The Probability of Meeting My Ex in a Heterosexual Dating Program

Chapter 7

! The X package has arrived.

Inside the package are items sent to you by your ex-lover and a user manual for X written by your ex-lover. Open the box together with the other residents.

After clearing the dinner table, the cast members set up drinks in the living room. Each had their own delivery box with their name written on it placed beside them. None of the cast members dared to go first, only sipping their drinks. They seemed to lack the courage to face what was inside the boxes.

In contrast, Seo-jung was unfazed. He already knew what was inside. From the X user manual to the small details like the text messages to be sent every night, everything was orchestrated according to Da-bin’s instructions. It was only natural.

Even if that wasn’t the case, Seo-jung wouldn’t have hesitated to open the box. He didn’t have any romantic feelings for Da-bin. Probably the same for Da-bin appearing with him. So this was just a matter of the heart.

Ki Seo-jung scanned the faces of the cast members sitting in a circle. Some were tense, others sad, and yet others seemed excited. His gaze finally settled on Cha Yoon, who was sitting with an indifferent look.

Cha Yoon was emptying a beer can with a very small box in front of him. What are you feeling? Are you nervous, sad, or maybe even excited?

Even if he knew, nothing would change, but still, he was curious. However, Cha Yoon’s face was unreadable. Seo-jung finally tore his eyes away as he watched Cha Yoon crumple the empty beer can.

Get a grip. He moved his untouched beer can to the side. It seemed right that he should start things off.

“Then, I’ll open mine first.”

“Would you do that for us?”

Jung Soo-ho, who had been stroking his box, replied with already moist eyes. Seo-jung pushed a box of tissues towards Soo-ho and opened his box.

What Seo-jung pulled out was a teddy bear, just the right size to hug.

“Hmm, it’s a stuffed animal.”

Seo-jung stroked the teddy bear in his hands. Despite being washed, the bear still looked grimy after 8 years.

“I gave this to X because they were struggling with insomnia. It used to make a sound when pressed, but I don’t think it will work anymore.”

Even so, Seo-jung pressed near its belly. Contrary to expectations, the bear played Seo-jung’s voice from 8 years ago.

‘Sleep well and have sweet dreams.’

The voice, sounding younger than now, played out. Wow, it’s so youthful. Amid the exclamations from the others, Cha Yoon was the only one who scoffed.

That sound pierced Seo-jung’s ears precisely, but he pretended not to hear it and sat the teddy bear on the floor. Then he took out the X user manual that remained in the box.

“I’ll read the X user manual too.”

Everyone’s attention focused on him. Seo-jung cleared his throat for a moment and began to read the contents inside.

“The Seo-jung I know is always someone who thinks of others first, with consideration ingrained in his body…”

“Wow, you don’t seem like that at all.”

Of course, he couldn’t even finish the first sentence before being interrupted.

This was quite the mood killer. The cast members who had been engrossed in Seo-jung’s voice as if it were their own story immediately frowned. Everyone turned their heads as if to find the culprit who had ruined the atmosphere. And of course, it was Cha Yoon sitting there.

“…”

“It’s surprising. You seem like someone who only cares about themselves and would ignore even a sick lover.”

This was already the fifth time today. Ki Seo-jung curled up the corners of his mouth like a picture. Not being swayed by Cha Yoon’s words – that was the wisest way Seo-jung could handle the situation right now.

“That’s how it looks to you, Cha Yoon?”

“Yes, I’m pretty good at reading people.”

Ki Seo-jung just smiled. He didn’t actively defend himself even when provoked. After briefly scanning the other cast members who were just watching cautiously, Seo-jung shifted his gaze back to Cha Yoon.

“May I continue?”

Ki Seo-jung calmly led the atmosphere. Cha Yoon smirked while staring intently at him.

“Go ahead.”

By this point, the residents had not only become accustomed to the uncomfortable atmosphere but even started to find it interesting. The gazes that alternated between the two were tinged with expectation of how Cha Yoon would shatter the mood this time with another outlandish comment.

Seo-jung read the remaining sentences step by step. Cha Yoon consistently interjected, living up to the expectations of all the cast members. Nevertheless, Seo-jung maintained his composure.

“I hope Seo-jung will be happy. More than me.”

Ki Seo-jung safely finished reading to the last line. After a moment of silence, applause broke out with a “Wow.” Ki Seo-jung laughed awkwardly, seeming embarrassed, and threw a glance towards Cha Yoon.

“Would you like to go next, Cha Yoon?”

Ki Seo-jung suggested gently. Everyone rolled their eyes, watching the two. Although Cha Yoon wore an annoyed expression, he opened his package.

“Wow, it’s a camera?”

Ji-yoon’s eyes sparkled with interest. As she said, what Cha Yoon took out was a camera. Ki Seo-jung’s eyes shook violently as he looked at the camera in Cha Yoon’s hand.

“Yes. I liked taking pictures.”

Cha Yoon answered in a slightly more refined tone, unlike how he spoke to Ki Seo-jung. Seo-jung’s gaze was still fixed on the camera in Cha Yoon’s hand.

At that moment, like an unexpected sudden shower, Cha Yoon’s youthful voice played.

‘From now on, I’m going to record every moment of yours, hyung.’

