As Minju flipped through each photo one by one, her eyes grew wider. For a moment, she was so captivated that she forgot to even react — she was just admiring the pictures.
"Wait, were these edited? Why do they all look this good? This is insane!"
"And to think, some of them are even friends with each other. Wow. I guess it's true what they say — birds of a feather flock together. Gorgeous people hanging out with other gorgeous people... Oh, is that why my friends are all...?"
"Everyone, I've made my decision. I'm officially reacting to Friendship Romance 2. Am I a face stan? Yes. Yes, I am. Just now figuring that out? Also, apparently they're holding a vote right now? This is crazy… my dopamine is off the charts!"
"Who should I vote for? Who did you guys vote for?"
Minju groaned, clutching her head. "You can't ignore the visuals! I'm already torn!"
This side? That side? Everyone looked great together. She stared seriously into the camera.
"Alright. I've made my choice. I'm going with..."
She showed her tablet screen to the camera.
"Sungjun and Haeyoung. Eek! Let me know who your first pick is in the comments!"
She wrapped up the short video.
Even after that, she went back to look at the contestants' photos again.
They must've really gone all out this time.
With that thought, she replayed the video she had just filmed. Her eyes sparkled on screen. It had been a while since she felt this genuinely excited.
"This season of Friendship Romance might actually be really fun. Reaction time..."
"The reactions to the teaser are looking good too."
The only problem was having to wait until episode 1.
*****
Haeyoung arrived at a small restaurant. Even from the entrance, cameras were already set up.
As she stepped into the slightly dim interior, a quiet sigh could be heard.
"Uh…"
Seongjun had started to rise from his seat at the sound but froze halfway, standing awkwardly as he looked at Haeyoung.
Inside, Haeyoung was cheering.
Time has turned back. A perfect chance for revenge. Up to this very moment—could it be that fate is actually on my side?
In dating shows, the power of the first date was undeniable. With only the best of the best gathered here, the chances of sparks flying on a first date were high. It wasn't uncommon for connections made early on to last until the very end of the program.
Which is exactly why she planned to interfere. From the beginning, she'd hover around and make sure nothing could happen.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just got here."
The look of mild dissatisfaction that had appeared on Seongjun's face lingered for a moment before disappearing. He was clearly aware of the cameras rolling all around them.
Seongjun stepped forward and pulled out a chair so Haeyoung could sit comfortably.
"Thank you. But... it seems like you weren't expecting to see me here. You looked surprised."
"A little, yeah. I haven't had many conversations with you, Haeyoung. Which actually makes this even better, don't you think? Let's have a fun time today."
At his insincere comment, Haeyoung simply smiled instead of replying. As they continued with light conversation, the food was served not long after.
"Here, let me."
"It's fine, really."
Seongjun took the steak placed in front of Haeyoung. Without saying a word or making a show of it, he neatly cut it into bite-sized pieces and handed the plate back to her.
Haeyoung stared blankly at the dish for a moment.
Does a woman have no hands or feet? She can do things herself — so why expect someone else to do them? It's unreasonable.
If we're going by that logic, I wish someone would pull out my chair for me sometimes. You could do it, you know.
But how could I expect that from you when you say things like that?
I never even asked you to, not even as a joke.
"Thank you," she said.
When their eyes met, Seongjun beamed. His eyes curved into little half-moons, and his lips spread wide in a bright smile.
Whenever he smiled like that — so innocently, so openly — it made her want to reach out and ruffle his soft, curly brown hair. He seemed so pure and genuine that she wanted to give him everything… not realizing she was walking straight into the trap of becoming a fool for him.
"Are you always this well-mannered?"
"Oh, come on. This barely counts as manners. My dad raised me to believe this kind of thing is the bare minimum."
"Your father sounds like a wonderful man."
"Yeah. He's my dad, but he's also the person I respect the most."
Haeyoung rested her chin on her hand, smiling softly.
Without meaning to, Seongjun looked away.
He must have remembered all those times he'd muttered, 'My so-called dad? Useless drunk who can't do anything right.'
"I'm really glad."
"About what?"
Seongjun perked up, clearly pleased by the change in subject.
