Chapter 30

It was Sera.

She turned when Auntie led me over, her eyes widening for the briefest moment. But almost immediately, her expression softened back into calm composure. A small, warm smile touched her lips, as if she’d been expecting this all along.

Auntie glanced between us with her usual cheerful warmth. “Haemin, this young lady is the daughter of one of our regular customers here. She also came from Seoul.” She turned toward Sera, about to introduce me. “This is my nephew, his name is—”

“Haemin,” Sera said smoothly before Auntie could finish.

My stomach dropped.

Auntie blinked, visibly surprised. “Oh? You already know his name?”

I quickly parted my lips, ready to shake my head and deny it, but Sera answered without giving me the chance. Her tone was calm, almost casual. 

“Yes. We’ve met before.”

Auntie tilted her head in curiosity, but before she could ask more, Jiwon came rushing from the entrance, still holding a paper bag from the market. His voice was loud and full of energy.

“Hyung! You left me outside—” He stopped short when his eyes landed on Sera. “Oh… who’s this noona?”

Auntie smiled proudly. “This is the daughter of one of our long-time customers. They come here often from Seoul.”

Jiwon’s eyes widened. “Ah, really? Noona, do you know my hyung?”

“Yes,” Sera replied simply, her warm gaze flicking toward me for a brief second before returning to Jiwon. Her calmness made it sound completely natural, as if there was nothing unusual about it.

Jiwon’s curiosity lit up immediately. “Omo, you know each other already? How?”

Sera’s smile deepened slightly, still graceful and composed. “We crossed paths before. Just through a brief connection. Nothing complicated.”

Her voice was steady, not giving away anything specific, but convincing enough.

“Ohh, I see.” Jiwon nodded slowly, accepting it.

Then, with his usual playful grin, he leaned in closer and blurted, “So, noona… are you hyung’s girlfriend?”

My whole body froze. “W-what?!” I almost tripped over my own words.

Auntie’s eyes widened, looking between us in shock.

But Sera… she didn’t flinch at all. She tilted her head slightly toward me, her eyes glimmering with a quiet amusement. Then, with the same calm tone, she answered, “Not yet.”

The air instantly grew heavy.

My heart skipped a beat, my face heating up in disbelief. “W-what are you talking about—”

Auntie suddenly laughed, though it was half-nervous. “Aigoo, this young lady really knows how to joke.”

Jiwon’s mouth fell open, then he broke into laughter too, clapping me lightly on the back. “Hyung! Wah, you didn’t tell me you had this beautiful noona around you.”

I groaned quietly, wanting to disappear into the floor. “That’s not—”

Sera just let out a soft chuckle, like it was nothing serious, her composure never breaking. She didn’t even defend herself. It was as if she enjoyed watching the reactions.

Auntie, still smiling, placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Haemin-ah, don’t just stand there. Go and sit with Miss Sera for a while. Keep her company. She’s our guest.”

Before I could protest, Auntie tugged Jiwon by the arm. “Come, let’s finish sorting the vegetables in the back.”

“Eh? But Mom—” Jiwon tried to resist, but she was already pulling him away.

He glanced back at me with a mischievous grin, mouthing, “Hyung, daebak!” before disappearing toward the kitchen.

And just like that, I was left standing stiffly beside Sera, my pulse hammering in my ears, with no choice but to sit down across from her.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself.

“…Hi,” I muttered, awkwardly pulling my chair in. My palms felt clammy against my knees.

Sera’s gaze settled on me immediately, calm and unwavering. Then she smiled, as though nothing in the world surprised her.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here,” she said, her voice smooth and composed.

I forced a little laugh. “Yeah… but didn’t you already check my background? I thought you’d know everything.”

Her lips curved into a faint smirk. “I did. But only a brief review, nothing too detailed. I didn’t realize you were the nephew of the restaurant owner.”

I gave a stiff nod, smiling awkwardly. “…Small world, huh.”

The silence that followed only made me more self-conscious. Sera didn’t look away, and I felt her gaze press against me until I quickly asked, “So… what are you doing here?”

She leaned back slightly, hands resting gracefully on the table. “I’ll be meeting my father later. He’s the one who recommended this place. He comes here often.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He likes the braised monkfish here, and also the soybean paste stew. He says it tastes like the countryside food he grew up with.” She let her eyes wander toward the counter before returning them to me. “So I thought, why not try it myself.”

I nodded slowly. “That… makes sense.”

Her smile deepened. “And I’m glad I did. I got to run into you.”

Her tone wasn’t overly playful, but there was something deliberate in the way she said it. My throat felt dry, and I dropped my eyes, fiddling with the edge of the table.

Before I could answer, she checked her watch. “Ah. I should get going soon. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

Relief washed over me instantly. “Of course. Don’t let me hold you up—”

“But before I leave…” she lifted her gaze back to me, “are you free this evening?”

I froze. “…Why?”

“It’s been a long time since I last came to Busan. I thought you could show me around. A local guide is always better than going alone.”

I shook my head quickly. “I can’t. I… I promised to help Auntie with the dinner crowd tonight.”

She tilted her head. “Dinner crowd? But I thought the restaurant closes early.”

“Uh—yeah, but still. She needs help with cleaning afterward.”

Her brows lifted slightly, amused. “Mm. I see.”

“I also… have to meet an old classmate,” I blurted out suddenly, piling another excuse on top. “He texted me earlier. It’s been such a long time since we caught up.”

“Oh?” Her tone was light, but the look in her eyes told me she didn’t believe a word.

“And, uh, I’m not feeling that great either,” I added quickly. “A little tired from the trip. Maybe another time.”

Sera leaned her chin against her hand, smiling as if I were some amusing puzzle. “Are you sure you’re not just avoiding me?”

I waved my hands. “No, no, it’s not that. Really. I just… have a lot going on.”

She chuckled softly, then called out without warning, “Auntie Miyeon?”

My stomach dropped. “Wait—”

Auntie poked her head from the counter. “Yes?”

“Would it be alright if I borrow Haemin this evening? Just a few hours. I’ll make sure to return him safely.”

I immediately shook my head, sending Auntie desperate signals with my eyes. Please say no. Please.

But Auntie’s face brightened even more. “Of course! Go ahead. Haemin should take you around. It’s rare for him to get out and enjoy himself.”

My jaw fell open. “Auntie…”

Sera’s smile soften, satisfied. “Well then, now you don’t have any excuse, do you?”.

She rose from her chair with effortless grace.

I sat frozen, my lips parting with words that never came out.

“See you later, Haemin,” she said lightly, giving me a quick wink before turning to leave, leaving me frozen in place.

And just like that, she walked out of the restaurant, leaving me staring helplessly at the door, my heart pounding in my chest.