Episode 14

〈Your house doesn't have anything like this, does it?〉

In fact, the relationship between Woon and So-jin extended to their elementary school days. The real conflict between them began the day Woon brought a toy to school and boasted about it in front of So-jin. Of course, So-jin ignored him at that time.

〈Whaaang!〉

Just that once.

So-jin, who landed a precise punch on Woon's nose, watched as he helplessly burst into tears. This incident escalated to the point where their parents had to get involved. Fortunately, it didn’t become too serious, and that was how their fight ended. But since that day, the two would continuously bicker at every encounter.

Fortunately or unfortunately, they never attended the same middle or high school. However, that didn’t mean they were permanently separated. They ended up attending the same university and even joined the same clubs, an incredible coincidence.

"Thank you all for coming!"

"Okay everyone, get home safe!"

It was the moment when everyone parted ways cheerfully after a successful gathering. Hye-young, who stood beside So-jin, glanced between her friend and Woon before speaking.

"Hey, I have to leave first. There's something I gotta hurry and finish."

"What? Aren't we taking a taxi together?"

"It's nearby. Anyway, see you!"

"Hey, hey!"

With Hye-young gone, only So-jin and Woo were left. So-jin's fists trembled as she noticed the smirk on Hye-young's face.

She did this on purpose to leave us alone...

"Want a ride?"

As So-jin turned her head, Woon was staring at her.

"I can allow you to experience the divine comfort of the new car I just bought. It's something you'll never be able to ride in your life, so take this chance while it's still there."

"Oh really? Then can you wait a moment? I'll get some snacks so I eat in your car and make a mess."

"Are you crazy? How dare you even think of doing that to my baby!"

"Why not? I want to experience eating snacks in a car I'll never be able to ride again."

Although Woon's new vehicle was waiting in front, the two stood there arguing fiercely. The driver blinked in surprise, bewildered to witness Woon arguing so heatedly.

"Just go inside already. Unlike you, who can barely walk, commoners like me are fine with just our two legs."

"Who said I can't walk? Can't you see my perfectly sculpted legs?"

"Oh my, suddenly it feels like winter. Why do I only see two thin branches?"

"What, what!?"

As So-jin began walking away, Woon angrily followed behind. The driver, bewildered, called out to Woon.

"Won't you be getting in, young Master?"

"You go first! I'll walk!"

"...You're going to walk a distance of thirty minutes by car?"

Whether Woon heard the driver’s words, he was already busy following So-jin. She rebuked him.

"Why are you following me? Your home is in the opposite direction!"

"I'm staying at a hotel now. Ah, it's one of the top hotels in Korea, so you probably don’t know its location since you've never been there. The price for a night is..."

"If you walk with those thin legs of yours, you'll end up sleeping on the streets instead of the hotel tonight."

"Want to see? If they're thin or not?"

By now the two were practically running. People hurried to clear their way as they sped along.

Soon, both Woon and So-jin were out of breath, panting heavily.

...What am I doing?

So-jin thought she had matured now that she had graduated and was working, but seeing Woon made everything pointless. Woon also appeared to be thinking the same as he caught his breath.

"...Alright. Your legs aren't thin... Just go back."

"It's too late. I already sent the car away."

"Then just call the driver back."

"How could I do that after saying I'd walk?"

"Then call a taxi."

Woon hesitated for a moment.

"...I can't call a taxi."

"Why not?"

"I left my wallet and phone in the car."

"You idiot..."

Barely suppressing a curse, So-jin rubbed her forehead. Eventually, giving up on further conversation, So-jin started walking away.

"Hey, hey. Where are you going?"

Woon, anxious, followed So-jin.

"I'll lend you bus fare, so take the bus. I'm taking the bus anyway."

"What? That cramped bus where everyone is packed together?"

"Or sleep on the streets."

Woon fell silent. Seeing his disgruntled face, So-jin sighed softly.

As if she didn't have enough headaches already. Why did he have to run into her and make things worse...

"So, why did you suddenly come to Korea?"

"What, are you curious about my business?"

Woon, having regained his arrogance, replied to So-jin’s question. So-jin, seemingly too tired to argue, kept her mouth shut. But it didn't last long.

"Well, it's a family matter you wouldn't understand. More specifically, I came to become the best in Korea."

"Wow, that's great. If you become the best in Korea, let me know. 'Kay?"

"Oh, do you want to congratulate me?"

"No. I'm going to emigrate. If you're the best in Korea, it's a sign that the country is doomed."

"What!"

The two stood at the bus too, arguing as usual. Woon peeked over So-jin’s shoulder as she looked over the bus schedule.

"Aren't you curious about my story? The story of how I'll become the best in Korea?"

"Wow. It's so fascinating that I want to hear it in about one hundred years. Let me know then. But why would I want to know about your family matters? They have nothing to do with me."

"But it's about me becoming the best."

"That 'best' word again... Why don't you name your child 'Best' when you get married?"

"Oh. That's a good idea."

So-jin's mouth dropped open at Woon's serious response.

"If you beg on your knees, I might let you attend my wedding."

"I have no desire to, but if I did go, I'd probably cry because I'd feel so sorry for your future wife."

"Why would you feel sorry? She'd be the happiest bride with a husband like me."

"How touching. The bus is here. Get on quickly."

As the bus slid to a stop, So-jin quickly pushed Woon inside to stop him from talking further. While doing so, she shoved some money into his hand and waved with a smile.

"The bus fare isn't free. Pay me back with one hundred times the interest."

"Hey, you..."

"It was miserable meeting you. Let's never see each other again."

There were many things Woon wished to tell So-jin, but he was already half-crushed among the crowd inside the bus. So-jin watched this with a broad grin and turned to walk away.

---

The day of the commemorative ceremony, eagerly anticipated by some and dreaded by others, was slowly approaching.

Hyun, one of those eager for the ceremony, kept an eye on his surroundings as the day drew nearer. And the changes were exactly as he had anticipated.

As expected.

Hyun had been observing carefully beyond the window for the past few days. He was closely monitoring the increasing number of guards stationed around the villa.

Originally, there were a few hired to ensure Hyun's safety and protection, but their number was increasing daily. Hyun could easily guess the reason for the increase. It was because of Mi-ae.

Mi-ae was Hyun's mother. This meant she knew very well what her son was like at the age of twenty. As the commemorative ceremony approached, she intensified the surveillance on her son, and thus, the number of guards around the villa increased daily.

"I knew this would happen."

However, Mi-ae was unaware of one fact. Her twenty-year-old son knew the villa better than anyone and was familiar with every hidden corner.

Finally, on the early morning of the commemorative ceremony, something was moving swiftly amidst the many guards outside. It was none other than Hyun.

Generally, the guards were stationed by the front door and the front yard. Thus, Hyun, who had slipped out through a window, discreetly moved toward the back garden. Upon arriving at his destination, he crouched down and began to search around the bushes.

As expected.

It didn't take long for Hyun to find a small pit in the ground, something he had dug long ago. He grinned and entered the hole.

Once the pit was found, the rest was simple. The tunnel was connected directly to the outside, and the exit was hidden by the bushes, so there was no risk of the guards discovering his escape. As Hyun emerged from the tunnel, he smirked.

"Try to stop me if you can. Do I look like someone who'd be caught by such flimsy surveillance?"

However, Hyun was unable to successfully escape. As he slowly emerged from the exit, reveling in his victory, a shoe blocked his path.

"..."

"..."

Hyun looked up to find So-jung standing there.

---

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