Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 83

It wasn’t a simple question. It wasn’t even “who is he” but “what is he”—a phrasing that carried a sharp edge, like a lion guarding his territory.

“You’re telling me you’re going to the movies with that guy—no, with that bastard?”

Even as he said it, as if to confirm what his own ears had heard, his tone had the bite of interrogation. Maybe it was just her imagination, but there was a chill in his voice that made Yeonseo flinch, even though there was nothing between her and Choi Chan to warrant such a reaction. Her fumbling words came out clumsily because of that.

“…No, I mean… he just said some movie was being released, so—”

“And so you agreed to go watch it together? Just the two of you?”

The follow-up came quickly, like he was chasing her down.

Did I really agree to go with just Chan? No—there wasn’t even a set date. All they’d said was, let’s go sometime. Still, she hadn’t told Youngeun yet, so technically, the only confirmed “two” were her and Chan.

While Yeonseo hesitated to answer, Seokyung pressed further.

“You and that guy—are you close?”

“…He’s the son of the snack shop owner next to our place. I’m close with his aunt too. She’s my mom’s friend, and they’ve always treated me well.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m asking if you and that Choi Chan are close.”

What does “close” even mean? With Chan, it was maybe one or two texts a year, at most. Sometimes, if the timing worked out in Chungju, she’d grab a beer with him and Yeongeun. But come to think of it, she’d never actually hung out with him one-on-one.

And yet—if asked whether they were distant, that wasn’t right either. Yeonseo hadn’t made many friends in Chungju. She’d worked so hard to live a normal school life here, but her circle was small. Weighing all that, she finally answered.

“Yeah. I guess we’re close.”

That answer tightened something in Seokyung’s chest. Unlike earlier, when his lips had been warm and pliant against hers, now they felt bone-dry.

His father had once taught him: Never let your emotions show. Always stay composed—whether with people or with money. Keep your distance. That’s how you survive. It had never been hard advice to follow. He was Cha Jaehwan’s son, after all. With his nature, a little self-control was enough to look cool, unbothered. For years, he’d lived like that effortlessly.

But with Ji Yeonseo… none of it worked. From the first moment he met her, he tried to keep his pace steady, tried not to let his feelings trip him up, but it was pointless. Every time he stood before her, he wasn’t twenty-four, he was eighteen again. A dumb boy saying dumb things he’d never even said when he was eighteen.

And those stupid, reckless impulses were what had dragged him all the way to Chungju. Around Yeonseo, Cha Seokyung didn’t know how to hold back. Which is why he found himself blurting out something no sane man would admit.

“Are you closer to him than to me?”

God. He wanted to sew his lips shut. That was the kind of thing her twelve-year-old little brother Minjae might say on a playground. The kind of thing a kid would whine when the girl he liked played with someone else.

But his mouth, like it belonged to someone else, just kept going.

“Do you meet him often here in Chungju?”

“…”

“Why are you watching a movie together?”

“…”

“Why are you having dinner with him?”

The more he spoke, the more raw emotion spilled out. This isn’t me. I don’t sound like this.

“Then what about me?”

I came all the way to Chungju just to see you. Doesn’t matter where—I’d go anywhere, if it was for you. But his voice turned crooked, his tone bitter.

“…Guess I was worrying for nothing. Didn’t realize you were already having such a fun time here without me.”

Yeonseo looked up at the tall man towering over her. When their eyes met, his words came down cold with a smile that wasn’t a smile.

“You’re fine without me, aren’t you?”

“…”

The words stung. Her heart, which had been shrinking in guilt, suddenly bristled with defiance. What did I even do wrong? She hadn’t done anything with Chan. More than that, why had she even come straight to Chungju as soon as break started? Her forehead grew hot.

Crossing her arms tight, she shot back. Echoing the very words Seokyung himself had once said to her.

“…Are you jealous?”

“…What?”

“At least I don’t go out of my way to act close to someone just to make you jealous.”

“Ji Yeonseo.”

“Chan and I are really, really close, you know.”

“…”

She even stressed “really” twice, just to drive the point in. Childish, sure, but she couldn’t help herself.

Their gazes locked, sparks flying. His burned hot enough to scorch, hers froze cold enough to sting. At last, it was Seokyung who broke the silence.

“…Yeah? That’s good then. He seems like a nice guy.”

He began tidying the table, eyes flicking to the tray of food Chan had brought, the extra set of chopsticks. It grated at him. Probably meant for the two of them to eat together. His stomach boiled, but he neatly packed away the sandwiches into a bag before continuing, voice smooth as glass.

“I don’t get jealous, Yeonseo.”

“….”

“He’s your friend, right?”

“….”

“And I don’t think you’d try to make me jealous on purpose anyway. You’re… not that desperate for me, are you?”

