Chapter 22: I Want to Wait for You to Come Home

Three people gathered around a dining table made of stone slab, each wearing different expressions as they lowered their heads to eat the breakfast before them.

“I’m not saying anything, but how could you, kid, again—”

Just as Park Se-min, troubled in his heart, was about to mention Seol-yoon’s name, he noticed Shin Yoo-na casting a concerned glance his way, so he quickly held his tongue.

Having spent years in nightlife circles, he knew when it was best to keep his cousin’s secrets.

“Again, what?”

Shin Yoo-na took the bread from in front of Park Se-min, squeezed some mayonnaise on it for him, then pushed it back, saying, “Cousin, go ahead and tell us more.”

No sooner had she spoken than Summer Star suddenly started coughing beside them, patting his chest while holding a glass of milk—clearly choking.

An idol he’d never heard connected to Summer Star suddenly calling him “cousin” sent Park Se-min’s mind racing, analyzing Shin Yoo-na’s relationship with his cousin.

It was clearly a playful nickname meant to tease Summer Star, and seeing it had the desired effect, Shin Yoo-na quickly apologized.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t know how else to address you, so I just followed Summer Representative’s lead.”

Sometimes, you really don’t have to be so polite.

Looking at Shin Yoo-na’s poised and natural demeanor, Summer Star’s thoughts became a bit muddled, and he soon stopped worrying about how Park Se-min might smooth things over.

“What I mean is... Seong-chan always lies to me, saying he doesn’t know anyone in the entertainment industry.”

“I suppose... you two must be friends, right? Oh, and just call me Park Se-min.”

Testing the waters, Park Se-min discreetly kicked his cousin’s leg to show his displeasure.

“He’s not exactly lying to you, Park Se-min,” Shin Yoo-na said without suspicion, stepping in to explain on Summer Star’s behalf. “He and Summer Representative have only known each other for a few days.”

A few days... and he’s already brought someone back home?

Hearing this, Park Se-min bit his lip silently and kicked his cousin again.

This hypocrite always said he focused on work, but it turned out he was even more of a playboy than Park Se-min himself.

Though misunderstanding their relationship left Park Se-min envious, he wasn’t the kind to forget loyalty for temptation. Knowing this wasn’t the right time to continue, he feigned indifference and shifted the conversation to some embarrassing stories from Summer Star’s past.

“You know,” Park Se-min glanced at the tablet on the table displaying a dense English article, “don’t be fooled by how serious he looks, reading English magazines early in the morning.”

“He didn’t use to like that stuff—he was more interested in those family melodramas that only air at dawn.”

“When we all lived at Grandpa’s house, the moment we woke up, we’d know for sure that guy would be sitting on the sofa watching some mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law drama.”

Suddenly called out about his strange childhood, Summer Star glanced at Shin Yoo-na with a hint of embarrassment.

Hearing Park Se-min’s humorous description, Shin Yoo-na couldn’t help but laugh, and when she looked at Summer Star again, the tiredness from lack of sleep in his eyes gradually gave way to a bright gleam.

She hadn’t expected him to have such a cute side.

But then she recalled a post she’d seen earlier on the Dragon Mountain International School forum, and suddenly it all made sense—she guessed that young Summer Star must have longed deeply for a complete family.

That must be why he’d get up so early to watch those dull family dramas.

Her gaze toward Summer Star grew softer with a hint of sympathy.

Feeling a bit shy under Shin Yoo-na’s gaze, Summer Star pretended to take a big sip of milk, avoiding her eyes.

At the same time, he was quickly thinking up a strategy.

He couldn’t let Park Se-min, who knew too many of his embarrassing secrets, keep going like this.

So he forcibly changed the subject and asked about his cousin’s condition.

“By the way, how are you feeling after drinking so much yesterday?”

“My insides seem fine...” Park Se-min responded to the concern, though Summer Star suddenly interrupted him for some reason. He rubbed his neck and added, “I don’t know why, but my neck hurts a bit.”

Since it wasn’t the first time Summer Star had been brought home like this, Park Se-min was used to sleeping on the floor and didn’t think the neck pain was because of that.

At this, Shin Yoo-na and Summer Star exchanged a glance, recalling how he’d been thrown to the floor the day before.

They shared a knowing look and laughed together.

With the atmosphere growing lighter, the three finished breakfast. Summer Star and Park Se-min prepared to get ready for work.

Since Park Se-min had stayed here before, he had a change of clothes stored here.

While Park Se-min went to Summer Star’s room to shower, Shin Yoo-na helped Summer Star get ready to leave.

Her warm and natural demeanor made Summer Star think again of the word “little stove.”

It was the perfect way to describe Shin Yoo-na.

“By the way, Summer Representative.”

Summer Star took the tie Shin Yoo-na handed him, lowering his head to tie it as he responded, “What is it?”

Unexpectedly, Shin Yoo-na suddenly stepped closer and grabbed the hand he was using to tie the tie.

“Compared to the Windsor knot, I think a double knot, tightened just a bit more, would highlight your figure better.”

The sudden closeness, with her hand resting lightly on his chest, tickled Summer Star like a feather.

Though he instinctively stepped back, the closet door pressing against his back left him nowhere to retreat, so he slightly tilted his head up and let Shin Yoo-na take charge.

Mimicking how Summer Star had looked when choosing a loopy hat for her, the girl lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

Hmph, this counts as a small act of retaliation.

“All right, I really do have something to discuss with you.”

After tying the tie, Shin Yoo-na pursed her lips slightly and stepped back, continuing, “May I wait here until you come back?”

“Because Lia from the team recently developed camera anxiety, she had to pause activities.”

“Now, when I go back to the dorm, I’m all alone and can’t sleep well.”

“The mattress here is really comfortable, so I was hoping to catch some sleep here.”

Though it sounded like a strange request, it somehow made perfect sense.

After all, they were friends now, and Shin Yoo-na had helped so much just yesterday.

Letting her use the guest room for a while was no big deal.

“Okay, then I’ll tell the housekeeper not to come clean today, so as not to disturb your rest.”

Saying this to avoid disturbing Shin Yoo-na’s sleep, he actually didn’t want the housekeeper to discover the awkward situation.

“Okay, I’ll wait here for you after work.”

Just then, Park Se-min, freshly washed and dressed, came out, speaking with a tone full of hidden intent.

“Let’s go, little brother. Time to get to work seriously.”

“And maybe chat about some other things along the way.”