Anyway, the park was one of those peaceful spots with a rusty old swing, a few benches, and a tree that looked like it had secrets. A quiet corner where kids screamed in the background, pigeons plotted world domination, and I stood there trying not to combust.
Then Seo-hyun arrived—cool, calm, wearing that smug grin like it was designer.
As soon as he stepped closer, I folded my arms and hissed:
"Didn't I tell you to let me be invisible in class? Why are you doing this?"
He tilted his head, smiled mischievously, and leaned in like this was some drama scene.
"What will I get?" he asked, voice low and attractive.
My brain short-circuited for a second, but I managed:
"What do you want?"
He looked at me.
Really looked.
Then, softly—like he was telling a secret only the moon should hear—he said:
"You can't give me that, you know…"
His gaze turned warm, too warm.
"…looking at me like that."
I blinked like a broken streetlight.
EXCUSE ME??
I tried to sound tough:
"As long as it's feasible, I'll do it."
He grinned wider. Bad sign.
"Care to cook for me?" he asked.
Okay, that's… tame.
Then came the twist.
"Daily?"
I stared.
He added, "Once a day. Either buy me food or cook for me. As long as I get to eat, I'll seal my mouth, Detective."
Detective.
DETECTIVE.
This man was blackmailing me with charm and lunch requests.
And like an idiot possessed by some old K-drama demon, I reached out, put a finger on his lips, and whispered:
"Ssshhhh. Right now, it's supposed to be a secret."
The moment my brain processed what I'd done, I yanked my hand back like I'd touched hot iron.
I smiled.
Awkwardly.
So awkwardly, I probably looked like a possessed frog.
And then—I ran.
Full-on, no dignity, drag-my-soul-behind-me type of running.
To my house.
Through the gate.
Up the stairs.
Slammed the door.
Just kill me.