My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 5: The Ex Changes His Profile Picture

* * *

After class, Yerin and I headed to a nearby pasta place.

Ding~

The restaurant had a classic Italian interior, radiating a refined atmosphere.

Settling into a vintage-style sofa, I handed Yerin the menu.

“Pick anything you want. I’ll treat you as thanks for letting me crash at your place.”

“Huh? You really don’t have to.”

“I insist. Think of it as my way of showing gratitude.”

“Alright then,” Yerin replied with a shy smile before focusing intently on the menu.

“Okay, I’ll have the sausage oil pasta,” she said in a cheerful voice.

“Just that?”

“Yeah.”

That can’t be all…

I couldn’t help but look at her skeptically.

After all, Yerin was a known big eater. Somehow, her petite frame could handle ridiculous amounts of food, like when she’d casually make five packets of ramen for a snack.

“That won’t be enough to fill you up.”

“Uh…”

As expected, she averted her gaze, avoiding my eyes.

Why is she acting all reserved about eating now?

Puzzled, I pointed to the menu again.

“Order more if you want. I’ve got enough cash on me to cover it.”

“…Okay, just a little more.”

In addition to the sausage oil pasta, she added a gorgonzola side and chicken doria. When she finally said she was done, I ordered a spicy cream pasta for myself.

After we ordered, I noticed Yerin fidgeting, glancing at the menu as if she still wanted more.

Is she dieting or something?

It was unusual to see her restrain herself. Had something happened while we were apart?

Unable to ignore my curiosity, I poured her a glass of water and asked gently, “Is something going on? You’re not eating as much as usual. It’s kind of worrying.”

Yerin’s shoulders shook a little, and she replied with a hesitant smile.

“Well, I’ve been thinking recently… isn’t it kind of unattractive when girls eat a lot? Guys probably don’t like seeing that. So I’m trying to eat less.”

Did she meet someone she’s interested in?

It felt strange seeing her, who used to love food so much, worry about this.

“You think so too, right? Girls who eat a lot… it’s a total turn-off, right?”

“Not at all. I think it’s nice when someone has a good appetite.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Really? Why?”

“When someone eats heartily, it makes everyone else feel good, too.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Really…?” Yerin muttered to herself, as if trying to convince herself. I added gently, “At least with me, you don’t have to worry about that. Just eat what you want. It’d be uncomfortable if you held back.”

Yerin’s face lit up with a radiant smile, nodding enthusiastically.

“Then, I’ll order a little more.”

“Sure.”

With my approval, she ordered five more plates of pasta.

Even though the waiter looked concerned about the amount, she confidently nodded.

Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged her…

My wallet felt suddenly lighter, but seeing Yerin’s happy expression made me forget my worries.

Good food is worth it.

She even started humming, clearly delighted.

As I was about to shift the conversation to something else, my phone pinged with a message.

—

So-hee: Si-hyun, where are you right now?

So-hee: Chae-yeon and I are about to grab a meal. Want to join us? It’s my treat!

—

“Not this again…”

I let out a sigh, and Yerin leaned closer, curious.

“Who messaged you?”

“So-hee. She’s inviting me to lunch with her and Chae-yeon.”

Yerin’s brow furrowed.

“What? She was all over you in class earlier, too. It’s not like Chae-yeon even wants you back, so what’s her deal?”

While Yerin looked confused and annoyed, I had a feeling I understood So-hee’s motive.

It was guilt.

She had dragged Chae-yeon into that blind date, so she probably felt responsible for our breakup.

Ugh…

The whole situation made my head hurt. I was about to send a quick reply when our food arrived.

There was so much that we had to get an extra table just to fit everything.

“Looks delicious.”

Yerin’s earlier irritation vanished, replaced by an excited smile. She took a quick photo of the spread before picking up her fork.

“Thanks for the meal!”

“Enjoy.”

She twirled a generous amount of pasta around her fork and took a big bite, her eyes lighting up as she chewed.

“This place is great! I’ll have to come back and try the other dishes.”

“Glad you like it. We’ve got plenty of time until the next class, so no need to rush.”

“Right!”

Despite my words, Yerin didn’t slow down. Her appetite was just as impressive as always.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but smile. Some things never changed.

“Uh, you got some sauce… right here.”

“Where?”

I handed her a napkin and pointed to the spot, but she kept missing it.

