Out of curiosity, she tiptoed toward the door and peeked through the peephole. I knew it. It's him. But where is he going this late at night?
Grabbing her coat, she opened the door, ready to follow him—but suddenly stopped.
What the hell am I doing? Of course I'm not going to follow him. That's crazy.
She cleared her throat and muttered to herself,
Ah, I'm just going to buy… more instant noodles. Yes, that's all.
With that convenient excuse, she hurried outside and spotted Taeha stepping into the elevator. Since she couldn't possibly take the same one, she rushed into the elevator next to his. That's when it hit her.
Wait, which floor is he going to? The ground floor? The parking lot?
She groaned inwardly. Oh my god, I don't know. I didn't think this through at all.
She felt like a complete idiot, but she decided to take a gamble and chose the ground floor. Luck was oddly on her side. As soon as her elevator doors slid open, she spotted him exiting through the main entrance.
Taeha walked casually along the sidewalk beside the apartment complex. Seojin trailed after him like a shadow, convinced she wasn't causing any suspicion—or so she thought. He made his way toward the park nearby.
Meanwhile, Kang Seojin was imagining herself as the star of a spy movie. It was kind of fun, following her idol like some undercover paparazzi. But the thrill evaporated in an instant when she realized she had lost sight of him.
Shit, I don't see him anymore. Did real paparazzi kidnap him?
No wonder he was wearing black from head to toe… to avoid being seen.
Her mind spun with dramatic theories, but she didn't get to think much further.
A familiar voice from behind made her jump.
"I didn't know your part-time job was stalking."
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The voice alone chilled her.
It was him—Taeha.
He was standing right behind her.
"Why are you following me?" he asked, his tone cold and unreadable.
Kang Seojin turned around slowly, meeting his icy gaze. It sent shivers down her spine.
"Who, me? I wasn't stalking you," she said nervously. "I came to buy some instant noodles."
"In the park?"
"Well, I… I wanted to take a walk. It's been a while. And I was going to buy noodles on my way back anyway…"
She trailed off. She wanted to say more, to defend herself, but Taeha's gaze had her trembling. It was piercing—like he could see right through her. Her lie was obvious, written all over her face.
Then, out of nowhere, Kim Taeha leaned in—too close. She staggered back, completely off guard.
"W-What are you doing?" she stammered.
"What do you think?" he replied coolly.
"I don't think you should be doing this…" Her voice shook.
"You're in my way."
Without warning, Taeha shoved her aside and walked past.
Seo-jin nearly stumbled and stood frozen, speechless for a moment. Then:
"What the hell…?"
Laughter escaped her lips—not from amusement, but from raw disbelief. A cynical chuckle to mask her embarrassment.
She watched as Taeha disappeared into the darker corners of the park.
Later, when she got home, she was still reeling.
"How could he insult me like that?" she whispered bitterly. "This innocent little girl…"
She kept complaining, muttering to herself to let the pain out.
Who does he think he is? The President of Korea? Or the owner of the White House?
Tears welled up in her eyes. That moment had crushed her. She felt humiliated—hurt by someone she admired so deeply.
I shouldn't have followed him in the first place… she thought as she wiped her tears.