The afternoon following Yoon Si-woo and Marin’s meeting, Natalia Eloise finished her work with a small smile, reminiscing about Marin’s appearance during the video call the previous day.

After all, their daughter was born to a husband so handsome that he’d be hurt if he had to put himself second to anyone, and a mother who had never felt inferior about her beauty.

Though Marin usually seemed disinterested in dressing up, which often disappointed Natalia, when she made the effort, she was so pretty that it seemed impossible for any man not to feel a little flutter in his heart.

With a meaningful smile, Natalia murmured, “Hehe, I wonder if our daughter had a good time last night?”

As a mother, she knew her daughter well—Marin would never do anything she didn’t want to.

The very fact that Marin went on the date suggested she had at least a bit of interest in Yoon Si-woo.

Even if Marin usually resisted dressing up, the fact that she chose to make herself look lovely for this occasion spoke volumes.

Ha!

Natalia chuckled, thinking that her efforts to create the perfect romantic atmosphere so late at night had not been in vain.

To be honest, dates were certainly important, but what truly mattered was what happened afterward.

If Yoon Si-woo was a normal guy, there was no way he could be indifferent to a daughter who had dolled herself up so beautifully. And if Marin wasn’t completely opposed to him, the stage was already set.

There was no way two young and attractive people would just have dinner and call it a night, right?

Besides, there was a hotel nearby the restaurant, and if worse came to worst, both she and her husband were at work, leaving their home empty.

So, in Natalia’s mind, if anything had happened, it probably happened long before now.

Well well…

It’s just human nature that a man would struggle to resist an opportunity to linger in a cozy setting when the parents were out of the picture.

Even her herbivore husband had succumbed, so one could only imagine how Yoon Si-woo would react to seeing his beautiful daughter.

Others might think Natalia’s approach was a bit too bold, but she couldn’t care less about how others saw her.

It was always better to make a move on a captivating person before someone else had the chance.

And as far as Natalia was concerned, the easiest way to win someone’s heart was to win their body first—a belief she had held for a long time.

Hoohoo!

She wondered if her daughter would ever appreciate her meticulous thoughtfulness.

With a smile, while allowing her imagination to wander, Natalia noticed the sun was high in the sky, figuring it was about time to check in.

She took out her phone and called her daughter.

She had waited patiently to find out how things went, holding back the urge to call last night or too early this morning to avoid ruining the moment or accidentally waking her daughter if she had just gone to bed.

Just to avoid any awkward surprises, she had spent the night and morning working.

When the call connected, Natalia opened with, “Our darling, did anything happen last night?”

[……Yes? Yeah, nothing special. Why do you ask?]

Upon hearing Marin’s clearly fatigued voice on the other end, Natalia was taken aback and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Wahhh?!

Just how late did she stay up for her voice to sound so worn out in broad daylight?

She noted that Yoon Si-woo seemed innocent but perhaps had a rather exciting side, prompting Natalia to adjust her assessment of him higher.

Unable to suppress her laughter, she asked Marin, “Hehe, I was just curious about how your meeting with Yoon Si-woo went. What was it like meeting him in person?”

[Well, he was a good person… a decent guy, too.]

A wider smile formed on Natalia’s lips.

If her daughter, who didn’t toss around compliments lightly, was saying that, it must mean she was quite taken with Yoon Si-woo.

Could he really be more special than I thought?

With rising excitement, Natalia began to feel happiness that her daughter might finally have found someone.

“So, are you two dating now? Or are you keeping it a secret for the time being?”

[Huh? It’s not like that. What are you talking about?]

“Oh, come on, don’t be shy. I get it. But I think it’s better to be open about it if possible.”

That way, no other daredevils would come sniffing around!

Amused by her daughter’s evasive response, Natalia was brainstorming when they could announce the good news and when the wedding could take place, but then Marin’s next words completely derailed her thoughts.

[Ugh, it’s really not like that. We decided to just be friends. He shot me down as soon as we met. I’ve been training non-stop since this morning to shake off the disappointment, so why are you calling me now?]

