Ranker’s Return

Chapter 487

Hyeonu and Yeongchan drove their own cars and headed to the meeting place. The blind date was taking place at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong. Fortunately, the road there wasn’t blocked, and they were able to arrive much earlier than the appointment time.

Hyeonu skillfully parked his car and entrusted it to valet parking before heading inside the cafe without waiting for Yeongchan. There was no hesitation in his quick movements. The moment he entered the cafe, a man who appeared to be an employee asked Hyeonu, “How many people are there?”

Hyeonu thought about it. ‘The person who arranged it was Yuri, so…’

Then he said, “Five people.”

Yuri, the organizer, and the four people taking part in the blind date only amounted to five people.

“I’ll show you to your seat.” The man guided Hyeonu to a pretty large circular table. There were six chairs set around it.

“I’ll place an order when everyone is here,” Hyeonu told the employee and sat down in the chair.

‘We are meeting during the day, so we will separate before dinner, right?’

Out of curiosity, Hyeonu had said he would come on the blind date, but he didn’t want it to last until the evening. It was because it didn’t match his tastes at all to meet someone on a blind date. He preferred to have a natural encounter. This was further supported by Gang Junggu’s and Kim Seokjung’s influence.

Yeongchan looked around when he entered the cafe. Then he found Hyeonu and approached him.

“You couldn’t help it and had to enter first? I told you to wear warm clothes.” Yeongchan sat down next to Hyeonu and made fun of him.

Yeongchan did it to relieve his tension. Hyeonu noticed what Yeongchan was feeling and immediately started to laugh. “Are you nervous about going on a blind date with your sister’s friend?” 

Hyeonu wasn’t nervous. If anything, he was uncomfortable with this situation.

“Nervous… Even though she is my dongsaeng’s friend, she is two or three years younger than me. They are the same age, the same age,” Yeongchan replied. Exaggerated gestures and quick words—the presence of these two things alone made it clear that Yeongchan was nervous.

“Tell me if you like any of them. Don’t worry. I’ll help you.” Hyeonu patted Yeongchan lightly on the shoulder.

Yeongchan looked at Hyeonu with a bitter smile. Although this was for Yeongchan, he was unable to feel pleased as he had been given this blind date in exchange for Hyeonu showing up as well.

‘I’m sorry, my friend,’ Yeongchan apologized inwardly. Today’s blind date was for the ‘brother and sister’ pair.

Hyeonu didn’t know this and continued to talk to ease Yeongchan’s tension: “Isn’t it good for me to support you? Relax your face or any chance of her friend liking you will disappear…”

This made Yeongchan feel even more uncomfortable. Right when his heart was being pricked, two beautiful women appeared at the cafe door. They looked around the cafe before approaching the table where Yeongchan and Hyeonu were sitting.

“Oppa, why did you come so early? Have you been waiting long?” Yuri spoke carefully while looking at Yeongchan and Hyeonu. Yeongchan and Hyeonu stood up at the same time and waved.

“No, we just got here,” Yeongchan said.

“That’s right. We just arrived. Yuri, aren’t you also here 10 minutes early?” Hyeonu glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was 11:50 a.m.—10 minutes before the appointment.

“This is my friend, Im Surin. She is the same age as me, and we study in the same department at university.” Yuri introduced the brunette beauty standing next to her.

The brunette’s name was Im Surin. She had been friends with Yuri since high school and entered the same department in university. Im Surin bowed and greeted Yeongchan and Hyeonu, “Hello, I am Im Surin.” 

As she bowed, her long hair fell and shook as well.

“I am Yuri’s oppa, Kwon Yeongchan. I am 24 years old.” 

“My name is Gang Hyeonu, and I’ve known Yuri since we were children. I’m the same age as him.”

Yeongchan and Hyeonu also introduced themselves. Moments later, Hyeonu realized the strangeness and whispered in Yeongchan’s ear, “By the way, why… are there only two? Weren’t three people supposed to come?” 

It was strange. The number of people didn’t fit. If Yuri was the one giving the introduction, it was normal that two people should have come along with her.

“I don’t know. Would you like to ask Yuri?” Yeongchan whispered back. It was impossible for him not to know, but he pretended he didn’t.

‘I’m sorry, truly.’

Of course, he constantly apologized to Hyeonu in his heart dozens of times.

“Forget it. I’m just supporting you today anyway. I’ll leave with Yuri later,” Hyeonu replied.

Then he turned to look at Yuri and Im Surin before whispering to Yeongchan again, “Instead, you have to do well. Don’t come home and apologize again.”

“I understand. I will also go to the castle and be a magician if I do so. Then I won’t be Kwon Yeongchan but Gang Yeongchan, Gang Yeongchan.” Yeongchan tried hard to smile at Hyeonu.

He couldn’t help feeling sorry.

***

The blind date went smoothly. In the first place, Im Surin whom Yuri introduced today was her friend who wanted a blind date with Yeongchan. The explanation of the situation was already over. Im Surin and Yeongchan and…

‘Me and Oppa.’ Yuri smiled brightly at Hyeonu.

Just then, Hyeonu opened his mouth and asked, “Then shall we separate now?”

They had already been in the cafe for over two hours. Of course, that time included the mealtime. Considering that, it was now time to split up.

