Eyes that curved when he smiled, the dimples that formed beneath them, and the playful shape of his lips— They were all things Haeyoung had loved so much.
Even on bad days, when she was harsh to him or sometimes even broke down in tears, just one kind smile from him made everything else seem insignificant.
"But not anymore."
It was a face she had loved for six years,
a smile that hadn't left her memory for just as long— and yet now, strangely, she felt nothing.
No, worse—she felt disgust.
"Anyway, should we order something first? I'm getting a Greek salad. I've started a diet."
"A diet? Why?"
Just as Haeyoung asked, a notification sound came from Sungjoon's phone. As if he'd been waiting for it, Sungjoon quickly picked up his phone.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
Tap tap tap—the light sound of typing continued for a while.
Whether Haeyoung was watching him or not, he kept chatting with someone.
It was a familiar kind of loneliness.
Even when she was on a date with Sungjoon, it never really felt like they were together.
"What were we talking about again?"
Sungjoon finally put his phone down.
"We hadn't really started talking. We just said hello."
"Did we? Oh, right. I said I'm on a diet, didn't I?"
"You know Real Romance, right?"
"That dating show?"
"Yeah. Season 1 was a huge hit. I got cast for it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"You're my boyfriend, and you're going on a dating show?"
"Shh. Keep your voice down."
Sungjoon glanced around.
No one was paying attention, but he acted like he was already some kind of top star.
"I know. I thought about it a lot because of you, but it's just too good of an opportunity to pass up. You don't want me to miss out on something this big because of you, do you?"
"I thought you'd understand.
Anyway, this will be the last time we meet in public like this. Don't tell anyone. Unless you want to ruin my life."
That ridiculous comment actually made Haeyoung feel relieved.
Yeah, I do have a reason to ruin your life.
I was starting to worry you might not do anything worth it in this lifetime—what a relief.
"You could've just broken up with me."
"How can you say that? How could I ever break up with you? You're all I have."
What's his angle? He doesn't even like me anymore, so why won't he just end it?
Why go so far as to say sweet, empty things like that?
"You're going with Minji, aren't you?"
"How did you know?"
"It's a show where guy and girl friends appear as a pair. You're closest with Minji."
"And she's pretty, too. Her family's rich.
If I go on the show with her, it'll raise my status."
Sungjoon's words clearly implied that Haeyoung wasn't pretty and didn't come from a well-off family.
"I understand."
"Haeyoung, you're seriously the best.
Honestly, I thought you might be okay with me going on the dating show, but I figured you'd hate the idea of me doing it with Minji.
You don't even like her."
"Why wouldn't I? I like Minji."
"Since when? Huh, weird.
Most girls get jealous and hate her."
Jealous?
Haeyoung let out a scoff but didn't even feel it was worth responding to.
"If I build up some recognition with this, things will get easier after that.
I'm finally gonna become an actor."
"Yeah. Congratulations."
"Why do you sound so dead inside? Are you upset that I might get famous?"
"Why would I be?"
"It's a good opportunity, right? Then… lend me some money."
Of course.
Now that Jo Sungjoon had no other source of cash, he was just asking outright.
"Again?"
"Again? What's with the way you say that? You make me sound like a beggar."
"What else am I supposed to call it when you're asking to borrow money again?
I already gave you a million won last time when you said you were short on living expenses."
Sungjoon's expression hardened.
"Unbelievable. We're not even speaking the same language here. Whatever. Fine. So how much can you lend me? If I'm going on TV, I need to get skincare treatments, do my hair, and buy all new clothes. You don't want me showing up looking shabby, do you?"
"Did I put you in charge of my money or something?"
"…What?"
"You asked so confidently, I started wondering if I had given you my money to manage."
Sungjoon looked flustered, his mouth opening slightly in shock.
"You told me to ask whenever I needed help.
You said it was an investment in your future."
He had said that.
He had no money, but the moment she tried to help, his pride would get bruised and he'd turn overly sensitive.
So she'd said it just to calm him down.
Why did I give him money? Why did I comfort him, too? What was I even getting out of it?
"Right… fair enough. Got it. But don't you have any savings at all?"