“…Hold on, weren’t you two together till morning?”

[Unlike you, I’m not interested in those impure relationships, okay? We just talked a little and parted ways.]

“…Really? Why would he turn you down? I just can’t wrap my head around it.”

Was there something wrong with his ability, or did he have some weird tastes?

Natalia found herself in disbelief, suddenly considering thoughts that felt ridiculous.

A normal guy wouldn’t reject a gorgeous girl like Marin who showed interest in him.

Unless he was really that deprived or had exceptionally unusual preferences.

However, those suspicions didn’t linger long.

[Apparently, he said he has someone else he likes from the academy. What can I do about it?]

Ohh!

Hearing those words, Natalia couldn’t hold back an exclamation, “Oh, so there was already a rival.”

It made sense that there would be other girls eyeing a top-notch catch like him.

With that realization, she finally understood the reason Yoon Si-woo had asked her to set him up with Marin.

He wanted her to convince Martina to teach at the academy, and now it clicked why—so he could follow and see the girl he liked.

She hadn’t realized she was being played by Yoon Si-woo all along.

“…Messing around with the likes of him? Such a bold kid.”

Natalia chuckled to herself as she wrapped up her call with her daughter.

“…But a promise is a promise.”

Then she dialed another number, murmuring softly.

*

On leave, Martina was sipping alcohol alone in her room from the middle of the day.

Ugh!

She thought that if this was how she’d feel on leave, she might as well have stayed back at the base, so she downed another gulp, her face expressing her melancholy.

“…Why does this drink taste so bitter?”

Why, indeed?

Was it because Yoon Si-woo had taken his leave a day earlier?

Or was it because, after going on a date with that damned woman’s daughter, he came back looking oddly refreshed?

“I… also want to meet a nice guy…”

She thought that drinking more might help her forget the bitterness.

And just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone rang.

Ringgg!

“…Hello?”

[Ah, Martina. Are you enjoying your leave?]

Martina’s expression twisted upon hearing Natalia’s voice from the other end.

Ohhh, no…

She recalled that Natalia had asked her to perform the ceremony if things went well.

The last voice she wanted to hear at the worst possible moment.

To avoid hearing about the date from yesterday, she contemplated hanging up, but Natalia went on.

[You know, Yoon Si-woo met my daughter yesterday, right? Well, he turned her down!]

Martina froze and asked, “…He turned her down? Yoon Si-woo rejected your daughter?”

[Yes! I never saw that coming. I can’t believe how high his standards are.]

Martina started to visualize Marin, Natalia’s daughter.

The girl was charming, just like her mother—how could anyone turn her down?

Could it be because of me?

Although suspecting it wasn’t likely, the thought that Yoon Si-woo had shown some interest in her made her smile.

Feeling unexpectedly cheerful, she took another sip.

Ohhh!!!

[Let’s wrap up the date talk. What do you think about me coming to teach at the academy? I’ve been thinking it might be a good thing, so I’m seriously considering it.]

Martina tilted her head.

Teaching? Ah, she remembered that part.

She hadn’t planned on it, but hearing Natalia mention it made her feel like she might be missing out if she didn’t participate.

However, she firmly believed that rest was crucial, so she hesitated, leading Natalia to continue speaking.

[Plus, I’m curious. Yoon Si-woo turned down my daughter because there’s a girl from the academy he likes. If I go, I might be able to see who she is.]

Huh?!

It wasn’t because of me?

Realizing that Yoon Si-woo already had someone else in mind made Martina’s smile fade.

What?!

Her good mood turned sour again, making the drink taste bitter once more.

As the sweetness of the liquor turned to bitterness, her pent-up frustration began to rise, and that was enough to flip her decision.

Her curiosity piqued.

Who could this girl be that made Yoon Si-woo reject her?

She knew she wouldn’t find satisfaction without seeing for herself.

With a determined expression, Martina downed her drink and declared,

“I’m in, too. For the lecture…”