After Tae-jun left her room, Eun-soo went to take a hot shower to clear her mind.
The steam helped relax her muscles, but her thoughts were still heavy with the conversation she knew she had to have.
Once finished, she changed into a clean, modern street-style outfit built around a soft and feminine color palette.
She put on a fitted white sleeveless crop top that sat perfectly above her waist, creating a sharp contrast with her high-waisted pastel pink trousers.
The pants were wide-leg and flowy, tailored at the top and relaxed down the legs.
This added both comfort and elegance while giving her the appearance of longer legs.
The combination of white and soft pink kept the look minimal yet visually appealing, blending simplicity with a gentle, stylish aesthetic.
To complement the look, she added a white Nike cap for a sporty, casual edge that partially covered her face, enhancing her effortless vibe.
She accessorized with a white shoulder bag and minimal jewelry, including a subtle chain necklace and bracelet, maintaining a clean and understated appearance.
White platform sneakers completed the look, adding height and tying all the white elements together.
Overall, the outfit combined athleisure and minimalist fashion with a Korean-inspired street style—perfect for a relaxed social setting.
Eun-soo checked her phone and saw it was already 11:50 am, so she headed downstairs to the lobby.
When the elevator doors opened, she saw Kang Min-ho waiting for her.
He was wearing a loose-fitting black button-down shirt made of a soft, flowy fabric that draped naturally, giving him an effortless and airy feel.
The top buttons were left open, adding a subtle touch of laid-back confidence, and the sleeves were rolled up to his forearms to keep the look sharp yet casual.
He paired this with light beige trousers that created a strong contrast against the dark shirt, balancing the overall outfit with a clean and polished appearance.
His minimal accessories, like his tinted sunglasses, added a modern, stylish flair and a hint of mystery.
Looking at Kang Min-ho, even Eun-soo had to admit he looked incredibly handsome and young.
She knew he was good-looking—after all, how could the brother of a world-famous actress be anything less?
But this specific outfit gave him a youthful vibe, making him look like he was only 22 years old.
Min-ho, who had been watching the elevator, waved and walked toward her as she stepped out.
"Hi, how are you today?" he asked with a warm smile.
"I am fine," Eun-soo replied simply.
Min-ho nodded and explained that he didn't want to disturb her yesterday while she was busy with arrangements.
He apologized for letting her know about their plans through her brother instead of telling her personally.
Eun-soo nodded but didn't say much.
Seeing her quiet reaction, Min-ho added gently, "Please don't be over-conscious about this like our last date. Let's just enjoy the time together."
"You don't need to treat it as a serious date; just enjoy yourself. If you ever feel like you aren't feeling well, just tell me and we will cancel the plans."
Hearing him say this, Eun-soo felt a pang of guilt.
If she hadn't met Jin-woo first, she might have easily accepted a relationship with a man as kind and considerate as Min-ho.
But her heart was no longer open to anyone else.
"Thank you, Min-ho," she replied softly.
Min-ho looked at her and sighed quietly but didn't push further, knowing these things couldn't be forced.
He hadn't told her yet that he had fallen for her from the first moment he saw her at the Lotte Hotel.
His feelings had only grown stronger with every passing day, but seeing her with Jin-woo made him fear he was too late.
They walked to the entrance where a car was waiting.
The ride from the hotel to the Seogwipo Healing Forest was mostly silent.
They talked briefly about what they did after the festival last night and which parts of the show they liked best.
Once they reached the forest, they got out and began to walk among the trees.
The "Seogwipo Healing Forest" lived up to its name, offering a place of deep peace.
Eun-soo walked a step or two ahead, while Min-ho followed slowly behind.
They didn't speak, choosing instead to enjoy the cool, silent environment.
Both of them spent so much time looking at digital screens that this natural experience allowed their minds and hearts to finally calm down.
As they went deeper into the forest, the scenery became breathtaking.
Tall, reddish-brown tree trunks rose like pillars toward a canopy of green leaves.
The path ahead was dappled with soft sunlight filtering through the branches, creating a golden glow on the forest floor.
A wooden boardwalk wound through the dense woods, passing small, charming wooden cabins tucked away among the trees.
The air was filled with the scent of pine and the sound of a distant, bubbling stream that ran alongside a mossy, green embankment.
The peace of the forest gave Eun-soo the courage she needed.
She stopped walking and turned around.
"Min-ho, I want to tell you something," she said.
Min-ho, who had been looking at the trees, turned his head toward her. "What is it?"
Eun-soo took a deep breath. "I love someone else."
She looked at him, expecting shock, but she was surprised to find that he didn't look surprised at all.
"I know," Min-ho said quietly. "You like Jin-woo, right?"
Eun-soo nodded, her heart racing.
Min-ho remained silent for a long time, looking at the forest floor.
Finally, he sighed and looked up at her, his voice heavy with honesty.
"How about this... I will not pursue you after this, but can we meet sometime and be friends?"
"And if you ever think Jin-woo is not good for you, I will always be there for you."
"I did not want to say this, but from the first time I saw you in the Lotte Hotel ground floor, I fell for you."
"You may think this is absurd, but my heart fell for you from the first second I saw you."
"I always began to find reasons to meet you."
"You know, Ara selected a dress for me this morning, but I still tried different dresses and changed into this one, hoping you would like what I wore."
He looked away, his voice almost breaking into a sob at the end.
"Maybe time was not on my side. But remember this... until you marry Jin-woo, I will always think that I have a chance."
"Just... do not take this hope from me."
Hearing his heartfelt words, Eun-soo's eyes began to become somewhat red.
She knew Min-ho was a wonderful man and that her family was right about his character, but she couldn't control her heart.
Trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere, Eun-soo gave him a small, watery smile.
"Don't worry. If Jin-woo ever tries to hurt me... I'll marry you," she said jokingly.
Min-ho began to laugh, shaking his head.
He knew she was joking, but hearing those words made his heart feel a little better.
He knew that if he had met her first, he might have had a real chance.
But destiny follows its own path, and for now, his path was simply to be the friend she needed.