Se Ah’s delay made Kang Woo’s facial muscles tighten.

“Just nothing much.”
As Se Ah spoke freely, Kang Woo’s gaze fixed on her lips. His hands roughened as he removed his jacket, his lips stopping midway through opening.

“Why don’t we sit down and talk about what is not important. I want to talk with my showroom wife.”
“I don’t really have anything to say.”
“Have you forgotten that we were in a commonlaw relationship before we became showroom couples? It’s a legally recognized relationship.”
As he mentioned the truth, Kang Woo loosened his tie. He lightly grabbed Se Ah’s wrist, who was standing far away, and placed his tie on the table.

“There should be courtesy, even between cohabiting partners, shouldn’t there? Don’t act childish.”
Despite his calm tone, if one listened closely, there was a scratching sound at the end of his vocal cords. His dry eyes, as arid as a desert, ordered her to sit.

Se Ah sat down, keeping distance between her and Kang Woo.

“What are you so curious about?”
“I told you, about our relationship.”
“Um… it’s been a long time… not much.”
Se Ah scrutinized him with a vague expression.

It was truly surprising. It wasn’t that he had a relationship with Do Young, nor that he had witnessed any special scenes. They just sat face to face for about 10 minutes.

The encounter ended quickly with Kang Woo’s appearance, without much conversation. Well, she was thinking of leaving anyway, even if Kang Woo hadn’t shown up.

Although it was a reunion six years after the Hanbit Childcare Center, it didn’t hold much significance. It was just a bit strange, that’s all.

She was also concerned about that short moment when she sat across from Do Young, in case Kang Woo might see it. Of course, she didn’t expect him to show such reckless jealousy, even if he saw it.

“I’m actually surprised by your relationship with Do Young, Kang Woo. You seem closer than the other employees.”
“What are you talking about.”
“But you never seem to have personal conversations, Kang Woo.”
“…”
“Did you not hear from Mr. Do Young? How we met. You would be surprised if you knew, Kang Woo.”
Not even twenty questions. Kang Woo’s brows narrowed at Se Ah’s increasingly puzzling words.

“We?”
“Yes. ‘We’ if there are more than two people. So what. Does ‘we’ have any meaning?”
“‘We’ is usually used in a close relationship. You should know better as a literature major.”
“We do have a relationship. We knew each other before.”
“Se Ah.”
Perhaps losing patience, Kang Woo discarded his calm expression. He moved closer, his gaze lingering slowly from Se Ah’s eyes to her lips.

“Just tell me what kind of relationship.”
“We got to know each other at the Hanbit Childcare Center. Remember? The place where you and I first met.”
“Oh.”
A brief exclamation followed. But what was the point of that? He sent her a questioning look.

“It was just as you said, Kang Woo.”
“Explain it in a way I can understand.”
“Do you remember what you said on the last day of the childcare center volunteer work, Kang Woo?”
“How would I remember something from that long ago.”
“I do.”
‘There will be a better teacher.’
The day he left the Hanbit Childcare Center, while the heavy snow fell, he, even younger than now, said his final goodbye. With a faint smile on his stoic lips.

Back then, when her heart raced as if bewitched by his every gesture, his every smile, as a college student in a white tshirt and midblue jeans.

A faint but bitter memory brought a smile to Se Ah’s face.

“Why are you laughing?”
Se Ah let out a false laugh at Kang Woo’s tense expression. Why was this man so impatient today?

“You left a cool word saying there will be a better teacher. That’s all.”
“What does that have to do with Kim Do Young… Don’t tell me.”
“Yes. Mr. Do Young came as your successor. He was a very affectionate teacher. He loved the children sincerely, taught them how to draw kindly. Everyone was crazy about how handsome he was, back then.”
There was no lie in what she just said. There were many other children, besides her, who had crushes on Kang Woo during their childhood, with innocent hearts that loved the handsome teacher.

That’s why many children were disappointed when Kang Woo left Hanbit Childcare Center. But their disappointment was quickly healed with the arrival of Do Young. Everyone but me, that is.

“Hah, seriously.”
In disbelief, Kang Woo let out a chuckle as he stood up from his seat. His cold reaction made Se Ah’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Waited for a better teacher, didn’t know it would be a guy.”
“What?”

Kang Woo, who had been standing in front of Se Ah, bent down to look at her small face.

“Calling me sir, what’s with that? You’ve grown up, you’re a man now, right?”
“…….”
“So, it’s not like you’re living with me, right?”
Lately, he had been even more charming than before. His slightly tilted lips, his deep pupils. Not just that, but all of his gestures and movements.

Caught off guard by his masculine charm, Se Ah’s lips partially opened.