Episode 1. Would you like to date me?
by 루시엘 · 2026-10-26
Episode 1. Would you like to date me?
“It was a relationship that started because of money. So there should have been no falling in love.”
On rainy days, Hani thought of her mother.
To be precise, she thought of the snacks her mother used to make.
Spreading a generous amount of soft cream cheese on bread, and then drizzling honey around it.
It was a simple snack, but to Hani, it was the sweetest food in the world.
“My daughter, you worked hard today too.”
Little Hani would smile brightly every time she heard those words.
It was a time when just knowing there was someone in the world who loved her the most was enough to make her happy.
But after her mother passed away, Hani's world gradually changed.
She had to say she was okay even on days she wasn't, and had to smile even on days she wanted to cry.
She wanted to lean on someone, but the more she did, the more she had to learn to endure alone.
Twenty-seven.
Hani thought she had become quite an adult now.
At least until this morning.
“Hani.”
Hani looked up at the sound of the boss's voice.
“Yes?”
“Can we talk for a moment?”
Hani brushed off the flour on her apron.
The shop was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread. Outside the window, autumn rain was falling ahead of winter.
“What’s going on?”
The boss hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I’m sorry, but could you work only until the end of this month?”
Hani's hands stopped.
“……Yes?”
“The shop's situation has become quite difficult. I think we need to cut down on labor costs.”
Hani looked at her boss's face.
It was the place she had worked for three years.
She would go to work at dawn, bake bread, greet customers with a smile, and stay until closing time to clean up.
Even on days when she was sick, she usually didn't take a break.
Because she liked this shop.
The smell of bread was nice, and it was also good to see the customers enjoying their meals.
Above all, during the time I worked here, I felt a little less lonely even when I thought of my mom.
But now, I was told to quit.
“Is it… because I can’t work?”
Hani asked with a forced smile.
“No. Hani, you are so diligent. I’m really sorry.”
“Ah… yes.”
Hani nodded her head.
“Understood.”
The boss said sorry several times.
But nothing reached Hani's ears.
Only one thought circled in her mind.
How will I pay next month's rent?
What about this month's credit card bill?
When will I find a new job?
I have no money right now.
‘I can't cry.’
Hani bit her lip tightly.
‘I can't cry here.’
She returned to the kitchen and organized the remaining bread.
And in front of the refrigerator where no one could see, she quietly wiped her tears.
It was okay.
It had to be okay.
The more she thought that way, the more tears came out.
On her way home.
Hani stood in front of the convenience store and checked her bank balance.
Thirty-one thousand eight hundred won.
Considering next month's rent and utility bills, it was not enough to say it was ample money.
“Wow… this is really a big problem.”
Hani let out a hollow laugh.
At that moment, her phone rang.
Choi Min-seok
He was Hani's long-time friend.
“Hello?”
- Where are you?
“On my way home.”
- Why does your voice sound like that?
“What’s wrong with my voice?”
- Did you cry?
Hani kept her mouth shut.
Min-seok strangely noticed these things well.
Most people thought that if someone said they were okay, they were really okay.
But Min-seok was different.
- Yoon Hani. Is something wrong?
“……I got fired.”
It became quiet on the other end of the phone.
- What?
“They said the store is having difficulties. They want me to leave by the end of this month.”
- When?”
“Today.”
- Why are you only telling me this now?”
“I just heard.”
Min-seok sighed.
- Where are you? I'll come.
“It's fine. You're busy too.”
- You're going to say you're okay right now?
Hani couldn't answer.
- Yoon Hani.
“……Yeah.”
- Don't lie.
At those words, tears fell.
Hani hurriedly lowered her head.
“I'm really okay.”
- The person who says they're okay while crying is the one who's least okay.
Hani eventually laughed while crying.
“You're really annoying.”
- I know. Where are you?”
“Near Hwagok Station.”
- Wait there. Let's eat.”
“I don't have money.”
- I'll pay.”
“You don't have money either.”
- I have more than you.”
“How much?”
- Two hundred thousand won?”
Hani burst into laughter.
“You crazy. What kind of rich person are you?”
- So let's eat like we're rich with two hundred thousand won. Hang up.”
The call was disconnected.
Hani stood for a while, looking at her mobile phone.
It was strange.
Even though nothing was resolved, her heart felt a little lighter.
That there was someone who cared about her.
That there was someone with whom it was okay to say she was having a hard time.
Just that seemed enough to get through the day.
But Hani still didn't know.
That there were only three days left until she would meet the man who would completely change her life.
Three days later.
Hani was standing in front of a tall building with a glass exterior.
At the entrance of the building, the brand name was engraved in gold letters.
HONEY TABLE.
It was the fastest-growing brand in the premium bakery industry recently.
The reason Hani came here was simple.
Job interview.
It was an announcement she stumbled upon while searching job sites.
Assisting in the executive office and supporting store operations.
No experience required.
Possibility of conversion to full-time.
And above all, the salary was good.
Hani couldn't contain her joy when she received the interview contact.
