part 16

"Thank you, really."

Returning to the yard, Jisun Sunbae immediately flustered Mina with her gratitude. 

She clung to Seung-rok's arm, who had been waiting for them.

She expressed her heartfelt thanks.

"I won't tell anyone about Mina. Promise."

Sunbae readily agreed to my earlier request to keep Hayeon's involvement a secret. 

She even promised it in front of Seung-rok.

Seung-rok, hearing Jisun's words, nodded silently, his eyes filled with gratitude and apology, making him seem like a polite young man. 

Knowing his usual demeanor, I could only click my tongue.

He had always been prickly since the interview.

And now he is trying to be a gentleman!

"Well, we've finished eating. It's getting late, so we should go."

Jisun Sunbae checked the time and began preparing to leave.

But I could sense it.

Shs did not want to leave this early.

"But we still have plenty of snacks left. How about one more drink?" Seung-rok smiled, pointing towards the kitchen.

He looked genuine.

Jisun Sunbae shook her head firmly. 

"It's already 8 PM. It would be rude to stay longer in a house with young men and women living together. I do have some sense, you know."

"Unni! It's really not like that. Stop saying unnecessary things and have one more drink," I grabbed her hand.

Fortunately, Sunbae's eyes were smiling, indicating it was a joke rather than a misunderstanding. 

All the more reason not to let her leave.

"You can't drive anyway. You've already had a lot to drink, Sunbae."

"I'll just call a driver. I haven't drunk that much yet."

"But you won't stop now," I said, knowing she will get some more.

"I'll have another strong drink when I get home," Sunbae replied with a prank smile.

"Then I'll go with you. How can we stop here?"

Sunbae playfully pushed me. 

"Hey, stop it. Don't you have lessons every morning? Are you planning to teach kids while reeking of alcohol?"

"Today is fine."

I had my own reasons for wanting to drink until the end. 

Hayeon will be in Singapore tomorrow. 

After that, I would have to resume my daily golf lessons, leaving no time for late-night drinks with Jisun Sunbae for a while. 

That's why I wanted to spend more time with her today.

"Well then... Shall we both go to my place instead? Is that alright?" 

Jisun Sunbae looked at Seung-rok, seemingly seeking his approval. 

Seung-rok smiled slightly.

"Don't feel uncomfortable. Why don't we have the second round at my place? I've prepared plenty of snacks for guests. It would be a shame to leave now, wouldn't it?"

Sunbae clapped her hands together.

"Oh! That sounds great. But I think we should switch our mood a little bit. Mr KROCK, would it be alright if I ordered some more drinks? And maybe a late-night snack?"

Seung-rok nodded subtly, smiling. 

Jisun Sunbae cheered as she pulled out her phone. 

"Okay! Let me choose something good. How about some panjeon? Ah, delivery might be difficult here. Tteokbokki might be hard too. Then, maybe jokbal?"

I couldn't help but feel bewildered by Sunbae's words.

If I didn't know about Seung-rok, I might have passed this situation. 

But during the process of preparing for my golf lesson interview, I naturally learned about the idol 'KROCK.' 

He was notorious for hating drinking parties. 

He avoided after-show gatherings with co-host from TV programs.

He even refused to drink with his own band members. 

There was no way he would enjoy a casual drink with ordinary people like us.

So why was Seung-rok suddenly suggesting a second round with Jisun Sunbae and me?

The menu items were clearly things he wouldn't touch. 

Pajeon is hardly a diet food, you know.

While Sunbae excitedly chose the menu in the yard, Seung-rok and I started tidying up. 

Even as we cleaned, I kept pondering his true intentions. 

I had expected him to try to get Sunbae out of the house as quickly as possible. 

That was the 'KROCK' I knew, the individualistic idol who only cared for himself outside of his fans.

Why was he acting like this all of a sudden? 

Was it because he was grateful for keeping his secret? 

I bit my lip slightly. 

From the moment I decided to live in an idol's house, I knew I had to be cautious of such situations. 

I was just his tutor, and he was an idol who had made a habit of being kind to women. 

Expecting anything more from him would only lead to hurt. 

I had to maintain a mundane and solely-professional relationship at all costs.

As I was lost in thought, Seung-rok, who was wiping the table with a cloth, glanced at me with a piercing look.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Maybe it was the wine we had with dinner, but his gaze seemed deeper than usual, as if he was trying to see through my thoughts. 

Since he had initiated the conversation, I decided to ask directly.

"Why are you doing this?"

Seung-rok frowned slightly, as if he didn't understand.

"What did I do?"

"Why do you want to join us for the second round?"

"Is that a problem?"

He shrugged his shoulders, which made me feel a bit irritated.

"You're KROCK, the one who never even joins his members for a drink. Why do you want to drink with us?"

I deliberately pronounced his stage name in a mocking tone, breaking it into syllables.

"All of sudden, now I am 'KROCK'? The celebrity?"

Seung-rok disliked being called 'KROCK.' from me.

I never understood why.

"Sir, why are you doing this so late at night? It might be uncomfortable for you."

"That's why I want to go for the second round."

"What?"

I tilted my head in confusion. 

What kind of nonsense was he saying?

"We'll be living together now. You seem too awkward around me. If we have a meal together, we'll get to know each other better."

Then why not have more dinners with your team members?

Why with me? 

He was truly incomprehensible. 

It was really annoying. 

I just wanted to treat him as a client and have no other expectations from him. 

But this man kept doing things that caught my attention. 

