Soeun discreetly got out of Taejun’s car and left the apartment. She impulsively took a bus in front of the apartment, transferred to another bus, and went to a familiar place.

She snapped to attention at Taejun’s action of pushing her back into the car, saying that her aunt had come.

It wasn’t that disappointing. Perhaps deep down, she thought it was a natural occurrence.

Hiding it is obvious. We don’t match.

Even if we date, it won’t end confidently.

Since I confessed first, he might have thought lightly of me.

“Well, at least I came to my senses early.”

On the bus heading home, the reality quickly sank in, and what was briefly exciting, being embraced in his arms, him holding her hand, now seemed like a dream.

Now, I really need to come to my senses.

Determined, she gathered her strength and quickened her steps on the way home from the subway station. It took over 30 minutes because the distance from the subway station to her house was considerable. As she thought it was finally home, her steps quickened, but she eventually came to a halt.

Taejun was standing in front of her house.

As Soeun approached, a transparent barrier seemed to form in her eyes. The unexpected event left her speechless.

As much as Soeun walked towards him, Taejun, who had come closer, spoke first.

“You didn’t even answer the phone.”

Ah, Soeun took out her phone from her bag. The battery seemed to be running out, but it was suddenly turned off.

“The battery ran out. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear apologies.”

In response to Taejun’s criticism, Soeun bit her lips to conceal them. Yes. There’s no need to apologize. But what should we say now?

Taejun set the direction.

“And to my aunt.”

“……”

“I have reasons.”

Taejun briefly explained the reason why he hid Soeun when his aunt came. After spitting it out, he felt it was an irresponsible statement, so he added an explanation.

“My aunt interfering with my work is annoying. It’s too early.”

“……”

“Wouldn’t it be a headache for you if you were caught from the beginning?”

It wasn’t the real reason, but he hoped Soeun would understand. Hansoeun should never know about Taejun’s aunt and grandfather. Hansoeun also had to know nothing.

As if lost in thought about Soeun’s thoughts, she silently lowered her head, making him anxious.

“Aren’t you hungry? I am.”

While observing her reaction, he tilted his head slightly and tried his luck.

Since she still seemed hesitant, he added one more word.

“Hansoeun, since it’s your neighborhood, Hansoeun will buy dinner.”

Whether it was a reaction to the disappearance of the title ‘chief’ that naturally followed the name or a reaction to the directive to buy dinner, Soeun lifted her head and blinked rapidly. A dumbfounded voice flowed from her still-open mouth.

“Dinner… What would you like to eat?”

“Whatever Hansoeun likes best.”

As if possessed by something, Soeun nodded and hastily led the way.

Indeed, Soeun is too obedient when ordered.
Taejun followed Soeun quietly, feeling relieved.

Soeun took Taejun to a snack shop near her house.

“Is this your favorite place?”

“I like the gimbap here. But if you don’t like it, we can go somewhere else.”

Dutiful Soeun introduced Taejun to her favorite restaurant without considering the cost. Many restaurants had closed their doors by now, past 9 PM. There was no time to find another place.

“Let’s eat. I’m curious too. Delicious gimbap.”

Soeun took Taejun inside.

“Welcome. It’s been a while.”

“Hello.”

Soeun and the restaurant owner seemed to know each other. The restaurant owner’s eyebrows raised when he confirmed Taejun’s face brought by Soeun. It meant that Taejun was noticeably handsome. However, there were no personal questions thrown at Soeun.

“It’s nine o’clock, so we were just about to close. We have ingredients left, so feel free to order anything.”

Confidently, Soeun responded to the restaurant owner’s words.

“Please order whatever you want to eat. I can cover it all.”

Taejun found Soeun’s assertive confidence cute, and he smiled.

“Then, can I order everything on the menu here?”

“I’m fine with it, but won’t it take some time to come out? The boss must be tired too.”

The attitude of taking the joke seriously every time was amusing.

“What gimbap is delicious?”

“I like the double gimbap, the mukeunji (aged kimchi) gimbap, and the tuna gimbap.”

“What’s double gimbap?”

“It’s gimbap with double the amount of filling.”

“Then, shall we order the double gimbap, mukeunji gimbap, and tuna gimbap?”

Soeun confidently placed the order.

The owner’s hands were fast, and the food came out quickly.

The double gimbap was as big as its name suggested. Although it wasn’t twice the size, reducing the amount of rice while adding plenty of filling still made it look large to Taejun. It was fascinating that Soeun liked such a big thing. Taejun wanted to see Soeun eat it.

Ironically, Soeun was regretting ordering the double gimbap today. Today, the lady rolled the gimbap larger than usual, looking like she was opening her mouth like a hippo in front of her favorite man.