Chapter 39: Escapes and Expectations

Everyone gasped. Even Glasses Guy looked stunned. I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. This perfect guy is the world’s main character and my brother… Just imagining saying that made my face muscles rebel. Do Yoon, embarrassed, poked me.

“Hyung…”

“Huh? Oh, why were you waiting here?”

Pomade Guy chimed in.

“We’re grabbing dinner—want to join, little brother?”

My good mood shattered like glass. I’d forgotten about the dinner plans. Do Yoon glanced at me, confused by the invite. I stiffened, rolling my eyes to signal no way.

Not with Pomade Guy, at least. He’d been eyeing Do Yoon up and down, probably ready to ask about the price of his clothes. Seeing my face, Do Yoon smirked.

“Sorry, we have a sudden family event. I came to pick him up.”

“Oh…”

Everyone looked disappointed—except me. Genius excuse, our puppy!

“Sorry, it’s unavoidable. I’ll treat you all to lunch tomorrow,” I said, feigning regret and bowing.

“Okay…”

Three of them looked bummed, especially Short-Haired Girl, who’d been smitten with Do Yoon. Glasses Guy seemed thrilled I was leaving. Enjoy your night.

Escaping that nightmare, I walked normally until we turned a corner out of sight. Then I ruffled Do Yoon’s hair wildly.

“How’d you time it so perfectly?!”

“Did I do good?”

Beyond good—I was ecstatic. Dodging that dreaded dinner, my mood soared.

“Wanna grab food? What do you want?”

“Anything’s fine with you.”

“But really, why’d you come? No actual family thing, right?”

“Just… missed you.”

Wrapped in the scarf, grinning, he looked like a movie star. Then he added.

“And… I was curious about your coworkers.”

“Why?”

“I checked today—they’re nothing special. I’m the prettiest.”

I burst out laughing at his princely confidence.

“Yeah, you were. Standing out there, I thought you stepped out of a magazine.”

His eyes sparkled. He loves compliments, despite his looks. In the novel, Chief Do Yoon stayed icy no matter how much people praised his face—only Bae Ji An’s words got a reaction. Was he secretly thrilled all along? That thought was hilarious. I poked his shoulder as we walked.

“Choi Do Yoon, kid.”

“Not a kid—adult.”

“Fine, Choi Do Yoon, student.”

“Yes.”

“Why’d you steal my clothes?”

He clamped his mouth shut. This is why I call him a kid. Softly, I said.

“If you needed something, just buy it.”

“I was going to your company… didn’t want to look too young. My clothes are too student-like.”

His absurd reason made my eyes widen.

“You’re not sneaking cigarettes as a high schooler. Why care about looking older?”

“Just…”

“You’ll be dying to look younger in a few years.”

“Not me.”

“Let’s see.”

“I want to be older. Like, eight years older.”

The oddly specific number cracked me up. I laughed, smacking his shoulder. He went quiet, sulking again. His mood swings were so routine, I wasn’t fazed.

Weeks later, Do Yoon got orientation details for a two-night retreat. I sighed in relief—finally, the moment I’d waited for.

It started on a weekday morning. Since our place was far from his school, we woke at dawn. As we rushed to get ready, I nagged.

“Get to know your classmates this time. Don’t just stick to girls—make guy friends too. And don’t hate on talent shows if seniors make you do them.”

I was thinking of Hwang Yeon Seok, who, in the novel, grumbled about releasing Do Yoon’s orientation dance video whenever overworked. Do Yoon frowned.

“Why do you think I’d hang with girls?”

“You’re popular. Even if you don’t try, they’ll flock to you.”

In the novel, Haewon Electronics staff called Do Yoon’s face the company’s best perk. Ten years younger, he’d only shine brighter. But he looked annoyed.

“Not interested. I don’t even want to go. I’m only going because you insisted…”

His blatant reluctance threw me. You have to meet people there! Not just Yeon Seok—most supporting characters in the novel’s timeline appear in college. Why was he so unmotivated?

Technically, Yoo Hyung Joo, another friend, was a college acquaintance, just met earlier in this timeline. Suddenly, I wondered how Hyung Joo was doing.

“You keep in touch with Hyung Joo?”

“Yeah, sort of.”

Sort of? That sounded half-hearted.

I worried the high school bullying vibe made him dislike socializing.

“What about Hyung Joo’s school? Didn’t he apply to a two-year college in Gyeonggi?”

“He got a late acceptance yesterday.”

“Awesome!”

At least he’s still in touch with Hyung Joo. I sighed in relief.

“Bring him over before school starts. Let’s eat.”

Do Yoon frowned.

“Why do you care so much about him?”

“He’s your friend.”

I said it defensively.

“Not like I’m spying…”

“…Fine. I’m heading out.”

His chilly attitude deflated me. Asking about his friend isn’t a crime…

He’s fiercely protective of his people. But soon, a text arrived.

[Told Hyung Joo. Sorry for getting annoyed earlier :(]

I smiled, my brief hurt melting. I replied.

[It’s cool. Have fun!]

But Do Yoon didn’t have fun. He texted every thirty minutes—complaining it was cold, boring, or he wanted to come home. His texting spiked during meal times, making his schedule predictable.

Is it that bad? How’s he supposed to make friends texting me this much? I wanted to ask about Hwang Yeon Seok but held back—it’d sound too suspicious.

His constant messages during the retreat had coworkers teasing me about a “girlfriend.” I denied it, but their “sure~” vibes showed they didn’t buy it. Why ask then?

I planned to dig deeper when he returned. But when he did, he looked awful, like he hadn’t slept. His once-radiant face was haggard, fed up. I laughed awkwardly.

“No fun, huh?”

“Not really. Don’t get why they do this.”

“No one you clicked with?”

If Hyung Joo was his subtle friend, Yeon Seok was his open one. But Do Yoon replied flatly.

“Too many people. Everyone got drunk and passed out—I don’t remember names.”

“Oh…”

I was disappointed. In the novel, Do Yoon told Ji An, “I had fun with friends I clicked with in college.” I thought that started at orientation…