Kim remained at the Travel Club booth, his fascination with Min wavering as her conversation shifted focus. Her lively descriptions of club activities began to include the costs associated with their extravagant trips.
“Our last trip to New York was amazing,” Min said, her tone casual, as if jet-setting to the world’s most glamorous cities was routine. “The shopping, the private dinners, even the Broadway shows… It’s worth every penny. Of course, trips like that do have their costs. But honestly, the memories are priceless.”
Kim’s stomach tightened as her words landed. Memories may have been priceless, but the price tag she hinted at was something he could never afford. While Min spoke of luxury with ease, Kim’s mind raced, calculating how many months of part-time work it would take just to pay for a single meal on one of those trips.
As the conversation continued, Kim found himself growing more uneasy. Though Min’s charm remained intact, the disparity between their worlds became increasingly clear. Her nonchalant references to luxury were like a sharp reminder of his position as a scholarship student barely managing his daily expenses.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Kim interrupted her. “These trips sound incredible, but how does everyone afford them? Are there any, uh… discounts for students like me?”
Min paused, her bright smile faltering for just a moment before returning. “Oh, most of us save up, or our parents help out,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “But honestly, if you really want to join, there are always ways to make it work.”
Kim frowned. “What kind of ways?”
Min tilted her head slightly, her smile turning coy. “Well, sometimes people help each other out. Like, I’ve had a few friends sponsor parts of my trips before. It’s nice, you know, when someone values your company enough to make sure you can come along.”
The insinuation hit Kim like a slap. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he had misunderstood her, but the suggestive lilt in her voice confirmed his suspicions.
“You mean… you’ve had people pay for your trips?” Kim asked, his tone careful but his discomfort evident.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Min laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not like I asked them to. They offered. It’s flattering, really.”
Her words sent a wave of unease through Kim. What had felt magical moments ago now felt transactional, calculated. The realization began to sink in: Min’s interest in him might not be genuine.
As if sensing his hesitation, Min leaned closer, her flirtatious demeanor becoming more pronounced. “You seem like a nice guy, Kim. I think you’d be a great addition to the club. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find it worth investing in… some things are more valuable than money, don’t you think?”
Kim’s mind raced. Her words, though wrapped in charm, carried a veiled implication that unsettled him deeply. He recalled the stories Seo had shared about the elite students on campus—their manipulations, their entitlement, their disregard for anyone outside their privileged circles.
His unease deepened when Min casually mentioned the sacrifices some scholarship students made to join the club. “A few of them do spend their savings to come along. It’s admirable, really. They’re so devoted. I think they just like being part of something exclusive, you know?”
Kim’s chest tightened. What she described wasn’t devotion—it was exploitation, a calculated use of her beauty and charm to maintain a circle of admirers willing to drain their limited resources to please her.
Min’s tone turned cheerful again as she pulled out a registration form. “So, what do you think? The annual membership fee is only $100 (approximately ₩130,000). That’s not too bad, right? And it covers so much—access to events, club activities, and the chance to travel with us. You won’t regret it.”
Kim stared at the form in her hand, his heart sinking. What had started as an exciting opportunity to make a friend, maybe even more, now felt like a trap. Min’s warmth and friendliness had been intoxicating, but they were now overshadowed by a growing suspicion that her interest in him was purely self-serving.
He took a step back, his voice quieter but firmer. “I don’t think I can join right now. I’ll need some time to think about it.”
Min’s smile wavered, but she quickly recovered. “Of course. Take your time. But don’t wait too long—our next trip is coming up soon, and spots fill up fast.”
Kim nodded, offering a polite smile before turning away. As he walked back across the crowded courtyard, he couldn’t shake the bitter taste of disillusionment. The girl who had seemed so kind and approachable now appeared to be part of the very world that had always kept people like him on the outside.
The realization was sobering, and for the first time since meeting Min, Kim felt grateful for the hardships he had endured. They had taught him to see beyond the surface, to question what others might take at face value. And now, more than ever, he vowed not to let himself be fooled again.