Jun Ho's Side 2: Pink and Mint Chocolate

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After King the Land wrapped up, Jun Ho found himself swamped with job offers. One of the exciting opportunities was a photoshoot for a jewelry brand, which just so happened to be a sponsor of the very drama he starred in a while back. It's clear that since his discharge from the military, Jun Ho's charm has only grown stronger—he's definitely a force to be reckoned with!

In between the photoshoot sessions, Jun Ho took a moment to capture some footage for his YouTube vlog. This was his way of connecting with fans, along with Instagram and Bubble.

"We have a twenty-minute break before the next shoot. Do you want to wait here?" the manager asked.

"I'll step out for a bit. I found a quiet café earlier and I'd like to check it out," Jun Ho replied.

"Alright. Ji Hye-ssi, please accompany Jun Ho. I'll let you know when we're ready."

Jun Ho and Ji Hye left the studio together. Ji Hye, Jun Ho's assistant, often made appearances in his vlog, leading some fans to speculate that she was his girlfriend. In reality, she was just doing a job she had been dedicated to for years.

"Oppa, I'm going to start recording now," Ji Hye said, pulling out her camera.

They arrived at Upper and Under, a café Jun Ho had spotted on his way to work. Curious about its vibe, he hoped to recommend it to his fans.

Upon entering, Jun Ho was greeted by a display of various pastries. But with his strict diet program in place, it wasn't a cheating day for him. So, he ordered two Americanos and a plain croissant.

They chose a table hidden from view. Even though Jun Ho wore a mask, he knew he might still be recognized. Since King the Land ended, his popularity had soared.

As Jun Ho started chatting about the café's ambiance, he overheard someone speaking what he believed to be Indonesian. He scanned the room and spotted a familiar face in the corner, animatedly chatting away.

What caught his eye was how the woman was surrounded by pink—her laptop, coat, and even her pastry were all in shades of pink. The only thing contrasting this was her drink: a mint chocolate.

"Oppa, what are you looking at?" Ji Hye asked, scanning the room for whatever had caught his attention. Everything seemed normal to her.

"Nothing," Jun Ho replied, a smile lingering on his face without him realizing.

After showing him the footage, Ji Hye checked her phone, which had been buzzing non-stop. "The manager wants us back. Do you want to come now or stay here?"

"I'll join you once my drink is finished."

"Alright." Ji Hye packed up her things and left him alone.

Jun Ho turned his gaze back to the pink-loving woman in the corner. Her pouting lips and furrowed brow somehow looked endearing to him.

Believe it or not, Jun Ho had never felt this way before. Despite his career as a singer and actor, and even working with some of the most beautiful co-stars, he had never been involved in a romantic relationship.

Despite being frequently shipped with YoonA due to their great on-screen chemistry in King the Land, Jun Ho didn't take the rumors seriously. Their agency had also clarified that they were just friends, and that was the truth of the matter.

But this woman ... from the very first moment their eyes met, she had stirred a disconcerting feeling inside him. A feeling that sometimes made him smile for no apparent reason. A feeling that also left him frustrated, teetering on the edge of uncertainty.

When the woman's expression returned to normal, Jun Ho took his Americano and slowly approached her table. "Rhea-ssi?"

The woman looked up. "Jun Ho-ssi?" She instinctively began tidying up her things when Jun Ho asked if he could join her.

"Are you still working? I thought you had taken a break to focus on this program and enjoy a vacation." Two days before the big day, the staff of The Lucky Fans had shared profiles of the six selected fans, including their occupations.

Rhea nodded. "My boss allows me to use all my vacation days if I'm still up for handling work." She sipped her mint chocolate and asked, "Do you have any business around here?" She glanced around nervously, hoping no one would recognize Jun Ho and stir up any unpleasant rumors.

Unknowingly, they found themselves chatting about a wide range of topics. Jun Ho's break was nearing its end, and he had missed several calls from his manager and Ji Hye.

"I heard from Jennifer that you enjoy making vlogs?" Rhea asked.

Jun Ho nodded. "Sometimes, I come across interesting things while working. I like to share them with my fans."

"That sounds really fun!" Rhea exclaimed.

"Would you like to be my videographer? I'd pay you a hundred thousand won per hour. What do you think?" Jun Ho asked, smiling. Believe it or not, he was the type of guy who found it difficult to hang out with female friends. He only let loose and acted silly with his 2PM members.

Rhea laughed, and Jun Ho's gaze shifted from her lips back to her eyes, like Gu Won looking at Cheon Sa Rang with a thousand hidden emotions.

"Sure. Do you need my resume?" They both laughed.

Jun Ho glanced at his phone as it rang again. It seemed like it was time for him to leave. "I have to go now. Ittabwa."

"Ne, josimhasipsiyo!" Rhea replied.

As Jun Ho stepped out of the café, he stopped, turned around, and went back to the counter to order a drink.

Ji Hye was pacing, waiting for Jun Ho, who had been unresponsive. The next shoot was about to start, but he was proving hard to reach.

"Oppa, where have you been?" Ji Hye rushed to meet him as he arrived. Her eyes fell on something surprising. "It's not your cheating day, and you're drinking ... mint chocolate?"

"Once I get home, I'll exercise again. I just suddenly wanted this," Jun Ho said, shrugging.

"You're so strange. Well, let's get ready," Ji Hye replied.

Jun Ho himself was puzzled. The one drink he despised was mint chocolate, yet today he ordered it and even drank it. Everyone thinks you're odd when you suddenly crave something you hate.

FOOTNOTE

1. Ittabwa: See you.

2. Josimhasipsiyo: Take care!

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