[In the last video, there were many questions like this:

'How can I take the upper hand in a relationship?'

'What's important to avoid being the weaker half in a relationship?'

In short, many viewers want to be in control in their relationships.]

A soon-to-be 500,000-subscriber strong YouTube instructor is captivating his viewers with seemingly profound topics on screen.

The YouTuber was reputed for his deep understanding of women's psychology and might just have the solution for those in less-than-ideal relationships.

Si-hyun listened intently to the speaker with a sense of anticipation.

[First of all, it's natural for power dynamics to form in a relationship. Why? Because the depth of affection for each other is different.

One person can't live without the other, while the other wouldn't be too affected by a breakup. So what happens then? The more desperate one will cling to the other, right?

The one clinging is the weaker half.]

This description of the weaker half resonated deeply with Si-hyun.

[The weaker half constantly seeks affection from the dominant half and becomes dedicated, but this is detrimental to the relationship. In short, it makes you look like an easy target…]

He paused the video for a moment and recalled his usual relationship with Chae-yeon.

'Why is that my fault? I didn't do anything wrong.'

She doesn’t know how to apologize to others.

'Mind your own business.'

"Have you noticed that recently you've been gradually getting bolder?"

Always looking down on me from a position of superiority.

"If you don't like me, then just break up with me. How can you date me with so many complaints?"

His girlfriend, Lim Chae-yeon, who often threatens to break up.

Her actions, which he usually brushed off, had recently become a source of stress for him.

"Why is she dating me?"

He wondered whether Chae-yeon, who talked about breaking up almost daily, actually liked him. Her domineering attitude made Si-hyun skeptical about their relationship.

This is why he decided that this relationship shouldn't continue and started seeking relationship advice voluntarily.

Click.

The video resumed playing.

[The continuous devotion of the weaker partner makes the dominant one selfish. I made the mistake, but they’re the one trying to appease. At my single word, they bend over backward. This slave mentality of the weaker partner only makes the dominant one arrogant. That's what it means.]

"Did I make Chae-yeon like that?"

The actions he took to maintain the relationship and receive love turned out to have ruined her instead.

Whether he treated her well or not, it was a problem, leaving Si-hyun’s mind in turmoil.

"This can't go on."

This one-sided dynamic couldn't continue any longer.

Si-hyun decided that they needed to have an open conversation to ensure a healthy relationship.

With that in mind, he opened the SNS app and tapped on Chae-yeon's profile.

[Me: Chae-yeon, are you having fun with your friends? (1)]

[Me: I've deposited some pocket money into your account. Use it to treat your friends to something delicious. And brag about your boyfriend while you're at it, haha. (1)]

[Me: Love you♡ (1)]

It was filled with affectionate expressions.

Even though the messages conveyed warm feelings, they had already turned cold after three hours of being unread.

[Me: I need to talk to you. Get in touch after you're done hanging out with your friends. (1)]

[Me: I’ll be waiting. (1)]

Letting out a sigh, he sent the additional message and turned off the screen.

Rattle.

To clear his mind, he opened the window. Even though it was summer, the cool night air slowly dried the sweat on his forehead.

"Whoo..."

Feeling refreshed, Si-hyun leaned against the wall and gazed at the night view through the screen.

Moths and various insects clung to the screen, obstructing the view, but the lights from the buildings created a dazzling scene.

'How should I talk to Chae-yeon?'

Should he ask her to treat him more preciously?

Or tell her he wants to exchange affectionate expressions like other couples?

Considering Chae-yeon's usual behavior and actions, he didn't expect a positive response either way.

'Even if just once, I want to hear her say she likes me.'

Had his goal lowered because he always found himself in the weaker position? Si-hyun bitterly laughed at his own modest wish.

Then, as he continued to stare at the outside scenery to calm his complex feelings…

Ka-tok!

A notification sounded from his phone.

Expecting a reply from Chae-yeon, Si-hyun checked the app, but the message was from a high school classmate instead.

[Friend: (photo)]

'Is it a meme?'

Contrary to Si-hyun's expectations, his friend had sent a photo of a stylish bar.

Tap.

Curious, he clicked on the photo and zoomed in.

The picture focused on a square table, and upon closer inspection, three well-groomed men were sitting there.

'I don't know any of these guys.'

Just as he was about to press the back button to ask why his friend had sent the picture,

[Friend: The woman opposite the men, isn't she your girlfriend?]

A pop-up notification of his friend's additional message appeared.

His hand moved reflexively. Before he could even process the shock, Si-hyun zoomed in on the other side of the table.

As a result.

"No way..."

He recognized a familiar back.

There was no way he could be mistaken after over a year of staring at her.

"It can't be... It can't be."

Even though he was already sure it was Chae-yeon, words of denial kept escaping Si-hyun's lips.

