Chapter 1: Our First Meeting Was a Disaster
One afternoon, Sua got a call from her friend, Nayoung.
“Hey, Sua. Want to come work on Jamundo?”
“Jamundo?”
“My Oppa’s café is hiring. Free room and board. Three million won a month.”
“...Three million?”
Sua’s eyes lit up.
“You got your barista license last year.”
“I did. Just the license, though.”
“You also majored in English.”
“I did. But as you already know... I’m terrible at English.”
“Relax. We hardly ever get foreign customers.”
Nayoung laughed as though there was nothing to worry about.
“Oh, and...”
“You remember my Oppa, right?”
Of course she did.
Back in their first year of high school, he’d come to visit their homeroom teacher.
He was so handsome that girls practically crowded the hallway windows just to catch a glimpse of him.
Sua had been one of them.
“You had a crush on my Oppa back then too.”
“W-Well... that was in high school.”
“Anyway, I miss you.”
“...”
“And this stays between us.”
Nayoung lowered her voice.
“You might even end up becoming the café manager.”
“...How?”
Sua blinked.
“Just come.”
“I’ll ask Grandma first.”
“No. Just come.”
“I’ll tell Oppa you’re coming.”
“Hey!”
Click.
The call ended.
What’s that little brat up to this time?
But one sentence refused to leave her mind.
Free room and board.
Three million won a month.
Just the thought of seeing him again made her heart flutter.
No.
That wasn’t what mattered.
She needed a job.
Taking a deep breath, Sua pushed her excitement aside.
***
Jamundo was even more beautiful than she’d imagined.
A white wooden café stood nestled among blooming flowers, with the endless blue sea stretching out behind it.
Beyond the terrace, sunlight danced across the water while the salty breeze carried the delicate scent of flowers.
For a moment, it felt as though she’d wandered into a fairy tale.
“Nayoung... it’s beautiful.”
“You can admire it later.”
Nayoung grabbed her wrist with a grin.
“Hurry up and wash. Oppa will be here soon.”
***
I wonder what he’s like now.
Does he still look the same?
Just thinking about him made her heart beat a little faster.
Why am I so nervous?
Sua drew in a slow breath and turned toward the entrance.
A moment later—
The café door opened.
Even beneath his umbrella, the rain hadn’t spared his broad shoulders.
He brushed away the raindrops before slowly lifting his head.
For a heartbeat...
Sua forgot how to breathe.
Oh.
He had to be well over 180 centimeters tall.
Broad shoulders.
A powerfully built frame.
His physique looked almost wild, yet his face was surprisingly youthful.
There was a quiet sadness lingering behind his mysterious eyes.
He hasn’t changed at all.
No.
He’s even more handsome now.
Without realizing it, Sua found herself smiling.
Step.
Step.
He stopped in front of them.
Nayoung beamed.
“Oppa. This is my friend, Sua.”
As Hoon’s gaze slowly settled on her, warmth rushed to her face.
“H-Hello.”
She hurriedly bowed.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Her heart pounded as she waited for him to speak.
But...
Why wasn’t he saying anything?
She cautiously looked up.
Hoon froze.
For the briefest moment—
Surprise flashed across his face.
Then it disappeared.
Disappointment quietly took its place.
The smile slowly faded from Sua’s face.
His brow furrowed.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Hoon clicked his tongue.
“Filters really are getting out of hand these days.”
“...Excuse me?”
Filters?
Without another word, Hoon reached into the inside pocket of his jacket...
...and pulled out a photograph.
It was the very photo Nayoung had proudly sent him.
The woman in the picture was stunning.
Flawless skin.
Bright, sparkling eyes.
A perfectly sculpted jawline.
Why is he showing me a picture all of a sudden?
Wait...
Why does she look so familiar?
Sua leaned in for a closer look.
Then—
Her heart nearly stopped.
Bigger eyes.
Fairer skin.
A slimmer jawline.
The heavily edited version of herself she’d created with a beauty app.
A perfect face that existed nowhere but on her phone.
Oh, no...
A chill ran down her spine.
Slowly, she turned toward Nayoung.
Nayoung could only offer an awkward smile.
Hoon let out a dry laugh.
“Hah. This is practically fraud.”
Her heart sank.
Rethink what?
Was he talking about hiring me?
