Secretly, But Unable to Hide It

My Girlfriend

Chaewon falls silent once more. After a few seconds, she finally speaks, struggling to contain her anger. "Are you even human?"

Minji responds kindly, "I couldn't overlook your contribution," she says slowly and sincerely. "I'm not ungrateful."

"Damn!" Chaewon exclaims, feeling Minji is lost between right and wrong. "If you'd told me from the start that it was Hanni, I wouldn't have helped you!"

Minji chuckles. "Without you, I really couldn't have won her over."

Chaewon hangs up and immediately notices a message from Yunjin.

Yunjin: Minji's okay, right? She asked you for help to persuade a girl?

Yunjin: Incredible.

Chaewon: Leave me alone.

Yunjin: Why didn't she come to me for help?

Yunjin: But I wouldn't be any good at persuading a girl either.

Yunjin: Sorry, I'm more used to being pursued.

Chaewon: If you're feeling unwell, please take your meds.

Yunjin: Tell me, how did you help her?

Chaewon, agitated, types out a reply.

Chaewon: I didn't help her. I don't know anything. Don't believe her nonsense, I really don't know anything.

Yunjin: You're acting a bit suspicious.

Chaewon feels on the verge of tears.

Chaewon: I swear, I really don't know anything.

Yunjin quickly sends a voice note, laughing coldly. "You two are unbelievable, leaving me out like this? Fine."

Chaewon wants nothing more than to rush to Pohang and strangle Kim Minji.

As the car passes a supermarket, Minji gets out and heads inside to buy her girlfriend's favorite dried squid and orange juice. Back home, she places the snacks and drinks in their usual spot, tidies up, then sits on the sofa. She leans back, touches her lips with her fingertips, and smiles happily. After a moment, she heads to her bedroom.

On Minji's bedside table sits an old photo of her and Hanni. Yunjin's message is still on her phone. Considering how emotional Chaewon got hearing about her relationship with Hanni, she wonders how Yunjin will react. She thinks it over, then replies.

Minji: I'll be back in Seoul soon.

Minji: I'll explain everything in person.

Then Minji sends Hanni a message.

Minji: Are you asleep?

Minji's phone rings unexpectedly. Glancing at the unknown number, she suspects it's Garam.

Garam sounds startled, she didn't expect Minji to pick up. Hesitantly, she speaks. "Minji?"

Minji gets straight to the point. "Did you go to Pohang University today?"

"Why?" Garam sneers. "Did your little girlfriend tell you? I see you're running after her all the time, you must really care about her."

Minji stays silent.

"If you know she's easily fooled, why didn't you find her sooner? You should be pleased now, right? That girl's like she's been brainwashed. Have you been sleeping with her?"

Minji remains quiet.

Garam's voice rises. "Are you mute?"

"Are you done? Honestly, your words are shallow," Minji replies calmly, a cold smile forming. "Compared to what happened in the past, your voice just makes you seem pathetic."