The Probability of Meeting Your Ex on a Straight Dating Show Chapter 20

As multiple gazes converged on him, Cha Yoon opened his mouth.

“I was a pilot.”

“Ah.”

Exclamations of admiration burst from the cast members at the respectable occupation. The only one who reacted to the past tense—”was”—was Seojeong. He’d been struck in an unexpected place. Ki Seojeong clenched his fist.

‘My son couldn’t even become a pilot because of you, and yet you dare to come here?’

‘People should at least have a sense of shame.’

‘This is what happens to those raised without parents…’

Words he’d heard somewhere swirled dizzyingly around his ears. Seojeong squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to cover his ears against the repeatedly echoing noise. But doing that wouldn’t stop the auditory hallucinations. In an instant, Seojeong’s face turned pale as a sheet.

The first to notice Seojeong’s change was Cha Yoon. Naturally so. While everyone else was looking at the person introducing their occupation, only Cha Yoon had been watching Seojeong the entire time.

Fuck, why is he like that. Just as a startled Cha Yoon was about to rise from his seat—

“Now, it’s Mr. Seojeong’s turn!”

Kim Saeyeong, sitting next to him, called Seojeong’s name. At the sound of a high female voice cutting through the buzzing in his ears, Seojeong’s closed eyes flew open.

“Haa… Ah, yes.”

Seojeong barely managed to speak. His heart was still racing, and cold sweat trickled down his back. Nevertheless, he had to act as if nothing was wrong. A gentle curve formed at the corners of Seojeong’s mouth. It was the bright smile he’d practiced over and over in front of the mirror.

Contrary to Seojeong’s expression, Cha Yoon’s face had turned sour.

Smiling like you’re so happy while dripping with cold sweat. Fuck, are you an idiot.

Nothing pleased him. Not those people who sat Ki Seojeong down just to hear some trivial talk, not Ki Seojeong who couldn’t even say he felt unwell and just played along. All of it pissed him off.

Unaware of Cha Yoon’s seething insides, Ki Seojeong began his introduction.

“I am… an air traffic controller.”

“An air traffic controller? The one in the control tower that does radio communications with planes?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Amazing! I’ve never seen an air traffic controller before. That’s so fascinating.”

“No wonder your speech seemed so crisp—it’s because you’re a controller. That’s so cool.”

At the cast members’ sparkling eyes and expressions, Seojeong flashed another performative smile. Just then, Yeo Jiyoon, who had been sitting quietly, clapped her hands.

“Oh? Wait a minute!”

“Yes?”

“Mr. Cha Yoon said his job was a pilot, right? Then you two might have worked together at some point.”

“Wow, that’s right! You two know each other, don’t you?”

Seojeong reflexively stiffened his face. It was one thing on top of another. Just as he’d feared, the topic he’d dreaded popped up as if it had been waiting.

The cast members, including Song Jua, looked back and forth between Cha Yoon and Ki Seojeong with eyes full of interest.

Were they merely acquaintances? It was harder for these two to find something they didn’t know about each other.

They’d had quite a few professional encounters as well. All of that was the product of Seojeong’s efforts.

On days when Cha Yoon had a flight scheduled, Seojeong would deliberately adjust his schedule and go to the airport even on his days off. Because he wanted to see Cha Yoon off as he left Korea.

Of course, now that Cha Yoon wore the first officer’s stripes, there was almost no opportunity for direct communication. Nevertheless, Seojeong wanted to convey his wish for a safe flight for the plane carrying Cha Yoon.

And as he watched the plane carrying Cha Yoon depart, he’d looked forward to the day when he could communicate directly with Cha Yoon.

Then came one particular day. Ki Seojeong, as usual, sent a communication to the aircraft preparing for takeoff.

‘KA 1248, line up and wait, Runway 7.’

‘Line up and wait, Runway 7, KA 1248.’

At the reply that came back, Seojeong’s body flinched. A calm voice, devoid of its usual playfulness. It was Cha Yoon.

