Chapter 56: “Nice to Meet You”

“I guess I arrived first.”

It was worth leaving the house earlier than planned.

Being the first to arrive at the meeting location would leave a more diligent impression, just as Kim Jae-joon had calculated.

After checking the messages in the group chat with Kayak and the two editor candidates, Kim Jae-joon put his phone back in his pocket.

As he walked a bit further, the view of the cafe, their meeting point, gradually came into sight.

Kim Jae-joon glanced at his reflection in a nearby building’s window, checking if anything seemed out of place.

“Hair looks fine, clothes are wrinkle-free…”

His appearance was satisfactory.

Gone was the impoverished, unemployed uncle wandering the neighborhood; in his place stood a tidy young man.

“Should I order something first?”

As the first to arrive, Kim Jae-joon thought about ordering drinks or desserts in advance.

After all, some light snacks might help ease the tension during the meeting.

Although he didn’t know much about women’s preferences, he had heard that women often enjoy sweet treats.

Having a selection of desserts ready, but not too overwhelming, seemed like it could earn him some points with Kayak.

After all, aside from being an interviewer, Kayak was still a woman.

“Should I ask what kind of desserts she likes? No, that would be too obvious. It might seem like I’m trying to make an impression.”

If he ordered something she didn’t like, that could also be awkward.

Kim Jae-joon paced back and forth, deliberating.

As he stood near the cafe, pondering whether to message Kayak about her preferences, a loud voice caught his attention.

• “Who are you meeting? You’re just lying about having plans, aren’t you?”

The raised voice of a man could be heard, as though he was in an argument.

Turning his head, Kim Jae-joon saw a rather delicate-looking man.

In his opinion, the man had a typical “pretty boy” vibe.

“Look at him shouting so loudly…”

Kim Jae-joon had a habit of scowling whenever he saw attractive men.

His face briefly contorted but then softened as his eyes widened in surprise.

The beauty standing in front of the man was someone he recognized.

Her expressionless face betrayed her annoyance, and she seemed eager for the man to leave.

Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the warmth she showed while talking with his niece.

Kim Jae-joon pondered for a moment.

“Should I help?”

The decision didn’t take long.

His schedule wasn’t tight, and sparing a moment before the interview was manageable.

“Thank you, Si-hyun’s uncle.”

The clingy man, startled by the sudden appearance of Si-hyun’s uncle, backed off, grumbling about her having a boyfriend before storming away.

Given how persistent he had been, his sudden retreat felt anticlimactic, but it made sense.

“No need to thank me. It wasn’t anything difficult.”

Feeling awkward from her gratitude, Kim Jae-joon scratched the back of his head with his large hand.

A hand as big as a pot lid.

Arms nearly the size of her thighs and a broad back.

Though his jacket obscured much, nothing escaped her keen observation.

This man was undeniably strong.

And while his distinctly trained physique was noteworthy, the real issue was his face.

As I had felt the last time, his features were quite sharp.

When that face was paired with his imposing body, Si-hyun’s uncle exuded an overwhelming sense of authority just by standing there.

It was no wonder the man had no choice but to run away.

“Did you deliberately lower your voice earlier?”

“Oh, actually, that’s closer to my natural voice.

But my mom and Si-hyun keep suggesting I adjust my tone a bit.

They say if I speak too low, I’ll scare people.”

Hmm, that sounded about right.

Even for me, hearing that voice earlier was quite intimidating.

It wasn’t until I looked at his face that I realized it was Si-hyun’s uncle.

In fact, it took me a moment to recognize him because he looked completely different, as if he was dressed for something important.

“So, what brings you to this area?”

“I have an appointment.

I came to meet someone.”

“Oh, right.

You did mention you had plans…”

The setting and his attire might have changed, but his behavior was the same.

He still couldn’t meet my eyes directly as he spoke, and his fingers fidgeted nervously as if on cue.

It was amusing to see how someone who had been so intimidating moments ago now acted so bashful.

Finding the contrast amusing, I smiled faintly and asked,

“And what brings you here, uncle?”

“Oh, me?

Uh, I also have an appointment.

Well, it’s more of an interview, actually.

I have an interview nearby.”

“Oh, an interview.

I hope it goes well.”

“Thank you, haha…

I should get going now.”

He bowed slightly, then turned and began walking away, his steps long and purposeful.

Watching his retreating figure, I slowly started walking again myself.

And then, we met again.

In front of the cafe where editor candidate number two, Kim Jae-joon, a fan-tube operator, had arranged for us to meet.

“We meet again?”

“R-right?

This is my interview location.

Are you also…?”

“Yes, this is my meeting spot too.”

What a coincidence.

Perhaps because we had just parted ways and met again immediately, the uncle gave an awkward smile as he held the door open.

“Good luck.”

“Thank you…

And I hope you have a pleasant meeting.”

We entered the cafe together but soon split up to find our respective seats.

From a distance, I watched him settle into a seat that was visible from where I was.

As I was about to pull out my phone, it buzzed.

• Kim Jae-joon: I’ve arrived.

I’m inside the cafe now.

