WW | Chapter 38

“I’m not saying guys and girls can’t be just friends. But, shouldn’t you tone down the contact a little if you’re dating someone? It’s just respectful toward your girlfriend, don’t you think?”

“Is that so?”

Looking amused, he leaned in with a smirk. With his face so close, his playful attitude made her wonder if he was pretending not to get her point or if he was genuinely clueless. It was a bit annoying. Honestly, I thought I might’ve been a bit too sensitive for bringing it up, but seeing him now was making me feel more irritated.

“It’s just common courtesy, especially on a day that’s special for everyone here in Korea, to not ditch your girlfriend to meet a female friend.”

“So, are you saying I should spend Christmas with you instead of Yoo Kahi?”

“Well… yeah, that’s how it should be.”

Yul felt like she had just shot herself in the foot with her answer.

“Then, cutting back on texts with female friends and meeting up with them less often—is that what you want?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, got it. Then you do the same.”

“What?”

Yul squinted at Yoonjo, who had just said something completely unexpected.

“You too. Go clean up your guy friends.”

“My guy friends? Who? Jung-woo?”

“Oh, that punk’s name is Jung-woo? Which school does he go to?”

Yul asked with a grin, but Yoonjo’s face turned serious. She got chills, feeling like if she answered, Yoonjo would go over and break Jung-woo’s legs on the spot. She remembered mentioning casually to Yoonjo once that she had a guy friend, assuming he’d forgotten it. But it seemed he’d filed it away and brought it up at the perfect moment. Beneath his seemingly aloof personality, he had an obsessive side when it came to what he considered “his.”

“I barely keep in touch with Jung-woo. We probably don’t even see each other once a year.”

“Then, fine.”

Yoonjo leaned back and took a sip of his coffee. Yul frowned, realizing she’d fallen into his trap.

“You… you were supposed to have dinner with Yoo Kahi, right?”

“No. I turned her down.”

“….”

“Who goes to meet a female friend, ditching his girlfriend on Christmas? Even if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have gone.”

“You should’ve just said so in the first place.”

Realizing she’d been tricked, Yul snapped, practically yelling.

“You were so busy scolding me, lecturing me, and clinging on that I didn’t even have the chance to say it.”

Yoonjo replied calmly, drinking his coffee. While she was worked up, he remained cool as ever, which left her at a loss for words. Truly, Kang Yoonjo thought the world of himself.

Yoonjo put his coffee cup down and looked at her.

“Ask the boss for a day off on Christmas Eve.”

“No way. Christmas is the peak season.”

She lowered her head, disheartened. After making a big deal about wanting to see her on Christmas, she now felt embarrassed to back out. But realistically, it was the busiest season, and they needed all the help they could get.

“He’s a good person, right? Just ask him.”

He smiled as if certain her boss would make an exception. Yul was about to insist it was impossible, but his words seemed almost magical, making her feel that maybe a miracle could happen.

“Alright.”

Agreeing, she took a sip from her cup, but then her thoughts turned heavy again. Couples usually exchange gifts on Christmas….

She thought she’d let go of that desire, but, like any other girlfriend, she wanted to give him something, too. She appreciated him so much and wanted to show it. But where could she get the money? Unlike her, he lacked nothing, and it was unlikely anything she could afford would impress him.

“We’re done for the day, right?”

Lost in thought, Yul barely noticed Yoonjo’s question.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Let’s go somewhere for a bit.”

He didn’t elaborate, but this time, he took her hand first.

Yoonjo led her to a department store in a bustling part of town. The building itself looked like a giant gift with a red ribbon around it, and outside the entrance and lobby, a large, glittering Christmas tree set a festive mood. Clueless about his intentions, she followed him up the escalator until he stopped at a women’s clothing store. Only then did she realize what he was planning.

“You’re buying clothes?”

“Yeah.”

“For who?”

She figured it must be for a woman, but the clothes in this section were mainly for older women. Surely it wasn’t for his late mother, so maybe for a relative?

Yoonjo picked up a long black padded coat with a fox fur hood and held it up to her.

“Do you think this would be good for a grandmother?”

“Yeah, it looks warm.”