"That I got to go on the first date with you. Honestly, after seeing the text vote results yesterday, I was kind of discouraged. You were so popular, I thought I'd never get the chance to even talk to you."
"Oh, that? It's just because it's early in the show."
Despite his words, the corners of his mouth twitched with pride.
Good — be arrogant, be overconfident. That's when people slip up.
"And the fact that someone like you and I are seen as a good match… I'll admit, that makes me pretty happy too."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"The first date on Friendship Romance is decided by the viewers' image votes. You didn't know that?"
"Oh… right. Yeah, I knew that."
Seongjun's expression darkened in an instant.
"It means that out of all the amazing people here, I'm the one who suits you best," Haeyoung said brightly, then took a small sip of wine. She didn't need to look to know exactly what kind of face Jo Seongjun was making.
He had always been obsessed with "status."
At some point, he began acting like Haeyoung wasn't quite on his level — like he was doing her a favor by dating her.
He'd say things like he stayed with her because he was a good person, because he had affection for her — that he became her boyfriend out of kindness.
And now, among all these beautiful, impressive contestants, the audience had chosen Haeyoung as the one who best matched with him.
How humiliating that must feel.
But Seongjun, this is your last chance to be considered on my level. From here on out, you're only going to fall — lower and lower.
So don't give up too early, okay? You've still got a long way to drop. Keep going.
After that comment, Seongjun noticeably grew quieter.
*****
"Seongjun? Seongjun!"
"Huh? Oh, yes?"
Seongjun blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.
Unbelievable.
They think Seo Haeyoung and I are on the same level?
He looked her up and down.
No matter how much she dressed up the outside, Haeyoung's inner self was the same as always — dull, boring, how should he put it?
In a word: a total loser.
The kind of girl who sat silently in class all year, the one whose name you'd barely remember by the end of it.
That's all Haeyoung was.
He had only stayed with her because he was kind — patient.
But she was never in the same league as him. Not even close.
Of course, Haeyoung looked pretty decent now. More than decent, actually — she was quite beautiful.
To be fair, Seo Haeyoung had always been naturally pretty.
She just used to dress so sloppily every day that most people didn't notice — but Seongjun did.
If she hadn't been attractive underneath it all, he wouldn't have dated her in the first place.
Still… being on the same level as me? That's a stretch.
Honestly, it would've been better if it had been Minji.
Minji was the kind of girl who was the main character wherever she went — pretty, charming, full of light. And on top of that, she came from a decent family.
Unlike the dull and predictable Seo Haeyoung, who'd come and go exactly as she was told, Minji had always been a mystery — even after nearly ten years of knowing her.
She was the kind of woman you wanted to conquer one day. That's just how it was.
Maybe he'd just been with Haeyoung for too long. After all that time, it felt like even his own status had started to slip.
If only she had debuted a little earlier, I would've ended it already. If it weren't for the monthly rent, I'd break up with her right now.
Then none of this would be happening.
Annoyance bubbled up inside him.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm full… and a bit tired, too.
Haeyoung, have you finished eating? Should we get going?"
"Oh! Ah, yes… I just finished."
"If you're still eating, we can stay a bit longer."
He knew that wasn't true. Haeyoung always ate painfully slowly — painstakingly slow.
"No, really, I've eaten everything."
Haeyoung put down her fork.
Look at her. So annoying. If she hadn't finished, she could just say she needed more time.
Why does she always have to be so self-conscious about everything?
Is this lack of confidence something genetically programmed into her DNA?
Come to think of it, her mom was just as awkward, always watching my every move. Anyway, I need to end this soon. Why does she even come all the way here to act so pathetic?
"Then let's get up."
Seongjun grumbled silently to himself but got up without showing it. She said she'd finished eating — why wait?
Besides, if things looked like they were going well between Haeyoung and him now, the viewers might match him with her again in the next vote. That was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
"Yeah, okay. I've finished too. But… what's that?"
Haeyoung smiled and glanced at Seongjun's hand—annoyingly.
Seongjun hid the gift he had brought for his date behind his back.
Not for you. Why would I waste money on you?