‘Yeongchan…’ Hyeonu thought about it. It seemed Yeongchan would be fine. Fortunately, Im Surin seemed to like Yeongchan.

‘Didn’t Yuri prepare well?’ Hyeonu really thought that Yeongchan wouldn’t be home for Christmas this year.

“Yes, let’s separate now,” Yuri agreed with Hyeonu’s words. She tried to stop her smile, but then she felt like punching Yeongchan when she saw him.

‘I brought you Surin…’

However, she couldn’t refuse Im Surin’s request since Im Surin said she had liked Yeongchan for years. In fact, this meeting was arranged today because Yeongchan wasn’t trustworthy. Yuri’s oppa seemed to have too many flaws for her to introduce him to her close friend. Of course, she didn’t say this to Yeongchan. He would obviously sulk for several days and nights if she did.

‘Still, it is good to see Hyeonu oppa as well.’

There was a reward for the suffering.

Just then, Yeongchan got up from his seat and spoke, “Okay, let’s go out.”

Yeongchan was fine with it. The situation was still a bit awkward, but it was a problem that would be solved with time. All four of them grabbed their things and exited the cafe. The bill was up to Hyeonu. Yeongchan said he would do it, but Hyeonu pulled out a card.

“I’ll pay all of it.”

“I’ll pay.”

“Who cares if you pay or I pay?”

“Look at you showing off in front of others. You can pay at home.”

“Are you and Yuri the same? If you were Yuri, I wouldn’t just pay for the food but everything. Jerk.”

Hyeonu and Yeongchan continued to fight. Yuri and Surin smiled at the sight as the two guys seemed very close.

“Don’t do anything weird to Surin. Take care,” Yuri threatened Yeongchan for the last time before they separated.

“That’s right. You’re not a person if you touch her today. I will change the password at home. I don’t have a hobby of living with beasts,” Hyeonu added to Yuri’s words. Then he waved to Surin and approached the valet parking staff member with Yuri. They didn’t even think about listening to Yeongchan’s reply.

“It’s impossible for Yeongchan to do that.”

“Yes… Oppa can’t be so bold. He is timid, timid.”

Hyeonu and Yuri chatted in Hyeonu’s car while watching Yeongchan and Surin, who were still standing there.

“Where are we going? We ate and drank coffee. Is there any place you want to go? Somewhere nearby,” Hyeonu said. 

Yuri appeared to be troubled by his words. Based on what she knew about Hyeonu’s personality, he didn’t like crowded places.

‘A place with few people…’ Yuri thought about it.

Then she answered, “Shall we go to Han River, Oppa? There won’t be many people if we go at this time.”

Hearing that, Hyeonu turned his head with a surprised expression. “Now? Isn’t it cold?”

Winter in December was cold. It was cold even when their clothes were tightly fastened, and it would be even more so if he were wearing a coat that wasn’t a thick padded jacket.

“Then let’s go buy a cup of hot coffee,” Yuri said.

“Yes, I agree.” Hyeonu nodded.

He didn’t intend to say anything else. Since he wanted to go, why would he stop it?

‘It isn’t because I am cold.’

Hyeonu’s red car quickly drove away from the cafe.

***

“It was fun today. It’s time to go in now, Yuri.” Hyeonu was standing in front of Yuri’s house with Yuri. He knew her house too well. It was because her home was also Yeongchan’s home. He had been here dozens of times. It was a familiar house.

Yuri replied, “I had a lot of fun today. It might’ve been because of my oppa, but…”

They had strolled around the Han River, and Yuri had confided in Hyeonu about the behind-the-scenes story of today’s blind date. After hearing about it, Hyeonu just laughed.

“Still, Yeongchan… I didn’t expect your friend to like him. He’s surprisingly popular?”

“He is my oppa. Of course, you are much more popular than Yeongchan oppa. It has always been that way since the past.”

“Me? Not at all?” Hyeonu pointed a finger at himself. He was so dumbfounded that his eyes widened in shock.

‘Am I popular?’

In Hyeonu’s memories, he wasn’t that popular. He had not received a confession even once. Every time Hyeonu had a girlfriend, he had always been the one who confessed.

“You weren’t popular? It can’t be…? Oppa always had a girlfriend.” Yuri shook her head. She knew that Hyeonu had the popularity of an idol. On Valentine’s Day, there were mountains made from all types of chocolate on his desk.

“I always had girlfriends? No? I’ve only had two girlfriends so far? I think you are misinformed…”

Hyeonu had exactly two girlfriends in the past—one in high school and one in university. There was no one else.

“Didn’t you receive a lot of chocolates and candy every year?”

“They are just gifts. They don’t mean anything, Yuri. The important thing is to express your heart. Giving chocolate doesn’t mean they like me,” Hyeonu said. He passed by Yuri and pressed the white bell. It rang lightly, and a warm voice came out.

-Who is it?

“Mother, it’s Hyeonu. I’m here to deliver Yuri.”

-Why are you with Yuri?

“There was a situation, and I ended up coming with her.”

-Really? Come on in.

The door opened.

Hyeonu pointed to the open door and turned to Yuri. “Now, let’s go in. It has been a long time since I’ve seen your mother.”

Yuri walked in after Hyeonu wordlessly.