"Student, you're not here just to mess around, are you?"
"Pardon?"
His words snapped me back to reality.
I was a little startled by his outright hostility, but it wasn't exactly incomprehensible.
Showing up out of the blue with no prior contact and announcing, "I'm here to buy an Allstate apartment~" — who would take that seriously?
And on top of that, dressed like this.
I really should have put a bit more effort into my outfit.
A young woman strolling in wearing nothing but sloppy training clothes.
I had no idea how to clear up the misunderstanding.
I couldn't show him my ID, nor could I flash my bank account.
I could point to the compact car I'd arrived in and claim I had the means to afford something like this... but...
That wouldn't convince anyone.
A car and an apartment were worlds apart anyway.
Plenty of people drove luxury imports bought entirely on loans, which made it even more pointless.
Even buying a little compact car had been a struggle for me before — an apartment was on another level entirely.
Mountains beyond mountains, as they say.
As I pondered for a moment, the agent began scanning me up and down slowly.
The vibe felt a bit off, so I glanced at his eyes.
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke again.
His hair swayed noticeably with the cough — kind of memorable.
"Well... lately, there've been these students who show up with no intention of signing anything, just to tour expensive places. And then there are the 'site visit crews' who swarm in..."
"Site visit crews?"
"...They're people who come just to scout properties for future speculation, with no plans to actually move in. They check out market prices, nearby amenities, everything, then leave."
Yeah, I can see why I'd look suspicious.
Still, I was here purely to buy a place. Felt a bit unfair.
I never imagined I'd end up saying something like, "I'm not like those people. I'll prove it."
But what could I do?
The desperate one has to prove herself.
"I'm not a student, and I'm definitely not here to mess around."
Of course, I had nothing concrete to prove it. Just my earnest, pleading eyes.
I stared at the agent intently, speaking with all sincerity.
"...Alright. Have a seat and wait a moment."
He glanced at my face, let out a short sigh, and stood up.
He headed to a desk piled with documents and started rummaging through something.
Looks like my sincerity got through.
Thank goodness.
A short while later, he returned with floor plans and a diagram of the apartment building, setting them on the table.
"The Allstate units you mentioned are in a prime location near the subway, so almost everything's sold out — only Building 1102 has units left."
I got a bit flustered hearing that the prime location meant most were gone, but you really have to listen to the end in Korean.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief inside and focused on his explanation, pointing at the floor plans with a capped pen.
"In Building 1102, we have 32-pyeong and 41-pyeong units left. The 41-pyeong are on the 3rd and 8th floors. The 32-pyeong on the 21st and 25th. Here's the layouts for both, so take a look."
I nodded at his explanation and examined the floor plans.
I couldn't really grasp the layouts or details from the diagrams. To me, they both just looked like they had a ton of rooms.
The 41-pyeong even had one more room than the 32-pyeong.
It looked like it could be a utility room, but did I really need that?
Maybe smaller is better than too big.
They say big houses are a pain to clean.
Even with a robot vacuum, you can't skip manual cleaning entirely.
Maybe hire a housekeeper.
I mulled it over briefly, but ultimately decided a bigger place would be nicer.
In my head, I picked the 41-pyeong.
If I'm buying, might as well go big.
As I stared intently at the plans, comparing them, the agent continued.
"Brand apartments like these usually have similar layouts, so don't expect much variety. Ones with totally different structures cost even more, and there aren't any nearby — all the Allstates in this area are like this."
So all the Allstate apartments around here were probably similar.
The surrounding facilities and views mattered more, then.
Guess I need to see them in person.
"Some folks came last week to view the 21st and 25th floors, so if you're serious about buying, you'd better decide quick."
"Hmm..."
Tough choice.
Ideally, something with an unobstructed view, but weren't the 21st and 25th a bit too high?
And smaller size too.
Since it was just for me, size wasn't critical, but it was personal preference.
I pondered the floor plans.
The 32-pyeong layout seemed a tad better.
No.
Bigger was still better.