He’s here?

Like a meerkat, I instinctively raised my head and checked the entrance.

The door was firmly closed.

He must have arrived while I was choosing my seat.

Since he was already inside, it seemed wise to secure a table together, even though editor candidate number one hadn’t arrived yet.

I quickly picked up my phone and called him.

Click—

The call connected immediately, as if he had been holding his phone.

“I’m inside the cafe too.

I’m in the back, past the counter, at a seat with a sofa.”

“Yes, I’ll head over there.”

The voice was deep and steady.

I couldn’t be sure, but it sounded somewhat familiar.

It was then that Si-hyun’s uncle, seated across from me, suddenly stood up.

People’s gazes briefly shifted toward him, though only for a moment.

Even I thought something might have happened, assuming he was moving to another seat, but soon lost interest.

However, as he approached my side and started looking around as if searching for someone, I muttered under my breath, thinking it might be a coincidence,

“Are you… Kim Jae-joon?”

“Huh? How do you know my name…?”

It seems the impossible had happened.

How could something so obvious remain unseen?

Gesturing to him, I spoke with a slightly bemused expression.

“Please, have a seat here.”

“Huh? What? No, actually, I’m looking for someone…”

“I’m Kayak.”

Freeze—

Kim Jae-joon stopped in his tracks like a malfunctioning robot, his movements stiff and awkward.

He slowly took a seat, and I smiled as I said,

“We’ll begin the interview once Yu Shia arrives.”

“Oh no, I’m the last one here!”

Her delay was caused by her morning indecision over what to wear.

Excited about meeting her idol, she couldn’t even manage to arrive on time.

With a look of distress, Yu Shia quickened her pace, typing rapidly with one hand as she went.

• Yu Shia: Sorry for being late ㅠㅠ I’m almost there, just in front of the cafe ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
• Kayak: Take your time.
• Kayak: When you enter, head left to the counter, then come around to the back.
• Yu Shia: Okayㅠㅠ I’ll be there soon..!

She hurried along.

How long had she been walking?

Finally, Yu Shia arrived at the cafe she had seen in the photos.

Like Kim Jae-joon, she took a moment to check her outfit, calm her nerves, and then stepped inside.

Following Kayak’s directions, she moved toward the back, past the counter.

“Where is she?”

Looking around, Yu Shia scanned her surroundings.

The cafe was busier than expected, with people seated at tables throughout.

Should she ask which specific seat Kayak was in?

Or perhaps call the phone number she had received?

These thoughts passed through Yu Shia’s mind, but she quickly realized they weren’t necessary.

Inside the cafe, the gazes of several people seemed to subtly converge on one spot.

In a world where people are generally preoccupied with their own lives, it’s rare for anyone to pay such collective attention to another.

Unless, of course, a celebrity had arrived.

“A celebrity…?”

Seated inside the cafe was a person who seemed to radiate light.

The kind of description commonly used for celebrities—their small faces and strikingly defined features—perfectly fit this individual.

For someone like Yu Shia, who had never crossed paths with such a person, it was only now that she truly understood what those words meant.

With porcelain-white skin, large blue eyes, and silver hair,

The woman with a somewhat exotic appearance was seated in a corner, conversing with the person next to her.

It was a scene reminiscent of a celebrity and their bodyguard—or perhaps, beauty and the beast might be a better comparison.

The first impression she left was simple: she was stunning.

The silver-haired woman was so beautiful that it momentarily stole Yu Shia’s breath away as she entered the cafe looking for Kayak.

However, it wasn’t just the woman’s beauty that made Shia stare.

She bore an uncanny resemblance to someone.

A character from a game etched into Shia’s memory.

“Camilla?”

The woman, dressed in modern attire, and Camilla, adorned in a dress or armor, were quite different in clothing.

Yet their faces were so strikingly similar that it was almost shocking.

In fact, Camilla was regularly ranked number one in appearance polls for Abyss Gallery, known for her exceptional beauty.

Yu Shia couldn’t help but quietly marvel at how such a face could exist in reality—before quickly snapping back to her senses.

“This isn’t the time for this! Where’s the teacher? Where is the teacher sitting?”

Shia gave a small shudder, snapping out of her daze, and began looking around once again.

The teacher had said they would be somewhere around here, but where?

It was at that moment that Yu Shia’s gaze met that of the Camilla-like woman.

The woman’s eyes widened slightly before she raised her hand and waved.

“Is… is she calling me?”

Why?

Yu Shia hesitated, unsure but gradually walked toward her.

Even as she approached step by step, the woman maintained an understated smile, holding Shia’s gaze the entire time.

Finally, Shia arrived at the woman’s table, puzzled by the reddened face of the man seated next to her.

“Hello, Shia Shia-nim,” the woman said.

“Eh… ehhh?”

The voice was familiar.

It was one she had heard countless times recently, almost every day.

The owner of that deep, resonant voice stood right before Yu Shia’s eyes.

Watching Shia fall into a stunned silence, the woman laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her hand as though she understood.

Then, clearing her throat softly, she inclined her head slightly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kayak.”