Seojeong swallowed his breath. Now that the situation he’d so longed for was actually upon him, the words wouldn’t come out easily. Ah…—a sound inadvertently escaped, and through the radio, along with a crackling noise, a small chuckle was heard. Only then coming to his senses, Seojeong hurriedly gave the transmission.

‘Cleared for takeoff, Runway 7, KA 1248.’

‘Cleared for takeoff, Runway 7, KA 1248. I’ll be back, Controller.’

At the brief greeting sent his way, Seojeong swallowed dryly. He added the words he’d always wanted to say to Cha Yoon.

‘Come back safely and carefully, First Officer Cha Yoon.’

At those heartfelt words, a brief silence fell between the two. Ki Seojeong felt his heart pounding as he waited for Cha Yoon’s final transmission. Soon, along with a crackling noise, a laugh came through.

‘Get some good sleep too, Controller Ki Seojeong.’

‘…’

‘I’ll come back safely.’

A reply filled with deep affection came back—hoping that Seojeong, left alone in the big house, wouldn’t toss and turn through the long night. With those final words, the static cut off. Following Seojeong’s transmission, the plane carrying Cha Yoon safely exited the runway and rose into the sky. That was the first and last communication he ever had with Cha Yoon.

The fact that it was now a memory that belonged only to him left a bitter taste in his mouth. Seojeong ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek. As he moved his eyes, he saw the others still waiting for an answer.

Right, this wasn’t the time to be lost in such sentimental thoughts. Just as Seojeong opened his mouth to give the prepared answer—

“Well, I don’t remember.”

Seojeong couldn’t say anything. Because Cha Yoon, who he’d thought wouldn’t say much of anything, had opened his mouth before Seojeong could. The lukewarm response deflated the cast members’ anticipation like a punctured balloon.

Among the disinterested group, only Seojeong’s body gave a slight tremor.

He doesn’t remember. Seojeong understood the meaning behind those words. So while that statement might have meant little to others, to Seojeong—who knew everything—it struck differently.

It felt like being hit with a confirmation shot. As if to say, among the memories they’d shared, only you remain now. A throbbing pain rose from his palm. Clenching his fist tightly, Seojeong forced out the words he hadn’t finished.

“I don’t remember well either. Still, maybe we might have communicated once or twice.”

“I suppose it’s hard to tell just by voice alone.”

Unlike the struggle it took to force it out, his voice came out fairly convincingly. As the bland answers continued one after another, the cast members completely lost interest. In the spot they’d vacated to find other topics of conversation, only Cha Yoon and Ki Seojeong remained.

Watching Seojeong wipe his face dry, a fine line appeared between Cha Yoon’s brows. He still found Ki Seojeong, who didn’t look well, irritating.

But judging by how he’d acted the day before, it was obvious Ki Seojeong would stubbornly hold his ground to the very last minute. Rather than wait for that pushover to open his mouth, it would be better to take the lead himself—just as he was about to rise—

Ding-dong—

No sooner had Cha Yoon stood up than the doorbell rang. Impeccable timing.

“Mr. Cha Yoon’s reflexes are no joke.”

“Is it because he’s a pilot? How can he stand up the moment the bell rings?”

“I know, right.”

Not realizing he’d stood up to break up this gathering, everyone praised Cha Yoon instead.

“What the…”

He was dumbfounded by the nonsense. Even worse was Ki Seojeong—clueless about his intentions, just nodding along to what people were saying.

I got up because of who, exactly.

Cha Yoon swept back his disheveled hair and collected himself. Now that the doorbell had rung, it was hard to wrap things up immediately. Even Cha Yoon, who lived by his own rules, understood at least that much.

So there was only one option: a quick resolution. Having made up his mind, Cha Yoon headed straight for the entrance.

Cha Yoon, who had disappeared to the end of the hallway, soon reappeared holding a pink envelope. Standing before the gathered circle, Cha Yoon opened the envelope without anyone even asking. His movements were so hurried it was as if he was being chased.

Why is he suddenly like that? Having been indifferent all along, Cha Yoon’s sudden brisk movements made everyone tilt their heads in confusion.

Just as curiosity began to bloom, Cha Yoon’s voice reading the mission card was heard.

“A first date for everyone?”