A Lie Has Turned Into Reality

Two Days Later

I had spent the last two days digging through my cringe-worthy online history, piecing together fragmented information like a puzzle. Every post, every comment was meticulously arranged in chronological order.

I also took stock of the assets I now inexplicably owned—assets I could never have imagined possessing.

“Real estate?”

“Real estate could give away too much about my identity… just a couple of prime spots in Seoul, lol.”

Because of that one offhand comment, I had somehow become a landlord. A landlord. On top of substantial bank deposits, I discovered a staggering variety of assets. For someone who had only ever been familiar with debt, this was a surreal experience.

I also owned four cars.

Me—someone who didn’t even bother to take the driving test because I couldn’t justify the expense. Driving was a skill I didn’t have, nor had I ever planned to acquire. But considering my face, voice, and circumstances had already changed, becoming a driving expert didn’t seem far-fetched.

Thanks to a single, flippant sentence—“I enjoy driving”—I was suddenly a pro behind the wheel.

[Seoha: Oppa, I’ll be there in an hour!]
[HotPotato: Got it.]

Preparations for the meeting were complete.

Now, all that remained was the moment of truth.

I grabbed the first comfortable outfit that caught my eye and paired it with a watch from the display case. For cologne, I picked a random bottle and sprayed it without much thought.

From the mountain of shoes in the closet, I selected a clean, minimalist pair, slipped them on, and headed to the garage.

Sigh.

A long exhale escaped me as I sat in the car.

The day had come—the day I would meet someone from my online life in person. The thought was overwhelming, surreal.

What would I say? How should I act? What tone should I use?

I ran countless simulations in my head during the drive, rehearsing conversations and scenarios. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the meeting spot.

Parking the car, I left the engine running and handed the keys to the valet.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my mouth was dry. Now that the moment was actually here, I could feel the nerves threatening to undo me. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and scanned the area.

Then, a light tap on my back made me jump. I whirled around.

“Uh…?”

“It’s me! Oppa, it’s Seoha!”

“Oh… yeah, it’s me,” I stammered.

Her face was small and round, with an air of sweetness and innocence. She was undeniably cute—no, beautiful.

I blinked, momentarily stunned.

This was Seoha?

She was far more breathtaking than I had imagined. For a moment, I couldn’t even form words.

She Was Nothing Like I Imagined

Her appearance was nothing like I had envisioned.

She scanned me from head to toe, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief, as if we were both trying to reconcile the people we’d imagined with the reality standing before us.

Summoning my courage, I met her gaze and managed to speak.
“…Nice to meet you.”

Her eyes lit up, and a bright smile spread across her face.
“This is amazing… You know I came all the way here just to see you, right?”

“Uh, yeah. Shall we go in? I made a reservation.”

“Sure! I’m so happy to finally see you in person!”

Her enthusiastic words made me blush, and I lowered my head, leading the way.

That’s when a sudden realization hit me—a crucial detail I had overlooked.

Unlike me, a reclusive shut-in, she was a social butterfly. An undeniable extrovert.

As we walked, her light steps trailed behind me, accompanied by her casual attempts to start a conversation. Responding felt awkward but natural at the same time, like a dance I hadn’t practiced but somehow knew.

The restaurant was as grand as I’d expected. The spacious dining area was nearly empty, with only a few patrons scattered across the clean, elegant tables. High ceilings, soft lighting, and a sophisticated atmosphere added to the sense of exclusivity.

Was this what it took to justify charging 500,000 won for a single meal? The sheer extravagance was overwhelming, but I did my best to act like I belonged.

A staff member escorted us to a private room at the back.

As soon as we sat down, I noticed her wide eyes glued to the menu, her pupils practically trembling.

“Ah, poor thing. I know that feeling.”

Just a few days ago, I was surviving on convenience store meals. Now, 500,000 won felt like pocket change.

“This… This is insane! Look at these prices!” she exclaimed.

“Just wait until you taste the food. You’ll understand.”

“Do they sprinkle gold dust on the dishes or something?”

“Relax and enjoy. It’s my treat,” I said, coughing awkwardly to cover my embarrassment.

We passed the time with lighthearted banter. Her cheerful responses, no matter what I said, gradually eased my nerves.

“Good evening,” the server greeted us. “I’ll be presenting your courses.”

One by one, dishes that looked more like art than food were placed before us. The plating was so immaculate that my first thought wasn’t delicious but beautiful.

“This is… unreal.”

The first bite melted in my mouth, sliding down my throat before I even had a chance to chew properly. The textures and flavors were like a symphony, bursting like fireworks on my tongue.

What had I been eating all my life? The difference was staggering, almost laughable.

“So this is what they mean when they say money changes your life.”

“This… It just disappeared in my mouth!” she exclaimed, her wide eyes mirroring my amazement.

We didn’t speak much after that, too absorbed in the dishes that kept arriving. For the next hour, we quietly devoured course after course, each one more incredible than the last.

By the end of it, I felt content yet strangely regretful for not having experienced this sooner.

“So this is the pinnacle of capitalism, huh?”