The Probability of Meeting My Ex in a Heterosexual Dating Program

Chapter 6

The first day’s meal preparation was directed by Song Joo-ah and Jung Soo-ho. Ki Seo-jung, who lacked cooking talent, was assigned to prepare ingredients.

He sliced peeled potatoes. With each movement of the knife, a steady sound of chopping on the cutting board rang out. Seo-jung hoped that his lingering thoughts about Cha Yoon would also be cut away with each chop.

But just like how telling someone not to think of an elephant makes them think of one, the more he tried to cut off his thoughts, the more they endlessly trickled behind.

In his mind, the argument from the room played out again. His hand gripping the knife tightened.

What should he do? Having gone through stages of denial and anger to reach acceptance, Seo-jung focused on finding a “solution.” His own feelings had long been pushed aside in the face of Cha Yoon’s disastrous behavior.

He had one goal: to finish filming without any issues and leave safely. To do that, Seo-jung had to deal with Cha Yoon. Not just any Cha Yoon, but the Cha Yoon from that troublesome time in the past.

The best method would be to avoid encountering Cha Yoon. But that was impossible when they were not only living in the same house but even sharing a room. Seo-jung had to think of the next best option.

“I guess…”

Is ignoring the answer? Seo-jung muttered, recalling a video he’d once seen titled “Poppy excited to see dad back from business trip!” Indeed, it would be strange to expect a highly excited dog to calm down by jumping around with it. Cha Yoon had instantly fallen from “troublemaker” to just “dog” in Seo-jung’s mind.

Just because Cha Yoon had become twenty-two again didn’t mean Seo-jung could act like he was twenty-four. Yes, ignore him. Maturely. Seo-jung made what he considered the next best decision.

“Ki Seo-jung.”

As he was moving his hands with a more relaxed mind, someone called out to him. It was Song Joo-ah.

“Could you cut these too?”

Joo-ah put some carrots on the table. The person who had been Cha Yoon’s ex-lover. Knowing this fact made it even more awkward to deal with Song Joo-ah. But he couldn’t show it.

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Seo-jung answered, slightly averting his gaze. As usual, he wore a smile. He lowered his head as if trying to concentrate on his task again. The sound of chopping on the cutting board resumed.

But as always, things didn’t go as planned. Song Joo-ah stayed put until Seo-jung finished cutting the last potato.

Does she still have something to do? Finding it difficult to ignore her any longer, Seo-jung looked up.

Joo-ah’s gaze was directed at Seo-jung. Her eyes, which had always seemed indifferent, now held a hint of curiosity.

“It’s pretty.”

“Pardon?”

“The ring on your necklace.”

Song Joo-ah extended her finger. Seo-jung’s gaze followed her finger. The engagement ring Cha Yoon had given him came into view.

Ah, Seo-jung’s mouth opened. He finally realized why she had stayed by his side. Along with that, he understood the meaning behind the look Cha Yoon had given him hours ago.

What washed over him was shame. It felt as if she was asking, “You still can’t forget Cha Yoon?” “You even wore that here?” That’s what it seemed like she was asking.

“It must be a meaningful ring if you’re wearing it as a pendant.”

“No. I’m just wearing it because it’s pretty, without any meaning.”

“Ah, because it’s pretty…”

Seo-jung tried to sound nonchalant. He knew it sounded ridiculous even to himself. Who would wear a meaningless ring as a necklace?

However, contrary to his worries, Joo-ah didn’t question or press further about the excuse that no one would believe.

“I see.”

“…”

“That can happen.”

Everyone’s different after all. Joo-ah nodded as if agreeing, her face returning to its usual expression.

“Then, please continue.”

“Okay.”

Joo-ah quickly wrapped up the conversation. The tension in Seo-jung’s shoulders eased. Just as Seo-jung turned his body as if to see Joo-ah off, he couldn’t help but pause.

There was a large figure standing behind him.

“…”

Cha Yoon was there, though it was unclear when he had arrived. Joo-ah must have noticed Cha Yoon too, as she raised one eyebrow. After briefly looking Cha Yoon up and down, Song Joo-ah spoke.

“Did you come to use the sink? I’ll get out of your way.”

Despite being addressed, Cha Yoon didn’t respond at all. He just kept staring. At Ki Seo-jung standing behind her.

It was clearly rude behavior, ignoring Joo-ah’s words, but she left without showing any sign of being offended. With Song Joo-ah gone, only silence remained between the two. Seo-jung swallowed dryly.

Did he hear everything? Did he realize that I still have feelings for him? Seo-jung’s mind raced.

Cha Yoon was the first to move. He put down the bowl he was holding in the sink. A loud noise erupted as the bowls clashed, almost painful to the ears. For a moment, everyone’s attention turned to the sink. Cha Yoon, unbothered, continued washing. His movements were violent, as if he might break the dishes.

Not only did he hear everything, but he understood it all too. Seo-jung realized that the answer to all his questions was affirmative. It was impossible not to know with Cha Yoon showing his bad mood with his whole body like that.

Seo-jung’s lips moved slightly, but he picked up a carrot instead. What had happened couldn’t be changed. Regretting wouldn’t change anything, and there was nothing he could do.

Let’s just work. Seo-jung composed himself and started chopping. After some time passed like this, there was a sound of dishes being thrown into the sink. The words “take it easy” almost rose to Seo-jung’s throat, but he swallowed them back.

Ignore. Ignoring is the answer.

