Im Sujin

Sungjun returned to Sae-ri's side, finding her engaged in conversation with a celebrity he instantly recognized from a cosmetic commercial—Im Sujin, a former idol turned variety show star. Her voice carried the practiced warmth of someone used to charming an audience, though there was an unmistakable sharpness beneath it.

Sujin turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, her gaze flickering past Manager Sangwoo before settling on Sungjun. She arched a perfectly shaped brow. "And who's this?"

Sae-ri, still holding a relaxed posture, barely glanced at Sungjun before responding, "New road manager. Company brought him in to ease Sangwoo-ssi's workload. I have too many projects lined up."

Sangwoo opened his mouth as if to correct her but caught Sae-ri's pointed look and instead flashed an easygoing smile, playing along. "Sae-ri-nim had a busy year ahead. I'm afraid Yuna-ssi and I won't be able to handle it, just by the two of us."

Sujin's eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed Sungjun. "I see." Her tone was polite but cautious.

Sungjun offered a subtle nod. "Nice to meet you." His voice was smooth, but he didn't offer his hand, and Sujin didn't extend hers either.

They moved together through the parking lot, Sujin and Sae-ri falling into step ahead while Sungjun and Sangwoo followed behind.

Even as the conversation continued, Sae-ri didn't miss the way Sujin's eyes flicked toward him now and then. It wasn't the usual kind of curiosity—more like someone trying to figure out if they'd seen him before or if he was someone worth remembering.

Inside the car, Sujin and Sae-ri took the backseat, chatting comfortably. Manager Sangwoo drove, while Sungjun sat beside him, seemingly absorbed in his phone. In reality, he was listening—an old habit, storing information like a machine.

"Ugh, ever since my age crossed 30, my mom won't stop nagging me about getting married," Sujin groaned, leaning against the headrest. "She's setting up blind dates like it's her personal mission. C'mon, Unnie. Which celebrity is marrying at 31 these days? It's fine if they are worth dating but seriously, all of them looked like hyenas that can't wait to jump on me if any opportunity arrives…"

Sae-ri chuckled. "Sujin-ah, let's be honest here. Isn't it because their looks aren't up to par for you? After all, you had high standards. And looks are most important to you."

Sujin nodded without hesitation, crossing her arms to her chest. "Of course. Looks are as important as personality. If we weren't beautiful—if we weren't in, say, the top five percent of beauty standards—do you think we'd even have survived in this industry? Without my looks, I wouldn't have been even allowed to debut as an idol. Then, why shouldn't I look for good looks too?"

Sae-ri hummed in agreement, then grinned. "Want me to introduce someone?"

Sujin made a face. "A guy from the same industry is fine, but definitely not an actor. Those relationships never last. Too many egos, too many scheduling conflicts."

"So, what? A stylist? A choreographer?"

"Maybe. But most stylists are women. And the few male ones are usually foreigners." Sujin wrinkled her nose. "Half-Korean is fine, but a complete foreigner? No way. I like a guy with a classy, handsome Korean face who can understand the world of an actress and even fit into such a world. Money is not a thing for me. I earn well. Of course, the guy's personality should be all gentlemanly and…" While she was speaking of those things she was looking in for a man, she couldn't help but just give a glance at Sungjun's back, although only for a moment before she continued to pay attention to the veteran actress.

Meanwhile, Sungjun continued to scroll through his phone as if he was checking out articles, his expression unreadable.

When they finally pulled up to Sujin's apartment complex, she unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Sae-ri. "Thanks for the ride."

"Anytime."

Sujin leaned forward slightly to nod at Manager Sangwoo. "Thanks, Sangwoo-oppa." Then, hesitating for the briefest moment, she glanced at Sungjun. "You too, Sungjun-ssi."

It was a small acknowledgment, but Sungjun caught the way her expression had shifted—still wary, but perhaps just a little curious now.

He only gave a slight nod in return.

Sujin lingered for half a second longer before stepping out of the car, disappearing into the building without another word.

As Sujin strolled toward the entrance of her apartment complex, she flashed a bright smile at the security guard, offering him a small nod of acknowledgment before disappearing inside.

