SWAP 9

“Still. We were your first customers today, and it weighs on my heart to think you have only been suffering since morning.”

The affectionately ringing voice had a power that made one believe his words exactly as they were.

Even though it was obvious that he was just saying it for the sake of politeness, one would find themselves accidentally under the illusion that he was truly concerned.

Is such a thing natural temperament or worldly wisdom? Despite having a profession that involves dealing with ten or twenty people a day, the man blinked, unable to distinguish precisely, before finally bursting into a good-natured laugh. What did it matter anyway? If one tries to figure out every single inner thought, the psychiatric clinic is just around the corner.

“This is my job; it is nothing. It is fine. These days, the friends who swarm in saying they are studying real estate are the bigger headache. They have no intention of buying, yet they even form groups and just take tons of photos, ugh.”

“They form groups? Why?”

“It is obvious they are just on a property tour, so because we do not show them the houses, they even do role-plays, haha. They pretend to be newlyweds or say they have been appointed to a position nearby while just sucking up information, and this really is something… .”

The man, who had been listening quietly, chimed in at the appropriate timing. At the empathy of the comment, “Then you might not be able to receive real buyers,” the agent’s irritation surged, and he unknowingly began to lay out his grievances. Using the preamble that things were already difficult because of the bad economy as a starting point, by the time he snapped out of it, he was pouring out stories about a nuisance he had dealt with a few days ago. It was a smooth flow, as if he were possessed by something.

“Oh boy, I am sorry. I am saying all sorts of things.”

Have I already gone senile? As soon as he realized he had said things he did not need to say, he quickly offered an apology first. The man, who had been listening to the story like a diligent student, smiled, crinkling the corners of his eyes, and shook his head.

“No, you speak so entertainingly that I did not notice the time passing. Everyone has a lot of hardships.”

Then, as if he had thought of something, his crinkled eyes turned round like a rabbit’s. It was surprising how he conveyed such diverse expressions despite so little of him being revealed due to being covered up so frustratingly.

“I did not come here to study, so please do not worry.”

“Yes, well, I… know that… .”

Regarding that point, he never misunderstood.

If one studied in this manner, they would only end up getting scammed.

He replied while looking into empty space to avoid the gaze of the man who, to anyone’s eyes, was uninterested—no, had to be uninterested—in real estate. He saw the man drawing a question mark as if the answer that slurred off at the end was strange, but he did not bother to dig into it. Muttering that sometimes there are things that do not need to be said, he quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, if it is not rude, may I ask where you are currently residing? It would probably be better to show you properties of a similar level… .”

“Ah, that would be so.”

Because they had been running around frantically, he had not even been able to ask about these matters. There was halfway a feeling of wondering exactly where he lived, given that there was no end to his fussiness—disliking this and rejecting that.

From the sounds of it, it seemed they had been living together and were now becoming independent, and he also questioned what their relationship was. To call them brothers, they lacked any resembling features to a degree that was too much, and to call them cohabiting acquaintances, they seemed excessively close… . Just as he was trying to work his stiff brain, a familiar place name flowed from the man’s mouth.

It was the name of a luxury villa located in UN Village, Hannam-dong.

If his memory was correct, it was a premium line of about 70-pyeong where only 3 households resided.

Was the transaction price around 8 billion won?

“… .”

Only then did the agent’s expression turn hollow as he understood the entire situation at once. It was not a fuss; he lived in such a place to begin with, so nothing was to his liking. Compared to a fortress-like structure with a single entrance, the properties shown until now would be no different from being exposed in a wide-open field.

In reality, Seoul was fine as long as the place was clean and quiet regardless of location or price range, but that sincerity would never be reached.

Perhaps feeling the rapidly cooled atmosphere, Seoul glanced at his wristwatch and suggested in a cautious voice.

“Shall we stop here for today? I think I have already seen all the properties you recommended, and um… I think it would be better for me to come alone later.”

“Ah, if that would be better for you—.”

“Could I possibly get a business card?”

“Oh, of course. If you do not mind a co-brokerage, I will find an even better place. If there are any conditions you want or things you are curious about, please feel free to ask anytime. The card is… ah, here it is. Weekends are fine too, so… .”

It was a good proposal for the agent. Now that he had identified what the problem was, he was confident he could narrow down satisfying properties. He hurriedly pulled out his wallet which had been tucked in his back pocket and held out a business card. If the man came to look alone, the contract would be as good as gold. He resolved to make it happen at once with the best possible property… .