***

The cast members who had finished preparing dinner gathered around the dining table. Seo-jung scanned the seats as he put down the salad. He saw Cha Yoon sitting at the far right end. Without hesitation, he turned his body to the left. Cha Yoon’s eyebrows twitched as he watched Seo-jung’s back.

“Let’s eat.”

“Enjoy your meal!”

Dinner began with simple greetings. “The curry is really delicious.” “The meat melts in your mouth.” “The salad decoration is amazing.” “We could sell this as is, right?” Praises mixed with the sounds of spoons and chopsticks hitting the dishes. The cast members’ shoulders rose with pride in turn.

“I think the dressing choice was really good.”

“Seems like it suits your taste. Eat a lot.”

Seo-jung saw Min-ha reaching for the salad bowl far away. He pulled the salad bowl closer and moved it in front of Min-ha.

“Ah, thank you.”

Min-ha smiled shyly as she used her fork. Song Joo-ah carefully observed the interaction between the two.

“Seo-jung seems very kind and attentive.”

“Oh, agreed. I was surprised earlier when I saw him helping Soo-ho move his luggage. I thought Seo-jung was an angel.”

“He must have been really popular in school.”

He’s totally the type of boyfriend girls would like. Min-wook and Min-ha nearby nodded vigorously, agreeing with Song Joo-ah’s words.

There was nothing wrong with what they said. Ki Seo-jung easily gained favor with people of all ages and genders. It was all thanks to his ingrained kindness that seemed at odds with his handsome appearance.

Occasionally checking on and taking care of those around him. This was one of the long-standing habits Seo-jung had developed from living in an orphanage since birth. As he grew, Seo-jung had to do his part in the orphanage in some way and prove his usefulness.

The things he did to survive remained like traces, forming Seo-jung, becoming Seo-jung himself.

Perhaps that’s why. Even with the praise directed at him, Seo-jung wasn’t particularly happy. He just thought that he should try a little harder to meet these people’s standards, and not disappoint them. That was about the extent of his thoughts.

As Seo-jung was just smiling without saying much and drinking water, Cha Yoon broke the seemingly endless relay of compliments.

“By the way, who cut the carrots?”

“Wasn’t Seo-jung in charge of vegetables? He really worked hard…”

“Ah, so it’s Ki Seo-jung’s work. I was wondering if someone cut them with their feet, the shape is so artistic.”

Cutting off Min-ha’s answer, Cha Yoon held up a carrot. The shape of the yellow curry-covered carrot was indeed a bit abstract, as Cha Yoon said. But whose fault was that? It was because of Cha Yoon, who had been staging a non-protest protest next to him. Yet Cha Yoon was only blaming Seo-jung, which was absurd.

“These days, men who can’t cook aren’t popular with women, right?”

Despite living in the past from seven years ago, Cha Yoon dared to talk about “these days.” With that one sentence, the pleasant dinner atmosphere instantly froze.

“Isn’t that right, Min… ah?”

Cha Yoon even tried to recall Seo Min-ha’s name, which he barely remembered, to ask a pointed question. In the end, he dropped two strokes from her name, but no one noticed. Not even Min-ha herself was an exception.

The surroundings became as quiet as a mouse. The cast members who weren’t directly involved were busy rolling their eyes again. Min-ha, who would have usually joined them, was now in the line of fire simply because she caught Cha Yoon’s eye.

Min-ha, with a bewildered expression, only managed to say, “Huh? Ah, um, well…” Seo-jung, sitting right next to her, saw the color draining from Min-ha’s face by the second. Seeing Min-ha turn pale as she became the sacrificial lamb, Seo-jung felt he had to speak up.

“Cha…”

Just as Seo-jung was about to say “Cha Yoon, please stop,” potentially sending the atmosphere into a deeper pit, he was saved by the doorbell. Min-ha immediately stood up from her seat. Her face clearly said, “Wow, saved.”

“I’ll! I’ll go check!”

Before anyone could stop her, Min-ha left the dining table. Seeing her hastily leave, Seo-jung felt twice as uncomfortable. Seo-jung shifted his gaze. He saw Cha Yoon putting down the carrot as if it had lost its appeal. The contrasting behaviors of the two made Seo-jung’s eyes narrow in displeasure.

As he was glaring at the round head, Cha Yoon suddenly looked up while rolling the carrot with his chopsticks.

Their gazes collided in mid-air. While everyone else was turning to look towards the entrance, only Cha Yoon and Ki Seo-jung were looking at each other. In the midst of the slightly chaotic atmosphere, it felt as if only the two of them were cut off from the rest.

The eye contact lingered, but neither turned away first. Seo-jung swallowed dryly. Cha Yoon ended this moment that felt both fleeting and eternal. He seemed to rest his chin on his hand, then slowly moved his lips.

‘What are you looking at?’

As expected. Seo-jung, who had been intently reading Cha Yoon’s lip movements, felt all the strength drain from his body. What was I expecting? Seo-jung turned his gaze towards the entrance.

As Seo-jung’s gaze left him, Cha Yoon suddenly felt as if he had been left alone. What a nasty feeling, this is. Frowning, Cha Yoon put down his chopsticks as if throwing them.

Meanwhile, Min-ha’s voice echoed down the entrance hallway.

“Everyone, come out here for a moment!”

“Looks like something arrived?”

At Min-ha’s call, the cast members stood up one by one and headed to the entrance. Greeting the cast members at the door were boxes of various sizes. Min-ha waved her hands excitedly as she spoke.

“Packages have arrived.”

X packages had been delivered to the dormitory.