Part 6

"Let's go in your car," Seung-rok's voice snapped me back to reality. 

I had been sitting there, dazed, listening to his absurd request to have dinner together and then move into his house starting today. 

How could someone be so impulsive and urgent? 

It made me wonder how such a person could have garnered so much love from fans.

What he said next was even more surprising. 

He wanted to use my car.

"\What about your car?"

Without changing his expression, Seung-rok stared straight ahead and said.

"I don't have a car. I don't even have a license."

That was unexpected. 

A man who owned a golf course didn't even have a car.

Usually, when men become successful, the first thing they spend money on is a car. 

I mean, Seun-rok was a father.

So there is another reason for him to get a car.

A car would be essential for him.

Come to think of it.

Maybe that's why he had me drive the cart earlier.

As I was pondering this, Seung-rok continued nonchalantly, "An employee always drives me home. My grandfather drives too, so I don't need it. I only ride a bicycle. Global warming is a problem, you know."

"If you want to protect the environment, why not drive an electric car? It's quite popular among celebrities these days."

He snorted. 

His eyes turned cold in an instant. 

"New cars are dangerous. Who knows what problems they might have? Bicycles have been around for over 200 years. Their safety has been proven. They're different from cars that have only been around for a year or two."

His voice, which had been calm until now, became increasingly agitated. 

Though he maintained a polite demeanor, his emotions were evident.

"That's... interesting," I tried to pass it off lightly, but he clung to the topic like a bulldog.

"I only drink water, wine, and coffee. These are drinks humans has consumed for over a thousand years. They're safe. Who knows what might happen if you drink something like zero-calorie soda?"

He rattled off his words like a machine gun, then took a sip of his bottled sparkling water. 

I frowned slightly. 

His aggressive attitude was unpleasant, but what annoyed me even more was the fact that his obnoxious words were starting to intrigue me.

'...wow!'

As an athlete, I was naturally very health-conscious. 

So I got into his health rambling rather quickly.

He restricted everything from alcohol to carbonated drinks, even white rice. 

He ate salad pasta almost every day. 

At first, it was funny.

But after a while, I realized I had enough of him.

Not wanting to hear more of Seung-rok's nagging, I quickly interrupted him.

"Alright, I'll give you a ride!"

"...Thank you."

Only then did he close his mouth, sticking his tongue out slightly with a regretful expression. 

It seemed he had finally realized his mistake. 

I couldn't help but chuckle at how such a careless person could have been an idol all this time. 

To hide my laughter, I brought a hand to my mouth, then quickly lowered it.

My hands were cold from driving the cart. 

Maybe it was because I had been searching near the water for the golf clubs the old man had left behind.

I only now realized that my gloves were soaking wet.

 Being outside for so long had naturally made my hands start to tremble. 

I quickly took off the wet gloves. 

I drove the cart with one hand while warming the other.

It was then that he suddenly offered me his gloves.

"Here, use these."

They weren't golf gloves but leather ones.

"No, it's fine," I replied.

He shook his head.

"Please, don't refuse. It's still cold inside."

With him insisting this much, I had no choice. 

I nodded and took his gloves. 

It was still warm.

Maybe because he had just been wearing them.

As I put them on, I noticed a subtle scent. 

Was it... incense? 

In a place like this?

While I was bewildered, the cart I was driving arrived at the parking lot.

***

"Sorry, my car's a bit messy." 

I blushed slightly as I led the man to my only possession, a Mini Cooper. 

I never thought I'd be inviting a man into her car anytime soon. 

And certainly not today. 

And not just any man, but a K-pop idol.

"It's fine." 

The man looked around the car curtly before plopping down in the passenger seat. Mina glanced at him sideways. It wasn't dirty, but it wasn't exactly well-organized either. Given how picky he seemed and the fact that he was a celebrity with people catering to his every need, she expected him to say something. But surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind and was already on a call.

"Yes. Yes. ...Please do that. Thank you." From what she could gather, he was giving instructions related to the golf course. Mina waited for him to finish his call and then asked, "Where should we go?"

"Wherever you want."

"What?"

This man was impossible to figure out.

"You suggested we get to know each other over a meal, right? So you should choose the menu."

Seung-rok smiled faintly as he said this. It was a disarmingly charming smile, enough to make her heart skip a beat. Annoying and impatient as he was, moments like this made her understand why he was a global idol.

"Hmm..."

Mina bit her lip hard to hide the slight upward curve of her mouth. Maybe it was because he was usually so cold and intense, but when he smiled, it felt like an angel had descended to earth. It was a precarious feeling, like being on a seesaw between hot and cold. She could almost understand the KROCK fandom's feelings.

'An idol is an idol, after all.'

Even if he seemed like a father. Thinking about the child snapped her back to reality.

'Get a grip, Mina Choi!'

It felt like someone was shouting at her. She continued, "Then... how about pasta? It's a safe choice."

As soon as she said it, she frowned slightly, feeling self-critical. Pasta, like some cliché? But it was the only thing that came to mind. Talking about pasta with him earlier must have been the problem.

