29-170

EP.170  The Soaked Top Model 

“Phew…” 

Only the dim fluorescent lights fought off the darkness in the underground parking garage, the air cold enough to seep into one’s lungs. Compared to the unreal scene in the 1st floor lobby moments ago, this was like a haven of calm. 

“The basement’s definitely calmer than upstairs,” Hyunseong muttered, surveying the thick moss and vines creeping over the massive concrete columns, evidence of encroaching neglect. 

Pooled water on the ground reflected iridescent colors like oil. The sharp smell of exhaust was mixed with an earthy whiff of dirt and grass scents that shouldn’t naturally exist here. 

Parked between luxury sedans, several suspicious figures lurked obviously not residents with DSLR cameras or smartphones clumsily hidden in their hands: clearly reporters. 

“Geez, what a headache so early in the morning,” Hyunseong sighed. 

“But with this many people, maybe the rumor Mina talked about wasn’t such nonsense after all,” Ju-young said, glancing at the exit, which was a mess of cars trying both to enter and leave. 

“Why do people care so much about other people’s private lives?” Hyunseong grumbled. 

“Well, if it’s Yuna, it’s only natural,” she replied. Arms folded, Mina interjected lazily, “Actually, you two are weird. How can you be so disinterested when Korea’s top model may have just moved in next door?” 

“You sure don’t sound too interested yourself,” Ju-young countered, as if expecting Mina to jump out to mingle with the crowds, but Mina only shrugged. “I just know stuff because she’s famous. It’s not like I actually like her or anything. Heh.” 

“That’s what’s wrong with people nowadays. If something is trending, they all rush right in…” 

“Wow, what a boomer thing to say!” 

“I am not a boomer. I’m still in my twenties!” 

“Which is exactly what makes you sound old.” 

“Still why aren’t they keeping non-residents out?” Hyunseong muttered, jerking his chin toward a reporter resting by a pillar. 

“If it were me, I’d turn back seeing all that outside.” Of course, no high-profile person would stroll out the front door, and if they did, they’d be in disguise. Even so, the effort to catch even a glimpse was almost admirable. 

As he turned back toward the exit, a harsh metallic screech cut through the air. 

On the corner of a pillar, Hyunseong’s shoulder brushed against someone coming from the opposite direction. 

“Oh, sorry.” 

“…Sorry.” 

Concise apologies exchanged they kept walking. The other person wore a black cap pulled low and oversized sunglasses, head bowed, hurrying right by. 

What was that…? 

Left in her wake was a trace of a cool yet sweet, utterly refined scent, so incongruous for this grimy parking garage. Locked by the odd feeling, he turned, and just under the cap, he glimpsed shimmering, violet-tinged silver hair. 

“Senpai, what’s wrong?” Mina, now a bit ahead, noticed he’d stopped and turned to look. At last, Ju-young also stopped. 

“Hyunseong?” 

“Nothing, just… huh” 

Drip. 

Before he could finish, a cold drop landed on his brow. Instinctively wiping it, he caught a whiff of rusty metallic water. 

BOOM! 

With an earth-shaking blast, a torrent of high-pressure water crashed down on his head. 

“Gah!” 

The cold shock was so hard it almost made him stagger this wasn’t some normal splash, but like being hit full-force with a fire hose. Before he could even gather himself, all he could do was shield his face desperately against the downpour. 

“Hyunseong?!” 

“Senpai!” 

Through the blaring alarm and roaring water, he faintly heard Ju-young and Mina calling. The deluge didn’t last long, but Hyunseong, soaked to the bone, was left looking like a drowned rat. 

‘…You’ve got to be kidding me.’ 

Some first morning in his new place. 

The entrances swamped by people. 

A gratuitous soaking in the underground garage. 

It wasn’t some kind of ritual to chase off bad luck not that he believed in such things. 

As he pushed wet hair out of his eyes, he saw both women rushing toward him, equally soaked. 

“Are you okay?! Did you get hurt?” 

“Senpai, your head! Are you hurt?” They didn’t care about their own soaked clothing, just him; their genuine concern eased his annoyance. 

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just got a little wet, that’s all,” Hyunseong laughed as he swept his hair back. 

“What a day at this rate I should probably get a shaman to exorcise whatever’s haunting me,” he joked, finally coaxing relief to the others’ faces. 

“You two didn’t get splashed, did you?” 

“We were off to one side so we’re fine. But look her…” Ju-young pointed. 

Over there, the same woman he’d noticed earlier was sitting, also completely soaked. Under her wet black cap, the now heavier violet-silver hair stuck messily to her nape. The thin t-shirt clung to her slender back and narrow waist, revealing every contour. 

She must’ve gotten the worst of it. Sunglasses lay at her feet. 

Catching his breath, Hyunseong approached her. His sodden shoes squelched loudly. 

“Uh… are you okay?” 

At his words, her shoulders flinched. She bowed her head, trying to hide her face, so Hyunseong gently offered her dripping sunglasses back. “I think you dropped these.” 

After a short pause, the woman snatched the glasses, her hand damp. 

“Ts.” 

She clicked her tongue in annoyance instead of saying thanks, making Hyunseong’s hand falter awkwardly in midair. 

‘Man, she sure is frosty. Not that I’d be cheerful if I was just doused like that either, but still…’ 

Mina remarked, “Some luxury apartment, huh? The outside’s like a market, the basement sprinklers go off… You sure you weren’t conned?” 

“No kidding,” Hyunseong groaned, already planning to call management and get an explanation. Mina giggled, “You got your water fun in before even going to the beach! Should’ve worn a swimsuit…” 

She trailed off suddenly, her face going pale, eyes fixed not on Hyunseong but on something behind him her playful expression instantly gone, as if she’d seen a ghost. 