"The 3rd and 8th floors — can I see those today?"
"Sure thing, let's go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Park O-nam, a licensed real estate agent with over twenty years in the business, trusted his instincts.
No intention of buying...
The girl in front of him didn't have the assets for even a jeonse deposit on an Allstate, let alone outright purchase.
He had a notorious reputation for not even offering proper consultations — much less showings — unless customers contacted him well in advance with clear intent.
Yet here he was, about to take her around the properties. Why?
...
Simply because she was stunningly beautiful.
Is she really an entertainer...?
He trusted his gut, but to be safe, he considered one hypothesis.
Striking looks, young age.
A customer like this showing up casually dressed, hunting for an Allstate purchase outright? Maybe an idol or actress — someone in entertainment.
O-nam racked his brain trying to match her face to a celebrity, but no one came to mind.
So he decided to just drink in her appearance and figure with his eyes.
That had been his goal from the start.
I'll show you around this place you won't buy — you keep me company in return.
That mindset got his heavy frame moving.
If Choi Yeon-bi could read his lecherous thoughts, she'd have emptied her accounts to bury him on the spot — but mind-reading wasn't possible.
"Hop in."
And so, oblivious, Yeon-bi climbed into his luxury import.
She slid naturally into the passenger seat.
He noted her manners approvingly and stole glances at her profile.
Her face didn't seem dolled up at all.
Hair looked hastily brushed, strands sticking out everywhere.
Yet she outshone most women effortlessly.
Some might disagree, but in Park O-nam's eyes, she was perfection.
...If only I were five years younger, maybe a shot.
The agent sighed inwardly, recalling his fuller head of hair from five years back.
Casual demeanor for a woman, no pretenses.
And beauty that held up without makeup.
She was damn near his ideal type.
As he ogled her with impure thoughts...
...Looked midsize from outside, but the interior feels cramped. Better go full-size instead of midsize. Supercars aren't practical daily, so two cars it is?
Yeon-bi was busy inspecting the car's interior.
Cramped compared to the exterior, ride not to her liking — mentally scratched it off her list as the agent slowly pulled forward.
"You're not a student, right? So then..."
"..."
O-nam watched her ignore him completely, engrossed in the car.
A grin tugged at his lips.
First time in a luxury import? Makes sense — rare sights in Korea.
Yeon-bi was lost in entirely different thoughts, but O-nam, oblivious, reveled in his delusion, stylishly turning the wheel.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...So since initial sales are done, the builder can't knock down walls — you'll need to hire your own contractor."
I jotted notes furiously on my phone as he explained.
Too many rooms had me hesitating, so he kindly mentioned walls that could be removed.
Apartments let you pick options at initial sale, huh...
Mental note: check that if I ever move later. I hurried across the living room.
No furniture made it feel huge.
Whoa...
This was the 8th floor.
Not super high, but no buildings blocking the view — completely open.
Great natural light; the living room was bright without lamps.
Lie on the floor watching clouds drift by, basking in warm sun.
No balcony felt a bit odd. Wouldn't it get cold?
Oh. Crank the boiler full blast if needed — no issue.
"This is the one with the balcony extension done, as I mentioned. Feels way roomier, right? The 3rd floor hasn't had it, so it's original — want to compare?"
Lost in the window, the agent approached slowly and spoke up.
I could feel his eyes lingering on my butt.
Did he think I wouldn't notice?
A bit creepy, but calling him out with "You just checked out my ass, didn't you?" wasn't feasible.
So I shook my head, eager to wrap up fast.
"No need. How much is this one?"
"Nine point three billion..."
He sighed mid-quote.
He'd brought me here somehow, but clearly skeptical.
Wonder if he thought he'd just wasted gas money.
The thought made me chuckle.
This gem for a mere nine billion?
With my account balance, I could buy the whole building.
Hearing the price actually lifted my mood.
I smiled at him.
"I'll take this one."
"Then, let's head back... Wait, what?"
"I'll sign for this one."
His face stiffened at my firm reply.