Chapter 9: Yoon Sera

The lecture droned on, but my mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts about the unexpected encounter in the corridor. Jeon Eunyeong—her name echoed in my head, her presence still fresh. Was she really Taesan's ex? She was undeniably beautiful, with a poised elegance that felt intimidating. But if they were once a couple, what had torn them apart? My curiosity burned, questions swirling like a storm. I hardly noticed Zixuan until he gently knocked on the table, snapping me back to the present.

"You should focus on the lecture, Sera," he whispered, casting me a knowing look.

"Sorry... I just got distracted," I replied, forcing a small smile.

He nodded, his expression softening, though a hint of concern lingered in his eyes.

When the class ended, I leaned closer to Zixuan, keeping my voice low. "Can you wait for me outside? I won't take long."

"Sure," he agreed easily, slipping his hands into his pockets as he strolled out of the classroom.

I made my way to the restroom, needing a moment to collect myself. The mirror reflected my slightly disheveled appearance, so I quickly smoothed my hair and reapplied my lipstick. I needed to feel put-together, at least on the outside, before facing the whirlwind of emotions that the day had brought. After a final deep breath, I headed back out to meet Zixuan.

"Thanks for helping me yesterday," I began, handing him a neatly wrapped bag. "But it was embarrassing. I ruined your jacket, so I got you a new one as a small apology."

He glanced down at the bag, surprise flashing across his face. "You didn't need to do that, Sera. I was more than happy to help. It wasn't embarrassing at all—just something natural. Girls deal with these things every month, and as a man, it's our job to be considerate and take care of them when they need it."

I smiled at his genuine kindness but shook my head. "I know, but still... I felt like I had to do something to make up for it. It's just a small gesture."

He hesitated, glancing at the bag again as if unsure whether to accept it. "You know, my sisters would probably scold me if they found out I let you do this."

I chuckled softly, nudging the bag closer to him. "Just tell them it's a gift from a friend, then. No harm in that, right?"

For a moment, he looked conflicted, but then he gave in, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Ah, okay, okay. Thanks, Sera. I'll wear it tomorrow."

I couldn't help but feel relieved. A small warmth bloomed in my chest, easing some of the tension I'd been carrying since morning. "How many siblings do you have, anyway?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I've got four older sisters," he replied with a fond but slightly exasperated look, as if each of them brought their own brand of chaos into his life.

"Wow, that explains it then," I teased. "No wonder you're so well-mannered. They must have trained you well."

He laughed, a light, easy sound that made the moment feel lighter. "Am I really that well-mannered?"

"Yes, you are," I confirmed, smiling back at him. For a moment, the worries and questions about Taesan and Eunyeong faded, replaced by the warmth of this simple interaction.

He tilted his head slightly, considering me. "You know what? I think I should treat you today. How about it? What do you want to eat?"

I thought for a second, then grinned. "Ice cream."

"Which flavor?" he asked, looking amused by my childlike enthusiasm.

"Mint chocolate," I declared without hesitation, bracing myself for the usual reaction.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "You like mint chocolate? Really? Most Koreans I know can't stand it."

"I know. But it's my absolute favorite," I replied, unapologetic.

He shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as if he found this little detail about me both surprising and endearing. "Well, if that's what you want, then mint chocolate it is. Let's go."

After we finished our ice cream, Zixuan and I made our way to the cafeteria for lunch. As we walked in, my eyes instinctively searched the room, and I spotted Taesan sitting with Jeon Eunyeong. Dohyun was with them, too. My chest tightened at the sight, a confusing mix of emotions bubbling up. Zixuan noticed where my gaze had landed and asked gently,

"Do you want to sit there with them?"

I quickly shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, it's fine. Let's sit somewhere else."

Zixuan didn't push further and led me to a quieter corner. We sat across from each other, and he tried to lighten the mood, starting a conversation.

"Sera, since we're becoming friends, I think we should get to know each other better, don't you?"

I nodded, appreciating his attempt to distract me from my worries. "Yes, you're right."

He leaned forward slightly, studying my expression. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No, no, not at all. I actually feel comfortable with you, Zixuan. Don't worry about it," I reassured him with a small smile. "It's just that I've never had many people around me before, so this is all a bit new."

