Chapter Third : Crashes,compliments,clumpsiness

...As Song Yun left the venue, the cool evening breeze played with the strands of her hair. She felt light, content after the performance. But her steps slowed when she noticed a familiar car in the parking lot—the very one from the traffic incident that had lingered in her mind. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Woo-seok standing beside it....

...Without thinking, she approached him, her curiosity piqued. “You… you’re the owner of this car?” she asked, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and confusion. “I mean, is this your car?”...

...Woo-seok looked at her, his expression calm but curious. “Yes, it’s mine. What’s wrong with it?”...

...Song Yun hesitated, her thoughts racing. “Oh, nothing…” she murmured, her voice trailing off as she became quiet, her mind replaying the events. Feeling suddenly awkward, she offered a small smile and moved away, leaving Woo-seok standing there, puzzled by the brief encounter....

...The next day, Song Yun found herself at the local convenience store, her basket half-filled with groceries. She was humming softly to herself when she heard a voice call out to her....

...“Hey, Song Yun, right?” the voice said, a little too enthusiastically. She turned to see Nam Ju, a guy from her university who she barely knew. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking way too excited for a grocery run....

...“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” Song Yun replied, managing a polite smile....

...“I’m Nam Ju, your classmate from Seonwal University. Remember me?” he said, clearly expecting her to recognize him. Before she could respond, he continued, “I saw your performance yesterday, and wow! You were literally blooming like a flower on stage! So radiant, so captivating… like the sun rising on a new day, or like a diamond sparkling in the light!”...

...Song Yun sighed internally, trying not to laugh at his overly cheesy compliments. “Thanks, Nam Ju,” she said, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and politeness. She turned to leave, hoping to escape the conversation quickly....

...But Nam Ju wasn’t done. He followed her, still showering her with compliments. “You know, your dance moves were like poetry in motion! Just seeing you on stage was like witnessing art come to life. I mean, you’re like a… like a graceful swan gliding on a crystal-clear lake!”...

...Song Yun couldn’t help but chuckle at that one. “A swan, huh? That’s… something,” she said, shaking her head as she picked up a box of cereal. “Well, thanks for the compliments, Nam Ju, but I really have to get going.”...

...As she made her way to the checkout, Nam Ju trailed behind her, still chatting. “Hey, maybe we could grab coffee sometime? You know, talk about dance or… swans?” he suggested with a hopeful grin....

...Song Yun smiled, waving him off with a playful wink. “Maybe another time, Nam Ju,” she said, quickly paying for her groceries and making a hasty exit....

...Later that Sunday evening, Song Yun was back at work at the tteokbokki restaurant, her part-time job that she had grown fond of. The restaurant was bustling with customers, the sounds of sizzling food and cheerful chatter filling the air. She was focused on her tasks, taking orders and serving food with her usual efficiency....

...Meanwhile, across town, Woo-seok was persuaded by his employees to join them for a break party. They had insisted he come along, eager to see their usually stern boss in a more relaxed setting. Though Woo-seok was typically reserved, he decided to go along with it, hoping for a change of pace....

...As luck would have it, the restaurant they chose was the very one where Song Yun was working. When Woo-seok walked in with his team, he was his usual composed self, his expression neutral. But all that changed the moment he walked up to the counter to place an order....

...There, standing behind the counter, was Song Yun....

...For a moment, Woo-seok was struck speechless. His usual icy demeanor melted away, replaced by a warm, almost boyish charm. “Uh… hi?” he stammered, his mind suddenly blank. In his flustered state, he knocked over the menu stand on the counter, sending it clattering to the floor....

...Song Yun looked at him, surprised but clearly amused. “Are you okay?” she asked, trying to hide her laughter as she watched him fumble to pick up the stand....

...“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Woo-seok replied, his cheeks flushing slightly. He quickly ordered the food, his voice still a little shaky. When she handed him the receipt, their fingers brushed slightly, and Woo-seok nearly dropped the receipt in his clumsiness....

...“Why don’t you join us for the party?” Woo-seok blurted out suddenly, surprising both her and himself. “I mean, if you’re not too busy…”...

...Song Yun looked at him, clearly amused by his sudden nervousness. “Join you? For the party?” she repeated, raising an eyebrow....

...“Yeah,” Woo-seok nodded, his confidence growing slightly. “It’s just a small gathering… nothing fancy. But it would be nice to have you there.”...

...Song Yun chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Thanks for the invite, but I think I’ll pass. Someone’s got to make sure the tteokbokki keeps coming,” she replied with a wink....

...Woo-seok smiled, though slightly disappointed. “Right, of course. Maybe next time, then?”...

...“Maybe,” Song Yun replied, her smile lingering as she turned back to her work....

...As Woo-seok rejoined his team, his assistant, who had been watching the whole exchange, couldn’t help but grin. “You know, sir, it’s not every day we see you like this,” he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement....

...Woo-seok sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, yeah… laugh it up,” he muttered, but even he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “She’s… something else, isn’t she?”...

...As the night went on and the restaurant began to quiet down, Song Yun finished serving the last few customers. Seeing that the place was almost empty, she decided to take a short break. She wandered over to the table where Woo-seok and his employees were seated....

...“Looks like things have calmed down,” she said with a smile....

...Woo-seok’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw her. “Song Yun! I’m glad you could join us after all,” he said, his tone warm and welcoming. “Come, sit with us!”...

...Song Yun hesitated for a moment but then pulled up a chair and joined the group. Woo-seok’s employees were friendly and welcoming, and before long, Song Yun found herself laughing and chatting with them as if she had known them for years....

...Woo-seok, who was usually quiet and reserved, found himself talking more than usual, engaging in a lively conversation with Song Yun about their hobbies and interests. He discovered that they both enjoyed hiking and had a shared love for classic films. It was the first time in a long time that Woo-seok had opened up like this, and it surprised even him how easy it was to talk to her....

...As the night drew to a close, the restaurant emptied, and it was time for everyone to leave. Woo-seok’s employees thanked Song Yun for her hospitality, and after a good-natured farewell, they all left, leaving just Woo-seok and Song Yun standing outside the restaurant....

...“Well, I guess this is goodnight,” Song Yun said, her voice soft as the cool night air brushed against them....

...Woo-seok nodded, a slight smile on his lips. “Yeah… goodnight,” he replied, but then hesitated. “Uh, do you need a ride home? I could give you a lift if you’d like.”...

...Song Yun looked at him, her expression thoughtful. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I’m good. I live nearby, so it’s just a short walk for me,” she replied with a smile....

...“Are you sure?” Woo-seok asked, his voice laced with concern. “It’s pretty late…”...

...Song Yun chuckled, shaking her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine. Thanks, though,” she said, her tone light and teasing....

...Woo-seok nodded, though he couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. “Alright then… but, um, if you ever need a ride… or anything else, just let me know.”...

...Song Yun smiled, her eyes twinkling. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, giving him a playful wink....

...As she turned to leave, Woo-seok watched her walk away, a soft smile playing on his lips. He had never felt like this before—this warmth, this connection. It was new and unexpected, but he found that he didn’t mind it at all....

...Before she disappeared around the corner, Song Yun turned back, giving him a small wave. Woo-seok waved back, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. As he walked back to his car, he couldn’t stop thinking about her—the way she smiled, the way she laughed, and the way she had made him feel....

...For the first time in a long time, Woo-seok felt something stir in his heart, something that he hadn’t felt in years. And as he drove home, he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for him and Song Yun....

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