Unfortunately, I Need You

2

The encounter left its mark on both Sana and Jungwon, though in completely different ways.

Sana was furious—shocked that someone had the nerve to challenge her, speak to her with such defiance. No one had ever dared to throw her flaws back at her, much less in front of others.

Meanwhile, Jungwon brushed off the incident, hoping he’d never have to deal with her again. But the fiery exchange lingered, each replayed word leaving Sana restless.

Her mind, usually undistracted by strangers, kept wandering back to the unimpressed look in Jungwon's eyes, the unwavering tone of his voice.

As she stormed down the hall, her piercing gaze remained fixed on nothing in particular. Mingi, walking by her side, couldn’t help but notice that it was the longest she’d ever held a look for anyone. He knew her all too well. Most people barely earned ten seconds of her attention. Even Mingi himself, despite being by her side for years, rarely received such undivided focus.

A twinge of jealousy stirred in him. It was as if, somehow, that guy had forced her to really see him.

Mingi picked up his pace to match hers and cleared his throat, trying to sound casual. “Why deny that I’m your boyfriend? I mean, I could at least pretend to be one and protect you. Maybe he wouldn’t have dared to talk to you like that if he thought—”

"I don’t need your help," Sana snapped, cutting him off with a dismissive wave. "I can defend myself perfectly fine. And besides, I don’t want anyone mistaking you for my boyfriend.” She shot him a quick glance, her tone as icy as ever. “Now, please leave me alone. I want to rest now."

Ouch.

Her words stung, sinking into him like ice.

But it wasn’t as if he hadn’t heard it before. He’d been by her side since they were teenagers. He's used to her endless rejections and insistence that she had no interest in him. But that didn’t stop him. If anything, it made him try harder, molding himself into what he imagined she might want, but to no avail.

It wasn’t that he lacked charm or appeal—far from it. Mingi was a model, his lean, muscular frame and striking features drawing endless admirers. Women flocked to him, dazzled by his looks, his confidence, and his wealth. But none of that mattered, because none of those women were Sana. And nothing he did seemed to matter to her.

They turned a corner, bumping into a group of university students, and instantly, Sana’s expression softened.

A polite smile appeared on her face, her demeanor transforming as she greeted her fans warmly, signing autographs and posing for photos.

Mingi forced a smile as well, silently observing her effortless charm. She got away with everything. Every sharp remark, every dismissive glance, all forgiven because of that delicate face, that disarming smile.

After signing a few autographs, the girls' attention shifted to Mingi, eagerly handing him notebooks and pens, thrilled to meet another celebrity. The attention was flattering, and he returned their smiles, signing his name with practiced ease.

Yet, as he cast a glance at Sana, he saw her already walking away, slipping back into her usual indifference as she left him behind without a second thought.

The admiration of all those girls meant nothing if Sana wasn’t among them. Their words faded as he watched her retreating figure. He could have had anyone he wanted, and yet here he was, still hopelessly fixated on the one woman who refused to see him—leaving him, as always, standing in the shadow of her attention, wishing that one day she might turn around and really look back.