CLABC 10

“…Aren’t you coming?”

Bora was the first to speak.

Kangyoon had been standing there blankly, but at the sound of her voice, he finally started walking. As he took a few steps toward her, cherry blossom petals clung thickly to the soles of his loafers.

“Let me see. I want to check how well you took them.”

Kangyoon obediently handed over his phone to Bora, who held out her palm primly.

“Wow…!”

The cherry trees in full bloom lined both sides of the path like lush curtains. Beneath them, Bora turning back amid the fluttering petals looked beautiful even to herself.

“You’re really good at taking pictures. This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot.”

As she said that, Bora looked up at Kangyoon, her eyes sparkling. Even in heels, she still had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark and deep. Feeling her heart start to race again, Bora quickly handed the phone back and glanced around for no reason.

“Uh… should we get some ice cream or something?”

“Sure. You said you wanted to try cherry blossom ice cream, right?”

“That’s right! They should be selling it somewhere around here.”

Now that she noticed, most people were holding coffee or cotton candy, and here and there she spotted pink ice cream cones as well.

“Looks like it’s over there.”

Kangyoon pointed toward a shop with a long line stretching far into the distance.

“Where?”

Since Kangyoon was taller than most people, he spotted it immediately, but Bora craned her neck, peeking up as she searched for where he was pointing.

“There.”

“Gasp—”

Bora clamped her lips shut as Kangyoon suddenly lifted her by the waist.

“Can you see it? The long line of people?”

“Yes… I see it. Please put me down.”

He’s really strong.

No matter how small and slim Bora was, lifting a grown woman so easily was impressive.

“Sit here for a moment. I’ll go buy it.”

“Huh? Let’s go together.”

“The line’s too long. Your feet will hurt. Sit and wait.”

Kangyoon sat Bora down on an empty bench and strode off into the distance.

“Whew… what is this? It really feels like a date….”

Bora cooled her flushed cheeks with her palms and took a moment to catch her breath.

“My feet really do hurt…. Mom, honestly. I should’ve worn flats.”

She slipped her feet out of her heels, finally feeling some relief. Taking out her phone from her handbag, Bora began snapping photos of the cherry blossoms herself. White and pale pink flowers were in full bloom, spilling everywhere at the height of their beauty.

“So pretty. I’m glad I came.”

For the past several years, she’d been so consumed with work that she hadn’t even thought about going flower-viewing in spring or autumn. And now, thanks to her family’s sudden downfall and business troubles, she’d somehow ended up at a cherry blossom festival.

Life really was dynamic. You never knew what might happen, or when.

“See? I told you I have a great eye.”

Bora lifted her head at the voice beside her.

“Uh—what?”

“I tried so hard to convince you to come see the blossoms with me, and you shut me down completely. Why are you sitting here alone?”

“H-How did you get here, CEO Han…?”

“What do you mean, how? I came to see the cherry blossoms too. I’m a man who loves flowers, you know.”

At Kangmoon’s sly smile, goosebumps rose along Bora’s arms.

“I was pretty shocked by the unexpected news, but you know this already, Bora. I’m the heir to the Kangsan Group.”

“So?”

Bora stared at him blankly.

“There’s never been anything I wanted that I couldn’t have.”

This feels bad.

Bora shifted slightly away from Kangmoon as he sat down beside her.

“I heard your family requested a matchmaking with mine. Then of course it would’ve been for me, right? I guess my mother misunderstood and sent my younger brother instead. My apologies.”

“…No, you don’t need to apologize.”

“There’s no need to worry about it. Bora, I’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to.”

“Take care of what, exactly?”

“What else? You don’t have to force yourself to see Kangyoon. Let’s pretend that meeting never happened.”

“What do you mean, pretend it never happened?”

“Instead, see me again. That blind date.”

“So you followed me all the way here just to spout that kind of nonsense?”

Just as Bora was about to snap back, Kangyoon appeared, holding two cherry-blossom-colored ice cream cones.

“Kangyoon!”

“Here. Take this. And you—get up.”

Kangyoon’s cold voice sounded unfamiliar. Bora took the ice cream and looked back and forth between the two brothers.

