeong Da-hye, Han Jae-hee was dragging his carry-on with a tired look.
Rumble.
As soon as Yoo-hyun raised his hand, he heard a voice from the side.
“Jae-hee…”
“Jae-hee!”
“…”
Yoo-hyun blinked his eyes in surprise.
Han Jae-hee, who was walking with Jeong Da-hye, called Yoo-hyun.
“Brother!”
“…”
This time, Lee Jang-woo looked at Yoo-hyun with a start.
Yoo-hyun swallowed his saliva as he met his eyes.
Han Jae-hee, who came closer, recognized Lee Jang-woo, who took off his sunglasses.
“Huh? Why are you here, Jang-woo?”
“Jae-hee, how do you know Jang-woo?”
Jeong Da-hye seemed to realize the situation belatedly and looked flustered.
“…”
There was silence between the four.
It was such a shocking situation that Yoo-hyun’s brain froze.
What should he do?
Before he could come up with an answer, Lee Jang-woo took off his mask and offered the flower with determination.
‘Jang-woo, no.’
Yoo-hyun tried to stop him, but he spoke loudly.
“Jae-hee, welcome back safely!”
“…”
Oh no.
It was good to be proactive, but it was not the right atmosphere to give flowers.
Before he could fix the situation, he heard a commotion.
“Oh my! Isn’t that Lee Jang-woo, the boxer?”
“I think so. Is he confessing?”
“Wow. Lucky girl. I wonder who she is.”
He had a feeling that things would get out of hand if he stayed like this.
Snap.
“Jang-woo, let’s get out of here.”
Yoo-hyun took off his jumper and covered Lee Jang-woo, then dragged him out.
Vroom.
‘Lee Jang-woo’s girlfriend was Han Jae-hee…’
He couldn’t believe what had happened.
Shake shake.
He shook his head and glanced at the side mirror.
Lee Jang-woo’s car, with Han Jae-hee inside, was following him.
-You must be tired, but since we haven’t seen each other for a long time, how about a drink? I think we have a lot to talk about.
At Yoo-hyun’s suggestion, the four decided to meet again and have a heart-to-heart conversation.
Since Lee Jang-woo was a celebrity, they chose Yoo-hyun’s studio as their destination.
Jeong Da-hye and Han Jae-hee’s houses were nearby, so it was perfect to drop off their luggage and gather.
Yoo-hyun asked Jeong Da-hye, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
“Da-hye, you didn’t know either?”
“No, not at all. I knew Jae-hee was having trouble with a guy, but I didn’t hear who he was.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“She told me once when we were drinking together. She said she wasn’t sure if it was right to date in such a busy time.”
It was just work for her.
It was nothing compared to the schedule of a champion who traveled around the world.
Yoo-hyun snorted.
“Why would she worry about that? She’s lucky to have Jang-woo.”
“I don’t know anything about relationships. And Jae-hee has her own feelings too.”
“I know. But you shouldn’t tease the innocent guy’s heart for no reason.”
“Tease him?”
“Look at him. He got in your car right away.”
Jae-hee comforted the clueless Jang-woo, who was grateful for her help.
This small gesture made Jang-woo misunderstand her more.
“Jang-woo came to pick you up. You must have some feelings for him too.”
“No, it’s not like that. He’s just curious about me.”
“Jae-hee is not the type to judge people. She’s easygoing and generous, and has a kind heart.”
It must have been a sincere compliment, but Yoo-hyun sighed involuntarily when he heard Jang-woo’s situation.
“Sigh…”
“Jang-woo is a very nice person, but Jae-hee is not bad either.”
“Honestly… No. It’s already done. What’s the point of saying it now?”
Age was not important, but Jae-hee was three years older than him.
Yoo-hyun spoke resignedly, and Jeong Da-hye asked him a favor.
“Yoo-hyun, just in case, don’t compare or criticize her in front of Jae-hee.”
“I got it. I’m her brother, after all. I won’t do that.”
Yoo-hyun nodded and muttered to himself, looking straight ahead.
“What does that guy see in her?”
“Yoo-hyun!”
“I got it, I got it. It’s just a remark.”
Bang.
The car slid along the highway.
Soon, people gathered at Yoo-hyun’s house.
They faced each other with a table of drinks in between, feeling a bit regretful.
‘I was looking forward to a cozy date…’
But the plan was already messed up.