Whether she was flustered or not, he maintained his poker face and asked, "Any kind of pasta? Carbonara, tomato, Neapolitan, it doesn't matter?"

"I guess so?"

He nodded and quickly entered an address into the navigation system. Judging by how he remembered the address, it seemed to be a favorite spot of his.

"Let's go."

She started the car and began to drive. As soon as she pressed the accelerator, Mina almost had to slam on the brakes. It was because of Seung-rok's unexpected action.

"Here, take this."

He suddenly pulled a candy out of his pocket, unwrapped it, and held it out in front of her. Right in front of her mouth.

"...?"

What on earth is this? Am I supposed to eat it? Is this guy flirting with me?

She bit her lip slightly and shouted, "G-give it to my hand!"

She thrust her right hand towards him, trying her best not to look at him. She felt the warmth of his hand as he placed two candies in her palm. It was warm.

Mina swallowed dryly and popped the candy into her mouth. She couldn't figure out this man at all. Just a moment ago, he was yelling at the top of his lungs. And now, he was offering her candy. And trying to put it directly into her mouth, no less. If she wasn't careful, she might end up sucking on his fingers!

The thought made her face flush. 'Candy, of all things. I'm not a child... Ah!'

As she grumbled to herself, she suddenly realized. That candy. It was for a child. Children could ask for something sweet at any moment. The man was probably treating her the same way he would treat a child.

Thinking that, she suddenly felt a bit sorry for him. She didn't know his circumstances, whether he was a father or an older brother, but it was clear he was someone worn out by childcare.

"...Shall we turn on the radio?" Seung-rok asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Go ahead," I replied.

He immediately turned on the radio. I couldn't help but smile as a familiar song began to play. It was "Bloody Snow," the signature song of The ZERO, composed by Seung-rok.

---

When the snow comes to disappear, 

You may not be with me, no more,

But my eyes will always stay, 

Following you, come what may.

---

"Ah!"

Seung-rok exclaimed in surprise and quickly changed the station.

Classical music began to flow from the speakers.

"Why did you change it?" I asked.

He responded irritably, as if my question was absurd. "It's my song."

"I know."

"You know this song?" His eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty.

"Of course. It's my favorite among KROCK's songs."

"...Thank you."

"So, why can't we listen to it?"

"...Alright."

He switched the channel back. Seung-rok fell silent and turned his head towards the window. I hummed the melody softly to myself.

You know those moments when it feels like luck is walking right up to you? For me, hearing my favorite song on the radio was one of those moments. In this age where I can play any song I want with just a flick of my thumb on my phone, these rare coincidences felt even more special. It was as if the universe was lending me a hand. Despite the constant chaos in Mina Choi's life, these small but certain moments of happiness helped her stand back up. Like the small fortune of hearing your favorite song on the radio by chance. Or maybe, it wasn't such a small happiness after all. Especially since the original composer of the song was sitting right next to her.

Suddenly, despite all the bad things that had happened to her since morning, she felt good. As she thought about this, "Bloody Snow" reached its climax.

–

When this snow ceases to fall, 

You might not be here at all, 

But my eyes will always stay, 

Fixed on you, come what may.

-

"I love your rhymes."

"…Thanks."

The man answered in a small, embarrassed voice, still looking out the window.

"'Bloody Snow' is my favorite song from THE ZERO."

KROCK waved his hand dismissively.

"You don't have to say that. I'm too embarrassed to listen to my own songs."

"Why?"

"I see too many things I need to fix."

"Oh, but I think it's really good."

I meant it. KROCK's songs were different from other idol music. K-pop usually mixed various genres and concepts to create danceable tracks, complete with rap and dance breaks. To me, K-pop often felt too chaotic to listen to comfortably. But KROCK's band, THE ZERO, was different. Maybe it was because they were a band idol. Their music was well-organized, mostly rock, and KROCK himself focused on traditional ballads. His lyrics had almost no rap or English, yet people all over the world were crazy about his songs. I heard that many people took Korean classes just to understand his lyrics. In Japan, he was treated like a national singer, performing dome concerts as if it were a daily routine. Even those who didn't understand Korean could feel the deep emotions of love and sorrow in KROCK's music. 

Even if I didn't know Korean, I felt I would still love the song "Bloody Snow." Somehow, it felt that way.

'How can someone so gruff write such emotional songs? He looks like a complete T (as of MBTI) on the outside.'

---

Lost in various thoughts, I didn't notice we had arrived at our destination until the car came to a stop. When I saw where the GPS had led us, my face froze. The location was completely unexpected.

"This is... a mart?" I asked, bewildered.

Seung-rok, now wearing a mask, replied, "I don't eat out much. Too many people recognize me. Without a private room, restaurants are risky, especially Western ones."

His voice had returned to its usual, cool tone.

"So, what are you going to do?" I asked.

"I'll buy the ingredients and cook at home. Just wait a moment."

"Wait, hold on..."

Before I could say anything more, Seung-rok, masked and determined, stepped out of the car and walked briskly towards the mart.