Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 57

A bouquet of roses landed in her arms. Holding the flowers, their crinkling wrapper rustling like a bus pulling into a stop, Yeonseo froze for a second at the unexpected gift before quickly finding her voice.

“Oh, thank you. I didn’t prepare anything…”

“It’s fine. I wanted to get this for you.” Jawoon smiled softly as he said it.

Yeonseo gently set the bouquet down on the chair next to her. She couldn’t help wondering if she should’ve picked a nicer place.

The new family restaurant in front of the university had a decent price range and atmosphere, but compared to the Italian place Jawoon had taken her to last time, this felt… well, cheap.

But what can I do? This is the best I can afford.

After Jawoon’s text, she’d quickly set a date to meet. Her plan was simple. Since he’d treated her to something nice before, she’d buy him a good meal this time, and talk seriously about where they stood.

“What should we get? Minseo, what do you like?” Jawoon asked warmly. Yeonseo smiled back.

They ended up ordering a couple’s set and chatted over their meal. Even so, her attention kept drifting to the phone inside her bag.

From Tuesday—when Yang Jisoo had dropped by—up to now, Saturday, she hadn’t heard a single word from Cha Seokyung. For someone who used to hound her like he’d show up any day, his sudden silence could only mean one thing.

…He must be seeing her again.

She came to that conclusion, staring at her empty inbox.

No matter how much someone might change, their true nature never disappears. Dirt and dust might cover it, but the shape of Cha Seokyung remained the same. She’d recognized it in something as simple as the strawberry milk in the fridge.

A person who valued relationships. Someone who, even at eighteen, had let Yeonseo into his circle and given her his whole heart.

If, as an adult, he let someone in again, he wouldn’t walk away easily. So, he must have gone back to Yang Jisoo.

“Minseo, what do you think of me?”

The soft question brought her eyes up from her teacup.

The dishes that had filled the striped table were cleared away, leaving just coffee and green tea between them. Once Yeonseo met his gaze, Jawoon went on.

“I know we’ve only met twice, but… I like you. It might be a little soon, but I’m sure about how I feel. So I wanted to hear your thoughts.”

Sure about how you feel? What does that even mean…

“I want to date you seriously, Minseo. What do you think of me?”

A serious relationship. The kind that could be labeled as “dating.”

“Don’t feel pressured. Just tell me honestly.”

She didn’t even need to think about it. If she’d had any feelings for Jawoon—if she’d been even a little interested—she would’ve chosen differently when Seokyung had given her his options.

Yeonseo wasn’t the kind of person who kept multiple people hanging while weighing her choices. No matter how much time passed, that part of her wouldn’t change.

In that sense, maybe she and Seokyung were alike. At least in the way they each kept only one choice in hand.

The fact that Seokyung hadn’t contacted her after getting back with Jisoo showed he’d already made his choice.

And now, Yeonseo had to make hers.

“…I—”

When they finished eating, Jawoon offered to drive her home. She’d gone out fully intending to pay, but when she came back from the restroom, the bill was already taken care of.

“Next time. You can buy me a meal then,” he said with a smile.

He got out of the car to open the passenger door for her—a perfect gentleman. For a second, it seemed like he was debating asking to come in for tea, but he must have thought better of it, because he gave her a light smile and walked away.

Watching his car disappear, Yeonseo wondered if she’d done the right thing. Was she just swept up in the moment when she’d said yes?

“What’s done is done… whatever.” She muttered carelessly and went inside her building.

Without an elevator, she had to climb to the third floor, the sensor lights flicking on one by one above her. Sometimes they didn’t work at all, which could be creepy on late nights.

I should ask the landlady to fix these…

She had just stepped onto the last flight from the second to third floor when she noticed it—a tall, dark figure standing in the landing.

The apartment across from hers was empty.

A new tenant?

Her steps slowed, tension tightening her chest. When she got close, the figure stepped forward, blocking her way. The sensor light blinked on with a click, and the bouquet wrapper crinkled loudly in her arms.

“What the hell?”

He spoke first—exactly what she’d been about to say.

Clutching her chest, she glared. “What the hell, yourself. You scared me—it’s pitch dark here!”

At that, the sharp edge in Cha Seokyung’s stance softened. He stepped aside just enough to let her pass.

Yeonseo caught her breath and walked toward her door.

“Where were you? Who were you with?”

