Watching Si Hyun eat the rice ball, Tae Ha sat opposite her, resting his chin in his hand.

Even though he didn’t say a word, it felt as if his feelings were being transmitted through his gaze. She realized that’s what the gaze of someone you love looks like.

Sometimes, Si Hyun was curious about Woo Jin’s feelings. Does he really like me? But she wasn’t curious about Tae Ha at all. Without saying a word, just by looking into his eyes, she knew.

Staring so intently made her feel embarrassed, so Si Hyun deliberately changed the subject.
“You saw earlier, right? That person being carried away.”
Even though she referred to him as ‘that person’ because she didn’t want to mention his name, Tae Ha understood and responded.
“In my life, it was the warmest sight I’ve ever seen.”
“That was deliberately done by Miss Mi Joo.”
“Hmm?”
Si Hyun explained the situation.
“Last time, he tripped and spilled hot coffee. I didn’t say a word, but she’s quick to catch on.”
With a face that seemed deep in thought, Tae Ha nodded his head.
“Is that so……?”
After finishing the rice ball, Si Hyun got up.
“I ate well. I’ve left my spot vacant for too long, I should get going.”
As she was about to leave, Tae Ha grabbed her and asked.
“What do you want for dinner later?”
It was a bit funny to hear a question like that from a man dressed perfectly in a suit, as if he was a mother.
“What does it matter what I want when I’m mooching off you? I’d be grateful for whatever you give me.”
“I remember the food you used to like, if there’s anything new you’ve come to enjoy, let me know. I’ll try to make it.”
As if he would do anything she requested, Si Hyun asked on a whim.
“When did you learn to cook so well?”
“I got my certification for Western and Korean cooking while in the military. There’s something called the National Skill Test.”
Wow, he had been busy even in the military. Si Hyun, who couldn’t close her mouth for a while, suddenly realized something.
“Don’t tell me you got it to cook for me?”
“Why else would I have gotten it?”
Suddenly, Tae Ha made a sullen face.
“But after I got discharged and rushed over, you were hugging and kissing some guy in front of the house.”
“Oh my!”
Si Hyun’s face turned red. It must have been around the time when she hadn’t been dating Woo Jin for long, so it could have happened.

“So, that’s why you lost contact and went underground?”
Tae Ha nodded.
“At that time, I had no other options. You seemed so happy, and I couldn’t dare to interfere. Seeing you with my own eyes was driving me mad.”
Until now, Si Hyun hadn’t known why he lost contact after he went to the military, but it felt like the mystery had finally been solved.

Thinking of Tae Ha, who must have thought of her even in the military, her heart suddenly hurt belatedly.

She was about to apologize,
“I’m sorry.”
However, the words surprisingly came from Tae Ha’s mouth, causing Si Hyun to look at him with curious eyes.
“For what?”
“If I had been brave then, you might not have had to waste your time.”
At his serious words, Si Hyun laughed.
“Why is that your fault? It’s my fault for having no eyes for men.”
Furthermore, if Tae Ha had confessed to her at that time, she would have 100% rejected him. He was even younger than now, and she was deeply infatuated with Woo Jin.
“Plus, I don’t regret meeting him. You need such experiences to recognize a good person when you meet one.”
“Ah.”
Tae Ha nodded.
“So, it’s finally time for you to recognize me.”
At his joke, spoken with a face devoid of any trace of laughter, Si Hyun laughed out loud. Tae Ha, who had been watching her laughing face, murmured.
“…Thank you. For giving me a chance.”
She hadn’t accepted his heart. She hadn’t told him she liked him. She had merely said she wouldn’t push him away now.

The man who had silently made rice balls from the busy morning thanked her seriously.

She had already finished the rice balls, but suddenly her throat felt dry.
“The team leader must be looking for me. I should go.”
Tae Ha watched the back of Si Hyun, who quickly turned around and left the office, with longing eyes.

((()))

During the afternoon work, the team leader suddenly called Si Hyun.
“Hey, Kang Si Hyun. Can you come here for a moment?”
“Yes, team leader.”
Wondering what it was, the team leader took Si Hyun to the corner of the office. He looked around and lowered his voice.
“My nephew, you see. He’s 33 this year.”
“Yes.”
“He’s a manager at Samsung Electronics. Graduated from K University, and even has a small apartment in Mapo.”

“So, out of the blue, you’re bragging about your nephew?” Si Hyun responded with a hollow rhythm, not understanding what was being said.
“Wow, you have a remarkable nephew.”
“Right? You wouldn’t find him unsatisfactory, would you, Kang?”
“He’s not unsatisfactory? He’s my age, owns a house in Seoul, he’s truly impressive.”
The team leader seemed pleased with Si Hyun’s praise.
“He has a good character, and in my opinion, a pretty decent male face. That’s why I suggested you meet him.”
“Pardon?”
Almost jumping at his last words, Si Hyun realized it was a blind date!
“No, team leader, I’m fine.”
“No one is saying you have to do anything right away. It’s just a meal between young people.”
He said ‘Gang Si Hyun this’ and ‘that’ while blaming her, but she knew he was a boss who cared for her.

After the divorce, he was even more so, sometimes he would quietly leave snacks on Si Hyun’s desk when she was out.

It was evident that he had not been divorced long, but introducing her to his nephew meant he had a high regard for Si Hyun.

So, she was very grateful in her heart. But… Si Hyun broke out in a cold sweat.
“Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m really fine, team leader.”
“You don’t have to be formal. I told him to come to the front of the company this evening, so feel free to meet him.”
The clueless team leader was a bulldozer. He even set up a date.
“Who is she meeting?”
Si Hyun felt a chill to her bone at the sound of Tae Ha’s voice suddenly behind her.
“Oh, yes. My nephew is of marriageable age but still has no girlfriend.”
The team leader spoke while looking over Si Hyun’s shoulder.
“I told him to have a meal with Deputy Kang later. Ha ha.”

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