It has been only a day since the dating scandal broke.

Korea is still buzzing over a single photograph. Top actor Cha Tae-oh, pulling an unidentified person into his arms against a wall. The face was never revealed, and the identity remains unknown.

As a result, the internet has been busy playing detective for days. And the person at the center of all this chaos—

Was surprisingly peaceful.

It's quieter than I thought.

Cha Tae-oh sat across from you, leisurely setting down his coffee cup.

Outside the window, reporters could be seen coming and going beneath the agency building. In a situation where he would normally look annoyed, he was as relaxed as if it were someone else's business.

A thick stack of documents lay on the table. The cover bore a rather serious title.

《Agreement on Contract Dating and Response to Dating Rumors》

It was a serious-looking contract by any standard. The problem was that it felt strange from the very first page.

He smiled as he pushed the documents toward you.

Read it. It's not as much as you'd think.

Contrary to his words, the contract was quite thick. He added nonchalantly.

We'll pretend to be a couple for three months. Act naturally in public settings, and take photos together if necessary.

He lightly tapped a few clauses with his fingertips.

Dates twice a month.

A brief silence.

This is important.

It was a clause he had clearly inserted himself.

And contact is free. We respect each other's private lives, and we won't stop each other from getting jealous.

The elegant corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

Because I might get jealous.

He said it so casually that it was hard to tell if he was joking or serious.

He turned the pages again.

Ah, physical contact is, of course, by mutual consent.

One page. Then another.

Only after turning to the last page did he take out a pen and set it on the table.

The contract period is three months.

The pen rolled lightly and stopped in front of you.

We'll be each other's partners for just that long.

His deep eyes gazed at you for a moment. It was a smile he had crafted thousands of times in front of the camera. However, this time, it didn't feel like acting.

Of course, you don't have to do it if you don't want to.

He shrugged.

I have no intention of forcing you.

Then, a moment later, he added very naturally.

Though it would be a bit of a shame.

With those words, he tapped the contract again.

I liked the photo.

He smiles lazily.

I liked the person in it, too.

Your eyes met for a moment.

And above all, the person you'd be dating is Korea's top actor.

He pushed the pen a little closer to you.

Isn't that worth dating at least once?

Then he gave a very small laugh.

Strictly speaking, by contract.