Since it was just one meal, there was no pressure.

After parking, Dohan pressed the bell in front of Kyungchul’s house.

Soon, a solid sound was heard, and the gate opened.

Crossing the neatly trimmed green grass, Hyeri’s voice could be heard from the backyard.

It sounded like she was talking to someone.

Today, her voice was unusually bright and filled with laughter. Dohan thought she might be talking to a boyfriend.

Then, he stopped in his tracks.

Hyeri was calling someone on the phone, addressing them as “Sarang.”

Surely, it couldn’t be the same Sarang.

Although he thought so, it didn’t feel good.

Dohan slowly moved toward the direction where Hyeri’s voice could be heard.

“Thank you for letting me know, Sarang.”

As Sarang’s name was heard once again, Dohan narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, let’s meet on that day. Unaware of Oppa…”

In an instant, he snatched the phone from Hyeri’s hand.

Hyeri, who was unaware because she was on the phone, widened her eyes.

“Oh, Oppa.”

He glared at Hyeri with a fierce expression.

Considering her flustered reaction, it seemed right that she had talked to Sarang.

Dohan brought the phone to his ear to disconnect the call.

“I’ll call you later.”

In response to Dohan’s abrupt voice, Sarang urgently called him.

Wait a moment! I called. It was me.

Dohan’s hand, about to lower the phone, hesitated.

While still looking at Hyeri, he continued the call.

“Why? How long have you two been in contact?”

Hyeri shivered at his sharp gaze and harsh voice.

Sarang also sensed the atmosphere and hurriedly tried to explain.

A few days ago, I called Unni first. I know her phone number, but pretending not to know was a bit strange…

Dohan closed his eyes for a moment, suppressing his anger.

He had said there was no need to worry, but Sarang was still concerned about her family.

Even though it wasn’t necessary.

There was no need to go this far.

He was worried that she might meticulously inspect even Kyungchul.

Kind Sarang remained as she was.

Before that, he had to sever the relationship between Hyeri and Sarang.

A mistake five years ago was enough.

Even if the situation had changed since then, Dohan hoped Sarang wouldn’t get involved with them again.

He was anxious about her getting hurt again because of him.

“I told you not to worry. Don’t contact me again. Don’t even think about meeting without my knowledge.”

Um, Unni’s favorite author is having a book concert next month. So, we were going to go together… The location is near our house. I saw the notice on the library’s website today.

Dohan’s eyebrows twitched at Sarang’s disjointed explanation.

Hyeri, feeling his change, swallowed dryly.

“How do you know the author that Hye-ri likes?”

Oh, I heard it when I met Unni. I also have several books by that author.

Unlike the excited Sarang, Dohan’s face became more distorted.

“Then, you two have already met.”

…What?

Only now did Sarang’s voice tremble softly, realizing her mistake.

Th-then…

“The day you said you were going to meet your friend after work. Was it that day?”

…Yes.

“You lied. To me.”

I’m sorry.

Sarang, who had cautiously tried to resist, finally ended with an apology.

After a brief silence, Dohan spoke.

“Let’s end it.”

If we end it like this, I won’t be able to sleep tonight…
Sarang spoke urgently, but Dohan remained silent.

Only she, who was worn out, became more talkative.

Are you angry?

“No.”

It seems like you are. Short answers too.

When he closed his mouth again, Sarang became anxious.

Look at this, not saying anything. I regret lying. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me just this once.

“Alright, let’s end it here.”

Is it really okay?

“Yes.”

I can’t trust that. Should I come to Oppa’s house later?

“It will be late after dinner. See you tomorrow.”

I don’t want to see you today.

Sarang murmured with a sulky voice.

As he was about to end the call with a farewell to see her tomorrow, he heard her voice.

“I love you.”

What?

“I said I love you.”

By expressing it with the words “I love you” instead of saying he wasn’t angry, Dohan made Sarang’s heart race.

Only after calming down did she hesitantly ask.

Wasn’t your sister next to you?

She’s on the phone with Hyeri right now.

Did he enter the house during that time?

Otherwise, how could Dohan say such things? Sarang was bewildered.

“She’s here.”

What? She’s here? Together?

“Can you switch it?”

Oh, no. Forget it. I’ll hang up now.

With the perplexing voice as the last, the call ended.

Dohan returned the phone to Hyeri.

Seeing his composed appearance, Hyeri let out a sigh.

The expression on her face was as if she couldn’t believe what she had just seen and heard.

“It seems even Jidohan has someone he can’t handle.”

Avoiding her gaze that stared intently, he walked ahead.

Hyeri quickly followed Dohan.

“But why say ‘I love you’ like that?”

“So what?”

“Coldly, as if using compassion, as if reluctantly saying it because he doesn’t love.”

He stopped walking in front of the front door.

He had intended to convey his feelings to reassure Sarang, but it seemed he unintentionally spoke in a stiff tone.

During the call, he couldn’t help being aware that Hyeri was watching.

It shouldn’t be interpreted to that extent.

Dohan worried whether Sarang accepted it that way.

“I understand why Sarang is afraid of Oppa.”

He shot a glance at Hyeri as if saying, “What do you mean by that?”

But Hyeri walked into the house first, shaking her head nervously.

Left alone in front of the door, Dohan let out a small sigh.

Hyeri’s words bothered him, and his feet wouldn’t move.

Suddenly, the events from five years ago came to mind.

The Jidohan test initiated by Taehun’s prank.

At that time, Taehun had said similar things.

“You’re scary. What if you say let’s break up?”

“Who’s going to say that.”

Dohan muttered in a low voice.

The scary one was himself.

What if Sarang suddenly suggested breaking up?

That someone else appeared, or she didn’t like him anymore.

Was Sarang feeling this way?

Dohan took out his phone from his pocket.
I called Sarang, but she didn’t answer.

Just that fact alone made his heart pound.

As he was about to press the call button again, he paused for a moment and opened the messaging app.

After contemplating what to write for a moment, he finally sent a difficult message before opening the door.