“…Hey. Cha Seokyung.”

“Well then. Guess I’ll just have to go sightseeing around Chungju alone.”

His lips curved up easily, too easily. He knew his mouth was the problem, but couldn’t stop it. Instead of showing how raw he felt, he put on that same cool front and walked out of the shop. Under the blazing sun, he almost wished he’d just melt into the heat.

***

Her grandmother had once said: A person’s words and actions should match. For once, Yeonseo couldn’t disagree. She checked the time again, muttering to herself.

“If you say you’re fine, then act like it. Right?”

No one was around to hear. Only the clicks of her mouse filled the room as she kept glancing at the clock. Evening was almost here, but Seokyung still hadn’t come back. Acting like he was staging a protest, he’d disappeared early in the afternoon.

Didn’t he say he doesn’t get jealous? Then why the cold shoulder? I’m not even anything with Chan.

“Was it my idea to come to Chungju? He’s the one who showed up here…” she grumbled.

Still, her search history betrayed her: “things to see in Chungju,” “Chungju tourist spots.” As if she might take Seokyung out tomorrow. Get it together, Ji Yeonseo. You can’t nag him about words and actions if you’re like this yourself. She sighed, scrolling through photos of Chungju’s Tangeumdae on a blog, when a chat alert pinged.

[mate on – Message from Lee Hojung]
[Yeonseo, how are you? Is school on break now?]

Hojung, who was in Australia on a working holiday. Yeonseo smiled and typed back.

[mate on – Ji Minseo]
[Yeah, Hojung. What about you? You doing well?]

They’d only exchanged messages once or twice a year since she transferred, but that was enough. Some friendships couldn’t go back to what they used to be. Even if the emotions faded, the closeness didn’t always return. Still, she valued hearing from her once in a while.

They traded a few updates—Australia, daily life, little things. Then Hojung asked,

[By the way, did you go to the reunion?]

Reunion? She hadn’t even heard of it. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have gone.

[I heard it was boring anyway. Oh, and Kim Eunho’s apparently going on some cable show with those so-called “ulzzangs.” People never change, huh?]

Another message followed.

[Oh, also—the others were asking. Does Cha Seokyung go to your school now?]

She could’ve just said no. But for some reason, she didn’t want to. After a pause, she typed honestly.

[Yeah. We’re even in the same club. By chance, of course.]

[Ah… so it turned out that way. In the end.]

[In the end? What do you mean?]

[Nothing. It’s just… old stuff. Too long ago to matter.]

[Come on, tell me. Haha.]

But her screen only showed the “typing…” indicator flickering on and off. Then nothing. Eventually, Hojung’s status switched to “away.” Maybe she got busy.

Just then—

“I’m back.”

The voice outside made Yeonseo jump. She shut her computer quickly and hurried to the living room.

“Hyung!”

Minjae lit up, clinging onto the tall man’s arm. Seokyung laughed, returning the gesture, before his gaze lifted—landing softly on Yeonseo. She thought he’d ignore her after what happened earlier, but he surprised her with a smile.

“I’m back, Yeonseo.”

***

Dinner was chicken soup, steaming in the big pot her mom reserved for guests. As the table filled with broth, chicken, and side dishes, her mom fussed over Seokyung warmly. He answered with that polite, composed voice, charming her instantly.

Yeonseo, meanwhile, just chewed on bland chicken leg meat, glaring at him from time to time. He wasn’t sulking at all. He even joked with Minjae like nothing had happened.

So he’s fine after all? Really? That Cha Seokyung?

But when her mom mentioned her plans with Chan the next day, Seokyung was quick to butt in.

“No, I won’t be joining. Yeonseo said he’s a really, really close friend. I wouldn’t want to get in the way.”

Yeonseo nearly choked on her soup. He’d definitely said that on purpose. By the end of dinner, she was steaming—not from the soup, but from him.

Later, fresh out of the shower, towel-damp hair clinging to her neck, she realized she’d left her lotion in the living room bathroom. She called through the door, assuming Minjae was inside.

“Hey, can you hand me the lotion?”

But the one who opened the door wasn’t her brother. It was Seokyung.

Water still glistened on his hair, drops trailing down his neck, clinging to the white cotton of his t-shirt. He handed her the lotion, but when she tried to grab it, he didn’t let go. She looked up sharply.

“Ji Yeonseo.”

Ready to argue, she braced herself—only for his damp lips to steal a quick kiss, gone in a heartbeat.

“…Your lips piss me off,” he murmured.

“…Wha—hey!”

“Have fun at the movie tomorrow.”

And just like that, he released the lotion into her hands and turned away, broad back disappearing casually down the hall. As if he hadn’t been jealous in the slightest. As if he had all the room in the world in that too-big heart of his.

While the faint scent of her lotion lingered on his skin.