Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 47

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[Minseo, are you free next weekend?]

Next weekend, huh. So… is this what they call a follow-up date? Leaning her chin on her hand, Yeonseo stared at the message from Kim Jawoon.

He seemed to think Yeonseo’s abrupt decision to go home last time was because her clothes got ruined and he’d understood. The way he’d casually offered his jacket to hide her torn skirt hem had been both thoughtful and well-mannered.

“Jawoon oppa says he’s super grateful,” Eunjoo unceremoniously dropped her bag onto the couch and grinned.

“He said thanks for introducing him to Minseo, and he’s treating me to something nice. How about you? Do you like him?”

Yeonseo couldn’t answer right away. If she were being objective, Kim Jawoon was the type anyone could easily like—good-looking, good-natured… And yet, for some reason, she couldn’t just blurt out, Yeah, I like him.

What puzzled her more was why her mind kept drifting to something else entirely when she thought about that day. Big hands. Pitch-black eyes.

“Meet him at least three or four more times. Jawoon oppa’s really a good one.”

“What kind of guy is Minseo meeting three or four times?”

It was Lee Jeongmin from the class of ’02, barging in as she entered the clubroom. People trailed in behind her.

“I set Minseo up on a blind date,” Eunjoo announced.

“What?!”

“Wow, Eunjoo… you’re something else.”

“What? Why?” Eunjoo blinked innocently from behind her glasses.

“There are people here waiting in line for her, you know. And you just leak a national treasure out into the wild?”

“Come on. It’s not like she’ll quit the club just because she’s dating.”

“That’s not the point… ah, forget it, you’re hopeless.”

“What he means,” someone chimed in, “is that he joined this semester’s project to get closer to Minseo, but now she has a boyfriend, so that’s game over.”

Laughter and teasing bounced around the room.

Yeonseo, for her part, had no intention of dating anyone in the club, but apparently they’d already poured themselves a tall glass of imaginary wedding soup.

They were all basically her age or younger—technically “seniors,” but still. Years of dealing with her moody younger brothers had taught her that with guys, you had to set the tone early.

She was about to fire back when—

“Looks like there’s something in the air this semester. Even the class of ’02 Cha is coming by.”

“What?!”

“Seriously?”

The female seniors’ faces lit up instantly, like buds in the rain suddenly basking in sunlight.

“I thought he wasn’t coming back this semester? Why haven’t I seen him around the business school building?”

“He had to fly to the States for a bit, so he only registered for his required major courses. Most of them end in the morning, so he just vanishes after class. He’s always been busy like that.”

And there it was again—that quick, unsteady beat in her chest. No real reason, except she’d caught the word “Cha.” Was it a nickname? A middle syllable? A last name?

But no—it couldn’t be Cha Seokyung.

If he’d gone to college, with his grades, he’d be in a top school in Gwanak-gu, not here. Maybe somewhere in Boston or Massachusetts.

“Don’t get your hopes up. Cha sunbae’s standards are sky-high. Just because he’s nice to you doesn’t mean he’s interested. It’s just his personality.”

“No one’s saying they’ll date him. Just seeing him is enough. Eye candy.”

The club president, Lee Jeongmin, groaned.

“Must be nice… some guys just sit there and people swoon. I bust my back running this club and only get chewed out.”

“It’s not like he just sits there. Cha sunbae’s fun and charming.”

Ah. So she’d been mistaken. The Cha Seokyung she knew was not charming to everyone. No—there was no way. That was impossible.

“Sunbae!”

The clubroom door burst open, and a high-pitched call was thrown toward the newcomer. Even the guys, mid-conversation, lit up at the sight.

Whoever it was, they were instantly, universally liked—just like the old Cha Seokyung.

“Long time no see, everyone.”

It was déjà vu. Backlit, he smiled, dazzling in a way completely different from when Yeonseo had run into him last Saturday.

From Cha Seokyung, Class 2-2 of Myeongwon High School to Cha Seokyung, Business Administration, Class of ’02, Yeono University. The title felt strangely out of place.

The Seokyung from Myeongwon High could exist—but him being here? She’d never imagined it. Wasn’t he supposed to have gone to America? He’d dropped out… wasn’t that to study abroad? Then why was he here?

“Sunbae, do you remember me?” A sophomore girl from ’04 asked shyly, cheeks pink.

Seokyung, shrugging off his denim jacket onto a chair, glanced at her calmly. Same taste as ever—neutral-toned pants, plain T-shirt, nothing fancy, but worn like a magazine spread.

His forearms, exposed under the short sleeves, were much more solid now, veins standing out sharply. Even his scent had changed—less innocent, more… dangerous.

“Of course I remember. Kim Sunmi, class of ’04, right?” He smiled warmly—almost like he was trying to pull someone in. More practiced than in high school.

“What about me, sunbae?”

Soon, everyone was asking if he remembered their names. Had they always been this forward? Faces she’d seen more than ten times since joining the club now bloomed like it was spring.

Surprisingly, he remembered all their names. It made Yeonseo feel… something she couldn’t quite name.

“Are you here to exchange business cards or something?” Jeongmin cut in, annoyed.

“There are actually freshmen who still haven’t introduced themselves. Our ’06 rookies, stand up.”

There were three of them, including Yeonseo—one baby-faced girl, one guy with lingering acne scars.

One by one, they said their names and majors.

When it came to Yeonseo’s turn, she felt an unexpected knot in her stomach. She’d done countless self-introductions before, but this time her mouth went dry.

Because not once, since she’d entered, had Seokyung’s eyes landed on her.

“Even if we pass each other on the street, I will  pretend we’re strangers. You don’t exist in my present. Is that okay?”

His voice from back then echoed in her ears.

She stood slowly.

“Hello, I’m Ji Minseo, Class of ’06, English Literature. Please take care of me…”

The male seniors whooped and clapped in jest. She gave a small bow and was about to sit down when—

“How old are you?”

The question came lazily across the long table. Meeting his eyes, she saw no malice—his tone was mild.

“You just look a little older than the other freshmen. No offense.”

“…I’m twenty-five. I started school pretty late.”

“What were you doing?”

“…Sorry?”

“I mean, what took you so long to start college? Were you retaking the exam for five years?”

…So much for pretending they were strangers. He was clinging to her words like he wanted confirmation.

Maybe it was just an extension of his old personality—back then, he’d been meticulous, always double-checking things.

But they weren’t eighteen anymore. Yeonseo forced a faint smile, lacing her words with finality.

“I was busy dating.”

“…”

“I was completely out of my mind.”

It was one of the things time had taught her—how to cut loose threads before they tangled again. Whoever the other person was.

And just like she’d hoped, it worked. No more questions came across the table.