Chapter 49: The First Love and the Whiskey

“Why do you want to see me so late?”

Mina Nam stood nonchalantly on the balcony, gazing at the apartment building across from her.

Tonight’s pale moon was incomplete, fragmented like the regrets hidden in the heart of one who admires it. The soft moonlight quietly spilled over the glass of whiskey she held.

At 27, she took a small sip of the whiskey. The sharp sting of the alcohol made her frown.

Not very skilled at drinking, she was already starting to feel a slight intoxication, and the glass in her hand felt heavier, as if it might slip from her grasp.

In the living room, Seo Yoon set down her backpack and sat somewhat awkwardly on the sofa, glancing sideways at Mina, who had her back turned.

“There’s something that’s been weighing on my mind... so I took the liberty of visiting you.”

“Something on your mind? Are you so sure I can offer you any useful advice?”

Since Seo Yoon had come on a whim, by the time she arrived at Mina Nam’s apartment in Yeouido, Mina had already taken a shower and changed into a cream-colored robe.

Mina lifted her graceful, swan-like neck, downed the whiskey in one gulp, then turned around with interest, appraising this girl who was nearly seven years her junior.

Feeling a bit embarrassed under her senior’s gaze, Seo Yoon nervously brushed her hair aside and explained, “It’s because you told me last time that life is lived only once, so one should be a little selfish.”

“I think that’s true, but sometimes, it seems like one selfishness contradicts another. That’s why I wanted to ask for your advice.”

Seo Yoon had to keep her group performing well while also trying to maintain her relationship with Summer Star. At this moment, she felt unable to be selfish with both her bandmates and Summer Star simultaneously.

As for why she came to Mina...

The oldest member of the group, Lily, would soon turn 21, and their mature-minded leader, Haewon Woo, was only 20. Having left school early to pour all their sweat and energy into the rehearsal room, their emotional maturity was still lacking.

Seo Yoon didn’t want to reveal too much about her relationship with Summer Star in front of the other members. Although somewhat self-deceptive, she still wanted to keep the promises she made to them.

Most importantly, Mina Nam was a woman who had achieved considerable success in her career.

Perhaps Mina could accompany her for a chat. Even if the advice was meaningless, it might help ease the knot in her heart.

Mina picked up a clean glass from the coffee table and poured two small sips of whiskey for Seo Yoon.

“Then drink with me a little. It’ll be easier to open up.”

This 27-year-old woman before her had shed the awkwardness of early adulthood. Her pale cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, radiating the unique charm of a mature woman.

Just as Seo Yoon was about to decline, citing her poor tolerance for alcohol, she noticed that Mina herself seemed somewhat intoxicated, so she swallowed her excuse.

After all, she’d been troubled these past few days, and now that she was old enough to drink freely, why not?

She accepted the glass and imitated the way she’d seen others drink, clinking glasses with Mina.

“Cheers!”

The fiery burn of the whiskey shot straight to her head, the dizzy sensation spreading from her throat up to the back of her mind.

It was as if the distance between the two had suddenly diminished.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect you to come to me when you had problems.”

Mina crossed her legs, her toes lightly swinging the slippers in the air. Leaning forward with a hint of assertiveness, she fixed her gaze on her junior.

“Right? Strange, isn’t it? I didn’t expect it either.” Seo Yoon poured more than half a glass of whiskey for herself from the coffee table.

Noticing her junior’s somewhat reckless boldness, Mina didn’t stop her but chuckled softly as she watched her drink as if it were a mere beverage.

Though the strong liquor was difficult to swallow, Seo Yoon frowned and took two or three more sips in quick succession.

“Enough with the drinking. Let’s get to the point.”

Seeing Seo Yoon’s gaze growing unfocused, Mina pushed the nearly empty glass just out of her reach.

“If one day, the person you like...”

Seo Yoon suddenly furrowed her brow, seeming tired of this indirect way of speaking, and said, “I’ll just be honest. That way, it’s less exhausting for you to listen, Mina.”

“That’s fine. Maybe I can relate.”

Mina recalled the red Tesla Model Y that picked up Summer Star earlier that evening and poured herself nearly half a glass of whiskey.

“To be honest, the person I like now has to pretend to be in a couple with another woman in public because of family reasons. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”

Mina sipped her drink calmly, nodding for Seo Yoon to continue.

“Although it deeply hurts me... I guess I haven’t made any promises to him yet, so I don’t really have the standing to blame him.”

“After all, I care a lot about Nmixx’s success. I can’t love him openly and freely.”

“But whenever I think about him acting all lovey-dovey with another woman in public, I genuinely feel upset.”

Recalling unpleasant memories, Mina, who had intended to savor her whiskey slowly, suddenly swallowed it all at once and slammed the glass down heavily on the coffee table.

The crisp clink startled Seo Yoon into alertness. She sat even more upright, studying her senior, who seemed to harbor some inexplicable resentment toward her.

Her eyes, always cool and distant, carried the chill unique to an autumn night.

“Logically, if you can’t be with someone, you should prepare to let go. Holding on to someone forever is bad for everyone.”

“But if you want to live selfishly, then go all out to possess him.”

“Who cares about fake couples or real couples? Tear them apart with relentless persistence. Aren’t you good at that?”

Realizing she had spoken too bluntly, Mina shook her head but did not retract her words.

Having vented her frustration, she apologized to her reserved junior.

“Sorry, I was reminded of some unpleasant past experiences. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

“But I still advise you: if you’re not prepared to be relentless, don’t waste his time. Letting go early is a relief for everyone.”

“But didn’t you tell me before to be a little selfish?” Seo Yoon asked, unwilling to give in.

Mina sighed resignedly.

“I see your temper really hasn’t changed—used to be like this, still like this.”

-----------------

“Since I left you hanging all afternoon, I just wanted to check how you’re feeling now.”

From the phone came a gentle, tender concern. The girl in pajamas leaned against the balcony wall, shoulders slumped.

Dizzy from a cold, she couldn’t focus on the potted plants before her.

Absentmindedly plucking a small leaf, she pressed her dry lips together and, with a light tone, complained, “Who... who asked for your concern?”