Once the seating changed, the atmosphere actually became more comfortable.
At first, it had felt like everyone was watching to see who was supposed to talk to whom, but now that boundary had blurred a little.
Min-seok sat beside Hyun-a, excitedly going on about his major even more than before, while Jun-ho was talking to Su-yeon about the school festival.
Yeon-ju also exchanged a few words with Tae-hyun across from her about a team project in the business administration major.
And right beside them.
Seo-jin and Woo-jin were still talking.
“What was the hardest thing when you first learned Premiere?”
Woo-jin asked.
Seo-jin thought for a moment.
“For me, it was the keyboard shortcuts.”
“The shortcuts?”
“My friend kept doing everything on the keyboard, but I had to keep searching through the menus.”
Woo-jin laughed.
“Everyone’s like that at first.”
“You were too?”
“I was worse. I’ve even lost work because I forgot to save.”
“Seriously?”
“It was three in the morning that day.”
Seo-jin’s expression brightened a little.
“Did you do it again?”
“I had to. Otherwise my teammates would’ve killed me.”
“If it were me, I think I would’ve cried.”
“I almost cried too.”
They both laughed.
Even as Yeon-ju looked down at the plate in front of her, her ears were turned in their direction.
At first, she had tensed up every time Seo-jin said something, but that wasn’t happening anymore.
Woo-jin was asking questions first, too.
And Seo-jin wasn’t just answering. She was asking questions back.
It wasn’t enough to call it an atmosphere that belonged just to the two of them yet.
They were simply upper- and lowerclassmen in the same major who happened to get along well.
That was all it was for now.
And that was good.
It wasn’t moving too fast.
But it wasn’t nothing, either.
“Yeon-ju.”
Hyun-a called her.
“Yes?”
“That team project you mentioned earlier—what company did you say you were doing?”
“We haven’t decided yet.”
“Then you’re at the hardest stage.”
Tae-hyun joined in.
“Deciding on a topic is the hardest part.”
Yeon-ju nodded.
“Because everyone wants to do something different.”
“Then who wins?”
Min-seok asked.
“Is there actually a winner?”
“Usually, whoever has the loudest voice.”
Min-seok thumped his chest.
“Someone like me.”
“That’s why your team falls apart,” Tae-hyun said.
“Why?”
“Because you do everything your way.”
“That’s leadership.”
“That’s dictatorship.”
Laughter spread across the table again.
Yeon-ju took a sip of water.
This was more fun than she’d expected.
At first, she had been so nervous just sitting there that, at some point, she even forgot for a moment why she had come.
Maybe this was what Su-yeon had meant.
Have fun while you do it.
If you looked like you’d come here to work, everyone would be able to tell.
Just then.
Woo-jin checked his phone.
It was such a brief movement that Yeon-ju almost let it pass without a thought.
But after checking the time and reading the message on his screen, Woo-jin made a slightly troubled face.
Seo-jin, sitting beside him, noticed too.
“What’s wrong?”
Min-seok asked.
Woo-jin set his phone down.
“I had a meeting today.”
“What kind of meeting?”
“A small group meeting.”
“Today?”
“Yeah. At nine.”
Min-seok checked the time.
“Then you’ll have to leave soon?”
“Probably.”
Seo-jin’s expression stiffened for just a moment.
Yeon-ju saw it.
Hyun-a must have seen it too, because her hand stopped as she lifted her cup.
Su-yeon said nothing.
According to the original plan, if the mood was good after dinner, they might move to a nearby café.
Hyun-a had even looked up a place just in case.
But if Woo-jin had a meeting at nine, the timing was awkward.
It was already getting close to eight.
Even if they went to the café, they wouldn’t be able to stay long.
Yeon-ju glanced at Hyun-a.
Hyun-a looked back at her.
Then she gave a tiny shake of her head.
No café.
That was how Yeon-ju understood it.
Hyun-a said in a casual voice, “Then I guess we can wrap things up here today.”
“Not going to a café?” Min-seok asked.
“The timing’s awkward.”
“We’re fine with it.”