“…Yuna?” 

Her whispered words made both Hyunseong and Ju-young’s eyes go wide. 

Just then, the woman on the ground wrung out her drenched hair, cap coming slightly askew to reveal her sharp jawline, high-bridged nose, and full lips, now flushed and dewy. Even with no makeup, her features were so perfectly sculpted it was hard to believe she was real unmistakably the same face they’d seen that morning on television. 

Korea’s top model. 

“…Haa.” 

Noticing the three’s stunned stares, Yuna sighed deeply, sweeping back her wet hair in resignation. 

“You live here?” she asked curtly. 

“Uh? Not me, but these two are,” Hyunseong stammered. 

Yuna’s brows twitched as she scanned them, then, like a merchant haggling in the market, she said, “Alright. Sorry to ask, but I hate hassle. How much would it cost for you all to keep your mouths shut about seeing me here today?” 

“…Excuse me?” 

The question took Hyunseong completely off guard. 

“Give me your bank account numbers. I’ll wire you the money right now, and we’ll all forget this ever happened. How about it?” 

She acted as if this could be swept away like a roadside stone, completely confident money would solve anything. 

But as Hyunseong’s group hesitated in shock, noise arose in the distance 

“What happened?” 

“Looks like a sprinkler blew?” 

“Wait, isn’t that Yuna?” 

“What? Where?!” 

That triggered the hidden journalists throughout the parking lot to emerge en masse. Cameras started to click, and paparazzi flashes popped from every corner. 

“Ts,” Yuna spat openly, losing interest in the trio before immediately turning to bolt for the elevator. 

But hurried footsteps echoed from the corner she tried to escape to. 

“Yuna! Is it true you stopped activities not for health, but sponsor trouble?” 

“How about the rumors of a boyfriend?!” 

“This is the worst. This is why I hate press conferences…” she muttered, biting her nails as panic crept in. Observing her back, Hyunseong steeled himself and glanced over at Ju-young and Mina. 

“…Sorry, but you two go ahead and leave.” 

“Huh? But” 

“Senpai?” 

Before they could protest, he firmly turned away from them. 

Up until today, he hadn’t cared about this woman at all. But now, with the insane crowds, malfunctioning sprinkler, and chance meeting with Yuna, he realized none of this was chance. Everything was designed for this very encounter. 

If that's the case 

‘I can’t just let this chance slip by.’ 

BOOM! 

A heavy sound as if something burst above the entire garage was plunged into total darkness as the lights went out. 

“Agh!” 

“What, is this a blackout?!” 

Disorienting darkness. Yells and curses from the reporters erupted in chaos. 

Without hesitation, Hyunseong reached through the dark for Yuna’s silhouette, grabbing her cold wrist. 

“This way.” 

She flinched for an instant at his unfamiliar touch, but quickly tightened her grip, catching his intention. Confirming it, Hyunseong dashed toward the elevator the only place still lit up. 

‘A little bonus.’ 

BOOM! 

Another much louder explosion roared behind them. 

“Argh, what the hell?!” 

“Ah, shit my camera!!” 

More water gushed down, undulating screams echoing in the distance as the journalists were hit by their own deluge. With a satisfied smirk, Hyunseong hustled Yuna into the elevator. 

Back home, Hyunseong quickly changed clothes and came out to the living room. Everything inside the penthouse was perfectly calm, as if the earlier chaos had been a lie. 

“Whew~.” 

Lying on the sofa munching on snacks, Child snickered when she saw him. 

“You acted so indifferent, but your body’s honest, huh?” she jeered, pointing a crumb-covered finger toward the bathroom. From down the hallway, the muffled sound of running water could be heard someone showering. 

“Getting them all soaked already, huh… Fufufu.” 

“Don’t tell me you saw all this coming?” 

“Who knows what you’re talking about,” Child replied, feigning ignorance. Clearly she’d known, given she’d watched the press conference so closely. 

“I told you you’ll see how powerful the protagonist buff really is.” 

“Yeah, well, it got me a surprise shower today,” Hyunseong replied with a laugh. 

As they exchanged dry banter, Lizetta approached and bowed politely. 

“Master Hyunseong, as you ordered, your guest's clothing has been sent to the exclusive dry-cleaning service.” 

“Thank you.” 

There were so many luxury services real high-rise life. Lizetta’s mention of the dry cleaning just emphasized it. 

‘There really is a service for everything. Is this how the rich live?’ He’d earned all this on his own, but he couldn’t help feeling like an ordinary guy enjoying extraordinary perks. 

Just then, footsteps came from the bathroom hallway, and everyone turned. 

Out came Yuna, wearing nothing but an oversized white T-shirt. She toweled her wet hair with a casual confidence, the earlier traces of awkwardness gone. She strode with the poise of a model on a runway, long legs accentuated by a shirt that reached mid-thigh. Now, Hyunseong fully understood why she was called a top model the aura was overwhelming. 

“Thanks for taking care of my clothes, but… there’s nothing for the bottom,” she said coolly. 

“…Huh?” 

He couldn’t help but glance at the hem of her shirt, unable to stop wondering if she really meant she wasn’t wearing anything under there. Confused, he turned to Lizetta for an explanation, and she responded with her trademark emotionless look yet, for some reason, nodded faintly. 

Maybe he knew why… but still, this felt like things were moving very fast. 

“But enough about that,” Yuna cut across the room, her voice sharp and a touch languid. “We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?” 

Where moments before her eyes had been expressionless, now they glinted with icy intensity. Clearly, she wasn’t going to leave without a proper conversation. 

‘…Guess I better text Seung-a and Yeri, tell them to push back our meet-up times a bit. We’ll just talk a little. 

Yeah, really, it’ll just be talking… probably?’