“Yes. Thank you.”

… but the one who actually took the business card was someone else.

When on earth did this person approach again? His shoulders flinched, and the man who had moved without a sound grabbed the piece of paper instead with a large hand and offered a greeting.

It was a voice in which no sincerity could be found.

Watching his business card disappear into the jacket pocket, the agent had a hunch.

Ah, he will not be coming.

“Give that to me.”

Thud. The hand opening and closing the driver’s seat door was uncharacteristically rough. I reached my hand out to Saheon, who was getting into the passenger seat before I even had time to relax my heavily furrowed brow. Saheon, who closed the door slowly, ignored Seoul and asked back nonchalantly.

“What?”

“The business card. I am going to contact him personally.”

Contact, my foot. It was so absurd that I considered ignoring him, but the sharply glaring eyes were quite fierce. Even if it was just Lee Seoul, I had no intention of needlessly scraping his insides. I simply pulled the mask that was covering his face all the way down with my fingertips. Even though I bought a small-sized product, for some reason it is loose.

“Did you lose weight? Why does this keep dangling?”

“The product must have come out large… just hand it over quickly.”

“This is a small one. Should I really put a toddler’s size on you?”

“I can just tie the strings. You try really buying one like last time and see; have you already forgotten what happened to that hat?”

Because there was already a track record, Seoul forgot about trying to take the business card and hurriedly stopped Saheon. It was a day when Seoul, whose hats only stayed fixed if the buckle was tightened to the limit, grumbled that he hated how the back part looked crumpled.

It was a comment made without much thought, but that evening, in the hands of Saheon who returned after finishing his schedule, a single toddler-sized ball cap was dangling. And it had a luxury brand logo stuck right on it.

Of course, there was no way it would fit, and I had sprawled on the sofa laughing for a long time, saying I would have to shave off all my hair to barely squeeze it on. When I placed it on top of Saheon’s head saying, “You wear it,” I felt like I was going to faint. It was because I could not stop laughing at the sight of a cute puppy frolicking on top of a face that was the coolest in the world.

“Ugh… .”

Seoul, who nearly let a laugh escape at the memory rising again, whipped his head away. Let’s hold it in. This is a situation where I must be angry. I was holding the steering wheel tightly while casting a spell on myself, and Saheon, noticing this, slightly leaned his upper body and asked.

“Why. Want me to wear it again?”

“Ah, don’t… .”

“Shall I buy a shark this time? Or a teddy bear?”

I endured the shark, but I could not stand the teddy bear. In the end, Seoul, unable to hold back the laughter leaking through his lips, snickered while hunching his body. “You’re annoying,” I tried muttering for no reason, but it was no use. After shaking my shoulders for a long time, I lifted my head and met eyes with Saheon, who was staring intently at me.

Only then did his expressionless face slowly crumble.

Saheon, who smiled back with a long curve at his mouth, said coaxingly.

“So just wear hats and play with me, Lee Seoul. Why are you suddenly trying to go out alone?”

“… .”

“If you do not want to live with me, at least go on a variety show together.”

It was when my speech was somehow choked up and I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. At the proposal that followed, Seoul, whose anger had deflated, asked while unable to hide his confused air.

“Why the talk about a variety show all of a sudden? You do not like them much either.”

I wondered what whim had struck a guy whose variety show appearances were as rare as my own. Now becoming a bit serious, I waited quietly for an answer, and Saheon, pausing for a moment with an “Hmm,” said slowly.

“It is a program where best friends live together for two weeks.”

“What?”

At the information I was hearing for the first time, my mouth opened automatically. I knew it was a broadcast where you go out as a pair with a best friend to perform various things, but living together was unexpected. Ah, is that why it was specified as an observational variety show? Belatedly, CEO Yeom’s voice, saying it was not a studio recording along with the program introduction, came to mind. I just thought we would do a few missions together outside… .

“No… you want to film that just to live together for two more weeks? Did I understand correctly?”

“Yes.”

“This is not a protest; what is this, is a variety show a joke? Why involve other people in our business?”

“Why can’t we involve them?”

Is he even serious right now? When the brow that had barely smoothed out from laughing furrowed again, Saheon, who pressed and rubbed Seoul’s forehead with a long finger, added bluntly.

“Nobody believes it even if we take photos and post them, so what am I supposed to do? We have to show them directly for them to acknowledge it.”

“Exactly what are they acknowledging?”

“Our relationship.”