Min-seok looked at Woo-jin.
“You can just leave first.”
Woo-jin looked a little apologetic.
“But it’s our first day.”
Seo-jin’s face stiffened even more at that.
Yeon-ju understood immediately.
Seo-jin wasn’t disappointed that Woo-jin might leave first.
She was more uncomfortable with the fact that Woo-jin was feeling apologetic because of her.
Su-yeon seemed to notice it too.
“Then let’s all just end things here.”
Su-yeon said it so lightly that Min-seok blinked.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“But we still have some time.”
“We just met. If we spend too long together, we won’t have anything left to talk about next time.”
Min-seok laughed.
“Is that psychology too?”
“A theory I just made up.”
“Of course.”
The mood lightened again.
Woo-jin laughed too.
“We can see each other next time.”
At those words, Seo-jin looked up.
Su-yeon was already talking about something else.
“And the person who talked the most today was Min-seok, so your throat needs to rest.”
“I’m still totally fine.”
“The people around you need to rest.”
Tae-hyun nodded immediately.
“I’ll give you that.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Yeon-ju looked at Su-yeon.
She had only said they should call it a night.
And yet the strange disappointment and guilt that had been there moments ago had faded a little.
It was no longer a situation where Woo-jin was leaving first.
Everyone was ending the night together.
It was a small difference, but to Seo-jin, it seemed like a pretty big one.
Hyun-a checked her phone.
Then, seeing that the food had almost been cleared away, she said, “Shall we head out?”
“Sounds good.”
Jun-ho answered.
People began gathering their bags one by one.
Yeon-ju’s heart suddenly started beating a little faster.
It was ending.
Then...
What about their contact information?
When they were preparing, Su-yeon had said they would see how things went in person.
If the conversation went well, they could exchange contact information naturally.
And Seo-jin and Woo-jin were definitely talking much more comfortably than they had at first.
But no one moved.
Not Su-yeon.
Not Hyun-a.
Yeon-ju looked at Seo-jin.
As Seo-jin gathered her bag, she kept sneaking glances toward Woo-jin.
She looked like she wanted to say something.
But she couldn’t open her mouth.
Yeon-ju hesitated for a moment.
‘Should I do something?’
If she steered the group toward exchanging contact information, they could naturally exchange everyone’s information together.
It was the easiest way.
If someone said, “Should we make a group chat?” it would be done.
Seo-jin would get Woo-jin’s contact information without having to do anything.
But.
Yeon-ju didn’t open her mouth.
For some reason, it didn’t feel right.
Su-yeon didn’t say anything either.
Hyun-a instead gathered up the menus and slid them to one side of the table.
It seemed like everyone was waiting.
For Seo-jin to make a move herself.
An employee brought over the check.
“I’ll help you with the payment.”
Min-seok said, “We can just send our shares separately, right?”
“Yeah.”
Jun-ho took out his phone.
“Who wants to pay first?”
Su-yeon raised her hand.
“I’ll do it.”
“You will?” Yeon-ju asked.
“Send me your share later.”
“Isn’t it a pain to pay for eight people?”
“That’s what KakaoPay is for.”
Su-yeon went to the register.
Yeon-ju suddenly realized.
Their contact information.
Money.
To send their shares separately, they needed at least one person’s bank account information or transfer link.
Min-seok seemed to have the same thought.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to make a group chat?”
Yeon-ju’s gaze turned toward Seo-jin.
Seo-jin’s eyes widened just a little too.
Hyun-a answered, “That would be easier.”
Min-seok immediately picked up his phone.
“Then give me your numbers.”
For a moment, Yeon-ju felt strange.
It was so natural.
No one had brought it up because of Seo-jin and Woo-jin.
It had simply happened because eight people were trying to split the bill.
But.
If things continued like this, Seo-jin would get Woo-jin’s contact information.
Without having to do anything.
Yeon-ju looked at Seo-jin.
Seo-jin seemed to realize it too.
The face that had been so tense until moments ago relaxed ever so slightly.
Min-seok began adding everyone’s contact information one by one.
Yeon-ju.
