“Yeah. I wanna show you my imitations, like what comedians often do.”
Choi Ji Hoon couldn't control his considerable expectations.
“You're really going to do it for me?”
“Yeah. First I'll express the sound of a person walking from far away through imitation.”
Lee Hye Yeon spoke after slightly licking her plum-colored lips.
“Clop. Clop.”
“…”
“Next is the sound of a car starting up. Vrooom!”
“…”
“This is the sound of an airplane taking off. Swooosshh!”
The click of a picture being taken, the riiing of a phone call, the boom boom boom sound of a drum being played, the bark sound of a dog cry, the meow of a cat cry!
Choi Ji Hoon laughed himself to tears.
The imitations weren't at all similar, but seeing a girl of such innocent and youthful appearance earnestly doing the gag was delightful.
'This child, she has charm.'
Although he had met plenty of girls, the feeling of being sucked in like when he was with Lee Hye Yeon was a first. It seemed like he would have no regrets even if they lived their whole lives together.
'I would be happy every morning when I open my eyes, hear the chirping sound of the birds, and be able to see the fully bloomed flowers.'
The figure of a man who was completely immersed in his fantasy!
It was to the point that he was worried that he might just be a normal oppa here by Lee Hye Yeon's side.
Choi Ji Hoon asked casually, as if it wasn't a big deal, “What's your ideal man?”
If she couldn't reply properly, he was prepared to ask her what she thought of him.
Lee Hye Yeon answered without hesitation.
“Height about 187 (6'1”) and weight 78 kilograms (172 lbs), it'd be good if his attire suited him well. His ankles have to be thin, slightly slim body and muscles. For hobbies, cooking and cleaning. Annual income around 200 million won ($190k), financial businessman. Will an age of about twenty-eight do?”
“…”
“I'm joking. I like a family man. Everything else is fine as long as he's to my liking. If need be, I can work and feed the family.”
“A family man?”
“Yeah. A man who'll only look at me and love me.”
Choi Ji Hoon was speechless.
In terms of eligibility, he had more than anyone. He had confidence in his appearance as well, and had the charisma to charm any woman.
However, those kinds of conditions held no meaning for Lee Hye Yeon.
'Apart from the things I've had since birth… I'm really a worthless person.'
This had become an opportunity for Choi Ji Hoon to turn himself around.
Just then, he met a familiar face over Lee Hye Yeon's shoulder. From the time he'd known, spent, and met with Lee Hye Yeon, this was the primary person he feared to even meet in his dreams!
It was the first among the SwordNoobs, Jung Il Hoon.
Jung Il Hoon, who'd come to the city to buy a present to give to Cha Eun Hee, had caught him red-handed.
“Oppa, what're you thinking about?”
“Huh? Mmyeah.”
“Your face went really blue, are you okay?”
“I-it must be the lighting.”
“There aren't any blue lights here… anyways, I'm going home now.”
“You're going already?”
“Yeah. Because my oppa gets worried if it gets too late.”
“Should I take you home?”
Choi Ji Hoon spoke as if he considered that a novel idea he'd thought of himself.
'No matter what, I have to leave this place.'
An instinctive struggle to survive!
Lee Hye Yeon got her bag and stood up.
“You don't have to do that. From here, it's only five stops on the bus. I don't even have to transfer.”
“I'll see you home on a taxi.”
“Save your money. Why would you waste money on something you don't need? You would go back on taxi after dropping me off, right?”
Choi Ji Hoon couldn't lie and say that wasn't true.
Even if he tried to ride the bus, he'd never done so in his life, so he didn't even know what the fare was.
In his preschool, elementary school, and middle school years, a chauffeur had dropped him off in a limousine.
In high school, he'd ridden his motorcycle. Although it was a dangerous ride with a high chance of an accident, his bodyguards and an escort of police cars were behind him.
The most frugal means of transportation he'd used was a taxi.
His imported cars at home were taking a long break in the garage.
Somehow, he'd become the inheriting son of a business franchise CEO. He couldn't tell her the truth because he was afraid that she might become prejudiced or hostile towards him.
Although he didn't dislike the time he spent comfortably on these modest dates, he'd never felt a painful regret like this before.
“I'm going first. Go home safely.”
“H-Hye Yeon.”
Just when Choi Ji Hoon stood awkwardly to take her home anyways, he saw Jung Il Hoon wagging his finger and stopped.
He was even saying something. The blatant words his lips conveyed were clear.
'If you run, you'll die.'
After he'd seen Lee Hye Yeon off, Choi Ji Hoon approached Jung Il Hoon, his shoulders cringing and his eyes trembling. Without a doubt, he was the picture of a prisoner.
“It's hot. Let's walk a little.”
“Yes, hyung.”
They headed towards a nearby park.
For Choi Ji Hoon, it was an incredible relief that they didn't ascend into the back mountains.
'At the very least, it's better that I was caught by Jung Il Hoon and not someone else.'
He was the first instructor and had a strong sense of responsibility. Since he himself was courting someone, he was unusually considerate.
Fish were swimming peacefully in the clear, park lake.
'I'm jealous of you guys.'
At this moment, even Choi Ji Hoon was jealous of the fish.
Jung Il Hoon moaned loudly with a drawn face, “Do you… like Hye Yeon?”
“Yes, that's right.”
Choi Ji Hoon didn't make any excuses.
They might not be in a dating relationship, but he was certain that the feeling of love had blossomed in his heart.
“So that's how it is.”
Jang Il Hoon didn't speak for a long time.
Choi Ji Hoon's body, which had been trembling like a leaf, gradually relaxed.
'I survived.'
He hadn't been thoughtlessly beaten. So with the optimistic hope that he would make it to the other side safely, he tried carefully moving forward.
After a moment of silence, Choi Ji Hoon gallantly straightened his chest.
“As long as Hye Yeon likes me, I want to try being in a honest, serious relationship with her.”
“In the end, you…”
“I'm sorry. Hyung-nim.”
“It's fine. What reason is there to be sorry to me. Love is a matter for those involved. And if it doesn't come to dating?”
“I'm in love with her.”
Choi Ji Hoon explained how some expressions of Lee Hye Yeon were so beautiful to him.
It was an explanation that spanned a long 10 minutes. He even spoke honestly of the empty feelings he'd felt while meeting other girls.
“I'm still young, but I think she's a girl who'd be hard to find again in my whole life. More than anything… Even now, it's like I can still hear her voice. I think of her when I sleep, too.”
Choi Ji Hoon realized something as he spoke.
Lee Hye Yeon was different from other girls. He realized that if he lost her, she was a precious person he would never be able to meet again, and also just how enthralled he was with her.
Jung Il Hoon clapped his shoulder with a thickset hand.
“Alright. It's fine if you're that determined. A man doesn't have to talk pathetically about this and that.”