If only he could keep a professional distance and treat me like a tutor or babysitter, it would be so much easier for both of us. 

Sometimes he was suddenly kind, other times prickly, and today he was even clingy. 

He was utterly unpredictable.

"If you really don't like me, you two can drink here and sleep. I'll call the driver and stay in Seogwipo."

I interrupted Seung-rok, frowning.

"Oh, shut up. …Sir."

This man really had a knack for getting on my nerves. 

As I glared at him, I sensed someone behind me. 

Turning around, I saw Jisun Sunbae standing there hesitantly.

"…What's going on? Is it because of me? Should I just leave?"

"No," 

Seung-rok replied with a bright smile. 

"Did you choose the menu?"

Jisun Sunbae scratched the back of her head and smiled. 

"Yes!"

"Then I'll call someone to bring it."

Sunbae shook her head. 

Despite being a legend in the golf world, she disliked asking others to do things for her.

"Oh, I live alone… I'm a regular on the delivery app. I'll order it."

Seung-rok shook his head. 

For the first time in a while, I sensed his usual cold demeanor.

"There are too many eyes on me. It's difficult to order delivery. I'll take care of it."

With that, he picked up his phone and made a call.

***

"I brought the jokbal and makgeolli as you mentioned."

Shortly afterward, the tall man whom Seung-rok usually referred to as 'manager Cha' arrived at Seung-rok's house, carrying a bundle of jokbal (pig's trotters) and makgeolli (rice wine). 

It was just as the rain began to fall gently.

What a perfect timing.

Jisun, the affable senior, had somehow managed to detain manager Cha who was almost on his way back to the house. 

She was already engaging him in conversation.

"Oh my, you're already a father of two? Impressive," sunbae exclaimed. 

"I don't even have one. Ho ho, I must be doing something wrong," she continued.

"It's quite a surprise to meet the legendary athlete we've only seen on TV," manager Cha humbly lowered his head.

Jisun generously poured makgeolli into his glass. 

"You're too kind. Did we bother you by summoning the dad of the year old in the middle of the night?"

"Honestly, I sighed with relief when the boss called me. Our second child wakes up every two hours, and it's exhausting."

"Well, then you should help out your baby mama! Down your drink and go!" 

Sunbae's cheerful demeanor warmed up the atmosphere.

While Jisun chatted and laughed with manager Cha, I occasionally stole glances at Seung-rok. 

His lips curved into a crescent shape—a shy expression I hadn't seen before. 

There was an unexpected charm about him, a youthful innocence.

Ileaned toward Seung-rok and whispered, "Hmph, weird"

"What is?" he asked.

"You are a K-pop idol.So I thought you wouldn't enjoy gatherings like this. Isn't it part of your job to be perpetually dieting?"

Seung-rok nonchalantly sipped his sparkling water.

"I'm always on a diet. But sometimes, you need moments like this. It's part of the know-how."

"But you don't even party with your fellow group members, right?"

His lips twisted slightly, as if recalling bittersweet memories. 

"Family and coworkers are two different kinds. Especially when your coworker is always jealous and trying to outdo you."

Oh wow, what a harsh truth.

If fans heard these unfiltered words, they'd be in an uproar. 

I playfully pushed my lips forward.

Then all of sudden, my face flushed. 

Family and coworkers were indeed distinct. 

By saying that, he had subtly revealed that he considered me part of his family.

To break the awkward tension, I turned my head and looked at sunbae.

***

Jisun was engrossed in lively conversation with Manager Cha.

Their laughter was filling the room.

"Shall we play a game, just to pass the time?" Jisun suggested.

 "How about the 'Son Byung-ho' game?"

As if sensing his gaze, Jisun turned her head and looked at Seung-rok. 

He returned her curious look, his eyes lingering on her with interest.

"Oh, KROCK, you haven't tried this game, have you?" 

Jisun apologized. "I forget sometimes—I'm a bit too enthusiastic because of my sports background. You know, we party hard."

"I've played it quite a bit before," Seung-rok replied. 

"Back when I was twenty, during my college days."

"So you weren't always an idol trainee from the start. That makes sense. Well, since we both have a background, let's play together. How about a rule: if you fail, you take a drink? We can't stick to sparkling water all the way."

"Haha, that is not possible." 

He wore a refreshing smile, and Jisun noticed the warmth beneath his seemingly cool exterior. 

Mina was right.

Despite keeping his distance from everyone, he still showed subtle consideration in his actions.

Even toward unfamiliar people, he was approachable. 

Jisun found herself liking this man. 

If things went well, she hoped he could be Mina's man.

After the game, curiosity got the better of her, and she blurted out,

"But why do you go to such lengths to help Mina? Isn't it unnecessary to let her live in your house?"

Fortunately, Mina was away in the restroom. 

Manager Cha, also curious, set down his makgeolli glass and observed Seung-rok with interest.

Seung-rok hesitated for a moment,

Then he let out a soft chuckle. 

His voice was barely audible.

He seemed a bit bashful as he replied, 

"I… like her."

"What?" 

Jisun's mouth fell open in surprise.

His unexpected answer left Jisun momentarily speechless. 

Silence filled the air.

Then, Seong-rok opened the mouth.

"I think, Hayeon… likes her. That's what I said."

"What a prank! You'd be great on a talk show."

Jisun playfully slapped Seung-rok's arm.

But Manager Cha, wearing an enigmatic expression, continued to watch Seung-rok in silence.