"Do you know how expensive it is to prepare for auditions? And a small amount like that won't cut it. I can't go on screen wearing cheap, no-name clothes. That's humiliating."
"I don't have any money."
"Isn't your savings account maturing soon?"
Anyone would've thought it was his savings account.
"Alright. Since you're going on the show, you should be the one who stands out the most."
"Really?"
Sungjoon's expression instantly softened.
"I'll lend you the full amount when it matures.
When was the maturity date again? There's still a bit of time left."
"I knew I could count on you, Haeyoung. You're the best—my baby."
Sungjoon pouted playfully, as if he were truly touched.
Yeah, smile all you want right now.
Haeyoung smiled brightly back at him.
"Of course. It's only natural to do this much for my boyfriend, Sungjoon."
Haeyoung matched his wide smile.
Maybe it was her wholehearted support and easygoing approval, but Sungjoon looked genuinely happy—unusually so.
Sungjoon chatted away and laughed more than usual, just like in the early days of their relationship. It was a peaceful moment—almost like they'd gone back in time.
But even that didn't last long.
"Sungjoon!"
Ding!
The door opened, and an uninvited guest appeared.
"You got here fast. I'm still eating."
"Eating? This doesn't count as a meal.
Wait, are you eating salad because of your diet?"
Minji plopped down next to Sungjoon without hesitation.
She grabbed his fork and popped a cherry tomato into her mouth.
Maybe because her face was so small, her cheeks puffed up adorably.
"You haven't eaten?"
Minji shook her head while chewing, her cheeks still full.
"Mm, yeah, I ate, but I'm still hungry. You know I eat a lot! This is really good!"
Minji clapped her hands in delight. Then, as if she just noticed Haeyoung, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, unni, I'm sorry—I didn't even say hello. How have you been?"
"I called her. She said she'd be passing by."
Only then did Sungjoon explain the uninvited guest. Minji had joined their date, and Haeyoung had left early more than once, feeling stuck between the two of them.
"You look even prettier these days. You remind me of Yoo In-joo from that drama!"
"Yoo In-joo? What are you talking about? That's slander!"
"No, you're way prettier than Yoo In-joo. Your eyes are bigger, your nose is really pretty, and you look like a princess. Right, unni?"
Minji smiled brightly at Haeyoung.
If this had been back when she didn't know any better, Haeyoung might have been overwhelmed by Minji's excessive compliments and protested that she wasn't pretty at all. But not anymore.
"Thank you."
"Huh? Oh… you're welcome."
For a brief moment, confusion flickered across Minji's face, then vanished.
Perhaps because the conversation wasn't going the way she expected, Minji quickly changed the subject.
"You two are still wearing your rings today."
"Of course, they're our friendship rings. We never take them off. Jo Sungjoon, if you take yours off, you're dead!"
When Sungjoon first wore that ring, they fought a lot about it. Looking back, Haeyoung thought she must have been the biggest fool to have stayed with him all this time.
"Oh, right. Have you heard from Juni? About us going on Real Romance?"
"I told her everything."
"You gave him your permission?"
Minji suddenly grabbed Haeyoung's hand. Haeyoung stared quietly at Minji's soft, small hand.
"You really have such a big heart, unni. How can you be so kind? I don't think I could have ever said yes."
The word "kind" felt more like, How can you be such a pushover?
"For Sungjoon, this is nothing at all."
"That's amazing. You're the best, seriously.
Then, since I'm asking, would it be okay if I took Sungjoon with me now? Actually, I have a lot to buy today, and it'd be great if Sungjoon could be my pack mule."
Sungjoon glanced at Haeyoung nervously.
After all, he was the one who'd soon have to borrow a lot of money from her.
It seemed inevitable.
"Of course. Minji, you probably have a lot to prepare too, so go ahead."
"Ugh, I'm really sorry. It's been a while since you two had a date, and now I'm stealing Juni away."
As Sungjoon stood up, Minji looked down at Haeyoung with a smile that clearly revealed something in her eyes.
A sense of superiority, victory, and the delusion that she was better than Haeyoung.
To think that having Jo Sungjoon barely raised her own self-worth—looking back now, she felt sorry for her.
Haeyoung pretended not to notice and simply lifted the corners of her mouth into a small smile.