Yoo-hyun poured a drink for Jang-woo, who had a grim expression.
Chirp.
“Thank you.”
He didn’t know what they talked about, but they didn’t seem to have a bad vibe.
“Jae-hee, you have some too.”
“I’m good. I prefer self-service.”
“I just want to serve you.”
“Fine. Then give me one.”
Usually, she wouldn’t listen to her brother and open a new bottle to drink by herself, but she timidly held out her glass.
She looked so coy that he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Good girl. Thank you.”
Chuckle.
Jeong Da-hye poked Yoo-hyun’s side and smiled.
“I’m so glad we’re all together. Let’s have a good time. Cheers.”
Clang.
Thanks to Jeong Da-hye’s words, the awkward atmosphere eased up.
One glass, two glasses.
As the bottles emptied, the conversation flowed.
There was nothing like alcohol to break the ice.
When the mood was ripe, Jae-hee mentioned how she met Jang-woo.
“I met Jang-woo for the first time when you and sister went on a trip to Europe.”
“How did that happen? You had no connection.”
“I was so bored then. And frustrated too.”
As soon as she heard Jae-hee’s words, Yoo-hyun remembered what Nado told him.
-When you went to Europe with Da-hye last time, Jae-hee came to the gym. She said she was bored and wanted to work out with me, but I was too busy.
Yoo-hyun asked right away.
“Oh, you went to the gym?”
“How did you know?”
“Anyway. Go on.”
“I drove to the gym, but there was no parking space. So I tried to park in the public parking lot, but…”
It was ridiculous how they met.
She went to work out and hit his car, and that was how they became acquainted.
Yoo-hyun snorted and said to Jang-woo.
“I told you to go away, you busy person. Why did you fall for her? You should have been angry.”
“Jae-hee is so beautiful.”
“…”
Yoo-hyun was speechless at the sight of Jang-woo’s love-struck eyes.
Jae-hee emptied her glass and flared up.
“Brother, what’s that? Why are you making that face?”
“It’s a plausible reason.”
“It’s not wrong. Jang-woo has good eyes. How’s your eyesight, Jang-woo?”
“2.0.”
“See? He didn’t recognize me at a glance for nothing.”
“…”
Jae-hee, who said that, seemed embarrassed and cooled her flushed face with her palm.
“Ah, it’s hot.”
She moved some snacks to Jang-woo’s plate.
Jae-hee rarely took care of anyone while drinking.
She must have had feelings for him.
What should he do?
‘Jang-woo seems to be holding back because of me.’
Jae-hee was also aware of the situation, so Yoo-hyun asked her.
“Jae-hee, how about you?”
“What?”
“Jang-woo. Do you like him as a man?”
“He’s a good person. And handsome too.”
Jae-hee glanced at Jang-woo and fiddled with her glass.
Jang-woo, who made up his mind, grabbed Jae-hee’s hand.
“Huh?”
Jae-hee’s eyes widened, and he knelt down.
Thud.
Then he bowed his head in front of Yoo-hyun out of the blue.
“Senior, I really want to date her. Please allow me.”
“Why do you need my permission? Jae-hee’s feelings are what matters.”
“Exactly. Why are you asking my brother?”
“…”
Jang-woo looked embarrassed and took out a bouquet of flowers from a paper bag.
Swoosh.
“Jae-hee, please accept my heart.”
“You’re showing it.”
“What are you looking at? How long are you going to just look?”
She was obviously showing her feelings, but she still played hard to get.
Yoo-hyun was exasperated, and Jae-hee pretended to give in.
“Fine, fine. Okay. Today is day one.”
“Yes! Jae-hee, thank you!”
Jang-woo was so happy that Yoo-hyun asked him.
“Jang-woo, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes! Please trust me! I’ll make Jae-hee worry-free.”
Jang-woo said with a determined voice, but Yoo-hyun’s mind was elsewhere.
“No, I mean, are you really okay with Jae-hee?”
“Yes. I really like her so much.”
“That’s not what I mean, man. Do you know what kind of choice you’re making… Ha. Never mind, forget it.”
Shake.
Yoo-hyun shook his head, and Jeong Da-hye gave him a look.
“Yoo-hyun, come on.”
“Sigh…”
He shouldn’t do this, but he kept sighing.
He knew his sister’s true nature better than anyone.
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the innocent and kind Jang-woo.
