Transit Love After Revenge Chapter 13

Minju’s eyes grew wider with each photo she swiped through. For a brief moment, she forgot to react at all and just stared in awe.

 

“Wait—did they edit these? Why do they all look so good? This is insane!”

 

“And the crazy part is, they’re friends! At least two of them are close, right? Wow… pretty people just attract each other, huh. Gorgeous hanging out with handsome… Ah, that must be why my friends are all…”

 

“Everyone, I’ve decided. I’m doing a reaction to <Friendship Romance 2> . Am I just a sucker for good looks? Yes, you’re just now realizing that? But wait, they’re already taking votes? Oh my god, dopamine rush! Who do I vote for? Who did you vote for? You can’t ignore visuals. Ugh, I’m already torn!”

 

Minju clutched her head. This one? That one? They all matched so well. Then, with dramatic resolve, she stared into the camera.

 

She held her tablet screen up to the camera.

 

“Seongjun and Haeyoung. Wow! Let me know your first pick in the comments!”

 

The shoot wrapped up quickly.

 

Still, she went through the cast photos one more time.

 

‘They really went all out this season.’

 

With that thought, she played back the footage she had just filmed. Her eyes sparkled on screen. It had been a while since she’d felt this genuinely excited.

 

“This season’s gonna be fun. I think the reaction videos will do pretty well too.”

 

The only downside? The wait for Episode 1.

 

* * *

 

Haeyoung arrived at a small restaurant. Even before she stepped inside, cameras had been set up along the path.

 

As she entered the dim interior, a low murmur echoed.

 

“…Oh.”

 

Seongjun got up from his seat at the sound of someone approaching, then froze awkwardly when he saw Haeyoung.

 

Haeyoung cheered inwardly. She was back in this moment, this perfect chance for revenge. Maybe, just maybe, the universe really was on her side.

 

On a dating show like this, the first date held serious weight. With a cast full of high-caliber contestants, the chances of feeling sparks were high. A connection formed on the first date often lasted until the very end.

 

Which was exactly why she had to sabotage it. From the start, she would stick close, get in the way, and make sure nothing could happen.

 

“Have you been waiting long?”

 

“No, I just got here.”

 

The displeasure that had flickered across Seongjun’s face vanished, leaving behind a faint trace of unease. He was clearly aware of the cameras rolling around them.

 

He strode over and pulled out her chair so Haeyoung could sit comfortably.

 

“Thanks. You seem surprised. Didn’t expect to see me?”

 

“A little. We haven’t really talked much, have we? Which makes this even better. Let’s have a fun time today.”

 

His words sounded polished, too polished. Haeyoung smiled instead of answering. As they exchanged light conversation, the food arrived.

 

 “Here, let me.”

 

“It’s fine–”

 

Seongjun took her plate of steak without another word, neatly cut it into bite-sized pieces, and slid it back in front of her like it was no big deal.

 

Haeyoung stared at the plate, unmoving.

 

‘“What, women don’t have hands or something? I can do it myself. Why expect this kind of gesture? It’s so unfair. If that’s the logic, someone should be pulling my chair out too. Why don’t you do it, then?”

 

‘You say things like that… How could I ever expect anything? I never even asked for a joke, let alone a favor.’

 

“Thank you.”

 

When their eyes met, Seongjun beamed. His eyes crinkled into crescents, and his smile stretched wide across his face.

 

When he smiled like that, so bright and carefree, she had always wanted to ruffle his fluffy brown curls. He was so pure and straightforward, she had wanted to give him everything. Without even realizing she was setting herself up to be used.

 

“You’ve got great manners.”

 

“Oh, this isn’t even close to real manners. My father taught me that this is something I absolutely had to do.”

 

“Your father is amazing.”

 

“Yeah. He’s… honestly the person I respect most.”

 

Haeyoung rested her chin on her hand and smiled softly.

 

Seongjun unconsciously averted his eyes. He was probably remembering all the times he ranted about his dad, “That bastard doesn’t know how to do a damn thing, just drinks all day.”

 

“I’m so glad.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Seongjun seemed relieved at the change in subject and perked up.

