Su Yeon looked at Inho with suspicious eyes.

Upon which, he made a face of injustice.

“What?”

“Your expression, Inho.”

“Why my expression?”

“It looks like there’s something on your mind.”

“Ha, what nonsense. I just suggested playing rock-paper-scissors fairly.”

“Is it okay? I’ll do it.”

“I’m just saying it for your sake, and you’re really being too indifferent.”

Suddenly, Inho lowered his gaze, creating a face full of pity.
Su Yeon’s heart became uncomfortable in an instant.

Seeing such a face was a first for her.

“Is he really trying to do the dishes for me? Did he suggest playing rock-paper-scissors because he thought I might stop him if he said he would do it himself?”

As her thoughts reached that point, Su Yeon felt even more sorry for In Ho.

Su Yeon withdrew her wrist, which had been held by In Ho, and, on the contrary, firmly grabbed In Ho’s hand.

“In Ho, I’m sorry. I thought you were making such a mischievous expression….”

“No. It’s just reaping what I sowed. I didn’t even have that much trust in you….”

The following words, which were already uncomfortable for Su Yeon, brought a sense of guilt to her heart.

Su Yeon bent down to waist level, trying to match In Ho’s eye level.

“No, In Ho. I’m sorry. Don’t say that. Let’s play rock-paper-scissors as In Ho suggested. Okay?”

“…Really?”
“Of course, let’s do it. Quickly, us.”

Su Yeon gently grabbed In Ho’s face and lifted it.

Matching gazes, she smiled broadly, and immediately, In Ho followed suit.

“Alright. Let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”

In no time, In Ho, whose expression had relaxed, suggested rock-paper-scissors again.

Finding it adorable, Su Yeon couldn’t help but smile even brighter.

In Ho extended his fist towards her.

Su Yeon also extended her hand, following In Ho’s lead.

“Rock-paper-scissors!”

In Ho loudly shouted rock-paper-scissors.

In Ho had his index and middle fingers straightened, while Su Yeon extended all five fingers.

The winner was In Ho.

Su Yeon thought to herself that she lost and considered it fortunate.

“I lost. I guess I have to do the dishes. So, In Ho, um… I-In Ho!”

Uttering these words with a pleasant tone, Su Yeon unexpectedly called out In Ho’s name with a quack, which didn’t suit her.

Having won at rock-paper-scissors, In Ho suddenly stood up from his seat and embraced Su Yeon.

Su Yeon, taken aback, couldn’t erase the surprised expression on her face.

“I-In Ho, why are you like this all of a sudden?”

“Why am I like this? You lost at rock-paper-scissors.”

“So, I have to do the dishes, but if you suddenly hug me like this, what am I supposed to do?”

“I didn’t suggest deciding who does the dishes with rock-paper-scissors.”

“W-What are you saying?”

Su Yeon sighed as if she had run out of breath.

Regardless of whether she said anything or not, In Ho quickly moved.

His steps headed towards the bedroom.

Only then did Su Yeon, who had grasped In Ho’s intentions, start to struggle.

“I knew you would be like this. I knew you had an ulterior motive!”

“Ulterior motive? How is having a conversation full of love ulterior?”

“It is! Let me go! I’m tired. I’ll do the dishes and go to bed!”

“You said it wasn’t hard at all earlier. Don’t be deceived.”

“Huh, In Ho!”

Before Su Yeon could speak the words flooding her mouth, In Ho hastily kissed her.

It was an unexpected display of stamina.

He was such a man.

While Su Yeon was internally expressing her surprise, the kiss gradually became more intense.

He gently explored her fierceness, nibbled on her lower lip, and sucked it.

Just that made Su Yeon feel her body heating up.

She who had resisted was now quickly falling for him.

One week later.

Su Yeon had no time to spare in preparing dinner for In Ho, who would return soon.

Time passed frighteningly fast.

Meanwhile, there was no contact from Hye Kyung.

There was no significant event in In Ho’s life either.

Each day was a hell for Hye Kyung, not knowing when and how things would unfold. However, as time passed, her worries faded away.

In Ho’s assistance played a significant role.
While the time spent away from home during the schedule couldn’t be helped, Su Yeon did her best to match their moods during the time they were together.

Looking at In Ho in that state, it seemed that she should be fine, even if it wasn’t okay.

Just having that thought made her condition remarkably better in no time.

The day, one week after, seemed perfect.

Perhaps because of this, Su Yeon’s expression preparing dinner was exceptionally bright.

Though it was the usual cooking she did every day, thinking there was someone to enjoy it made her joyful and happy.

Su Yeon, who was getting excited about cooking, killed time.

It was nearing 6 PM.

“He said he would arrive around 7 o’clock…”

After a moment of contemplation, Su Yeon held the phone in her hand.

She wanted to check if he wasn’t running late or arriving earlier than expected.

Dialing the familiar number, she listened to the signal tone.

But the voice of the one she was waiting for didn’t come through.

“He’s still quite busy…”

She muttered, pouting her lips.

“He should arrive around the time he mentioned since there hasn’t been any other contact.”

Soon, she regained her smile and stood in front of the stove again.

At that moment, the phone, which had been silent, began to ring.

“In Ho’s calling?”

Just from the bell ringing, Su Yeon’s lips curved even brighter.

With a joyful heart, she took the phone in her hand.

However, terrifyingly, her smile faded away, and her complexion started to turn blue.

It was Hye Kyung’s call.

Su Yeon, who had been absent-minded, finally answered the phone after a long while.

“…Hello.”

-Why did you answer the phone so late?

Without even asking how she was doing, the scolding came first.

As if by habit, Su Yeon shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I was doing something else…”

Her rigid voice was filled with fear.

-You should come home.

“Now?!”

Su Yeon’s eyes, like a habit, glanced at the clock.

Exactly 6 o’clock.

If she waited for just one more hour, it would be In Ho’s expected time.

But, but…

-Why? Don’t you want to come? It sounds like you don’t want to.

It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to greet In Ho, who would return after work.

“Ugh…”

A deep sigh escaped her.