Day Nine. 5:23 PM.
Soo-Min stared at her phone, horror flooding her face like someone had just spoiled the ending of a drama.
"We've been double-booked."
Min-Jae looked up from untangling Bokki from a shopping bag. "What do you mean 'double-booked'?"
"I mean... I told my classmate Ye-Rin that I'd go on a double date with her to help her flirt with her crush. And I may have said you'd be my date."
Min-Jae blinked.
"You volunteered me for a fake date?"
"Yes. But don't worry! It's only two hours. Three, tops."
"Last time you said that, I got hit by a water balloon, insulted by a seven-year-old, and accused of being your emotional pet."
"Well, this time you only have to smile, eat dinner, and pretend we're not constantly trying to murder each other with sarcasm."
"...So just like normal then."
---
Scene 1: The Fake Date Begins
They met Ye-Rin and her crush, Jun-Seok, at a hip little café with aesthetic lighting and chairs that were designed by people who hated comfort.
Soo-Min wore a floral dress. Min-Jae wore clean jeans and his one 'good' shirt—the one without noodle stains.
"Wow, you two look so natural together!" Ye-Rin chirped.
Min-Jae smiled stiffly. "It's because we're naturally stressed."
Soo-Min kicked his shin under the table.
Jun-Seok raised an eyebrow. "So how long have you two been dating?"
Min-Jae and Soo-Min looked at each other.
"Uh... 83 days?" she guessed.
"And 17 hours," Min-Jae added.
Jun-Seok nodded slowly. "That's oddly specific."
Soo-Min: "We track everything. Emotional accountability."
Min-Jae: "Relationship spreadsheets. Color-coded."
Ye-Rin looked thrilled. Jun-Seok looked concerned.
---
Scene 2: The Great Game Night Meltdown
After dinner, they moved to Ye-Rin's apartment for game night.
Board games. Cards. Laughter.
Then—disaster.
The game was Truth or Dare: Relationship Edition.
Ye-Rin read a card. "'Confess one thing you've never told your partner.'"
Min-Jae went pale. Soo-Min slowly put her drink down.
"Um," Min-Jae said. "I… secretly hate mint choco."
Gasps.
Ye-Rin: "That's it?!"
Soo-Min: "It's okay, baby. I forgive you."
Min-Jae: "Thanks, honey dumpling."
They both smiled like murderers planning each other's downfall.
Jun-Seok read the next card. "'Kiss your partner or take a shot of vinegar.'"
Silence.
Min-Jae: "...Do you have any extra strong vinegar?"
Soo-Min grabbed the shot and downed it without blinking.
Ye-Rin: "Wow. That's… not suspicious at all."
---
Scene 3: The Elevator Scene
They returned home late.
The elevator was empty. Quiet. Dimly lit.
Min-Jae leaned against the wall. Soo-Min stood across from him, arms crossed.
"Today was... something."
"Yup. Fake dating for social obligation. New low."
"You looked nice, though."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Just saying. For someone who insulted me in front of strangers, you were strangely tolerable."
She looked at him. Something unspoken passed between them.
The elevator dinged.
Neither moved.
"You ever think… maybe it's not that fake?" he asked softly.
She didn't reply.
But she didn't move either.
Then the door shut again. The elevator rose.
"Guess we missed our floor," she whispered.
"Oops."
They rode in silence for another loop. Not saying anything. But everything had already been said.
---
Scene 4: Back in the Apartment
Bokki greeted them by knocking over a slipper.
Soo-Min changed into her pajamas silently. Min-Jae brushed his teeth like he was cleaning guilt off his soul.
Before they turned in, she stood at his door.
"I didn't hate today."
He smiled. "You just disliked it strongly?"
"Very strongly."
"Me too."
A pause.
"But… we make a weirdly good fake couple."
She nodded. "Too bad we're too smart to ever date."
"Obviously. We'd kill each other."
"Absolutely."
But she lingered for another second.
So did he.
Then they both mumbled awkward goodnights and closed their doors.
And neither slept well that night.
---
End of Chapter 10