Even while worrying about what would happen if she failed again, she held onto hope for the first time in a while.
“Please... let's pass this time.”
Hani clasped her hands tightly.
“I can really work hard.”
After confirming her name at the information desk, she took the elevator.
18th floor.
Representative office.
Hani tidied her outfit in front of the door.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
A calm, low voice of a man was heard.
Hani opened the door.
And she froze in place.
A spacious office.
The view of Seoul spread out beyond the glass walls.
A man in a black shirt sitting in front of a desk.
And that face.
Hani blinked in disbelief.
Three days ago, he was the man who had mentioned laundry fees to her on the rainy street.
“...Huh?”
The man also paused for a moment, lifting his eyes from the documents.
“Yoon Hani?”
Hani screamed internally.
‘It's over.’
Why is this man here?
No way.
No way.
“Hello.”
Hani smiled awkwardly.
“I’m Yoon Hani, here for the interview today.”
The man looked at her for a moment before gesturing to a chair.
“Please have a seat.”
“Yes....”
Hani carefully sat down in the chair.
The man unfolded the documents.
“Experience is three years at a bakery café.”
“Yes.”
“Store operation, inventory management, and customer service are possible.”
“Yes.”
“You mentioned that you don’t have a baking certificate but have sufficient on-site experience.”
“Yes. Since it was a small store, I did various tasks.”
The man set the documents down.
“Good. Then I will ask you some questions.”
Hani straightened her back.
“Yes.”
“Why did you apply to our company?”
Hani recalled the answer she had prepared.
“I was impressed by the fact that you are a brand that brings happiness to customers and that you have a strong interest in the bakery field. I want to contribute to the company based on the experience I gained at my previous job…”
“Please be honest.”
Hani stopped speaking.
The man asked calmly.
“Is it because of the salary?”
“…Yes?”
“Did you apply because the salary is high?”
Hani looked at him for a moment.
And she answered honestly.
“Yes. That's right.”
The man's eyebrows raised slightly.
“Is there no other reason?”
“Of course, I am confident that I can do the job well. But if I say that I was moved by the company's vision and applied, that would be a lie.”
Hani clasped her hands tightly.
“I need to earn money to pay rent and eat. That's why I'm looking for a job.”
A moment of silence passed.
The man looked at Hani.
And he smiled very faintly.
“It's nice to be honest.”
Hani blinked.
He can smile too?
He was so cold just three days ago.
The man placed his business card on the desk.
Seo Do-hyuk.
CEO of HONEY TABLE.
“It wasn't Kang Do-yoon…”
Hani muttered softly.
“What?”
“Oh, it’s nothing!”
Hani quickly closed her mouth.
Seo Do-hyuk.
He was a man whose name she didn't even know.
Do-hyuk pushed Hani's application to one side.
“The working conditions are the same as stated in the announcement. However, I would like to make one more personal proposal.”
“A personal proposal?”
“Yes.”
Do-hyuk paused for a moment.
And then he said something Hani had never expected.
“I would like you to enter into a contract relationship with me.”
…What did you say?
Hani thought she had misheard.
“I'm sorry.”
“Please go ahead.”
“Am I correct in saying that I am currently in an interview?”
“That's correct.”
“But why is the topic of dating suddenly coming up?”
“I will explain.”
Do-hyeok leaned back in his chair.
“My family is pressuring me to get married. There is someone they have chosen for me a long time ago, and my family wants me to marry that woman.”
“And?”
“If I say I already have someone I love, I might buy some time.”
Hani looked at him with a face of disbelief.
“Can’t you just say you don’t want to?”
“It’s not that simple with my family.”
Do-hyeok's expression hardened for a moment.
Hani tried to read something from his face, but he soon returned to his usual expressionless face.
“The duration is three months. You just need to play the role of my girlfriend at official events and family gatherings.”
“What’s the compensation?”
“Three million won per month. If you fulfill the conditions by the end of the contract, I will give you an additional bonus of five million won.”
Hani held her breath.
Three million won.
It was separate from her existing salary.
Nine million won for three months.
If she received the bonus, it would be fourteen million won.
It was money that Hani could not take lightly.
“Why… me of all people?”
“Because you don’t seem to have any interest in me.”
“Yes. I don’t.”
Do-hyeok looked at Hani for a moment.
“Most people change their attitude just by hearing the offer. You don’t seem like you would do that.”
“I work because I need money, not because I like you, CEO.”
“I like that about you.”
Hani was dumbfounded.
He liked her because he thought she wouldn’t like him.
What kind of mindset does this man have?
“Excuse me. I’m not good at dating.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“I’m not good at lying either.”
“That’s okay too.”
“If you ask me to express affection in front of people, I might run away.”
“Holding hands is enough.”
Hani opened her eyes wide.
“...Is that all?”
“Of course, it will only be within the agreed boundaries. I won’t engage in unwanted physical contact. That will be specified in the contract.”
At those words, Hani felt a bit relieved.
At least, he didn’t seem like someone who would treat her carelessly.
But she was still troubled.
