Chapter 82

Standing at the classroom door, Kim Deoksan, who is already well-versed in investment, took a deep breath and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.

“Wow, I... I’m really losing my cool here.”

I said, undeterred.

“I’ll get you an office. Just put your name on it. You’ll feel stifled just looking at the monitor at home, so you can come to the office when you’re bored.”

“Can you find the other one too?”

“Yes, there is. His name is Kim Gwetae. He’s a lawyer, but he’s just a god of auctions.”

Me, Kim Deoksan, and Kim Gwetae.

We were the founding members of <Amuse Investment>, which would sweep in money without any discrimination.

Of course, I was the CEO.

“How about it? Just put your name on it.”

“20 billion.”

“No way.”

“Tch...”

Kim Deoksan gave a bitter smile.

It was a positive signal.

He’s... the cafe owner?

After leaving the cafe, I called Kim Gwetae.

[ It’s been a while, client. How have you been? ]

His tone was as professional as ever.

I stopped opening the car door and laughed at his consistent attitude.

“Haha, I’m doing well. How about you, lawyer?”

[ I’m so busy every day... I guess I’m fine. ]

“Did you see the email I sent yesterday?”

[ Yes. ]

“What do you think?”

I could have found any lawyer, but I wanted to work with Kim Gwetae, so I waited nervously for his answer.

[ I’m not sure if I, who can barely take care of myself, can be of any help... ]

Well, there’s nothing I can do.

I calmly accepted his meaning.

“Oh, I see. I understand.”

[ But ]

But?

[ After receiving the email yesterday, I couldn’t sleep. The auction house in Christie’s New York kept coming to mind. ]

“Oh...”

[ I couldn’t give up on my dream. Let’s go together. I’ll help you as much as I can. ]

‘...Alright!’

I bowed deeply while holding the phone to my ear.

“Thank you, lawyer! Really, thank you!”

[ No, I’m the one who should be grateful for this opportunity. ]

“Since you’ve been to New York, let’s go to Christie’s London, Hong Kong, Milan, and all the others together!”

[ Of course, hahaha. ]

So, the coffee and movie plans were set.

The only thing left was this.

[ Quest: Be selected as the ‘Best Dressed Couple’ at the influencer party <Midsummer Night’s Halloween> ]

I drove to the store in Itaewon and parked the car.

But my mind was already a mess.

When I first received the quest, I thought it would be easy.

I assumed it would just be a party where we would hold cocktails at a bar.

‘Hmm.’

But it turned out to be the opening party of a 4.5-star boutique hotel.

A grand event in collaboration with a famous jewelry brand and a beauty brand.

Influencers and maybe even celebrities would be there, and I, a regular person, had to be the best dressed.

‘The only one I can rely on is Chae Yeon...’

But as soon as I thought of Min Chae Yeon, my already messy mind became even more tangled.

I thought we had a good connection.

I didn’t want to deny those feelings.

The words I had blurted out without her consent.

[ ...We like each other. ]

Min Chae Yeon must have understood the meaning behind those words.

If I acted as if nothing had happened and treated her normally...

‘...That would be trashy.’

But then again.

Thinking about it from another angle.

‘Maybe Chae Yeon doesn’t feel that way either.’

There were moments when I thought she might have feelings for me, but she had never expressed them directly.

‘Still...’

Her gaze, her trembling, the atmosphere of those moments couldn’t all be fake.

Should I just grab her hand as soon as I see her?

Or should I start from scratch today...

‘Ugh!’

My hands and feet went numb, and I almost lost control of the steering wheel.

Anyway.

My mind was a mess.

*

[ Itaewon Fire Party House ]

[ Balloons, Party Supplies, Costume Rentals ]

[ 02-7**-32** ]

Min Chae Yeon confirmed the store sign.

Then she entered the shaded stairwell and crouched down.

A sigh escaped her lips.

“Sigh...”

Min Chae Yeon’s mind was just as messy.

Actually, it had been since last night.

[ So, are you two dating? ]

[ No, we’re not! ]

Her mother’s persistent questioning about her relationship with Shin Yuwon during dinner.

Min Chae Yeon couldn’t give a clear answer.

[ Hmm, not? ]

[ No. ]

[ Oh? You said you like each other? ]

[ That... well. ]

[ Why? Don’t you like that friend? I thought he was perfect. He’s polite, confident, and capable enough to buy a house. ]

[ No... I do like him. ]

[ Oh, you shy one. You couldn’t even bring yourself to say you like him? ]

[ ... ]

[ Why don’t you try talking to him first? ]

[ ...Should I? ]

[ Who wouldn’t want a good man? Girls will snatch him up in a heartbeat. ]

She was startled by her mother’s words.

Because it had actually happened before.

[ Daughter, love is all about timing. ]

Min Chae Yeon buried her face between her knees.

“Oh, what should I do...”

Even if she had said those things.

She wasn’t sure about Shin Yuwon’s feelings.

‘Maybe he was just being considerate... to avoid getting scolded by my mom.’

But the possibility was low.

If she knew Shin Yuwon, he wasn’t the type to say things lightly.

‘Should I really ask him today... how he feels about me?’

