The next morning, Mina woke up to find Minseo already dressed and standing by the window, sunlight framing him like he was in the opening credits of a drama.
She squinted at him. "What are you doing? Meditating?"
"Practicing my expressions."
"For what?"
"For breakfast."
Mina pulled the covers over her face. "You're not human."
He sat on the edge of the bed, holding up his phone like a mirror. "Your family is already up and circulating. Today is crucial. We must charm. Disarm. Perform."
She groaned. "Do you ever turn it off?"
He looked thoughtful. "Not until the job's done."
By the time they made it down to the garden for breakfast, Minseo had shifted into full "Romance Protagonist " mode.
He pulled out Mina's chair. Complimented her dress. Wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth like it was scripted. Mina, still waking up, nearly choked on her juice.
"You okay?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
"I'm going to throw you into the omelet station."
Auntie Yoo appeared moments later, sitting down at their table with all the grace of a mafia boss in a family drama.
"So," she said, stabbing her egg roll. "Minseo-ssi. Do you sing?"
He smiled serenely. "Only when I want to impress someone."
"You dance?"
"If Mina's dancing, I'll join."
"You drink?"
"I enjoy a glass or two. But I'm more of a 'hold her hair back when she overdoes it' kind of guy."
Mina's fork clattered against her plate. "I don't overdo anything."
Auntie Yoo narrowed her eyes, impressed but suspicious. "Mmm."
More relatives trickled in and out of their table. An uncle asked Minseo if he had military abs (he politely dodged). A cousin whispered to Mina, "Where did you find him? He's too perfect. Is he a chaebol?"
Mina smiled through clenched teeth. "Online. There was a clearance sale."
Even Yuri, the bride, stopped by and clapped with delight. "He's so dreamy! Mina, I didn't even know you had game like that!"
Minseo gave a modest shrug. "Your cousin is very good at hiding her charms."
"She is a mystery," Yuri giggled. "No offense."
"Oh, I love mysteries," he said.
Mina stared at her fruit salad like it could teleport her into another reality.
By mid-morning, half the family had fallen in love with him, and the other half was probably planning to ask him to audition for their sons and daughters.
Mina cornered him by the koi pond as soon as they had five minutes alone.
"Okay, Minseo, we need to dial it back. You're setting off fireworks in their brains."
"I'm helping your image."
"You're raising expectations."
"Would you rather I be mediocre?"
"Yes! Mediocre is believable! You're acting like the male lead in a spring-summer romance commercial."
He tilted his head, grinning. "So... it's working."
"That's not the point."
"You're flustered."
"I'm always flustered. This is just my resting state."
He stepped closer, just a little.
"Want me to stop calling you 'jagiya' at meals?"
"Yes."
"Too bad. It's already working. Your aunt recorded it."
Mina covered her face with both hands. "I regret everything."
Then, a camera flash went off.
They turned—and saw Auntie Yoo casually pretending to text, her phone still pointed their way.
Minseo waved at her.
"She's building a case file," Mina whispered.
"She'll find nothing."
"You're enjoying this too much."
"Of course," he said, smiling. "Your family is delightful. You're adorable when panicked. And I love a challenge."
She looked at him.
Really looked.
Too put-together. Too prepared. Too charming. It wasn't just a performance. It was second nature.
She frowned. "Do you ever drop the act?"
For a moment, his smile faltered.
But just for a moment.
Then he said, "Depends on the audience."