It had taken everything she had to convince Grandma to let her come all the way to Jamundo.
Her grandmother’s words echoed painfully in her mind.
“Why are you going all the way to Jamundo just for a job? There are plenty of jobs around here. Stop talking nonsense and find one close to home.”
If she went back now, Grandma would never let her hear the end of it.
I can’t get fired on my very first day.
Putting on the most pitiful expression she could manage, Sua looked at Hoon.
Hoon, however, quietly looked away.
“Oppa, you’ve never judged people by their looks.”
Nayoung forced a laugh.
“Okay... maybe the photo was a little over the top.”
Her voice gradually grew quieter.
“But Sua really is good at English...”
Hoon narrowed his eyes.
Something wasn’t adding up.
Just then—
The café door chimed.
A blond, blue-eyed couple walked inside.
The moment Sua saw them...
Her smile vanished.
Please... not now.
Nayoung’s words echoed mercilessly inside her head.
“Relax. We hardly ever get foreign customers.”
Kang Nayoung... you little brat.
She shot Nayoung the most betrayed look she could manage.
Nayoung visibly flinched.
Hoon tilted his chin toward the menu.
The message was clear.
Go take their order.
Sua’s mind went completely blank.
She could feel Hoon’s eyes on her back.
I can’t let him find out how bad my English is.
Taking one stiff step after another, she somehow forced herself toward the couple.
She held out the menu with trembling hands.
“E-Excuse me...”
“W-Would you like to order?”
Even her voice trembled.
The woman smiled warmly and pointed at the jujube tea.
“What’s this?”
“And what does it taste like?”
Please don’t ask questions.
Please...
No such luck.
They wanted to know what it was.
And what it tasted like.
What was it called in English again?
Apple.
Banana.
Why are those the only words I can remember?
She knew the answer.
She was sure she did.
But the words simply refused to come.
Forget it.
I’ll just tell them it tastes good.
“Um...”
“It’s...”
“...a fruit.”
“Sweet.”
“Good.”
“...Good, good.”
Sua forced a smile.
At that moment...
She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
She’d spent four years majoring in English.
Yet all she could manage was a few broken words and frantic hand gestures.
Across the café, Nayoung looked just as horrified.
After all, she’d been the one who insisted Hoon hire Sua.
The two friends stood there with matching red faces.
Watching the scene unfold, Hoon slowly shook his head before heading back into the kitchen.
A moment later, he returned carrying a tray.
Two cups of steaming jujube tea rested on it.
He held the tray out to Sua.
“Take these to them.”
“...Yes.”
Sua carefully accepted the tray.
Then she swallowed hard.
You can do this.
With every step toward the customers, Sua silently repeated the words to herself.
You can do this.
But no matter how hard she tried to calm herself, her hands refused to stop shaking.
Clink.
Clink.
Her mouth had gone dry.
Her knees felt weak.
Pull yourself together, Min Sua.
She stole a quick glance over her shoulder.
Nayoung gave her a small, encouraging nod.
Somehow...
That only made her even more nervous.
This time, she looked toward Hoon.
He stood behind the counter, silently watching her.
He hadn’t said a word.
But somehow...
His eyes said everything.
Watch where you’re going.
If you spill that in front of the customers...
You’re fired.
The moment their eyes met—
The strength drained from her legs.
Her foot slipped.
“W-Whoa!”
She desperately flailed her arms, trying to regain her balance.
But the tray slipped from her hands.
Her body pitched backward.
“Sua!”
Nayoung’s panicked voice echoed through the café.
I’m really getting fired on my first day.
Sua squeezed her eyes shut.
She braced herself for the crash...
For the sound of shattering cups.
Nothing.
Silence.
Huh...?
I was sure I fell.
Then why...
Why am I still standing?
What’s holding me up?
Slowly...
She opened her eyes.
They widened.
Hoon’s strong arm was firmly wrapped around her waist.
For a split second...
Time seemed to stand still.
He had caught her before she hit the floor.
She froze.
He was so close she could feel the warmth of his breath.
Heat rushed to her face.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Flustered, Sua instinctively twisted away.
The moment she did—
She lost her balance again.
“Don’t move.”
His arm tightened around her waist.
“If you don’t want to get hurt.”
His low voice brushed against her ear.