Hyun-a.
Su-yeon.
Tae-hyun.
Jun-ho.
Woo-jin.
Seo-jin.
A group chat with all eight of them was created.
Friday Meeting
That was the name Min-seok gave it.
Su-yeon returned after paying and looked at the screen.
“Doesn’t that name seem a little lazy?”
“Then you change it.”
“Already calling me noona?”
“You’re a junior, aren’t you?”
“You don’t decide who’s a noona based on their year.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Senior would be better.”
Everyone laughed again.
Seo-jin laughed too.
Yeon-ju felt a little disappointed.
They had gotten each other’s contact information.
But Seo-jin hadn’t done it herself.
That didn’t mean it was a failure.
Contact information hadn’t been the goal to begin with.
Still.
‘Is it okay to end things like this?’
Just then, Woo-jin said, “Seo-jin.”
Seo-jin looked up in surprise.
“Yes?”
“About the video earlier.”
“Yes.”
“You said you’d show it to me when it was finished, right?”
“Oh.”
Seo-jin’s face quickly stiffened.
Woo-jin said it without any particular implication.
“If you send it in the group chat, everyone else will see it too.”
“Right.”
“Should I just send it to you separately?”
Seo-jin closed her mouth.
Yeon-ju’s heart started beating along with hers for no reason.
Since they were already in the group chat, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to start a private conversation.
Woo-jin had essentially offered first.
But Seo-jin couldn’t answer.
Su-yeon looked at Seo-jin.
So did Hyun-a.
This time too, no one interrupted.
Seo-jin ran a finger once along the edge of her phone.
Then she said, “Then...”
Her voice was quiet.
Woo-jin waited.
Seo-jin spoke again.
“Is it okay if I message you privately?”
Woo-jin smiled.
“Yeah.”
One word.
That was all.
And yet Seo-jin looked like she had nearly let out a sigh of relief.
“Yes.”
This time, her answer was a little clearer.
Yeon-ju couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from lifting.
Maybe it was more natural than directly asking for his contact information.
They already had each other’s information through the group chat.
Woo-jin had been the one to suggest sending it separately.
And Seo-jin had personally confirmed that final step.
Is it okay if I message you privately?
That was enough.
When they stepped outside the restaurant, the night air was a little chilly.
The eight of them stood in front of the main gate for a moment.
Min-seok waved.
“I had fun today.”
Su-yeon said, “If you see each other on campus, make sure you say hi.”
“Of course.”
Tae-hyun gave a casual wave too.
Jun-ho seemed to be headed in a different direction, so he waved first and left.
Woo-jin checked the time on his phone.
“I’m going to head out too.”
“You’re going to be late for your meeting,” Min-seok said.
“It’s fine. I can run.”
“Then run.”
“Seems like I’m late because of you.”
“How is it my fault?”
The two of them turned away, bickering.
Then Woo-jin turned his head back.
“Seo-jin.”
Seo-jin flinched.
“Yes?”
“Message me.”
It took Seo-jin a few seconds to nod.
“Yes.”
Woo-jin disappeared with Min-seok.
Yeon-ju looked at Seo-jin.
Seo-jin was still watching their retreating figures.
The corners of her mouth were lifted.
Just a little.
Then, as if she had suddenly come to her senses, she turned toward Su-yeon.
“Senior.”
“Yeah?”
“This...”
Seo-jin gripped her phone tightly.
“Did I succeed?”
Su-yeon blinked.
Hyun-a and Yeon-ju looked at her too.
Su-yeon smiled.
“Did you succeed at what?”
“It’s just...”
Seo-jin searched for the words, then held up her phone.
“He said it was okay for me to message him privately.”
“Yeah.”
“And he said he’d send me the video.”
“Yeah.”
“And now I feel like I can talk to him if I see him on campus.”
“Yeah.”
Seo-jin’s face brightened a little.
“Then doesn’t that mean I succeeded?”
Su-yeon looked at Seo-jin for a moment.
Then she said, “It hasn’t even started yet.”
Seo-jin’s expression froze.
“What?”