 

“That I got to go on a first date with you. Honestly, when I saw the text voting results yesterday and how popular you were, I kind of gave up on ever getting a chance to talk to you.”

 

“Oh, that? It’s just because it’s early in the season.”

 

His words said one thing, but his twitching cheekbones betrayed him. ‘Be arrogant. Be overconfident. That’s when you slip up.’

 

“And the fact that someone like you was paired with someone like me… honestly, that makes me a little happy too.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“The first date on <Friendship Romance> is decided by viewer image voting. You didn’t know?”

 

“Oh, that’s right.”

 

Seongjun’s expression darkened in an instant.

 

“It means that out of all the gorgeous contestants, viewers thought you and I looked best together.”

 

Haeyoung said it with a sweet smile, then took a sip of wine. She didn’t need to look to know exactly what kind of face Seongjun was making right now.

 

He hated being grouped. He liked to think he was out of everyone’s league. More and more, he had been acting like Haeyoung didn’t quite measure up.

 

He would make it sound like he was dating her out of kindness, like he was too nice to break up with her.

 

And yet, in a group full of stunning contestants, the viewers had chosen Haeyoung as the one who matches best with him. How insulting that must feel.

 

‘But listen, Seongjun. This is your last chance to pretend we’re on the same level. From here on out, there’s only one way for you to go, it’s down there. Don’t give up too soon. You’ve still got a long way to fall.’

 

After that, Seongjun became noticeably quieter.

 

* * *

 

“Seongjun-nim? Hello?”

 

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

 

He blinked like he had just snapped out of a daze.

 

‘Unbelievable. They think I’m on the same level as her?’ He glanced Haeyoung up and down.

 

No matter how dressed up she looked on the outside, she was still the same on the inside. Stiff. Boring. A complete social reject. The kind of girl in class who never spoke and whose name you could barely remember by year’s end.

 

That was Haeyoung. He had only stayed with her because he was nice. Out of kindness. She was never in the same league as him.

 

Granted, she did look pretty good today, better than usual. Seo Haeyoung was naturally pretty, after all.

 

She just used to dress so plain that no one noticed. But Seongjun had known. If she hadn’t been at least that attractive, he wouldn’t have dated her in the first place.

 

‘Still… same league as me? That’s a stretch.’

 

Minji would’ve been perfect.

 

Minji was someone who stood out wherever she went. Pretty, charming, cheerful, and her family was decent too.

 

Unlike Haeyoung, who was obedient and boring. Say ‘go’ and she would go. Say ‘come’ and she would come. With Minji, even after ten years of friendship, she still kept him on his toes.

 

She was someone he wanted to conquer someday. The ultimate challenge.

 

Dating Haeyoung for too long had dragged him down. Being with her had lowered his value.

 

If only he had debuted earlier. If only he didn’t have that monthly rent to pay. He would have dumped her a long time ago. None of this would’ve happened.

 

Annoyance bubbled up inside him.

 

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

 

“I’m full. A bit tired, too… If you’re done, should we head out?”

 

“Oh. Um, now? Sure.”

 

“If you’re still eating, we can stay longer.”

 

Liar. He knew full well Haeyoung ate slowly. Painfully slowly.

 

“No, I’m really done.”

 

Haeyoung set her fork down.

 

‘There it is. So annoying. She could’ve just said, “I need more time.” Why does she always look for cues, like she’s scared to do anything? Is lack of confidence genetic or something?’

 

‘Well, her mom was the same way. Always checking my mood. Ugh. I need to cut her off soon. Why is she even here embarrassing herself like this?’

 

“Let’s go, then.”

 

Grumbling internally, Seongjun stood without hesitation. She said she was done, what reason did he have to wait?

 

Besides, if they looked like they were hitting it off, the viewers might pair him with Haeyoung again in the next vote. That was the last thing he wanted.

 

“Okay. I’m good too. But… what’s that?”

 

Haeyoung smiled and glanced at something in his hand. So annoyingly.

 

Seongjun quickly hid the gift he had brought behind his back. It wasn’t for her. Why would he give it to her?

 

What a waste of money.