So, does this mean it’s a date?

Before Seol Hee could fully comprehend Eun Woo’s words, he naturally walked into the restaurant. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, he pulled out a chair for her and then returned to his place. Even though he had pulled out the chair for her, when she just kept staring at him, he looked at her as if asking what she was doing.

Could it be because of the sunlight pouring in from the window? A long shadow was cast on his prim face. Unlike Seol Hee who was in a state of panic at the words he’d casually thrown at her, his expression was completely calm.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?”
“The…restaurant?”
He nodded at her.

“No, I like it. I mean, yes. It’s a place I wanted to visit.”
Was he thinking she was stunned because of the restaurant?

As she carefully sat in the chair he had pulled out for her, Seol Hee bowed her head. Eun Woo sat across from her as well, but it was hard for her to look at his face. The word ‘date’ floated around in her head.

Whenever she stood before him, she always felt like this.

I give up. I don’t know.

It wasn’t Seol Hee’s first time having a meal with a man. Her high school was coed, and her college major had a male and female division. She had even dated before.

But.

Why did this always happen when she was in front of Teacher Ok?

Come to think of it, most of her mistakes at the hospital were made in front of Eun Woo. When his sharp gaze reached her, she could no longer do things she was good at.

She raised her head and looked at him.

The late sunlight fell onto his prominent nose, illuminating it. His clear eyes reminded her of an actor she saw on TV recently.

Was it because he was handsome? Was she unable to hide her delight because she was her mother’s daughter?

Or was it because she initially found Teacher Ok scary? If that’s not it, then…

Eun Woo’s soft voice stopped the thoughts spreading through Seol Hee’s mind.

“Seol Hee. Are you okay?”
At the sound of his gentle, low voice, her heart thumped, and she involuntarily swallowed. She reached out, drank some water, and replied to him.

“I’m fine.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, I…”
What should she say?

I don’t know why I feel so nervous in front of you. I’m thinking about what ‘date’ means. She couldn’t possibly say that.

As Seol Hee kept wetting her lips, Eun Woo casually glanced at the menu and opened his mouth.

“Are you wondering what to eat?”
It seemed he had mistaken her being lost in thought for her thinking about the menu, as she usually cared a lot about food.

Does he think I always think about eating?

Seol Hee shook her head.

“I’m fine with anything.”
Although she hadn’t eaten anything since morning because she was busy moving, she had lost her appetite because of what Teacher Ok had said earlier. If it were like before, she would have studied the menu like she was memorizing it at a restaurant like this.

“I’ll just have the recommended menu. This one here.”
Seol Hee vaguely pointed to something.

“Okay, then we’ll have one crab pasta and one carbonara, please.”
As soon as he finished ordering, an awkward silence arrived. Seol Hee was tensely staring at the floor, and maybe because her tension was contagious, Eun Woo didn’t say anything either.

It would be great if the food came quickly. Then she could focus on eating, and this atmosphere would dissipate.

When Eun Woo first asked Seol Hee to date him, he wasn’t serious.

“But, your grandmother wants to see you this time.”

He had asked her to help him act in front of his grandmother. But lately, it didn’t seem like that was all there was to it. Eun Woo had been helping her out a lot. He had asked her to go on a date earlier. And more importantly, they had even kissed before.

Thinking about his soft lips touching hers, she felt her mouth go dry again. Seol Hee reached out and picked up the cup to wet her lips.

Could it be that Teacher Ok likes me?

“Um…”
“Yes?”
At Seol Hee’s words, Eun Woo looked at her. Seol Hee kept her eyes down and mustered up the courage to open her mouth.

“Teacher Ok, do you…”
Do you like me?

Why do you like me?

I’m always clumsy and can’t do my job properly.

If it’s not because you like me, then what is this?

Just as she was about to voice her thoughts.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Seol Hee widened her eyes and closed her mouth. The waiter came over with the two pastas they had ordered, and asked them.

“Who ordered the crab pasta?”
Although it was a bit of a relief to be interrupted, it was also disappointing. The courage that she had barely mustered up had been shattered to pieces.

At the employee’s question, Seol Hee raised her small hand.

“That would be me.”
“Then, the Carbonara is for this gentleman.”
As the employee placed the food, Eun Woo tilted his head. His impressive neck muscles were exposed.

“Ms. Seol Hee, what were you going to say earlier?”
At Eun Woo’s words, Seol Hee shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”
Seol Hee awkwardly smiled and closed her mouth again. She didn’t have the courage to ask such a question.