“I saw you following my car.”

“Ah. I thought I hid myself pretty well.”

“You think that bright red car can be hidden?”

Snorting in disbelief, Kangyoon took a bite of his ice cream. As the sweet, cool cream filled his mouth, the heat that had risen all the way to his head seemed to calm slightly.

“Anyway, it looks like Mother misunderstood. That was originally my spot. The blind date with Bora.”

“Did Aunt really say that? That’s not what she told me.”

“Mother’s thoughts don’t matter. You know that. I decide everything.”

“Up until now, sure. You also know I’ve always stepped aside for you.”

Kangmoon glared fiercely at Kangyoon, who looked down at him with an unreadable expression.

For thirty-six years of his life, Kangyoon had always been beneath him. Born of the same father but different mothers, Kangyoon was forever second place in the family. Kangmoon believed that until the day he died, Kangyoon would never beat him or take anything that belonged to him.

So naturally, this woman—Bora—should also be his.

If he got tired of her and threw her away, maybe Kangyoon could have her then. But Kangyoon taking her first? That could never happen.

“Your attitude’s a bit much, don’t you think? Do you even understand the situation?”

“Seems like you’re the one who doesn’t understand it at all.”

After finishing his ice cream—and even crunching down the cone—Kangyoon wiped the corner of his lips with his thumb.

“Yoon Bora and I are getting married.”

“What?”

“I already told Grandfather. Aunt knows too.”

“…Ha. Hey, Han Kangyoon.”

Enraged, Kangmoon suddenly swung his fist at Kangyoon. But Kangyoon swiftly blocked it and shoved him back.

“Ah—ugh!”

Kangmoon stumbled to the ground and shouted at the people staring at him.

“What are you looking at? Never seen a person before? Get going!”

Startled by his yelling, people scattered. Holding her half-eaten ice cream, Bora slipped her heels back on and stood up.

“Kangyoon, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a bit embarrassed you had to see that.”

“…CEO Han Kangmoon, I’m going to marry Kangyoon. So please don’t behave this rudely again.”

“Bora!”

“And don’t call me anymore. I won’t answer. Let’s go, Kangyoon.”

Bora slipped her arm firmly through Kangyoon’s and started walking off in the opposite direction.

“Hey, Bora! I’m better than that bastard!”

When Kangmoon tried to follow, Kangyoon shot him a cold glare. Grinding his teeth, Kangmoon mouthed ‘We’ll see at home’ before turning away in a fury.

Meanwhile, Bora, frowning deeply at his voice, walked quickly for a long while before slowing once the noise faded.

“Wow… I didn’t think CEO Han would act like that.”

“Like that?”

Kangyoon asked amusedly as he looked down at Bora clinging to his arm.

“So pathetically.”

“Hahaha!”

At her choice of words, Kangyoon burst out laughing for the first time. Seeing him laugh so hard he bent at the waist made Bora feel a little awkward.

“I mean, it’s true. He even called me the other day.”

“Yeah. That really is the perfect word. Pathetic.”

“You’re not going to fight with him at home, right?”

“Well… I’ve never fought with him before.”

“Oh. Are you two close?”

“No. It’s just that I’ve never beaten him. Until now.”

At that, Bora gazed quietly at Kangyoon. As they walked slowly, cherry blossom petals fluttered down onto his hair and shoulders. Reaching out, Bora gently brushed them away. Watching her, Kangyoon suddenly pulled her slender waist closer.

“Until now, that’s how it’s been. But this is the first time I want to take something he wants.”

His low, deep, steady voice settled against her ear. Feeling her heart pound, Bora swallowed.

“…Is that me? What you want to take for the first time?”

At her softly trembling voice, Kangyoon nodded.

“Yes. Yoon Bora. You’re the first. I’m daring to try.”

A gentle spring breeze brushed between their faces. Bora looked up into his deep, unwavering eyes for a long moment. Then, like a sneeze she couldn’t hold back, the words in her heart burst out.

“From now on, take everything you want. I’ll help you. I’ll… make it happen for you.”