His chest tightened, and he felt short of breath.

With his mind completely blank, he began typing.---

[Me: Where is that place?]

[Friend: (Map) Dongseong-ro, Daegu. One glass of wine tomorrow.]

Dongseong-ro. The busiest street in Daegu, popular with the youth.

[Friend: I work part-time here, and when I went to take an order, she was sitting there. From what I overheard, it was obviously a blind date.]

[Me: I'm coming now.]

Si-hyun shoved his wallet and phone into the pockets of his jeans and slipped on his black three-striped sandals.

Not knowing what might happen at the blind date venue, the 10-minute distance felt like forever for Si-hyun.

Si-hyun took a taxi and got off at 228 Park, the starting point of Dongseong-ro.

Running through the central path lined with trees and benches, the cool breeze hit his bare feet.

People stared at him curiously as he ran in his sandals through downtown.

Ignoring their gazes, he kept running forward.

"Ouch... damn it..."

The front of his sandal folded, causing him to fall flat on his face.

His shin got scraped against the pavement, and each movement made the wound rub against his jeans, making him wince.

'I can still run...'

He brushed off the concerned onlookers and kept running with a limp.

Finally, he spotted his friend waiting in front of the store where he had sent the message.

“Where is she?”

Panting, Si-hyun asked his friend, who pointed to her location with his finger.

“In that corner over there.”

As he entered the store, the scene from the photo unfolded before him.

An elegant ambiance formed by orange LED lights.

The faces of people, warmed by wine, deepened in color.

‘Could Chae-yeon really be meeting another man in a place like this?’

Si-hyun’s stomach churned at the thought he did not want to believe was true.

‘There she is.’

The woman’s side was facing away from the entrance, so she couldn’t see Si-hyun. Among the women, there was one with elegantly cascading permed hair, and Si-hyun recognized her immediately as Chae-yeon.

“This can’t be...”

Chae-yeon was drinking wine and fiddling with her smartphone.

Would she pick up if he called now?

Feeling like this was his last chance, Si-hyun dialed her number.

Ring... Ring...

Lim Chae-yeon's phone screen lit up white. There was no way she wouldn’t notice Si-hyun calling since the phone was right in front of her.

‘Pick it up. Please, pick it up.’

As Si-hyun anxiously waited for her to answer, Chae-yeon looked at the smartphone for three seconds before pressing the down volume button.

The ringtone ceased abruptly. The phone was then left unattended on the table.

Eventually, after over a minute of ringing with no answer, the call ended. Si-hyun’s insides twisted with the betrayal of Chae-yeon’s refusal to answer.

[Me: Where are you right now? (1)]

Ka-tok!

As soon as he sent the message, a notification sounded from Chae-yeon's phone.

After confirming the call had ended, she slid the screen down to check the message this time.

'Is she checking messages like that?'

Since she only saw the notification, it was natural that the read indicator didn't appear.

Hiding next to the drink refrigerator, Si-hyun decided to keep watching Chae-yeon's reaction until the end.

[Me: It's taking you a while to reply. You're not secretly meeting another guy, are you? (1)]

Again, she checked the message notification and looked around the store.

After confirming that her boyfriend wasn't inside, Chae-yeon, feeling nervous, finally replied.

[Lim Chae-yeon: Another guy? No way. I'm resting at a friend's house.]

[Me: Which friend?]

[Lim Chae-yeon: Sohui.]

Sohui is one of Chae-yeon's long-time friends. They have known each other since middle school and are currently attending the same university.

And right now, that Sohui was sitting next to Chae-yeon.

"Damn it, seriously..."

Despite giving her a chance to come clean, Chae-yeon's response was only disappointing.

Unable to bear the rising sense of betrayal, Si-hyun finally sent an ultimatum.

[Me: Is Sohui's house actually a wine bar?]

Whir!

Chae-yeon bolted up from her seat, quickly shaking her head.

Then her eyes met Si-hyun's.

Seeing the intense anger in his eyes, Chae-yeon froze in place with her mouth slightly open.

"Kim Si-hyun? How did you know I was here?"

Chae-yeon's cheeks were flushed from the alcohol.

Seeing this up close made Si-hyun frown even more.

No matter how arrogant Chae-yeon was, in this situation, she couldn't remain composed. As he closed the distance between them, her pupils began to tremble.

"What are you doing here? You said it was just girls, so why are you sitting across from some guys?"

Si-hyun barely suppressed his urge to overturn everything.

Looking dismissively at the table where Chae-yeon had been sitting, he continued with a smirk.

"I think I get it without you saying anything. Three guys. Three girls. Sitting paired up. Only a fool wouldn't get it."

Chae-yeon's body flinched. Avoiding Si-hyun's eyes, she rubbed her opposite arm with her right hand and said, "I know what you're thinking, but this is a misunderstanding."