Chapter 28: The Secret Behind Her Beautiful Smile

Days passed after the chaotic incident. I returned to my peaceful life. However, on my way home from work, I saw a lost-looking woman in a small alley. She had bright pink hair and clear blue eyes, with a beautiful face that made many people turn to stare.

"Um, are you okay?" I asked, a little awkwardly.

The woman looked at me with blank eyes. "I'm fine," she replied, but she was speaking in Korean, a language I didn't understand at all.

"Can you speak Japanese?" I asked again, feeling confused. She remained silent and just stared at me with a blank face.

Suddenly, a man ran up to us. He was wearing a neat suit and glasses, his breath ragged.

"I finally found you, Seulbi!" he said. "Where have you been?"

The man turned to me. "Excuse me, do you know this girl?"

"Yes, she is Seo Seulbi. A famous artist and model," he answered, then introduced himself. "My name is Andou, her manager."

Seulbi chattered in Korean. "Andou, where have you been?! I got lost because of you!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Andou bowed repeatedly. "There were so many people, I got carried away by the crowd."

Before they left, Seulbi looked at me again. Her gaze was very sharp, as if there was something she wanted to say, but I just ignored it.

The next morning, the woman appeared again. At the restaurant where I worked, she sat down in a very neat and charming dress. Her presence made all the customers lose focus. Seulbi just ignored them with a cold face.

"Um, excuse me, waiter," she called out in fluent Japanese. "I'd like to order something."

I, realizing her presence, went to her. "Oh? Aren't you the one from yesterday? If I'm not mistaken, your name is Seulbi, right?"

"Yes, my name is Seo Seulbi," she replied, her face blank again. "I'm from Korea. My father is Korean, and my mother is Japanese."

She then looked at me. "By the way, it feels rude that you already know my name, but I don't know yours yet."

"My name is Motoyashu Akira," I replied.

Seulbi was silent for a moment. "I see. Your name is Motoyashu Akira. That name isn't unfamiliar..."

"What do you mean, not unfamiliar?" I asked, curious.

"If I'm not mistaken, the name Motoyashu is the name of a famous hotel owner in Korea, Japan, and even all of Asia," she explained. "That hotel is my go-to whenever I travel. I love the service and the friendliness of the staff."

She looked at me again, as if analyzing me. "Could it be... you're the grandson of Kurogane Motoyashu?"

"Not his son, but his grandson," I clarified.

"You're the grandson of the hotel owner," she said, her tone inquisitive. "Why don't you work at your grandfather's hotel, Akira?"

"I don't want to get involved in the family business," I replied. "I'm more interested in being independent." I then went to serve another customer.

Seulbi gave a small smile. "Hmm. How interesting. It seems it wasn't a mistake for me to come to Japan."

The college day started again. Students were gossiping about a new female student in their class. Suddenly, the door opened, and a woman with bright pink hair came in.

"Yahoo, everyone!" Seulbi exclaimed, waving cheerfully.

Her attitude was completely different from when we met. The face that was cold and blank yesterday was now filled with smiles. She looked friendly, cheerful, and full of energy.

I was shocked to see her. "She's... completely different," I muttered.

Next to me, Ayaka and the others were also surprised. I could feel Seulbi's gaze on me, as if she was enjoying my reaction. At that moment, I realized that the arrival of Seo Seulbi would bring new problems. Danger and a secret were hidden behind her beautiful smile.