Sigh… “Here, let me.”

As usual, it fell to me to wipe her mouth for her.

When I finished, she gave me a shy smile.

“Thanks.”

I nodded and started on my own meal, feeling oddly content.

After finishing her meal faster than I did, Yerin sat across from me, idly scrolling through her phone.

About five minutes passed before she suddenly exclaimed, “Hey! You broke up, but you haven’t even changed your profile picture?”

“Oh.”

I’d been so preoccupied that I completely forgot about that.

“Seriously… This makes it look like you two are still together.”

“I’ll change it now.”

I pulled out my phone and went into the profile settings.

My current profile picture—a sunset background where Chae-yeon and I were kissing—came into view.

We were so happy back then…

As I drifted into nostalgia, Yerin’s sharp voice snapped me back.

“Hello? What are you doing? Hurry up and delete it!”

“Okay, okay. Stop rushing me.”

“Do you really need to be told twice? Imagine how pathetic you look, holding onto that photo.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Leaving up a kissing photo after a breakup? It was like a bad joke.

She pointed her fork at me, a firm command in her eyes.

“Delete the profile picture and set your status message to just a period.”

“Fine.”

After following her instructions, she looked at her own phone with a satisfied expression, though she soon wrinkled her nose.

“Without a profile picture, it feels a bit empty… Don’t you have something else you could use?”

“Let me check.”

Going through my gallery, I realized it was filled with pictures of Chae-yeon. The only other photos were a few of stray cats and some memes friends had sent.

None of these feel appropriate…

“Is it even normal to have a profile picture right after a breakup?”

“Usually, people either leave it blank or set a solo photo.”

“Hmm…”

With nothing fitting to replace it, I decided to leave it empty for now.

Meanwhile, Yerin stared intently at her phone before glancing up.

“Hey, Si-hyun, maybe we could…”

But she stopped herself, taking a sip of water instead.

* * *

So-hee’s Perspective

—

So-hee: Si-hyun, where are you right now?

So-hee: Chae-yeon and I are about to grab a meal. Want to join us? It’s on me!

—

Is he really that mad…?

Si-hyun would usually show up in a heartbeat if I mentioned having a meal with Chae-yeon, but now he wasn’t even replying.

What should I do…

This was all my fault. My selfishness had driven them apart!

Dragging Chae-yeon into that blind date was the worst mistake I’d ever made, and now, all I wanted was to make things right.

“Chae-yeon, I’m so sorry… I swear, I’ll do everything I can to get you two back together.”

As I held her hand, she stared out the window and replied nonchalantly.

“It’s fine. He’ll come back to apologize on his own.”

“But… Si-hyun seemed really mad this time. If things keep going like this, you two might actually break up…”

“It won’t happen. Don’t worry about it.”

Her confidence was comforting, but it also made me uneasy.

Sure, Si-hyun had always been the one to apologize first whenever they argued, but this felt different.

After all, it was the first time he’d actually accepted her suggestion to break up.

No, I can’t just leave it like this.

Si-hyun might be the one to reach out, like he usually does. But if he doesn’t?

I had to get them back together before it was too late.

With that resolve in mind, I took a sip of my drink when both our phones buzzed at the same time.

Did someone send a group announcement?

We checked our phones in unison and were greeted with the notification:

—

Kim Si-hyun has changed his profile picture.

Kim Si-hyun has updated his status message.

—

Si-hyun’s profile was now blank, with just a single dot as his status.

“Hic!”

My shock triggered an involuntary hiccup.

His profile picture used to be that photo of him and Chae-yeon’s first kiss…

He’d been so proud of that photo, bragging about it every chance he got. And now, he’d actually changed it?

This was a real crisis.

“Chae… Chae-yeon…”

I couldn’t bear to look up, guilt weighing me down. But I forced myself to meet her gaze.

Chae-yeon looked stunned, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open. But then, a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Hah.”

She let out a short laugh, tossing her phone onto the table with a loud thud.

The heavy sound made me flinch.

Si-hyun, please… forgive us…!

After that painfully awkward lunch, I spent every free moment trying to find Si-hyun.

By now, he should be done with his classes…

It would be best to help them reconcile while the fight was still fresh. Running down the hall, I spotted Si-hyun heading toward the department lounge.

“Si-hyun!”