A fake relationship.
Three months.
A man living in a completely different world from hers.
And that man already had a woman chosen as his marriage partner.
Hani cautiously asked.
“What about that person?”
“Who are you referring to?”
“The woman that the CEO has decided to marry.”
Do-hyuk's gaze turned cold.
“I will handle that issue.”
“...Okay.”
“It’s not a problem you need to deal with.”
Hani bit her lip.
That statement weighed on her mind a little.
If they entered into a contract, she would eventually get involved in that issue too.
“Can I set the conditions?”
Do-hyuk nodded his head.
“Go ahead.”
“First, if I find it too difficult and say I can’t do it, I should be able to quit midway.”
“I agree.”
“Second, don’t force me to lie to my family or friends.”
“I will discuss it in advance if necessary.”
“Third...”
Hani hesitated for a moment.
Then she looked him straight in the eye.
“Even if I’m a fake girlfriend, I’m still a person, so please don’t treat me carelessly or embarrass me. Just because I’m getting paid doesn’t mean I’m someone you can treat however you want.”
Do-hyuk's gaze paused for a moment.
He slowly nodded his head.
“That’s correct.”
And he wrote a new clause in the contract.
“I will include that part as well.”
Hani looked at the contract.
She needed the money.
Her income was expected to stop starting next month.
If I miss this opportunity, I wouldn't know where to apply again.
But above all, I didn't want to give up the condition of protecting myself.
Hani pondered for a while before opening her mouth.
“Please give me some time to think.”
“You need to give me an answer by tonight.”
“That's too short!”
“I have a family dinner tomorrow.”
Hani looked at him as if in disbelief.
“Wow... you really are in a hurry.”
Do-hyuk checked his watch.
“Then I will wait for your contact.”
Hani stood up from her seat.
At that moment, Do-hyuk called her.
“Yoon Hani.”
“Yes?”
“Do you dislike a contractual relationship?”
Hani looked at him for a moment.
“Of course I do.”
“I see.”
“But...”
Hani glanced back at the contract on the desk.
“I do need the money.”
Do-hyuk said nothing.
Hani added, her face slightly flushed.
“So I will read the contract and get back to you.”
“That sounds good.”
Hani left the representative office.
As soon as the door closed, she leaned against the wall.
“This is crazy...”
I came to submit my resume and received a proposal for a contractual relationship.
And from a handsome man, no less.
No, he is handsome, that's true.
Is this even a reasonable situation?
Hani covered her face with both hands.
“Yoon Hani, get a grip. You came here to make money.”
But strangely, her heart was beating a little faster.
That night.
Hani sat on her one-room bed and read the contract.
Contract period: 3 months.
Monthly payment: three million won.
Bonus at the end of the contract: five million won.
Attendance at official events and family gatherings.
Mutual respect and privacy protection.
No physical contact without consent.
Conditions for contract termination.
Hani checked each clause one by one.
Then she picked up her mobile phone and sent a message to Do-hyuk.
I have confirmed the contract conditions, Yoon Hani.
The reply arrived quickly.
Have you made your decision, Seo Do-hyuk?
Hani stared at the screen for a long time.
She wanted to quit.
She wanted to find a regular job without having to make a strange contract.
But reality was colder than she expected.
Hani recalled the rent due date.
And she slowly typed a message.
Yoon Hani, yes. I will do it.
A reply came a moment later.
Seo Do-hyuk, I will have it ready by 6 PM tomorrow. I will send you the address.
Hani bit her lip.
Yoon Hani, but.
Seo Do-hyuk, go ahead.
Yoon Hani, we haven't even held hands yet, am I already your girlfriend?
This time, it took a little longer for a reply to come back.
Hani put her phone down for no reason.
Did I overdo it?
But soon, a message arrived.
Seo Do-hyuk, the contract starts tomorrow.
Hani burst out laughing.
He was really a boring man.
But then another message arrived.
Seo Do-hyuk, and I think we should hold hands tomorrow.
Hani placed her phone on her chest.
Her face became hot.
It was just something said to fit the contract.
Why was she so concerned about it?
Hani quickly shook her head.
“No. Absolutely not.”
There was no way she would come to like that man.
It was just pretending to be a couple for money.
It was a relationship that would end in three months.
Thinking that, she closed her eyes.
But Hani still didn't know.
That from the moment she signed the contract, a small crack had begun to form in Seo Do-hyuk's life as well.
And that this crack would one day make the two of them face their deepest wounds.
The next day at 6:52 PM.
Hani tidied her outfit in front of the meeting place.
A cream-colored knit and a black skirt.
It was just a little more effort than usual in her makeup.
A black sedan stopped in front of her.
The man who got out of the driver's seat opened the back door.
It was Seo Do-hyeok.
“Please get in.”
Hani looked inside the car and asked.
“Excuse me. Am I dressed too ordinarily?”
Do-hyeok looked her up and down.
“No problem.”
“But you said it's a meeting with your family.”
“There's no need to dress extravagantly.”
“Then I'm relieved.”