Chapter 30
It was Sera.
She turned when Auntie led over, her eyes widening for the briefest mont. But almost imdiately, her expression softened back into calm composure. A small, warm smile touched her lips, as if she’d been expecting this all along.
Auntie glanced between us with her usual cheerful warmth. “Haemin, this young lady is the daughter of one of our regular custors here. She also ca from Seoul.” She turned toward Sera, about to introduce . “This is my nephew, his na is—”
“Haemin,” Sera said smoothly before Auntie could finish.
My stomach dropped.
Auntie blinked, visibly surprised. “Oh? You already know his na?”
I quickly parted my lips, ready to shake my head and deny it, but Sera answered without giving the chance. Her tone was calm, almost casual.
“Yes. We’ve t before.”
Auntie tilted her head in curiosity, but before she could ask more, Jiwon ca rushing from the entrance, still holding a paper bag from the market. His voice was loud and full of energy.
“Hyung! You left outside—” He stopped short when his eyes landed on Sera. “Oh… who’s this noona?”
Auntie smiled proudly. “This is the daughter of one of our long-ti custors. They co here often from Seoul.”
Jiwon’s eyes widened. “Ah, really? Noona, do you know my hyung?”
“Yes,” Sera replied simply, her warm gaze flicking toward for a brief second before returning to Jiwon. Her calmness made it sound completely natural, as if there was nothing unusual about it.
Jiwon’s curiosity lit up imdiately. “Omo, you know each other already? How?”
Sera’s smile deepened slightly, still graceful and composed. “We crossed paths before. Just through a brief connection. Nothing complicated.”
Her voice was steady, not giving away anything specific, but convincing enough.
“Ohh, I see.” Jiwon nodded slowly, accepting it.
Then, with his usual playful grin, he leaned in closer and blurted, “So, noona… are you hyung’s girlfriend?”
My whole body froze. “W-what?!” I almost tripped over my own words.
Auntie’s eyes widened, looking between us in shock.
But Sera… she didn’t flinch at all. She tilted her head slightly toward , her eyes glimring with a quiet amusent. Then, with the sa calm tone, she answered, “Not yet.”
The air instantly grew heavy.
My heart skipped a beat, my face heating up in disbelief. “W-what are you talking about—”
Auntie suddenly laughed, though it was half-nervous. “Aigoo, this young lady really knows how to joke.”
Jiwon’s mouth fell open, then he broke into laughter too, clapping lightly on the back. “Hyung! Wah, you didn’t tell you had this beautiful noona around you.”
I groaned quietly, wanting to disappear into the floor. “That’s not—”
Sera just let out a soft chuckle, like it was nothing serious, her composure never breaking. She didn’t even defend herself. It was as if she enjoyed watching the reactions.
Auntie, still smiling, placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Haemin-ah, don’t just stand there. Go and sit with Miss Sera for a while. Keep her company. She’s our guest.”
Before I could protest, Auntie tugged Jiwon by the arm. “Co, let’s finish sorting the vegetables in the back.”
“Eh? But Mom—” Jiwon tried to resist, but she was already pulling him away.
He glanced back at with a mischievous grin, mouthing, “Hyung, daebak!” before disappearing toward the kitchen.
And just like that, I was left standing stiffly beside Sera, my pulse hamring in my ears, with no choice but to sit down across from her.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself.
“…Hi,” I muttered, awkwardly pulling my chair in. My palms felt clammy against my knees.
Sera’s gaze settled on imdiately, calm and unwavering. Then she smiled, as though nothing in the world surprised her.
“I didn’t expect to et you here,” she said, her voice smooth and composed.
I forced a little laugh. “Yeah… but didn’t you already check my background? I thought you’d know everything.”
Her lips curved into a faint smirk. “I did. But only a brief review, nothing too detailed. I didn’t realize you were the nephew of the restaurant owner.”
I gave a stiff nod, smiling awkwardly. “…Small world, huh.”
The silence that followed only made more self-conscious. Sera didn’t look away, and I felt her gaze press against until I quickly asked, “So… what are you doing here?”
She leaned back slightly, hands resting gracefully on the table. “I’ll be eting my father later. He’s the one who recomnded this place. He cos here often.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He likes the braised monkfish here, and also the soybean paste stew. He says it tastes like the countryside food he grew up with.” She let her eyes wander toward the counter before returning them to . “So I thought, why not try it myself.”
I nodded slowly. “That… makes sense.”
Her smile deepened. “And I’m glad I did. I got to run into you.”
Her tone wasn’t overly playful, but there was sothing deliberate in the way she said it. My throat felt dry, and I dropped my eyes, fiddling with the edge of the table.
Before I could answer, she checked her watch. “Ah. I should get going soon. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”
Relief washed over instantly. “Of course. Don’t let hold you up—”
“But before I leave…” she lifted her gaze back to , “are you free this evening?”
I froze. “…Why?”
“It’s been a long ti since I last ca to Busan. I thought you could show around. A local guide is always better than going alone.”
I shook my head quickly. “I can’t. I… I promised to help Auntie with the dinner crowd tonight.”
She tilted her head. “Dinner crowd? But I thought the restaurant closes early.”
“Uh—yeah, but still. She needs help with cleaning afterward.”
Her brows lifted slightly, amused. “Mm. I see.”
“I also… have to et an old classmate,” I blurted out suddenly, piling another excuse on top. “He texted earlier. It’s been such a long ti since we caught up.”
“Oh?” Her tone was light, but the look in her eyes told she didn’t believe a word.
“And, uh, I’m not feeling that great either,” I added quickly. “A little tired from the trip. Maybe another ti.”
Sera leaned her chin against her hand, smiling as if I were so amusing puzzle. “Are you sure you’re not just avoiding ?”
I waved my hands. “No, no, it’s not that. Really. I just… have a lot going on.”
She chuckled softly, then called out without warning, “Auntie Miyeon?”
My stomach dropped. “Wait—”
Auntie poked her head from the counter. “Yes?”
“Would it be alright if I borrow Haemin this evening? Just a few hours. I’ll make sure to return him safely.”
I imdiately shook my head, sending Auntie desperate signals with my eyes. Please say no. Please.
But Auntie’s face brightened even more. “Of course! Go ahead. Haemin should take you around. It’s rare for him to get out and enjoy himself.”
My jaw fell open. “Auntie…”
Sera’s smile soften, satisfied. “Well then, now you don’t have any excuse, do you?”.
She rose from her chair with effortless grace.
I sat frozen, my lips parting with words that never ca out.
“See you later, Haemin,” she said lightly, giving a quick wink before turning to leave, leaving frozen in place.
And just like that, she walked out of the restaurant, leaving staring helplessly at the door, my heart pounding in my chest.
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