Cha Yoon said that as he put down the camera and photo album. This was right after he learned that Ki Seo-jung didn’t have a single proper solo picture. And as if to prove that his words were sincere, Cha Yoon carried the camera every single day without fail.

Cha Yoon’s expression when looking at the camera was always the same. A face overjoyed to be able to capture Ki Seo-jung’s daily life with his own hands. Ki Seo-jung felt love seeing that face.

The empty photo album filled up quickly, and soon one corner of the bookshelf was full of photo albums of various sizes. They were all memories born from Cha Yoon’s hands.

Recalling the photo albums he still couldn’t bring himself to throw away, Ki Seo-jung bit his lip. He couldn’t even care what his expression might look like now. His chest was burning, and his mouth dried up in that fire.

Meanwhile, Cha Yoon took out the X user manual. It was a gesture without any hesitation.

“The Cha Yoon I liked was a person with the charm of sincerity. Because of that, he sometimes made me angry with his harsh words, but not once did he emotionally confuse me.”

When reading the phrase ‘sometimes made me angry with his harsh words’, laughter erupted here and there. Cha Yoon didn’t stop speaking even at such reactions.

“Whenever I said I was afraid because I loved him too much, Cha Yoon would always hold me tight without showing any sign of difficulty.”

Ki Seo-jung’s fingertips trembled. Cha Yoon had reassured Ki Seo-jung, saying that Song Joo-ah was just an old friend, and there was absolutely no need to feel insecure.

But the X user manual Cha Yoon was reading now was the opposite of what he had said. The two seemed to have had a passionate love for a very long time.

Then, how did Cha Yoon feel about Song Joo-ah when he was with me? Ki Seo-jung was overwhelmed by the confusion that came like a wave.

“I hope Cha Yoon finds his lost heart here. It would be even better if he could fix his personality while he’s at it.”

When Cha Yoon finished reading the X user manual, the residents who had been holding back their laughter snickered. Cha Yoon shrugged as if he wasn’t affected at all and closed the delivery box.

After the two took the lead, things progressed smoothly. Except for Ki Seo-jung, Cha Yoon, and Song Joo-ah, everyone else was busy sobbing while reading their X user manuals. Despite the sniffling heard here and there, Seo-jung just nodded with a blank face.

“…Ah, this is really embarrassing. Shall we drink?”

Jung Soo-ho, whose eyes were already brimming with tears even before opening his breakup package, tried to change the mood with a forced cheerful voice. Everyone agreed. The residents, still sitting in a circle in the living room, clinked their beer cans and tried to lift the heavy air by adding various stories.

As the alcohol kicked in, laughter filled the living room as if they had never been down. The only person not laughing was Ki Seo-jung.

Cha Yoon observed Ki Seo-jung meticulously, like a scholar intensely studying his research subject. The mechanical smile was gone, replaced by a face that looked almost dead. Yet, unable to break the revived mood, he was still sitting there, which was an eyesore.

Suddenly, the content of Ki Seo-jung’s X user manual came to mind. What did it say again? Always considerate, thinking of others first? He had denied it immediately, reminded of Ki Seo-jung asking to break up with him, but seeing his current behavior, there might be some truth to it.

But is that a compliment? It just means he’s a pushover. Cha Yoon shook his head and downed the remaining half of his wine. The bitter taste of grapes lingered in his mouth.

In Cha Yoon’s opinion, it was just a weakness. What if he had been Ki Seo-jung’s lover? If it were him, he wouldn’t have told anyone about such things. He would have kept it hidden and secret, protecting Ki Seo-jung from being taken advantage of by anyone. Such a precious person…

As Cha Yoon continued this strange assumption, he suddenly came to his senses. Shit, what am I thinking right now? Am I going crazy?

Being with this pervert who’s into men made him feel like he was going crazy too. Cha Yoon clicked his tongue but still glanced at Ki Seo-jung.

At that moment, Cha Yoon’s eyes caught the ring glittering on Ki Seo-jung’s neck. The ring he supposedly gifted before losing his memory.

“…Huh.”

Seeing the ring hanging there proudly, forgotten emotions resurfaced. Only Cha Yoon had believed what even the speaker had dismissed as nonsense. He felt his temper rising again. What? It has no meaning? He resented Ki Seo-jung for speaking so carelessly.

Cha Yoon rubbed his tongue inside his cheek. With his chin resting on his hand, he stared at Ki Seo-jung as if trying to dissect him, then grinned.

Song Joo-ah was closely observing these changes in Cha Yoon’s expression. What trouble is he trying to cause now? If he’s going to cause trouble, I hope it’s something big. Song Joo-ah waited for Cha Yoon’s nasty words with her own expectations.

“By the way…”

Taking advantage of a moment of silence, Cha Yoon spoke in a low voice. Song Joo-ah’s lips curved into a parabola. Everyone except Ki Seo-jung, who was staring intently at the empty floor, focused on Cha Yoon.

“What do you think about stubbornly using something you matched with your ex even after breaking up?”

Cha Yoon emphasized the word ‘stubbornly’. Ki Seo-jung’s slumped body suddenly stiffened. As he slowly raised his eyes, Ki Seo-jung’s and Cha Yoon’s gazes met in mid-air.

Cha Yoon had once again signaled the beginning of a war.