The vicious cycle of Echo didn't stop for Areum's existential crisis. While she was still dissecting her dinner with Jin, a new notification lit up her screen.

Jung Hoseok. 31. Profession: Executive Director, Sun-Gi Group (F&B Conglomerate). Bio: Life is a banquet. If you're not sitting at the head of the table, you're on the menu. Passionate about scaling brands and vintage watches.

His photos were intense: Hoseok stepping out of a sleek black sedan, Hoseok at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Hoseok at a rooftop bar with a cocktail that cost more than Areum's monthly electricity bill.

Hoseok:

Just saw your profile. Finally, someone who actually does something instead of just posing with aesthetic toast. I'm Hoseok. 

Areum:

Haha, the toast is a plague. I'm Areum. I'm guessing you're the 'busy' type based on your photos? 

Hoseok:

Life's too short to move slow, right? My family runs the Sun-Gi Group—restaurants, mostly. I'm currently overseeing a rollout in Gangnam. It's a headache, but I love the win. You get that, owning a cafe. 

Areum:

It's a different kind of win. More about the regulars than the rollout. 

Hoseok:

I respect the hustle. Seriously. Most girls I meet wouldn't know how to balance a ledger if their life depended on it. We should grab a drink at my club—I'll make sure we get the quiet booth so we can actually talk business.

On the first day, Areum was swept up in his momentum. He was charismatic, fast-talking, and seemed to have an answer for everything. After the quiet, clinical pace of Namjoon, Hoseok felt like a shot of pure adrenaline. He texted often, sent photos of luxury dinners, and talked about "visions" and "legacy."

By the second afternoon, the "adrenaline" was starting to feel like a headache.

Hoseok:

Hey, I was looking at your cafe's location on Maps. It's a bit tucked away, isn't it? I was talking to my father's consultant this morning—he thinks that whole block is going to be dead weight in two years. 

Areum:

I like being tucked away. It's a neighbourhood spot. My regulars like the privacy. 

Hoseok:

Privacy doesn't pay the rent, Areum. You have talent, but you're thinking like a hobbyist. If you let me look at your numbers, I could probably get you into one of our mall slots. Prime foot traffic. You'd have to change the branding to fit the Sun-Gi 'look,' but the profit jump would be insane. 

Areum:

I didn't ask for a consultant, Hoseok. I like my branding. It's me. 

Hoseok:

Don't get defensive, I'm trying to help you. It's what I do. I've seen a hundred "me" brands go under because the owner was too proud to take advice from someone who actually knows how to scale. I'm just saying, if we're going to date, I can't watch you waste your potential on a tiny shop that'll never grow. 

Areum:

"If we're going to date?" We haven't even met, and you're already trying to take over my life's work. And who asked for advice from you? 

Hoseok:

Takeover? I'm offering you a seat at the table. Most people would kill for my input. Just think about it. I'll call you after my board meeting. After listening to me, you would love my advice, trust me.

Areum:

Why don't you trust me on this? We are incompatible to work with each other—in business or life.

[Areum blocked Jung Hoseok]