Just as she responded with a smile, he turned and walked over to the cashier. While waiting, she browsed and accidentally glanced at the price tag on a short padded jacket, gasping at the three hundred thousand won price. The long coat Yoonjo picked out would be far more expensive. She assumed he was buying it for his grandmother or maybe his maternal grandmother. At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad, thinking of her own grandmother, Kyeong Ja, who had to scavenge for worn-out jackets in recycling bins.

“Let’s go.”

Returning with the shopping bag, Yoonjo grabbed her hand with his free one.

“Who’s it for? Your grandmother? Your maternal grandmother?”

“For your grandmother.”

Yoonjo’s casual response left her stunned.

“What?”

She stopped and looked at him, wide-eyed.

“Your grandmother works at the market, doesn’t she? She needs to stay warm.”

“You…!”

Her entire body tensed up, every nerve firing off.

How could he buy something so expensive without even asking her first? She didn’t have money—how was she supposed to repay him? And what market vendor wore a coat like that? Was he flaunting his wealth, rubbing it in her face as she slogged away at a convenience store for a mere fifty thousand won? How could he make her feel so small?

A hundred thoughts raced through her mind, but she couldn’t utter a single one, fearing that if she moved even slightly, she’d burst into tears. She felt thankful, guilty, burdened, and somehow prideful, all at once.

“Seomun Yul.”

Yoonjo called her name, taking her hand again, more firmly this time.

“It’s just an early Christmas present. But if it’s too much for you, pay me back.”

“What?”

“You’re going to be an architect, right? Pay me back when you succeed.”

“Are you trying to smooth-talk me into accepting…?”

“You know pride is useless, right? Sometimes, you have to learn to accept with grace if you want to be a bigger person.”

“Ha!”

His grandfatherly wisdom finally made her laugh. Eyes red with emotion, she bit her lip and glared at him. She knew now she had no choice but to accept it. A selfish part of her wanted her grandmother to have that coat, to spare her from layering herself in worn-out clothes to keep warm. And Yoonjo was giving her an excuse to take it. Amid all the negative thoughts, she felt his genuine care.

“Fine, thank you. I’ll definitely repay you someday.”

She composed herself and replied with a light smile, determined to make good on her promise when she succeeded.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Leaving the bags on a chair by the elevator, Yoonjo stepped away, saying he needed to use the restroom. She sat down, massaging her calves, and glanced at the shopping bags beside her. One contained her grandmother’s coat, and the other, her own scarf and gloves. She’d managed to stop him from buying her an entire coat, settling on just those. Yoonjo had called it her Christmas gift, but Yul knew the truth behind it. He must have worried about her braving the cold without a proper coat, and knowing her grandmother was in the same situation, he’d wanted to provide for them. His gift was both heartwarming and bittersweet.

“Seomun Yul?”

Lost in thought, she looked up at the sound of an unexpected female voice. Standing before her was Yoo Kahi, who she hadn’t seen since her transfer and had only seen on TV. Dressed head-to-toe in designer brands and lightly made up, Yoo Kahi looked even more refined than before.

“What brings you here?”

They’d barely spoken before, yet Yoo Kahi addressed her as if they were old friends.

“Just….”

“Are you here with Yoonjo by any chance?”

“Yeah.”

Her tone felt accusatory, and Yul felt a twinge of annoyance as she answered.

“Hah, seriously, Kang Yoonjo is unbelievable.”

Yoo Kahi chuckled in disbelief, muttering to herself. She seemed to be in shock, having been rejected for Christmas Eve only to find him here with Yul. Masking her emotions quickly, she asked Yul,

“So, I heard you begged him to go out with you?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

Yul replied flatly. She now understood that Yoo Kahi didn’t see her favorably. She didn’t know what Yoo Kahi’s intentions were, but she’d faced such provocations before. It was true, after all, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.

“That’s impressive.”

“It’s better than doing nothing and regretting it later, don’t you think?”

“What?”

Yoo Kahi’s eyes widened in shock at Yul’s composed comeback. Looking momentarily flustered, Yoo Kahi scoffed and continued.

“Sure. You two lovebirds have fun while you can, I guess.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Yul frowned as she asked, but Yoo Kahi’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.

“You didn’t know? Yoonjo’s going abroad soon.”