Zixuan's expression softened, and he gave a nod of understanding. "It's okay, Sera. Everyone adjusts at their own pace. Besides, I've already told you that I've been living in Korea for eight years. I came here with a dream... but I had to give it up. I realized that sometimes, life doesn't always go the way we want."

His words piqued my curiosity, and I looked at him with concern. "What dream did you have?"

He hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "Sera... You're Yoon Soobin's younger sister, aren't you?"

The question hit me like a jolt. My spoon slipped from my fingers and clattered onto the table. My mouth went dry, and I struggled to find my voice. How did he know? I had never told anyone about my connection to Soobin Oppa. He must have seen the fear and surprise in my eyes because he quickly added,

"Don't worry, Sera. I'll keep your secret safe. Let me explain. This is where my story begins. I used to be a trainee at POLL Entertainment. I loved singing and dancing and had dreams of becoming an idol. But then, everything changed. I was diagnosed with a heart condition, and I realized that I could never perform on stage like I had dreamed. It broke me. But during that time, Soobin hyung was there for me, offering encouragement when I needed it most. He never knew how much I respected him. He was a star, a real inspiration to me. He was my bias in BOND ONE. The K-pop industry was so lucky to have him. But then, he just... vanished. He disappeared without a trace after that incident. Why, Sera? Why did he leave like that?"

The pain in his voice was palpable, echoing my own feelings. I tried to keep my voice steady as I responded, "Maybe he's blaming himself for what happened. Maybe he's alive somewhere, hiding from everything. He didn't leave any clues before he disappeared."

"Did you try to find him?" Zixuan asked gently, his concern genuine.

"My dad tried, but he found nothing. There's no trace of him anywhere. Soobin Oppa and I were never very close because he started his career so young and was always busy with his group. The last time I saw him in person was a year and a half ago, at our mom's first death anniversary."

Zixuan's expression softened with empathy. "Soobin hyung used to talk about you. He even showed me your picture once. We were really close back then. He treated me like a younger brother. How's your dad now?"

I hesitated, the painful memories surging up. "I... I ran away from him."

"What?" Zixuan's eyes widened in shock.

I took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the confession settle between us. "He used to be a good man... the best father in the world. But after my mom died, everything changed. He started becoming... violent towards me. He blames me for her death. He thinks it's my fault she's gone. I... I can't swim. When we were at the beach, I went too far into the water, and my mom saved me, but... she didn't make it. She drowned. And after that, my dad couldn't forgive me for surviving when she didn't. Soobin Oppa never knew what I went through. If he did, he would never have left me alone with our dad. Even though we weren't that close, he would still send me gifts through his manager or friends. But... it's strange. My dad called me on orientation day, but then he suddenly stopped. He's not the type to give up so easily."

Zixuan frowned, thinking deeply. "Maybe it's for the best. Try not to dwell on it too much. And remember, if you ever need anything or if anything happens, you can tell me. I want to be there for you, to help and guide you."

I nodded, touched by his sincerity.

He continued after a pause, "Are you working any part-time jobs right now? And where are you staying?"

"I'm renting one of Dohyun's apartments. Taesan helped me out. Actually, I took shelter on Taesan's rooftop at first. He heard a noise, came outside, and offered to help me. That's how we met. We're neighbors now. And Taesan said he'd help me find a part-time job soon."

Zixuan's eyes lit up with an idea. "That's good, but I have a part-time job offer for you, too. If you're interested, you can take it."

Curiosity piqued, I asked, "What is it?"

He grinned, leaning in a little closer. "How would you like to be a cook at The Velvet Fork?"

My jaw nearly dropped. "What?!"

The Velvet Fork was one of the most famous five-star restaurants in Seoul. The thought of working there was almost too much to believe. Zixuan laughed at my stunned expression and said,

"Are you that shocked?"

"Yes... completely," I managed, still processing.

"One of my sisters is a partner there, managing the Chinese side dishes. I can talk to her, and you can start working there tomorrow or the day after."

I felt a rush of gratitude, the weight of everything lightening just a bit. "I don't even know how to thank you, Zixuan. This means so much to me."

He chuckled softly, then added playfully, "But there's one condition—you'll need to learn how to cook Chinese dishes first. You'll have to take some evening classes, and I can take you there."

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. I'll go with you. But... I'm a little scared. What if I'm not good enough?"

Zixuan reached out and gently patted my head, giving me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sera. This is just the beginning. You've got a lot ahead of you."