Episode 12

“Welcome.”

“Welcome.”

The place Jae-young took Seung-hyun to was none other than a department store owned by Y Group. As if they had been notified in advance, the employees bowed and greeted Jae-young as they entered through the VIP area entrance. 

“If there’s anything you’re looking for, please feel free to let us know anytime.”

“Those shoes, what brand were they? Let’s buy and get rid of those first.”

“Get rid of? Isn’t that too heartless? Besides, I heard you didn’t bring any clothes.”

“I’ll just go back up tomorrow and be done with it.”

Seung-hyun answered nonchalantly. Originally, the plan was to leisurely enjoy the trip for about a week, but since today wasn’t the only opportunity, it seemed fine to just return to Seoul.

“I thought you were staying for a week.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask for a refund.”

“As an employee, isn’t it our duty to do our best to ensure the guest is satisfied with our hotel until the end?”

As if he couldn’t say anything. Seung-hyun went inside without answering. In fact, he had already half given up on trying to get rid of him.

It was especially so because the story ended with him accidentally being rude to Jae-young’s shoes. Seung-hyun, with a disgruntled face, followed behind Jae-young.

“It might be a bit uncomfortable since it’s not a tailored suit, but the suits are over there…”

“I’m not wearing a suit.”

“…?”

Jae-young tilted his head as he looked at Seung-hyun, who was still wearing a suit. This was because he came straight from work. Seung-hyun, who glanced down at his own clothes, said,

“I came down directly from the office. But there’s no need to wear a suit while traveling, is there? A few comfortable clothes and some indoor clothes should be enough.”

“Well… You have a point. But I’ve never seen Director Han in anything other than a suit. I’m not sure what kind of clothes you prefer.”

Last time, they had an exciting payment party from here to there, but this time, since he was only going to stay for a week, that wasn’t possible.

“If you tell me your preference, I’ll sincerely guide you.”

“Hmm…”

Preference. He had never thought deeply about it. Seung-hyun was lost in thought for a moment. There wasn’t anything grand enough to call a preference. But if he had to choose…

“…That style?”

“Me?”

When Seung-hyun pointed at him, thinking the clothes Jae-young was wearing were quite pretty, Jae-young shamelessly pretended to be embarrassed, asking if he liked him. Seung-hyun didn’t react and continued speaking with a serious face.

“I’m talking about the style, not the person.”

“It is a safe style. Then please do that.”

“Yes. This way, please.”

After pretending like he would guide him personally, Jae-young suddenly entrusted the guidance to the shopper who was following alongside them. Of course. It seemed he had only familiarized himself with the location of the suit corner in advance before coming.

“Do you happen to have any preferred colors?”

“No. Just as you recommend.”

Seung-hyun followed the shopper and looked at the clothes according to her recommendations. However, unlike her who was cautious as if recommending but never forcing, Seung-hyun had one more talkative companion.

“I think this color would suit you well, Director.”

“Clothes that expose the neckline… wouldn’t be bad either, but I think this would be better than that.”

He was tired of telling him to stop calling him director now. Ignoring him, who spoke even longer than the shopper, Seung-hyun picked out a few clothes according to the shopper’s recommendations.

He wanted to take more time to choose, but the person next to him was too noisy, so he decided to wrap it up appropriately and go back.

“You’re not planning on wearing those shoes all day long too, are you? It will be uncomfortable.”

“Ah.”

But it wasn’t over just by buying clothes. Since he came out directly from work, he was still wearing dress shoes. They were a bit uncomfortable to wear all day long.

“Since you seem to have picked out all the clothes, shall we go look at shoes right away?”

“Yes. Shall I show you sneakers? If you have any preferred brands or styles…”

“I don’t. Just recommend something that goes well with the clothes I just bought.”

“Ah. Then that won’t do. The sneakers released by Z Company this season, do you have them?”

“If you tell me which product you’re looking for, I’ll check right away.”

Sneakers are all the same. While thinking that and trying to pick anything, Jae-young stopped Seung-hyun. After grabbing the shopper and explaining which shoes for a while, the shopper finally seemed to figure out the identity of those shoes and nodded.