“You only really talked for the first time today.”
“That’s true, but...”
“Having each other’s contact information doesn’t mean you’re dating.”
“...Right.”
“Sending you a video doesn’t mean he likes you either.”
Seo-jin’s expression fell a little.
Su-yeon smiled at once.
“But.”
Seo-jin looked up again.
“It does look like you can get started.”
“Do you remember the original goal?”
Yeon-ju recalled the note she had made.
A relationship where, when they ran into each other again after the meeting, they could continue the conversation naturally.
Seo-jin seemed to remember it too.
She nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Su-yeon asked, “Do you think you’ll be able to talk to him the next time you see him on campus?”
Seo-jin thought for a moment.
In the past, she wouldn’t have been able to answer right away.
But this time was a little different.
“...Yes.”
Then she added, “Probably.”
Su-yeon smiled.
“Then today was a success.”
Only then did Seo-jin smile along with her.
Yeon-ju quietly watched her.
Success.
Not yet.
But it wasn’t nothing, either.
She had opened a door.
Seo-jin had taken one step inside.
From here on out.
The rest was truly Seo-jin’s part to play.
“But what do we do now?”
They were on their way back onto campus.
Yeon-ju asked.
“What do you mean, what do we do?” Su-yeon answered.
“What about Seo-jin’s messages?”
“We wait.”
“How long?”
“Until she reaches out on her own.”
Yeon-ju’s eyes widened.
“We don’t check in?”
“Do you want to ask every day, ‘Did you text him today? What did you send? How many minutes did he take to answer?’”
“That would be a little...”
“Scary.”
“Yes.”
Hyun-a said, “If she needs to, Seo-jin will reach out again.”
“Then is there really nothing left for us to do?” Yeon-ju asked.
Su-yeon slipped both hands into the pockets of her college jacket.
“For now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Su-yeon said it so easily that Yeon-ju felt a little empty.
For several days, she had organized materials.
Looked into people.
Planned the meeting.
And even held the meeting herself.
But now she was saying all they had to do was wait.
Hyun-a looked at Yeon-ju.
“Does it feel strange?”
“A little.”
“What does?”
Yeon-ju thought about it.
“We did so much, and now suddenly doing nothing feels strange.”
Hyun-a studied her for a moment before saying, “That’s something you have to do too.”
“Do nothing?”
“Yes.”
Su-yeon said from ahead of them, “If things are going well, poking at them for no reason will ruin everything.”
“Why do you put it like that?”
“Because it’s true.”
Yeon-ju let out a small laugh.
After a moment, Hyun-a said, “You did well earlier, Yeon-ju.”
Yeon-ju slowed for a moment.
“I did?”
“With the video.”
“Oh.”
“If you’d brought up Seo-jin right away, it might have seemed obvious. But you transitioned naturally from talking about yourself.”
Yeon-ju’s ears grew hot for no reason.
“It just came to mind.”
“That’s called thinking on your feet.”
Su-yeon turned around.
“I told you we made the right choice with our new member.”
“There you go again.”
This time, Yeon-ju smiled.
Until just a few days ago.
She had always been the type to fall a step behind because she never knew when to speak up among other people.
Today had been the same.
She had hesitated several times over whether to say something.
But once, she had spoken.
And once, she had held back.
She wasn’t sure which had been harder.
She only vaguely understood that both had been necessary.
Helping.
Waiting.
Finding the right moment somewhere in between.
Maybe that was closer to what she was supposed to do at ILY than she had expected.
Yeon-ju followed Su-yeon and Hyun-a as they walked ahead.
Her phone vibrated.
It was the ILY group chat.
Cha Do-hee Is it over?
Su-yeon answered first.
Kang Su-yeon Yeah.
A moment later.
Cha Do-hee Did it work?
Su-yeon smiled.
Then she sent a reply.
Kang Su-yeon Just getting started.
Yeon-ju looked at the screen and smiled.
It wasn’t wrong.
The first assignment was coming to an end.
But Park Seo-jin’s love life.
Was really just beginning.
Episode 7: It Hasn't Even Started Yet