Sungjun, watching the interaction, leaned back in his seat and remarked, "Sujin-ssi seems like a nice person."

From the backseat, Sae-ri's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Oh? Are you interested in her?"

Manager Sangwoo nearly choked on his own spit, stealing a glance at Sungjun in surprise. But Sungjun remained as composed as ever, merely shrugging.

"I just meant that it's rare for someone from this country's top 0.1% to be so polite to security guards," he said, his tone casual. Then, without missing a beat, he added, "unlike noona."

Sae-ri blinked, taken aback. "W-What? What do you mean?"

Sungjun glanced at her briefly, then back at his phone. "You don't do that."

Sae-ri's mouth opened and closed before she quickly retorted, "I do! It's just that I'm always busy, and by the time I get home, I'm exhausted, so I don't notice them sometimes!"

Sungjun nodded without looking up. "Sure. I believe you."

Sae-ri squinted at him. "I do!"

Sungjun, still focused on his screen, responded flatly, "Yes, yes. I believe you."

A soft flush crept up Sae-ri's neck. This little brat—

Before he could react, she smacked the back of his head with a firm slap. "Don't tease your elder sister, you punk!"

Sungjun rubbed the sore spot, turning to face her. "Ouch." Then, with a straight face, he mused, "Noona's tomboyish personality hasn't changed a bit. Even after reaching middle age."

Sae-ri's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

Sungjun, unfazed, tilted his head. "Was it perimenopause or something?"

A deep blush of embarrassment spread across Sae-ri's face. "I am still in my prime, you little—!"

Sungjun scoffed lightly. "Yeah, right. You've already crossed forty."

Sae-ri let out a sharp hiss, raising her hand again threateningly. "Say that again, and I swear—"

Sungjun, for once, wisely chose silence. But deep inside, he felt warmth spread through his chest.

Nothing had changed between them. Not time, not distance, not even the weight of adulthood.

And somehow, that made him feel at home.

The estate was unusually quiet. With the other kids at school and the adults off to work, Jiyeon was left alone in her room.

She sprawled across her bed, her phone gripped in both hands as she tapped away at a mobile game. At first, it was fun. But after a couple of hours, the thrill faded. She let out a long sigh, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. Four months of free time felt like a dream at first, but now… it was just boring.

Eventually, she sat up, brushing her hair back with one hand before deciding—she needed to get out.

Throwing on a hoodie and slinging a backpack over her shoulder, Jiyeon grabbed her phone and headed downstairs. The polished wood of the grand staircase creaked slightly beneath her steps as she made her way down.

In the entrance hall, a familiar figure sat near the large windows. Kim Seol-ah, her second aunt-in-law, was dressed in an elegant yet casual outfit, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand while she scrolled through a tablet in the other. The soft glow of the morning light cast a gentle halo around her.

Jiyeon paused for a second before greeting her politely. "Morning, Seol-ah-gomo."

Seol-ah looked up, her sharp yet kind eyes settling on the teenager. "Morning, Jiyeon-ah." Her gaze flickered to Jiyeon's backpack. "Where are you off to?"

Jiyeon adjusted the strap on her shoulder. "Just heading out to tour the city."

Seol-ah arched an eyebrow. "Alone?"

Jiyeon nodded. "It's fine. I already told Dad, and he said I could go."

Seol-ah took a slow sip of her coffee, her expression unreadable. Then, setting the cup down, she replied evenly, "Even so, you're living with family now. Roaming around alone isn't exactly safe."

Jiyeon frowned slightly. "I'll be fine, really. I—"

Before she could finish, Seol-ah closed her tablet with a soft click and looked at her with a small, knowing smile. "I'll come with you."

Jiyeon blinked. "Wait… really?"

Seol-ah nodded, picking up her coat. "You wanted to tour the city, right? Then let's go together."

For a moment, Jiyeon just stared, a little caught off guard by the offer. Then, slowly, her lips curled into an excited smile. "That… actually sounds fun."

Seol-ah smiled back. "Good. Go put on something warmer—it's chilly outside."

Jiyeon grinned. "Got it!"

As she hurried back up the stairs to grab an extra layer, she couldn't help but feel that today might not be so boring after all.