“Ah. You’re talking about that product. I’ll check the stock right away.”

The shopper tapped on the tablet she was holding for a moment, then nodded, saying there was stock. Without even knowing what that product was, Seung-hyun was dragged to the Z Company store. A pair of sneakers was presented in front of him.

“This product has been getting a good response recently. Not only is the design well-done, but the fit is more comfortable compared to other shoes. There are often products that look pretty on the outside but have a disappointing fit, but in the case of this product…”

“Is this the only color available?”

Seung-hyun said, looking down at the white-based sneakers. Indeed, the shoes Jae-young recommended were pretty. He hadn’t tried them on, but seeing the shopper emphasizing the fit, they were probably comfortable too.

But Seung-hyun was planning to go to the beach. Of course, he could just buy new shoes, but he was a bit reluctant to wear white sneakers and walk on the beach right away.

“Ah, it comes in two colors, white and black.”

“The white would go better with the clothes you just bought though.”

When he asked if there were any other colors, Jae-young immediately chimed in, tilting his head. Should he explain this or not? After pondering for a moment, Seung-hyun decided to tell him the reason, thinking it was nothing much anyway.

“I’m going to the beach. There’s no need to wear white shoes for that, is there?”

“Can’t you just buy beach shoes too?”

“I don’t want to increase my luggage.”

“For that kind of reason. What’s your shoe size?”

“…”

What’s my shoe size now? Seung-hyun looked down at his feet for a moment.

“I guess you weren’t very interested in dressing up usually.”

“If you show me the shoes you’re wearing now, I’ll help you check.”

Fortunately, for people who grew up preciously, this wasn’t particularly unusual, so Seung-hyun was able to get through the situation without looking suspicious.

“Sit down and take off your shoes.”

“…”

Seung-hyun sat on a stool placed inside the store to take off his shoes. As he slightly lifted his foot to take off the shoe, Jae-young naturally knelt on one knee in front of him and looked at his feet.

“…What are you doing?”

“I’m checking your shoe size for you.”

“Can’t you just take it off and hand it to me?” 

Does he really think of people as babies? Seung-hyun, feeling absurd, just slightly opened his mouth and looked down at Jae-young without any reaction even as the shoe was being taken off.

‘Why is he really doing this…?’

The more this happens, the more curious he becomes about what happened that day. He stops the story in the middle, leaving it unfinished. Seung-hyun looked down at Jae-young’s head, which was even well-done down to the crown.

“I just wanted to do it for you. Didn’t you say you were sad because there were many things you hadn’t tried?”

“…I did?”

“Yes.”

He couldn’t remember if he really said such a thing, but even if he did, it probably wasn’t with this intention. Seung-hyun looked down at Jae-young with a dumbfounded face and asked,

“I don’t even remember if I said such a thing just now. It would be nice if you could finish explaining what happened that day as quickly and concisely as possible.”

“It’s already almost dinner time. I’m feeling a bit hungry too.”

It was another irrelevant remark. Jae-young, who had already changed Seung-hyun’s shoes, made him stand up, telling him to walk around for a bit.

“How is it?”

“It’s comfortable and nice.”

“As expected, right? Then let’s go with this. And the rest of the story… There’s no need to rush, shall we finish it while having dinner?”

Seung-hyun glared at Jae-young for a moment, who naturally said he would pay for it as if it wasn’t his own, then sighed and handed his card to the employee.

‘It wasn’t what I wanted, but it’s true that I received help anyway…’

“There’s a restaurant on the 22nd floor that our lady likes, I think it would be good to have dinner there. You need to have a full stomach to have the energy to talk too.”

“Alright. Let’s say I’m buying dinner.”

“What?”

Jae-young, who had been following him around all day and even dragging him, made a stupid face when he said he would buy dinner. But that was only for a moment. Soon returning to his usual expression, Jae-young nodded.

“It would be rude to refuse when you’re offering to treat. Then shall we look around a bit more and have a meal? Shoes, clothes. Next is…”

“A week’s worth is enough.”

Seung-hyun stopped Jae-young, who had a more excited face than before, and completely changed into his newly bought shoes. They were comfortable shoes, as he had heard.