His cold gaze flicked to the roses in her arms, lingered for a second, then dropped. The emotions under that look were clear enough to make her want to laugh in disbelief.

“Why are you here?”

“Answer me first. Who were you with?”

It was the tone of someone demanding their property back.

Yeonseo pulled her keys from her bag, glaring. What’s it to you? But snapping back would only drag the fight out. She looked away.

“I had dinner and coffee with Jawoon oppa.”

“And he gave you those?”

“Yeah.”

She unlocked the door with a click, but before she could push it open, it slammed shut again.

Spinning around, she found Seokyung standing a step away, much too close. The sensor light above them flickered nervously, while moonlight spilled in from the stairwell window.

He smelled faintly of shampoo and soap, his hair slightly damp, T-shirt and jeans worn like always—but he looked like he’d thrown them on in a rush, fresh out of the shower.

“When he gave you that, what did he say?” His tone was calm, at odds with his rushed appearance.

“What do you think? He said he likes me and wants to date me.”

“And you?”

“I… I’m sorry. I don’t feel the same way.”

She’d made that decision back at the restaurant, looking only at her own feelings, separate from anything between Seokyung and Jisoo. She’d gone out that night already knowing her answer.

Jawoon hadn’t looked hurt or embarrassed—almost like he’d expected it. He’d quickly offered an alternative.

“Maybe I rushed it, only meeting twice. I know you just started school and have a lot going on. But… what if we met just one more time?”

“…”

“They say you need three tries to know for sure. If we end things now without me even getting the chance to show you my best, I’ll regret it. Please?”

She understood that feeling all too well—having to end something without a real closing. That was her and Seokyung’s story.

And with Eunjoo sunbae in mind, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“Ji Yeonseo.”

The sound of her name pulled her back to reality. His voice was cold, his expression locked tight in anger.

“Sorry. I was just thinking,” she said quickly—truthfully, about her conversation with Jawoon.

The air between them turned icy. His jaw tightened, his sharp gaze cutting toward the bouquet.

“So? Don’t tell me you agreed to him just because of some flowers.”

“…”

“You’re not a teenager anymore. Right?”

His tone dripped with sarcasm, and Yeonseo’s reply came just as sharp.

“I guess my mental age is still low enough to get swayed by flowers.”

“…”

“Jawoon oppa treats me like a princess, not like someone who ignores me and only serves meat onto his own plate.”

“And when someone likes me that much, I… well.”

Her words were cut through by his low voice.

“…How can you?”

“What?”

When their eyes met, she froze. She’d never seen him look like that before.

“How can you do that, Ji Yeonseo?”

His usual steady tone was tinged with emptiness, disappointment, and maybe a little sadness.

Oh. She remembered now. That look—at the end of summer, when he’d stood before her in a black suit, breaking up with her, hurt and betrayed.

“I thought we agreed—you’d only spend all four seasons with me.”

“That’s not—”

“You don’t remember promises like that, do you?”

Her chest tightened. “And what about you? Shouldn’t you leave? You don’t need to comfort your girlfriend anymore?”

He probably frowned, like he always did at comments like that, but his damp bangs hid his expression.

“Yang Jisoo seemed to be crying a lot that day.”

Keep your tone even, Yeonseo. Don’t let him see you care.

“Don’t you think it’s strange to come here and say all this to me when you’re with her? Isn’t that disrespectful to your girlfriend?”

“…”

“I don’t know or care what’s between you two, but if it’s that deep—”

Dating someone and talking marriage are two very different things. If an ex he’d been that serious with showed up crying, of course he wouldn’t be unaffected.

“Since Tuesday, you’ve been spending time with your ex, and I can’t have dinner with Jawoon oppa?”

Seokyung’s gaze softened slightly. “So… were you jealous, Yeonseo?”

“What?! No. I just think it’s wrong to act like this when things with your ex aren’t even sorted out yet.”

A hint of teasing crept into his voice. “What exactly is ‘acting like this’?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice until it brushed against her ear.

“What have we done, Yeonseo? We’ve only talked. It’s not like that night… we haven’t even kissed. And besides—”

“…?”

“I’m still wearing pants.”

Though he was standing a little too close.

The emptiness in his expression was gone, replaced by his usual composure. Straightening up, he reached for her, his hand brushing her waist as he turned the doorknob.

With a soft creak, the door opened, and he gave her a light push inside.

“Let’s talk in there.”