But it wasn’t as easy as she wished. If it were, she would have confessed a year ago.

The fear was the same, then and now.

If she asked and got an answer she didn’t want...

[ Chae Yeon, you’re my precious little sister. ]

[ You’re a really good person, kind and all. ]

“...Crazy.”

Their current relationship was already good and happy.

The fear of losing it, of breaking it.

But still...

[ Why are you so hesitant? ]

She decided not to be hesitant anymore.

Min Chae Yeon clenched her fists tightly.

“...I can do it.”

Then a familiar voice came from above.

“What?”

It was Shin Yuwon, who had just arrived.

Startled, Min Chae Yeon could only blink and look up.

“Oh? Big brother...”

“What are you so determined about?”

“Oh... B, Best Dressed.”

“Of course you can. With Chae Yeon here.”

Standing in the bright summer sunlight.

His face, brighter than the sun, smiled at her.

“...”

All her worries and concerns flew away.

Her mind went completely blank.

*

A completely blank mind.

She had prepared all sorts of things to say on the way here.

“But, but of course. Just trust me!”

But nothing came to mind.

Because of Min Chae Yeon, who jumped up and smiled sweetly.

Even though she had been in relationships before.

This was a first for her.

It was as if someone had planted a woofer speaker in her ear.

Just thumping.

It was definitely different.

From her past relationships.

“Big brother, have you thought about the concept?”

“Oh... the concept. No.”

“What? I told you to think about it. Well, there’s no choice. Let’s go in and look together.”

At that moment, Min Chae Yeon grabbed my wrist.

Not too strong, not too weak.

She led me into the store.

“Welcome, are you looking for something?”

“No, I’ll just look around for a bit.”

The store was chaotic.

Costumes of all colors and styles filled the space.

“Shall we start from there?”

“By the way, Chae Yeon. What was your original concept? You said you had a costume prepared.”

“Oh, that.”

Min Chae Yeon hesitated for a moment before answering.

“...A little witch.”

“A little witch?”

“Yes... isn’t it cute?”

“Haha!”

A little witch.

It was a concept that seemed to fit, yet not fit. You would never look like a little witch.

“Why are you laughing?”

“No, just because it’s cute.”

“I’ve been preparing this one ambitiously for about two weeks...”

“I didn’t know.”

When I said I wanted to try for the ‘Best Dressed Couple’ yesterday, she readily agreed, so I didn’t know.

“It’s okay. In return, you have to do everything I say. The concept, the clothes, the poses.”

“Poses?”

“Yeah, didn’t you know? They decide the Best Dressed by poses in the photo zone. It’s based on the number of likes on Instagram.”

Poses, huh? It didn’t seem easy.

Is this really a quest in 《Game》, System?

“Big brother, you’ll do well. The photos you took with the author and the cafe brand were really natural and cool.”

“Really? Oh, how about this one.”

I pointed to a werewolf costume hanging nearby.

“Wanna try this one?”

“...Me?”

“Yeah, you’re the senior in this field.”

“Not a bad point...”

Thus began the fitting session.

Werewolf, Joker, the female lead from the animation <Blade of the Ghost>, and even a ghost bride.

Min Chae Yeon pulled off every single one.

Especially the mummy costume was impressive.

“What about this one?”

“Too... beautiful.”

It was embarrassing to keep staring.

‘If they make a cute mummy skin, it’ll sell well...’

But then Min Chae Yeon, wrapped in bandages, approached me.

“Big brother, why am I the only one trying on costumes...”

“Well, yeah.”

“Now it’s your turn! Try this one.”

Min Chae Yeon pointed to a typical vampire costume.

A silk shirt with a collar, a black suit, and a cape.

‘Ugh, am I really going to wear this?’

I just held the costume, and Min Chae Yeon asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, a vampire is a bit...”

“Hmm.”

Min Chae Yeon shook her head.

Since I decided to do as she said today, I had no choice but to enter the fitting room.

‘Luckily, the size fits perfectly.’

When I walked out hesitantly,

“Wow, big brother...”

Min Chae Yeon’s pupils dilated in real-time.

She came over and adjusted my clothes, saying,

“You look amazing, really.”

“...Really?”

“Perfect fit. Should we go with this?”

“Hmm.”

Min Chae Yeon tilted her head to look at my face from different angles and said,

“But big brother, you look too nice when you smile... I think a strong eyeliner will do the trick.”

“Really?”

I didn’t know.

“No, how about we go with a slightly shy nerd vampire? A vampire who inherited the blood but doesn’t want to bite anyone, struggling alone... that kind of vibe.”

Oh, that sounds interesting.

“Then what about you? What concept?”

“A noble lady who falls for that melancholy.”

“That sounds good?”

“Great!”

With that, the costume choice was complete.

I sent Min Chae Yeon off first, claiming I had a prior engagement.

“I... I’ll go then. See you at the shop tomorrow.”

“Yeah, be careful.”

There were many things I wanted to talk about.

It was quite disappointing, but I couldn’t help it.

Actually, the costumes in this store were clearly B-grade.

They were only good enough for a neighborhood party with friends.

‘Really, being too nice...’